The whale's powerful sneeze sent Long Fei and Shui Yi tumbling through the air, the vast ocean spiraling into a blur. His grip tightened around her, his qi weaving around them, guiding their fall as they soared through the haze.
She looped her arms around his neck, caught in the adrenaline rush, her scream swallowed by the howling winds. He tilted his head away from her as he held her tight during their descent. A thrill coursed through her veins, an exhilaration from this new experience.
With a soft thud, they landed on sand—an entirely different realm from the ocean world they had just left behind. He lowered her gently to her feet, his gaze sweeping over their surroundings. She wriggled her toes, feeling the grains of sand rub against each other. This felt so much better than the damp timber of the pirate ship.
The sounds of the ocean had vanished, replaced by an eerie tranquility. A strange, mist-laden land stretched before them. She rubbed her arms, feeling the chill. This place was much colder than the warm breath of the whale.
"Where are we?" she asked, squinting to see through the ghostly purple glow. The red full moon radiated an eerie light, casting flickering shades across the starless sky.
"Veil of the Tides Realm. A transitional realm between the ocean and mortal worlds," said Long Fei, his gaze scanning the land as though searching for something.
The fog clung to the ground, undulating like an ocean wave. It rolled against their skin, carrying a faint saltiness. As they moved, the mist whispered, faint echoes of forgotten tongues.
The tranquility was unsettling; their every step was amplified in silence as if the land was waiting with bated breath. Translucent trees stretched toward the dim sky, their branches trembling with untold secrets.
The mist curled around them, its cold touch seeping into their skin. The trees swayed, though there was no wind, their branches creaking under some unseen pressure. Shadows danced across the ground, fleeting, as if something were lurking just out of sight.
Shui Yi took a deep breath, feeling the cool, soft earth beneath her feet. The robe slipped down from her shoulders, now hanging precariously at her waist. The familiar weight, the reminder of her lost tail, comforted her. It felt like a part of her had returned.
She sat down gently on the ground, pulling the robe tighter over her legs. Her fingers brushed the fabric absently, tracing its folds as though it were her lost tail. Her touch lingered with quiet longing. She hugged her knees, shivering as the mist coiled around her legs.
"Your Highness, please don't venture too far from me. This realm is not known to be safe." Long Fei stood beside her, his gaze still scanning their environment.
Maybe he didn't realize that she was sitting down in the fog. She let out a resigned sigh. She stood back up and brushed herself off. Still, she made no effort to adjust the cloak draped around her waist. What was the point? She had spent her entire life as a mermaid, appreciating the natural state of things. In this unknown world, it should be no different.
He immediately turned his back and let out a slight cough. "You should… adjust your robe properly."
She tilted her head, her wide eyes scanning him with innocent curiosity. "Is something wrong with it?"
The tip of his ears reddened, though he refused to turn around. "You must be freezing in this chilly air. Wrap your robe tighter to keep warm," he muttered, his tone carrying an undertone of discomfort.
She didn't quite understand, but she was more concerned with the unfamiliar surroundings. A sudden flicker of energy caught her attention—a familiar energy, but it didn't emanate from him. Where else could it be from? She refocused on the Sacred Pearl. She glanced at him, wondering: was the kiss necessary?The pearl transferred so easily, by just breathing into him, but now, it felt so difficult to retrieve it. But... she had to return home. Her father had banished her until the pearl was hers again.
She tapped a finger to her chin, raking through her memory. Had there been a pink glow? She thought so. But she had already patted him down. The pearl wasn't on him. He even said that's not how it worked. Was he lying? She puckered her lips, determined to take the Sacred Pearl from him again. This was simply a matter of retrieving what was once hers. The thought of a kiss seemed natural to her. She had no idea of the boundaries it crossed, nor of the effect it would have on him.
A shadow stirred in the shifting fog, catching her attention. A figure materialized. A biting breeze swept through as the silhouette of a tall, sleek figure emerged from the haze. Long, silver-blue hair cascaded down her back like an ethereal waterfall, shimmering faintly in the moonlight. The most striking feature was her azure-hued skin—reminiscent of the ocean. A long tail trailed behind her, a whale's tail that glided gracefully across the mist-laden ground. That creature looked harmless. Shui Yi sensed a strange familiarity with her. She rubbed her eyes and reopened them, but the creature had vanished.
Eyes widening, she nearly forgot her sole mission. Her pulse quickened as she fixed her gaze on Long Fei, entirely consumed by the thought of reclaiming the Sacred Pearl. His eyes widened and he slowly stepped back.
Oblivious to everything, Shui Yi reached for his face, her fingers brushing lightly against his skin. As she leaned in, eyes closed, a part of her hesitated as he subtly pulled away. Was this right? When he took the pearl, it had cost her everything—her kingdom, her home, her tail. But if she took it back... what would it cost him? Was this the only way? Or was she merely chasing a desire she didn't understand?
She felt a chilly hand pressing firmly against her mouth, stopping her from proceeding further. Her eyes snapped open, and she turned toward the mysterious figure.