Tides Of Eternity

Episode 2: Shadows Beneath the Waves

The morning sun rose over the village of Inaba, casting golden light across the restless sea. Kaiza and Mina walked in silence along the winding coastal path, their footsteps muffled by the damp earth. Though Mina’s eyes were heavy with exhaustion, her resolve was evident. She clutched a small satchel Kaiza had given her, filled with provisions and a spare cloak.

Kaiza glanced at her. “You should rest,” he said, his voice calm but firm.

Mina shook her head. “I’m fine. We have to keep moving.”

Kaiza nodded, impressed by her determination. Despite her youth, Mina had already endured more than most. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt for dragging her into his world of danger and uncertainty. But there was no turning back now.

The trail led them to a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea. Kaiza paused, scanning the horizon. The waves were calm, but he knew better than to trust appearances.

“What are we looking for?”Mina asked, breaking the silence.

“Answers,” Kaiza replied. “The mermaids won’t stop hunting us. We need to find out why.”

Mina’s brow furrowed. “But you killed them last night. Doesn’t that mean we’re safe?”

Kaiza shook his head. “Mermaids are never alone. Where there are a few, there are many. And they don’t forgive easily.”

Mina’s expression darkened, but she said nothing. She followed Kaiza as he began to descend the outcrop, his movements sure and deliberate. They reached a secluded cove, its waters unnaturally still. The air felt heavy, as if the sea itself were holding its breath.

Kaiza knelt by the water’s edge, his gaze intent. “Stay close,” he said.

Mina obeyed, standing just behind him. She watched as Kaiza pulled a small vial from his cloak. Inside was a silvery liquid that seemed to shimmer with its own light.

“What is that?” Mina asked.

“A lure,” Kaiza said, uncorking the vial. “It’ll draw them out.”

He poured the liquid into the water, where it spread in iridescent ripples. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the surface of the cove began to churn. Shadows moved beneath the waves, growing larger and more distinct. Mina’s breath caught as she saw them: figures with sleek, inhuman forms and glowing eyes.

“Get behind me,” Kaiza ordered, drawing his sword. Mina scrambled back, her heart pounding.

The first mermaid broke the surface with a piercing shriek, its webbed hands reaching for Kaiza. He met its attack head-on, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Another creature lunged at him from the side, but Kaiza sidestepped, driving his sword into its chest.

“Kaiza!”Mina cried, pointing toward the water. More mermaids were emerging, their numbers overwhelming. Kaiza gritted his teeth, realizing they couldn’t hold their ground.

“Run!”He shouted, grabbing Mina’s arm. They fled up the rocky path, the mermaids’ shrieks echoing behind them. The creatures didn’t pursue far, retreating to the water as Kaiza and Mina reached higher ground.

Breathing heavily, Kaiza turned to Mina. “Are you hurt?”

She shook her head, though her face was pale. “What were they doing? Why didn’t they follow us?”

Kaiza’s jaw tightened. “They were protecting something.”

Mina’s eyes widened. “What could they be protecting?”

Kaiza didn’t answer immediately. He stared at the cove, his mind racing. “We need to find out. But we’ll need help.”

The village elder’s house was a modest structure, its walls lined with shelves of ancient scrolls and artifacts. The elder, a stooped man with sharp eyes, listened intently as Kaiza explained the events at the cove. Mina sat nearby, her hands folded in her lap.

When Kaiza finished, the elder nodded slowly. “You’re dealing with more than just mermaids,” he said. “The waters here are steeped in old magic. If the mermaids are guarding something, it’s likely connected to that.”

Kaiza frowned. “Do you know what it could be?”

The elder hesitated, then rose from his chair. He shuffled to a shelf and retrieved a worn scroll. Unrolling it carefully, he revealed an intricate map of the coastline. He pointed to a mark near the cove.

“There’s a sunken temple here,” he said. “It’s said to hold a relic of great power. The mermaids have likely claimed it as their own.”

Kaiza studied the map. “What kind of relic?”

The elder’s expression darkened. “A shard of the Abyss. It’s a fragment of an ancient force, capable of granting immense power—or destruction. If the mermaids are using it, they could become unstoppable.”

Mina’s voice trembled. “Can we stop them?”

Kaiza’s gaze was steady. “We have to. Where can I find someone who knows more about this?”

The elder gestured to another mark on the map. “There’s a hermit who lives in the cliffs to the north. He’s studied the old magic for decades. If anyone can help, it’s him.”

Kaiza folded the map and tucked it into his cloak. “Thank you.”

The elder nodded. “Be careful. The path to the hermit is treacherous, and the mermaids won’t let you go easily.”

The journey to the cliffs was grueling. The path was narrow and steep, with loose rocks that threatened to send them tumbling into the sea below. Mina struggled to keep up, but she refused to complain. Kaiza’s presence was a steadying force, his movements sure and deliberate.

As they neared the hermit’s dwelling, a small cave carved into the cliffside, Kaiza sensed they were being watched. He stopped abruptly, his hand on his sword.

“What is it?”Mina whispered.

Kaiza’s eyes scanned the shadows. “Stay close,” he said.

They reached the cave without incident, but the sense of unease lingered. The hermit emerged from the darkness, a wiry man with piercing eyes and a beard streaked with gray. He regarded them with suspicion.

“Who are you, and why have you come?”he demanded.

Kaiza stepped forward. “We need your help. The mermaids are guarding a relic, a shard of the Abyss. We need to stop them.”

The hermit’s expression hardened. “The Abyss is not to be trifled with. You don’t know what you’re dealing with.”

“Then tell us,” Kaiza said. “We don’t have time to waste.”

The hermit studied him for a long moment, then sighed. “Very well. But know this: once you’ve set foot on this path, there’s no turning back.”

Kaiza’s gaze didn’t waver. “We’re ready.”

The hermit stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter the cave. As they followed him into the darkness, Mina reached for Kaiza’s hand. He gave it a reassuring squeeze, his resolve unshaken. Whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.