Dark; if there was one thing she could call this place, it was dark.

The mermaid moved carefully through the abyss, slowly going deeper. Her eyes narrowed to be able to see in the shadows. Her skin shivered while she looked at the mass of black seaweed, which tangled on the rocks that rose up around her. The chasm narrowed with every sway of tail and inch she sunk, with less space to swim.

But she kept on moving forward. Her slender figure was able to swim more or less freely without getting trapped between the thick rotten plants.

Iara opened her eyes fully, finally able to see more. A faint red hue pulsed in the water once she reached the lowest depths. She stared mouth agape, halting upon the stony opening. The arc seemed to loom over her, even if it leaned upwards like an open maw. The red glow came out of it, almost like if the waters inside were tainted with blood.

Anyone would have bolted away. All would have at least grown fearful… but not her. Her eyes glared at the stony tunnel, which looked like a throat, going deeper, down, into the ruins, into darkness.

No-one stopped her as she ventured. She carefully swam in the small passageways, never hitting a wall. She grew weary of the derelict pillars that began to come into view as she advanced. But it did not mean her determination faltered.

She eventually reached a big chamber, a bigger opening than the tunnels behind her. Her eyes trailed it for a minute; the only thing in it, two paths. One led above out of the water, layered with broken stony stairs. The other sunk deeper, the walls decorated with older engravings.

She could not risk getting stuck out of water; she would not crawl up those stairs. And so, she swam down, nearing the end of the ruins.

There were no carcasses in the tunnels anymore. For her presence was expected.

Two eyes opened in the depths, a sharp smile growing slowly. The sweet sound of fins moving echoed faintly, still distant. But it was just a matter of time until her guest swam into her lair.

Iara’s eyes opened wide, unable to avoid halting. There were many things inhabiting the huge chamber, which surely had been an underground temple in ancient times. Huge pillars rose from the ground, almost reaching for the edge above, a walkway out of water. Most were sharp, eroded with time. A few were short, others long; all were broken and unfixed from the ceiling.

That was nothing, however, another thing stood out more. Iara doubted slightly, seeing it all move, slowly. There was a huge mass of seaweed. It tangled everywhere, almost hiding the murky stony walls. They were all over the place; the ones hanging above and behind her were slightly black, a rotten tone to them. But as she trailed their length with her eyes, she could see them gaining life, a sick red colour to them. They merged ahead on the farthest wall, and below them…

“Welcome…”

All was red as blood. Two eyes glinted between the vines. She could see what she assumed to be a figure, which looked at her with curiosity. But she could not quite know, for it seemed to be buried below the seaweed. Or fused with it…

Regula laughed, not needing to close the way out, glad to see that the mermaid was not fleeing. She was only looking at her with wary wonder, her gray tail tense. Still, it was obvious she was ready to bolt at any hint of danger; something that she would not show.

It would not be… courteous.

Iara leaned her head when the figure spoke again, her voice echoing all through, questioning like a prideful host.

“It’s been a long time since someone ventured into my…” Red eyes narrowed, seeming to let the next word tiredly. “Ah… my demure shelter.”

The mermaid looked all around her again, something deep inside her blaring loud alarms into her brain. Something she could not pinpoint. Her eyes fixed onto the mass of seaweed, which looked a lot like pulsing veins. It was beautifully unnerving; their surface looked so soft yet so sharp.

Those thoughts were interrupted when the dweller of the ruins inquired.

Iara opened her mouth, and her words echoed back to her as she drifted a little closer between pillars. Now she was able to notice that the other could not move away from the wall.

“Who are you?”

The black flesh below the red seemed to bend slightly, which made Iara frown in worry. The skin looked almost rotten, creaked, melted on the walls, the seaweed coming out of it. They were all over, pulsing, hiding most of the limbs. Only her head and torso were still visible; and even then, dressed in red.

But she could still move a little. A claw came out between the mass slowly, motioning down to explain like a patient teacher.

“I have many names. Most I can’t even remember. The one that is still fresh in my conscience and that I can recall… Regula.” Her red eyes filled with amusement, seeing azure eyes fix on the blossoms growing all over her body. All glowed red. “You don’t seem afraid of my gift.”

Iara stared at the cluster and lotuses for another minute. They glowed, pulsed, and drifted almost on their own accord. The light that came from them was unnatural.

Regula smiled, seeing Iara avert her gaze onto her own hands. She looked up again after a few seconds of contemplation, her glance firm as her hands let out her own faint glow. The seaweed trembled for it, a laugh let out.

“I see.” Iara floated pridefully while Regula eyed her with interest. “You too share the same will. And you don’t seem ashamed of it. It’s still weak, however. I presume you too are shunned for such power.”

Iara swam closer, pure wonder in her eyes.

“So you truly know how to control it?”

“Young one…” Sharp fangs showed in a faked kind smile. One that was warm, but cold inside. “It is the reason I am here, trapped. Always here, looking upon merfolk that dare seek my aid, push aside their fear of the unknown. Only ones in need seek this place, in search of help. And I, do aid them. As much as my will can, for I wish for them to achieve their wishes. Their prosperity is my own wish. And I endure the hate for it.”

Iara watched as the witch’s claws moved, open in a welcoming motion. Her torso bowed down, her eyes narrowed. Some vines beside her drifted in a pretty flow.

“I have seen so many. I have heard their thoughts and wishes. A father begging for health for his daughter… I listened and saved her. A young one like you, fearful of losing the youth still there… I kept it for much longer than what it would have lasted on its own.” Iara missed the glint in her eyes as she glanced subtly onto the seaweed over her. “A love-struck mermaid, wishing for limbs, which could bring her closer to her lover. I gave her legs, just like the ones of the human she longed to be with. So many unfortunate souls, which I reached for.”

Her tone grew more kind, Iara blinking as a vine brushed gently her cheek, soft to the touch.

“And I do wonder…” Regula shook her head, giving Iara a sad smile. “What could a healthy, pretty and talented mermaid like you wish for? You don’t look sick, there’s no greed in your eyes and you are so free-spirited. Perhaps, I see sorrow?”

Iara smiled sadly, hope beating strong in her.

“I only want one thing.” She snarled silently, remembering that she gave someone legs. “I need to learn to be stronger! I want to bring someone with me into the water… a human. I want to change him; I want to end his solitude! So I want you to teach me to-“

“Why teach you?” Iara’s eyes filled with surprised hurt for a moment, thinking she was being rejected. But she calmed down, because the enchantress raised a hand as she offered. “It could take you ages to perfect such a spell. It could be too late by the time you wield it with grace. Human lives are brief. Why learn, when you can have my help tonight?”

Iara watched as Regula pointed above, even if the sky was unseen in the depths of the dark ruins.

“I can help you and make it be. I have done it before.” Regula suddenly sighed, surprising Iara. “But there’s something to consider. You do know there is something to pay… to give.”

Iara tensed, knowing well. Regula was unfazed to see the mermaid grow wary… because all did. Her next harsh questioning whisper was just one of many.

“What payment?”

It is easy.

Seaweed waved, and Iara blinked when a loud rip echoed. She watched baffled as a flower was cut out, the motion looking painful. Yet Regula did not seem bothered; she only held the lotus in her claw calmly, shaking her head.

“I always share my own being with the ones I help, my own flesh.” Regula warned, laughing. “But you… Would you sacrifice your freedom? For a human? Would you let go of that wonder I see in your eyes to bring someone closer? Someone who could take away everything and keep you down? You could be tied down… You would lose your will. Helping others can bring misery. You could tire; you could be blinded by an illusion, a dream. Think of how free you are on your own, why-“

“I won’t regret bringing him near.” Regula chuckled, for Iara whipped her tail down and clenched her fist, determination filling her heart. “I wish for him to be in the sea. I won’t feel chained due to his presence, no matter how it may make us both struggle!”

“You truly have the will it seems.” Iara gasped when Regula’s claw opened, the flower let down. Her hands were quick to catch it, afraid of it being torn by the ruin below. “We both will surrender something then. Now listen well, young one.”

She did, intently. Her bright azure eyes never stopped looking at the pulsing flower.

“I don’t want you to fear, I don’t want you to worry that something may go wrong. So I will ensure there is a perfect change for him, his security at that moment. The moon shall be the witness of it; I shall seek its aid like you sought mine. The sea always rises under its whims; it always tries to reach for its glow at night, its beauty. Soon, the moon will gain a blood-like tone, grow bigger. It will make the sea thrive and bloom more than any other night. A perfect moment we can’t let pass.” She pointed a nail gently, closing her eyes in anticipation. “Let the lotus fill with water. Then, allow a few drops of your blood to mix in it… and offer it to him, to take in. As long as he truly wishes for it too, it will work. Our will shall be one, shared, in a pact.”

Regula sighed and smiled, leaning back onto the wall, seaweed covering her gently.

“Did you understand everything?”

Red eyes narrowed, seeing her nod.

“Y-yes…”

She believed she did. Like all before.

“Very well.” Seaweed swayed, waving ahead back to the tunnel. “Don’t waste time, or you could miss the sight of the moon when it’s so majestic. It will not happen again for a long time. And as much as I’m sure any other night would do, I’m certain you don’t wish to take that risk, do you?”

Iara shook her head, realizing she had little time. She called back while she swam away, hope finally settled deep in her.

“I must hurry… Thank you!”

The enchantress laughed silently, her figure leaning in the dark, not worried about the mermaid leaving. She whispered back, unheard.

“No. Thank you.”

They would soon meet again, and never part ways.