It was really cold, and dark, eerie, disgusting. Nothing he had seen before. And most importantly, it was able to freak him out more than drowning.

“I don’t like this.”

Alon looked back, having to squint to see Matthew behind him. The tunnels were too small, he could barely swim freely.

“You always say that.”

Matthew nodded slowly, his eyes narrowed. His expression was as serious as Alon’s.

“With even more reason now, look at this shit.”

Alon shuddered slightly, indeed seeing seaweed tangling on the walls. It was fleshier, a faint red hue to it. The ruins felt alive, hungrily so. And while swimming deeper, he pondered for a moment, not halting. Perhaps he even felt envy towards Matthew, because he was smaller, able to avoid touching the walls.

“She is definitely here.”

“I can see that.”

They were whispering, moving carefully and with doubt. And yet, soon, Alon warned.

“Be quiet now.” He glared at the vines around them, sensing an echo. “She may hear us.”

He thought Matthew would get his point. He didn’t.

“W-wherever she is, she must be far.” Matthew peeked over him, one of his fins pointing to the tunnels, too many. “This place is huge; the seaweed goes deeper, very much so. She can’t possibly-“

“She can.” His silver eyes showed worry, even if he kept himself composed. “Not only because she is a dolphin, Matthew. These things can feel.”

Matthew instantly swayed closer to him, trying to keep himself floating away from the walls. Not an easy task. Alon had seen the seaweed shiver. It trembled with each move they made. Iara knew they were coming. The strange thing about it, however, and what unnerved them both, was that she did not seem to want to force them out. The vines were beginning to gain a red colour, yet they were not lashing up as they swam.

It took them a while to reach a place where Matthew felt more at ease, every tunnel slim and only leading to more. They were too similar, labyrinth-like. Alon’ eyes glinted in interest when they came upon a bigger opening. There was more space, two ways, only one viable.

Matthew looked warily around, while Alon swam up. He emerged in the small space of air above, taking a deep breath at last. He glared at the stairs next, knowing they could not climb them easily to go through that path.

Our tails can’t-

“A-Alon!

He gasped, hearing Matthew call fearfully below. He was fast to sink back to him. Both swayed closer to each other, tensing, eyeing the walls. They heard and saw the seaweed move. And so, Alon shielded him. They got ready to move and dodge any lash. But to their surprise, the black mass only crawled over the opening they came from. There was not a single move to hurt them. Those hazel eyes widened in horror, seeing the only exit getting blocked.

“N-no!”

Matthew dashed fast for the tunnel, his hand reaching for the seaweed. He pulled, desperate to keep them from closing them in. But to no avail, he could only let go with a heave, the vines tangling with each other, cementing fiercely the way back. It was a thick wall of black… and red. The former human had not seen much in the dark, but by being this close to the vines, even he could recognize that most had a bloody colour now. He instantly moved off, crying out, remembering well what it meant. She was near.

He slowly turned around, fins trembling, tail moving in jolts. Only to see Alon there, contemplating the other tunnel with his eyes narrowed. He was floating in a determined stance, and he soon whispered firmly.

“Only one way to go, down.”

Matthew gulped and curled his arm around his frame. Alon was looking back at him, questioning calmly. They could not falter now; the point of no return had been long ago reached.

Alon had warned him before; he told him that he could go away and flee. And still, he felt pulled into this. He was reluctant, but he knew he had to face the consequences of his trust. No words would make this situation better. Not in between the two of them. They could only try to speak with one.

They exchanged looks, the stagnant water not bringing them a single sound. If they did not know better, they would assume they were alone. Not even the seaweed moved now. Nothing echoed, only their uneven breathing. Matthew bowed his head for a minute, trying to calm himself once more. Then, he raised his gaze, swaying to Alon’s side. There was enough space in that tunnel for them to swim side by side. It was the only good thing about the damn ruins. Their hearts held hope and fear while they swam through the long path, each move bringing them deeper, below. Those silver eyes slowly opened, a small turn bringing them to its end. They both began to slow down, not having expected what they saw.

A huge stony chamber, derelict pillars rising towards the surface above. What looked like a tribune loomed above the water, crowning the core of the ruins. The difference in height between pillars created eerie shadows, sharp and distorted. The chamber was black once, yet now there was no hint that it had been. The mass, which dressed every surface, was red; deeply so. There were glowing and pulsing blossoms on its flesh, all over. From time to time, they lighted dimly the chamber, glinting. All began to pulse faintly when they floated at the end of the tunnel, mouth agape.

They admired in horror the sight. But soon, they noticed the figure floating in the shadows, almost hidden between the tall pillars. Her eyes glinted in the darkness, near the farthest wall, watching them intently and calmly. Time seemed to slow down as they exchanged glances. One felt care and regret, the second dread and wariness, the third coldness and hate.

She was the one to speak first, with a condescending smile. They did not voice anything, nothing that could hurt her. The parasite felt more assured of its safety, and it made it clear in her voice.

“You two should have eluded my reach. You know what I am now.”

Matthew hid behind Alon, scared. There was no trace of the mermaid they knew, truly. Red glinted in her eyes, in bloodlust, and there was a threat in her words. But Alon did not cower, not even when her bloody dress moved slightly and subtly. His voice echoed firmly, his fists clenched.

“I know you are not this.” Alon growled, seeing clearly how the seaweed sunk into her skin, her blood painting it red. “Iara, listen to me. I know you can. This parasite-“

“Do you think I’m not aware of what gives me strength?”

Alon snarled, because Iara shook her head, one of her hands reaching for one flower. Matthew’s eyes fixed on it while she held it, speaking mockingly.

“This, all this, is what allowed me to achieve what I wished when you refused to aid me. You can’t grasp how powerful magic can be. I remember how you forced me away, judging me, like all the rest. And now, I can see there’s no point in reaching for you both. What for? What can you offer? Like this, I can feel much more, grasp for more.”

Iara tensed when Matthew snarled and yelled behind a now doubtful Alon.

“S-shut up, y-you fucking thing!” Matthew pointed his tail angrily, teeth showing. “Y-you, not her, you damn parasite! I’m sure you can understand me! I swear, leave her, so I can smack her for letting your disgusting vines-!”

He had to stop. Matthew froze, not daring to breathe. A vine had moved fast, stabbing the rocks inches away from his chest. It missed intentionally. He fell silent, her voice growing darker.

“Matt…” Alon growled, seeing her grin, use a faked kind tone; one that was familiar, invoked to mock them even more. “Can’t you see that I am still here? I remember all we shared. As well, how I gave you that flower. And you know what?”

Alon finally lost his patience, seeing Iara laugh at them, a small sob escaping Matthew.

“I couldn’t have cared less if you had drowned while you changed. I can’t care less for you both. You two are useless, one selfish and blind, the other human and weak. I can promise I really feel this way. You both are nothing but-“

“Enough!”

Iara’s eyes narrowed, while Matthew gasped. She did not make a move, not even if Alon lunged at her, his tail kicking fiercely between pillars. He was ready to grab her, rip those things off her neck. Forcefully if needed. He had been ready to see the seaweed on the walls move to stop him. But he had not been ready for another thing.

“Ah-h!”

Iara did not even blink when another merman leapt from the shadows. Sharp teeth bit down, those silver eyes widening in pain and surprise. Matthew screamed in alarm, seeing a familiar shark use its jaws to shove Alon away from her. It let go fast, dodging a kick of a huge black tail. The killer whale panted and growled, one of his hands rising to his shoulder. His eyes moved to glare at the shark, who dashed back into the shadows between pillars, where he could not manoeuvre as fast.

Alon trembled, hearing the bastard laugh, his voice echoing with amusement… and perhaps truth as well.

“Come on, you fat beluga, try to face me! Unless you want me to be free to bite a little fish.”

His eyes filled with fear, looking back at Matthew, who was still near the tunnel. The shark had moved between shadowed debris, from where he could easily jump from and kill. It did not help any that he could hear Iara moving.

Alon gasped, seeing seaweed pulse, her figure sway away from him. She outright ignored him. She was heading for Matthew instead, who was slowly backing off. And so, he kicked his tail to dash in between, to stop her. He couldn’t. A shark swam again from the shadows, pushing him rather effortlessly, keeping his distance.

The shark could easily hunt Matthew while she dealt with Alon. That could be. But they instead traded aims. He had wished for a long time to get even with the orca, and these cramped ruins offered a perfect environment for him to do so; there were a lot of pillars to swim in between. And Iara… wanted to end things herself.

While Alon tried to spot the shark in the dark, she approached Matthew slowly. The brunet kept backing off from her, glaring at her sharp eyes, nervous yet angry. He gulped and took a deep breath, knowing he could not flee. He suddenly floated upright, facing her with his fist clenched, calling for her.

“I-Ia!” She halted in front of him, leaning her head slowly. “Stay back! D-don’t make me do something I might regret!”

He lost some confidence, rather quickly, because he heard her chuckle. She gave him a questioning glance, mocking him.

“Like what?”

His silvery fins twitched and his dorsal one unfolded sharply, ready to move, most probably flee. Still, he nodded at the vines scarring her neck, scoffing.

“I’ll p-pull at these things a-and-!“

“You are too weak to manage.” Matthew winced when her dress moved, latching fiercely around his only arm, pulling at it. “Alon might be able to at least try, but you?”

Alon’s eyes widened, seeing Iara pull at Matthew, forcing his hand near her neck. She kept a calm hold that he tried to resist, to no avail.

“Matth-!”

He had bolted for them, after a few exchanged kicks with an elusive shark. Sadly, Iara was not only paying mind to the former human. Matthew watched in horror as the seaweed near Alon moved from the walls and slammed him down. It kept him in the dark and away, where a shark was roaming, sending him continuous swipes and pushes. The merman could do nothing against the two.

Iara had looked back at Alon for a moment, coldly. But now, she returned her attention to Matthew, smiling. She had laid his hand against her neck, onto the vines, daring him.

“Well…?”

Matthew snarled, seeing her mock him. At first, he had tried to free his hand. Now, he glared angrily, suddenly clenching his hand. He pulled, trying to do as she suggested. To his dismay, she was right. No matter how he yanked, the bloody threads did not unlatch, not a single inch. The mass was hard as stone, yet it still pulsed with her heartbeat. She felt extreme amusement for his horrified realization, seeing him try to move away again. There was no way to unlatch the parasite, not with his pitiful strength.

“Not even with the change did you leave behind your revolting humanity.”

Matthew whimpered, feeling the seaweed around his arm tighten, scratch his skin lightly. His hazel eyes hinted terror, seeing the threads sink into his skin, blood flowing.

“Stop!” His tail flailed, panicking. “Ia, please, I know you don’t want to-!”

The vine holding his arm pulled again. He was swung off, all the mass suddenly flailing. After the dazing push, he noticed quickly that his arm was free, but it did not mean he was out of trouble. A trembling whimper escaped him, seeing everything loom over him, an unending flow of red. Her voice was not showing any care while he cowered under her shadows.

“There’s nothing I wish more than killing you.” Their eyes met once more. Hers displayed a cold sincerity, her sharp fangs showing in a malicious grin. “I think you already knew that before. But you can’t seem to accept the truth. I may have to bring you to reality again, don’t you agree?”

Matthew finally moved for real, not trying to call for reason anymore. There was none. One vine on a wall shot like a bullet, scarping his tail, causing him to hiss. And Iara just laughed, moving slowly towards him, taking her time while he swam between the seaweed that tried to stab him. It was lashing at him, but non-lethally. She was literally playing with him, smiling at his panicking dodges, ignoring his accusatory glances.

Both swam near the top of the pillars, where she had shoved him, more space there for her to chase. Below, Alon struggled, his big tail swinging wildly. His eyes were aflame as his hands tore yet another vine trying to strangle him. Pure fury took him when he glanced up for a second, seeing Iara forcing Matthew to sway blindly, in hopes of dodging her swipes.

He had looked up for one second. It was what he could spare before he had to pay mind to another thing. The shark swam from the shadows again, his spiked tail leaning around a pillar, tackling him once more. Alon could see the confidence in his grin, and how his jaws moved in cackles. Those clawed hands shot onto his back fin, bending it painfully.

Alon cried in pain, unable to stop that attack, his hands struggling with some vines. Now he had to let go with one, to try to defend himself from the shark. It was a difficult task. This time they were even in force; one was faster, barely hit by fierce moves of tail. The pillars around suffered the most under his slams, shielding the smaller merman, who was being aided by a parasite as well.

They were not even trying. Her bloody eyes were full of glee, slowly growing more murderous. What little thought there was from the host, it faded completely. She did not show care when Matthew screamed, a thread slashing his face. Blood poured into the stagnant water, making all the vines shiver in anticipation. He was growing tired of swimming between vines and pillars. There was nowhere to go in reality, he was just whining time.

Matthew panted, closing his eyes for a moment to hold his check with a hiss. It was a clear mistake. His eyes widened, feeling more vines on him. They slammed against his chest, barely cutting or stabbing. They just pushed fiercely, rasping his skin. Iara did not show a trace of remorse when she dragged him onto a wall, near the gallery above. She made her seaweed part from the stone, to let him hit the hard ruin. A loud thud and cry echoed as he did so.

The human choked and snarled, his vision flickering in black for a few seconds. The wall leaned inwards below the tribune, allowing him to lay onto it, dazed. He struggled to push himself up, his tail moving in weak jolts. It took him a few seconds to process all the pain, as it came from many things. The hit had been fierce, and there were many cuts on his chest, tail and face.

All that was concerning, but he should worry more about another thing. He slowly rolled to try to sit up, panting; only for his eyes to widen instead, his mouth opening in a scared heave. His hand shook, rising slowly in front of him, in a blind shielding motion. A light began to reflect onto him, almost spectral. He was face to face with Iara. Her eyes were fixed on his, her figure inches away, cornering him. Those eyes were impossibly red, glinting slightly in that unnatural hue. There was barely any azure tonality in her irises, sharp as knives.

Even if she was so close, her frame was shadowed. Most of what he could see was seaweed. Her vines rose over her shoulders, towering and enclosing. And so, he cried, hearing her question him harshly, one single vine closing in and looming over his eyes, ready to stab.

“Don’t you regret trusting me?”

The parasite felt raw elation, seeing the despair in those hazel eyes, pure sorrow. He was looking at her, crying silently, moments before death. Trust was a dangerous feeling. It could pull you down into a vicious whirl, in which to drown. It had seen it so many times… over, and over again. It always ended tainted with blood.

The vine rose. And Matthew just braced himself for the deadly stab, feeling lost and helpless, he was unable to fight her. He was incapable of stopping that vine from killing him, fueled by hate she was forced to feel. All he could do was wait… and as it loomed at its highest stance, a mournful call echoed, full of fear.

“This is not what I wanted, Iara! P-please, don’t!”

Matthew blinked and breathed in, because he saw Iara suddenly cower in a jolt, hearing Alon call in alarm. The killer whale was struggling for dear life against the shark, looking up at them both with horror. The human did not miss the faint trace of worry that crossed her eyes. Her gaze twisted with hate once she got over his words, seeing it had been harmless. Even relief was evident in her face. The vines had trembled.

Those facts were vital, Matthew was not stupid. He pondered with a dark expression, seeing her glare down at Alon, as if angry for his words. The merman was panting, crying out as he struggled against her vines and the shark strangling him. He was growing weaker with each second that passed, his tail going limp, haunted by the sight of her trying to kill.

“I never thought things w-would end up like this! I should have not let you go; I should have not allowed you to bring him that flower!” Iara grew bored of him, snarling. She raised one more vine over his neck, to cut him off, hating his words. “I should have not refused to-“

The words made her angry. There was dread in her gaze. That trail of thought made her nervous; she had flinched, thinking it had been Matthew the one saying them.

Matthew knew it, he could see. He remembered how startled she had looked when he bolted in between. As well, how she had tried to kill him as soon as she got over it. The shark had taken haste in trying to bring him down, almost desperate. She had greeted them warily into the ruins, waiting for them to speak, to see what they would say. Her confidence had grown, for they had been unable to call for her heart.

There was a deal. A deal he was part of. Magic took will. He had heard it so many times now. She was scared of his words, of him.

Just as the vine near Alon’s neck began to slash, Matthew screamed at her. He leaned slightly off the wall to yell, and her whole figure froze in shock as the words flowed fast.

“Ia, I regret my choice! I shouldn’t have taken that flower! I regret taking it!” She turned sharply to face him again, a shark gasping, those silver eyes widening. Her eyes filled with fury, her figure shivering suddenly. Matthew noticed it clearly; he continued without taking a breath, seeing her lean to stab and stop him. “I’m unhappy with this! I didn’t want to become this! I didn’t wish to be a merman to be in the sea! I wanted to be one, to be with you both! But you are gone! I hate this! I don’t have what I wished! I hate being alone like this! My wish was not to be a mer-!”

He had to stop, gasping in pain, feeling a cut. He had tried to say anything that came to mind, anything that could bring her back. Alon trembled below, seeing her vines stab into Matthew’s side. But he soon saw that it had been non-lethal. The vines had dashed in a blind weak motion.

His hazel eyes opened, trembling, seeing Iara do so as well. Her eyes were closed, her whole figure jolting. The vines were thrashing and moaning. All flinched when a sudden hue pulsed in her eyes, which made her let out a loud pained cry. Her mind began to scream, a sudden feeling of doubt sinking, flowing wildly inside. It settled in her heart. The parasite panicked, because her heartbeat began to change, into her own; those words unchained the emotions that had been locked away. All her tainted memories were becoming clear again. The assurance that things were how they should be was gone. Her will was coming back, because the spell that sealed it was broken. Her wish was not granted, for the third did not desire it.

As soon as that glint crossed her eyes, something else happened. The bond was broken, the deal was shattered. Matthew cried out in pain, while Iara cowered away from him, holding her head. Alon could only watch as both shook in anguish. One curled on himself in agonized jolts, while the other screamed loudly and flailed her tail when the vines around her neck tightened.

Alon blinked and gasped, while the shark yelped; both saw the vines holding him let go, in panicked and blind jolts. The host was the parasite’s priority, Iara was now struggling to regain control, aware of her actions and how her mind had been taken.

The shark quickly let go of Alon when he growled, unhindered. He did not manage to dodge his next lunge, which made them both thrash between pillars, finally brawling without handicaps. They both struggled, kicking wildly; one kept trying to use the debris to gain distance, while the other attempted to turn him upside down without result.

Surprisingly, Alon grew tired of being civilized, unable to turn him around. He had never bitten, but at the moment he could not care less about fighting stereotypes.

If I’m called a killer…

“A-AH-aah!”

Those red eyes shot open wide, feeling fangs tearing his back fin. Alon was now on top of him, not simply biting, but tearing flesh angrily. They began to swirl chaotically, both feral, clawing with their hands and fangs.

While Alon pushed off all self-constraint below, two struggled to hang on above. Matthew let out a gurgled scream, burning inside out. All his body felt like when he drank from that flower. His tail felt like if it were melting, torn apart. There were some loud snaps and cracks, which he could not hear as he let himself lean against the wall, mouth open in pain. He could feel how the water was beginning to feel wrong inside his lungs.

At the same time, Iara has sunk slightly, convulsing. Her eyes were shedding tears, slowly regaining their natural colour. Pure horror consumed her, staring at her own neck, able to pick the scent of blood. She dawned on the thoughts that had lurked in her mind, in just a second. She understood all she did, willfully, compelled by a horrible being. Her heart had been cold as ice, satisfied with the outcome of her choices. Now it all felt heavy in her, it felt wrong. She was heartbroken, Matthew’s words had brought her back from that blind bloodlust.

Iara sobbed, her hands falling fast onto her racing heart, all the mass around her screeching. She could feel it, trying to force her to obey. It wanted to control her, share its horrible thoughts, its wish for blood. It needed sustain, it wanted to keep itself alive under her skin.

Her eyes widened, looking up. She saw the vines move weakly, closing in towards Matthew, who was defenceless and vulnerable. He was changing slowly, with his eyes closed in agony, his hand clenching and opening as he jolted. He was unaware or too pained to see the vines nearing him, sure to kill. The threads were crawling closer to end him, even if his death would no longer bring her submission. It was just a move out of anger, retribution for his actions.

Hell no. I’ve done enough.

The vines suddenly screeched in pain, jolting off from the brunet. They whipped back, feeling their nexus being ripped. The parasite hissed loudly in a hellish moan, because Iara’s hands had latched onto her own neck, pulling with all her strength at the threads. The bloody vines seemed to try to keep their hold by stabbing back as she ripped them, like needles. She gasped and heaved, feeling them snap below her skin, blood pouring out freely. Little by little, she was tearing them off forcefully.

It took her a minute to manage to discard the voracious dress around her. Some vines did sink back into her shoulders, but she was stubborn and strong. She was too guilty of her actions to surrender under the pain. No matter how much it hurt to pull at it, how her neck was pressured, she kept clawing it off. The mass was too weak and desperate to do anything but jolt, pulse for dear life over her.

Iara sobbed, finally shoving the red parasite off. She kicked the mass down with her tail when it tried to grab her arms, with one last frantic lash. As she did so, Alon finally tore bone and flesh, a loud bloody snap echoing below his fangs. The shark screamed once more, smelling his own blood.

Alon scowled and spit in disgust the huge chunk of fin he bit off, letting the bastard jolt away in shock. His silver eyes pierced those dazed red ones, growling proudly.

“Never thought shark fins were this repulsive.”

The shark gave him the most hateful glare it could muster, shaking in pain and rage. His hand dashed to brush his wound, his voice not as mocking and conceited anymore.

“Y-you damn…“

Alon would have kept on leaping onto the bastard, but he took a moment to look up. His eyes narrowed in worry, seeing a bloody thing sink nearby, jolting and convulsing. It resembled a fleshy octopus, but uglier and deformed.

The shark was leaning onto a pillar, eyes wide as he realized the parasite had been torn off its host. Alon saw Iara sink slightly, finally free. Above, he could see a figure in the dark. He would have dashed for him, seeing the outlines of two limbs. Matthew had changed and could not breathe. Luckily, he seemed to manage to move and hold his breath; maybe his lungs were still able to keep some water, even if painful. He seemed to remember how to swim even if no longer a merman, having learned to float as a human when they met.

Alon and Iara felt relief when Matthew reached the surface above, not too far. They heard a faint gasp, some coughs. He stopped swimming and just floated wearily, exhausted and dazed. He was safe, for the moment.

Both merfolk exchanged looks. Alon noticed the horror in Iara’s eyes, which were fixed on his, unable to voice all her regret. She slowly swayed to him, opening her mouth to try to speak, only to flinch when he raised a hand. She expected to be shoved off, him to be angry. But she did not feel a hit, only fingers brushing her gently. She opened her eyes, shivering as he traced the scars and wounds on her neck, carefully.

Her azure eyes hinted confusion, her expression conflict. Alon was looking down at her affectionately, with remorse. He was brushing lovingly her cuts, his tail touching hers softly, his gaze worried. There was no trace of blame or hate. He was the one to feel guilty, even if she felt like she was the one in the wrong.

“You… You are bleeding.”

Iara shook her head, unable to answer his words, a noose in her throat. Alon huffed and winced a little when she hugged him tightly, containing a sob. He let her, frowning, bowing his head. While he held her close, he glared at the two that had caused all this. He could see their outlines at the bottom, between pillars. Both were trembling in pain. A parasite was pulsating for dear life, reaching for the debris around it, trying to feel any flesh onto which to latch. Not too far, a shark was holding his fin, wounded. His red eyes were twitching in anger and fear. He knew it was a matter of time until they would stop embracing and dash onto him instead. It was something their bright eyes were promising him, from above. And so, while he felt the burning of his ripped fin, he dreaded.

I’m not strong enough, they will-

His gaze fell onto the dying parasite, seeing it turn black, jolting faintly. It was swaying blindly on the bottom, reaching desperately for anything that could save it. Its flesh was losing its red tonality, fading to black, dying without blood.

The merman grinned maliciously, dread turning into temptation. An awful choice became agreeable under the thought of vengeance. There was strength at hand.

The seaweed on the walls had already turned black, no blood left in them. Those hazel eyes had closed above, calm, having seen Alon and Iara float unharmed below. He gave himself time to regain himself, merely floating, focusing on breathing.

Sadly, things could only get worse. Someone wished to give life to the parasite again, and use it to kill them all, willfully. Alon’s eyes widened, feeling a sudden fast current. Iara gasped when he gently but hurriedly let go, his whole body tensing. He bolted down with a startled cry, in hopes to stop something. Something she noticed too late as well. Both their eyes widened, seeing a shark outstretch a hand for the parasite. The merman did hiss when it latched onto him fiercely, sinking its small vines into his wrist. But even with the pain, he just kept on grinning, watching it crawl up his arm.

Alon tried to be fast, tried to prevent them from joining. But in a matter of seconds, the parasite had latched all around the bastard, drinking his blood. And so, some black vines that had sunk came back to life, shooting up and guarding them against any disruptions.

Iara followed Alon, trying to claw them out of their way too, aiding him. But by the time they managed to part them, the shark was ready to greet them, no longer alone. They shivered, and he quickly shielded her. Two bloody eyes glinted in the dark, his black irises deeper and sharper, a hungry void. The seaweed around his right arm and shoulder rose, controlled like part of his own body. The mass fell down behind him like the tail of a huge snake, which lurked all over the chamber. All moved in black, even the flowers, which had withered. All the blood was coursing to him, tensing and swelling, gathering force in their core.

The beast laughed, his voice echoing more feral and distorted. One side of his neck was torn open, the vines pulsing into it, starved.

“Want to try now, maggots?” He leaned his head with a sick frenzied grin, his whole body twitching. He chuckled when he saw the two falter as he rose tall. “I haven’t seen you cower like this before, it’s priceless.”

He really wished to tear them apart, literally. However, his bloody eyes moved subtly, very slowly. Both Alon and Iara shivered, following his hungry glare. His eyes fixed on the figure above, too human to have heard what happened. He was too dazed to see, merely floating weakly. The beast looked again at them both, hissing.

“Will you fight for your lives, elusive snacks? Or will you let me play with my food?”

Iara and Alon exchanged horrified glances for a millisecond. A million words were said without speaking, both reaching an agreement. The mass was moving. He growled, furious, lunging forward to face the shark. Meanwhile, she shot upwards with a kick of tail, her azure eyes fixing on the human above, faster than him.

Sadly, the beast knew they would do that. Alon huffed, because the shark moved his right arm and swung the long trail of seaweed like a whip, striking him sideways when they were about to collide. At the same moment, Iara gasped, because she noticed how the mass pulsed around them. She growled and cried in desperation, hearing a startled wheeze above, which echoed into the water. She saw a black vine latch forcefully onto Matthew’s ankle, pulling him away from the wall where he had drifted. And all the while, she could only recoil, when walls of seaweed blocked her way up. Some tried to stab her.

Iara sobbed in fear, seeing the long vine drag Matthew above. He tried to swim against it, to no avail; he only had one arm, and one of his legs was being yanked. It dragged him to the centre of the room, where he could not grasp anything to keep himself from sinking, between pillars. Once there, the vine began to pull down.

“N-No!”

She slammed herself against the threads holding her down, hearing a gurgle. The vine pulled Matthew underwater, his only arm thrashing through the surface. His hazel eyes filled with fear once more, feeling the need of air, something he had forgotten. It was not as strong as before, just recently changed back, but it was still there. He needed air to live, once more. His lungs were confused to no end, his mind too. There was terror in him, not having expected the seaweed to move again. He had seen it turn black, dead, like the ones he saw above.

Iara saw how Matthew let himself sink, to try to reach for his ankle. His expression was pained, his teeth clenched while he tried to unlatch the vine with only one hand. She soon saw him tremble; he opened his mouth to let out the air he had, unable to keep it in anymore. She could also hear Alon’s pained huffs below, and the laugh of a shark. Hits were echoing, and she was sure that most were being given by that monster.

She felt sick, knowing all this was happening due to her. This was something she never saw coming, when she should have. She glanced between both, torn, afraid… but she made a choice. She could help Alon fight below, but Matthew could die then. And she was sure they both agreed they could not let that happen.

Alon had been protecting Matthew, from everything and her. She couldn’t let it be in vain. And so, she roared in anger, her jaws opening wide. One vine jolted in pain when her teeth sunk into it, pulling and ripping. She tore it in half, and her tail shoved off the rest; she created a small opening, for her to push in between. Something she did swiftly before they could entangle and block her way. The black threads were not as strong and agile as the red ones below, starved.

Matthew had finally let go of the vine that dragged him down, losing his strength. His eyes lidded, fear barely evident in them as he grew weak. But he still could see, and feel; the thread was crawling and extending onto him. He could feel it rise towards his chest, parting like a claw. The thread leaned closer, to stab him right through, before he could drown. He closed his eyes slowly, not even having the strength to brace himself; he just dangled in its hold, his arm outstretched upwards. He felt the points of the thread brush his skin. The stab would be slow and forceful, not sudden.

The vine would have torn through him indeed… if a snap had not echoed. Matthew opened his eyes a little, feeling a touch, but one that did not bring pain. He barely showed any recognition when he saw the outlines of something gray. Something moved strongly at his side, keeping him from sinking more. He was sure he heard a growl, echoing with anger. As well, he could discern bright azure eyes, which glinted with care in the dark.

Iara huffed, spitting out the thread that had brushed his chest, now torn off. Even if she stopped that stab, she saw Matthew’s eyes roll back; he finally lost it, going limp. She fought to pull him towards the air above, kicking her tail wildly. But the vine pulled down fiercely too, knowing her intentions.

It was a stalemate, which she was quick to act upon. She dashed down, choosing to let go for a moment, even if she had been preventing the mass from crawling around his torso again. Her fangs sunk into the vine right under his foot, fiercely and fast. As it snapped under her sharp teeth, the mass around him did twitch, but they only managed to give him superficial scratches in their last reflex move.

Iara snarled, seeing more vines loom around them. But Matthew was now free, even if sinking slowly. She tackled his body, pushing him upwards, having to dodge sideways a few times when threads tried to lash at them from below.

The mermaid was fast, holding the human against her, taking him towards the surface. In a matter of seconds, she reached it. She did not even bother to slow down to let him breathe calmly, because the mass was still moving towards them. Matthew coughed and heaved while her hands dragged him along. Soon, he felt them push him up, her tail surely aiding the shove.

Iara could not afford feeling guilty when he fell limp on the stony gallery, not even if he huffed subtly for the sudden drop. She did not raise and throw him there gently, at all, but the only thing she could feel was relief. The mass quivered in exasperation, unable to stand out of water. It was incapable of grabbing Matthew. He was breathing, slumped on the stony edge, just above the water. There was enough air, even if stagnant. He was alive, and that was the only thing in her mind at the moment.

But with him safe, she quickly remembered the other one for whom she feared. Iara dodged yet another swipe and looked down, her heart beating fast. Alon was now leaning onto a pillar, trembling as he tried to pull himself upright against it. He was failing miserably, there were a lot of bruises on him. He had gotten a full beating from the bastard. And said bastard was laughing, standing tall over him, looming with his seaweed. He was lashing at him viciously, not seeming to want to end him, not yet. He was enjoying his pain, cackling loudly in a crazy fit, lost in his triumph. There was only hate for the one that had fought him the most. He had dared shame him, when he was born to be at the top of the chain, one to have blood.

No one but me should have the strength to-

“Yaah!”

Alon raised his head with a surprised yelp, hearing the shark huff when something gray slammed itself against him, with a loud war cry. He winced in pain and forced himself to float upright, even if his shoulder was wounded and his tail had been bitten. He hurt a lot, but he growled and took an offensive stance again, determined. His eyes narrowed, seeing the shark finally shove off Iara, who had been exchanging swipes with him. After the push, she raised her fists in front of her, her end of tail leaned like another fist. She nodded mockingly, taunting the now infuriated beast.

“Come on, two against two! Fair, isn’t it?! Or do you wish to flee and hide instead?!”

Those bloody eyes pierced her while the parasite tangled more fiercely, growing sharper over his hand, its edges parting to form a claw.

“You could have been a nice host.” He seemed to be voicing the parasite’s thoughts, glaring at them while they faced him. “Such a disappointment… You prefer the company of a blind pariah and a rattled human. You could have been a higher being.”

Alon got closer, menacing.

“Not so high, considering how I will make you sink. No one lays a hand on them without going over me first.”

The shark bowed elegantly and darkly, his eyes glinting. He whispered, and that red claw arched too.

“As you wish.”

Iara and Alon swayed away from each other, because the claw shot right in between them. It was a calculated strike to separate them. The red-eyed merman was serious, even if he was still grinning, his gaze focused. He tried to stab her first, knowing the other would try to block any attacks towards her. His tail moved in dashes, his figure circling them both, faster than her. They could only shield each other between pillars, because the vines at the walls were flailing. If they swayed too close they could be pierced. The bastard kept trying to push them closer to the walls, knowing he could kill them easily near one.

And indeed, Alon kept blocking with his own frame any push directed to her. The mass around the shark was heavy, which made his tackles fiercer than before. And still, it did not hinder him; he easily dashed off after each slam, sometimes rattling that claw up to block their attacks. The bastard also attempted a few bites. Luckily, Iara knew how to slap him off with her fins, letting him surge away with a snarl.

His figure could barely be seen, the ruins seemed to grow darker, no glow to be seen on the seaweed. They only knew of his presence thanks to his bright hellish eyes, red and black. His gaze was truly unnatural, even more bloodthirsty than before.

Those eyes saw an opening while he circled them once more; Alon had let down his guard. He could only think of defending her, not himself. And so, the beast smiled, leaning as if to leap onto her again. But he subtly leaned his ripped fins, to be ready to change direction in a blink, at the last moment.

Alon did not catch on to that subtle movement. But Iara did. Her eyes widened, seeing Alon move his tail in an angle that shielded her, but exposed his side. A flank that was open for an attack, as soon as the shark dashed sideways. He indeed tried to protect her. His silver eyes showed surprise when the shark suddenly jolted sideways, in a move he could barely discern. That bloody claw loomed over his side, leaving him no time to block it.

Another one did. Those bloody eyes lost their glee, widening instead. An azure glow glinted strongly, suddenly, blinding for a second. Both mermen gasped, one in surprise, the other in pain.

The flash faded fast. The shark whimpered and hissed; his tail flailed side to side as he cowered, his free hand slamming where the parasite tangled. Alon stared in shock, admiring how the bloody claw hanged torn. It had been left scarred, burned. It was twitching, withered at its end, like if a fire had run across it in a second. It did indeed burn.

Alon moved fast, because he heard Iara wheeze, sink slightly. He held her gently, shivering as her fingers released smaller glints, her expression pained. She had been determined to stop that claw, at any cost. The shark laughed nervously, shaking his head at the scorched threads. The parasite was trembling on his skin, stabbing more, reaching for his flesh, needing sustain. His red eyes stared at it with worry, seeing it tangle with hunger, shedding off the burned vines, growing again slowly. It was weak, and desperate to keep itself going.

His eyes moved off the mass for a second, another thing requiring his attention. He cowered more, growling. Iara had regained her proud stance, gently moving away Alon’s hold. Her eyes narrowed as she inched closer, her hands raising again, glowing. She was approaching to burn again. She did not stop when he began to back off, seeming to doubt to face her. He had not seen this kind of will before. It was fed by fury and love; her eyes showed pure regret, and she wanted to pay for it. She wished to end what she brought upon the ones she cared for.

He never heard of merfolk able to manifest this much magic, only in old tales. The parasite was the only one able to do it, and still at a horrible cost. She only seemed to grow tired, but not enough to hinder her. Maybe the time under its control had made her stronger, learning from its thoughts.

Iara halted suddenly, and Alon gasped. Both blinked, because the bastard seemed to lose interest in fighting. They both watched him latch his hand onto his arm, cursing as he tried to pull off the vines.

“F-fuck off, all of you!”

Alon and Iara swayed back, seeing him attempt to get rid of the mass, desperately. He only wanted to flee. He could not defeat them, not even with its help. And he could not escape with it still tangling on the ruins, slowing him down, weight on him. He had seen Iara rip the parasite off herself, and so, he tried to do so as well. But she was stronger, more determined.

Alon pulled Iara back, noticing something clearly. The parasite remembered too how Iara pulled it off. In that knowledge, he hugged her, dragging her away slowly. Their eyes watched in horror, seeing a slow realization in those red eyes. The shark panted, keeping on clawing at the vines. He would rip one out of his flesh, only for it to stab right back in when he clawed at another one. He began to laugh nervously and in fear, seeing the vines reach for more of his skin, soon stabbing his two shoulders. They pressured his neck, pulling slowly, like if they were the strings of a marionette.

The merman finally panicked, finally understanding how it felt to be preyed on. The parasite was hissing, crawling all over him. And for it, his tail began to sway faster, his eyes widening. Alon squirmed, part of him wanting to do something, even if that bastard did not deserve help. But he did not move, because he caught a glimpse of Iara, frozen in shock in his hold. She was watching in a trance, her eyes full of realization. Her figure was trembling subtly, haunted by the scream that echoed.

And so, Alon snarled, pulling her closer and covering her face with his hold. Only he watched as the other struggled for dear life. It was too dangerous to near. Iara heard the mass on the walls drop heavily to the bottom, where the shark was. Red and silver eyes saw the threads begin to crawl towards their core… to him.

“N-no!” The shark whipped down one of his hands, holding it in front of him, like if it would keep the creeping mass away from him. “D-don’t get any closer! W-we had a deal! I helped you! Y-you failed me!”

They only had an alliance without loyalty, no words shared to reach a deal. There were only interests. The parasite needed to sustain itself. He was the last thing it had, the last thing that could keep it alive, at reach at that moment. And he had not agreed to anything, there was no wish or plea. Now, he tried to step away, and it did not have his mind submitted. He wanted to flee, leave it to die alone. The parasite only had one wish: blood, to stay alive.

The mass finally lunged onto him. Iara flinched, hearing the familiar sound of vines stabbing, but now more brutally. Even Alon grew haunted by what he saw; he was glad to be preventing her from watching. The parasite had tangled all around the shark, blood pouring fiercely. The vines were moving fast, pulling him down onto the bottom while he thrashed in pain and fear. He was shaking his tail and head wildly, trying to claw at the ground, dragged backwards by the mass. It was pulling at him like a spider would snatch a fly.

“F-fuck! No, n-no! Let go you fucking thing!” He looked over his shoulder, with quite some difficulty, his face almost covered. His eyes widened, seeing he was inches away from a small hole on a wall, now exposed, the mass untangled from the stone. “No! L-let go! Don’t! P-please! No-!”

It only understood its own survival. It always tried to keep itself alive, at any cost. Any vine that he bit or clawed at, it was fast to latch again. It finally dragged him into the dark gap, in just two seconds, pulling fiercely, feral. He latched onto the edges of the cavity, jaws showing as he gasped, pulling for dear life. Alon frowned, barely seeing his red eyes sharpen, giving him one last hateful look below the threads. It was like if he was trying to will himself to unlatch the thing, to live another day, to be able to kill him.

The shark raised a hand, trying to reach out… until there was a loud ripping sound. Blood poured out from the darkness, concealing the last glimpse of wide red eyes, shocked. His hands let go, and his figure was pulled into the gap, disappearing into it. Dragging sounds echoed out. His body was surely being drawn into the most hidden depths of the hellish ruins, to be laid onto a wall in the thick darkness. His flesh would be consumed slowly until nothing was left. A long demise waited for the two of them; pain for him, time for it.

All fell silent, the ruins empty once more. The rustling from the small gap died out. All the remaining vines were dead, for the parasite had left, too weak to keep them sentient.

Alon’s heartbeat was more uneven than Iara’s. His tail curled around hers, haunted by what he saw. He found himself frozen, his hold on her gentle, but tense. He had not dared to fight that thing and help the one that had tried to kill them. The fact pounded painfully in his mind; he had let someone suffer a fate worse than death, even if that someone did not have a heart.

His mind was terrified, for everything. He was out of it. But something brought him back. He sobbed, feeling her move in his tight hold, managing to raise her gaze to him. Her hands were trembling, and her tail was moving subtly under his. She was trying to move away, subconsciously. His heart broke a little more, seeing her mouth open with a broken expression. Her tears were unseen as she pleaded, whispering.

“I’m s-so sorry, Al. I’m-“

“Shhh.” She gulped, swallowing her sobs and closing her eyes with a grimace. His hand was brushing her check calmly, soothingly. He could not fear while she did. “Do not. I’m the one who is sorry, my love. This is my fault. I should have listened to you. You… hurt for my choices. But it’s over, I promise. It’ll be alright now, you two are-“

Her eyes opened suddenly, and he shared her same remembrance when she looked up sharply.

“Matthew…”

Alon did not stop Iara from leaving his arms. His eyes held the same worry and care. He followed close behind as she almost flew for the gallery.

Above, a figure lied on the ground, weakly. His only arm was curled around his frame, his head resting on the humid stone. His breathing was shaky and raspy, his whole body still feeling foreign, strange. It was numb and at the same time aching. He had been lying there for some minutes already, his foggy mind coming to realize Iara had pushed him onto safety. He had dared to glance at his legs a while ago, and he would not do so again; there were still some scales fading on his skin, and there was some dead seaweed tangled around him. That sight made him shiver more than the cold.

He had wished to move, but he couldn’t. There was no way to describe how changing felt, he did not even want to even think of it. It had been sudden; he had not expected to change with just words. He was quiet, but he still feared, terrified of being in the ruins. He jolted and winced each time he heard muffled movement in the water nearby. He wasn’t able to contain a cry each time a scream or heave echoed onto the walls, because he couldn’t discern if they were from them. It all grew silent after a loud screech echoed out, and it somehow made him feel worse.

Matthew’s heartbeat began to fasten. The silence was haunting, making him imagine those vines doing horrible things, to them. He could not see the water by the edge; his figure was leaning onto a side, without facing it. A shadow was approaching, yet he did not notice it. Not until it surfaced loudly.

“Ah-h…”

He only managed to let out a faint fearful sound as he closed his eyes, his throat felt cold and burning at once. He did not want to look at the parasite; he did not want to see a shark.

I don’t want to d-

“Matt?”

His trembling receded somewhat, hearing her voice. It was her voice, echoing to him without malice, without hate. It tangled with the care he almost had forgotten. And so, he slowly dared to look. He turned slightly to meet her eyes, which were staring at his figure dreadfully. Iara was barely daring to emerge, keeping her body sunk, only rising her mouth to speak. Her expression was shameful, guilty. And for it, his gaze softened, fear fading. Alon emerged calmly at her side, more than her; his silver eyes looked at him with pure relief.

Iara was horrified of what she did. She could see all the cuts she gave them. They were worse on Matthew; his cheek and side were still bleeding faintly, his chest was full of grazes… only the wound on his tail was gone. To top it all off, his change was not fast, it was still ongoing in a subtle way. Even if she thought she did not deserve to speak to him, she still wished to voice her regret, ready to welcome his hate.

“Matt, I can’t begin t-to apologize. I can’t voice how remorseful I feel! This is…!“ She ended up shaking her head, just needing one thing. She leaned closer, laying her hands on the edge to call to him. “Please, a-are you alright? I remember faintly how you changed, and I have seen it again. It was-”

“I’m f-fine.” Matthew tried to sit up and failed miserably. Alon made a move to stop him from slumping down against the stone, but he was unable to climb to him. The brunet only huffed, looking at her tiredly, making her cry when he hinted no scorn. “You are back. A-a… Aren’t you, Ia?”

It tired him to speak, or to stay awake. But he was doing it, keeping his gaze on them both. His chest was falling and rising slowly, feeling safe at their side. Iara nodded multiple times, swallowing her words, knowing they would only come out shakily and without sense. There’s was still one more worry in Matthew’s hyperactive head. Alon frowned when he moved his only hand, barely mouthing something.

“W-what h-hap… with t-the-?”

Alon explained before he could hurt himself more. Matthew blinked in a daze, seeing him prop himself onto the edge, leaning closer. He spoke slowly, knowing he was maybe at the verge of fainting.

“Both the shark and parasite are gone. They kind of… got onto each other’s throats.” His black tail tensed, his silver eyes glaring at the dark water resentfully. “They are gone. But we should not risk it. We have to leave this place.”

Matthew was weak, hurt. They couldn’t stay. Iara spoke up, raising a hand to her mouth, eyes narrowing in worry.

“But he…” She met their eyes, the fact stabbing them all. “He is human again. He can’t swim.”

Matthew looked at himself, taking a minute to think it over. The other two frowned, hearing him snarl and huff, pushing himself onto a weak sitting position. His arm trembled while it held most of his weight.

“The important thing is that…” Matthew spoke in troubled heaves, bowing his head. “You a-are alright. I’ll figure out something. Alon, p-please, take her away from here.”

Matthew knew there was no way for him to get out. Alon opened his mouth to protest, but of course, Iara was always faster than him.

“Are you crazy?!” Matthew flinched, seeing her almost leap onto the edge, screaming at him. “I’m not leaving you here after what has happened! You are vulnerable right now! Don’t treat me like a damsel in distress, because you are the one who can’t quite survive in the water now! And it is my fault! So let me help you, stop resigning to everything that-!”

“Iara.” She halted, because Alon grasped her arm, making her look at him. “We are not leaving him here. I won’t allow it. Calm down.”

She looked away with a grimace, for she had made Matthew grow silent. He was hugging himself and shying a little away. She glanced back and forth between the two, feeling fear, which she hinted in her voice.

“What do you suggest?” She gently pointed at Matthew, trying to speak softly but firmly. “We are in the depths. He won’t be able to breathe while we go up. He can’t even swim like us. We can’t make him follow now, it is suicide.”

Alon nodded to that, looking up worriedly.

“I don’t like the idea of making him wait here while we seek help or a way to give him oxygen.” Matthew shivered, truly dreading them leaving, even if he did not want to show it. “These ruins are not safe.”

Iara suddenly gasped, eyes opening, an idea sparking at the mention of oxygen. Alon blinked down at her, her tail swaying eagerly.

“I saw the docks once! There are-!”

“You neared them?! Why would you-?!”

She swatted at the nervous merman, scolding him.

“Not now, Al, dammit!” She snarled, growling. “I saw the docks, alright?! I have seen humans use some things to breathe underwater! They are called…!”

“D-diving suits?”

Iara nodded slowly, looking at Matthew, who gave the name tiredly.

“Yes, that.” She explained, offering. “I could go to the docks, as fast as possible! I could find one and bring it! Alon would stay to-“

“N-no.” She frowned, tail going limp in disappointment. Matthew shook his head insistently, hating the idea. “They could see you. Too near. One thing is looking from a distance; another is stealing, at risk of being spotted by a crowd.”

Alon objected to the idea too, his eyes hidden under his long hair, expression darkened.

“Even if you did take one unnoticed, you would take too long.” He growled, explaining his point of view firmly. “He needs to leave this place, soon. The air in here is stagnant, he is hurt, and there is humidity and freezing cold. We can’t risk it.”

Matthew’s trembling was indeed not only for exhaustion and fear. He could not possibly stand this for more than a day, what would take for Iara to reach the cay. Not even her fast moves could defy time.

Iara and Matthew fell silent, the situation dreadful. But Alon spoke up, taking them by surprise.

“There’s a way to get out of here, together, now.” Alon raised his gaze, and the other two noticed his eyes glint with an idea. “I’m sure his body has not changed fully yet, not inside. He can hold his breath for much longer; maybe he will stand the pressure of the water better. If we leave, it has to be now.”

Iara frowned, still seeing one issue.

“Alon, he can’t possibly hold his breath for so long. He will need to breathe in before we reach the surface.”

He eyed her, finally admitting, hoping she would catch what he meant.

“He will be able to breathe. Rather easily.”

She saw Alon take a deep nervous breath, blushing slightly. Her eyes opened, finally following his trail of thought. One was more nervous than the other, but both were determined. They both spoke the same words.

“We can give him air.”

Matthew looked at them, tensing as their eyes fixed on him, thoughtfully. He pondered their words in his mind, confused. It took him a moment, but he soon got the idea.

“O-oh.”

The two nodded at his realization. Only Iara inched closer next, not surprised to see him shy a little. She asked slowly, leaning up to look at his hazel eyes, repeating words once said.

“Do you trust me, Matthew?”

They were the same words, but voiced differently, for there was a remorseful look in her eyes. She would understand if he said no, he had all the right to do so. But he did not.

“Always.”

Matthew smiled sadly and looked away, eyeing the water with reluctance. Her azure eyes stared at him, full of care, disbelieving of his faithfulness. She soon sighed, smiling as sadly as him. After a minute, her hand outstretched up for his.

“I need you to come into the water again, Matthew. You will leave it, I promise.”

A glint of anger seemed to cross his eyes, not liking that fact.

“I guess I’ll have no choice but to leave it, considering I have… Well, n-no fins or tail.”

Human once more, he couldn’t begin to ponder what it would entail. Even if it was clear in reality. He would be on land once more, now that she was herself, after all his struggles. He somehow… did not mind that much; even if it was depressing. It did not matter, because they were alright. It was all that mattered.

Matthew took a minute to think, and Iara was not offended by his doubt. She knew he couldn’t look forward to the imposing depths that they would need to cross. Still, eventually, he moved, like when she told him to take that flower. Much like when Alon urged him to learn to breathe.

It would be fine. It had to be. They were at his side.

Matthew sat carefully at the edge, gulping as he readied himself to drop, his feet brushing the cold water already. He could feel his ankle burn, pained; it hurt to move it. He couldn’t focus on that, however.

“D-don’t let me sink yet, please.”

Alon laughed faintly, giving him a look.

“Do you really think I will let you?”

Matthew gave him a little tired snort, nodding.

“R-right.” He took a deep breath, taking Iara’s hand. “Here it goes.”

Matthew let himself drop off the edge. He did not yelp, he merely closed his eyes with a grimace. Soon, he relaxed. He only felt the cold water reach his chest, four hands wrapped around him. They were fast to stop gravity from sinking him. His hazel eyes opened, not alarmed as bright eyes stared at him, right there, inches away. Their tails were brushing him from time to time, swaying to keep the three afloat.

The merfolk exchanged looks, pondering silently. The human shied a little as they began to exchange ideas, synchronized.

“Al, you are bigger.”

“You are faster, Iara.”

“The tunnels are small and not easy to manoeuvre through.”

“One of us must focus at all times to give him air. It is our most high priority.”

“I could hold you both inside the ruins, leaning you to go through. And outside…“

“Outside, I have space. My tail is stronger; you can’t be fast if you have to drag someone.”

“I should focus on giving him air once out these depths; you will take us both up while I do.”

Matthew grew more nervous, because Alon and Iara did not need more words between each other, understanding their plan. That did not mean they did not fear it could go wrong. And they needed to call for another’s compliance.

Silver and azure eyes met hazel ones slowly. Both their holds grew tighter, gently. Matthew took a trembling breath, both whispering.

“Are you ready?”

“You can trust us.”

Matthew had understood clearly what should be done. It was the only way out. Not that he could see any apprehension in them for it, shame was not something merfolk felt. Maybe there was nervousness, those silver eyes were averting subtly. Alon could not avoid growing anxious when he answered.

“T-take me out of here, guys. Please…”

They would have told him to try to walk his way through the upper tunnel to reach those stairs. But they both knew more than what Matthew let out. His ankle hurt a lot, something he had tried to hide. They knew he couldn’t walk right. So Alon inched closer, knowing they had to lead him through the tunnel they swam from.

Matthew shivered, because Alon laid one of his hands on his face, making him look up. His eyes were as firm as his voice.

“Take a deep breath; hold it as much as you can. I… We’ll pull you down.”

Matthew complied, closing his eyes while he took an uncertain inhale. It was a very deep one, not really wishing to sink. But sink he did, as soon as the two saw him hold his breath.

The human trembled, not daring to open his eyes. He indeed felt the freezing water brush all his body, and the two pulling at him. Even if their tails kicked fast, they held him carefully between them. The first tunnel was wide enough for them to drag him together, side to side, not needing to hold him too tight or too close.

Matthew could tell that his lungs had not changed completely, not yet. They were stronger than when he was human, allowing him to hang on for more time. But that time was not so different, still not impressive. Soon, his hand shook and his frame tensed. His teeth clenched as he cursed mentally, unable to keep the air inside for much longer. It escaped through his lips, easily. He feared blindly for a second… forgetting the other two would not let him drown, nor allow a single intake of water.

He flinched, feeling something else, gentle, yet strong. His eyes opened, his lips parted, a long and needed flow of air settling in. Two eyes were inches away from his, their bright silver colour glinting in the dark, the only thing he could discern in it. The shadowed figure was now wrapping itself around him, arms holding his torso and head close, while a big tail prevented him of hitting any wall. He could distinguish her outlines too; her tail was dashing with precision, her hands holding onto Alon’s back strongly, pulling at him and guiding their moves.

He stopped trying to discern her in the dark, because those silver eyes narrowed with care, trying to see any sign of pain or fear on him. There were nervousness and dread, but Alon noticed him slumping into his hold, his hazel eyes trying to say he was fine. Matthew held onto the air he gave him, for another while.

A while that was enough for them to reach an opening. The tunnel widened, and Matthew heard muffled echoes, unable to understand what Iara said to Alon. The merman soon moved differently, his tail outstretching behind him, kicking without her lead.

Matthew gagged, feeling himself emerge. Iara grimaced, seeing him drop onto Alon’s shoulder, coughing and inhaling precious air. An air that felt cold and putrid. This small bubble of air had been here for ages, trapped in the ruins. They let him regain himself a little. The three knew that these would be the lasts breaths he would be able to take by himself. There would be no more air until they reached the surface, so far away. They would struggle, but they would reach it before the three could suffocate. The merfolk were sure they would be able to share their breaths for enough time, but they were still surrendering their air nonetheless.

Alon would give all the air in his lungs for the two if he had to. He would rather drown himself than let Matthew do so.

After a while, Matthew finally raised his head from Alon’s shoulder, still trembling, but better. He could barely feel his own body, because of the sudden change and the freezing cold.

“K-keep going.”

They could only agree, as much as it hurt. Matthew took another deep breath, more tiredly this time. And again, he was pulled down, Alon sunk once more with him in his grip. His hazel eyes tried to open in the water. He could discern how they swam for the exit, leaving the opening. His eyes gave one last worried glance at the trapped air, left behind. The huge chamber was finally away, Iara with them. She was back. She was alive. The two were okay. He focused on that.

Matthew held tight onto Alon, catching hold of a big black fin as he patted blindly. The killer whale did not protest at all, even if he clutched it rather tight. He did not need that fin to move, because it was Iara who was pulling at them both.

Alon frowned, looking up, or rather sideways, the three were now leaning parallel to the ground. She was leaning against his back, while her hands grasped his shoulders fiercely; her tail sometimes gave them a kick or two accidentally, because there was little space for her to swim while she led and gave them speed.

The most important thing, however, and what she made sure of, was that she prevented them from hitting any wall. Soon, Alon had to lock mouths with Matthew again, and like that, he could not see in the thick darkness or focus on swimming. She needed to be the one to think, for now. She let out a snarl, leaning them to allow them to pass a sharp turn in a tunnel.

They spent a long while inside the ruins, too long. Matthew could not think much anymore, using all his will to focus on keeping the breaths he was given. He was only letting them out when he had to, when his pained lungs burned. Alon always was sure to give him more air as soon as he exhaled. It was a continuous dreadful loop; the tunnels seemed to have no end. All looked the same, long and narrow, in pitch black. But Iara had been here, she had felt at home in this disgusting place. It both horrified her… and gave her hope. She used that knowledge for good, taking the turns that would take them out faster, to safety.

Alon blinked when Iara gave him a gentle pat. His eyes fixed above, seeing the end of the tunnel, leading to the stony arc, the chasm right there. Still, she was the best one to lead through it, because its tall ridges tangled with black rotten seaweed. And those could latch onto Matthew or his black tail.

They both exchanged nods, not daring to puff out air in determined huffs. Iara had more space now, not needing to lean against him as much. Both their tails moved to rise up, now both helping to turn and dodge any wall. Soon, Alon leaned closer to Matthew’s ear, trying to whisper.

“We’re out. Hang on.”

He didn’t know if to laugh or feel sad, because Matthew gave him the same confused look he saw when he was learning to swim and breathe, unable to understand him. His hazel eyes looked around slowly, narrowing. He saw no more tunnels; at least not their outlines. He couldn’t even see the stony arc, now below them.

Alon closed his eyes and laid a hand on his back, running soothing circles. Matthew tried to read his lips, those sharp fangs never alarming him anymore, not even this close.

“Breathe.”

Iara smiled with sorrow, seeing Alon lean down to Matthew again, who just focused on that. She kicked harder, glaring at the water above them, having nothing but hate for the black walls near them. She feared, seeing the clear signs of tiredness in the brunet; he was slowly losing it, even if the merman was keeping watch on him. His frame was shaking, his eyes were lidded, and pain was obvious on his dazed expression.

His legs were not even trying to kick blindly to help them anymore. He was just hanging weakly onto Alon, jolting from time to time. He was feeling like he might drown, even if deep inside there was trust. They both could see it in his eyes, a blind trust that they would not let him die, no matter how much he had sunk.

By the time she managed to discern the sun above, Matthew could not. He only heard echoes, unable to trace them in his mind, which was shutting down. He did not notice their hopeful sound, or how two tails slowed for just a second. The last thing he felt, was arms letting go. He was not able to panic however, even if he would have in another moment. That strong but gentle hold let go, those caring eyes giving him one last glance before looking away. He would have feared in reflex, but he was too broken to do so. The water felt too heavy around him. It felt deadly until he felt another thing.

His eyes opened one last time, slowly, seeing blurry outlines. His heartbeat slowed, seeing two azure eyes near his, soft lips mouthing something he could not hear. But he did understand deep in his mind, with the last will he had.

“Trust me.”

As she locked her arm with his and pulled him closer, he did. Her hold was fiercer, more expressive, and desperate. Her air was let out strongly, like if she wished to give it all, her eyes holding remorse. Iara cried, feeling Matthew’s fingers curl around hers in a blind motion; just before his eyes lost their focus and he fainted in her hold. She did not dare lean away, not wanting him to swallow water. But she could not see like this.

Gladly, she was held as well. Alon growled while holding them both, circling them with his arms, pulling them close to his chest. Iara outstretched her tail beside his, letting her torso lean against Matthew’s, to hinder him as little as possible.

They were finally out of the chasm, and so, Alon began to kick fiercely. His fangs showed in his determined snarl, his eyes were aflame as he glared at the far surface. His long huge fins kept slamming against the water, below hers and Matthew’s feet. His moves pushed them upwards with might, an almost unnatural drive, not caring about his own exhaustion. He was giving his all in every move to reach the sun. They had to reach the surface, the waves.

He could begin to feel them, the tides were warmer. They were out of the depths; their figures flowed through the vast azure, glinting below the sunrays that broke the waves. The three tangled together, reaching for the blue sky.

Below it, a ship swayed. Two humans roamed, one leaning against a railing, the other near a failing engine. Ethan growled, almost begging in his dread.

“Come on, you bloody old thing.”

His eyes filled with triumph, and Jason looked up nearby, because a louder roar came from the motor.

Ethan smiled and stood, finally seeing the engine work. It had taken a long while, but eventually, the seaweed around them sunk and they managed to kick off what had tangled on the hull. It did not help that the motor had given up. But they managed. Well, he managed. Jason kept on staring at the sea, poking loose seaweed. Maybe he also was trying to calm a panicking dog, who kept on pointing and growling form time to time. The ship had been sailing without course.

Jason approached Ethan with apprehension, ignoring the grumpy look a parrot gave him.

“Are we free to sail?”

Ethan nodded firmly, his chest puffing out with determination.

“Yes, at last.” Jason frowned, because Ethan went for the helm, sternly. ”Let’s keep going.”

The doctor spoke up, worried.

“Ethan, we have been here for days. We are running low on supplies. We should maybe head back and-“

“No.” The man slammed his fist on the helm, commanding. “I have not allowed you to embark to just be a nuisance, you idle landler. It’s my nephew we are speaking of.”

“Ethan, no one would set sail with all that seaweed. We haven’t seen any other ship around. We even had to handle a storm yesterday.” The deck was still wet; they still wore a pair of thick coats. “No one could be as crazy as us. His captors can’t possibly-”

They both stopped glaring at each other, just when Ethan began to recall what keelhauling was. Jason’s eyes widened, seeing Shamira act even more wildly, letting out loud howls.

“Shamira?”

Jason shot forward, and Ethan stared mouth agape. Both saw the dog leap onto the railing, howling, kicking her legs to try to jump over it. She was barking madly at the distance, like if her life depended on it. The sailor was about to curse the crazy dog, but he felt a bite on his shoulder.

“Ow!” His eyes widened, his heavy necklace rattling with his jolt. Kalani had pecked him, harshly, as nervous as her. “K-Kalani?”

The parrot never pecked for real, Ethan could swear on that. And Jason knew Shamira would never behave like this for nothing. In the distance, shadows began near the waves from below, far enough to be unseen. Two loud gasps echoed, a third one followed weakly, raspy and instinctive.

The mermaid panted, quickly looking down at the human in her arms, her tail moving in panicking sways. Her eyes filled with dread, because he looked dead tired, his breathing troubled. The merman saw too, quickly looking around instead, north.

Alon scowled, nudging them both up, keeping them from sinking under the waves. The cay could barely be seen in the distance, only their sharp eyes able to discern it. And still, they knew it was where they needed to go. They looked again at Matthew, both cursing and lamenting.

“We have to take him to land, he needs help, ASAP.”

“It’s too far. We would take too long, he is out of it.”

He was pale, with too many bruises on his skin. A skin that barely held any trace of that bronze glint anymore; there were only a few scales on his ankles and legs, and his spine was still shedding what little was left of his dorsal fin. The pressure of the depths had not been deadly, but it was still troublesome for his human body.

Iara snarled, making a move to begin dragging him north, holding him like a treasure that could be lost. But she blinked, because a hand pulled her back, halting her. She glared, her sharp teeth showing as she growled in bafflement.

“Alon, we need-!”

She stopped, because he pointed with a worried gaze to a side. She squinted, her eyes then widening. A ship was there, far, but much closer than the cay. It was a human ship, where humans roamed. It was somewhere where they could let Matthew rest out of water, safer than in between their hold, even if it was as gentle as it could be.

Alon was not surprised when Iara almost leaped in its direction, her eyes showing determination. She could not give a fuck about being seen. He could not care either; he just wished to take Matthew to safety as well. They would not fear the sight of humans, not now. Both dragged Matthew towards the ship, frowning as they noticed two figures arguing on deck. However, it filled them with hope, because those two could help.

Iara soon noticed that two eyes were fixed on her; there was a familiar looking dog on deck, barking at her, able to see her between the waves. Alon saw a familiar man, who had sprinted onto the beach the morning Matthew went missing.

“T-that’s-“

Iara ignored Alon’s surprise, because she did not care at all who that man was. Only the merman flinched when the two humans stopped looking at the wild animals besides them. Jason outright froze, seeing two beings that should not be, looking up at them with desperate eyes by the hull. There were tails underwater, and they had human torsos.

Before Iara could call like she had wanted to, another one did. Ethan bolted at light speed onto the railing, losing his breathing as he spotted Matthew, fainted in their hold.

“Matthew?” He finally glared at the merfolk, outraged, their hands around his only family. For once, he yelled, furious. “You two, I don’t care who or what the hell you are, but I swear, let go of him before I run a harpoon through both of you! What have you-?!”

“J-just help him, please!” Ethan halted, taken aback by how the mermaid inched closer to the side of the boat, trying in vain to raise Matthew up. “H-he is injured! Take him to land, but look out for his wounds first! Please!”

Ethan was dumbfounded by everything. But he got out of it, for Matthew was alive, right there, not dead like he was told. He had to move as well, because the big merman raised him in his arms, managing to bring him closer to the railing with his strenght.

“Ethan, please, we only want him to be safe! Help us.”

The old sailor couldn’t bother to think how this merman knew his name. He couldn’t debate their presence now. The only thing he knew clearly was that Matthew was right there, at reach.

Alon and Iara sighed, pure relief in their eyes, because Ethan dashed to get a hold of Matthew and pulled him onto deck. He was quickly laid down, Ethan swift to pull off his own coat, covering him with it. Shamira padded close, whining, plopping at his side for warmth.

Ethan growled in worry, while Jason just stared. They had seen the lack of malice in the merfolk’s eyes. As well, they had noticed faint remains of scales on Matthew’s back and feet, now gone.

Jason was just gaping in pure wonder and disbelief, until Ethan outright roared, the ship almost sinking with its rumble.

“Move!” Jason gasped and almost tripped backwards, Ethan bossing him. “Stop staring and go fetch some clothes! He is freezing! Take the first aid kit too and prove that you know how to use it!”

Jason ran to the cabin, glancing back to the water nervously, because Iara was also commanding with her eyes. He disappeared into the room, rummaging sounds echoing out.

Kalani chirped worriedly, leaning to peek down. Alon and Iara kept quiet, because Ethan only seemed to have eyes for Matthew. He kept looking at him, checking all his bruises, cursing at each one he found. He did not dare move him to the cabin yet.

Once he was sure there were no critical injuries, he glared over his shoulder at the two, piercing them with his gaze while they floated anxiously. There was rage, but Alon saw a faint trace of gratefulness in his eyes. After a few seconds, Ethan looked back at Matthew, falling silent.

Iara was frozen by the hull, her gaze empty. Alon grasped her arm, knowing they had to go, because there was nothing they could do. He was not surprised to see her tense, reluctant to leave. She eventually met his eyes, defeated, deadly afraid. And so, he looked down at her with an assuring sad smile, sure that Matthew was safe now. She glanced up one last time… and then allowed Alon to pull her away underwater.

When Jason ran out again, they were gone. Shamira ignored the disappointment in his eyes, trying to stay calm for Ethan, who was containing his own panic. She just curled closer to Matthew, relieved. Her fear faded at last, because she could see him, human again; she had also seen those azure eyes, clarity in them.

There was no trace of danger in the waters. He would be alright. All would be.