Shui Yi's body, once part of the ocean, now felt foreign and cumbersome. The sea now seemed like an endless, indifferent expanse. Each wave that had once comforted her now pulled her under with cruel insistence. Every stroke she made was clumsy and uncoordinated, her limbs too weak, her body too alien in this strange world.
Her lungs burned with each ragged breath, the saltwater searing her throat. The sea, once her sanctuary, now threatened to drown her. Panic clawed at her as she fought to stay afloat, each stroke slower, weaker. The familiar rhythm of the tides felt distant, mocking her as she gasped.
Then, unexpectedly, a gentle nudge at her side startled her - a dolphin swam alongside her, offering silent support. Another nudge. And another. The creature's presence was a fleeting comfort—a reminder that, even in the chaos, there was kindness in the wild. She managed a shaky breath, gathering what little strength she had left.
Before she could gain her bearings, a large net swooped down from above. It entrapped her, its sharp ropes cutting into her skin as she was getting hoisted from the sea. Panic surged within her, her limbs numb and useless from exhaustion. She struggled to breathe, the ropes tightening around her chest, suffocating her.
"Got ourselves a fine prize!" one of the voices above cackled, the crew's cruel laughter echoing.
They dragged her roughly across the weathered wooden deck, and the sting of saltwater against her skin only deepened the sense of helplessness. Her breath came in shallow gasps. Her heart pounded with fear, her limbs shaking from exhaustion. She felt powerless, her human form alien to her, betraying her in this hostile world.
The pirates' jeers sent a shiver down her spine.
"Well, well, what have we here?" one sneered, his eyes gleaming with crude curiosity.
Her legs buckled, and she collapsed onto the deck, her body too weak to hold itself up. The sea—her only source of strength—was now unreachable, unresponsive.
"Get up!" another pirate barked, grabbing her arm and yanking her to her feet. "Move!"
She was doomed, her body exhausted and her spirit wavering. They saw her as nothing but prey, powerless and defenseless.
The air thickened, heavy with an oppressive aura. The laughter from the pirates faltered; a hush fell over the crew as an echo of approaching footsteps resounded. A tall figure emerged from the shadows, towering and commanding. His posture was rigid, his gaze fierce and merciless. The pirates fell silent, shrinking back at someone far more dangerous than they were. Long Yan, now the Captain had arrived.
He towered over the shivering mermaid. His gaze fixed on the cloak she wore—Long Fei's favorite cloak. He had personally tailored that cloak. Recognition flared within him, a mix of anger and pain, as the fabric pulsed with haunting energy, the last link to his brother. He stepped forward, his voice low and menacing.
"Where did you get that?" He demanded. His stare never wavered from the cloak.
Shui Yi trembled under his gaze but remained silent, her eyes lowered in submission.
A cruel smirk tugged at his lips. "That's fine," he muttered, before turning to the crew. "Throw her into the brig. I have questions, and I'll get answers. One way or another."
The pirates murmured but obeyed, dragging her roughly toward the dark, dank cell below deck. She struggled weakly against their hold, but it was futile. Their grip was unyielding, with strength that surpassed hers. There was no escape.
Once in the brig, they shoved her into the damp timber cell, the door slamming shut behind her. She slumped against the planks, her thoughts a whirl of confusion and fear. Who was that man?Why had he seemed so familiar? He had treated her differently, no cruel taunts, just fixated on the thief's cloak. He had studied her as though she were a puzzle he needed to solve. It was unsettling. His cold eyes, yet familiar, sent an uncomfortable chill through her. She had seen those eyes before, somewhere deep within the sea. Could he be related to the thief?
She huddled in the corner, knees drawn to her chest as she shivered uncontrollably. Every breath felt like it tore at her chest, the dark cell closing in on her. She did not belong in this prison; she belonged to the sea, its comforting embrace a distant memory. The cloak, wrapped tightly around her, felt like an anchor, dragging her deeper into this unfamiliar world. She did not know how to survive in this cruel, hostile world. But now, she was trapped in the comfort of her tears.
***
A moment later, Long Yan stood outside the brig, his gaze fixed on Shui Yi from the shadows. He had been searching the seas for Long Fei after glimpsing the ancient orb. And now, the ocean had brought him a mermaid, draped in the cloak he gifted his brother; a reminder of the bond he once shared with Long Fei. His thoughts churned with a disturbing idea. She was not just another prisoner. She was a key to unlocking the Ocean Realm, the pathway to his brother and now his hostage.
He approached the brig, his footsteps heavy on the creaking wooden planks. His shadow loomed over the cell, his eyes focused on the mermaid. He did not care who she was or why she wore the cloak. Information was all that mattered.
He had observed her through the barred opening. Her trembling body, though weak, sparked something within him, something he had not felt in millennia. Was it pity? No—he quickly suppressed it. She was a means to an end, nothing more. His mind was clear, focused only on finding his brother. Yet, something in her eyes pulled at him, unwilling to let go. Zhen Hua had that look when she was still innocent. He shook his head, his jaw tightening, refusing to let his emotions betray him. Was the siren trying to ensnare him with her allure? He would not fall for it. He only had eyes for one immortal. He could not let this siren's influence cloud his judgment.
As he stood there, an insidious thought festered within him. His brother would never have given this cloak away to any woman. If he kept her hostage, Long Fei would surely come for her. And when he did, Long Yan would finally have his revenge. His brother would rest in peace, and Zhen Hua would finally be by his side, where she belonged.