Lara's feet sank into the damp earth and she made her way towards the shore the scent of salt and bring heavy in the arm.
The village had faded behind her, it's lights dimming in the distance,
Swallowed by the vast darkness of the forest but the sea—its endless expanse —beckoned her forward,like a whispering promise,a thread trying her fate.to It's depth.
Her heart beat faster the closer she gets her step more determined,and through something within her knew that she couldn't turn back.Not now .Not ever.Yhr mermaid touch,the mark she bote,it was a part of her now And no matter how much sh wished for answers,she knew,the only was to find them was to walk into the unknown.
The beach stretches before her,silent and still under the moonlight sky.The walks whispered against the sand,then rhythm softly but persistent like her heartbeat of the world itself.Larq hesitated for a moment standing of the edge of the water she called feel the pull again,stronger now,urging her to step into the depths.
But before she could take the first sy a voice broke through the silent.
"Lara,Stop"
Her breath caught in her throat.as she turned,surprised to find Eira's standing a few feet behind her.He had followed her."Elias",she said softly,her heart tightened in her chest." what are you doing here?"
He stepped forward,his face set a determination through his eyes betrayed has concern" I couldn't just let you go alone. You're my sister Lara. I'm not letting you walk into the sea with out knowing what's really out there"
Lara's chest tightened, a knot of frustration and guilt forming deep with her she had tried to protect him,to keep hisn from the dangerous that was pulling her deeper into the Unknown.But Elias was stubborn,and it seemed that nothing would stop him from following her .
"I don't want you involved in this,"she whispered,her voice breaking."This isn't your fight .it's mine.Abd I can't beat to see you hurt"
Elias stepped closer,his hand reaching out to gently touch her arm "I've always been by your side,Lara .And I'm not leaving you now no matter what you facing were in this together.
Lara swallowed hard, emotions shortliing in her chest.Her brother's loyalty was both a comf and a burden. she didn't want to drag him into this world of mermaids and ancient powers,but she also couldn't —deny the bond between them,the deep connection that ran for beyond blood.
"I don't know what happening to me"She admitted,her voice trembling."the sea,it's.... changing me I can feel it, Elias it's not just the mark. something's waking up inside me something I can't control ".
Elias's expression soften and he stepped closer,pulling her I to a tight hug"you're not alone,Lara.Whwgecer this is, we'll face it together I promise "
Lara closed her eyes,leaning into his embrace,greatful for his presence ev n as her heart ached with the weight of the unknown.Shebhaf always been the one to protect his, to shield him from danger.But now, she realized,it was time to let go to the water.its calling me.
Elias nodded silently,his face still filled with concerns but also a quite determination.Hr knew that once her mind was made up,there was no changing it.
Together they walked to the edge of the water,the rhythm crash of the El Wales growing louder with each step.Lara felt pull intensity a deep,aching together seemed to come from the very coree of the earth.Thr water,shimmer under the moonlight, stretched out before her like vast,endless abyss.Sbe couldn't see what lay beneath the surface,but she knew that it was waiting for her.
without a word,she stepped into the shallows,the cool.Whater lapping at her ankles Elias hesitated for a moment but then,his gaze never leaving her the waves crem—higher,pulling at their feet,wound of the ocean growing colder as then ventured deeper into the surface,the sea was alive, shifting and pulsating,as if aware of their presence.
And then,as if on cue,the water parted.W fight emerged from the depths,rising up from the ocean true a dream made flash.Thebmermaid Her eyes locked onto Lara's,and a shiver random her spine as she recognized the same figures from the cleaning.
"You come",the mermaid saf softly,her voice like the wind across the sea"I knew you would".
Lara stepped forward,her heart hammering in her chest."What is this?what am I supposed to do?"
The mermaid's gaze softened,a strange sand ess inheritance eyes."You are the bridge,Lara.The key to the ancient pact between the land and the sea. The time has come to restore balance,to awaken what has been lost .But to do that ,you must face the darkness the stires beneath the time has come to restore balance,to awaken what has been lost.But to do that,you must face to darkness the stires beneath the stayed".
Lara's stomach cured,a cold sense of dread sweeping over."her"What fackness?what do you mean?
The mermaid didn't answer immediately instead,she extended her hand towards Lara, the water swirling around her fingers like liquid sliver.
"this is the beging ,Lara",she said voice heard with meaning."The beginning of your journey into the unknown.You must choose:will you embrace your power and fulfill your destiny,or will you walk away from it all?"
Lara's heart raced,the weight of the decision pressing down in her The mermaid's Goods resonated deeply with her, a truth the felt both ancient — and terrifying.Shr could feel both the power stirred inside her,the seas's energy coursing through her veins, calling her to step into the unknown.But she wasn't ready yet.
Elira stepped forward,his voice low but firm."Lara,,you don't have to do this alone. I'll stand by you,no matter what happens"
Lara turned to him her eyes searching his face .she had always known that Elias world protect her,that he would stand by her was something bigger something ancient.
The mermaid waited,her expression unreachable as if sending Lara's inner turmoil.
"I don't know if I can do this",Lara whispered the for creeping into her voice.
"You don't have to be afraid",the mermaid said gently.her voice filled with understanding."You are stronger that you think.Thr sea had choose is yours embrace your destiny,and you will have the power to change the world".
Lara looked out over the dark,endless horizon,her heart torn between fear and the undeniable full of the know sea,She didn't — have all the answers.She didn't know what lay ahead .Buy she knew on thing.She couldn't — walk away now Not when the ocean was calling her .Not when her destiny was right in front of her
With a deep breath,Lara stepped forward, reaching for the mermaid's out reached hand
And in that moment, everything changed