The Sea Calls Me Home

Untitled Part 3

The first time Nya attempts to visit the surface is honestly a pretty traumatizing experience. Nyad chats with her the entire journey up, reminding her to stay focused and remember to breathe. But no matter how much Nyad has tried, nothing is quite enough to prepare Nya for the reality of separating from the sea.

So, uh, how exactly does this work? Nya asks as they approach their destination. Do I just... think solid thoughts or?

Well... kind of. But there is more to it than that. Nyad offers, looking at her thoughtfully.

Ah, clear as mud, Nya replies, wishing Nyad would give her actual details. Nyad frowns.

But mud is not clear, she says.

Exactly, Nya laughs. Nyad raises an eyebrow, but chooses not to ask for clarification. Instead, she gestures above her.

We are here.

Rays of sunlight shimmer through the water. A sandy slope stretches up to meet the sky.

Woah.

Indeed, Nyad agrees, You should take a few moments to clear your head before we proceed.

O-okay, Nya says. She stares up at the surface and tries to relax. Nyad's information on what happens next has been pretty vague, so Nya isn't quite sure how to feel about what they're about to do. All she really knows is that it's supposed to be painful. But even that isn't very helpful. Shaking her head, Nya turns to Nyad.

Ready as I'll ever be, she announces, wondering how quickly she'll regret it.

Alrighty, then. Let us begin, Nyad tells her. Nya smiles queasily as they finally approach the surface.

What do we do, now? She asks. Their heads are above water. She can see the shore in the distance.

I will do what I can to guide you, Nyad begins to explain, the best advice I can give you is to simply focus on my voice and what I am telling you to do.

That sounds doable... I hope... Nya says.

I promise it will make more sense once we begin, Nyad assures her with a comforting smile. Nya's not quite sure she believes her, but it's clear that Nyad won't be giving her more details.

Okay. Might as well get this over with, Nya relents.

That's the spirit! Nyad exclaims. Together, they swim closer to the shore. Nyad remains quiet until they are about waist deep in the surf. The water swirls and sloshes around them as she finally breaks her silence.

Think about the sea... she begins. Think about your relationship with it; you are one, yet you are also Nya. Born and raised in Ignatia. Former Samurai. Beloved sister, friend, lover.

That's me, Nya agrees, not quite sure how this is relevant.

As you walk forward, imagine a fine thread... this thread connects you to the sea, but it does not control you. Nyad continues.

Nya takes a tentative step toward the sandy expanse in front of her. Then another. She swears she can almost feel the tug of a real thread with each step she takes. And then... the weightless, dreamlike state Nya's grown so used to begins to dissipate. She feels... solid. Human. She pauses, surprised. Is this the pain Nyad kept warning her about? It's not so bad...

This is normal. The closer you get to land, the more solid you will feel, Nyad calls out to her. Nya takes this as a sign that she should keep going. Step after step. Wave after wave. Home... almost home-

Be careful, though, my child. The Sea will not give up its grip so easily, Nyad warns her just a second too late.

At first, it's like the water around Nya is vibrating. The sound of the crashing waves grows louder. There's a ringing in her ears. Eventually, she can no longer hear Nyad's instructions. Next comes the pain. Oh, First Spinjitzu Master, the pain!

It's not just the knitting together of her muscles, bones, and tissue. Nor is it the sharp sting of the wind battering her face. It's something more. Something deeper, sharper. Worse than the Tiger Widow's venom. It's everything and nothing. The Sea is tearing her to shreds. Trying to reclaim her very essence as its own. Dots begin to cloud her vision. She can't see. Can't hear. She feels too much. It's all too much.

Finally overwhelmed, Nya lets out an otherworldly screech as her world fades to black.