We Breathe Water, You Breathe Lies

Page 9

         Elara's mind raced, knowing they couldn't leave without searching for the relic, despite the immediate danger surrounding them. "We need to find it," she insisted, her voice firm. "It's too important to let fall into their hands. If they find it after us, who knows what they'll do?"

The other mermaid hesitated, her anger momentarily giving way to uncertainty. "You don't understand. It's not just a relic; it's a curse. If they think they can wield its power, they'll come for us, and the ocean will suffer. But..." Her voice trailed off, clearly torn between the desire to protect her people and the fear of what the pirates would do if they found them.

"Let's search together," Elara urged, adrenaline coursing through her veins. "We can't let it stay here."

They began scouring the immediate area, their instincts guiding them through the murky depths. Elara's fingers brushed against the cool sand, her heart racing with each passing moment. Time was of the essence, and the pirates' yells and gunfire above rang ominously in her ears, echoing the urgency in her chest.

Suddenly, a glimmer caught her eye. Nestled among the coral, partially buried in the sediment, was a small, intricately carved object that seemed to pulse with a faint, ethereal glow. Elara reached out, her breath hitching as her fingers closed around the relic. The smooth surface was warm to the touch, radiating a power that felt both exhilarating and dangerous.

But before she could fully grasp the significance of what she had found, the other mermaid's eyes widened with realization. "That's it!" she exclaimed, urgency in her voice. "You found it!"

However, Elara had instinctively pulled it closer to her chest, the feeling of ownership surging within her. "No, wait! I—"

In that moment, a fierce tug-of-war ensued. The other mermaid lunged forward, desperation etched on her features, but Elara's grip was solid. "It's mine!" she shouted, though the words felt hollow against the backdrop of impending chaos.

"Give it to me!" the other mermaid hissed, her own hands grasping at the relic. "You don't understand its importance! I had it first! It's our only chance to protect ourselves!"

Elara felt her pulse quicken as the other mermaid's anger ignited a fire within her. This was not just about the relic; it was about survival, and they both knew it. The struggle intensified, their fangs bared in a primal display of territorial instinct.

The sound of chaos from above grew louder, punctuated by screams and the sharp crack of gunfire. Every second counted, and yet here they were, embroiled in a fight over an object that could change everything.

"No!" Elara growled, pulling the relic away, feeling its energy course through her veins like a storm. "I won't let them have it! If we have it, we have a chance!"

Suddenly, as if sensing the tension between them, the relic pulsed violently in Elara's grip, sending a shockwave of energy through the water. The force knocked them both backward, scattering sand and debris into the water like a blinding cloud. In the fray, Elara found herself tumbling away from the other mermaid, the relic slipping from her fingers just as a sharp burst of pain lanced through her arm.

The other mermaid lunged forward, determination flaring in her eyes, and seized the relic before Elara could react. "You fool! You'll ruin everything!" she cried, holding the relic triumphantly as the waters around them shifted ominously.

Elara stared in disbelief, a mix of admiration and frustration swirling within her. She knew that this battle was not just for the relic; it was a struggle for survival and identity in a world where humans and their greed threatened to upend everything they knew.

"Let's get out of here," the other mermaid urged, her voice steadying. "We can fight over this later. Right now, we need to escape before they notice us down here."

But Elara, emboldened by the power they now possessed, was not ready to back down. "No. We need to confront them. This isn't over."