We Breathe Water, You Breathe Lies

Page 25

        As they swam silently through the waters, Elara's mind was still swirling with the dark memories of what she had just done. Her body was shaking, and she couldn't quite tell if it was from fear or the lingering thrill of the power she had unleashed. Dlir broke the silence with a chuckle, his tone light despite the tension hanging over them.

"Well, that was one hell of a meeting," he quipped. "I don't know about you two, but I've definitely been to worse family reunions."

Rina shot him a sharp look, but Elara found herself almost laughing, the absurdity of the situation sinking in. Dlir smirked, clearly pleased with himself for breaking the ice. "What? Too soon?"

"Maybe a little," Rina replied, her voice softer now. She glanced at Elara, concern etched into her features. "But I think we needed that."

"Exactly." Dlir winked. "I figure someone's gotta keep us sane. And since it's definitely not going to be her"—he jerked his head in Elara's direction, grinning—"I'm volunteering for the job."

Elara shot him a look, but the corner of her mouth twitched. It was faint, but it was something. She still felt the weight of what had happened, but for a moment, Dlir's humor gave her room to breathe. He wasn't taking her darkness too seriously. Maybe that's what she needed. 

Rina, still processing the enormity of what had just happened, couldn't shake the image of Elara's eyes, burning red with a bloodlust Rina had never seen in any mermaid. There had been plenty of blood drinkers before—some even more powerful than Elara—but that... that had been something different.

Dlir glanced back at them both, his expression thoughtful but lightened by his natural sarcasm. "Well, if this whole 'uniting the pods' thing doesn't work out, maybe Elara can become the ocean's top demolition expert. She really knows how to redecorate with... destruction."

Rina huffed, though a smile tugged at her lips despite the tension. "Maybe you should keep your humor to yourself for once, Dlir."

He smirked and shrugged, swimming with a smoothness that seemed effortless. "What? We all saw it. I mean, if we ever need a new sea trench carved into the ocean floor, we know who to call."

Elara stirred more violently now, and her eyes slowly opened. The dark fear inside her stirred too, replaying everything she'd done—each brutal, lethal move flashing in her mind like echoes of a nightmare. She pressed her lips together, unsure of what to say. She had no idea what came over her, but it was so raw, so real... and terrifying.

"I blacked out... I can't believe I blacked out like that," Elara said quietly, her voice trembling as she met Rina's eyes. "Did... did I really kill them?"

Rina didn't know what to say at first. The look of fear and confusion in Elara's face didn't match the vicious killer she'd witnessed earlier. Dlir, ever the calm one, swam closer, gently grabbing Elara's wrist to ground her.

"Yeah... you did," he said softly. "But we had no choice. They weren't going to help us. And honestly? I get it. Sometimes... things need breaking."

Elara's heart sank. "I... I didn't want to do all of that.. I just wanted them to listen."

Dlir's light tone faltered for a moment, and he sighed. "You've got a lot of power inside you, El. It's nothing to be ashamed of. But... maybe next time let's avoid snapping necks as a form of negotiation?"

Rina watched the interaction, a tight feeling in her chest. It was like they were speaking in some unspoken language—one she wasn't part of. Her grip on the relic tightened, her fingers tracing its cold surface.

She forced herself to focus on the bigger picture. They still had a mission. They still had to find that next pod—the one known for its raw power. But deep down, Rina couldn't help but wonder... was she losing her best friend to this bond forming between Elara and Dlir? And worse... was Elara losing herself to the darkness?