The steady drip of water echoed through the cave, each drop marking time like a countdown she couldn't escape. It was maddening, relentless – like the very walls of her prison were mocking her. Aria sat with her back against the cold stone wall, knees pulled to her chest, her mind racing. How long has it been now? Days blurred together in the dim light, her only constant companion that damp, oppressive silence of the cave. She missed the sun, the wind, the smells of the life above. Here, in the suffocating depths of Kaelen's lair, everything felt distant – like memories from another life.

She glanced at the faint bioluminescent light above her. How long can I last? The thought gnawed at her like a parasite, feeding on her dwindling hope. Kaelen had left her here again, as he often did. Everyday he came and went, watching her with those predatory blue eyes, leaving her with food, water, and promises of a future she didn't want. Not that the food he provided would normally be considered food. Fish food, perhaps. But not human food. She'd had enough raw fish for a lifetime. Even the idea of sushi didn't help at this point. And honestly, she doubted she'd be able to ever eat sushi again if she ever got back home.

Aria hugged her knees tighter, her mind racing through plans. She had been biding her time, watching, learning. Everyday Kaelen would teach her more of his language. Her own mother tongue nog only existed in her mind. Kaelen had been cautious around her, while playful he was always careful.

The sound of water splashing brought her out of her thoughts, and she stiffened, her heart Kuching in her chest. Kaelen. He was back.

She turned slowly as his dark silhouette emerged from the water, his tail cutting through the surface as he approached. His expression was unreadable, as it always was, his glowing blue eyes glinting faintly in the caves pale light. He moved gracefully, every motion precise, every stroke silent. His presence felt like the tide – inevitable and suffocating. The splash he made was purposefully done, to alert her to his presence. Aria watched him, her stomach knotting with a mix of fear and anger. She missed her home.

Kaelen's head rose form the water and with a grin he placed another fish on the rock beside her. It flopped helplessly and Aria couldn't help but wish he had brought her a dead fish instead. But no, it was fresher this way – healthier too. He insisted on it. Kaelen's eyes flickered towards her freely before looking away. Aria hesitated, then forced herself to speak.

"Thank you." Her voice quiet as the Neridian language slipped of her tong much easier.

Kaelen's posture shifted slightly at her words, though he remained silent, his expression softened, if only for a moment, before he turned away to tend to something else. His back was to her now.

Her heart raced but she kept her breathing steady, forcing herself to stay calm as she had to play this carefully.

"Water is... deep?" Aria asked, her voice small but curious. She'd been working up to this question for days, trying to gauge how much he would tell her about the world beyond the cave. Last time he had talked about Neridia on his own, she hoped that perhaps she would just seem interested in him and his world.

Kaelen's movements slowed, and he glanced back at her. "Yes," he replied after a pause, his voice low. "Very deep."

Aria nodded, pretending to think it over, though her mind was already racing ahead. Deep enough to drown me, deep enough to trap me. She knew they'd gone far below the surface when he'd brought her here. But she wasn't willing to believe that escape was impossible.

"Swim far?" She asked next, trying to keep her tone casual.

Kaelen's eyes narrowed slightly, and he studied her for a long moment before answer. "Far," he said, his voice carrying a note of warning. "But not too far."

Her pulse quickened. Not too far. That meant there was a chance. It was the first real glimmer of hope she'd had since arriving here. If it wasn't too far, she could make it – if she timed everything perfectly.

But Kaelen wasn't done. "It's dangerous," he added, his tone stern. "Many creature live in these waters. You would not survive."

The warning was clear and sent a chill down her spine, but she forced herself to nod, feigning obedience. "I understand," she said softly, though herm ind was already working through the possibilities. I'll take my chances.

Burt aria continued anyway. "The creatures, close?" She asked, continuering to keep her tone as neutral and relaxed as possible, though her heart was racing.

Kaelen's lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze growing more focused. "Some, but more not close." He seemed to hesitate for a moment, then added "You're save here."

Safe.Aria's stomach twisted at the word. This place was a tomb, not a sanctuary. She glanced around, taking in the dark, oppressive space that had become her prison. The thought of staying here, of being trapped forever beneath the weight of the ocean, was suffocating. She had to get out. She had to try.

"Safe" she echoed numbly, her voice soft. Aria picked up the flopping fish beside her and bit into its soft flesh. She ignored the scales as she chewed. She knew it made Kaelen happy whenever she ate his offerings without much fuss. She just hoped that perhaps this would be the last time she'd have to eat it.

Kaelen still watched her, said nothing more. The conversation had dwindled to its usual quiet, but there was a strange piece in the silence now. It was as if the act of talking – and eating – had eased something between them. But aria couldn't allow herself to be lulled into the comfort. She had to stay focused on her goal.

Kaelen watched her for a moment longer, his eyes searching hers, as if he could sense the thoughts racing through her head. But then, without another word, he turned and disappeared back into the water, leaving her alone in the cave once more.

Finishing the fish, aria allowed the small skeleton to sink in the ocean. "Thank you," she murmured.

Kaelen gave a small nod, his brilliant blue eyes never leaving hers. There was something unreadable in his gaze, a tension that lingered in the space between them. He straightens and moved towards the entrance of the cave, his movements fluid and graceful. But as he reached the edge of the pool, where he would normally diver under, he paused.

Aria held her breath, waiting.

He glanced back at her, something dark and almost sad flickered in his eyes. "You belong here." He said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Her chest tightened at the words, but she forced herself to remain still, to keep her expression neutral. You're wrong. Ill never belong here.

But she didn't correct him. She couldn't afford to.

Instead, she simply watched as he disappeared into the water, the faint flow of the bioluminescent algae illuminating the ripples left behind. As soon as he was gone, the oppressive silence returned, and with it came the weight of her desperation.

Aria dropped onto her back, stating at the caves ceiling. If she closed her eyes and imagined hard enough she could imagine the sun warming her shivering body, taking the cold away. She couldn't stay here. She wouldn't. Even if it killed her, the surface was better than this slow death.

Her breath came in shallow gasps as she stared at the dark, still water, through which Kaelen had just disappeared. This was her chance. Escape. The word resonated in her mind, her eyes trailing the small ripples in the water. The stillness in the cave felt oppressive, the air had thickened with Kaelen's absence. He was gone now, but she knew he could come back at any time.

Trembling, she dipped her toes into the icy water. It was freezing – cold enough to bit into her bones, a stark reminder of the danger. But fear wouldn't stop her. Not now.

Sliding in complexly, the chill wrapped around her like a vice. Darkness swallowed her, the dim glow of the algae fading behind her as she plunged into the abyss. A phantom memory of Kaelen's tail coiled around her legs froze her mid motion. But there was nothing. Just her fear. With a silent prayer, she submerged herself completely, her body taut with tension as she kicked hard, forcing herself through the water.

The cold pierced her muscles like knives, but she pushed forward. She had to. It was now or never.

Each pull of her arms was frantic, fueled by the wild hope that surged in her chest. Above her, far beyond reach, was the light of the surface – faint, elusive, but there.

Her lungs screamed for air, but she couldn't stop. Not now.

Her mind whirled. Count. She needed to count, to keep herself together.

One. Her eyes locked on the surface.

The darkness consumed her, the water growing heavier with each stroke she accented. But she couldn't stop.

Two. Her arms, through leaden, kept pulling her upward. She refused to give up.

A sharp pain sliced through her skull as the pressure mounted.

Three. Her legs kicked fiercely behind her.

Aria clenched her jaw. The ache in her chest was unbearable.

Four. Don't breathe,

Her body screamed at her to turn back, to breathe, to give in. But the sunlight – it was right there. Faint but visible, like a lifeline. She kicked harder, her legs burning with the effort as she fought through the water, trying to ignore the growing pressure that seemed to crush her from all sides. Her vision began to blur, the edges darkening as she pushed herself beyond her limits.

Five. Ignore the fire in your lungs.

Her chest felt tight, the lack of oxygen clawing at her lungs, but she forced her arms to keep moving. She wasn't going to drown here. Not in the cold suffocating darkness. She refused.

Six. The sun. It was closer now.

Then she felt it – a sharp, agonising pop in her ears. Aria cried out, but her scream was swallowed by the water, reduced to desperate bubbles rising towards the surface. Her panic surged. It was too much. The water too deep. She couldn't breathe.

She had to stop. She couldn't make it.

Seven. Her family.

Above, the sun shimmered faintly, a promise of salvation. It was distant, but it was there, pulling her forward. Beckoning. Her arms slowed, but she reached for it.

Eight. The surface.

Her vision flickered again, her lungs ablaze with the need to air. Her heart pounded in her ears, loud and frantic.

A wave of dizziness hit her, and her strokes became sluggish. Her limbs felt like lead. But the sun – it was right there. She was so close now.

Nine. Just a little more. A desperate, panicked chant echoed in her mind. A little more. The sunlit surface was almost within reach, her fingers mere inches from salvation

But something shifted. The water around her seemed to change, subtly at first – a gentle ripple brushing against her skin. Then, a stronger current pulled at her legs, as if something beneath the surface was stirring. Her heart pounded louder in her ears, adrenaline surging.

Aria's strokes faltered. The cold depths below her no longer felt empty. Was it a trick of her mind? Please let it be a trick. She forced herself to look down. The water was dark, a void. But... no. Her heart stuttered.

A shadow.

Her breath hitched. No, there was something down there.

A shape - I distinct at first – shifted in the murk, barely perceptible. But the ripple it caused was enough to alert her. Was it a shark? The thought froze her, blood running cold. Kaelen had warned her about the dangers, the creatures lurking in the deep. She had to move. Now.

Ten. She turned back to the surface. The light was close, just a few more strokes and—

A sudden pressure clamped around her ankle.

No.

A cold, clawed hand yanked her downward, ripping the last air form her lungs. Her scream burst free, dissolving into bubbles that spiralled helplessly toward the surface as the darkness below swallowed her whole.

Kaelen.

Panic exploded inside her chest. She kicked, thrashed, every instinct screaming to fight, but his grip only tightened, dragging her deeper into the abyss. The light above dimmed, fading into a distant blur as the weight of the water crushed her chest.

Her last breath left her in a rush of bubbles. She couldn't breath. She couldn't think. The cold, suffocating dark pressed in on all sides, stealing the last of her strength.

Her vision blurred, her body betraying her, the desperate need to air overwhelming. She was slipping, her limbs growing heavy.

But just as she teetered on the edge of oblivion, she felt it – his lips on hers, forcing air into her lungs.

She choked, her body convulsing as the water in her lungs was replaced by a sharp, burning gasp of oxygen. But it wasn't her victory.

It was his.

Kaelen wasn't going to let her die.

And he wasn't going to let her go.