The sun dipped below the horizon, pointing the sky in haves of orange and purple. Lara stood at the edge of the Cliff, gazing out at the vast ocean.Her heartbeat in sync with the rhythm of the waves crashing against the rocks below. She'd always felt a strange pull toward the water,an urge she couldn't quite explain.But tonight, something felt different.
She tightened her grip on the wooden railing,the chill of the evening sir brushing against creatures, powerful forces lurking beneath the surface.But Lara didn't believe in such tale. She never had.Still,she couldn't shake the feeling that tonight,she will finally uncover what lay beneath the waves.
Her thoughts where interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind her.She turned,started,to find her older brother,Elias, approaching with a look of concern on his face.Hos brow furrowed as he surveys the horizon.
"You shouldn't be out here alone,Lara"he said,his voice low and steady,through there was an edge of unease."The waters are dangerous, especially at night".
Lara rolled her eyes."I'm fine, Elias. It's just the ocean nothing is going to happen ".
But Elias wasn't convinced"i don't trust it.Not anymore.You should come back to the village.You know our parents would—"
"I don't care about what they would want!" Lara snapped,cutting him off.She didn't meant it,but the words slipped out in a burst of frustration.
"you don't understand.I need to know what's out there.I feel.... something calling to me".
Elias hesitated."What do you mean,'calling you' what's going on with you?"
Lara signed,looking back towards the ocean.The pull was stronger tonight than it had ever been .it was as of the sea itself was reaching out to her,urging her to step closer,to venture into the unknown.
Without another word, she turned and made,her way sowna the cliff side path towards the rocky shore below.Eliad followed, reluctant but unwilling to leave her alone.
The air was thick with salt,and the sound of the waves grew louder as they approached the water's edge.The moonlight glinted off the surface of the water,casting on eerie glow.
The place felt alive,pulsating with an ancient energy that Lara. couldn't explain.
"Lara,stop", Elias urged, grabbing her arm."This isn't you. You're not one for risks think about what you're doing".
But it was too late.Lara shook him off and stepped closer to the water,her feet sinking into the cool sand.she.stared into the depths,her breath shallow.
And them,just as her toes brushed the water's surface,she saw it.
A flash of movement — silvering scales glistening in the moonlight. Her heart skipped a beat.
Did you see that?" she whispered,voice trembling.
Elias stepped forward, Squinting into the darkness ."See what?"
Before she could answer the water exploded in a spray of foam.
A figure shit up from the depths, graceful and powerful,with long, flowing hair and eyes that shone like the stars. A mermaid.
Lara's breath caught in her throat the creature gaze locked onto hers,and for a moment, everything around her faded away.The pull she'd felt before.Surged stronger that ever,and she took a step forward,her body moving of it's own accord.
Elias grabbed her arm again,his voice.Urgebt."No,Lara!Don't!"
Buy it was too late.The mermaid reached cut ,her hand gliding through the air with in human grace,her fingers brushing Lara's skin.the touch was electrifying sending a jolt energy through her veins.
"You shouldn't be here",the mermaid whispered,her voice melodic and smoothing yet filled with warning."this place is cursed . And now,You've been marked" Lara's heart raced Marker?what did you mean?
Before she could speak,the mermaid vanished back beneath the surface with a swirl of water The pull was gone, leaving Lara standing there,beneaths her mind swirting with questions.
Elias pulled her back from the water's edge,his expression grave.
"What did you do?" he asked,panic creeping into his voice."What was that thing?"
Lara could hardly speak.Sje was in shock,unable to comprehend what had just happened."I....I don't know.But I think i've just opened a door to something for bigger than we ever think of".