Rebirth: Beasts Bound

I closed my eyes, bracing myself for impact when suddenly Thyrian moved, dodging the shark.

I waited, but no pain came, and I peeked, slowly opening my eyes. Thyrian was moving at high speed, and we were completely unharmed. I gently spread my hands, feeling the water glide across my arms, and I smiled softly.

Just then, Thyrian moved downward, and I gasped as the sudden pressure hit my face. I placed my hands over it, but then he swirled around in circles as we passed through a pipe-like tunnel. The moment he swam in, the walls shimmered. Pearls of different shapes were embedded in them, each in different shades, embodying the emotions of the merfolk that placed them there. They all shimmered brilliantly.

"So beautiful," I gasped out, and I heard Thyrian chuckle.

"The ocean is filled with many things," he replied, and I nodded. Even my hair swirled in the water, and I felt like a fairy.

As we passed through it, I couldn’t help but scream—

"So beautiful!" at the top of my lungs.

Just then....

"Brace yourself, Raven," Thyrian said, and my hands flew up to shield my face. He turned downward, and we sped in that direction. The deeper parts of the ocean were dark, like a bottomless pit or a big black hole. I couldn’t help but feel frightened, and I shut my eyes tightly.

"Raven, it’s okay," I heard Thyrian’s voice in my head, but I kept my eyes shut tighter. I felt the water suddenly become colder.

"Open your eyes," he said, and my eyes snapped open. As we entered the dark part, it felt like we passed through a heavy cloud. We were really deep in the ocean, and then I sighted them—seahorses the size of giant horses. I stared in awe. The horses stared back, equally amazed. Some moved away quickly, as if panicking after seeing my legs.

The area was filled with jellyfish that glowed with a breathtaking bioluminescent hue. I would have reached out to touch them, but a protective shield covered me...clearly Thyrian’s doing. We passed through hundreds of them. I saw their beautiful glow, barely holding back the urge to touch them. I knew what would happen, but they looked so beautiful I honestly considered just bearing the pain just to hold them.

If only I had my phone with me right now, I could record this amazing scenery. But the beast world had nothing like that, so I could only watch, capturing every moment and making sure I never forgot this day.

Finally, as we moved deeper, something huge stood in the way, and Thyrian stopped swimming. He held me by the waist, and I was inches away from him. I stared at his face...he seemed perplexed, or perhaps on guard.

"Is anything wrong?" I asked softly, and he didn’t say a word. He licked his lips, staring ahead. The moment I did the same, I froze.

A large snake-like creature...about 150 feet long stood there. Its body was covered in thick, glistening scales. What was that? It looked like a snake, but at the same time... not quite. The creature stared at Thyrian, then at me. Its eyes turned cold. It flicked its tongue at me, ready to strike.

I flinched, but Thyrian squeezed my hand softly.

"It’s okay," he said, and I nodded, trying to stay calm.

Thyrian’s eyes glowed silver, and he stretched out his left hand. I could see wave-like pulses moving forward, and my ears rang as loud screeching sounds traveled through the water, blocking my hearing.

The snake stilled, as if understanding his command, and moved its massive body out of the way. Thyrian nodded and pulled me forward, swimming ahead. I snapped my head to the side, staring at the creature’s back. It was so eerie..it gave me chills.

"What was that?" I asked.

"That was a Nerith Serpent," he said, and a breath escaped my lips.

"What does it do?" I asked, and he chuckled softly.

"It guards the outer parts of the ocean kingdom," he said, and I nodded in understanding. "From trespassers. It thought you were one, but I’ve taken care of that," he added, smiling.

I snapped my head forward and froze as I sighted the massive gates before us. I stared closer, and inside was a grand kingdom built upon rocks and held together with strong vines. It shone brightly and looked like a fallen city... It was huge, and I could hear chatter echoing from within.

"Is this your home?" I asked, and Thyrian nodded. I smiled, it was amazing. Just as Thyrian swam toward the gates, two guards appeared and raised their sharp spears, crossing them into an X.

"Outsiders aren’t allowed in. If you are one of us, show your badge," one of the guards said.

Thyrian chuckled.

"You dare do that to the crown prince?" Thyrian said coldly, his voice carrying no warmth. The guards’ eyes finally moved and landed on him.

They froze and immediately bowed.

"Open the gates," he said, but their gaze flickered to me.

"The king has decreed no legged creature shall have entry here," a bold one said, and I raised a brow. Just then—

He raised his hand, and the gates moved open. Their spears shifted aside on their own; they couldn’t control it, but they didn’t dare fight it.

"If the king has a problem with my visitor, we shall settle the score. Guards like you aren’t supposed to interfere," he said and swam in with me.

The guards didn’t fight back. "Yes, Prince," escaped from their lips.

As I stared around, the houses felt bigger—larger than anything I had ever seen. I was like a tiny human, maybe even the size of an ant compared to the towering houses and structures around me. Vines spread across coral stones and glowing gems.

I sighted male mermen and mermaids moving around, even little children.

"Mom!" a little girl called, and a mermaid smiled.

"Keep up with me, Shirley," she said and swam faster. Shirley, her child, did the same. I couldn’t help but gasp.

"Welcome to my home, Raven," Thyrian’s voice sounded through my amazement, and I gazed at him, flashing a warm smile.

"A magical home indeed," I said and licked my bottom lip, but then...

Someone bumped into me...