The crew, led by the captain, silently watched the raft lashed to the rocks. Packed onto it were the "living dead"—traitors, murderers, those who had forgotten honor. Their pleas, threats, and pitiful oaths of repentance inspired only disgust.

The captain said nothing. Not a shred of sympathy—just cold satisfaction: everything was going according to plan. He glanced at his pocket watch, tracking how the water darkened near the cliffs. Soon, the exchange would begin—flesh for gold.

From the depths, the creatures rose one by one—merrows, sirens. Their bodies gleamed like mercury, their smiles unnaturally wide, their eyes ancient and merciless.

— Oh, the money's arrived... — the captain muttered lazily before giving the order to prepare.

The sea creatures snatched the prisoners, dragging them into the abyss. A splash. A scream. Bubbles. Silence.

— Damn... — a sailor exhaled. — These aren’t the ones we traded with before... They’re meaner...

The first mermaid surfaced, hurling a chest onto the rocks—payment in pearls, coral armor, cracked amulets, salt-crusted gold.

— Disgusting humans could’ve at least gathered something worthwhile.

— Don’t squawk at my goods, beauty — the captain shot back without even looking at her.

Once enough gold had piled up, he slid the ruby rings from his fingers and handed them to the cabin boy.

— If I don’t return—hide these. Take them to the old woman at Port-Death. Tell her they’re from me. She’ll understand.

— Captain?.. You’re going down there? Why? And the rings...?

— Just a precaution, lad. Remember —show her these, and she’ll help you.

He stepped forward—first, as always. But then he froze.

The leader of the pack Taibhse(Ghost) the Great Spirit of the Seas—stood apart, holding the last chest. He watched the captain not as a trader, but as prey. His eyes burned with cold hunger.

— Zar’ka luth maer’eth... ("My treasure...")

The captain realized too late. Slender, impossibly strong fingers seized his legs, yanking him off balance.

— Hey! Fishbreath, don't be so impudent! — He thrashed, but the strength was inhuman. With a satisfied grin, Ghost dragged him into the depths.