All the merfolk gathered in awe as their King emerged from the depths, carrying the unconscious body of a drowning female in his arms. Her delicate features were illuminated by the bioluminescent glow of the underwater flora, and even in her weakened state, she radiated an otherworldly beauty.

It had been a long time since the tribe had seen a female—decades, perhaps longer. And this one… she was unlike any they had encountered before. Hope flickered in their hearts. The survival of their tribe, teetering on the edge of extinction, could depend on her.

Long ago, the only female of their kind betrayed them, abandoning the ocean for life on land with another mate. Since then, the tribe had grown desperate, their numbers dwindling, with no hope of continuing their lineage. Until now.

The King’s expression was unreadable as he blew a shimmering bubble around the female’s head, allowing her to breathe underwater. His powerful tail cut through the water gracefully as he carried her toward the tribe’s hidden cave, where she could recover safely.

“Bring the female to the cave,” he commanded, his deep voice echoing through the water. “Ensure that she is well-guarded and kept safe.” His cold, calculating eyes lingered on her for a moment before he turned away, his jaw tightening.

The merfolk obeyed without question, gently taking the unconscious female and swimming her toward the sanctuary. Whispers rippled through the crowd as they watched her disappear into the dark depths.

Would she be their salvation? Or would she bring ruin, just as the last female had?

The King remained silent, but in his heart, a storm was brewing. There was something different about this female, something that stirred memories he thought he had long buried. And he wasn’t sure if that was a blessing—or a curse.