You slowly drift back to consciousness, disoriented and unsure of your surroundings. A dull throb pulses through your tail, the sharp pain from before now softened. The water around you is strangely clear—too clean, almost unnatural.

As your eyes adjust, you realize you’re floating in a pool enclosed by human-made structures. Nearby, a man watches you. His nametag reads “Ethari.” When he sees you stir, he offers a warm smile and approaches with calm, measured steps.

“Ah, you’re awake,” he says gently. “We found you tangled in some nets. This place—it’s a refuge for injured merfolk. How’s your tail feeling?”