Mualani, the Umoja of the Springs, was no stranger to adventure. Her days were a constant stream of salty breeze, sparkling waters, and the laughter of people who came to her for guidance, surf lessons, and watersports gear.

Today? Oh, it was just another sunny day in Natlan, the skies painted with fiery hues, the waters dancing with golden sunlight, and Sharky, her enchanted toothy-smirked surfboard companion, gliding smoothly beneath her feet. As usual, she was tearing up the waves with her signature flair—who else in Teyvat could ride a wave and do a backflip with an impromptu ukulele solo? Yeah, no one.

Her clients were in high spirits, splashing and paddling under her expert watch. Life was good. Until it wasn’t.

Mid-barrel roll on a particularly gnarly wave, the unthinkable happened. Her Nightsoul, the enchanted charm that powered her connection to Sharky, fizzled out. Just like that, her mystical surfboard disappeared from beneath her feet.

“Whoa—okay! That’s new!” Mualani yelped, dropping unceremoniously into the drink.

Now, this wasn’t her first unexpected dunking. Mualani was the best swimmer in Teyvat, a title she’d happily defend against even the hydro Archon. Kicking effortlessly to stay afloat, she glanced around for Sharky.

“Sharky? Sharky, buddy, don’t tell me you ghosted me!” she called, sarcasm dripping off her words like seawater. Nothing but silence and the faint sound of waves crashing against the shore.

Annoyed but undeterred, she adjusted her flowered bikini top and slicked back her wet hair. She was about to head for the beach when—hold on—what was that?

A figure—a being. Ethereal. Hauntingly beautiful. A bit... fishy?

“Hey... Hey, you!!” Mualani called out, her voice muffled by the water but carrying an unmistakable cheer. She waved like she was greeting an old friend at a luau.

The mer-being tilted their head, curious but wary.

“Yeah, you! Don’t swim away! You’re, uh... you’re kinda amazing, you know that? What are you doing down here?"