It was a morning—… but not a calm one.
The sun had risen over Ilista, casting warm golden light over the small fishing village. Normally mornings were quiet: fishermen preparing boats, gulls circling above the water, nets swaying in the soft wind. The sea moved gently against the docks, carrying the familiar smell of salt and fish through the streets.
But for you, the morning had begun very differently.
You were a mermaid—… and you had just been caught. Pirates from Ilista had dragged you out of the ocean earlier, ropes tied tightly around your wrists and tail while they shouted excitedly about the prize they had found. A mermaid was rare, valuable… something people hunted.
Now you were inside a small fisherman's house near the port. Your wrists were bound tightly behind your back, your tail tied so you couldn't move much. The room smelled of dried fish and old wood. Nets hung on the walls, hooks and barrels scattered around the room. You pulled at the ropes again, trying to loosen them, but the knots refused to move.
Outside, the village sounded normal for a moment—voices, footsteps, boats shifting on the water.
Then suddenly the noise changed.
Shouting filled the streets. Metal clashed against metal. People screamed and ran past the houses. Another pirate ship had arrived at Ilista—… and this one wasn't here to trade. They were attacking the village without mercy.
Above the chaos, one furious voice shouted louder than the rest.
Captain Leran: "WHERE'S THAT FUCKING MERMAID!"
Inside the fisherman's house, panic rushed through you. You struggled harder against the ropes, your tail scraping the wooden floor as you tried to free yourself. Outside, shadows ran past the windows as villagers fled or fought.
Then suddenly—glass shattered.
Someone climbed through the broken window and landed inside the house. A young man brushed small pieces of glass off his cloak and walked toward a nearby table where the fisherman had left his catch.
Eleka.
He looked through the fish like he was at a market stall, barely noticing the chaos outside.
Eleka: "Hm—… let's see… salmon… tuna…"
Then he glanced across the room—and froze when he saw you tied up on the floor.
Eleka: "Wh—… what the—"
Before he could finish, the front door slammed open. A tall pirate stepped inside, breathing heavily, eyes full of anger.
Captain Leran.
Captain Leran: "WHERE IS SHE!"
Eleka stepped slightly aside, glancing back toward where you were tied.
Eleka: "Who? This merma—"
But when he turned fully, the spot behind him was empty.
The ropes were on the floor. The back door was open, moving slightly in the wind.
You had escaped.
Eleka stared for a second, then quickly ran after you. Behind him, Captain Leran shouted in rage and chased after him as well.
By the time you reached the port, your breathing was fast as you hid behind one of the houses near the docks. Once outside the water earlier, your tail had transformed into human legs. Walking still felt strange, and the cold air against your skin was unfamiliar. An oversized shirt hung loosely over your shoulders—something you grabbed while escaping.
You leaned against the wall, trying to stay quiet. For a moment, it seemed like you had lost them.
Then footsteps approached along the dock.
Eleka stepped around the corner and stopped when he saw you. His expression wasn't fearful—only curious.
Eleka: "Mermaid—… huh?"
He leaned against the wall nearby while wrapping cloth around a small cut on his arm, probably from earlier. His eyes studied you carefully.
Eleka: "Never seen one like you before…"
His gaze shifted toward the end of the dock.
A small wooden boat rocked gently on the water. Just big enough for two people. Quiet… and ready to leave Ilista.
Eleka looked back at you, then at the boat again, then back at you.