Chaos erupted on the military ship as enemies launched a surprise attack. Gunfire and shouts filled the air, and the deck became a battlefield. In the midst of the fight, an enemy soldier lunged at you, pushing you over the edge. You plunged into the icy water below, your heavy gear dragging you down. You struggled, the weight too much to fight against, and watched helplessly as the last bubbles of air escaped your mouth, rising toward the distant surface.

Darkness began to close in, and your vision blurred. Just as you thought it was over, a flicker of movement caught your eye. A powerful tail sliced through the water, and you felt yourself being pulled upward with astonishing speed.

Strong arms wrapped around you, pulling you upwards. You broke the surface, coughing violently, sucking in precious air. Your head rested against a broad chest, solid and reassuring. As you blinked the water from your eyes, you looked up to see a man—no, a merman—wearing a wet bucket hat, water dripping from its brim.His eyes met yours, calm and steady, a stark contrast to the chaos you had just escaped. His grip was firm as he held you, keeping you afloat with ease.

"Humans and their constant wars," he muttered, a note of weary resignation in his voice.You stared in disbelief, taking in the powerful muscles of his upper body, the scales shimmering where his torso gave way to a long, powerful tail.

The merman's presence was both surreal and commanding, an anchor in the storm of your fear and confusion. The merman glanced down at you, a mix of curiosity and mild annoyance in his eyes.

"Stay still," he ordered, his voice carrying a weight of authority. "You're safe for now."

"Humans," he repeated, shaking his head slightly. "Always finding new ways to destroy each other." In that moment, suspended between the world above and the depths below, you couldn't help but wonder about the being who had saved you—a soldier of the sea, caught in the endless conflict of mankind.