At the far edge of the shoals, the water opened into a vast lagoon. The sea floor beneath was alive with coral towers and glowing plants, forming a grand natural amphitheater.
At its heart, an enormous stone table of barnacle-encrusted rock had been raised, laden with the sea's bounty, gleaming shells, crimson-scaled fish, and strange fruits. The merfolk surged forward, circling around it, their chants rising to a fever pitch.
Damon leaned back slightly on Erin's coils, smirking at the spectacle. "Huuu. Quite the reception. Almost makes me feel guilty for killing their pet bird in under ten minutes." Erin laughed softly, her forked tongue flicking the air.
The lead merwoman guided Erin closer and bowed deeply. "Blood God, welcome to our humble feast."
Damon lounged in a throne carved from living coral, its jagged edges softened by threads of glowing kelp that shimmered faintly under the lagoon's light. The seat rose above the crowd, placing him at the heart of their celebration.
