Morning light filtered softly over the sapphire waters, turning the surface into a glittering mosaic of silver and blue. Lira stretched her arms, the tension in her muscles melting as she savored the warmth of the rising sun. Beside her, Serelyth—still in her human form, white hair floating like silk around her porcelain face—stretched as well, letting out a small, delighted sigh that carried the faint echo of scales brushing against water. The dragon-lady's red eyes scanned the lake, taking in the gentle ripples and the faint morning mist hovering above the water.
From the stillness, a few curious mermaids began to peek above the surface, their shimmering tails glinting as they hovered in place. At first, they hesitated, keeping a cautious distance, but when they saw both Lira and Serelyth fully awake, they smiled and swam closer, moving with a grace that seemed almost choreographed to the rhythm of the lake.
