She explored every corner of the pool, memorizing its dimensions, testing its currents. It wasn't the ocean, would never be the ocean, but it was enough. For now.
Eventually, exhaustion caught up with her. Not the dangerous depletion from earlier, but the natural tiredness that came after expending significant power, even in her strengthened state.
Kailani floated to the surface, her body buoyant and relaxed, and simply let herself drift. Her tail swayed gently to maintain position, her arms spread wide like a starfish, her face turned upward toward the distant ceiling.
And there, floating in the dark water of Lu Yuze's private pool, she fell asleep.
It was the deepest, most restful sleep she'd had in three years. In the water, in her true form, she was safe. Protected. Home.
By morning, the transformation had reversed itself naturally.
