{ZEPHYROS}
These pearls contained condensed arcane essence.
The primary ingredient for the potion.
I had never truly understood why Sirene refused to leave this place. She once mentioned—casually, as if it were nothing—that she was guarding something here, though she had never elaborated.
At the time, I had not cared enough to press her.
I let the thought drift away and began gathering the pearls.
This was the only opportunity I would ever have. Had she been awake—or worse, unsealed—I would not have survived long enough to regret the attempt.
I cast one last glance at her.
Even bound, even punished, Sirene was breathtaking. Ethereal in beauty, terrible in presence. The kind of existence that reminded lesser beings why monsters were once worshipped as gods.
The water itself adored her, curling around her form with quiet devotion, like a hound awaiting its master's call.
I worked quickly.
