Y/N doesn't dare move until the dark lake regains its glassy surface, all hints of the murdukann's presence gone.

Heart in her throat, she slides down the rocky outcropping and lowers herself into the water. Her entire body shakes, the cold water doing nothing to help her nerves.

Taking a deep breath, she dives downwards. The salt stings her eyes, but she forces them to stay open, squinting in the blurry gloom. The glowing fissures barely illuminate the water. But it's just enough. Y/N frantically looks around, searching for any sign of a passageway.

The lake is a lot deeper than she thought it would be. Jagged stalagmites rise up from the depths, obscuring her view of the cave walls.

Y/N's lungs begin to burn and she swims to the surface, only allowing herself a few breaths of air before she dives back down. Swimming forwards, she follows the cavern rock to her left, searching.

Suddenly, the wall gives way. A small opening reveals itself.

She could almost cry with joy.

Y/N quickly returns for air, taking three deep breaths. Then, she plunges downwards as fast as she can. She reaches the edge of the tunnel and grips the top of the opening, using her arms to pull herself through.

Darkness meets her, the glowing fissures left behind in the cavern.

Swim. Swim. Swim.

She repeats to herself, a mantra pushing her forwards as she follows the winding twists and turns.

Her lungs protest, tightening, but she swims on. Y/N doesn't have a choice anymore. Turning back is no longer an option—she would run out of air before she made it back to the cave.

The searing in her lungs grows stronger. Could she have been mistaken? Was this the wrong tunnel? Panic rises in her throat.

No. It can't end this way.

With a burst of adrenaline, she spurs her legs forwards.

And breaks the surface.

Gasping, Y/N draws in ragged breaths, her lungs on fire. Her elbows hit a ledge and she winces, but uses the rock to drag herself out of the water.

She pants, her chest heaving as she recovers. She doesn't want to think about how close that was. She made it, that's what matters.

The adrenaline seeps out of Y/N's body, replaced now with crushing tiredness. Her limbs beg her to give into her exhaustion and rest.

Not yet.

She knows she isn't safe here, so close to the water. Y/N grimaces, forcing herself to get up. Her muscles whine, but she ignores them.

The gleaming fissures are back, bathing her in a soft light. Looking around, she is in another cave. This one is smaller than the last, and most of it is above the water. Even better, Y/N spots several winding passageways.

One of those could be her way out. She moves to take a step forwards.

A bone-chilling roar thunders behind her. A roar of fury and agony. It strikes Y/N to her core, and even the ground trembles.

Lysanthir. He has returned, and he knows she is gone.

Y/N's heart skips a beat as her blood runs cold. Her eyes go wide. She knows she only has a few seconds before the murdukann realises where she is.

She snaps into action, scrambling up the ragged slope to the nearest tunnel. She barrels through it, hurtling down the uneven path. Darkness engulfs her as she sprints onwards.

Unable to see what's before her, Y/N doesn't notice the ledge until it is too late. The ground disappears beneath her feet and she lurches forwards, falling.

Falling back into water. She can't stop the scream of shock and frustration that escapes her lips.

~~~~~~~

Y/N clings to an algae-covered boulder, tears falling silently down her cheeks. Water laps around her, swirling against her pallid skin.

Now she is trapped once more, this time without Lysanthir. As much as she despises the merman, she has to admit that her current situation is worse.

Without him, she has no hope of survival. This new cave is unforgiving, covered in slippery algae and sharp rocks. Beneath the surface of the black water lies a steep drop-off.

And even if Lysanthir does find her, the thought of his wicked anger brings new tears to her eyes. He might just kill her in blind rage.

Click. Click.

Clicking sounds slowly grate against the cave walls.

Y/N freezes. A pause, and then the noises resume. Faster now, and closer.

A pair of beady yellow eyes appears to her right. Then another pair. And another. Bony, goblin-like creatures the size of small children are climbing down the walls.

They surround Y/N.

Just as one makes a move towards her, she lets out an ear-splitting scream.

"Lysanthir!"