Nerith Tidecaller's Arc

Chapter 3 of 6

Chapter 3 — The Light Below The darkness swallowed Neith almost immediately. Above them, Neruval’s surface disappeared beneath the black water. The only light came from the Abyss Beacon, descending ahead of them like a glowing moon sinking into an endless ocean. Neith followed its lights, keeping close enough that the drone’s cameras could see them. Kael swam beside them, moving with practiced confidence. “Stay close,” Kael signaled. Neith nodded. The deeper they went, the colder the water became. Pressure pressed against Neith’s body, but their equipment held. The Beacon continued downward without slowing. Then the cliff wall changed. Neith noticed the first opening. A narrow grotto disappeared into the rock. They stopped and pointed. Kael looked toward the drone. Its lenses rotated toward the opening, recording. Neith smiled. “The first one.” They moved closer. Inside, the walls were covered with strange grooves. Some looked natural. Others were too regular. Neith reached toward one of the markings. Before they could touch it, another light appeared behind them. Neith spun around. A figure emerged from the darkness. She was Selkari, but Neith did not recognize her. She had pale blue skin, bright teal eyes, and silver markings that shimmered faintly in the Beacon’s light. Her expression was calm, but she carried herself like someone accustomed to exploring dangerous places. Kael raised a hand. “Who are you?” The stranger pointed toward herself. “Sera.” She paused, then added, “Sera Veylin.” Neith looked at her equipment. “You followed us?” Sera shook her head. “I was already here.” Kael glanced toward the enormous darkness below. “You came down here alone?” Sera gave a small shrug. “I wanted to know what was down here.” Neith couldn’t help but smile. “So do I.” Sera looked toward the ancient markings. Then her expression changed. She slowly pointed deeper into the grotto. Neith followed her gaze. Something was carved into the far wall. Not a natural formation. Not the markings of an animal. It was a symbol. Neith moved closer. Their heart began to race. “This isn’t geological.” Kael examined it. “Then what is it?” Neith stared at the symbol. “I don’t know.” Sera moved beside them. “But someone made it.” The Abyss Beacon suddenly shifted its lights. For a moment, the entire grotto illuminated. More symbols appeared. Dozens of them. They covered the walls and continued deeper into the passage. Neith stared in disbelief. Their dream had always been to prove that intelligent life had once existed in Neruval’s deepest regions. Now they were staring directly at evidence. Kael looked at Neith. “Still think nobody will believe you?” Neith smiled. “No.” They looked toward the Beacon. “Now I just need to find out who left them.” Sera turned toward the dark passage. “Then we should keep moving.” Neith nodded. Together, the three Selkari followed the Beacon into the unexplored depths. None of them noticed the faint movement watching from beyond the edge of the light.