Find the Jewel of the Sea.

While the leafy canopy doesn't provide a wide opening, what you peer into is still that of a glade, though far more dim, and there's a strange energy in the air. You almost didn't notice, but you've already passed through the so-called barrier Luna spoke to you about. The only thing you notice, however, is there's a strange lighting effect shimmering through the air. It somewhat looks like you're under the water, though clearly you aren't by the fact that you can breathe. It's actually quite beautiful to behold. The clearing is covered in beautiful flowers, and in the center is a single rock, with somebody sitting upon it.

Firstly, it isn't just a rock. There's a violet cushion placed upon it. It's proper comfort for the individual's rear.

The woman upon it has long pointed ears, even moreso than Amara's, though it's immediately obvious she's an elf, especially by her fair skin and slender physique. Her piercing eyes are a deep, rich shade of blue. While her hair is also blue, it's so pale that it's nearly white, and it flows down her body all the way to her behind. Through the beautiful, flowing locks is a streak of proper colour darker than the rest, reaching down to the bangs along the left of her face. She has a chain of gemstones wrapped around her forehead, and her lips are painted dark navy.

From the tips of her fingers up to her elbows are skin-tight black gloves, and she wears a matching dress. While it's long, there's a cut made up the side, even past her waist here you can easily see the string of her panties decorated by a line of pearls. The same sort of necklace adorns her upper chest--burst firmly pushed up by a tight-fitting wardrobe. One single ring binds the middle finger of her right hand. Otherwise, she wears nothing more, not even shoes upon her feet.

The woman looks a little different not submerged deep in the sea. Her hair no longer spreads out in the water like deathly tendrils, and her visage is less intimidating without the ease to float, or her dark royal chamber to serve as a backdrop. Instead, she looks rather stilly, especially having brought a pillow to rest on. There's a great power in her confidence, and you know she's no weakling, though her arrogance only carries her so far. The way she poses up, and casts a gaze upon your entry, shows she must have been waiting for this moment.

Niki raises her shield peers her ruby gaze over the edge. "Who is that?" she asks. "Some sort of elven witch?"

"An elf, yes," Amara answers. "But otherwise I am uncertain. By her lack of weapons, I would guess a mage though, as you said."

"She's a rogue," you correct them both.

"Such a title is not very becoming of a woman of my status," she speaks at last. Gwynevere--the Demon King of the deep sea near Nureteru. Her hearing is keen, and she's quite talented at projecting her voice, even while maintaining such a lackadaisical demeanour. Slowly, she pulls herself up more proper. She rests the tips of her gloved fingers upon her beautiful lips, and despite sitting alone, remains at ease. "I am the conduit of Seno'nojoch."

"I've heard that name," speaks Meti. "A great terror who resides somewhere in the deepest part of the ocean, or so says the stories. One who can call upon his power is dangerous."

"Do you know this girl?" Eva asks you.

"I do." You place your hand upon Niki's back before stepping in front of her. "Gwyn. What the heck are you doing out here?"

Her brow furls. Slowly, she pulls herself up from her cushion and places a hand upon her chest. "You will not call me such a name. Demon King. Lady of Shadows. Queen of the Deep. And if you truly must, Her Majesty Gwynevere will suffice."

Niki glances over to you. "Is this--?"

You nod. "The Demon King I met on my little ocean adventure. That conch shell I have can send messages to her, just like a Sending Stone. Why she's here of all places though, I have no idea."

"I cannot believe this. Every time we speak, I am overcome with the urge to slay you where you stand. Do not speak as if I am not present. Yes, I am the Demon King Gwynevere. After our meeting and our battle, I was so kind as to offer Warren here the means to contact me if needed."

"So did you come to fight?" Niki asks. "And alone?"

"No and no," she says before clapping her hands once beside her head.

Coming out from between the trees is a familiar shape--the jellymaid, Nelli. Unlike normal mermaids, she does have legs, which she covers with black pants above golden boots. Her flesh is a pale purple-blue and almost translucent, with hair made of tentacles that extend all the way down to her midsection, concealing her eyes in the same manner as bangs. Above is a jellyfish's cap, which you still can't decide is her hair, or a hat she wears. The one eye you can make out is glowing and white. Her slim physique is garbed by a crimson dress which ends wide at her waist with tiny loose strings all the way around. For armour, she simply wears metal bracers around her elbows and knees. Otherwise, she's armed with a flail that has a bright orange head shaped like a starfish. She doesn't speak, but her emotionless gaze remains on you as she approaches her mistress.

At the same time, a stranger sight appears. It's Anyana the anglermaid, though she seems to be swimming without any water. Her skin is as dark as shadow, and her hair matches, though her stealthy appearance does little in this sunlight. She seems uncomfortable by it. It's difficult to tell for the same reason, but her entire figure is covered in faint, gold, glowing patterns from her head all the way to her fish-like tail which snakes through the air to push her forwards. A single stalk protrudes out from her forehead which dangles an anglerfish's illuminated bobble. Her bust is contained within a deep blue leather breastplate, and in her hand is a bow--though one that's new. You stole her previous one, and now it's in the grateful hands of Snow. This new one is dark brown with a purple ribbon tied around the middle, and the arrows for it are within a quiver attached to a belt loosely hanging from her waist.

You stare for a moment before you reach a hand up, as if to feel something in the air. You can't detect it with your skin alone, but the barrier is doing something. "You're projecting some sort of energy field that's letting your companions swim and breathe as if under the sea. Is that right?" you ask.

"So you do have a tiny pearl of intelligence after all," Gwynevere mocks. "For all the rest of you, this is Anyana and Nelli, my left and right hands. You would do best to show them the same respect as myself. Now, perhaps I should explain my brilliant plan, all beginning with a certain man who gave you this quest."

"The aqulo guy... Uh. You know, Gwyn. You could have just used the shell to ask if I wanted to come here."

"Do not ignore my incredible strategy. I used my connections to task Captain Codro, deadly pirate of the eastern seas, to hook you in by the promise of a beautiful treasure. Would you like to know the twist of the story?"

"No--"

"That is correct. I am the Jewel of the Sea," she says with a chin up high, and both hands against her chest. She stands proudly, as if expecting some sort of applause. You aren't certain. Whatever she desires, your group stares in silence.

"... That's so dumb," you mutter.

"Excuse me?" Her face tilts back down, and her gaze widens with anger. "Do you not understand? I am like a precious diamond. The most desirable treasure across the ocean."

"I just--Man, I don't want to be that rude, but like..." You shake your head.

"Yeah, no. That's really stupid," Niki adds. "Just call us next time."

"For real," says Fang. "Like you're pretty hot, so I'd show up."

You wave your hand dismissively. "Just forget it. So much has happened since we last spoke. We defeated Elok Daven, saved the Empire of Tivera, and now most people call me Hero King. Did you lure us here to kill us or something? Because I know we aren't dressed in armour or anything, but I'd advise against attacking us. And if you came here to talk, well... What's new?"

It's Anyana who speaks up. She scratches her chin and ponders, thinking aloud. "We haven't really done anything actually. Not a thing."

Gwynevere's furious gaze slowly turns to her ally. Her rage is bubbling up. She doesn't know what to say.

Noticing this, Nelli speaks next. "Our Lady of Shadows simply wished to meet with you, Demon King to Demon King, at a proper venue to host a woman of her caliber. You advise us not to attack, then I advise you not to summon her wrath. But it seems like you may not be one we'd call Demon King any longer. What does this mean, my lady?"

The elven queen has been given just enough time to cool down, at least to speak without grinding her teeth. "Plans have not changed. Close your mouth, open your ears, and listen to me. But before I truly get into things, I must say... Did you have to take so long?! I have been waiting here for hours!"