Regain your bearings.

There's a young woman embracing you. She has green skin, and dark aqua hair that flows out into the water long behind her head. Her lips are soft, and she lingers the kiss for a lengthy moment. It fills your body with a warm, comforting tingle. The longer it goes on, the more the pain fades away. The pressure on your body disappears, and your eyes adjust to the darkness to the point of everything appearing as bright as day. After she releases you, there's another surprise. You gasp, but instead of suffocating, you can breath the water as if it were air!

Upon closer inspection, the girl's bottom half consists of dark aqua scales ending in a fin. Her breasts are covered by a top made from two shells strung together. It's a mermaid.

Amara is still holding your hand. Through the kiss, she continues to smile.

"What's... going on?" you ask.

"We were saved," Amara explains. "A mermaid's kiss allows one to exist deep underwater. I am glad she was able to get to you in time."

Woah. We can talk too?

You look back to see three mermaids swimming around happily like a pack of dolphins. Among them floats Yaera as well. Both of the elves look quite beautiful floating in the crystalline waters, with their white dresses floating around them. You turn to see yet another face, though this one you're surprised to see. It's Lynx, who is just finishing a kiss of her own.

"That's embarrassing," she mutters. Her eye turns to you--darkness in her cheeks. "But at least we're alive."

"I didn't think you'd jump in too," you say.

"Did you think I'd just take your stuff and leave? Come on... I have pride. I couldn't bare seeing you leap to your **** right after our conversation."

"Who is this?" Amara asks.

"This is, uh..." You swim closer and whisper into Amara's ear. "This is Lynx, the spymaster of the Demon King. Niki and I defeated her."

"That is quite the ally to have," Yaera suddenly says.

Damn. I forgot elves have great hearing. "It's a long story."

"I hope you are not befriending anyone who calls themselves a Demon King, Mr. Warren."

"Not at all. Actually, the whole reason we're here is to find a way to defeat one."

"Can we talk about this later?" Lynx says. "Where are we?"

It's water in every direction. Though when you look down, you can see the distant view of ground. Beautiful coral of every colour lines the sea floor, and schools of fish swim by all around you. Despite being able to breath and talk, you're still underwater. You wade in place as you become thoroughly soaked. Though when you peer upwards, you can see a strange cloud in the distance.

"That is the portal," Yaera says. "It remains open. The mermaids here tell me that nobody else has come through. That is a relief."

"So where did it come from?" you ask.

One of the mermaids playfully swims around you, brushing her hands over your body. "A very powerful mage created this portal. We don't know where it goes, but it's scary."

"It goes to a hot spring in a forest," you answer. "We were enjoying a relaxing time before it sucked all the water out."

Another mermaid swims in loops overhead, like a melodic dance. "It must have been the Witch of Decay. There's nobody else."

Yaera floats up behind you. She places a hand softly on your shoulder. "You and Amara may head back if you wish, but I must find this Witch of Decay before I leave. Even if nobody was injured from the conjuring of this portal, there could be something worse happening here. Something may lurk beneath the sea."

Amara grabs and squeezes your hand. "You heard the stories I told, mother. Kyle and I have dealt with far worse than a witch."

She smiles. "This is true. She told me much of what you have both been through. I was impressed. If you choose to come with me, I will protect you. Stay close to me. This witch sounds like she may use magic she will come to regret. Against decay comes life, and the light will protect us. Please, tell us what you know of this Witch of Decay."

"Stop!" A new mermaid swims quickly towards the group. This one wields a trident, and her hair is tied up with a band of seaweed. "Keep your distance from these outsiders. They came from the other side."