The small pool of water

The pool is a bright, crystal blue, unlike the unnaturally clear liquid in the well earlier. It's taken over almost a full quarter of the room, as it is somehow ringed by rock outcroppings that have pushed into the surrounding floor and walls, themselves covered in a bright green moss that reminds you of the inviting green of the room with the well.

You step forwards, leaning down on a knee to pass a single hand through the water. It flows smoothly, ripples echoing across the small surface, but when your hand comes away you notice something else- a small set of bubbles breaking on the surface, rising up from below.

A few seconds later, something larger breaks the surface, and you jump back slightly in surprise. The top of what appears to be midnight black hair starts to rise, and you can quickly see the source- it's a woman, fair skinned in contrast to her dark hair. When the water settles, you can see the rest of her body- she's completely topless, a pair of perky breasts resting atop her smooth chest, but that doesn't draw your eyes. Instead, you're drawn to her lower body, which is entirely that of a fish, a long, scaled tail extending out from the place where her groin would be.

"Hey dear. Hope I didn't startle you too much, it's just been a while since I felt something on the surface of this pond." The mermaid's voice is clear, a singsong melody of bright sounds, and a true beauty to behold.