The land stretched on for miles and miles, not even the keen eye of a hawk could see how far it went. A quilt of fog covered the area, it seemed to continue for eternity. A cluster of feet hurried through the unseen land, each praying that time was on their side. Tall thin towers faded into view the vines hanging from the walls acting like a curtain, shielding most outsiders from the view within.

The siren looked to their leader, no words were needed for instructions, they had made it out of the steppes and into Haru-terra territory. Once the spring was reached they could make up the lost time through the water. As they reached the forest the leader immediately took to the trees. Leaping from tree to tree, rapidly closing the gap to reach the spring. Her two companions followed her example, not daring to waste any more precious time. After what felt like hours, some of the trees in the forest started to thin out, giving way to a small clearing. In the center was a spring, surrounded by tall grass and a handful of reeds.

"There! Hurry, we can still make it!" Their leader said desperately. Without giving proper time to adjust the transition would no doubt be painful, it always was. The siren, Cadence, glanced to the merman running alongside her. They gave each other a nod, and didn't hesitate to jump into the spring, hot on their leader's tail. They barreled down the depths of the spring, their bodies shifting from land to water.

Their legs began to move as one, skin colored scales emerge from the waist down. Seith's fingers began to web to the cuticles, his legs merging into one while his feet connected at the heels and began to stretch and thin. His spine began to twist, moving him from side to side from his ribs down. Seith's pain was the worst out of all three of them, it's why he and others like him stayed in one place for a extended amount of time, The Open or the dry surface.

"move, move, move!", was all Seith could think. They all knew this pain well but all felt the same."There's no time to be in pain!" So they rushed through it, adrenaline dulling the pain to a shallow ache.

At the bottom of the spring rested stones that varied in size from pebbles to boulders the size of a horse. Cadence knew which to move and her leader was already working to do just that. A small stream of yoki was leaking from one of the largest stones. With a flick of the leaders wrist, a strong current of water pushed the stone away with ease, the yoki rushed out as if dammed up. The three zipped through the opening and Iris made sure to reseal the entrance. Knowing it was a straight shot from here, the leader forced the water forward, creating a current faster than any of them could swim on their own and rocketing them through the passage like cars through a tunnel.

After about 30 minutes of twists and turns, the three merfolk shot out of the tunnel. Seith was able to hold himself from traveling further out, Iris moved the water around her and her leader to slow them down. Seith shook his head to regain his bearings. When he scanned their surroundings his eyes widened, and his mouth gaped. Cadence was next to react, gasping as unseen tears formed in her eyes. She covered her mouth and floated to her father, but all he could do was embrace her.

The last, now ejected from the tunnel, was facing the two. She saw the look of horror on their faces, Cadence sobbing on her father's shoulder. Her heart sank and a lump formed in her throat. She slowly turned around to face the scene the others have witnessed.

"No….no.." Dozens of bodies, sirens, merfolk and even some Kappa floated in a puddle of crimson. Fins, tails, and chunks of colored scaled flesh floated about. Spears, swords, and chains of platinum and stainless steel were scattered across. She rubbed at her eyes with her webbed hands in hopes of wiping away what had to be an illusion. Seith was the only one strong enough to speak clearly.

"Your highness…?" he tried, but she didn't respond. "My lady?", Still no response but she did lower her arm, something clenched in her hand."Lady Sasithorn. What are your orders.."

She flinched at the question. Slowly breathing in while raising her fist to her chin .

"My orders...quarantine the surrounding area. We need a search party to gather as much of the remains as possible. They need proper send offs..…"

"And..?"

"Contact the east branch of spirit world…", she slowly opened her fist to reveal a thin chain which had been pulled apart. A small charm, with the depiction of a cartoonish tree and bird on it, was attached to the broken chain, the name 'Lily' artfully carved into the back.

"We must..no…. I must put an end to this...and I will use whatever means necessary"