In Accordance to Seafoam

[RipTheShrimp 5]

 

[ Aphorinai ]

 

Spirit of Seafoam

(Lesser Water Elemental Spirit)

"Extend your arm; I shall inflict my mark upon you."

———⋅˚₊‧ ଳ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･———

The maehr awoke half-dipped in water among calm tides, waves slowly lapping around the elfess as she laid in the sand. Warm sunrays came down from above to heat her skin, light pouring onto her eyelids. The drow sat up as they opened, water dripping down from her braids.

She was immediately met with an all-too-familiar view of a beach; it seemed to limitlessly expand, the dark elf standing up. 

A ringing began in her ears, a voice resounding in her mind,

"You have entered my realm; speak to me—come in.”

The dark elfess’ gaze looked around—nothing else was in sight. It fell to the water with a light huff, and with a small bit of hesitance, she waded into the water, the white sheet she was dressed in flowing as she continued down further. The waves rose up to her chin as her height left her, relying on swimming as there became a dreadful realization that it would not be on the horizon, the voice echoing a single word that confirmed her belief:

 “Descend.”

She took a breath, holding it as she then dived into the water, the beams of light shooting past her, though their intensity fading. The maehr continued swimming downwards, her lungs beginning to burn, a slow instilling of panic forming within herself.

The elfess continued her journey despite her body’s warnings, her lungs fiery as she could feel the water pressure increasing upon her descent. Her eyesight began to fade; Ilmra wanted to turn back—to save herself. However, she didn’t, the single word resounding within her mind, continuing downward.

The maehr lost consciousness, washed up on the shore as she once more awoke, the same waves slowly lapping up around her as she sat up. She was completely drenched, reaching up to scrub the wet hair from her eyes as she took a peek around. Infinite shoreline, as before—no marks in the sand, still clear skies. Ilmra was likely further down the coastline from before. Below the reflection of the water, something glowed—she squinted, standing up as she peered towards it, focusing through the haze as she saw the outline of a creature. A jellyfish? Before she was able to call out towards it, the same voice from before continued:

“You have passed my challenge. Now, come to me.”

As much as the dark elfess wished to retort with a smart remark, she held her tongue, nodding as she once more waded into the water. Her head submerged, now capturing the full view of the giant jellyfish of varying, colorful patterns.

Upon her attempt to speak, bubbled water dived down from above, rushing into her throat and into her lungs; but instead of choking upon it, her suffocation ceased—it was quite the opposite, in fact, able to breathe in the foamy liquid. Her voice poured out,

“I wish to serve your will—to pact with you.”

“Then my price is as follows. You will erect a shrine and offer in my name, and my will should be spread. Extend your arm; I shall inflict my mark upon you.” 

The maehr nodded, offering the left arm towards the figure, finding the terms acceptable.

Its tendrils surged forwards, wrapping around Ilmra’s limb as bubbles of heat dispersed from her ashen skin. She bit down on her lip with a deep breath as the brand was administered, watching the tendrils leave an iridescent layer of seafoam bubbles upon her arm. The limbs of the being unraveled; before she was able to look up from the mark, she was returned to the material plane.