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The trio moved along slowly, Derrin struggling to swim with Kayla helping him along and the mystery boy swimming circles around them to make sure no enemies approached. The landscape seemed to repeat itself to Kayla, and she had no clue where they were going. After what seemed like an eternity the boy spoke, “Your masks should be running out, it’s time to switch.” Derrin and Kayla followed the boy’s advice and the group proceeded on.

A few minutes later, the boy paused for a second before spinning around effortlessly. His eyes were wide, “Danger’s coming, follow me quickly.” He sank quickly to the bottom before soaring along and disappearing into a small nook in a rock fifty yards away. Derrin and Kayla followed at a much slower pace; Derrin’s moves were now almost lunges through the water as his muscles lacked enough energy for coordination. Kayla frantically
pulled him along closer and closer towards the nook. As they neared it, a dark cloud appeared on the horizon. Frantically, they crawled inside as a pack of sharks descended upon them.

The nook was dark, and several thumps came from outside as they crawled along. The passageway was just wide enough for them to fit, and they felt themselves descending and then ascending. Finally, a soft light appeared and Kayla’s pace quickened until her hand felt something incredible: air. She clawed until she felt something horizontal and pulled herself up. Derrin soon followed suit, and Kayla pulled him up and into the cavern. As he lay at her side, she looked around: the room was the size of a small room, and air pressure inside of it seemed to prevent water from bursting in. To her left the boy who had come to their aid sat. His dome was now off, and she was able to look at him properly for the first time. His hair was an unusual dark green, and his face had a tan shade. His arms had a random assortment of scars littered upon them and a long dagger sat clipped upon his belt.

Noise next to her brought her back to Derrin. He’d arrived at a sitting position after much struggle, and now sat, eyes closed, chest heaving in and out. “Are you sure you’ll be okay?” she asked, her voice saturated with worry.

“Yeah,” he said after a few moments, and nothing more.

Though it was obvious that he was not as good as he wanted to seem, Kayla let him be. She returned her attention back to their mysterious savior, “I’m sorry, but I didn’t hear a name, you are?”

“Orlando Perin at your service,” he replied. “I belong to a city a few miles from here called Aquarius. I was on patrol when I heard a disturbance near the surface and came to check it out.”

“Yes, we’re very grateful that you did.”

“It was nothing, only doing what anyone would when they see someone in danger. That shadow was very impressive, was it his or yours?”

“It was his…” she trailed off, hesitating about going into any detail. “As you can see, he’s not currently in the best of condition.” Derrin’s eyes flickered as if in protest, but he remained silent. “Your stars are also very impressive,
I had no idea throwing stars could work in water.”

He smiled handsomely, “In order to be able to defend ourselves, us water dwellers have adapted many of the weapons used on land to work down here. It’s nothing special on my part.”

She nodded with a smile, Derrin’s fist clenching as he listened. He didn’t know why, but for some reason, the longer he listened, the more he disliked this boy.

Well, this is bit of a surprise for y’all I guess. I said I wasn’t writing till next Thursday, but I got bored. Anyways, as I said a month ago, I have many plans for this Orlando. Hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter in a while. Depending on how I’m feeling after seeing Eragon tomorrow, I might write the next chapter.