Absolute Cheater

The Sapphire Gills wasn't just any restaurant—it was the place to dine in Mirion. Built into the side of a cliff veined with glittering crystal, part of the structure hung gracefully over glowing tidepools, while the rest extended into the clear, enchanted waters of the inner marina. Their table was right at the water's edge, offering a perfect view of bioluminescent fish swimming between coral towers beneath the transparent flooring. Now and then, streaks of green or violet light would ripple below them, blooming like living auroras.

Freya leaned back in her seat, sipping a glass of fruity ocean gin. "Alright, I'll admit it. This is better than a street cart."

Next to her, Veyra tasted a dish of thin-sliced starclam petals coated in mint-salt oil. "It's like silk," she said in wonder. "I didn't know food could just melt like that."

Valeris didn't say much, but the way she slowly savored each bite of her seared flame-scallop and crimson kelp showed she approved. She faced the glowing water with a calm expression, letting the hum of the sea reflect her quiet mood.

Catherine was already partway through a plate of smoked reef-crab, casually gesturing for more side dishes. "Told you this place was it," she said with a satisfied grin.

Asher simply took it all in, a relaxed smile on his face. Sitting at the center of their group, he soaked up the laughter, the flavor of the food, and the comforting warmth of it all. There were no battles to worry about, no secret missions to plan. Just this moment—the scent of spice, the soft lapping of waves, and the gentle glow of an underwater city that, for once, asked nothing from them.

From where they sat, they could see beyond the marina to where ships drifted across glowing waters and schools of skyfish flitted between lantern-lit docks. The faint sound of a flute carried on the breeze, mingling with the clink of glasses and gentle conversations from nearby tables.

"This is amazing," Asher sighed, eyes tracing the cityscape. The glowing fish shimmered beneath the glass floor, casting strokes of emerald and blue. "Catherine, you were right. I can't believe I almost missed this."

Catherine lit up with pride, raising her glass. The light danced off her smile. "Told you! It's more than the food. It's the magic, the mood. So now that you're finally a believer," she teased, her eyes gleaming, "what's next? Mirion has a lot more to offer."

"Ooh! A midnight market!" Freya said eagerly, nearly bouncing in her seat. "Floating stalls, illusion shows—it sounds like a dream! I bet there are rare treasures. Maybe even a fortune teller!"

Veyra nodded, excitement in her eyes. Her fingers traced the embroidery on her sleeve. "I heard they sell blood-mint there. It's supposed to have a really special scent. Invigorating."

Valeris, ever calm, offered another suggestion. "There's also the submerged amphitheater near the western ridge. Music performed beneath the water—I've heard it's like nothing else. A full sensory experience."

Asher's eyes lit up. "A concert underwater? That sounds incredible! You're spoiling me, Catherine. I can't say no to that."

Catherine laughed, giving her glass a lazy swirl. "Mirion's full of things like this. What do you say, ladies? Market or music first?"

"Market first!" Freya said immediately, nearly vibrating with energy. "We need shiny stuff! And something sweet after all this rich seafood."

"Then the amphitheater," Valeris added, a gentle smile tugging at her lips. "Something elegant to close the night."

Veyra's eyes sparkled. "Perfect. A night of wonder in a city of wonders. What could be better?"

Asher raised his glass. "To Mirion, and to whatever comes next. Let this be the start of a night we'll never forget."

They clinked glasses, sealing the toast. Asher flagged down the server—a slender figure with shimmering scales beneath their uniform. "One last favor," he said with an easy smile. "Can you point us toward the Southern Piers? We're hunting this midnight market everyone keeps talking about."

The server smiled, their scales shifting with a warm shimmer. "Ah, you mean the Whispering Bazaar. There's a gondola station just beyond the Sapphire Spire—tallest building in the area. Hard to miss. The gondolas will take you straight to the Piers. Just tell them you're heading to the Bazaar."

"Sapphire Spire. Whispering Bazaar. Got it." Asher gave a nod of thanks before turning to the others. "Alright, let's get moving. Treasure's waiting."

They paid their bill, leaving a generous tip for the stellar service, and stepped outside. The night air was rich with the salty scent of the sea and the tempting aromas of food stalls being set up along the street. Skyfish darted overhead like jeweled comets under the lantern lights.

Freya dashed ahead, her attention flipping from one street vendor to the next. "Ooh! Candied sea grapes! And is that a portable illusion booth?"

Catherine caught her by the arm, laughing. "Easy, Freya. You'll have time for everything once we get to the market. Let's not get split up already."

The Sapphire Spire came into view—tall, crystalline, and radiant. It caught the ambient light and scattered it in brilliant colors across the streets. At its base, the gondola station bustled with activity. People gathered in lines, chattering and laughing, eager for a night out.

They boarded a sleek, open gondola with soft cushions and a smooth design. The gondolier was an elderly woman with sharp eyes and a cheerful presence. She gave a small bow. "To the Whispering Bazaar? You're in for a lovely ride."

The gondola slipped away from the dock, cutting through the gentle canal. The view opened up to glowing buildings dressed in kelp gardens and linked by softly lit bridges. Music from street performers mixed with laughter and the low hum of magic drifting through the city.

Veyra leaned back, her expression calm and content. "Feels like a dream," she whispered, barely louder than the sound of the water lapping against the vessel.

Valeris stood near the side, quietly watching the reflections ripple on the surface, her mood perfectly in sync with the calm of the city.

Soon, the Southern Piers came into view. Floating platforms stretched across the water, lit by enchanted lanterns. The Bazaar pulsed with life—stalls bursting with unique items, rare spices, glowing artifacts, and magical wares. The air was thick with voices, scents, and the shimmer of magic.

Asher stood, eyes bright. "Alright, ladies. The Whispering Bazaar awaits. Let the hunt begin!"

The moment they stepped onto the floating walkways of the Whispering Bazaar, a wave of color and sound enveloped them. Magical lanterns swayed overhead, casting soft rainbow light across the water's surface. The planks beneath their feet glowed faintly with rune-etched enchantments, each step sending a ripple of color that danced out over the dark canal.

Asher walked at the front, guiding the group with quiet confidence. His eyes flicked from stall to stall, not with the eyes of a warrior scanning for danger, but with the calm attention of someone savoring the beauty of the world around him. Behind him, Freya clung to his arm, eyes wide, practically spinning in place as she tried to look everywhere at once. Catherine strolled on his other side, relaxed and smiling, while Veyra, Valeris, and even the usually reserved Valeris lingered close, enchanted by the vibrant market.

All around them, the Bazaar teemed with life. Merchants called out with melodic voices, showcasing glowing gemstones, illusion-forged masks, hand-bound grimoires, and exotic fruits that shimmered with their own inner light. Perfumes infused with starlight, floating crystals that played music when touched, and handwoven cloaks that changed color with mood—it was all here.

And among the crowd were not only humans and elven traders, but creatures more wondrous still.

To their left, a stall was run by a mermaid—a tall, regal merfolk with sea-blue skin that shimmered like polished opal. Her lower half was a sleek fin, coiled neatly in a shallow pool built into the platform, while her upper body bore strands of coral-bead jewelry and shells that clinked softly when she moved. Her long, fluid hair drifted behind her like waterweed even in still air, and her eyes—wide, translucent—seemed to glow with the memory of ocean depths.

Beside her, a siren lounged across a bed of wave-polished stone, her form more humanoid but no less mesmerizing. Her skin was pearly and pale, dotted with soft scale-like patterns that caught the light. Finned ears curved from the sides of her head like delicate fans, twitching to ambient sounds like a predator tuning into rhythm. Her voice, when she called out to a passing customer, was layered—two tones at once, melodic and unnerving. She wore woven seaweed garments and a necklace of glistening teeth from deep-sea beasts.

Freya leaned in to whisper, "Are they really mermaid and sirens? Like—actual merfolk? They're beautiful."

Veyra nodded softly, eyes fixed on a shell-crystal orb the siren toyed with in her hands. "They're from the southern trench cities. You only see them this far inland during special events or trade seasons."

"I heard sirens could make even soulbeasts pause," Catherine murmured, amused as she watched a merchant reluctantly haggle, clearly caught in the sway of the siren's layered voice.

Asher chuckled, guiding them forward. "Let's not get too close unless we plan on leaving with half our coin purses missing."