Kyra gulped as she swam towards the ominous cave looming infront of her. She knew it was unwise to do this but what other choice did she have? She was willing to pay the price for what she desired. Holding her head up high and taking a breath of confidence, she swam into the darkness.

"Hello? Is anyone in here?" She called out, her voice echoing around the dark hollow cave. She glanced around at the oddities stored in there: potions and cauldrons and seaweed and unusual creatures. Enough to send a shiver down her spine. But she remained brave. "I'm looking for Eliza the sea witch"

"You called?" A smooth, sickly sweet voice the opposite of the cave. Kyra quickly swiveled around and noticed deep purple tentacles reaching towards her. She bit back a squeal as it wrapped around her, squeezing her tightly and pulling her towards the sea witch. She hesitantly looked up and their eyes instantly met. Kyra stared into her big, brown eyes, a hint of insanity gleaming in them. Her pet eel slithered around her as she stared Kyra down, a smirk planted on her face.

"And how may I help a lost little soul like you?" She spoke, her voice soothing yet laced with poison.

"I wanted to make a deal" Kyra rolled back her shoulders and puffed out her chest to make herself seem stronger.

Eliza chuckled, dropping Kyra in a fit of laughter. "A deal? Well I'm used to people like you coming here begging for something. What is it this time? Love, riches, fame?"

"Happiness" She spoke plainly. "I just want happiness"

Eliza's eyes softened, her intimidating exterior beginning to fade. "That's an odd request. What do you need that for? Surely you can find it elsewhere in life"

Kyra shook her head, glancing down. "I've tried, believe me. But it's not as easy as people make it out to be. Especially if everyone rejects you and calls you a freak"

"Oh I know the feeling" Eliza sighed, glancing towards the floor for a brief moment before shaking her head and putting back on her hard exterior. "Well it's an unusual request but I can certainly do it. For a small price of course"

"Name your price and I'm willing to pay it! I'm desperate at this point. Please" she begged and Eliza gave a small grin as she slowly circled Kyra, her tentacle tilting her chin up.

"Well, all I require in return is that you stay here with me, forever"

"Forever!" Kyra's eyes widened in shock. "How can I be happy if I'm trapped and forced to stay in one place"

"Oh how sweet and naive you are" she let go of her with her tentacle, no longer wanting to intimidate her but rather reassure her. Although she wasn't known to be the most reassuring person yet she tried. "Happiness isn't so clear cut. There are lots of different factors to it. From what I hear, you are sad because you are lonely. And so am I. I've been confined to these caves for years, banned from the walls of the kingdom simply because I'm different. Lots of people come and lots of people go but no one stays" her voice started to shift into a solemn one, almost pitiful.

Kyra noticed the pain in her eyes and frowned, swimming closer towards her as she gently stroked Eliza's dark brown hair, wrapping it around her finger. "Well in that case, I'll be more than happy to stay here"

Eliza smiled, her tentacles wrapping around Kyra one last time and pulling her close into a warm embrace.