Merrkan’s eyes wandered up to observe the expression of Veridean in front of him. He hung his head dismally, awaiting her reply; his fate. Her lips parted slightly before she drew them back into a smile.  She reached out and removed the pendant from Merrkan‘s hands.

“You no longer hold debt with us Merrkan, you are a free man.”

Veridean contracted her right hand, pushing the necklace onto the tips of all her fingers. She lifted the pendant to her lips, kissing it gently. Viidela’s wings throbbed on her back, vibrating in the water and throwing light on various sea creatures as it travelled the surrounding area.

Merrkan lifted his arm with some effort and shielded his eyes. His muscles contorted, his body rife with intense pain. He looked up trying to force his eyes to adjust to the light in an attempt to cure his confusion.

The pendant omitted a white aura and beams of pure light radiated away from it, illuminating the misty particles floating amongst the sea anemones and small fish that inhabited them.

Merrkan, looked down at his hands, his aging skin tightening as his body returned to youth.  He closed his eyes against the light that engulfed the three of them fully.

Merrkan’s knees gave way and he fell in a heap to the floor of the hollow. His fists slammed into the packed sand breaking it on impact. He grabbed the softened material, and felt the rough texture of every granule glide through his hands. He curved his neck and glazed upward, as the light slowly faded and darkness descended upon his vision. His body relaxed as he drifted into his subconsciousness.