43-Lilay's Necklace

The next day, Krahs gave Lilay and Nexha the biggest scolding of their short lives. His voice echoed firm and deep, like the distant rumble of thunder.

— What were you thinking?! — he roared, his tail striking the ground, sending small ripples through the house. — I told you NOT to go near the surface!

Lilay and Nexha shrank back, their bodies trembling. Nexha clutched Lilay’s fin tightly, and the smaller one buried his face against his brother’s shoulder, unable to meet their father’s harsh gaze. They had never seen Krahs like this before.

The old shark took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. He ran a hand through Nexha’s hair in a light caress before looking at the two little ones again.

— Now, I want to know why you went up there.

Nexha took a deep breath, his fins still trembling.

— I saw Lilay in danger… I just went. I didn’t think about anything else, Dad.

Krahs turned his gaze to his youngest, who bit his lower lip hesitantly. Lilay avoided his eyes, looking unsure.

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— And you, Lilay? Why did you go there?

Lilay grabbed a handful of his own hair, hesitating for a long moment. His eyes filled with tears, but under Krahs' firm gaze, he finally gave in.

With trembling hands, he pulled out a small necklace made of seaweed, hidden within his strands of hair. At its center, a gleaming purple scale shimmered under the house’s dim light. In his attempt to remove it, Lilay accidentally pulled out a few strands of hair.

— It was what my mother left for me… when I was still in the egg. — His voice came out low, trembling, almost a whisper. — I hid it near the surface. When the storm came, I was afraid of losing it.

Krahs felt something tighten in his chest. His eyes immediately softened, and he pulled Lilay into a strong embrace, patting the little one’s back lightly.

— I know this necklace is important to you, Lilay… — his voice came out lower, filled with a mix of exhaustion and relief. — But you could have really died.

Lilay buried his face against his father’s chest, feeling his strong, comforting warmth. Nexha, beside them, sighed, still holding onto his brother as if he didn’t want to let go anytime soon.

Lilay felt a knot in his throat. He knew he had made a mistake, but the fear of losing the only memory of his mother had been stronger. Nexha, beside him, also lowered his head, feeling the weight of the situation.

Krahs loosened his embrace and looked at the two of them.

— No matter what happens, nothing is worth more than your lives. If something is important, we will protect it together. But never, never risk your lives like that again.

Lilay nodded, wiping his eyes, and Nexha did the same.

Silence filled the house for a moment, only the sound of the water moving around them breaking the stillness.

Krahs knew they had understood the gravity of the situation. But deep down, he couldn’t help but feel a little angry at himself for failing.