When the blade cut the fish, a bright flash erupted from within. It unfurled like a flower blooming in fast-forward, its petals made of dazzling light. The energy swirled in the water and swept through the pond in a purifying wave. Catty saw how a whirlpool consumed the surrounding jellyfish and dissolved them into a burst of light.

The child's spirit took the shape of a shining ball pulsing with an ethereal warmth. He floated gently next to the girl in now-clear waters, his glow reflecting on the pond's surface.

Catty watched in awe as the spirit moved closer, his light growing softer and more delicate. He hovered before her, and Catty experienced a profound connection—the spirit was reaching out to touch her soul. The girl felt the water around her thrum with energy, and the spirit's light drew her into a world between reality and the ethereal. It was time slowed, each second lingering, filled with tenderness.

The luminous form contracted and expanded like a beating heart. It reached out with light beams, brushing against her skin with a touch lighter than air. They were filled with the warmth of a long-lost embrace. When the light touched her, memories and emotions flooded through Catty—moments of the child's past life—his joys and sorrows, his playful days under the sun, and his calm nights under the starlit sky.

The spirit began to envelop the girl, and his light intensified. He wrapped Catty up like a shimmering blanket, reaching out towards her wrist, where the bracelet flared with a responsive glow. Vibrating softly against her skin, the bracelet began to warm, becoming a beacon of pulsating light. Catty felt a tingling sensation as if the bracelet was speaking to the child, its energy merging with his spirit.

The girl watched, mesmerized, as symbols began to emerge along the bracelet's surface.

They appeared one by one, like stars igniting in the night sky. At first, faint and sporadic, they gained clarity and rhythm, pulsing gently as if breathing life into the ancient metal.

As more symbols filled the bracelet, they joined, creating a luminous network spanned its entire surface. The light from the symbols cast a soft glow on Catty's skin. They moved and aligned as they settled into their final form. The bracelet became a living entity, a keeper of the wisdom of ages.

Catty's eyes fluttered closed, and a vision unfolded before her inner sight. She saw a dragon, majestic and wise, with eyes like deep pools of ancient lore. His gaze was both formidable and tender, a silent confession of her role in their destinies. The dragon's presence was comforting, his aura enveloping the girl in a protective embrace and promising power and help.

As the last of the symbols locked into place on the bracelet, Catty opened her eyes. For a moment, she saw within the swirling light the face of the child he once was—a fleeting image of innocence and joy.

Then, the spirit began ascending, and his light dimmed as he rose higher. Catty watched as he slowly dissipated into the water, leaving behind a faint trail of luminescence. The bracelet's glow gently subsided.

Catty surfaced from the water and avidly took a deep breath, feeling a newfound sense of life.

The first thing she saw was Vexara's face leaning towards her.

"What the..." came out of their mouths simultaneously.

The unexpected meeting made them scream, and then, a silence hung between them as they processed the situation. Catty blinked water from her lashes and stared up at Vexara. The mermaid's expression shifted rapidly from surprise to concern. Her brow furrowed as she took in Catty's bewildered state.

"You're here… How?" Vexara's voice echoed around the pond.

Catty shook her head slightly, water droplets flinging from her hair. The girl tried to piece together her thoughts.

"I... I've just been there... in the dark world," she managed to say, her voice trembling from the cold and shock.

"Let's get you to the shore first."

Having climbed out of the water, the girl sat naked on the ground, shivering from the cold, and hugged herself with her arms.

"Vexara, it's like I dived, and the world changed. One moment, I'm there, in that dark world, and then—here, with you."

The mermaid squeezed Catty's hands, "Tell me, what of the child? Did he find solace?"

"I set him free, just like Rutger said… The child was freed the same way he was cursed," Catty looked around. "Where is Rutger?"

"I'm so happy," Vexara breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm so grateful to you, Catty!"

"Where is Rutger?!"

"Rutger! Old man..."

"Yes, Rutger! Where is he!" Catty's voice rose in urgency. Her eyes scanned the surroundings, desperate for the face of the man who had helped her life.

Vexara's expression shifted. She took a deep breath, her voice soft, "Catty, while you journeyed through the dark world, time here... it didn't stand still. It's been ten years since you left us."

"Ten years?" Catty repeated, the words barely escaping her lips.

Vexara nodded slowly, her eyes not leaving Catty's face—the mermaid braced the girl for the impact of her next words.

"Rutger... the old man passed away a few years ago. He waited for you, Catty. He was here every day, and he never stopped believing you'd free the child and come back."

The news struck Catty, her breath catching in her throat as tears welled up in her eyes.

"No, that can't be!" she exclaimed, her voice breaking. "He was gonna meet me... He should've waited for me!.."

Vexara reached out, embracing Catty's cold shoulders, "He knew you would succeed. He spoke of it often, with such faith."

Catty pulled her knees to her chest, shivering slightly. "Ten years," she muttered, staring at the water. "Feels like I just blinked, and everything changed."

Vexara sighed, "Time doesn't wait for anyone, Catty. Not even in a place like this."

Catty glanced at her, searching for any sign of deception. "He... Why did he die?"

The mermaid's eyes softened, reflecting the dim light.

"He held on for as long as he could. But years, they wear on life," she paused, a shadow passing over her face. "He talked about you right up to the end. Said you'd find a way to free the child. Said you'd know how to find the dragon's egg."

A lump formed in Catty's throat, "He should've been here and met me."

"He did," Vexara nodded. "But life, it's never fair, is it?" She looked away, guilt shadowing her features. "I'm sorry for everything. For what happened with the child... for what I did."

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Catty's gaze hardened, then softened as she saw the remorse in Vexara's eyes.

"You did what you thought was right. It wasn't great, but it's over now. The child's free, and so are you."

"Free, huh? Maybe. But forgiveness..." Vexara met her eyes, a flicker of hope igniting. "That's a whole other beast."

"Forgiving yourself is the hard part," Catty shrugged. "But maybe, just maybe, you can start over. We've both got a second chance, right?"

"Yeah. Maybe we do," Vexara's lips curved into a small, tentative smile.

Catty stood up, shivering from the cold.

"So, what's next for you? Gonna stay here or find a new pond?"

"Maybe I'll take a swim, see where the currents take me. And you?" the mermaid chuckled softly, the tension easing.

Catty shook her head, resolve flickering in her eyes. "First, I need to find out what happened here. Ten years is a long time."

Vexara nodded, her voice gentle, "You'll find your way. Rutger said you always do."

"Yeah. I guess I do," Catty smiled, feeling a strange mix of sadness and hope.

Suddenly, Catty watched as the abandoned garden around her began to fade. Trees, bushes, and grass were gradually dissolving into the air as if rubbed out by a giant eraser. She felt a weird sense of loss—the world she'd used to was slipping away.

"The garden... it's disappearing!" the girl exclaimed, glancing back at Vexara.

The mermaid nodded, her expression serene. "The spell is breaking. The child's spirit has been freed, and so am I."

Catty looked at the pond, noticing its waters growing still and transparent, the deep slowly dimming.

"What's happening to the pond?"

"It's time for me to go, Catty." Vexara's smile was soft and wistful. "This place was my prison and my sanctuary. Now, it's gone."

The girl felt a pang in her chest. "Where are you heading?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Vexara's form began to blur, the edges of her figure shimmering like a mirage.

"Somewhere quiet and bright," she replied, her voice echoing as the mermaid started to vanish.

Catty watched, unable to move or speak. The mermaid and the pond faded away, leaving nothing but an empty space where they once were. She stood alone, the silence heavy around her. The world held its breath as if waiting for something.

The girl looked around, the night pressing in from all sides. She was now at an empty downtown crossroads—the same place where her journey to the abandoned garden began ten years ago. The air was cool and still, the stars above flickering in the inky sky.

Catty took a deep breath, feeling confused. Her life stretched out before her, and paths led into the unknown.

With a final glance at the spot where Vexara had disappeared, Catty turned her gaze forward. The girl knew one thing: she would keep moving and finding her way. And she took her first step into the night, leaving the past behind.

Catty was cripting through the dimly lit streets, her bare feet making soft, nearly silent contact with the cool sidewalk. The air was crisp, and she shivered from the cold. As the girl rounded a corner, she spotted a small park between two streets bathed in the soft glow of the streetlights.

Just then, Catty heard the sound of footsteps approaching.

Searching for a hiding place, she darted toward a cluster of statues at the park's center.

The statues, depicting various magical creatures, stood in dynamic poses—faeries with wings outstretched and elves caught mid-fly. Catty quickly positioned herself among them, trying to blend in with the stone figures. She struck a pose, arms raised gracefully as if frozen in a moment of fly.

A group of slightly drunk townspeople, laughing and chatting, wandered into the park. Catty held her breath, hoping they'd pass by without noticing her. But one of them, a bearded man with a rosy face, squinted in her direction.

"Hey, look at that!" he exclaimed, pointing at Catty. "A new statue! Must be some kind of... forest nymph, eh?"

The others turned to look, nodding in drunken appreciation.

"Yeah, must be. Look at those details! Almost lifelike," one of them remarked, leaning in for a closer look.

Catty fought the urge to flinch. The man's face was so close she could smell the scent of ale on his breath.

Another group member, a woman with a giggly voice, piped up, "Do you think it's new? I don't remember seeing it last time."

The bearded man shrugged, swaying slightly.

"Maybe. Whoever made it did a fine job, though. Quite the talent, capturing that... ethereal look."

Catty maintained her stillness, feeling the cool night air on her skin. She kept her eyes fixed on a distant point, channeling every ounce of willpower into not moving. The group lingered for a moment longer, then, satisfied with their impromptu art critique, continued on their way.

As their laughter faded into the distance, Catty breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly dropped her pose and darted out of the park, her cheeks flushed from more than just the cold. But, for now, she had more pressing concerns—like finding something to wear and a way back to Rutger's house.

Catty slipped into a narrow alley, the low light barely illuminating her path. The walls were close on either side, the cobblestones underfoot cold and uneven. She moved cautiously, her eyes darting around for any sign of movement. The adrenaline coursed through her veins, and she was desperate to find something—anything—to cover herself.

In the dark, her outstretched hands brushed against a soft fabric. Startled, Catty looked up to see a clothesline strung across the alley, filled with various garments fluttering in the night breeze. She reached out, fingers closing around the first piece she touched. In her haste, the girl pulled it down, and a cascade of clothes tumbled onto her head.

Caught off guard, Catty struggled to disentangle herself from the laundry. She grabbed a piece of clothing and hastily tried to put it on, only to realize, to her dismay, that it was a ballet tutu. The delicate white fabric rustled as the girl tried to wriggle into it, the stiff tulle puffing out around her hips. It was a tight fit, clearly meant for a ballerina, and the sight of Catty in this garment was as ridiculous as it was endearing.

Suddenly, a creak of the opening door echoed through the alley. The girl froze, her heart leaping into her throat. She quickly ducked behind a stack of old crates, pulling up the tutu's skirt.

A few residents had ventured out to investigate the noise and peered into the alley. They stood in the doorway, illuminated by the bright light pouring onto their backs from the room.

"Did you hear that?" one of them said deliberately loud.

Catty held her breath, trying to remain as still as possible. She squeezed her eyes shut, praying they wouldn't notice her.

"If that's a ghost, it's got a flair for ballet!" the bravest resident shouted, noticing the loss.

The residents marked time on the threshold for several minutes, not daring to step into the darkness. Then they cursed and returned to the house, slamming the door.

Once the coast was clear, Catty slowly emerged from her hiding spot. She glanced around the alley, the clothesline now a chaotic mess of tangled garments. A laugh bubbled inside the girl, and she could hardly restrain herself.

When Catty quickly slipped out of the alley, the tutu clinging awkwardly on the run.

Racing into Rutger's house, she couldn't imagine what gossip would spread the following day. The townspeople would be abuzz with tales of the "mysterious fan" who raided the laundry and stole the prima ballerina's clothes.

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. Catty stirred, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face. She opened her eyes, momentarily overwhelmed. As the previous night's events came rushing back, еthe girl felt a dull ache in her chest.

She was lying on the carpet. The room was quiet, save for the faint chirping of birds outside. Catty took a deep breath, trying to shake off the exhaustion that clung to her like a heavy blanket.

Steeling herself, the girl made her way to the bathroom. She turned on the faucet, the water splashing into the tub with a soothing rhythm. As the tub filled, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror—her hair tangled, eyes red and puffy. Catty looked away, unable to face the reflection staring back at her.

With difficulty, the girl took off her ballet tutu and slipped into the warm water. Only her head remained above the surface. Catty closed her eyes, letting the heat seep into her tired muscles. For a moment, there was peace—a respite from the chaos of the night before. But as she sat in the tub, memories of Rutger flooded her mind.

Catty remembered his smile, the way he always knew what to say, and the warmth of his words. He had been her guide, and now he was gone. The weight of the loss hit her all at once, like a punch to the gut. The girl felt the tears welling up, hot and stinging, and she tried to hold them back.

But it was no use, and the tears came in a torrent. Catty buried her face in her hands, her sobs echoing in the small bathroom. She cried for Rutger and the pain of knowing she would never see him again. The water rippled around her, mixing with her tears.

For a long time, the girl stayed like that, wrapped in the warmth of the bath and the cold grip of sorrow. Eventually, she lifted her head, taking a shaky breath. The tub had gone cold, but Catty felt a strange clarity. The pain was still there, raw and aching, but the girl knew it was already behind her. She had a journey to continue. She wouldn't let Rutger be forgotten.

Catty was about to stand up when she felt an unexpected tingle around her wrist. Startled, she looked down to see the bracelet glowing softly.

The symbols on the bracelet began to shimmer and pulse, growing brighter with each passing second. Catty watched as they lit up, casting a light that danced across the water's surface. The glow intensified, and the symbols came alive, shifting and rearranging in a mesmerizing pattern.

The light from the symbols shot out, and Catty's breath caught in her throat when the lines weaved together, creating a script before her.

She leaned closer, her eyes fixed on the shimmering text. As the girl strained to read the message, the letters began to come into focus, and she understood it was a message left by the child.