They continued walking through the long tunnel leading toward the exit. The glowing veins of mana dimmed behind them, fading like the heartbeat of something ancient returning to rest.

When they finally stepped into the open, a rush of cool air met them—fresh, salty, and alive. Before them stretched the coastal city of Bluewave, its towers rising like coral spires and its streets paved with blue-tinted stone that shimmered faintly under the light of the setting sun. The ocean beyond glowed with silver light, waves rolling gently against the docks where ships of every shape and color swayed.

As the party emerged from the dungeon entrance, Lyra paused, staring wide-eyed at the vast horizon. The scent of the sea filled her lungs, and for a moment, her expression softened into something between joy and sorrow.

"…The world still breathes," she whispered.

Aria stretched her arms. "Finally, fresh air! I thought I'd start growing mold in that dungeon."

Caria laughed lightly. "You? Please. You'd probably sparkle instead."

Sophia smirked. "Focus, both of you. We're still in the middle of town."

As they reached the main square, a familiar shimmer pulsed in the air—a respawn beacon. Adventurers materialized one after another, their armor gleaming, laughter echoing as they regrouped after their dungeon runs.

Most of the party decided to rest there for the night—their guild base was nearby, after all. But as the others began chatting with friends and reporting their quests, Rhys found himself standing a little apart, watching Lyra.

She had wandered a few steps ahead, her gaze tracing the sea's edge as though she could hear something the others couldn't.

"Guess it's just us now," Rhys said quietly, walking up beside her.

Lyra turned to him, smiling faintly. "Your friends have roots here. This city belongs to them. But you…" Her eyes gleamed with a strange light. "but you are not from here"

Rhys chuckled softly. "Can't argue with that."

As they walked along the edge of the pier, the glow of the sunset painted the water gold. Ships came and went, gulls circled above, and the waves whispered against the stones like a language only Lyra could understand.

"This city's peaceful," she said softly. "It remembers the sea kindly. But even peace can forget the storms that made it."

Rhys glanced at her, hands in his pockets. "You can talk normally you know, no need to talk in poetry."

"I am talking normally" She said as he shook his head, 'Maybe its Ancient Elves way of talking or something' he thought.

Rhys smiled faintly at her response, shaking his head with quiet amusement. "Right. Totally normal."

Before Lyra could reply, a familiar voice called out from behind.

"Oi! You two done flirting with the sea yet?" Aria shouted, waving her hand. Caria and Sophia stood beside her, both grinning. "Come on, we booked us a table already—best food in the whole city!"

Rhys turned, raising an eyebrow. "You guys didn't waste time, huh?"

Caria smirked. "Please, after days in that dungeon? You think we're waiting another minute to eat real food?"

Sophia crossed her arms, her tone dry. "Also, Aria almost bit my arm off when I said we could just buy rations."

Aria gasped, feigning offense. "Excuse you! I have standards."

Lyra tilted her head slightly. "Food?"

Aria grinned, walking up to her. "Oh, just wait till you try the seafood here. Bluewave's famous for it."

Lyra blinked, expression torn between curiosity and hesitation. "Sea… food?"

Caria chuckled. "Yeah, don't think too hard about it, princess. Just taste it first."

Rhys hid a small smirk, watching Lyra's confused face as she followed the others toward the lively streets. Lanterns shaped like shells flickered to life overhead, bathing the city in warm blue and gold light. Music drifted from nearby taverns, mingling with the scent of grilled fish, baked bread, and ocean salt.

The group turned down a busy street and stopped before a cozy restaurant overlooking the bay. Its signboard read "The Tide's Table", glowing faintly with enchanted lettering. Through the open windows, the hum of laughter and the clatter of dishes filled the air.

Aria stretched with a satisfied grin. "Told you—it's the best place in the city."

Sophia smirked. "You say that about every place with decent ale."

Aria ignored her, already waving to a waiter. "Come on, heroes and royalty first!"

Rhys followed last, glancing once more toward the ocean. The sun was nearly gone now, the sea reflecting a hundred shades of violet and silver. Beside him, Lyra looked at the horizon one last time before turning to follow him inside.

Inside, The Tide's Table was warm and alive with sound. The gentle strum of a lute mixed with the chatter of sailors, merchants, and adventurers. Blue lanterns hung from the ceiling like captured bubbles, their soft glow reflecting off glass walls that offered a full view of the shimmering bay outside.

The group was led to a corner table near the window—large enough for all of them, with a round, polished coral centerpiece that faintly pulsed with enchantment.

Aria flopped into her seat immediately. "Finally! My stomach's been crying since we left that dungeon."

Caria laughed, sliding into the seat beside her. "You did say you were ready to eat an entire sea monster."

"Still am," Aria said without missing a beat. "Preferably fried."

Rhys chuckled and sat across from them, while Lyra quietly took the seat beside him. Her eyes darted around the room, wide with fascination. "This place feels… alive," she murmured.

Sophia nodded, scanning the menu that floated in front of them, projected by faint runes. "It's built on the remains of an ancient reef spirit. Its mana still flows through the coral—it's what keeps the air so fresh."

Lyra's gaze softened. "Then the sea hasn't forgotten everything."

A waiter arrived—a tall, silver-haired man with a calm smile and a faint shimmer of scales along his neck, a clear sign of merfolk lineage. "Welcome to The Tide's Table. What can I get for you fine adventurers today?"

Aria didn't even hesitate. "The Ocean Platter, triple size! And a round of blue ale for everyone!"

Caria groaned. "You're going to drown us in food."

Rhys raised an eyebrow. "We can share it. No complaints from me."

Lyra looked at the waiter uncertainly. "Um… what is… 'platter'?"

The man smiled kindly. "A mix of the ocean's best—fish, shrimp, crab, sea herbs, and pearl rice. Lightly seasoned with mana salt."

Lyra blinked, tilting her head. "You… eat the sea?"

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