🌊 THE RIVER OF YLARRIA 🌊
The river of Ylarria had always been a sacred place—ancient and wild, untouched even by kings and conquerors. It was said that only the boldest dared to bathe in its waters, and only the gods themselves could tame the beasts that dwelled beneath its shimmering surface.
On that day, the sun bathed the world in gold as Sariya, the prideful daughter of the Flame Mother, stepped naked into the river’s embrace. Her skin glistened like molten bronze, and her long, silver hair floated around her like a halo. She laughed freely, without care or shame, as her newly tamed Leviathan, a creature of nightmare and legend, coiled playfully around her in the shallows. The beast, large enough to swallow an ox whole, nuzzled her thigh like a loyal dog.
Sariya felt invincible. Untouchable. What mortal—what god—could challenge her now?
But as she splashed water against the Leviathan's scaled nose, her sharp golden eyes caught a figure further upstream. She stilled, narrowing her gaze, the river water dripping lazily from her fingertips.
There, half-hidden by the rocks and reeds, was Du. Alone. Bathing. Vulnerable. Oblivious to her, oblivious even to the monstrous creature lurking near. The sunlight danced along his bare shoulders, and the river's gentle current tugged playfully at his hair.
For a moment, Sariya simply watched, an unreadable expression on her face. Part of her bristled at the intrusion—how dare he wander so close to her sacred place, her private moment? But another part of her... was curious.
Had the river led him here? Had fate? Was he here for her?
Sariya tilted her head, her silver hair cascading like a waterfall down her back. Her Leviathan gave a low rumble, sensing her shift in mood.
"Stay," she murmured to the beast, her voice rich and commanding. Then, silently, like a stalking tigress, she began to move through the water toward Du—each step measured, each ripple deliberate.
She did not bother to cover herself. She was a goddess. She would hide for no one.
And if he dared to look upon her... he would have to answer for it.
