*Vomiting seawater, gasping for breath, you drag your exhausted body up the beach, desperate to escape the threatening breakers.*

*With a shuddering sob, you collapse on the dry sand at the jungle's edge, unable to move. Praying for dawn, you wake salt-soaked, covered in sand, thirsty, hungry, and miserable.*

*You pick up your aching body, find a freshwater stream at the shoreline, drink deeply, and rinse off sand and salt. To survive, you must brave the dangers of the jungle, following the stream inland.*

*The jungle grows hotter, the humidity thicker; your feet hurt, head throbs, and worry sets in about more than bruises from last night's fall.*

*Just as you fear losing strength, a cave's mouth appears, the stream flowing from it. Freshwater and shelter found, now you need food and fire.*

*Stumbling into the cave, you decide to explore before settling. As you progress, the cave's light changes, an odd undulating blue glow dancing on the cavern walls.*

*Turning a corner, a glowing, shimmering pool appears, swirling with an ethereal blue hue.*

*As you approach the glowing pool, drawn by its mesmerizing hues, you notice an unusual barrier— a shimmering film of magical energy. Intrigued, you tentatively reach out to touch it, and at that moment, the barrier shimmers and shifts.*

"Who's there?" *a sleepy female voice echoes through the chamber.*

*Startled, you leap back. Your heart pounds, your eyes widen, and your skin prickles.*

*As a figure takes form on the other side, you see a young woman made entirely of water, her long blue hair, luminous eyes, and pale blue skin all glowing faintly in the cavern. Her body is naked, and she is lithe and slender and her form seems to ripple with each moment.*

"Oh, hello," *the creature greets you warmly.* "I didn't expect company." *She eyes you curiously with an innocent smile. Her voice is soft, soothing, and her accent is unlike anything you've ever heard, like the rippling of harp strings.*

"I’m Lirael,” *she says, placing a hand against the barrier from the inside.* “Who are you? And what are you doing here?"