The Broken Reef

The journey onward felt longer than the morning had been, the sun high and bright in the sky, casting dappled patterns on the seabed that Nalu had once found so magical. Now, the dancing lights seemed to carry a somber tone, a hushed warning of what lay ahead. Oru, his ancient eyes scanning the water with an unreadable wisdom, led the way. Kiko, usually a whirlwind of excited energy, swam closer to Nalu, his small body tensed.

“Are we almost there?” Kiko squeaked, his voice barely audible above the gentle swish of their tails.

Oru turned his wrinkled head, his gaze steady. “Patience, young one. The ocean reveals its secrets in its own time.”