The water theme park rose ahead of them like a small city of glass and steel — curved domes, flowing walkways, sunlight bouncing off aquamarine panels. Laughter drifted through the air, mixed with the distant rush of water rides.
Mellody squeezed Ezra's hand."Okay," she said, smiling wide. "This place alone just justified the trip."
Ezra looked around, impressed despite himself."Yeah… this is huge."
They got their tickets and headed straight toward the aquarium, the temperature dropping pleasantly as they entered. The light shifted immediately — blue, calm, immersive — the outside world dissolving behind thick glass.
Massive tanks stretched from floor to ceiling. Rare fish glided past slowly, colors rippling like living paintings. Schools moved as one body, synchronized and graceful.
Ezra stopped in front of one tank, watching a translucent creature pulse faintly."Sometimes I think fish have it figured out," he said quietly. "No past. No future. Just… movement."
Mellody glanced at him, thoughtful."Or maybe they remember things we don't."
They followed the signs to a special exhibit — a large amphitheater tank filled with coral structures and deep-sea lighting.
A sign glowed above the entrance:
TRICOAXS — Endemic to the Triplet Islands
Inside, the lights dimmed.
Water stirred.
Two massive shapes emerged from the shadows.
The Tricoaxs.
Huge — easily towering over the divers inside the tank — their bodies long and powerful. Their skin shimmered green with deep dark-blue patterns, sleek and reflective like polished stone under water. Two broad flippers guided their movement with effortless control, while a narrow fin stabilized their massive forms.
Their mouths were wide and streamlined, the line straight and smooth, the beak indistinct — almost hidden. Beneath the tongue, a Sharp rostrum folded inward, invisible unless needed, designed for hunting only the largest deep-sea creatures.
"They're… beautiful," Mellody whispered.
As the Tricoaxs circled, their colors shifted subtly with the depth simulation. When the lighting dipped lower, their skin transitioned into a dull saffron hue, still shiny, still alive — a living response to pressure and depth.
A guide's voice echoed through the hall."They're extremely intelligent and remarkably gentle with humans. Especially children. This pair has been together for over thirty years."
Ezra watched them move in synchrony, mirroring each other perfectly."They don't look like performers," he murmured. "They look like… partners."
Mellody nodded."Like they choose to be here."
One of the Tricoaxs turned slightly, its massive eye passing over the glass — calm, curious, not threatening.
For just a second, Ezra felt like it was looking through him.
He blinked.
The moment passed.
After the show, they stepped back into daylight, both quiet for a beat.
"That was incredible," Mellody said finally."And a little humbling."
Ezra exhaled."Yeah. Makes you realize how small we are."
They reached their car and drove a short distance to a large open complex marked:
TRIPLETTOUR
Inside, the walls were lined with photographs, paintings, maps of the islands — underwater caverns, cliff paths, ancient coral fields, bioluminescent bays.
Mellody smiled knowingly."I booked a guide already."
They approached a wooden cabin desk.
A woman stood up, grinning."Hey! You must be Ezra and Mellody."
She had red hair, sharp eyes, confident posture — wearing a fitted shirt, cargo pants, a leather jacket, and sturdy leather boots.
"I'm Kelly," she said, extending a hand. "I'll be your guide for the islands."
Ezra shook her hand."Nice to meet you."
Kelly glanced between them."Honeymooners, right?"
Mellody laughed. "Is it that obvious?"
"Always is," Kelly said. "So — where do we start?"
Mellody didn't hesitate."The underwater tunnel."
Kelly's grin widened."Excellent choice. It's my favorite place. Feels like walking through another world."
Ezra felt a small flicker in his chest — not fear, not pain — just awareness.
Another world.
He slipped his hand into Mellody's as they followed Kelly toward the entrance, glass tunnels glimmering ahead, water flowing silently above.
For now, he let himself enjoy it.
For now, he watched —not as a Spectator of horror, but as a man on his honeymoon,walking beneath the sea.