The stands were eerily quiet now, the panicked screams and wet splats of mud replaced by the distant, rhythmic lapping of the Black Lake against the floating dock. The sun, previously hidden behind the clouds summoned by Rowena, was beginning to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of bruised purple and angry orange. Echo, still very much a fish, dragged himself painfully across the wooden planks of the viewing platform. His sapphire scales, usually vibrant, looked dull and dry in the fading light. His chest heaved, his gills fluttering uselessly in the open air. Every inch of movement was a struggle, his powerful tail now just a heavy, useless weight on land. He had to get to the water. The potion hadn't worn off, and the air felt thin and scorching in his lungs. He pulled himself past the overturned chairs and mud-spattered railings, his arms trembling with effort. Just a few more yards. Just down the ramp and into the sweet, cool embrace of the lake.
"Echo?"
He froze, or rather, flopped to a halt, his head snapping up. Standing at the base of the ramp, silhouetted against the dying light, was Empusa. She looked impeccable, her dark hair perfectly styled, her robes untouched by the earlier chaos. She held a small, ornate glass bottle in her hands, her expression unreadable.
Echo squinted at her, his vision blurring slightly at the edges. "Empusa?" he rasped, his voice sounding like sandpaper on stone. "Hey. Look, I'd love to chat, really, but I'm currently about three minutes away from becoming a very large, very dead fish on dry land. Can we maybe reschedule?"
Empusa took a step closer, a small, tight smile playing on her lips. "I know," she said, her voice smooth and low. "I saw what happened. I just... I wanted to say I was impressed. Truly."
Echo blinked, surprised. "Impressed? By what? My dazzling display of being kidnapped by my own headmaster?"
"By your bravery," Empusa corrected, stepping closer still. "Going up against that shark... saving your friend... it was heroic. Most people would have run."
Echo let out a dry, hacking cough. "Yeah, well. Adrenaline makes you do stupid things. Speaking of which, I really need to get in the water." He made to drag himself forward again, his claws scraping against the wood.
"Wait," Empusa said, holding out a hand. "Just one minute. Please."
Echo paused, looking up at her. He could see the intensity in her dark eyes, a strange mix of determination and something else he couldn't quite place. He sighed, a wheezing sound. "Okay. One minute. But if I die, you're explaining this to Skate."
Empusa's smile widened slightly, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Deal." She gestured to the bottle in her hands. "I figured you must be thirsty. After all that... excitement. Stress. Crying. Singing. Nearly getting eaten."
Echo let out a weak laugh. "You have no idea. I haven't had a drop to drink all day. Well, unless you count accidentally swallowing lake water and eating some grass earlier."
Empusa stared at him. "Grass?"
"Don't ask," Echo croaked, waving a webbed hand dismissively. "Long story. Involving a very confused Porlock."
"Right," Empusa said slowly, clearly deciding not to pursue that particular thread of insanity. She uncorked the bottle and held it out to him. "Here. It's a revitalizing tonic. My own recipe. It should help with the... dryness."
Echo looked at the bottle. The liquid inside was a deep, rich crimson, swirling with faint, pearlescent flecks. It smelled sweet, like summer berries and something floral. His throat felt like it was lined with desert sand. He didn't hesitate.
"You are a lifesaver," he gasped, snatching the bottle with a trembling hand. He tilted his head back and downed the contents in one long, desperate gulp. The liquid was cool and sweet, sliding down his throat like liquid silk. It tasted of pomegranate and honey, with a strange, warm undercurrent that spread through his chest like a blooming flower.
He lowered the empty bottle, letting out a long, satisfied sigh. "Oh, wow," he breathed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "That... that was amazing. Seriously, best drink I've ever had. What's in it?"
Empusa watched him closely, her dark eyes glittering. "Oh, just some pomegranate juice," she said airily, ticking off ingredients on her fingers. "A little honey. Some moon dew. And... a little bit of love."
Echo grinned, his eyes already starting to glaze over slightly, though whether from dehydration or the potion was unclear. "Love tastes great," he murmured, his voice slurring a bit. "Wish I could have more. But I'll get plenty once I'm back with Skate."
Empusa flinched as if he'd struck her. The smile on her face faltered for a second before she forced it back into place. "Is that so?" she asked, her voice tight.
"Yeah," Echo said dreamily, staring off towards the lake. "She's... she's everything, you know? My anchor." He looked back at Empusa, his expression softening into genuine warmth. "Thanks, Empusa. Really. You're a great friend."
Another flinch. This time, Empusa actually took a small step back, her hand tightening into a fist at her side. Friend. The word felt like a slap. Just you wait, she thought viciously. Just you wait until that potion kicks in. Then we'll see who's just a 'friend'.
"You're welcome, Echo," she said, her voice strained. "Anything for a... friend."
Suddenly, a sharp thwack echoed through the quiet stands. Echo yelped as something hooked around his waist, jerking him backward.
"Hey!"
He looked down to see the curved end of a shepherd's crook snugly fit around his midsection. Standing behind him, looking utterly unamused, was Barnaby the Porlock. The creature gave a short, annoyed snort and began to drag Echo unceremoniously towards the water.
"Whoa! Barnaby! Easy!" Echo flailed, his claws scrabbling uselessly against the wood. "I can walk... er, crawl! I was just leaving!"
Barnaby ignored him, continuing to haul his charge towards the lake like a sack of potatoes. He clearly decided that enough was enough, and the fish-boy needed to be in the water immediately.
As he was dragged away, Echo managed to twist his head back towards Empusa. "Thanks again for the drink!" he called out, waving a hand. "I'll see you later! We should hang out!"
Empusa stood alone at the base of the ramp, watching as the Porlock dragged the unsuspecting champion down to the water's edge. She raised a hand in a slow, deliberate wave.
"Goodbye, Echo," she whispered, a slow, predatory smile spreading across her face. "See you... very soon."
She watched as Barnaby shoved Echo into the shallows. She watched the water splash as his tail hit the surface. And she smiled to herself, clutching the empty cork of the potion bottle in her hand. Perfect, she thought. Absolutely perfect.