Since reawakening, Esther has not done much with their time. Meandering around, re-memorizing things. They're planning on making their way to the Forge once again later, to speak with Vargas. But for now they have to think about what to say. They left, for no particular reason, but why would they want to go back?

Being there, it's easy access to a place to calm the corruption bleeding through their body. Regardless, they'd be fine but - they're also curious of that spawn they left behind. Did it die? Likely, in the forge but... They wonder if it is still living, and if so, how it is doing with the corruption that likely overtook their body before hatching. Something to think about as well.

They plod through the sands, keeping an eye out just in case.

As they walked, the strangest thing happened...

...A series of soft lights began blinking dimly in the waters just off the coast. They were only a few feet apart, these lights--across a spread of maybe seven feet--but they were flashing turquoise blue like a promise, or a lure.

They were often obscured by the rush of breakers and the foam of Fornax's sea.

Esther could, perhaps, get closer to investigate... though given Lacerta's life, this was always a bit of a risk.

@Esther

As they move there's an odd coloration in the water. Esther's first reaction is to get closer - their claws step into the beach's water. Ripples come away from their armored claws, as they get closer and closer to the glowing spots underneath. They don't put themselves into deep water - but the curiosity drives them.

Maybe they can get whatever it is to come out? Or will them disturbing it make it happen? It could just be strange plants... Knowing this place that's probably a pretty high chance...

Closer to the water, they would see a larger shape 'attached' to the lights. It stayed farther out, too deep in the dark to really make it out--but it was clearly immense, whale-like? or... No.

That was the briefest glimpse of a head, with a muscled neck. And that--a long tail? Not fish-like, though, no... almost reptilian in shape.

Either through intelligence or instinct, it lingered farther out--or perhaps it simply hadn't seen Esther yet.

@Esther

The water was too dark for Esther to truly make anything out from the lights they see in the depths. They can vaguely see what seems like some type of lizard... A large head and a long tail, but it goes away as quickly as they can get the smallest glimpse. They debate leaving the waters to find something else to do, but curiosity gets the better of them and they decide to keep moving.

Since Esther has the water-breathing ring still, they decide to swim lower. It's uncomfortable, but they can get around easily enough. Time to see what's up.

The lights suddenly... dimmed, then went dark altogether. Its sudden approach, then, was lightless--invisible until the last second. Esther would see a shape streaking for them--some forty or fifty feet long, twelve feet tall--tyrannosaur-sized, but terrifyingly swift in the water--only as it was about to strike. With sharklike speed it rushed, jaws snapping open at the last second, aiming to snag this new prey in its teeth.

---

Esther has discovered the Squallfang! ...It is trying to eat them.

This 'Lesser' Gembound can now be encountered in Lacerta.

@Esther

Oh shit they think, as soon as they see the thing they went looking for. Its giant compared to Esther themselves, able to eat the draconic maned wolf in one bite. They're stunned, for a moment, before gaining control back in their body. Thankfully, it's moments before the giant thing comes for them. Grateful for the water breathing item they have, Esther attempts to dodge to the side. Hopefully getting away enough so they don't get eaten...

The beast lunged past, the crushing smash of its jaws coming together a deafening, wet pop that sent shockwaves through the underwater space.

It began to turn--spinning with frightening speed, but still hindered by its size, to try and reacquire its target in the darkness of the waves.

Esther had just a moment to act.

@Esther

The aquatic dinosaur rushes passed them - they can feel the vibrations of the strong biteforce as the mouth of it closes. It nearly sends them flying through the water with how strong it is. Their dodge worked, thankfully - getting bitten down by that would be an instant death for something as small as Esther is (compared to the dinosaur, anyway).

They watch it begin to turn around - to attempt to find its target again. Esther will not be a target. They could attack this creature, right here, right now - and possibly do some real damage despite the size. But they have another idea, another card within their arsenal.

They feel their magic come to them.

Aligned toward its target once more, it pumped with tail and hind legs, gaining speed as it hurtled for Esther. At the last possible moment the jaws spread wide, aiming to come crunching down to shear through its target's body.

Dinner was served..?

@Esther