They were swimming past a particularly dense grove of tall, ribbon-like seaweed that waved gently in the underwater currents.
As they swam past the weeds, something long and slimy brushed against Ayra's leg.
"GAAAAAH!"
A stream of panicked bubbles erupted from Ayra's mouth as she let out a muffled shriek of pure terror.
All her S-Grade berserker bravado vanished in an instant, replaced by the primal fear of being touched by something unknown in the deep, dark water.
She flinched away violently, her limbs thrashing, and in her blind panic, she latched onto the nearest solid object for safety.
That object was Daniel.
She wrapped her powerful arms around his torso like a frightened octopus, her Rock Pugilist strength nearly cracking his already-healed ribs for a second time.
Daniel, caught completely by surprise by the sudden, panicked assault, had no time to react.
