[Choice C (adventure & AmbassadorsPK): Travel to the Black Mountains and seek the mighty djinn to fight against the morgen.]

Sam tugged at Tarah's arm, dragging her away from the rail. "We need to use this opportunity to—shit!"

Tarah spun around just in time to see Feishen pivot in his dive and race back towards them. Bellowing, the serpentine dragon whipped his lower body around, slamming his thick, heavy tail into the side of the ship with a resounding crack that echoed the lightning in the sky.

Thick timber snapped like a toothpick as Feishen split the hull in half. Tarah shrieked in terror as the impact sent her flying overboard. She hit the turbulent waters and immediately plummeted a dozen feet downwards.

Cold water enveloped Tarah and her eyes stung from the salt. "No!" she screamed, but the sea rushed in, filling her lungs. She flailed, trying to climb back to the surface, but she was too weak.

Darkness closed in, narrowing her field of vision to a pinprick. Just as Tarah's thoughts were floating away with the ruins of the ship, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her from the back. A hand clapped over her mouth and when it pulled away, Tarah felt the water going with it. A strange, wobbly helmet slipped over her head, bringing life-giving air to her abused lungs.

"You are safe, Annabelle Zhao," a feminine voice murmured in her ear.

Tarah sagged in the creature's grasp and passed out.

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"The famous Annabelle Zhao! Liberator of dragon pearls! Welcome to the Halls of Atlantis!"

Tarah blinked and sat up. She was once again in an unfamiliar room—albeit one that was not moving and clearly underwater. Fish swam outside a large, circular window to her right, playfully darting between thick blades of seaweed and strong columns of coral.

She turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered man with grey, pearlescent skin standing at her bedside. He was bare-chested, save for a chain constructed of heavy jewel-encrusted gold plates; loose brown breeches covered his legs. His bare feet were webbed.

"At-atlantis?" Tarah stammered. Suddenly, she surged to her feet. "Where is my crew?" she demanded, reaching for the grey man's necklace. The action stunned Tarah, so much she immediately dropped the jewelry.

"I see your near-drowning has not dimmed your famous fire, Pirate Queen," the strange man replied easily, crossing his arms.

Tarah's mouth opened and she glanced around the room. Where did that come from? Was that Annabelle?

Oblivious to Tarah's internal turmoil, the grey man continued, "Your crew has been successfully rescued."

Tarah's chin snapped up. "I will see them now." Without waiting for an answer, she pushed past the Atlantian and made for the door.

A large hand clamped over her shoulder and spun Tarah around. "Their release comes with a price, Pirate Queen," the man told her, frowning.

"I have no time to bargain," Tarah retorted, shrugging out of his grasp. "I have an appointment to keep."

"Nobleman Zhen Wei will have to wait a little longer for his pearl," the Atlantian said, holding up a cautious finger as Tarah gasped. He reached into a pocket of his pants and drew forth a small jade box.

"How did you get that?" Tarah demanded, lashing out. "That is mine!"

The Atlantian easily parried her attack, slamming her back against the bed. Tarah winced and coughed, her abused lungs protesting.

"Our city is plagued by morgen," the man explained, tucking the jade box back into his pocket. "They are kidnapping my people and eating their hearts. Our seers have scried long and hard and all signs point to you."

Tarah coughed, reached for a pitcher resting on a small table beside the bed, and chugged water straight from the jug. "I don't give a damn about your evil mermaids," she spat, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

"You will if you want your crew to live."

Tarah scowled, but inside she knew that she was caught. If her mother, the famed Devil's Siren, had taught her anything, it was to always protect your crew. "Fine," she heard herself say. "What do I need to do?"

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The trail leading up to the Black Mountains was narrow, with only a small rock wall protecting travelers from falling to their death.

Tarah sat on her nimble bay pony, trusting the beast to pick its way to the top with little input from her. She hated the creatures, preferring the rocking of a ship to the sores she was undoubtedly collecting.

Tarah paused, frowning. There it was again—those strange thoughts. They didn't belong to her, but to the tall, athletic—and beautiful—woman whose body she inhabited. While it was strange, she found herself enjoying the perks that came with it. No one was overlooking her, or discounting her voice. It was empowering.

As the pony crested the top of the mountain, Tarah picked up the reins and drew the beast to a stop. A small shrine of red-brown stone abutted the peak. All around, the ground was scorched black, as if a great fire had raged here.

The door to the shrine burst open and a tornado of black fire emerged. Squealing in fright, the pony bucked. Tarah grit her teeth and hauled back on the reins, drawing the creature's head in the opposite direction.

"What mortal darkens my doorstep?" a thunderous male voice announced.

"Annabelle Zhao, captain of the Howling Manta."

The whirlwind calmed, revealing a dark-skinned djinn with hair made of white flames. "What do you seek, Pirate Queen?"

"A weapon to use against the morgen," she replied.

"And what do you offer in trade?"

Tarah was prepared. She dug into her pocket and produced a red coral box. Lifting the lid, she held it up for the djinn to inspect. "A moon tear."

The djinn leaned forward and inspected the small vial. "Very well." Reaching behind his back, he drew forth a large scimitar that blazed with black and white fire. "Guard this well, Pirate Queen, for I will not give you another."

Tarah nodded and tossed him the box. The djinn sheathed the scimitar, handed it to her, and disappeared.