Death in disguise...

As soon as the lecture ended, Prof. Han moved back to his cabin to rest as it was a long day for him. He relaxed his body over the cushioned chair and placed his head over the headrest.

Zyaire and the crew entered the cabin after knocking on the door. Reay greeted first, "Good Morning sir" followed by others. They congratulated him for his excellent work today, later moving into their research topic.

"I want you guys to go for a sample hunt, as the climate is perfect for the sample collection." He paused, looking at the sky through the window. "I have instructed two of my students to guide you all as this is an unknown place for you people." he continued his instructions.

"Where's Noel?" he questioned Zyaire observing Noel's absence.

"She will join us in the port, sir!" he replied.

Soon they left the place after thanking him for the measures he had taken for them to collect the samples.

As instructed by the professor, the crew prepared for fieldwork assisted by Zyaire and Noel, the research students undergoing research under Prof. Han's guidance.

Armelle and Krith left the other two to move back to their room to get a change into the comfortable costumes for their journey over the sea. Whereas, Zyaire excused himself to arrange a ship for their trip. It was midday when they started the engine to sail into the sea. Zyaire hired a vessel in a short duration as the ship captain was so familiar with him as they often rode in his ship to sail into the sea for sightseeing.

It took more than an hour to reach the particular spot of the lagoon. "Haa... it feels so relaxed watching the blue sea from this view." Reay voiced out, inhaling the scent of the sea. Everyone looks at him in awe. It was the first time they witnessed him so relaxed from his usual self. "yup, it's an amazing sight!" Noel joined him in praising nature.

It was the coral lagoon where they dropped their anchor to dive into the sea. The lagoon was a shallow water body separated from a larger body of water. Corals are the living organisms that inhabit the marine system; they are colorful organisms forming the coral bed, which enhances the beauty of the blue.

The place seemed to be free from any waves. The cool breeze glided over their skin, adding more sensation of chillness and relaxing their muscles. The sky seemed to be clear with no symbol of a rain cloud. The shallow water seemed to be transparent from the top. The beauty of the under-world was explicated under the bright sun, and the vision was therapeutic.

Krith had seasickness, so she planned to be inside the ship when others went to the sea to collect the samples. Everyone changed into their swimsuits except for Krith and Noel. Noel decided to stay back to accompany Krith.

Zyaire provided each of them with scuba diving equipment which he brought. But Armelle rejected it as she said she could do it better without that. Moreover, she hated when the fish swam away from her due to the bubbles which were produced by the machines.

Krith and Noel seem to develop a good understanding within a few hours since they are more likely alike. The girls leisurely wandered around in the boat, enjoying the view with some tinned juices.

"Noel," krith called.

"Yeah"

"I'm not sure to ask you yet," Krith spoke.

"Let it out," Noel replied.

"Is it tough to handle Zyaire?" Krith questioned excitedly, looking at Zyaire.

"Apart from his dangerous aura and a tough personality, he was a friendly person who will pest you non-stop once you get along with him well."

"It's just that he will take time to show his bubbly side," she stated.

Krith nodded her head with some evil thoughts running through her head after hearing the explanation of her new target from the newly found friend.

But Noel didn't fail to observe the expression change on Krith's face.

"Perhaps you have sea sickness each time you sail in the sea?" Noel questioned, changing the topic.

"Nope, it's just that I feel nauseous lately." She replied.

The coral lagoon is a shallow water body amid the ocean. The vibrant red-orange color of the corals was surrounded by a variety of colorful fishes and many other types of aquatic organisms, including sea horses, varieties of crab, octopus, and even some of the deadly poisonous fishes. Coral beauty angelfish is one of the masterpieces known for its beauty was also found in some of the corals, enhancing its beauty.

Armelle reached her hand to touch a coral, not noticing that the coral was a deadly poisonous fish in disguise.

Zyaire, who noticed the change of shape of the coral, understood that it was not a coral. Thanks to the almighty, he reached out his arms and took her into his embrace when she was right about to touch the poisonous fish. After that, he swam a bit far away until they reached the safe zone from the fish. Still, Armelle was not sure why he dragged her away. She raised her brows as if asking him what had happened? He replied, directing his sight towards the coral, not changing its shape and color. She got panicked when she witnessed the so-called coral move. She felt relieved that she got escaped by a hair's breadth. Zyaire saw her getting tensed up, noticing the stonefish move, so he helped her get back to the surface to fill their lungs with fresh air.

Both Zyaire and Armelle had excellent free diving skills. They could hold their breath even for 5 minutes straight underwater.

She moved to the surface along with zyaire to gasp for breath. She removed goggles and spoke, breathing hard as she reached the surface.

"You are my life saver!!"

"Never touch something without the safety gloves. It is hard to predict them when they are well camouflaged." He replied with his usual boastful smile. Armelle was dazed by his smile as she found him lovely and cute when instructing.

"Do you plan to stare at me or to dive again?" He spoke winking at her making her caught off-guard.

"????"