The Sunken Ship, Part 2

Blood rushed to Aquata's head as she was lifted off the ground, dazing her. As she was suspended there, green forms connected to the tails began to worm out of the holes from which the tails were connected to. One of them slithered over her body, and spoke. "Ssso, it'ss a mermaid, iss it? The serpent hissed. "We don't get many mermaidss down here, esspecially one as beautiful as you. It'ss a sshame we have to eat you. The serpents tails began to increase in area around her body, wrapping more and more. Then, suddenly they began to sqeeze. Aquata could feel her conscious about to black out as the tails slowly constricted more and more...

As she began to black out, her pouch began to overturn. A glittering emerald spilled out, and almost immediately, the tails began to release their crushing grip. As she descended to the floor, one of the serpents picked up the emerald with his tail. "What a sshiny object!" the serpent hissed. "That'ss why it'ss mine!" another hissed. "Back off eelface!" another commanded. The serpents began to quarrel, attacking eachother relentlessly. As she came back to consciousness, Aquata realized what they were fighting over, so she reached into her bag, picked out a sapphire, and tossed it into one of the holes from whence the serpents came. They were only too happy to oblige, as they slithered into the hole, squabbling over their newfound treasure. Aquata turned around, and swam further into the depths of the maze.

As she progress inward, it began to get unbearably warm. As she swam, she began to see... smoke? Yes, it was smoke, and it began to change into an array of hues, filling the room until it swirled around her body as her tail swept. Where the smoke was at it's largest amount, she saw the reason; a swarm of small underwater volcanoes. "So that's where the heat is coming from!" She thought triumphantly. The heat felt very good after so long, but she had to keep going, so to her dismay, she left the volcanos. As the smoke began to clear, it seemed... brighter than anywhere else she had seen in the maze. Then she realized that there were small, incandescent snails covering the rooms, bathing them in a warm glow. It began to get brighter and brighter, until it seemed like the incarnation of daylight was inside the ship. As she swam through the light, she reached a large room. It had an old desk in it, and a chair, worn by the elements through the course of it's years. Aquata spied an old chest in the corner of the room, and broke the lock on it. As she pulled it open, a wave of bubbles broke out, bursting all over the area. The chest must've been airtight, and as she searched through, she found a small rod. It was magnificently adorned with rubies and emeralds, and looked to be made entirely of gold. Spying her fantastic treasure, she grew fascinated by it, until she heard a hissing noise. As she whirled around, she came face to face with a pair of crimson, glowing eyes...