This is a continuation of a piece I wrote for Eremika Week 2018 . Besides reading the first part here, you can also read it in that collection with a bunch of other Eremika stories. I really enjoyed writing this and decided to expand it to fully cover the entire Little Mermaid story. This will be four parts total. Enjoy :)
…
The sea is a mystery. It is a wonder that gently entrances the nearby sailor or strikes harshly with its fangs bared. The water laps quietly and rhythmically against the side of a ship as sunlight reflects the dark water. Hidden under the surface is a world not known to the human eye.
Tiny bubbles rise from the ocean floor as the green kelp sways with the motion of the tide. A sparkling green tail pushes against the water and forces the tropical fish nearby to scatter. Following the creature is a small, yellow-scaled fish. It struggles to keep up its pace as the mercreature ahead of him moves quick and smoothly through the long strands of dark green kelp.
"Come on, Armin. A little more," the tan merman calls as they reach the end of the forest. The deep blue ocean beyond is enticing.
"Won't your mother ask where you are? She doesn't like you wandering off, Eren," the timid fish warns.
Eren rolls his eyes and pushes the last bit of long kelp away with his hand.
"You're sounding more and more like Levi every day," he mutters as he uses his tail to glide through the ocean waters once more. "Don't be such a guppy."
Armin sighs and wiggles his tiny tail fin to keep up with his friend.
"We're almost there anyway," Eren promises. He can see the deep sea cave in the distance and the large boulder keeping hidden his desires from the rest of Atlantica. A quick turn of his head shows no sign of fish nor mercreature in the distance, so he descends toward the underwater grotto.
"Are you going to find a place for your new, er, what's it called again?" Armin asks.
"Reiner called it a dinglehopper," Eren says as he holds up the slim, silver object in his hand. He pushes the stone away and enters into the magnificent world he has created for himself.
Lined on the grotto's rocky walls are treasures he's collected in his adventures past the sea kingdom's gates. He carefully places the dinglehopper next to a silver vase and stands back to admire it shine in the underwater moonlight.
Eren lets out a deep sigh and slowly revolves around the entirety of his secret cavern. There's something so fascinating about life above the surface that he cannot describe. Why be confined to the gates of the kingdom when there is a world above that demands exploring? He's heard of raging fires, ice that falls from the sky, and dense forests that touch the sky, but tradition dictates that he live in this undersea world instead.
What he would give to have his own two legs. Eren can always escape to the surface when the confines of the ocean are too much to bear, but he can never explore, dance, run, walk, like the humans do.
"Your mother would be furious to know this place exists," a gruff voice comes from below him.
Eren glances down, startled, when he sees the dark crab scuttling across the ocean sand.
"Levi. You were following us," he realizes.
"Your mother's orders."
"Don't tell," Armin begs, swimming toward the sea crab. "He's not doing anything wrong, I swear. We may go to the surface every once in a while, but—"
"Armin," Eren hisses.
Levi's pupils widen. "The surface? Queen Carla will be furious if she knew her only son was—"
"That's why you can't tell," Eren begs.
"She's asked me to keep an eye on you, little brat. You two are coming back with me, now, before you—" he points his dark claw at Eren, "—get yourself in anymore trouble."
Eren sinks slowly to the ocean floor. "Haven't you ever had a dream? You've never wished to see what life is like beyond Atlantica?"
"No. I'm a simple crab who is content being loyal to the kingdom. And you should—"
The crab pauses as Eren's face twists into a frown. Levi has been a close guardian since Eren's birth, but Eren knows exactly what sympathetic look to give the crab in order to get his way.
Levi growls and clacks his claws together. "Fine! I'll keep your little hideout secret for now, but if I catch you doing anything else—"
"Thank you!" Eren exclaims. He swoops down and picks the crab up in his hands, grinning at him.
"Let's go," Levi mutters.
The boulder is rolled back into place, and Eren's desires are hidden once again as their underwater movements spur a stream of bubbles behind them.
...
A fresh ocean breeze inflates the sails of a nearby ship. A young woman in a button-downed white top and tan pants leans over the side of the boat, watching dolphins leap alongside it. Her dark hair blows in the wind. She breathes in deeply, letting the ocean air fill her lungs.
"Isn't this great, Sasha?" she calls to her advisor and close companion. "The salty sea air, the wind blowing in your face?"
The redhead leans over the side of the ship, clutching her stomach. Meanwhile, the young woman's dog stands on its hind legs to peer over the side of the ship as well. The shaggy gray and white dog rests her giant paws on the edge of the ship and lets her pink tongue flop in the wind.
"It feels great, doesn't it, Rose?" the raven-haired girl asks.
"With all due respect, Princess Mikasa," Sasha says, having just finished expelling the rest of the contacts of her stomach, "perhaps you should refrain from leaning too far over the edge of the boat. We don't want you falling overboard during your own birthday celebration."
Mikasa waves her hand, failing to acknowledge Sasha's warning, and continues to keep her eyes peeled on the water below. Though she's always lived in Maria, the kingdom by the sea, she never grows tired of the dark, rolling waves. The fishermen are allowed to go out daily into those supposedly dangerous waters, but she's only allowed on special occasions. The beach is usually as close as she can get to feeling the ocean mist on her fingertips.
In the distance, she can see the sun gradually setting. Orange hues of light reflect on the water, illuminating the entire sea. Mikasa wishes she was close enough to reach her hand in and feel the cool, salty water on her own fingertips instead of witnessing it from above.
She lifts a leg up on a nearby crate to get a better view.
"Princess Mikasa, that's not a lady-like stance," Sasha whispers from behind her ear.
Mikasa rolls her eyes and sets her leg down, running her fingers through her dog's soft fur instead. Rose lets out a bark and topples Mikasa to the ground. She giggles as the dog's tongue licks across her cheek.
"Enough, enough," Mikasa exclaims through giggles as she pushes the vivacious dog off of her.
"I'll assist you," Sasha offers, lending an arm for Mikasa to stand back up.
"I'm perfectly fine," Mikasa retorts as she gets back on her feet. She rubs the top of her dog's head again and stares out into the horizon. The sun has nearly sunk beneath the endless ocean now.
"It'll be time for fireworks soon," Sasha tells Mikasa enthusiastically.
Mikasa nods quietly.
"Everyone on board is happy to celebrate with you tonight, but, you know…"
Mikasa's hands clench onto the side of the ship. She knows what Sasha is going to say next.
"They would like if you got settled down…"
"There's no one that I—"
"There are plenty of young men who are willing to marry you and ascend the throne. Marriage would be good for you. Perhaps it could tame this—" Sasha gestures to Mikasa's entire figure, "—wild side of you."
"Wild?" Mikasa questions, raising an eyebrow.
"You never have been one to follow all the codes of the aristocracy. Just the fact that you're wearing pants is—"
"Remind me whose birthday we're celebrating?" Mikasa asks Sasha again.
"I believe they need my help setting off the fireworks," the redhead says quietly and ducks away.
Mikasa watches as the first few fireworks are set off, though even as they paint the night sky in marvelous colors, a knot forms in her stomach. She is not a wild animal that should be tamed. Yet no one she's met has ever matched her in the same vivacious spirit.
...
"Eren, there you are!" the sea queen exclaims suddenly as Eren enters into the throne room. Her long brown hair moves gently in the water as she embraces her son. Her blue tail brushes against his, and she runs her fingers through his brown hair of the same color.
"I'm fine," Eren mutters, turning away to avoid her concerning gaze.
"And where were you off to this time? The sunken ship?" Queen Carla scolds.
"They went to the surface," Levi mutters quietly below them.
Eren shoots him a glare with his green eyes. The crab has still not mentioned the hideaway though, which means that Levi is still remaining loyal to Eren.
"The surface!" Carla gasps. "Eren, you know it's dangerous. What if a human being saw you?"
"I was far from the shore," Eren argues. "Would it be so bad if—"
"Humans do not admire. They destroy. Our world must remain a secret. We are well-protected here within the gates of Atlantica. Your frequent trips outside the kingdom worry me, which was why I sent Levi to keep an eye on you."
"I never go far," Eren argues.
"And you won't for a while. It's straight to your sleeping quarters for you," Carla says sternly, gripping her son's shoulders. "You've put yourself in too much unnecessary danger."
Eren huffs. "What if I don't enjoy a life down here? Why don't you care if I'm happy or not?"
"I care that you're safe. Your curiosity is going to be your fatal flaw. Now go," she commands, pointing a pale finger toward the right.
Eren sighs and begins swimming away. He and his mother have always had clashing personalities and opposite wishes. She craves a life of peace and safety, which is never intentionally bad except when it constrains one's desires. Eren has never wanted a life of comfort. He's always dreamed of knowing what lies beyond the ocean's shore. He's always craved adventure.
"I'm sorry, Eren," Armin mutters as he swims alongside him. "It slipped out."
"It's fine," Eren growls.
He retreats back to his living quarters as instructed, but he cannot sleep. He lies awake, watching the moonlight dance underneath the waves, until something large casts a shadow over the ocean floor. He can hear something echoing in the distance, but he can't be sure what.
Quietly, he slips from the window and is making his way toward the surface when he hears fins flapping beside him. He gazes down, seeing his fish friend has joined him.
"Where are you going, Eren?" Armin asks quietly. "Your mother—"
"I'm just taking a peek," Eren argues.
He leaves the underwater kingdom behind and gasps as he emerges to the surface. Fresh air, rather than water, fills his lungs. Ahead is something large and wooden. He's seen boats once or twice but they've never been this large. Colorful lights, he realizes, are responsible for the loud booms.
"Eren!" comes a sharp hiss.
He spins around to see Levi. Not wanting to engage in another argument, he begins slowly leaping through the water toward the noisy ship.
"Eren, come back here!" Levi snaps in the distance.
Once again, he ignores the crab's snarky voice and approaches closer. Besides the loud lights illuminating the sky, he is beginning to hear the sound of chatter and the sweet sound of music. The ship creaks slowly against the water as he swims alongside it. Eren slowly lifts himself up on the plank of the ship near a hole that gives him a view of the deck.
His green eyes peer forward at the scene playing out in front of him. A celebration of sorts is occurring. The humans dance and clap excitedly as music fills the air. Eren's never seen humans this close before out of respect for the safety of his people, but seeing them this close fills him with a new sense of joy. The humans and merfolk don't seem so different at all. They all possess that friendly and lively demeanor.
He turns his head, his gaze falling toward a young woman with long black hair playing a…what had Reiner called?...a snarfblat. She dances happily while a hairy animal prances by her side. She moves her feet in tune with the music and sways her dark hair from side to side. Eren peers forward, noticing her gray eyes that seem to shine with light and youth.
His gaze has moved away from anyone else on the ship. He now only looks at her. She reminds him of himself in the way she moves and speaks. Unlike the other women on the ship, she is less-reserved and seems to move with no care. Eren wishes he could possess that same sense of freedom.
"All right, all right, enough dillydallying for now. It's time to bestow our princess a birthday present," a redheaded woman announces.
Eren wishes the young woman would dance again. Instead, he finds her strange, furry companion running toward him. He makes a quiet sound of surprise as a wet tongue licks his face, but the raven-haired girl calls the creature away again.
Eren peeks forward as the redhead woman pauses near a bulky object covered with a thick drape.
"A birthday present, for our princess adored across the whole kingdom. Happy birthday, Mikasa," she announces. She pulls the dark drape to reveal a statue carved of stone. Eren tilts his head. He supposes it resembles the young woman, no, the princess, but her hair is pulled up in the statue, and her shirt and pants are replaced with the outline of a dress instead.
"Uh, gee, thank you," the girl…Mikasa…says.
Mikasa. Her name is clear in Eren's head. He's never seen a mermaid that's outshone her own beauty.
"It's our honor," her accomplice says, curtseying toward the princess.
Eren watches as Mikasa shuffles toward the edge of the boat and gazes forward in the distance. He can see the disappointment reflecting in her eyes, and her quiet response makes him wonder if she feels trapped as well.
"Shall we get back to partying?" the redheaded girl asks nervously.
"Ah, yes," Mikasa says.
Eren has been too distracted by her to notice the storm clouds rolling forward in the distance. Winter always brings the most dangerous storms. A flash of lightning causes Eren to jump slightly.
It's amazing how the sea can quickly transform from a gentle wave into roaring waters. Eren leaps from the edge of the boat back into the water, watching the storm play out before him.
Torrential rain mixes with high wind. The crew is in panic, trying to steer the ship to safety, but thunder echoes, and the waves only grow more wild. Eren swims nearby the ship, worried for her.
It is when lightning strikes the sail that he sees the orange element known as fire emerge and begin to engulf everything on board. His eyes widen as he witnesses the destructive flame that only exists on the surface. The crew is leaping into smaller boats, and his heart rate slows when he sees Mikasa dive into the water below.
Her hairy companion barks from the ship, and Eren's heart races again as he watches her move back toward the burning vessel.
"What are you doing?" he whispers to himself.
He loses sight of her in the flames but watches a minute later as the furry creature lands in the ocean's rough waters. But Mikasa does not emerge from the flames. Eren stares, entranced, as the ship explodes with a flash of light.
He swims toward the wreckage, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He ducks under the water, and past the slowly-floating remnants of the ship, he sees her body sinking. He dives, grasping underneath her arms before the treacherous waters can take her from him.
...
The sand feels warm beneath Mikasa's fingers and toes. It's what begins to bring her back to the present. She was trapped in the high tides of the raging, salty sea, but now she can feel the sunlight kissing her skin.
There's something else. Though not fully conscious, she can feel the presence of someone. A hand, rough and strong, rests softly on her cheek, tracing softly against the aftermath of a stinging wound. Another hand rests gently behind her head. She can feel fingertips tracing softly through her dark hair.
The sound of crashing waves begins to fill her ears, but another sound grows louder. A low, smooth voice is calling to her. She thinks she hears music, but it's only a male's voice singing softly to her. She feels calm and secure in this stranger's arms. Her eyes begin to open as she rubs her hand up the arm extended toward her.
As the sun fully rises over a new day, she sees the light illuminating a heavenly face. His skin is copper, his brown hair reflects the sun's beams, and his pale green eyes stare deeply into hers as he finishes his song. She can feel her face twisting into a smile, and she tightens her grip on the stranger's arm until the barking of a dog causes him to twist his limb away.
Rose comes bounding down the beach toward her, and as she fully becomes aware of her surroundings, the stranger is gone. She sits up slowly, trying to gaze forward despite the dog's tongue licking all over her face.
"Thank goodness, you're all right, princess," Sasha says, beginning to lift her to her feet.
"Did you hear someone, just now?" Mikasa asks, the man's sweet voice still ringing in her ears. She begins walking toward the water, but Sasha pulls her back.
"I think you're in need of some rest. Let's get you back," Sasha suggests.
Mikasa nods, but her gaze still falls to the sunlit ocean and warm beach.
Who was he? she asks herself. He seemed familiar.
Perhaps it is the seawater in her lungs causing her mind to think up foolish fantasies, but she still keeps her gaze on the ocean as she leaves the beach. The stranger who saved her must be real, and when she finds him, she will thank him for saving her life.