This will be a multi-chapter fairytale-esque fanfiction featuring my OTP, SpaMano.
I have spent a while planning out the plot of this story, and so I'm excited to be finally able to start posting it!
Characters: Romano (Lovino), Spain (Antonio), Belgium (Bella), Liechtenstein (Lili), Ancient Rome (Roma)
Nyotalia Characters: Fem!Italy (Feliciana)
Pairings: SpaMano, SpaBel, RomanoxLiechtenstein, GerIta
AU: Human & merfolk
Disclaimer: Hetalia: Axis Powers © Hidekaz Himaruya
ARIA OF THE SEAS
Prologue
One of the things that 20-year-old Antonio Carriedo loved most was the ocean.
The sound of thundering waves and the scent of sea salt calmed him like nothing else. Whenever he felt depressed or angry, Antonio would walk to the beach he lived near and just sit there in the warm sand with the tides lapping at his bare feet, letting the sounds and smells wash over him in waves.
There was something mystical about the ocean: it seemed to stretch infinitely into the horizon line, and in the depths of the blue-green waters, there was a whole new world. It amazed Antonio. Seeing the ocean made him feel like he was only a small fragment of a universe full of secrets yet to be discovered by mankind, and yet made him feel at peace with the world.
On some occasions, Antonio would go to the beach to surf. Surfing was a sport he picked up two years ago and had never given up on ever since. It took his mind off things that bothered him: his relationship with his mother, finding a stable full-time job for the summer, attending culinary arts college, and how he felt about his girlfriend, Bella.
That summer evening found Antonio in his wetsuit, paddling in the seawater on his surfboard, a concentrated expression on his face. He was waiting for the perfect wave. Finally, when the waves picked him up and he felt as if he was soaring, nothing else was on his mind except for the thrill.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
The merfolk—creatures with the upper body of a human and the tail of a fish—lived at the bottom of the ocean. Like humans, they were mortal, and could sing and speak. Unlike humans, they were able to breathe and see underwater, and could not survive for long on land in their fish form.
Their species is said to have existed centuries ago, from the times of the Greeks. The Greeks' sea god, Poseidon, fell in love with a human, and impregnated her. She gave birth to a mermaid, and soon after, they began to populate the depths of the oceans. However, as their population flourished, chaos ensued. Kingdoms had formed underwater, and there were harsh battles over resources and area. Today, two kingdoms remained, dominating the North Atlantic Ocean: the East Atlantic Kingdom and the West Atlantic Kingdom.
Lovino Vargas was the prince of the East Atlantic Kingdom, grandson of King Roma and heir to the throne.
When a merperson turned 18, he or she needed to partake in a ritual called the Harmony, a quiet ceremony that involved summoning the spirit of an ancestor. If all went well, the merperson would be granted the ability to attain human legs whenever they were on land.
To maintain peace between the East Atlantic and the West Atlantic Kingdoms, King Roma and King Germania—the ruler of the West Atlantic—reached an agreement that their eldest grandchildren would be wed after the passing of their Harmony rituals. Their marriage would symbolize the unity of the two merfolk kingdoms. This way, there would be no more bloodshed and resources would be shared, instead of fought over.
Lovino was turning 18 in one week. Surely, he was happy about acquiring human legs and the prospect of their former rivals uniting with them. However, he was more anxious than happy. The fear of failing his Harmony or King Germania changing his mind about the marriage was a storm cloud constantly on his mind, and there was the feeling of dread tugging at his heart that even Lovino himself could not explain.
"Lovino, may I speak with you for a minute?"
Lovino turned his head and saw his grandfather swimming towards him, a serious look on his wrinkled face. "What do you want?" he asked harshly, scowling.
"You know how absolutely vital it is to pass your Harmony," Roma began.
"I do! I've practiced singing my song, over and over!" he shouted, annoyed. His grandfather had nagged him constantly about the importance of passing his Harmony ever since Lovino had been able to talk, and it was quite annoying and only increased the pressure and stress he felt.
"That is only the first step. Keep in mind that your marriage with the West Atlantic Princess is what will keep us and the West Atlantic Kingdom at peace, so you must not do anything that will make them change their mind. We cannot afford to go to war with them."
Lovino swallowed hard and nodded. This was no time for his own feelings. "I understand, Grandfather."
Before turning tail and swimming away, Roma whispered into his ear, "Remember, your actions will affect the history of our people. I'm counting on you."
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
One may or may not believe in destiny, but everything happens for a reason.
Two boys...
Two very different worlds—one of spirits and secrets, and one of flaws and civilization...
The line separating the two has begun to blur...
Perhaps it is destiny. Perhaps it is luck. Perhaps it is meant to be.
Their futures are in their hands.
...And that was a glimpse of the lives of the main characters!
This was just the prologue. The regular chapters will [probably] be longer.
Review so I will feel motivated to post more!