Early morning light poured onto the surface of the ocean. Its rays landed on a boat as it drifted along. A man, David Seville, stood starboard on said ship. His hair was already windswept, as he had been standing here for most of the night. He was a young man, but the lines becoming etched in his face made him appear aged and tired.
"Mr. Seville."
The gruff voice of Jean Thomas called to him from the stairs that led below deck. Jean was the owner of the ship, and had graciously agreed to assist Dave in his search for his children. While any other person would think that the chances of finding them after such an ordeal were slim to none, Jean had experience with the sea. He knew of the things that lived within it, both known and unknown. That was why he'd agreed to this expedition.
"Breakfast has been prepared. Do come join us in the galley, won't you?"
"…I'll be down, Mr. Thomas."
"Alright, then." The man stood on the stairs for a while, seemingly looking for something to say, but instead of speaking he turned and walked back down the steps. Dave stared out over the sea for a while more. He thought about his kids. They had been through so many ordeals, from travelling around the world in a jewel-smuggling scam to meeting a werewolf. He knew that something more was happening below the deep blue surrounding their little boat. His mind flashed back to the adventure just two years ago. If it had anything to do with what was occurring now, surely the mermaids must be involved.
Dave sighed. His head was beginning to hurt. Turning toward the door, he headed below for breakfast.
o0o
Annalise sat on a small boulder in her cavern, thinking hard. She seemed to do this extremely often. Jeanette was with her, looking around at the shelves that lined the cave walls. There were various things there; vials of colorful liquids, jars of plants that the Chipette couldn't name, and even several shell bowls of what looked like parts of animals. Jeanette had asked Annalise about all these items before, but she had most of the things she'd said.
"Jeanette, I'm going to be honest with you," Annalise said suddenly. "I'm worried."
"About…?" Jeanette faced the pink haired mermaid. Anna sighed and got off her seat.
"This whole thing. That mermaid, the one who had been kidnapping you, she…" the mermaid bit her lip. "She was under a magical influence. I sensed it the second I saw her. Something about her just oozed dark magic. I don't know why, but…we may be in way over our heads here."
"…You don't think Sherri is still alive, do you?" Jeanette swam toward the mermaid.
"I really don't know. There are many more powerful creatures in the sea than Sherri. But…" Annalise trailed off, her eyes gaining another far-off thinking look. Jeanette sighed and turned back to the shelves. Browsing through them, she came to one that was full of books. Many of them appeared to be in English, but several had Greek and Roman lettering, and a few were adorned with characters Jeanette had never seen before. One book in particular had lettering unlike any of the others. Her curiosity piqued, Jeanette pulled the book from its place on the shelf.
She could feel the magic before she opened the tome. It tingled, simply vibrating with energy. Her hands shaking a bit, Jean opened the cover of the book. Before her eyes, the strange letters began to shift and ripple, seemingly coming to life on the page. The ancient ink twisted itself into familiar signs, which became letters, which finally became words. Jeanette stared in awe at the book, its old yellow pages revealing messages.
"The Guardians of Lore…" she breathed the title. "A-Annalise, look at this!"
"Wha?" The pink mermaid snapped out of her trance. "What is it?"
"The Guardians of Lore…what are they?"
"Wh-where did you get that?" Anna flipped her tail, sending herself to Jeanette with one stroke.
"It was on the shelf. Didn't you know this was here?"
"I…I knew it but…Jeanette, how are you reading that?" Annalise peered at the book, which to her looked like something she'd once seen in History class. "That's about the oldest form of Magical writing."
"I don't know…I just opened the book. I felt so much magic coming from it…"
"Wait, I'll get the others!"
Within minutes, Annalise had gathered the rest of the group, who had gone swimming around the cavern. Jeanette briefly explained the book, and turned the page to begin reading.
"This book talks about something called the Guardians of Lore. Wait…it's translating again…"
"The Guardians of Lore…that sounds familiar…" Ripple tilted her head, trying to remember the title.
"…Wow, it's like before medieval times," Jeanette marveled at the words in the book. She cleared her throat and began to read.
"Within thee, O sacred world created by the Great One, was formed a Power, to which gave birth to the Guardians of all Magick. Before the time of the first King of the Mortal realm, there was born on the day of the Golden Moon four powerful beings, each blessed with the Great Power of the Universe. These were four Goddesses. The eldest of which forever holdeth the Darkness of Night, the second eldest created to wield the Great Sea, the third Goddess to which the Light bows, and the youngest of all to watcheth over the sacred Land of Earth. It is within these Great Beings that all Life instills wonder, for the divine Magick that floweth forth from them into the World is spread to only those deemed worthy. It is at the time of Birth, the Golden Moon, that the Magick within the Creation floweth to its Origin, and all those who hone this mana are judged." Jeanette cast a look around the room.
"…What the MUNK was that about?" Alvin asked.
"Wait…" Ripple's eyebrows furrowed, then shot up as realization shot through her. "I remember now!"
"What is it, Ripple?" Anna looked at her friend.
"I remember the story now…it talks about the four Guardians, the founders of Magic!"
"…Still lost." Alvin deadpanned.
"You remember, don't you Annalise?" The blue haired mermaid turned to Anna, who was nodding her head vigorously.
"Yes, I do! And now that I think about it, it makes sense!" Her gaze darted around the cavern. "The Guardians are the most powerful of all magical beings. They are the ones who supplied the world with the mana it holds. The ocean, it's like a being all its own, because it holds so much magical mana! That must be it!"
"Forgive me if I repeat myself, but WHAT are you talking about, Anna?"
"I'm talking about Jeanette's power!" Annalise swam excitedly into Alvin's face, who promptly leaned away. "Queen Marjorie seemed sure that Jeanette's powers had been removed, but they were unlocked the second she came in contact with mermaid magic! And the only way that could have happened is that she had a connection with the sea's mana. And the only way that would be possible would be if Jeanette's powers were connected to the sea the whole time. Which means…" Annalise gasped.
"We have to get to Oceana, stat!"
o0o
"…"
"How disappointing…"
"It appears things are becoming…"
"Complicated…"
o0o
DUN DUN DUUUUUUN! :O
What does all this mean!? What's in store for our heroes now? Will I be able to pull off a plot twist? I dunno, but I darn will try! See ya next time! :)
