Tiamat was in a simply cantankerous mood. She swam in fury about her room speaking to herself and yelling at her unconscious husband. Tiamat had witnessed Hali and the worthless crab murder her innocent pet, through her dark, spiraling orb. The infidels were really starting to become a problem.

"That little urchin of yours, killed my pet. I hatched him from a tiny egg, and watched him grow to his magnificent size." The witch sobbed, "Imagine the nerve it takes to kill such a beautiful creature. she will pay for that Triton!"

She glared at the fragile King of Atlantica. Every last morsel of seething hatred radiated from Tiamat's pores. The evil queen's power was growing at an alarming rate.

" I guess, I'll have to up the ante a little bit, huh?"

Indes mākonis,
Radīt necaurlaidīgiem šķēršļiem,
Ap skolotājs mājokli.
Iznīcināt Hali un viņas skolotāju.
Gan vīrietis un meitene jāmirst!

"This will have to do, until the trident, is mine, lover!" then the foul queen gave out a heinous chortle.

"Do you have any question's for me before we begin?" Murphy beseeched."

Hali didn't understand why he even asked, when she could feel his brown eyes already knew the answers to all her questions.

"How did you become The Keeper, The Guardian?" she questioned.

"Ah, yes, Murphy was thoughtful, "It is a magic that runs deep within my family's roots."

"How do you know my grandfather?" Hali asked in spite of herself.

"We have a very old history."

"Yes, Sebastian told me you knew him since tide school." Hali said pointing to her old friend, the crab.

"Oh, we go back much further than that," Murphy added with an amiable smile.

"How much further?" Hali pleaded.

"Hush, you shall find out in due time, child," Murphy said in the kindest tone Hali's ears ever took in, "we have work to do."

Murphy swam to one of his tall bookshelves, and pulled a very old-looking book from one of the shelves.

"Inside this book, is everything you will need, to save the king and rid Atlantica of the evil Tiamat forever."

Hali made her best effort in reading the ancient book's title, but she had no idea how to begin. This is what the title read:

Нашы супрацоўнікі Гісторыя

"Murphy," Hali sounded defeated, "I can't read this."

"It says," Murphy clarified, "Our People's History."

"Atlantica's History?"

"No, much more than that," Murphy was so mysterious.

"What does that mean?" asked Hali.

"You're a clever one, Hali," The Guardian complimented, "try and figure it out on your own."

Hali sat quietly pondering Murphy's riddle, when suddenly, the solution struck her.

"Does it mean," Hali began hesitantly, "the history of mermen?"

"That it does, child, that it does!" Murphy exclaimed proudly, "your swiftness in solving the puzzle proves even further that our souls are linked."

"It does,?" Hali whispered in awe.

Getting back to the task at hand Murphy explained, "This book, is a very special book. It opens only to the touch of my magic."

Touching the book lightly, the cover flew open to a blank page. Suddenly words began to appear in the foreign script:

Чым магу служыць?

"What language is that?" Hali asked curiously.

"It is Ancient Atlantican," Murphy began, "the language has been dead to most of us for centuries. It is no surprise you are so unfamiliar with it."

"What does it say?"

"The words read," Murphy paused for dramatic effect, "how may I serve you?"

Murphy abruptly closed the book, and placed the artifact on the table in front of Hali.

"Now, touch the book," Murphy ordered, "all it takes is a slight brush."

"But," Hali began to protest, "if the book works in conjunction with your magic, and your magic has been passed down through your family lineage, how am I to open the book?"

"Enough with this self-doubt," Murphy chided, "touch the book."

Hali tentatively brushed the cover of the book with her hand. It opened immediately.

Soon, Hali eyes glowed in an entrancing blue, and strange words escaped from her throat.

Калі вада з'яўляецца дракон,
Толькі акіян сэрца,
Можа яе спыніць.
Калі на моры,
У трывозе,
Акіян сэрца,
Выратуе нас усіх.

When Hali finished speaking the words, her eyes ceased their glowing all at once.

"What just happened?" Hali asked in a tremulous voice.

"It seems," Murphy said pensively, "that the book as chosen you to become the new Keeper, when my spirit leaves the ocean."

"But how can that be?" Hali shrieked, "the magic trait runs in your family, not mine!"

Murphy's chocolate brown eyes lit up with laughter, "We are kin, Hali. King Triton is my brother."

Hali's face went pale, "What?"

"Hush, we are running out of time, and still have much work to do."

Hali knew he was right, "What did I just chant?" she asked.

"I wasn't a chant," Murphy explained, "It was a prophecy."

"A prophecy," Hali repeated breathlessly.

"Yes, one that has puzzled Guardians for eons," Murphy scratched his silver-bearded chin, "It seems you are at the center of it too."

"Well," Hali asked, "what does it mean?"

"You already know," Murphy said gently, "look within your heart."

Hali took a deep breath and began.

When the water dragon appears,
Only the ocean's heart,
Can stop it.
When the sea,
Is in turmoil,
The ocean's heart,
Will save us all.

"Very good," Murphy praised, "you are a quick learner, but we must move on."

"Yes," Hali agreed, "let's move on."

"The ocean is composed of three parts. Each part is represented by a Guardian, like us. Are you following?"

"Yes," Hali assured him.

"The three parts are collectively, the Voice, the Heart, and the Star of the Ocean."

Hali nodded solemnly.

"It has already been established that I am The Ocean's Voice," Murphy explained, "and now, you have just emerged as the Ocean's Heart."

"But what about the Ocean's Star?" asked Hali.

"That soul has not yet come forth," Murphy related, "it will be your burden to find and train this soul on your own."

"Me!" Hali blurted out.

"Yes, you," Murphy said calmly, "but you must learn to control your magic first."

Hali sat with Murphy for hours pouring over the ancient spell book. She had very little time to cram so much information into her head. At last, she felt that she was prepared for battle with Tiamat.

"I have one last question, Murphy."

"Yes, my child?"

"I overheard Tiamat in the middle of some evil chant. By chance, can you tell me what it means?"

"I will try," The Keeper said in earnest.

Hali repeated the chant she had tried do desperately to memorize, knowing that one day it would come in handy.

Miegs mans vīrs.
Es dzēriens jūsu pilnvaras.
Ātri, Trident,
un okeāna es rīcībā!

"Ah," Murphy gave a heavy sigh, "that is black magic developed by the ancient Murken's during the Era of Darkness."

Sleep my husband.
I will drink of your powers.
Soon your trident,
And the ocean will be mine.

Murphy's translation struck a chord with Hali. She should have guessed as much. Villains like Ursula, Morgana, and countless other have made evil attempts at possessing her grandfather's trident.

"You must go now," Murphy urged, "time is running short. The king's life is almost gone."

"Will you come with me, Murphy?"

"I'm afraid I cannot accompany you very far," Murphy frowned, "this is hallowed ground, and my powers are very weak. If I venture too far, I will die."

Hali had heard enough, and needed to act quickly. She barrelled out of Murphy's home, with Sebastian on her tail. The old Guardian followed Hali to bid her goodbye, but as soon as the pair swam outside, Tiamat's spell took effect. A massive, ink-black cloud rapidly engulfed the victims, choking them with its poison. As Hali collapsed, writhing in pain, Murphy seeped the last of his magic into the girl to protect her form harm. Then the ancient merman sunk down to the sandy bottom of the ocean floor, and died.