Lysander turned the ominous looking tool, which he had learned was called the Serriform Star, over in his fingers, and gulped. Poor Jira was slumbering away in her cradle, completely oblivious to the horror that awaited her at the rising moon. Never, in Lysander's eighteen years, had he felt so uneasy, so on edge, as he did now, inspecting the instrument. His body was certainly behaving strangely as of late, and he suspected it was due to his great lack of sleep. What else could it be? Perhaps, after the ceremony was over, things would change, and the emperor would be able to rest once again.

"Lysander?" Ceto's voice cut through his head like a sharp blade, making the emperor's migraine worse than it had ever been.

Lysander began to suspect something was seriously Wong with his health. He would go see a healer immediately following the ritual.

"Lysander?" the priestess asked again, "is there something the matter?"

"W-what?" the emperor stammered, seeing as his head felt dreadfully hazy.

"Are you feeling well?" Ceto rephrased, "your behavior is even more unusual than normal, recently."

"I'm perfectly fine, Ceto," Lysander maintained.

"Good," Ceto rubbed her hands together, "shall we practice?"

"Practice?" Lysander repeated in confusion, "what do you mean by that? Practice what?"

"Oh, Lysander," Ceto sighed in disappointment, "haven't you done any research on the Blood Moon practices?"

Lysander only looked away from the priestess' piercing gaze, one intending to reprimand.

"The cut to the sacrifice's throat, must be done precisely, Lysander," Ceto explained, "we cannot afford any mistakes at this point. One chance, that's all we have."

"I don't know what you want from me, Ceto," Lysadner whispered in despair.

"I want you to practice," the priestess reiterated, "each of the five blades, must slice into the sacrifice at just the right moment."

"And what, by chance, am I supposed to practice on?"

"Me," Ceto said coolly, offering the emperor her right arm.

Just then, Lysander's stomach gave another lurch, at the mere thought to cutting into living flesh.


As soon as Xavier's head broke the surface of the ocean, the stable hand immediately sputtered out salt water, and gasped for precious air. He clung limply to the neck of the walrus, who was greatly concerned for Xavier's health.

"Are you all right there?" Dash inquired.

Xavier did not reply however, as he was busy attempting to catch his breath, and fill his lungs with the glorious thing called oxygen.

You've been ignoring me, Xavier.

Lilith's voice was as angry as Xavier had ever heard it.

"What do you want from me?" Xavier managed between gasps.

Meanwhile, Tip and Dash were observing with interest.

"Something wrong there, Fish Boy?" Tip asked, concern seeping into his voice, although the penguin tried to hide it.

Again, Xavier did not answer.

I've told you time and time again, Xavier. I want your friendship.

"Well, you don't exactly make that easy," rasped Xavier.

"What is he talking about?" Dash asked, addressing his lifelong companion.

"I'm not sure."

We entered into a covenant, Xavier! I've contacted you more times than I can count, and still you don't reply.

"I've been busy with other pressing matters," Xavier groaned. He was really beginning to feel lightheaded.

Trying to save the babe? Xavier, that was not part of our agreement, remember?

"No."

Tisk, tisk. The deal was for me to give you fins, so you might win back the love of the princess. She forgave you weeks ago, Xavier.

"I don't understand," Xavier tared at his wet air.

You were supposed to return to me. How can I collect on our friendship, if your lolly-gagging about in the sea?

"Return to you? Collect?"

I'm quite fed up with this, now, Xavier dear.

"Please..."

No need to worry, Xavier. We are friends no more.

Soon enough, Hali surfaced, too, with no other intention than to check on Xavier.

"What's going on?" she asked in a panic.

"We have no idea," Tip admitted, "but he's been talking to himself for minutes now."

Hali swam up to Xavier, and took his face in her delicate hands, "Xavier..."

She's pretty.

"Leave her alone," warned Xavier.

"Leave who alone?" Hali furrowed her eyebrows.

"What's happening?" Tip and Dash asked in unison.

Hali ran her fingers, along Xavier's face, and down the length of his arms. He was cold to the touch, his lips were blue, and his teeth were chattering. Hali even noticed, that some of his scales were beginning to recede. This was definitely not a good sign. As a merman, Xavier's body should be immune to the cold temperatures, the most he should feel was a slight chill. All this, Hali realized, can only mean one thing.

"He's turning back into a human," the Guardian worriedly answered her friends.

She's right. You love a smart woman, Xavier.

"Please," Xavier begged.

It's too late to be nice now, Xavier.

Suddenly, Cricket and Merrick, with Serene in his arms, broke the surface.

"Xavier," Hali shook his urgently, "you have to tell me who you went to, for your fins. What were the limitations? Please."

Don't even think abut it, darling.

"Hali?" Merrick gently placed his hand on her shoulder, "We're running out of time. Adelaide..."

The Guardian was torn. She knew that her cousin was right. They needed to find and rescue Adelaide as soon as possible, but how could she leave Xavier in this sate?

"Xavier," Hali whispered.

"Go," the stable hand shivered, "go and find Adelaide."

"But..."

"Don't worry about me," Xavier maintained, "I'll be fine."

How sweet. You're so selfless, it's heartwarming.

Hali had only one last idea, that was worth a try. She plunged Xavier's head beneath the icy waves, and delivered to him, the Mermaid's Kiss. Perhaps, her magic was strong enough to override whatever was going on with him, at the moment. With one desperate attempt, Hali released every last ounce of her magic into that kiss. She needed Xavier to come home with her alive.

You want to be a merman so badly, Xavier, than so be it. You'll have what you wish for.

When their lips, finally parted, Hali smiled. She was staring at Xavier's face, and he appeared to be perfectly healthy. Her plan worked.

"Are you going to tell me the truth, now, Xavier?" Hali asked more seriously.

"It's better if you don't know."

"Xavier!"

Merrick sighed, "Hali, we can't waste time on this now. You healed him. He's fine, now. let's go."

"Fine," Hali answered, looking sadly at Xavier, "you're right, Merrick. Let's go."

And so, one by one, each member of the group, again dived beneath the waves. Hali believed that whatever she did, had saved Xavier's life, but Xavier knew otherwise. What had iltih done to him now?