Hello land people and mers alike! Had to make that joke at some point. Welcome to then next chapter of Above and Below Surface! So, fun fact: this story has taken a massive toll in my head and you may actually have about 20 more chapters coming your way. That fact makes this the longest fanfiction I have ever taken on. Or, it could be shorter than that and this won't be that long. We'll find out together, won't we? Anyways, this chapter is a little shorter, but this is all relevant so pay attention! I hope you're all having as great as a summer as I am, and I'll see you next time! Remember, Review!

All Zen could taste was salt. All he could see was a nightmarish blue, almost black. Bubbles ran across his skin, his clothes were powerfully ripped back and forth across his body. Air was something few and far between, and it came with a mouthful of fresh water from the furious sky. The ocean battered at him from all angles. His arms felt like lead, his legs were barely responding to his commands. Or, not his commands. The Sea's commands. He heard her voice, calling out to his heart and soul. No matter what pain his body was in, he absolutely had to let his heart find her.

Shirayuki woke in the embrace of the sea. That was how it usually was, but this time she was actually being held. She could move her fin, but she wasn't going anywhere. The water felt heavier around her torso. It wasn't a trapped feeling, it was like a hug. She sighed in content, because for some reason it made the sickness feel a little better.

"Are you awake?" A familiar voice asked.

Shirayuki opened her eyes and stared up at the golden eyes of the Sharkman, Obi. His pale skin was illuminated by the dancing reflection of sunlight on water. That was what woke her. How could there be sunlight on the water, if behind obi there was a cave roof?

She tried to sit up and found she couldn't. Her hands pressed down on a soft moss bed, and her scales brushed against the spongy floor. "Where-Where am I?" She asked Obi.

"Still underwater." Obi promised. He lifted his tail and swam above her to her other side to demonstrate. She watched the light dance over his shark tail and over the wickedly sharp blade of his weapon.

Shirayuki lifted her arms with no amount of small effort. Her hands brushed against smooth stone. She was lying in some sort of circle, just big enough to fit her. She turned her head and her eye ducked under what looked and felt like an extra surface. It was like she was lying in another form of water that refused to mix with the usual salt. It was a lighter blue, brighter than even the sky. Lights danced all around her, dipping in and out of the water like small water snakes. One whipped through her red locks and she felt the tingle on her scalp. "What-What is this, then?"

"This is called The Bed of Light. It is a gift to the royal family from the Sea." Obi explained, looking out towards something Shirayuki couldn't look up to see.

"The Royal Family?" Shirayuki repeated. The Royal Family was not her favorite group of mers. They ruled the oceans. They had come to power after Atlantis sunk according to legend, although there's no need for them now. As far as Shirayuki and a good amount of other mers were concerned, the only ruler of the Sea was the Sea herself. But the family remained in power. They used their military force, riches, and fear to keep their self-proclaimed crowns.

"Yes." Obi said patiently. "The Bed of Light is a healing spring that can halt death." He met her eyes and a chill ran through Shirayuki. "You're right on the brink right now. You have to stay here. If you leave this bed for even a moment, you will die."

"But what about Zen? Didn't we have to go to him?"

Obi nodded. "We do. But you can't survive the journey. I'll go and bring him here, to us."

"How will he breathe?"

Obi switched his spear from one hand to the other. "The Sea will bless him. Now, stay here. Try to rest." Obi turned then halted. His lips pursed then he straightened his spear. "Hello, you're Majesties." He greeted.

Shirayuki tried to lift her head. She just barely got a glimpse of the gleaming gold crown on a shock of smooth gray hair before she felt faint and lied back again.

"Sharkman. What is the meaning of this? Who is this women?"

"This is Shirayuki. By order of the Sea she is to remain here until I come and receive her." Obi's voice was carefully neutral. He looked relaxed but almost bored.

"Now see here, this is ours to give and take." The voice was hard and rough, accented in a way that oozed luxury.

Obi's nostrils flared and he slammed the butt of his staff on the ground. It was hard enough that Shirayuki could feel it through the soft moss she was lying on. "The Sea has told you before. You are allowed to call yourself King and Queen only as long as you obey Her. If you refuse this girl her right, the Sea will easily destroy your castle and your history."

Shirayuki could almost sense the King's anger. But he said; "I spoke out of surprise. Please, go about your business. I wish you well."

Obi pointed a long finger in the direction of the King. "You will not touch Shirayuki. Leave her be, and go back to your castle. The Sea is always watching." With that, Obi nodded grimly at Shirayuki and launched through the water, his tail whipping him forward.

Shirayuki let out a soft sigh as a line of light ran its way through the small bit of water over her throat. It sent the surface rippling and Shirayuki felt a cool touch over her throat as it passed. Her eyelids felt heavy, but she looked up as the King and Queen looked down at her with frowns. The King was a burly man, his long gray hair pinned back by a starfish clamp. His tail was a dulled blue with silver lines around the edge of his fins. He's face seemed stuck in a permanent snarl, and he had facial hair only just long enough to be considered a beard. He frowned at her, deep blue eyes darkened. "I didn't realize this would be part of the plan." He grumbled.

"Oh, hush. It's only temporary." Shirayuki lazily turned her head to see who else was speaking, and the women immediately pursed her cracked lips and leaned back a bit with a glance at her. Her eyes were a light purple, matching with her tail. She had shades of blue on her fin as she lashed it in warning to the King. On her long red hair sat a silver tiara. The Queen, then.

Shirayuki waited for them to keep speaking, but they both seemed to want to wait until she passed out. Normally Shirayuki probably would have cursed at them or scowled, but as another bead of light gently traced over her ear, she found she just couldn't muster the energy. Her eyes closed, and she watched the light dance above her eyelids before she fell into a deep slumber.

Zen was suddenly wrenched away from the rocking surface and deeper into the water. He was pulled from the lull of the waves and away from air. He gurgled in protest and strained forward, but someone had a vice grip on his arm. He looked down and barely registered golden eyes. He fought again. He had to get to the voice. She was calling to him, he needed to be there. But his bodily functions compelled him to at least swim through the waves, so that he could give his lungs the air he so desperately needed.

But then the grip pulled him down deeper and Zen let out his last bit of air in shock and surprise. He saw spots. He looked up just in time to see the ocean dip. Inwardly, it pushed down against the water, forcibly parting it as it raced down. Zen, delusional with the lack of oxygen affecting his brain reached his free hand up. He believed the voice was giving him a way to breathe, a way to continue on so he may find her.

His fingers broke the surface, and air slipped down his hand. It felt like someone was tracing a ribbon around his skin as it moved down to his shoulder, then opened even farther to wrap around his head. He coughed and gagged desperately as the air overtook him, then took a massive inhale. He turned his head to see golden eyes glaring at him. He grinned drunkenly as his eyes rolled back into his head and the darkness wrapped its comforting arms around him.