Chapter 6: Transformation (Pearl POV)

I stared at the bottle clutched in my trembling hands, and began to wonder… I began to wonder about all of the amazing things that would be taking place very shortly-- that is, if I chose to drain its contents, and sacrifice my old life forever. Staring into its contents, I felt uneasy-- after all, Morgana had been right. The magic was irreversible, and if-- heaven forbid, anything happen to prevent me from winning Erik's love, I would no doubt perish. And all the same, the slight possibility that my dreams could become reality was more than enough to keep me keen on the idea of the risks involved.

It was nearing evening, and I was getting ready to leave for good. I had decided to leave just before sunrise; it was easier that way, and the risks of being caught on my way out of the city limits were much more limited that way, and I would not have to say goodbye to all the people I loved here, and would almost regret leaving behind. After all, how could I possibly explain to them that conflict of emotions I was feeling constantly now? I would be scorned-- ridiculed-- mocked. I would be made an outcast, just like the sea witch whose cave I had entered not even six hours before, and above all, I did not want for something like that to befall me. All I wanted was the chance to be with Erik, and to love him freely, and be loved as well.

I felt a deep sigh escape from me, as I looked around my bedroom; I would never see it again. Nor would I see my father or my sisters. But, it didn't matter anymore… I was leaving, and nothing could stop me now. I had decided to travel light; I would leave all of my treasures behind-- all of my worldly possessions except a locket my father had given me… Other than that, I didn't give a damn about anything else here. It would be sad to be without the things that had made me a princess, and had proclaimed my status, but where I was headed, my status would no longer exist, and I wouldn't be treated as such. I looked into the mirror that hung above my bureau one final time before leaving, and then began the long journey towards the surface, made even longer this time by the extra load of the heavy bottle I held in my hand-- it seemed to grow heavier and heavier as I neared the surface; almost as if threatening to drag me back into the depths of the cold ocean… but I would not relent to an inanimate object.

Soon, my head had broken free of the blue waters, and I looked up towards the sky, and the rapidly rising sun. I had made it on time; I could tell for the horizon was thinning already, and I could just make out the small outline of the stretch of land where Erik lived. This is it, I realized, staring wildly around me as if worried that someone had been alerted to my escape, and would try their best to take me back to the bottom of the ocean, One life ends for another to begin, I realized, and instantly raised the bottle high above me, questioning everything about my rash decisions… But then, having made up my mind, I quickly uncorked the bottle, raised it to my lips, and allowed the freezing cold magic substance into my mouth; I drained it all in a single gulp, and nearly vomited from the intense flavor. I shuddered instead; it tasted awful-- like blood mingled with shells and salt.

To my surprise, I felt the change almost instantly, and screamed out in pain. It felt as if my entire body was being ripped in half; my silver tail became a pair of webbed feet, and then split down the middle to form a pair of legs. The webbed toes became normal human toes, and the pain began to disappear, although my head was pounding from the rapid transformation. I took in a gulp of air-- my first breath of mortal air, I realized, smiling despite the strange experience that had just taken place, and then I began swimming towards the beach; it was extremely hard work for me as I was not yet used to my 'land-legs.' I instantly began to panic when I realized how very far away I was from the shoreline; I couldn't even see Erik's home. Swimming became more and more difficult, as the tide began to rise rapidly around me; almost as if doing so just to make my job even harder. I did not know what to do; I had never been out of the ocean after the tide had become so fierce.

I felt my legs becoming weaker and weaker from the strain of swimming, but I refused to give up. After all, I had not come this far only to perish among the waves. I had not traded everything I had ever held dear just for a pair of human legs only to die before I could even get any real use out of them. I continued to scream for help, feeling more isolated and alone than I ever had before back home, but no one could hear me. I was so very foolish to have done this, I thought, panicked, I should have been closer to the shore before drinking the potion… Now, no one can save me. Why didn't I heed the advice of the Sea Witch? A new voice answered: Because you are in love.

LOVE-- it all came back to this so easily. I had risked everything, only to die for love! The tide became steadily worse, and I felt myself being thrown hither and thither just like a rag-doll I had once seen a human girl lose in the waves. I felt my head being plunged back under, and I instantly swallowed sea-water. It no longer tasted delicious and refreshing now that I was a mortal with weak mortal lungs…