I was able to finish this chapter, and there were be some spoilers.
Chapter 31: The Truth
"And that's how you got here." Astrid explains to Mira.
They were still on the sea rocks with the Tidal Class Dragons, who were sleeping after Mira's song, and Astrid, Kishi, and Gothi explains to her about what happened. Well, Gothi writes on the dirt while Astrid and Kishi explains to Mira. The dragons were sleeping soundly, except for Sapphire, Karma, Warfire, Mira's and Sapphire's brothers, and Rose, there were still awake and keeping the others company. Mira was still trying to understand what just happened, they said that she's a mermaid and she turns into one when the full moon rises. It was amazing yet shocking at the same time due to the fact that she didn't know about this until now. But here she is, as a mermaid, with sea dragons plus her friends, family, and dragons. She was still in shock of finding out about this, and wonders why she is a mermaid. She told them that she never known this until today. Kishi believes that maybe her parents linage have the mermaid ability. But sadly, Mira barely knows her family linage. Her dad, Ian, was an orphan. Mira's grandparents died together from a landslide when they were going to a neighborhood village and her dad was still a teen. And her mom, Krista...Mira doesn't even known her grandparents from her mother side.
"You never knew your mother's parents?" Astrid asked Mira in surprise.
"Not even a little. My mom said she will tell me when I turned sixteen, but she didn't get a chance." Mira said sadly, earning a gentle nuzzle from Sapphire.
"There's got to be a reason why you are a mermaid." Kishi said.
"I'll be the one to answer that." A calm voice said.
Everyone, plus the dragons who woke up by the new voice, quickly turns around and saw a mermaid like Mira, but she's an adult. She has long snow white hair and eyes, along with her tail. Her skin is pale and a wise look on her eyes. She was few feet away from them, and yet, with her presence, they could sense strong aura on her. The dragons quickly recognized her as Kolga. She is the mermaid goddess of ice and snow. All beings must respect her, if not, then they will suffer her icy wrath. Kolga swims towards them, Astrid, Kishi, and Gothi bowed to her, Kolga's tale is known to all. Kolga raised her hand, signaling them to stop.
"There is no need for that." Kolga said to them gently as she made her way to them. She looks at Mira, who was looking at her in shock and wonder. "Mira, we've been waiting for you." She said.
Mira was shock and startled by this. "How do you know my name?"
"Because I knew your mother." Kolga answered, causing Mira to gasps in shock. Kolga looks around before gesturing them. "It's not safe here to speak, come with me." She said as she took out a pure white clam-shell and opens it to reveal lots of small pearls. "Eat these, they will help you breathe underwater."
The pearls magically flies off the shell and towards the humans and the dragons that are fire breathers. They ate the pearls. Kolga looks at Tidal Class Dragons, she made hand gesture of dismiss, and they swam away. She then gestured the others to follow as she dives in the water. Astrid gets on Stormfly and helps Gothi up. Kishi turns into Mors and the J Twins got of Sapphire. Everyone dives in the water, ignoring the coldness, as they follow Kolga. It felt weird breathing underwater, but it was amazing to do so. Lavender whimpers as she clings on Scourge, who gave her comforting croons. They followed Kolga to a hidden cave, she enters it and they followed her. Kolga resurfaces and they soon join her, but soon became shock when they found out that they were inside a hidden cove, filled with a glowing chandelier like crystals on the ceiling and walls, a beautiful garden of rare and exotic plants and beautiful flowers, and a big waterfall.
They awed at the scene before noticing Kolga sitting on top of a rock. She wasn't alone, there were other mermaids too. They were eight mermaids there, Duva, Blódughadda, Hrönn, Hevring, Bylgja, Bara, Unn, and Himinglava. Everyone was shock to see the mermaid goddesses.
"Please, make yourself comfortable." Kolga said, gesturing the grassy area of the cove.
They did as they were told and went to the grassy land. The dragons rested themselves on the grass while Astrid helps Mira up as she sits on the land. As they were comfortable, Kolga looks at them, mostly at Mira, who was nervous about this.
"I believe you have many questions in your mind." Kolga spoke.
Mira looks at her nervously and nodded. "Y-Yes...how am I a mermaid."
Kolga looks at her sisters, they knew they have to tell her. So, with a nod, Kolga turns towards Mira and the others. "The reason why you are a mermaid because of your mother." She said. This cause the gang to gasp, so it was Mira's mother who has the mermaid ability.
"So, it was my mother." Mira whispers in shock.
"Indeed." Kolga said. "Your mother kept it a secret until you are ready."
"But...why didn't she told me sooner?"
Duva answered for Kolga. "Oh, Mira. You were still so young. Your mother wanted to give you a normal human life." She explains before looking at the J twins and Betty. "Along with your siblings."
"So...Mom wants us to live a happy life?" Joe asked.
The mermaids nodded. "Yes, your mother wanted to give all human lives, not a life of a mermaid or merman." Duva answered.
"Then why didn't want to tell us about our heritage?" Jon asked.
"Your mother wanted what's best for you, all of you." Blódughadda spoke. "She never wanted to in danger you all."
"In danger? What do you mean?" Mira asked worriedly.
"There are beings out there, hunting mermaids and merman for their tails and souls." Kolga explains.
"Souls?" Everyone asked in shock.
"Why do they want the souls?" Kishi asked.
Bylgja answered to them. "The Soul of the Mermaids and Merman are like a nectar to the dragons."
"What?" Mira asked almost scared.
"Indeed. The mermaid's soul attracts many dragons, and that soul is made of pure energy that lures the dragons. Your mother never wanted that." Kolga explains.
"Mom was protecting us." Mira said in shock. "She knew that if we live as mermaids, hunters will go after us."
"She did it out of love." Astrid said to Mira. "Your mom was protecting you from danger."
Mira looks at her tail sadly. She never knew that being a mermaid could be so dangerous, there were hunters that harms mermaids. Her mom feared for her and her siblings life. Mira looks at the nine mermaids, she has more questions in her mind.
"How do you know my mother?" She asked.
"Your mother used to live at the Norse Region before she left to the south. There, she has you and your siblings." Kolga explains.
"Wait, Mira's mom used to live here?" Astrid asked in shock.
"Yes, the dragons would gather around her, because she is the mermaid of dragons." Blódughadda explains, looking at Mira softly.
"So that's why the dragons would go near her." Astrid looks at Mira in shock. "They knew that you are the daughter of dragon mermaid."
Mira was shock to hear that. She always know her mother was hiding secrets, but this secret was huge. The nine mermaids knew that their guests were shock to hear that information. Kolga soon explains to them that because of Mira's mother having a special bond with the dragons, their were cruel people who would try and find her, and use her to lure the dragons to them. Sadly for them, Mira's mother escaped and fled to the south where she had a human form and human husband. There, she has her children, to grow up as humans. Upon her death, her mermaid heritage was bestowed on Mira and her siblings, and will be activated if they were able to unlock their magic. Mira's full mermaid was unlocked when she turned sixteen, and with the full moon and nine mermaids, they helped Mira unlocked her mermaid self.
"And that is why in every full moon, you go out in a hypnotic trance, and swim with the dragons." Blódughadda was the one who explains the rest. "It helps you control your mermaid self."
"That explains why you keep disappearing every full moon." Kishi added.
"Yes, but since Mira broke her trance, she is stuck in her mermaid for permanently." Kolga said.
"What?!" Mira, Astrid, and Kishi exclaims in shock.
Gothi was shock to hear about this too. She couldn't speak, but her face shows it all. The dragons were shock as well. They knew how mermaids are voluble for them, but if a greedy humans find one mermaid, they worried for Mira's life.
"I'm stuck as a mermaid, forever?!" Mira almost panicked as Astrid comforts her.
"Not forever." Kolga said as she looks at Hrönn and nodded.
Hrönn jumps in the water and swims over to Mira. She came in front of her and took out a necklace, decorated with pearls and on the center is sapphire gem on it.
"This necklace will help you turn to a human and mermaid." Hrönn explains as she gives the necklace to Mira. Astrid helps Mira put it on. The necklace fits perfectly before it glows and soon stops.
"The necklace will make sure to hide your mermaid identity." Hrönn explains. "However, if you got wet and you are not wearing your necklace, it will activate your mermaid form."
"I understand." Mira said as she looks at the necklace with a small smile on her face before realizing something. She looks at the mermaids again and asked. "Wait! I have another question."
"And what is that?" Himinglava asked.
"When I was sick, I had this strange dream. I was a little girl with my mother, Krista, and a man that isn't my father, Ian. What does it mean?" Mira asked them, but it sounds like a beg.
The nine sisters looked at each other worriedly. They can't tell her who he is, they fear for her life and her siblings. Yet, Mira wanted answers of him, and they will regret it if they don't tell her.
"We have to tell her." Himinglava whispers to them.
The sisters have no choice, but to agree. They all turn to Mira and her friends, and Kolga answered for Mira. "The man in your dream...is your birth father."
"My birth father?!" Mira exclaims in shock.
"Her birth father?!" Kishi and Astrid soon joins in shock.
The nine sisters nodded at them as Kolga explains to them. "Yes, he is your and your siblings birth father."
Mira almost stuttered. "B-But then Ian is..."
"Your stepfather." Kolga answered.
Mira was shock to hear that information. Ian was actually her stepfather, and her birth father was who knows where. And yet, how come she just remembered him now.
"If Ian's my stepdad, where's my birth father?" Mira asked.
"Your father's location is unknown." Hevring answered. "But it was for the best."
"What do you mean?" Joe asked, curious about his birth father along with his twin.
"For you see, your father was the reason why your mother left this region." Blódughadda explains almost sounding angrily.
This caught the attention of the others. Blódughadda explains to them that Mira's and her sibling's father used to be their mother's, aka Krista's, first husband. At first, he was a loving man and wonderful husband/father. Until they learn the truth, that he was going to use them to lure dragons and sell them to the highest bidder. Mira and everyone were shock to hear that. So, the birth father of Mira's and her siblings' was going to sell them and their mother. Yet, in Mira's dream, their birth father loves her and her mother, even though she can't see his face, she could feel that he has no ill intention to sell her, her mother, or her siblings.
"And that is why we made sure that your father never find you and your siblings."
Mira was still shock by this. Her father, her real father, was the reason why her mother left her home to live on the south with her stepfather, Ian. Yet in her heart, that's not the truth. Her father looked like he really loved her and her mother. The way he shows his love and embrace...there's no sign of him wanting to sell them off.
"A-Are you sure?" Mira hesitantly asked, causing the mermaids to look at her. "Are you sure that he wanted to sell us?"
"Mira, we know what that man is and what he will do for gold." Blódughadda said seriously.
"But in my dreams, he looked like he loved us." Mira said, as if she was defending her birth father.
This surprise the others, mostly Astrid. She always thought Mira was the shy and friendly type. And now, she's showing some back bone, ata girl. But Blódughadda didn't want Mira to believe that her birth father was a good man.
"He is not what you think he is, he wasn't fit to be your and your siblings' father." Blódughadda said seriously.
"Why?" Joe and Jon joins in. They too wanted to know about their dad, their real dad. They view Ian as their dad, but never felt that connected to him. They see him more as a father figure, but not a real father. They wanted to know about their real dad. Kolga, Duva, Blódughadda, Hrönn, Hevring, Bylgja, Bara, Unn, and Himinglava were not sure if they should tell them.
"We can't tell you everything." Kolga said.
"Why? Why can't you tell us about our father and how do you know my mother so well." Mira asked, almost in a demanding tone.
Before Blódughadda could speak, Kolga stops her. She gave Blódughadda the look, saying they have the right to know everything. Blódughadda wanted to object, but her other sisters had to agree to tell Mira and her brothers the truth.
"The reason why we know this, is because your mother is our sister." Kolga answered.
This caused everyone to be even more shock. How can this be? Everyone knows the legend and stories of the Daughters of Aegir were only nine, not ten. Kolga explains to them that Krista's real name was Kelda. Kelda was kept a secret from the world. They made sure that no mortals would find out. The gods and goddesses know about Kelda's existence. Kelda was a kind hearted mermaid, always helping those in need. But she's also the very vulnerable one. Her sisters made sure to keep a close eye on her, until it all change when she disappeared one night. No one knew what happened, because she went out for a swim, but Thor accidentally made a storm when he was fighting some Frost Giants. Kelda was missing for years until they were able to find her with a husband and three children. Their birth father found their mother washed up on his island and he took care of her. Soon, Kelda fell in love and had her children. Mira, who was a toddler, and her infant sons, Joe and Jon. Kelda lived a happy life, until her sisters discovered that her husband was a dragon hunter, and they thought he was going to use Kelda and her children to lure the dragons to him. Fearing for her and her children's life, Kelda's sisters used their magic to help her escape. And Kolga was the one who erased Mira's memories. Mira was shocked by this, the nine mermaids before her were actually her aunts!
She doesn't know if she should be happy to finally to meet them or be angry at them for not telling her sooner and for erasing her memories. And yet, she wonders why her mother lived at the south?
"But...why did she went to the south and not with you all?" Mira asked her aunts.
They all looked down sadly and Unn answered for her. "Your mother was losing her magic. She could no longer live with us or be immortal."
"She was turning human." Kishi answered to them.
Unn nodded. "Yes, there was no other way to keep Kelda and her children safe. So, we have no choice, but to take her to the south, where you all can be safe." She added. "Soon, Kelda changed her name to Krista to start a new life. And she fell in loved with your stepfather, Ian."
Himinglava steps in as she looks at her niece and nephews with a sad smile. "Your mother bonded with Ian. Your mother soon had Betty, but Betty wasn't Ian's child, she was your birth father's. For you see, Ian was sterile, meaning he can't have children's with Kelda. Yet, he didn't mind, he loves you all, and didn't tell you that he wasn't your real father."
"And making them believe that Ian was their birth father." Astrid said sadly as she pats Mira's back.
"Indeed, but your father caught a rare illness, and since Kelda bonded with him, she too caught his illness. They both died together, and we knew that for your safety, we had to make sure that you activate your mermaid powers to defend yourself." Kolga explains before looking at Mira. "And yet, you somehow were able to remember your true father, proving that your magic surpass us in a young age that we didn't even notice."
"Until now." Blódughadda added.
"You see, Mira, your magic hid your real memories away before Kolga could erase it. It must've been dormant inside of your mind for so long until it was ready to resurface." Duva stated sadly.
Mira and her friends were shock to hear that information. All this time, her aunts were hiding her and her siblings from their father who was a dragon hunter. She doesn't know if she should be angry at them, but in her heart, she can't be angry at them nor hate them. They did this because they were protecting her and her family. Mira stayed silence for a while until her brothers went to her and hugs their big sister, surprising her in the process.
"Don't be mad at them, Mira." Joe whispers to his sister.
"Yeah, they were just protecting us." Jon agreed.
They hold their big sister tightly as she slowly started to cry, feeling that her brothers were going to cry too if she gets angry at her aunts. But she didn't, she decided to forgive them for what they did. Mira looks at her aunts, while her brothers continued hugging her and looked at their aunts, and said to them gently.
"I'm not angry at any of you." Mira said as she looks at them, "All of you did what you thought was best for me and my siblings. And I am grateful for that."
Mira's aunts were shock to hear that, yet they were happy to hear Mira said that. They knew that she is happy to know that she has a family.
"Thank you, Mira." Kolga said. with a small smile "All of you must return now, the sun is almost risen."
They nodded, but before they could jump in the water, Joe and Jon asked to their aunts. "Can we call you Aunties if we get to see you all again?"
This earn a smile on the mermaids' faces. They agreed that they can call them that, but they and the others should not tell their friends about them, until it was time. So, they all got in the water and headed out to the surface, but not after they Mira and her brothers gave their goodbyes to their aunts by hugging them. When they reach to the surface, Mira uses the necklace to turn herself human again, and got on Sapphire. They and the others went home while waving goodbye to the mermaids, who waved back as they dived back on the water. As they flied home, Stormfly flew besides Sapphire with Astrid and Gothi on her back.
"You didn't ask about your birth father's name, why is that?" Astrid asked Mira curiously.
Mira shook her head as she looks at Astrid. "It's probably the best for me and my brothers to not know him yet, until we are ready, and Astrid...thanks for being their for me." Mira said with a smile and Astrid smiles back. They all flew back to Berk before the sun rises, they need all the rest they could get for tomorrow's training.
On a land far from the archipelago, there was island that was unknown to the Riders. And that island has many dragons, trapped on cages or chained up. There were men wearing dragon skin like armors and masks, guarding the trapped dragons, making sure they won't escape. And some were forging weapons and reinforcing the traps. There was even huge ships that was unloading trap dragons in them, ready to be caged or chained up. The men that were doing this are dragon hunters, but they are more skilled then any dragon hunters. They have a strong leader that strikes fear into the hearts of their enemies, but no should know him yet. These hunters are following the second in charge, and the leader's right hand man.
Speaking of a which, the leader's right hand man was inside a big tent, sitting on a makeshift bed. The man was tall, and rather thin, but has a muscular upper body. He wears a dark green tunic with a red snakeskin-like shirt with light red outline that resemble like a chestplate, silver bracers on both his arms, light tan pants with a belt buckle with a symbol of a Monstrous Nightmare's head was beneath a sword, a blue hooded cloak with a pin that has the same symbol, and silvery blue boots. His hair is black like ashes along with his goatee, his skin is an olive toned color, and his eyes are brown. However, his appearance was quite intimidating due to the scar that was over his right eye. His facial expression shows a scowl on his face, yet his eyes shows a hint of sadness as he looked at the object on his hands.
On his hands was a Gronckle Iron dagger. It was curved and the hilt was made of silver. It was a perfect balance on his hands, yet this dagger brought painful memories. He made this dagger for someone that he loved and treasured the most, and soon lost. Then one of his men came in, pushing the tent's flpa gently, and looked at the man.
"Krogan, the ships are ready to take off." He said.
The man named Krogan lifts his head up and slightly turn his head to the man. "I will be there soon." He informs him coldly.
The man nodded and left without questioning. Krogan puts the dagger back on it holster before he stood up and walked over to a table. On top of the table was a wooden box. It was small and yet it has a lock. Krogan brought out a silver key and uses it to unlock the box. He opens it to reveal a necklace that has a silver string with a aquamarine gem attached to it. And under it was a paper. He gently place the dagger in the box before taking out the paper. The paper has drawings of a woman, holding two twin sons, and holding her dress was a little girl. The picture was the most precious thing he had, it was the picture of his family. Krogan stared at the picture, this picture shows his beautiful wife, his twin sons, and his precious daughter. They were his happiness until they were taken away from him. The only thing he has left of them was the picture, a necklace, and the dagger.
The necklace was a gift for his beloved wife, to show his love to her, and remembering how he propose to her. And the dagger, the dagger he made was for his little girl. He knew one day she will be a great fighter in the future, so he crafted a special dagger for her, teaching her how to defend herself. He would remember his wife worried about them getting hurt because of the training, but no one got hurt. He never forget his first training with his daughter, it was the memory that her cherish. And soon, his sons came to the world, his sons will carry out his name, and they will be strong warriors in the future. He will train them and their sister to be great warriors one day, but he cannot, after he lost them. Krogan took a deep breathe and exhales, releasing his stress and anger. He looks at the picture one last time before putting it back on the box and shutting it. He strokes the box before closing his eyes.
"Kelda, I wish you are here with Miranda, Joel and Jonah." Krogan thought softly before opening his eyes.
He turns away from the box and walks out of the tent before putting on his hood. He pushes the tent flap and walked out, letting the tent flap closed by itself.
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