Bubbles floated up in lazy circles through the crystal blue ocean. Everything seemed peaceful, the clownfish hiding in the sea anemone, the schools of brightly colored fish hurrying too and fro, avoiding the emerald seaweed which whipped back and forth as if hoping to ensnare some unlucky sea life in its clutches.
Nereus gripped his side as pain coursed through his body, struggling to push himself through the waters. Every flick of his tail made the wounds in his back and side push shooting pain through his body.
He knew that he should not have left Seraphina's care so soon, but he had had no choice, his family needed him, and that was that. He could not allow his family to think that they had lost two sons in as many days.
"Need, to, get, home." Nereus spoke quietly to himself, trying to spur himself on. "Need to be with Tressa. And mother and father."
His body convulsed and Nereus curled up into a ball, sinking down to the ocean's floor, the prince's breath came in shallow gasps as he tried to find the strength to go on. His hands sunk in the white sand as he pushed himself up, flicking his powerful tail to propel himself forward.
"Must get home," He murmured, "Must get home."
"Nereus!" Three high pitched voices grabbed his attention and he turned around with a weary smile.
"Selkies!" He exclaimed, glad to see the silly, happy creatures swimming towards him.
"You're alive!" The guardian of the Andross gate exclaimed, hugging his shoulder with her tiny body.
"If he say so," He joked, earning a small laugh from the three guardians.
His vision grew blurry and the prince covered his face with his hands, trying desperately to remain conscious. Groaning, Nereus's body collapsed and he floated down to the ocean floor, raising a puff of sand as he hit the ground.
"Nereus!" The three selkies swam after him and the guardian of the Domino gate checked the prince's pulse before turning back to the guardian of Andross. "Go! Get help! Tell king Neptune what has happened!"
"Right away!" The selkie exclaimed before swimming off in a flurry of bubbles.
Darkness covered Nereous like a cloak, blocking out all light, sight, and sound. He didn't know how long he had been laying unconscious when words began to reach him.
Nereus. The word floated in the prince's ears like words from a forgotten dream. "Nereus!" His name was called again, and this time he realized that someone was shaking him, trying to get him to wake up.
Groaning, he blinked his eyes open, staring into the faces of his sister and cousin.
Seeing his eyes open, Tressa exclaimed, "Nereus! You're alive!"
"Tressa." Nereus reached forward hesitantly towards his sister, as if doubting that she was real.
Bursting into tears, she wrapped her arms around her brother, crying hysterically. "I thought I had lost both of my brothers!" She cried.
"Don't worry my little starfish," He mumbled, using his childhood name for her, "It takes more than a weak strike from Trittanus to kill me."
The princess laughed, a little too hysterically, and Nereus turned to his cousin. Laying his gentle hand against Aisha's cheek. he mumbled, "Oh beautiful cousin, how glad I am that you are alright."
"I am now," Aisha swiped at her eyes as her tears floated around her, "Now that we found you." Letting the tears flow freely, she wrapped her arms around her two cousins.
Wiping the tears from their eyes, the two princesses pulled Nereus's arms over their shoulders and swam off with him supported between them.
It took almost twenty minutes to reach the palace. Nereus wasn't much help and the girls had to fully support him most of the time while he faded in and out of consciousness.
As soon as they came in sight of the royal city, mermen and mermaids alike rushed them- instantly recognizing the figure the two princesses supported between them.
"Allow us Your Highnesses," Two mermen bowed to the princesses before taking Nereus-who was now fully unconscious- out of their arms.
"Thanks," Aisha groaned, rubbing her shoulder.
Nodding, the two mermen rushed off with the prince.
Tressa stared after them, crying silently.
"He'll be alright." A mermaid wrapped her arm around the princess.
"How do you know?" Tressa mumbled, flicking her tail in worry.
Pausing, the mermaid stared after the retreating figures who carried the prince, "I don't."