мαяιαηα'ѕ ρσν
Sunlight peaked through my eyelids, and I silently wondered why the sunlight was so bold. Down in the ocean, sunlight isn't very bright unless you swim closer to the surface. Multiple images swarmed through my head, and I suddenly remembered last night. Last night, I was swimming through the ocean and singing small lullabies per usual, until my father- the king of the sea, stopped me. My father had told me that my frequent surface visits had to stop because humans had started to take sight of me. I refused, and told him that my surface visits would never stop because I'm infatuated with observing the surface along with the humans that had mysterious powers. I learned that there was magicians, king vessels, and even humans called "Magi" that are loved by the Ruhk. I had always assumed only mermaids like myself could wield power but I was incorrect with my thoughts. My father grew angry with me, and he exiled me from the ocean; I started to swim to the surface, and a large storm brew and knocked me unconscious.
I remember feeling the texture of a human male's olive skin, and seeing his face- just for a moment. The human male looked wealthy, and royal, much like myself. He had long purple hair that was contained in a low ponytail, along with a pair of blazing golden eyes. His skin tone was olive, and it was evenly tanned. The man's strength radiated from him, and white and black Ruhk fluttered near him in a loving manner. The man wasn't a magician nor regular human, I could sense he was a King Vessel. Multiple jewelry decorated his body, and some were his vessels that held his Dijinn. I remember his muscular body carrying my own, and he was holding me with ease. Just exactly who is he?
Fluttering my eyes open, I was face-to-face with the mysterious man from last night. My cheeks blushed a bright red, and before behaving rashly, I looked around. I was in some large room, and the room was decorated very exquisitely. The bed we resided on was plush and comfortable, and the finest silk was over our bodies. The man's hair was free from his ponytail, and his mouth was slightly opened as he made quiet snores. Sitting upward, I was in initial shock at the sight; why are human legs attached to me? I rubbed my new-found legs, the smooth texture surprised me. They weren't scaly and firm like my tail, but silky soft. My legs seemed to match the same coloration of the rest of my body, which is a tan caramel color. What struck me as odd was the expensive clothes that adorned my body. I have never transformed into a human before, so perhaps I transformed with clothes on?
Feeling my neck, I realized my gills were still there, thankfully. The scales that covered my breasts, arms, and stomach vanished and they were replaced with human skin. I brushed my hand through my hair, and sighed heavily. I want to return back to my home, the sea; I am a stranger to these humans. I am not considered a magician nor king vessel, I harbor abilities that resemble the Fanalis tribe. I am a pure blood mermaid, birthed from powerful and royal lineage. My royal lineage goes back to around hundred years ago, where the world was much more simple. Only a few mermaids resided in the ocean- the Al Sharqui family. They had a small-knit tribe that was known as the Oceanus Syreni. They dubbed the mermaids as Syreni, they harbored powers that could destroy anything and everything. The basic Syreni powers are manipulation of water, and a beautiful voice that lures people to their death. These are basic powers, and with time Syreni can develop more if the Ruhk favor them. The Ruhk help supply these powers, but only by a bit. The Syreni use their own body energy to generate their power, but the Ruhk help advance and perfect their skills.
I am a modern day Syreni, with the powers of water manipulation, cryokinesis (ability to freeze water and manipulate ice), Pyrokinesis (ability to heat water and manipulate fire), and sound manipulation that enables me to sing haunting lullabies to lure people to their death. The white Ruhk surround me often, which I am grateful for. I've been told the white Ruhk flock around me because of my pure heart and intentions. My ears suddenly perked when I heard a grunt, and I looked to see the man squirming in his covers. He leaned upwards, and rubbed his eyes slowly and stared at me. I blushed slightly under his gaze, and he smiled suddenly.
"W-Who are you?" I stuttered shyly, and I picked at my fingernails nervously.
"Sinbad, King of Sindria. I saw you unconscious on the shoreline, so I brought you to my palace." Sinbad explained, a small smile gracing his lips. His eyes were welcoming and friendly.
"Thank you, I'm Mariana, princess of the ocean. I was on the shoreline because a storm knocked me unconscious." I replied, losing my nervousness after realizing he's a genuinely nice man. He's a king too, what are the odds?
Sinbad grabbed my hand, and he placed a kiss upon it. I blushed slightly, and he released it.
"Pleasure to meet you, princess." Sinbad spoke, his voice sultry. Is this man courting me? I've been courted before in the ocean, but usually the mermen just give me gifts and ask my parents for permission to betroth me. Humans are weird creatures, I've heard that they charm others with no intention of romance. Perhaps Sinbad is just naturally charming?
"Pleasure to meet you too, your highness." I replied.
"You can just call me Sinbad." Sinbad said politely, and I nodded my head.
"Okay, and you can call me Mariana!" I said enthusiastically. Sinbad looked slightly amused by my reaction, and I blushed in embarrassment. I can't help but be excited, Sinbad is my first human friend!
"It's 8:02AM, care for some breakfast?" Sinbad offered, and I nodded happily.
"Yeah! I mean, if that isn't a problem for you..." I said, and Sinbad laughed.
"Not at all."
Sinbad took my hand, and I blushed at the contact. His hand was large, and defiantly bigger than mine. His hand has callouses and some scars that were permanently left on his skin. I brushed my thumb over his palm, and the texture was a bit rough. The mermaids and mermen in the ocean usually have soft-textured hands with no callouses; it's interesting to feel a human's hands. Sinbad opened his door, and the sunlight beamed through the hallway creating a warm setting. Sinbad lead me downstairs, and the stairs spiraled; the stairs lead to his dining room I presumed. We walked down the stairs silently, and I barely managed to walk.
Right, left, right, left... I tried to mimic Sinbad's brisk walk, but my legs felt heavy and wobbly. I felt my legs fumble, and I slightly tripped down the step, until Sinbad's muscular arms secured around my waist. I blushed slightly, and he pulled me into his chest and steadied me.
"T-Thank you," I stuttered, and Sinbad smiled slightly.
"No problem..." He replied, and we continued on walking downstairs.
We finally reached the dining room, and the table was long and filled with food. Multiple people were sitting in the chairs, and they were all laughing, smiling, and having a good time. There were a few more seats open, and Sinbad sat in the one that was at the very head of the table. I sat down awkwardly on the chair to his right, and I felt everybody stare at me with curiosity. I shifted uncomfortably in the wooden chair, and Sinbad stood from his chair.
"Everybody, this is Mariana, Princess of the Ocean! She'll be staying with us from now on, so please welcome her kindly." Sinbad said, and I blushed slightly from the attention. Staying here? That's awful generous of him, he doesn't even know me! Oh well, it's not like I have anywhere else to go...
"P-Pleasure to meet you.." I said shyly, and everybody grinned in response.
"I am Ja'far. Sin, you're so irresponsible! Do you even know this woman? Are you having sexual relations with her? Have you prepared a marriage ceremony? Have you decided to finally have children? When did you meet?" Ja'far asked, bombarding the poor king with a load of questions.
"Ja'far, Mariana is just our guest. I found her on the beach shore, and decided to take her in for the meantime. We're not having sexual relations, we're not getting married, and I don't think I'll be having children any time soon. I told you, the people of Sindria are my family." Sinbad answered, and Ja'far huffed in response.
"I'm Masrur. Are you from the Syreni tribe?" Masrur asked, and I noticed he had the Fanalis features. The Fanalis and Syreni tribe are both very close, and they have always had great relations.
"Yes, it's great to meet a Fanalis!" I said happily, and Sinbad eyed me with suspicion.
"My father used to tell me stories of your kind. Apparently our tribes have always been allies." Masrur said, and I nodded.
"What's a Syreni?" A small blond haired girl asked, her pink eyes sparking with curiosity.
"Yes, I would also like to know." Ja'far said, and Sinbad nodded.
"A Syreni is a descendent of the Al Sharqui family. The Al Sharqui formed a tribe called Oceanus Syreni, and they were nicknamed Syreni. Oceanus Syreni eventually grew in size, and became a species associating with only mermaids. Syreni are mermaids that are blessed with special magical powers similar to magicians. The only exception is that we do not rely on Ruhk like magicians, we can use our body's energy to generate our own magic. The Ruhk often helps us advance and perfect our powers though." I explained, and everybody's jaws were metaphorically dropped. Sinbad gained his composure quickly, and smirked to himself.
"Like a magician you say? I would love to spar with you! I'm Yamraiha by the way, and I'm a water magician." Yamraiha said, introducing herself with a polite smile.
"I would love to spar with you as well." I replied, and Yamraiha nodded happily. I'm pretty proud of my abilities and magic considering my parents have trained me since I was 8-years-old. I haven't sparred with anyone in awhile, hopefully my magic isn't rusty. In the ocean, it's hard to showcase my abilities because the guards always took care of the enemies. They say they don't want their "precious princess" getting harmed. That always bothered me considering I am more than capable of protecting myself and others.
"Ha, she's all bark but no bite! I am Sharrkan, and a talented swordsman." Sharrkan said, winking in my direction. Yamraiha glared at him viciously, and snarled.
"What did you just say? I'll steam your insides!" Yamraiha threatened, butting heads with the swordsman. I giggled silently, and young looking blond joined me.
"You two are such a cute couple!" I commented, and the two immediately froze.
"C-Couple? L-Like I would ever be with such a stupid swordsman..." Yamraiha stuttered, and Sharrkan nodded, his cheeks red. After I'm done settling on the surface, I'll defiantly match make them together!
"You're really beautiful! I'm Pisti, nice to meet you!" Pisti said with a large grin, and I blushed at her compliment.
"She sure is." Sinbad said, brushed his hand against my own under the table. My blush intensified, and Ja'far quirked an eyebrow at Sinbad.
"Thank you, as are you." I replied, and Pisti grinned at my compliment.
"I'm Hinahoho! Sinbad, I hope you settle down with this one, she's a beauty!" Hinahoho exclaimed enthusiastically.
"I'm Drakon, nice to meet you Princess." Drakon said, his voice gruff.
"Where's Spartos?" Pisti asked.
"I'm right here..." Spartos pouted, and Pisti laughed while scratching the back of her head.
"Sorry, you're just too quiet!" Pisti commented, and Spartos shrugged.
"I'm Spartos, pleasure to make your acquaintance." Spartos said, and I nodded in return.
"Those are my eight generals, the best warriors you'll meet!" Sinbad boasted with pride, his chest slightly puffing out.
"Oh, you're flattering us too much." Yamraiha said, taking a bite from her food.
"Sinbad, I've had this question on my mind all morning... Where did I get these clothes from?" I asked, and everybody stopped eating and turned to Sinbad.
"Sinbad, I knew you had sexual relations with her! I can't believe you dressed her!" Ja'far seethed angrily.
"Woo, good job!" Sharrkan praised, and Yamraiha rolled her eyes.
"Guys, don't worry. I dressed Mariana when Sinbad brought her here last night." Yamraiha explained, and Ja'far calmed down.
"Exactly! Ja'far why do you think I am so perverse?" Sinbad asked, pouting.
"I apologize my king, it's just your nickname is the Lady Killer of the Seven Seas.." Ja'far replied, and Sinbad blushed slightly in embarrassment.
"Thank you for your clothes, Yamraiha." I said gratefully, and Yamraiha nodded happily in response.
"Mariana, would you care to spar after breakfast? I also would like you to meet a very important person that resides here.." Yamraiha said, and I nodded.
"Yeah, that's good with me. Who?" I asked.
"I presume you would wish for her to meet Aladdin, correct?" Sinbad questioned, and Yamraiha nodded.
"Aladdin would be interested in her magic." Yamraiha said, and Sinbad nodded in agreement.
"All right! I want to watch this spar!" Sharrkan exclaimed, and the other generals agreed.
I'm kinda nervous for this spar, never have I ever battled a magician before!