A/N: In which we learn a bit more about what happened with the mermaids and humans.

Sheena had taken Lloyd to a spare room, Noishe and Corrine following behind them. Another mermaid had arrived a few minutes later with a jar, which Sheena showed was actually a type of healing salve.

"We use it on any injuries we may get. Because we're such a small village, we're sometimes attacked by larger sea creatures, so we have to fight them off," she explained as she gently rubbed the salve onto his tail.

Lloyd considered this, then something occured to him. "Hey, Sheena? How come there aren't any monsters in the sea?"

Sheena looked at him in surprise. "Don't you know? All mermaids are taught that from a rather young age..."

"I travelled a lot with my dad, and he's never really liked talking about that type of stuff," Lloyd replied quickly, looking awkward.

Sheena didn't question this, instead turning back to what she was doing. "Well, that was because of what Martel had to do."

"Martel?"

"You do know how the humans were formed, right?"

"Um...No. At least, not your version."

Sheena shook her head. "How can you be a mermaid with so little education? Alright, let me explain. Many years ago, the only creatures living on the land were a few animals and the dwarves. The humans were all originally mermaids, and we lived in the sea in peace. However, we were overpopulated, and risked extinction by lack of resources. So, our ruler at the time made a hard but needed decision - he sent three quaters of our race to live on the land."

Lloyd blinked, looking at her. "Wait, what? Why? Couldn't he have sent them all, or found a better solution?"

"Those are all questions we as a race have asked ourselves over time. Many of us didn't think it was fair, but those of us who were allowed to remain didn't fight it, because we were able to live down here. We didn't want to live on the land. And neither did those who were sent there, except a few." Sheena paused, leaning back. "Many of the now-humans went mad. They drowned themselves trying to go back to the ocean. We mermaids tried to comfort them, but instead they attacked us, killing hundreds. And so Martel, the ruler's daughter, decided to take action."

"Martel was a princess?"

"Yes. She, her brother Mithos - who is now our ruler - and two retainers travelled together to the land. They went around helping the humans build towns and cities as grand as our own, forging a pact between humans and dwarves, and gaining the help of the dwarves in return. But many of the humans were still angry, and attacked their own. To stop them, Martel changed them to beasts, and banished them to wander the land. She proclaimed that when they had calmed, they would change back."

Lloyd blinked. "The elves," he murmured.

Sheena nodded. "Exactly. Although the effects were not permanent, many characteristics remained. The beasts who turned back had pointed ears, and were stronger as well as able to use magic due to it having been bonded with them accidentally by Martel, and so they were called elves. They made their own villages, and mostly lived apart from the other two races."

"But if everyone was so peaceful, why do they fight now? And how come the humans believe Martel was a Goddess who banished the mermaids to the water?"

Sheena looked at him. "You know a lot about human culture."

"My dad was more interested in the land-livers than the mermaids. I know a little about dwarves and elves too, but not much about mermaids. Which doesn't make much sense, I know," Lloyd said, giving a timid laugh.

Sheena eyed him. "Hmm. Well, as time went on, the humans worshipped Martel for helping them adjust to their new lives. They eventually forgot what had originally happened, twisting the legends so that their anger at being cast out was redirected to hating the mermaids for even existing. The elves joined them, though the dwarves - though agreeing that Martel was a righteous hero - forewent attacking the mermaids and instead sometimes assisted them. My grandfather was helped by a dwarf once, when he was captured in a net." She sighed. "And so this war continues. Many of us are tired of it, of course, but the humans continue to provoke us."

Lloyd gazed at the ceiling, a frown creasing his forehead. "This is so stupid. Why can't we all just live in peace? Do they really want a war so badly?"

"There is no way to know. Besides, the humans will never change. They are cruel to us without reason."

Lloyd looked at her, then shook his head. "They can change. I know a human girl - it's who me and my friends are trying to save. She accepted me even though I'm a mermaid."

"The humans are a dangerous enemy, Lloyd. Even if you befriend one, there is no way to know if they will turn on you or not. You are safer remaining in the water." Sheena pushed herself up, swimming over to the door. "Rest for tonight. You should be better in the morning," she said, before heading out.

Lloyd waited until the door was shut before turning over slightly. Noishe lay beside him, and Lloyd gazed at him as he stroked him gently.

"If humans and mermaids are supposed to hate each other...how come I exist? I'm half of each," he mumbled.

'There are other half-mermaids. They're pretty rare, but they exist. Though most of them are brought up by mermaids...'

Lloyd gave a quiet laugh. "I guess that just makes me the weird one."

'Well, I think you're nice! You feel like Kratos.'

"'Feel'? What do you mean?"

'I dunno...You just feel safe. And warm.'

Lloyd tried to imagine this with Kratos, and pulled a face. "I don't think I'd call him warm or safe. He seems like the person who'd rip your throat out without a second thought."

'No, Kratos is nice. He has a soft spot for humans, too. In fact, he married one and had a baby! But they died a long time ago...Kratos got very sad, but I think he's happier when you're around because you look like Anna.'

"Anna?"

'His wife.'

"Is that why he agreed to help us?"

'Maybe. I think he likes you, though. You're the first person we've met in a while who actually thinks like us.'

"How do you mean?"

'You know...Thinking everyone should just be happy together and stuff.'

"Oh. I don't really think think, though, I just sort of...feel that would be better than what's happening at the minute."

'That's kind of the same thing. Anyway, you should get some rest! We need to go find our friends tomorrow.'

"Right. Night, Noshy."

Noishe gave a happy click, snuggling against him as he closed his eyes.

Someone touching his shoulder woke him. As he opened his eyes, a terrible fear and foreboding hit him, and he leapt up.

"Lloyd?" asked Sheena hesitantly.

"We have to go to the capital. Sheena, do you know where it is?"

"Huh? Well...yeah. It's not far from here."

"Can you take me?"

"Why do you need to go all of a sudden? I thought we were going to find your friends."

"I...I don't know how to explain it, but...they're in danger. And I have to help them."

Sheena frowned, then nodded. "Alright. I'll take you. Do you know how to fight?"

"Oh...no, not really. I mean, I saw Kratos make a sword from water or something, but I don't know how to do it.."

"It's a sort of displacement technique all mermaids are born with. You take the water, control it, make it form the weapon you want and then use it. It's pretty easy to learn but hard to master, so I can teach you on the way. So long as you get the basics down, you can hold your own if we have to fight when we get there."

Lloyd gave a relieved grin. "Thanks, Sheena. You're a life-saver."

"Well, I won't be doing it again. I've already saved it once, it's not my fault if you want to go and throw it away again," Sheena replied with a grunt before turning and leading the way out.

Lloyd glanced at Noishe before following, Lloyd trying to ignore the sick feeling in his stomach.

They reached the main building, Sheena explaining the situation to the Elder, who nodded. "You seem powerful, young Lloyd. I felt a vague disturbance, but you seem to feel it keenly," he noted, turning to him.

Lloyd looked awkward. "I'm not that strong, sir. I don't know anything, after all."

"You'll learn. And although wisdom is indeed strength, it isn't necessarily power. Power comes from protecting, and you seem to have plenty that you wish to protect."

Lloyd gave a slow nod. "I guess I do."

"There. Very well, Sheena. Help this boy with his quest for so long as he needs it, and return here when you can. We can last without you for a while," he said with a smirk.

Sheena sighed. "The only reason I'm still here is because you're all hopeless. Anyway, I'll see you in a bit, Grandpa. Don't overexert yourself while I'm gone," she said, turning and heading out. Lloyd, Noishe and Corrine followed after her, and soon the four of them were swimming quickly to the capital.

A/N: Also, I wanted to get it into the story but wasn't able to...The dwarf who saved Sheena's grandfather was Dirk. Just in case you were curious :3

So yes. I tried to stick with the same sort of concept as the game (as I seem to do in AUs) but twist it. Of course, this was obviously going to be different anyway, but I hope you like the idea.

Also, thank you to the two people who reviewed last chapter. I'm glad people are still reading it :)

Review?