It continues. . .
Chapter III: Welcome To My World
Demyx and Zexion were lying on the beach with sun shining on their faces and the waves crashing against Zexion's feet and Demyx's tail. Zexion woke up, groggy and in confusion. He remembered being pushed onto a piece of drift wood by Demyx and watching the sun set. He didn't remember falling asleep or coming ashore. He felt very sick and was on the verge of throwing up. Zexion looked over at Demyx and he was fast asleep. Zexion knew that Demyx must have been exhausted from all those hours of swimming just to save him. Zexion laid back down to try and settle his stomach.
Zexion just laid there listening to the sounds of the waves crashing against the shore and the seagulls squawking. Zexion just felt like going back to sleep, when he heard,
"Zexion?" Zexion jumped. He knew that voice and spun around to find a blue haired man standing on top of a hill, with a horse behind him.
"Saix!" Zexion tried to stand, but a pain in his stomach brought him back to the ground. Saix instantly slid down the cliff and ran up to Zexion.
"Zexion, are you alright?" Saix asked placing his hand onto Zexion's shoulder as Zexion nodded. "Your father was starting to assume the worst." Saix said pulling Zexion into a hug. "What the hell happened?"
"I was kidnapped by pirates. It's a pretty long story." Zexion said sitting up. "If it wasn't for Demyx right there, I don't think I could have made it." Saix looked over at Demyx in amazement. Like most humans, he never really ever seen a real merperson.
"Is he real?" Saix asked walking over to Demyx.
"As real as I am breathing." Zexion said as he watched Saix run his hand over Demyx's tail, and pulling his hand away quickly.
"Yup, he's real. His tail's all slimy." Saix said brushing Demyx's hair out of his face. "Should we wake him up?" Saix asked.
"Well we can't leave him here. You know father will just make us find him." Zexion said as he slowly got up and walked over to Demyx. He sat back down and shook Demyx's shoulder. "Hey, Demyx. It's time to wake up."
Demyx yawned and rolled over. "Xaldin, ten more minutes . . . ten more minutes. . ." Saix and Zexion shared a confused look and wondered who Xaldin could be.
"Who's Xaldin?" When Saix asked that, Demyx's eye flew open and he shot up. He looked around and found the he was looking out at the rising sun. He thought was back at home sleeping in his comfy clam, but soon disappointment showed on his face. He thought that he was dreaming and was waiting for Xaldin to pull him out of that dream and ask him about it, but Xaldin never came, and he was going to be. Demyx felt his eyes sting and then felt something fall down his cheek. He wiped his cheek then wondered what it was. HE had never seen anything like it before.
"What are these?" Demyx asked as more fell down his face. Zexion chuckled.
"Demyx, they're called tears. Your body makes them when you cry." Zexion wiped Demyx's eyes. "I guess you wouldn't have them when you live underwater."
"Yeah. I guess." Demyx said wiping his face. "I use to cry all the time at home, but never felt these before." Demyx felt a tight squeeze on his heart when he mentioned home and couldn't figure out why. Then it hit him as he looked out to the sea. He had no idea which way to go. He forgot how to get home and he started to panic. Demyx felt the tears start to fall again and started to breathe heavily.
"Demyx, calm down." Zexion said giving Demyx a hug. "It's all right." Demyx buried his face into Zexion's chest and just cried. Then he felt Saix's hand on his back.
After a while, Demyx finally got control of himself and wiped his eyes. "Sorry about that. . ." Demyx said with a shaky voice.
"It's ok. I kinda understand how you feel." Demyx smiled at Zexion. "Now, how about you come live with us for a while?" Zexion asked standing up.
"Sure. I'd love to know more about human life." Demyx said as he tried to pull himself up the shore, but fell flat on his face.
"Here, allow me." Saix took both of Demyx wrists and pulled him up to the cliff. After a short while, Demyx's tail turned into legs, amazing Saix. "Amazing. Are all your people able to do this?"
Demyx shook his head. "Not that I know of." Demyx said holding onto the cliff to get onto his feet. He was really wobbly. Saix threw Zexion onto his back and climbed the cliff. Demyx tried his best and just barely made it. Saix had both of them ride his horse as he led the way. He had a hard time getting to the castle because Demyx kept wanting to play with the horse's feet and nearly fell off the horse each time.
When they entered the castle wall, people were staring at Demyx, mostly for the fact that he's naked, and because he clearly stood out. When inside the castle, Zexion was taken to the medical person, while Saix took Demyx over to a room that was full of portraits. Demyx found them all very interesting, especially the one of Zexion. The walls of the room were a pearl like color and the floor was a black and white checkered board. Then the back wall caught Demyx's attention. On that wall was moving water, with fish swimming and sea flowers and everything else swaying back and forth. Demyx walk up to it and try to walk through it only to meat a hard surface.
"Ow!" Demyx said rubbing his nose.
"I wouldn't recommend you walking into that. You'll only hit glass." Saix placed his hand up to the glass and ran it across it. Demyx did the same thing, only the fish followed his hands. It made Demyx laugh.
"They're happy." Demyx smiled.
"What?" Saix said.
"The sea life, they like it in there. They're safe from harm." Demyx smile then faded. He wondered if Xaldin wondered where he was. He knew Xaldin was worried and that he had to get home some way, somehow. . .
Later that evening, Demyx was standing over the balcony. He stared into the sun. He needed to get into the water before it set. He wanted to jump from the balcony, but with the rocks below, he knew that that was a stupid idea. Not to mention the sharks that might be in the area. Zexion wasn't aware of it, but Demyx had to fight off sharks all night when he was bringing Zexion home here, while he slept like a baby. He also wanted to swim out and find Mermaidia, but he knew he'd be searching for ever. Very few ever found it by looking for it. You either found by accident, or you knew where it was. Demyx sighed. He was at a loss.
"You alright?" Saix asked from behind him.
"Just homesick, that's all. Xaldin always said I would wonder too far from home one day and get lost; this just proves he was right, as always." Demyx said lowering his head. Saix placed his hand on Demyx's back.
"I'm sure you'll find your way home someday. In the mean time, you're more than welcome here. After all, we're really in your debt."
"For what? I didn't do anything noble." Demyx said.
"But you did. You save our king's only son, and child. You did something we only wished we could do. You did something more than noble." Saix said proudly. "If there's anything you need,"
"Well, I kinda need to get into the ocean; my legs kinda had a time limit." Demyx said and Saix soon caught what he meant.
"Well, if slide down this wall here, you sure be alright. Zexion would do it all the time growing up." Saix pointed at a wall behind Demyx, who nodded and quickly slid down and dove into the water. Saix watched as Demyx long glittery tail reappear and help him glide in the water. Demyx surfaced and waved Saix good night and swam off. When the sun fully set, Demyx felt a really chilling feeling creep up his back. He figured it was just the water, till he got that feeling of being watched. He figured it was Xemnas and turned around and found nothing. He sighed and jumped when a pair of orange eyes staring at him.
"Must you do that?" Demyx asked breathing hard.
"No, but I find it amusing. So Demyx, out for a late night swim?" Xemnas gave Demyx a cocky gin.
"You know damn well why I'm out here." Demyx crossed his arms.
"True, I do. But a mere pair of legs didn't get you this far. And I know you wouldn't wonder this far. So what caused you to come this far?" Xemnas had a curious look on his face.
"Well, for one, that storm yesterday, it swept me up onto this thing called hell. Then-" Demyx was cut off by Xemnas' laughter.
"I'm sorry, please continue." Xemnas said trying to get a hold of himself.
"Then I met this guy, who's a prince, Zexion. We had to get away from hell and me into water, so I basically threw him into the water and then I dived in. I had to get him to shore, so I swam all the way over here, and that's how I got here." Demyx sighed.
Xemnas couldn't stop snickering. "Now. . . Why were you trying to get this, Prince Zexion here? What was the problem?"
"Well, after you disappeared the other day, I went to the surface and found it really stormy. I got caught in a strong currant and was knocked out after I hit something really hard. Then after I woke up. . . I had legs and met Zexion. He said that the pirates, who abducted him, were using him for nothing more than their sexual pleasures. He was beat up pretty badly. . . The sun was setting so I had to get in the water, I also felt like I had to save him, so after we were out in the open, I had to throw him in the water and jump in after him." Xemnas nodded as Demyx looked away from him.
"So, my driftwood came in handy?" Xemnas smiled as Demyx looked back at him.
"Wait that was you?" Xemnas nodded. "Then why the fuck didn't you help me? I had to fight sharks all night!"
"Language, your highness. And besides, even if I wanted to, I couldn't." Xemnas was to calm to Demyx's taste.
"Well why not?" Demyx crossed his arms.
"Larxene. I can't have her know that I'm looking for her. She'll know my magic anywhere, and escape. So, I couldn't help you. But it really didn't look like you needed it."
Demyx sighed. "So annoying . . . By the way, why did you give me the gift?" It was one thing Demyx couldn't figure out.
"You were yearning for it. You may not have noticed it, but you really wanted to explore the outside world. I thought this would be perfect for you." Xemnas smirked.
"But why can't I remember my way home?" Demyx asked. "What does that have to do with having legs?"
"Everything. Mermaidia's not forgotten because human's can walk there. It's forgotten because people who leave can't remember where it's at. And I figured it would be the least important thing to you. I could have taken an even more precious memory." Demyx looked away. Xemnas was right. He could have taken the memories of his parents. . . He felt his eyes started to sting. Demyx went to wipe them but didn't find tears. Xemnas sighed. "Demyx, no one gets anything for nothing. There is always a price to pay. Larxene taught me that the hard way."
"What did she do to you?"
"It's better left unsaid. I still have yet to find her, and every moment I spent looking for her, she grows stringer. . . I should go now. Have fun with your new prince Demyx." Xemnas turned around.
"Xemnas, will I ever get back?" Xemnas stopped.
"Only if you're shown the way." Demyx watched as Xemnas swim away. With a sigh, Demyx swam around the shallow water looking for a good place to sleep. He found a small opening and wondered where it led. He swam through it and found a lagoon. As he swam through it, he found the glass window from before. He placed his hand on the glass and looked through it. He saw Saix talking to a guy about Xaldin's size only he didn't have the side burns and short brown hair. Demyx tapped on the glass grabbing both of their attention. Demyx waved and the brunette stared in amazement. He walked up to the glass and put his hand against it. Demyx did the same and watched him and Saix leave waving him good night. Demyx found a soft patch of sea weed and laid down. His head was folded with thoughts that he couldn't process and cried himself to sleep.
While Zexion laid in his bed, he was yanked out and squeezed."Dad! I can't-breathe!" The brunette let go.
"I'm sorry. I'm just really glad to see that you're alive. I was scared shitless." The brunette wiped his face.
"Mhmmm. Can I go back to sleep now? We can talk in the morning." Zexion laid back down as his father pulled the blankets over him.
"Good night, Zexion. I'll see you and your friend in the morning."
"Sure. . ." Zexion was asleep before the brunette even left the room. . .
Meanwhile, deep in Mermaidia, Xaldin was pacing be and forth. He knew Demyx would wonder off, but stayed out this long before without checking in every now and then. Demyx was also not one to swim around at night. Xaldin sighed and could only hope that Demyx would come home soon.
The next morning, Demyx felt something shaking his shoulder. He opened his eyes and saw a blond watching him from the bank. He sat up and yawned.
"Morning already?" Demyx asked the blond.
"Yes. Now, Saix and King Lexaeus were speaking last night, and Lexaeus would like to speak with you." Demyx pulled himself up onto the grassy bank. "But of course you can't run around naked when you talk to him." The blond had to keep looking away from Demyx as his tail turned into his legs. "So, Saix found some clothes for you to wear."
"I know this will sound stupid, but what are clothes?" The blonde did a face palm as Demyx rolled on his back and looked up at the blond. "And what's your name?" Demyx smiled.
"I'm Vexen. Now, clothes are what humans wear to cover themselves." Vexen stood up. "Now, if you would stand up, and I'll help you get dressed." Demyx nodded and did his best to stand up without fallen and getting dressed. He thought that the clothes felt funny. After Demyx was dressed, he and Vexen went into the palace and headed for the throne room.
"So Vexen, what do you do here?" Demyx asked walking backwards.
"I've Zexion's private tutor." Demyx got the sense that Vexen had a sort of creepiness to him.
"Well what do you teach him? Math, science, what?"
"Just about anything I have a book for. But I mostly teach him about sea legends and lore, seeing as that's all he cares about."
"Sea lore hun? Then you know a lot about my kind?"
"Yes, I could say I do. Atlantians are quite-" Demyx cut Vexen off by laughing. "I'm sorry, did I miss something?"
"Sorry. I just find it funny that you think I'm from Atlantis."
"Oh, then where are you from? Where else is there?" Vexen was quite confused.
"I'm from the forgotten city of Mermaidia. IT's quite obvious why it's called that." Demyx smiled.
"Hm. Maybe tomorrow when Zexion is having lessons, you could tell us both about your world." Vexen put his hand on Demyx's shoulder.
"I'd like that. Then maybe you could tell me more your world." Demyx smiled back. As the two entered the throne room, so did Saix and Zexion, who was dressed formally.
"Now, remind why I'm dressed like this?" Zexion whined.
"Because, later our neighbors from Italy will be here. Something about a wedding invite." Saix said as Zexion sat down.
"Hopefully not mine. Dad knows I'm not ready to get married."
"And why would that be?" Zexion turned over to Demyx with a blank face.
"Because I haven't met the right person yet. And this princess who's coming is the worst. She does nothing but wine and giggle about nothing." Zexion crossed his arms. "Nothing you say really interests her."
"Now Zexion, isn't that a bit harsh, don't you think?" Vexen asked.
"Nope." Zexion face was blank.
"How bad is she?" Demyx asked leaning on his elbow on the arm of the throne.
"I'd rather be stuck in a room with Axel. At least he has some sense to shut up every now and then." Demyx just shook his head.
"That bad?"
"That bad." Zexion smiled, which made Saix's and Vexen's eyes widen. They figured that something about Demyx that made Zexion happy.
"So where'd you'd disappeared last night?"
"Well, I had to find a really good source of water to sleep in, so went back into the sea and swam up into the lagoon out back. It was really soothing."
"Really? You still seem tense back here." Zexion ran his hand across Demyx's shoulder blade.
"That could be from sleeping."
"What could be from sleeping?" Everyone turned to look at the brunette who just entered the room. When Demyx thought that he was the same size as Xaldin, he figured that if Xaldin was ever on land, he would never want to disobey him. "Is everything alright, young one?" The brunette asked looking down at Demyx.
"Ummm. . ." Demyx was speechless.
"Don't be scared, speak up." He put his hand on Demyx's shoulder.
"You're . . . really, really big. . ." Demyx managed and Zexion had to cover his mouth to hold in his laughter.
The brunette looked at him. "Zexion, that's the first time I've seen you truly smile in who knows how long."
"Well, Demyx is pretty fun to be around. You never know what's going to happen." Zexion shrugged. "And besides, everyone else here are like door mats." Zexion stood up and placed his hand on Demyx's back. "Anyway, Demyx, this is my father, Lexaeus. He may seem scary, but he's really just a soft teddy bear, which is just a fluffy sack of cotton all stitched together. I can show you later. I have millions of them. And Dad, this is Demyx. Please don't be careful with him."
"What do you mean careful?" Demyx sounded a bit panicked.
"I have a strong arm. I unintentionally bruise people." Lexaeus scratched his head leaving Demyx stunned.
"Don't worry about it. If he does, he'll spoil you like crazy to make up for it. Why do you think Axel couldn't stand me?" Zexion crossed his arms. "So anyway, welcome to my world."
"Oh what fun it should be." Demyx smiled shyly.