Chapter 13
ARIEL'S heart pounded in her chest as she raced forward, tightly gripping Helena's hand on one side and Eric's on the other. A wave of clamminess washed over her palms, an unexpected sensation that only added to her unease. She refused to let go, her determination unwavering. When Darius drew his final breath, she felt it resonate within her, as if his departure had sent ripples through her very soul. Bringing herself to an abrupt halt, Ariel unintentionally collided with a passing servant who berated her amidst the chaos. His words were lost in the pandemonium that surrounded them. In the distance, Lucas, the Prince's nephew, could be seen shouting at the top of his lungs about the invasion by the Danes and laying blame on Ariel for her supposed involvement.
Though Lucas's accusations pierced the air, Ariel could not spare a moment's attention for him. Her thoughts were consumed by worry for Darius, the man she loved. The chilling grip of death seemed to encase her heart, squeezing it mercilessly, threatening to unleash a cry of anguish.
She glanced around, still desperately searching for any sign of Darius amidst the tumultuous scene, half hoping the Prince's friend would appear. Fear and concern etched deep lines on her face as she desperately sought a glimpse of his familiar form.
The weight of uncertainty bore down on her, casting a shadow over her every thought. The castle seemed to be shrouded in foreboding darkness, intensifying her apprehension for both Eric and Helena.
Oh, Darius...
She couldn't explain how she sensed it, but she simply knew. She closed her eyes and a single tear dripped from the edge of her lid. A dark and ominous aura now loomed over the castle, intensifying her worry and concern for both Eric and Helena to unprecedented levels. Ignoring the discomfort in her legs from relentless running, guided by Eric, she rallied the castle staff towards the beach, away from the castle. Ariel forced herself to keep moving, unwilling to succumb to the haunting grip that threatened to consume her.
A sudden noise to her left jolted Ariel out of her thoughts. Master Grimsby and Carlotta, the Prince's most trusted servants, were pulling at Eric's arm, their expressions filled with desperation for an explanation behind his command to evacuate the castle.
"Eric, what on earth is happening?" Carlotta erupted, her plump face turning crimson with confusion.
Eric shook his head, his voice trembling.
"There's... there's an intruder, she's very dangerous, I could take no chances with any of your lives, Carlotta," he stammered, grappling with how to reveal the truth that a witch had possessed Carlotta's dearest maid and almost taken her life.
Ariel shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper.
"This intruder, Carlotta... she's my aunt," she confessed, her expression filled with shame. "I... I haven't been honest about who I am," she admitted, her face contorted with pain. Uncertain why she chose this chaotic moment to reveal her true identity to the Prince's servants, she faced their stunned expressions, their mouths agape and eyebrows raised. Master Grimsby's face turned nearly purple with shock at hearing her speak for the first time, his questioning gaze shifting towards Eric. Eric's face flushed, turning red as all eyes suddenly focused on him. He stumbled over his words, desperately attempting to explain.
"Eric, she-she's talking now, what on earth is going on?! And this intruder you say is this young lady's aunt, pray to tell us, how?"
"I-I didn't know," Eric stammered, his voice filled with bewilderment. "Ariel... she never told me about her true identity. I had no idea she was related to this intruder."
Master Grimsby's incredulous gaze shifted between Ariel and Eric, trying to make sense of the unexpected revelation.
"But why keep such a secret? And why would your aunt pose a threat to the castle?" he demanded, almost sounding angry with her.
Ariel's shoulders sagged under the weight of her confession.
"I never wanted my past to define me," she murmured, her voice heavy with regret. "I ran away from my family, from their...our... legacy. But now, it seems my past has caught up with me, and I fear my aunt's intentions are far from benevolent."
Carlotta, her features a mix of concern and confusion, interjected, "Ariel, dear, we must understand the full scope of the danger we face. Please. Tell us everything."
Taking a deep breath, Ariel began recounting the tragic tale of her family, how her mother and Aunt Ursula had been close when they were young, and when Queen Athena was killed by pirates, something in Ursula had died that day along with Ariel's mother.
She was slowly driven mad by grief when her lover, a merman had been killed by a Great White Shark after losing his fin to the monstrous fish, and her father, King Triton, had cursed her aunt and bestowed her beauty upon Ariel, cursing Aunt Ursula to live out the remainder of her days as the wretch she had become and had banished her from the kingdom of Atlantica. Ariel, desperately wanting to become human to find Eric, having fallen in love with him months ago after saving his life, had sought her aunt's help, seeing no way else. Ariel calmly spoke of her decision to escape that world that her father so desperately wanted for her, hoping to live a life free from its clutches. However, her aunt's relentless pursuit had brought chaos to their doorstep.
As Ariel's words echoed through the air, a sense of urgency filled the room. Master Grimsby's expression hardened, his gaze focused.
"We cannot let this threat go unchecked. We must find a way to protect the kingdom and those we care for. Where are Captain Brutus and Darius, Your Highness?"
Eric flinched at the mention of his best friend, his expression threatening to crumble, though he quickly checked himself, and by a miracle of the gods, he managed to regain his composure and nodded firmly.
"I'm...sure Darius is on his way," he mumbled. "But you're right, Grimsby. We need to gather allies, seek counsel, and prepare ourselves for the battle ahead. The safety of our people depends on it."
Ariel's gaze shifted back towards the castle, only to freeze in place as a chilling sight unfolded before her eyes. Sensing her unease, the others turned their attention in the same direction, their curiosity piqued. In the distance, the Prince's loyal sheepdog, Max, barked frantically, alerting them to something amiss. Their collective gazes focused on Ariel's aunt, and a wave of dread washed over them. A sinister mist, dark gray and black, trailed behind Ariel's aunt, its tendrils resembling ghostly tentacles. She struggled desperately to reach the safety of the ocean, one hand tightly clutching a gaping wound in her side.
Thick, black, putrid-smelling blood oozed from the grievous injury, staining her clothes and the ground beneath her.
The sight sent shivers down their spines, the ominous atmosphere growing more palpable with each passing moment. There was no denying the malevolence that emanated from Ariel's aunt, her relentless pursuit fraught with darkness and a thirst for power.
Ursula's laughter reverberated through the realm, its echoes reaching every corner with a bone-chilling intensity. The once-merry sound now held a malevolent tone, striking fear into the hearts of all who heard it. In response, the inhabitants of the castle scattered, their terror mounting as they witnessed the vengeful goddess of the sea approaching them with a haunting crawl. She resembled a waking nightmare, her presence oozing with darkness and malice.
With each movement, Ursula's injured state left a trail of devastation in her wake.
The path she traversed was marred by a noxious black substance, akin to oil, which emitted a putrid stench, intensifying the sense of revulsion. The very essence of decay seemed to accompany her, a physical manifestation of her corrupt intentions. As Ursula drew closer, her wrathful presence seemed to engulf the surroundings, suffocating hope and instilling a deep sense of dread. The once vibrant and lively realm now cowered under her influence, its inhabitants trembling at the mercy of this relentless force.
Amidst the chaos, a flicker of determination ignited within Ariel. She knew that to preserve the land and protect all she held dear, she would have to confront the monstrous embodiment of Ursula's fury. Bracing herself for the impending battle, she silently vowed to stand united against this abominable darkness, ready to face the horrors her aunt brought and restore light to the Prince's kingdom.
Ariel's gaze hardened, her determination transforming her eyes into steely resolve.
She refused to waver, even as her aunt's harsh glower elicited a momentary flicker of surprise on her face. Bitter bile surged in her throat, the realization dawning upon her that Darius must have suffered a dire fate.
Her thoughts entwined with a desperate plea, Ariel called upon the gods, her voice filled with a mix of anguish and hope.
"Oh gods, oh Daddy, if you can hear me, if any divine presence can, please... Help me. Help me in saving my friends." Shaking off her internal turmoil, Ariel directed her attention back to her aunt, her voice laced with a tremor of fear that she struggled to conceal.
With a concerned sideways glance at Eric and Helena, both pale and clutching each other tightly, their fear palpable, she demanded answers.
"Where is he, Aunt Ursula? What have you done with Darius? What did you do?" she growled, her voice tinged with determination.
Ursula managed a rueful sneer and flicked her gaze towards Eric and looked directly at him and Helena when she spoke, her shrill voice stuffing the chills down the group's throat as she did.
"You guess, poppet, why is it that you think I am out here, and he is not, hmm?" she leered.
Ariel's heart sank to the pit of her stomach as her aunt's words seemed to seep through Helena like a slow-acting poison.
The ground beneath her friend's feet seemed to crumble, and Ariel could only watch, heartbroken and in tears, as Helena's entire world shattered into a million pieces.
Her health was failing her, she likely had a fortnight to live, if that, and now, her whole world was taken from her…by her aunt. A strangled cry of agony and heartbrokenness was ripped from Helena's lips, a sound Ariel knew would haunt her dreams for months to come, a cry that held the weight of unimaginable pain and sorrow. Helena collapsed to her knees on the sandy shore, her body trembling uncontrollably. The truth unfolded before her, like a cruel dagger piercing her soul.
Darius, her husband, the love of her life, had made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure her survival.
The realization flooded her with a bittersweet mix of gratitude and anguish.
Helena's hands clenched into fists, her knuckles turning white as she looked up at the heavens above.
Tears streamed down her face, mingling with the grains of sand, as her grief found expression in a torrent of raw emotion.
"Why?" Her voice quivered, the question directed at the uncaring gods who seemed to turn a blind eye to their suffering. "Why did you take him from me? Why did you allow such a cruel fate to befall us? Why do you hate us so much?!" she wept.
Her words echoed in the empty expanse, the sound of her anguished cries blending with the crashing waves.
The pain of loss coursed through her, fueling her sorrow, and igniting a fire of indignation within her heart.
"NO!" Eric's voice erupted, a primal roar that pierced the air with raw anguish. The sound reverberated, carrying his disbelief and anguish to the heavens above. In a surge of uncontrollable fury, he lunged forward, his face twisted into a mask of wild rage, forgetting all sense of self-preservation.
Carlotta and Master Grimsby reacted swiftly, their arms outstretched, desperately trying to hold back the frenzied prince.
It took every ounce of their strength to restrain Eric, their bodies straining against the surge of adrenaline coursing through him. His muscles tensed, veins pulsating with rage, Eric fought against their grasp, his struggles fueled by a primal instinct to confront the witch who had inflicted such pain upon their lives. The tempest of emotions consumed him, blurring the lines between reason and recklessness. Carlotta and Master Grimsby's faces were etched with concern, held on tightly, their efforts matched by the ferocity of their determination. They understood the depth of Eric's anguish and shared his desire for vengeance, but they also recognized the importance of preserving his life in the face of overwhelming odds. With each passing moment, the surge of adrenaline began to ebb, and Eric's struggles gradually lessened. His breathing grew heavy, his chest rising and falling with each ragged breath.
The reality of their situation settled upon him, tempering his rage but not extinguishing the fire burning within.
Tears streamed down Eric's face, defying his resolve to keep them at bay. His shoulders trembled uncontrollably as his body was wracked with deep, sorrowful sobs. The weight of the truth crashed upon him, shattering his heart into countless fragments.
The realization struck him with devastating force. Ariel's aunt, the one Ariel had thought she could trust the most, had committed an unforgivable act. She had ruthlessly snuffed out the life of his closest companion, his confidant, his best friend, and his brother when he had no other. And in doing so, she had callously ripped away the love and companionship that Helena held dear, stealing her husband from her in the cruelest manner imaginable. Eric's mind replayed the memories of the cherished moments he had shared with his fallen comrade. Laughter and camaraderie echoed in his ears, their bond unbreakable. Now, it had been abruptly severed by the malevolence of Ariel's twisted aunt. Anguish mingled with anger as Eric's grief transformed into a burning desire for justice.
His fists clenched, knuckles turning white, as he vowed to avenge the life that had been stolen. Through the haze of tears and the heaviness in his heart, he found a newfound strength, a resolute determination to stand tall in the face of darkness.
"You will let me go!" Eric's voice thundered, reverberating through the air with an unyielding force. He strained against the unwavering hold of both Carlotta and Master Grimsby, their grips were resolute and unyielding.
"No, Eric. Not until there is calm. We cannot let you confront her in this state," Master Grimsby's voice held a stern edge, yet a tremor of fear quivered beneath the surface. The old man stood his ground, his resolve tested in the face of the monstrous being that stood before them—the embodiment of wickedness and abomination from the unfathomable depths of the sea.
Eric's eyes blazed with a mixture of fury and determination as he locked gazes with Ariel's aunt.
Hatred and disgust twisted his features, a reflection of the darkness that had seeped into their lives. The intensity of his loathing radiated from his very being, his spirit refusing to yield to the terror that threatened to consume them all.
Master Grimsby, though shaken to his core, maintained his composure, his beady black eyes meeting the gaze of the wicked creature without flinching. He understood the weight of their adversary, the danger that lurked within her very presence, yet he refused to back down. He would protect Eric, Carlotta, and the fragile semblance of peace that remained.
Carlotta, her grip unyielding, added her voice to Master Grimsby's plea for calm. "Eric, we must remain composed. Confronting her now would only lead to further tragedy. We need a plan, a strategy to face this darkness together."
"Eric, if you... if you deal with Ariel's aunt, if you kill her, please think what this means!" Master Grimsby's voice trembled, a plea filled with urgency. He cleared his throat, trying to steady his words. "If her father is indeed King Triton of the merpeople, you must consider the consequences. Finding someone of her kind who would support you, who would vouch for you, will be a nearly impossible task. Especially when she is besieged with marriage proposals from others who have not betrayed her family. Please, think this through!" The old man's voice carried a rough edge, a mixture of concern and desperation.
He understood the weight of the situation, the delicate balance they now tread upon. The decisions made in these trying times would have far-reaching implications, not only for Eric but for Ariel and the fragile ties that bound them together.
Carlotta, her grip still firm on Eric's arm, nodded in agreement with Master Grimsby's words. Her eyes conveyed a silent plea, a plea for reason and careful consideration. The ramifications of his actions could tip the scales toward salvation or plunge him into darkness.
"It is finished, Aunt Ursula," Ariel's voice trembled, hoarse and laden with both sorrow and desperation. She mustered the strength to face her aunt, her gaze meeting the eyes of the relentless villain before her. A faint glimmer of hope sparked within her, fueled by a desperate plea.
"Would you truly take my life now?" Ariel's voice quivered, and her chin lifted hesitantly as she implored her aunt for mercy. Her heart pounded in her chest, pleading for compassion to pierce through the darkness that consumed Ursula's soul.
A pregnant pause hung in the air, heavy with the weight of uncertainty.
Ursula's response sliced through the stillness like an icy blade, chilling Ariel to her core. The flatness in her aunt's voice sent shivers down her spine, a haunting declaration that betrayed the depths of Ursula's malevolence.
"Yes," Ursula's voice dripped with malice, a venomous hiss that echoed through the air.
The blood in Ariel's veins turned to ice as she grappled with the reality of her aunt's intention.
The flicker of hope within her heart dimmed, overshadowed by the chilling certainty of her impending doom.
Ariel's breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening with disbelief and sorrow. The enormity of the situation settled upon her like a suffocating weight. The depths of Ursula's cruelty became painfully apparent, leaving Ariel teetering on the precipice of despair.
Yet, even in the face of imminent peril, Ariel refused to surrender completely.
A flicker of defiance ignited within her, mingling with the fear and anguish that threatened to consume her. With trembling determination, she summoned her strength to face her aunt head-on, refusing to allow fear to extinguish the fire within her spirit.
As Ursula's malevolent gaze bore into her, Ariel steeled herself. She knew that her fate hung in the balance, but she clung to a glimmer of hope, a belief that there might still be a sliver of humanity buried deep within Ursula's darkened heart. With unwavering resolve, she prepared to confront her aunt, her words and actions guided by an unwavering plea for mercy and redemption.
"Go. Leave with your man while you still have the chance, girl," Ursula snarled, her voice laced with a bitter mix of malice and resignation. "I heard your desperate plea to the gods. It won't be long before one of them answers, and you do not need to bear witness to the horrors they would unleash upon me."
Ariel's heart wavered, her resolve faltering for a brief moment as she absorbed her aunt's words. The weight of the situation pressed down upon her, threatening to break her spirit. Her trembling lower lip betrayed the inner turmoil she fought to contain.
With a heavy heart, Ariel turned her gaze towards Helena, her dear friend who crumbled under the weight of unbearable grief. The sounds of Helena's anguished sobs reverberated through the air, a heartbreaking symphony that mirrored the pain gripping Ariel's soul. The depth of Helena's anguish was palpable, and Ariel could feel the tendrils of nausea twist within her being as she wept for the loss of her beloved husband.
But even amid her own sorrow, Ariel found a flicker of strength. She steadied herself, determination burning bright in her eyes. The bonds of friendship and love propelled her forward, anchoring her amidst the tempest of emotions.
"No," Ariel's voice quivered, yet carried a newfound firmness. "I will not abandon you, Aunt, nor will I forsake the hope that lies within me. We will face this together, regardless of the consequences. I refuse to let darkness extinguish the light that still burns within us."
A resolute silence settled upon the sand, broken only by the echo of Helena's mournful sobs.
At that moment, Ariel made a silent vow to stand by her friend, to confront the malevolence that had woven its way into their lives. Though fear lingered in her heart, it was overshadowed by an unwavering determination to protect those she held dear.
Ariel's eyes widened as she witnessed a startling transformation sweep across Ursula's countenance. The color drained from her aunt's face, leaving behind a ghostly pallor.
Ursula's lips trembled as if struggling to contain the torrent of words that threatened to spill forth. Before Ariel could make sense of the tumultuous scene unfolding before her, Ursula's voice erupted in a furious proclamation. The harsh words tore through the air, slicing through the silence like a blade. Each syllable dripped with venom, revealing the depths of Ursula's resentment and regret.
"Helping you was the worst mistake of my wretched existence, I should have killed you that day in my lair when you come to me begging for those legs and taken back what has always rightfully been mine," Ursula's voice thundered, carried by a storm of bitterness and fury. Her words pierced Ariel's heart, a dagger forged from the realization that her aunt had harbored such deep-seated animosity towards her all along. The weight of Ursula's betrayal hung heavy in the air, threatening to suffocate Ariel's spirit.
She recoiled, her features contorting with a mixture of disbelief, pain, and sorrow.
How could someone who shared her blood, her kinship, harbor such malice and regret?
Ariel strode forward and waded into the water up to her waist before anyone could utter a word and slapped Ursula as hard as she possibly could. There were over ten years of anger behind that blow. Her aunt, taken aback by the force of her slap, staggered backward into the waves and clutched at her reddened cheek in horror as she lifted her stricken eyes.
"How dare you speak to me like that? I'm your niece! Father is your brother! We're family, Ursula, we shouldn't be fighting amongst ourselves like this!" Ariel screamed.
Ariel was beside herself with pain and rage, and she had no time to react as Ursula let out a hair-raising snarl and lunged forward with what little meager strength the sea witch still possessed and sank her fingernails into her neck and then proceeded to choke the very life from Ariel's lungs.
Ariel desperately raised her hands, attempting to pry Ursula's grip from her throat, but the strength in her aunt's grasp proved formidable. Despite her injuries, Ursula's innate power persisted, even as it gradually diminished, and darkness began to envelop the water surrounding them. Gasping for breath, Ariel felt her airways constricting under the pressure.
Ursula's fingers dug deeper into her throat, causing excruciating pain to surge through her body.
Black spots swirled at the periphery of her vision, threatening to pull her into unconsciousness. The cacophony of Eric's panicked shouts, Helena's sorrowful sobs, and the piercing screams of Master Grimsby and Carlotta filled her ears, overwhelming her senses.
In the midst of Ariel's struggle, a blinding flash of golden light shattered the darkness.
It erupted with such intensity that Ursula involuntarily released her grip on Ariel's throat, recoiling as if struck by an unseen force. The sudden cessation of pressure granted Ariel a brief respite, allowing precious oxygen to flood her lungs once more.
As the golden radiance bathed the scene, Ariel's eyes widened in awe and relief.
The source of the light remained a mystery, but she could sense a palpable shift in the atmosphere.
It was as if a divine presence had intervened, heralding a change in the tide of their dire circumstances.
Her aunt staggered backward deeper into the water, her tentacles thrashing wildly. Ariel gasped for breath, her lungs begging her to fill in air, which she gulped greedily as though all the oxygen around her were disappearing and she kept a hand on her throat. When the black spots in her eyes cleared, only then did she turn to her left to see what had happened. Her heart soared in relief, and she could have wept tears of joy to find her father standing there, the tips of King Triton's golden trident pointed at Ursula's throat, his careworn face twisted and contorted in grief as he realized what ruin and chaos his sister had brought upon the kingdom of men.
Ariel's eyes widened in disbelief as her father, King Triton, emerged before her, his majestic presence radiating an aura of benevolence and power. At that moment, she realized the stark contrast between her father's luminous goodness and her aunt's relentless darkness. Relief washed over her, knowing that her plea had reached him, bringing him to their aid.
"Sister, this madness must end!" King Triton's voice thundered through the air, resonating with authority. His words echoed, carrying the weight of his disappointment and concern. He cast a piercing gaze upon Ursula, his expression a mixture of sadness and reproach. "Look at the devastation you have wrought upon this land! Everywhere your touch falls, hatred and destruction follow. Return home with me, Ursula. That is where you truly belong."
The king's eyes swept across the ruined landscape, his face contorted with disgust at the sight of the Prince's castle in ruins and the palpable fear etched on the faces of the hamlet's inhabitants. The impact of Ursula's malevolence was starkly evident, leaving no room for denial. Ariel stood waist-deep in the water, a mix of emotions surging within her. Gratitude filled her heart for his timely arrival and the strength he exuded, but a twinge of sorrow gnawed at her as she witnessed the profound disappointment in his eyes. She longed for reconciliation, for her aunt to see the error of her ways and return to the embrace of their family's love and light.
Ariel's heart pounded in her chest as Ursula unleashed an inhuman hiss, its ferocity sending shivers down her spine. In a swift motion, her aunt broke free from her brother's grasp, directing her sinister intent toward Ariel.
With deadly precision, Ursula's menacing tentacles lunged forward, poised to ensnare Ariel's delicate neck and suffocate her. Fear gripped Ariel's entire being, compelling her to shut her eyes tightly, bracing for the inevitable attack. The anguished cry of the Prince pierced the chaotic atmosphere, intertwining with the sounds of struggle and commotion that engulfed them.
"NO!"
Amidst the chaos, Ariel sensed the whirlwind of movement, yet she hesitated to open her eyes, fearing the horrors that awaited her gaze. The air crackled with tension, punctuated by screams of terror and a sickening squelching sound. Ursula's agonized shriek reverberated, a stark manifestation of the pain inflicted upon her.
Summoning every ounce of courage, Ariel gradually allowed her eyes to flutter open, bracing herself for the sight that awaited her. The scene that unfolded before her held a mix of chaos, triumph, and lingering danger. Ursula writhed in torment as she looked down in shock to find the Prince had buried a small dagger he had kept hidden tucked away in his belt directly into her chest, to her heart.
Ursula took an uncertain step forward, then fell to her knees as her blood-slimed hands groped at the dagger that now protruded from the middle of her chest.
"No, no, no, no!" Ariel's desperate moans filled the air, her heart-wrenching at the realization that she had been unable to save her aunt from her tragic fate. With furious determination, she propelled herself through the water, reaching Ursula's side with a frenzied urgency. Despite the darkness that had consumed Ursula, she was still family, and Ariel couldn't bear to let her go.
Pulling her aunt close to her chest, Ariel disregarded the blood staining her hands and dress.
"Please, don't die," she pleaded through tear-filled eyes. In this moment of closure, there was a glimmer of hope for redemption, a chance to salvage what was left. "Please," Ariel wept, her voice filled with a mixture of sorrow and longing. "Remember who you are."
"Why does it matter, poppet?" Ursula's voice barely rose above a whisper as her gaze turned glassy, her head lolling back against Ariel's arm. The presence of Eric at her back provided a comforting anchor. Ursula's body convulsed with violent tremors, momentarily morphing into the grotesque form of the feared sea witch, a visage consumed by bitterness and defeat.
But then, as swiftly as it had appeared, the distorted image faded and the shadows dissolved, revealing the face Ariel had almost forgotten—the real Ursula, the aunt she had always hoped to know, the aunt who had been a dear friend to Mother, before.
The ugliness melted away, restoring Ursula's true beauty as a mermaid as her tentacles vanished and in their place, her tail, her fiery red hair floating gracefully in the water around her head like a halo. Ursula's expression softened, radiating warmth as she gazed up at Ariel. At that moment, Ariel understood that, in her way, Ursula had loved her.
"Don't cry," Ursula's voice, hoarse and feeble, barely carried on the water's surface. She lowered her head, her words a whispered farewell. "This is... what is best. I gave away my soul, Ariel."
"No!" Ariel openly sobbed, refusing to accept the inevitable. "I won't let you go! Not after everything we've been through!"
But it was too late. Ursula passed away in Ariel's embrace, leaving a void that echoed with the weight of their complicated bond.
Eric knelt beside them, gently guiding Ursula's lifeless form out of Ariel's grasp. He allowed King Triton to tend to his sister's body while he pulled Ariel close, his anger momentarily forgotten amidst the overwhelming sadness.
As he held her, Eric studied Ariel's tear-stained face, recognizing the deep emotion behind her eyes.
In those eyes, he saw resilience, understanding, and an unyielding spirit. He had come to know those eyes intimately over the past days, and he realized that he would recognize Ariel's gaze anywhere. She had heard it all, seen it all, and understood it all.
The weight of the truth had settled upon her shoulders, and she bore it with great sorrow—and an even greater sense of relief.