Seiya's consciousness swiftly returned to his body, but the scene he found himself before wasn't what he had originally anticipated. Surrounded by the vast expanse of the ocean, he discovered that he now possessed an unexpected resilience. The full might of the Pegasus armor surged within now, empowering him to be able to endure the formidable waves, that had once previously overwhelmed him. With his arms stretched out, he propelled himself through the surging currents, strengthening his resolve with each stroke. Brilliant sparks of azure light burst from the depths of his feet, leaving a luminous trail in his wake. Despite the fierce tempest that raged unabated, Seiya determinedly focused elsewhere. Although the rain veiled his vision from time to time, he hastily blinked, endeavoring not to miss any crucial details. The lighting bolts crashed down in close proximity to him, causing an unrelenting glow upon the foreboding darkness around him. ''I advise against employing the armor in water, my son.'' Zoltar's voice once again echoed hauntingly in his mind, mildly provoking a fleeting wave of irradiation through Seiya's body. Yet disregarding the warning seemed to be the best course of action. The power was now his to weild, until he was able to accomplish what it was he needed to do, would Seiya finally allow Zoltar to accomplish whatever inscrutable intentions he harbored, granting Seiya complete control until then. However, what was there stopping him from just never using the pegasus armor again? What was truly holding him back from wearing the pedant and summoning Zoltar again after he managed to save Patricia and find someone else to protect Sienna. Once that was done, why couldn't he? Seiya charged through the waves, but his swim was becoming more difficult the further he moved, it was as with each slice he made through the water, a sense of unease swept over him. The waves moved differently than they had before. It had taken him a while to notice his surroundings, though a part of him wondered if because he was traveling through the water so fast, his brain was unable to process what was going on around him. Suddenly, there was a soft murmur as the waves began to ripple around him, some of the water crashing into the side of his face, as he blew out a breath of oxygen and a little bit of the water from his mouth, just as the sound from the depths began playing through his ears, forming a hypnotic melody that echoed through his surroundings. Despite being in the middle of nowhere, the ethereal voices formed a choir, beckoning him to stop. But he knew he couldn't. Before he realized, something sharp began nipping at his feet, which drew a wave of panic through his entire body. Even with the armor acting as a barrier, he was still able to feel the sharpness as it sliced through his skin from underneath the azure armor.
Seiya was left bewildered and confused as he cried out in panic, bringing his progress through the waves to a suddenly halt, just as the sight around him vanished into a heavy, thickened, fog. His vision, obscured by mist, however, did not seem to stop him from seeing the mermaids that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere. Each possessing such a rare beauty, one he'd never witnessed on a face before. In school he'd taken mythical history and was instructed to read up on creatures such as these. These enchanting creatures who possessed ethereal beauty, and shimmering tails where their legs should be. However his brain wasn't sure if the mermaids were just simple mermaids, of the worst kind? Which were the SIrens. Story after story of creatures capable of such a song able to bring sailers to the bottom of the sea, had caught Seiya's attention, bringing some interest to spice up his boring morning class. Each of the four mermaids carried expressions of curiosity on their radiant faces as they all began swarming him in a circle. The sound of a mesmerizing melody carrying above his head, one that Seiya struggled to comprehend and ignore, as the mermaids movements grew faster and more frenzied, causing a pounding headache to pulse through his head as his eyes tried to travel with their movements. As his fear mounted, Seiya cried out in confusion, his body left bobbing in the water, as he noticed the mermaids surrounding him from all sides, leaving him with no opening to slip past them. He was trapped. He lamented on his poor choices, regretful for not having listened to the warnings of the ancient spirt, Zoltar, who had foretold of the unwanted attention from him wearing the armor through the water. Suddenly, what had seemed like harmless play transformed into something more sinister, the mermaids expressions shifting from radiant to horrific in a matter of mere seconds. Seiya could feel their delicate hands gripping onto his chest plage, while the other two worked to hold down his shoulder blades, attempting to draw him down towards their underwater home.
Defiance and determination coursed through his veins, driving him forwards, towards his ultimate goal, just as something unexpected happened. What now? Seiya thought to himself, rolling his dark brown eyes, his gaze frozen to the sight of water in front of him, just as it began bubbling. And there it was. Another mermaid was there, again like the others he'd showed up just like the others, out of nowhere. However this mermaid was different. Firstly this one was clearly male, with male like features, he was handsome. The handsome merman seemed to be swimming gracefully through the depths of the waves, over to him. As he grew closer to where Seiya bobbed in the water, Seiya could make out his chiseled muscles rippling beneath his shimmering blue/green scales, his flowing tresses cascaded down his broad shoulders, framing his sharp jawline and perfect cheekbones. Electric blue eyes seemed to sparkle even with the sky full of darkness. The merman seemed to exuded an aura of confidence and alure that made the ocean itself seem to come to alive around both of them, becking all who saw him, to instantly crumble as if he was stripping them of their confidence. The mermaids who had once posed a threat to him, each one of them, he noticed were returning under the water in which they'd come, leaving only and the merman, Seiya stuck with the feeling of relaxation, as he stared at the merman. ''I've warning you, if you plan on eating me, I don't taste very good,'' Seiya warned, trying to lift the intense tension he felt between himself and the merman. ''Especially with this armor, it's more of a metallic taste.'' Seiya chuckled awkwardly. The merman just ignored him, however he was still listening to him, as for a moment Seiya noticed a small smile coming to the merman's face, though it vanished after a few seconds. Then a sense of recognition dawned on the merman's face as he stared Seiya up and down. Perhaps it was something about him that struck a chord inside him. But before Seiya could pry further, the merman addressed him. ''Your name is Seiya, is that right?'' the merman inquired intently, his eyes fixed on him still. Sieya wasn't quite sure how to respond to such a question. With Vander Scar's men out there, looking for both him and Sienna, he wasn't sure who he should be giving his identity out to. But something about the merman, seemed honest. Like he could be trusted. Still feeling uneasy about the situation, Seiya responded. ''Yes, that's me. But who may you be?'' the merman broached the topic of Sienna, asking if they were friends. Seiya's heart skipped a beat at the mention of his friend, nodding eagerly, hoping to hear more about his beloved friends whereabouts. the merman then informed him that Sienna had washed up on the shore, a few miles from his palace, and that he had nursed her back to health. Now she was waiting peacefully for Seiya's arrival.
''So I gather that you possess a unique kind of enchantment, allowing you to establish a lavish house on land. It leads me to believe that you are more than just a mere merman,'' Seiya inquired, his voice laced with intrigue. Taking a careful glance at the merman, Seiya assessed his aquatic form while being partially submerged in the surrounding water. The merman offered a faint smile before responding. ''Your deduction is accurate. Additionally, I have the pleasure to inform you that you and Sienna still remain on the island. Almon had this whole part planned. He bestowed upon me a sacred artifica, in case Sienna ever had to flee from the mansion in a hurry. He wanted to make sure she was safe, even in the water.'' the merman declared, tracing his fingers slowly over his chest, to reveal a distinctive pendant reminiscent of Seiya's pegasus emblem, albeit with a different symbol then his own. As Seiya stared intently at the pendant, the fine lanes coalesced into the shape of a delicate trident, thereby confirming his suspension, this merman was the fabled knight of Aquarius. It had to be. Filled with curiosity, Seiya probed further questions. ''So, if you too are a knight like myself, tell me why doesn't Almon entrust you with Sienna's safety? Why do they obsess over me, and my so-called destiny to become the pegasus knight?'' Seiya questioned. A smile flickered across Seiya's face, his eyes gleaming with an inscrutable glint. ''Oh, you think I have mastered my power?'' he asked, his voice dripping with mystery. The merman looked at him, confusion etched onto his features. ''What do you mean by that?'' he asked, his voice a mere whisper. ''Didn't you?''
''I can say I've learned a lot since I was brought to this island. I've realized now there are depths within us all that we have yet to explore,'' Seiya whispered, his eyes narrowing to slits. ''Sometimes, it takes more than just training and practice to tap into our full potential,'' the merman's eyes widened as he realized the implications of Seiya's words. There was something about Seiya, something engimation, that made his skin crawl with both fear and fascination. He knew that there was a power within him, that was far beyond his own, a potential that he could only dream of possessing one day. And by the looks of it, the pegasus suit on Seiya was amazing, clinting in the light, slicing through the darkness above the clouds where the storm was instantly calmed. ''Something tells me that I am not conversing with the true essence of Seiya,'' the merman murmured, his voice barely audible. ''Sienna warned me of this before I ventured out here to locate you. I know that you have obtained your powers in an unconventional manner, forsaking the required training process.'' His gaze locked onto Seiya's visage, twisted into a grotesque expression. ''Am I speaking to the imprisoned soul within the pegasus pendant? Or not?'' The merman was met with a deep, animation voice emanating from Seiya's very being, disguising his tone with an unfamiliar essence. ''How do you think Seiya has survived without assistance all this time? There was an arrangement between the boy and i. What do you think would happen to me if he were to perish before fulfilling his role?''
''How long have you been hijacking his body in secret?'' the merman inquired, suspicion lacing every word spoken.
''I have only done so on a few occasions. It was a pact forged between us. And what do you think my intentions are if Seiya emerges triumphant? Will I employ him as a weapon to bring about the world's demise? There is no time for explanations now. I shall revive him momentarily. We shall converse again, knight of Aquarius. Do not believe I am ignorant to the ancient soul you conceal inside you. Why not indulge it? Perhaps then, Almon would have deemed you Sienna's true guardian...'' The voice taunted, leaving an air of uncertainty hanging in the stillness. Clearing his concerned expression as to not freak out Seiya, the merman simply said. ''I'll take you to see SIenna.''