Chapter 38: The Curtain Falls
The throne room of Seahaven's palace was by no means the greatest of halls human hands ever constructed. Many other castles and palaces, as well as a fair number of cathedrals and temples, were more than a match in a contest of grandeur and scale. Still, to call it underwhelming or conservative would be bordering on slander. The floor was white marble so finely polished it was closer to a mirror than rocks. Large columns flanked the central floor space, their bases and capitals gilded with gold leaf. Banners bearing the white and sea blue colors of the kingdom hung from each. Windows let in light from the first and second stories, ensuring the sun's light would reach the throne room whether it was rising or setting. The arched ceiling was painted and gilded, supporting half a dozen giant crystal chandeliers. A red carpet guided people to the dais where three ornate thrones were set, and from which the royal family now looked down disapprovingly on the assortment of nobility standing before them. Lara stood beside Melody's seat, leaning on the chair with one arm. Melody's collected friends were gathered off to the side of the room. Their expressions were a palpable mixture of disbelief, confusion, and no small amount of anger at the confessions they just heard from their own parents.
Eric cast a disapproving and disappointed gaze upon them from his throne, his demeanor more befitting a judge than a ruler. Normally he was not one for standing above others, much less using the construction of this place to exert dominance as king. To do so gave him an unwelcome sense of despotism. Given what he just heard, however, a smidge of tyranny felt appropriate. His subjects were guilty in all sense of the word.
"You lied to me!" shouted one of the noble's daughters. "You lied to all of us!"
"I can't believe you did this!" added another.
"We're sorry!" pleaded one of the noblemen, likely the girl's father judging by the resemblance. "We meant nothing sinister by it!"
"You think that changes anything?" snapped a young man. "You deliberately went behind our backs! You usedus and Melody!"
"Underhanded as it was, you gotta give them credit for craftiness," said Lara. "The servants bring all the letters to them anyway, so they'd get their hands on yours and Melody's first. They'd read it, destroy it, and make out a bogus reply with no one the wiser. The more you wrote to Melody, the more they had to work with. No normal person would've known they were fakes. And with how close your families are, it was easy to corroborate stories. That's clever in my book. Still wrong, but clever."
Lara looked to Elaine, standing with quiet fury and arms crossed. "Only problem was your folks got sloppy. Well, more like fortunately. If they'd destroyed Melody's letters instead of stashing them, they could've kept this going a lot longer."
"Undoubtedly," said Elaine coldly, shooting her mother and father a wilting look. The pair hung their heads lower, like dogs scolded for chewing the furniture.
"That answers who and how," said Ariel, her eyes sweeping over the nobles. "But what we really want to know is why. Why would you do this? You knew this was wrong. You knew you were hurting Melody, and your own children. And you must have known it would end something like this. So why do it?"
"And for your sakes, I would refrain from playing innocent," added Eric sternly. "Excuses will not save you now."
The nobility were silent. Hands fidgeted with skirts and the buttons on cuffs as they looked to each other and themselves, searching for an answer that might appease their rulers and children in the slightest.
"Well?" said Eric, folding his arms. "Do you have anything to say for yourselves?"
One of the noblewomen stepped forward, anxiously wringing the fan in her hands. "We…we were…we…"
"They did it because they were scared."
All eyes turned to Melody as she rose and descended the steps, her voice carrying clearly in the hall. "They know Morgana is after my life. They saw how close she got at the party. And they saw what happened…what happened to Will. We all know she's still out there, and Ursula probably is to. And they're not going to give up until one of us is gone. Not if what happened at the marina is any indication." She stopped at the bottom of the dais, turning to face her parents. "They're afraid of the same thing you are–that one of their children could be their next victim."
Ariel and Eric looked to each other. Melody's theory made sense in that context. What proper parent would not go to any lengths to keep their child safe? It was under that same pretense they caged Melody within the sea wall, as much for her safety as their own peace of mind.
"And since you're Morgana's main target," added Lara, "They feared their kids would get getting caught in the crossfire if they hung around you. From what you've told me, those witches wouldn't care who or what they went through to get revenge."
Melody turned back to face the nobles. "Is that about right?"
A slur of mumbled and whispered affirmatives came from the nobles, too ashamed to look Melody in the eye.
Eric sighed. "Honestly, I understand your fears and reasoning. Any parent could. But that doesn't justify what you did, much less excuse it. You've betrayed not only our trust in you, but your children's as well."
"We're sorry," said the nobles together, bowing low.
"It's not us you should be apologizing to," said Ariel, gesturing to Melody. "It's her."
As one the nobles turned to Melody, keeping themselves bowed. "Forgive us, your highness."
Melody was about to speak when she caught Lara waving in the corner of her eye. She glanced to see Lara quietly punch her palm twice then pinch her fingers close together, that mischievous grin on her face. It took Melody a moment to interpret Lara's signing, but the message was simple enough.
"Forgive, but shake them up a little first."
Melody gave Lara a small smirk and a wink before donning a serious expression. "I forgive you…but for what you put my friends and I through, you're still going to be punished."
The nobles gulped at her words, wary of what manner of punishment their princess had in mind. Lara had to bite her lip to keep from laughing at their nervous faces.
Melody looked to her parents. "Do you approve, father?"
Eric had not been blind to Lara and Melody's silent communication, and was more than willing to help with making the nobles squirm. "What did you have in mind?"
"Well…" Melody paused, tapping a finger to her chin as she thought. "Lara, would you shave their heads?
"WHAT!?" came the shocked and horrified cry from the nobles and some of their children.
"Close or clean-shaven?" asked Lara.
"Either one as long as you get the eyebrows," said Melody.
"One batch of baldies coming right up," said Lara as she drew her sword, advancing on the group with a menacing smile as she gave the weapon a twirl. "So, who wants to go first?"
Melody would have paid an artist whatever they asked if they captured the utterly shocked expressions, white faces, and wide eyes of the nobles as Lara advanced on them with a drawn sword. Several of the women and a few men looked like they were about to faint from fright.
"Lara, Melody, that's enough," warned Ariel.
"Kidding," said Lara as she sheathed her sword and returned to her spot. "Just a joke."
"It was just letters they stole," said Melody. "And no one actually got hurt. So…I know!" She cleared her throat and turned to face the guilty parents. "Since you all seem to enjoy writing so much, I sentence you to write 'I promise not to make false letters using Princess Melody's letters to trick her friends so long as I shall live' a thousand times."
Eric coughed to hide his grin before donning a more serious expression. "Let's make it a thousand and a half. Just to make sure they learn their lesson."
"Fine by me," said Melody.
"Then it's settled." Eric turned his attention back to the nobles. "Be grateful my daughter is so merciful. If it were up to me, Lara would be keeping the wigmaker busy this month. You're all dismissed. Guards!"
A pair of guards marched into the room and saluted. "Sire!"
"Take them to the library," ordered Eric. "Find quills, ink, and paper. Lots of paper. They are to remain there till they have completed all one thousand and five hundred legible lines, no matter how long that takes. They are allowed food and water, but nothing else."
"Yes, sire!" With that the guards led the nobles out of the throne room and off to receive their punishment.
Ariel took a deep breath and sighed heavily. "Well, I never would've expected that! Especially from them!"
"None of us did," said Eric. "That's why it went on this long."
A jumble of excited voices drew his and Ariel's attention over to Melody as her friends swarmed her, each taking his or her turn to hug her and express how glad they were to see her again while apologizing profusely for their parents.
"But at least it's over," said Eric as Elaine and Melody embraced tightly.
His eyes caught notice of Lara off to the side. The woman was watching as Melody reacquainted with her friends, a small lopsided smile on her face. But soon the smile faded, replaced by what could only be sadness. Then she turned and headed for the door, walking out of the room with barely a noise.
"Um, Melody?" said Ariel, also noticing Lara's departure. "Isn't there someone you should introduce your friends to?"
"Oh, right! Everyone, there's someone I want you to meet!" said Melody as she and Elaine separated. "This is–Lara?"
Melody looked around, confused where her guardian had gone. She looked to her parents for answers, receiving a directing nod from Ariel towards the door Lara left through moments ago.
"Wait…she left?" asked Melody. "Why?"
Ariel gave a shrug to indicate her guess was as good as anyone's.
"Would you excuse me a moment?" asked Melody, politely squeezing her way through her friends before going after Lara.
She barely left the hall when Grimsby suddenly entered, out of breath with a letter clutched in his hands. "At last! Your majesties! I've been looking everywhere for you!"
"What's wrong, Grims?" asked Eric as he rose from his throne.
Grimsby wiped his brow and adjusted his collar before approaching, dabbing his perspiring brow and neck with a handkerchief. "I would not necessarily call it 'wrong,' your highnesses! But it is most urgent and unexpected!"
"What is it?" asked Ariel as Eric took the letter and opened it.
Eric's eyes quickly widened as he read. "It's from Willard! Strihaven wants to rejoin the Alliance!"
Lara walked down the hallway with no destination in mind. She would settle for anywhere her feet took her so long as it was away from people for a while. And mermaids. Away from anyone, really.
Seeing Melody so happy with her friends gave Lara a sense of pride in what she–no, they had accomplished. It was a heartening sight, all of them clustered together, reunited at long last. She put her abilities to use fixing instead of breaking something for once. But it also brought back memories, and with them pains she wished more than anything to be free of. Memories of intolerance, hatred, scorn, loss, suffering, and betrayal. All for no other reason than being who and what she was.
Her hand brushed her sword's scabbard as she went. She rested her hand on the hilt, remembering the look in the nobles' faces when she drew it. She truly intended it as a joke, but she knew what they thought of her. In that moment she transformed from a strangely dressed woman carrying a sword to something less than human. She became monstrous and dangerous in their eyes, incapable of ever being fully trusted. And they still did not know about her magic. No doubt those looks would intensify when they did, and Lara was sure they would. Those who knew about magic did not lack fear of it. They just feared it less than those who knew nothing. Even with Eric's promise to protect her from persecution, how long would it be before—?
"Lara! Wait up!"
Lara stopped and turned to see Melody jogging after her, skirt hiked up lest she trip. "Melody?"
"Where are you going?" Melody asked as she came to a stop.
Lara shrugged more morosely than she intended. "Out, I guess."
"Oh." Melody smoothed her dress. "Are you all right? Is something wrong?"
"I'm fine," said Lara, knowing full well she was not. "I mean, I will be. Just need some alone time."
"Okay, but before you go, I just wanted to say…I wanted to say thank you."
"For what?" asked Lara.
Melody's brow arched in surprise. "For what? What do you think? For taking me to see Big Teddy! For helping me sneak into Elaine's house!"
"Mansion," interrupted Lara.
"Fine, her home," said Melody. "And for getting my friends back! Without you none of this would've been possible! And…" Melody paused, biting her lip as she clasped her hands together. "Thank you. For everything else, I mean."
Lara turned to go. She really needed to get out of this place. She felt like the walls were closing in on her. She felt constrained. Trapped. "Just doing my job."
She barely made it a step when Melody grabbed her hand. "Wait! Please, just give me a minute!"
As much as Lara wanted to pull her hand free and walk away, her legs decided to turn her around and face Melody of their own accord.
"I know neither of us wanted you to be my protector," said Melody. "And I know I made it tough for you with…well, you know, everything. And it would've been easy enough for you to call it quits and leave, or to just watch over me and nothing else. But you've done so much more since you came here. Not just for me, but everyone. You didn't have to spend time with my family or the people here, but you did. And you've protected them when no one else could. From the pirates, the seaclops, and the…right, don't talk about that."
Melody paused, shifting nervously as she released Lara's hand. "What I'm trying to say is, you've been there when we needed you most, and you looked out for me even when all I wanted was for you to disappear. And I know I haven't said it much…okay, I haven't said it at all. But…thank you. Thank you for keeping my family safe. Thank you for keeping me safe. I really mean it. And I meant what I said yesterday too. I know we've had a rough start and I'm not expecting things to change overnight, but…"
She offered her hand to Lara. "Maybe we can start over? As friends this time?"
Lara looked at Melody's hand. Perhaps it was because of how the princess behaved up till literally yesterday, or her own habitual pessimism, but she had not expected this. The person before her was an entirely different Melody from the one she was hired to protect. Not closed off and prickly but open and warm. It was still early, but she really did seem to have changed for the better.
Lara started to reach for her hand but then stopped. What about herself? Had she done the same? Had she changed for the better? In some ways she definitely had, but in others it was debatable.
"Too soon?" asked Melody, her hand lowering at Lara's hesitation.
"It's not that. Or you, actually. It's…" Lara paused as she licked her lips. "I told you my past yesterday, but I only got to tell you part of it. And I don't…I don't know if I can tell you the rest yet."
"What do mean?"
"The east was hard on me. That, and loosing dad and our home. I've been telling myself I'm fine and I've moved on. That I won't let the past keep getting to me. But…"
Melody cautiously approached. "But what?"
Lara walked to the nearest window, looking out to the palace gardens and ocean beyond. "The truth is I'm not fine. Not really. My healing can fix bruises, cuts, and broken bones. But it can't fix my past. It can't undo what I did before I came here." She sighed, running her hands over her face then up through her hair. "You don't go through what I did and come out of it unchanged or without baggage. There's a lot of things I wish I could take back, even if I did them because I was trying to stay alive. I've stolen. Cheated. Lied."
Lara closed her eyes tight, wrestling with herself inside. "Killed."
Melody gasped. "You…killed people?"
Lara slowly nodded, her hands clenching and unclenching. She felt the start of an oncoming panic attack. "It wasn't one time either. Sometimes I had no choice. If I didn't kill them, they'd kill me. But doesn't change that they're dead because of me. That I'm a…a murderer."
She turned and leaned back against the window, sliding down to the floor. Her vision was starting to blur. "I've got blood on my hands, princess. Too much. I thought I could wash it off by leaving that place and doing right for a change, but it's still on me. I swore to myself I wouldn't add any more to it. That I'd never fight or kill again. But with everything I've done with the tournament, the marina, that creature, and then fighting with you, I can't help thinking I've been lying to myself. That all I've done is gotten bloodier. That…that there's no hope for me. That I'm a fraud."
Lara closed her eyes again as she braced for the inevitable flashbacks. "I don't know if I can be the person I want to and the person you need to protect you."
Melody saw tremors starting in Lara's body as her breathing quickened. She had only seen it once before, but that was enough for her to recognize Lara was about to have another episode. She quickly knelt down in front of her as the shaking worsened.
"Lara, look at me!" she said, taking Lara's face in her hands. "Whatever it is, don't give into it! Don't give in!"
Lara slowly opened her eyes, fixing them on Melody's. The princess could see the panic in them as Lara tried to keep from falling into whatever horrors stalked her memories. She was looking right at Melody, but it was unclear if she was seeing her. Her face was paler. Her skin was cooler. She grabbed Melody's wrists, her grip almost painful it was so strong. But Melody resisted the urge to pull away. Lara had been there for her several times already. Now it was her turn. She had no idea if she could help, but she had to try.
Melody forced Lara to look at her. "I don't know who you used to be, but she's not you anymore! Maybe you lied about your magic, but you were scared we'd hate you because everyone else had! Maybe you hurt others, but you did it to protect yourself! And to protect us! Not because you wanted to!"
As Melody spoke Lara's trembling subsided and her breathing slowed. Melody drew back as she finished talking, looking for anything in Lara's face to tell her she was returning. She blinked a few times, her eyes roaming over Melody's face as she drew deep, shuddering breaths, releasing Melody's hands.
"The Lara Anclagon I know isn't a liar, or a thief, or a murderer!" continued Melody. "You don't turn your back on people who need help, even if they don't want it! You're brave when everyone else is scared! You can be rough around the edges, and sometimes you let your temper get the better of you! But you're a good person, Lara! Everyone here and in town thinks of you as a friend, and I…I want to think of you that way too!"
Lara stiffened, mouth parting slightly. "As…a friend?"
"Yeah. If you'll give me another chance. So…" Melody stood up, again offering her hand. "Let's try this again. I'm Melody, Princess of Seahaven."
Lara stared at Melody's hand a moment. She started to reach for it, paused, and then slowly took it. Melody's grip tightened and she pulled, helping Lara onto her feet. She was heavier than she looked.
"I'm Lara. Lara Anclagon." Melody felt her grip tighten, giving her a small shake. "I'll be your protector from now on."
Melody smiled as she let go of Lara's hand. "Please take good care of me, Lara."
"Of course, princess," said Lara. "I always look out for my friends."
Melody shook her head. "Just Melody is fine."
A small smile came to Lara's face. "All right…Melody."
"Are you sure about this?" said Dash, following Tip through the halls of Atlantica's palace. Dusk was setting, and with it the citizens of the undersea city. The palace was dim in the failing light, giving the unlikely accomplices the best cover they could hope for to carry out their mission.
"You heard what cinderbreath said," replied the penguin, peeking around a corner before proceeding. "We put this on the statue and then we're done till he needs us again."
Dash watched the feather stuck to Tip's back undulate as they swam down another hall. The iridescent black was riddled with the same orange and red lines as its avian creator. The way the light pulsated made it seem alive. What manner of enchantment this feather possessed Dash could only imagine. All they had was the raven's word it contained nothing malicious.
They reached the end of the hall, pressing themselves to the wall before slowly advancing. Tip barely had his beak around the corner when he suddenly pulled back, pressing himself even flatter than before.
"Guards!" he whispered. "Five of them coming this way!"
If a walrus could sweat Dash would be pouring buckets of it. "What do we do now!?"
"Just…I don't know! Act casual!"
The closest thing Tip and Dash could manage in terms of "casual" was leaning against the wall, barely disguising their nerves as nonchalance as the merguards swam by. Their jaws were tight to keep their teeth and beak from chattering. For a moment they were sure they would be questioned when they made eye contact with one of the mermen. To their relief they kept swimming without any further interaction. The duo continued to hold their breath till the last merman was out of sight and then slumped heavily against the wall, hearts pounding in their chests like drums.
"That was close!" exclaimed Tip, wiping a flipper over his brow.
"Yeah! If they'd caught us, we'd be shark chow!" said Dash.
Tip pushed himself up, straightening his feathers with a shake. "Let's get this over with. I don't want a repeat of that!"
After a brief check for any more guards the two swam around the corner, headed for the grated door at the end of the corridor. Quietly as they could they snuck through, closing it behind them.
Although the memorial garden to Queen Athena was technically open to all, it was not a place frequented by the public. Today was no exception, making them the sole visitors. Commissioned by Triton shortly after his wife's death, it was a place the queen surely would have approved of. Rocks covered with bright and colorful corals and plants gently swayed in the currents, flanking the stone paths. Shells and crystals of various colors and forms dotted the area. The centerpiece of the garden was a life size statue of Athena and the king. The queen's form was cast in exquisite gold and enchanted so neither time nor nature would tarnish her. Her bright eyes and lovely smile were forever fixed on her beloved's face as Tip and Dash approached.
"You sure about this?" asked Dash as Tip reached behind and pulled the feather off his back.
"No," said Tip. "But I'll take my chances with this over what that bird will do to us if we turn back now!"
Tip swam up to Athena's face, feather clutched tight in his flipper. The light became steady and bright, as though anticipating what came next.
The penguin swallowed nervously. "Well, here goes something!"
"Oh…I can't watch!" said Dash, covering his eyes only to peep under a flipper just before Tip brought the feather to Athena's forehead.
The moment feather and statue made contact the feather came apart. The glowing lines fled their crumbling home for the statue, spreading over Athena and then Triton in a wave. They lingered for a moment before fading away, leaving the statues no better or worse than before.
"Is that it?" asked Dash.
"Uh…I guess so," said Tip, as surprised as his partner by the anticlimactic end of their mission. He hesitantly tapped the statue's forehead, garnering no more than a small metallic sound. "Huh…"
"What now?" asked Dash.
"Now we get out of here!" said Tip, swimming up and away. Dash quickly followed, not wanting to be present if guards or anyone else came by and asked questions.
Athena and Triton's statues remained as they were, a flash of orange and red lines washing over their eyes for a moment before vanishing again.
The sun was setting on the ocean as Melody sat in her room, turning William's gift over in her hands. The last of her friends had gone home over an hour ago, their parents having finished their "punishment" and now awaiting what was sure to be a severe tongue lashing from their offspring.
The day had been the best one Melody could remember in recent months. She, her friends, and Lara spent most of the day down at the beach, enjoying the sunny weather together. They splashed about in the surf, searching for various shells and other things the tides had washed up. Though Lara still avoided the ocean, she was able to regale Melody's friends with a story of her encounter with devil worms and a few "basic" magic skills such as forming a glass shell out of sand. They were entranced by what Lara's powers could do, having never seen real magic before. Time flew by as they recaptured a sliver of life before that fateful party, and before they knew it the day was coming to a close. They left with lingering hugs and many promises to see each other again soon until the last carriage rolled through the gates.
Now Melody found herself confronting the last and most difficult hurdle in her reformation as she waited for Lara to finish her bath. For a long time this box and ribbon were untouchable for her, as though merely laying hands upon it would infect her with a deadly poison. She had barely been able to approach it without memories of William's death and that awful night resurfacing. Now she held it in hand, trying to work up the courage to remove those ribbons.
The sounds of the door opening and closing announced Lara's return as she walked in, dressed in pants and a shirt, rubbing her hair dry with a towel. "Bath's all yours. Carlotta said she'll have the water changed in a bit."
"Mm-hm," replied Melody, vaguely aware of Lara.
Lara noticed the distraction in Melody's voice as she hung her towel over the vanity screen. "And Louis finally caught Sebastian, so we're having crab for dinner tonight. Oh, and there's a giant hairy spider crawling towards you. A really venomous one too."
"Right…"
Lara looked at Melody with puzzlement, confused by her lack of responsiveness to the possibility of Louis achieving his decades long ambition, or an arachnid of unusual size making its way to her. That is, until she saw what was in Melody's hands. "Is that…?"
"Will's gift," said Melody. "I…haven't been able to bring myself to open it."
Lara went and sat beside Melody, eyeing the present. "Any idea what it could be?"
Melody shook her head. "I hadn't given it much thought. After what happened it…it just wasn't important anymore. I didn't think I'd ever open it, but after today it feels like it's time."
"So, what's holding you back?" asked Lara.
Melody licked her lips, giving the present a turn. It was easy to understand what held her back after the party. Anyone could understand. So what caused her to hesitate now? Was it Lara? Her guardian would likely step out if she asked. But given she had not been able to open the present while Lara was bathing it was doubtful having her gone would make it any less difficult. She actually felt a bit calmer now with Lara there, her strong presence able to bring some stability to her inner turmoil. Was she concerned she could relapse into that depressive state again? Truthfully, she was, but it was dubious at best. She was by no means restored emotionally to her former self. She had a feeling she never would be that person entirely again. But neither was she as fragile or miserable as before. She felt secure enough in her feelings and thoughts that she would not undo the progress she made.
So why was she still afraid to open this box?
"I don't know," said Melody. "I know I should open it. I've put it off longer than I should have. I know it's something I have to do. But I…I'm…"
"Worried you're not going to like what you find?" offered Lara.
Melody looked to Lara then back to the gift. It was not that she was wrong. There was truth in what she said. She just was not completely right either.
"I guess," said Melody quietly.
"You know…" Lara pulled her legs up, sitting cross-legged on the bed. "When I think about it, people tell me you and Will were close, but not much beyond that. I mean, I've heard some stuff. He was handsome. He was noble. King So-And-So was his father. But I really don't know anything about him. What was he like?"
Melody looked at Lara. "What was he like?"
"Yeah. You knew him better than anyone else I'm betting. And I sure don't feel like riding to Strihaven to ask his dad after what I've heard about him. So, why don't you tell me about Will? How did you two meet?"
Melody set the box aside. "We met at my twelfth birthday party. He asked me to dance."
"And…?" urged Lara, gesturing for Melody to continue.
"It went badly. Somehow Sebastian got himself tangled up in the bow of my dress while I was getting ready, and when Will put his hand on my back for the dance he…sort of got his finger pinched."
"So, your first encounter wasn't exactly smooth sailing?"
Melody expression perfectly relayed how embarrassing the event was for her. "Let's just say it ended with Will falling in the punch bowl, Louis chasing Sebastian with a cleaver, and me running away in tears while everyone laughed."
Lara cringed. "Ooh… not a good first impression, then?"
Melody shook her head. "Definitely. After that was the ordeal with Morgana and the sea wall coming down. I wrote an apology to him once things settled down."
Lara cocked a brow. "Why? It wasn't your fault."
"Maybe, but I still felt bad for what happened. I wasn't expecting him to write back though, so I was really surprised when he did. It was a full day before I worked up the courage to open that letter. I was sure he would be furious with me and tell me to never write him again, but he didn't. He said there was no need for forgiveness, but if I really wanted to make it up to him, I could accompany him to a ball in Strihaven later that month. I said yes and…we just went from there."
"So that answers how you met," said Lara. "But what was Will like?"
"Will was…he was…"
A flood of memories came back to Melody as she searched for her answers, passing before her like pages in a book as she flipped through them. There was the memory of his first visit to Seahaven after the wall came down. She took him to the beach with her friends and introduced him to Tip and Dash. He looked so confused as she acted as translator between them. There was the time they took the carriage out and got caught in a storm, forcing them to shelter at a farmer's house till it passed. The man looked ready to faint when he found a sopping wet prince and princess at his doorstep. They huddled together around his wood stove, relying on the flames and each other for warmth. She remembered when Triton first enchanted her locket, granting her freedom in the ocean she had not enjoyed since Morgana's demise. She was eager to show its magic to Will when she saw him again. She remembered how he stared with slack jawed amazement as she leapt from the sea, her mermaid form on full display. There was the time he visited for the Seahaven Festival, allowing her to all but drag him from booth to booth in her excitement. He won her a garland of flowers at one of the stands. He took her on multiple occasions to the forests around Strihaven, showing her that land's nature was no less awesome or majestic that what the sea could offer. The moments whipped by one after the other, and though they did not spare her the pangs of loss, they now brought memories of happiness and love as well.
Melody scooted further onto the bed, kicking off her shoes as she did. "You're right that he was handsome. He had this way of smiling that could make your heart race. He was tall, too. And a good dancer. But he was more than a pretty face. He was always charming and witty. He knew just what to say to make someone laugh or smile. He was also kind and generous and smart. You couldn't find a cruel or spiteful bone in him if you tried! And he was brave. He was never boastful, but he was always willing to try something new or go somewhere he'd never been. He never got tired of hearing me talk about Atlantica or the merpeople and everything else under the sea. He wanted to visit there some day. And I could listen to him talk about the mountains and forests just as long. We would read about far off places and make plans to visit them all."
A small smile appeared on Melody as she looked to the window. "I think that's part of why I fell for him. For so many people the world ends at the horizon. They don't wonder what's over the next hill, around the next bend, or just over the edge. They're content just hearing about it. Will was like me. He knew there was more to this world than the Alliance and the sea, and he wanted to see it for himself. He wanted to know if it's as wondrous as he imagined. We promised we'd find the farthest shore on a map and go there together one day."
A slight blur in her vision warned Melody that her eyes were watering. She quickly wiped them on her sleeve. "He would've liked you, Lara. With all you've seen he'd probably have a thousand questions!"
Lara smirked slightly. "I bet."
Melody gave her eyes one last rub before picking up the present. She felt better now. Her trepidations were still there, but they no longer restrained her as before.
"Just do it," urged Lara. "Presents are supposed to be opened. This one's waited long enough."
Melody nodded. Taking a deep breath, she pulled on the ribbon. The bow came apart, slipping to the floor as she removed the lid. Her breath caught as she saw the engraved box and the words inscribed on it. Her hand was shaking as she extracted it and opened the lid.
On one side of the box a cylinder began rotating, the pins striking a steel comb to produce a tune matching the inscription on the lid. On the other side, seated on a cushion of white satin, was a gold ring. The band was styled as a graceful mermaid. The detail was exquisite, from the scales on her tail to the features of her face. Her extended arms and fins formed the facet for a single large blue diamond. The color of the gem was like the waters of a coral sea, the hue not hampering its clarity in the slightest. Even in the failing light it sparkled and shone, throwing rainbow flecks across the room. One of the flecks drew Melody's eyes to the inside of the lid and the inscription it bore.
"To the farthest shore or the end of time,
There is no one I would rather go there with than you
Will you marry me?"
Melody covered her mouth as her eyes started watering, her heart beating louder in her chest. "Will, you…you wanted to…?"
Lara gave an amazed whistle as Melody pulled out the ring, the box continuing its song as they admired it. "Now that is an engagement ring!"
The more she beheld the box and ring, the more Melody realized this was no mere birthday gift. Blue diamonds were among the rarest of gems, and the workmanship invested into the ring was priceless. The inscription was no less precious. The farthest shore was their shared dream. To travel as far as they could not for the sake of the destination, but the journey itself. To see the world with their own eyes on an adventure of their own. This ring and this box were intended as more than a question to her. It was a promise to her.
"Oh, Will…" Melody uttered, tears starting to fall from her eyes.
Lara gently took the ring from Melody as she started trembling, afraid she might drop it. "I didn't know Will like you did, Melody. But I know two things for sure. One, he would've wanted you to wear this…"
She took Melody's left hand and slipped the ring onto her finger. The fit was perfect, as though Melody had always been meant to wear it.
"And two, I was completely, utterly, absolutely wrong," continued Lara. "Will didn't throw his life away. Because as long as you live, so will the dream you two shared."
With that, Melody lost it. The last crumbling wall her sorrow built around her heart was shattered like a hammer through a window. She all but threw herself onto Lara, wrapping her arms around her as she broke down sobbing uncontrollably. Lara held her arms out in alarm, unsure what to do as Melody let loose one loud, heart-wrenching cry after another as she buried her face in her shirt.
The creak of the door was what gave Ariel away to Lara. She looked up to see the queen peeking in, her expression asking what was wrong. Lara held up the empty box and Ariel's eyes widened, even further when Lara gestured to her left ring finger and then Melody.
Lara glanced down at Melody as the princess' embrace tightened. "What am I supposed to do?" she mouthed to Ariel.
Ariel smiled gently and mouthed back, "What a friend would do."
Lara looked back to Melody. She slowly lowered her arms, one wrapping around Melody's back as she hesitantly stroked her head. Melody hugged tighter in response as she continued crying. Lara looked to Ariel, her expression asking if she was doing okay. Ariel only nodded. Lara embraced Melody stronger, holding her close as the princess shed the tears she held back for too long
Lara slowly walked down the beach, her sword knocking quietly in its scabbard as she carried it in her hand. The fire pendant bounced lightly against her sternum, the glass a warm presence compared to the cool night. Darkness began and Melody's crying ended long ago, both now peaceful. Shedding that last piece of emotional baggage left Melody drained physically and emotionally, and she fell asleep not long after. Lara left after midnight, asking a detail of ten guards to take her place. She told them she was going to stretch her legs.
She looked back over her shoulder. The palace was a good two miles away now, looking like a dollhouse on the beach. Far enough she could do what she came here for.
The sound of her footsteps changed as she stepped from the dry to the damp sand, water pushed out of it as her weight settled in each step. She stopped as close to the reach of the surf as she dared. The water was dark even under the light of the moon, the only sound the waves lapping against shore. Her eyes looked out to the horizon as her ears listened for the faintest presence, picking up nothing from either.
"I bet you can't hear me, Morgana," she said out loud. "And I bet whoever else you're working with can't either. But I'm hoping you can, because I've got something to say to you all."
She held her sword out to the sea. "This sword belonged to my father. He watched over it long before I was born. He kept it safe from those who would abuse it, and when I was ready, he entrusted it to. It's more than a piece of steel. There's magic in it, my pendant, and me. It's served me as well as my training has against more men, mages, and monsters than I can count."
Slowly Lara drew the sword, the moon's light reflecting white off the mirrored finish. "When I came here, I swore to never draw this sword again, or take another life. I swore it as penance for the blood it spilled and the lives it took. I swore I would never wield it against someone ever again, but because of you I've had to break that promises. And I resented it. I resented myself for being unable to keep my oath, and I resented you for causing that. But not anymore. I still resent you, but not for the broken promises."
Lara's hand tightened around the hilt. "I resent you for the lives you've taken. I resent you for the pain you've caused. Not just to Melody, but everyone! You've killed parents and children! You've killed friends! You've made widows and orphans out of families! You've left empty seats at tables! These people have cried rivers for those you murdered! You've sown grief, fear, and graves across the Alliance!"
A wind started to build around Lara, her hair swaying in it as the blade of her sword heated. Her piercings and tattoos started to glow, the air around her warming. The sand around her steamed as the water was evaporated out of it. "You kept Richard from facing the justice he deserves! You tortured that seaclops into becoming a weapon! You brought them out of the shadows and jeopardized the people I care about! You caused parents to turn on their own children out of fear! You killed William, and stole his and Melody's dream! You stole a love and a life she'll never have now!"
The charm around Lara's neck grew brighter as the blade of her sword turned heated orange. Wind gusted off her in bursts, throwing sand and water away. The waves pushed against it, only to be beaten back by the force of the air. Her eyes were glowing bright as her piercings and tattoos now, pulsing with a furious light. A red-orange aura appeared around her as her magic swelled.
"So I'm gonna make another promise!" shouted Lara. "A promise I won't break no matter what! To you, to Melody, and to me! You won't take anyone from her ever again! You'll never have your revenge or her life! I'll stand in your way and beat you back every single time! And when I find you, I won't stop until you and your cohorts are gone forever! Claymore…!"
The sword burst into flames as Lara drew it overhead, an audible hum emanating from the blade as the pendant's light became radiant. "Fire!"
The moment Lara stepped forward she swung her sword as hard and fast as she could. A beam of flame ten feet across burst from the sword's tip, illuminating the shore and water in blazing light. It shot up into the sky fast as a bullet, leaving a trail of sparks in its wake as it soared into the heavens. Higher and higher it went till it was little more than a pinprick in the sky. Then it exploded, becoming a flaring spot of light against the stars for a moment before extinguishing. Moments later a dull rumble reached Lara, like distant thunder of an approaching storm.
Lara breathed heavily as her sword cooled, the metal becoming silver once again as her eyes continued to flicker with light. "You want revenge? Just try and get it! I'll show you what happens when you play with fire!"
Splash!
"How many left?"
"Last one! Oi, fishbait! Up!"
The blonde mermaid blinked as she opened her eyes, quickly shielding them against the lantern's light. She felt dry, her scales rasping as she shifted. Her side was sore from sleeping on the rough bars that made the bottom of her cage. She shivered, still cold from the lingering effects of the sea witch's magic.
"I said up!"
Her stupor was rudely destroyed when a pair of strong hands seized her chain and dragged her out of the cage. The sharp edges of her manacles dug painfully into her wrists. She regained enough awareness of the wooden decking of the ship and the sound of the man's boots stepping over it to know she was out of water before she was suddenly airborne, banging her hip on the railing and then falling off into the cold ocean water.
She was wide-awake as the water soaked into her parched skin and scales. Immediately she kicked her fins to swim away but was abruptly stopped when a pair of large gray hands seized her wrists and jerked her back. She found herself staring into the scarred snarling face of a large sharkanian as he locked her onto the end of a long length of chain. Other merfolk were chained to it, some trying to get free while others resigned themselves to imprisonment. A long line of them led up to a steep rocky face, human shadows above hauling them out of the water one by one.
Her eyes followed the cliff face down to a rocky sea floor. Harsh shadows flitted at the edge of light, too faint to tell if they were rocks or shipwrecks. The water tasted dirty and gritty with some unseen contaminant that made her eyes and throat sting. No fish or sea life of any sort was in sight. Her eyes found the chain to the ship's anchor, following it back up to the hull of the vessel.
It suddenly came back to her at once. She remembered the sharkanian barging into her house and seizing her, dragging her into the street and then throwing her in a cage. She remembered biting his fingers and being dropped, making a break for it when the cage opened. She swam for the surface till an icy hand dragged her back into the clutches of an ice wielding sea witch. She remembered a biting deathly cold sweeping through her and then darkness.
She pulled hard but in futility against the chain, swimming circles as it dragged her closer to the surface. As the air drew closer she swam down, staying under as long as possible before hands reached in and grabbed her, hauling her out of the water. She flailed and kicked in the men's clutches till they threw her to the barren rock before seizing her again and forcing her into a kneeling position beside another mermaid. She glanced up and saw dozens of merfolk kneeling in rows before her, men with whips and chains and wicked expressions circling around like sharks, looking for any excuse to punish.
"In line, all of ye!" shouted someone, followed by the crack of a whip and a scream. "On yer scales and shut it!"
The blonde mermaid nudged the prisoner next to her, a purple tailed brunette mermaid. The mermaid gave no response to her, eyes fixed desperately on the ground.
"Hey," she whispered, nudging her again. "Hey! What's going on?"
"Don't," whispered the mermaid.
"Where are we? What is this?"
Crack! A whip snapped within inches of the mermaids' faces, making them recoil back before boots shoved them into place.
"Quiet!" someone barked. "Any more and I'll change yer snitchin' to–!"
Suddenly the ground began to tremble. Pebbles and grit danced on the stone as a heavy rumbling filled the air. All voices went silent as the blonde mermaid shifted her attention to her surroundings for the first time.
Before her was an island as unwelcome and harsh as the man who accosted her. The shoreline stretched out for miles, littered with jagged rocks and boulders for waves of dark gray water to crash against. Each sent spray flying against sheer weather-beaten cliffs. Smoke rose from spires to a storming dark sky reflecting the light of fires, the clouds churning in a perpetual hurricane. A bolt of lightning crossed in the distance, growling thunder reaching her ears seconds after. She and her fellow prisoners were on a large slab of rock at the water's edge. Before them a portion of the cliffs appeared to be splitting in half, fiery light escaping from within.
The blonde mermaid's eyes widened. It was not a cliff at all! It was doors! Giant doors, larger and longer than the greatest of whales, disguised as the rocks. They swung outwards, grinding and groaning as they were pushed open by an incomprehensible force.
A pirate walked towards the doors as a single figure appeared. The light from inside cast it in shadow, but the mermaid was sure it was a female from the long braid trailing over its shoulder and the contour of its torso and hips.
"Any loses?" demanded the figure, the feminine voice confirming the mermaid's deduction.
"Aye," answered the pirate, falling in step behind the figure. "Seventy-three perished on the way here. Not that they would've last here anyway. All feeble and old."
"And the bodies?" asked the woman as she emerged into the dim light, revealing a porcelain white smiling mask that made the mermaid's skin prickle. An executioner's hood was less menacing.
"Stowed aboard," said the pirate. "Figured Riptide wouldn't mind a snack."
The woman and pirate were quickly forgotten as a titanic sea serpent slithered out of the dark water beside the doors, looming high above all of them. An electric blue tongue licked across giant sharp teeth as his gleaming yellow eyes scanned through the prisoners, making them quiver in terror.
"They may be a tad ripe," said the pirate.
"Waste not," said the monster, swinging a tendril like a lantern fish's rod behind his head.
The woman continued towards the prisoners, her boots loud against the ground. The mermaid could feel her eyes passing over them from behind the mask. A chill crept across her skin as her attention came to her, as though the woman just passed a blade over her throat.
Suddenly the woman stretched her hand out, golden lightning arcing down her arm. Metal shards flew from her robe and formed a large scythe in her hand, the blade gleaming and deadly. She twirled it over her wrist before taking it in both hands and burying half the blade in the rock, causing everyone but the sea monster to flinch.
"Listen up, you sniveling scraps of chum, cause you won't hear it a second time!" she shouted. "My name is Remora, vice-commander of Maelstrom and right hand of our master! The beast beside me is Riptide, his left hand! As of this moment your lives belong to me! You're myslaves, and that makes you Maelstrom's property!"
Remora pulled the scythe out, dragging it over the rocky ground as she walked along the front line of merfolk. The grating of sharp metal on rock made the blonde mermaid want to cover her ears, but she bore it for fear of drawing attention.
"In front of you is the Factory!" continued Remora. "Your new home! There are only two rules here! First rule–you work, you live! I've got no use for those who won't or can't! Which means…"
She pointed to a pair of pirates and then to an older merman. "You two, let that one go."
The pirate closest to him looked between the merman and Remora in confusion. "Let him go?"
"Did you not hear me? I said let him go."
"But–."
Remora whistled sharply.
Mercifully, it happened so fast the blonde mermaid missed it. Riptide lunged down, blue tongue shooting out and snaring the pirate. He barely started screaming before he was pulled into the serpent's jaws, his voice cut off in an instant. The pirates backed away as some of the merpeople screamed.
"Anyone else feel like questioning orders?" asked Remora, a bolt of electricity arcing over her mask as Riptide swallowed.
"Crunchy," he growled, smiling as only a monster could.
The remaining pirate quickly had the old merman out of his chains, dragging him away from the prisoners. Remora began pointing to others in the prisoners, the pirates quickly moving to free them. "You. And you. You two. You. You. You."
She kept going till more than two-dozen merfolk had been released.
"Put them in the water," ordered Remora.
The pirates and merfolk looked at her with obvious confusion. Any questions or hesitation were cut short as Riptide hissed, his tongue sliding out between his teeth. The pirates quickly hauled the freed merfolk to the water and tossed them in. They floated near the top, bewildered by the sudden change in circumstances.
Remora walked to the edge of the water. "Now get swimming."
The merfolk looked between her and the ship but made no move.
"I said get," said Remora, more harshly than before.
"W-why are you letting us go?" asked one of the freed mermaids, cradling her left arm.
"Like I said, I've got no use for those who can't or won't work," said Remora.
"It's a trick!" said another. "Those pirates will kill us the moment we swim!"
"The only thing they'll do is stay right where they are." Remora looked to the pirates. "I see one of you so much as twitch, you'll find out what the inside of Riptide's gullet looks like after I cut your limbs off! We clear on that!?"
The pirates gave an audible but unintelligible reply.
"I said, are we clear on that!?" shouted Remora. "Or are you bilge rats tired of living!?"
"Aye!" came the unanimous reply from the ship and land.
Remora looked back to the merfolk. "There. Now get going before I change my mind and show you how well salt-water conducts lightning."
Most of the merfolk needed no further encouragement. They immediately turned and dove, going under the pirate ship for freedom. Others hesitated, wary of deception. A rather thin mermaid caught the blonde mermaid's eye, as though pleading with her for direction.
"Go," she mouthed. "Just go."
The thin mermaid lingered for a moment longer, and then she turned and dove. The rest soon followed. The blonde mermaid watched as they swam off, their forms eventually obscured by the water and the ship.
Remora turned from the water, walking back towards Riptide. The serpent watched her closely, jaw tight and tense. The air was dominated by the sounds of her boots against the gritty rock. A distant roll of thunder sounded with the swells lapping against the rocks.
"Riptide, kill them," said Remora.
"What!? No!" exclaimed the blonde mermaid.
With a growling hiss and a snap of his jaws Riptide slithered and then leapt into the water, his enormous form moving with explosive speed. He pierced the water like a giant spear, sending waves out that swamped onto the rock the prisoners and pirates stood on. Seconds later there was a splash and a scream cut short by snapping jaws.
"No!" The blonde mermaid bolted for the water, only to have a pirate grab her and throw her back. There were more screams and splashing now, the orange tips of the monster's fins appearing over the frame of the pirate ship before diving back down.
"You witch!" shouted one of the mermen as he grabbed a rock to throw at Remora. "You heartless–!"
He was cut off when Remora swept her arm at him, shooting metal spikes into his chest and head. The merfolk around him screamed in horror as he fell.
"Shut it!" yelled Remora, a bolt of electricity jumping off her with a loud crack. Immediately they went silent as she pointed her scythe at them. "I said I've got no use for anyone who can't or won't work, in which case the only thing you're good for is feeding beasts! Which brings me to rule two–you don't work, you die! You refuse to, you die! You can't, you die! You fight back, you die! You try to escape, you die! You hide anything, you die! And if you piss me off…!"
She pointed to the dead merman as pirates threw his body into the water. "You'll wish I'd fed you to Riptide, because I can make you beg for death before I'm done flaying your scales! So do what you're told and you'll stay alive!" She turned to leave. "I want half those fins turned into legs before morning. Then have my crew and the captains report to my quarters. There's been a change in plans."
"Yes, cap'n!" said the pirate. "You heard her, ye dogs! Get this lot down to the witch brew!"
The blonde mermaid tried to get to the water again as the pirates started hauling off the first merfolk, only to have a pirate backhand her in the face. She fell back, unable to get up when a knee and hand pressed her into the stone. Still she flailed, trying to get free. She had to get away. She had to get out of here. If they got her through those doors it would be over. She would die in there. She would never see the sun or feel the water on her skin again. She would rather take her chances against that monster while it was occupied. She had to get back to Atlantica. She had to warn everyone.
"Quit yer squirmin', sea tramp!" snarled the pirate, pressing down harder on her head.
One of his fingers strayed close to the mermaid's lips. She quickly twisted around, taking the whole thing in her mouth before biting down. The pirate screamed and started beating on her head with his free hand. She refused to let go, only biting harder. More pirates joined and started kicking and punching her, trying to make her let up. Her jaw ached from their strikes and how hard she was biting, but she did not let up.
"Get her off me!" he hollered. "Get this tramp's jaws off me! She's–aaaaahhhhh!"
The blonde mermaid bit down hard as she still could. The resistance suddenly gave way and her jaw closed completely with a crunch. The pirate fell off her screaming. She quickly spat, wanting the man's finger out of her mouth. She opened her eyes and saw him hunched over on the ground, clutching at his bleeding hand.
"Ye rotted wench! Ye took my finger off!" he snarled, drawing a knife as he got to his feet. "Yer a dead fish! I'm gonna–!"
There was a whizzing sound as Remora's scythe came flying by, passing through the man's neck before sailing over the water and embedding in the side of the ship. He tottered back clutching his neck, making wet choking noises. Then he tripped backwards and fell into the water, his head making a splash before his body fell in.
"What's going on here?" demanded Remora's voice.
The blows stopped immediately. The mermaid could hear boots stepping back as another pair approached. She heard wood splinter and something fly through the air, caught in hands moments later.
"This one's trouble!" said one of the pirates. "She bit Blinder's finger off! Ye ask me ye should've let him–!"
There was a hard wet smack and then someone falling to the ground. "I don't care if she tore his throat out! Kill prisoners without my orders and your lives are forfeit! Get going, and throw that dog in the locker!"
"No!" screamed the pirate as he was dragged away. "Not the locker, cap'n! Anything but the locker! Please! Not the locker!"
"What d'ye want us to do with this one?" asked a pirate as his comrade's terrified pleading grew distant.
"I'll deal with her," said Remora. "Take care of the rest."
"Aye, cap'n."
There was a sound of sheared metal and a jerk on the mermaid's chains, followed the sound of the main chain being dragged off without her with footsteps chasing after it. A strong hand then seized her by the throat. The mermaid found herself lifted into the air, fins barely touching the rock as she came face to face with the white masked witch. She could see faint blue eyes behind the mask and hear breath against the metal. The scythe was stuck in the rock, broken chain links around it.
"The only thing I hate more than men who don't follow orders are the trash that make those men not follow orders," said Remora. "Try anything like that again and you'll wind up like he did."
The mermaid responded by spitting in Remora's face, landing a wet glob on her cheek. She wiped the bloody spittle off her mask, leaving a wet mark on her sleeve.
"Have it your way then." Remora placed her scythe against the mermaid's side, preparing to cleave her in two. The mermaid kept glaring at her, refusing to look away as she waited for the end. She would not give this witch the satisfaction of seeing her beg for her life.
A second passed. Then another. One by one they went by, Remora keeping her weapon ready for a disemboweling slash. Then she lowered the blade, the weapon falling apart as the metal retreated under her robe.
"Either you're a brave one," said Remora, cocking her head slightly. "Or you want me to kill you."
"Just…do it," croaked the mermaid. "Get it *cough* over with."
Remora abruptly dropped the mermaid. She fell coughing and gagging on the ground, clutching her now bruised neck as Remora crouched down in front of her. "I'm sorely tempted. What's your name?"
"Ner– *cough* Nerida."
Remora grabbed the mermaid's hair and twisted her head around to look her in the eyes. "Well, Nerida, for a stunt like you just pulled I'd normally have what's left of your heart in my hands. But I might have a better use for you than in the Factory or Riptide's gut. So, here's the deal. You can go with the rest of your kind and work till you drop. You can go for a swim and wind up fish food. Or…"
Remora leaned closer to Nerida. "You come with me."
Nerida coughed again. "Wh-what?"
"Don't get the wrong idea," said Remora, letting go of Nerida's hair. "This isn't mercy. There's no cushy bed or hot meals waiting for you. I won't make you my servant or pet. I'll make you suffer. I'll make you scream. You'll wish you had chosen the Factory or Riptide. And I'm not going to regret one moment of it or listen to your pleading no matter how loud you get."
Nerida pushed herself up, strands of hair falling over her face as she held Remora's gaze again. "Why would I ever go with a monster like you?"
"Because if you go with the rest of that lot, you will die. Maybe you'll collapse from exhaustion. Maybe you'll choke on the fumes. Get crushed in a cave in. Melted in a forge. Or bleed to death from the whippings. You'll wind up ash or food for the monsters one way or another. Soon with that attitude. And if you try to swim out of here, you'll definitely die. Nothing gets past Riptide in these waters."
"You're saying you'll let me live?" asked Nerida, not believing the witch.
"No," said Remora. "Your chances are just better."
Nerida grit her teeth and looked away. "Why?"
Remora chuckled, taking Nerida's chin and turning her head back. "Because I know a survivor when I see one. You act like you're ready to face death, but you want to live. You want it so bad you'll scratch and claw your way out of any hole you're thrown into. You're the type that won't go down without taking someone with them. I bet if you had a knife you wouldn't think twice about slitting my throat and making a break for it."
Nerida shivered as Remora gently brushed the hair out of her face. "That makes you just what I need. Someone who'll fight to keep the light in her eyes from going out."
Remora extended her hand out. The metal shards slithered out to become a knife, which she then put in front of Nerida before rising and walking away.
"What'll it be, Nerida?" she asked as she turned and walked away. "Go into the Factory and die? Get in the water and die? Or gamble your life on me?"
She got her answer when Nerida picked up the knife and threw it at Remora. The knife flew aat the back of Remora's head, then came apart as shards just before touching her. They flew down into her robe as Remora stopped, turning to face the mermaid. She could see fear in those blue eyes, but she also saw something behind them and within those clenched fists. Something she rarely saw in the countless merfolk she had captured and tortured over the years.
She saw hatred.
Remora smirked beneath her mask. "Good girl."
A/N: The curtain falls on the first act. Now the intermission plays out as the stage is reset. The costumes change. The lights shift. What stories and wonders pass behind the curtain are left to the audience to decide. Then the lights flash, the curtain lifting as the next chapter of the story begins!
We're finally here! I was starting to wonder if I'd ever get to this point, but it's finally happened! Things are about to heat up, so stay tuned!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own "The Little Mermaid," Disney, or any of its associated characters and intellectual property. Everything else, however, is mine =)
