The Kingdom of the Crystal Sea is home to the merfolk. They're allies of the Moon Kingdom Senshi. Since the moon and tides are connected. While the Neo Senshi and the Dark Kingdom defend the Earth and Moon from hostile invaders, the Aqua Senshi must guard the waters of the Earth.
However, they're currently taking some downtime. They'd thwart a great evil from unleashing evil from the sunken city of gold. So they're now in a unique cove utilized for reading books. It was extensive enough to host quite an expansive library. Since they still needed to figure out how to use the Heart of the Ocean to make books impervious to water. Consequently, if anyone desired to read books, they'd visit the library—the keeper of the books employed magic to retrieve them from the high shelves.
Then, the patrons sat in special seats, their tails in the water and their human half above it. Last night, the Aqua Senshi had completed a four-part book series titled "The Waterfire Saga" by Jennifer Donnelly. It was about six teenage mermaids bound by a prophecy to prevent a great evil that sunk Atlantis from coming back. Chibiusa had recommended it to them. And they'd all be blown away by the incredible writing and thrilling story it told.
Initially, they wanted to discuss one book at a time, but then they figured it would be more suitable to discuss all of them at once. Their fingernails reflected their moods changing so fast that keeping up with their emotions was challenging. The teenage mermaids began first examining the prophecy itself. The prophecy that set the story in motion went as follows.
" Daughter of Merrow, leave your sleep,
The ways of childhood no more to keep,
The dream will die, a nightmare rise,
sleep no more, child. Open your eyes
Daughter of Merrow, find the five.
Brave enough to keep hope alive
One whose heart holds the light
One possessed of a prophet's sight.
One who does not yet believe
Thus has no choice but to deceive
One with spirit is sure and strong.
One who sings all the creatures' songs
Together, find the talismans.
Belonging to the six who ruled
Hidden under treacherous waters
After light and darkness dueled."
These pieces must not be united,
Not in anger, greed, or rage.
They were scattered by brave Merrow,
Lest they unlock destruction's cage.
Come to us from seas and rivers,
Become one mind, one heart, one bond,
Before the waters and all creatures in them,
Are laid to waste to Abbadon."
Princess Orca spoke first. "Well, we all agree prophecies only come true because you make them come true. Or your own interpretation of them has made it come true. Despite I find prophecies only work in fiction, not real life."
"I'd have to concur with you, Orca. Regardless, you can't dispute they make the fiction world more exhilarating. I can't believe the merpeople are completely clothed in the book series!" Lucy replied, to which the others nodded.
"It still sounds bizarre to me as well," Hannah replied. She gestured to their own bodies. "Wouldn't the salt or freshwater just destroy the garments? Or weigh you down as you tried to swim?
You swim much quicker when you're streamlined. Not weighed down by fancy clothes. But again, this is how the author envisioned her merpeople."
"Well, it is a creative twist; you've got to admit that," Lina pointed out, to which the others nodded. My issue is figuring out all the various kingdoms and their locations.
Because unlike our Senshi forms, which are named after bodies of water, figuring out them in the books is slightly tricky."
"Maybe so. Yet, I adore how much enchantment comes from a mermaid's voice when she sings. All the different song spells are exceptional! I even think conch shells can record information spot on!" Karen giggled happily.
"I think the characters' names and different abilities are also impressive. Each of the six mermaids is unique and captivating in her own way. My sole criticism is how the author utilized words from multiple languages in the series.
That got confusing, and even the glossary didn't thoroughly clarify their meaning," Noel shook her head. Noel had trouble reading and pronouncing anything outside of Russian. Therefore, the other girls had to take extra time to help her read the series.
"We can agree they could've better explained what the words not in English meant. That's true. I still find it engrossing that they can journey through mirrors or converse with those imprisoned.
Even if that creepy Mirror Lord lives there to feast upon others' fears while traveling through the Mirror universe, I adored it when they did the forbidden blood bind spell to show the antagonists they weren't backing down and were ready to risk it all!" Coco shouted happily.
"Yes, that is all extremely memorable. However, when we discover the truth about who is attacking the merfolk in the present and working with the foe who should've died four thousand years ago," Sara shook her head sadly, unable to say more.
"You don't have to say more. Backstabbing your family and home to get ahead is one of the most sinister offenses ever. Particularly when you murder a family member." Seira replied with a slight rage in her voice.
"I also find all the different talismans extraordinary. However, I frankly loved the Black Fin Resistance, which sought to regain the main protagonist, Serafina, 's throne and restore peace to the kingdoms.
I also treasured the romantic aspect between her and Mahdi. They're perfectly matched even if they're betrothed to one another," Orca gave a romantic sigh.
"You were always one for love stories, Orca," giggled Lucy. "Still, it's hard not to get emotional when they sing their vows. They are in the middle of a war, and all could be lost.
Yet they're courageous enough to take them still, even if it could lead to their death if discovered. I find that an act of true love that can't be broken. And I don't mean that it can't be undone once you promise yourself to someone else."
"True, but I also value the girls' individual growth over the series. The challenges they'd to face are thrilling but enable them to grow as individuals again." Hannah rightfully pointed out.
"I can't stand Lucia! Some want to know more about her when she's the only traitor who escapes, and they've yet another prophecy concerning her. Nevertheless, she's a spoiled, entitled brat, and her use of dark magic is beyond barbaric and unforgivable." Lina pointed out.
"It hits a bit too close to home when you think of our own past adventures. But yes, this book has something for everyone. Love, adventures, coming of age. War, loss, and character development. Therefore, I'm satisfied with it." Karen remarked.
"I'm incredibly delighted that the Land Senshi recommended this series. I hope we can recommend something from our library to them someday!" Noel looked remarkably gleeful at the idea.
"Yep, I agree that's a splendid idea! Perhaps we should start browsing the shelves for something. However, it has to be a good book series they can take the time to read." Coco replied reasonably.
"We've to make sure its not something they've read before, one that will satisfy them all. We've to consider all their different personalities and genres they like." Sara pointed out.
"I'm confident we can locate something they all enjoy reading and have their own back-and-forth. We do have a pretty vast library down here. I'm certain we can uncover something!" Seira replied.
"Then, my friends, let's get to it! Let's try to find some different series! Then they can choose which ones they want to read!" their princess declared. The girls smiled as they began to search the library for something for their friends to read.