Under the Caribbean Sea's deep waters, the once-vibrant kingdom of Merrow had tragically withered into a mere shadow of its former self. The lively coral gardens now lay lifeless, and the enchanting melodies of the Merfolk had faded into sorrowful whispers. Once pulsing with strength, the heart of the domain was rapidly depleting under King Aalto's relentless pursuit of ancient power. The stark contrast between the past and the present was a painful reminder of the kingdom's decline.
Without their compassionate Queen to govern with love and grace, King Aalto's obsession with uncovering magical relics had devastating consequences. He turned his back on his realm, and the once-thriving underwater city now struggled under his dark influence. A heavy shadow loomed over every corner of the kingdom, weighing its inhabitants with dread.
Few merpeople knew of King Aalto's lifelong fixation on three ancient artifacts of immense power. Hidden from most, his dangerous obsession pressed down on everyone in Merrow, filling their hearts with foreboding. Meanwhile, the entire kingdom was all too aware of the misery and neglect that plagued their beloved second-born prince, Merrick, who endured daily suffering.
Most of the underwater kingdom felt Merrick should be king, not his entitled, arrogant, and spoiled brother. A true leader inspires people, showing love, compassion, and empathy. He puts others before himself and acknowledges his mistakes. That's why many in the kingdom were disgusted and appalled by their king and his favored firstborn.
If the citizens of Merrow were honest, they would have preferred that the king had perished in the storm rather than their beautiful, kind-hearted, and motherly Queen. It wasn't right that she had been abused by her husband when she was the one truly in charge. This left the people of Merrow overwhelmed with grief and despair that the mad king and his egotistical firstborn were in charge.
In the royal palace, King Aalto's obsession was unmistakable. His private chambers were cluttered with ancient scrolls and magical objects. Like Lorelei on land, he ignored the steep price of his relentless pursuit of power, blinded by ambition.
Amid the loss of his beloved mother, Prince Merrick had sought haven in his mentor, Captain Thalass, who had always been his true father. Unbeknownst to the abused prince, Thalass was actually his uncle—the older brother of the late Queen. Just as Cedric and Elara had cared for their niece as if she were their own daughter, Thalass did the same for Merrick, though their true relationship remained hidden.
This also meant that Merrick's closest friend, Thalass's daughter Nerissa, was his cousin. Despite not knowing their familial connection, their bond was as strong and true as that of siblings.
The cousins found themselves in Captain Thalass's suite, their only sanctuary amidst the chaos. Lady Nerissa, ever the beacon of comfort, tried to soothe her cousin—no, her little brother. Unlike his blood brother, she enveloped him in love and encouragement, offering a refuge of kindness instead of ridicule. Her words were always uplifting, aimed at rebuilding his shattered self-worth.
She gently stroked Merrick's bruised back as she hummed her special Mersong—a soothing, melodic tune infused with pure magic. Every merperson had a unique Mersong, a coming-of-age gift bestowed on their 15th birthday. This song, which they had learned from their parents, held the most potent magic for those pure of heart.
The siblings had fled to Nerissa's home seeking safety after Prince Marco's cruel brand of 'fun.' His idea of amusement involved mercilessly beating his brother for his own twisted pleasure.
"Merrick, you need to understand that no matter what you do or say, your father and brother will never love or accept you." Nerissa's voice was gentle but firm, her concern evident as she looked at the damage inflicted on her little brother. His back was a canvas of bruises, a painful testament to the cruelty he endured.
Merrick sighed, the weight of defeat heavy in his voice. "My mother was right. My father only cares about himself, Marco, and his obsession with absolute power. Ever since he was a young merboy, he's been fixated on finding the lost Trinity artifacts."
Nerissa shook her head sadly, her heart aching for her cousin. "It's strange how someone could become so consumed by a fairy tale about the three relics of the original sea gods," she said, fingers continuing to weave her Mersong to help fade the bruises.
Merrick winced as he recalled his mother's warnings. "Mother never liked that story. She wouldn't let me listen to it on the conch records because she didn't want me to become like my father."
Nerissa offered a bittersweet smile as she finished her healing song. "My father never allowed me to hear it either—at least not from him or my mother. I did hear it at school, but it was so disturbing I wish I'd never been exposed to it."
"Yeah," Merrick agreed, his voice tinged with sadness. "The Tale of the Trinity Relics is mostly dismissed as a creepy story to scare kids into good behavior. Only a few, like King Aalto, take it seriously. And now he's made it his life's mission to uncover the Crown of Tides, the Trident of the Deep, and the Orb of Tempests."
The siblings sat silently, the weight of their circumstances pressing down on them. Despite the shadows of their situation, Nerissa's presence was a small but steadfast light in Merrick's dark world.
Captain Thalass swam silently through the Coral Cemetery, the frigid water around him darkened by sorrow. The once-flourishing garden was now dim and shriveled, the corals' beauty lost to the gloom.
The eerie silence was broken only by the occasional whisper of the sea breeze, which carried with it the memories of the departed. As he approached his sister's resting place, he took a deep breath, feeling the weight of unspoken words threatening to shatter his heart.
The grave was adorned with delicate coral blossoms, their colors muted but still holding a touch of their former loveliness. Thalass settled beside the stone marker, gently touching the engraved name: Queen Aquamarine. Seeing her name renewed the agony in his heart.
"Aquamarine," he began quietly, his voice trembling with emotion. "I'm here to talk to you, even though I know you're not really here to hear me. It feels like it was just yesterday when we were young, dreaming of a bright future. You were always the light in our lives; now… that light is gone."
Thalass looked at the simple grave, his hands shaking slightly. "The kingdom is in disrepair, Aquamarine. I wish you could see what's become of our birthplace. The captivating gardens we used to swim through are now dark and lifeless. The songs of our people, once full of happiness, have shifted into heartbreaking whispers."
His heart was heavy with each word he spoke. "I promised you I'd protect Merrick, our little boy. He's been through so much, Aquamarine. Your husband, King Aalto's obsession with those cursed relics, has made him even more of a monster. Your firstborn, Marco, grows more disgusting with each tide."
A wave of hopelessness passed through Thalass, the currents around him feeling heavier with his desperation. "Every day, I see Merrick suffering from their abuse and neglect. It breaks my heart. He deserves so much more than the misery they've caused him. He deserves the love and kindness you always gave."
Thalass closed his eyes, gathering his strength. "I promise you, Aquamarine, I will do everything possible to make things right. I will fight to end their reign of cruelty. I will bring life back to our kingdom and restore the joy stolen from us. I will protect Merrick with all I have and see the day when he can rise above the shadows of his father and brother."
He rested his forehead against the cool surface of the gravestone, his voice barely above a whisper. "I promise, Aquamarine, I will make things right. For you, for Merrick, and for the kingdom we both loved. I will honor your memory by fighting for the future you always dreamed of."
With one last gentle touch to the grave, Thalass slowly swam away, his heart heavy but hopeful. The path ahead was full of challenges, but his promise was a guiding light, a glimmer of hope in the darkness.
As he disappeared into the depths, the coral flowers seemed to shimmer faintly, touched by the warmth of his love and determination. In his heart, he carried the weight of his vow, hoping that one day, his efforts would bring the kingdom back to its former glory.