Skylar and Marina hugged each other for a while, letting go.

"You are alive. I almost can't believe my eyes. Many thought you were dead."

"I'm alive and well. How are my parents?"

"Distraught, the police had to stop the investigation. Many people looked for you, except for that professor."

"You mean Professor Diotami?"

He nodded. "Yup, you may have thought she's a good person, but she is the opposite. That old hag cared more about her reputation than trying to find you. She also stated that you were more at fault for going on your own."

The young woman gave out a little sigh. "I figured she would say something like that. Although she acted nice, I sensed a bit of arrogance from her. Part of what she said is true. I didn't listen to her and went on my own."

Skylar could not stop staring at her; he wanted to ensure that Marina was in front of him. "How did you manage to survive?"

Marina gave out a little giggle. "Like you, we both got saved by Trystan." She turned towards the entrance. "He..." Trystan was nowhere to be seen.

"Who is Trystan?" asked Skylar as he sat closer to Marina. 

"He is the King of Atlantis. You and I are in Atlantis, which is underwater."

Skylar sat silently; he could not believe his ears. "You're kidding, right?" A smile formed on his face, and he began to laugh. "Atlantis is a pure myth!"

Marina showed no emotion; her aqua blue eyes stared at him. "Why would I lie? What would I gain from lying?" She motioned him to look at his surroundings. "Then how did you get here and see me at this moment? You and I are in Atlantis and were rescued by Trystan, my fiancée. He proposed, and I agreed."

The young man stopped laughing immediately. He almost died and was told that he was in Atlantis and that Marina was to be married. It was too much for him to process, but he composed himself. He got Marina by her shoulders. "You are engaged!?"

She nodded as a response. A slight smile was plastered on her face.

"So you're saying that this guy is King of Atlantis, but Atlantis was gone centuries ago. So is he-?"

"Trystan is immortal but will find a way to end his immortality.

Skylar was stunned. "Are you planning to stay here for the rest of your life!?"

"Yes."

"Are you crazy!?" He got off the bed and began to walk around the room. "Your mom and dad are distraught! They think that their only child is dead! Are you going to cause your family even more misery!?"

Marina's smile went down. The image of her parents went through her head. True, she missed them, but she thought about Trystan. "I can imagine they are suffering, but I know they would want me to be happy. I am happy here."

"That is selfish of you!" Skylar felt that he was going to lose it. "You still have a life to live, and you will waste it living here forever!?"

"That is my choice, Skylar! I want to stay here!"

His mouth was wide open, trying to find the right words. "How dumb can you be, Marina! What happens if the relationship doesn't work!? Then what?"

Marina could not take it any longer; she felt tears form in her eyes. She got off the bed and left the room, ignoring Skylar calling after her. She closed and locked the door shut. Marina ran towards the library. She got inside and closed the door shut while taking deep breaths.

"Had an interesting conversation?"

She looked forward and saw Trystan sitting by a table, reading scrolls.

"He and I had disagreements; that's how friends are." Marina walked towards him, who kept on reading the scrolls. "What are you reading?" she asked, putting her arms around Trystan.

It was silent between them, but Trystan spoke. "I heard everything."

Marina stilled. "How?"

He gave out a small chuckle. "This is my home; I have good hearing. Your friend's words made me think."

"About what?"

"Perhaps, he is right on certain things. I can't entirely agree with what your friend said about you being selfish; it is I that was being selfish. I have been selfish all my life and punished for it."

Marina did not like what she was hearing. "What are you trying to say?'

Trystan stood and turned to look at the woman he loved. He held her hands. "I don't want you to waste your life with me because of my selfishness. I am immortal. I am unsure if what Zeus said about ending my immortality is true. He was quite the bastard and liked to punish all those against him. You will get older, wasting your life with me. I might not be able to die with you."

Marina hugged him. "I made my choice Trystan. I want to marry you and be with you! Please!"

In his heart, Trystan felt happy that Marina still wanted to stay with him, but he wanted the love of his life to be happy. He got a hold of her arms and got them off him as he stood. He did not look at her. "I have found a way to take you and your friend back home."

Marina shook her head."No! No! Please don't make me leave you, Trystan! I love you with all my heart! I don't care what Skylar said! He is right; I am selfish! I want to be with you for the rest of my life! I know there is a way to end your immortality! We will find a way together!" She went to him again and hugged him with all her might.

Deep down, Trystan wanted to cry, but he held his emotions. "I don't like that friend, but he speaks some truths. If he keeps staying here, then it will cause more trouble. Your family and friends are distraught; I don't want them to lose a loved one." He got out of her hold. Marina was about to go after him, but Trystan put his left hand forward.

Marina couldn't move; she felt a force was preventing her from doing so.

Trystan felt his heart twitch in pain. "I must confess. There was always a way that I could have taken you back home, but I refused to do it because I was selfish. I wanted to keep you here, but no longer. You can be happy again in the life you used to live." He got the scroll and put his hand forward, speaking in another language unknown to Marina.

Marina saw herself glow brighter. "Trystan, please! Don't do this! I don't want to leave you. I love you!" Tears fell from her eyes.

"I love you too, Marina..." He looked away.

Before Marina could speak, she disappeared.

Trystan stood still as a mountain, emotionless. Tears formed and dripped from his green eyes. He screamed in despair; he put his arms around himself.

His cries filled his kingdom.

.....................................................

Trystan POV

I made the love of my life disappear before me.

She was gone.

I fell to my knees; I felt my strength dissipate.

Ever since my people and kingdom were destroyed, and I lived as an immortal, I felt empty. Every day I wished to die. Year after year, I had to keep living.

I wanted to stop living in this torment.

Humans were very fortunate to have the gift of death. I let many die out of envy, except for one.

The love of my life.

Marina was different. When I saw her drowning, I felt a pull. I had never felt something like that before. Initially, I acted arrogantly toward her because I did not want to get attached to her. I was afraid that I would fall for her and not want to let her go.

As time progressed, I wanted to know more about her, and I did. She was special; I believed she felt my heart and all its emotions. She wanted to learn more about me and make me feel human again. I felt hope and happiness for the first time in years. I wanted to be with Marina while trying to find a way to end my immortality.

Then that man had to appear. I regret saving him. He made me feel guilty, but deep down, I was selfish. I wanted to keep her with me, but she was mortal, and I was immortal. She would die while I lived.

In my heart, all I felt was sadness. I thought of Marina, for she was the only one in my mind and heart. I lay on the cold floor; the scroll rolled away from my hand.

I was alone again. 

I cried.

I want my misery to end.

Please.

............................................................

Marina POV

"Marina! Marina! Wake up!"

I heard a voice.

Skylar?

I felt a headache, but I felt something soft and wet as I moved. That was when I remembered; Trystan!

I opened my eyes and saw sand.

Wet sand.

Water.

I saw the sky. I was on land.

He looked relieved. "Oh, thank god you are awake! We are home! We are finally home!" he exclaimed in happiness and excitement.

I immediately stood up and looked around. I am back on land. I looked at the ocean, where Trystan was within.

Why!? Why did he leave me!? I didn't want to leave him. My heart squeezed in pain.

"Trystan! Trystan!" I yelled in hopes that he could hear me. I ran to the ocean waters. "Trystan, please take me back!"

"Marina, don't!" I could hear Skylar running after me. I tried to run faster, but the ocean currents pushed me back.

I felt Skylar grab me and pull me back to land. I fought, but he was too strong.

"Stop, Marina! You go to let it go! This is for the best!"

I got out of Skylar's grip and fell to my knees. The water touched me. My heart was broken into pieces. "Trystan!"