"I don't understand why dragons are always painted as evil creatures," Theodore said as they soared through the sky, the cool breeze a welcome relief from the blistering heat of the cave. "This one is quite the gentleman."

"Yes," Bria nodded in agreement.

"Well, we've got the gold," Leon said, a triumphant gleam in his eye. "That's two magical objects for the ritual down."

Briar patted her satchel with a smile. "Yes, we're halfway there." The princess was confident, but she knew better than to underestimate the challenges that lay ahead. Gathering the mermaid flower and the blood of the fairy godmother would be no easy task.

Hours passed as they flew, the harsh landscape of the Midnight Forest gradually giving way to lighter, more inviting surroundings. The mountain grew smaller and smaller in the distance until it was no more than a smudge on the horizon.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have officially left the fearsome forest behind us!" Knight announced. "And I must say, I have no intention of ever flying over it again."

Their journey took them over the sea, a vast expanse of shimmering blue that seemed to stretch on forever. Briar gazed down in wonder, marveling at the waves crashing against the shore, the tiny seashells dotting the sandy beach, and the boats lined up along the coastline. In the distance, a village nestled close to the water's edge came into view.

"It's so beautiful," Briar whispered, inhaling the salty air deeply. "I've never seen a sea before."

"Really?" Theodore asked, turning to look at her.

Briar nodded. "There's no sea in my kingdom. Just rivers."

They flew over a series of islands, each one unique. The first was a barren outcrop, devoid of any vegetation. The second, smaller island was alive with the cacophony of seagulls squawking and diving for fish.

"Seals!" Briar shouted with glee as they glided over another island teeming with the large, lazy creatures, lounging and rolling around on the rocky shore. Briar's face lit up at the sight.

"How lucky they are," Knight mused. "All they do is sleep and eat."

"Most animals do just that," Leon said with a chuckle.

"Not me," Knight huffed. "Now, which island are we aiming for?" he asked, steering them closer to a large island covered in a dense forest of coconut trees. A broken ship lay abandoned on the shore, its tattered sails fluttering in the wind.

"We need to find the Mermaid Island," Briar explained. "The fairies told me there's a magical flower there that we need for the ritual. They mentioned the island is full of cherry blossoms." She squinted at the horizon, searching for any sign of the pink flowers.

"Oh, the True Love Island!" Knight exclaimed. "I love love."

"Is that what it's called?" Briar asked, puzzled. "The fairies called it Mermaid Island."

"Are mermaids dangerous?" Leon asked. "Most stories depict them as friendly, but there are also tales of them being deadly."

"It depends on their mood," Knight replied. "But mermaids don't live on Mermaid Island anymore. Long ago, two lovers named Eira and Elvis lived there, and that's why it's sometimes called True Love Island."

"Who are Eira and Elvis?" Briar asked.

"You don't know?" Knight seemed genuinely surprised. "Or their love story?"

Briar glanced at Leon for help, but the prince merely shrugged. "No," she admitted, feeling a little embarrassed by her ignorance.

Knight let out a dramatic sigh. "Of course, you don't. It's not as famous as a prince and princess love story."

"Yes, I remember the story," Theodore chimed in. "It's quite a sad one."

Briar's curiosity deepened. She wasn't typically interested in love stories, but if Knight was so enthusiastic, there had to be something special about it. "Knight, please tell us the story," she urged.

"I'm not a storyteller," Knight said, feigning reluctance.

"Oh, come on," Leon teased. "You're dying to tell the story. Quit the act and just go on."

Knight heaved a loud, exaggerated sigh. "Fine, since you're all so desperate to hear it. But you should pass it down to future generations. It's a tale worth remembering."

Just then, a massive splash echoed from the sea below. They all looked down to see something enormous swimming just beneath the surface, its body creating huge ripples. Without warning, a gigantic shark burst from the water, its mouth gaping wide open as it shot toward them like a giant arrow.

They all screamed in unison, panic rising as the shark's jaws seemed to close in on them. At the last moment, Knight soared higher, and the beast's teeth snapped shut on empty air before it plunged back into the depths.

"Oh, I forgot about those," Knight muttered.

"Forgot about the sharks?" Leon asked incredulously, clutching his chest. "How could you forget about something like that?"

Knight shrugged. "My mind was on more pleasant things, like Eira and Elvis."

Briar's heart pounded in her chest, the near miss of the shark leaving her breathless. The creature was enormous, its massive jaws capable of swallowing an entire ship. She could hardly believe they had escaped unscathed.

"Anyway," Knight said, steering clear of the water to avoid any other creatures of the sea that might be lurking below. "Once upon a time, hundreds of years ago, there was a girl named Eira. She lived in a village by the Sea. Eira was the most beautiful girl in the entire kingdom. Her eyes sparkled like the sea, and her hair flowed like the warm sands of the beach."

Knight continued. "Eira's beauty didn't go unnoticed, and it made her the target of jealousy, especially among her so-called friends. They pretended to care for her, but one day..." He gasped dramatically, causing Briar to lean forward in anticipation.

"What happened?" she asked, unable to hide her eagerness.

"They tied her hands to a large rock," Knight said, his voice grave. "They took her out to the sea in a boat and threw her overboard. She sank beneath the waves and drowned."

"She died?" Leon exclaimed. "Isn't there a happy ending to this story?"

"Patience," Knight scolded with a huff. "I'm not giving you any spoilers."

"Please, Knight, continue," Briar urged.

Knight resumed his tale, his tone now softer. "Eira's lifeless body drifted into the realm of the mermaids. A young mermaid named Elvis, who was on patrol, discovered her. His friend suggested handing her over to the mermaid king, but Elvis knew that meant certain death for Eira. Instead, he took her to his home. With the help of an old mermaid healer, they nursed her back to health. Elvis kissed Eira to grant her the ability to breathe underwater." Knight continued. "As time passed, they fell deeply in love. They lived happily together, but their joy was short-lived. The mermaid king eventually learned about Eira. Fearing she was a human spy, he had her arrested and thrown into prison. Elvis pleaded for her release, but the king refused and ordered her execution. But Elvis wasn't ready to give up on his true love. He broke her out of prison, and they fled."

"They escaped?" Briar asked.

"Yes, but not without consequences," Knight said. "The mermaid army pursued them relentlessly. During their escape, Elvis lost his sight in a fierce battle. Life became incredibly difficult for them after that. They had to keep running, and finding a safe place was nearly impossible, especially since Elvis needed to stay close to the water. The mermaid king, furious at their defiance, sent a sea serpent to kill them."

Briar gasped, clutching Knight tightly. "Did they survive?"

Knight nodded. "The serpent bit Elvis, and he was on the brink of death. Eira wept and kissed him one last time, and miraculously, the venom left his body. Their love was so powerful that it saved him. Touched by their love, the serpent decided to help them. It became their protector and found an island where they could live safely."

"What a story," Leon said, his voice barely a whisper. "But did they ever find peace?"

Knight continued. "Eira went on a quest to find a way to heal Elvis's blindness. She couldn't bear to see him suffer. The sea serpent took her back to the mermaid realm, and they stole a magical mermaid flower. The flower kept withering on land, but Eira refused to give up. She tended to it day and night until, finally, it bloomed. Its magic healed Elvis, restoring his sight. They built a home on the island and lived happily ever after."

Briar sighed, a wistful smile on her lips. "That's a beautiful story, Knight. Even better than a prince and princess's love story."

Knight's eyes filled with tears. "They lived happily until they died. Humans age faster than mermaids, so Elvis eventually gave up his mermaid magic. They died together peacefully."

As Knight finished the story, tears streamed down his face. Leon sniffled softly behind Briar, trying to hide his emotions. She turned to him.

"Are you crying?" she teased.

"No," Leon said quickly, wiping his tears on his sleeve. "Theodore is the one crying."

"Not me," Theodore protested, though his voice cracked with emotion.

Briar shook her head at them. She should have been crying too, but she felt strangely comforted by the story's ending.

"Don't be sad," she said. "They found their happy ending."

"But I can't help but think of all the years they spent in pain," Knight sobbed.

Briar smiled at him. "Don't you see? All the struggle was worth it. They were together, and that's all that mattered."

"Yes," Knight murmured.

Soon, an island appeared on the horizon. It rose majestically from the sea, resembling a giant pink flower floating on the water. As they descended, Knight landed gracefully outside a small house surrounded by a white picket fence.

"This is their house," he said.

Theodore patted Knight gently. "Let's go."

They climbed down, with Knight leading the way. He was an emotional guide, pointing out every detail that had once belonged to Eira and Elvis. The house was small but charming, its walls covered in climbing roses. The air was filled with the sweet scent of cherry blossoms, and the sound of waves crashing against the shore provided a soothing backdrop.

Inside, the house was filled with memories of the couple. There were seashells and trinkets collected from their adventures, and a well-worn book of fairy tales lay open on a table, its pages yellowed with age.

"These were Eira's favorite stories," Knight said, his voice trembling. "She loved happy endings."

Briar picked up the book, tracing her fingers over the delicate illustrations. "She must have been a wonderful person," she said softly.

"She was," Knight agreed, his eyes misty. "And so was Elvis. They were truly meant for each other."

Leon wandered around the room, his gaze lingering on a faded portrait of Eira and Elvis. "They look so happy," he said.

"They were," Knight said. "They found their paradise here, on this island."

Briar felt a warmth in her heart as she looked around the house.

Knight led them out of the house. "This is their grave," Knight said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. With delicate care, he plucked a few roses from a nearby bush with his mouth and placed them reverently on the tombstone. The stone was almost hidden beneath a blanket of cherry blossoms and leaves.

Briar, Leon, and Theodore followed suit, each laying a flower on the grave.

Knight struggled to hold back his tears. "I now understand why they say love is in the air," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "This place is overflowing with love. Every flower, every tree, every blade of grass, and every pebble—it all whispers of love."

Briar nodded. "Where is the mermaid flower?" she asked.

"In the garden," Knight said. He led them down a winding path, the air growing cooler and more fragrant with each step. They soon arrived at a secluded garden, where a towering tree stood at the center, its branches heavy with the most extraordinary flowers Briar had ever seen. The petals seemed to be made of transparent blue crystal, catching the light in a way that made them shimmer like diamonds. At the center of each flower was a pearl-like bud.

"That is the flower you need," Knight said.

Briar walked slowly towards the tree, her eyes wide with wonder. Just as she reached out to touch one flower, something stirred in the shadows behind the tree.

From the darkness emerged an enormous snake, its scales glistening like polished onyx. The serpent slithered forward, uncoiling its massive body with a slow, deliberate grace. As it moved, the sound of its scales scraping against the ground sent a chill down Briar's spine. The snake's body seemed to go on forever, each coil revealing another until it finally came to a stop in front of her. Five heads, each with piercing green eyes, rose into the air, swaying menacingly.

Briar took an involuntary step back, her heart pounding in her chest. The middle head of the snake lowered towards her, its green eyes locking onto hers with a predatory intensity. She felt rooted to the spot, unable to move or even breathe. The snake's forked tongue flicked in and out.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you about Venom," said the horse casually. "He is the snake that helped Eira and Elvis. He's the guardian of the flower."

"Humans," the snake hissed, scrutinizing Briar with an intensity that made her skin prickle. "A girl and two boys," the serpent continued, its eyes flicking toward Leon and Theodore with a disdainful glare. "And... a horse? A horse from Fairyland. Why have you come here?"

"We need the flower," Briar said, her voice trembling but determined. She took a deep breath, willing herself to stay calm.

"The flower," the snake hissed. "You greedy humans."

"No, no, Mr. Venom. We don't want to misuse the flower." Briar said. "We need it to save a kingdom—to break a curse."

"Whatever your reasons, you cannot have the flower," the serpent said, its head moving in a slow, serpentine dance. "The tree only grants flowers for true lovers. Do you have your true love with you?"

Briar swallowed hard, then reached for Leon's hand, pulling him close. "Yes. My true love is with me. This is Prince Leon."

Leon smiled, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "Yes, we are true lovers."

The serpent's eyes narrowed, its middle head tilting to the side as if in deep thought. "How do I know that?"

"I broke her sleeping curse with a true lover's kiss," Leon said confidently. "Surely that proves our love is real."

"So, you claim," the serpent said, its heads bobbing skeptically. "But I require more proof."

"We are true lovers," Briar insisted, her voice firm. "Don't you know the story of Sleeping Beauty?"

"I am familiar with it," the snake replied, its eyes narrowing further. "But I cannot simply take your word for it. I need proof."

"What more proof do you need?" Leon asked. "Isn't breaking the curse enough?"

"More," the serpent hissed, its eyes glinting with a dangerous light. "I must be certain."

"What can we do to prove our love?" Briar asked.

The serpent seemed to consider this for a moment, its heads swaying in unison. "There is one way to find out," he said finally. "Are you willing to undergo a trial?"

"We are willing to do anything," Briar and Leon said in unison.

The serpent nodded slowly, its eyes gleaming with an unsettling light. Without warning, the serpent struck, its middle head moving with lightning speed. Briar barely had time to gasp before Leon cried out in pain, clutching his forehead. He staggered backward, then collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

_____