Through the eyes of Varya~

Karishma sent me back to the Ocean. That same Ocean which used to be my home, where I swam like a free mermaid, moving with the waves, dancing with them. My fishtail, my hair, my pearl tube, my identity, it made this my home. And now I didn't have it anymore. The water realm felt sad and unwelcoming. I moved to the castle, which had no ruler now. I expected merfolk to riot, or create disorder, but the Ocean was calm, uncanny eerily calm. I hated my uncle from the core of my heart, he was the traitor. We could have prevented all this, but it was him. He was the one who had destroyed our effective functioning.

But he had a point in what he did why he did. Who knows why Karishma sent me here. I respect her a lot, and I remember her words, but I couldn't help feel like a little sidekick.

'Varya, dear.' My mom hugged me as soon as she spotted me. She wept a bit but recovered. Her ginger red hair and fishtail, her tube top, it again reminded me of my mermaid days. 'You're a brave girl. We love you and are proud of you.'

I wanted to weep in her arms, just forget about living forever, but, nevertheless, I'm sure I'm not here just on a vacation. I have a job to do. I replayed Karishma's words on my mind for the entire duration of my walk towards my bathroom, getting ready and everything. I had been provided with a Zephad specially curated by Deisy, which well, tried it's best to give me a mermaid feel.

'Old...' My voice trailed off. I used to call Matilda my old lady. I couldn't contain my tears. She had done everything to teach me magic, how to control it and make it stronger. If she would have been here, she would appraise me for what I did during the losing war. I would have seriously not been angry then. I lost my mentor, I wanted her back.

'Wait, Cordelia! The Ocean Goddess!' I jumped in an instant from my bathtub and picked the nearest frock I could find. I ran and ran, to the shrine of the Goddess. That's what old acquaintances meant. She was the only one as powerful as Karishma, as eloquent as her. (Not that I'm comparing, people will kill me here if I do that.) We needed her, obviously. Now that her best friend was back, Cordelia might give Etis another chance.

I reached the shrine, which was made with limestone and had a silvery touch. The water was darker blue in that corner, with an underwater waterfall, a river with extreme current and strange, china rose orchids around it. Jellyfish which emitted white light swam around, them being the only source of light there.

Legends say the Ocean Goddess had come here and dissolved into water bubbles, saying that she could not bear the loss of her friend. The merfolk then had created a shrine here, and great wise ones have received the signal that she would come back here itself if she ever decided to.

But who was I, man? How could I possibly bring her back?

I looked around the place, hoping to find some button to switch on or some lever to pull. Alas, there was none. This isn't your book, Varya, its someone else's.

'I assume you're here to pay your tributes.' A voice startled me. It was a male voice though.

'I'm not.' I focused on his face as he came towards me. He seemed like he was in his mid-twenties, but his eyes, oh dammit. They were pure liquor. 'Actually, I'm here to bring out the Goddess. You know how to.'

He just laughed. 'Okay, no one has ever said that to me, since I have started guarding this place. You're one hell of a woman.'

'Answer me.' I had no time for nonsense. Although this guy was cute.

'Fine. It's my obligation to do so. Hence, I will. But I wish you luck because you have slim chances of succeeding. We haven't heard from her in centuries.'

'Does she know her-

'She does, so I wish you luck. Pur your true feelings in.'

'Just that?'

'I don't really know what else to do, but that river, you gotta go to the middle of that.'

'And die? Do you see the current? I'll either be electrified or I'll be washed away.'

'My job is to inform, your job is to do.'

'Fine.' I walked towards the river. If this is my end, so be it.

'Remember! Feelings!' he shouted as put my feet into the water.

yes. I freaked out. I was no mermaid, and I could not have taken one breath without the Zephad. The guy, Urei, he assured me that I would not just die. Thankfully I did not.

But the water current pierced my skin, and it was ice cold. It did justice to the fact that it was untouched for centuries. 'Hi. I know this is a big step. Literally, no one does this anymore because it, blatantly putting, is useless. But I'm here because I have news. Your best friend is back. She had reincarnated on Earth and it took her time to figure it out, but now she's here, ruling. And she misses you and needs your help. I hope you know what has become of the twin islands, and the entry of two atrocious scoundrels in our stories.'

'What's your role in this?' A calm voice echoed through the waters. I swear Urei's mouth fell open and he was about to drop down on the ocean bed. And then he left.

'My role. Well, I tried to attack against the Space spirits for Karishma, the Fallen Queen and ended up losing my powers. I loathe it and I am angry with her for this because I feel like a sidekick and a scapegoat. But deep down, I know I love her so much that I would be ready to do this all over again if the situation arises, and if I am of any help. I want this place to be back as Veer made of it, coexistent and tolerating. And only my first fan, our Queen, along with our Goddess and the King can do it, of course, supported by us.' That was the most brutal confession I had ever given in my life to a voice with no human figure in my entire life.

'Very well, I expected a sweeter answer.'

'Dark chocolate is a bit bitter, but people still love it, and it's good for our heart. Its the same for truth too.'

'Varya Das, the girl who revived the Ocean Goddess. Suites.' And there she was.

Sharp, mesmerizing eyes, sea-blue eyes, and copper-red hair. Skin as flawless and shiny as steel, and a smile so infectious. A gown literally weaved out of flowing water, a diamond necklace that shone straight at my eyes.

There she was.

The most awaited, the mysterious,

Ocean Goddess.