"Once in a place not so far away, there was a beautiful mermaid princess who went by the name Levias.  From her head, her long dashing silver hair shined magnificently. She even had a warm smile and eyes that glowed like gems.

    She was so kind, in fact, that she was the only mermaid that welcomed and befriended the deep sea clan.  Most of them were feared and were often called daemons and witches.  Of them all she befriended a non-binary named Alehkzir who cared for her deeply.

    Alehkzir was a similar age to her and enjoyed her company.  They both had many fun adventures together.  All of the other mermaids thought Levi, as everyone called her, was crazy.  How could she spend her time with a demon from the deepest caves?

     Regardless, she still spent time with them.  At one point, she invited Alehkzir as a guest to one of her father's parties, she was so excited that she dressed them in a perfect cross of a tuxedo and skirt.  But everyone shunned Alehkzir and gave them dirty looks.

     She brought them away and whispered, "Their words don't matter because they do not know you like I do,"  This comforted them and they enjoyed the rest of the party together.  Her family were the only ones that respected Alehkzir and that made her happy.

     As time went forward, though, they grew up.  She couldn't go on adventures every day anymore and was learning tedious lessons instead.  Still, she missed them and would rather go on adventures.

    It had been months since Alehkzir had seen the princess, so one day they snuck in the palace without anyone realizing.  They stayed in her room all day waiting, until she finally retreated to her courters at night.

     When she saw them, she gasped in surprise and they hugged each other at once.  They messed around a little before they realized how long it has been since they last saw each other.

     Alehkzir stared at her and realized how beautiful and more elegant she'd gotten.  They couldn't take their eyes off her.  Alehkzir, too grew up, looking more like a fearsome monster, but Levi wasn't bothered.  Alehkzir could never understand why she continued to be friends with the monster.

     From that day on, Alehkzir continued to sneak inside and visit her.  One day Alehkzir brought a spell book from the clan's caves.  She watched as her friend showed her simple spells.  They had so much fun playing pranks on the servants.

     Her father had grounded her for a week from the chaos they caused.  They hadn't had that amount of fun in weeks.  Alehkzir still visited her while she was grounded, her father never found out.

    Levias' eldest sister was getting married and she began getting sad.  Her sister had found a lovely mermate and she still had not seen a single one she wished to wed.  She lamented to Alehkzir who, however, did not know what to tell the princess.  Over the past years, they've began seeing Levi differently and fallen in love with her.  Alehkzir knew that this love could not be acted upon, not only would they get rejected but it would never be allowed.

    As the days grew closer to her sister's wedding, she became much sadder.  Alehkzir did not know how to make her feel better.

     Then one day when Alehkzir was waiting for her lessons to finish, mermaids passed by making snide remarks.

     "Hey seawitch, you realize that you never will become one of us right?  She just pities you and that's why she hasn't left you."

     "Yeah," another pips it, "Besides you act nothing like a mermaid and no one here even has your respect especially not having a gender."

     "Don't feel bad," The first mermaid told the demon when Alehkzir stared lowering their head, "Demons and mermaids aren't suppose to be friends, let alone love the other."

     Alehkzir widen their eyes, denying their claims about them, but it was no use.  They stilled baffled and teased them.  The mermaids then huddled together before saying one last thing.

    "Well I suppose if you act like a mermaid in protecting the seas, I suppose you'll have everyone's respect."

    "Yeah, imagine everyone loving you.  She might even marry you." The mermaid laughed, manipulating him completely, "All you have to do is help the mermaids sink a human's ship. "
    "A human's ship?" Alehkzir asked, unsure.

    "Of course you wouldn't know.  It is how humans go across the sea.  But the ship holds the last royal.  This will cause wars and chaos." She clapped her hands cheerfully.

   "Yes, yes!" The other mermaid nodded, agreeing, "Then ships won't come by our sea.  So what do you say, seawitch?"

   "Okay," Alehkzir agrees, "but one more thing I'm not a seawitch.  I am from the deep sea clan and I go by Alehkzir."

    "You perform magic and spells. You use a spell book, you are a witch." The first mermaid pointed out, smiling.  "It's not a bad thing..." She told them slyly.

    The mermaids then took them up above the surface.  The seawitch shaded their eyes as he saw the sun for the first time.  But it wasn't going to be the last.  The mermaids used their beautiful voices to lure the ship to them while Alehkzir used a spell to make rains and storms causing it to crash.

    When the red haired prince fell into the sea, they knew they've done it and quickly dispersed.  The seawitch thought, drowning humans, was it common?  Did his princess do that as well?

    As Alehkzir made the way back to the sea, Levias came to him.  She was surprised her friend was there.  She told Alehkzir that her lessons ended early.  Suddenly Levias widened her eyes and swam quickly.  She saw the human and quickly held him while she swam up.

     "Alehkzir, hurry we must save him before it's too late.  Some mermaids must have had another of their singing games where they bring humans into the sea for chaos." Levi told them frantically as she brushed the hair out of his eyes.

    She brought the human to the land and stared at him with wonder.  His dark red hair laid on his head.  She closed her eyes and was sad.  Levi wasn't sure if he was breathing.  She paused for a moment before she broke out into a lovely song that filled Alehkzir's heart with joy.

     She went back into the sea with Alehkzir and she began telling them how beautiful he was for a human.  Alehkzir just nods, feeling guilty that those mermaids tricked them.

    The next few days, she went back to were she left him.  She watched from rivers and streams as he moved around, talking to everyone.  She began fascinating over the human.  She even found out his name was prince Lucino.

    One day she asked Alehkzir if they ever wondered about the surface and what adventures could be up there.  Alehkzir, however, shook their head and was content in the sea.

    Alehkzir grew sadden as the days flew by and Levi wasn't ever in her room anymore, doing the things they used to do.  She was watching the human now.

    Levi turned to Alehkzir that evening with a smile on her bronze face and cheeks darker than usual, "He's looking for me Alehkzir!  He wants to see me."

    "Who?" Alehkzir asked, "Lucino, the human prince!"

     "Oh." The demon stated, "Wait how do you know this?"

     "When I got there today I heard him saying, he wanted to marry her to his advisor.  That's it and then he continued on to say that he is looking for the one who saved him.  He said my voice is beautiful, can you believe that?" She giggled with joy.

    Alehkzir stared at her sadly, "Well your voice is beautiful." the seawitch told her simply, "If he doesn't see that then there is something wrong with him.  You are such an wonderful mer that you make everyone jealous with how amazing you are."

     "He loves me.  Isn't this great?" She exclaimed rolling in excitement, "Alehkzir I want to see him.  I want to officially meet him."

     "Meet him?" Alehkzir was confused, "But how will you do that as a mermaid?  He is on the surface with those two things that allows him to move, but you have a tail.  It is impossible to go to the surface like this."

     Levi lowered her head, "I hadn't thought of that.  Wait!" She suddenly exclaimed, "What if I became human?  Then I get to see him.  I'll get to know him and then we'll get married and then we will have 3 ch-"

    "Whoa whoa slow down!" Alehkzir put their hand up, feeling their heart get crushed by the second, "How will you even be human?  You are my best friend, you're amazing and I love you, but you're going have to slow down!" They told the girl.

    She paused, "Wait a second, don't you do magic?  Yeah you have that magic book!" She clapped her hands together, "Find a spell that turns me into a human and it will work.  You can join me too as human."

    "That was my aunt's whom forbid me from ever touching it again.  Also most complicated spells requires something.  What we did were simple spells.  But turning into a human you probably have to give up something."

    "Like what?  Look I don't mind.  Whatever it is, I'll do it."

    "And what about your brother and sister?  Your sister's wedding is in 2 months, what are you going to do?"

    Levi sighed, "It will be okay.  I'll do this.  Now all you need to do is bring me the spell book.  You snuck in my room when I was grounded against my father-- the king, so I'm sure you can do this."

   "Nobody crosses Aunt Zakahva.  I don't know about this..."

    "Please, please, please!" The princess begged and begged until he finally gave in.

     A few days later, Alehkzir came to her with the spell book and told her in order to become a human she will exchange give up her tongue.  Every step she takes would feel as if a knife is cutting her tail in half.  He then tells her if the human marries and loves another then she will turn to seafoam the next sunrise.

    Alehkzir became worried and said the consequences are too great and she wouldn't be able to talk again.  Levias' shook her head, saying she wanted this.

    Alehkzir began the spell and she gave up her voice and a sharp pain was felt throughout her body as her tail became two human legs.  Alehkzir helped being her to the surface.

    Alehkzir, a magical being could easily turn themselves into a human and watched her closely from a distance as she carefully stepped forward.  He followed her as she went to the place where the prince tended to hang around.

   When she saw him, without even thinking she ran over to him waving with a bright smile and excitement clearly showing in, she began to shout his name, prince Lucino, but she forgot---due to excitement, that her voice had gone away.

    The prince smiled awkwardly, but still the strange girl was memorizing.  He looked at her in wonder, "I'm sorry?"

    She waved, bowing with pride.  She wanted to tell him who she was, but couldn't.  It frustrated her but she was going to work something out.

     Alehkzir saw her troubles and walked besides her and stared straight into the human's eyes, "This is Levias.  She has been wanting to meet you for awhile, due to a recent event she can not longer speak.  She also hopes you are doing okay now after almost drowning by the sea."

    The prince asked, "Oh you heard about that.  That's a bit embarrassing really." He told her with a smile.  He gave her and Alehkzir two separate rooms to stay in and he promised to spend time with her.

    No doubt she was beautiful in a different way he had never seen before.  But there were other ladies in line offering riches to him.  But this girl just had her beauty and had no voice to complain.  Most of the other ones did that.

    Days passed by and he spent much time with the girl, while Alehkzir occasionally saw if she was okay.  Most of the time the sea witch watched her from far away, in lament that she loved another.

    A mermaid's love was the greatest thing and if the prince accepted it, she would finally be happy.  Alehkzir understood that and knew when Levi was with them, she could never be happy for Alehkzir was not her lover nor would ever be.

    Then one morning with the sun shining gold and sky clear blue, Levi got up that day to meet the prince as usual.  She walked through the palace filling with glee as they have gotten so close.  She knew just any day now, he was going to marry her.  When she arrived, however, the prince had by his side another girl with long wavy dark hair.

    When the prince noticed Levias, he smiled and introduced the two.  Levi nodded her head politely, "Hello Prince Lucino was telling me all about you.  I'm Zestrella, it is a please to meet you." She smiled.

    The mermaid was more than confused, she was so nice to her.  Wouldn't she hate her?  She was certainly jealous.  The girl then pulled Levias away, wanting to show her something.

    Levias' tried to tell her that she wanted to go back, but she told Levi it was just going to be them and no princes.  Sadden by this, Levi looked down.

    "What don't you have any other friends?" The human asked her, "You know how to read and write, yes?  Prince Lucino mentioned how you are a mute."

    Levi shook her head and held up 1 finger indicating she had another friend.  She waved her hand so that Alehkzir knew to come.  Before they arrived the girl asked if she thought he was handsome.  Levi nodded her head answering her at once.

     From that day forward, she befriended the girl, but she never had any time alone with the prince again.  One day she was about to go to the prince when she overheard a conversation.

    "That girl, there is something suspicious about her." The prince laughed dryly,  "That is why I have been keeping her here.  I'm grateful Zestrella befriended her though, being with her was so bothersome.  After awhile she got boring and dull.  She makes stupid faces.  But Zestrella told me to not hurt the girl because she is in love with me apparently."

    The advisor looked at him, "Sir, I thought you were going to marry her?"

    "No," he shook his head, "You misheard.  I was talking about Zestrella."

    At once, her figure crumbled but before she fell Alehkzir rushed over and caught her from falling.  She turned to her friend crying.

    "How could he after all that time he spent with you?  I thought... I thought you said he loved you."

    Levi nodded but shrugged as if to say I do not know what happened.

   "Don't worry, I'll protect you and make sure he won't marry.  I'll give him a spell then he will marry you!" Alehkzir told their friend, but she shook her head.

    That would be wrong.

    They told her other ideas but she shot them all down.  She sat down feeling all alone.  She didn't want to hurt anyone to live.  She didn't want to kill him with a knife and soak in his blood to get her tail back.

    "How is it he doesn't care?  You are beautiful and so wonderful.  I love spent time with you because you make life so fun and worthwhile.  I was sad here because you spent little time with me and I was afraid you would get married and forget about me.  That is what I always feared.  He must be very blind and is so not worth your time.  He has been ignoring you ever since that girl arrived." Alehkzir cried out.

     Levi stared at her friend, wiping her tears away.  She mouthed 'thank you', as she leaned to cry more.

    "If you want to find a way to reverse this, I will help you.  If you can't bare to kill any of them then I will for you." Alehkzir nodded his head.

    The wedding came and she danced on her feet all night with a smile, despite being her last night of living.  Alehkzir did their best to get through, but she would no longer be with them in the next few hours.  They offered their hand and together they danced.

    It was the dance of goodbye, a dance of forever sadness.  When they stopped they looked at the moon and held hands.  "Levi," they turned to her, "what happens after death?  Where do you think you go?  I was always told your soul becomes free from your spirit and you turn into stars watching at everyone by the moon's side."

    Levi wrote, when I leave this world tell my family I love them and they always were the best family I could ever hoped for.

    Sunrise came as they watched she soon began to fade away, "Levi!" They cried out, "I..I always loved you.  I never said anything because I was scared but now you're leaving me forever,"

    Levi smiled and kissed their cheek until she faded away with only left of the mermaid princess was the seafoam and all of her memories.

    Alehkzir stood there and wept as the clouds turn dark as a grey atmosphere filled the sky.  For, the princess was finally free and the mermaid's soul was at peace.

     There was nothing more left for the seawitch, Alehkzir so they stared from the balcony's edge and allowed their life to flash by through his eyes.