A Song of Sorrows

The sun shines brightly oversea, its rays radiating off kissing the waves' sweet lips into the endless deep sea where two hugged themselves tightly as they slept.

~~~~

A Song, a sweet lullaby met my ears in the morning.

Hush a lumi ni
Kasana soka te

Oh the ocean breathes
The waves tell a story with these

Oh the sun comes shimmering down
Like a silent star in the twilight town

Mukada nuli see
Numala fuka San tay wei

Oh of the secret it dreams each night
A Truth mustn't be spoken in the light

Hear a special song
Awaken from you sleeping along

My voice calls out to you
In deep sunken sea drowning ever be

Mun lalalai fu nami da
Sen oi tee de kan usheti kanawa

...

I smiled, "You're voice is always been beautiful."

And I love waking up to it alone, but I didn't say that.

She smiled shyly, "Yeah it's a song I've been starting to get down.  I think it's my favorite one yet"

"Do you sing more now?" I asked in wonder.

I never understood her not liking to in front of others.  She was so amazing at it.

"Yeah.. Besides you always said that I had a lovely voice so I decided to sing more often, but it's nothing." She looked away embarrassed.

So those years apart, she decided to invest some time in singing?

"I think it's incredible." I told her honestly, "So what do you want to do today?"

"Ummm I honestly don't know," she laughed, "I been just kinda out of it since yesterday..."

Wait because I?

Did she notice what I was trying to do, she was to and did she ignored it as well?

"Anything you want, we could go exploring, venturing out and...." I sighed deeply.

Anything she want.

"I briefly mentioned father trying to propose Laiken he gets married and I just..." She trailed off a bit, "I got back and if that happens I won't see him much." Levy sighed heavily, "It's probably selfish of me to.  Not to mention Lysandria is being married at the end of the month.. or was it next month?"

"It's not selfish of you." I finally told her gently, "You just want to still be with them, you care for both of them and without those two nothing would be the same."

She smiled halfways, "Maybe, but I still can't help but wonder." Levy gazes out where the light rays of the sun hits.

Its magic rays.

"Wonder?" I question.

"Yeah what is it like..." She began to exclaim dreamily, "To be loved, to love another.  You know like Lysandria with her fiancé.  Maybe a part of me is just jealous cause I want to experience that too."

"Well I wouldn't know.  Personally the whole thing is too mainstream for me," I muttered sarcastically.

She grinned at me, "Too mainstream?  You silly Ardizevepa." She laid her hand across my head and ruffled my hair as she laughed at my comment.

"Eh, it's just..." I tried to muster the correct words to properly explain without giving myself away, "I don't really like thinking about that.  So I don't know what to tell you.  And if you're really worried talk to Laiken," I nodded, "Yeah, he's cool like that."

"But where would I meet someone.  Come on nobody cares for the youngest princess of the Mesopelagic.  They already heard all the annoying rumors that I'm so different and befriended an Ardizevepa like it's the most terrible thing in the seas- a crime!" She raised her arms as she exclaimed, lowering her head.  "You're the best thing that happened to me, but nobody will see it like that."

"Well I say no one who is like that is worth your time and if they can't see how wonderful you are like that than how could anyone really like you at all?" I frowned, why did she have to start caring about this.

I didn't understand.

I didn't like it.

If she got with someone I don't know what I would do.

My heart wouldn't be able to take it.

"You're absolutely right Lehz," she grinned knowingly, "It just makes me sad that everyone is moving on without me."

"Well you and me, what we have together is better than any of that!" I exclaimed with my arms behind my head, leaning back.

"Definitely!" She grinned.

"Yeah so whatever happens just know you'll always have me and I'll always.....

Have you

"And who knows maybe before Lysandria's wedding I might also find someone who can love me." She sighed dreamily again.

There is already someone who does love you.

"But what if not?" I asked a simple question.  Then what will she do.

"Well then I'll take you instead-" she said casually like it didn't just make me want to swam all the way to the east sea and bury myself in the darkest abyss.

"Instead?!?" I exclaimed, feeling heat radiate off my face, "What do you mean I can't possibly-"

"As in a plus one, jeez you silly Ardizevepa." She giggled at my reaction, "What were you thinking of?"

Oh, a plus one.
Yeah...

I shook my head, "Well then I do hope you won't find another."

She laughed again, "Regardless of what happens, you still, probably, are going to end up coming anyways."

That, I will.

Will...

Will...
Will

Empty promises

Full of regret.

Sorrowful tears.

Soaked with sadness and cry

A broken promise that can never be kept because whatever happens she'll always have me and I'll always have her, but you cannot have one who exists no more than childs of air.

Several day have past since that conversation and I haven't seen her much.

But what could I say, I didn't want her to get married.

Honestly maybe she should than that will help me out way better because than I can truly say she is off limits.

How am I supposed to consult her about something I have no intention of doing not want her to do... Really?

The past few days she have been studying.

Even though she is back here, she still has to learn how to be a proper princess or whatever.

And she gets tutored all the time, almost all hours of the day except late at night.

That was when I decided I'm going wait all day until she is done, yeah I decided.

I began heading towards her quarters when I heard something.

"...stupid Ardizevepa hanging around here waiting for that princess." I stopped at their words.

Some mers just can't be quiet can they?

I looked over and saw a servant with dark scarlet hair gossiping with another servant I assumed.  Her friend on the other hand, had her raven hair in dreadlocks.

"I know," She sighed in the most dramatic manner, "why is that thing always hanging around like some lost pet without an owner just waiting for the princess to give it some treats?" The friend with dreadlocks complained.

I turned their directly and gave them a hard glare.

They looked at me and sighed, "Listen seawitch, you may think you are special with all that magic but you are really just a monster compared to Princess Levias."

"To her you are just some pet she took under her wing because she felt bad.  She pities you and I'm honestly surprised she hasn't abandoned you."  Their words cut like sharp knives into my skin laughing as it pierces deeper and deeper through.

"You'll never become one of us.  Oceans, you act nothing like a mermaid." The scarlet mermaid raised her voice as if it was something I needed to understand. "It's no wonder nobody has your respect playing with magic all the time in the worst possible ways."

That wasn't true I told myself.

Laiken and Lysandria respects me.
And... And so does Levy.

Besides I don't want to be a mermaid, I rather not be like them.

But then why do their words hurt me so?

"Don't feel bad," The first one continued to tell me even when I was lowering my head, I just didn't know why anyone got a thrill out of taunting others.  "Daemons and mermaids aren't suppose to be friends, let alone love the other."

I widen my eyes, "What are you speaking of?!"

They are just assuming things right.

They can't possibly know anything.

But the most upsetting part of it all, was the fact it was no use what I said.
They stilled baffled and teased me with their words.

"Oh look now it's getting mad because we know the truth!" The scarlet haired servant put a hand over her mouth and started laughing cynically, "Or what if we just  told the princess herself!"

I glared at them about to throw myself at them for being so abyssal noisy!  And not to mention spreading rumors that weren't needed.

"I'm not mad because it's the truth I'm irked that you could be spreading unnecessary lies and rumors!" I snarled at them.

"Oh that witch is definitely mad!" The other one proclaimed laughing.

Suddenly the one with dreadlocks pressed her hands together and brighten her eyes as if she just had an idea.

She pulled her friend around and whispered so low and ferociously that even I, an Ardizevepa who has some of the best hearing around could not hear a word she said.

I eyed them suspiciously.  The two came back to face me.  I was about to move on and ignore then completely, but their next words caught me off guard.

"Well I guess if you act like a mermaid in protecting the seas,  I suppose then you will have the respect of everyone here." The first servant almost smiled at what she said.  Her friend or partner brightened her eyes too.

"Yeah imagine it," she whispered close to the point she was touching me, with her scarlet hair floating all around in a mystical way.

I eyed her cautiously, is she trying to hit on me like most hit on Laiken?
I'm not sure how I feel about that.

She continued, "Everyone loving you and who knows she might even agree to marry you." She laughed hollowly.

"R-really?" I looked at her, completely captivated by each and every word now.

"Well of course, all you have to do is protect the seas with us and sink this human ship." The mermaid told me gently, completely different from how she was talking before.

Neither condescending or rude.

"A human ship?" I mustered quite unsure what that was.

I heard it was a way humans traveled to go somewhere, but that was all I knew of.

"Of course you wouldn't know," the other mermaid responded snarky, "It is how the humans cross the seas..."

So I was right.

The first mermaid smiled widely, "But the best part is the ship holds royalty.  He is the last royal of this human place we sometimes like to spy on."

"Then!" The other one exclaimed, "This will cause wars, famine, and absolute chaos!" She laughed gleefully.

"Yes... Yes!" the first one agreed, "Then ships won't cross our sea.  So what do you say... SeaWitch?"

"Okay," I finally agreed, "But one more thing, I'm not a seawitch." It sounds too evil and demeaning.  "I'm just from from the sea clan and I go by Alehkzir."

The other one looked my way, giving my a snide smile, "You perform magic and spells.  You used a spell book at one time, you're a witch," she pointed out matter of facty.

I furrowed my eyebrows and frowned.

But the servant with scarlet hair smiled slyly, "It's not a bad thing."

"Oh... But then why were you saying that I such a negativity tone before?" I questioned them since before they seemed to hate me.

Unless they are being better since I'm helping them and everyone else protect the seas?

Yeah, I decided, that's probably it.

"Come on, we should start right away." The scarlet headed servant told me, waving away.

"Oh umm... yes, we will be back in a few hours right?" I asked making sure we will be done before Levy's studies are done for the day.

The servant with dreadlocks smiles, "Oh don't you worry a thing about that.  Anyways to make things simpler I'm Wren, Branwren," Wren points to herself before facing her scarlet friend, "My friend over there is Demona, Desdemona."

Desdemona waved over with a smile that held a meaning that I couldn't decipher, "Alright we are going east and close to the surface.  Have you been to the surface before, Witch?"

I shook my head, "No, I haven't been anywhere really above the Mesopelagic zone."

They both exchanged glances.

"That's alright," Desdemona smiled, "just know for one that is often in the black depths of the sea, the surface has light.  Much light that makes the entire world glow."

"It is quite extraordinary, trust me." Wren explained, "I tried to steal it, but it wouldn't fit in my hands or lead astray with any of our voices.  It would just remain a light."

"Are you talking about the magical sun I heard rumors about?" I glance up excited, I always wanted to see it.

It must be so cool.

And I, the first Ardizevepa gets to see it.

I grinned

Desdemona turned my way, "Yes, that's right."

We kept going eastward passing all kinds of coastal corals, fish, and other aquamarine life.  I felt the difference as we went to the highest and most shallow zone.
       The epipelagic zone was different to what I was used to.  Firstly, it was part of the photic zones of the ocean which meant it had much, much sun light.  The water here was so crystal clear and filled with pretty light blue colors.
       I also didn't have to use as much strength to move around for some reason, it was almost lighter which was totally weird.
      And the light, oh the magical light was so bright.  It was so warm and welcoming as it smiled down from the above.  We swam closer and closer to the above, to the surface...until finally we were inches away from being there.
     The other two went above immediately, but I lingered.

This is it, I thought.  My first time going above the surface.

Here I go.

And right away the magical sun met my eyes and dazzled them from the brightness, but I mustn't give up.  I blinked several times and minutes past, until finally they adjusted.
          The sky was a golden beautiful hue filled with pastel colors.  Oranges, pinks, and even purples streaked away from the sky.
         Then there was the sun, the sun that glowed so bright and so much that everywhere you look it filled the space.  In the sea around us--no matter what angle you looked at, you could see the sun's reflection and its rays bursting off from it.

        Branwren and Desdemona we're right, no matter what you could not capture it at all.  It would always somehow disappear whenever you put your hand or body over any light that it shined.  The light would always fade and run away.

It was sad because I wanted to take some home to show Levy...

"SeaWitch!" Branwren called out, breaking my excitement, happiness, and wonderful thoughts of the surface.

"We are here, and that," Desdemona pointed outward towards are large massive object that moved oh so slowly through the sea in the far off distance, "is our objective."

"So we are going to stop it here?" I asked looking straight at the slow-moving object.

Desdemona exchanged glances at the other servant and they both laughed gleefully, "Oh no!" She shook her head, "We are going to catch up to it and then do more permanent damage to it.  That way, we can finish it and protect our ocean."

"Indeed so!" Wren nodded her head, "And you, better have some of those epic spells of yours prepared and memorized because you're gonna use them."

I grinned, I was ready for this.

I always wanted to do something a bit drastic for a good cause and because I'm protecting the seas and helping everyone then it is fine.

I can finally use something a bit more wicked.

By the time we caught up to it, I noticed something amazing.  Stars lit up the sky.  They were bright little shines and they reminded me so much of an anglerfish's light.

They shined all around and I notice up above I heard a low scream or shrill maybe?

I looked up and colorful light of red, pinks, and yellow were in the sky.  Then suddenly they faded away and a foggy mist were in the high sight.

Then again the shrilling scream came, and those lights went into the sky and made amazing patterns.  I looked up once more and realized they were some kind of festive thing.

They kept making shrills and loud pops and bangs, almost as if they were ripping and tearing apart the sky.

Then the smoke came and it went on like that for awhile.

I looked up almost and those humans-- so giddy, drunk, and oh so full of themselves woozeling around and making a fool out of themselves.

Some were sticking their hands--or even faces in some cases-- over a woman's breasts while the reciprocant shakes themselves at them high in pleasure that you wouldn't want to do anything but get away from them, from it all.

Some were passed out on the ground, unmoving and others were just dancing all over themselves as if to aim more than simple friendly dancing but the reproducing cycle that comes after it.

It was like a mad house and they call themselves royalty?

I never seen something so wild, but those lights.  Those shooting lights with designs in the sky, they seemed pretty.

But then, oh no, not them at all.

I could get why they were a menace to the sea.

Sudden I heard a shout and everything was silent.

"Today, we travel the seas, the great seas of the Goddess Amphitrite and we sail to make alliances with the kingdom Salacia!" A human appeared out of nowhere.

Dark crimson filled his hair as in laid tied up.  A great jacket of silver coat filled his chest.  His eyes were the color of the ocean, the marine sea.

What made him so special that everyone silenced at his words.

"But I suppose none of you are really listening, with how drunk and full of light you are.  Today also marks my third anniversary of being king and I have decided to finally pick a bride.  I will then host a party and however catches my eye and brings up the most offerings shall be chosen as my queen.  Queen of Kymopoleia."

Cheers from all over were heard and then they started chanting, "Long Live the future King, Lucino of Kymopoleia!"

"Long Live the future King, Lucino of Kymopoleia!"

"Long Live the future King, Lucino of Kymopoleia!"

"Long Live the future King, Lucino of Kymopoleia!"

"Oh my precious people," the human-- well Lucino I think was his name- laughed.  "Your words flatter me too much.  Thank you, I will take the night in and sleep, and I'll see all of your wonderful faces in the morning."

"I loveeee youuu King Lucino!" Someone on the boat shouted halfway drunk.

"And I love you, dear citizen.  I love you all!" He exclaimed right before giving a bow and showing a bright friendly smile.

He was going to take his leave.

He seemed.....

"It's time," Desdemona stated, interrupting my thoughts, "Time to protect our ocean."

I nodded that's right.

And so they began to sing.

I always heard mermaids had enchanting voices, and those rumors were true.  They lured the humans towards the edge in wonder.

Of course, nothing beats Levy's singing voice.

It helped that they were sluggish and drunk, they just wanted to hear the voices that seduced them so much to the edge of the ship.

Some even jumped off in pursuit.

"Comeeee.... Come to us...  Come and be one... With the seaaaa..." Brenwren would chant over and over.

And I would speak ancient spells,
     "Kyaiyo fluctus, mergi mergi eko noi hanshana.  Kyaiyo fluctus, veni veni emplexus mare.  Kurai destroy intruders aleyz descend upon keezu ochiji!" I exclaimed and watching as absolute rage and power rushed through me.

The waves went higher and higher until they rushed upon their ship and began enveloping it.  Water flooded the humans and washed many of them to sea.  Many huddled together trying to swim away, but it was no use.

They were useless against my magic.

The king of it all came rushing out of his cabin and his face fell.  His eyes widened and he seemed be almost gulping in fear or maybe it was sadness.

"My people!" He cried out for them as they screamed.

But by coming out, the waves too, got him and was washed away by sea.

The mermaids' voices stopped, I looked over, but they were gone.

I stopped too, I went around the surrounding area but I couldn't find them.

Did they leave or maybe they did not want to be seen?

I head back down a little lower and shrugged.

Maybe I'll find them back at the palace, plus Levy might be done with her classes.

I should find Levy.

I started to swim back and I squinted my eyes, if I didn't know any better I recognized that tail... and hair.

I widen my eyes and so did the mermaid in front of me,

"LEHZ?!"

"LEVY?!"

We both exclaimed at the same time, in surprise.

//I'll post one of two more chapters where the cut off point is at and she becomes human \\