A Departure at Sea

Not only was her grounded lifted, but I was allowed in because it was extremely unfair to punish Levy's only friend.

It was funny seeing Laiken tell him, in front of some important officials along their other siblings too, I might add.

I was in the main courtyard and most of her siblings were there.

I was laying in the seagrass with Levy while in a distance, Laiken had to awkwardly be nice to his siblings and give them gifts from his travels.

Of course, it was an empty hearted gift.

I couldn't understand how could they want to even be with him just for the title he holds?

Especially being their half sibling, I couldn't imagine.

If anyone in the caves did that to me, I would die.

I get if it was the looks, but it wasn't even that.  They were just envious and that is what boils my blood.

Luzamine I think her name was, swam up to Laiken in a high tipped dress.  Her tail was flashing and she seemed like she was trying to show off.

Laiken blinked and put his hand over his face when he realized what she was trying to do.

He laughed awkwardly.

Poor guy, honestly. Levy's brother looked really uncomfortable.

He then dismissed himself and headed this way with an awkward look on his face.

"Next time that happens, please one of you save me," Laiken exclaims, still creeped out from what just happened.

"I thought you were just joking," I laughed, "But when that actually happened..." I frowned, "I couldn't believe what I just witnessed."

"Neither can I," His figured fell to the ground, still uncomfortable by that.

Who could blame him?

It was also a thing you just shouldn't do.

No relatives or incest in general.

"Levy," I turned to my friend, "Today's your last day until you leave." I stated causing everything to be so much more real.

She was leaving for 3 years and that is a long time.

"Don't remind me," Levy stiffens, "I don't want to leave you."

"I don't want you to go either," I honestly told her.

She leaned forward and gave me a hug, I leaned my head over her shoulder.  "I'll miss you, my friend."

Me too...

Me too

"I'm sure you can go back for festivals like the other day... If you really wanted to." Laiken laughs, knowing she always had been far from thrilled during those festivals.

She widen her eyes with her mouth agape, "Wait you're telling me the only times I can visit back are those festivals?!"

Laiken nodded, "Basically or some time nearby, like the last few days!" He grinned.

"Don't ever forget me." I whispered so only she could hear.

She shook her head, "That's a promise, I won't.  I won't forget what's truly important."

Those words were everything and everything that ruined her.

She promised she wouldn't forget me, but maybe she should've promised to never forget what's truly is important.

Because I know what is.

I watched as she was about to take her leave.  Laiken, the cool brother, was nearby, watching her.

I swam up to her suddenly and hugged her more than I ever anticipated ever doing.

"Don't go, Listen what if we just ran away together?" I begged her, still embraced in a hug, "I know you hate it here and that's why we go exploring a lot!"

"Alehkzir...." She whispered sadly, "I can't leave... Laiken is expecting me and I guess I'll finally get to spend time with my brother."

I widen my eyes in shock, I didn't expect her to say that.

Still, I hung onto her.

"Please don't go..."

"Alehkzir, I'm going to have to leave you and during that time I don't want you to be sad or upset." She told me gently,  "Just think, when I get back we will have so much fun.  We will do many incredible adventures and explore so many different realms you will be so surprised." She grinned, "Won't that be fun?"

"But what am I going to do without you?" I looked over sadly, while turning the crook of my chin.  "Become bored and restless like I did all those years before?"

She bit her lip and thought for a second, "I know!  Anticipate my return.  Wait and remember that I'm going to return.  And... I'll send you something... Yeah!" She burst into excitement, "I'll send you like letters and you can reply and send me some back in our three years!" She nodded her head like she figured everything out.

My eyes were gleaming, "Okay, I'll miss you." I said one last time.

She kissed my cheek, "I'll see you soon, it will be over before you'll know it,"

She never knew this, but I would give up some much for happiness of others.

I'd sacrifice anything for her.

If I were meant to die in her stead that I would.

So maybe I could watch her from the heavens of afterlife.

And pray to the god of creation to forgive my sins and promise the life she always should have.

Even without me in it.

...

20 Years flashed forward and nothing was more important anymore.

I lost everything I loved and cared about.

Sure I could go back to my old home, the caves of abyss, but I haven't been there since I left all those years ago with her.

And Laiken, I'm sure I know how he feels about me.

I killed her.

She died in my arms and I did nothing to save her.

Yet, here I am at the edge of the waters and by a near cave the reaches above the waters.

Where the sun would still shine by the entrance and wind would blow on your skin.

That was when she came.

She had this look of pity, selfishness, like she didn't care anymore to live if she couldn't get this.

She stared dully at the ground filled of bristly stones of rocks and light ocean sea that only went up a few feet.

Her hair was silver golden as another I once saw.

It reminded me of her.

I smiled sadly, was it his.....

Yes, it must be?

"Please help me..." She whispered, "I heard you've done it before."

"Oh," I raised my eyebrows, "Then tell me dear child, what have you heard about me?"

She twiddled her fingers, "Everyone calls you a witch.  You perform magic to trick mermaids like myself from loosing their lives entirely."

I laughed, they never changed do they.

And now after all these years they just call me a witch.

"If I'm a witch that could easily trick you, then why are you here?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Because I don't believe that.  I heard a tale about an aunt of mine.  And if you were truly friends why would you purposely try to make her fail and take her life."

The truth hit me like nothing else.

I just have been listening to others and what they thought, but actually I done nothing.

It wasn't my fault.

It wasn't....

She was going to no matter what.

And now a generation later, I finally saw that.

"What is it you came here for?  You know obviously want something?"

"I want to be human!" She held a look in her eyes that reminded me too much of her.

"But why would you want to be human when everything about the sea is better than the dull life of theirs?"

"I saved one.  I must see him again," She gave me words that reminded me of hers, "And what does your father think of this?"

She turned her head, "It's not like I won't see him again."

"Dear princess," I whispered, "The closest spell for you to be a human requires such a great sacrifice, I'd think it is rather impossible and to win the love of a human that too," I told her gently,"is a difficult task to do."

She frowned, "What do I have to be not as pretty?  I don't care about that.  You can make me ugly." I looked at her sadly.

"No, this spell requires a voice like yours to be given up." I laughed, "Men are stupid, not realizing what's in front of them in the best treasure of all."

"Oh.." She looked down, "Yes, I heard about this."

"Oh an also you can never return to being a mermaid with this spell.  So it is likely you could never see your father or the rest of your family again."

She turned away, "Father is the only one I care about.  I don't like any of my relatives or aunts.  They are all stuck up snobs." I chuckled at this.

She would say something like that.

"Most mermaids are like that," I shrugged my form, leaning my head back into some rocks. "They don't see pass the physical form you bring.  They don't see any of the true you even when you try to get them to see.  And all they spread is superstition and false rumors." I told the girl flatly.

"I guess you had encountered a fair amount of them." She smiled.

"Yes..." I drew my word out, "Those relatives you speak of are most likely the ones I encountered over a decade ago."

"So now that you know how I feel would you help me?" She leaned down shyly, "I know the risks, but I think I can do it.  Maybe you can even help me."

"Silly girl, do you know what keeps me here." I laughed dryly,  "What do you think bounds me here?  The blood of another.  They call me a witch for a reason." I smiled, "Well rather I went mad.  I went so mad that even after I couldn't do anything I killed those humans who took part of ruining her.  The girl who married the man she saved and the man who never saw her as anything more." I looked down.

"I don't understand."

"If the man will not love you, but instead chooses another then before the next sunrise pierce his heart with a knife and with his blood soak your feet in his blood." I looked down when tears fell from my eyes, "Then your tail will surely become one.  That is the only way to save yourself and become a mermaid."

She refused to do any of that.

A good kind mermaid like her...

"Don't worry, I won't need to do that.  He will love me."

"Arrogance won't help you," I told her calmly, "Besides what would you do if he pretended not to know you?"

"I.." She stuttered at a loss for words, but then she took a deep breath, "He wouldn't do that.  He is kind and nice.  I watched him a lot and he helped others."

I smiled sideways, "Well alright, but when you are a human it will feel as if your tail is being ripped opened by a knife within every step you take.  As a human, the ocean is no longer yours and will be against you.  You will no longer be able to swim freely." I told her, "Now with all of this in consideration, you should head home and remember how much your family means."

She looked up at me and frowned, "But why?!  You have done spells and enchantments in the past.  But I,  Princess Laiyka daughter of King Laiken agrees to those terms...."

~~~~

// Hello, Legend here just letting anyone know the last segment was about 20 years in the future.\\

They didn't see the future, I just decided to show 20 years for a certain purpose.