MY STEP-MOTHER IS MY MATE

MER-MOIR

Darkness enshrouded the whole space despite how the translucent pearl in the seashell gleamed in a strange luminescent hue quite against the contrary. A pale hand extended out of the pitch darkness and hovered above the luminescent pearl. The inaudible chants made by a figure to whom the pale hand belonged could be vaguely heard in a concerning whisper. Clouds formed in the pearl and swirled about to form spinning images that disappeared as soon as they appeared.

"A million pearls shone in the deep blues and vast vines, but only one outshines all..." The hoarse, shaky but feminine voice of the figure reverberated through the room. The dialect sounded more like a low shrill of a sort of creature.

"Your beloved one is the oddest one out of all" The face of an old woman highlighted by the pearl emerged from the darkness, looking quite serious.

At this point, a pale but no less beautiful face of a lady that seemed to be in her early 30s; who had hidden under the veil of the darkness until now, also emerged from the opposite side of the soothsayer. She appeared confused.

"Who?"

Another beautiful face, that was a younger version of the previous woman, who seemed to be in her teen years emerged adjacent to the soothsayer and asked in a sweet tone.

"Who is it?"

The soothsayer turned her gaze towards the young one before calmly replying;

" It isn't clear"

"Ugh!!"

The soothsayer gave the mature merlady opposite her a meaningful look before shifting her gaze toward the younger one. As if implying something...

"Can you wait outside?" The woman whispered to the teenage girl's hearing. The girl nodded, stood, and disappeared into the darkness, only the sounds of bubbles gurgling softly could be heard.

"Mother seer?" seeing the worried expression on the usually calm old woman's face, she couldn't help but ask what was wrong.

"Your mate...... is the prince!!"

"What?" The beautiful lady yelled out loud in surprise.

...

A metallic smell permeated through, sending a slight piercing feel to the nasal tissues. Bodies floated towards the surface slowly, making the scene look like a kind of seraphic painting similar to the popular biblical 'rapture'. A man swam freely in the deepest brine expanse with a blood-red spear decorated with little golden runes in hand. His long dark hair covered his face and several holes could be seen in his figure. However, he gave off a mysterious aura. He raised his head and stared around at the battleground he had dominated, he felt elated despite the pain and mental exhaustion that reverberated through his being. Swimming in the mixed blood of his enemies, he grinned awkwardly in delight.

"Monster!!!" common folks shrilled In fear at the sight of the m******e and objects were thrown at the one who had saved them from the potential demolition of the Ningens.

*sigh*

Darkness slowly crept in and soon enough, everything went blank

........

Caspian's eyes snapped open shortly, the brine current swam into his eyes but it was of no effect, as it only felt like the dizziness that hits one after a short night's rest, to him. He looked around in confusion only to realize that he was still in the carriage on his return to the castle. It wasn't ideal of a 19-year-old, but he had been so excited that he refused to sleep for several tides, in fear of missing the long-awaited moment. However, he fell into deep slumber due to mental exhaustion, and boredom.

It had been a little over 7 years since Caspian had been to the castle. He was only 12 when he left for his War Art training and he should have been back after five years plus a few months but alas, duty called. He had to serve the kingdom for a few years and here he was.

He had been sent to the borders at first and then he was sent with the troops toward neighboring ally kingdoms in their aid. Caspian himself was a one-man army and a priceless warrior that had made his name known as the descendant of the greatest warrior and hero of the depths despite his oddity. Fear enshrouded anyone present in the mention of his name as he was known to be a walking disaster and everyone would avoid him like a plague.

'The plague' wore a gentle smile on his face at the sight of the illuminated kingdom far but close ahead. He felt a sense of longing for the kingdom and his family. The Kingdom of Atlantis, home of the descendants of the goddess of the depths, children of King Poseidon.

The carriage soon arrived at the gate with no walls, which shot up towards the surface. One would ponder if a gate undersea was the right safety measure but if one took a closer look, one would see a transparent force field surrounding the whole kingdom up to the heights of the gate. Several guards with tridents ,that was an imitation of Poseidon's legendary weapon, in their hands stood alert, ready to face any threat. Seeing the carriage coming towards them, it didn't take long for them to realize who it was since the insignia was visible despite the distance.

"Open the gates, the prince has returned!!" The guards yelled and bubbles floated out of the fins beside the Finmen soldier guard's foreheads. This was a sign of how pressured they were.

Caspian eyes shone with a slight glint at the illumination brimming from behind the huge golden Ark-shaped gates that curved up towards the surface.

He couldn't help but be anxious at the thought of seeing his family again, especially his little princess. As the carriage waved through the kingdom with guards that crowded the carriage as if to protect him, he couldn't help but reminisce about his childhood moments with the Royal family. Although it was all hazy, he could remember that one occasion where it all began.

'The Atlantis banquet'.