The Lost Secret of the Silver Sea

Chapter 1: A Cry from Pained Breath

        He gasped as his head broke the surface of the water, panic surging though his veins as his chest spasmed uselessly. A wave slammed into him, sending him under again, his fading claws latching onto a broken plank of wood.

Liquid fire flowed through his veins, his unfamiliar legs barely twitching despite his desperate attempt to drag himself higher onto the swaying plank. The rain beat sharply on his face, the cold stinging the smooth, scale-less skin, his long hair catching on the splinters of the board and tugging at his scalp.

            His lungs finally reacted to the air, spasming painfully and dispelling the water out from in them. He choked and spluttered as the painful feeling of air rushed down his throat, burning from its dryness. It pressed horribly on his ribs, like shards of glass threatening to shred him apart. His mind in a muddled chaos, he lets on a pained cry, baring the fangs that were no longer there. The sound rivals the thunder cracking in the sky as if challenging it.

His energy was spent, the lightweight armour and his weapons suddenly felt too heavy, to tight, his trembling arms protested under his weight. He let himself fall heavily on top of the plank, ear faintly picking up the sound of the pendant on the chain around his neck hitting the wood harshly.

            His body aching, the winds of the storm whirling mercilessly, and the waves coming down on his head, he looked heavenward and truly prayed for the first time. He prayed to his deities for the help he knew might never come, prayed for the fear etched in his bones to finally settle, for the safety of his family and friends, for anything his muddled mind could think of.

A loud cry of surprise reached his ears, just as his shaky view of the world faded into black.

            The Mermatians were a small, hidden race, known only in folk tales and anecdotes. Many humans know them as the infamous ‘Mermaids’ or ‘Mermen’, creatures who lived in the water and terrorized fishermen and ships. They were known as creatures who carried tails and scales instead of legs and lungs but closely resembled their human counterparts in many ways.

            There are stories of them, passed down from parents to children, altered to either create fear or entice their audience. Creatures who were once human and were cursed to never walk on land again, creatures who were hurt and chose the sea as an escape. Some say they carried magic in their veins instead of blood, bringing calamity to anyone who dared to hurt them, or eternal youth to whoever were daring enough to spill their blood. Others called them gentle creatures, caring for the life in the watery world.

            Mermatians were more than that, they were living beings with the same ability to think like their human counterparts. They lived life as all creatures do, just differently. They carried tails that could easily rival the size of sharks, coloured in tandem with the corals that lived near the surface, and strong enough to brave even the roughest currents.

On their hands were claws in place of nails, and in their mouths were fangs that could cut into solid rock. Fins sprouted from their back and arms, gills etched on their necks and sides. Scales glittered on their shoulders, collar bones and scattered over their jaws. Their bodies were tailored to handle the extreme cold and pressure of the depths, eyes built to see the natural colours emitted from all living creatures.

            They carried a few similar features however, the reason the humans often sought to find them. Two eyes, carrying black scleras instead of white to see in the dark depths of the sea, a nose, the bridge often covered in glittering scales, and a mouth, four fangs in place of the incisors of the human jaw. The rounded ears of humans were replaced with pointed fins, poking out from behind hair that could range all colours and types depending on the merfolk.

            Their home lay in the very depths of the ocean, far away from the reaches of the beings that threaded the land with two legs. It was built from rocks and clay, decorated glowing crystals and things merfolk brought home from their research, containing all aspects one would consider both a home and a kingdom.

            They had jobs as well. The civilians lived their lives to the fullest, enjoying the safety and freedom the realm offered. The position of a guard was offered to anyone with the commitment and determination, protecting the walls of the kingdom and the people that lived there from any threat.

Researchers discovered things that could further their development, from the glowing crystals that lit their homes and powered their weapons and tools to simple noting of items that could either help or harm them. Healers learned new and better ways to deal with injuries, and the different uses of herbs. Blacksmiths worked alongside them to create the tools and technology needed to get the job done. More jobs lay within the kingdom walls, letting the people have a sense of order.

Their barter system consisted of gold coins forged themselves, by the heat of underwater volcanoes and trained hands. They didn’t wander close to ships anymore or to the surface at all unless absolutely necessary, in hopes to protect was remained of their kind, choosing to disguise themselves as predators and move beyond their reaches when possible. Abandoned kingdoms lay empty close to the shores, frequented by humans and a reminder that they were never to come in contact with them unless absolute necessity.

            Then there was the King, the leader and protector of all who choose to stand by his side. He was considered just, kind, and courageous, holding the position true just like the king before him. With him, he had his three children, the next in line for the throne, his daughter Idris, the soon-to-be guard, Falkon and then Kaelonne.

             This is the story of the youngest royal, Kaelonne. A tale about the hardships he would have to endure and new things he would have to learn as he tries to save and protect his endangered kind. The story of the first Mermatian to walk on land with his own two feet. This is of the friends he would make along the way, the bridges he would build, and the lessons he would learn.