Riptide (2 page)

~
             

             
I had only been to Neptune's cavern once when I was a child, so although I was familiar with the area, I couldn't remember the exact location. It took me an entire day before I finally found it.
              “Here we go,” I whispered to myself as I set forth on my mission.
              Merrick said that it would lead me to an underwater spring though I had never heard of such a thing. This would take me away from the Kestian seas and into a part of the ocean I had never seen before.
              I swam through the strong, constant flow of this mysterious water.  It was so unfamiliar to me I feared that maybe I was going the wrong way. Soon it became increasingly difficult to breathe and it felt like the smooth water was weighing me down. I pushed through despite every part of my body wanting, begging me to turn around. I knew that it was necessary for my body to adjust to the
gradual
change if I was going to be successful.
             
It never felt natural, but the further I swam out the more tolerable it became, so I pushed through. If this was the only way to ensure that Harmonia would never come into full power, I needed the trident to be as difficult to locate as possible.
              Eventually the dark blue water shifted to a crystal clear. It was like there was no color besides the gray of the rocks.
              I was here.
              I scanned the surroundings, searching for the right location to complete my task. I spotted what appeared to be ruins of a shipwreck. How in Hades did that end up down here? I couldn't think about that now because just beyond that I could finally see the Twin caves. From this distance they looked like empty eye sockets in a massively deformed skull.
              As I swam closer I noticed some faint movement—a ripple in the water. I approached the cave with caution, but when I heard a deep rumbling sound I halted completely. It only took a moment to register that the movement I saw was a monstrous creature breathing in and out. I had to get out of here. If I could just sneak away slowly I might be able to go through the other entrance after all. A deeper grumble told me that it was too late.
              The leviathan had already smelled me. I was foolish for drawing so near.
              I darted quickly behind a large boulder just as the colossal sea serpent pulled away from the cave. Its
powerful
loud
roar seemed to quake the entire ocean floor. I trembled in fear as I pressed myself as flat as I could behind the only thing separating me from certain death. I knew I had to move. I wouldn't be safe here for long but I had to figure out where the leviathan was now before I dared my escape. Just behind the massive gray body I could see the opening of the cave. It was small enough that if I could just slip past the monster's countless tentacles undetected, it wouldn't be able to follow me inside.
              But sneaking past a leviathan was nearly impossible.
              Of course, I had the trident, but I wasn't the true possessor of it, so I couldn't even be sure if it would work for me at all. And if it did, if I attempted to use it, I might cause a tsunami or a tidal wave or some other kind of disaster that I wouldn't be able to subdue, all to save my own tail. Unfortunately, what other choice did I have? It was my only hope.
              I frantically scanned my surroundings for something—anything—that I could possibly use to distract the sea monster long enough for me to make it to the opening but the only things within my reach were a starfish and a handful of seashells. Nothing that would be large enough to distract the leviathan from a tasty mermaid.
              Then I remembered—the shipwreck! Of course. If this was where the leviathan called home, it might have plucked the ship from the surface itself and dragged it under here to feed on the innocent humans.              
              Thankfully there was enough of the ship intact that if I were able to hit it with the trident, the explosion would be large enough to catch the attention of the sea serpent.              
              My hands were shaking as I held up the trident and took aim. I tried to steady myself when I realized that vibrations in the water weren't entirely my fault. The leviathan was using its
numerous
multiple
tentacles to try to sense my exact location. I didn't know if it would be better for me to stay as still as possible or if I had a better chance if I tried to swim away.  I trembled with fear as a shadow overhead told me that it was too late to escape. My location had been discovered.
              A roar ripped through the ocean with such a force it knocked me to the seabed. My hand was sliced open across the palm by a stone, which only seemed to irritate the beast more as the scent of my fresh blood tainted the water in a red cloud.
              Miraculously the trident was still gripped tightly in my other hand. As the beast hovered above me, its eyes glowed amber and its mouth bared multiple rows of jagged teeth. Its body was so massive that I couldn't see where it ended but I knew that its tentacles were strong enough to break a ship in half. I stood no chance.  Instinctively I defensively aimed the only weapon I possessed. 
              I didn't even know what I had to do to make the trident work but I knew that I had to quickly come up with a plan B now that I had been discovered.  As soon as I thought about it, the trident grew white hot. I struggled to maintain my grip as the heat radiated in strong waves and sparks shot out of the trident striking the leviathan straight in the face, hitting one of its red eyes.
              He reared back, writhing in pain, which cleared the path between me and the opening of the cave. I didn't know how long I had but I needed to escape before the beast could retaliate. I just hoped I had enough time to make it into the cave before the enraged beast came after me again more viciously than before.
              The monster continued to cry out in raging pain as I shot underneath it and made it to my destination. I darted into the western opening of the Twin caves.
              Once I was far enough inside that I was out of the leviathan's reach, I finally felt safe enough to try to slow down my heart. I leaned up against the stony wall and took a few deep breaths until the trembling of my body faded away. 
              Only then did I notice that there was another cave inside of this massive cavern. It was well-hidden and I felt like it was my best option because despite Merrick's assertion that no one would ever find the trident here—a part of me was skeptical. I needed to ensure it was as hidden as possible. I needed to do everything I could to keep Harmonia from acquiring the full power she so craved.
              I found a heavy rock in the back of the dark cave. Opening the vial carefully, I poured Merrick's blood on the stone. It foamed and sizzled, softening the stone enough for me to slam the trident into its surface. White hot energy surged through the trident causing me to yank my hands away. The stone visibly hardened around the trident securing it in place. I pulled on it to be sure of what I had just witnessed. I couldn't budge the trident.              
              Feeling satisfied that I had completed my task, I headed back to Kestia, praying to the sea gods that the leviathan had retreated somewhere else to nurse its wounds.
 

~
 

             
Upon my arrival, I swam to the castle. I stayed in the shadows, trying not to attract attention while I looked for a way in to tell Merrick it was done. There was noticeable tension amongst the
distraught
Kestians
I
saw in the kingdom. They darted from one house to another, looking anxiously toward the castle and speaking in hushed voices
. A mixture of distraught, worry, sorrow, and confusion
. I saw Krill swim past me and grabbed his arm, pulling him into an empty room.
              “What's going on?” I asked him.
              “What are you doing here?” He said locking the door. “Nobody is supposed to know you are still alive.”
              “Don't worry. No one saw me. I just wanted to tell Merrick I did it.”
              “It's too late,” he said meaningfully. “She's done it.”
              Nausea swept through me as I realized that Merrick had been right. A rush of sadness swept over me, causing a fierce ache in my heart. Our king was gone at the hand of my sister.
              Harmonia was really willing to go to any lengths. Being just the queen was never going to be enough for her. She wanted total and complete power over the sea and she had proved just how ruthless she truly was by putting an end to Merrick’s life.
              “You must go. Get out of here before someone sees you and it ruins everything.”
              “Wait!”
              “What?” Krill stopped.
              “The baby?”
              “She's exactly where she's supposed to be for the next stage of the plan.”
              I nodded and then watched as he swam off, I couldn't move. I couldn't even swallow. I was stunned, disgusted, but most of all devastated.  I wasn't sure where Krill was going, but I knew that Merrick had probably given him instructions on what to do if what he suspected came true—just like he had given me.
              I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that Merrick was right. He had sought my help just in time—how had he known what she was planning and why hadn't he done more to try to stop her? I had returned from fulfilling the first part of his plan and he was already gone.
              Then it occurred to me that maybe he never intended to stay alive. Perhaps he had just wanted to ensure that he left Kestia with a shred of hope before being reunited with Elissa in death.
              I had to keep moving. I had the rest of my tasks to complete. The castle was in an uproar over the death of the king. This was my saving grace. It was easier to dart from shadow to shadow and escape the notice of any of Harmonia's minions. I couldn't believe how quickly they had taken complete control over the kingdom.
              I found the secret chamber without any trouble. A quick glance over my shoulder showed that no one had followed me. I pressed down on the stone, feeling it give before sliding it over and slipping through the small opening.
              There in a basket weaved out of seaweed was the sleeping baby.
              “It'll be okay, sweet girl. I've got you,” I whispered soothingly when the baby stirred as I picked her up. “Let's get you out of here.”
              As I swam away from Kestia, I still couldn't believe that Harmonia had finally done it. Merrick was dead. Not only was she queen, just like she had always wanted to be, she was also the reigning ruler of the sea.
              At least she believed she was.
              Knowing that pushed me through. I knew that I had to do one more thing before disappearing out of Kestia again. I had to do what Merrick asked me to do—what Elissa would want me to do. I took their baby out of Kestia, sneaking out in the middle of the night.
              It was time to fulfill the rest of Merrick's well-thought out plan. Which meant it was time to seek Ocarina's help.

~
 

              It seemed to take me hours before I finally found the glittering stone path illuminating the way to Ocarina's dwelling. I could see the faint shimmer of a bluish light inside the seaweed-covered cave in the distance and knew I had found the place at last.
              “Ocarina?” I called out to her once I was close enough. “Are you in there?”
              “Yes?” She poked her head out from the entrance. Her eyes were wide and her olive green hair was long and matted, flowing around her head giving her an almost eerie appearance. But sea witch or not, Ocarina was one of the kindest of all the Kestians. “Oh, it's you. It's happened then?”
              I nodded silently.
              “Is that her?” she asked pointing to the bundle in my shaking arms.
              I nodded again and tried to squash down the tears that were threatening to overflow. She gestured for me to come inside and I followed her willingly, casting a quick glance over my shoulder to confirm that no one had followed me here.
              Once inside her cave, she led me over to a shining, crystal orb. She motioned for me to peer inside it. I gasped in shock.
              “Is that?” I couldn't believe my eyes—the events unfolding before me in the orb were terrifying. The entire kingdom was erupting in chaos. Some Kestians were attacking sailors and other humans who found themselves within their grasp, bringing them into the kingdom and torturing them.  I suspected those Kestians were Harmonia's followers. A true Kestian would never commit such a travesty.
              And my sister, Harmonia, sat on the throne with a Cheshire grin plastered on her face as she watched these terrible acts unfold.
              “I'm afraid so. That's the future of Kestia,” she said sadly.
              “It shows you the future?” I ask amazed.
              “And the past and present. It shows me whatever I seek.” She waved her hand dismissively over the orb and the inner light flickered out like she had flipped an off switch. “I knew you would be bringing her to me soon.  Did you hide the true trident?”
              “Yes. No one will find it.”
              “Good. Very good.” She patted my arm gently.
              “What do we do now? Do we just let Harmonia take over Kestia?”
              “For now.”
              “But what about the princess?”
              “You did the right thing bringing the Princess here just like Merrick asked. She will be safe, and because of you, there is still hope.”
              She started swimming around the cave, pulling glass bottles of various colors from shelves and setting them down on the table that held the glowing orb. She filled me in on her plan as she combined this and that into another container. I watched and listened, too stunned to do anything else. This plan was insane. It was dangerous.
              It was our only hope.
              Pink smoke puffed out of the container and she smiled, pleased with herself. She approached the sleeping baby and me.
              “Do you understand what you must do?” she asked me seriously.
              “I do.”
              “Give the baby to me.” She held out her arms and I reluctantly handed the baby to her.
              It wasn't ideal at all but Merrick knew that we had no other option. Ocarina performed the spell.
              She tipped the potion into the baby's mouth.
              “Once her lungs inhale their first gulp of oxygen the spell will be complete. Her fins will morph into human legs. She won't change back until she emerges herself in salt water,” she said as the baby drank the last drop.
              “How are you going to prevent her from changing too early?”
              “I've added an additional spell to instill a deep rooted fear of the water. She won't change.”
              “Are you sure it will work?” I asked.
              “Don't question me, child! You came to me for help and I gave it to you.”
              “I'm sorry. I'm just so—” I wasn't able to find the right words to describe adequately the level of stress I was experiencing.
              “Now, go. Take her to shore far away from here and never speak of this to anyone.”
              I nodded my understanding and left Ocarina's cave.
              I swam the baby north until I could feel the shift in temperature. The cooler water felt like ice in my chest and made my skin tingle—so cold that it burned. Kestians preferred the warmer temperatures of the Southern seas. We could survive up North, of course, but it wasn’t pleasant. This extra precaution was necessary. I needed to keep the baby as far away from Harmonia as possible. She’d never think to look for her here.
              When the coolness became too uncomfortable to bear, I swam to shore.  As my head barely broke through the surface of the sea, I surveyed the area.
             
              The sun was just rising, so the beach was deserted for the time being. I slowly lifted the baby up to the surface with me. She cried as her fin split in two and shifted into human legs. I could imagine how painful it must have been and I felt horrible for putting her through such agony, however necessary it might be to her survival.
              “Shh, it’s okay little one,” I whispered soothingly. “Everything is going to be okay.”
              I knew it was the right thing to do. Elissa would have done everything and anything to protect her daughter.
              There was no telling what Harmonia would do if she ever found her. She'd never suspect that I would hide the baby on land amongst the humans. Doing so put the entire Kestian race at risk for exposure, though if Ocarina's orb was an accurate indicator of the future of Kestia, discretion wasn't something Harmonia was going to bother with.  My only hope was that I had brought her far enough north to keep her safe.
              I swam closer to the shore knowing that I was about to put myself through the painful change as well. Maneuvering on the rough, dry sand would be too difficult otherwise. It only took a moment, but the shift was excruciating. All the muscles in my tailfin felt as though they were on fire as they tore away from the breaking bones and reformed into two separate appendages.
              I walked clumsily over to a group of rocks and laid the baby down in the shadows. The sun was rising higher in the sky. I knew that I didn’t have much time.
              “I’ll come back,” I promised her. She opened her eyes and I noticed for the first time they were stormy gray like Merrick’s. “Every year, when the summer moon rises, I’ll come back.”
              I walked back into the water, returning to my natural state with relief. I watched over her from a distance until finally a human woman came along. She found the baby bundled in a seaweed blanket and immediately picked her up to make sure she was okay.
              “Caleb!” I heard her call out. “Caleb! Come quick!”
              A tall man came around the large rock, rushing over to where his mate stood clutching Adella to her chest.
              “We need to call for help! I think she's been abandoned!” she said frantically.
              He pulled something out of his pocket and began talking into it. The woman had tears in her eyes as she stared down at the wee baby in her arms. “Who could do such a thing?” she whispered softly.
              “Adella,” I sent the whisper to shore along with the waves. The woman looked out toward the sea. Before I escaped back beneath the surface I whispered again, “Her name is Adella.”
              I swam out further, and popped back up to glance at the baby one more time.
              “I promise I shall return, but farewell for now, sweet Adella.”