Chapter 25
"The Grande Appearance"
Three months had past since the incident of the girls running away, and the construction of the Aula had begun. Meredith and Ernest were able to finally afford the parts enough to craft and mend the great furnace which would harness hot lava at the capacity of fifteen liters at max. The Aula's exterior was built where some rooms were incaved with gemstones from geodes and other precious gems that helped with making the walls formidable.
The main corridor's floors were covered in limestone smoothed out to make it look like marble. The chandeliers from the ceilings were made from the lava and sand placed together. Then Meredith broke apart the formation to make little crystal-like diamonds to make into a tear drop like chandelier. The torches were mended with iron by Ernest and Meredith. They were held with the intent of holding in numerous amounts of magma rocks to light the place up and then the torches would need to be changed every few hours. They only lit up a few on where they needed because of how little man power they had to change every torch they made thus far.
Another room was the dining hall with tables the girls found in old shipwrecks and mounded them down with pieces of iron nails so they wouldn't float off. The dining hall had three tables so far. One for the royals, and the other two for the guests. The one table was on a platform while the others were on the first level of the hall.
Ideally, the aula was intended to have twenty-five bedrooms with it only having finished six bedrooms in total. Also, with Meredith's intuition, she also added onto the blueprints of escape routes in case if they were ever in the same bind the royal family was in. Although, the aula was a spectacle to the six mer, but they were not the only ones eyeing the structure.
Numerous of mer gathered outside of the walls wondering when these were put and whom placed them there. Lynae and Meredith noticed the crowd as they were coming back from work looking at their built home.
"What's going on?" Meredith asked one of the mer.
"This wall was here all of a sudden encircling the ruins of the aula. We're trying to find out why," One merman stated.
The girls looked at each other knowing that the crowd was getting restless demanding answers, but didn't know how to go about this.
"Mia, Allura, you might want to come out here," Lynae telepathed the both of them. Not getting a response back from either one, Amelia and Allura came from one of the escape routes.
"Can I help you?" Amelia asked.
"We want to know who is responsible on putting this wall up and who has dared to do this to desecrate the sacred ground in which the royal five lived?"
Amelia then took a deep breath and spoke with her voice resonating, "I am." The crowd grew more in anger and frustration. As the crowd stepped towards Amelia hostilely, they were stopped by an invisible barrier. The other two girls looked at Allura then she said, "Don't look at me, this is your cousin's bidding, I am just spectating on how she will handle this," The barrier then showed its purple tint surrounding the four. Amelia's face showed total concentration furrowing her eyebrows but keeping her cool.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Amelia, I am the reincarnate of the great Coronum Reginae, Cirra of Dreams, eldest of the five, rightful heir to Atlantica of the seven seas. This is only part of my true potential in which Cirra has bestowed upon me and has chosen me to carry on her duty in which she couldn't complete," Amelia declared in a bold and confident tone.
"Venefica!" "Usurper!" The mer cried out in denial of what Amelia was told. The other two were getting worried that they would try to attack them. Allura then said coolly, "Don't worry, she's got this all under control, just how a true Coronum Reginae should act and handle these situations,"
"They are trying to kill us, if she lets down that forcefield, we're finished!" Lynae exclaimed.
"You're no Cirra!" The merman exclaimed.
"You're right, I'm not. But I do possess her powers and part of her flows down in my veins."
"Then prove it! Prove why you should be deemed worthy to take over the Aula and have great rule over us!" The merman challenged Amelia.
"Very well, as you wish," Amelia sighed. She then entered the mind of the merman and began showing shadows of demons surrounding him in illusions in his vision. The merman screamed in terror thinking the demons were engulfing him. He kneeled down holding his head. Amelia's eyes glimmered in gold still being in possession of his mind showing what her capabilities were. She then ceased as the merman continued to scream. Her eyes came back to that deep blue as it once was. Everyone was in awe in what they saw.
"What did you do to this man?" Another merman asked in fright.
"I showed him what I am able to do, however, that is not the extent of my power to control each and everyone of you all. My intent is to restore law in the seven seas. I've traveled and have seen bandits and gangs taking advantage of good mer and killing them. That should not happen – period. Those who do not want to be a hindrance to society and make it better for in the future for the next generation should not get punished for what the wicked has in mind for their own twisted gain. I never asked to have these powers, but I know now it is my duty to take the reigns, make sure to restore balance, and keep the cycle in which is endeared by the mer law. With a few moderations, I can help get this balance back in track, it'll take work. My question is, are you willing to join this crusade with me? I don't ask to join an army to fight battles and slay other mer in the process, all I ask is your support. Your support in recognizing me as the regina you deserve and help me help you create a better life for you and countless others, who is with me?" Amelia spoke in grace and waited for a response.
A long silence went on until one responded.
"You say you're the reincarnate of Cirra? Then take part of the Imperator Trials then we will recognize you as our Regina of Atlantica!" A mermaid proclaimed.
The crowd roared in agreeance with the mermaid's suggestion.
Amelia asked Allura in a hushed voice, "What is the Imperator Trials?" Allura responded, "A trial in which two or more mer are standing as contenders to see as who is more fit to rule. It can involve in battle of wits or strength. One in which can either die or yield in surrendering his contingency to their claim to that title. You have the advantage with your powers, I advise you partake in it whomever your opponent may be,"
"I accept your terms. I will participate in the Imperator trials!" Amelia declared her decision.
The crowd roared in excitement. Then the crowd made way for a mer of a silver tail with black markings with little dabs of orange on them like a koi fish. His hair was over his shoulders but pulled back in a ponytail. His eyes were dark like his markings on his tail. He then spoke up.
"I challenge you for the throne of the seven seas! You see, you are not the only one who has supernatural powers, you may claim to be Cirra of Dreams, but I have a claim as well!"
"State your claim, mer!" Amelia said looking down on the mer.
"My name is Haruto, I am the reincarnate of Scirocco, the Princeps of Wind and Change!"
Lynae and Meredith were in awe and in shock as well. "HE'S the other reincarnate!?" Meredith asked. "If he says he's the prince of wind and change, and from Amelia's calculations of the balance chart, he's at a disadvantage," Lynae recalled. Allura then stated coolly, "She's got this under control," Meredith then exclaimed, "How can you say that?! The dude probably will knock the tides over with her and he's probably got more experience with his powers versus Amelia!" Then Allura opened her mouth, "Just watch, you'll see."
"Haruto, princeps of wind and change, shall we go somewhere where it will be more suited for our trial?" Amelia said keeping her composure.
"Of course, we wouldn't want any homes or mer getting hurt while we partake in this trial," Haruto agreed.
His response sounded sincere, but Lynae and Meredith couldn't help but wonder if he may be the enemy in some way trying to take what is rightfully Amelia's in the first place.
The mer gathered in an open area where there was hardly any coral or any plant gardens around. "Shall I go over the rules of the Imperator trials? Or which I desire the terms may be?" Haruto asked.
"Very well," Amelia held her head high. "We both have powers from each of the royal five which should be a little bit clear in how much things can turn drastic if the dynasty were to be handed to the wrong hands. My terms are is the trial will be by combat, the victor will have rule of all of the seven seas, the loser, will lose their life in a more traditional obvious standpoint of declaring a victor. Last man standing terms. Do you accept the trial? Once accepted, you cannot back out," Haruto dished out the terms. The girls, Rimulus, and Ernest were all worried. Then Amelia spoke up. "I accept these terms," Amelia declared boldly. Lynae then tried to stop Amelia but Ernest and Rimulus stopped her from intervening.
The crowd roared once more after hearing Amelia's answer. The trial was underway. Amelia and Haruto took their positions. Haruto had his head down then darted eye contact at Amelia dishing out powerful waves at her. Amelia dodged them barely. The two began throwing everything they had. Amelia threw out spits of force from the purple light she brought out. Haruto threw in tornadoes and a wall of sheer force of water coming her way. She narrowly dodged them getting herself in a swirl causing her to whiplash. She knew he was serious about the title. "I gave you little credit, but let's see how long you can keep your eyes on me," Amelia grinned as she began multiplying numerous illusions of herself. "A nice distraction I may add, but have you forgotten already? I can change the course of the tides with a snap of a finger." Haruto then gained confidence again swirling trying to gain momentum in the tides coming forth. He then flinged winded daggers at each of the illusions including Amelia which she scathed out but received a cut from her arm from it.
She then flashed a light from underneath stunning Haruto for a little while when she was trying to heal herself from the cut she received. However, Haruto came back and used his tail to cut the tide and tried pushing Amelia interfering her healing process. He successfully did and she then created illusions that she got from reading his mind. She told herself she wouldn't use it, but from a fight to the death stance, she felt that she needed this to gain a distraction to gain the upper hand. She got him in a trans in which he sees that he is in his village back home in Japan. She saw where he gained his power when a powerful monsoon hit his village and he protected his family at a very young age.
She didn't continue on the illusion and stunned him with a powerful beam she gave out. Both were battered. Haruto got back up surprised that the stun attack she performed did not numb his senses completely but something else was driving him. A sense in which is beyond his physical capabilities – determination.
"I've had enough, it's time to end this," Haruto said wiping the blood off from his mouth. "Yes, it is time we end this," Amelia snapped back. The two then emerged all the power and forces they would muster to try to get the final blow for one another. Haruto's tail glowed on the silver portions on his while Amelia's golden portions glowed as well. Their eyes turned from a normal color to gold and a cloudy white. Then their strength and power showed with when their auras surrounding them gold and gray were immersing from their bodies.
The girls were fearing that she might turn into the Magna Aquia Draconem, but Allura reassured them that this wasn't the case. This was only the pinnacle stages in which their powers they would be able to control has come to. The two mustered everything they had into a powerful blast – one filled with wind and water spiraling while the other disperses a powerful golden beam in which the two forces collided. The impact blinded the crowd and once the light died out, the result has shown who was victor.
Amelia went back to her normal stage huffing, having a hard time breathing. She saw that she had defeated her opponent but knew he wasn't dead – yet. However, she knew she won this battle. Haruto tried getting up but couldn't as all the strength from him was gone. He knew he was defeated and his fate was sealed.
"What are you waiting for? Just get it over already," Haruto said coughing blood from his mouth.
"If that is what your final words are..." Amelia was set on giving the final blow to end Haruto.
Rimulus looked at her not knowing what to think. The girls were hoping she would spare him. Allura was smirking seeing that she was going to do it.
Amelia then mustered what little strength she had left and beamed that purple light aiming at his head. To what everyone saw and thought he was finished. But it wasn't so.
Amelia missed by an inch. Everyone was shocked. Allura frowned at what had transpired. Haruto couldn't raise his head to see what happened but he knew he was still alive.
"Oops, I missed." Amelia said carelessly.
"You think this is some kind of joke to you?"
"No one's life is a joke. You made it dead set on killing me. The deal was we were to have the decision of the life of the losing opponent and what to do with them. I never said I was going to kill you. But I see why you wanted me dead. You saw me as a threat, you knew if I let my full potential out, well, you know I wouldn't be human let alone mer anymore. You didn't want history repeat itself. What you still don't understand is the cycle is still accurate even after a millennium has passed." Amelia swam away.
"Get back here and finish me!"
"Or what? You're gonna try to attack me? From what I sense, you can't even lift a finger on how much of a beating I've put on you. But, the victor still gets Atlantica and I still am ruler of it. You even have hundreds of witnesses that will say the same of what they saw today. I say that you are spared, what I give you is the gift to live another day, and a sense of humility. Much more than what you deserve, but I have plans in working with you in the future, that is if you won't try attacking me or challenging my authority again; because the next time I will not be so merciful and you know what my capabilities are now. I suggest you think through your actions carefully because I can sense what you are wanting to do to me right at this second, and right now it's not wise to go against your regina." Amelia turned glaring at Haruto helplessly lying there.
Haruto wanted to scream and shout, but knew he was defeated. Amelia swam away from the area and everyone was shocked at her decision. Lynae saw the look on Allura's face and she internally smirked as this was victory for her in some sort of way.
Amelia then came to Meredith muttering to her "Help him up and meet back at the Aula." Meredith nodded and helped the semiconscious Haruto up and carried him back to the Aula. Everyone was stunned at how easily she was able to carry Haruto. They were talking and noticed that she also had braids in her hair assuming she was from Samudra just how Elihu thought when he saw Meredith.
Everyone stared in awe and amazement from the trial; also, how Amelia spared Haruto's life even though he called for her life if she lost. This would be a day the mer would never forget and recognized their regina.
The girls, Ernest, and Rimulus returned to the aula. Haruto woke up in a room that he did not recognize. He asked himself if he was taken as prisoner. Rimulus came into the room bringing in kelp linen and lion barb powder. He then got the strength to speak.
"Did your regina order you to heal me?"
"No,"
"No?" Haruto questioned.
"I was ordered to bring up supplies," Rimulus said in a cool tone but with a warm smile.
"If you're not healing me, then who is?" Haruto asked.
"I am," Amelia swam in the room, "That'll be all, Rimulus, thank you."
"My pleasure, my lady," Rimulus bowed and left the room.
"You're going to heal my wounds? You have a servant, why did you not order him to do it instead?" Haruto asked.
"Does my presence offend you?" Amelia asked coolly.
"No, that's not what I meant..." Haruto tried to correct himself.
"I need to practice my healing abilites," Amelia stated her true intentions.
"Oh, that's right, I forgot Cirra had those abilities as well. Well, all mer heal faster than terra, but she did have the ability to heal deeper and potentially mortal wounds as well."
"Your education on the matter is impressive, did you study the family as well in the archives?"
"My mother told me stories about the royal family. How each sibling ruled the five great oceans, how they were able to create a balance in the seven seas, and how they met their fate,"
"Your mother was a mer?"
"You have the ability to read my mind, why are you asking me?"
"I prefer conversation than invading one's mind when it is not necessary. Wouldn't you prefer I didn't read your mind all the time?"
"Fair point, yes, my mother was full mer. I am actually half mer. I've never told a mer this because I fear if they knew..."
"You'd be persecuted,"
"I thought you weren't going to read my thoughts?"
"That was a guess and actually you're not alone. Meredith, Lynae, and I are not full mer either." Amelia said while rubbing the lion barb powder on the wounds.
"You too?"
Amelia nodded in silence then continued on. "Meredith and Lynae are my cousins. We carry the mer gene from my mother's side of the family but we don't have much of it like you do. We only have a slight percentage and even Allura said even the slightest amount of mer in your DNA can still transform you into a mer."
"Allura?"
"My tutor, she was the one who gave us our tails – well, performed some kind of ritual to unleash our other form." Amelia paused. "Do you not live with your parents anymore?"
"They died – a long time ago,"
"I'm sorry I didn't know. Did you lose them through the monsoon that I placed you in that illusion?"
"No, that monsoon was when my parents found out that I am mer. Also, that was when I found out I was no ordinary mer either. The monsoon didn't try to take me, the winds changed around me and the waves were gentle on me as if they were protecting me. My parents found me hours later relieved that I didn't drown. My mother saw that I had begun my transformation. Gray scales were on my arms and legs. I begged my mother for more water to drink. Father knew what was going on, but he kept my secret hidden. He wasn't ashamed, he knew I would be in immediate danger if the others found out."
"He was protecting you because he loved you," Amelia smiled.
"Yes, he was. Couple of years later, when I was seven, a fire broke out in my village. It spread from one house to another, from one farm to another. I was the only one that survived that fire along with a few of the villagers. My mother always told me if anything were to happen to us, go to the sea. That's what I did. Since then, I've been living on my own and survived with the help of a few kind mer that took me in."
"I'm so sorry, Haruto, that must have been hard. Did you regret going to the sea and living underwater?"
"Not at all, it's what I am familiar with now. I hardly remember my time on land. I had some memories with my parents about all the good times but that was about it."
"I see, well, Haruto, you are not our prisoner, you are our guest, as prince, this can be your home if you like. If you have other plans of traveling, that's alright as well, but just so you know the aula can be your home whenever you pass by or whether you decide to stay. Now stay still and relax," Amelia said closing her eyes stretching out her hands.
She started chanting in Latin and the chants turned to song. Her focus was on his ribs from where she impacted him the most. A burst of light around Haruto's ribs glowed a bright purple then diminishes into a golden color not as bright as the purple. Haruto groaned a little from the sensation but began to relax as Amelia came to an end of her healing session on his ribs.
Haruto then took a deep breath of water to speak, "You are Cirra indeed..." Amelia then without facing him said curtly, "I'm not."
"You know what I mean..." Haruto said rebutting what he actually meant by that statement.
"I know. I'll never be Cirra. Not by her personality, not by her looks, not by her actions. The only thing Cirra and I share is her power. I am her reincarnate but that does not mean I am not my own person either."
"I know what you mean. I know how you feel, and yes, I do know how you feel as well as Lynae and Meredith. I am Haruto but I am the reincarnate of Scirocco, but I am not him. But the people see us differently. We're a second chance to them. A chance to bring the seven seas back to its harmonious status and make the lives of mer safer and joyous."
"By trying to kill me?" Amelia smirked.
"Very funny, you know my reasons."
"I know, I would kill me too if I thought I were too dangerous."
"At least I know you won't abuse your power. Cirra didn't bestow those powers to you so recklessly."
"Neither did Scirocco,"
"Are we going to go at each other with snide comments or are you going to heal me?" Haruto laughed.
"Okay, okay," Amelia said smiling.
A couple of hours went by and Amelia joined the others in the dining hall feasting on their evening meals.
"How's our Prince?" Meredith asked.
"He'll be fine, nothing major thankfully, but even with my healing abilities he still needs his rest."
"I can't believe he would want to kill you," Lynae said sternly.
"He has his reasons, besides if I were in his shoes not knowing the person who possesses Cirra's powers, I'd kill them too,"
"You shouldn't say that, Your Highness," Allura said keeping her composure.
"I'm only saying his actions were justified and not to mean any disrespect," Amelia responded.
"I still do not trust him," Allura said.
"I do, and I am Coronum Reginae and I say he is one of us. He's too important to be set loose, imprisoned, or killed."
"You expect this mer to be on your side after he tried to kill you?" Allura raised her voice.
"Yes," Amelia said brashly.
"If you excuse me, I must retire for the evening." Alurra said turning curtly away from Amelia exiting the hall.
"Allura's got to know her place realizing she doesn't make the calls even though she has the same abilities as you," Lynae clicked her tongue in satisfaction.
"Am I missing something here?" Meredith asked.
"Just certain people sticking their minds rather than noses into others' business." Lynae explained vaguely.
"I've noticed that you are really starting to show your dislike towards Allura, Lynae, why is that?" Ernest asked.
"She seems off somehow. She didn't do anything to help Amelia with her side effects. She wanted Amelia to kill that fella who claims to be the reincarnate of Scirocco." Lynae explained.
After finishing their dinner, Amelia rose up. "If you would excuse me, I'm going to turn in for the evening."
"Night, Amelia, oh wait, can I speak to you for a second?" Lynae asked.
Lynae and Amelia went out of the dining hall and into one of the halls to talk.
"What's up?"
"On your next trip up the surface, can you do something for me?"
"Sure, do I need to ask why?"
"I just want you to get some postage stamps and possibly some stationary."
"I'll actually be going up there tomorrow to see Eddie anyway. Meet me before low tide so we can get them together,"
"But what if someone sees me?"
"I'll take care of that, it's best if you get the stationary and stamps and mail it yourself that way Uncle and Aunt won't suspect you being kidnapped."
"Fair enough, alright, I'll meet you at low tide," Lynae agreed to meet at their stated rendezvous.
While Lynae and Amelia prepared themselves to go onto dry land, Meredith and Ernest went out in the open to go do some hunting before they head to work.
"You know, I will still not get used to these spears. I'm more of a blacksmith rather than a hunter," Ernest groaned.
"Maybe if you been more on the run like I have, you might get the hang of it,"
"Says the girl who didn't know how to wield a sword a few months back, now look at you, you're a skilled hunter," Ernest said while trying to target some bigger fish.
Meredith rolled her eyes at his statement and then continued on, "Do you think Haruto knows how to hunt or even enjoys it for sport?"
"Well, if he really takes after Scirocco, he would be more of a bookworm rather than a hunter, but seeing you being the reincarnate of Lachlan and you..."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm a maiden rather than a man like how he was in his previous life I get it!"
"I didn't mean any disrespect, Your Highness..."
"I'm not Your Highness, I'm not anybody's Highness. Amelia is Your Highness, not me,"
"But you are a princess..."
"You don't need to do any formalities with me, Ernest. I'm still the same Meredith whom your father took me as an apprentice."
"You're still second..."
"Fourth... actually..."
"What?"
"I found out Haruto is older than Amelia and Lynae, but Amelia by right is crowned reginae. So that makes me fourth in line for Atlantica if Amelia doesn't have any children."
"You still have claim to Samudra though..."
"Yeah but we're not in Samudra though are we?" Meredith said passively while spearing a fish.
"Do you plan on ever going to Samudra?" Ernest asked.
"I've actually haven't thought of it. I've been so focused in with helping Amelia getting the aula set up, helping out with Haruto, and gathering some money for the blacksmith parts, it must have slipped my mind."
"So now that everything is settled, do you still want to go visit there... y'know, since it's been awhile since you've been there and all?"
"Something tells me you want to find an excuse to see Samudra yourself," Meredith grinned mischievously.
"I don't know what you are on about, I'm just saying since Samudra is your rightful place and all..." Ernest said sarcastically then continued on, "Well, we have enough money left over from getting the blacksmith up and running at the aula. However, no one to run it if we won't."
"I don't believe Amelia has any specific requests for long while. Besides, wouldn't hurt to take a quick trip and back right? Plus, we could visit your father's shop to say hello." Meredith said with a big grin on her face.
"You really do tempt me and make a hard bargain. When do we leave?" Ernest asked excitedly.