Chapter 32
A Lover's Quarrel
As morning hit the glaciers of Arktis, Meredith and Amelia prepared for their journey to Alearabia to meet with Princess Cyra along with her royal family. Lynae hugged her sister tightly while Haruto wished for safe travels to the both of them. Lynae also came to say farewell to Amelia. "I'll be waiting in Atlantica for your safe return. Go help Alearabia while I finish my business here to make it where I can comfortably leave long periods of time." Lynae said while hugging Amelia.
The villagers, Lynae, and Haruto waved goodbye to them as they headed off. The waters began changing not too long after they have swum for some time. After another hour or so later, they were in Mediterranea whereas Meredith warned Amelia to ignore their behaviors due to previous encounters with them. "I've never seen so much booze in my life!" Amelia exclaimed. "Yeah, they like to party – that's for sure." Meredith commented half-heartedly.
After some time, swimming in Mediterranea, Amelia spoke up, "Meredith, I hate to ask this, but can we take a breather?" Meredith looked back and saw that Amelia was trying to catch her breath. "Oh, crap, here, I'm sorry, I should have watched my speed. I've been traveling so much that I just sprint sometimes to get to my destination." Meredith stated.
"I just don't want to hold you back..." Amelia said feeling guilty of not being able to keep up. "Nonsense! Now don't go beating yourself up! We'll get there when we get there. Princess Cyra trusted me to get you into one piece and that is what I am going to do. She can wait a thousand years if it takes that long for us to get there!" Meredith protested. "I pray it doesn't take THAT long," Amelia said catching her breath. "Now, catch your breath and whenever you are ready, we'll start swimming again."
Ten minutes have passed and Amelia was ready to head out again. They start swimming only at a slower pace this time. "Lucky for us, we made some good timing, we'll be in Faux-Red not too long after," Meredith announced. "Faux-red?" Amelia asked. "Shaasak named it that because the sea is not actually red." Marius explained.
"Wait the Red Sea?!" Amelia exclaimed in shock. "Yeah, Princess gave us the runway on this shortcut. Wish she would have told me when I went all the way around the entire continent to get there!" Meredith explained further and still felt frustrated about learning this too late.
They entered the Red Sea shortly after. Amelia looked around and began speaking up. "This all reminds me of the time when grandma told us how Moses and his people crossed the Red Sea." "Yeah, good ol' grandma," Meredith said while her attention was looking out for sharks. "Huh, wonder where they went?" Meredith said aloud. "Who went?" Amelia asked. "The sharks-"
Suddenly a shark pulled out of nowhere trying to bite Amelia. Amelia fended him off with a blinding dart of light thrown at him. "Go, now, I'll handle him!" Meredith instructed. Amelia was guided by Marius to a higher leveled coral reef. Marius then returned to the battle with Meredith. "This one surely had no teeth pulled yet!" Meredith said observing the wild shark. The shark snapped at her and she yelled. "I don't know if you're blind, but I've got a lot of your buddies' dental samples! If you want to join your friends, then come at me!" Meredith said challenging the shark.
The shark lunged at her and she punched the sharks side jaw hard while the shark was wrangling her. She then whipped her tail against the base of his tail and he started skidding on the sea floor. "Had to learn the hard way, huh." Meredith said smugly and went up to meet with Amelia.
"Are you okay?" Amelia asked. "I am, but this boy will be smelling his own blood for a bit," Meredith said while showing what she had in her hand. "You knocked a tooth right out of him?! Why?!" Amelia said disgusted at what Meredith had done to the shark. "It's Samudran custom, well, it's more like a game, you collect as many teeth from sharks that has never lost a tooth, and whoever gets the most, would earn the highest respect in all of Samudra." Meredith explained. "That's a horrid game – even for the sharks." Amelia said feeling sorry for the creatures.
"To each their own, alright, ready?" Meredith said while tying the tooth to her necklace collection. Amelia nodded and they swam through without much incident after.
They have arrived to the castle where they would meet the vizier that Meredith met when he visited her in Samudra. "Ah, Coronum Reginae, such an honor to be in your presence, we've been expecting you for some time."
"Yes, so it may seem," Amelia said while having her attention elsewhere. "If you would please, Your Majesties, I will escort you to meet with Her Royal Highness." The vizier led the way into the castle. The inside they were greeted with a dancing octopus that had jewelry on. Further down, they saw a colorful throne in which was occupied Princess Cyra herself.
"May I present, their Royal Highnesses, Coronum Reginae of Atlantica, and Shaasak of Samudra," He said towards the princess. She then rose from her seat and swam towards their direction. "Coronum Reginae, it is a great honor to have you as my guest in my lavish home." Cyra said curtseying.
"And a privilege to be in front of a noble host who has great taste in style." Amelia said flattering her. "Composed and regal as ever. Just as how Shaasak described you to be. I do apologize it being last minute, but since hearing of your existence, I thought that it was crucial that I would meet up with you for a matter that I need your assistance with."
"And Shaasak Meredith briefed me a little on that matter as well. May we?" Amelia gestured to go somewhere secluded. "Of course, right this way," Cyra escorted the two upstairs. They were then in a bedroom where a dying man was lying in his bed.
"Is this him?" Amelia asked. "Yes, for sixty years of his long, overbearing life, he's always been sad. Growing up, he would always set a standard for all of us children where we couldn't reach. He would scowl and look at us as nothing compared to your ascendant." Cyra said holding back her emotions. "Although, he wasn't fully consumed from Naji's possession before. We've noticed that he's been suffering for a few years and I fear that Naji is..." Cyra couldn't finish the sentence as it was too difficult to say. "Say no more. Let me see what I can do for him to make him more comfortable," Amelia said getting closer to Cyra's father.
Cyrano's eyes widened as he saw Amelia. "Cirra! It's you, it really is you! We can finally be together!" He said as he grasped her wrist. Then Amelia felt a surge of power and the next thing she knew, she was in writhing pain. The pain came from her chest almost as if her heart was about to snap in half. "I will not lose you again, Cirra!" Cyrano cried out. Amelia continued to scream in agony as her power escalated. After some time of being in pain, her form as well as Cyrano's changed. Amelia was transformed into a woman with dark black hair, purple eyes, and fair skin. Cyrano was transformed into a younger version of Naji whom he had dark shoulder length hair, dark brown eyes, and a darker tan complexion.
The woman was looking around not knowing where she was at. Then she saw two women staring at her. "Who are you!? What did you do with Amelia?! Where is she?!" Meredith demanded answers. "And where's my father?!" Cyra cried out.
"I am Cirra, I am the one Amelia is reincarnated with. Cyrano and Amelia are in a dormant state. They can still both hear our conversations, but they cannot take over since I'm now dominant over her body." Cirra explained.
Naji then got out of bed and held Cirra in his arms. "How could you?! Why did you do it?! What did I do to deserve this?! Don't you have a heart?!" Naji said shaking Cirra.
"Naji, I did it to protect you. I didn't want to tell you that I was losing control of my own powers. I didn't want to break off our engagement." "Bullshit! You told me you loved another! Was he worth more than what we had?!" Naji shouted. "That was a lie. There wasn't another merman. I had to tell you something so you wouldn't know the truth." "How can I trust what you say now?" Naji growled. "You can see for yourself." Cirra said raising her hand.
"NO! I will not be controlled by you! Not now, not ev-" Naji was cut off after he was stunned by Cirra's powers. She then touched his forehead and focused on what happened after the engagement broke off. They were brought to a thousand years ago. The scene after Cirra broke up with Naji. Amelia was there as well looking at a distance.
When Cirra retired in her chambers, she broke down crying. Amelia felt the heart wrenching pain in her chest but this time it wasn't agonizing as the first one but still painful. She clutched her chest almost wanting to cry as well, but why? "Letting you go was the hardest thing I had ever done." Cirra explained. "I'll show you what happened afterwards," Cirra said flashing forward to what came to be around the time when she perished.
"Ergh, these damn mer are so ungrateful!" Past Cirra threw out a table using her powers. "They don't know how much pressure I have. None of them do!" "Coronum Reginae, it's time," The priest came in calmly. She huffed in a breath to compose herself. "Then let's get this over with," she said swooping her tangled hair back and followed out of her chamber.
She swam into the great hall taking her seat on her regal throne. "You stand accused of stealing steer from a farmer. How do you answer for these accusations?" She said sternly. "Your Highness, I was only needing a ride back to my home, I was injured and..." "And how do I not know you'd do it again in a heartbeat?" Cirra condescended the offender. "If you look deep down my intentions you would see..." "You DARE insist on my capabilities, mer?!" Cirra grew impatient with the man. "Behead him," Cirra said waving her hand dismissive to him. "No, please..." The mer pleaded until another intervened. "Reginae, I must intervene," Scirocco cried out swimming towards her.
"Brother, wise and cunning and swift with the winds, you must see that he is corrupt." "Like all of the other offenders you've called corrupt?" Scirocco scolded her. "You have no place of challenging my judgment, make your next move carefully." Cirra threatened.
"You're right, he is not, but I am," Lachlan stepped in with his long blonde hair and beard flowing with the water. "And you are here to challenge my rule?" Cirra said impatiently. "Yes. As head councilman, you are no longer fit to make such delicate decisions such as the lives of mer that stand before you. As King of Samudra, I hold you in contempt in the eyes of our council of peace. Until such a time you are able to control your emotions and temperance, your rule is stripped and you will be held up in the Aula until a change is decipherable." Lachlan declared.
"You can't do this! This is my birthright according to mer law..." Cirra tried to intervene but was cut off. "And we had an agreement if anything were to change in your mental state, we can suspend your rule until such a time. Escort Reginae to her chambers." Lachlan ordered. "NO! I WILL NOT ACCEPT THIS INSUBORDINATION!" Cirra shouted as she released a heavy flow of magic around her. "Cirra!" Scirocco shouted as if trying to snap her out of it.
She then grew angrier and her powers were becoming unhinged. Another light below her shone as she has shown her fit of rage. The royal court did not know what to think of what was going on. But the next moment, her mer figure dissipated and morphed into something bigger. Something unimaginable. Something fearsome.
Everyone watched in horror as she transformed herself into the magnificent beast. Then Cirra explained with her head down in shame. "This was the day I turned into the Magna Dracona Aquia." Lachlan then barked orders for everyone to clear out immediately. Everyone scattered as they did what he said. Before getting into it with Cirra, Lachlan looked at his wife and children at the distance watching with fear. Ember joined in with the fight along with Scirocco and Lachlan to stop Cirra once and for all.
While they watched the siblings battle out the beast, Naji stood there in disbelief on what he saw. He could not utter a word out. "Cirra, why did you think everyone was against you? They were only trying to help?" Amelia asked. "That was part of the curse and also part of me listening into its persuasion. I felt so alone where I thought I really was alone. I realized now that I was not and I was the one who shunned everyone away from me – trying to protect them from me. In realization, I didn't really protect them. I hurt them in more ways than one. I broke one man's heart while I broke mine. I took away a father from my nieces and nephews. I put my siblings in the way of death's door. I hurt a kingdom with disappointment and fear." She then turned her attention to her lover. "So Naji, this is what I spared you from those moments. You would have joined me in death alongside my family. Your children would not have existed and your kingdom would have fallen as well."
Lachlan finally dealt the final blow by stabbing the beast through its chest and plunging his massive sword into its heart. The floor caved in and the dragon fell into a deep hole taking Lachlan down with it. Then the scene disappeared and they were in a dark oblivion. "Please don't punish your family any more, Naji. I should be the one punished for doing this to you. Come with me, so you can finally rest in peace. We can finally be together once more." Cirra said stretching out her hand apologetically. "I can't believe you suffered through this. I have no reason to doubt you because I know your true power. Will we finally be together like how we intended?" Naji quivered not knowing what to do. "I am still connected to Amelia, but I am dead. I'm alongside my parents, my siblings, and my dearest friends. Please join me, and let Cyrano pass away peacefully from the suffering he's had all his lifetime. Just take my hand and we'll be together again – forever." Cirra elucidated further.
Naji slowly reached out his hand toward Cirra. He was hesitant for the reason that for years he was convinced that Cirra manipulated him. Then he looked at Amelia in which she looked worried. She didn't want to say anything but her thoughts went hasty as she thought. Your children love you very much. If you won't do it for her, do it for them. Cyra wants you to be happy once more. Somehow, he heard those thoughts coming from Amelia. He then affirmed in what he would do. He grabbed Cirra's hand and everything around them was spinning out of control.
The next thing Amelia knew was that she was back into the room with Meredith, Cyra, her brothers, her father, and Meredith. She gasped for air and lied on the floor staring carelessly around her. She felt as though she were dying but she knew full well she wasn't. Meredith checked on her to see if she was okay. Amelia then got her attention to Cyrano.
He was gasping for air and was smiling. He has been freed from Naji's long resentment towards Cirra. Cyra cupped her hands around her father's face looking at him into his eyes.
"Cyra, my precious, my heart, it feels light." He said gasping for water for his struggling gills. "Yes, you are free now. You can now be at peace." She said restraining her emotions to be shown to him. "I know I made a lot of people suffer, but now..." "Shh, it's alright, Papa, it's over now." Cyra said whispering. He then turned to Amelia. "Thank you, for freeing me and Naji from this situation. Naji can rest well and so will I."
"Rest now, you deserve it." Cyra comforted him. "I have no doubt you will be a fine Queen to Alearabia, my starfish." He then slowly gasped for more water until his chest stopped moving and he slowly closed his eyes. Cyra let out her emotions as she was much relieved that she knew her father would suffer no longer. "Cyra, I'm so sorry for..." Meredith tried to condole her. "Stop! This is not a time for sadness. It is a time for celebration. It is what my father would have wanted. Not grieve for his death, but celebrate as he is free from the curse that has been in my family for many generations." Cyra interrupted her.
Amelia tried getting up but Cyra came to her. "You saved my father and freed him. He is now at peace because of you. You have my utmost gratitude, Coronum Reginae." She bowed her head toward her. "I didn't do anything. It was Cirra who spoke to Naji." Amelia stated. "You provided the gateway for my father and his ascendant to speak to Cirra. That is worthy of many thanks. See to it that Reginae is escorted to her room and tended to her needs." Cyra order her brother and he helped Amelia up. He escorted Amelia to where she could rest easy now that her task is complete.
Hours later, the kingdom held a celebration at the castle inviting all of their citizens. The merfolk did not know what to think of the celebration. They were guessing if Cyra is being coronated tonight, a marriage, or something more lavish because there were hardly any celebrations while in Cyrano's rule. It was time for Cyra to make her announcement and to commence the celebration tonight. She saw Meredith along with her brothers at her side silently cheering her on. She then began speaking.
"My loyal public, it is with a heavy heart that I announce that Cyrano, your king, had passed earlier today. However, this will not be a funeral. Because what this symbolizes is a curse that has been lifted from our family for over a thousand years. My father was the reincarnate of our founding ruler, Naji. Since the day he was born, he suffered heartache for a woman that was deceased – until today. I found of news that there was a maiden whom was a reincarnation of that same lover of his. I summoned her here to fix what was left broken for a millennium. She has successfully done so by the kindness of her heart.
Tonight, we celebrate a new era of joy and lightheartedness. We also lay rest to my father knowing that he will not need to worry from the other side. And tonight, we will rejoice to our guests of honor. The ones that helped free my family's long enduring curse. I dedicate this night to my father, Cyrano, king of Alearabia, Meredith, Shaasak of Samudra, and Amelia, Coronum Reginae of Atlantica. May you all dance with spirit and dine til your bellies can hold no more!"
Everyone cheered and the music started playing. Meredith started dancing with such energy knowing that all of the concerns she had were far behind her. Cyra was looking relieved after giving that speech. As she turned around, she was met with Amelia unexpectedly. She gasped at she shocked her.
"I hope you're enjoying the festivities, Your Grace?" Amelia asked. "Of course, this wouldn't have happened if you didn't help break my families curse," Cyra explained. "I didn't do much at all, it was all Cirra's doing. She actually somehow made communication through me."
"Ah yes, all reincarnates have that connection with whom they are reincarnated from. But you were the key for Cirra to connect with Naji my ancestor. I don't blame you at all for what she did. I realize now, we are not responsible for what other people did with whom we have a connection to. I was so bent on making you suffer, but when you touched my father, I saw that aura leaving your body. I know now, you are Amelia – the new Coronum Reginae of Atlantica. I hope you may take this as a token of our alliance between our two kingdoms. If we ever come to a bind, I hope we can help one another." Cyra said handing the hardened sand sculpture of a flower.
"It's beautiful, I humbly accept you token for alliance. You are always welcome to the waters of Atlantica." Amelia said smiling gently at her. The two royals enjoyed the night in which turned into forming an alliance that would prove to be beneficial to both of their kingdoms equally. Meredith drank and ate all of the fermented treats she could possibly get her hands on. It wouldn't be long until she became drunk and started having a ball until she went back to her room passing out on the bed until the next morning.