ᗰᗴᖇᑭᗩᒪᗩᑕᗴ
ᴊᴇᴀɴ's ᴘᴏᴠ
After the King's ministers announced the game's orientation. My sisters immediately started preparing themselves.
Our parents told us to join the game and that we must help each other.
But unlike my sisters... I didn't want to join. If only my mother did not beg me.
I'm not as competitive as my sisters. Everytime we join something, they always win. They have never known defeat and are incomparable among our people. That's how competitive they are and they make our parents proud.
While me... I prefer staying in my room by myself. I prefer to be alone and quiet.
Jade told me that I should learn to gain some friends and this is the perfect opportunity.
But the truth is I'm scared of joining the game.
First, I have never stepped on land before since mermaids gain feet once they step on land. And it's one of our sayings that once a mermaid steps out of the water for a certain mission, she mustn't fail or it will cost her life.
Second, I'm scared of other beings as they always think of us, mermaids so little. Especially the Vampires and the Lycans who think they are the strongest and above everyone else. While all they are is nothing but bloodsuckers and savages.
And third. I'm not confident of winning.
The game's orientation will be held tomorrow. And it will be the first time that half of the mermaids' population wanted to join. It's a risk since not everybody can win.
"Jean! What are you doing there by yourself again?" Judy came. My third sister.
I am the youngest among the 8 of us.
Judy immediately pulled me and we swam to where all the candidates were waiting. They were talking about a strategy of how we can win over the others.
But I couldn't pay attention to it as I was busy playing with the small fish swimming around me.
Instead of paying attention to big things. I would prefer the small ones.
They're so small that not everyone can see them.
And I don't want to be a part of that "everyone."
So I grew up getting used to being by myself. Getting used to being alone. Getting used to being enough of what is given to me.
After the meeting at the main square, I immediately swam back to our house. I didn't expect that the meeting would take 5 hours.
The next day...
I am now preparing myself as we are approaching the shallow waters. Along with my sisters, and the merpeople.
Some of the mermaids who married the land people are already waiting for us with clothes and more stuff with them.
And finally...
Tᕼᗴ ᒪᗩᑎᗪ
"Jean! What are you doing? Let's go!" Joan pulled me and when my tail turned into feet...
"Aaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!!" I screamed after seeing my long legs.
I feel like I'm gonna explode! I have feet!
I couldn't stop staring at my very own legs, especially my feet that have five fingers each. And they move when I want them to move!
"Quiet!!!" Jade yelled at me as Judy covered me with soft fabrics.
Once we are done on preparing ourselves, they brought us to the bunch of land horses which brought us to the 'Great Square'
It's so funny that the land horse looks exactly like a seahorse.
The whole place is filled with different statues of Kings and Queens. Jade said those were the first Kings and Queens who won the game.
Each are from different kins.
I continued to look around and couldn't help but notice that there were a lot of people my age and above.
I'm not usually the type to stay among loud crowds. But it's mesmerizing that everyone's gathered together from different parts of the world just for one reason.
"Miss!!!" A voice yelled behind me.
I turned around and saw a bunch of horses approaching.
I wanted to make a move but I don't know how. I'm not used to walking.
"Look out!!!" the same voice exclaimed again and someone pulled me away from the road.
My legs were shaken and I couldn't help but sit on the ground. My entire body suddenly felt like a jellyfish.
"Are you alright?" I turned to see the person who saved me.
It was a sorcerer who controls Earth.
He has red hair. A round big eyes and perfect nose. His lips are pinkish and shiny and his skin is so fair.
Wow. He's so beautiful. I have never seen a man this beautiful before. Not to mention that this is the first time I've seen a man up close.
"Are you alright?" He asked again.
"I-I'm fine..." I said.
"You shouldn't be standing on roads, miss! Especially in this place swarming with different creatures!" He said and helped me stand up.
"Are you a mortal?" He asked and I shook my head.
"I'm a mermaid!" I said and he seemed quite surprised.
"This is the first time a mermaid is joining the royal game! You should be careful, miss!" he said and flashed a smile that exposed his teeth.
Now he looks more beautiful than I am.
"You must be a sorcerer that controls earth. Am I right?" I asked just to make sure and he smiled again as he nodded gently.
"That's right! So? What's your name?" He asked with the same charming smile as always.
"I'm Jean Aubrey Wallen!" I said and smiled.
"Oh! Wallen! The biggest clan among the mermaids? Pretty cool huh?" He said and chuckled.
"You know my family?" I asked just out of curiosity.
My family is indeed the biggest clan among our people. Although I do not expect the people of the lands to know about that. Our words after all, are entirely different and news of each other is hard to come by.
"Quite often! Would be odd not to know the name Wallen when your family is known for your hunting skills in the water."
"Anyway! I'm Demris Mertuso!" He said and offered his hand.
Why is he offering his hand? Does he know about our secret ability? If I accept his hand, I might erase his memory! Is he asking for that?
But why? We just met?
Aren't we becoming friends?
Unless I'm wrong? Or what if I've done something to offend him???
Does this mean that I messed up again!?
"Hello?" He said and shook his hand waiting for me to accept.
"It's a handshake!" He said and chuckled and was about to shake my hand so I immediately stepped back.
"I can't!" I said and raised my voice a little and he must've been surprised.
"I-I'm sorry... I mean... I can't touch anyone's hand!" I said and I could see his brows twitch nn confusion.
"If I do... I might erase your memories..." I explained and he nodded his head while his mouth fell agape.
"I understand... But I hope we can still be friends though!" He said and tilted his head and I smiled.
"Great! You're probably new in this land, would you like to meet my fellow sorcerers?" He asked and before I could say yes, I'm already following him slowly.
Thankfully he walks very slow so I can catch up with his pace. He took me to the upper hill where the rest of the sorcerers were talking with each other.
He waved at the two guys not far from the edge. One of them has yellow hair while the other has a black hair.
"Laurant! Acrox! I want you guys to meet my new friend! This is... uhm what should I call you?" He whispered as he turned to me.
"You can call me Jean!" I said.
"Jean! These are my friends Laurant and Acrox! Laurant controls fire and Acrox controls ice and water!" He said while introducing them.
The two offered their hands to me.
Do these two know my ability too? Or is it just a handshake again?
Why are they so fond of doing this handshake? They will never know what powers lie in the hands of every person. They're being very careless about this.
"Oh guys! She can't! If she touches your hand! You might lose your memories!" Demris explained to them in a playful tone and thankfully they understood.
"If you're a mermaid, then this is your first time joining the royal game!" Laurant said and looked at the people around us before looking back at me.
"It is true indeed... Mermaids are a true fair maiden! And gifted with undying beauty..." Acrox said and I couldn't help but blush at his statement. A tint of embarrassment trying to take over my entire self.
To be honest, I don't think I'm beautiful enough compared to my sisters.
"Indeed! And hopefully we're not bewitched!" Laurant added as he looked at me with his dark hazel eyes.
"I'm pretty sure we're not! She's very nice!" Demris said and they laughed.
"Lady Wallen!?" I turned when I heard a very familiar voice.
It was Dan. An Earth sorcerer. He's one of the people who brought us here. His wife and daughter are mermaids.
"Your sisters are looking for you!" He said and darted a glare towards the boys I am with.
"Mr. Dan!" The boys greeted in unison when they saw Dan and their strange looks to him didn't go unnoticed by my eyes.
The way they looked at each other seemed to be saying something telepathically.
"Let me bring you to your sisters!" Dan said and led me the way.
"I hope to see you guys again!" I said and bid my farewell.
And while on our way back to my sisters...
"Miss... You shouldn't be making friends with those people..." Dan said and I immediately halted my tracks and turned to him.
"Why? They seem very nice!" I said and Dan sighed.
"Of course they are... And that's exactly how they'll make you fall for them until they can use you for their own advantages." He said with a soft yet disappointed tone.
Why is he saying that?
Is he on bad terms with Demris and his friends? But they're sorcerers. They're from the same kin. They shouldn't be like that!
But what if he's telling me the truth? Then does it mean that Demris and his friends are bad people?
Can I really not trust them?
If they're bad, then why did Demris save me earlier?
I just don't understand...
Demris... His smile shows that he's a nice person...
Should I believe and do what Dan asks?
He's never done anything bad to me before, and he's probably just concerned about me.
What should I do?