The eye of Tarith - An artifact found inside a huge magical fish that died a millennia ago, it has been used by the merfolks to keep track of any living creatures near its proximity which covers more than 30 times wider than the city of Atlantis. It has other uses such as being used by a visioner or a prophet class to enhance their ability. Using it for an extended time could cause brain damage.
-Archive of artifacts, No.13
2 months passed by, and Ohaire was the happiest she'd ever been. Being promoted from apprentice to senior apprentice made her coworkers feel envious, however, it was how the system worked here and she just grabbed the opportunity unlike the others so she was now currently above the rest of his co-workers yet she didn't let that small promotion grow to her head as she conveyed her thanks to her team and celebrated at the best seafood eatery in Atlantis.
She was informed a month ago about the matter of the boy who was finished recuperating and was taken by Professor Jaerd when he noticed that the suspect couldn't even understand basic merfolk language. The court reprimanded the professor for giving the boy a month of leeway for his judgment yet the matter of giving judgment to a boy without even a sense of civilization inside of him made solid proof for fending the arguments of the administrative heads.
The court still stands to have a "fair" trial after a month of rehabilitation, this fair trial they wanted to conduct was only new and was only implemented 50 years ago due to the reason that they had to stabilized Atlantis after the persecution of the royals, so they figured that this would be a test of how their trials would work to a royalty with grave crimes and one in possession of the skill Curse of the Sea.
A month later, Ohaire was finished dealing with her matters, she thought that it was nice to chance upon the boy, just to learn more about his circumstances.
After she put on her casual dress and did her chores at her lair, once done she finally swam to the professor's classroom. She knew that it was a bit early on her part to visit however she just couldn't hold her curiosity and glanced inside of the windows.
She saw many students seated yet one oddball caught her interest, he was a teenage merman who wore a student's uniform, one unique thing about him was his tail which should have been blue was pure green and he wasn't supposed to be in a classroom full of elementary students, however, when she observed him more, she knew that he was a guaranteed fit inside the room judging from the mannerism he had shown which was childish like how children could be maybe even more childish than others as she noticed the glare of his classmates that they gave to him.
She saw Professor Jaerd looking at the other students and made them behave, before saying something she couldn't hear due to the type of sound-reduction spell inside the class. The class was already ending so she decided to just go in, curious to know what was being asked. The whole class was surprised at the abrupt intrusion, the professor and the boy included but she just signalled them to continue.
"Ahem, now without any further interruptions. What do you think is the purpose of the skill Call of the Sea that our previous rulers had?" The professor gave Ohaire a quick look before glancing at his students.
A merman stood up and energetically answered, "It is used by tyrants to engage in wars, sir!" He sounded confident but the professor gave him a disapproving look "Alright, is there anyone here who can answer without associating with any tyrants please?"
A mermaid with glasses stood up and gave her version, "I think it has something to do with the wild aquatic animals when it is used, my research hypothesized that it is used to control them to do the owner's bidding."
"Nerd!" A random student shouted, which the professor quickly flicked in the forehead with a hand made from water.
"That is correct Miss Glayle, however, it is not just that which makes it powerful."
"Then can I know what it is, sir?"
"I don't know." The professor smiled at the dumbfounded Glayle before turning around to look at the boy with green flipper who gulped for an unknown reason.
"Alright, Class Dismissed!" The students hurried to go outside and after a while, only the professor, Ohaire, and the boy remained.
"Ohaire, I thought you won't disturb me again."
"The class was already ending sir, and also I just wanted to check him." Ohaire pointed at the boy who just waved in her direction.
The Professor shook his head "Sigh, the boy's been giving me a hard time, letting him learn the merfolk language in a month was increasingly frustrating when he got distracted at the thought of literally anything he could see, he's like a newborn baby and I couldn't help but grow more white hairs than I already had." The professor said while smiling despite him creasing his brows before stretching his arms to the side. Once he was finished he added a few more words, "I just couldn't believe it Ohaire, a royal in the wilds to be reduced to this...a being, unaware of the ocean."
"I couldn't help but ponder the same question, sir," Ohaire voiced her thoughts. "How can they pass judgment on a being who, by all accounts, is more akin to a wild aquatic creature than a civilized merman? Despite the compelling evidence, it seems the court remains resolute in proceeding with the trial."
"That's what I wanted to argue yet those stubborn cowards couldn't let this pass by, I couldn't blame them as they were taught to fear people who are royalty, I was fortunate enough to have been spared of their hatred in the past but this for this matter...an innocent boy who unfortunately killed a guardian, and being found out to have connections with the royals and also wields the power to overturn this whole place down...He is a threat in their eyes and they would give him a hard time if he stays here...but there's still something we could do right? he's just a boy and he wants to live too, I can see it in his eyes the longing for something, a dream he want to pursue just like I did when I was young."
"I don't know professor, but maybe..." She held her chin up and thought deeply.
"Maybe what?"
"You know about the Artifact of Lyx right?"
"You mean the artifact that could only be used once a decade? An artifact that could break the curse of the sea and..." The professor widened his eyes at the realization however he looked down as he recalled more details about the artifact.
"I see...I would do my best to steer the court's decision and...have one last session with my long lost relative." Professor Jaerd had his shoulders droop down and his eyes glistened at what he may have known on his last day with the boy.
"Ohaire Nirelia, thank you. You don't know how much this means to me but I would die in happiness just to know that there is still somebody who makes an effort to help me. You aren't like the others and I can see that."
"It's not a big deal Professor, either way, we both benefit from this endeavor."
"Still, having that indifferent expression I see? Well, it doesn't matter. What matters is that even though you worked with those bastards you still have your heart in the right place. I taught you well Ohaire and it will continue to do you good until the end."
Ohaire smiled and hugged her professor which he responded with a gentle hug.
"Don't worry old man, I'm still your student till the end. Just watch me beat those smug-looking bastards for you." The professor nodded and called for the boy.
"She's the one who saved you, boy, if it wasn't for her you would have died. So what do we say to people who help us?"
"Sank you."
"You're welcome...uh...professor does he have a name? I can't keep calling him boy."
"I already explained it to him but I suppose he hasn't decided yet."
"Well, it's alright I guess I'll keep calling him boy for now."
"Everything's settled then? I still need to teach him and there's no time, so I need to compile it into one book, it'll be his guide wherever he goes..."
"I won't disturb you any further sir, may the Sea Goddess bless you."
(Line Break)
Jaerd retrieved a series of documents from his bookshelf, collectively referred to as the "Chronicles of Two-Legged Transformation." These records chronicled the experiences of individuals who had undergone the transformation brought about by the Artifact of Lyx. The initial subjects of this experiment met a grim fate, as their bodies could not withstand the immense pressure of the underwater world in Atlantis, resulting in their immediate demise. Subsequent research revealed that these "merhumans," as they came to be known, were liberated from the sea's curse, granting the ability to venture to the surface but forfeiting their merfolk status and leaving them vulnerable to the ocean's depths. This, in turn, rendered any return to their original merfolk state impossible.
When the researchers decided to transform them on the surface the first merhumans emerged onto dry land, they found themselves overwhelmed by the strangeness of their new environment, although they adapted quite fast. The first among them explored their unfamiliar surroundings, only to succumb to the harsh challenges of the environment. The second merhuman encountered the corpse of the first and compiled a report, but their own life was tragically cut short by encounters with wild animals. The third merhuman, however, managed to establish contact with human civilization and began seeking information about this new realm. But, as time passed, this merhuman, too, met an unfortunate end at the hands of other humans.
Despite ongoing attempts that spanned centuries, these endeavors to dispatch merhumans to the surface proved fruitless in providing substantial insights into the human world. Consequently, all initiatives related to utilizing the Artifact of Lyx for this purpose were discontinued, and it was instead repurposed as a tool for the exile of unwanted prisoners by those in positions of authority.
All of this information was taken into account by Jaerd who painstakingly read and wrote the important things inside an empty book. Filling it with knowledge and his own experience that he had thought deeply into just to help the boy in his journey to the surface.
"I need more time..." he gritted his teeth.
(Line Break)
The day of the boy's judgment has come, Ohaire, Professor Jaerd, and other merfolks who have decided to view how it would turn out enter the judgment room that is composed of enough seats for a limited amount of jury to have a seat whilst opposite their side were the 6 administrative heads of Atlantis who are seated in the judge's seat. Usually, this case should have been handled by a merfolk judge however this case was different as the perpetrator was a unique case.
These two crimes could have normal merfolks immediately executed for being the most detestable beings to exist. Yet he was reprieved by a member of their community, Professor Jaerd, the considered last royalty to exist in Atlantis, he was pardoned from execution due to being too young, so they reasoned and concluded that for him to live on he should take a vow of celibacy. He accepted and has lived to this day, yet it seemed that the administrative head made a few wrong decisions as the now-considered last royalty is defending a new royalty that popped out in the wilds.
"Court Trial will start, people please be silent." The crowd behaved and the noise from all the murmurs from before turned quiet, only one voice remained.
"Accused, Royal Merfolk Boy from the northern section."
"Accusation Proceed."
"Evidence gathered by the Leviathan Scout Group has revealed certain findings about the actions of a specific individual. They assert that the undue killing of eel species triggered a response from the eel guardian, and the accused, who stands before us, was deemed responsible for this disruption. This act upsets the delicate balance of the sea and carries a penalty of capital punishment.
It might be argued that this alone justifies an immediate execution. However, there is an additional facet to this case. The accused possesses royal lineage and engaged in a life-or-death confrontation with the eel guardian, which was confirmed to be an examination of his proficiency in the skill known as the 'Call of the Sea.' This potent ability was historically used by past monarchs to control the sea's denizens and induce fear as they commanded the creatures to obey their will.
These serious charges would typically result in nothing less than capital punishment. Yet, an individual we had formerly pardoned has raised objections to this outcome. Therefore, let us attentively consider their perspective." Justice and Order Administrative Head Desias stated in a measured and impartial manner.
"I know your concerns, Administrative Head Desias, however, the client that I defend didn't have any idea of what he was doing before we took him i-"
"Are you saying that he is innocent, just because he has no idea of the laws?" Military and Artifact Administrative Head Hiroe accused.
"No, it is not like that sir, but he was nothing more than a wild animal before we civilized him with our teachings."
"So shall we say that we will not punish him for the reason that he is not eligible to be called a citizen of Atlantis but he is categorized as a wild animal?"
"Yes, sir."
"Preposterous, but your reasoning does not nullify the crimes he has done. Now that he is a citizen here once you've started teaching him, he is now eligible to accept his dues." Professor Jaerd answered with silence.
The administrative head Desias nodded, "Moving on."
Military and Artifact Administrative Head Hiroe continued, "The boy is confirmed part of royalty and has inherited the skill Call of the Sea. No one has forgotten the atrocities committed by its predecessors and the impact it has had on shaking the whole seas to actively be at war with us. Because of that skill, we are at our weakest, and if not for the effort and ingenuity of the people of Atlantis we may have been fed to the sharks by our enemies." he argued.
Professor Jaerd with a troubled demeanor faced him "Sir, I know how much hatred it had garnered throughout the years but it does not signify it will be done again. We could simply exile him from the seas and let him live on the surface. I assure you he will never return to the seas after this. I beg of you all." Professor Jaerd kneeled and cried.
Ohaire noticed that if this continued then the boy would likely be executed with the way that the professor was acting, she should have known that the professor had simply little or no knowledge of how a court trial work for this to happen, or he had simply forgotten due to the exhaustion she saw in his eyes coupled with the fact that the more he stayed with the boy he was more emotional than usual.
Ohaire was ready to step in when she noticed the boy with the green flipper rose up faster than her and swam towards Professor Jaerd who was busy crying. He made the professor stand up and hugged him with a worried face. The merfolk people inside the court were surprised by his action however what confused them more was that the boy led the professor to Ohaire who was stunned by what happened, however, she thought quickly and substituted when she noticed how insistent the boy was to make her stand.
"Save, Sank you." Ohaire heard the boy speak to her in his broken merfolk language which she understood quickly and made her way in the middle of the court. She breathed deeply just to calm the rigorously beating heart inside of her, before facing the Administrative Heads who were confused to see her standing in front of them.
"What is the reason for this Senior Apprentice Ohaire?" Justice and Order Administrative Head Desias looked at her worried.
"The client has requested for a change in lawyers."
"Yes, we know that however why does this concern you? You have nothing to benefit in this trial."
"I stand here not to benefit myself but to represent him." She pointed at the boy.
"Senior Apprentice Ohaire..." Administrative Head Janggo said.
"I'm sorry, Administrative Head Janggo. This is just to repay a personal favor for Professor Jaerd." The jury was now fully invested due to the rising tension in the court.
As the tension in the courtroom grew, Ohaire took a deep breath, her mind racing to find a way to defend the boy. Then, with determination, she stepped forward and faced the administrative heads who had dumbfounded expressions.
"I understand the concerns about the boy's abilities and his past actions," she began, her voice strong and clear albeit a bit nervous. "But we must remember that he was, in many ways, a creature of the wild before we introduced him to our society. His actions, while undoubtedly harmful, may not have been fully intentional. We should take into consideration the drastic change he's undergone in such a short time."
She paused, making sure she had their attention.
"Furthermore, his connection to the royalty is not a crime in itself. We cannot hold him responsible for the actions of his predecessors. Each individual should be judged for their actions, not those of their ancestors." She didn't know but she was inclined to think like this, courtesy of how Professor Jaerd had become a role model for her.
Ohaire continued, her words gaining momentum. "Regarding the Call of the Sea, we should remember that this skill can be harnessed for good as well. It's not just a weapon of war, but a tool that can aid our society. Instead of casting him aside, we should offer him guidance, teach him how to use his abilities responsibly, and channel them for the betterment of Atlantis."
She looked at the jury, her expression sincere. "I urge you to consider rehabilitation or exile as an alternative to execution. Let him prove himself on the surface, where his skills could be used differently, or give him the chance to change and grow, to discover his true place in our world, Please." Despite her growing nervousness, she couldn't help but smirk at her words and for the first time in her life, she finally had the gall to say these words.
And with that, the jury was swayed and saw the reason in her words too compelling to ignore, hence the tables have turned.