Alice sat on her bed, still restless from the whirlwind of emotions that had consumed her since her trip to the mermaid caves. Her thoughts raced as she replayed the strange encounter with Kael and the mysterious aura surrounding the caves.
Aliyah, who had been watching her intently, finally broke the silence. "Alice, there's something I need to show you."
Alice looked up, her brows furrowing. "What now? More secrets?"
Aliyah smiled faintly. "You could say that. Just... don't freak out."
Before Alice could respond, Aliyah held up her arm and unclasped the delicate bracelet she always wore. The moment it came off, her legs shimmered and transformed into a sleek, iridescent mermaid tail. Her skin glowed faintly, her features becoming more ethereal and radiant.
Alice shot up from her bed, her mouth agape. "What the—Aliyah! You're a... a mermaid?"
Aliyah nodded, her tail gliding gracefully across the floor as if she were in water. "Yes. I've been hiding it, just like you've been hiding behind that bracelet of yours. But it's time you know the truth."
Alice stumbled backward, her mind reeling. "No. That's impossible. All the mermaids were killed. Everyone knows that!"
Aliyah's expression grew somber. "Not all of us. Some survived. My family went into hiding, and we've been protecting your family's legacy ever since."
Alice froze. "My family's legacy? What are you talking about?"
Aliyah sighed and gestured for Alice to follow her. "Come with me. There's something you need to see."
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The Mirror of Truth
Aliyah led Alice to a hidden part of the dormitory, where a concealed door opened into a secret chamber. Inside was a large, ornate mirror framed in gold, its surface shimmering like liquid silver.
"This is the Mirror of Truth," Aliyah explained. "It shows the history of our kind—and your connection to it."
Alice hesitated, staring at the mirror. "I don't understand. What am I supposed to see?"
"Just look," Aliyah urged, stepping aside.
Alice approached the mirror, her reflection rippling as if it were a pool of water. Slowly, images began to form. She saw the woman from the cave, her rainbow-colored hair glowing like sunlight on water. Behind her were countless other mermaids, their expressions somber and resolute.
"That's her," Alice whispered. "The woman I saw at the cave."
Aliyah nodded. "That's Luna, your mother."
Alice's breath hitched. "My... mother?"
The mirror shifted, showing a vision of Luna cradling a baby—Alice. The image faded, replaced by scenes of chaos and destruction as mermaids were hunted and slaughtered. Tears welled up in Alice's eyes as she watched her mother fight to protect her people, only to be frozen in time in front of the Gate of Baal.
"This can't be real," Alice murmured, stepping back.
Aliyah placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It is. And it's time you accept who you are."
Alice shook her head, trying to process everything. "Why are you showing me this now?"
"Because I'm your protector," Aliyah said firmly. "I was sent to watch over you and help you awaken your power. You're not just a witch, Alice. You're a mermaid—and so much more."
As Alice tried to make sense of the revelations, an announcement echoed through the dormitory.
"Alice, you have been summoned by King Ragnar for dinner tonight," a messenger declared.
Aliyah's eyes widened. "King Ragnar? Demian's father?"
Alice groaned. "Great. Another powerful man to intimidate me."
"Be careful," Aliyah warned. "King Ragnar isn't someone to take lightly. Promise me you'll stay on your guard."
Alice nodded reluctantly. "Fine. I'll go. But only because I don't want to make things worse."
Upon reaching the principal's office where king Ragnar is in she heaved a deep breath and knocked on the door then she heard a voice from inside which said" come in" she entered the office and saw an handsome but stern looking face who looked like her nemesis "Demian".
She then proceeded to talk" you sent for me your highness". King Ragnar smiled and said "Yes I did Alice Right? You look smaller than what I expected" . Alice looked at him sternly and muttered some few words under her breath .
The king then continued " well I'm inviting you to my castle for dinner I'm not asking you to come it's a command that you must come" Alice then looked at the man with golden eyes and said in her thought who does this man thinks he is ? she wanted to say something but then remembered what aliyah told her then she swallowed it and said " Yes your highness and she left '
That evening, before heading to the king's castle, Alice found herself drawn back to the mermaid caves. The place seemed even more magical under the moonlight, the water shimmering with an ethereal glow.
The woman from the mirror—saraphina—appeared again, her rainbow hair cascading like a waterfall. She smiled warmly at Alice.
"You've come," saraphina said, her voice like a melody.
Alice nodded. "I don't know why, but... I felt like I had to."
Saraphina gestured to the water. "You're stronger than you realize, Alice. But strength requires focus. Tonight, you must begin to awaken your gifts."
Alice frowned. "What do you mean? What gifts?"
"Concentrate," saraphina instructed, guiding Alice to the water's edge. "Feel the power within you and connect it to the water. Trust yourself."
Hesitant but determined, Alice closed her eyes and reached out with her senses. She felt the water's coolness, its fluid energy calling to her. Slowly, she extended her hand, and the water rose, forming a delicate spiral in the air.
Saraphina nodded approvingly. "Good. Now, heal."
Before Alice could ask what she meant, saraphina cut her palm with a small blade. Blood dripped into the waterr, staining it crimson.
"What are you doing?" Alice exclaimed, horrified.
"Focus," saraphina said calmly. "Use your power to heal me."
Alice hesitated, then placed her hands over the wound. Warmth spread through her palms as light poured into Luna's hand. Within moments, the cut vanished.
Alice stared at her hands in awe. "I did that?"saraphina smiled. "You're ready."
"Ready for what?" Alice demanded, but saraphina only shook her head.
"When the time comes, I will guide you. Until then, trust in yourself."
Before Alice could ask more questions, saraphina vanished into the water, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
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