The Call Of Thalassa
A Fisherman's Catch

“For there are devils in the deep,

but worst are the ones we make.”

-Patrick Ness

The sun had risen on the horizon, waking up with its brightness the whole world and welcoming a brand new day. The cold temperature and the freezing wind of the previous days were completely forgotten as the rays of warmth caressed with fondness the rocky landscape and the calm surface of the sea.

The rays sparkled as they touched the salty waters, creating the illusion of moving stars in this infinity of blue. They moved around in the clear waters like moving galaxies as the small wooden boat made its way out of the protected harbor of Seaworth. Father and son had begun with the first hint of light, afraid that this beautiful weather wouldn’t last for too long.

They were making a living out of fishing but with the constant rain and strong winds, they weren’t able to sail these past few days. It was too dangerous for them as their small boat wouldn’t stand a chance against such severe weather conditions. So, they had been impatiently waiting in the safety of their homes for the sun to reveal itself and the waves to calm down. And finally, God had heard their prayers and they were able to return back in their everyday routine.

Their wooden boat moved elegantly on the calm surface of the sea as the sun caressed lovingly their faces. Father and son, being fishermen for a couple of years now, knew exactly the places that would gift them with a good and large catch. They navigated their boat towards the familiar path that would lead them there, hoping that their catch would make up for the money they lost during their absence.

As they approached the intimate waters, the older man threw their anchor to the sea bringing effectively a stop to the boat’s movements. The young lad took hold of the yellow nets, which he had repaired only a few hours ago, and skillfully threw them into the water. And then, they patiently waited for them to be filled with fish before they could drag them up to their boat.

As they engrossed themselves in merry conversation, they were completely unaware of the things happening beneath the surface of the water. Perhaps, they were as ignorant as the young prince of Atlantis, who was returning back to his home. He was moving his powerful fins, swimming through the ocean’s waters elegantly as he followed the familiar way towards his father’s kingdom.

Neither Havelock nor the fishermen had a single clue of what was going to happen soon as they were enjoying the blissful lie of ignorance. However, Sethelious was a clever and cunning man, taking advantage of everything he was aware of. Neptune’s older brother had lived long enough in Atlantis to know exactly how the Atlanteans were thinking and acting.

He knew very well that his brother expected him to attack the city with his army and was well prepared to defend his people. Therefore, he had decided to strike them in a completely unexpected way, before he could finally claim his kingdom back. He had decided to utterly surprise them, counting onto the chaos and discouragement his hit would bring to them.

Because what chances do you have, when your enemies multiply instead of diminishing?

Returning back to the city of Atlantis, the young mer prince was left with a bittersweet taste in his mouth. He had so many memories in his father’s underwater kingdom, filled with both sadness and happiness. His home would always have a special place in his heart, not only for the house that provided him with comfort and relaxation but also, for the people that were close to him and had touched his mind and heart. However, it wasn’t as fulfilling as it used to be.

Something was missing and he knew exactly what it was.

Seeing the humongous golden gates of the palace open upon his arrival, he let a sigh escape him before swimming swiftly and entering them. Physically he was in Atlantis, but mentally he was in Seaworth –his mind never leaving the smile of a certain red-haired to be forgotten. He wondered what her opinion of Atlantis would be –would she like it? Would she be curious about it? Would she prefer her home on land instead of this underwater kingdom?

He swam through the numerous corridors, thinking of different questions that were eating him away. How would a lifetime with her be like? Perfect he was sure of it, but he wanted to finally live it instead of imagining it. He could picture himself as a King after his father stepped down, with his beautiful mate ruling beside him. A bunch of kids swimming and giggling around his palace’s halls as he tried to catch up with them.

Starting a family with her sounded like a dream come true. If she wanted of course and when the time was right –not now with Sethelious’ threat upon their heads. He was going to neither force her nor pressure her into it, they would take it as slow or fast as she wanted. But he couldn’t let the goofy smile that turned up the corners of his lips at the mere thought.

“Where in Thalassa’s name have you been?”

Havelock furrowed his dark eyebrows in confusion at the aggressive stance of his loyal friend and second in command. He moved his dark blue tail faster and swam elegantly through the golden hallways of Neptune’s palace. Standing before the furious merman, he watched as he barely contained his natural side from coming out.

Osmond’s bright yellow eyes were glowing golden and his iris had turned into thin slits. His jaw was clenched and his lips were thinned in a straight line as he tried to contain his needle-like teeth from appearing. His nails were itching to sharpen and take his anger out to whatever his hands came in contact with. Havelock took in his heavily breathing form and his purple tail that was moving furiously below him.

“With Aileen”, he answered briefly cocking his head to the side in puzzlement, “Why? Has something happened during my absence?”

“The two mermaids that had been missing for a while”, the merman growled, “We have no idea where they are. They didn’t return their bodies to the borders this time.”

Havelock’s blue orbs widened at his words, not expecting anything to happen while he was gone. He moved his powerful tail and fell into pace with Osmond as they quickly swam through the palace’s halls. He could feel the panic and worry of his father’s soldiers as he moved passed them –there was unexplained mobility throughout the King’s hallways.

“What do you mean the bodies weren’t returned?“, he asked in confusion, “This is what happened with everyone else. Why wouldn’t he give them to us like the rest of them?”

The general didn’t answer his prince, just tightening his palms into tight fists.

“Osmond?“, his blue eyes flickered to him, “What do you know?”

The other merman shook his head in denial.

“I can only speculate”, he sighed deeply before turning to face him, “And I pray to Selene that my speculations are wrong.”

Havelock furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, just as the two fishermen started to gather their long nets back to their boat. Father and son smiled at one another as they realized what a big catch they had. This surely would make up for their lost profits.

As they started to go through the fish and put them into different barrels according to their species, the young prince shook his head in utter denial. He gripped his long locks in a tight grip before gazing at his closest friend.

“He has no reason to do this.”

“He has every reason to do this”, Osmond answered back, “He wants to have the upper hand, and he won’t succeed unless he makes us weak. The fear that will arise from this act will be enough to disrupt and discourage us all. He wants to cause chaos, and it starts on land.”

“This will be a disadvantage for him too. As much as I hate to admit it, he is still one of our kin. Even if he ever manages to conquer Atlantis, he will never be able to rule peacefully if he acts upon this.”

As the fishes were put in the barrels, something else was slowly revealing itself. The two men didn’t take notice of it right away as they were too focused on the task at hand. But as the young lad went to take hold of yet another fish, he raised something completely different.

As his scream reached his father’s ears, the old captain turned around quickly.

“What is it, Adrian?“, he asked as his heart began to beat abnormally fast.

The boy didn’t have to talk, only to gesture at what laid in front of them. The older man’s knees buckled beneath him as he gazed at the two giant tails that were revealed to him. He couldn’t hide his shock at the sight of the two women in front of him.

The dead souls lay with an expression of terror in their sightless orbs as scarlet rivers sprung from their open throats. The thing that made the captain tremble though was the fact that they had fishtails in the position their legs were supposed to be, making the old myths and legends of the village become reality.

The lad sprang to his feet quickly, barely making it to the edge of the boat on time. He closed his eyes as he emptied his stomach in the clear waters, trying to forget the images he just watched. This couldn’t be real. The myths are just stories to get the children to bed on time. None of this was real. He would open his eyes and everything would be just a bad dream. Yes! A nightmare that’s it. He took a deep breath and opened his orbs.

Brown eyes met glowing red ones.

“And who told you, my prince, that Sethelious would ever rule peacefully?” Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

The old captain could only watch speechless as a murderous creature rose up to the surface of the water and took hold of his son’s neck. His screams would haunt him for a lifetime as he was torn into pieces. Droplets of his blood were splashed upon his wrinkled face as the creature murdered his boy in front of him. And when the screams stopped and his tears didn’t blur his vision any longer, he only found his son’s head resting in the boat’s corner.

“Revealing merfolk to humans would be a disaster”, the prince insisted.

“Not for someone who revels in blood and turmoil.”

As they approached the golden gates of the throne room to meet the King, Havelock prayed to Thalassa not to let the war spread on land.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

End of chapter 26!!

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