The Voyage

Seagulls soared above the crashing waves, their cries blending with the roar of the wind. Below, the deep blue sea stretched endlessly, its surface broken only by the occasional leap of a porpoise. From the thick fog, a battleship emerged, slicing through the water like a predator.

On the deck, Lucian was dragged forward, his wrists bound with thick ropes. The rough hands of the guards shoved him toward a wooden post, where they tied him tightly. He struggled, but the strength in his body had yet to return—his limbs felt heavy, sluggish, as though the very essence of his being had been drained. The lingering effects of the Mana of Nothingness made even standing a challenge.

Above, storm clouds churned, reflecting the turmoil within him. The scent of salt and damp wood filled the air as the ship swayed beneath his feet, steadily making its way toward Grimmhold—a prison island where the forgotten were sent to waste away.

A guard leaned in close, his breath reeking of alcohol and stale meat. His grin stretched wide with mockery.

"Isn't this great? The salty sea air, the wind blowing in your face . . . a perfect day to be at sea, oh Prince Lucian."

He let out a harsh laugh, and the other sailors joined in, their jeers echoing across the deck.

Lucian narrowed his eyes. Then, without warning, he spat—the glob of saliva landing right on the guard's smug face. "Mongrel"

The laughter died instantly.

The guard's face twisted with fury. Without hesitation, he punched Lucian hard across the jaw, sending his head snapping to the side. Pain flared through his skull, but Lucian merely chuckled darkly, tasting blood on his tongue.

"Motherfucker, you should be grateful you're still alive!" the guard growled, shaking his fist.

Another sailor, younger and with a nervous energy, muttered under his breath, "Not that it matters. He'll never use magic again anyway."

Lucian remained silent, masking his emotions behind a blank expression.

Never use magic again, huh?

A few hours passed, and the ship sailed into new waters—ones marked by towering cliffs, jagged rocks, and an eerie silence that settled over the crew. The Barbaric Archipelago.

The captain stood at the helm, eyes on the horizon. He took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp ocean air before turning to his men.

"A fine strong wind and a following sea. King Triton must be in a friendly mood."

One of the younger guards hesitated before speaking. "Is King Triton even real?"

The captain let out a low chuckle. "Why, he's the ruler of the merpeople, lad. Thought every good sailor knew about him. Ever since the demigod of the wind and sea stole the heart of Te Fiti, the ocean's been restless and King Triton is the only one who makes it calm, but still the ocean is till dangerous. Especially here, in these cursed waters—where dragons dwell."

Lucian's ears perked up at that. Dragons?

Even with his weakened body, he smirked.

This exile might be more interesting than he thought.

_______

Atlantica

The royal palace shimmered under the water's light, its coral walls illuminated by glowing sea flora. The grand throne room, however, held no warmth.

Ariel stood before her father, King Triton, her vibrant red hair flowing around her like silk in the current. She looked down, guilt evident on her face, as her father loomed over her, trident in hand.

Triton's deep voice rumbled through the chamber. "I just don't know what we're going to do with you, young lady."

Ariel's gaze flickered up, voice small. "Daddy, I'm sorry. I just forgot—"

Triton's expression hardened. "As a result of your careless behavior—"

Sebastian, floating beside the king, crossed his arms. "Careless and reckless behavior!" he chimed in.

Triton nodded. "The entire celebration was, er—"

"Ruined! Completely destroyed!" Sebastian interjected again, his claws waving dramatically. "That concert was supposed to be the pinnacle of my distinguished career! Now thanks to you, I'm the laughingstock of the entire kingdom!"

Flounder, hovering beside Ariel, hesitated before blurting out, "But it wasn't her fault! First—ahh—this shark chased us! Yeah! And we tried to—but we couldn't—and then—whoa! And then we were safe! But then this seagull came, and it was this and that, and—"

Triton's brow furrowed. "Seagull? What? Oh—" His eyes narrowed. "You went up to the surface again, didn't you? DIDN'T YOU?"

Ariel opened her mouth but faltered. "Nothing happened..."

Triton's grip on his trident tightened. "Ariel, how many times must we go through this? You could have been seen by one of those barbarians—by one of those humans!"

Ariel's fists clenched. "Daddy, they're not barbarians!"

Triton's voice rose, his power shaking the room. "They're dangerous! Do you think I want to see my youngest daughter snared by some fish-eater's hook?"

Ariel lifted her chin defiantly. "I'm eighteen years old! I'm not a child anymore!"

Triton's anger flared. "Don't you take that tone with me, young lady! As long as you live under my ocean, you will obey my rules!"

Ariel took a step forward, frustration spilling over. "But if you would just listen—"

"Not another word!" Triton roared, turning away. "And I am never, NEVER to hear of you going to the surface again! Is that clear?"

Tears welled in Ariel's eyes. Without another word, she turned and swam away, her silhouette disappearing into the distant corridors of the palace.

Sebastian sighed, shaking his head. "Hm! Teenagers... They think they know everything. Give them an inch, they swim all over you."

Triton's stern expression wavered. "Do you... think I was too hard on her?"

Sebastian hesitated. "Definitely not! Why, if Ariel were my daughter, I'd show her who was boss! None of this flitting to the surface nonsense—no sir! I'd keep her under tight control."

Triton's eyes lit up with realization. "You're absolutely right, Sebastian."

Sebastian puffed his chest proudly. "Of course!"

Triton's smirk was almost devious. "Ariel needs constant supervision."

Sebastian blinked. "Constant supervision—wait, what?"

Triton nodded. "And YOU are just the crab to do it."

Sebastian's eyes widened in horror.

______

Muttering to himself, Sebastian scuttled down a dark corridor. "How do I get myself into these situations? I should be writing symphonies, not babysitting some headstrong teenager!"

Suddenly, he spotted Ariel and Flounder sneaking off and quickly followed. They swam deeper into a hidden cave. Ariel's secret place.

Inside, an enormous collection of human treasures sparkled under the dim light. Silverware, statue, vases all hoarded with care.

Flounder looked at Ariel with concern. "Ariel… are you okay?"

She sighed, tracing her fingers over an old music box. "If only I could make him understand… I just don't see things the way he does. I don't see how a world that makes such wonderful things—could be bad."

Sebastian, trying to stay hidden, suddenly slipped. CRASH!

Ariel spun around, eyes wide. "Sebastian!?"

The crab groaned, untangling himself from a broken candelabra. "Ariel! what is all this?"

Ariel smiled softly. "It's… my collection."

Sebastian's jaw dropped. "IF YOUR FATHER KNEW ABOUT THIS PLACE, HE'D—"

Ariel and Flounder exchanged a nervous glance.

"You're not gonna tell him, are you?"

Sebastian's claws twitched as he paced in front of Ariel. "Ariel, your fathe—"

He trailed off as a shadow passed overhead. The three of them froze.

Ariel's gaze lifted, her breath hitching. Above the grotto's entrance, a massive ship glided across the ocean's surface, its silhouette illuminated by the fading light of the setting sun. The flickering glow of lanterns cast golden reflections on the water. She could hear faint music—laughter, the rhythmic creak of wood, the snap of sails catching the wind.

Humans.

Without hesitation, Ariel darted toward the cave entrance, her heart pounding with excitement.

"Ariel! Ariel, wait! Where are you going?!" Sebastian shouted, scrambling after her.

But the mermaid was already swimming upward, drawn to the surface like a moth to flame.

From below, Sebastian groaned, "Oh, this is bad—this is very, very bad!"

Above, Ariel broke through the water, her eyes widening as she gazed upon the grand ship. The figures of men moved about the deck, their voices carrying over the waves.