Ocean Song Beneath the Waves

And here’s one more bonus! The day after chapter 15’s release alone just brought a stream of people in and I thought an additional bonus would be an appropriate reward. Also feel free to leave a comment letting me know what you think or if you just want to babble. I’ll always respond so I’ll never leave anyone hanging! Anyway, enjoy!

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There’s a brief moment of pause but Serena doesn’t even hesitate to nod her head in affirmation and her resolve to listen is clear.

“Very well then. I shall start from the beginning...”

The world was a tumultuous time back then being that it was the time of the Celestial Wars. Young Poseidon was but five centuries old at the time when the conflict was at its highest. However, despite the war the ocean was still filled with joyous song as it was the season of love. Merpeople across the world were preparing for that special day to which they’d gift their beloved with a song from their heart.

“Poseidon, my son. You look most cheerful this day,” said the Sea Goddess as she had chosen to take on the form of a mermaid so as to interact with the creatures of the deep.

Poseidon couldn’t stop the grin that had blossomed upon his handsome face. “Today is the day of love dear Mother!” The excitement was palpable as the Sea Goddess found herself smiling at the joyous man before her. The two had been enjoying a momentary respite in the gardens whilst listening to the beautiful song of merpeople in the distance.

The Sea Goddess released an amused chuckle as her eyes sparkle as they gazed upon her beloved son. “I would very much like to meet the lovely mermaid who has captured your heart.” However, Poseidon’s face falls just the slightest at the mention of this and it doesn’t go unnoticed by his mother. “Though there appears to be something that troubles you. Tell me dear one, what ails you?”

Poseidon releases a sigh as he runs his hand through the black locks floating about his head. “There is yet another who would hold a place in this fair mermaid’s heart.” The goddess smiled softly as she swam forward and placed her hands upon her son’s face.

“So you must compete with this merman then?” She asks even though she already knows the answer. “I have not a doubt in my mind that you possess the most beautiful song with an equally as beautiful voice. Sing from your heart and I am sure she will return your love,” she said reassuringly before a whirl of water swooped down before them and took on the shape of a mermaid made completely of water.

“My Lady, forgive me for my rude interruption but I fear things have taken a turn for the worst!” The mermaid exclaimed as her white eyes widened in urgency.

The Sea Goddess turns to Poseidon as he stares at her with a serious look in his eye. “Forgive me, dear one. I must return to the front already,” she said apologetically as Poseidon shook his head with a reassuring smile.

“Our time may have been short but this takes precedent over all things. Do not trouble yourself with me, but do you not need me there with you?” Poseidon asked curiously as the Sea Goddess smiled at his thoughtfulness.

“I shall be fine without you. You just worry about your matters of the heart,” she said before turning to the mermaid comprised of water. “What has happened?”

“The Earth Goddess has extended her roots deep into the sea and even as we speak Lady Scorpio is doing all she can to hold the roots at bay.”

“What is their destination?” The Sea Goddess asked seriously as the two disappeared into a whirlwind of water leaving Poseidon alone in the gardens.

Poseidon sighs as he left the gardens and returned to the palace. He had wanted to tell his mother the name of the wonderful mermaid that had caught his eye but that’ll have to wait for another time, he supposed. He’s not left to his thoughts for long before a servant came bustling down the hall in a hurry as though she were looking for something.

“Ah! My King! I have been searching everywhere for you!” She exclaimed as she rushed up to him and bowed down respectfully.

“What is it?” Poseidon asked dubiously as he waited for the mermaid to speak whilst staring down at her intently.

The mermaid hesitates for but a moment before remembering herself and why she came here. “Lord Libra has arrived. He currently awaits you in the throne room,” she said quickly whilst remaining in a bowed position. Poseidon said nothing as he swam past her in the direction of the throne room. The mermaid stood upright once again before leaving to attend to her duties as everyone in the palace is used to the behavior of their king.

“Poseidon, my friend! I have come as you requested with the item you asked for,” Libra said as he made a quick motion with his hand to signal the merman behind him to bring forth the box he carried.

Poseidon smiled at his friend with a pleased expression upon his face. “I am grateful for your assistance Varun.” Varun simply shook his head with a gentle smile as he dismissed the servant.

Meanwhile, Poseidon had already begun to open the box by the time Varun had opened his mouth to speak. “Think nothing of it. You are my nearest and dearest friend. Ask me for anything so long as it is within my power.”

Poseidon threw a grateful smile towards Varun before lifting the lid of the box to examine the contents. Inside was a beautiful silver pendant attached to a silver chain but it was the pearl at its core that demanded immediate attention.

“A blue akoya pearl created in the depths of the Chantara along the Iridiscian leylines. Truly the rarest among all pearls,” Poseidon said with an awe-inspired gleam in his eyes.

Varun smiled as he nodded his head whilst crossing his arms over his chest. “Even more so since the Iridiscian leylines contain a vast amount of magical energy. Energy that this pearl has been cultivating for possibly a century now.”

A wide smile broke out across Poseidon’s face as he held up the pendant. “She will love this gift, I am certain of it!”

Varun releases a lighthearted chuckle as he shakes his head. “Queen Amphitrite is not so easily pleased by such things alone. You have chosen a rather difficult woman to pursue my friend,” Varun said warningly as a young merman comprised of water appeared before them and dipped into a bow.

“My Lords, I have come bearing a summons from my Lady, the Ocean.” At this the two mermen turn their full attention to the servant as Poseidon placed the pendant back inside the box and entrusted it to a servant to put away.

“What is it that she asks of us?” Varun asked with a serious undertone in his voice.

“She requests your presence upon the field of battle. The Earth Goddess’s assaults grow more perilous and the Sun God has seen fit to partake of the battle with His own forces.”

“Where is the Moon Goddess in all of this?” Poseidon asked a bit harshly as he glares down at the merman who isn’t the least bit fazed.

“She currently contends with the Sun God’s forces and must give her full attention to keeping His flames at bay.”

“Then let us away! We must tip the scales if we wish to restore the balance of the world,” Varun says urgently as he and Poseidon disappear into a portal created by the servant who then disperses into the sea...

“Will you not cease your assault?! This madness threatens to rip apart that which you hold dear!” The Sea Goddess shouted as a colossal wave rose and crashed upon the Earth’s forces that had begun to enter into her domain. Her form stood significantly larger than earlier at about a hundred feet with power emanating from her very being.

The Earth stood opposite upon the land with flowers growing at her feet. Her earthen brown hair danced about her as though it were made of the wind itself. Her lovely features were twisted into an expression of rage as her warriors stood about her in readiness to fight for her.

“So long as I am denied the love I crave then you shall know naught but my wrath!” She shouted in anger as Varun and Poseidon rose up from the water before the Ocean.

Varun swam forward as the Ocean turned her gentle gaze to them both. “You have called, and we have answered. What do you need of us?” Varun asked as he bows reverently.

“Raise your head Child of the Sea. Our foe stands before us and threatens to destroy that which we hold dear.” The Earth Goddess gave a start at this as her sharp green eyes turn to the objects of her desires.

“Will you Children of the Sea not love me as well? Or even the Sun? Why is it that you give your love solely to the Moon and Sea?!” The earth tremored and threatened to be torn asunder at the goddess’s bellow.

Poseidon turns to the enraged goddess, the epitome of calm. “We cannot love that which we do not know. Your domain is that of the land where we cannot go and our domain is that of the sea where you cannot reach,” he began as the Earth gazed upon him in silent anger. “However, your actions have allowed us to see and know you well enough. Therefore we cannot love you as you would see our home destroyed and my mother defeated.”

“Insolent upstart! You dare say such a thing to me?!” The Earth roared as her anger reached its peak. “For your insolence I shall take that which you value most granted to you by the Moon!” Not even a moment after saying this the Earth Goddess raised her hand and a golden light shot forth from it and wrapped about Poseidon.

“Poseidon! Do not do this Gaea! You will not be able to undo the damage once it has been done!” The Ocean pleaded but it was in vain and any attempts she made to save her son were thwarted as the Earth’s army made sure to divert her attention to their growing numbers and increased confidence as they entered the water.

“Let us see how you fare without your gift of song Poseidon! Hopefully this shall teach you how to speak to your elders,” Gaea said smugly as she swiped her hand just as a small golden orb of light rose forth from Poseidon’s mouth and into the goddess’s hand. His song could be heard from the orb, singing beautifully as the Moon had intended it to but such beauty lasted for but a fleeting moment before Gaea crushed the light in her hand and shattered it. Varun and the Sea Goddess stood horror-stricken at the spectacle as a grief-stricken Poseidon laments the loss of his voice. Never again would he be able to sing with his people. Nor would he able to profess his love to the fair Amphitrite who ruled over the northern seas.

“Oh my poor child!” The Sea Goddess cried out. Her desire to give comfort to her son overpowered her senses but her mind reminded her of her duty to protect the sea. She summoned forth one of her water servants and commanded her to take Poseidon home whilst she and Varun contend with the battle. “Summon the Warriors of Water and the remaining Warriors of Wind,” she commanded to a few water soldiers as they saluted and disappeared beneath the waves to accomplish their tasks while the servant led Poseidon through a portal to return him home. All the while he remained silent and unresponsive...

“What happened after that?” Serena asks in concern as her eyes shone with glistening tears threatening to spill forth.

Prince Oceanus sighs as he grits his teeth with a sad look hidden in his eyes. “He had no way of expressing his love to Amphitrite and she gave her love to another.” A melancholy look appears in his eyes, but Serena doesn’t notice as she continues to listen to him intently. “As such the pendant was sealed away somewhere in the palace and was forgotten about. He eventually found love again alongside happiness.”

“So...none in your family has the ability to sing?” She asks slowly as she attempts to steady her rapidly beating heart and silence her mind that screams at her to cease her questioning.

A dark look passes across the Prince’s face and a pained look flickers in his eyes. “No. All descendants of Poseidon lack the ability to sing so we must needs find other means to express love to those we would deem to call our beloved.”

A sorrowful look passes over Serena’s face as she turns her gaze to the star-filled room surrounding her. “Thank you for telling me and I am sorry to bring up such a...painful topic,” she concludes as the Prince shakes his head with a blank expression upon his face.

“Think nothing of it. If you wish to learn more about me then I should be willing to tell you as I expect you to do the same should I decide to question you.”

“Of course. Whatever you may wish to know, I shall answer without hesitation,” she says brightly with a soft smile upon her lips. He’s taken off guard just the slightest at her sudden willingness to present him with such smiles, but he finds that it isn’t an unwelcome sight. This strange human that has stumbled into his life may have begun as little more than an unwanted nuisance but slowly, his perception of her is beginning to change. Not too much given that she’s still a stubborn and idiotic girl lacking any kind of respect for those of a status much higher than her own but getting to know her may not be as bad as he originally thought it would be. He finds himself almost...excited at the thought of other such moments of time like this where it is just him and her with nothing but the promise of knowing one another to compel them to converse. All humans may not be as bad as others but this one...this is a human he wouldn’t mind getting to know...