Pheoshan Chapter Seven The Water Demon

 Set Sail

They arrived at the seaside Kingdom of Aquwarter. They were to set sail across the sea to cut across the other kingdoms to get to Coalphyre and Phyredoor's kingdom. This way they would get there sooner. They had been through so much time that they knew that they had to increase their time. This meant that they would have to spend less time sleeping once they were back on land. 

Yet despite all of this, Pheoshan could not help but feel nervous. For the first time in her life she knew that she was getting close to getting the answers that she needed. She could not help but fall afraid too. She was afraid of what those answers were and that she would not like them. However, there was a part of herself that felt excited about going on the ocean and the new experiences that would be awaiting her.

They looked at the map and then up.

"When will we be setting off?"

"At two this afternoon." He said as he looked up at the clouds. 

His eyes narrowed like he had tasted something tasty. His half sister did the same and pulled the same face. 

Yet Pheoshan did not take note of this. She was being distracted by her thoughts to even pay attention to this.

Despite this she was still able to tail them to the bar on the pier. It was made of wood with an open kitchen and with a wooden roof. There were many tables and chairs spreading from the kitchen to the middle of the pier. They took their seats on the outside. 

They ordered their meals and they soon ate their meals. They looked around the shops for half an hour and Pheoshan found nothing interesting, until she saw a book on Wolfox and bought it. They soon arrived back at the pier and made their way to the docking area. They docked the ship. They showed their tickets to the captain and were soon waiting for everyone else to arrive and settle in their places. 

Then Pheoshan and Coaphyre looked at each other. It was all too clear with the look in their eyes that they had the same idea. They knew that this was a good idea and they both wanted this. In fact, after what they had been through, they knew that they needed this. Coalphyre needed the exercise as he still had the weight that he gained from the Sweet Demon. So they made their way into the deck and they faced each other. They both smirked.

"So, are you ready?"

She nodded.

"I think that it's about time we had a real fight in the real world."

He chuckled.

"Yeah."

They both took out their swords. Their eyes met. They were ready. They both ran to each other, planning their next move. Their blades collided and put as much pressure on the other blade as they could. They pushed forward as song as they could. Coalphyre frowned as he put more pressure on his blade, yet Pheoshan was not bidding an inch. 

She leaned in closer; she knew that this was not getting anywhere. She broke and spun like a dance. She went for a slash aiming for a shallow cut. Coalphyre noticed this and dodged back and drew his blade up. She flicked away his blade and the blade was sacked out of his hand and she dropped hers. He went to punch her and she dodged out of the way and threw her first out and punched him in the abs. He took hold of it and brought it up. She then jumbled and dug her held into his gut. 

He backed away.

"Careful of the heels!"

She looked firm to see that she was still wearing the black glass shoes.

Looks like they're going to get in the way…

"Sorry."

He nodded and took his sword and she took out hers. He aimed it at her. They ran to each other and their blades collided. They broke and they hit the other again and again hoping to wear the other down so that they could get the upper hand. Yet Pheoshan was the first to notice that this was not working. So she docked and aimed low. This was met in kind and their blades hit again. She then flicked up and when she stood erect she then drove the blade down. This was blocked. 

He pushed up and she swung left and then right, she started to feet strange as she did. It was like there was something dark and dangerous rising within her. As she then continued she could feel this strange power continue to rise and she could feel the power come out. This caused Coalphyre to stop.

"Pheoshan…Your eyes!"

Her eyes slid to the nearest window. They were like the eyes of Wolfox again. This shocked her and Coalphyre slid his sword away and placed a hand on her. This helped her calm down and her eyes returned to normal. She put her sword away as she looked down and could hear people whispering. She knew that she was what they were whispering about. She let out a sigh to stop herself from doing something that she would regret.

"Coalphyre, I think that we should not train in public."

"Right."

She noticed the suspicious looks of the others around them. He looked at her with pity in his eyes. She let out a huff as she started to walk away.

"And stop looking at me like that! It's annoying." She called as she walked to her cabin. 

She then buried her head in her book so that she did not have to focus on the other passengers or the way that they looked at her.

Wolfox first showed his face in the First Age Of Gods.

He challenged them and was able to fight them and as

he did, he was able to collect their powers and the powers

of other demons. He was able to use this to bring the First

Age Of Gods came to a dark end as none of the first gods

were able to fight against him and rival his powers.

The Storm

Pheoshan put the book away as she felt the shooting rocking making her feel sleepy. As she read the sleepiness became more and more difficult to resist and she found her eyelids drop every now and again. She found it becoming almost impossible to keep her eyelids open. So she closed her eyes and took a nap. 

Then as the evening wore on the rocking became less soothing and more and more aggressive. Yet her hammock started rocking faster and faster and faster. Soon she was rocking left to right as fast as a pendulum. Then she started rocking faster, still. She woke up as she rocked side to side faster and faster and she fell out of the hammock!

She soon scrambled to her feet and found it difficult to get to the door. She found herself running down the narrow corridor like a drunk. Yet she was able to get to the door leading to the staircase. She grabbed the doorknob. Then the ship rocked back and she momentarily hung from the knob and the door fell as it opened. She then let go and hit the floor. She scrambled onto her feet. She had to almost climb as she gripped the rope bannister. She was bashed from left to right as she climbed the stairs. Her shoulder hurt as she climbed higher and higher. There was another wooden door above. 

She kicked the door open and was slapped with water. She looked up at the black clouds that looked like smoke. She saw that the frame was lit by lightning. As she threw herself up she then saw the waves. They were getting higher and higher. The ship shook as it hit the waves. She scrambled to her feet and had to bend her knees to stop herself from falling below deck. She then matched on.

She looked for the other two and yet she could not. She looked throughout the different levels of the deck. She looked around again and again but could not find them. Suddenly she was concerned that they had already been thrown overboard. 

She then looked at the edges just in case they were there, yet she spotted a guy that was about to fall overboard. She raced over to him and grabbed by his back coat and pulled him back. They were hit by a wave and the next moment they were on their back on the deck. She quickly climbed to her feet and quickly spotted another person that was about to fall into the sea. She rushed over to him and pulled him back.

She then looked at the sea looking for anyone that had been thrown overboard. As she looked around she spotted a long and thin tail of a fish that she did not recognise. It was an emerald green that moved in a strange way. Yet she did not have time to look further into it as she was hit by another wave.

She was flung back and soon was falling back as the ship swayed the other way. She waited for until the ship swayed the other way before she rolled her legs out and then jumped to her feet. She then stood and waited for her body to synchronise with the rocking of the ship. 

She then spotted a small child in the air and she was able to catch him by his arm. She spotted the mother with a rope around her waist. She then raced to her and gave him over to her. She helped her tie the safety rope around his waist. 

She could feel the water start to weigh her clothes down greatly. The woman then looked at the girl with fear and shock. She tried to ignore this and she looked again for her friends and again she could not find them. She then raced to the lower levels of the decks and found another. She raced to her and with the water weighted clothes made this ever more difficult. She then pulled her back and it took all her willpower to get the woman to where the mother was. She then tied the safety rope. 

Then the rain became so heavy that it became almost impossible to see.

"Coalphyre! Phiredoor!" She shouted as loud as she could so that her voice would not get drowned out.

She could feel the cold get to her. It did not bother her nearly as much as she knew that she knew that it should. She should be shivering and her jaws should be tapping her teeth against each other. However even this was not as concerning as the fact that she could not see or hear any sound of her friends. 

What if they have drowned? What if they are dead? What if-

No! They're not, keep looking. Just keep looking! You will find them,  you must find them!

She ran across the decks and then to the edges as her heartbeat became wild as she looked all around the waves. She soon spotted that there were several people overboard and that they were all dead. She quickly scanned to see if any of them were her friends. To her relief they were not. She felt another tremor run throughout the ship as it hit another large wave. She then gripped the edge as she felt a hand on her back. She felt something hit the back of her hands causing her to retract them.

"Go back to the Demon Realm!" Shouted a man, as he forced her forward and she crashed into the ice cold waves…

The Tail

The first thing she saw was the emerald colored tail. It was the exact tail that she had seen from a moment ago. Her eyes slid to the pale flesh that was at the hip. She then saw the fiery coloured hair slightly above. Her eyes meet the innocent looking blue eyes. She was beautiful and yet looked so innocent that it did not suit the long canines that came from the upper jaw.

Is-is that a mermaid?

She felt the lack of air get to her. She swam up as her lungs screamed out for air. Just as she reached the surface. She was hit by another wave and was back beneath the waves. She then swam back up and was hit by another wave. She could feel her head pounding as she swam back up and was able to gasp and fill her lungs with air before she was hit by another wave.

She then felt a hand on hers. 

She looked down to see the mermaid with shells covering her breasts. She looked up at her. She then felt her guiding her down. She felt a strange tingling throughout her body. She tried to swim back up, but she could not. In fact, she could not move a muscle! She tried to use anything within her to move yet she could not! She felt panic rise within her yet she soon heard the mermaid sing a calming tune and she started to calm down. She was overcome with a wave of a strange abnormal bliss that she could not explain.

"Don't worry, I know that the mermaids of the other mer kingdoms will try to kill you. But I won't. I will do what I can to save you!"

She then felt her legs come together. She felt that all that she was wearing vanished. The mermaid put a pair of sea shells covering her breasts. She then felt black scales grow out her now conjoined legs and her feet stretched out and became webbed and the black glass slippers then rose up and moulded to her chest like a female breastplate. Then webbing rose up between her fingers that rose beside the meeting of the proximal and middle bones. Her canines grew and became sharp like a vampire.

Her lungs cried out for air yet she could not hold her breath any longer. She knew that she was about to suffocate. Then the mermaid let her go.

"Breathe!" She shouted, her voice was high pitched and young.

She looked down suffocating.

"You can breathe now! You're one of us."

"What?" She snapped, this was followed by surprise. 

Surprised at the fact that her voice was so clear.

She kicked her legs and yet she found it strange as they seemed to be moving at the same time. They also felt strange and moved in a strange way. She fronted and looked down to see a tail where her legs were. A black mermaid trail. She then let out a scream. The mermaid covered her mouth.

"Shh!'

"What did you do to me?"

"I'm sorry! I turned you into a mermaid to stop you from drowning!"

She looked up at her.

"Oh."

"Come on! I will teach you how to use it!" 

"Alright, then I would like you to turn me back."

She then gave an apologetically guilty goofy look on her face as she scratched her chin. 

"What?"

"Yeah…urm…I don't know how to do that."

"What?" She said with anger rising within her.

"But my father, King Mertry knows how!"

"And why don't we go now?"

"Yeah…I don't think that that's…a good idea!"

She then punched her. She then looked at her slightly afraid.

"What was that for?"

She tried to restrain her anger.

"Not that I am not grateful that you saved my life, but did you have to do it with the irreversibility that you did?"

"I'm sorry! But my sisters would have eat-" she pleaded then let out a scream. 

She, already knowing why she was screaming, forced herself to calm down. Upon looking at the mermaid calm down, she suspected that her eyes returned to normal.

"What in the Demon Realm was that? Why did your eyes look like King Wolfox's?"

She looked down as she knew that she did not want to scare this mermaid away. After all, she was the only way of getting back to her friends, if they were alive.

"I don't think I want to answer that. I just want to get back. By the way, what is your name?"

"Livea. You?"

"Peoshan."

They shook hands. She gave her a quick lesson on how she was to use her tail and she flowed Livea. She tailed her and as she did, she found this not only easier but faster too. She knew that this would help her get to wherever she needed to go faster. She hoped that this would be straight forward, although she highly doubted that.

She soon swam to an underwater city that was filled to the brim with mermaids. The well lit city was made of gold and silver and was covered in coral. The city had over a thousand levels with slabs out at random arias that served as benches where mermaids were sitting on. She saw that there were fish that were swimming around that glowed turquoise that made the city look as if it glowed as the light was reflected off the gold and silver.

She looked up at a giant castle made of coral gold and silver with all kinds of precious stones above the arches which sat upon cristal pillars.

Her jaw dropped at the beauty of the castle.

"Pheoshan, come on!"

She nodded.

"Coming!" She called as swam after her. 

They soon swam to the top of the castle where they swam to a highly decorated arch which was the mouth of a cave that was lit by coral that glowed turquoise. Pheoshan could not help but feel in nothing but in awe of the beautiful staircase. They soon swam up the stairs and came to a great room.

She soon spotted a muscline merman sitting on a throne made of coral and decorated in shells. He had a royal purple tail with long pale purple hair with white streaks in his hair and beard. He had strong royal blue eyes that screamed with authority and power. His hands were webbed like others and he had long fans too. He looked at his daughter with anger that if looks could kill they would have died the moment he laid his eyes upon them.

"Father!"

"Livea." He said as his eyes slid to Pheoshan. 

They then slid back to her.

"How have you been?" He asked coldly.

"I have been well. Now tell me, what is the meaning of this?"

She let out a nervous laugh.

"Well this is-"

"I know who she is! She is Princess Pheoshan the Demon Princess, who most have reason to believe has the powers of the Demon King himself! No. I want to know what she is doing with the tail and body of a mermaid?"

"Well…urm…you see…"

"Your daughter saved my life by turning me into one of you."

He let out a groan.

"Again?! By The Great Oceans Of Old girl! Did you learn nothing from the last time!?"

He punched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes out of dread.

"I sure hope this does not lead to another war between my people and the surface."

"Yeah…speaking of which…"

"No."

"But she wants to get back to her friends!"

"I do not care! Princess Pheoshan is not going to be returning to the surface."

This shocked and outraged her so much that she could feel the power of Wolfox rise within her.

"What! But I must! I have to get to them! I have to know if they're alright!"

"No you will not! So as it is my daughter had done this to you, as compensation, I will declare you as one of my daughters. Yet I hope that you find a good home here and settle down."

I highly doubt that…

The Demon Witch

The following day Pheoshan, now dubbed Pheoshan O'meriol, woke up hoping that the day before was nothing but a nightmare, however when she saw the coral ceiling above her she knew that it was not. The tail also confirmed this also, she was a mermaid now. She had become the adopted daughter of the mer king. She let out a groan.

This is not good. I have to find a way back to land.

She then practised swimming, knowing that even though she would do whatever she had to to get back to land, age did not know just how long that would take. So she swam to and fro. She swam for as long as she needed to to ensure that she had mastered it. She did her best to swim up and swim down and circled around. She swam left to right. Then swam to the chair.

She then looked at herself in the mirror, she had to take in what she was looking at. She could not help but notice that, with her paper white skin and her purple eyes and the fangs that her canines had become, she looked like a vampire. She noticed that she had a strange innocent look on her face, yet unlike all of the other mermaids, there was a slight cold beauty there.

She let out a sigh.

Looks like I am just going to grin and bear this. Also, I hardly think that I will be able to do anything here.

So she swam to Livea as she was the only one that she knew. She knew that she might get to know the rest of her adopted family if she stayed around the place long enough in her own time. Yet she could not ignore her hunger either.

"Good morning!" She said.

"Good morning Pheoshan, did you sleep well?"

"I did." She said trying not to clutch her stomach. "I am sorry, but I am going to have to ask, where do we go for our food?"

She smiled as she laughed.

"Oh, just follow me!"

She swam to the right.

"Tell me, is there a library or something like that around here?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Well as I am new around here, I do need to know the history of the pace and how not to offend anyone. Also, if I am to stay here, as your father-"

"Our father!" She corrected.

She let out a sound like a south and a laugh.

"Our father, sorry, decreed, I think that I ought to ensure that I familiarise myself here as much as I can."

At this her eyes lit up.

"Sure! You know, I'm glad that you're my sister now. I mean I do have other sisters, which you are sure to meet, but they're always doing their hair and talking about mermen. Sometimes I find it kind of creepy. I mean just imagine others talking about you and fighting to be your mate!"

She smiled at this as she let out a slight chuckle. Livea looked at her and her jaw dropped as her eyes widened.

"Wow! That's a good smile!"

She looked at her slightly stunned and yet confused. She had never had a compliment like that. Well none with such honesty and without any hint of malice. She homely did not know how to react or what she should say.

"Urm…thank you?"

"What?"

She shook her head, not wanting to make this feel any more awkward.

"N-nothing."

"Come in! You can tell me!"

"It's nothing alright! Now I think I ought to get our food. Then I will have to focus on adjusting to this new life of mine."

"Alright! How about I give you a tour after?"

She smirked.

"Sure, sounds interesting." She said trying to sound less interested than she was.

"Awesome!" She exclaimed, hugging her. "Oh it's going to be so much fun having you around."

"How come?"

"Because you might be the only sister that I can talk to."

She smiled to cover her feeling of guilt. She knew that regardless of what she felt, she knew that she had to get back to the surface. She also knew that age would have to seek out her friends, just to know what happened to them. Even still she has a feeling that she could fit right in here regardless of how little she wanted to admit it.

She soon came to a dining Hall where the food was fish, crabs and different types of seaweed at the top and there were mermaids swimming up and grabbing the fish and seaweed and bit into it. She also noticed that the fish and crabs were raw. She then swam to it and took one and had to bury her disgust as she bit into it. She found that it tasted better than she thought that it would! She suspected that this was due to her transformation as she knew that she could not stand the taste as a human. She soon ate it. She tried the crabs and the seaweed all treated great.

"Good morning." Spoke King Mertry.

"Oh good morning father."

"Urm…good morning…urm father." She said, feeling slightly uncomfortable upon calling the man father.

His eyes softened as he smiled.

"Good morning. I am glad that you are eating well, I know that this would be a big adjustment but I am glad that you are making an effort to do so."

"Thank you."

"Also,  you do not have to force yourself to call me father, call me that when you are ready to do so."

I nodded and bowed.

"I think…calling you that now, will help make me more comfortable."

He smiled.

Livea smiled as she ate her fish and seaweed. Once they had eaten until they were satisfied.

"We will be going now. I'm going to show Pheoshan around."

He chuckled.

"Go on ahead!"

"Thank you."

Livea then showed her around the castle and then the city. They then swam to the towns and villages. She was amazed at how fast they could go and how much distance that they were covering. By the time the morning was over they were already at the outskirts. Then her eyes rested upon a wall of darker water at the edge that was like a river.

"What's that?"

"Demwit River. None ever go there."

"Wait what! River, an underwater river?"

She frowned.

"Yeah. Father says it had something to do with the properties in the water that means the waters don't mix."

"Oh."

"So where to next?"

She smiled.

"How about the library?"

She too, smiled.

"Now you're talking."

"Alright but we need to swim to the other side of the kingdom."

"Alright, but first I think that I need to take a break." She said sitting on a bench.

After a short break, she swam on and they soon arrived at the library. She could not believe just how many books there were. Yet she noticed that the books were made of gold and silver.

How am I going to find a way back here?

She looked all around the library and started to read some of the spine of books but she could find nothing. Yet her eye turned to a section. She then swam to it and spotted a book with the word Ursmor in the spine. She was about to reach out and grab it.

"Pheoshan! No! That's the forbidden section!" 

She looked at her.

"Oh, sorry. By the way, who's Ursmor?"

Livea went pale.

"We don't mention her around here. Father forbade it!"

"Care to tell me why?"

"No, now the history is over there."

She looked over to the right and nodded. She swam over to it. She looked at the dates and took the one with the lowest date. She then started to read. She looked up and found a slab where she could read.

"Would it be alright if I stayed here for a while?" She asked.

"Sure. I will see you later!"

"See you later. I hope that I will learn to fit in better after reading these."

She nodded and swam. Pheoshan ended up spending the rest of the day there reading and containing page after page. Yet regardless of how long she spent reading, she could not get the name Ursmor out of her head.

"You want to see Ursmor." The librarian said.

"No."

"But she wants to meet you!"

She frowned as she looked at the librarian. She had a red tail with blue hair and black eyes. They looked strange, almost emotionless.

"Why?"

"She can give you your wish."

She placed her book down and started to swim over to her out of curiosity.

"And that is?"

"You want to become human again and see your friends."

She frowned.

How did she know?

"And why would you say that?"

"She can help you. She helped me. Unlike King Mertry, she does this gladly."

She looked down, she wondered what she would do. Yet she knew that she should turn this down, but she could not help but think about her friends and was desperately concerned about her friends. She knew that there would not be another chance so she had to take it and pay whatever price she had to later.

"Alright, take me to her."

She smiled.

"Come with me."

They left the library. They swam for a long time yet Pheoshan recognized where they were going. She soon speed Demwit River. She swam through into the dark water. She noticed that the river was a smoky lavender colour. She wondered why that was then her mind returned to her thoughts on her friends.

"This way."

She turned to her and nodded. She swam on and a strange smell entered her nose and felt strange as she swam too. She felt strange in her head too. Her brain felt fuzzy and her thoughts became foggy. It was almost like,  whatever was in the water was switching off her ability to think. As she swam, her mind became like a dull and blunt blade. Her mind almost fell into a strange trance-like state.

"What's happening?"

"The plants here relax the brain."

"Why?"

"It puts people at ease as Ursmor has a certain look that makes people scared of her. It hurts her every time people see her and scream. See, King Mertry, your adopted father, cursed her to look like that."

She spotted that the coral had started to turn to purple crystal. She also noticed that they were swimming to a narrow but deep cave. She followed the librarian in. She noticed that there were strange lights on many colours inside the crystal pulsing like a heartbeat.

"What are they?"

"I do not know. Ask Ursmor. She will know."

She noted feeling uneasy. She could feel something off about them. She could hear voices coming from the lights. Then she was able to make out what sound was coming from them. It sounded like a strange and distorted screaming sound. Some were more distinct than others. She would have been shocked by this, if she was not in the right frame of mind.

She continued and soon she was in a dark purple chamber with an even darker purple desk in the centre. There were other holes all around that led to other chambers.

"Ursmor!"

"Thank you, dear Mofa." Said a deep voice behind her.

Pheoshasn turned back to see a woman with a black mermaid trail with a row of tentacles around her waist like a skirt. With sharp blood red books on the suckers. Her skin was a deep green with the face of a piranha with glowing red eyes with a slit with thin whiskers for eyebrows. She had tentacles for hair with the exact same red hooks on the suckers. Her noise was sharp like a goblin shark with gills in her neck. With long sharp teeth like that of a shark.

"Hello Pheoshan."

"How did you-"

"I have been observing you for a long time."

"Why?"

"The King Wolfox demands it. He has shown a great interest in you and your future."

"Do you work for him?"

"Indeed child. Which is why I look like this. I was tricked by him and I need my husband to help me defeat him."

"Who's that?"

"King Mertry, your recently adopted father. Although, I prefer not to use you in this, no. All I want you to do is win the heart of a land Prince, Rice and bring the land and the water together."

"Why would I do that?"

"To get back to your friends. After all, I think that you would want them to know that you are alive, I presume?"

"Yes."

"Then we have a deal."

She looked around and then noticed that Mofa was nowhere to be seen. That was when she looked down to see that she was unconscious on the floor of the chamber. She was very still and her skin was as pale as paper.

"Is she-"

"Yes, she just needs to sleep. So do we have a deal?"

She spotted that there were no bubbles coming from her nose.

"Remember you won't get another chance!" She sang.

Say no! Get away from here. Kill her and get out of here!

"Yes."

The Price

She shook and she suddenly felt a great pain in her tail. It felt like nails were being hammered in every part in her lower body. She would have screamed out in pain if she could move. Then her face felt like it was on fire and her hands felt like the webbing was being violently ripped away. The black glass and shell bra compressed her chest like a boss constrictor. She found it difficult to breathe. She tried to kick but her body was in far too much pain. Then she felt the pain rise throughout her body. Soon it became unbearable but she had to.

Ursmor took hold of her and swam out of the cave and swam up higher and higher while she transformed. She rose up as she pushed through the pressure of the water. Then Ursmor let go. She soon could move again yet age still could not breathe yet the pressure on her chest lifted. Once she could she swam higher and higher and higher. She felt her lungs scream out for air. She kept her breath held as much as she could as she swam higher and higher. She could feel her lungs cry out as she needed air in them. She continued to swim on until she could feel a pounding in her head increase, yet she knew that she had to swim on. She saw the light of the suave above. She desperately fought to fight against her to keep her breath held as she swam up higher and higher. Then sure no longer could and the water flooded her mouth.

No! I'm almost there!

She struggled on as she felt the water suffocate her. She felt her body fall. She thought that she was going to die right there and then, but then she felt a pair of arms wrap around her. She then felt herself rising as the man kicked and swam up. Soon she gasped as she signed in the air.

"Get this young lady some help!"

She was being dragged to a ship. Her eyes were so blurry that she could barely see. She closed her eyes and opened them again as her head pounded. She then felt herself rising from the ocean. She was pulled on board and a towel was wrapped around her body. She then shivered as she clung to it absorbing all the heat.

She soon spotted that she was saved by a young man her age with sandy blond hair and cream eyes with peach skin. He then put his cape over her providing her with more heat. A maid took her down and gave her a coral red gown. She put in on and dried her hair.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

She nodded. She then looked up and her eyes rested on Coalphyre and Phiredoor! She would have called out to them but nothing came out of her mouth. She tried to shout again and again but not even one sound came out of her mouth. It was as if there was something over her throat, stopping her from speaking. She, feeling frustrated, ran to them. She then grabbed their hand.

"Can I help you?"

She frowned.

She tried to mouth it's me but she could not.

"Who is this?"

What? You know who I am! It's me! I'm alive!

She tried to mouth this but her mouth just would not move. She would have tried to tell them again but then she saw her reflection in his armour. 

She spotted that it was not her face, well it was but she no longer looked like her face. Her cheekbones were low and her lips were long but not too thick nor too thin. Her eyebrows were thin. She had a pioneer chin and a perfect nose. Her deep purple eyes carried a wide eyed innocent look. Even her hair was different, it was wavy and silver white making her look pure.

She looked down and nodded.

"What, did you think that there would be a price? No, you should have expected that there would be some assurance that you would keep your end of the bargain. Once that Prince Rice gives you his heart,  you will give him over to me. Should you fail, your soul will be mine!" Came the voice of Ursmor in her head…

Back To Land

For the next day as the ship sailed to the next destination, Pheoshan kept to herself and ensured to distract her from her thoughts. She spent her time helping the maids, yet she did catch glimpses of her friends, who were looking both concerned and distressed. She knew why and wondered desperately how to tell them who she was and what she had been through. She had tried to write everything down,  but then her hand seized up and became painful. The only thing even worse was the fact that she could not cry out for help as she could not access her voice.

"Remember our bargain deer mermaid!"

She looked up at the man who saved her.

"That is Prince Rice."

She took a page and wrote down

What is your name?

"Prince Rice. What is your name?"

"Use a false name."

She rubbed her eyes.

Please don't make me do this!

"Do you want to return to your true form?"

Alex Cinder

He looked down and frowned.

"That's an interesting name."

She shrugged.

"That's not your real name. What is your real name?"

She let out a sigh.

Knew it!

"Think of a clever lie to explain this."

She closed her eyes trying to suppress her anger at this humiliation.

I am sorry. Deeply I am, however

I am not at liberty to say.

"Why is that?"

It had been sealed away along with

my true firm and voice.

He frowned.

"By who?"

She tried to write down the truth but suddenly her had felt like there was fire and needles were digging into every pore! She tried to push on and wright it down, but the pain became completely unbearable that she dropped her quill. She had to clutch it. She could feel the muscles painfully tense up into the shape of a claw. She had to bite on her lip to stop herself from crying out.

What the?

"What? You did not think that I would make it that easy did you?"

Prince Rice looked at the hand and pulled it to him. He then started to gently rub it.

"I see. You can not tell me that either."

She could feel his message loosening up her muscles. It started to dull the pain and it started to go away. Her hand became loose and started to feel lighter. He then loosen the wrists and then did the same to the other hand. She looked at him stunned yet it touched her for him to treat her like this. She had never been treated like this without there being an ulterior motive.

"There, that ought to help."

She smoked and nodded.

"Thank you." She mouthed.

"It is alright. We will be arriving soon. As you have nowhere to stay, I will give you a room at my castle."

She looked down and smiled.

"And there, we will find something to break this spell. Then we will be able to talk."

She nodded and extended her hand. He looked down, surprised, yet he shook it nevertheless. They looked over to the land at the horizon. She smiled wider knowing that she would not have to wait that long. He then placed a necklace around her neck with a cross on. Surely she felt Ursmor's presence leave her.

"Here, may the sign of the Great Being protect you."

She smiled and nodded. She then followed him and spotted her friends on board. She then wrote something down and gave it to them.

Don't worry, you will find the

one that you have lost. But

she will have to do something

fist before she can return to

you. However she can not say

at the moment.

She then walked back to Prince Rice. There was a determination rising within her that she could not quite understand. She was going to get everything back and she will join her friends again. She was sure of that like she was sure that night would come. She took a moment as she stepped out of the plank of the ship and back on to land.

The Kingdom

She looked up at the seaside kingdom. The buildings were made of wooden timber with stone bricks. She spotted that some of them looked like the ships of old turned upside down. With a short stone wall with a triangular door that opened out in the centre with widows underneath. They all had a chimney in the centre with a group of windows shaped into the ship floor. As she travelled inwards, she noticed that the buildings started to change and became circular stone huts, built by stones, carefully stacked  like pieces of a puzzle. The roofs were thatched with a light thatching with a chimney in the centre. She travelled in further and noticed that the buildings became more traditional with brick walls and exposed wooden beams.

She was soon greeted by the castle. It was large and the gatehouses were two short towers made of grey stone and had no roofs. With high merlons and narrow crevices. However the towers looked like they had been recently built. She spotted that there were holes underneath the merlons.

She patted Prince Rice and pointed at them and frowned.

"They are there to ensure that the walls do not become blind spots. I know that they gave a proper name,  however for the life of me I can not remember them!"

The iron gate lowered and they crossed a wooden bridge. After they had crossed the bridge it rose up. She noticed the castle had a similar mixed build as the rest of the kingdom. There were two high towers that were connected by a wall with an arch underneath with several windows at each end and one above the arch. The towers had small windows at several points. These were built on several cobbles that seemed to go under the building. 

She gaped at the beauty of the castle. 

She followed Prince Rice around the building to the back and was greeted by a set of double doors that were the size of a house. It took four, well built men at both sides to open it. When they were in she saw a set of glowing mushrooms at the corners of the well lit castle. Her eyes took the corridor and the shockingly beautiful paintings of the previous kings and queens that hung on the walls. Then her eyes rested on the beautiful tapestry of their feits.

The walls were painted coral red and wooden railings were coral orange with turquoise carpets.

Wow! I just never knew that this beauty could exist! This whole place is just beautiful! She thought.

"I see that you have returned, son!" Called a man ahead.

The man looked just like Prince Rice but he was taller and had a long and full beard. On his left hand were several scars. He had a stern but kind look in his eyes. Yet he looked at her with both disdain and curiosity. He quickly covered this for the sake of his son.

"Who's this?

"She goes by the name of Alex Cinder. We need a Follower Of The Great Being to free her from her spell. So would it be alright if she stayed here?"

He nodded slowly and smiled.

"Yes and shall send for one as soon as I can. Now we need to gather all to celebrate the success of your first quest."

"Yeah. That sea serpent was quite a difficulty to overcome. Honestly I could not have done it without your training and my men." He admitted.

"I thought so, however a victory however small, is still a victory even with assistance. I can see that you have the making of a great king."

"Thank you Father, however I do have to report, there seems to be an increase in pirate activity. Though I did lose a few to them."

"How many attacked?"

"Five."

He nodded slowly. He let out a long sigh as his father glanced at her. There seemed to be a puzzled, questioning look on his face. He masked this quickly too.

"Them come."

They walked up three stairs.

"Tell me, could the maids get this young lady a proper dress. She is a princess, after all."

She and Prince Rice frowned. He placed a hand on her shoulder. She found herself stepping back and he smiled. He seemed to be more relaxed and friendly. He took her hand and kissed the back of it.

"I hope that your stay will give you what you need. Enjoy the party tonight. Tomorrow afternoon, I would like you to share your story."

She looked down with a slight guilt in her eyes. He closed his eyes with dread as he gestured to the maids for them to take her. She was led to a coral red and white room. With a queen sized bed with silk lilac purple covers. In front of it was a white desk.

"My lady."

She nodded and walked into the room. She kept her guard up despite all the kindness that she had been showered with. One of the maids brought out a baby blue dress and laid it on the bed gently. She then laid a liver chain down. They undressed her and put a corset on her, which caused her back to straighten and her stomach to be tucked in. She found that she had to breathe differently.

How do people go about their day in these?

They then pulled her dress over her and helped her in the thin sleeves. They then fastened the lace behind. They then put the belt on her. She was then led to a set of long mirrors. She had to sit. She looked at the innocent looking face that the witch gave her. She had never looked so gracious and ladylike! 

She felt her lip curl. 

Even though she looked beautiful, she could not quite decide whether or not she liked it. She then felt a brush run gently through her hair. This made her feel slightly sleepy. They then put half of it up in a bun that was like the head of a strange flower. They then took out a makeup set and brushed the foundation on her face. Her skin looked healthy and perfect making it appear that it was glowing. They painted on lilac lipstick and royal blue eye-shadow with rose blush.

Then the king walked in. He smiled at her with a false but pleasant smile. It was like he was trying to assure her that she was safe. He walked up to her.

"Hello Miss Cinder."

She rose to her feet and curtsied. He smiled.

"You can speak, can you not?"

She shook her head. He frowned. Yet he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. His eyes were mind and filled with compassion.

"I came to give you this." He said placing a blue spiralling shell on her. 

Suddenly she could smell the ocean and could taste the salt in her mouth. He heard the shooting sound of the gentle sea, soothing her soul.

"Tell me, were you a mermaid?"

She shook her head.

"Right."

He looked aside.

"Then child, I would like for you to enjoy tonight and try to embrace yourself as a woman. The Great Being wishes for you to know that there will not be many times that you will be able to do that. You should also take this time to enjoy a moment of bliss and peace, you will not be able to enjoy those moments either."

She gave him a questioning look.

"I know that you have no reason for you to trust me, however fifteen years ago, this kingdom was involved in a great war with the mer kingdom. It was brutal and I lost my wife in that war and I do not want my son to get involved in any of this."

She pressed her lips together. She then gave him a warning look. His features became slightly depressed and dread filled his eyes. He then placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Just enjoy tonight, we will talk tomorrow, or in your case write, whatever you have to say."

She noted and her look became stern.

"What?"

How do I two him? She thought, pinching the bridge of her nose. 

She then pointed to his sword.

"Yes I know how to use a sword."

She then put up her thumbs and then gave him a questioning look. As she flattened her hands and raised them.

"As does my son."

She nodded and gave another thumbs up. She pointed at him with a questioning look. He looked at her and his eyes widened and then softened.

"You are right. Remember everything else we will discuss tomorrow."

She nodded. She gave another thumbs up. She then pointed to him with a questioning look in her eyes. He looked at her shocked but his ferries softened. But his eyes softened to show that he understood.

"You are right. Anyhow, ladies first!"

We soon walked to the celebration. There were bright chandeliers hanging from the arched ceiling and torches hanging from the walls. With all kinds of precious stones at the corners of the room and dangling from the chandeliers magnifying the light in the already well lit room. She spotted a table of food around the edges of the room and people were dancing in the centre. 

Then it occurred to her that she did not know what she was surpassed to do at an event like this! She wondered if she should wait for the king to make a speech. She looked around to find a way to fit in.

She saw that people were talking to Prince Rice, most of which were women and they were joined by older men and women. Who were more likely than not the younger woman's parents. She looked aside. She knew that her father and the Wolfox did try to marry her off but they were not normal grooms. She suddenly wondered if she was ever to get married or have love like that. 

She somehow doubted that.

That was when she realised that this was the first time that she had ever thought of herself as a woman. Sure, Coaphyre and Phyredoor treated her of value but she could not tell if that was because they cared for her or if it was what she was to do. She wondered if they really did care for her, for her and not because of the fact that they were trying to get her to their kingdom.

She suddenly realised that even though she knew that she was not a normal girl, part of her wanted to be treated like a normal girl. She wished that she had a normal father and mother with a normal life without any evil sorcerers or demons to worry about. She wished that someone that people cared for her for her. She wished that she had someone to give her that warmth and that attention.

"Are you alright?" Prince Rice asked.

When did he get here?

She smiled and nodded. He frowned as he wiped a tear from her eye, a tear that she had not realised she shed.

"Do you know how to dance?"

She nodded. He extended his hand. Not wanting to look rude she took it.

The Truth

Pheoshan woke up very early in the morning feeling very refreshed. She knew that she needed that sleep and the rest that it had given her. Her mind was quiet and her thoughts were calm. Her mind went over the night before with a strange peaceful happiness that she was incapable of describing. She had noticed that all the noise in her head was silent and her mind was able to focus. 

She looked out of the window and then she slipped out of the bed. She slipped out of the cotton nightgown and cleaned herself. Then put on the dress that she wore the night before. She then day at her desk and suddenly realised that there were several pages on the table and ink and a quill.

Write all that you have been through down. Write it all down and leave nothing out. She heard a voice say.

She picked up the quill and started writing. She had to take a moment or two as she thought about how best to put it in words. She found it strange as she was able to write all that she had been through. She was able to process things better and eventuate all that she had been through as she wrote it down. She felt like a great weight was slowly but surely lifting as she wrote word by word. So by the time that she finished she felt lighter somehow.

She let out a sigh of relief as she put the quill down. She cleaned the ink off her hands then wiped the desk as the ink on the pages dry. She then brushed her hair and then looked at makeup, still not knowing whether or not she liked it she resisted the urge to put it on. She did not want to get used to this. She knew that she had to focus on getting back to her friends and get back on her journey. Yet she could not get the night before out of her head.

I wonder if I will have any more nights like that?

I hope so…

But they must come later. I have a job to do. One that only I can do.

She looked down and noticed that the pages were dry. She collected the pages and then gave them to the king. She gave the pages to him.

"Thank you. Now Alex, we need to get our breakfast. I will read this afterward."

She smiled and nodded. She soon walked with him to the dining Hall that she was in the night before. She remembered all that she could recall from the limited time that she spent with her parents and what they had taught her. She remembered how to eat and dug in.

"You were very well taught." Commented Prince Rice.

She shrugged and smiled.

I was taught well.

He smiled and nodded.

"Tell me, what do you think of Alex?" Prince Rice asked.

"She is interesting, however I do not believe that she is right for you." The king said gently and gave her a slight apologetic look.

She nodded to tell him that it was alright and she agreed.

"Why?"

Pheoshan gave him a look to signal that he should tell him the truth.

"She has something to do."

"Like?"

"To get back to her friends and to get to wherever she is going."

He nodded and she turned back to her food. When they had finished their food the king turned to her pages and read them. Every now and again taking glances at her and then returning to her work. After a while, he placed it all down and rubbed his eyes.

"I see…now I know what to do." She said with fire in his eyes. 

He rose to his feet and looked at her. 

"You better come with me."

She nodded as they left together.

He then led her to the library. It was filled with books from the bottom to the top. She noticed that it was as large as the dining Hall with many stairs, ladders and levels just to get to the books. With a few tables and chairs on the ground level. He then led her to the chair and bestowed for her to sit and she did. He then walked up a set of stairs and came back with a green leather hardback book with gold writing on the spine with the name being Axander.

"I would like you to read it "

She reached out and took it, mouthing thank you. She opened it on the first page. She looked down to see a portrait of a younger version of the king. She looked up, shocked. Yet her eyes returned to the book.

Today I met a lovely young lady. She was perfect, too perfect. 

I have a suspicion about her. I know she is not a normal lady.

No, not when I spotted her using a fork and a hair comb. Yet

I am admirably drawn to her. I cannot say or understand why. 

I just cannot get her out of my head and I cannot get away

 from her. My thoughts always seem to be dominated by her.

She looked at King Axander judgmentally.

Seriously, have you never heard of a crush?

He gave her a stern look on his face, almost as if he knew what she was thinking. She nodded, at first to humour him, yet there was something about his face that told her not to. It told her that there was something else that was going on. And that this something else should be taken seriously.

Today I went to my father to ask about it, however he passed

it off that I was falling in love with this girl, however I knew

that he was wrong. I knew myself well enough to know that.

I am by far anything but a romantic, on the contrary. I know

that my hand is too who would be better for the kingdom.

I had to look around and soon learnt about  love and lust

 potions. Upon reading further, I noticed that my symptoms 

were identical to the Sea Demon love potion.

Her eyes widened.

No wonder he told me to read on!

When I pursued her for information upon why she had done

this and where she had received the Sea Demon love piton, 

She clutched her head and collapsed. She then turned into a 

mermaid before my very eyes and then the body turned into

water.

She looked down at his drawing of her that he drew. Her eyes widened and all her hair stood on end! That was the librarian that led her to Ursmor, furthermore she looked identical.

What is going on here?

She turned the book and pointed at her. 

"Yes. That is her. Why, what is it?"

She gave a frustrated look. He suddenly remembered that she could not speak and gave her a page and quill.

This was the mermaid librarian

that led me to the witch Ursmor!

He too widened his eyes.

"What?! Are you sure?"

She nodded.

So this must mean that she, somehow

was able to get her back!

"If that is true then-"

She then was a flash of what happened to her once she had started talking to Ursmor. She remembered how she sank to the bottom of the cave chamber.

I think that she is dead, however

I do not think that it is the end of 

it. See I think that she can puppet 

the bodies of those that she makes 

a deal with.

"Yes, it appears that way, however it does not explain why she looks identical to when I saw her as a young man."

Then she remembered those lights and the voices that she heard. Her gut dropped as it suddenly occurred to her what they were.

Maybe she takes their soul?

He thought about that for a moment and he got up and left. He came back with another book with black leather with silver covered corners. He then gave out to her. She opened it.

Today I met a young lady. She claimed to be the half 

sister of the mer king, King Mertry. I walked to the 

shore and used the shell my mother made to call him.

I asked him about her and he told me that she was

no such thing. He then told me that she was one of

the many demons that have been trying to infiltrate

the royal merfolk bloodline and the bloodlines of other

royals.

Upon testing his claim it was all too clear that he was

telling me the truth. So I kicked her out and burnt all

that she had brought with her. She then escaped to  the 

sea. Revealing her demonic true form.

So this must have been Ursmor!

"Tell me,  do you know what happens to those who make deals with demons?"

No, but it must not be good.

"No, no it is not. The demon collects the soul of the one they made a deal with once they are dead."

Her eyes widened in horror. She felt cold and horrified by this. Yet this sparked anger. She should have expected this, she should have known that this would happen. 

She should have not followed that librarian, she should have stayed with Livea. At least there she would not be involved in this plot!

Is there a way to prevent this?

"Not unless you can kill a demon." Prince Rice resorted.

I can.

"What but-"

"She is Princess Pheoshasn, she has the power of Wolfox! As he can kill demons that must mean that she does too. However you must be careful with that ability, a demon's power can entice those that possess then to do evil."

She nodded.

Will this mean that I will have to

find a way to get rid of them once

Wolfox is dead?

"Yes. That would be the best course of action. Also even before all that, you must use the powers sparingly."

She nodded. She looked down and noticed the scars. That was when she remembered what she had learnt, however then she looked at her silver white blond hair. That was when an idea came to her, something that, under any other circumstance, would have shaken her right down to the core. She then wrote it down and passed it to him.

Do you think that Ursmor may have

been behind the battle that took

place here?

He looked at her with shock, almost like she had slapped him in the face. Yet he looked down like she had just given him the last piece of a puzzle that he had tried to solve for a long time.

"Yes…that would make sense."

Now,  if that is the case then that would mean that she might have been trying to use me to start another war. Then if that is the case then that would make sense. Yet I do feel that I am missing something. There is another part of her plan at play here.

She looked down at her new face in the silver corners. This caused her to have another idea enter her mind. She felt chilled as she remembered that she remembered how she changed her appearance. Yet if she could do that, then what else could she change?

Can she change another's biology?

He looked at her alarmed.

"Why would you think that?"

Ursmor changed my appearance

and wants me to marry Prince Rice

His eyes widened.

"Oh."

For the rest of the morning they all went over all the books in the library and it soon became clear that Ursmor was behind almost over three quarters of the kingdom's problems and wars! Yet during this time they were being watched by the expressionless face of the librarian…

Taken Back

Pheoshan was there all day, only leaving for lunch and dinner. The corpse of Mofa watched her as she read more and more about Ursmor. She pieced together that she wanted war. To her anger, she had deduced that she wanted to use her as a pawn to spark one. She was so engrossed in her work that she did not even notice that she was being watched by Mofa. She had been all day.

"She seems to be a danger to my plan. Go, get her and bring her back to me, my puppet."

She waited all day as she followed the girl. She did not utter a word, yet she knew her moment came when she put her last book away. She wrote down one last thing. She yawned and then got up. She took out her paper and quill. She walked up to a librarian and wrote something down.

Do you know where the liue is?

"Yes, it is located at the opposite end of the wall by the gatehouse."

Thank you.

She then ran to the liue. She soon relieved herself and felt lighter and better after doing so. She wiped her being with a sponge on a stick. Yet as she left she could not help but feel like she had been followed. As she left the liue cubical she felt a burning sensation going throughout her body. 

She cleaned her hands and then saw something out of the corner of her eye and immediately ducked. She saw a hand in front of her and her mind became alert as she looked as to where the hand came from. To her shock it was Mofa! However she soon knew that she was here for her.

Looks like I'm going to ruin this dress.

She then ran to her Mofa drove a slap to her but she blocked it. She then drove her hand to the chest. Mofa was dragged back and then ran back at her. She then threw a punch. She flicked the wrist aside before it could even land a blow. Pheoshan could term that when she was alive, she was not a fighter. So she grabbed her wrist as she went to hit her and she grabbed the other wrist. Mofa drove in for a head butt and she let go. She took a few steps back and was about to run back in when Mofa took out a small flower. She ran to hey and put it under her nose.

The moment that she breathed it in her vision became blurry. She kicked her in the stomach driving her away. Her mind spun and became almost faint. She tried to get her mind to focus and get back in the fight but she could not. Then Mofa ran to her and took out a red ribbon and tied both of her wrists together and ensured that it was tight around them. Ensuring that regardless of what she did, she could not get free. Yet the dizziness became worse. She then felt something in her mouth. Then everything went black.

When she woke, her eyes rested upon Ursmor. She was in a human form. She wore a royal blue dress with a black corset. She had a cold beauty to her human face with eyes filled with range.

"Do you know how much you have coated me?"

She shook her head with a deficiency in her eyes.

No, but I know that you're about to tell me.

She could feel that her hands were tied behind her back. She would have to find a way to free herself as much as she could.

"Seriously! All you had to do was seduce Prince Rice and marry and you would have been set for life." She laughed bitterly.

She rolled her eyes as she knew that there would be more to it than that. She also wanted to get under the demon witches skin. So she laughed and Ursmor smirked.

"I can not fool you can I, Demon Princess? No it seems not. Oh well. There are others that I can use. Such as that red headed mermaid. What was her name?" She said, pretending to think. "Ahh! Livea! Maybe she will do it?"

With that Pheoshan jumped to her feet and drove her head into her nose. She staggered back as she ran on and kicked her in her gut. Yet she caught her foot and looked up at her with blood coming from her lip. 

"So! You are a fighter are you?" She sang, licking the blood off her lip. "I can work with that!"

Suddenly the ribbon around her wrists vanished. She then punched her in the face and she staggered back. Just as she went to rush at her, her legs joined together and she spun as she fell. She felt her body freeze up. She suddenly noticed that her cross was gone! Furthermore she noticed that her tail was back and her mermaid appearance returned to her.

Ursmor's smile became wider as she climbed on her and punched her in her face again and again. She became disorientated by the hits. Then she rose to her feet dragging her up with her by the neck! She pulled the girl in closer and wiped a streak of blood off her cheek and licked it.

"That felt good. Now tell me, what if I made you get her? Then make her do your job and then, once she marries him, make her do things to him. Things that will ever so slowly destroy her heart and innocence. Then leave that sweet, poor innocent girl a hollow husk, barely a shadow of who she is as I make her corrupt others? Then every time she begs for her death, all I will say is 'if I do that then your sister will never be free!' Or 'don't you want to save your sister?' Then once she figures out all of it is a lie, then I will snuff her out!"

She felt a white hot rage rise up within her and looked at her in nothing but anger. Her eyes turned to that of Wolfox's. Ursmore looked at her. Her eyes widened out in horror and shock. Yet this led to her smiling in a pleasant shock and she let out a maddened laugh.

"Now I see it! Maybe I can use you more than I thought!"

They diced into the ocean, not letting go of her throat once.

Escape Demon Ocean

She was dragged further and further down. She tried to move but she could not. Yet her mind was filled with fury. Fury at how she was being exploited. Fury at her humiliation. Fury at her own stupidity. Fury at what Ursmor had said. Fury at what she suggested what she would do to Livea. Fury at her helplessness. Fury at the stranger who had pushed her overboard. Fury at the fact that none of this was her fault. She wanted to kill her. She wanted to do this with all her being.

She could feel the power of Wolfox rising and coursing within her. She could feel it moving through her like the blood in her vanes. She could feel it bearing within the breast of her heart. She felt what could be described as a strange dark joy rise within her. It flowed freely within her body. 

While descending with Ursmor clutching her throat. She could not move as she did. Yet as they sank lower and lower she could move her fingers. She could move her fin. She could feel the presence of Ursmor within her decrease. She could feel that it was being overwhelmed by this power. She could feel the psychological grip of this demon slip from her and she knew that she could freely move her body and the control that Ursmor completely fade away.

Then her have whipped up and gripped Ursmor's wrist. She felt another power rise within her and her muscles became stronger and she crushed the wrist. She screamed out of shock and let go of her. She looked up at her, completely outraged. Her wrist was disfigured and already turning blue. She looked back at it and back at her.

Pheoshan swam to her and in her hands was a smaller version of Wolfox's. She went to swing to slash her gut but she waved her game and a strong current drove her away. She then went to swim back at her. She then summoned another current to slow the girl down, but she saw still coming at her. She increased the power of the current which drove her back.

"Get away from me!"

Yet this soon did nothing and Pheoshan turned diagonally to the left and then swam back up to her. Yet the temperature started to drop. She smirked as the became cooler and colder. Yet the girl was not affected however Ursmor became colder and colder. Then she started to shiver. Yet the temperature still dropped and then she spotted the ice. She used her power to direct the ice crystals at the girl. She then slashed them away from hey. She used the current to her again. She spanned it back yet some hit. Even though the cuts stung her they did not bother her whatsoever. No, she continued to drop the temperature further and further. Ursmor tried to use her power to five the cold water at her but the ice cold water seemed to not even bother her at all!

Knowing that she was going to have to change her tactics she caused a whirlpool around the girl. She was temporarily blinded by the bubbles and she swam to the girl and took out a trident. She then arched back as she drove it down and this was blocked by the weapon. She looked down and her eyes met those of the girls' that were like those of Wolfox.

"Where did you get that weapon from? How, how did you get that weapon?"

She shrugged as she pushed her away and then went to slice her neck but she swam down so it cut her lip. She then drove the weapon down and she hit the blade away and Pheoshan was able to use this to her advantage and threw out a punch right in her face. This told her that she could not be a girl of ordinary strength as she was driven away from her add a frighteningly fast pace. She used her power to stop herself from crashing into the coral beneath her. She looked to where the girl was and she saw that she was no longer there. She looked up to see the blade being thrust down. She just blocked the blade but not the power which drove her into the coral below.

She screamed out and saw Pheoshan smirking as she looked to the left. She loomed to where she was looking. To her horror, there were several sharks coming to them. She outstretched her hand to drive the sharks away. Yet they continued to come. She pushed the current to become stronger and stronger. Yet they continued to come closer and closer. Then the shark was finally pushed back. 

Then ice flung to her. She pushed it back. Then another set came. She flicked them away. Another came and she broke them apart. Then more came immediately after. She flicked it away and then another set just moments after. As she blocked the set she was suddenly hit by several ice shards. She was filled with anger and swam to her and wrapped her tentacles around her wrists and body. She turned her triton into a dagger.

"How dare you! How dare you do this to me, human! I own you!I own your soul!" She shouted as she slashed her in the tail and arms again and again. 

Pheoshan could feel her tentacles become tighter and tighter. She then let her go and immediately started whipping her again and again. 

"And there you are! Trying to feed me to a group of sharks? Maybe I can return the favour."

She let out a cathartic laugh then she went to wrap her tentacles around her but for some reason she could not. She then felt a painful stinging coming from where they were surpassed to be. She looked down to see that she was surrounded by a skirt of blood. To her horror, she noticed that all of her terminals had been cut off!

That was when the girl clutched her by her throat. Her eyes were normal now.

"Come."

She quickly swam to King Mertry.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"I am glad to tell you."

She then went on to tell him all of what she had been through.

"So…she was beyond the war fifteen years ago…in that case, I think that we need to talk to the human kingdom. Pheoshan, do not let go of her."

Her hand tensed.

"Don't worry. I don't intend to."

They soon swam to the shoreline, Pheoshan gripped Ursmor's neck the whole time. Then King Mertry gave all but Ursmor human forms. Then gave them all clothes before they walked out of the water. They were soon wondering how to get to the King and Prince. Onlyfor King Axander and Prince Rice to be already there.

"I know why you are here and you are right." King Axander said, taking a glance at Ursmor and them Pheoshasn. "I take it that this is your true form?"

"Yes. I cannot tell you how glad I am to be able to speak to you. My name is Pheoshan, a few days ago, I became Pheoshan O'meroil."

"The Demon Princess! No wonder the Great Being told me to tell you what I did!"

"Anyhow, we need to determine the fate of this demon witch and hopefully set up an alliance between the mer kingdoms and the kingdoms of the land."

"Will this include the syrens too?"

"No, what they do has nothing to do with us."

Livea huddled to Pheoshan, her head bowed slightly.

"Urm…Pheoshan, who is he? The one our age."

"Prince Rice, why?"

"He's…very…wow!"

Her face was scarlet. She smirked as she rolled her eyes.

"Sure."

I can't believe it!

"So we are in agreement. The Demon Witch Ursmor is to be executed?"

"That would be wise. However none of us possess that ability!"

"You are wrong, the girl does!"

They turned to her.

"Gladly!"

She summoned the power of the Wolfox and her head rolled and her corpse turned to dust.

"Now, I have to get back to my friends Prince Coalphyre and Phyredoor. Foo you know where they are?"

"Yes, they have been staying in the local tavern nearest to the shore."

"Thank you."

"Oh and you can keep that! Call it a thank you present."

"Also here." He said giving her a ring that was made of a golden coloured coral with a mermaid tail going in a spiral in with the trail in the middle.

"Thank you!" 

He chucked.

"Well, call it a present from a grateful father. I hope to see you again someday. Even though I know that you have a living biological father, I still adopted you. I hope that I can be just as much a father to you as he was."

She nodded.

"Thank you…father."

"I said call me 'father' when you are ready."

With that she said her goodbyes and left. She soon found the tavern and met up with her friends. She soon told them all that she had been through and showed them the ring.

"Did you find out who that man was?"

"No. But we were told that you fell overboard and should be dead. However, we knew that you were alive." Prince Coalphyre said.

"Hold on you, was that silver-white haired girl in the red dress?" Phiredoor exclaimed.

"Yes!"

"Oh!"

"Now, I think that we need to leave." He said and they were soon back on their way.