Gabriela threw open the door, not even bothering to glance at Veronica before plopping back onto the sofa. Veronica followed, sitting beside her, and raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong? Your texts sounded like you were about to lose it."
Gabriela let out a frustrated growl, her voice rising. "Those dreams, Vee! They're getting crazy! The sea witch's trying to separate Sophia from her true love, and I'm like, what's the deal? The curse is broken, right? Why's she still playing games?"
Veronica placed a calming hand on Gabriela's arm. "Okay, okay. Looks like it's time I told you what's going on." She took a deep breath. "Just listen, and don't rush me, 'kay? I'll tell you everything."
Gabriela's chest heaved, but she nodded, eyes locked intensely on Veronica. "I'm all ears."
Veronica hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "Sophia... she's not just the sea witch's daughter. She's... complicated. And you, Gaby, are connected to all this in ways you can't imagine."
Gabriela's grip on the couch cushions tightened. "How? Tell me!"
"Do you wanna yell or listen?"
"I wanna...listen." her voice lowered.
"Just get this started, Veronica. It's all too much."
~~~MORTOPIA~~~
Deep beneath the waves, in the enchanted realm of Mortopia, the sea itself seemed to shimmer like a living thing. Schools of iridescent fish darted through swaying seaweed forests, their scales flashing like jewels in the filtered sunlight. Sea turtles glided effortlessly through the water, their ancient eyes wise with the secrets of the ocean. Crabs scratched patterns in the soft sand, while jellyfish floated like ethereal lanterns, their stinging tendrils trailing behind them like delicate lace.
Amidst this underwater wonderland, a castle of coral and crystal rose from the seafloor, its turrets and towers shimmering like mother-of-pearl. This was the home of Queen Adana, the Sea Queen of Mortopia, renowned for her beauty and wisdom. She had three daughters – Lina, Cordelia, and Harley – and a son, the dashing Prince Miguel, whose kind heart and striking features made him the object of desire for every mermaid in the sea.
Yet Prince Miguel's heart belonged to a mystery: the girl in the locket he'd found buried in the sands of a shipwreck. Entrhralled by her image, he sought out his mother, his eyes pleading.
"Mother," he said, his voice like the gentle lapping of waves, "I must go to the surface. I need to find the girl in this locket."
Queen Adana's expression turned stern, her voice like the rumble of an underwater earthquake. "Absolutely not, Miguel. The surface is treacherous. You could be caught in a net or worse."
Prince Miguel persisted, his charm on full display. "I'll be careful, Mother. I'll use my powers to call only her. I'll leave the locket on the shore—"
"No, Miguel," Queen Adana interrupted, her voice firm. "I won't risk losing you. You're too precious."
The prince's shoulders slumped, but his determination remained, hidden beneath the waves like a powerful undercurrent.
As Miguel and Harley swam neck-and-neck through the coral reef, their fins slicing through the water with ease, Miguel couldn't resist sharing his secret any longer. "Harley, I need to tell you something," he said, his voice barely audible over the bubbling currents.
Harley slowed, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "What is it?"
Miguel pulled out the locket, opening it to reveal the girl's enchanting face. "I found this in a shipwreck. I've never seen anyone so beautiful."
Harley rolled her eyes. "Miguel, you're crazy. You don't even know who she is! She could be a murderer or something."
Miguel chuckled, unfazed. "I don't care. I'd still want to meet her."
Harley snorted. "You wouldn't if you knew she eats fish for breakfast."
Miguel laughed, but his expression turned serious. "I mean it, Harley. I'd search the whole ocean for her if I could."
Harley's expression softened, and she giggled. "You're so gone, Miguel."
Miguel's eyes pleaded with his sister. "Can you use your powers to...I don't know, make her drown or something? Just so I can meet her?"
Harley burst out laughing. "Humans can't breathe underwater, silly!"
Miguel's face fell. "Oh no...I forgot."
Harley's smile turned sly. "Too bad you can't just pop up to the shore, huh?"
Miguel's eyes widened, and Harley knew he'd considered it. She held out her hand, and Miguel reluctantly handed over the locket. Harley's smile faltered for a moment, and she whispered, "She's really beautiful."
But when she looked up, her expression was firm. "Miguel, you might never see her. Just forget it. It's not possible."
With a swish of her tail, Harley swam off towards the castle, leaving Miguel to his wistful thoughts. He stared after her, the locket clenched tightly in his fist, his heart as heavy as the anchors that littered the ocean floor.
Queen Adana lounged on her throne, her long, flowing hair rippling like seaweed in the gentle currents. Her friend, Rachel, swam closer, a tray of shimmering pearls and sea delicacies floating between them.
"So, Adana, what's on your mind?" Rachel asked, selecting a juicy sea grape.
Adana sighed, her expression troubled. "It's Miguel. He's found a locket with a human girl's picture, and now he's obsessed."
Rachel's eyes widened, and she laughed. "A human? Oh, Adana, that's adorable! But really, why a human? He could've settled for a mermaid – any of them would be perfect for him."
Adana nodded vigorously. "I know, right? Mermaids are beautiful, kind, and innocent. Humans, on the other hand... they've committed so many atrocities."
Rachel chuckled, her voice conspiratorial. "Exactly! So, what's the plan? You can't let him pine after some human."
Adana's expression turned calculating. "I think I need to take that locket away from him. Maybe if he's not reminded of her, he'll forget."
Rachel's eyes sparkled. "Brilliant! You should totally do that."
Adana's gaze drifted towards Harley, who was watching from the shadows. "I'll get Harley to bring it to me."
Rachel nodded, popping a pearl into her mouth. "Good plan. Let's get that locket and put this nonsense to rest."
Adana smiled, a plan forming in her mind. She'd get the locket, and Miguel would be free to find a lovely mermaid princess. The thought brought a satisfied smile to her face. "I'll take care of it."
Miguel's gaze was fixed on the locket, a dreamy smile playing on his lips. Harley swam up to him, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You never get tired of this locket, do ya?"
Miguel didn't respond, lost in the girl's radiant face. "She's such a radiant creature," he whispered.
Harley's expression turned sly. "Mom asked me to 'acquire' it. But seeing you like this... I think this is the only thing that makes you happy currently."
Miguel nodded, his eyes never leaving the locket. "Yeah, and I believe that someday, I'll find this locket girl."
Harley chuckled. "I never knew someone was willing to take a bold step for love. But if you want advice from your older sister, I think you should try... dying." She grinned mischievously. "Maybe when you die, I'll finally be free, and no one will disturb me."
Miguel laughed, his eyes cr crling at the corners. "If you weren't my sister, I would've been in love with you."
Harley rolled her eyes, a playful smile on her face.
"Oh, please. Like I ever wanna end up with a zigmo like you."
Miguel chuckled, tucking the locket away. "Hey, watch it, sis."
"Get out, cute idiot!" She yelled.
Miguel swam through the dark, winding tunnels of the ocean, the pressure growing with each stroke of his tail. Finally, he reached the wise one's lair, a dimly lit cave filled with ancient artifacts and shimmering treasures. Zegler, the wise one, watched him approach with ancient eyes.
"Oh wise one," Miguel said, his voice barely above a whisper. "How can you help me? There's a girl I really like, but she's human, and I can't get to her. Even if she doesn't like me back, I just want to give her the locket and see her in person."
Zegler's expression was unreadable. "That's a dangerous plan, boy. You can't just go to the surface. You're the only prince we've got. Your mother's gonna die if you get caught in a human's net."
Miguel's eyes pleaded. "I just want to see that girl. What will it cost?"
Zegler's voice was calm. "It's simple: just go up to the surface and risk it."
Miguel's face fell. "I can't. It's guarded with all mom's power. No one even goes close to it."
Zegler's lips curled into a hint of a smile. "There's actually something I can do. Just a little bit of it near the surface, and you can go. Just make sure no one is watching when you go up."
Miguel's eyes lit up. "Alright! When will you make it work?"
Zegler nodded. "Come back as soon as you can. It'll be ready before you know it."
Miguel's gratitude overflowed. "Thank you, wise one!"
Miguel followed Zegler to the surface, where the wise one sprinkled a shimmering powder on the boundary that blocked their path. The barrier dissipated, and Miguel's eyes widened as he gazed at the sky. "Thank you, wise one! I owe you!" he exclaimed, his voice barely above a whisper.
Zegler's expression was serious. "Good luck on getting your mystery girl! Please stay out of trouble! Come back when you notice boats or ships!"
Miguel swam towards the shore, mesmerized by the world above the waves. He dropped the locket on the sand and murmured some magical words he'd learned from his mother. The words spilled out without thought, and suddenly the ocean erupted in chaos.
The waves towered, crashing down on the mermaids, sending them tumbling in all directions. The underwater world spun, currents swirling wildly, as if the sea itself had come alive. Mermaids screamed, their voices muffled by the water, as they struggled to right themselves. Sea creatures were swept up in the turmoil, some thrown onto the shore, gasping for air.
Miguel's eyes widened in horror as he watched a sea turtle crash onto the beach, its flippers flapping wildly. He dove into the water, trying to save what he could, but it was too late. The turtle lay still, and Miguel's heart ached.
As he turned to help others, he saw the chaos he'd unleashed. The mermaids were in a frenzy, searching for him at Queen Adana's command. The queen herself was trying to calm the sea, her powers radiating outward in waves.
Miguel grabbed the locket and swam down, desperate to find Zegler and undo the damage. But the wise one was nowhere to be found. He swam through the chaos, dodging panicked fish and debris.
Just as all seemed lost, Queen Adana's voice boomed through the water, her power surging as she brought the ocean under control. The waves calmed, the currents slowed, and the mermaids gathered around her, their faces worried.
Miguel knew he was in trouble. He swam back to the castle, his heart heavy with guilt, and his mind racing with thoughts of how to fix what he'd done.
Queen Adana's eyes blazed as she spotted Miguel, her voice trembling with relief and anger. "Come here! Where have you been? I'm so glad you're safe! Did someone say the Sara Spell?"
Lina and Cordelia exchanged curious glances, their voices barely above a whisper. "I wonder..."
Miguel's face fell, and he was tongue-tied.
Adana's expression turned stern. "Did you go to the surface?"
Miguel nodded, his voice barely audible. "I did it with the help of Zegler. I'm so sorry."
Adana's anger surged. "How could you?"
Miguel apologized sincerely, but Adana wasn't having it. "Do you know what you've caused?"
She snatched the locket from his hand and destroyed it. "If all the creatures in the sea died, then you and your dream girl will have the price to pay. Don't you dare go to the shore again. And don't mutter spells you don't know anything about."
Miguel's eyes dropped. "I thought I knew them. You said the Sara Spells were used to call out to a loved one."
Adana's face contorted in anger. "A dead loved one, Miguel! You were calling out to a dead person, and the seas were enraged. I used it to call unto my grandmother when I needed her spirit. Why are you calling her without needing her?"
Miguel's voice cracked. "I'm sorry, Mom. I promise I won't go up there again. Please don't be mad."
Adana's anger was interrupted by a strong presence. "Adana may not be mad, but I'll forever stay mad."
Yvonne, the sea witch, appeared, her eyes blazing with fury. "What is wrong with you, Sea Prince? You have killed my only child due to your carelessness."
Harley tried to intervene, but Yvonne cut her off with a venomous glance. "Shut up, you brat. What do you know?"
Harley's eyes dropped, and she fell silent.
Adana's voice trembled as she spoke. "I'm sorry, Yvonne. I sincerely apologize on Miguel's behalf. And about your daughter, I think I know a few spells—"
Yvonne's laughter was like a crack of thunder. "Oh, just shut up! You all know nothing! My daughter is gone, and it's your son's fault."
With a snap of her finger, a girl appeared underwater, transformed into a mermaid. The group gasped in unison as they took in the sight.
Miguel's eyes locked onto the girl's face, his voice barely a whisper. "Locket girl..."
Yvonne's smile was cold. "This is Sophia, my new daughter. She must be your locket girl."
Miguel nodded, still in shock, his eyes never leaving Sophia's spellbound face.
Yvonne's expression turned icy. "You'll have to forget about her. You're not allowed to see her in private until I tell you to, because she's mine!"
Miguel's desperation boiled over. "No! Free her!"
Yvonne growled, her voice like a storm. "Shut up! Swim around in the sea and search for someone else that suits you! Without your true love, you'll remain miserable forever!"
With a flick of her wrist, Yvonne cast a spell on Miguel and vanished.
The Sea Queen and her daughters exchanged perplexed glances, unsure of what to do next. The silence was oppressive, with only the sound of the ocean's gentle currents breaking the stillness.
Adana's voice was barely above a whisper. "Miguel...what have you done to this poor girl with your forbidden love?"