I love today’s theme ;;3;; And thank you very much to everyone who commented and gave feedback on this fic!! I think there’s about two or three more chapters~ I’ll either continue this fic throughout sormik week or make way for another multichap. Eh, who know //shrugs// PLEASE ENJOY!!!
[Part 1]
[Part 2]
Read on Ao3
Sorey ran through the town, apologizing to everyone he bumped into. Mikleo’s real name was so familiar. He’d read his mother’s book thousands of times but he still wasn’t sure if he was right.
“Sorey! Where are you going so fast?!”
Sorey turned at the last moment, “Rose! I was just um-… Some stuff!”
“Alisha’s here! Don’t you want to say hi? It’s not every day the princess comes for a visit.”
Before Sorey could politely decline, Alisha appeared from behind Rose, “Sorey! It’s been awhile.”
“Alisha!” Sorey was genuinely surprised, “What are you doing here?”
Alisha seemed a little uncomfortable trying to give him an answer so Sorey changed the topic, “Whatever it is, I’m sure Rose can help you out right?”
Rose gave a thumbs up, “You bet I can~ Dezel’s already waiting for you inside!”
“Oh, well then-” Alisha gave Sorey a polite bow, “-it was nice seeing you again, Sorey.”
“Same to you.”
Just as Alisha turned, Sorey felt a little light-headed. Then he heard a strange warped voice from an unknown source.
“Ho~? Aren’t you an interesting human?”
Sorey anxiously scanned his surroundings but it was futile. He couldn’t detect the owner of that voice.
“You can hear me, can’t you?”
Sorey’s eyes widened as he saw black smoke escape from Alisha’s back. The princess instantly fell forward, unconscious. Rose caught her just in time, “ALISHA!”
The black smoke materialized into a humanoid figure. It looked like a little girl. Sorey took a step back. She wasn’t an ordinary human. If anything, Sorey would compare her with Edna or Lailah. Besides, no one could see her except for Sorey.
The girl’s poker face maintained even as she charged towards Sorey. He didn’t have enough time to react but the girl was deflected by Mikleo’s barrier. She was thrown backwards and yet she still landed on her feet effortlessly.
That was when she smiled, “You really are interesting~”
Sorey readied his blade from his belt. It should work against her since Mikleo gave it to him to kill mystical creatures. But before she could charge again, time stopped. That was all it took for Sorey to know who had flown in from the skies.
“Edna…!”
Edna stood in front of Sorey and folded her wings, “You really have a knack for us creatures, don’t you, Sorey?”
“I guess?”
The girl’s chuckle gained their attention, “You’re a peculiar human. I’ll leave you alone for now but this-“ she dangled the Bulion Cave glove and bracelet Sorey had previously kept in his back pocket, “-stays with me.”
“Give that back!” Sorey charged for her but Edna held him back.
“It’s not worth it.” Edna whispered harshly.
The girl dissipated into smoke and disappeared from sight.
Sorey glared at where she stood, “What was she?”
“A witch.” Edna glanced at Alisha, “She was residing in that human, corrupting her from the inside. She was close to overtaking her body but she didn’t-“ Edna looked to Sorey, “-because of you.”
“Why me?”
Edna hit Sorey on the head.
“OW!”
“Your mother’s book. You learned everything about Meebo from it. What does it tell you about names?”
Sorey was reminded of his earlier purpose, “His name! I was going to check for Mikleo’s name because-…” His memories did not betray him about the details regarding names, “To know a creature’s name… is to own their mind and body.” Sorey clenched his fists, “It has so many names of so many beings. I didn’t know they were real. I thought my mom made them up. Mikleo never read that far so even he didn’t know. Edna, I need to burn that book.”
“I’ll go with you.” Edna offered, “Having a creatures name makes you an easy target. A name is not a word. It’s like a gold coin. Everyone will know you have it just by looking at you. And they’ll do whatever it takes to get it.”
“That’s why I need to ask you something.” Sorey took a deep breath, “Sirens were the ones who made humans forget about the mythical creatures right?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Can you erase those names from me? Mikleo’s too.”
Mikleo hummed a tune he once heard the whales sing to their children. He swam with ease and grace as the aquatic creatures gave him their greetings. He was, in every form of the word, happy. And the ocean reflected it. He could feel it and all the beings inside it.
His home was safe. And so was his beloved person. The natural energy from the sea gave Mikleo immense power, enough to protect Sorey even when he wasn’t in the water. Protecting Sorey was like an instinct. Whenever Sorey was not in hindsight, Mikleo would enhance his barrier around Sorey.
Once he reached his domain, his grandfather was waiting for him, “Mikleo.”
“Yes?”
“There’s something I must discuss with you.”
Mikleo nervously swam up to him and then stilled, ready to listen.
Before Zenrus spoke, he lifted his hands to see how someone else had placed Mikleo’s tiara in such a way that Mikleo probably preferred.
“He knows you well.”
“He?”
“That human you rushed to as soon as the ceremony was over.”
Mikleo’s eyes widened and he froze in both fear and anguish, “…how did you-.. I-… Gramps, I’m-..” Mikleo silenced himself for his grandfather’s scolding.
“Humans are dangerous because they can deceit you, misuse your trust, and betray you as easily as they befriended you. I have told you many times to stay away from them. But your stubbornness knows no boundaries.”
Mikleo looked away, not wanting to categorize Sorey in the way the mer people perceive humans.
At the look of sadness in Mikleo’s eyes, Zenrus smiled, “Neither does friendship. I have been in these waters for a long time, Mikleo. Did you really think you could meet a human without me allowing it? That boy... he is an exception.”
Mikleo’s eyes lit up and he turned to face his grandfather, “What are you saying…?”
“Your judgement on all beings is second to none. If you trust him, then so shall I. And all our people. That boy will be under all our care.”
Zenrus was taken aback when Mikleo hugged him as tightly as he used to when he was still young.
“Thank you…”
It was all at peace until suddenly, Mikleo felt a painful tug at his abdomen. He pushed himself away from his grandfather and touched his chest, “Something happened to Sorey.” He looked up towards the surface and back to his grandfather, “And Lailah is here.”
“I will attend to her.” Zenrus nodded.
Mikleo understood that that was permission for him to check on Sorey. Although it was almost sundown, Mikleo had to see him one way or another. The hit felt different from when Edna strike at him. This strike was intentionally malevolent.
At shore, Mikleo had two choices; he could either leave the ocean or request assistance from other worldly beings.
The first choice was out of the question unless he wanted to be cursed for life. So, he was left with option number two.
“AY! It’s the mermaid boy!”
Mikleo turned to see a being he did not recognize sitting on the sand under a nearby tree. He resembled the humans but he definitely wasn’t one. The creature approached Mikleo casually.
“What did you say? Do you know me? Do I know you?”
“Oops, sorry I don’t speak fish.”
Mikleo understood the waving of his hands and defensive pose. He urged the creature closer and took his hands.
“Woah! What you doin’?”
Mikleo breathed in the air and concentrated his energy. The gem in his tiara glowed and the flow of energy created gusts of winds around them.
“That is cool.”
“Indeed it is.” Mikleo spoke in his mother tongue but he knew the creature heard it in a different language.
“DID YOU JUST- HOW?”
“I am a representative of the ocean. It would be ridiculous if language became a barrier. You are hearing my words in a language that you understand. The same goes for me. I would like to ask you a favour.”
“Sure. Does it have something to do with Sorey?”
“You know him?” Mikleo asked, alarmed.
“Yeah, Edna followed him. Lailah went to see someone. They asked me to keep watch even though I’m a very busy human.”
Mikleo sighed in relief, “Edna’s with him…”
“Why? There’s so much shit happening all of a sudden.”
“He is…. Gifted. I just want to protect him. We took an oath to protect each other no matter what.”
“…I kinda get that, I guess. Look, I’ll go get him. Name’s Zaveid by the way.”
“Mikleo.”
“Yeah I know.” Zaveid got up and smiled at Mikleo, “Be right back.”
Rose helped carry Alisha to a nearby couch, “What happened..? Sorey, you-“ she turned around but Sorey was nowhere to be seen.
Dezel came from the back of the shop, “I don’t feel anything around her.”
Rose nodded as she held Alisha’s hand, “Me neither. It’s like the spirit left her body.”
Dezel faced the open door of their shop, “Was Sorey here?”
“Yeah, how’d you know?”
“I smelled the ocean. But then it changed.”
Rose frowned, “What do you mean changed? Sorey?”
“He smelled like ash.”
Realization hit Rose hard, “Like Alisha did...” Rose frantically got up and packed a few weapons with her, “The spirit moved bodies. It’s with Sorey! Dezel, I’m going after him.”
“I’m going as well.” Suddenly spoke Alisha.
“Alisha! How do you feel?”
“I feel fine and I heard what you said. That it’s with Sorey. I can’t believe I let that happen. We must find him.”
Dezel walked outside and turned to the trail of ash, “He went home.”
Sorey slammed open the door to his home and hastily looked for the book. He could’ve sworn he left it on the table.
Meanwhile, Edna looked around the gloomy house. It was obvious that Sorey lived alone. Edna wondered why she never followed him home before. She understood him better then. In a way, he was similar to Mikleo. No matter what they had or what lives they lived, they were still each other’s everything. It reassured her of Sorey’s purity.
Edna even cracked up a smile when she found cute drawings of Mikleo and Sorey. She recognized a few of the drawn scenes. After all, she had watched over them for years.
“Hey that’s private!” Sorey shouted over his shoulder, “And I found the book.”
“Good, just burn-“ Edna turned and her face was instantly filled with dread, “Sorey, when did you get them back?”
Sorey looked behind him where Edna was pointing at. He was shocked to see that the glove and bracelet were visibly hanging out from his back pocket. Sorey didn’t think things through when he reached for it.
Even Edna couldn’t stop him, “SOREY DON’T!”
The black smoke from the witch engulfed Sorey in a blink of an eye, transporting him to where she was waiting. Witches could not touch their victims unless through a medium. She had taken the gloves from him and used it against him. Not even Mikleo’s barrier had deflected her presence since it was not direct contact.
Edna was left stunned until Rose came with Dezel and Alisha.
“He’s not here!”
Dezel was blind but he turned to Edna directly, “He was taken.”
Alisha looked troubled, “What do you mean taken?!”
Rose paced around, “Like that time you found yourself in a ruin and didn’t remember how you got there. I can’t believe this is happening again. And to Sorey of all people!”
Edna quickly grabbed the book on the table and left the human party. If the witch was in control of Sorey, she would be able to see into his memories. When Edna ran outside and towards the shore, she met with Zaveid.
“Yo! Where’s the Sorey kid?”
“What are you doing here?! I told you to keep watch!”
“Mikleo wanted me to get Sorey.”
If Edna had a heart, she’d feel it drop, “Mikleo’s here? And you left him…?”
“Yeah! He’s a big boy, he can take care of himself.” Zaveid read the dread on Edna’s face, “Wait, did something actually happen?”
“We have to go. Now.”
Mikleo waited on the sand bed with the sea water gushing at his waist. The tide was growing with his anxiousness. Something was wrong. He could feel it. He wanted to see Sorey’s smile and to know he was alright. He stared at the sand and waited to hear incoming footsteps to the shore. Instead, he heard something else.
“….Mikleo!....”
Mikleo turned back to the ocean, “…Sorey?”
“Mikleo, over here!”
The prince moved cautiously into the water and started swimming slowly, “Sorey, is that you?”
“Come, Luzrov Rulay. Come here.”
Mikleo’s eyes became clouded as he dived into the ocean and swam without conscious. He felt as though he was being wrapped by vines and they were pulling him against his will. He couldn’t control his actions. He swam with great speed, taking him farther and farther from the shore.
“Just a little closer, Mikleo!”
Deep down, Mikleo wanted to deny Sorey’s voice. Sorey would never do this to him. Not even for fun.
…Would he?
Mikleo tried to focus the energy from the ocean and he concentrated it to his mind. He needed to stay awake. If he let himself slip, he would never gain control of his body until his captor released him.
When he emerged from the surface of the water, he saw Sorey waiting for him on the rocks above the Bulion Cave.
“Yo, Mikleo!”
Mikleo knew something was wrong but nothing on Sorey’s face gave it away, “Sorey, what are you doing out here? How did you even get this far out without a boat?”
“Edna flew me here~”
“Where is she now?”
Sorey shrugged, “Don’t know. She just dropped me here. Maybe she wanted you to rescue me…?” Sorey’s laughter was almost too good to hear.
Mikleo was confused. Was Sorey really just fine?
“You used my real name.”
“Well yeah, how else would I get here? It’s not like you can hear me from the shore.”
“Calling my nickname would suffice. You know that.” Mikleo’s eyes glared at Sorey, “And how would you know I was at the shore anyway?”
“Why don’t you come up here and sit next to me, Luzrov Rulay? I’ll tell you all about how I got here~ No hard feelings, Mikleo! Your name is really cool to use!”
Mikleo gulped. The vines around him seemed to thicken. He couldn’t fight back Sorey’s commands. Mikleo heaved himself over the rocks and sat beside his so-called best friend.
“Sorey… Please stop using my real name. I can’t move freely.”
“Good! That makes all of this so much easier!” Sorey took out a sharp carved blade from his back, “Don’t move Luzrov Rulay!” Sorey smiled cheerfully.
Mikleo started shaking in fear of who he was talking to, “…Sorey…. Please… What’s wrong with you?!”
He knew that blade. It was the ancient blade they had found two years ago. A blade kept hidden deep in a lost cave. A blade that was enchanted to kill all mystical creature it stabbed. Mikleo gifted it to Sorey to protect himself, not to use it to kill him.
Sorey held Mikleo by the shoulder and braced him for the final blow. Mikleo closed his eyes and waited hopelessly for the painful stab. But it never came.
“..get away…Mikleo.. She’s-..” Sorey groaned as his back sprouted mysterious black smoke.
Mikleo’s anger took affect instantly. He knew how to deal with witches. He easily grabbed the smoke, watching as it materialized into what looked like a girl’s neck. There was a shrilled scream when Mikleo forcefully pulled the rest of the smoke out of Sorey.
The water around them shifted into giant waves and moved according to Mikleo’s desire. Sorey’s body weakly fell onto the rock as Mikleo dragged the witch as far away from him as possible. Mikleo maintained his position above the water thanks to the waves. He couldn’t drag the witch into the ocean as that would only give her a new exit.
So Mikleo held her by the neck, choking every living soul left in her while mid-air.
“How dare you use him against me.” Mikleo’s voice laced with pure rage. His tiara glowed as he prepared to vanquish her once and for all, “Purification. Begin.”
The witch struggled as her body started decomposing bit by bit from the purification spell of the prince. Even while in pain, she laughed and said, “That child’s body was amazing! He has no memories of that wretched book but I clawed and clawed inside him and your name was still there! After all that, he still pushed me out so he wouldn’t kill you!” She gave Mikleo a crooked smile, “But I made sure to leave something else in him for you, dear prince~ AHAHAHA!”
Time moved so slowly as the scene unfold. When Mikleo turned to the rocks, he saw the witch’s shadow holding Sorey’s weak body up by his neck. The shadow clasped the ancient blade’s handle in Sorey’s right hand. And then it forcefully dug the blade deep into Sorey’s own chest.
Sorey’s pained scream rang inside Mikleo’s ears.
From that moment, something in the ocean broke and dark clouds rolled in over raging waters.
