"Your real mother."
I stared at my grandmother.
The words didn't make sense.
"Marina?"
Grandma nodded.
"But you told me she died giving birth to me."
"She did."
"Then how can she be waiting for me?"
Grandma's expression became sad.
"Because death is different beneath the sea."
Shawshank stepped closer.
"She's alive?"
"Not exactly."
I frowned.
"Everyone keeps saying that."
Grandma gave a faint smile.
"Because Marina exists between life and death."
I looked at the golden key in my palm.
"Why didn't she come for me?"
"She tried."
"When?"
"Many times."
"Then why couldn't I see her?"
"Because your memories were sealed."
I touched my forehead.
"My memories?"
"Yes. The night you were born, your mother gave part of her soul to protect yours."
I swallowed.
"And Angela?"
"She became your mother on the surface."
My eyes filled with tears.
"She raised me."
"And loved you."
I looked down.
"I know."
Grandma reached for my hand.
"But there is something else."
"What?"
"The queen wants Marina's soul."
My heart stopped.
"Why?"
"Because Marina is the only one who can destroy her."
Shawshank frowned.
"Then why hasn't she?"
"Because she's trapped behind the gate."
I looked at the key.
"So I have to open it."
"Yes."
"And if I do?"
"You release Marina."
I breathed out slowly.
"That sounds simple."
Grandma's expression darkened.
"It isn't."
"Why?"
"Because opening the gate will also release everything that has been imprisoned with her."
A chill passed through me.
"What's imprisoned there?"
Grandma looked toward the dark horizon.
"Ancient creatures. Lost souls. Things even Azrael fears."
Shawshank took my hand.
"Then we don't open it."
Grandma looked at him.
"If she doesn't, Marina will remain trapped."
"And if she does?"
"She may unleash something worse."
I looked between them.
"So either way, someone gets hurt."
Grandma nodded.
"That is why the choice belongs to you."
The ship suddenly shook.
I grabbed Shawshank.
"What was that?"
Grandma looked toward the water.
"They found us."
"Who?"
"The queen."
A distant scream echoed across the ocean.
Then the sky turned black.
Grandma's expression changed.
"Bjei, you must leave."
"But you're coming with us."
She smiled.
"I can't."
"Why?"
"I belong to the ship now."
"No."
I grabbed her hand.
"I'm not leaving you again."
She touched my cheek.
"You already gave me the greatest gift."
"What?"
"You remembered me."
Tears filled my eyes.
"I don't want to lose you twice."
"You won't."
She looked at the golden key.
"Take it."
I closed my fingers around it.
"Where?"
"To the gate."
"How do I find it?"
Grandma looked at Shawshank.
"He knows the way."
Shawshank stared at her.
"I do?"
"You've been there before."
His face went pale.
"I don't remember."
"You will."
The ship shook again.
This time, something struck the side.
BOOM!
Grandma stepped backward.
"Go!"
I refused.
"Grandma!"
She smiled.
"Bjei, your life is waiting for you."
The deck beneath us began glowing.
A bright circle appeared around Shawshank and me.
"What is happening?"
"It's sending you back."
I reached for Grandma.
"Wait!"
She gave me one final smile.
"Find Marina."
Then the light swallowed us.
I felt myself falling.
Falling through darkness.
Then—
SPLASH!
I landed in the ocean.
Shawshank surfaced beside me.
I gasped for air.
"Where are we?"
He looked around.
His expression changed.
"We're beneath the kingdom."
I looked ahead.
A massive black structure stood in the distance.
The ancient gate.
The golden key in my hand began glowing.
Then I heard a woman's voice.
Soft.
Beautiful.
Heartbroken.
"Bjei… my child."
I froze.
"Marina?"
The voice answered.
"Open the gate."
Shawshank grabbed my arm.
"Don't."
I looked at the enormous gate.
Then at the key.
Something inside me whispered that my mother was waiting on the other side.
I stepped closer.
The key began floating from my hand.
The gate started opening by itself.
And from the darkness behind it, a woman's silhouette appeared.
She looked exactly like me.
Then she whispered:
"I've waited eighteen years to hold you."