The sun dipped behind the tall buildings as Celestine and Luke walked side by side down the busy street. Cars rolled past with lazy hums, and the chatter of residents drifted through the cool evening air.
Luke adjusted the strap of his backpack and glanced at her.
"So… will you be busy this weekend?"
Celestine tilted her head, a sly grin forming.
"Why? Are you asking me out on a date?"
Luke chuckled, shaking his head quickly.
"No. Nothing like that."
She clutched her schoolbag tighter on her shoulders, her eyes softening.
"Well,I'm a bit lonely though," she admitted quietly.
Luke looked at her, surprised, then smiled faintly.
"Me too."
For a moment, silence stretched between them, only the city sounds filling the gap.
"How about you come to my place?" Luke offered, his tone casual but hopeful.
Celestine thought about it, her lips pursed. Finally, she gave a small nod.
"I'll think about it," she said, stealing a quick glance at him.
"Fair enough. If your parents are okay with it, here's my card." Luke stopped, fishing a small white card from his pocket. Neat words and numbers in blue ink were on it.
4th Street. House 686. +12398765
She took it carefully, staring at the letters as if they held more weight than they should.
"See you next time, and take care," Luke said with a smile.
"You too." Celestine replied, her voice softer than she intended.
Luke waved once before heading off, disappearing into the crowd. Celestine watched him until he turned a corner.
"Should you really be staring at him that way?"
Celestine's head jerked up. Perched on the streetlight above her was a seagull, its beady eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Raho," Celestine sighed, rolling her eyes. "Don't start."
The bird cocked its head, its girlish voice echoing inside Celestine's mind.
"Don't start? You practically melted when he smiled."
"Let's just go home." Celestine muttered, tucking the card into her pocket and heading down the street.
"Home? Don't you mean that abandoned thieves' lair you sleep in?" the seagull teased, flapping above her.
Celestine ignored her.
----
High above, on the rooftop of a tall building, two figures crouched in the shadows.
Ruksy's arms were crossed, her crimson eyes narrowed on the girl below.
"That seagull doesn't sound ordinary to me."
Rockie leaned forward, his enhanced vision following every step.
"Neither does she. Should we follow her?"
Ruksy shook her head.
"Nah. Not necessary.For now… we hunt for supper."
Rockie smirked.
"Hunt for? Don't you mean 'steal,' like always?"
"Whatever."
*******************************
Delayed scene: Klara VS Annabelle
Klara raised her blazing spear and hurled it through the dark water. Annabelle twisted aside, the weapon piercing deep into the oceanbed.
Klara didn't pause—she unsheathed her sword and darted forward,her orange tail flashing like fire.
Annabelle drew her own blade and met her head-on. Steel clashed against steel, sparks bursting underwater in a shower of bubbles. The two mermaids slashed and spun, each blow shaking the water around them.
"Your daughter is already in danger," Klara sneered between strikes.
Annabelle's heart froze.
"What did you say—?"
Klara used her hesitation, knocking the sword from Annabelle's grip with a sharp twist. She spun, her massive tail whipping Annabelle with crushing force.
The Captain slammed into a jagged stone pillar, her body aching. She reached out and grabbed Klara's abandoned spear, flinging it back in desperation.
Klara dodged easily and shot forward, sword raised.
Annabelle inhaled sharply, unleashing her piercing sonic scream. The water trembled, waves rippling like thunder.
But Klara's body flared with an orange bubble shield. She cut through the force, unharmed.
Annabelle gasped as Klara's hand shot forward, gripping her throat and silencing her.
"Your scream has no power over me," Klara hissed, slamming her into the pillar again. "Your daughter is already an outcast, Captain. And you can't change that."
"How… how do you know that?" Annabelle choked out.
Klara's gaze hardened.
"I know everything. I need you leading your army in the coming battletides against the Paclings. Forget about Celestine. Give birth to another daughter and stop clinging to the lost one. Don't you have another that is cursed still?"
She snatched up her spear and vanished into the depths, leaving Annabelle bruised and reeling.
The Captain drifted weakly, her heart heavy. But then—something glittered.
From the distance, a massive turtle swam gracefully toward her, its shell shimmering with every color of the sea. Annabelle's eyes widened.
"No… that's not possible. Wait—"
The turtle transformed into a multicoloured dolphin, releasing a sharp, excited call. Then, in a burst of radiant light, the dolphin vanished.
Annabelle shielded her eyes. When she lowered her hands, awe struck her.
Before her floated a towering golden-tailed mermaid. Her long white hair flowed like waves of moonlight, a jeweled crown gleaming upon her brow. In her hand she held a golden wand crowned with a glowing blue orb. Her seaweed brassier shimmered like woven gold.
Annabelle's voice shook.
"Goddess Alora…? Is it really you?"
The majestic mermaid smiled, her presence filling the ocean like sunlight.
"Yes, child. It's me. Come—I'll show you what happened to your daughter. And how we will save her."
Annabelle bowed deeply, tears stinging her eyes.
"Yes, Godmother."
The golden mermaid turned, her tail blazing with light as she swam upward. Annabelle followed, hope rekindled in her chest.
TO BE CONTINUED...