Annabelle drifted closer to the shimmering wall of the magic dome, its surface glowing faintly like liquid glass. She picked up a stone and hurled it against the barrier. Clink. The stone bounced back, useless.
Her eyes narrowed. Raising the Reverse Weapon in trident form, she poked the wall. To her surprise, the prongs slipped through as though the barrier wasn't there at all. A knowing smile tugged at her lips.
"Looks like you're the key after all," she whispered.
The trident pulsed in her hand, glowing brighter. In a flash, it glowed brightly and transformed into a long silver sword blazing with blue fire. Annabelle gripped it tightly and, with one clean vertical swing, sliced the barrier from top to bottom.
The wall split like butter under the blade, parting silently before sealing shut behind her after she swam through.
Inside the dome, Kristina stirred. She had been lying on a cold stone ledge when a sudden warmth stirred in her chest. Her pulse quickened. She inhaled the new scent and gasped.
"Mother? Mum..."
Rising to her feet...I mean tail, she swam toward the wall, her instincts pulling her closer.
Meanwhile, Annabelle kept low, careful not to attract attention. But as she rounded a ridge, a group of black-tailed mermaids spotted her.
"What—? A blue-tailed mermaid? In here?" one of them gasped.
Before they could react, Annabelle opened a small pouch, scattering whitish powder into the water. The cloud enveloped them, and in seconds their eyes glazed over. They turned away like zombies, drifting back into the shadows.
Annabelle exhaled and turned—only to freeze.
"Mother? Is that… you?" A girls voice screamed in joy.
Her chest tightened. She knew that voice.
"Kristinaaa!" Annabelle cried, rushing forward.
They collided in a desperate embrace, arms tangled, tears vanishing into the saltwater.
"I've come to get you out of this hellhole," Annabelle whispered, stroking her daughter's hair.
Kristina clung tighter, overwhelmed with joy. "How did you even get here?"
Annabelle held up the blazing silver sword as it shrank into a gleaming wand. "With this." She tapped her own blue tail, and before Kristina's eyes, it shimmered into deep purple.
Kristina's jaw dropped. "Your tail—! But how?"
Annabelle smiled faintly. "It's called the Reverse Weapon. Very mystical."
Kristina blinked in awe. "Then… where's Celestine?"
Annabelle's face clouded. She explained quickly what had become of her eldest daughter, and where she was now.
Kristina's eyes widened. "An outcast?We have to save her mother."
"I know," Annabelle nodded. She pressed the wand into Kristina's hands, and it reshaped itself into a glowing necklace. "That's why I came for you. And with this, everything is possible."
Kristina held the necklace close. "It's so beautiful."
"Crafted by the Godmother herself," Annabelle said softly.
Kristina gasped. "Goddess Alora? The Mother of Ocean Magic?"
"Yes," Annabelle confirmed. "She's the one helping us bend the rules."
Kristina looked at her mother in wonder.
"So, Tina," Annabelle asked gently, "how badly do you want to see your sister again? Do you want to stay here… or are you ready for some adventure in the land?"
"I'll do anything for my sister Celestine."
"Good. Then you lifetime sentence here is over daughter." Her mother said smirking at her.
Kristina smiled through her tears and hugged her mother fiercely. "I knew you'd come for me, Mum. You're the best in the entire ocean."
Before Annabelle could answer, the seafloor rumbled. A deep trumpet blast echoed through the dome. They spun around—only to find themselves surrounded by white-tailed mermen armed with spears, shields, and jagged clubs.
"Stay where you are. DON'T MOVE!" One of them shouted.
"Oh no," Kristina whispered. "The guards—they've seen through your disguise!"
Annabelle straightened, her eyes sharp. "Tina, listen to me. Go to the wall. Get out while you still can. I'll hold them off."
Kristina shook her head fiercely. "No, Mum. I'm not leaving without you."
The two locked eyes as the circle of guards tightened around them.
*************************
Far away, deep within a cavern carved by ancient tides, Poseidon sat bare-chested upon a throne of violet coral, glass with a blue drink in hand,watching the scene unfold within a swirling mirror of water. His jaw tightened.
"I will not put up with such disorder," he growled, slamming the glass chalice so hard it shattered into mist. Rising, he seized his massive golden trident.
In a blink, his light-blue, octopus-like tail whipped in a spiraling thrust, propelling him forward at sonic speed. His long blonde-brown hair streamed behind him like a banner of war as he shot out of the cave—straight toward Magic Dome K61.
TO BE CONTINUED....