Fabian's Fables

Chapter 4

The first thing that the boys felt was wet. Wet everywhere. They opened their eyes and realised that they’re no longer standing on dry, solid ground. They gasped and held their noses, only to find they could breathe underwater. They relaxed.

“Hey! I can breathe,” Charlie announced. “And I can talk underwater, too. Can you hear me, Fabian?”

“Loud and clear,” came the reply. “This is magical water than humans can breathe in.”

“Humans? So you mean there are good, peaceful who live underwater in this universe?”

“No. Mermaids who can breathe fire like dragons do. They can do magic and spells. Since learning of people who cannot swim and drown in water, they put a spell on ALL waters so that people can breathe in it. They don’t like watching people die. The mermaids are good creatures, unlike the Knobbs.”

“Fire-breathing mermaids underwater? Cool,” Charlie cooed.

“Yeah. They put on shows for visitors featuring many tricks with their abilities. They’re really cool.”

The boys swim to the center of the body of water. There, among lots of merfolk and various funny-shaped aquatic creatures, they saw a beautiful palace made out of colourful precious stones like Jade, Turquoise, Aquamarine, Sapphire and Emerald. They both stared and gawked and the magnificent shimmering structure, while the mermaids guarding the entrance greeted them cordially.

“Hello, humans. You’re looking at Aqua Palace, the center of the Enchanted Land of Merfolks. Would you like a visit inside?”

“Um, ok,” Fabian shyly responded, and he and Charlie followed the guards inside.

“We shall take you to the Throne Room first, where you can meet our king and queen.”

Charlie leaned in closer to Fabian. “Hey, don’t you think it’s weird that these mermaids can see us while the Knobbs couldn’t?”

“Well, I only put protection on us if we’re entering a dangerous world. The Knobbs are nasty creatures. Better if they can’t see us. These mermaids are nice, so it’s alright if they can. We don’t have to hide from them.”

“I see. Who are the mermaids inspired by?”

“All the nice people in my life, like you.”

Charlie smiled. He wondered if the king of the Merfolk would by any chance look like him.

They entered the Throne Room, and to his pleasant surprise, he does.

“Ah, welcome, welcome, my human visitors. You.” The king pointed at Fabian. “You must be the one who created our world. Aren’t you?”

“Yes, that’s me, Your Majesty,” Fabian glowed.

“Ah,thank you so much, dear human. We merfolks are a grateful species, and there’s nothing we can do to thank you enough to bring us and our world to life.”

“Awww, that’s nothing,” the writer blushed. “I’m just a fantasy author doing my thing.”

“Hmmm. How about you stay for a while at my palace? We’ll make it an experience you and your friend will never forget,” the king offered after whispering with the queen for a while.

“R-really? For just me and Charlie? F-for how long?”

“For as long as you like, O Brilliant Creator.”

Fabian and Charlie looked at each other. Wide smiles formed on their faces. Then they looked back at the royal couple and nodded enthusiastically.

“Fantastic!” The king snapped his fingers. “Gather my men around,” he ordered. “We are going to make our guests feel right at home.”