The Merqueen

CHAPTER TWO

Kate swam closer to him staring at him,she was afraid she would harm him but she knew in her heart she was going to protect him no matter what she become. She didn't know why she felt that way but it was true. Seeing his brows creased as he concentrate on the map. Her vision kept on replaying in her head. Will she be the one to stop the war or create it.She didn't realize he stopped walking.

"Why did you stop?" Confused,she looked around.

A rumbling sound was heard from the direction they were heading.

"Wait here" he said.

Alex moved to check the place,moving so fast,he scanned the area making sure there was no harm.

.....

Morgan swam towards Kate.

"Are we going to survive it?" He whispered.

"That is an awkward way of starting a conversation" Kate turned to him smiling. She knew he was cautious of her but she needed him on her side.

" We will survive it", turning,she wasn't sure either but she believed they could do it.

"I don't trust you"Morgan said.

"I know....",she smiled. Hesitating for a beat.

she confessed, " I don't trust myself too".

Puzzled, Morgan stared at her. What a strange woman, he thought. He must keep an eye on her. As Alex mate,he has no right to question her but he must do what is best for his friend, to keep him safe even if it is from his mate

Alexander

He moved closer to the sound, hiding behind a rock,Scanning the part of the ocean cautiously. He left his mate with Morgan,he hope they are okay. Hearing the sound of laughter, he curiously peeped behind the rock,he saw a dolphin, but there was something strange about the fish.

Making a small ball of fire, he swam quietly towards them but one of the dolphin turned to stare at him. He knew it!, It wasn't a normal dolphin,it has a wide mouth with sharp teeth like that of a shark.

"I knew you were there" one of the dolphin said.

Smiling,she shape shifted into a mermaid,a trickster dolphin.one of the ugliest creature in the ocean.

He was scared not for himself but his mate and friend, Morgan was not strong enough to defend both him and his mate so he knew he had to protect them. Ready for battle,he waited for them to attack but none of them moved.

"What do you want?" He voiced out. Creating a weapon from his body,a power the merfolk have was their soul weapon. When chosen,the weapon becomes part of them,guiding them in a battle field.

"You know why we are here"

He knew it was because of Kate but he won't let go because of a fight.

"How did you know about the girl" he asked not showing any sign of fear,they smell fear.

If they are aware then it is no longer a secret but how are they aware?. He anxiously waited for the answer he knew he won't. He wondered if everything is going well in his kingdom. Ava would inform him using her powers to contact him.

" We felt it, my queen asked for her"

moving closer to him,her claws elongated and her spines protruded becoming razor like, black liquid dripping from her claw and he knew immediately,it was Poison

"What the queen wants,she gets" she cried.

Raising her hand to claw his face, Alex narrowly missed it, releasing fire at her, she weaved through it. Hitting him with her tail. Alex stumbled. He raised his hand to his chin feeling blood from the cut she gave him. He spat.

He eyed her claw as he attacked making sure he doesn't get poisoned. He had to end this. Taking full control of his power, he wielded his power surrounding himself with it. His sword was coated with fire.

Moving at a lightening speed, he slashed her with the sword,grabbing her neck, he broke her claws. She wiggled trying to escape from him. He smashed her on a rock continuously tearing her spines out. She screamed in pain,she continued attacking him refusing to give up. She must get the girl.

Katherine

"What was that sound" Morgan asked. She listened trying to find the source,her eyes widened when she realized Alex is in danger. She swam towards the direction but Morgan held her back.

" Let me go, Alex is in danger,I can feel it" she begged.

"Alex can handle himself" he assured her,she wasn't buying it, she can't bear it if he gets hurt.

She needed to help him. Ignoring Morgan warning, she swam towards the direction of the sound. Investigating the sound, she found Alex in the middle of a fight. Rushing to help him,she screamed.

"Watch out Alex" she pointed.

Alex turned getting distracted,the dolphin seized the opportunity to tear into his skin. Alex slit her throat clutching his hand as the poison spread through him, he stumbled. The other dolphin escaped,Morgan tried to catch up with it but it was very fast.

Kate held unto him panicking, she should have stayed with Morgan.

"Oh my God, this is all my fault, I shouldn't have come here, I shouldn't" she sniffed.

"Alex, Alex look at me. Please" she cried

Alex laid in her arms, he could feel his powers weakening. He had to stay strong. Groaning, he struggled up.

" We have to get going"he grunted. He lean on his sword,the poison was spreading faster than he imagined weakening him.

"You", Morgan fumed.

He held her hand tightly,he hated her,she was the reason Alex was poisoned.

"You should have stayed with me, you are the reason he was distracted." He shouted

" Morgan", Alex warned

"She is a Neryana right? Then she should be able to heal you" he said with so much disgust. He shouldn't have let her leave. She was a danger to them, a danger he must get rid of. He sneered at her

" I can't", she whispered.

"What did you say?" Morgan asked

"I said I can't" she spoke much louder.

" I don't know who I am, how do you expect me to heal him" she cried rubbing her sore hand.

" Then try,try to do it" Morgan shouted.

Kate trembled at his words, she look at him with her eyes glimmering with tears.

" No" she can't do it,she was terrified.

" Do you want him to die? He can't survive with the venom in his blood" he tried again but to no avail.

" That is enough" Alex roared.

"Let us go" he said leading the way.

Kate eyed Morgan wearily before swimming towards Alex supporting him as they swam together.

Meanwhile.....

The other dolphin swam as fast as she could. She shape shifted as she neared her kingdom.

" I demand to see the Queen" she said with her chin raised. She swam into the queen's chamber .

"This better be good "the queen said checking herself in the mirror. She touched her chin, checking for wrinkles, feeling satisfied.

When she heard no reply, she turned.

"What news do you bring and where is the girl?" She demanded.

" Your majestyyyyy" she stammered thinking of how to lay the news.

" She wasn't alone", she stuttered. Lowering her head not daring to look up.

"So you failed" she said dryly, checking her nails.

" Where is anna?" the queen asked looking into her eyes.

" She is dead my queen " she replied trembling as she bowed.

"She was killed in the fight my queen" she trembled.

" Then you should know what happens to people that fail to do a simple mission?", She smiled picking her nails.

Getting bored of their conversation.

Raising her hands,she created a small knife twirling it around her finger, she released it controlling it with her hands,she pierced the dolphin's heart.

"They die" laughing she licked her fingers stained with blood watching the body slumped.

" Guards, clean up the mess" she called. The guards entered scrambling to get the body out.

"This is getting interesting" chuckling, she exited the chamber.

Katherine

She panted heavily helping Alex steady himself. The poison was spreading deep into his body. She prayed he survived it. They moved farther into the ocean. Alex groaned, he couldn't continue the journey. He was slowly dying. Morgan laid his head on his lap. He felt so weak that he couldn't do anything for his friend.

Alex was turning pale,he would die anytime soon.

"Anyone out there?" She shouted

"Help" she cried. Falling miserably, she cried.

Noticing a shadow, she snapped her head towards it. Morgan drew his weapon ready to attack.

"I mean no harm" a mermaid approached,her hand up in the water.

" I am a healer, let me heal him" she requested.

" Expect me to believe you?" Morgan asked raising his sword to her chin.

" If you continue to doubt me, he would die because of you refusing to believe me" she tilted her head knowing she put him in a tight spot.

"Do something,he is dying" Kate pleaded.

Morgan lowered his swording,moving aside to let her through.

Checking his pulse and injury

" We have to get him to my home,I can only slow down the poison" she search her bag for some leaves, rubbing them in her hands, she applied it on his wound

"My mother is a great healer, she will heal him" she said

Morgan carried Alex, they followed the girl to her house.

"What is your name?" Kate asked the girl

"Selena" she answered adjusting her bag..

" Are we heading to Niryana?" Kate asked.

" Almost, we live on the outskirts of Niryana", she swam towards a small opening ,ringing a small bell, the opening of a cave came into view .

" Come on" , she signalled to them .

Kate looked over her shoulder to see if anything wants to attack them. Morgan pushed her lightly helping his friend in as well.

" This is the outskirts of Niryana,so we are prone to many attacks. We do this to protect ourselves",she explained.

"Why do you live here?" Kate asked.

" My mother is a powerful healer, the people adores her but the queen hated her, she wanted her dead so we had to flee to protect ourselves" .

Selena knocked the rock in a funny way that seems like a code. A small head showed smiling through the small hole.

"Selena", he grinned widely bouncing on his tail.

"Open up" ,she commanded making the little boy pout. He rolled the stone away from the opening.

Seeing the people behind her, the boy scorned to show weakness even though he was curious.

Selena noticed his change of behavior, she smiled rubbing his head.

"They are my guests" , she pinched his little chubby cheeks.

" Hello " Kate waved at him. The little boy hid behind his sister.

"We have no time for this, where is your mother?" Morgan impatiently asked.

" Lay him on the rock over there,I will get my mother", Selena swam into another cave opening.

She came back with an older mermaid.

" Let me see him",she demanded.

Moving closer to where he laid, she held his hands closing her eyes. She mumbled some words .

"He needs the healing plant ", she signed

"Where can we get that?",Kate asked worried he might die.

" I don't have it here with me, but I know where you can find it", she said.

"Where?" Kate asked determined to go even if it was a dangerous mission. She will save him.

"In the lonely sea, there is a sea witch who lives there, but you will have to face many obstacles and also find your answers", she explained.

"Are you still ready to go?" She asked.

The more she thought about it,the more she was afraid. She wasn't sure she could survive it but she has to find the healing plant.

" I will go", Morgan said looking at her, she was a coward,he thought. She was the cause of all this. He will do it for his friend..

"You can't", the woman said smiling.

" Why can't I ?" He questioned her.

" It has to be his mate" , she replied.

" What if he doesn't have mate,it would have been better if he doesn't", Morgan said gruffly.

"He has now,you shouldn't have any problem with that. Or do you?" She question.

" No",he replied.

"I will go", Kate said trying to ease the tension. She was to be blamed for everything that happened and now, she needed to do what was right,saving him.

" Great!", The woman exclaimed rubbing her hands together, her hands began to glow as a small necklace was formed. She handed it to Katherine

" When you get there, this will make the witch recognize you, she will know you were sent by me", she explained.

" Okay", she breathes

Kate move close to where Alex laid, she touched his forehead giving it a light feathering kiss.

"I will be back", determined,she turned to leave

"Wait", Selena called handing her a small bag

"You will need this,it is a survival kit", she smiled

"Thank you", Kate whispered. She felt like crying but she has to stay strong.

"You can do it", Selena encourage her pulling her for a hug

"I can?", She asked clutching Selena as she felt a drop of tears on her cheek.

"I don't know you but I believe you", she smiled.

"Thank you", she sniffed.

"I won't let you down", she said looking at them .

She left the cave.

........

Following the compass with her, she navigated the ocean keeping her eyes open for any strange movement. She kept in praying and been watchful. She has a long way to go

After swimming for hours,she decided to rest. She laid on a big rock curling around it, she made sure her bag and map are safe underneath her.

....

" Katherine"

" Katherine",a distant voice called out to her.

She opened her eyes, her ears twitch as she heard her name been called. She swam following the source of the sound.

"Show yourself", Katherine shouted. Turning around hoping to find the person calling her.

"Katherine", the voice called again.

"Turn around".

Katherine turned. She saw her doppelganger with blood dripping from her mouth ,A long metal chain curled up her hands. Grinning wickedly,she pointed her finger at Kate laughing hard with more blood dripping from her making her look scary. Katherine screamed.

....

She jolted up sweating profusely. It was just a dream, she thought. But it felt so real

She shouldn't waste more time. She packed her bags and continued the journey.

...........

In the cave..

Selena handed the grounded herbs to her mother watching her apply it to Alex's injuries.

She signed as she sat beside him.

" Do you think she would make it?" ,She asked her mother.

"Thought you believed in her", she scoff.

"I do, I actually do but....", She inhaled.

"There is no reason to doubt her, she will find her way as well as herself",she replied.

"Where is the other man?" She asked.

"I don't know and I don't care", she huffed.

Turning slightly,she stared at Morgan as he rubbed Alex's body with sea plant.

"I see you don't care", her mother said smiling. She pluck some leaves crumbling them before adding them to the mixtures she made

" Here", she handed the medical pot to Selena.

" Hand it to him, he should apply it to his friend's injuries." She explained.

"Okay mum", Selena swam closer to Morgan,tapping him on his shoulder to gain his attention.

"Take,apply it on his wounds",she said

Morgan collected the mixtures not sparing her a look.

"Thank you",he murmured.

Morgan was worried,he really hope she finds the healing plant.

Looking at Alex,he noticed his eyebrows twitched. Shaking him lightly,he called his name.

"Alex, Alex", he called .

He sighed when he heard no response. He must have imagined it. He sighed.

Katherine

Breathing heavily, Katherine struggled to continue the journey. She stopped to rest,inhaling deeply.

She sat on the rock crying silently,she was tired and hungry. She was scared to sleep because of the dream she had. Deciding to look for something to snack on,she swam quietly wishing for good human food, omelette with bacon and bread,her favorite meal. She sighed.

Rubbing her creased forehead. She wished Alex was there with her as he would have made fire to cook some meal. She hope he is okay. Thinking of him made her more determined but she couldn't continue on an empty stomach. She decided to check her bag praying she would find snacks in it. She poured down the contents in the bag on the rock.

She laughed when she saw bread in her bag. She reminded herself to thank Selena when she gets back. She hungrily bit a large chunk of the bread as she chewed fast. She stopped when she was chocking. She coughed hitting her chest with her hands.

Laying on the rock, she checked her map, navigating the next area she is going. Maze island.

She raised her head realizing she was in the maze island. She was too hungry to notice that.

Packing her bag,she swung it on her shoulder. She was just standing there turning this way and that with a bewildered look on her face. She decided to go with the flow, a very confusing one. There were many corners but she wasn't sure of the one leading to the other side. She swam inside the maze marking her way so she won't get confused,she swam as fast as she could.

Swimming back to where she started,she stopped. She has been swimming around in circles. Looking up, she tried swimming upwards but the current was too strong. She struggled up holding the walls,the current was too powerful,she tried going against it but fell down hitting her back on the wall. She was sure her back was bruised as she felt sharp pain. She winced,spitting blood.

Grunting,she struggled up again refusing to give up. She yelped as the current hit her once more gritting her teeth, she screamed as she felt wave of the current building up in her.

She clutched her chest breathing heavily. Her hands began to glow, feeling difficulty in breathing, she shut her eyes tightly. The pain subsided. She opened her eyes,her once translucent eyes became white. Her tail became longer and strong. She roared as her soul weapon came out of her, a long metal chain with sharp edges, she swing the chain upward getting caught in the maze wall.

Dragging herself with it, she was able to swim upward. Swinging the chain once more, she broke through the walls of the maze finding the way out.

Feeling exhausted, she collapsed.

Selena swam around chewing her nails. She felt something terrible coming their way. She swam to her mother bursting into her room.

" Mother, something is not right", she said.

" What do you mean by that?" Her mother asked practicing her new spell.

" Do you think he would survive it even if she gets the plant. The poison has gone deep into his bones", she said looking at his body laid on the bed rock.

" I don't know but I must try, I can't let them down", her mother said.

" He will survive but he won't be able to summon his fire powers, the poison killed his inner power. It takes only a strong one to survive it" ,she explained.

" Take", she handed a herbal drink to her daughter.

" Make him drink this", she said .

Selena sat beside Alex looking at his handsome face, she swept his hair away from his face .

" He is so handsome",she whispered. Shaking her head when she remembered he has a mate.

"What are you doing"? Morgan asked swimming to where she was. He loomed over her crossing his hands together

"Chill man", Selena raise her hands making a sign of peace.

" I was giving him his medicine",she explained.

"You should have brought it to me, I would have given him not you", he angrily replied her. His nose flaring with anger.

"So much in helping a friend",she clicked her tongue,shaking her head in a dramatic way.

"We are not friends.", He protested.

"When he is well again,we are leaving here,I won't let any harm happen to the prince", he said examining the content she gave him.

"Prince,did you just say the prince?" Her eyes perked up at the word. She has heard a lot about him but never met the prince. He was always the talk of the town because of his unique look,the mermaids wants to be his mate.

""This is the prince?" She covered her mouth shocked.

She moved closer to see his face but Morgan held her back.

"No touching", he commanded.

"You can go,I am here with him ", he said

Earning an eye roll from her,. She huffed leaving the room. When she got to her room, she blushed deeply.rubbing her redden cheeks. She has always dreamt of marrying a prince,she exhaled sitting on her bed rock,she flatten her palm on the rock feeling the vibration. Raising her hand, a small rock was form, she controlled it using her powers to sharpen it into a small knife. Twirling the knife between her fingers, she threw it hitting her target, a small fish.

Her earth power was getting stronger, she could wield weapons and bend a rock. Sighing, she laid on the rock with her eyes closed.

.........

" Hey", Morgan said as he approached Selena's mother, Gloria.

" I just want to say thank you for everything you did for us", he pursed staring at the woman.

" I really appreciate you" .

Gloria patted her seat,

" Sit next to me", she said.

Morgan complied.

" Will he survive it?", He asked.

" Yes, if the plant is available", she replied.

" I know you are concerned about him but you have to trust me if you want him to be healed", she handed him the herbal drink.

" My daughter wouldn't have brought you here if we were going to harm you",

" Give him this,it will slow down the poison bot completely heal him", she continued.

" What we need now is for Kate to come back alive and with the plant.", She said.

" Thank you ", Morgan sincerely said.

" And......", She called out.

" And find herself", she smiled swimming towards him. She placed her hand on his shoulder.

" You have to accept her, they are destined to be together. Instead of hating her, you should stay together and prepare for the war", she removed her hand swimming out.

"War", Morgan repeated.

Katherine

" Urgghhhhh", she groaned trying to sit up. She felt sharp pain on her back.

Putting her hand on her back, her hands were stained with blood.

She winced as she moved her jaw. Looking at her surroundings, she noticed she was out of the maze, she couldn't figure out she did it. Holding a nearby rock for leverage, she checked her map seeing she was closer to the lonely sea .

Clutching her stomach, she continued swimming, stopping once or twice to take a break. Eating the last piece of bread, she sighed sadly knowing she has a long way to go.

There, when she was about to leave, an invisible force hit her making her tumble backward. She regain her posture looking around with wide eyes. She was scared.

" Who is there?" ,She called. Her hands shaking so much that she had to clutch it tight.

" I have weapon and I am not afraid to use it", she shouted.

" Stupid human", sounds of laughter was heard.

" You should have stayed on land" ,the voice roared before attacking her again. This time tearing her on her back. She wailed. Swimming fast, she tried running away from the attack she couldn't see.

Suddenly, her tail was seized,she couldn't swim. She was thrown on a rock.

Coughing, she spat blood. Groaning, she touched her busted lips.