MERMAID OF CALABAR

Episode 4: Beneath the Watery Depths

MERMAIDS OF CALABAR (Season One) 🧜🔞

Author: Sadiq Infinity ( Lewis )

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Horror, Supernatural, Romance, Adventure

Chapter 4: Beneath the Watery Depths

WARNING: This story contains mature themes and is not suitable for anyone under 18. Do not copy or reproduce this story without the author's permission.

---

🌹 WRITER'S POV 🌹

Thunder boomed across the dark skies as lightning illuminated the clouds, announcing the arrival of a powerful storm. Strong winds swept across the coastal waters of Calabar, turning the once-calm sea restless.

A large smuggling boat floated on the waves. After dropping anchor, two men wearing diving suits and carrying powerful flashlights jumped into the cold, dark water.

Deep beneath the surface, the divers, Okon and Leech, searched desperately for a crate they had dumped into the ocean days earlier. They had abandoned it to avoid detection by customs officers and coast guards while transporting their illegal cargo into Calabar.

After several minutes of searching, they finally found the crate.

Leech attached a grappling hook to it and signaled the men above to pull it up. As the crate began rising, Okon noticed something glowing several meters away.

Curious, he swam toward it.

What he discovered left him speechless.

A strange statue shaped like a coffin rested on the ocean floor. Brilliant light escaped through the cracks in its surface.

Leech noticed Okon's distraction and swam toward him.

“What is it?” he wondered.

Neither man answered.

They approached the mysterious coffin. Okon placed his hands on the lid and tried to open it. It was heavy, but after several attempts, he finally managed to lift it.

A blinding light exploded from within.

The two men shielded their eyes until the light gradually disappeared.

Inside were thousands of pearls.

But three enormous, egg-sized golden pearls immediately caught their attention. They glittered like diamonds against the darkness of the ocean.

The two men stared at one another with greedy smiles.

Unknown to them, a mysterious creature had been watching from the darkness.

The moment the men became distracted by the treasure, the creature turned and disappeared into the depths at incredible speed.

*

Back on the boat, their leader, Anang Joe, waited impatiently.

As soon as the crate was brought aboard, he ordered his men to open it. Dozens of tightly wrapped packages spilled onto the deck.

Joe tore one open with a knife and smiled.

Joe: Alright, boys. Pack everything and store it below deck. Let's hustle. I'm sure the boss can't wait to get his opium back.

Smuggler: Boss, Okon and Leech never resurface o.

Joe: Ah-ah! Wetin dem dey do for under?

Before he could say anything else, Okon and Leech suddenly surfaced and climbed aboard.

Joe: Boys, wetin delay una for water? Una think say we get time to dey play?

Leech: Sorry, boss, but na something we see for under.

Okon: Boss, na treasure we find o.

Joe: Treasure? Which treasure?

Leech: Ivory pearls. Dem plenty.

Joe: Why una no bring am?

Okon: Ahh, boss, the thing wey contain the pearls dey big and heavy. E go take at least ten people to bring am up.

Leech: So boss, wetin we go do?

Before Joe could answer, thunder exploded overhead.

The wind became violent, followed by a torrential downpour.

Knowing they couldn't risk staying at sea, Joe ordered his men to pull up the anchor and sail back to Calabar.

*

24 HOURS LATER

Joe arrived at the mansion of Chief Akaninyene, the man who had hired him to transport the drugs.

Akaninyene was wealthy, ruthless and extremely greedy. Most of his fortune came from smuggling and illegal drug operations. He was also notorious for dealing brutally with anyone who crossed him.

Joe was escorted into the living room, where Akaninyene sat comfortably reading a newspaper.

Akaninyene: Joe.

Joe: Yes, boss?

Akaninyene: Have a seat.

Joe sat down.

Akaninyene: Do you know why you're here?

Joe: No, sir.

Akaninyene slowly closed the newspaper.

Akaninyene: I'm a suspicious man, Joe. I have eyes everywhere. Hours ago, my informants saw two of your men at the black market trying to sell something valuable. Do you know anything about it?

Joe: No, sir.

Akaninyene smiled.

Akaninyene: So you're telling me you don't know about the treasure your boys found?

Joe remained silent.

A moment later, Akaninyene snapped his fingers.

Two heavily built guards dragged Okon and Leech into the room. Their faces were swollen and covered with blood.

Joe jumped to his feet in shock, but Akaninyene immediately pointed a gun at him.

Akaninyene: Sit down.

Joe slowly obeyed.

Akaninyene opened a small box on the table.

Inside were the three golden pearls.

Joe's eyes widened.

Akaninyene: This is what your boys found. I want you to retrieve the rest.

Joe: But, sir, I don't know where they found it.

Akaninyene: SHUT YOUR MOUTH! The only reason you're still alive is because I believe you didn't know how valuable the treasure was. Find it, no matter what it takes.

Joe: I'll need a bigger boat and proper equipment to bring it up.

Akaninyene: Consider it done. Anything else?

Joe: No, sir.

Akaninyene: How soon can you leave?

Joe: Once the sea becomes calm. I can't risk sailing into another storm.

Akaninyene: Fine. But don't even think about leaving Calabar. I have eyes and ears everywhere.

Joe: Understood, sir.

Akaninyene: Good. Now get out.

Joe glanced at Okon and Leech.

Joe: What about the boys?

Akaninyene's expression hardened.

Akaninyene: They're no longer your problem.

*

DAYS LATER — ATLANTIC OCEAN

A massive cargo ship struggled through a violent storm. Waves crashed against its sides as the crew desperately tried to secure the containers.

Suddenly, a gigantic wave struck the ship.

Several iron containers were swept into the ocean.

Inside the cabin, the captain struggled to control the vessel.

Realizing the danger was becoming too great, he ordered the remaining crew to return to the cabin.

Before they could make it, another enormous wave slammed into the ship.

The vessel tilted dangerously.

Several containers and crew members were thrown into the sea.

Deep beneath the raging waters, the drowning men fought against the powerful current. Their strength was fading.

Just when all hope seemed lost, Zenti emerged from the darkness.

The rainbow-haired mermaid princess moved through the water at incredible speed.

Using her powers, she unleashed a powerful burst of water beneath the drowning crew members, launching them back onto the ship.

Zenti then surfaced.

She looked toward the raging sky and raised her hands.

A powerful magical force spread through the clouds.

Within moments, the rain stopped.

The waves gradually became calm.

After ensuring the ship was safe, Zenti disappeared beneath the surface.

But she didn't get far.

Her spirit guardian, Ete, appeared before her.

Ete: I see you're up to your usual habits. Isn't it time you returned home and got married?

Zenti: How do you always find me?

Ete: I'm your guardian. You're next in line for the throne, Princess. You need to start thinking about your future.

Zenti: Royalty sucks. I like the way I live my life.

Ete: You call wandering across the seven seas a life? I'm worried about you.

Zenti: I'm fine, Ete. I'll return home after I bring Xeira to justice.

Ete: Your half-sister has been silent since the supernatural war. Perhaps she's dead.

Zenti: She's not dead. She's hiding.

Ete: Stop obsessing over her and find yourself some companionship.

Zenti: Whatever.

Ete studied her carefully.

Ete: Something is bothering you.

Zenti: The storm. Someone caused it. Is there something I don't know?

Ete: There is.

Zenti: Tell me.

Ete: A few days ago, some smugglers stole sacred offerings made by the sirens to the goddess of the dark depths, Nsit. The sirens are furious and want revenge against humans.

Zenti: This cannot be! Something isn't right.

Ete: What will you do?

Zenti: Find out the truth.

*

🐠 ZENTI 🐠

Of all the creatures beneath the sea, sirens are among the most feared. For thousands of years, they've terrorized humans for pleasure, and entire civilizations have fallen because of them.

Strangely enough, I have always had a soft spot for humans.

Yes, they've polluted the oceans for generations, but they're fascinating creatures. Their intelligence, emotions and constant evolution never cease to amaze me.

I've had good relationships with some humans over the years, and I've learned that not all of them are bad.

Something about this situation didn't feel right.

I suspected a conspiracy.

Since the elder gods rarely cared about humans, I decided to investigate the matter myself.

I eventually reached the borders of the Siren Kingdom, where I waited for their queen.

Soon, the Siren Queen arrived with her royal guards.

We had once been close friends, but a terrible incident had turned our friendship into bitter hatred.

Siren Queen: Greetings, Princess Zenti. It's been a long time.

Zenti: Indeed. The last time we met, you were at my mercy.

The queen frowned.

Siren Queen: What brings you to my kingdom?

Zenti: I've heard what happened.

Siren Queen: Those humans will pay for their sacrilegious actions!

Zenti: That's why I'm here. Call off your sirens. I'll handle this matter personally.

Siren Queen: You dare order me around? I'm the Queen!

Zenti: And I'm heir to the Atlantic Kingdom. You will do as I say.

Siren Queen: Not this time. The humans crossed the line.

Zenti: You don't want to be on my bad side.

The queen smiled coldly.

Siren Queen: Fine. Find the stolen offerings and I'll call off my sirens. You have sixty days. If you fail, Calabar will sink into the depths.

Zenti: You wouldn't dare!

Siren Queen: I already sought permission from your father.

With that, the queen turned and disappeared into her kingdom with her guards.

I immediately headed toward Calabar.

*

The journey was short, and by the time I reached Calabar, darkness had covered the city.

I swam toward Calabar Beach and emerged from the water.

I had no clothes, but before I could figure out what to do, I noticed a couple nearby on the beach.

I quickly moved away before they could notice me.

On the other side of the beach, I transformed my fins into human legs.

But before I could leave the water, something hard struck my head.

BAM!

I fell back into the water.

Pain exploded through my skull.

I tried to remain conscious, but everything became blurry.

Then I saw someone dive into the water and swim toward me.

Before I could identify the person, darkness consumed me.

*

When I finally regained consciousness, I was lying on the beach with a shirt covering my body.

A bunch of books lay beside me.

I slowly sat up and touched my aching head.

Then I saw him.

A young man was sitting a few meters away, staring at me with a mixture of surprise and concern.

He immediately spoke.

Joseph: Hey... are you alright?

TO BE CONTINUED...

NEXT EPISODE:

FATEFUL ENCOUNTER