Dragon-Patterned Mermaid

"Dragon-Patterned Mermaid 2"。

# Chapter 02: Above the Waves

The luminous pearl had always lain quietly on Sandra's dressing table until the day of her eighteenth birthday. This pearl was unique, not only for the strange light it emitted, but also because it seemed to contain some mysterious magic. Whenever the night was deep and the world was still, Sandra could always hear it whispering softly, telling of the world above the sea. Sometimes, she even felt that she could see vague images in the pearl's light: birds in flight, running animals, and those legendary humans.

In the Deep Sea Kingdom, eighteen is an age of great significance. According to ancient tradition, only mermaid princesses who have turned eighteen can surface for the first time to witness the world that exists in stories and legends. This tradition dates back a thousand years when the mermaid queen established this rule to protect the young mermaids, allowing them to encounter the unknown world only when they are mature enough in body and mind.

Sandra's room was located at the highest point of the coral palace, from where she could see the mottled light and shadow refracted through the sea surface. She often lay on her shell bed, imagining the world above the sea. What would it be like? Was it as dangerous as the elders said? Or as beautiful and magical as in her dreams? Whenever these thoughts came to mind, the luminous pearl would flicker more brightly, as if responding to her deep longing.

"Your Highness," Gerda gently swam into the room, interrupting Sandra's thoughts. Gerda was Sandra's most trusted maid and her closest friend. They had grown up together, inseparable. Gerda was two years older than Sandra and always looked after her like an older sister. "You should be ready; the coming-of-age ceremony at Moonlight Bay is about to begin."

Sandra sat in front of her dressing table, made from the rarest deep-sea shells, gently stroking the luminous pearl. Her beautiful face was reflected in the mirror, her blue hair gently floating in the water like the softest seaweed. Her eyes were a unique shade of purple, which was very rare among mermaids and said to be a sign of ancient lineage.

"Gerda," Sandra asked softly, "what is the world like above the sea? Have you been there?" Although she knew the answer, she couldn't help but ask.

Gerda, while helping Sandra arrange her dress, replied gently. The dress was woven from the most precious undersea silk, adorned with countless tiny pearls that shimmered with a soft light in the water. "I've only been there once, on my own coming-of-age. Honestly, it's very beautiful, but also very dangerous. The world above the sea is completely different from ours, and there are..."

"What's there?" Sandra pressed eagerly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Gerda spoke cautiously: "It is said that there are stars that never go out, creatures that can fly, huge moving vessels, and..." She suddenly stopped, seeming to hesitate whether to continue.

"What else? Please tell me, Gerda!" Sandra grabbed Gerda's hand, pleading.

"And there are humans," Gerda whispered, "But Your Highness, we are strictly f*******n to approach them. Do you remember Lilith's prophecy? Since that day, Her Majesty has been even more concerned about your safety."

Sandra sighed softly. Ever since that day in the coral garden when she heard the mysterious ballad, she had been more fascinated by the world above the sea. The singing seemed to still echo in her ears, carrying an indescribable magic. Sometimes, she felt that the song was sung just for her, as if calling her to explore the unknown world.

"Prophecy..." Sandra murmured to herself, recalling that unusual night. Lilith's words still echoed clearly in her ears: "When the silver moon reflects on the sea, when the dragon's roar echoes through the skies, when the human song touches the heart of the sea, the wheel of fate will begin to turn." At that time, everyone thought it was just a vague prophecy, but now every word seems to have some mysterious connection with tonight.

"Your Highness," Gerda said cautiously, "You're not thinking about that prophecy, are you?" Her voice carried obvious concern, "Since that day, the entire Deep Sea Kingdom has been shrouded in a strange atmosphere. Even the sea anemones in the coral garden no longer stretch as they used to."

Sandra turned to her closest friend and said softly, "Gerda, don't you feel that everything has changed since we heard that mysterious ballad? As if... as if fate is urging us to complete something important."

Gerda swam to Sandra's side and gently arranged her hair. "Your Highness, you know that prophecies can sometimes mislead. Sea witch Lilith, despite her powers, always speaks in riddles." She paused, then added, "And that song, it might have just been a tune hummed by a passing traveler."

Sandra shook her head, her purple eyes shimmering with determination. "No, that was not an ordinary song. There was a power in it, a call. Just like this pearl," she pointed to the luminous pearl on her dressing table, "they are both trying to tell us something."

At that moment, the pearl suddenly flickered, emitting a brighter light than usual. Sandra and Gerda were both startled by this sudden change. There seemed to be vague images flowing within the light, but they disappeared in an instant, too fast to be seen clearly.

"Perhaps you are right," Gerda said softly, "But no matter what, tonight's coming-of-age ceremony is the most important. Her Majesty specifically instructed that everything must go smoothly." She swam to Sandra and helped her put on the last piece of jewelry - a bracelet made of starfish. It was a traditional coming-of-age accessory, symbolizing the hope of guidance.

Sandra nodded, but her mind was clearly still on the mysterious prophecy. She took one last look at the pearl and said softly, "Perhaps tonight, we will find some answers." With that, she followed Gerda out of the room, swimming towards Moonlight Bay.

Moonlight Bay is the traditional place for mermaids to hold their coming-of-age ceremonies. This area of the sea is protected by ancient magic, and the waters here are exceptionally clear, allowing moonlight to penetrate the surface without hindrance, creating a silver glow on the seabed. Legend has it that long ago, this was a place where mermaids and terrestrial creatures met, but that was all a distant past.

When Sandra and Gerda arrived, Moonlight Bay had already gathered many mermaids. They were all important guests attending the princess's coming-of-age ceremony: there were messengers from the distant seas with exotic pearls decorating their tail fins; sages from the deep-sea canyons with eyes as deep as the ocean trenches; and craftsmen from the Coral City who brought carefully crafted gifts.

Queen Helena sat on a temporary throne made of living coral, her gaze always following her daughter. Since the night of the prophecy, she had been particularly attentive to Sandra's every move. The "human song touching the heart of the sea" mentioned in the prophecy worried her, fearing it was related to her daughter.

"My dear daughter," Helena said gently, handing Sandra a necklace. The necklace was made of the rarest deep-sea sapphires and was said to possess protective magic. "Today is a special day. Remember, you can surface, but be cautious. The world above the sea is beautiful but also full of danger. Especially remember, never let humans discover your existence."

Sandra took the necklace and gently put it on. The sapphire shimmered with a mysterious light in the moonlight, complementing her purple eyes. As the ancient rituals were performed one by one, it finally came to the most important moment: Sandra had to swim alone to the surface to complete her first surfacing ceremony.

When Sandra's head first broke through the surface, she held her breath. The sight before her was breathtaking: the brilliant starry sky spread like a vast net across the heavens, each star a thousand times brighter than seen underwater. Silver moonlight sprinkled on the sea surface, creating countless twinkling points of light, as if the entire sea was covered in diamonds. The cool sea breeze gently brushed her face, bringing an unprecedented and wonderful sensation.