Nixie smiles sadly. "Because I knew the truth would have to be discovered, not handed out like a gift. The savior, destined to break the curse and restore balance, would need to walk their path, learn and grow, and make their own choices."
She reaches out, her weathered hand grasping mine. "I couldn't tell you the full story, Dani—because your journey and discoveries are all part of a greater tapestry.Youneeded to learn and see things with your own eyes to make decisions based on the truth you uncovered."
I sit back, my mind reeling with this new revelation. "So, the journal...Mirella…?"
Nixie nods. "They were my way of guiding you. I knew Mirella would find and read it—the book I wrote of you and your journey as the savior."
She fixes me with a stare that seems to pierce through to my very core. "Your task, Dani, is to restore balance to all the realms. To mend what has been broken, to unite what has been divided. And to do that, you needed to see the world, experience its wonders and horrors, and understand the forces at play and the stakes at hand."
I take a deep breath, letting her words sink in. It's a lot to take in, a lot to shoulder. But somehow, deep down, I know she's right. Every twist and turn, every revelation and heartache... it's all been leading me to this point, preparing me for what's to come.
"I understand," my voice steady with newfound resolve. "I may not like it, but I wish you could've just given me a roadmap from the start... but I get it. I had to walk this path on my own."
Nixie smiles, pride shining in her ancient eyes. "And walk it you have, child. You have grown so much and learned so much. You are ready to face the final challenge and bring peace to Aquaria once more."
She releases my hand, sitting back in her chair. "Now go, Dani. Speak with Calypso, break the curse, and set things right. The fate of Aquaria, of all the realms, rests in your hands."
I stand, my heart pounding with fear and excitement. "I won't let you down," I vow, my voice ringing with conviction. "I won't let any of you down."
And with that, I turn and stride out of the building, my steps sure and my head held high.
"Oh, and Dani," Nixie's voice stops me in my tracks just as I'm about to make my dramatic exit. I turn, my eyebrows raised in question. "Calypso is hiding in the Atlantean Ruins, in case you didn't know." She throws me a wink like she's just handed me the keys to the underwater kingdom before returning to her card shuffling.
I blink, my mind racing. The Atlantean Ruins? Are you kidding me? Has Mirella been holding out on us this whole time? No, there's no way. She would've spilled the beans by now, probably with a side of underwater interpretive dance.
Then again, I've never actually been to these ruins myself. For all I know, they could be the size of a small country with enough nooks and crannies to hide an entire army of mermaids.
I nod at Nixie. "Thanks for the tip," I say with a wink.
As I make my way back to the ship, I can't help but feel a surge of determination and just a hint of nervous excitement. This is it, the final stretch—the endgame. And I'll be damned if I let Cordelia win.
So watch out, Cordelia. The savior is coming for you, and she's bringing a tidal wave of sass, wit, and pure, unadulterated badassery.
Your days of cursing innocent mermaids and stealing voices are numbered.
The tides are turning, and I'm ready to ride the wave to victory.
Danica
71
We stand before Calypso. The weight of the Siren's Lyre in my hand feels like the key to unlocking a long-buried truth. The Atlantean Ruins stretch out around us, a vast underwater city frozen in time, and Calypso sits on her throne, a small island of power amidst the ancient grandeur.
It's the same place she took me captive—the same dark and eerie lair. Naturally, I asked Mirella if she knew Calypso was hiding down here, and she shook her head, swearing she had no idea. Given the sheer size of these ruins, it's no wonder Calypso's domain only occupies a small portion of the entire structure.
"You have returned, my dear," Calypso greets me, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. Her gaze sweeps over my crew—Lucian, Erik, Seraphina, Mirella, and Rhyland—a silent assessment of the strength I've brought with me."And I see you've got your entire army."
I meet her eyes, my voice steady with the weight of the knowledge I now carry. "Yes, and I know everything."
Calypso's eyes widen, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through her regal composure. She rises from her chair, her movements fluid and graceful, even as I see the pain etched into every line of her face. "You know the truth?" she whispers, her voice trembling.
I nod, my throat tight with the weight of her suffering. "I'm so sorry about your mother, your father," I manage to say, the words feeling inadequate in the face of such tragedy.
Calypso closes her eyes, a single tear tracing down her cheek. When she opens them again, I see a depth of grief that takes my breath away. "It was tragic, yes," she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "It was unwarranted and something that I can never unsee."
The realization hits me like a tidal wave, stealing the air from my lungs. She witnessed her parents' deaths and watched as her world was shattered in a moment of senseless violence. The weight of that trauma, the scars it must have left on her soul, is almost too much to comprehend.
The Faerite stone vibrates through me, channeling her pain, and it nearly knocks me on my ass.
