That Saturday evening, Celestine and Luke walked barefoot along the beach, hands locked like they feared the ocean might carry the other away. They held on tighter, smiling for no reason, then glancing away as if hiding feelings neither dared to confess.
"I'm afraid of letting go of your hand," Luke admitted softly.
Celestine's voice carried the same ache. "So am I. You've been such a nice guy to me… I feel bad losing you, just as you do."
Luke looked at her, searching. "I had already started to like you." Then, with a faint sigh, he added, "But my dad always tells me to let go of the things not meant to be within my reach forever."
Celestine nudged him with a teasing smile. "Looks like you've already made up your mind to leave me."
Luke chuckled and said,"I have no choice. Neither do you. It's what we call fate."
She nodded slowly, slipped a silver necklace from around her neck, and pressed it into his palm. "Then take this, Luke. A piece of me."
He closed his hand around it, eyes glistening. "Thank you."
They walked in silence for a while,each lost in his own thoughts.
"Are you gonna miss me?" Luke asked finally.
Before Celestine could answer, a jeep honked. Luke's father leaned out. "Come on, son. We gotta go."
Luke hesitated. Celestine gave him a faint smile and nodded. Their fingers slipped apart, hand by hand, until nothing remained but air. Luke walked and off onto his dad's jeep.
As the jeep disappeared into the horizon, a shadow circled above. Raho the seagull swooped down and landed on her shoulder.
"I totally agree with his logic," the bird croaked. "There he goes—brought to you by fate, drifted away by fate. Like the waves: wash and backwash."
"I can't deny I'll miss him," Celestine whispered.
"Everyone will," said a familiar boy's voice.
She turned sharply. Rockie and Ruksy were walking barefoot on the sand, the sea breeze tossing Ruksy's white dress and Rockie's polo shirt.
"And here they are,"Raho voiced out. "Klara's twins a.k.a The spies."
"Why have you been spying on me?" she demanded.
"We thought you needed company… something more lively than a talking seagull," Ruksy shot back, arms crossed.
"I don't need your help. Stop following me." Celestine said and turned to leave.
"How about you help us look for a boy named Mike?" Rockie called.
Celestine froze. Raho flapped away into the darkening sky.
"I don't know who that is," she said flatly, before marching past the palms and into the city lights.
Rockie glanced at his sister. "She lied, right?"
Ruksy smirked. "We will find out about that on Monday, when he comes back."
"Who? Mike or Luke?" Rockie asked.
" Of course Mike. Luke's gone."
*********************************
Meanwhile, deep in the ocean...
The Merpools shook with terror. A monstrous Ghihyrah Pacling(a three-headed purple dragon)rose from the depths, spewing green flames and green fireballs that boiled the water.
A trumpet blast summoned the warriors. Commander Klara led thousands of mermaids in a desperate charge. Spears, arrows, and hydro explosives rained against the beast. But those were useless against. Its hide was indestructible.
"Gifted ones, now!" Klara shouted. Lightning cracked, illusions warped the waves, frost surged across the dragon's scales—but nothing pierced its hide.
The monstrous Ghihyrah Pacling roared and unleashed fireballs, ripping through their formations. "Retreat!" Klara ordered, shielding her soldiers as chaos tore the city apart.
At that juncture of despair.
A shriek split the ocean.
From the horizon came Captain Annabelle, blue tail flashing, astride her dolphin steed. The dolphin hurled her towards the evil beast. All three dragon heads turned and breathed green fire straight at her.
Annabelle's hand flew to her golden necklace. In a blaze of light, the Reverse Weapon transformed into a giant silver sword. She hurled it with both hands, shielding herself as the blade sliced through scale and bone, burying deep into the dragon's chest.
The monster shrieked, thrashing wildly and then burst into purple fading smoke.
The warriors erupted in cheers.
Annabelle retrieved her weapon and it transformed into a normal spear. She smirked. "I should've gone with a spear in the first place. I nearly scorched my beautiful skin."
Klara and other captains approached her with admiration.
"How did you do that?" Klara asked.
"Nothing special. Just a little magic weapon."
"Can you teach us how to craft such weapons?" Ivy, the green-tailed mermaid, asked eagerly.
Annabelle shook her head, already turning away. "I wish I could.For now,I need to care of something somewhere."
"Where?" Klara pressed.
Annabelle's gaze turned dark. "I need to see Kristina… my other fated daughter."
Silence fell.
Celestine drifted upwards as they watched. She whistled and her magnificent dolphin glided towards her. She hopped and moved south, into the deep ocean.
Deep down she knew that with the help of Goddess Alora's Reverse Weapon and Kristina's dark influence, the curse could be elevated and Celestine saved.
And Kristina.
What about her curse?
.....TO BE CONTINUED....