Chapter 70 Danica
Danica
I'm so freaking relieved that Lucian and Seraphina are okay. Seraphina just dove in like a boss to save her man, and I'm feeling all sorts of proud, relieved, and pissed off at the same time.
I mean, what in the actual hell was she thinking? Then again, I can't really talk, considering I pulled the same stunt for Rhyland. When your mate's in trouble, it's like this primal instinct kicks in, and suddenly, the concept of self-preservation goes right out the window.
I focus my energy on the overgrown sushi roll, giving it one last chance to back off.
"Listen up, asshole," I growl. "You've got one chance to untangle yourself from this ship, or I swear to every god in the sea, I will turn you into a floating pile of ash."
I don't even know why I'm bothering to negotiate with this asshat. It's not like reasoning with a Kraken is high on my bucket list, but hey, I'm feeling generous.
The slimy bastard slithers back into my mind, its presence as welcome as an oil spill in a pristine ocean. "I will never surrender again," it hisses, its voice like nails on a chalkboard in my brain.
Fine, then. Have it your way, you colossal piece of shit.
I let out a primal scream, unleashing every last ounce of power within me.
Light and fire explode from my hands, eyes—my very being, engulfing the Kraken in a blaze of holy retribution.
It's like I'm channeling the sun, a supernova of righteous fury that engulfs the Kraken in a blaze of holy hellfire.
By some miracle (or maybe just my incredible aim), my power targets the Kraken like a heat-seeking missile, leaving the ship unscathed.
The monster shrieks in agony, its tentacles flailing as it tries to escape the inferno. But there's no escape from my wrath. I pour everything I have into the attack: every shred of pain, every ounce of grief for Finn, for the brave souls lost to this monster's rampage.
And then, as suddenly as it began, it's over. The Kraken sinks beneath the waves, its charred and smoking remains disappearing like a bad dream. The ship is battered and broken, but somehow, it's still afloat. We're alive, but the cost...the cost is too damn high.
I hear a faint whisper as the adrenaline fades: "Thank you." —a final message that makes my blood run cold.
Thank you? What the ever-loving fuck?
Did this overgrown calamari want to die? Was it so far gone, so broken from centuries of imprisonment, that death was its only release?
I sink to my knees, my body trembling with exhaustion and a sickening sense of understanding. No creature, no matter how monstrous, should suffer like that. And in the end, I gave it the only mercy it could comprehend.
But the bitter taste of victory turns to ashes in my mouth as I survey the destruction around me. The deck is slick with blood and seawater, the bodies of fallen crewmen scattered like broken dolls. And Finn...brave, sweet Finn...he's gone. Lost to the depths, never to see another sunrise.
I feel Rhyland's arms around me; his strength keeps me from shattering into a million pieces. I bury my face in his chest, my tears soaking his shirt as the weight of it all comes crashing down on me.
This is the price of being a savior—the burden I must bear. But in moments like this, when the cost is measured in lives cut short and dreams unfulfilled, I can't help but wonder...
Is it worth it?
After our much-needed detour to Driftwood Market, we're squeaky clean, freshly clothed, and loaded with enough supplies to survive the end of the world—or at least another Kraken attack.
Our ship's been patched up (which looked like it had gone ten rounds with a cheese grater); we're all set to play "Where in the World is Carmen San-Calypso? "
Of course, I'm mentally kicking myself for torching that tracking device.
Way to go, Dani. You just had to play the rebellious heroine, didn't you?
That little gadget probably would've led us straight to Calypso's underwater hideout, complete with turn-by-turn directions and a "You have arrived at your destination" announcement.
But no, we're doing this the old-fashioned way: sailing aimlessly and hoping we stumble upon Calypso. It's like trying to find a specific fish in the ocean—Oh, wait.
We've been lounging around for two weeks, letting our batteries recharge and our sea legs recover. Now, we're all suited up and ready to set sail on this wild goose chase... or should I say, wild fish chase?
At this rate, I might need to invest in a waterproof GPS. Do they make those for mythical underwater kingdoms? Asking for a friend.
As I'm strutting towards the ship, feeling like a brand new woman, a familiar figure catches my eye. Tucked away inside a small, unassuming building, I spot none other than Nixie herself, shuffling her tarot cards with an air of mysterious knowing.
I practically sprint inside, my curiosity burning. "Hello, Dani," Nixie greets me, her voice as smooth as sea glass. "It's good to see you thriving and on the right path."
I plop down in the seat across from her, the words tumbling out of my mouth. "Why didn't you just tell me everything from the start?" I blurt out, my frustration as clear as the crystal waters of Aquaria. "It would've saved me a lot of trouble and confusion."
Nixie continues to shuffle her cards, the rhythmic motion seeming to soothe her. "If I had revealed to you from the beginning that Calypso was innocent and laid bare all of Cordelia's misdeeds, would you have truly believed me?" she asks, her eyes piercing into my soul.
I open my mouth to protest, to insist that I would have believed her, but then I pause.
Would I have?
When we first met, I was skeptical of her fortune-telling and cryptic messages, but everything she said had been spot-on. "Yes," I finally say, my voice quieter now. "I would have believed you."
Nixie sighs, a sound as ancient as the sea itself.
"It's not that simple, Dani," she explains, her voice tinged with regret.
"You see, I was once a part of Cordelia's court, a trusted advisor and confidante.
But as her heart grew darker and her actions more twisted, I knew I could no longer stand by her side. "
She sets down her cards, her eyes distant with memory.
"I made a choice, a sacrifice. To escape the curse and retain my voice, I traded my fins for legs, my home in the sea, for a life on land.
But in doing so, I also bound myself to a sacred oath, a promise not to interfere directly in the realm's affairs. "
I lean forward, my brow furrowed in confusion. "But why? Why make that kind of promise?"
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. You needed 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.