dragons and mermen (bokuaka)

Death is the beginning

Yeah I know what your probably thinking, "Deaths in the first chapter?! WTF?!" But believe me, this is important to the story. If you get past this chapter, trust me, it will be worth it. I know you guys are gonna hate on me in the comments, but just wait. It's gonna get really good. I can promise you guys that.

TW: SUICIDE AND CHARICTER DEATH!!!

I woke up to Koutaro shaking me vigorously. I was half asleep still when I asked what was wrong. That's when I smelled the smoke. "WE NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE!" Koutaro yelled, Waking me up even more than the smell of burning wood. I scramble out of bed, and we run downstairs. My side of the bed is closer to the door, so I'm slightly in front of him. I make it out of the door, when I turn around to see Koutaro trapped by a flaming log that fell right after I got out. I screamed his name as people came running with buckets full of water to put it out, but it was no use. Another log came down right on top of him, killing him instantly. 

He died, making sure I got out safely. 

I sobbed and sobbed, screaming his name wishing he would come back to me. However, he's nothing but an angel now, in the sky, watching down from the heavens. 

As dawn began to break, the last of the flames died. People searched for his burnt body, which was now black as charcoal, most of his flesh burned off. He wasn't much more than a corpse. He was mostly bones, and the sight made me sob harder. The man I loved, the man I married, was gone from this world prematurely. He didn't deserve this! He was a good man! He was so kind, so loving, so gentle, why did he have to die so young?! He was only 30! 

My neighbors tried to comfort me, but right now, the only person that could was gone. Burned to a crisp. I ran, tears streaming down my face, sobs escaping my mouth, letting my feet choose where I would go. After a while I sat down and just cried. I cried for hours on end. My lover, my husband was snatched from this world too soon. 

I looked up, and saw that I was at the spot where Koutaro proposed to me. The cliff overlooking the sea, pine trees to my back, and wild flowers surrounding me. Butterflies and bees were fluttering and buzzing about, as the sunlight shone down onto the area. There wasn't a single cloud in the sky. It was as if nothing bad had happened at all. Had the fire not happened, we probably would have gone on a picnic here today. The scenery was beautiful I'll admit, but it was hard to take in beauty when my heart was grieving so much. 

I wipe my tears and stand up, going to the edge of the cliff. I Looked over it, at the waves crashing below. I sigh. The view was nice. The waves sparkled in the sunlight, as blue sky's went on for miles in the horizon. One thing was on my mind. How much I missed Koutaro. I would give anything to see him again. 

Anything at all. 

Without thinking twice I turn around, feet at the edge of the cliff, and leaned back, letting myself free fall, as I close my eyes. The last sight I saw before feeling myself fall into the waves below was a fawn, scampering through the trees. 

As I crashed into the waves, A feeling of happiness and calm washed over me with the waves. I felt myself sink deeper into the cold water, deeper and deeper. I make no effort in fighting it. I gasp, the salt water filling my lungs. My last breath leaves my lips, and rises to the surface as I die in the water, quietly, peacefully, and a bright light comes to vision. 

The next thing I see however, isn't what I expected.

It was a mermaid, holding me in her arms like a woman would a baby, and she said one thing to me. 

"I'll call you keiji." She said smiling gently at me, and I smile at her, memories of what happened fading from my mind, as I reach out for her and giggle, my tiny hands unable to reach her as she lets me grab onto her fingers. Her other hand brushed away some of my hair, hers floating around in the water. 

I'm not much more than a newborn merman now. And I don't mind it at all.