The Reef

PROLOGUE

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Please be advised that there's a chance I may not finish this since I started it out of boredom- So don't be mad at me if I don't, thanksssssss - Qhraine

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Once upon a time, there was an island full of mysterious fruits that stayed edible for far longer than anything else. These fruits were said to be able to turn anyone who eats them into a being that wasn't quite human but wasn't quite animal either. Many adventurers across the globe scavenged the seven seas to find this island and its bounty, but none succeeded.

That was until two sisters ventured off in a direction that no male adventurer had gone to before.

The elder sister was named Serena. Serena was a strong-minded woman who wanted a better life than her home originally gave her. The young woman had ideals that went against everything their previous home had set in stone, and she wanted the fruit to ensure that she could escape to a world that wouldn't push her voice down with every syllable she spoke.

The younger sister Eleanor, however, was very set in the ways of their home. While she did have similar ideals to her elder sister, she was still very unsure of what she truly wanted. The young lady wanted her voice to be heard but also wanted the comfort that came with staying home and keeping one space safe. Her main reason for traveling with her sister was to ensure her safety. For as long as they were together, nothing could go wrong.

When the two sisters finally arrived at the island after their long journey, the two split ways to cover more ground. Serena had gone searching for the fruits themselves while Eleanor had gone to gather sustenance for the two in case the search had gone longer than either wanted.

The island was far too big to search completely overnight. The two sisters remained on the island for days before they found even so much as a seed. But on the seventh night, Serena had finally found the corner of the island lush with fruits infused with magical properties. Ivy riddled the trees and covered many of the fruits from the sight of anyone, which she found out was part of the reason they didn't see it immediately.

Serena quickly brought it back to their camp and cut it open for the two to share. The aroma that the fruit produced when being wounded was enough to make one drool as it sent chilling shivers down the girls' spines. While Eleanor was worried about what the food could do to the two, Serena was determined to change her life completely.

She took a big bite from the fruit and another and another to ensure the special qualities would take effect. And just as she hoped, a sensation similar to goosebumps was sent across specific areas of her body. First, it was her legs being pulled together and fused to one another. Eleanor stared in wonder as she watched scales form on her sister's newfound tail and along her cheeks, arms, and the backs of her hands. And while Serena had the biggest smile Eleanor had ever seen on her sister, Eleanor had a look of horror on her face.

Confused by her sister's expression, Serena dragged herself closer to her. But instead of being welcomed with open arms and her sister joining her side in her new form, Eleanor took a step back out of fear. "Stay back!" She shouted, "How could you turn yourself into such a- a monster?" Those words pierced Serena's heart as she felt tears threatening to leave her eyes.

"But Eleanor, this is what we were searching for! To join a world unlike the one we came from, one full of love and acceptance no matter the color of one's skin or the way one identifies." Serena stopped dragging herself closer to her sister, staring at her in worry as the moon reflected in her now darkened eyes. "Was that not what you were looking for?"

"I was looking for a chance to be with my sister, not become a monster." Eleanor took a step back once again in fear.

"But I am your sister, Eleanor. I'm still Serena."

She was silent for a moment, the darting of her eyes increasing before she spoke. "No... Serena died on the way here. She was taken and drowned by you-" Eleanor uttered, "-You demon."

Within an instant, it felt as though the world came crumbling down on Serena's heart. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she watched her sister's gaze stab her like a hundred knives. She watched as Eleanor threatened her with a blade, a fearful and murderous look in her eyes. Serena fled into the sea as quickly as she could to escape the option of death, abandoning her sister on the island.

The young woman now turned part fish sank into the water, noticing how dark and lonely the ocean could truly be, especially when you're used to the land being boisterous and full of people in one area. The deeper she sank into the ocean, the closer she felt her tears break past her defenses. She let out heavy sobs that echoed across the deep blue sea.

To Serena's luck, her tears caught the attention of someone listening in the deep blue- Oasis, the Goddess of the Sea. Seeing a new member of her domain heartbroken by a being of the land, Oasis soothed her sobs with a blessing. The blessing placed upon Serena gave her the ability to soothe any being above the ocean to the point of persuasion and to be able to withstand any pressure the sea had to offer. However, Serena's sobs never stopped even with this newfound power. So in one last attempt to help her, Oasis gifted her a magical artifact with three prongs that would allow Serena to turn any being into merfolk, whether it be a human, a bird, or a fish, they'd be turned verbal aquatic within an instant.

To test this power, Serena pointed her trident toward a passing school of fish. Just as the goddess had told her, the school of fish glew before turning into several young merfolk with confused looks on their faces.

"While I may not be able to change the minds of those from which you come, I can offer you a world beyond your wildest dreams." The goddess spoke with a gentle smile, "I trust that you will bring forth an era of peace and acceptance to the beings of the sea. And if you are to ever need my help, simply point the trident at yourself and I will come to you."

With tears in her eyes still, Serena thanked the goddess and bowed respectfully. "I will use these abilities for good, your excellency. For as long as I may help protect your people, I promise that I will be a kind ruler. I won't let you down."

And with that, Serena was able to make a home in the largest reef of the sea with the rest of her merfolk people. She ruled with a kind heart and a protective gaze, ensuring that no one in her sea would be hurt.

So if you ever wonder how the legends of mermaids and sirens came to be, it came from a broken heart and a will to protect and change. The people of the sea may not be the kindest, but I can promise you one thing: They'd never discriminate on the color of one's skin, the ones they love, nor the transitioning of gender. The only thing they shall ever judge upon another is one's character.