Tide Between Two Worlds

I Call Him...Shuichi

       It all started fifteen years ago. Within the depths of the Pacific Ocean, sits a grandiose underwater kingdom as large, occupied, and illuminated as any of the major cities of the eastern surface world. Twin strips of rushing lava from the Earth's core make for the borders of this submarine civilization. The empire itself took inspiration from early days of eastern nations such as Australia, New Zealand, and southern Asia and so were its citizens. The mer-people of this aquatic nation have spent years, centuries adapting to the evolution of man, witnessing the introduction of ships and boats, their interest in gathering sea life for food and research, and the unfortunate result of those who disrespect the ocean with waste and oil. Fortunately, the sea goddess was fair to the ocean, passing judgment upon man in the form of hurricanes and tsunamis. However, both the people of the land and sea were able to bounce back and thrive from their misfortune. Today would be no different.

Today was to be a day of celebration. Unfortunately, it is also a day of remorse. The exalted one of the Eastern seas, Emperor Yoko, was caught between an emotional rock and a hard place on this day. The "rock" was the birth of his son, Prince Kurama, the first child to be born in over a century. Sadly, the "hard place" came at the cost of the mother, Empress Botan. It was a high-risk pregnancy for her majesty given her illness from her exposure to pollution. Nevertheless, she pulled through, stating the name of her son as she took her last breath. The funeral was bittersweet. Emperor Yoko led the charge carrying his newborn son as his wife laid behind him carried by six members of the royal army and encased in a casket forged of the finest clear quartz and decorated in stones such as lapis lazuli, aquamarine, and Australian opal. The procession ended at the country's furthest border where molten lava flows at the very bottom. It is there where her majesty will be laid to rest.

       "Rest now, my love," Yoko whispered as he watched, "May our great goddess welcome you with open arms. And don't worry about our son. He will be well taken care of. I promise."

       For the next couple of weeks, the imperial palace remained quiet except for the cries of its prince. Nurses tended to his every whim while the emperor watched from a distance, still grieving over the loss of his bride. It never stopped his court from carrying on with the usual business.

       "My lord, it is unwise for you to go on like this," said Yomi, advisor to the throne. "Although our kingdom has suffered a great loss with the unfortunate passing of our empress, we still have the prince to look after. He's going to need a motherly figure in his life, meaning you will have to take a new wife. The palace has been swarmed with eligible mates just waiting for the chance for you to look their way. Please, your majesty. You must consider this."

       "I will do no such thing," Yoko stated, simmering in annoyance. "Yomi, you do realize how long it's been since I lost Botan. She was a beacon of hope for this kingdom. Her light shined brighter than the sun. She was a fighter when she carried our son and for you to tell me that it's time to move on is an absolute disgrace to her legacy."

       "But, my lord, your son–"

       "Is only two weeks old. I know that. He is still quite young and naive about the world around him. His caretakers are doing just fine...for now."

       "I understand that, my emperor, but there will come a time when he will begin to understand how the world works. He'll need someone around to... You'll need someone to..."

       "I will take care of that when the time comes. For now...just let me be. Any word on Botan's memorial?"

       "Yes, my lord. Her statue is under construction as we speak and will be placed in the royal tomb upon completion as instructed."