Fairy tales for young and old ~ English version

The Merfolks of the Crystal Cove

(Storytober - Day 15 - Crystal)

Long ago, where the sun kissed the sea at twilight, there lay a hidden place known as the Crystal Cove. This enchanted underwater haven was tucked beneath jagged cliffs and sheltered by ancient coral walls. Its waters shimmered with an otherworldly light, for in the heart of the cove stood a towering crystal, aglow with a magic as old as the tides themselves. The crystal's gleaming tendrils reached up like delicate fingers, illuminating the cove and its peculiar inhabitants—the merfolk.

The merfolk of the Crystal Cove were a wondrous people. Their flowing tails sparkled like the crystal that blessed their home, and their voices rippled through the water in melodies that could stir the heart of even the weariest sailor. Unlike the folk of the world above, their forms defied simple description; they seemed to shift like the colors of the sea, embodying a beauty that was wholly their own.

It was said that if a human ever set foot upon the shimmering sands of the Crystal Cove, they would be bound by the magic of the crystal. Few believed such tales, dismissing them as sailors' fancies—until one day, when a young man named Merwin found himself in the midst of the legend.

Merwin had come from the village atop the cliffs, where his days were spent mending nets and his nights dreaming of adventure beyond the horizon. One evening, as the sky burned with the colors of sunset, he wandered too close to the edge, and a sudden misstep sent him tumbling into the churning waves below. The water swallowed him, pulling him downward as he fought against the icy grip of the sea. Darkness enveloped him, and for a moment, it felt as though the world was slipping away.

Just as the last bubbles of air escaped his lips, a gentle light pierced the darkness. It grew brighter, surrounding him in a soothing glow that seemed to flow into his very lungs. To his astonishment, he found that he could breathe—each breath drawn as easily as if he were standing on dry land. He inhaled deeply, the salty water filling his chest in a way that felt oddly natural. It was as though the ocean itself had embraced him, and with each heartbeat, he felt more alive.

Dazed, Merwin opened his eyes to behold a sight that stole his breath anew. All around him was the light of the crystal, casting shimmering rainbows upon the cove's pearl-like walls. He marveled at the brilliance, but before he could gather his wits, he heard voices—like music, gentle and kind.

"Look, a human," one voice murmured, rippling through the water.

"Should we help him?" asked another, its tone curious.

A third voice, deeper and calm, answered, "It would be cruel to leave him here. Come, let us see who he is."

Merwin blinked, and through the luminous water, he saw three figures approaching—merfolk with flowing hair and radiant scales, gliding gracefully. They gazed at him with wide eyes that seemed to reflect the entire sea.

The one who spoke first had a voice as bright as the dawn. "Are you lost, human?" they asked.

"I... I suppose I am," Merwin replied, hesitantly. "How... how is it that I can speak? And breathe?"

The deep-voiced one, whom the others called Higale, gave a gentle nod. "The magic of the crystal flows through the waters of this cove," they explained. "It allows you to exist here as we do. You have been touched by its enchantment, young one."

Merwin felt a strange mixture of wonder and relief. "The Crystal Cove... but that's just a legend!" he exclaimed.

Higale's eyes gleamed with a twinkle like starlight.

"Legends often hold a seed of truth," they replied. "The crystal has sensed something in you. Perhaps it is a longing... or perhaps you do not yet know your own heart."