Tide Between Two Worlds

Take Me Home Tonight

       It was another trip to that fantasy ocean for a young ningyo. This time it was underneath an afternoon sky with only a few thin clouds in sight. More lively merfolk swam through this world as well with their fishy companions ranging from common flounders to groups of krill. When Shuichi awakened, he found himself lying on a welcoming, comforting lap. Botan's lap.

       "Welcome back," she said.

       "Back...? Where was I before?"

       "Right. Well, I've noticed that whenever you have to return to the human world, your body is preserved as simple sea foam. Sea foam that only I can keep watch."

       "Seafoam? My body...? Wait, are you saying I'm dead? I have to die to look like...?"

       "No, no, no. Believe it or not, this is a separate realm, one different from the worlds you and I come from. As a matter of fact, this realm is actually one of my design."

       "How so?"

       "This is a manifestation of my life and the world around it. Even now, these surroundings are exactly as I remember them."

       "So we're basically swimming through your memories."

       "More or less. Great goddess be praised."

With that revelation, Shuichi gave himself a 360° tour of this memorable world. Vibrant colors in pinks, purples, greens, and blues mingling with the browns and grays of the earth. Sea life big and small coasting through the water above and below him. Plenty of merfolk living their lives.

       "This...this was your world," Shuichi concluded.

       "Yes and if we act now, I can show you much more."

       "I have so many questions to ask, I...I'm not sure what to do."

       Botan could see that her son was rightfully determined to get some answers considering the transformation period he's in so she took action, "I guess another tour can wait. Come. We can talk in private."

Through miles and miles of underwater terrain, the two ningyo made their way towards an open cavern overlooking a small mountain range where only one ray of light peeked through from the ceiling. Despite that, the walls displayed strange carvings that seem to tell at least one story.

       "What's all this," Shuichi asked.

       Botan regretfully admitted, "It's a bit of history."

       "History? Of what? The ningyo?"

       "Not exactly. A bit of my history."

       "Oh?" Upon closer inspection, Shuichi noticed a couple of markings in the shape of two sea creatures. One of them resembled Botan while the other looked more like a human eel. "What's this one?"

       "He is called Hiei."

       "Hiei?"

       "Hiei was a young...unagi, the child of a human and an eel. We met before my union with Emperor Yoko. He was a wanderer, a loner. Never made much room for friends unless there was some ulterior motive."

       "So how did he meet you?"

       "I was out alone one day when I noticed him being chased after by a shark. Apparently, he had stolen something from them but I didn't find out about that until later so I swooped in to charm the shark away, offering my catch as tribute. It backfired. Before I could blink, both Hiei and I fought the shark away with Hiei spewing some type of toxin as a distraction. The fight was short but we didn't leave unscathed. Hiei was badly hurt. I brought him here to help him heal. He was reluctant but accepting. Over time, we established something of a partnership. While I was only around for the sake of friendship, he...unfortunately misunderstood me."