The legend of the sun-blessed child

Part I: Chapter VII

Disclaimer: This story is a work of fanfiction. I do not own any of the characters, locations, or elements from Disney properties featured in this story. All rights belong to their respective creators and owners. Original characters, songs, settings, and storylines are my own creation. This work is for entertainment purposes only and not for profit. The story was conceptualized by me and written with the help of an AI language model. The raw text was then revised accurately before being included into the final version of each chapter, as AI should be used only to make the writer's work easier and it should never be used to create key events or characters from scratch. If this method is in contrast with your beliefs, please just ignore my work.

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Flynn reflects on a poignant memory from his past, a simpler time when he and Aby, barely into their teens, stood atop a hill overlooking Corona. It was during this moment that Flynn's powers first began to awaken, and filled with the invincibility of youth, he vowed to protect Aby forever. Aby, in her lighthearted way, teased him, but the two made a promise to always be together, a promise that still haunts Flynn in the present. Flynn awakens in the Merrymen's hideout, bruised from battle but burdened more by the emotional weight of his unfulfilled vow to Aby. He speaks with Robin, who reveals that their recent victory over the Sheriff hasn't lifted the curse binding the Merrymen. The Sheriff, it turns out, had been under the influence of a Witch, the true source of the curse, who must be defeated to free them. Flynn's desperation to find Aby becomes intertwined with the Merrymen's mission to stop this Witch. Together, they vow to help each other, solidifying a new alliance. Meanwhile, Hades returns to his dark fortress, mocking his inept minions Pain and Panic. Holding the icy slab of prophecy from Ahtohallan, he gleefully contemplates his next move, sending a mental command to Cetus, his Titan, as part of his larger scheme to ensnare Flynn. Aby awakens in an ethereal underwater world. Panic rises as she realizes her legs have transformed into a mermaid's tail, thrusting her into an entirely unfamiliar and unsettling reality.

Eric stood on the shore, the salty breeze tousling his dark hair as he watched the sun rise over the horizon. The early morning light glimmered on the water, bringing back a familiar memory that warmed his heart—the first time he had seen her.

It was a day just like this. The sea had been restless, the waves strong and wild, tossing his ship in every direction. He had nearly drowned, lost in the storm's fury, but then he saw her. Ariel. With fiery red hair flowing like waves of its own, her brilliant eyes filled with determination as she pulled him from the water. He remembered opening his eyes on the shore, the image of her face—the way she had looked at him with such tenderness—etched in his mind forever. He fell in love with her in that very moment, unable to comprehend how someone so extraordinary could exist. She was unlike anything he had ever seen, and he was utterly captivated by her.

That first glance had changed everything.

Now, years later, they were engaged, deeply in love and inseparable in spirit, though their responsibilities kept them apart for the time being. They both knew they had duties to fulfill before they could marry. For Eric, that meant securing the kingdom's naval trade routes and negotiating with neighboring countries to stabilize their economy. Ariel, on the other hand, had been working with her father, King Triton, to uncover the truth behind the forces that threatened Atlantica, her home beneath the waves. Once those tasks were accomplished, nothing would stand in their way.

But for now, there was work to be done.

Eric took a deep breath, steeling himself for the day ahead. His ship, the Seabreeze, awaited him at the dock, ready to set sail for an important diplomatic mission. He had to ensure the success of the naval trade agreement before the kingdom could move forward.