PHASE 0: AUDITIONS

Applicant #35: Underwater

APPLICANT #35: UNDERWATER

His only escape was to run into the woods.

Further, deeper-away from the land he had sworn to protect.

It was never a part of his plan to leave Eidelforth. He loved his Kingdom with all his heart that he would do anything in order to defend it.

Adversely, he had lost the power to do so.

For hours, he hid in the middle of the forest where he found his solace. He tried to compose his mind in order to devise a plan but the painful reality was too much for him to handle. He knew full well how deception stings but to receive betrayal from his own friend was far worse than what he had imagined.

All of a sudden, loud noises had engulfed the still forest. The prince's impulse alerted him. He couldn't see anyone but he could hear the sound of galloping horses going towards his direction.

He had to run.

The prince hastily trailed the dangerous narrow path though unsure of where it would lead him. All he could do was to run as fast as he could until he could reach the faint shade of light at the very end of the trail. He thought it was his escape but alas! He found himself at the edge of a cliff, beneath it was the roaring sea.

"My, my, my! How fortunate of me to find you here, my lord."

The prince looked at the face of the traitor, his Duke, his right hand and his comrade.

"And, how unfortunate of me to have listened to a traitor like you!" The prince scoffed in return. However, it only planted a wry smile on the opponents face.

"But I swore that would be the last mistake I will ever commit," he added assertively. The prince took out his sword and pointed it to his opponent.

The traitor didn't budge and only did the same thing, "So I thought as well."

Both charged at each other at the same time. Both tried not to waver to the strength of each other.

However, since the duke had more experienced in the battle, the duke was able to withstand the strength of the young prince. When he saw the chance, he overthrew the prince which caused him to drop his sword.

The duke's cunning smile came back as he saw how the young prince had nothing in his hands.

But, the young prince maintained his stance. He took few steps backward until he reached the edge of the cliff.

"I will never give you the satisfaction of killing me!"

And from there, without second thoughts, he voluntarily dropped into the cliff.

Along with his downfall was the memory he had always kept in his mind and as well as his heart.

"Cereina. And don't worry, you are safe."

The prince could still remember the first time he heard her beautiful voice when he asked her name. It was when she saved him during the shipwreck where he lost his parents. He remembered how he almost drowned but then someone took his hand. And when he woke up, he was already at the shore with her.

He tried to come to her but she immediately swam away. But, the prince was determined to find her again.

The prince opened his eyes and his gaze fell into his soon destination-the seas. He used to be afraid of the sea. For him, the sea looked so dark and deep. He felt he was powerless comparing to the wide roaring seas.

But that was before, when he had not known Cereina yet.

"Don't be afraid. I am here. I will teach you."

He believed what Cereina said then. The prince knew how Cereina loved the ocean so much. They would often meet up at the shore. He would stay by the rocks while Cereina floated in the waters.

He knew Cereina was different so he asked Cereina what she really was. Cereina then took hold of his hand and lead him into the calm waters. Without a single word, both of them submerged into the water.

And there, the prince saw the real Cereina.

Cereina had no longer the face of a girl, instead her body became a shade of gray. Her face was full of scales, and her long black hair became silver colored. Instead of a pair of feet, he found a beautiful tail made of fins and scales.

Cereina only looked away.

When they ascended from the water, he assured Cereina how beautiful she was in his eyes.

Since then, Cereina and the prince grew closer with each other.

The prince felt the sudden chill throughout his body as he finally dropped into the cold waters. He tried to swim into the surface but he couldn't do so.

The only thing he could do was to close his eyes and remembered the bitter memories when he had abandoned Cereina.

"She's a mermaid!" The prince defended Cereina when the kingdom and the duke found out about her.

"And she is dangerous, my lord! Would you risk your kingdom just for her?" The Duke also reasoned out.

"I just wanted you to be safe. Your kingdom needs you, my lord." The duke added, convincing the prince into thinking that he had to stay away from Cereina.

The prince had no choice but to listen to the duke. He needed to protect his people. He was the only one left in his family to lead the kingdom of Eidelforth.

Walls had been built in between his kingdom and the ocean.

People were told to stay away from the sea, and so was the prince.

The prince had slowly lost his strength to live. This was the end of it.

"Marcus."

However, he heard a faint voice call out his name in the waters. And, this has suddenly brought life to the prince.

Slowly, he opened his eyes and a small smile crept from his face.

It was Cereina.