Death at Sea

What does it take?

Father told me to follow my dreams, even when it meant that the entire world was against you. And my dream was to hide in a cave until the beasts that chased me were dead and gone. But that wasnt going to happen, not with Derek on the throne. Enlistment was comign up, which meant i would spend the rest of my life using the gift that was meant only for when i found my soul mate: the man who i would spend the rest of my immortal life with.  Why would someone who was in charge of so many souls use them for something that wasnt in their natures?

My twin brother is part of the Legion, forced to join just like me, however, he is a medical assistant, and will never see the "battlefield" as King Derek refers to it as. Me on the other hand, will definantly see the light of the human world, the world above water, where mankind survives the planet that they have destroyed in 6000 years. Which is another reason why merfolk has been battling more and more often for the rights to the ocean: resources. Apparently, mankind has used so much of the natural resources, they have to come to the sea in order just to get items to survive. One such item is a thing we call Black Juice. Silly, i know, but the liquid is so essential, that the human race cannot live without it now. 

"Merianna von Hindergiult, positioned to become a guardsmen in order to protect the king. She has ranked as one of the five top grades in her class and has a talent for dance, song, and being a Siren." I looked up at the mermaid yelling out my qualifications to the officials. out of all the merfolk gathered, it seemed that i was the only one who was qualified to go into combat. My brother looked at me from his position next to the doctor who examined those deemed fit for battle. He gave me a sad smile. 

"Merianna, you are to go to the barracks to meet the king, just as the other Sirens before you. Please proceed to the examinations." The lady shoved a bag into my hands and saluted. I tried to the same, but failed, earning a smile. 

My brother gave me the look over, checking the shape and condition of my scales and fins and tested how strong i was. I checked out with flying colors.

The barracks were fine. Nothing less than what was expected from the king's highest soldiers, but still not the same as home. My question was though, as i swam towards the very person who would put my life through hell, what does it take? What does it take to win?