Solivagant (Palaye Mermaid AU)

Chapter 6

The trek took another few hours until the sun was in the highest peak in the sky, and Nerida notified Emerson, "It's here. We'll find the Seeds here." Emerson felt his heart pang at the realization that he was close to his goal and he just might be able to save his brother. He did his best to calm his breathing as they came close to a hidden wall of vines and thorns that seemed to block their way, but after seeing Nerida crawl under them to avoid the thorns, he followed her lead and did the same, being careful not to cut himself. When they reached the end of the obstacle, they came across an ancient and golden pathway that seemed to be a gateway to the Seeds. But there was a tablet that stood in front of them and there was writing on it that Emerson couldn't understand. Nerida stepped forward and clarified, "The text here is written in Atlantian, the Lost Language of Sea Creatures. It reads: Nothing in this world is given without paying a price, not even a miracle. To earn the miracle of saving more than one life, you must exchange your life to prove its worth saving multiple."

Nerida then looks up at Emerson who knows what it means but is afraid to fully acknowledge it, "It means that if we want to find and take the Seeds of Amphitrite to save your brother, one of us must sacrifice themselves to ensure that their lives are worth more." They looked up to see there was a small stone in the ground that looked like you could stand on it and wait to be let in through the gateway. Emerson looked once more at Nerida - her beauty never failing to make his heart soar - and wished things were easier for him, but life was never supposed to be easier for humans. At the beginning, he was more than willing to give his life to save his brother's, but now after being rescued by this incredible mermaid, he secretly wished he could spend much more time with her and make her feel loved instead of feared. Still, she almost gave up her life to save his, and he knew that he would have to pay back the debt. Now may be the perfect time to do so. He laid a hand on her shoulder and felt a new sense of determination course through his body as he held the side of her face in his other hand and declared to her, "Nerida, I know you took a huge risk in saving me from being killed earlier than I should be, but this is it for me. I knew ever since I left my home that one way or another, I will try to save my brother. I have to do this for my family, and...for you as well."

Nerida started to tear up as she shook her head begging him silently not to do what was needed to get to the Seeds, she grabbed at his shirt in desperation as he looked into her eyes so intently but affectionately. "I'm sorry, Nerida, but this is what I wanted to live for: to dedicate my life to protect those I love most in this temporary world. That now includes you." She caught her breath when he said that and her cheeks flashed pink as he pulled her somewhat closer as he told her, "If I don't survive this, I want you to bring the Seeds back home to my family, tell them that Emerson did what was necessary to save his oldest brother who was more of a father than their own dad would ever amount to be. You go live your life free of bounds to what you are against and remember that you deserve to be loved and honored just the same. My heart will always belong to you, Nerida, since the moment you saved my life and I saw you for the very first time." Nerida froze as she watched Emerson bring his lips to her temple, then her cheeks, and then he pulled her into a tight hug where she could feel his heart beat. Beating for her and everyone he loves. She knew she didn't want this because as much as he's noble in his actions, she didn't want to see him die because...she had fallen in love with this human boy with too big of a heart and too pure of a soul.

He pulled away and slowly let her go, but not before he squeezed her hand one last time and said to her, "Goodbye, Nerida", before dropping her hand and turning away to stand on the stone and anticipating to pay the price to save his brother's life. The stone beneath his feet started to sink more into the Earth until it was leveled with the ground and he felt fear creep into his system as the instinct to survive filled up his senses and screamed at him to run instead of stand. But he kept his position intact like a stone built in the ground as he kept thinking about everyone who made him want to keep living and be grateful that he was alive long enough to finally show them how much they mean to him as the ones who made him feel worthy of anything. He heard a ticking noise grow faster and louder and he closed his eyes as he waited for the ticking to finally stop and the last picture in his head would be his brothers, smiling and being grateful to have each other in their lives. Just a second before the ticking finally stopped, he felt a force push him off the stone and send him to the ground hard with his face hitting the dirt. He heard the sound of an object puncturing something and turned around, watching in horror as he stared at Nerida standing in his former place and holding an arrow that was halfway into her torso before she collapsed in front of him.