Black Hearted

Part 83

Sean hit the water so hard that it was like someone had smacked him all over. Sinking into the water, Sean couldn't move. His body was stunned. He could see Mark sinking in his hazy vision too and hoped he was ok. Sean was starting to think the he needed to sleep when arms wrapped around him and rushed him to the surface. Resting his head on the shoulder of his rescuer, he felt blood leak down his nose. The rough waves jostled them into the side of a ship, before Nate's voice shouted out to someone. "HEY! Help him up!" Sean raised his arms weakly, letting people take his wrists to pull him up. They had just dragged him onto the ship as Nate shouted out. "BRACE!" Something big hit the water, lurching the ship. Sean would have slid across the deck as it tilted, but Nate held onto his arm. As the ship leveled out, Sean touched Nate's neck and weakly stated out. "She's coming for me... I tried." Above them, Tethys let out an angry roar that gave Sean goosebumps. Nate kissed Sean's hand, telling him gently. "I know. Which is why I need this." Nate yanked the Sea Crown off Sean's neck, snapping at him after. "Don't you EVER jump off my ship like that again!"

Sean rolled to his side, shaking his head desperately. Trying to grab Nate's leg, Sean pleaded out weakly. "Nate, no... She's-" Sean stopped talking as Tethys arched in the air. With jaws wide, she dived start for the ship! Sean and many other merfolk screamed in horror. The only one not panicking was Nate. Moving to the side of the ship, Nate raised the Sea Crown. As she drew closer, the jewel began to glow with a blinding light. Sean stopped screaming as he watched Tethys slow her dive and lower into the water beside the ship. Her massive jaws closed, but her eyes never looked away from the Sea Crown. Nate winced, keeping the jewel raised high. From Nate's hand, black veins were streaking down his arm. Next to Sean, Granny put her hands on his tail to comfort him, but her eyes were on Nate. After a minute, Granny whispered out in complete awe. "By the gods... What is he? No one can wield the Sea Crown... Except..."

Sean glanced between them, unsure what was happening. Nate limply lowered his hand, dropping to his knees to clutch his arm. Tethys tilted her head to look him over with curious eyes. She seemed almost confused by him. Nate bowed his head, waiting for something. Tethys let out a small whimper, before jerking her head up in pain as the collar zapped her. Kai dropped onto the ship in human form, causing everyone to yelp and dash away. Kai glanced at Oceanus though, who moved slowly through the water in his massive form. Setting a tangled-up Poseidon on the ship, Oceanus reached out to put a hand on Tethys neck. She cringed from his touch and growled, but he lovingly told her. "It's me. Don't you remember?" Tethys thrashed, snapping her jaws down on Oceanus's arm. Kai and Poseidon yelped in pain, but Oceanus moved in to hug her with his free arm. The heavy rain and lightning raged on... until it the storm seemed to lighten up. Sean sat up, listening to the sweetest sound. Oceanus was humming something to her.

Some of the older Merfolk seemed to recall the song and began to put words to his humming. Sean didn't know the song, but Granny did. As they sang, the storm clouds parted to reveal a beautiful blue sky. Nate staggered to his feet, waving his good arm to get the attention of Oceanus. When Oceanus looked, Nate showed him the Sea Crown and tossed it to him. Catching the Sea Crown, everyone marveled at how it grew in Oceanus's hand. The collar kept zapping Tethys, causing her to shift and whine but she never released Oceanus's arm from her jaws. She didn't even really fight him. Sean wondered if she was in so much pain that she was losing her fighting spirit. Mark slowly rose from the water on the other side of the ship, a small whine leaving him as he watched. Oceanus draped the Sea Crown over her massive head like a thin circlet, whispering to her lovingly. "It's ok. You are home and you are whole again." Tethys sighed, her teeth finally releasing Oceanus as the jewel glowed with a bright white light.

All the Merfolk moved to the side of the ship to watch as Tethys's scaly body changed to flawless sun kissed skin. Her long sandy brown hair falling down her exposed shoulders. Sean's heart fluttered watching her change into a beautiful woman with a long royal purple tail. Her stunning purple eyes blinked as she took in her shaking hands and hair. The collar around her raw and injured neck hung looser now. How long had she been stuck in that form? Tears filled her eyes as her hands went for the collar. Panicking when she couldn't take it off, Oceanus pried her hands from it and cooed softly to her. "Hey, It's ok. Change with me... One more time and it will come off." Tethys's eyes widened, her fingers going to touch Oceanus's face as she whispered out to him. "Oceanus...?" Oceanus nodded to her, kissing her wrist and coaxing her to change with him. Together they shrank down to normal human size, causing the large collar to fall off her body and sink beneath the water.