An Undine Undone

𝐈.

"Use them wisely."

That sentence keeps on ringing in my head. No matter how much I try to forget it, it stays in my thoughts like an annoying pest.

The bioluminescent coral in our kelp garden did not light it up like the day—it was as dim as tonight's moonlight through the water. A few sea slugs and fish darted in and out the kelp stalks here and there, but their movements seemed more sluggish than usual. Were they frantically fixing their beds for a night of rest? Or were they waiting for their energy to wane and sleep to catch up to them?

Thinking, yes . . . thinking always helped to keep the more violent thoughts away, even though it was so much like discussing nonsense with yourself. Not tonight, though. I'd had enough. Yesterday's events jarred me back to reality. I was forced to finally choose for myself.

I've feared Cetacea so much. Though the Mermaids have incessantly declared their benevolent intentions to the other races, their actions continue to betray their words. Each kind statement is stabbed in the back by an act of desperation born from a deep, profound fear of another race. The Sirens are too scary to befriend. The Selkies are too strong for their own good. The Naiads are too nice to do business with. The Nereids-to them, we are fallen gods.

The Mermaids rule Cetacea. They grip us all with an iron fist.

I sighed, detecting an outward ripple disturbing the water as it reacts to the simple release of my breath. That small detail reminds me of the power that I possess.

I've feared Cetacea enough . . .

I raised my fist. I imagined one of the notorious Mermaid slave traders before me. The Mermaids think that they have us secured in their grip, but we're only playing along. Our desire for peace is genuine, but they continue to tempt us into wrath. Have they truly seen a Nereid's hold over the waters of this sea?

I could crush them, end their tyranny with a few waves of my hand. I had the power, I could do what I wanted. I could finally bring this sea peace . . .

"Use them wisely."

There it was again.

With great effort, I lowered my fist. I calmed my rage, taking deep breaths. I knew what happened in the past-one of us lost control, one of us became a tyrant. Atrocities flowed from the hands of a Nereid with so much power, no one could stop her, not even the other Nereids. Too many died, and even the innocent were not spared. Anyone who showed even a hint of disagreement was put to death, often by her own hands. Rumors of so-called "rebels" exploding in a cloud of blood and guts ran wild.

No wonder the other races were so afraid of us.

"Tyranny begets tyranny, and we'll have blood on our hands if we try to end it now."

I turned, already knowing who I will see. Mother never failed to speak in riddles, but I'd never understood her as clearly as I did now.

"Tyranny can't give birth, can it?" I asked, feigning ignorance. "It isn't alive."

"Oh, it is. And you know it."

"Why should we hold back?"

"You know why."

I knew her reasons.

"Well, I don't see why we should! We can end all of this, Mother. I can end it alone if you don't want to. Do you know how many will suffer if we don't? Please, just let me—"

She faced me. Her face shined, sparkling with a Nereid's tears. I'd made her cry, again.

"Do you remember what happened yesterday, Cari?"