Eclipse

Chapter 1

Eclipse's POV

"Dad?"

"Mhm."

"I'm going out."

"Where."

"Ummmm, out.. to... theeeeee-"

"You're an awful liar." My dad, Tobio said with a small smile. I huffed, crossing my arms.

"Fineee! I'm going to go see Grant."

"Again?"

"What?"

"You two are awful friendly with each other."

"Dad!" I semi-shouted, Tobio chuckling and patting my back. He told me to have fun and to be back before it got to late so I wouldn't worry my other dad, Shoyo. I promised before running off and running to the docks. After making sure no one was watching to carefully, I got into the water and used the scale that Grant had given me and that I carried around in a necklace Tobio made for me.

After the transformation, which I don't think I'll ever get used to, I made my way to the underwater city. Akaashi was still the boss around here, so Grant usually spent his time at the archives. I made my way there, looking around for him before spotting him quietly reading. I grinned, sneaking over as quietly as I could since his back was facing me. I was glad water was quieter than cobble pathways. Once I was right behind Grant, I grabbed him, causing him to startle.

"Hey-! Oh, by Poseidon's name Eclipse don't do that!" He complained, making me giggle. I looked up as he set down what he was looking at before he hugged me back.

"Sorry, but you're just so much fun to scare."

"Ah hah hah hey watch it you're looking and talking to the future king around here." He said, making me roll my eyes with a smile. Grant grabbed what he was previously reading before we both settled and sat down.

"Are you ever gonna cut your hair." Grant asked, looking at my long, night-black hair that swayed gently in the water. I shrugged and held onto him.

"I dunno. Both my dad's like it long, and I do too. Why, don't like it?"

"No, I do. I just would think it's cumbersome. Every time you come to visit, something gets tangled in it. For example, this little guy." He said, restraining a laugh while pulling the mischievous guppy out of my long hair. 

"Hey when did you get in there!" I asked with a giggle, cupping my hands and letting the guppy nestle into my palms. My dad has told me about this little one, he said it nested in his hair on his first visit here. Grant smiled and rolled his eyes, having me turn my back to him so he could fix my hair so it wouldn't float everywhere. I hummed and did as he asked, looking down at the little fish in my hands before sighing.

"Hey Grant?"

"Mhm?"

"Are you excited to take over after your dad retires from his role?"

"Yeah I am."

"You aren't like, nervous?"

"Well of course I am. But I think I can do it. But, I really don't have to worry for a while. My dad says he doesn't plan on handing the trident fully over to me yet until much later since I'm only 21 in your years."

"Pft. Old man."

"Hey! I'm only 5 years older than you in human years, thank you very much. And besides, both my dads believe in me, so I should believe in them that they're believing in the right thing." Grant said, grabbing a seashell sitting on a nearby shelf to hold my hair in place. I reached my hand back, feeling the style he fixed it in before nodding in approval.

"You know, you really should come on up to the surface to see me and my dads sometime. Both of them haven't seen you in ages."

"I don't know. I haven't been human in a long time. I probably don't remember how to even walk."

"Well I'd help show you, silly!" I said with a silly smile. Grant smiled, saying maybe he would surface with me another time. I narrowed my eyes, making him promise before feeling content. Grant and I just spent time together reading or re-reading the carvings that the archives down here held. I always loved learning about this stuff. Tobio always made sure I was well educated in everything, and I liked to take what he taught me and go further.

Shoyo wasn't a huge learner, at least not in stuff like history or new inventions. Shoyo did teach me everything I need to know about stuff like gardening, cleaning, cooking, sowing, stuff like that. I was grateful I had both my dads and that they taught me themselves. Sure, I knew they did it partially because at the time when I was to begin school, it was far to expensive for a private teacher and they didn't want me crammed in a room full of other children. But I had much more fun learning from them than any of the other school kids seemed too.

Soon enough, the little fish in my lap started glowing, along with the bigger fish on the ceiling.

"Oh no, is it that late already!" I said, grabbing the little fish and giving it to Grant.

"What's wrong-??"

"I gotta go home. Last time I was late, my dads both almost sent an entire search party for me!" I said with a small giggle, Grant nodding in understanding. I grinned, giving his cheek a kiss before waving and swimming off quickly. Once back on the surface, I regained my balance and wrung out my hair. Eh, still soaked but it's alright. While I was walking back towards my dads' home, I heard a kinda creepy voice.

"My, aren't you pretty. Prettier than I remember seeing." I turned around, seeing some weirdo old guy dressed in all black, long feathers and strands of beads hanging from his cloak, standing behind me with a smile. I gave him an awkward smile and mumbled a thanks before turning to try and sprint off. The only thing that stopped me was when the old man said.

"Tell your fathers that I said hello. And I am glad they are happy."

"Huh..?? You know my dads?"

"Of course I do. I am the one who brought them together again."

"...Who are you??"

"Who I am is not important."

"...Well, what exactly did you do for my dads..?"

"Oh? Have your fathers kept such things a secret?"

"What things?"

"It seems that the prince has much explaining to do for you my dear."

"...Prince?"