The Forgotten Kingdom Beneath the Ocean
In a world vastly different from our own, hidden beneath the vastness of the azure ocean, lay a magnificent kingdom called Poseidonia. Draped in stunning aquatic flora and fauna, with iridescent corals illuminating the sea floor, Poseidonia was a sight unseen by human eyes. Its inhabitants, a race of merpeople, lived in harmony with the ocean and its creatures. Their monarch, King Triton, was a figurehead emanating wisdom and power, while his kindness touched every creature in his realm.
Nephra, Triton's only daughter, was an embodiment of vivacious spirit and curiosity. With her azure eyes reflecting the depth of the oceanic realm, she was her father's heart and the kingdom's cherished princess. She held an insatiable desire to explore the mysteries lying beyond their depths, primarily, the human world above the surface.
One day, Nephra came upon a sunken ship holding human artifacts. Captivated, she spent her days indulging in her curiosity, collecting trinkets, and learning about the upper world. A particular artifact, a silvery locket with an image of a human couple, enchanted her. It portrayed a thing humans called - love.
Up till now, her understanding of love was through the gentle bonding of the sea creatures that mated for life. But the human portrayal was different; it produced a poignant longing within her, a desire to experience this extraordinary human feeling.
During one of her exploratory ventures, she saw a ship battling a violent storm on the surface. Among the crew, she noticed a young human struggling to keep afloat: Prince Calen of Arken, a neighboring human kingdom. With no second thought, Nephra saved him from the jaws of death and brought him ashore before slipping back into the ocean unnoticed.
The brief, unconscious meeting with the Prince left an indelible impression on Nephra's heart. Drawn by his striking human features and bravery, she yearned to meet him again. But she knew the laws of her realm and the consequences of making contact with the upper world.
Notwithstanding, she decided to approach the age-old sea witch, Maris, for her legendary transformative potion. It could turn merpeople into humans for a moon cycle.
Maris, with a sly smile, agreed to help, in exchange for Nephra's most precious possession: her beautiful singing voice. Nephra, driven by the nascent feeling of love, willingly paid the heavy price.
She emerged from the water as a human, saved once again by Prince Calen as she laid listlessly on the shore. Calen, struck by her beauty and mysterious aura, took her to his kingdom. In the following days, he was increasingly moved by Nephra's kindness, resilience, and illuminated spirits, but missed her voice.
Running short on time, Nephra could only express her love for Calen through her actions. Surprisingly, the Prince fell in love with her, captivated by her spirit and vivacious personality. When he finally confessed his love, their lips met, breaking Maris's curse and restoring Nephra’s voice. Overjoyed, she revealed her true identity. Prince Calen, whose heart had grown to love her deeply, decided to give up his human life to be with Nephra.
Following ancient Poseidonian rituals, Calen transformed into a merman, and the kingdoms above and below the water united. Nephra and Calen had paved the way for a peaceful co-existence between the two races, opening a new chapter in their parallel worlds.
In time, tales of the merprincess and her human love spread across both Poseidonia and Arken, weaved in songs and stories, repeated and whispered, plucking heartstrings, and reminding all about the boundless and brave power of love.