Azure currents slowly ripple through the water. I sit quietly in front of a conch-shaped house, watching as all the Merfolk in the village busy themselves. On the outskirts, they set up thick, pointed stakes—everyone is hard at work.
Lost in thought, I eat more than usual. My body begins to take shape, though my head, chest, and hands remain shifting shadows of light. A sense of heaviness creeps into my mood. Everything before me is dazzling and beautiful, but I do not belong here.
This is the thought that moves me most deeply right now. Loneliness spreads through my heart like ink dropped in water, slowly seeping through my whole body. The chill of the seawater prickles my skin. I curl up, uncertain what to do. Who am I?
The only clue I have is the slip of paper in my hand. For some reason, the Merfolk only see the four large characters on it: 'Rectify the Source.' But on the left side, there's a line of smaller characters that seem to move.
Follow goodness, seek nothing in life, pursue only the true path. Zachary Justice.
The tiny characters emit a faint white glow, slowly shifting across the slip of paper. Seeing this name, a wave of sorrow rises within me.
At that moment, Jade May swims over to me and gives me a gentle smile.
"What's wrong, Source? Are you afraid?"
I shake my head. Jade May sits beside me, looking at me in confusion.
"Is there something strange?"
Jade May shakes her head with a smile.
"You always seem to put people at ease."
I look at Jade May, puzzled.
"I can't quite explain it. From the moment I first saw you, I felt it—you’re different. There’s something in your eyes that’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The Elder Merman had us bring you down here because he sensed a special power in you. But when I saw you, I understood: you must have weathered many storms. I can see it in your eyes."
I give a helpless smile.
"Sorry, I can't remember."
A hand reaches out to me.
"Instead of just sitting here, why not help out? If you’ve eaten your fill, it’s time to work."
I stare wide-eyed at Jade May, her smiling face glowing in the water’s soft light. The pale shimmer flickers through her white hair. Suddenly, a memory flashes in my mind—I’ve seen this hopeful smile before, from a woman.
I start helping the Merfolk in the village carry equipment. For some reason, it feels effortless, as if the items have no weight at all.
"I didn’t expect you to be so strong, Source."
I smile and nod, watching as the others slow down when carrying heavy objects, but I’m different. Everything in my hands feels weightless, as light as a feather.
I start carrying even more, and soon many of the Merfolk stare at me in disbelief. My hands are loaded with materials, and shouts of surprise echo among them. Heavy stones that usually take a dozen Merfolk to lift—I can carry several at once. They feel completely weightless, though I can still sense their texture.
The injured Elder Merman quietly watches me from a rooftop, looking surprised. With my help, the defenses on the edge of the Merfolk village are soon finished.
"Not bad, Source. Thank you."
Jade May cheers happily. Many Merfolk around us begin to see me in a new light. Suddenly, Jade May hugs me, visibly delighted.
This kind of work usually takes many days, but with my help, it’s finished in no time.
The day passes quickly. As the light in the water dims, the Merfolk return home. I go to Jade May’s house—she lies, exhausted, on a shell, but the excitement hasn’t faded from her face.
"You were born here, weren’t you?"
I ask, and Jade May smiles and nods.
"Since I can remember, there’s only been this blue ocean and everything beneath it. We beasts in the Illusory Realm never age, fall ill, or die—we survive forever. The realm is vast and boundless, but our Merfolk clan is weak. I’ve always wanted to see farther places, but I never had the chance. Source, you must have been to many places, especially in the Living World. Today, I heard some children mention the world you described—could you tell me about it?"
I murmur in agreement, and memories of everything I’ve known flood my mind. I don’t even know why I remember all this, yet I still can’t recall who I am.
I start telling Jade May stories. Soon she falls asleep. Smiling faintly, I get up and decide to go for a walk—maybe it’ll lift my mood. Strangely, I don’t feel tired at all. My body is now completely solid.
Not only am I never tired, I don’t even feel sleepy. I’m full of energy. I walk along the white gravel streets, where more than forty strong young Merfolk stand guard at the outskirts. Then I see a tall figure approaching.
"What’s wrong, young man? Can’t sleep?"
The Elder Merman lands quietly in front of me. I shake my head, noticing the shocking wound on his arm. The bleeding has stopped, but the deep bite marks remain, exposing flesh and bone.
"Is your shoulder wound alright?"
The Elder Merman shakes his head, leans slightly to the left, and rests against a conch-shaped house.
"That Azure Serpent didn’t seem to be hunting. Why did it attack you?"
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I ask in confusion, and the Elder Merman laughs.
"You noticed, huh? Azure Serpents are solitary creatures; they rarely gather in groups. They’re among the strongest beasts in these waters. I met that Azure Serpent long ago—we even got along for a while. But it’s violent by nature. It asked me to lead my clan in helping it wipe out other beast tribes in the waters. I refused, so we fell out. It’s held a grudge ever since and has bothered us several times. The last few times were resolved peacefully, but this time..."
I can see the worry in the Elder Merman’s eyes. Some of the Merfolk who screamed earlier are already dead. I watch as their bodies are taken to the village’s cemetery and buried.
Jade May once told me: this is a Merfolk attack technique. It generates powerful sonic waves that strike other beasts internally, but it comes at a high cost—sometimes, it can be fatal to themselves.
"Aside from our speed, we’re actually quite weak. I’m not sure why I had them bring you down—maybe I had my reasons. Thank you for today."
The Elder Merman turns and swims away slowly, worry clouding his eyes. I shake my head.
"Wait, the Merfolk you sent out today—who were they seeking help from? Why did they take so many children?"
I ask, and the Elder Merman turns his head, silent.
"Honestly, I hoped you could help us. But you don’t even know your own situation yet—sorry, young man."
I say nothing, just staring blankly as the Elder Merman leaves.
The next day, life returns to the Merfolk village. Despite what happened yesterday, the Merfolk don’t seem disheartened. Still, I’m puzzled by what I saw—the Elder Merman sent some Merfolk and children to seek help.
"Miss Jade May, can you tell me why those children were taken out?"
I ask, and Jade May looks at me in surprise.
"How did you know?"
For a moment, I’m confused too. I really don’t know how I knew, but the impression just popped into my mind—maybe I sensed it. Thinking back, those Merfolk children were crying.
"Don’t ask, Source. This is an internal matter of our clan."
Jade May tilts her head, unwilling to speak.
I glance around, take Jade May’s hand, and lead her into a narrow alley.
"Tell me what’s really going on—almost thirty children."
I still remember those smiling Merfolk children who surrounded me yesterday—their clear eyes and innocent smiles.
"Tell me, Jade May—where did they take the children?"
Jade May lowers her head, silent. I place my hands on her shoulders and look at her earnestly.
"They’re being given as food to King Scarletfin."
I’m shocked, and immediately the image of King Scarletfin comes to mind—a beast like a goldfish, with four legs and a long tail.
"Why?"
I ask, and a look of sorrow appears on Jade May’s face. She keeps shaking her head.
I turn to Jako Chen, who just told me. His eyes are full of resentment.
"Of course it’s to get King Scarletfin’s help. We’re too weak—every time the Azure Serpent attacks, we suffer heavy losses. This is the only way now."
"Go bring those children back."
I say firmly. Jade May looks at me quietly.
"You’re an outsider—don’t interfere. This is something our whole clan has agreed to. We’re just born weak!"
With a bang, Jako Chen punches the shell house. I grab Jade May’s hand.
"Take me with you—I can fight."