Eriland—a realm once woven with wonder and balance—had become a land fractured by time, betrayal, and buried truths.
Long ago, the seven great kingdoms of Eriland thrived beneath a single era of harmony. Rivers carried enchanted waters from one kingdom to another, dragons soared freely across crystal skies, and ancient spirits watched over the lands without fear. Magic flowed through every mountain, forest, ocean, and cloud like blood through veins.
But centuries of war had changed everything.
The scars of forgotten battles remained etched into the world itself. Floating islands drifted where powerful spells had shattered the earth. Forests whispered secrets of fallen rulers. Ancient ruins slept beneath deserts of silver sand, hiding relics powerful enough to change fate itself.
Each kingdom possessed its own magic and identity.
The Kingdom of Eri stood at the center of Eriland, home to the royal castle and the sacred Book of Prophecy. To the north lay Glacer, where eternal snow covered crystal mountains that sparkled beneath moonlight. The Wolf Tribe roamed the western plains beneath skies painted with northern lights, while the Elf Tribe protected sacred forests untouched by time.
Far beneath the oceans rested Blue Scales, a kingdom of beauty and mystery where moonstone palaces rose from coral gardens and the songs of merfolk echoed through the deep.
The kingdoms remained at peace—but it was a fragile peace.
Beneath royal smiles lingered old grudges, hidden ambitions, and secrets powerful enough to ignite another war.
And beneath the shimmering waters of Blue Scales, the tides of fate had begun to stir once more.
"This is as far as I can guide you, Princess," said Yon Zue, his silver eyes glinting like lightning across a stormy lake.
Sushie turned toward him. Her expression remained calm, but deep inside, emotions churned like unseen currents beneath the sea.
"It's alright," she replied softly. "Thank you for bringing me this far."
The wind surrounding Yon Zue shifted gently, carrying traces of forest magic.
"I must return to Eri Kingdom," he said. "There's unrest... and eyes that no longer sleep."
"Yon Zue... aren't you going to stay and greet the Princess of Blue Scales?" asked Lucky, the talking fish floating nearby. His shimmering scales reflected every color of the sea.
The elf shook his head.
"My apologies, Lucky. Tell her I send my regards."
His gaze drifted beyond them toward the shoreline where mortals now stepped into Eriland's hidden waters. Jericho, Xyon, and the others moved forward cautiously, unaware that the sea concealed countless secrets beneath its tranquil surface.
Lucky's fins twitched.
"Is something wrong in the castle?"
Yon Zue's expression darkened.
"Plenty."
Before anyone could ask more, his body dissolved into countless particles of silver light. The wind carried him away, leaving only the faint scent of eucalyptus behind.
Shiya watched his departure in silence.
For reasons she could not explain, her chest tightened painfully.
It felt as though something precious had slipped beyond her reach.
"Hey, Xyon..." Jericho whispered, staring at Lucky. "It's a talking fish."
"Y-Yeah."
But Xyon wasn't looking at the fish.
His attention remained fixed on Sushie.
There was something about her presence that disturbed his thoughts. The air itself seemed to bend around her. Every movement she made felt strangely familiar, like a forgotten melody heard long ago in a dream.
Lucky suddenly darted upward.
"Oh! Look—Jossel and Phoebe are here!"
The waters parted.
Two figures emerged gracefully from the sapphire depths.
Their scales shimmered in layered shades of blue, turquoise, and emerald. Streams of glowing bubbles followed behind them as they swam forward.
Phoebe bowed elegantly.
"It's been a while, Princess."
"Yes," Sushie replied with a faint smile. "It has."
"We're honored by your return," Jossel began.
But Sushie quickly raised a hand.
"Please. Don't call me 'Princess.' I'm not the daughter of a ruler. Nor a prince's wife."
The words fell heavily into the water.
Phoebe and Jossel exchanged confused glances.
"What do you mean by that?" Lucky asked.
For a brief moment, pain flickered across Sushie's face.
"It's... a long story."
Her gaze lowered.
"I'll speak to Princess Devita directly."
Phoebe nodded.
"Understood. She sent magical bubbles to shield the mortals. Blue Scales remains strict regarding outsiders."
"I understand," Sushie replied respectfully. "And I'm sorry for the trouble."
Xyon sensed the growing tension.
"Let's get moving."
The group continued forward.
As they descended deeper into the kingdom, the world transformed around them.
The sunlight above gradually faded into a glowing sapphire twilight. Countless particles of magic drifted through the water like stars suspended in a celestial ocean.
The path before them illuminated itself.
Giant sea anemones unfurled like royal banners as they passed. Schools of radiant fish moved together in dazzling patterns, creating living paintings of gold and silver light.
Towering coral structures stretched upward toward the distant surface.
Some resembled castles.
Others looked like enormous trees whose branches sparkled with pearls and gemstones.
Colors impossible to find in the mortal world painted the underwater landscape—lavender corals, emerald reefs, sapphire pillars, and glowing white flora that illuminated entire gardens.
Blue Scales was more than a kingdom.
It was a masterpiece crafted by the sea itself.
Far ahead stood the royal palace.
The enormous citadel appeared carved from moonstone, crystal, and enchanted ice coral. Protective barriers shimmered around its walls like transparent waves frozen in time.
At its center rose a magnificent crystal dome.
It pulsed gently.
Almost as if it were alive.
Sushie stared at it.
Something inside her stirred.
A strange ache spread through her chest.
This place felt familiar.
Too familiar.
Here, her story had once been forbidden.
Here, her mother's name had been reduced to whispers spoken only behind closed doors.
Here, truths had been buried beneath layers of royal deception and silence.
The deeper they traveled, the stronger the memories became.
Fragments of forgotten emotions brushed against her mind.
A distant lullaby echoed softly within her ears.
A song she had never learned.
Yet somehow knew.
The melody felt warm.
Comforting.
Painful.
It was the song of the sea.
The song of her mother.
Around them, mermaids with flowing silver and blue hair swam gracefully through the currents. Their voices blended together into haunting harmonies that seemed to resonate directly within the soul.
One mermaid drifted close to Jericho.
Her glowing eyes locked onto his.
"She's singing in my head," he whispered.
Lucky immediately swam between them.
"Don't answer."
Jericho blinked.
"What?"
"Their songs can pull your mind apart if your heart isn't steady."
Jericho quickly looked away.
Further along the path stood a vast garden of glowing kelp trees.
Their luminous leaves swayed gently despite the still water.
Sleeping sea dragons rested among the roots.
Massive creatures with pearl-white scales and golden horns curled peacefully beneath the glowing plants.
Ancient sea spirits drifted silently nearby.
Even the magical creatures seemed to recognize Sushie.
They watched her.
Some bowed their heads.
Others simply followed from a distance.
As though acknowledging a truth long forgotten.
And still, no one spoke of the prophecy.
No one dared.
The sacred Book of Prophecy remained sealed within Eri Kingdom.
Its pages foretold the future of Eriland.
According to the ancient text, a Child of the Will would one day unite the fractured kingdoms and restore balance to the realm.
But the prophecy had been manipulated.
Its truth buried beneath lies.
Now Sushie—born from love, betrayal, fire, and ice—walked unknowingly toward the destiny that awaited her.
As she crossed the final veil of water and entered the palace hall, something suddenly pulsed within her soul.
A vision.
The world vanished.
She stood inside a hall of mirrors.
Shadows moved like living smoke between endless reflections.
Then a voice whispered from the darkness.
"Daughter of the broken vow... the sea remembers."
Sushie stumbled.
The vision disappeared.
"Sushie?"
Xyon was instantly beside her.
She forced herself to steady her breathing.
"I'm fine."
But her eyes drifted upward toward the crystal dome overhead.
At its center rested the royal crest of Blue Scales.
Three intertwining waves surrounding a luminous pearl.
For a brief moment, the pearl glowed.
And Sushie could have sworn it pulsed in rhythm with her heartbeat.
Sushie was born of love, betrayal, and shattered truth.
And with every step she took deeper into Blue Scales, the tides of destiny rose higher.
Because no matter how deep the ocean became—
not even the sea could drown the truth forever.