The vessel glides through the abyss, forging a glowing path through the thick, velvety darkness of the deep sea. Ahead, unfolding from hazy mist and shadow, the underwater metropolis of Aquesteria reveals itself like a dream, enclosed in gigantic, shimmering domes that pulse like breathing bubbles. Twisted towers spiral above bioluminescent, metallic buildings covered in gardens of kelp and colorful corals. Schools of glittering fish weave through the streets while giant turtles lazily float through bustling markets.
The vessel breaches a barrier dome, sending out a ripple of energy across its surface, and as soon as they move inside, the pressure shifts.
Below them, the city was a blooming kaleidoscope of color and activity. Streets made of dark, flowing water crisscross the landscape, the skyline is layered with floating gardens and market pavilions pervaded by figures of every shape and size. Enormous jellyfish ferries carry Aquarians across the city alongside pod-shaped taxis, while others float on foot, crossing along bridges made of glowing light.
Vaela, eyes wide, presses her face against the glass window as they descend toward the palace.
"It's like a dream." she gushes.
Kai, standing next to her, with his hand on her shoulder, smiles warmly. "Well come to my home."
They move toward a crystal platform as the vessel's fins neatly tuck themselves away. They touchdown gently and debark beside a grand, marble staircase and before them stands the Aquesterian Royal Palace, its ivory towers spiralling high above their heads as the entire structure hums with ancient magic.
Kai doesn't hesitate, he runs off towards his father as soon as the transport's doors open, with Nerina not far behind. Guards adorned in gilded armour step out of the way as they storm into the palace.
Vaela debarks slowly, overwhelmed by the spectacle of everything around her as an army of guards and attendants quickly follow behind the siblings.
"Oh, the things I did in this place…" Lilith coos as she appears floating over Vaela's shoulder. "This palace holds so many naughty memories…"
"Not now, Lil!" Vaela mutters under her breath. "Please... this is serious."
"As you wish." Lilith sighs, lowering her head and slipping away in a swirl of crimson smoke as Vaela is greeted by a royal custodian and graciously guided towards the king's chambers.
But she decides to linger outside, tucking herself into a chair beside a wall blooming with humming vines, occasionally peeking through the doorway as her heart thumps in her chest, urging her to stand by Kai's side, but she can't bring herself to face the king.
From inside the room, whispers quickly grow to loud and frustrated yelling.
"You waste your time, boy!" croaks King Korylynis, his voice weary and distorted as breathing tubes snake out of his nose. "I don't need more of your tears and guilt. I've made up my mind. Go back to wherever you came from. Aquesteria has no need for weak royalty."
"I didn't come to cry for you," Kai snaps back, his voice sharp and filled with growing frustration. "I come to save you! To save what's left of this kingdom and stop you from tearing it apart! "
"A kingdom you abandoned!" The king rasps. "You come only to reclaim titles as wealth. You dishonor me!"
"I was weak, father. I did abandon my people. But in my absence I was reminded of what it means to be a royal… to be a king!" Kai grunts, standing tall and confident. "You sell your people to sharks in suits. Aquesteria deserves better!"
"Out! Get out! I will not stand to be lectured by an insolent fool! Go, you sentimental child! Get out!"
A moment later, Kai bursts out of the room. Eyes swimming with fury, jaw clenched and his hands locked into fists.
"Kai," Vaela calls out softly as she grabs his hand and presses herself against his arm.
His skin feels hot against hers, his body quivering with anger as he breathes rapidly. "This is a waste of time!" he snorts.
He turns away, trying to hide his overflowing emotions, but Vaela snatches his jaw and turns his gaze to hers, his anger and frustrations melting away in her crystal-blue eyes.
"Don't let this defeat you, Kai" she whispers to him. "You're not done here. Not yet."
He stares at her silently for a long time as her soft and unwavering gaze washes away his self-doubt and reignites his conviction.
He grabs her hand, lifts it to her mouth and kisses her gently on her knuckles. She blushes instantly.
"You correct, Ms. Moonblood." he exhales. "Tomorrow, then. I'll sit with him, I'll try again. And the next day and the one after that. Whatever it takes."
Vaela tilts her head and nods, swooning as he smiles at her, his smoldering green eyes gleaming with a deep-set determination.
And for the first time since they met, Kai the eternal flirt no longer looks like a prince.
He looks like a king.
"Come..." Kai says, pulling her close to him. "Let me show you what we're fighting for."
What follows is a whirlwind tour of the kingdom as Kai takes Vaela swimming through the Library of Light, an ancient archive where ancient scrolls and tablets glowed with histories written in light.
They visit the Temple of The Reef Mother, where congregants sang together in harmonious whale-song, raising reference to the ancient deities of their culture. The sea ripples strangely in response.
And they pass through old fishing villages and residential areas that have been razed and redeveloped into shopping centres, towering apartments and private vaults.
Vaela's heart bleeds as she watches the various stages of capitalism slowly consume an ancient culture.
Then they entered the Royal Coral Gardens, an quiet sanctuary gifted to the people of Aquesteria by its queen, centuries ago. It stood untouched by greed, filled instead with laughing families, children splashing through underwater ponds and swimming through glowing coral gardens while young aquarianslovers drift among forests of starlit kelp and giant sea-lilies.
"They all feel so… connected." Vaela says softly as she brings her hands to her heart. "It's so beautiful."
"Kai nods solemnly. "One ocean. One people. That's what we once believed." he sighs. "Until capitalism and exceptionalism found its way into the hearts of our people. The greed and corruption followed."
Vaela turns to him with fierce eyes. "Then you need to stop it! Tomorrow. We'll talk to you father."
"You'll join me?"
She nods with a warm smirk and he pulls her against his chest.
By the time they return to the palace, night has swept over the city. Flickering streams of moonlight weave their way down to the ocean floor, bathing the city's dome in a silvery shimmer.
From a grand balcony high up on the Palace's tower, they watched the glittering city below, dancing with life and covered in bio-luminescent lights.
Vaela leans over the balcony, basking in the glow of Aquesteria, her hair billowing softly behind her, caught in a passing current.
"This place is amazing. Like a dream come to life. You can't give up on it!"
Kai stands beside her, arms crossed, tunic fluttering behind him, looking regal and composed as ever.
But the crack in his voice betrays him. "Yet, I've been hiding while it crumbles." he says plainly. "I've been selfish, Vaela. And the fact it took so long for me to realize…"
He turns to Vaela, taking both her hands into his. "Thank you… for reminding me who I am."
She smiles coyly. "What are friends for?"
"Just friends?" he teases softly.
"Depends…" she says, smirking.
She leans in, and he kisses deeply, grabbing her in his arms and lifting off the ground.
Her eyes flutter open as he moans with satisfaction. And just above his head, four, glowing, red hearts flicker… and then a fifth.
"Five down, one to go." Lilith voices purrs in her mind.
She pulls back, lips tingling, trying not to grin too hard.
Just one more step, one more push and Kai, Prince of Aquesteria, her sun-kissed dreamboat, would be hers. Completely.
She wanted him not for herself, but for his people.
... at least, that's what she's convinced herself.