Ren groaned in pain, the headache pounding through her skull like a relentless storm. But the ache in her thigh was far worse, a sharp, searing pain that made her breath hitch. Slowly, she pried her eyes open, expecting to see the humble, familiar ceiling of her makeshift hut. Instead, a shimmering, opalescent crystal ceiling greeted her—glowing softly in the dim light. Above her, a grand chandelier sparkled, casting a soft, ethereal glow. Small, glowing orbs of light flitted around, their faint, musical giggles adding an almost magical, serene quality to the air.

Light Faeries, she remembered, recalling a time when Morgan had explained the different species of creatures that inhabited the depths of the ocean. He had said that the Light Faeries were mischievous yet helpful beings, known for their healing abilities.

One of the faeries suddenly darted toward her, its glowing orange eyes sparkling with playfulness. It was no bigger than her hand, its tiny body emitting a warm, soft glow like a flickering candle. It had no feet—just two small fins that trailed off into crystalline tendrils. Its body shimmered with iridescent crystals that caught the light, casting tiny rainbows in every direction.

Ren watched in awe as the creature hovered near her face, its glowing form casting an almost hypnotic light.

"Hello," she whispered softly, not wanting to disturb the fragile peace of the moment.

The faery grinned, its tiny, sharp teeth flashing in the glow. It raised a delicate hand, and before Ren could react, it gently touched her nose. A wave of warmth flooded her body, and the excruciating headache that had plagued her for what felt like hours began to ebb away. The pain in her side—the deep ache—also faded. Ren breathed in, savoring the sense of relief that washed over her like a tide.

The faery giggled, a high-pitched, bell-like sound, before darting away, disappearing back into the chandelier, leaving Ren with a newfound sense of peace.

A voice, cold and commanding, broke the serenity of the moment.

"Well, well," it said. "It's about time you woke up."

Ren's heart jolted in her chest as she turned toward the voice. A tall, imposing figure stood in the shadows of the room. He was propped up against a wall, his posture relaxed, arms crossed over his broad chest. His face was hidden behind a white and black mask, but his presence was undeniable. He was a merman—a dangerous one, judging by the way he surveyed her, and by the unmistakable aura of power that seemed to emanate from him.

"Not much of a talker, are you?" the merman chuckled, a cruel, mocking tone lacing his voice. His golden hair gleamed behind him, glowing faintly in the soft light.

Ren's pulse quickened as she took in her surroundings. Her body felt heavier than usual, and when she tried to move, she realized her tail was still bound—tightly wrapped in thick strands of black seaweed, which seemed to pulse with a dark energy of their own.

She tried to sit up, but her limbs felt unresponsive. Panic began to creep into her chest, but she clenched her jaw and forced her voice to remain steady. "Let me go."

The merman's lips curled into a smile, a cold, knowing smile. "Why should I? You're my prisoner now—my pawn. And I shall use you for the war to come."

"War?" Ren croaked, her voice barely audible as she tried to make sense of what was happening.

The merman's piercing, ice-blue eyes locked with hers, and he seemed to take pleasure in her confusion. He began pacing around the room, touching the delicate, crystal-encrusted objects scattered about, as if he were more interested in the room's décor than in her.

"A war with the Emerald Kingdom, Lady Belle," he said, his tone almost conversational. "And the King, Kai, seems rather... fond of you. Imagine that. A war fought over a mere maiden." He turned to face her again, his gaze filled with something dark and cruel. 

Ren's mind spun as she processed his words. She hadn't asked for this. She hadn't even known that such a war was possible. The idea of being a pawn in some larger game—especially when it involved her and Kai—was unbearable.

"Kai won't fall for it," Ren growled, but deep down, she hoped she was right. She couldn't bear the thought of him—her Kai—being dragged into a war for her. She wouldn't let him sacrifice everything for her.

The merman smirked, walking toward her with deliberate sways of his tail. His finger gently traced down her cheek, making her skin prickle. "But darling," he purred, his voice turning silky, "I'm counting on it."

The news was like a punch to the stomach.

"Missing?" Kai's voice trembled, the words barely escaping his lips. The maiden he had danced with all night—the woman who had stolen his heart—was gone. Disappeared. Vanished.

"I'm sorry, Kai," Atlantis said quietly, his expression full of sympathy. "We've been searching high and low. We've found no trace of her."

Kai's mind was a whirlpool of confusion and fear. His heart ached in his chest, the thought of losing Lady Belle—of not knowing where she was or what had happened to her—was unbearable.

"Ren!" His thoughts screamed, even though he had no idea why her name echoed so strongly in his mind. He had to find her. He couldn't let her slip through his fingers.

"I'm going to the surface," Kai muttered, his hands shaking as he removed the royal sash from across his chest. He had to find Ren. She needed him.

"Kai," Atlantis began, his voice full of concern, but was interrupted by a soft knock on the door.

"Your Majesty?" a voice called from the other side.

Kai pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to clear his thoughts. "Come in," he said, his voice rough with frustration.

A merman entered the room, clad in green armor, holding a small box in his hands. He knelt before the throne and placed the package in Kai's hands. "A delivery for you, Your Majesty."

Kai took the box, his heart beating faster. His fingers trembled as he opened it. Inside, there was a lock of dark hair—a lock that looked strangely familiar—and pieces of pearly white scales, jagged and torn, unmistakably from the same tail he had admired during the ball.

Atlantis's breath hitched as he gazed at the contents. "No!"

Kai's hand closed around the lock of hair, the pieces of scales falling from his fingers. His heart stopped when he reached inside and found a note.

"Does the name Lady Belle ring a bell?"

Kai's eyes widened in shock and fury as he crushed the note in his fist. His voice was barely a growl. "They have Belle."

"Who?" Atlantis asked, his amber eyes filled with confusion and growing alarm.

"The Diamond Kingdom," Kai muttered through clenched teeth. "They've taken her."

Atlantis's eyes widened in disbelief. "How do they—?"

"Gather the warriors," Kai snapped, his voice suddenly hard with resolve. "War has been declared."

Atlantis swam through the water as if his life depended on it, every beat of his tail sending him faster toward his destination. The urgency gnawed at him. He had to find Morgan. He needed to warn him.

"Morgan!" Atlantis called, his voice rising in panic.

Morgan emerged from a cave, his tired eyes blinking in the sunlight. "Atlantis?" he asked, rubbing his eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Ren is in danger!" Atlantis sobbed, pulling Morgan close, his body shaking. "Kai just declared war on the Diamond Kingdom."

Morgan's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Why?"

"They have Ren," Atlantis whispered, his voice thick with anguish. "They took a piece of her tail and a lock of her hair. They've sent it to Kai... and Ren only has until tonight before she becomes human."

Morgan held him tightly, the protective streak within him flaring. "Don't worry, love. I'll find a way to get her back."

Atlantis pulled away, his face streaked with tears, but his eyes were wide with fear. "How?"

Morgan's lips twisted into a predatory grin, his sharp teeth flashing. "Oh, Atlantis," he purred, "Do you not remember what I am?"

A chill ran down Atlantis's spine, and he realized, with a sinking feeling in his chest, that Morgan might be the only one who could save Ren now.