Caspian and Kai rose to the surface where they were sure no other mer could hear them.

"I apologize for attacking your kingdom," Caspian blurted, "I wasn't in my right mind an‐"

"I know," The Emerald King murmured, "You were being controlled by a rather dark magic. I saw it with my own eyes."

Caspian ran his hand through his long hair in frustration. "I'll offer my trade and alliance to compensate for the damages my armies have caused for you and the Diamond Kingdom."

Kai gave a slight nod of his head. "I accept your offer. However, I have not called you here because of it, but for information on the witch that you harbored within your kingdom."

"Elric," he seethed through his teeth, the anger of his close friend's betrayal clenching around his heart. "I'll give you all the information you need on that traitor."

"Good," Kai said, his lips set in a grim line. "He is of the same race as Morgan. What are his powers and abilities?"

Blurry memories shifted through Caspian's mind as he thought of the past. A vial filled with a strange purplish liquid took up most of his memories, a taloned hand holding his favorite drink in hand. The rage toward humans multiplying with each sip.

"Potions," he murmured, his finger rubbing his chin as he thought about his treacherous friend. "His fighting abilities are that of an elite soldier, perhaps more since his potions can enhance anything. Strength, speed, healing—so on and so forth," he glanced at the fellow king, "That's his magic."

Kai's dark brows furrowed together. "Did he try to kill Morgan because he saw him as a threat?"

Caspian quickly dipped himself into the water to moisten his skin before rising again. "He told me he wanted to stop the transformation of humans to merfolk. I believed him only because of my hatred for the two-legged," he shook his head. "The rest is a blur. He kept putting something in my drink that has made my memories from the past twelve months seem rather unreal."

"Why do you hate the humans?"

A cold hand wrapped around his heart as he glared at the Emerald King. "That is for me to know."

A low chuckle rose from Kai. "If you say so, Caspian. I'll be heading down. Feel free to take a minute up here, your face says it all," he spoke, mirth in his eyes that only made the anger in Caspian rise.

"I suggest you watch your tongue, Your Majesty," Caspian growled.

Kai laughed, shaking his head and slipping back into the water. Caspian huffed and muttered obscenities under his breath as he threw water over himself, the sun providing warmth while he calmed his turbulent thoughts.

However, the excited noises of dolphins interrupted his moment of tranquility. He cursed under his breath and slipped back into the water, not wanting to encounter the rather playful creatures.

Nonetheless, a dolphin stopped from going any further.

"I'm not in the mood, you beast," Caspian muttered.

The dolphin refused to go away, bumping its nose into his chest and pushing him in the process.

"If I go, will you leave me alone?" he said, exasperated. The dolphin clicked in response as the others joined him, guiding him back towards the surface where the herd came into view. On the back of one dolphin was an object of a peculiar shape. It wasn't until they neared that he noticed it was a human. A slender young man with a head full of the whitest hair he had ever seen. In one hand, he held a rather peculiar object, while in the other he had a steady grip on the dolphin's dorsal fin.

"You brought me a human?" Caspian said, bewildered by the playful animals. Before he could protest, the boy was dumped in his arms and the wretched animals left the scene before he could unleash his fury. He cursed under his breath and looked down at the boy, sterling irises meeting his own.

The boy's chest heaved with shallow breaths, his body shivering from the cold water. His eyes darted around in panic before settling on Caspian's face. There was a brief moment of stillness, and then the boy's eyes widened with unspoken hope.

"Mister?" the boy whispered, his voice a fragile thread. "Am I going home?"

Caspian's eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a snarl. Without a second thought, he released the boy, letting him drop into the water like a forgotten stone. "Your home is far away from here, petty human."

The boy's scream was short-lived as he splashed into the water. He surfaced moments later, sputtering and gasping for air. His hands clutched at his neck, still holding on to the strange contraption. Panic bled into his voice as he cried out, "I can't—I don't know how to swim!" He thrashed in the water, his fingers clawing at the air as if trying to grasp something unseen.

Caspian's brows drew together, his jaw tightening. "Then drown," he muttered, turning away. But the desperate, choked sound of the boy's gasping breaths clawed at the back of his mind. He grit his teeth, his heart warring with his pride. He cursed under his breath and turned back, darting forward to grab the boy by the wrist.

"You're loud and annoying," Caspian growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Stop thrashing, or you'll make this harder for yourself."

The boy's eyes locked onto his, wide with a mixture of fear and gratitude. His breaths came in shallow, ragged bursts, his chest rising and falling rapidly. "Please, take me home," the boy whimpered. His lips trembled as he glanced up at Caspian, hope flickering like a candle on the verge of being snuffed out. "I—I'll be quiet. I'll do whatever you want, just... just don't let me die."

Caspian's eyes softened for a heartbeat, a flicker of something human sparking in his gaze. He pushed it away. "You're not dying," he muttered, his voice gruff. His arms shifted under the boy's weight, adjusting him so his head stayed above water. The boy's body was lighter than he'd expected, fragile in a way that tugged at something buried deep within him.

"What's your name, boy?" Caspian asked, his voice quieter but no less commanding.

The boy's lips parted as he blinked up at him, hesitant. "Marcus," he croaked. His voice shook as he added, "My name's Marcus."

Caspian's eyes lingered on him, scanning his face as if searching for something. Finally, he nodded. "Alright, Marcus. Keep still, and I'll get you to shore."

"There's an island near here," a high-pitched voice said from below, the glowing features of a light fairy hovering just above the surface.

"Show me the way," Caspian commanded, his eyes still locked on Marcus. The boy's grip tightened around his neck, his small frame leaning into Caspian's warmth. Caspian's arms tensed as he felt the weight settle against him, no longer struggling, just trusting.

He let out a long, slow breath. "Just stay quiet, human. We're almost there."

*****

Atlantis tugged the sheet over Morgan's body before kneeling by his bedside. "Oh, Morgan," he murmured, his fingers rising to brush away a strand of hair from Morgan's closed eyes. He sighed softly as his fingers trailed above the witch's nose and traced the outline of his full lips. Without hesitation, Atlantis leaned in and kissed the tip of his nose as a tear slipped from his eye.

His heart ached with every passing second of silence. He pressed his forehead against Morgan's, letting himself linger in that moment of closeness. His thoughts were a whirlwind of memories—the first time he'd seen Morgan's mischievous smile, their late-night conversations by the coral gardens, and every shared glance that spoke louder than words. He feared he would never see those green eyes light up again, never feel the warmth of his touch or hear his voice call his name.

"I miss you, Morgan. Please wake up soon," he murmured, bringing Morgan's taloned hand to his own lips, pressing them against his knuckles. "I'm still here, love. I'm not going anywhere."

Atlantis's fingers tightened around Morgan's hand as he lowered himself to rest his head on Morgan's chest. The steady, rhythmic thud of his heart was a fragile comfort, but it was enough. It meant Morgan was still with him. His breathing steadied as he listened to that sound, letting it wash away the heaviness in his heart.

"I'll wait for you," he whispered, his eyes drifting shut. "No matter how long it takes, I'll wait for you."

I miss you, Morgan. Please wake up.

*************

Morgan could feel the pressure on his chest, the warmth seeping into his skin. He wanted to move his fingers, but they never obeyed his command. His instinct was to open his eyes, and yet, all he could see was darkness.

I love you, the voice said again before the pressure left, leaving him alone in his desolate mind.

Don't go, he thought, I can hear you.