The mirror that lives over my bed cast my reflection back at me. Instead of looking like a well put together warrior of the Undine, the merman in the mirror looks like he is going to cry. 

He is barely holding it together.

I shook my head and straightened out my shoulders. Today is a momentous day and I need to be at the top of my game. Melodia will be counting on me to come through during the concerto. It is always a tag team affair, to prove that the potential Sirens were both skillful at singing and had people that were willing to follow them.

If a potential Siren couldn't convince a warrior of the clan to serve her, then she failed the leadership part of the concerto and she is out of the running. I glance out of the window in my small room and grimace as the sun begins to beam down into the crystal clear water.

The day cycle is starting and that means all the warriors and candidates will be heading toward the coliseum. It sits about a half hour's swim outside of Anthemusa and it is where all the great celebrations and tragedies are partied away by the Undine.

I slip on my silk wrap, tying the chain belt around my waist so the short cloth fluttered around my hips and tail. Melodia's colors glimmered on the cloth, blue and silver, along with her house emblem of a harp surrounded by a laurel--the sign of victors. 

As the cloth floats around me, my heart beats erratically. A day ago, I had hoped I might wear these colors for other reasons than going into battle at Melodia's side. Reasons that had significantly less bloodshed and significantly more blushing brides. 

Well, maybe just one bride.

I lifted a hand to run through my short blonde hair and exhaled deeply.

If Melodia becomes a Siren today, she will have very important choices to make about what she wants for the future. Maybe the choices she makes will put her beyond my reach forever. My thoughts run in circles as I try not to let them overwhelm me.

What if she wins? What if she decides she never wants to see me again?

What if...? What if...? 

I know I shouldn't get my hopes up that she will fail at the concerto, though. As her best friend, I should be rooting for Melodia to succeed, no matter what path she chooses. I've known her all our lives, and I know exactly what it would mean to her to win the title of Siren. 

A family tradition.

Unlike me, she has the chance to do what her family wants her to do. It is all Melodia has ever wanted. Ambition is in her soul and she will do anything to rise to the top where she belongs.

The sound of the summons horn blowing pulls me from my thoughts and I grab for my wooden trident. With a grunt of effort, I make my way out of the small home and straight to the coliseum.

If we make it through this, no matter the outcome...I will tell her how I feel about her.

As the thought weaves its way through my mind, I relax. Finally. Making the decision means I can focus on the moment. By the time I arrive, the inner corridors are packed with merfolk waiting to get a seat for the big showdown. I squeeze my way through to the competitor's area, showing my silk wrap to the guards before they let me in. 

As soon as I am inside, all of the noise from the hallways is muted. The room is dimly lit with sun stones, giving everyone inside a shadowy silhouette. All of the eligible mermaids in the clan were invited to participate in the concerto, but only a portion of them show up each time. Some didn't come because they had no desire to become a Siren. Others could not find a champion to defend them during the fight.

I search through the crowd for Melodia and find her leaning against a wall on the other side of the room. Her silver chest plate gleams in the light of the sun stones and she wears a battle helm that frames her face with silver wings. 

Though I smile at her in greeting, her face remains impassive and she keeps her arms crossed. Melodia is already mentally preparing herself for the combat ahead. The smile slides off my face and I take up my position of honor beside her. 

No one would dare to ruin the sanctity of the concerto by attacking the other competitors before they are in the ring, so I'm not worried about an attack. I am, however, worried for Melodia. As I look around the room at the forty five other mermaids and their champions, I count many who are at least three times our tender age.

These are mermaids who had been given plenty of time to perfect their songs and champions who had seen actual combat outside the city in their roles as warriors. For all her ambition, Melodia is barely fifty and inexperienced in comparison, and so am I. 

We were the top of our school, yes, but what is that compared to real world experience? The thoughts should have been enough to depress me, but instead I found myself straightening my spine and flexing my muscles. 

If this is the path Melodia wants, then the least I could do is keep her safe. 

Her hand lifts up to rest on my shoulder and I turn to look at her. Melodia smiles gently at me as she squeezes my shoulder. We have never needed words to express ourselves, and this momentous occasion is no exception to the rule.

Thank you, Militum, for standing beside me.

You can do this, Melodia. With or without me, you will succeed.

The crowd roars outside the walls of the room and then falls suspiciously quiet. Beside us, on the back wall, a second door opens and we can see the arena of the coliseum. Large empty space greets us, along with a glittering domed roof in the distance. 

Candidates began to file out of the room in pairs, singers and warriors swimming side by side in an orderly fashion without being told to. Silently, Melodia and I agree to go last. 

As we head out into the warm water of the arena, my knuckles turn white on the hilt of my trident. The sun seems overly bright in the water and I can feel the hundreds of eyes of spectators on me. If this was up to me, I would rather run than be the center of attention.

The candidates fan out and bow as one to the Sirens, who sit in a protruding balcony over the arena. Viola speaks, enhancing her voice so all can hear her.

"Let the concerto begin!"

Magic fills the arena as the battle royale begins.