The entire mer kingdom was gathered in front of the mer castle.
It was more happening than their annual festival.
The sight of males in their region was rare.
Now there were two in front of their very sight.
The one missing for several years and the one yet to be coronated.
” My dear mer-witches! ”
The queen was at the pedestal addressing her subjects.
” Today is a very special day! ”
Her statement was met with loud cheers. ” We are again reunited with our males after several decades. It’s a miracle in itself to see two of them together. Is it not? ”
Again loud cheers followed.
” Would we all not want a share of them! ”
This however followed with a loud shush. ” Why the mum? It’s not a crime to want a man in our lives. It should not be that way. Never. ”
Murmurs followed.
“Look at all the creatures on land. Mortals and immortals alike. They enjoy happy conjugal relationships while we have to spend our days killing our own husbands. ”
Another round of murmurs. But this time it was more violent.
” But my sisters, today, I, your favorite Queen will bring you out of your century of darkness!
I have a solution to all our problems. I can grant all your wishes of sleeping in bed with your very own mer-kings! ”
The Queens eyes sparkled along with her statement. She enjoyed how she got the drools on her crowd.
She went inside and brought Mia’s son out. Then held him up mid air.
” This is the answer to all our hardships. The blood of this boy will pave the way for the return of our males! ”
His cries rippled throughout the water.
Then two guards dragged Jade upto where the Queen was.
” However I will need all your help because this traitor, ” She pointed at Jade, pausing to satisfy her ears with the loud jeers. ” This traitor right here has already sent words to the Fox camp. They might try to stop us from performing our sacrificial ritual! ”
” My Queen, I beg you… ” Jade wriggled towards the Queen’s tail. ” Please spare this innocent life. Crystal is already gone. We don’t know about Mia. He is our only lifeline. ”
The queen sent Jade crashing against a rock. She hit her head and was bleeding.
” Crystal was a traitor. She betrayed us all while enjoying her life in the arms of the Wolf King. And so is her illegitimate daughter. The only way they would be able to atone for their sins is my paying with the blood of this one! ”
Jade’s eyes rolled back as she fell loosing her consciousness.
The Queen and her minions totally ignored her state and turning back to the crowd continued.
” The process of the ritual is long and elaborate. It will start by drawing all our strength. And once the process is started it will not be possible for us to stop. We will be at the mercy of the Dark forces. If we are attacked at this vulnerable state, instead of gaining our male population back, we will loose more than glad of our current number strength. ”
” My Queen.. ”
The queen’s frontline of advisors and aids bowed down before her, ” We will hold the line. Please initiate the process without any further delay! ”
The queen swam suddenly to the middle of the gathered crowd.
” Are you willing to lend me your strengths my sisters? Are we ready to usher in our glorious era? ”
The entire mer population formed five layers of circles around the Queen like a hive.
Except for the few who were left behind to guard the perimeters in case of an infiltration.
The Queen began chanting the Praise of the Dark Forces as the dark waves formed at the epicentre. It raised it’s hood like a serpent lifting the Queen by her foot.
She continued her chants as she slowly drew a dark sword out of her breast.
Vicious, sharp, dripping of darkness .
She swung it around slowly as dark clouds started forming around each of their heads, slowly being absorbed inside the handle of the blade.
As the sword went about collecting darkness from each of them, one by one they kept dropping from their position.
Strangely enough, none of the others seemed to notice that phenomenon.
As more number of mer-witches dropped to the ground, the colour of the blade started turning gradually crimson.
The mer- males, Anjana and the mer- boy watched from behind, unable to do anything about it because of their shakle.
There was no other witness present as the ones defending the perimeters had already left.
Suddenly Mia’s son started crying with a terrible loud whine.
It made the Queen open her eyes, getting pulled out of her trance.
She too could sense the reason for the boy’s sudden behavioral change. Even though he was still a new born, he had heightened senses.
He probably had felt threatened by the Queen and now that he felt it’s father’s presence in the ocean, it was telling for help.
Anjana and the mer- boy too became agitated. Pulling at their chains to free themselves of the bondage.
” Quite you two! Why are you still being loyal to that Half-ling ? Was I not generous enough to spare your lives. You were fated to die an inglorious and horrible death. Wasn’t I kind enough to grant you your lives along with freedom. And after we are done with our sacrificial rituals, would you not enjoy your lives with your mates without fear?
IS THAT NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR BOTH OF YOU? ”
Her words had quite the opposite reaction on both of them. Instead of stopping, they dragged and pulled their bonds further more.
But the commotion just outside the ritual perimeter, made the Queen turn her attention away from them.