Heroes Adventure

Chapter 5: Mermaid

One day, when Leah is at a lake alone to relieve her mind from all her work at the castle, suddenly she hears a girl crying at the lake and Leah sees a girl lying down at the edge of the lake. She then later went to the girl.

"Hey, why are you crying?", asked Leah to the girl.

Leah was then shocked to see the girl's condition. The girl's skin is torn and also what makes Leah shocked is that she's a mermaid.

"Are you...a mermaid?", asked Leah.

"Yes. But I'm really in pain right now. I can't go back home", said the girl and she cried.

"What's your name? My name is Leah", said Leah.

"My name is Princess Naomi from Cearus. You can call me Naomi. Could you please help bring me to the nearest hospital?", asked Naomi.

"Sure, Naomi. But....", Leah stopped talking and think how to bring her because she is a mermaid.

"Oh, don't worry. I can transform into a human", said Naomi.

She then later transforms herself into a human but her condition is still the same as when she became a mermaid.

"Let's bring you to the castle", said Leah.

"Castle?! You're a princess?", asked Naomi.

"No. I'm just a royal secretary. I need to bring you to the castle to meet my brother, Sam. He will ask someone to treat you."

"Oh, I see. Okay then, let's go!"

Leah then later brings Naomi to the castle. But first, Leah needs to bring Naomi to meet the queen. At that time, Sam and Athena are also in the heir's room to discuss something with the queen regarding Zagary.

"Your Majesty, this is Princess Naomi from Cearus. She needs our help to cure her. Can she stay here until she fully recovers?", asked Leah to Queen Maria.

"Sure, she may stay here. I hope she will be okay after this. If anything, please let me know", said Queen Maria.

"Thank you so much, your Majesty", said Leah.

Leah then later brings Naomi to Sam.

"Sam, can you please help to cure Naomi? She's very sick now and she needs our help", begged Leah.

"Alright. I'll try to cure her. I also will call Dr. Bill, David, and Adam to come along", said Sam.

"Oh yeah, she's also a mermaid and the princess of Cearus", said Leah.

"Wh...what?! She's a mermaid?", Sam was shocked to hear what Leah said.

"Yes, I'm a mermaid", said Naomi.

"Can you transform yourself into a mermaid? Because if you are a mermaid, I can see the real issues on what happened to you", said Sam.

Naomi then later transforms into a mermaid.

"Wow, she's a mermaid!", said Athena.

"Can you please cure me so that I can meet my parents?", asked Naomi.

"Sure, Naomi. Anything for our new friend", said Sam.

Sam then later started to cure Naomi.

After a few weeks, Sam and the Heroes team tried to cure Naomi, they finally cured her.

"Alright, Naomi. You're cured. But you need to stay here for a couple more weeks because you need to recover from your injury", said Sam.

"Okay, Sam. Thanks so much for curing me. Uhh, can I ask you something? Are you already married? Because I see you wearing a ring", said Naomi.

"No problem. Oh...yes, I am already married. Why are you asking me this?", asked Sam.

"Nothing, I'm just curious, not intend anything with you anyway. But with who?", asked Naomi.

"With my friend and also my Earth Elemental teacher, Iris", said Sam.

"I...Iris?" Naomi was shocked to hear that name.

"Why? Do you know her?", asked Sam.

"Of course! She's my best friend. It's been years since I didn't meet up with her."

"I see. How do you meet up with her in the first place?"

"Well, let me tell you a bit about my backstory, and how I met Iris here in Zagary."

I had just been crowned as the Princess of Cearus. Cearus is an underwater kingdom, where my father, King Aaron Monroe who was previously a human, now became a permanent mermaid to live and married my mother who's a mermaid, Queen Nori Monroe. I was born with half-human and half-mermaid blood. At first, everyone in Cearus was quite terrified of me because I have human blood, but as time went on, my parents managed to persuade the citizens to accept me, and they did.

A week after I was coronated as the Princess of Cearus, my parents allowed me to go to the human world as I have human blood as well. When I got into the human world, I came out from a lake, and then I first saw a village. The people there were so friendly and cooperative. When I wanted to get up from the sea, suddenly I saw a girl practicing her Elemental power. I was shocked to find out that there is someone in the human world having that kind of power. I was amazed to see the girls controlling the power so effectively.

When she was done with her practice, suddenly she found out that someone was watching her practicing, and it was me.

She said, "I know you're watching me. Come out and show yourself."

I was so scared and froze at that moment, but then she said, "Don't worry. I won't be mad or eat you at all."

I then went to the edge of the lake to face up with the girl.

"H...Hi. I...I'm sorry for watching you practicing without your permission."

"It's okay. By the way, seems like you're inside the lake."

"Oh, umm, yeah. I'm...actually a mermaid."

"Oh, wow! I always heard about that in a fairy tale. I never thought it was real."

"Yeah. I'm half-human and half-mermaid because my father was previously a human, before now he's a mermaid permanently. By the way, my name is Naomi. Princess Naomi of Cearus."

"Oh! You're like a mermaid princess. Nice to meet you, Naomi. My name is Iris. I forgot to tell you that I'm...actually blind. So, I can't see you, but still, I have a very good hearing, you know?"

"Oh. I'm so sorry to hear that, Iris. But, do you mind if I ask...how did it happen? You don't have to answer it if it's sensitive to you."

"No, it's okay. I was born with a birth defect called congenital blindness. My mother has tried to find a treatment for this defect, but unfortunately, there wasn't one. So, my whole life I just depend on my hearing ability to continue my daily life."

"I see. It's amazing to see how you're able to move on with your life with no vision."

"I know. Also, I'm able to do anything like cooking, laundry, and other myself, but sometimes I use the help of my AI assistant who will give me instructions to do stuff by hearing. By the way, enough of my backstory. You said just now that you're also a human?"

"Oh yeah. Let me demonstrate, but I want you to be able to differentiate by touch sense. Here, I will sit down and you can feel my tail to see that I'm telling the truth."

I then sat down and let Iris feel my mermaid tail, and she believed it. I then transformed into a human, and she was shocked when she felt that the tail had become legs.

"What?! How?!"

"Well, I can transform myself either into a human or a mermaid. Previously, I used this necklace that I wear on my neck to transform, but I have to say what I'm going to transfer into. Now, after my coronation ceremony as the princess of Cearus, I'm able to transform into a human or a mermaid freely and in certain situations."

"That's great! Hey, since we just met each other and have talked about our story, why we're not becoming friends? I love to have a friend that is, you know...unique."

"Sure, that will be lovely! We're not just gonna be friends, we're gonna be best friends forever. How's that?"

"Hmm, I love that idea. We can call ourselves 'Bestie' now."

Both I and Iris laughed, and then I requested Iris to show her Earth Elemental power skills, while I showed my Water Elemental skills. She showed it, and I showed it too. Even though she can't see I'm demonstrating it, she can still hear it.

We both then became best friends, and whenever I'm visiting the human world, I will always meet with Iris first. We both enjoyed our time together. She and her mother showed me the kingdom of Zagary, but I didn't manage to show her my kingdom, but I promised her one day I'll show her.

Until one day, I have to stay back in Cearus for my royal practice session for some years. So, I met with Iris one last time before I came back to Zagary, where I found out the kingdom's name from Iris for a long time.

"Hey Iris, I...uh...want to tell you something. I...will not come back here for some time."

"What?! But why?!"

"I'm going to have my royal practice for a few years. Since I will be the future ruler, I need to learn how to administrate the kingdom from my parents. I also have to take royal class, well you know, typical royal family stuff. I'm not mad about what I'm going to be doing, but I'm just upset that I'm not going to meet you for a long time, and I'm really sorry, Iris."

Iris then didn't answer me, but I could see the tears coming out from her, meaning she was disappointed.

"Iris, please don't cry, okay? I promise you that one day I will try my best to come back here and meet you again, okay?"

"Promise?"

"I promise, Iris. You can count on me."

"I'm not what, Naomi. I'm just...scared that you're going to leave me."

"What?! No! I won't leave you behind. I will always remember you, Iris. I also want to thank you for showing me everything here in Zagary since I've known you years ago."

"You're welcome, Naomi. I also want to thank you for being my best friend. Since you first appeared here, my life has changed. I became happier than ever. I never had a friend who was always being with me, but you are the first, you know? And I appreciate it very much. So, thank you."

Before I left, I gave Iris a pearl bracelet that I made myself as a token of appreciation and remembrance of us becoming best friends, and at the same time, I also have one myself. We both then hugged and waved one last goodbye at each other before I returned to Cearus. After that, I never saw her again because I was quite busy with my royal practice back in my kingdom. It's hard to contact between the human world and the underwater world at that moment, so it's been a long time since I didn't meet her, to be exact it's been 6 years since I didn't meet her because I met her when both of us were 15 years old. 

"So, that is my backstory. I...I really miss her. Every time I was in my kingdom, I always thought about her. I really hope she still remembers me though. Can you...bring her to visit me? But don't tell her that I'm the one who requested it. I want to keep it as a surprise. Please, Sam?"

"Sure! I will bring her here tomorrow. Don't you worry, I will make sure both of you reunited again, and I won't tell her about you're being here for treatment as well."

The next day, Sam brings his wife Iris to meet with Naomi.

"Who do you want me to meet, honey? You still haven't told me since yesterday", asked Iris.

"I can't tell you. It's a secret", said Sam.

"Hmph. You're always very secretive."

Sam then brings Iris to the ward where Naomi is in there.

"Here we are in the wardroom. I believe you know her, darling", said Sam.

"Her? Who?", Iris still wondering who she needs to meet.

"Long time no see, bestie", said Naomi.

Iris was then shocked and she had heard that voice before.

"N...Naomi? Is that you?", asked Iris.

"Yes, it's me, Iris. I'm Naomi, your best friend. Did you already forget about me?", said Naomi.

Iris then hugged Naomi.

"It's been a long time since I didn't see you, Iris", said Naomi.

"Same with you. Where you've been? You promised that you're going to come back", cried Iris.

"I'm so sorry. I try to come back here, but unfortunately I can't. My parents won't allow me because I have to finish my royal practice. I almost finished it, but unfortunately, there's an emergency happening in my kingdom, so I have to come here to seek help."

"It's ok. I'm glad you keep your promise. But, what kind of emergency?"

"It's a long story. I will tell you later. By the way, you still wear the bracelet I gave you?"

"Of course! This bracelet is the one that kept me reminded of you."

"I'm glad you still wear it. And also, I'm glad you still remember me when I'm not around. I was worried that you already forgot about me after I left for years."

"How could I forget my own best friend? I just...didn't tell much about you to anyone, including my husband because we had promised to keep the secret of your existence as a mermaid."

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that."

Iris then went to Sam and hugged him. She then said, "Thanks so much, honey, for bringing me to meet Naomi. It's been a long time since I didn't meet her."

"No problem darling. I did this because Naomi told me everything about your friendship, and she really wants to meet you. Besides, she's here because she's sick. But now she's okay", said Sam.

"Really? Is it bad?", asked Iris.

"It's very bad. But I will recover soon", said Naomi.

"Oh, I'm glad to hear that. Umm, honey, can you leave both of us alone? We...want to have some chit-chat ourselves", asked Iris.

"Sure, darling. Both of you also haven't met for years, so I'll let y'all here, okay? If you have anything, then just call me up", said Sam.

Then, Iris and Naomi have a long chit-chat at the ward because they haven't talked or met for months. They talked about how their life went, and how happy they were finally reunited after for so long.

The next day, Sam and his team meet with Naomi to discuss regarding her kingdom which she says is in danger.

"Naomi, you told me before that your kingdom is in danger right?", asked Leah.

"Yes. Our kingdom is polluted with toxic substances and that makes everyone sick. We install a protection shield to recover the situation and it works for a while. Even my parents are also sick because of the situation", explained Naomi.

"Oh no! So, how are they now?", asked Athena.

"My mother's getting better a bit because of the medicine we created, but my father's condition getting worse even though we use the same medicine. So I need to rule the kingdom for a while but on the day Leah found me, I was going to meet up with the Zagary Royal Family and also a superhero team called The Nebulas to seek help in our kingdom", said Naomi.

"I see. Let us help you, Naomi. Maybe we can save and cure everyone in your kingdom", said Sam.

"You all want to help me?", asked Naomi.

"Of course! We want to help you because you're our friend", said Iris.

"Wow, thank you so much! We never ask anyone from the surface to help us, but all of you volunteer to help", said Naomi.

"You're welcome. Now have a rest first. For the next two days, we'll go to your kingdom. For now, I'll ask my friend, David to create tech gear for us to go to your kingdom", said Sam.

In Dr. Bill's lab, Dr. Bill with David and Sam trying to do tech gear so that they can become a mermaid and go to Cearus. Dr. Bill is not only a medical doctor, but he's also a famous tech creator in Zagary. He can invent a lot of cool things for Zagary's citizens such as a flying car! After a few tests they made on the gear, they all are finally done with their creation. Then, Sam met with his sisters to show their creation.

"Wow! What is this brother? Is this the device that we'll use to go to Cearus?", asked Athena.

"Yes, my sister. Dr. Bill, David, and I made this for like a day and we were finally done with it. This bracelet will transform us into a mermaid and we can go to Cearus", said Sam.

"When we will go to Cearus?", asked Leah.

"Tomorrow. You, Iris, Athena, Ben, and I will go to Cearus, whereas the others will stay here", said Sam.

The next day, Sam and his team together with Naomi went to Cearus. They are shocked to see that the sea is full of toxic substances. Luckily, Sam with Dr. Bill and David have already created an anti-toxic potion to reduce the acidity. They then drop a bit of the potion and it spreads throughout the sea and looks like the potion they created works.

They then went to Cearus to do the same thing and look like the sea and their kingdom is clean again and there is no more toxic water. Sam tells his team to split up to cure all people in Cearus. Sam and Leah cured the king while the others cured the citizens of Cearus, with the help of the medics from Cearus.

After almost an hour, they finally cured almost the entire Cearus citizens. They then went to the castle to meet up with the king of Cearus, King Aaron.

"Thank you to Sam and his team because all of you already cured my citizens and even our sea. Thank you so much!", said King Aaron.

"It's being our pleasure, your Highness. We're doing this because we want to help our friend, Naomi", said Sam.

"Thanks to you our kingdom is now safe and sound again", said Queen Nori.

"It's all thanks to Naomi. She braced herself to face the toxic sea for trying to seek help from the above. And luckily, she did it even though she had a serious injury, but still, she managed to meet us and we're finally here to help", said Leah.

"Oh yeah, father. Can I visit them again soon, please? I know that my royal practice is still not over, but can I still have time to visit them at least?", asked Naomi.

"Alright, my daughter! You can visit them anytime you want but you must tell me first before you go, and you still have one to two final practices left, so you better finish as soon as possible, all right?", said King Aaron.

"I will. Thanks, Father", said Naomi.

"Oh, by the way, Your Highness, will you join our kingdom, Zagary? We are currently proposing to form unified kingdoms between your kingdom and our kingdom. We both can work together to protect each other, and your kingdom will be one of our states, but your power as a king, the administration system, and also your kingdom's law remain", said Benjamin.

"It will be an honor. I declared that our kingdom will become one of your states", said King Aaron.

After Sam and his team already met with the king, Naomi meets them before they leave.

"Thank you so much, all of you. You all have saved my kingdom", said Naomi.

"No problem, Naomi. After this, you can visit us more rapidly", said Sam.

"I know. I will see you soon! Oh! By the way Sam, can I bring Iris sightseeing for a bit? You know I promised her before that I want to show her my kingdom, right?"

"Alright then. I allow it."

"Thanks, Sam. Come on, Iris. Let me show you my kingdom."

Naomi then took Iris sightseeing around Cearus as she had promised to Iris years ago. Even though Iris can't see the city, she can feel its vibe and is still happy to visit Cearus even though she can't fully experience it. After hours of sightseeing, and even doing some underwater shopping and having some fun, Naomi brings Iris to one final place, which is The Pier.

"Welp, here we are. This...is The Pier", said Naomi.

"Is this the place like...your hangout place?", asked Iris.

"Yep. This is the place where I always hang out every time. Nobody knows about this place, only myself. Here I always watch above underwater, which is a glimpse of your village. Before I can go out to the surface, I always wondered to myself, what's going on up there in the human world? Are they different than me? I could say also that this place is my comfort place, out of all the pressure that I have here. Whenever I'm stressed out, I always come here and just relax. I learned this from you, you know? If your comfort place is the lake, mine is here."

"Wow! Well, even though I can't see it, still I can feel that this place is really peaceful. Thanks for bringing me here and also touring your kingdom. I'm excited to visit it again one day."

"No problem, bestie. You are always welcome here. If you want me to accompany you, you know how to call me up, right?"

"Yep. Of course. Thanks again, bestie."

Then, both Iris and Naomi enjoy their rest at The Pier after a long tour of Cearus. And now, The Nebulas finally completed their mission of saving a kingdom called Cearus. They now also have a new teammate and a new best friend, Naomi.