(Queen Bànrion's POV)
"Safe travels, all of you," I say to our young saviors. "We've fed your animals a special provision. With it, you'll reach the Starlit Sea in just a few days."
"Thank you," they answer together.
They look almost reluctant to leave us.
And in their eyes… I glimpse unease.
My daughter steps forward and pulls them into a heartfelt embrace.
"Princess Aileen. Prince Dorcha. Sir Grogher… and you as well, wondrous creatures—thank you. Thank you for everything you've done. For me… for all of us."
I watch her clasp Asher's hand.
It still feels unreal that she's married now.
So young.
And yet—she could not have chosen a better husband.
The Clouder Princess returns her embrace with the same warmth.
Asher, meanwhile, exchanges firm, brotherly hugs with the Prince and the Knight.
"Be careful," he warns them. "There are countless legends—terrible ones—about the Sirens of the Dark Abyss. Treasure your lives."
The Prince doesn't look away.
He only nods, as if he already knows.
Then he swings onto his black horse.
"We'll manage somehow, Asher. We have no other choice."
"But believe me," the Princess adds, "we'll do everything we can to come back unharmed—and to obtain their Secret as well. It's far too important for our world. I'm certain they'll understand."
My husband approaches Sir Grogher and hands him a large bag of supplies.
The Knight accepts it, bowing in thanks.
I never thought an orc… a troll… well—whatever he truly is—could be so gentle.
"Safe travels," we all say.
One last nod—
and they leap from the cliff.
We step closer to the edge, watching as they glide above the first of our villages.
A deep wave of anxiety tightens my chest.
I pray to the Great Sage that all will end well.
(Aileen's POV)
The vibrant villages of the Sun Folk and the Moon Folk slide beneath us, unnoticed.
Raertha, Sidae, and Hercules are utterly focused on their endless glide.
Dorcha and Grogher are tense—too tense—for the mission awaiting us.
I know them well by now.
They're worried. I can see it.
Maybe even more than I am.
But really… let's think about it.
We're not going to the Sirens on a whim, are we?
We're asking them to help us save our world.
If they refuse, we all die.
They only need to give us their Secret.
Nothing complicated. Nothing demanding.
So…
Would it make sense for them to say no?
No.
Would it make sense for them to attack us?
Even less.
So then… why be afraid… right?
Or…
I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
The cold air whipping against my face steadies me, just a little.
Yes.
Everything will be fine.
It has to be.
(Grogher's POV)
We've been flying forrr days.
We should be close by now… I can smell the salt in the air.
Even the brrreeze feels warrrmer. Heavier. Damp.
Not sure if that's good news or bad.
Either way, turrrning back isn't an option.
Still… how exactly are we supposed to make contact with the Sirrrens?
It's not like we can just whistle for them.
Dorrrcha must have a plan. He always does.
"Look! We're here!" Aileen shouts.
The wind is so strong it nearly swallows her voice.
I glance down.
And suddenly, I underrrstand why they call it the Starlit Sea.
Beneath us strrretches a vast ocean—deep blue, dark, shimmering—lapping against an endless shore of silver sand.
Scattered acrrross it: starfish, shells, small tufts of seaweed…
…and diamonds?!
Unbelievable.
Sidae begins his descent.
Hercules and Raertha follow.
We've arrived.
I turn towarrrd Dorcha.
"So?" I ask. "How do we reach the Sirrrens now? We can't exactly swim all the way down to them holding our brrreath."
Dorcha looks at me in silence.
Aileen does too.
I was wrong.
No one knows.
We'll figurrre it out. Somehow.
For now, we dismount and take a moment to rest on the warrrm sand.
It's been a very long journey.
(Aileen's POV)
Of course!
How did I not think of it sooner?
I have to tell them—now.
"I might have an idea…!" I blurt out.
They all turn to me, curious.
"Dorcha, remember when I told you about the elven narwhal?"
"Yes, but… doesn't he live in the elven realm?" he asks.
What?
Oh. Right. Silly me.
"No, Dorcha. He was born in the waters along the elven coast—but he's a cetacean. Which means he lives in the sea. And he told me to call him if I ever needed help… and if not now, then when?" I grin. "What do you think?"
That touchy Dorcha… he nods, all stiff and dignified, without even looking at me.
Was I too cheeky?
Oh well. He'll get over it.
"All right," he says at last, cool and brief. "If you think he can help, why not?"
Ugh.
"Grogher?"
"Yeah. I'm in," he replies.
"Great."
That's all I needed.
I take a deep breath and shout with all my strength.
"Adalbertooo! Adalbeeeertoooo! I need you! I need my friend—the Elven Narwhal! Adalberto!"
A few seconds pass…
And then—
There.
The surface of the sea begins to ripple.
A massive shadow moves beneath the water.
Fast. Powerful.
It can only be him.
Suddenly, a great snout bursts from the waves, splashing us all.
Dear Adalberto.
"Here I am!" he laughs. "Who's calling me?"
Then his deep black eyes land on me—and light up.
"Oooh! Well, hello there, little one! Look how much you've grown!"
I'm so happy to see him again.
I resist the urge to hug him and turn to make introductions.
"Grogher, Dorcha, Raertha, Hercules, Sidae… this is Adalberto. The elven narwhal."
They're all speechless.
Raertha, Hercules, and Sidae especially look terrified.
Oh no… poor Sidae.
He's so frightened that his back arches, and he hisses at Adalberto—low and threatening.
I need to show him there's no danger.
I step closer, stroking him gently, then the others, slow and calm.
"There's nothing to fear," I say softly. "Adalberto is my friend."
Little by little, Sidae relaxes.
His arched back lowers, the hiss fades—replaced by his familiar, loud, rumbling purr.
Hercules and Raertha stop pawing at the ground and stand still, waiting.
Seeing that Sidae is calm now, Grogher steps forward.
"H-hello," he says. "N-nice to meet you."
Dorcha follows.
"Y-yes… uh… nice to meet you," he adds, hesitant.
Adalberto looks over each of us, then bursts into a deep, booming laugh.
"You're all so jumpy! I'm not going to eat you," he says kindly. Then he turns to me.
"So, little one… what can I do for you?"
Right.
Now I have to say it.
Best to be direct. It won't change the truth anyway.
I hope he agrees.
"We need to reach the Siren Kingdom—and we don't know how. Can you help us?"
He shakes his head hard, already warning me of what's coming.
And sure enough—
"The Siren Kingdom?! Absolutely not!" he snorts. "That's a people best avoided—dangerous, every last one of them! No. No, no, no. Anything but that. I can't help you. I don't like them at all."
I knew it.
But we don't have a choice, so…
I step closer, calm, and look him straight in the eyes.
"We can't turn away, Adalberto. It's the only way to restore the Sigillum Maximum."
He freezes, staring at me—clearly unconvinced.
Of course. He doesn't know.
So I don't give up. I tell him everything that's happened since we last parted.
"We've already obtained the first two Secrets. Five remain. The third is guarded by the Sovereigns of the Dark Abyss. Do you understand? Dangerous or not, we have to go. Will you help us?"
Please.
Please say yes.
He grows quiet. Thoughtful.
While I'm barely breathing.
Then—finally—his gaze shifts. Fierce. Resolute.
"I'll help you," he says. "You have my word."
Oh, thank goodness—I can breathe again.
With his help, we'll make it.
I know we will.
(Adalberto's POV)
If you ask me, this is suicide.
And yet… if the child says it must be done—
if it truly means saving our world—
how could I refuse her?
They're watching me now, waiting for direction.
Fair enough.
None of them are sea-born.
All right.
Let's do this.
And may I not regret it.
"Come closer," I say. "All of you. Animals included. Stand before my horn."
They gather there—trusting, obedient, silent.
I close my eyes.
Let them be as creatures of the sea, I think.
My horn begins to glow.
A sharp, radiant blue light spills outward, wrapping around them completely.
It's done.
"Very well," I say.
"From now on, you'll be able to live, breathe, and move beneath the water—for as long as you wish. As if you were born to it."
Aileen shines brighter than ever, pure joy lighting her face.
"Thank you! Thank you, Adalberto!" she exclaims. "I knew you'd help us!"
Thanks… hm.
"In time, little one," I reply.
I'm uneasy. Deeply so.
"I don't know whether I've truly done you a kindness," I admit.
"Use my gift wisely. None of you were meant to dwell in the silent depths of the sea. You do understand that… don't you?"
"Of course," Dorcha answers firmly. "None of us want to live down there."
"That's what I'm hoping."
The words slip out before I can stop them—
And suddenly, they fall silent.
All of them.
I shouldn't have said that.
I know it unsettled them, but I cannot bring myself to trust those Sirens.
"What do you mean?" Grogher asks carefully.
How am I supposed to explain?
Better to say nothing.
I see Dorcha and Aileen exchange an anxious glance.
He tightens his grip on her hand.
Dear children… take care of yourselves.
I swallow hard, then straighten.
"Climb onto my back," I say at last. "Next stop: the whales."
"The whales?" Aileen asks, startled.
I nod.
"The guardians of the Siren Kingdom. Come."
I wait until they've all settled in place.
Then, with a single sweep of my fin—
I dive beneath the surface.