The Little Mermaid Princess (2)
We arrived at Park Uncle's pier.
"Oh, you're here?"
Park Uncle was checking over the fishing rods and bait we'd be using.
We got a quick rundown from him on how to use the rods and basic safety rules.
"Will the spirit be wearing a life jacket again this time?"
[It's not just any spirit—it's me, Aqua!]
"Uh... yeah. Will Aqua be wearing a life jacket again this time?"
[No need! This time, I'll feel the ocean with my whole body!]
Park Uncle fitted me with a life jacket and gave us the go-ahead to board.
[Eeeeek! I'm so excited!]
Seeing Aqua in her straw hat, clutching a fishing rod, made my heart pound too. I pulled out my camera and snapped a bunch of photos.
The fishing boat chugged out into the sea for about fifteen minutes before dropping anchor. In the quiet waters, the only sound was the occasional lap of waves against the hull.
Before the fun of fishing began, Aqua stood at the bow, gazing out at the endless horizon.
[The sea from a boat really feels different. Nothing but water, no matter where you look.]
I turned at her words, scanning the ocean. Left, right, ahead—blue sea everywhere.
[Mm-hmm!]
Aqua nodded repeatedly, savoring the view. I couldn't help wondering how it looked to her, a water spirit.
"Aqua, what do you think?"
[It's so satisfying!]
Aqua planted her hands on her hips and flashed a big grin.
[It's the sea! Conquer the human world completely!]
I skipped mentioning that if the sea took over the human world, we'd all drown. Instead, I smiled and patted her back.
[Hee hee hee! Good! Now, let's go!]
"Under the water?"
[Of course!]
I told Park Uncle I wanted to try scuba diving first, before fishing. He nodded readily.
"I've got a scuba instructor certification, so perfect timing. Hold on a sec—there should be oxygen tanks on the boat."
[No need!]
Aqua piped up abruptly.
[I've got you covered! I'll let you breathe! So let's hurry!]
Aqua tugged at my hand impatiently. She was dying to dive in. In that moment, I was hooked too.
I grinned at Park Uncle. "We'll be back!"
He looked a bit worried but waved us off with a smile.
I stripped off my life jacket, scooped up the surprised Aqua, and dashed to the stern before leaping into the sea.
"Diving!"
[Eeeeeek?!]
Splash. The cold East Sea waters enveloped me.
[Ahahaha!]
Even underwater, Aqua's laughter rang crystal clear. Instinctively, I tried swimming for the surface, but her hand pulled me downward.
[Open your eyes.]
Her voice echoed from all directions—must be the water.
I slowly opened my eyes as she said.
"Ah..."
A round bubble like a fishbowl encased my face. Inside was air; I could breathe easily.
Aqua was already zipping circles around me. No wonder she was a water spirit—nothing like her waddling on land.
[My spirit master has entered the sea!]
Aqua swam gleefully, then grabbed my hand and dove deeper.
I glanced up. Sunlight shimmered on the surface, our boat bobbing tiny above.
Below, an infinite sea stretched out.
Can't see the bottom. Is it this deep here?
But I wasn't scared. Aqua was with me.
Soon, we reached the seafloor. Fine sand stretched out, dotted with sea urchins rolling around.
Aqua must have been manipulating the water with her spirit power—no crushing pressure.
[Ah! Fish!]
I gaped at where she pointed. A scene straight out of TV unfolded before us.
[How many are there? At least a thousand!]
Hundreds, thousands of sardines schooled in perfect unison, like a single massive fish obeying orders.
We watched, mesmerized.
Aqua murmured softly.
[It's like watching clouds.]
"Reminds me of the aurora."
After soaking in the wonder, I pulled out my phone from my pocket. Time to capture it.
Good, it's working fine. The waterproofing's holding up.
Before diving, I'd bought Waterproofing Agent from the Spirit Shop and coated my phone.
◈ Aged sap from Spirit Realm waterproof trees.
◈ Commonly used by wind spirits when swimming.
◈ Price: 10 coins
Spirit Shop items never disappointed.
"Aqua, wanna play with the sardines?"
[Oh, photo time?]
"Where'd you pick that up?"
[Saw it on NewTube!]
Aqua swam toward the sardines. As a spirit of nature, they didn't flee her.
She slipped right into their school. I snapped photos and videos like crazy.
She's a total mermaid princess.
Aqua frolicked among them, giggling when they brushed her—it tickled—and widening her eyes in wonder when they followed her gestures.
[Yup!]
Aqua shouted, pointing one way. The sardines surged in unison.
She did it over and over, loving it.
[Ahahaha!]
Her pure, bright laughter made me feel good just hearing it.
Great call taking the boat.
Capturing moments like this with Aqua was priceless. I owed Park Uncle big time.
Then Aqua swam back, grabbed my hand, and pulled me toward the school.
"Hold on—if I get close, they'll scatter."
[Don't worry! I've infused you with my aura!]
Sure enough, they ignored me, accepting me as part of the sea.
[Touch them.]
I gingerly reached into their swirling path.
"Whoa!"
The sensation startled me—I yanked back. Faster, sharper, firmer than expected. The feel lingered on my skin.
These are real fish.
The limp ones hauled up on land? Not the same.
Suddenly, the sardines scattered like wind, brushing past us.
Aqua read the currents.
[Someone's coming.]
Moments later, three scuba divers appeared opposite us—full wetsuits, tanks on their backs. They froze mid-water, kicking lightly, staring in shock.
Couldn't see faces, but their eyes through the masks shifted from confusion to envy.
I held out my hand to Aqua.
"Deeper?"
[To even deeper waters!]
We left them behind, heading down with lighter hearts.
* * *
We strolled the seafloor leisurely.
[The ocean floor is such fine sand!]
Aqua scooped some up; it dispersed like soft mist.
"The lakes in the Spirit Realm aren't sandy?"
[They are too!]
She took my hand again.
[But nowhere near as full of life as here!]
I gazed into the distance. Countless unnamed fish swam by. Starfish and urchins tumbled on the bottom. Rocks hosted seaweeds and barnacles.
A true cradle of life.
"That's why they call Earth's oceans 'mother'."
[Mother?]
"She births and nurtures countless lives."
[I see. Mother...]
Spirits lacked parents, so maybe a tough concept. But Aqua nodded like she got it perfectly.
[It means water is supreme!]
I burst out laughing. Classic Aqua—proud of herself and water spirits.
"Yeah, water's the best. Humans can't live without it!"
[Ahahaha! Water it is!]
Aqua bounced around, then froze, pointing.
[Ah, a turtle!]
A sea turtle munched seaweed that way. Aqua dragged me over excitedly.
The turtle didn't flee our natural aura.
Fully grown sea turtle.
I'd seen babies on the beach, but this giant? First time. Shell alone was a meter wide.
[Let's ride it!]
"Ride the turtle?"
[When else will you?]
The turtle blinked innocently.
"Is that okay?"
[Why not?]
True, ocean turtles weren't slowpokes. And this size? Plenty strong.
"Excuse us for a bit, turtle buddy."
We climbed aboard. The back was slippery, but gripping the shell kept us secure.
Feeling our weight, the turtle turned, eyeing us.
[Take good care of us!]
Aqua patted the shell with a grin. The turtle nodded faintly and started swimming.
"Faster than I thought."
It picked up speed, heading somewhere. Seascapes blurred past.
[Hee hee hee!]
Aqua beamed at me. I smiled back.
No clue where it was going. But unknown destinations made the best trips.
And it didn't disappoint.
[Ooooh!]
We'd reached a shipwreck.
What kind of ship is this?
Not Park Uncle's little boat—this was huge, for dozens. Long sunk; rusted, barnacles and corals hid the name.
[So beautiful!]
Aqua hopped to the prow. The hull was split, bow jutting up like a stage.
She spun with arms wide.
[A ship under the sea! How ridiculous!]
Aqua giggled, swaying into a gentle dance. I whipped out my camera to record.
Then fish from above descended. Pink-backed ones brightened the scene around her.
[What? Wanna play?]
Aqua laughed, petting them one by one. They nuzzled her affectionately.
[Ahahaha!]
She danced with them. I stared, entranced.
Beautiful song poured from Aqua's lips.
[Ningppa nangppa morgai~.]
The song water spirits sang only when truly happy. It symbolized the peaceful, beautiful Spirit Realm itself.
Undine’s Lullaby.
Her voice flowed through the water, wrapping around me like a chorus of Aquas.
More fish gathered, drawn to the song. Crabs from under the ship emerged, claws clicking.
Like a painting.
I watched, half-dazed. Corals bloomed like flowers at her dancing feet.
Fish swirled like a dress, lights making her glow.
Crabs and shrimp waved claws and antennae like an audience.
Aqua's song echoed through it all.
Mermaid princess... no, spirit princess.
It was so enchanting, beautiful—tears welled up.
I gazed at the fantastical scene forever.