The Piscomare Kingdom (known to its residents as "Fiskariki") is renowned for its breathtaking underwater beauty, nestled between the continents of Rioja and Cartagius, often described as an aquatic paradise. Gleaming coral reefs, vibrant schools of fish, and an endless expanse of deep, tranquil waters, Piscomare’s allure was irresistible to the wealthy who came from the surface to marvel at its treasures. The merwomen of the kingdom, fabled for their unparalleled beauty, only added to the kingdom's reputation.
But beneath this pristine exterior lay a much darker reality. Hidden from the surface dwellers and sheltered tourists was the capital's grim underbelly: the slums of Tunabyr. Here, in the shadows of the grand metropolis, the poorest merfolk lived in squalor. The deeper one swam, the more the light faded, and with it, any hope for a better life. In these depths, crime ruled. Gang violence, rampant kidnappings, and brutal raids by surface marauders were everyday horrors. The Tunabyr Police turned a blind eye, overwhelmed by the lawlessness and, at times, complicit in it.
And in this era, the era of Shaska’s childhood, long before the Great War and the establishment of the Global Federation to clean up the slums, there was no hope. It is often said that the love of Serenicus couldn’t even reach down to the slums of Tunabyr.
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A six-year-old Shaska darted through the sunlit waters off the coast of Perchburg, the middle-class suburb of Tunabyr, her laughter bubbling through the water as she playfully chased a brightly colored fish. The day was warm, unusual for the normally cold Fiskariki, and the sunlight filtered through the surface, casting a shimmering glow over the landscape. Schools of fish darted overhead, the aquatic equivalent of birds in flight, while vibrant coral stretched like cities in every direction.
Despite her young age, Shaska was already tall, standing at five feet, her height drawing frequent comments from strangers, though she paid them no mind. Today, she was free, joyous, and unburdened by the darkness lurking below the city’s shimmering surface. She swam toward a large rock, ready to lie back and soak in the warmth of the sun that filtered through the water. But before she could relax, a familiar voice called out from above.
"Shaska!" Her older sister Korla’s voice rang out, melodic and commanding. At ten years old, Korla was petite in comparison to her younger sister, but no less energetic. "Mom and Dad say it's time for lunch!"
With a gleeful cheer, Shaska responded, “Coming, Korla!”
She shot up through the water with a powerful kick of her legs and tail and joined her sister. The two swam toward the surface bubble that encapsulated Perchburg. Awaiting them on dry land were their parents, Isak and Astrid. Isak, the towering patriarch of the family, was clad in an immaculate black suit, puffing leisurely on one of his signature cigars, the thick smoke curling around his slicked-back hair. His golden skin and thick mustache made him an imposing figure, but his eyes gleamed with warmth as he watched his daughters approach. Astrid, an elegant merwoman, stood at his side in a flowing violet gown that complemented her own purple skin. Her long, delicate fingers adjusted her dress as she smiled at her daughters.
Isak was the man behind the success of "Isak's Fine Smokeables," the kingdom’s most prestigious cigar brand, famous for its innovative waterproof tobacco. His chain of cigar shops spanned the kingdom, with at least one in every major town, making the family wealthy beyond most merfolk’s wildest dreams. Because of this, Astrid had the privilege of being a full-time mother, dedicating her life to raising Shaska and Korla in comfort.
"Get dressed, Shaska! We're going downtown to the Tuna Tuna Bistro!" Korla’s voice carried a hint of excitement as she swam up to Shaska, already dressed in her finest purple gown.
Shaska's face lit up like the sun overhead. "Tuna Tuna Bistro?! That’s my favorite! All the prettiest merwomen work there, and they make the best clam pizza!"
Isak and Astrid shared an amused glance. Their younger daughter’s exuberance never failed to lift their spirits.
They headed back to their luxurious home briefly so Shaska could change from her seashell bikini into her favorite pink dress, an outfit she loved for the way it sparkled under the sunlight. Soon, the family found themselves seated at the best table in the Bistro, with their meal already being prepared. The clinking of silverware and the low hum of conversation filled the restaurant, but the only thing Shaska could focus on was the promise of her beloved clam pizza.
As they waited, Isak leaned back in his chair, puffing on his cigar. “Well, darling, once the deal for the new shop in uptown Tunabyr goes through, I think we’ll finally have enough for that house we’ve been dreaming of.”
Astrid's face lit up, her delicate features glowing. “You mean...?” she asked, her voice filled with hope.
“That’s right,” Isak replied with a satisfied nod. “We’ll finally be able to move to Marinatha’s Vineyard.”
Astrid clapped her hands together in delight. “Oh, how wonderful! Isn’t that exciting, girls?”
Korla and Shaska exchanged a glance. Korla frowned slightly. “But... what about our friends?”
Astrid leaned forward, her voice gentle and reassuring. “You can always make new friends, Korla. Marinatha’s Vineyard is even safer, and it’s a better place for you two to grow up. We won’t have to worry about surface ruffians causing trouble like they do here in Perchburg.”
Shaska’s brow furrowed in thought, her mind working through the implications of moving to a new place. “But... will there be a Tuna Tuna Bistro there? I wanna go there every day!” she exclaimed, her innocent concern pulling a laugh from her father.
Isak shook his head, chuckling. “No, no Tuna Tuna Bistro, I’m afraid, but there’ll be even better food. And who knows, you might even meet a nice boy to marry.”
Shaska giggled, her earlier concern forgotten. “I’ve been dreaming of my wedding forever! It’s gonna be amazing!”
Astrid smiled at her daughter’s enthusiasm, while Korla rolled her eyes good-naturedly.
The family finished their lunch amid laughter and conversation, leaving a generous tip before heading back home as the warm waters of the Piscomare Kingdom shimmered around them. For young Shaska, life was perfect.
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The next morning, Shaska and Korla were awoken by their mother to go to school. It was a fairly normal day, and the girls returned home to their mother.
“Welcome home, sweeties! How was school?” Astrid asked her daughters.
“It was fun! I learned that if I have ten clams and take away five, then I only have five clams left!” Shaska explained.
Korla was much less enthusiastic than her sister. “I said goodbye to my friends today…” she said, tears forming in her eyes.
“Korla, honey, we’re not leaving tomorrow,” Astrid said with a smile. “It all depends on if your father is able to close the deal for his business.”
“I don’t know what that means,” Korla and Shaska said in unison, tilting their heads.
Suddenly, the front door flew open. In swam Isak, carrying a half-empty bottle of hard liquor in his hand. His face was flushed with blood. He opened the bottle to drink more, but as he was underwater, the booze just floated out. He hastily tried to slurp it up.
“H-Honey… are you drunk?” asked a worried Astrid.
Isak hiccuped and said “what are ya, my mother?”
“Daddy?” Korla asked, also worried.
Isak giggled with an unsettling glee. “I lost it! I lost errything!”
“Isak, what do you mean you lost ever–” Astrid tried to say.
“Whole business! Down the drain!” Isak exclaimed. “The king passed a new law outlawing tobacco! Said too many b-bandits and ppppirates are coming here to steal it and it’s sooooo addictive! So poof! My whole business is gone!”
“Isak… how horrible!” Astrid said, trying to console her husband.
“Then… I beddit all!” Isak exclaimed with a hiccup.
Astrid really looked confused and worried now. “What… what do you mean, honey?”
“Once th’decree came down, I took all out savings out the bank and beddit all on th’seahorses!”
“No…” Astrid murmured, covering her mouth.
“And I won! We got millions!” Isak declared, almost triumphantly.
Astrid's expression softened a bit. “And then…?”
“Then I beddit all again! ‘N’ lost!” Isak declared again, tone unchanged.
Astrid's face contorted to utter despair. “Isak… why?”
“‘Cause come hell or high water, we were gonna go to Marinatha’s Vineyard! I wanna give m’family th’life they deserve!”
“Mommy? Daddy? What’s going on?” asked an increasingly scared Shaska.
“Don’ worry ‘bout it, baby,” said Isak, stumbling over his words. He turned back to his wife. “Now… where’s m’dinner?”
Astrid was furious. “You just wasted our life savings after losing your job… AND YOU WANT ME TO COOK YOU DINNER?!”
Isak swam over and struck his wife in the face, right in front of their daughters. “I said where’s m’dinner, woman?!”
Astrid's fury remained, but she became deathly afraid as well. “Girls, go to your rooms.”
“But momm–” Korla tried to say.
“GO!” Astrid shouted.
The sisters swam off, and Isak grabbed his wife by the collar and struck her again, shouting “WHERE’S M’DINNER?!”
Shaska was initially going to swim to her own room, but she was so terrified by the sound of her parents fighting that she swam into Korla’s room and sobbed while her sister held her.
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The next morning, Shaska and Korla were abruptly woken by their mother, her voice softer than usual. “Girls, time to get up. You’ve got school,” Astrid called. She tried to maintain an air of normalcy, but her bruised eye said otherwise.
Shaska rubbed her eyes and sat up, confusion mixing with a creeping dread. "M-Mommy, what happened to your face?" she asked, her voice small and afraid.
Astrid, still wearing a strained smile, winced as she gently touched her injury. “Mommy and Daddy had a little disagreement last night, that's all,” she said, trying to sound reassuring despite the pained tremble in her voice.
Korla’s face mirrored her younger sister’s anxiety. “A disagreement… like with words, right?” she pressed.
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Astrid hesitated before responding, her tone weary, “Something like that, dear. Now, start packing your things. We’re moving to Anglerfish Heights as soon as we can.”
Both girls froze. “Anglerfish Heights?” Korla repeated in disbelief. “But, Mommy, you said only the poorest of the poor live there! Why are we moving there?”
Astrid looked away for a moment, her facade of strength cracking. "Your father lost his job, and we... we can't afford to stay here anymore," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
"But—" Korla began, but Astrid interrupted, her voice strained with bitter resignation.
“It’s all we can afford now, Korla. I used to be such a catch before you two came along…” The sharpness of her words stung, though she didn’t seem to realize the weight of what she’d just said.
Shaska and Korla exchanged a bewildered glance, not knowing how to respond. Astrid sighed, shaking her head as if to dispel the regret that hung in the air. “Go to school. And try not to wake up your deadbeat father on the way out.”
As they moved toward the door, Shaska and Korla caught sight of Isak, passed out on the couch, an empty bottle of liquor floating beside him. His face bore a fresh black eye that mirrored his wife’s. Neither sister spoke, but the image burned itself into their minds.
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The week passed like a haze, and before they knew it, the family had moved to their new home: a rundown apartment in Anglerfish Heights. The cramped, damp space was a far cry from their comfortable life in Perchburg. The building itself seemed barely able to stand, the walls coated with grime and graffiti. Outside, the streets were lined with beggars, and the air was thick with the stench of decay and desperation. Everywhere they looked, people either lay slumped in drunken stupor or stumbled through the slums, their faces gaunt and hollow from hunger or addiction.
Shaska’s heart sank as she took in her new surroundings. This wasn’t the life her parents had promised. The shining future in Marinatha's Vineyard felt like a distant dream, one that had withered and died under the crushing weight of reality.
"This... this is our new home?" Shaska whispered, her young voice trembling with disbelief.
Her mother, standing behind her with a vacant stare, could only nod. Astrid's once vibrant spirit had been drained, replaced by a dull resignation to their fate.
From that day forward, Anglerfish Heights, a wretched hive of poverty, crime, and despair, became the place where Shaska grew up. It was a world where hope struggled to survive, and those who did live in it were left to fend for themselves against a cruel and uncaring reality.
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Three years after moving to Anglerfish Heights, the once-picturesque image of family life had long since dissolved into a routine of violence and despair. Every night, Isak and Astrid fought, sometimes with words, sometimes with fists. It had become predictable. Each day, Isak would leave the rundown apartment, supposedly to find work in the bustling city of Tunabyr, but most days, he came back drunk, having spent his time begging and squandering his "earnings" on the cheapest liquor he could find.
The only time Isak and Astrid seemed to get along was when they were too drunk to care, the shared bottles of booze forming a brief truce between them. But even that peace came at a price, as their drunken rage would inevitably spill over onto their daughters. Nine-year-old Shaska bore the brunt of it, her once-bright eyes now dulled by the bruises she carried on her skin: black eyes, swollen cheeks, and the constant ache of injuries from the beatings.
“This is for your mother’s sake!” Isak would slur as he struck her. “Don’t want me hittin’ her, do ya?!”
And Astrid, who had once been a caring mother, was no better. “I coulda been a supermodel! The most beautiful woman in all of Piscomare!” she would scream, her voice hoarse from the alcohol. “But I had you two brats instead! I was HOT before you ruined my life!”
Shaska had learned early on to grit her teeth and endure the blows. There was no escape, no refuge from the cycle of abuse. But in the chaos, there was one thing that gave her hope: her older sister, Korla. At thirteen, Korla had become her protector, her shield. Despite being much smaller than her younger sister, Korla had grown into a tough and skilled fighter. She fought back where Shaska could not.
Korla’s hands were as quick as her wits, and she had become a skilled pickpocket, stealing from anyone she could to provide food and scraps for her and Shaska. The two girls roamed the murky waters of Anglerfish Heights, unsupervised and neglected, but always together. Their parents barely noticed when they were gone, too caught up in their own misery to care. And in those waters, Korla had discovered something that would change their lives.
One evening, the sisters stood on the same beach they had played on as children, though the carefree days of their youth seemed far behind them. The once-glimmering sands were now darkened by their harsh reality. Korla had learned something new, a secret power she’d picked up from a wandering drifter named Rackham.
“So, this crab guy, Rackham,” Korla began, her voice hushed as if sharing a dangerous secret, “he told me Aether is like Caldris’s lifeblood… and you can breathe it in. Like this.”
She inhaled in a specific rhythm, her body subtly shifting as she absorbed the energy around her. Shaska watched in awe as her sister’s body seemed to hum with power.
“See that?” Korla said, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “I just absorbed some Aether from the planet. Now, watch this.”
With a calm focus, Korla extended her hand toward a nearby tree. A faint ripple of energy shimmered in the air, and with a sharp crack, the tree split in two, the sound echoing across the beach. Shaska’s mouth fell open in amazement.
“WOW! Woooow!” Shaska exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement as she hopped up and down. “Teach me! Teach me!!”
Korla chuckled softly, reaching up and ruffling her sister’s hair. “I will, Shaska. But it takes time and practice. You’ve gotta learn to control it.”
For the first time in what felt like forever, Shaska felt a spark of hope. In the midst of the hell they lived in, her sister was showing her a way to fight back, a way to rise above the pain and the chaos. Together, they would become stronger.
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Another month passed, and while out exploring one day, Korla swam far from the grim waters of Anglerfish Heights. Her curiosity led her toward the surface, away from the murk and despair of the slums, and what she found took her breath away. Without hesitation, she dove back down into the depths, her heart racing, eager to share her discovery.
She swam furiously, returning to the dingy, oppressive streets of Anglerfish Heights, and immediately grabbed her sister. “Shaska, you have to see this!” Korla exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement.
Intrigued by her sister’s urgency, Shaska didn’t hesitate. The two sisters swam together along the ocean floor, leaving behind the gloom of the slums. Eventually, they came upon a steep rock wall that jutted up from the seabed.
“Up here!” Korla called, already swimming toward the surface. “You won’t believe your eyes!”
Shaska followed closely, her heart pounding with anticipation. And when they finally broke the surface, Shaska’s eyes widened in awe.
Korla had been right, Shaska could hardly believe what she was seeing. It was the most mesmerizing display of lights and colors they had ever witnessed. Above them, the sky danced with glowing lanterns and fireworks, casting radiant reflections on the ocean’s surface. What they had stumbled upon was the light festival of Sambala, a Serenist celebration that was most beloved in the island country of Rioja. It was a place neither of them had ever seen, and now it stretched before them like a dream.
“Korla… you were right…” Shaska whispered, completely spellbound.
Korla smiled, watching her sister's face light up in wonder. “Also…” she added mischievously, reaching into the vest she wore for her pickpocketing schemes, “I swiped something from Dad to make today extra special.”
From her vest, Korla produced two waterproof cigars and a box of waterproof matches. Shaska’s eyes widened, not just in shock, but also in a mix of excitement and nervousness.
“Cigars?! But, Korla! I thought the king banned those years ago!” Shaska whispered, looking around as if someone might catch them.
Korla grinned and popped a cigar into her mouth. “Dad still has a stash hidden away. I figured, why not? I thought it would be cool if we just floated here, smoked a bit, and watched the lights.”
She handed a cigar to Shaska, who hesitated but took it anyway. Korla struck a match and lit Shaska’s cigar first.
“It’ll be fun!” Korla said with a playful smile.
Shaska took her first puff, and immediately started coughing and wheezing, the harsh smoke burning her throat. “I… How does Daddy…” she wheezed, “How does Daddy do this all the time?”
Korla, already lighting her own cigar, started coughing just as hard. “I don’t know, but he sure thinks it makes him look cool,” she laughed through the coughs. “Probably the only cool thing about him.”
Shaska, still sputtering from the smoke, couldn’t help but laugh too. Even at nine, she was well aware of what their parents had become, and she shared in Korla’s cynicism. Despite the coughing and the sting in their lungs, it felt good to laugh together like that.
For hours, the sisters floated there in the gentle waters near Rioja, puffing on their cigars and watching the vibrant colors of the festival illuminate the night sky. It had been so long since they had spent time together like this, talking, sharing stories, laughing. It was almost enough to make them forget the nightmare waiting for them back home.
The hours passed, and the festival began to wind down. The fireworks stopped, and the glow of the lanterns slowly dimmed, leaving only the soft shimmer of the moon reflecting on the water’s surface.
“Let’s… head back, Shaska,” Korla said quietly, a sense of heaviness settling over her. She knew what awaited them in Anglerfish Heights.
Shaska, too, felt the weight of returning to the slums. She glanced downward into the dark depths of the ocean, where their home lurked beneath the surface. “Yeah…”
But neither of them moved. They floated there in the quiet stillness, unwilling to let the magic of the moment end.
“Hey, Korla?” Shaska finally said, her voice soft.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you,” Shaska said, her voice filled with gratitude. She swam closer to her sister and wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug. Korla smiled and hugged her back, holding her close as if to protect her from everything they’d have to face when they returned.
For several minutes, they just held each other, savoring the moment of peace and sisterhood. Then, with a deep breath, they dove back down into the darkness, ready to face whatever came next.
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The sisters swam back down to Anglerfish Heights. The bright lights and wonder of the surface world now seemed like a distant memory as they approached the dark, dilapidated streets of their home. Before they could reach the ramshackle apartment, however, their path was blocked.
Standing in front of them was a towering, crab-like merman. He stood around ten feet tall, his enormous frame casting a shadow over the sisters. In his eight arms, he held an assortment of weapons: a spear, two swords, an axe, and a hammer. His other hands were free, but even then, his presence was menacing. He crossed his free arms and spoke to the girls in a deep, gravelly voice.
“What’s up, girls?”
Korla didn’t flinch. “Hey, Rackham. What’s up? What’s with the weapons?” she asked, her voice calm but alert.
Shaska, on the other hand, instinctively began to shrink behind her sister, cowering before the imposing figure.
“Relax, Shaska,” Korla said, glancing over her shoulder with a reassuring smile. “This is the guy who taught me how to use Aether, remember?”
Shaska didn’t feel much comfort, but she nodded, trying to trust her sister’s judgment.
“Indeed,” Rackham rumbled, but there was a heaviness in his tone that Korla picked up on. His voice lacked its usual confidence. “Unfortunately, I’ve fallen on some hard times… And I’ve gotta teach you something else now.”
Korla’s eyebrow arched at his words. “What do you mean, hard times? Everyone in Anglerfish Heights is always in hard times…”
Rackham lowered his head slightly. “I owe the mob… a lot of piscos. Too much. And I need to pay them back, fast.”
Korla’s expression hardened. “What the hell does that have to do with us?” she asked sharply.
“I’m sorry, girls. Really, I am,” Rackham said, genuine regret lacing his words. “But to pay off my debt…” He paused, struggling with the weight of what he was about to say. “You two gotta come with me.”
Korla’s eyes widened in shock, and Shaska looked nervously between her sister and the massive merman. “What… What do you mean?!” Korla shouted, stepping protectively in front of Shaska even further.
“Please don’t resist,” Rackham said, his voice low and almost pleading. “Cute girls like you will fetch a high price. The mob’ll forgive my debt if I hand you over.”
Shaska let out a terrified scream as Rackham reached for her. Reflexively, Korla reacted, her fist swirling with Aether as she delivered a powerful punch to his gut. The impact cracked his tough crab carapace, causing Rackham to stagger back in pain.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!” Korla yelled, fury blazing in her eyes. “I thought we were friends!”
Rackham winced, holding his abdomen where Korla had struck him. “I don’t have a choice, Korla. I’m desperate. It’s either you girls… or me.”
“Shaska, get out of here,” Korla ordered, not taking her eyes off Rackham.
“But, Korla!” Shaska cried, her voice trembling with fear.
“I said I’ll take care of him! Go home, now! I’ll be back soon, I promise,” Korla said, flashing her younger sister a reassuring smile, despite the danger they were in.
Tears welled up in Shaska’s eyes, but she nodded and swam away as fast as she could, her heart pounding in her chest.
Rackham made a move to chase after her, but Korla wasn’t about to let him. She lunged at him, tripping him as he attempted to pursue her sister. He fell hard against the ocean floor, his weapons clattering around him.
“Had enough?” Korla growled, standing tall over him, her hands bursting with Aether.
Rackham slowly rose to his feet, his expression grim. “I’m not going to be sold as a slave. I can’t. It’s either you or me, Korla,” he said, his voice filled with regret but also determination.
“Bring it,” Korla spat, assuming her fighting stance, ready for whatever was about to come next.
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Shaska swam as fast as her trembling body could carry her, eventually reaching the dingy apartment. She burst through the door, tears streaming down her face, her heart aching with fear and worry for her sister. Inside, her parents were in the middle of yet another fight, their voices already raised in anger.
“M-Mommy! D-Daddy!” Shaska cried, her voice shaking. “It’s K-Korla! There was this big guy, and he tried to take me, and I—”
Isak, already drunk, turned to his daughter and slapped her hard across the face, sending her reeling backward. “She’ll be fine, you little brat! Don’t bother us with your nonsense!” he snarled.
Astrid, equally intoxicated and enraged, shouted at her husband. “Oh, it’s not like we’re doing anything important, YOU DEADBEAT!”
“Shut up, you damn whore!” Isak shouted, striking his wife across the face with the back of his hand.
Shaska couldn’t take it. She sobbed uncontrollably as she swam away, heading for the small room she shared with Korla. She curled up on her bed, tears soaking the pillow as she rocked herself, muttering over and over, “She’ll be back… She’ll be back…”
But Korla never came home.