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Gasps of shock erupted around them at the sight of Icurus, who felt uncomfortable in the tense situation. His hand still gripped the wooden dock, but he lowered himself deeper into the water.
“It’s okay,” Rosabella coaxed gently. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Icurus whispered anxiously, “How do I turn back?”
“Have you ever met a shapeshifter before?” Rosabella asked.
Icurus would be lying if he said he didn’t. So far he did, and that shape shifter just so happened to be Edward. But he met him when they were only ten. Six years have passed already and to top it off he only saw him do it once and never actually asked how he did it.
Ariana walked to the edge of the harbour, looking down. “I’ve heard Edward transforms back by focusing and concentrating on being human again.”
Icurus’s eyes lit up. “You know Edward?” he asked without thinking.
Ariana raised an eyebrow. “Yes, why?”
“Uh...” Icurus paused, sinking deeper into the water. “I-I was just asking since I heard he’s a hybrid like me,” he said awkwardly.
Ariana glimpsed the necklace around his neck - a black thread clinging to his dark skin and collarbone. Resting on his chest, right above his heart, was the emerald stone, shimmering like his scales.
She narrowed her eyes at him. Realizing she was looking at the emerald necklace, Icurus grabbed it, holding it to his chest.
Rosabella sighed and took a deep breath. “Okay, let’s start from the beginning. What’s your name?”
“Icurus Nikosi...”
“So he is...” Ariana pointed at the unconscious Xavier.
“Xavier Harrison,” Icurus replied, biting his lip.
“I see. Okay,” Ariana said.
“Um...how do I turn back?” Icurus asked again.
Rosabella snapped her fingers. “Yes, that’s still an issue. Why don’t you sit up on the dock?” she suggested.
Icurus did as instructed, hoisting himself onto the dock. Seeing his new mermaid tail, the same vibrant turquoise as his wavy hair, he looked at his webbed hands in disbelief. Parts of his skin had a faint iridescent scaling that shimmered silver in the moonlight. Glancing at his reflection in the water, he saw his ears were now pointed and fish-like. He covered them, murmuring, “I look hideous...”
Ariana gasped beside him. “First of all, that’s disrespectful to your MOTHER. Secondly, you look majestic. Do you know how many people would kill to look like you?”
Icurus paid no attention, gazing out at the ocean. Today had not gone as he expected.
“Okay, Icurus, I think I figured out a way for you to change back,” Rosabella said gently, trying not to frighten him.
Icurus flinched. “Wait! What if I turn back...” he blushed and whispered, “naked?”
“Oh, don’t worry about that,” Ariana said, arms folded. “Whenever Eddie shifts back from dragon form, he manifests his clothes again. I think you can do that too.”
“Right...” Icurus looked at the sea and whispered, “Mom, wherever you are, please help me turn back...”
Rosabella placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Just concentrate...breath...”
Icurus nodded, shutting his eyes. He focused on his human aspects - his father, his best friend Xavier, his home on dry land. A tingling sensation crept up his legs. He snapped his eyes open with a gasp and checked his hands - they were normal. His whole body was fully clothed again.
He sighed in relief. “Oh, thank Poseidon...”
“Now that you’re back to normal, let’s go,” Ariana commanded.
Icurus looked at her, startled. “Wait, what?!” He saw Xavier was missing from where he had passed out.
“Listen, we’ll explain everything at the castle.”
****
“How did we get here?!” Xavier shaked Icurus like a mad man. They where at the castle.
“Hey come down! You passed out”
“And then!? You were a fucking mermaid!”
“A siren” Ariana corrected
Xavier looked at her annoyed, “Does she have to be here?”
“I somehow was able to turn back with Princess Rosabella’s help” Icurus reasured
“So do we get to go?” Xavier asked
“No, we will be keeping both of you...for now”
Xavier looked horrified, “are we prisoners...?”
Icurus bit his bottom lip “I am sorry for breaking the ship, I did-”
Rosabella placed a reassuring hand on Icurus’s shoulder, “its ok”
“Yes, you can repay that by coming with us to Venora” Ariana gave them her sweetest smile.
“We are not going anywhere!” Xavier shot back.
“Well you don’t have to go but Icurus does” Ariana’s smile was gone and now had her hands on her hips.
Xavier gradded Icurus’s shoulder, “he isn’t going anywhere either!”
Rosabella took a beep breath, “listen I know this sounds really hard to hear, but we are trying to help him. And the only way we can do that, is by taking him to Venora where he will get proper training for his magic”
Icurus looked back at Xavier he still looked unhappy, “that doesn’t explain much...”
Ariana huffed, “if he can learn to use magic properly, he can be a certified mage and then you guys can help us on finding out what happened to that ship” she sat on Xavier bed, “I suppose someone important to you was abroad that ship?”
Icurus nodded, “my father...”
Xavier’s face became softer as he placed a comforting hand on Icurus’s shoulder.
“Well, we lost our uncle...” Rosabella sighed, “so I am sorry to hear that..”
“...So does my crazy grandma know?” Icurus asked
“Oh yes, we have told her about taking both of you” Rosabella informed
Xavier starched his hands, “so if going to Venora means not staying with my deranged grandma and finding out about what happened to his dad, I say I am up for it” he turned to Icurus, “What do you think?”
Icurus narrowed his brows “I am up for it too” he said with determination.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Rosabella cheered, “that’s the sprit!”
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The castle was serene, with only the sounds of the servants and maids working. The library was quiet until an angry prince slammed his book shut.
“This book is terrible!” Edward huffed.
“Why what’s wrong with it?” Ernesto put his own book down
Edward pouted, “this was supposed to be a story about a hero...”
“What’s the name of the book?” Ernesto asked sincerely.
“Well it’s called the princess and the sword” he put his head down on the table, “and she did fight monsters, but then this very evil sorcerer came along and threatened to destroy the kingdom if the princess didn’t marry him or something”
“And then..?”
“And then she marries him...just like that?!” He exclaimed.
Eleanor took the book from him, “I have read this before...” She frowned and wacked her younger brother with the book, “you didn’t even finish it! And also she didn’t just marry him just like that. She did it because the sorcerer was undefeatable and so to protect her friends, her family and her kingdom. She married him.”
She dramatically posed, her hand on her forehead, “It’s a tragic story!”
Ernesto looked at Edward “it is.”
Eleanor sat on the table, “changing the topic, aren’t you both excited for the magic alliance program? I can’t wait to see Vinter!”
“Vinter isn’t blind, so don’t get your hopes up.” Ernesto inquired.
“You did not,” she pointed at him, “have you known I am the most gorgeous princess in all seven kingdoms combined!” She slamed her fist on the table.
Ernesto rolled his, “well you don’t have much competition,”
Eleanor dropkicked her brother on the face. Ernesto fell of the chair, “Ouch!“. He got up, “Don’t do-” his sister put him on a back choke hold. Ernesto wrinkled his nose, “you are crazy!“.
Edward sighed as he watched his older siblings fighting eachother. He held the book tightly, contemplating the message it held. Would he give up his life for the ones he loved? He looked at his brother flipping his sister onto the ground. He smiled. Yes, yes he would, he would give it all up for the ones he loved.
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Icurus fumbled with his new shirt, which was white in color, with gold embroidery and on the back it had the Royal family of Eldoria’s crest. He asked, “Do we need to wear this?“.
“Yeah it’s so stiff” Xavier complained
Ariana wore a pretty pink gown and she had her hands on her hips, “Yes! You do. It is an uniform that you two must wear, it shows that both of you are under our rule” she tilted her head, “and Xavier you look much better in this then you think”. She got on her carriage and popped her head out the window, “I will meet up with you both after we arrive at Venora”.
“The next carriage will be for both you” Rosabella informed them before she got into the same carriage.
They both watched as the carriage went uphead. Xavier nudged him, “do you think Princess Ariana likes me”. Icurus held in laugh, “Oh please, your being delusional”. Xavier huffed, “Me? Delusional? Your the one still thinking about a dragon prince you met when you were ten!”
“I- I didn’t even bring him up? You were the one who brought him up” Icurus protested, shoving his friend. “That’s because I knew you where thinking about him” Xavier playful said.
Another Carriage came along, “come on let’s go” Icurus got in first, taking a seat and then pulling out the green necklace from underneath his shirt. He smiled to himself looking at it, “I might get to meet him again...“. Xavier sat beside him, “only time will tell”
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The castle gates stood tall, splendid and welcoming. Icurus gazed at them from the carriage window. The gates parted to reveal a magnificent courtyard. There was a multitude of carriages with guests wandering around and servants scurrying to perform their duties. They reached their destination, alighting from the carriage. Icurus looked around with excitement at the crowd of people. Most of them were mages, his peers. Some were hybrids, half human and half another being, just like him. Xavier, however, felt out of place.
“You guys made it” Ariana approached them, “well let’s get you guys ready for the magic testing”.
Icurus’s excitement flew away, “there is a test...?” He panicked, “wait! I am not ready...I didn’t practice any-”
“Oh don’t worry about it, the testing is to see how much magic you have and what kind” Rosabella reasured.
“Now let’s go”
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The garden was a vast expanse of greenery, adorned with a majestic fountain at its center. Icurus gazed around him, taking in the sight of the guests. They were all mages in training, like him, but they seemed to have different levels of confidence and skill. Some were engaged in lively conversations, others were demonstrating their magic with modesty and pride, and a few were simply relaxing and enjoying the pleasant atmosphere.
“Hold on I don’t...” Xavier pointed at himself, “I don’t have mag-”
“You do, you just haven’t unlocked it yet” Rosabella cut him off.
Xavier looked at her flabbergasted but didn’t say anything, “Ok...whatever you say”
Icurus looked around trying to catch a glimpse of a certain person with purple hair, “So...what now?”
Rosabella gestured towards a lady who wore a stern expression and a black outfit. She held a clipboard in her hand and moved from one student to another. “She is the tester,” Rosabella said. “She will assess your magic skills and record your scores.”
“Well I am off, Ariana take care of them”
“What! Why me?” She exclaimed
“It’s ok, we both can take care of ourselves. ” Icurus reasured them.
Rosabella tilted her head, “if you two will be ok, then alright” she added “If you guys need help don’t be afraid to find us, more specifically me. Just ask if you can speak to princess Rosabella and say that you two have been personally recruited by me”
Xavier shrugged his, “sure don’t worry about us”
“Well, see you guys at the feast” Ariana waved them goodbye.
“Be careful.” Rosabella said before heading inside the castle.
There was silence between the two friends.
“Your gonna look for him ain’t you?” Xavier inquired quietly without looking at him.
“Yes” Icurus replied
“You are an idiot”
“I know”
Xavier looked at him “Do you want me to come?”
“No stay here” Icurus said before dashing towards the entrance.
Xavier shaked his head, “this idiot...”
The tester appeared behind him “Ahum?”
“Oh hello” Xavier said startled
ᕯᕯ
Icurus strolled along the castle’s hallways. The servants and maids who bustled by him, busy with their tasks. They were preparing for the ball that would take place later. Icurus spotted some mages heading to the garden, but none of them had the purple hair he was looking for. He felt a twinge of disappointment in his chest.
At the end of the corridor, he saw a man with long purple hair pulled into a low ponytail. However, the man had cold, distant eyes, he was clearly not Edward, whose eyes were full of life. That is what Icurus remembers. He looked older as well, perhaps Rosabella’s age.
‘Maybe this is his older brother?’ Icurus thought.
He pulled the necklace out from under his shirt, sighing deeply as he looked at it. ‘What if he doesn’t even remember me?’ Icurus thought, continuing to walk. Ernesto passed him, stopping when he noticed the necklace. Icurus stopped as well, feeling Ernesto’s gaze upon him.
Icurus slowly turned around to face Ernesto. “Um...” he said hesitantly. Ernesto looked first at the necklace, then at Icurus, who stood there fidgeting awkwardly with it. “Do I...know you?” Ernesto asked. Icarus pursed his lips. “You’re not supposed to, no...” he replied evasively.
Ernesto tilted his head quizzically. “That necklace...” he mused. Icurus’s hand tightened around the necklace as Ernesto mentioned it. “It looks familiar,” Ernesto said inquisitively.
“An old friend gave it to me,” Icurus quickly said. “Hmm,” Ernesto narrowed his eyes. “I suggest you take the magic testing before you look for Edward.” Icurus flinched, realizing that Ernesto knew who he was looking for.
Rosabella’s voice echoed through the hall as she walked up behind Icarus and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Ernesto! There you are. I’m glad to see you’ve met my new recruit!” She patted Icurus’s head affectionately. “Picked him out myself.”
Ernesto’s face was indifferent. “I see... Maybe he will get a chance at being a high grade mage. His aura is quite strong.”
“Exactly!” Rosabella said. “So...ah, see you at the ball.” She dragged Icurus back to the garden entrance. In a hushed voice, she said, “What are you doing? Did you talk to the tester?”
Icurus looked guilty. Rosabella had been so nice to him, yet here he was wondering off. “Sorry,” he apologized.
She sighed, “it’s fine, your lucky I came along just in time”
“Now, where Xavier?”
“At the garden...”
Back in the garden, the tester stood in front of the entrance, checking her clipboard. “Good afternoon Miss Evans,” Rosabella greeted.
“Good afternoon Rosabella, how can I help you?” Miss Evans replied.
Rosabella pulled Icurus in front of her and said, “I believe you missed testing his magic abilities earlier.”
“Let’s see,” Miss Evans took Icurus’ wrist. “Good,” was all she said.
Icurus stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to say. “Name?” Miss Evans asked.
“Icurus, from the kingdom of Eldoria,” he said. “Magic type?” She asked again.
Rosabella answered for him “Water based”
“See? It was that easy” she looked around, “where is Xavier?”
“I will go look for him” he said, a little gloomily, upset that he still couldn’t meet Edward. While looking for his friend Xavier, he also kept his eyes open for Edward, maybe he could find him as well. Ernesto did say he was at the garden.
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“You didn’t give the test?” Ernesto found his younger brother sitting on the balcony, looking done at the garden. His wavey purple hair swayed with the wind, “I did...early in the morning when miss Evans arrived”. Ernesto walked towards him, “who are you watching?“.
“They are having a mage clash” he pointed down at the garden.
Ernesto squinted his eyes, “Is that? Is that Levina?”
“Seems so” he struggled
“Where the heck is her brother?”
Edward looked at him, “are you not gonna stop them?”
“No, why would I? I live for drama, why do you think I am asking where her brother is?”
“Maybe Eleanor finally kidnapped him and locked him up in her closet”
Ernesto smirked, “Ha! I can imagine that actually happening”
Edward and Ernesto looked down and then fricked out as they saw there sister climbing on to the railing.
“What are you doing? That gown is expensive! Your ruining it” Ernesto frowned. Eleanor jumped on to the balcony, “are heard you guys were talking shit about me”.
“Also” she added, “are you not gonna stop them?” She pointed down at the garden.
“Nah, those kids are not my problem. Besides Rosa is down there she will take care of it” he leaned in on the balcony, “I am just gonna watch what happens it looks interesting”
“It is interesting!” Eleanor joined her brothers, “it’s a water mage versus a lighting weaver”
Their was silence between them. Edward looked at his siblings worried, “are we actually not gonna do anything?”
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