Despite all curiosity and panic, Aarysine would not venture out of her room. She was not yet sure of what lied behind the other walls, and she knew she wasn't ready to find out.

Instead, she waited impatiently on Manakel's arrival, now wanting to see this "demon" again, knowing a whole other side that exsisted beneath the legend.

Aarysine had hoped that her room would be different from the others, but in the back of her mind she had known. The colors were the same reds and blacks, even the bedspread. She was given a mirror and dresser that would probably come in handy at some point, though Aarysine was never one for worrying about her appearance (merrows were naturally beautiful).

Aarysine was just about to look down the hallway in search of anyone approaching when Manakel finally arrived. He stood in the darkness beyond the doorway, and knocked lightly on the stone arch.

"Can I come in, princess?" He questioned, with that same vulnerable tint that seemed to linger around him.

Aarysine wrung her hands together and nodded shyly, already beginning to be filled with doubt. He nodded in return and took his first step into the room, letting what light there was wash over him. He was dressed the same as earlier, but instead of letting his chin point upward with superiority, he let it hang low, seeming distraught with grief.

He put his back against the wall, next to the doorway, and leaned against, resting his hands in his pockets. He finally looked up at Aarysine who was now too afraid to face him, and was keeping her attention on her hands. Finally, Manakel spoke.

"I suppose Abe has explained your.... new purpose?"

Aarysine nodded, still not finding the courage to look up. It was so odd actually, that earlier within the day she had kept her head down in fear of a creature, but was now too afraid to look at the same "creature" for fear of not his looks, but of her own sympathy and how she would eventually react to it.

Of course, she had not noticed it at first, but Aarysine now realized what a pathetic creature Manakel really was. He was situated out in the middle of the ocean with no one but a slave merrow to keep him company. He had no companion, before now, and probably lived for the requests made by random visitors. WHAT was HIS purpose? Did he have one?

She was startled out of the questioning thoughts, however; as Manakel finally hinted to movement and made his way over to the bed. He slowly sat down beside her and removed his hands from his pockets. He then gripped the edge of the bed with both palms, obviously taking out his nervous anxiety on Aarysine's bedspread.

"Are you," Aarysine waited, leaning on every syllable Manakel spoke, "Disappointed?"

Why did he care? She was basically a slave to him, did her feelings really matter anymore? Finally, Aarysine mustered the strength to answer back, angry that her voice shook with her first words.

"I don't know yet. I'm still... adjusting to everything."

Manakel, his head leaning forward, his back bent making him seem shorter than Aarysine, looked up at her, and nodded with understanding. He let go of the bed and put his hands in his lap, seemingly studying them.

"I understand if your... angry." He sighed, obviously distraught with his own emotions. "But I hope that you can think of me not as... your 'master', but more like... a friend, perhaps?" He looked at her from the corners of his eyes, searching for a reaction.

"I'll be sure to try.... Manakel." Aarysine finally glanced at her new 'friend', and watched him jump at the mention of his name. He seemingly let the surprise pass, however; understanding that Abe had probably revealed THAT much about him.

"So, you know the truth then? Of what I am, and what makes me so... depressing?" He raised his eyebrows with the last part, smiling to himself, as if what he had said was some sort of inside joke between him and himself.

Aarysine continued to watch him, admiring his beauty, trying desperately to remember to respond when nescessary. Unable to gather her words, she only shook her head, not really caring whether or not Manakel chose to reveal the truth.

He glanced quickly at her, then looked away once again, obviously disappointed that Abe hadn't taken care of that for him.

"I'm an outcast. The one I loved, they... they let me go. They banished me to this place. And now I exsist here longing every moment to be in my love's presence again." He raised his hands to his head now, closing his fingers together on the back of his neck, forcing his head down further.

Aarysine knew that this was an oppurtunity to act as his companion.

"If they cast you out, why do you still love them?"

Manakel now raised his chin, looking up at the ceiling, letting his hands slide from the back of his neck to the front, and finally looked at Aarysine with a sarcastic, but most definitely dazzling smile.

"It is an unchangeable love. It's obligated and.... permanent. Basically, I was created to NEVER let it go." Though Aarysine was confused, and was about to question Manakel again, he now stood up, letting the sadness pass, and now replacing it with anger.

"Now you see?" he started, pacing back and forth, staring at Aarysine the entire time. "This is the cause of my sadness. This is why your people hate me, it is why I can never share feelings with anything or ANYONE else. I am cursed with a hatred for all, thanks to my curse of love FOR HIM!!!"

His fists now clenched, his breathing rapid and shaking, he let his eyes wander about, not searching for anything in particular. Finally, he took a deep breath, sighed as if releasing the anger, made his way back to the bed, and laid down next to Aarysine, crossing his arms above his head.

His eyes now closed, Aarysine took this moment to study his sad expression without the fear that he was studying her back. She let her hand hover over his face as she traced the sadness in his lips. She even came close to carressing her index finger across his cheek when she finally realized WHAT she was doing. Instead, she tried her best to provide comfort.

"I'm sorry I don't understand what happened." Aarysine started. Manakel opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling, just about to answer when Aarysine continued her statement. "But I am sorry that it happened to you."

She leaned back on one arm, avoiding Manakel's gaze. He stared at her for what seemed like hours with an unreadable expression on his face. He continued to stare at her, sitting up, leaning towards her, taking her chin in his left hand. Aarysine finally looked at him, and stared unmoving into his, what seemed to be, permanantly tear-filled black eyes.

She let her mouth fall open, and her eyes widen in excitement and fear. Her breathing quickened and she sighed as Manakel's lips tipped upwards, forming that same dazzling grin.

Aarysine's eyes fluttered in response, as she tried desperately to take atleast one deep breath. Manakel tipped her chin upward, closed his eyes, leaned forward, and finally let their lips touch.

Aarysine sighed, letting her shoulders fall, her eyes close, and her breathing slow, as she took in the feeling of Manakel himself. He did not open his mouth, and did not force her to open her's, he just lingered, allowing the relieving moment to last.

As he backed away, he caressed his fingers through her hair, staring at Aarysine all the while filled with longing. She leaned forward a bit, wishing that his lips were still against hers, but finally regained her composure and reacted the way she believed she SHOULD have.

Aarysine finally reopened her eyes, and without looking at Manakel, turned her head away, and gazed down at the bed spread. He paused his caressing, leaving his hand against her neck, and allowing his head to fall in defeat.

"I understand. I was foolish to think that it was alright." He then removed his hand from Aarysine entirely and made his way towards the door. Just before he reached it, however; he turned, answering Aarysine's latest question.

"You have to understand, dear princess. You have just shown me more compassion than I have ever recieved from any being in centuries. I am sorry for being so forward. I hope you can learn to forgive me for my ways. I will call on you again tomorrow, Abe will assist you until then. Good night, dear Aarysine."

And with that, Manakel dissipated into the darkness of the hallway once more, letting himself fade from Aarysine's vision, but not her thoughts.

Aarysine finally allowed herself to swim towards the door, and close the stone against the frame. She flicked her fin so that she sunk to the floor of her room, reviewing the thoughts in her head.

She had been kissed by a demon, and worse than that, she had liked it. How dangerous this would be if only her father knew. But since he didn't, she continued her thoughts, even beginning to say them out loud.

Her voice seemed to echo throughout the room, and she did not pause for breath until she made a final question to herself that paused her world entirely. There was no denying it now, she was falling for Manakel.

"But can I really let myself fall in love," Aarysine started, already beginning to shiver from the thought, "With the creature that has haunted the nightmares of my people, even me?"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Aarysine had spent the entire day questioning Abe relentlessly, searching for more answers, but recieving the same ones.

She now sat on her bed once again, waiting impatiently for Manakel's return. Before she had found herself frightened, but now she still held that same anxiety, but she liked it and showed no regret for having it.

Depsite all things that were against her having feelings for Manakel, she ignored them, only focusing on her future moments with him.

When he finally came, it wasn't as she had expected. She had hoped that he would enter, sweep her into an embrace and give her another one of his lingering kisses, but instead he stormed in, slammed the stone door and began pacing ferociously as before infront of her bed.

"Those damn witches came again today. OF COURSE THEY WOULD!!! They wanted to make sure I signed their damn contract." He clenched his fists even further into his palms with every syllable he uttered. Aarysine found it best to keep her place on the bed and listen to his rampage of words and threats.

"When I told them I had decided against their offer, THEY TRIED TO CURSE ME!!!! Just think, THEM... curse ME!!!! How dare they feel even the least bit superior to me, the demon of the sea." He now raised his hands to his head, clutching his brain in an atempt to control his anger. He then turned to Aarysine, aiming his words directly at her as if she couldn't hear them well enough whilst he was pacing.

"GOD!!! I should have cursed THEM... but Abe convinced me to let them go with a warning. God, if it wasn't for that merrow... I would have rid your people of the witches once and for all, then and there!!!" He finally took a breath, pausing in his fit having seen the frightened look cross over Aarysine's face. He let his body sag and attempted to brush his hair with his fingers back into its normal position that wasn't so disheveled.

"I suppose it was for the best. And... I'm sorry I startled you." He sighed once again, arms at his sides, and began to back into the wall just infront of Aarysine's bed. He leaned against it, letting himself fall to the floor, resting his elbow on his left knee, and letting his head lay against the cold stone whilst his eyes closed in deep thought.

Aarysine had to admit she had been frightened by Manakel's actions, but she could not control the emotion that suffered with him and his troubles. She swam towards him, laying on her side, allowing her fin to rest next to his long legs. She watched him for a moment, admiring his steady breathing and perfectly formed hands.

She finally allowed herself to raise her right hand to his left cheek and turn it ever slowly to face hers. He opened his eyes, his face expressionless, allowing her to move him at will.

At first Manakel stared, allowing himself to understand her intentions, and as the moment continued on, he knew what he wanted to do, and hoped that Aarysine would let him do it.

In an instant, Manakel had turned towards Aarysine, rested his left hand behind her neck, and pressed his lips against hers in such compassionate force, it was almost enough to make Aarsyine lose her balance entirely and fall into the water backwards.

Despite what Aarysine WOULD have thought if she had been looking from the outside in, she was glad Manakel had done this, and in turn, wrapped her arms around his neck, and parted her lips the tiniest bit, hoping that Manakel would take the initiative and do as she hoped.

Whilst she kept her eyes closed, he opened his, not knowing if this was the best of ideas. Allowing his physical desire to conquer his moral judgement, he took the hint from Aarysine and allowed himself to kiss her passionately.

When there lips finally parted, Aarysine smiled, wrapped her right arm around Manakel's chest, and leaned her head against his shoulder in contentment.

He, in turn, wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and caressed the back of her hand resting on his chest, enjoying Aarysine's touch and compassion. He had hoped that he would end his day this way, and secretly knew that Aarysine probably had too.

Whilst she smiled, silently pleased with herself and the last few series of moments, Manakel frowned down at his Aarysine, unsure of himself and what he was doing. He knew he shouldn't have dragged the princess into this sort of situation, and quite frankly, had never intended to.

In the back of his mind he could hear a mocking voice telling him he could not share any love for her, it was all reserved for his obligated love for God. But deep down, he knew, that despite all his past thoughts of him being cursed with nothing but future hate for others, he was finding new love for this merrow.

And despite everything he new was better for Aarysine, Manakel realized, he was starting to care more for Aarysine than for his God. But would God allow this to happen? Especially to this particular outcast?  

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Aarysine was now bored of Abe's conversation. It wasn't so much WHAT he talked about, it was just the thought that with every word he said, it drew her closer and closer to seeing Manakel again.

She had now stopped questioning Abe relentlessly, now finding that she no longer cared to find out about Manakel, just to be near him again was enough for her.

She was now addicted to his presence and found herself longing for every moment that passed to be shorter than the next.

Aarysine finally found herself back in her room once again awaiting Manakel and his arrival. But instead of finding her place on the bed as usual, she was hovering in front of the doorway, pacing as best she could with her fin instead of feet.  

Finally feeling a whirl of water hit her face, hinting that Manakel was finally approaching, Aarysine stopped moving and only faced the doorway. Her first instinct was to ask Manakel where he had been and WHAT had taken him so long, but she was interuppted however as Manakel rushed in, swept her up, and pressed his lips against hers ferociously, kissing her over and over again with such fury, it was making both their lips ache.

Instead of trying to question him again, Aarysine instinctively wrapped her fin around his waist, allowed him to push her furthur into the space above them, and wrapped her arms around his neck, gripping his hair in response to his relentless kisses.

Manakel finally released her from his grasp, only thankful that Aarysine had longed for his touch with the same intensity that he had longed for hers. He lowered her slowly to the sea floor, feeling her fin uncoil from his legs, allowing her to hover on her own.

He smiled to himself slightly, glad that relief was finally granted for this unmearsurable ache he had felt throughout the day.

Aarysine smiled back, wrapped her arms around his torso, and leaned her head against his chest as if listening for a heartbeat. He leaned down, caressing her neck and back with both hands, and began to whisper his apology in her ear.

"I'm so sorry I'm late, my love. I missed you beyond reasoning."

Aarysine smiled once again to herself, taking pride in his affection. She looked up into his face, and caressed both his cheeks with each hand.

"Believe me, I was sorry too."

They smiled at eachother for an instant, Aarysine allowed Manakel to kiss her once again, and then they returned to their embrace, his back to the doorway, Aarysine facing it.

Her jaw instantly dropped, however; as another person entered the room. It was Abe, but not in the way she remembered. Instead of the black fin, that was already strange enough, Abe was sporting legs, wrapped in the same black pants as that of Manakel's.

She leaned back and looked from Manakel to Abe, hoping that atleast one of them would give her answers. Instead, Manakel's face became a look of sorrow, he kissed Aarysine once again, and tried to delicately explain what had happened. "A visitor came today, I guess you would call him... an old friend. He warned me that a... creature was coming to destroy me and that I must leave this place."

He paused, waiting for Aarysine's reaction.

Instead of being scared, or angry, or questiong about Abe's new look, she responded as she thought was best and most helpful to Manakel. "Alright, let's go now. We can find another place to hide. There must be dozens of forgotten caves hidden throughout these seas."

She was now clutching his face in her hands, desperatly trying to get across that she would NEVER leave him. Instead of reacting with gratitude, however; he reacted in a way not expected.

Manakel's face became angry, and his form grew tense. He shook Aarysine's hands away from him, turned, and pounded his fists against the stone door.

"DAMN IT, AARYSINE!!! When I say I must leave this place, I must leave the sea entirely. I have to go to the one place the creature won't know to go. I must hide above on the surface... on land."

Manakel watched as Aarysine seemed to mentally and physically drain in that moment. As her fin and other muscles began to give out, Manakel rushed to her, catching her as she fell, letting her cry into his shoulder as he caressed her back vigorously.

Aarysine knew it would only make her cry even more, but as she began to think over everything Manakel had said, she allowed herself to tear up, dug her fingers further into Manakel's shoulder, and buried her head deeper into his coat.

He, instinctivly, lifted her to an upright position infront of him, standing with his back yet again to Abe. He began to whisper in Aarysine's ear, hoping that she would hear his plea past her sorrow.

"I'm sorry I brought this curse upon you, my love, but please listen to me now. If you had the power, would you spend your lifetime in search of me for the possibility that we may one day be in eachothers arms again?"

Not receiving even the slightest response from Aarysine, Manakel took hold of her shoulders, and pulled her out infront of him so that they were facing eachother. He felt his own traitor tears change from glints in his eyes to streams of water down his cheeks once he saw the confused and hurt expression on his love's face.

As she started to cry even more, he held her to his heart once again, clutching her closer than he ever had before, afriad to let go.

"Aarysine, you must answer me. If you had the power, would you spend an eternity in search of me?"

Aarysine, finally (partially) comprehending Manakel's question, faced him once again, with new strength and hope, and said, "Yes, I would do anything just so that I could feel you near me forever."

Manakel smiled down on her, kissed her forehead in hope of reassuring her for her decision, and turned to face Abe, nodding his head, trying to hint that Abe take his leave.

He then grabbed Aarysine's hand and led her gently over to the bed where she sat in her usual place. Abe glanced around Manakel, trying to get in his last goodbye. He smiled what could have been his last assuring smile ever that Aarysine would see, waved in hope that he would see his princess again, and faded into the shadows as Aarysine had grown so accustomed to seeing Manakel do.

She looked once again to Manakel, searching for anything else that could hint to what was going on, instead he only smiled, let his lips brush across her forehead, and then kissed her mouth once again before telling her to lay down.

She did so, stretching her form out on the bed, her black hair in billows around her diamond-shaped face, her arms at her sides, and her purple fin stretched out to its complete length, curling over the edge of the bed.  

Manakel stood at her side, looking down at her, wishing that it didn't have to be this way. Nonetheless, he continued on, knowing there was no time to waste. He placed his right hand on Aarysine's forehead, and his left hand on her stomach. He watched as Aarysine flinched and then settled once again, obviously reassured by Manakel's presence.

He sighed, leaned down by Aarysine's ear, and whispered his last words to her like a lullaby:

Let sleep take you, and await at heaven's gate
Stand there with others, impatient in their wait.
Be not afraid, you will soon find yourself there
But before all else, you must first breath air.

Let the sun overtake you, until you no longer wish to swim
Forget about age, time, and beauty whilst you begin your search for him.
Know that I am waiting, to be yours forever more
And when you ARE ready, make your way closer to shore.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Aarysine awoke to nothing but darkness except for a slant of light seeping through the one opening in her bedroom walls OTHER than the door.

She found that she wasn't frightened that she was alone, but assured that she would be able to find her love. She vaguely recalled the touch of Manakel's lips against hers once more, and then the dull painful thud in her gut as his presence left her side for good.

And though all this seemed foggy and very unclear, one thing remained coherent and absolute. The spell he chanted in her mind replayed itself over and over. She sat up thinking of those very words. "Know that I am waiting, to be yours forever more."

She was not shocked when she saw legs instead of a fin, it had actually been what she had expected. What she didn't expect was to find that purple scales covered her body throughout, hinting towards her merrow heritage.

Aarysine had been under the impression that once she changed, it would be only to human form alone, but Manakel had allowed her a piece of her old self. There were purple fins on the back of her lower legs and forearms, along with shades of black and grays throughout her coloration.

She finally looked at her hands and realized that along with these new physical traits, Manakel had given her new powers to go along with it. He had equipped her the best he could for her search for him, and she was going to start using them as soon as possible.

Without hesitation, she stood, at first wobbly, but balanced by the surrounding water. She made her way to the door, but turned before completely exiting, leaving the room itself with a thought to linger.

"I fell in love with a demon in three days," she said aloud, whether it was her own thought, or a statement in general, "Now I must spend centuries more in search of him."