Laid on the couch under her velvet blanket, Annshera was enjoying the calm within the de Borel manor. Florian finally fell asleep and Aymeric busy in the middle of a meeting. What could she do? She took care of her nails the day before, why not reading a book? She activated the orcherstrion and continued her reading. A very familiar sensation overwhelmed her. “Come on, not now!” she sighted exasperated. Oddly, no vision came but a light appeared in her living room. She had that curious instinctive reaction to hide herself under her blanket. The time she put her head out to check if the mysterious light disappeared, she had been vacuumed.

***

Annshera woke up later, in the middle of the ocean. Face to her, a woman, out of breath was staring at her, relieved to see the scarlet haired woman. She painfully swam to reach Annshera and touched her face with the tip of her finger.

“Please do not scream my dear.” she spoke with very enchanting and melodious voice.

“Why would I… aaaaaaaaaaah !”

Annshera finally took a look on herself. She had no legs anymore. Instead, a mermaid tail sprinkled with scales replaced them. Her breast covered by a bra made of shell and diverse pearls. Her beautiful red hair were still the same but decorated by a shiny sea star hairpin.

“Warrior of Light, I am Krystalinda, the queen of Mermaidise, the Kingdom of Mermaids. I desperately need your help which is why I summoned you and I turned you into a mermaid. I tried to do justice to your beauty, I hope you are satisfied. “

Krystalinda, her name suited her for sure. Her stunning mermaid tail looks like crystal, her harmonious breast covered with the softest silk. She also had a cape that gave her a very queenly look and beautiful purple hair waving in the rhythm of the water contrasting with her crown holding steadily on her head. Although she was captivated by her beauty, Annshera remained suspicious. She already knew she was trapped in a way therefore if she wanted to leave and go back to her human body, she would have to do something for Krystalinda.

“Yes, I’m satisfied. Your point ?”

Krystalinda had a little laugh. She approached Annshera and smiled to her.

“You are exactly how I’ve seen it in my visions. I’m blessed with the power of the Echo as well. I have observed you for a while now. Dear Annshera, my kingdom has been targeted by Ascians. You know them well right. One of them visited me. I have tried to fight back but that one was very powerful. Do you agree to help me ?”

She didn't really have a choice. She found herself in a mermaid body, she had no idea where Mermaidise was exactly. Only Krystalinda would give her more information. Moreover, Annshera was never against making Ascians bite the dust.

“Hmm, I agree but can I at least warn my husband ? He’s alone with our baby boy. I have to tell him that I’ll be away for several days at least. Are we still in Hydaelyn or is this some twisted dimension ?’

“Mermaidise is in Hydaelyn yes. Lend me your strength, we will use the echo together. Aymeric de Borel right ? Let’s reach him.”

A couple of days passed after Annshera explained everything to her husband and joined Mermaidise. She was spending most of her time with Krystalinda in her quarters. The queen regained some strength, enough to help the heroine to get used to her new body.

“Linda look.”

“You have made great progress Annshera. I think it’s time to introduce you to the others. Are you ready ?”

Annshera swiftly agitated her tail to express her approval. Krystalinda giggled. She swam gracefully, turned around Annshera and held her hand. Linda made her a very detailed visit, greeting her people one by one. For a queen, she was very friendly to her citizens. Indeed Linda had a very easy going personality. She made Annshera very comfortable. The echo, her kindness, her warm, all of this made Annshera feel already close to her. Yet, she had the feeling not everyone was pleased with her complicity with the Mermaid Queen. She remembered that mermaid glaring at her when Annshera tried to engage the conversation.

“The dark haired mermaid, what is her name already ?”

“Xenora. Excuse her behavior, she is very tense because of what is currently happening. Here are your quarters, tell me if you need me.”

“Of course but now I just need some time alone. We see each other later.”

Annshera gave a friendly hug to Linda and headed her chambers. It was small but very welcoming and colorful. Everything was into Annshera’s favorite colors. The Mermaid Queen indeed planned everything to make Annshera feel herself at home. Annshera spotted a pretty shell with a soft mattress inside. She had no notion of time but she knew she was tired. She feel asleep quickly once inside her bed.

“You’re not welcome here !”

The voice resonated in her head. Annshera open her eyes and woke up. She tried to get out from her bed shell but something was holding here. Before she realized, she was trapped by a tentacle monster. It held his grip on her. She tried to debate but she was defenseless. Before she fainted she forsaw a mermaid silhouette.

“Ugh… Wait…”