145 Ch. 145 'Dark Force'

Everything in this world always had two contrasting sides. If there is heaven, then there is earth. If one has a light, then there must be dark. It is kind, and it is also evil. 

Likewise, humans and spirit as some of them were nice, and some were evil. Humans with evil hearts could change and be kind and vice versa. But it was different with the spirits. Once they become evil spirits, it will be hard to return to normal.

Weak spirit races such as fairies or vlinder[1] will easily turn into evil spirits when their hearts become weak. But spirit races like mermaids were quite strong that it was impossibly become evil spirits even if their hearts are vulnerable or feel insecure.

Merylin could not understand how her mermaid-family could become an evil mermaid. Not just one, but all at once without exception, has become an evil mermaid. It really does not make sense.

"One of the pureblood wizards gave dark force fluid into the lake. That is what caused them to became an evil mermaid."

"Dark force?" probed Niken while hugging Merylin, who was sobbing.

"Dark force is black energy consisting of various negative emotions possessed by all beings in this world. The negative emotions are so strong that even the strongest spirit race would be affected. Besides, they all had witnessed the incubator's room being destroyed and the queen's sacrifice that did not end well either. They were all in a weak state, and when the dark force began to seep into their bodies, they could not help but be overcome by darkness and become an evil spirit. I only thought of taking you out first before the dark force touched Merylin." Flynn explained in a sad tone.

He felt sorry and was regretful for what had happened to Merylin's mother and friends. He was remorseful for not being responsive and acting. Then again, even if he acted, he wouldn't be able to do much as long as there was a Pureblood Wizard who helped the Elementalist.

In fact, if he did not immediately withdraw Merylin from the lake, he might lose Merylin forever.

"Forgive me." that's all he could say while kneeling before Merylin.

Merylin ignored Flynn and continued to cry in Niken's embrace.

As a mermaid princess, Merylin could feel her family as mermaid's mind were bound to each other so that they could read each other's minds. The mermaid couldn't penetrate her thoughts and feelings without her permission, but Merylin could feel their emotions.

When she was inside Flynn's barrier, her connection with the other mermaids was cut off, so she knew nothing. But once she came out, she knew right away what was happening in the mermaid lake.

Niken could understand the feelings that Merylin was experiencing right now. She had endured something similar when she was little. Her beloved country was attacked, her citizens were killed while little Niken could do nothing but hide under her brother's protection.

Niken shed tears as well as Merylin's endless tears. The two of them hugged each other while Flynn built another barrier to hide their magic aura.

***

In the evening, Merylin proposed Niken and Flynn to dive through the sea. She wanted to see with her own eyes what happened to her home. Flynn and Niken accepted and together jumped into the sea from the cliff. They dived towards the lake's border in the village unnoticed.

They could see that there was a barrier that covered the boundary line.

"This barrier only works on one side. We can go inside, but we won't be able to get out," explained Flynn. "Only wizards like Niken can go in and out of this barrier. Only indigo magic circles could get out."

"Then, I will go inside to see the situation."

Merylin held Niken's hand from moving, preventing her from entering the barrier.

"No. Once they sense your magic, they will corner you to eat you. Let me go instead."

"But…"

"I'm also a mermaid. And again, I'm not an ordinary mermaid. I'm a royal mermaid. I can handle some evil mermaid."

"Merylin, this is not a good idea. There are too many of them to handle alone." Flynn raised his objections because he was anxious concerning the girl.

"I want to confirm something. And also... maybe I'll find a clue so Niken can go home. "

"That's not important anymore," said Niken, shaking her head quickly. "I don't mind if you don't find a clue for me. I don't want to endanger you."

"But I need to see it. I need to confirm something. Please, let me do it."

Niken leered at Flynn, who only gave unfathomable expression. "Fine. Promise me you will return safely. I will open a hole in this barrier so you can get out. Just please, swim back here as soon as you can if you can't conquer them."

Merylin smiled while hugging her adopted sister. "I'm really fortunate to meet you, Niken. I think I'm starting to understand why I called you here." Merylin loosened her arms to look straight into her sister's eyes. "Because of that, I want to be sure and bring you back to your time era. Please don't feel guilty if something happens to me. But if you're going to do something for me, go back to your era without looking back and do what you have to do."

"What are you talking about?"

"You'll find out later." Merylin swam back then turned toward the barrier.

She looked back to see Flynn and Niken, who looked at her with concern. Merylin gave her best smile to convince both of them that she would be fine. Then her smile vanished as she turned to face the barrier line.

She took a deep breath, then swayed her tail and swam through the barrier.

The atmosphere in which the water she breathed suddenly changed drastically as if there was no clean oxygen for her lungs. Merylin swam deeper and saw several evil mermaids welcomed her.

They have changed shape like a snake and had no longer signs were indicating they were mermaids. One by one, the evil mermaid emerged and surrounded her as if she was the most delicious prey they had ever met.

Merylin sighed then round up all the magic into her hands. Her ultimate purpose coming here is only one.

She must sit on the Mermaladia's throne.