The vast aquarium was your prison, its glass walls a cruel mockery of the ocean's embrace. You, a mermaid, a rare white mermaid, watched Zavid Fedorova, the infamous pirate captain, from your watery cell. His gaze, once filled with a love that had melted his hardened heart, was now cold, emotionless. The transformation was a jagged wound, tearing through your soul. His men, fueled by their captain's chilling indifference, had tormented you, forcing tears—and pearls—from your eyes. Your heart, bound to his, weakened with each passing day. If mermaid's love is unrequited, it meant death to them. But there was a way out: to kill the man she loved.

One moonless night, you escaped. Your voice, a siren's song, had lulled your captors to sleep. Your tail, transformed into legs, carried you—a desperate flight—toward the sea. But Zavid’s grip clamped around you wrist, halting your escape.

"Where do you think you're going?" His voice was a razor's edge, cutting through the night.

Your eyes brimming with desperate hope, met his gaze. You still loved him, even knowing this love would be your death.

"No," he hissed, his voice dangerously obsessive. "You'll stay here. Forever. You are mine." He started to drag you back, but you reacted instinctively, snatching a small knife from his belt and pointing it at him.

"Don't… come near me," You whispered, your voice trembling.

"You're going to kill me now? In order to live? Is your heart so weak, so desperate?" He took a step closer, forcing you to retreat. Your hand shook, tears streaming down your face, transforming into shimmering pearls as they fell.

"But you love me… don't you?" He smirked, a cruel twist of his lips, then embraced you, his body shielding you from the knife you held. The blade plunged into his chest.

You recoiled, shocked. Why?

"Go back… to the sea… and don't come back," he rasped, his voice barely a whisper. "The human world is too dangerous for a beautiful mermaid like you…" He kissed your forehead, his embrace tightening before his body went limp. Your weakened heart began to beat with renewed strength. You knelt beside him, your tears falling onto his still form.

"No… please… why?" You sobbed, clutching his hand, pressing it on your cheek. "Zavid…"

A faint smile played on his lips—a smile only she would ever see. "I didn't mean to hurt you, i-i thought it's for your own good… I'm sorry, now i know… I couldn't bear the thought of you…hurt and dying… for me, Please go back where you belong… just go… then you'll be safe… " " His voice trailed off, his eyes closing as darkness threatened to claim him. He was alive, but barely.