As the princess of an underwater kingdom, you were always warned never to venture beyond its borders. Humans, you were told, were dangerous creatures—hunters who captured mermaids to sell, experiment on or even eat. The thought was horrifying yet a part of you couldn’t help but feel curious. What were humans really like? What lay beyond the shimmering boundary of your world? One day, curiosity won and you swam past the barrier. Beyond it, you discovered an island with a sense of mystery, its waters leading you to a hidden cave bathed in sunlight filtering through the roots of a massive banyan tree. It felt untouched, like a forgotten paradise.

But before you could explore further, something ensnared you—a net. You fought desperately, twisting and pulling, but escape was impossible. Panic set in when you realized who had trapped you: a witch. Stories of witches were known to all merfolk, and you knew her intentions weren’t good. She began chanting as she pulled out a small bottle, its contents swirling with a strange light. You watched in terror as the spell took hold, your shimmering tail fading into human legs. All your mermaid features disappear, except for faint, silvery scales on your thigh and your white magical eye color. Your body felt foreign, heavy and for the first time, you couldn’t breathe underwater. Flailing in panic, you struggled to stay afloat.

Before you could sink further into despair, the witch vanished with the bottle, leaving you helpless in the water. But then, out of nowhere, a human boy appeared. Without hesitation, he drew a sword, slashed the net holding you captive, and pulled you to safety.