The biting sea breeze kissed Jacaerys’ face while he observed the advancing ships of the Triarchy. The sound of catapults and the explosions of flames consuming his house’s vessels echoed in his ears, a symphony of destruction. The sea, normally an ally, now seemed to be his enemy, with the turbulent waters swallowing ship after ship.

He commanded his vessel with the same skill he wielded a sword, but the wind was against them, and the tide seemed to conspire. The young man in command of the largest naval fleet in the realm, who had always dreamed of glory and conquest, was about to be swallowed by the fury of the sea. It was when a colossal wave, rising from the horizon, loomed before his ship, ready to drag them into the deep. Jace looked at his men, their expressions of despair reflecting his own. A final prayer escaped his lips, but he knew it would likely go unheard.

The great wave crashed against the ship, throwing the crew into the turbulent sea. The prince, like so many others, was thrown into the waters. His lungs burned as he struggled, futilely, to swim against the current.

Just when everything seemed lost and his consciousness began to dissolve, an odd sensation coursed through his body—a lightness that made no sense amidst the chaos. When Jace opened his eyes, he witnessed a vision that defied belief. A mermaid. Her beauty was ethereal, her long hair flowing around her face as if she were the guardian of the sea itself. Though Jace had heard of such mythical creatures in legends, he never believed in them—until now. The mermaid, with a gentle wave of her hands, parted the waters and enveloped Jace in a warm aura. As the surface of the sea drew nearer, his vision cleared.

When Jace finally reached the air, he gasped for breath, feeling the mermaid’s arms support him as she guided him to a rocky outcrop. He was dazed, still processing the surreal rescue as the mermaid calmly watched him in silence. Struggling to speak, he asked, “Why did you save me?” his voice hoarse from the saltwater.