One

The ocean is cold and unforgiving.It shows no mercy, even to those who live in it. My name is Sora Tsubasa, meaning sky wing. Ironic, considering I live in the utter most depths of the ocean. I shifted from people to people who didn't want me, until Asami took me in and treated me with kindness. Asami says that I was found as a little girl, around 5, wandering the sea alone. I was named Sora because there is huge ink marking lining my back and arms of wings.

Most people on the surface think we are myths and old legends. There are some myths that are true, like how sirens drag sailors to the depths and feast upon their soul. When they feast on the souls of evil people, they become stronger.

I am one of those sirens.

But I'm different from the rest. I'm one that doesn't need to feed. Meaning I'm weak. The only thing I can do is grow a pair of legs. It's been said that we live very long lives, up to 200 years, and stop aging at the age of 21. In my 25 years I have never been on land. Not that I'm complaining. The stories I've heard have all been horrid. I never want to go up there.

That's what I always said, at least.

When I broke the surface, my hair clung to my body like a second skin. Warmth surrounded me, a new sensation that felt familiar. The grotesque feeling of air filled my lungs, then left all in an instant. My breath caught in my throat, the way the water was glistening from the sun was beautiful. I was so engrossed in my own world that I didn't feel the net that was thrown around me. I was then heaved onto a ship.

I was frantically thrashing against the net, but it was no use. I was trapped. I looked up terrified. The men surrounding me all had blades, either strapped to their hips or in their hands. All wearing the same attire.

"Yer a pretty little one, ain't you?" A gruff voice boomed.

"Aye, that she is." Another one said. I could feel my tail drying out, threatening to expose my legs. My hands instinctively covered myself as I was sprawled on the deck of the ship. The crowd around me started laughing, tears stung at my eyes. Why did I even come up here? I want to go back.

"What's all the commotion!" A deep voice called out, heavy footsteps approaching me. I was cowering, trembling from both fear and cold. My hair, still wet, covered my legs and back. I was going to die here. I could feel it. The ship slightly rocked, but it was enough to knock me off balance from my sitting position. My hands shot out in front of me,exposing my flesh. I landed in front of a pair of feet. I slowly looked up, only to have a black cloth dropped on me. I was lifted from the deck and pulled into a broad chest.

"C-captain! What are ye doing with her?" They were all startled, I could hear them muttering amongst each other. Not fully understanding the situation, I uncovered my head. The man that held me was an unearthly dark beauty, with black hair that was held back by a thick green thread. Eyes of two different colors, signifying he is of royal birth. Green and blue, the land and sky. I've only heard hushed whispers and rumors, but I never thought them to be true.

"You're a royal?" My voice was faint, but I could tell that he heard. He looked at my eyes. His face hardened, then turned into a scowl. I squirmed in his grasp as it got tighter.

"What would you know? You're just a fish." His voice was deep, mesmerizing, and venomous. I shrank back, and pulled the cloth back over my head. He then started walking.

"Make way to Arthia! Fast." The man's voice carried through the ship. All his men shuffled around, some groaned in protest while others said yes sir or just grunted in response. A door was slammed shut and I was thrown onto something soft and lumpy. I was still covered, but I stuck my head out. Wrapping the cloth around my bare chest. He was leaning against the door, staring at me.

"W-what are you going to do with me?" My voice shook, as I inched to the wall. I don't know what's going to happen to me, is he going to sell me? Or will he keep me?

"I'm not going to kill you, if that's what you're thinking." He chuckled. A smile spread across his face. Handsome could not describe him, he was alluring but had a dark and commanding presence.

"I'm taking you back to Arthia with me," he said, his eyes never straying from mine. Why is he taking me? I was curious, what did he gain from taking me there?

"Why? What do you want with me?" He started towards me, with a smirk.

"Those markings on your back, do you know how you got them? They're very rare." He questioned. I knew not how I got them, my memories of the time before Asami were lost.

"No, but it is how I got my name." I whispered, not entirely sure why he wanted to know. None of the people back home had any type of markings unless they were cut by the elder. Which meant I was different, not even the elder knew how they got there.

"And pray tell, what is your name?" He chuckled.

"Sora Tsubasa." His face was less than a foot from mine, his eyes bore into mine.

"A fitting name, don't you think? Sky Wing, I mean. Yes, you live in the sea, but I have a feeling it's not where you belong." He states as a matter of fact. Why was he so sure, he doesn't even know me. There was a knock at the door, he drew away from me. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

--

Days have passed, and I spent those days in the big room, alone. The man who commanded the ship was named Deacon, and ordered a wiry boy who was tall but very gaunt to guard me. I came to learn that his name was Finlay and was only 16. No one came into the room except Finlay. The two of us didn't talk much, only saying simple words such as hello, or goodnight. I was well fed and was dressed in some of Finlay's old clothes. They were quite big but covered me enough.

The day we made port, was the first time Deacon said a word to me since he questioned me.

"Put this on, quick!" Deacon barked, as he threw a cloak towards me. I was going with them? Why? It was warm out, why would I need it? I followed him out of the room and onto the deck. The man at the helm gave me a creepy smile, it sent shivers down my spine. I quickly look away, not wanting to stare. As we made our way through the streets, I was told to keep my hair and face covered. As I looked about, I could see that the color of my hair was not like theirs. No one had bright colors, only blondes, browns, blacks, and an occasional red. But never violet.

Back home I was the only one with violet hair too, but they still were more colorful than the surface.

We were flanked by men and women with long poles with a sharp metal tip. They were escorting us to the palace. Why? Is it because of Deacon? When the gate was raised, I could see just how beautiful and intricate the designs were. Paintings of several men and women with crowns and fancy clothes covered the vast halls.

We were taken through several halls until we came upon a huge room, two chairs were stood at the end on a raised platform. A throne room.

Trumpets blared and the people around me fell to their knees and their heads down. So I did the same. A woman came from a side door and stood in front of us, specifically in front of me.

"Rise, my son." Her voice was as smooth as honey. It was quite calming. Deacon stood, and no one else.

"Mother, I have found her. I have found the lost princess of the sea." Does he mean me? There is no way I'm a princess. The people gasped, I could feel them staring at me. I looked up at the woman who was Deacon's mother, she was breathtaking. She could say she was a Goddess and I wouldn't question it. Her gaze was soft. Her eyes were just like Deacons but were switched.

She walked up to me and kneeled. Her soft gold hair flowed around her like a halo. She drew her hands to my hood and pulled it back. My long violet hair cascaded to the floor and pooled into piles. "My name is Aiko. Sweet girl, what is yours?"

"Sora Tsubasa." My voice was firm, but my nerves made my throat dry. I kept my gaze down, not wanting to gawk at her. Her hands made way to my chin, and lifted my face until I was looking into her eyes. She brushed the hair away.

"Red?" She muttered. "What an interesting color. Deacon, where did you say you found her?"

"A few days out north, it looked like she came up for the first time. She was gawking at the sun." My face grew hot. Yeah, so it was my first time seeing it.

She kissed my forehead and stood, bringing me up with her. "Great. Now let's plan the wedding!" Ehh? A wedding? Aiko must have seen my confused face, because what she said next surprised me greatly.

"Oh, honey, you're getting married to my son, Deacon, to save us all."

Taking my hand she said "She will stay in the room next to my sons." She began to lead me away.

"W-wait a second!" I screamed