|| Just a soul for 30,000 years.

Deep within the sea their was darkness.

A darkness so solid Taya felt it enclosing on her, suffocating her but not even killing.

She could only see a few feet in front of her.

No plant life could survive where Taya was, no only rocks and mass graves. Graves of her people, the ashes of her father's Empire.

Taya knew how long it was. How very long since the Beast Tide led by her Baba's enemy destroyed Lianas. The empire of the Mer. Thirty thousand years.

Their was always a quietness that Taya had become familiar with that when she heard voices for the first time in a very long time she assumed the High Mother had decided to take her away, take her to the place where her people who had died are.

It was the sound of the cries of a baby, weak and distant.

Floating down to where Taya was- are what remains of her- was a basket that seemed to glow with an ethereal light as the sound Tala was extremely familiar started to play.

The song of Lianas.

Played whenever a ruler Lianas was chosen.

Taya felt for the first time something other than sadness. Surprise. A feeling almost foreign to her being.

How come?

As the basket settled next to Taya, she was shocked to realize the baby was human.

How can a baby survive with no oxygen under water? and even cry? Where are its parents?

Though she soon realised the cries she was hearing were the last sounds made by the baby before her death.

Taya moved her form next to the basket, her small form was the form of her Sea Soul, the turtle. A grain against her previous self- or what her previous self would have become.

'Tell them Lianas is for the King.

And the King is for Lianas.'

"I have betrayed your father's trust in me, daughter of Lianas. For thirty thousand years I have done nothing. But I cannot interfere, it goes against The Law."

An enchanting voice seemed to be coming from everywhere started to address Tala.

"But, I can grant you a new life far from this place to the land above this sea.'

A land above the sea?

"This baby is also a princess like you, but her family did not want her since she was born with my mark. The pearl and coral. She was killed and thrown into the sea to appease the High King, the ruler of the humans."

A Ruler?

"The humans disrespect my people, I cannot do anything about it. But, you can."

High Mother. That must have been the High Mother talking to Taya. She could not do anything but listen.

"I will grant you the power of the first ruler of Lianas. Queen Yuna. To do that, you must kill the High King before all my people have been slaughtered. Would you not want a new life?"

Tala knew the High Mother cared about the Mer. It had always been like that. But, she knew what the High Mother was asking of her was something she could not fathom.

"In this body is where your soul shall now reside. You will wear the mask of a human, but deep down the sea is where you belong."

The small tortoise form of Tala's Sea Soul seemed to almost flicker to nothing as time passed.

"If you do not agree, your life will be over. The Mer cannot survive without the bond between the Mer. I do not even understand how you have managed to survive this long!"

"Is what you have said true?" Tala finally asked staring at the baby in front of her.

Will this be a chance at a new life? But what about Lianas, would it remain when the last of its people goes away?

"Besides, High Mother. Previously I almost reached the realm of Queen Yuna. How can giving me her powers be of the same weight as of what you are asking of me?"

A soft chuckle was heard after Tala's question.

"Child of Lianas, it has been so long since the Mer have see the powers of a true queen. You do not seem to know how much power she wielded! Queen Yuna had my blessing and she was the best ruler of Lianas. How can you fathom reaching her level without my help?"

If Nala had her previous body, she would now have been clutching her fingers. Her nails digging into her brown skin.

"I am also offering you another gift that you will realize with time. Something that if my brother finds out will get me into trouble. Don't you also want that?"

After contemplating Tala knew she could not refuse. The offer was too good. Besides, the High Mother said to kill the High King how hard can it be. Besides, now she can hunt down Baba's Enemy.

Prince Ras Chizuva of Lianas.

Or to be more exact, Ex-Prince of Lianas and now the self proclaimed Emperor of the entire ocean.

"I agree to your terms, High Mother. I shall kill the High King and you shall grant me power."

"Good luck, Child of Lianas."

Where their was once darkness a small glow started to spread towards Taya surrounding her and the baby.

A soul was sown into a new life form.

Granted new life and power beyond measure.

The waters of the sea started to churn and the song of Lianas became louder. It spread everywhere. Every creature in the sea realized a new ruler was chose. One with an aura so overwhelming the legs of the sea monsters trembled in fear.

After the merging, only a baby remained. The Sea Soul of Taya was sealed inside the child. The only thing that was different was the tuff of hair on top of the baby's head turned white, a beautiful contrast against the brown skin of the baby.

Gently, the waters in the sea pushed the baby towards the surface. Towards the lands of humans. Towards the lands of the High King.

***

Somewhere Far from Taya.

"Master?" The voice was laced with surprise as the Great Sea Beast, Mwedzi felt his master's aura.

"I FINALLY HAVE A MASTER!!!"

***

Somewhere further away.

"It cannot be, she cannot be alive!" A young Merman Emperor said one who if Taya was present would have realized to be her brother.

Ex-Prince Ras Chizuva of Lianas.