Part 1: East Sea

On a particularly special day, the two royals of the East Sea had plans. Yasuki had been preparing for his sea’s New Year’s. His sea would start off the festivities first out of the four seas, and he directly invited the other sea rulers to come for the festivities. He wanted nothing more than to show the rulers how far the East Sea had rebuilt itself after the death of the original 12th dynasty ruler, Emperor Takara- Yasuki’s father.

Princess Umiko, however, had finished her tasks early- and perhaps haphazardly- in order to go on a special errand… meeting her dwelling lover in secret.

Lek was a shy dwelling who happened to have been by the same shore Umiko splashed up on one day. Both grew curious about each other’s lives. Sunland was an unappealing place for merfolk, and even without the travel ban, there was little value in land dwellers to those in the beautiful oceans below. Sunland had been punished for their previous emperor’s involvement with Takara’s death, therefore they were banned from sailing and trading with the seas.

However, the worst punishment of all was the sanction of rainfall, which only Yasuki was kind enough to do away with. But despite that kindness, his rainfall was still much weaker than the other emperors'.

Lek learned about the sea world and Umiko learned about the land. With each other satisfying their curiosities about foreign lifestyles, fantastic places, and interesting tales, the two grew fond of each other and fell in love. Today was their anniversary, and Umiko wanted to bring Lek down to sea for the first time.

Upon arrival, Umiko presented Lek with a magic potion: Lek would be able to turn into a merfish. As long as she stayed in the water, she did not have to worry about turning back into a dwelling several leagues under the sea. Upon transformation, the women spent time introducing Lek to underwater travel and continued their date to places Lek had only heard of. During their travels, Umiko showed Lek familiar places until she ran into something unfamiliar- and curious.

A new cave. Well, new to Umiko. The East Sea was not only known for its colorful coral but its deep trenches as well. Guiding Lek led her to a new nook on the seafloor, and the adventurer inside of her beckoned her to explore the new cave. Perhaps there was a precious aquatic item she could give Lek as a souvenir.

Upon their descent, into the deepest of dark tunnels, the two discovered exactly that- a strange item. It was a necklace with the emblem of a scorching sun. Symbols of the sun were uncommon in the waters, but despite that, it looked ancient and valuable. Umiko gifted their find to Lek, and they would return to the cave entrance.

Unbeknownst to them, the amulet would glow, humming back to life… amongst other oddities the two had left behind in that cave.

However, before escaping the cave, Umiko was confronted by a familiar face- the advisor of the East Sea (and her babysitter at times) Hisae. The old shark had followed her since her slip at the palace, and she had been well familiar with Umiko’s romantic fling. She forbade the princess and the dwelling to be together.

However, the old shark still had a soft spot. With enough begging from Umiko and humble respect from Lek, Hisae did not cast Lek away. However, Umiko was needed, as the New Year's event was about to begin. With no time to waste, Umiko convinces Lek to tag along to not waste the potion’s effect, and the three set off to return to the palace.

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During Umiko’s disappearance, the New Year's event was just about ready to start off. With a blessing from the emperor, the capitol would start its new year. Yasuki’s mind was spinning with all of the tasks he had to execute and approve, often piling on more work than necessary and leaving little to his court. In a brief moment of reprise, Yasuki went ahead to check on the status of the palace shrine for the public.

To his surprise, he had a visitor… Faizal. The ruler of a self-proclaimed nation, the Coral Abyss, was waiting for him. Living in the trench of the same name, the Coral Abyss was a nation of octofolk, exiled by Takara- with the support of the other sea emperors- for highly prejudiced reasons. However, in reaction, the Coral Abyss retaliated in cruel acts against merfolk regardless. Continuing his father’s legacy, Sultan Faizal had made it clear that he wished to usurp Yasuki’s throne. The win would satisfy years of pain and suffering for his people, as well as a more personal vengeance Faizal had towards Yasuki.

Faizal would coolly demand for Yasuki to provide him with adequate resources for the Coral Abyss this year, or Yasuki would risk an attack on New Year’s. Perhaps... lose face against the sea emperors Yasuki groveled over?

With no time or energy to argue, Yasuki would be forced to scrounge for extra resources to give to the Coral Abyss. He did not have the willpower to take from his own people nor to deny those in the trenches. His all-too-soft heart would be ridiculed by Faizal.

With the festivities to begin, Faizal would watch as Yasuki readied for the opening. Right on time, Umiko would arrive, with Lek hiding by Hisae. Umiko was excited to start the event, as her end of the tasks would be different this year, though she wouldn’t let her father know… right away.

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Yasuki opens the ceremony at the palace, where thousands of merfish gather to partake in the opening. However, among the crowd, there was not a sight of royal scales. The invitations were rejected, and the East’s allyship to the other seas is even more in question.

Despite feeling defeated, Yasuki was about to bless the sea- until Umiko wanted to give a surprise. Instead of tending to the music and dancers, Umiko took it upon herself to gather resources from all points of the world- fireworks from the North, West, South, and even Sunland (with some aquatic tinkering). Umiko would wish for peace for not just the East, but for all the living things of this world, and she started the fireworks.

…which only backfired terribly. The magic within the fireworks either was poor or did not clash well with Eastern waters, and instead of sparkles, there were explosions. The crowds of merfish swam away to escape the nauseating display of colors, shapes, and smoke, and the palace was vacated by the storm of magic. Within the cacophony, the magic of the fireworks would collide with objects in the area, imbuing them with enchantments or destroying them completely.

After the area was cleared, Yasuki confronted his daughter: he did everything in his power to protect her, and all she did was embarrass them further with her lack of control. She retorts, pointing out Yasuki’s pushover personality over people who would never care about him. Why worry about those who don’t matter? They were family, and that was enough.

Yasuki ignores her, being more worried about the embarrassment the East Sea will continue to face under Yasuki’s rule. Umiko and Yasuki part, and Umiko decides to take Lek around the festival rather than be with her father. Yasuki returns to the palace. Empty seats for guests of honor are displayed before him at the banquet hall. Faizal is the only company the emperor has, but even that is short-lived. The sultan revels in yet another fumble of the East Sea, wishing Yasuki another dreadful year before leaving the defeated Yasuki to his lonesome.

Hisae scolds Umiko for her attitude towards her father, and while some guilt is felt, Umiko is steadfast in her words. No matter how many times she’s told Yasuki to give up being good enough, he only tries harder. Why was saving face and tradition so important? Did he not see how suffocating it was for both of them?

Her only wish was for things to change.

Once the princess uttered those words, a terrible feeling flooded over her- and her company. In fact, the waters that she swam in felt off. The necklace on Lek’s neck had pulsated.

Out on the outskirts of the East Sea, where a certain cave was disturbed, rose the forms of hellish things.

With fires impossible to drown and a dark aura laden with terrible intent, the mass of creatures would sear through the surface of the East Sea, and dive towards the Azure Celestial palace. Alarmed at the sight, Umiko and the others rushed back to the castle.

---

In the castle, sensing the danger, General Chihaya and their soldiers would defend the palace. However, whatever had risen was not a leviathan nor a merfish- the energy was demonic. Easily slipping past the defenses, the beings reached Yasuki, sealing him in the throne room.

Upon arrival, Hisae used her magic to break apart the seal. Inside, the beings showed themselves. Umiko was disturbed and frightened of the sight.

Dwelling demons. Their forms were masked in a vague glow in the shape of pirates, all able to transcend through the sea through an old, long-dormant magic. Three prominent demons held Yasuki hostage, only allowing themselves to be addressed as the Mugger, the Hunter, and the World Gobbler.

The leader, the Gobbler, was a massive being with horns and symbols of fire and heat. He set the demons upon the court, demanding all to fear him and accept their fate. Hisae and Chihaya would fight against the demons as best they could, but Hisae’s magic was deflected, stunting her into a smaller form. With Yasuki’s life on the line, Chihaya ordered the soldiers to pull back.

The Gobbler declared that the rule of the sea emperors was over and the dynasties would fall. No longer will the cruelty of sea dragons taint the soil of this earth. The demons before them were directly impacted by such evils- and now they will bring the rulers’ sins to their celestial gates.

All the Gobbler needed to succeed were the dragon pearls, sources of incredible power for sea dragons. Upon taking the dragon pearls of Sea Emperors, one could be granted a wish.

The Gobbler's wish was to become more powerful than all four sea dragons combined. As for Yasuki’s dragon pearl? Why, it was right there, fused with his chest- a consequence for being a hybrid. The pirate was ready to pry it off of his chest if they had to.

Umiko would beg for his life. To protect the court, Yasuki agreed to become the pirate demons’ hostage. Spare his people, and he would allow the Eastern Pearl to go with them.

With that agreement, the first dragon pearl was taken. The demon pirates fled with the emperor, ascending upon the surface. Forcing Yasuki to use his magic, he materialized a large ship, able to sail through the sea and underneath it without drag. Umiko desperately ties to follow, her heart breaking for her father.

With the king’s magic under hostage, the East Sea waters began to churn in disarray. Storms billowed above, and the waves and currents of the ocean thrashed with dangerous might. Umiko watched as the very corals that decorated the Azure palace, that they nurtured and healed for for years, fade and wither.

At that moment, she knew what she had to do. She must rescue her father and save the seas.

Umiko asked for Hisae and Chihaya to look after the capital as she went after her father. Refusing to leave her alone on her task, Hisae and Lek would accompany her, and the three set off.

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On the pirate ship, Yasuki is transformed into his dwelling form. Along with his lack of a tail, he is without his legs below his knees. He is told to stay in his place, and in an act of humiliation, the Gobbler chopped Yasuki’s hair off.

Yasuki is carried to his sleeping area in the dingiest parts of the ship, led by Hunter. In a rare moment of frustration, Yasuki takes Hunter’s dagger and continued to lop his hair off short. In the action, he noticed the dagger is of a familiar design, of a distant memory.

Despite having no legs, Yasuki proved difficult to imprison. After trapping him under the ship, in a cage, and even in a locked room, the emperor still found a way to slip away. Finally, he would be kept under surveillance by Hunter and Mugger. Yasuki asked for a change of heart from the two. Mugger was excited about the chaos, while Hunter explained it was a necessary mission. Did Yasuki not feel like a worm under the sea emperors’ gaze as well?

Along the way, the crew grew restless, wishing to scare more merfish. Sensing a nearby presence, the sea pirates descend down, down, down- and to Yasuki’s horror, right into the Coral Abyss.

Faizal had just returned from his “diplomatic trip” in the upper zones and was now advising his court about the treasury. However, his wife Nur Suriani continued to complain and grate Faizal’s skull about the quality of relics. She was only looking out for the upkeep of the palace after all.

Before another argument between the couple broke out, an intrusion was alerted to the sultan, and octofolk soldiers defended against the pirates.

However, their magic was too great. The sea pirates successfully captured the palace, and Yasuki was forced to use his magic to clear the way for the safety of the octofolk. The sultan, the permaisuri, and the prince, Ehsan, would be forced to face the demons.

The Gobbler tested his power, setting upon the destruction of the Coral Abyss palace. The halls would be ransacked, and the demons had their fill with food and treasure. Faizal berated the demon. Of course he would celebrate too early, he only captured the weakest link of the dynasties, refering to Yasuki. Although Faizal hated to admit it, the other sea emperors would easily thwart such a land pest.

Angered, the Gobbler decided to make an example of Faizal, attacking him. Faizal’s venom would not penetrate the demon’s thick hide, and in the tussle, the demon amputated one of Faizal’s tentacles. However, before more damage could be done, Yasuki shielded Faizal and begged for the sultan’s life. If the pirates left the abyss alone... then Yasuki would no longer attempt escape.

Satisfied, the Gobbler ordered his crew out with the resources. Yasuki wished Faizal well- one last farewell- and he was swept away.

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Meanwhile, Umiko and the others have officially made it to the border of the South Sea, knowing its emperor Bo-Seon to be the least hateful of the trio (though still not as supportive). However, border soldiers refused her entry, as Umiko had caused too much trouble the last time she had been in the territory. They did not need another volcano party incident.

On their explorations, the trio find an area unguarded by merfish... but rather by trained leviathans. Hisae informs that it is a special gateway, and in order to pass into this area, the leviathans must be tamed by royal blood, be it by battle or by song. Unfortunately, Umiko had not a single good note in her body to belt, and Yasuki was taken. However… the princess had a friend.

The trio would hitch a ride on a current to the Coral Abyss to find Ehsan. The prince, despite being brought up under Faizal’s views of merfish, was won over by Umiko’s older sister-like presence during diplomatic visits. His withdrawn and aloof demeanor was broken through by the princess’s outgoing personality. He was technically of royal blood, therefore could aid them.

Upon arrival, they discover the mess the pirates had left behind. When explaining their plight, Faizal refused to allow his precious and only son to leave the trenches. With Umiko of all people. Umiko berates his intelligence, and Faizal threatens to imprison them- until Lek asks for a deal.

She had researched a special game that octofolk liked to play on the surface. If they beat Faizal in a game of strategy, then they could win his respect and favor. With his ego on the line after being harmed, Faizal agrees.

Despite having little experience in the game, the two intelligent individuals are evenly matched. With a small interference by Ehsan, Lek won the game. However, Faizal still refused to let Ehsan go, and instead will go himself. Before they leave, Ehsan gifted Umiko with a royal weapon to defend herself.

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At the border by the leviathans, the sea pirates were ready to force their way in. The Gobbler forces Yasuki to sing and allow them entry. Attempting to bide time, Yasuki feigns not remembering any songs and having a weak voice. With no other choice, the pirates engaged in battle.

Despite the near destruction of the ship, the leviathans would be defeated not by the might of the demons- but harming a sea emperor would be unforgivable. The pirate ship was able to pass, gaining entry into the South Sea.

Right on their tail, Umiko and company arrived in the area. Angered, the leviathans sought a fight- except Faizal’s own alluring songs wooed the leviathans into contentment. Before the group left, Faizal ordered Umiko to sort this out, implying he too wanted the safe return of Yasuki.

Umiko intends on just that.