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Everyone has an origin story...
Wouldn't it be cool if all the deities of myth lived in the same realm? What if some of those deities were cousins or siblings? What if they fell in love? This is what we explore in this series of Caribbean deities reimagined into a brand new story to help guide us through life.
Based on ancient Taino mythology, take a journey through three short stories that weave together the beginning of a new epic tale of immortals and magical powers. Watch the immortal beings of Eh'Fi make new Rehlms, claim empires, and even fall in love! Are you ready to tap into the fictional divine?
The Immortal Story Contiues...
The Di’Ehtiz of Eh’Fi are back and more powerful than ever! Based on ancient Taino mythology, continue the epic drama through five brand-new short stories. Learn what it means to be the leaders of the Rehlm and the cost of life and death. Are you ready to tap into the fictional divine?
The Heart Tells All...
The Di’Ehtiz of Autah'Mehx now enter a new era in Eh'Fi! Based on ancient Taino mythology, continue the epic drama through six brand-new short stories. Seek the truth lying deep in the hearts of our favorite immortals and learn how far they're willing to go for what they love. Are you ready to tap into the fictional divine?
While we are unable to monitor who reads what when, we recommend you follow our spice-o-meter to guide your reading experience.
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Free Chapters Available
The Chains that Bind Us
Chapter 1: Ahtah'Bae
Day 1 of being stuck as Oh’Shun’s prisoner. Well, it’s actually Day 365, but I’m restarting the count. I refuse to spend one more day sulking in this underwater prison when I can be doing something. Anything. I mean, I’ve already created four beautiful beings that do their job perfectly above the surface. Who says that I can’t start my life over down here? Oh, which reminds me. Please tell Lu’Nah and Dai’Ahnah to keep count of the days for me while I’m down here. I want to celebrate when another 365 days pass. I’m thinking about calling them years. What do you think? Love, Ahtah’Bae. I kiss the large conch shell with a sad smile before sealing it in a bubble, a gentle wave of my hand lifting it up to the surface. Oh, how I miss the feeling of sunlight on my body. My mother’s home would always warm my skin just right as I tended to the flowers blooming across Iti’Bah’s soil. But she was very clear in her message. Those days above the surface are long behind me. Sacrificing my physical form to save Iti’Bah from being consumed by Yah’Yehl’s waters has trapped my immortal being below the surface. Even trying to put one finger above the waves causes it to immediately evaporate. Outside of Oh’Shun, I might as well no longer exist. My beautiful dark legs have transformed into a large fin the color of sunset, the only spot of color in this dark abyss. I only had enough energy on the first day to create a colorful coral stone to lay on before the grief completely took hold. Because my sister, Iti’Bah, faces the same plight as I do, I’ll never be able to see her sprite-light spirit ever again. Her physical body will be guarded by my water Rehlm, but our souls will forever stay apart. Oh, how my soul longs for- “Are you done talking to yourself? It’s rather annoying.” I spin around to find Yah’Yehl hovering nearby, his iridescent black fin swaying back and forth beneath him. His blue skin shimmers against the dim light as he balances a bundle of sopwood logs on his beefy shoulder. “I’m simply releasing the past,” I say, gathering my dreads in my hands and twirling them into a topknot. The golden tattoos outlining my body glow as I wavemy fingers and create a coral crown in my palm. I place it on my head and smile as I feel the edges pin down my hair in place. “Since you were eavesdropping, I’m sure you’ve heard the news that I’ve started a new day-tracking system. No need to thank me, but praise is appreciated.” “Why would I praise a spoiled brat like you?” Yah’Yehl scoffs. “Must be nice to create whoever you want to take care of your problems.” A snarl curls my upper lip. “Excuse me?” “I’ve had the pleasure of working with your perfect beings, Yuk’Au and Guah’Sehr. Let me tell ya. Not impressed.” I swim up to Yah’Yehl in an instant, his smug face mere inches from mine as he adjusts the logs from one shoulder to another. Those dark blue swirls of his are as endless as Oh’Shun but I refuse to look away. This is the being that took everything away from me. The one that I’ll be forced to spend the rest of my existence with. A smug, selfish- “Are you done?” His smile is gone, a twitch starting to form in his right eye. I smirk a little. “Can you hear all of my thoughts?” “When I’m this close, they’re deafening.” “How come I can’t hear your thoughts?” He shrugs and begins to swim backwards, that sly smile returning. “Who knows.” He’s gone in an instant. A trail of bubbles are the only remnant of his presence. I know that I should just shrug the moment off and go on about planning my new life in Oh’Shun. But something about Yah’Yehl being able to invade my mind unsettles me. Was he listening to me as I prattled on for days? How much of me does he already know when I know nothing about him? *** The trail of bubbles leads me to a large rock structure covered in mud and old grass. Yet another one of Iti’Bah’s beautiful structures buried under Oh'Shun’s waters. It’s a shame that it’ll never see the sun again, but I find it oddly comforting to swim by it after all this time. “Will you quit monologuing and just get out of here?” Yah’Yehl’s voice floats from the other side and I swim through a stone archway to find him tossing his logs into a large pile of other misshapen pieces of sopwood. A graveyard of Iti’Bah’s original forests. A precarious balance of logs, mud, and rocks forms the start of an archway that's seen better days. I swim closer to it, biting back my laughter. “What is this?” “That is the start of my empire,” Yah’Yehl beams as I continue to analyze it. “A very nice, um, hut, you have built here. Is the entryway supposed to lean crooked like that or-” Yah’Yehl flicks his wrists and a wave of Oh'Shun pushes me away from the haphazard structure. “Hey, this is a work in progress,” Yah’Yehl snaps. “I don’t want your negativity getting all over it so, go. Get out of here and send another shell message to Iti’Bah or something.” I regain control of my fins and I surrender my hands, swimming back towards the stone arch with a wide smile. “Fine. I can tell when I’m not wanted. Clearly you don’t need my help creating your empire.” He turns towards his haphazard structure. “Why would I need help from a lazy being like you?” “Whatever you say, Yah’Yehl.” I swim back towards my coral stone at great speed with bubbling laughter. What was I so worried about? Yah’Yehl isn’t even able to use his powers of Kri’Aeshonproperly. So what if he can hear my thoughts? Let him listen in all he wants. Maybe it will lessen the blow once I show him what a true master of Kri’Aeshon can do.
The Chains that Bind Us
Chapter 2: Yah'Yehl
I hate her. I want her to regret every day that she decided to tether me to this wretched Rehlm. And yet something about Ahtah’Bae makes me glad to have her all to myself. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel happy to be trapped with someone for a change. Beats being alone in Tu’Lehri, that’s for sure. There are only so many times that you can indulge in having all the massive bathing chambers to yourself before you grow utterly bored. Even if we haven’t spoken until today, I’ve spent many of my recent days just watching Ahtah’Bae from a distance. All she does is send shell messages back and forth with her sister until the sun goes down. Then she just lays on her coral stone and sits there in silence until the sun comes up and does it all over again. Sometimes her mind is a mess of hate and sadness. Other nights it's utter silence. Those are the days I hate the most. If I don’t see her spirit right there in front of me, it’s like she blips out of existence. Almost as if she’s trying to erase herself. A part of me always aches every time she tries. As if I’m being stripped of my physical form all over again. Today seems to be one of those days. I manipulate the current to carry a large piece of sopwood I procured from an old forest near Deh’Mi’s Lahnd with one hand. Most of my focus is on locating Ahtah’Bae. Even the faintest whisper of her thoughts would put me at ease, but I’m rewarded with nothing but silence. Maybe I was too mean yesterday. The truth is, I want to heal Athah’Bae’s sadness and ease her pain. But how can I do any of that when I barely know her? Just because I’m tethered to her for all of eternity and can hear some of her thoughts doesn’t mean I automatically know everything about her. The sun glitters through the surface of Oh'Shun's waves onto a large coral structure in the distance. My manipulation of the current falters, but I no longer care about that piece of old sopwood. All I can focus on is the palace. A masterpiece of colorful coral stands before me, the tips of the structure poking above the surface. Each of the main pillars are ornately decorated with colorful shells and jewels. Ahtah'Bae managed to do all of this in one night? Impossible! It must only be a hollow shell. There’s no way this place is fully functional- “Like it?” Ahtah’Bae swims out of the massive entrance, her dreads flowing freely around her. A decoration of golden shells and threads that match her updated crown adorn her body. Beautiful. A true empress of Oh'Shun. I look back at the palace with indifference and shrug. “It’s alright.” “Alright?” she scoffs. “This place is a masterpiece compared to your rickety shack.” “Your architecture is gaudy.” “Is it now?” Her eyes drift over to my abandoned sopwood in the distance before resting on me. “Well, I know you’re busy building your rustic abode. You’re free to rest and take a tour of my home whenever you’re free.” She swims back inside without another word, and I manage to snag a single sentence from her mind before she completely disappears from view. Come and get me. If there’s one thing I can’t resist, it's a challenge. Especially coming from her. *** The inside of the palace seems brighter somehow. As if she managed to filter in rays of sunlight into every hallway. High ceilings decorated in seashells and bright green moss await me once I swim beyond the entryway. A trail of bubbles winds down a nearby hallway, my curiosity leading me forward with little resistance. Aside from her earlier taunt, Ahtah’Bae’s mind is silent once more. Does she have the ability to shut me out now that she knows I can hear her thoughts? It isn’t long before I swim into a circular room with large window arches showcasing the rest of Oh’Shun. A few colorful creatures swim around in the distance, their fins disappearing behind rows of vibrant green kelp. I'm calling them fish. Whether Ahtah'Bae likes the name or not is none of my concern. Two large thrones made of pink coral sit at the center of the room. Ahtah’Bae lounges on the throne on the left while her tail drapes over the empty throne beside her. She doesn’t bother sitting up as I swim closer and simply spreads her arms out wide. “Welcome to paradise.” “Looks just as gaudy from the inside,” I grunt, observing the large windows before spinning to face her. “And what is the point of these?” Ahtah’Bae rolls her eyes. “They’re for Beh’Ni.” “Who?” A chill runs through my being as I feel another presence lurking nearby. I was so focused on tuning into Ahtah'Bae earlier that I didn't even notice the massive presence swimming around. And now it's nearly on top of us. “Mom, I’m back!” A massive creature with a gap-toothed smile pokes their head in one of the windows. I'm calling him a shark. The force of his appearance sends me back into a nearby pillar. I glance out the other window to see the other fish unfazed by the creature, only stopping to bow their head before swimming on through the kelp forest. Beh'Ni's eyes set on Ahtah’Bae before drifting over to me. “Who’s that?” “Beh’Ni, darling, this is Yah’Yehl. He’s the Di’Ehti that helps me make Oh’Shun.” “Is he my dad?” Ahtah’Bae gawks at Beh’Ni and shakes her head no. “Absolu-” “Absolutely,” I cut in. “Um, son.” Beh’Ni eyes my uneasy movements as I swim towards him. “How come I never met you before?” “Well, I wanted to surprise you. It’s not every day a being meets his son for the first time.” Ahtah’Bae swims between us in a flurry of bubbles and clamps a firm hand on my mouth. “Beh’Ni, darling, did you have a reason for stopping by the throne room?” Beh’Ni straightens up, his large fin saluting as his brow crinkles with focus. “Status report. No one else is in Oh’Shun besides our local community. I swam all over the place and I didn’t see anyone else. Well, I did meet a strange being named Yah’Yah, but they said they live on the land of Kae not too far from here.” The name of that old fool boils my blood. How dare they roam free in my waters while I stay trapped under the surface. All of this would’ve never happened if they just died the way I had planned. “Thank you for that,” Ahtah’Bae’s eyes flit towards me before she smiles at Beh’Ni. “And as a reward, I’ve set up a feast for you in the dining room. Why don’t you swim along and help yourself.” “Oh boy! Thanks, mom!” Beh’Ni swims away in a flurry, his presence diminishing but still present. I can feel Ahtah’Bae’s eyes on me, but I can’t find the courage to look at her. How can I? I just lied to her Kri'Aeshon about my identity. No doubt she’ll want to destroy me for it. “Beh’Ni is my Kri'Aeshon,” she growls. “And if you do anything to hurt him-” “I’m not here to steal your Kri'Aeshon.” “Then why even pretend to be his father? I’m trying to start over down here, Yah'Yehl.” The crack in her voice causes me to look up without reservation. She glares at me, two endless brown pools glittered with gold. I can sense a mix of sadness and frustration clouding her mind and I want nothing more than to wash it all away. Will words be enough to reach her? I swim closer and take her hands in mine. “I want in.” “What?” Her hands are ready to dart out of my grasp but I won't let her slip away that easily. “Let’s rule Oh’Shun. Together.”
Discarded Di'Ehtis
Chapter 1: Guah'Bahn
The moment that I’ve trained for all my life is finally here. And yet I feel just as ill-prepared as I did on the first day. I stare at myself in the mirror. The colorful Shehl’Krabs from the shores of Kae that ornate its edges aren't as comforting as they usually are. Hopefully, Kah’Muae will be able to bring me back some new ones when she comes and visits me. If she has the time in between her duties, that is. Her blue reflection swims behind me in a flurry of bubbles as she tries on her seventh coral outfit of the day. “Aren’t you ready yet?” I ask, spinning to face her. Kah’Muae glances at me before returning her focus to her own mirror. “I just want my first impression above the surface to be a good one. What’s in up there? Shelli Bras, right? Or is it coral capris?” “Kah’Mi,” I swim over to her and rest my hands on her bare shoulders. “You’re going to be great no matter what you wear.” “That’s easy for you to say,” she pouts, eyeing the golden chest plate secured to my upper body. Dad gave us each a set of armor on our first training day, but I know that Kah'Mi can't stand to wear it. “If you had planned your outfit weeks ago like I did, you wouldn’t have this problem.” She clicks her teeth in disapproval before swimming back to the closet, her dark blue curls and sunset-colored tail flowing behind her. For all the fussing Kah’Muae has done about this ceremony, I know she’s just as excited to get out of here. My twin has never been a fan of our parent’s rules. Hopefully being above the surface will give her enough space to figure herself out without any of us blowing bubbles down her neck. Especially our mother. “Are we almost ready yet?” The kind eyes of our older brother, Beh’Ni, peek into our bedroom window, his massive shark-like frame too large to come inside. I swim up and stick out my head with a grimace. “I am. Kah’Mi still thinks that beings above the surface care about her attire.” Beh’Ni’s forehead crinkles in confusion. “What for?” “Who knows,” I sigh. “After today we’ll be rid of her antics, so I’m just letting her flounder.” “Yeah. Sure. Of course.” Beh’Ni averts his gaze, his fins shifting nervously as he swims in place. He’s usually so composed. Is he not dealing well with Kah’Muae’s departure to the surface? I open my mouth to ask him, but Kah’Muae pushes me out of the way and swims outside the window, her body adorned with her favorite blue Tor’Tuga bra and belly beads. So much for impressing the masses. “Come on,” she waves us along. “We’re gonna be late!” “Oh, now you care about being late,” I snicker and swim beside my siblings as we make our way to the throne room. Our empire has grown a lot in one short year. While Kah’Muae and I were incessantly training and learning to master our powers, our parents continued to expand their reach throughout the Rehlm. Every day it seems like some more species and members are added to our underwater empire. The colorful reefs bustle below, and small eruptions of applause can be heard from each community as we swim past. I politely wave and nod the way my mother would while Beh’Ni and Kah’Muae swim with some of the younger guppies in a flurry of bubbles. Honestly, I swear I’m the only sane one out of my siblings. But today their careless manner doesn’t upset me as much. This will probably be the last time that the three of us will be able to swim around this freely with each other. Might as well enjoy it. I flick my wrist around and manipulate the water to gently spin them around, eliciting high-pitched laughter from the youngest guppies before we swim on towards the main forayer. “I’ll meet you guys inside,” Beh’Ni calls as he swims down the outer halls, his massive frame disappearing around the side of the palace. I look at Kah’Muae as she adorns her hair with an underwater lily. “Ready for this?” “Born ready,” she salutes before swimming inside with a giggle. The coral walls glow a bright pink, rows of kelp garland hanging from the archways in celebration. Good. That means that the Empress is in a good mood today. I mean she better be. After all the training that Kah’Muae has endured in the past year, she deserves to have a proper send-off to the surface. A few of the staff bows in unison as we swim past them. “Good morning, Your Highnesses.” “Good morning,” Kah’Muae sings as she twirls through the halls in her usual haphazard fashion, the lily she placed in her hair forgotten. The staff move out of her way instinctively and we manage to swim into the throne room without breaking a single shell lamp. Not that Kah’Muae seems to care either way. The throne room is just as busy as the rest of the main palace, if not busier. All the advisors sit at the foot of our parents chattering amongst themselves in their coral seats. The hulking arm of my father rests easy on his throne as he talks to my mother with an animated spirit, his golden crown glittering in the morning light. Empress Ahtah’Bae sits upright and nods, a smile cracking her usual scowl. But the moment that she catches Kah’Muae swimming up to them her smile falters and that regal stance she takes with us returns. “Good morning, girls,” she says, silencing the rest of the room instantly. “Good morning,” I bow. “I hope we didn’t keep you waiting long.” “Not at all,” my father smiles warmly with open arms. “One can’t be late for their coronation.” “Yes, one can,” my mother mumbles. She shakes her head, her golden crown of fish and jewels clinking in their usual disapproval. I can only imagine how much she must be itching to scold us. But today isn’t any ordinary day. “Let’s get started then,” my father claps his hands a few times with excitement and a few staff members file into the room, each carrying a large kelp pillow with a crown on top. One is made of coral and jewels. The other is made of glittering gold and silver. “As you know,” my mother begins. “Today marks one year since the creation of the twins, Kah’Muae and Guah’Bahn. Their efforts towards mastering their powers have earned them a place far beyond the titles they were born into. Today, they will ascend into the roles of their fate and become full-fledged Di’Ehtis.” My father swims off his throne and lifts the golden crown off its perch, swimming towards us. This is it. My heart races as he stops in front of me. “Guah’Bahn,” he beams down at me. “You will be gifted the highest honor today. Though it may not be what you expect, I want you to know that this is what me and your mother know to be the best course for your fate.” “I’m ready to accept any honor that the Emperor and Empress of Oh’Shun would bestow upon me.” The crown sits heavy on my head as my father secures it in place. “Then from henceforth, you shall be known as Guah’Bahn, Empress of the Skai Rehlm.” I do my best to contain my confusion as the room erupts into a fit of applause. Kah’Muae claps beside me, her eyes glued to mine. “Skai Relhm?” she asks me telepathically. “Shh,” I silence her as our mother swims from her throne towards the remaining crown. She picks it up with fondness and looks towards Kah’Muae. “This was my first crown. I made it when I was determined to take my fate into my own hands and start my life over in Oh’Shun. When you were a guppy, you were obsessed with it. Today, it’s now officially yours.” “I humbly accept whatever gift the Great Emperor and Empress wish to bestow upon me,” Kah’Muae says, voice shaky as she bows her head, and my mother fastens the crow in place. “From this day forth, you will be known as Kah’Muae, Princess of Oh’Shun. May your leadership raise this great empire higher as we continue to connect the Rehlms that exist above and below the surface.” The room erupts into an even bigger fit of cheers, and I numbly clap beside my sister as reality takes hold. My twin sister will be the one to stay in Oh’Shun. And I’ll be forced to leave. Forever.
Discarded Di'Ehtis
Chapter 2: Hurah'Kahn
My body aches something fierce as I float aimlessly through the clouds towards Kae. Fuckin’ Yuk’Au. I had him on the ropes. Smashed him through three mountains and he still somehow got the upper hand. But fair is fair. He won the last piece of Lahnd above the surface, and I’m left to find my own way. Wonderful. The tops of Yah’Yah’s hut comes into view and I ride the current down to the entrance. Oh’Shun’s waves seem so much louder from this distance. Every crash onto the shore is a cold reminder of the end of the life I once knew. At least on Kahn’Teh you could escape the waves by climbing up the mountainside. But Kae is nothing more than a beach of animals on a backdrop of thick trees, the sides of the Lahnd barely rising into a steep hill on either side. How can Yah’Yah stand living here? More importantly, will they let me stay? “Get out!” The shell of a Tor’Tuga shoots out of the mouth of the hut and I catch it midair. “Easy, old timer. It’s just me.” Yah’Yah’s head pokes out of one of the entrance flaps, their face now completely covered in a braided beard that rests on their chest. “I know exactly who you are. Banished from every Lahnd, including this one.” “I mean, I’m sure I could crash at Deh’Mi’s place for a while,” I shrug. “But those assholes are too much for an everyday livin’ situation. Ya feel me?” “I feel nothing you speak of,” Yah’Yah yells, throwing another shell. The shells keep flying at me as I move closer, dodging each one with ease. “Come on. Aren’t ya lonely? After Yah’Yehl-” “Do not speak that name on this island!” Yah’Yah’s face reddens like a pepper. A few of the nearby animals snap their attention towards me, their large eyes glowing red and their teeth bared. “Alright, I can sense when I’m not wanted,” I float backward with my hands in surrender, ready to book it back to the clouds. “If you would like, Guah’Sehr, before you go. A piece of advice.” “My name is Hurah’Kahn now,” I correct them. “And what could a pacifist teach a great warrior like me?” They point a solid finger toward the Skai. “The clouds will make your new home and a family will await you by the end of the day.” “A family?” I can’t help but laugh at their words. “I have no need for that anymore, but thanks for the advice. Ta-ta, Yah’Yah.” The air current carries me far away from the noise of Oh’Shun and back towards Kahn’Teh. Maybe I can reason with my twin brother to split the island in half. The thought alone repulses me. As if I’d resort to something so low as to share anything with that meat-headed fool. Hanging around him too long would probably be worse for me than Deh’Mi and his brothers. I swirl the clouds around my fingertips to create one large enough to lie on. “This sucks,” I huff, staring at a few of Dai’Ahnah’s Stahrz coming into view. She’s getting good at those. Maybe I’ll go live with my sisters and flit between the Lait and Dark Moons for a while. Though I doubt there will be much to do aside from staring at the rest of the Rehlm below us. Just like I’m doing right now. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” “Kah’Mi, I’ll be fine. Promise.” I glance down from my laid-back stance and peer over the edge of my cloudy perch. Two female beings with skin as blue as Oh’Shun bob on the surface, their bottom halves covered by the waves. They hug each other with a fierce grip, and I can feel their grief from here. Must be some of Yah’Yehl’s latest creations. They look exactly like him. And yet I can’t help but be drawn to the one wearing the gold and silver crown. Something about the way she carries herself shows an abundance of power and strength behind all that beauty. And I want to know more. “Don't let any of those other Di'Ehtis bully you, okay?” she says, cupping this Kah’Mi girl’s face in her hands. “You’ve got this.” Kah’Mi nods as glittering tears fall from her eyes and into Oh'Shun. “How am I supposed to do this without you? This wasn’t the plan.” “The decision has already been made.” My mystery woman wipes a few tears of her own before flicking her wrists and shooting herself into the air with incredible speed. Her iridescent black tail transforms into blue legs the further away she gets from Oh’Shun, her dark blue braids unfurling into a wild mane of curls. Her golden armor shines in the fading light of the day and she twirls her fingers around the clouds as if collecting a spider’s web. It isn’t long before her curved hips and strong legs are covered by a flowing skirt of wispy clouds that billow around her ankles. She doesn’t even glance my way as she ascends further and further into the Skai, her golden crown glittering in the sunlight. The words of Yah’Yah echo in my mind. Family. As if I’d need anything so foolish. But if I did, could she really be the one for me?
When the Waves Kissed the Shore
Chapter 1: Kah'Muae
Me? Princess of Oh’Shun? I fear that my sister didn’t prepare me enough for this moment. The room we’ve shared for the past year now sits mostly bare. Most of our things have already been moved to my new room in the main tower of the palace. All that’s left is me and my shell mirror. Was it only just yesterday that Guah’Bahn sat in that corner getting ready? After today, I’ll probably have little time to visit this room or any other room unassigned to me. My mother thought it was strange that I wanted to get ready for my journey in a bubble of old memories. But it’s been a while since I’ve cared about my mother’s opinions and today is no different. Except that Guah’Bahn’s not here to scold me about it. Every time I think about her, my soul aches. They called gifting Guah’Bahn the Skai Rehlm a blessing but we all know what it sounds like. Banishment. Are things getting so bad above the surface that they need Guah’Bahn to prepare an entirely different Rehlm? The questions continue to swirl through my mind as I aimlessly finish off the last braid and pin it in place with a shell pin. There. Ready for the unknown. Right? I close my eyes and indulge in the easy waves surrounding me. Everything will be different once I swim out of this room. A little longer won’t hurt anyone… “Ready to go?” My older brother, Beh’Ni, swims outside my window with a sympathetic smile. I open my eyes with a sigh and pick up the coral crown from its perch, pinning it atop my head. “How do I look?” I ask his reflection in the mirror. “Like a princess,” he beams and waves a grey fin along for me to follow before swimming out of view. I take one final look at the past before swimming out into the vastness of Oh’Shun. It all seems so different than the day before. Most of the locals are already bustling in the main hall, so there is no one to see us off as we swim towards the shallows of Kae. Beh’Ni swims beside me and gently nudges my arm with his nose. “Nervous?” “Only a lot. Is that bad?” Beh’Ni chuckles a little. “I think I’d be more concerned if you were calm.” “Princess!” A stout fish with large mustache whiskers swims towards us in a flurry of bubbles and we slow our pace. “Everything alright?” Beh’Ni asks. “The Empress wishes to see you both before you leave for the surface.” I glance at Beh’Ni with uncertainty but he just shrugs and begins to swim towards the palace without another word. Whatever the reason she has for calling us better be a good one. If we delay my departure any longer, I might lose the nerve to leave altogether. Guah’Bahn, give me strength. *** The main hall is even busier than it was yesterday. While the décor is long gone, the locals cheer and bow as Beh’Ni and I swim towards the throne room where my parents wait in their designated spaces. Empress Ahtah’Bae hovers near the windows and ushers Beh’Ni inside. “You called for us, your grace?” Beh’Ni bows by my side and I follow suit. “I’ll be quick about this so you can get on your way,” my mother motions for us to rise. “Beh’Ni, you will escort your sister while she visits the other two Lahnds. You’ll be borrowing your father’s trident to do so, so take the time to adjust its power levels.” “This thing can take some getting used to,” my father holds it out to Beh’Ni with a sly grin. “Are you sure you’ve mastered it in such a short time?” “I believe it an honor for us to find out,” Beh’Ni swims up to him with glee. “But I can take care of myself,” I wine. “I don’t need a babysitter.” My mother glares at me, my brother’s fin hovering near the glowing trident with uncertainty. “As convincing as your guppy wines sound, this is only a precaution. There are rumors that Hurah’Kahn has taken a liking to the Skai Rehlm. Who knows what that brute will do once your sister sends him away.” “We just want to keep you safe,” my father chimes in as the trident begins to glow a bright blue. He focuses all of his attention on Beh’Ni. “Let the waters breathe life into slits where Oh’Shun reigns. May you use this power to protect and aid you on your journey.” The trident floats out of my father’s hands and casts its blinding light on Beh’Ni. By the time the light subsides, the lovable shark I grew up swimming beside has been replaced with a blue-skinned male sporting a dark blue tail. He flexes his muscles a little and continues adjusting to his new form. A few murmurs can be heard around the room as Beh’Ni grabs hold of the trident and throws a slick smile my way. His mass of curls flows with the current around his face. “What do you think, Kah’Mi?” “I think you look more qualified to rule than I do.” “Hush,” my mother hisses. “Be on your way, Kah’Muae. And keep in mind that while Beh’Ni is there for your protection, he is not there to coddle you like Guah’Bahn did. We expect you to act with diplomacy and unite the two Rehlms with the grace of a princess. Am I understood?” “Yes, Empress,” I say with a bow before swimming out of the hall and straight towards Kae. I don’t bother looking back until my fins have transformed into legs and I stand firm on the sand above the surface. The tops of the palace are barely visible above the waves of Oh’Shun as I watch my brother wade out of the water. Good. The less sentiment the better. “Stopping by for a sendoff?” I turn to find Yah’Yah standing at the edge of the thick forest of pine and palm trees lining the beach, their long white beard hanging from their chin in a thick braid. A few twigs and clumps of dirt poke out from it and I click my tongue in disapproval. “You haven’t practiced your braiding,” I scold, holding up my old handiwork. “I didn’t want to mess it up,” Yah’Yah shrugs. “Now that you are free to traverse the Lahnds, you can come and re-do it as much as you’d like.” I nod to them with a confident smile before looking back at Beh’Ni. “Ready to go to Kah’Noh?” “Are you?” I face the horizon with a nervous kind of excitement and watch as Beh’Ni dives back under the surface. The waves of Oh’Shun lap over my toes and I wordlesslydive behind my brother towards Kah’Noh. No turning back now. Time for my evolution to officially begin. Right?
When the Waves Kissed the Shore
Chapter 2: Deh'Mi
This sucks. A lot. My hands are caked in thick mud as I pump my foot on the pedal of the spinning wheel. The last two creatures I made were beautiful. As perfect as they come. But the moment their dark bodies began to move, they would dissolve back into the dirt that they derived. This time I aim to give a thicker nature to the bottom for stability. Maybe even a curved structure for wind resistance. The top plate wobbles and the base of my newest structure tumbles to the ground with a loud thud. A deep rage wells up within me and I toss the entire machine into the pile of mud with a high-pitched scream, cracking the ground a little. I rest my hand above the crack and focus on pouring my healing energy into the ground. "Sorry, Mom." The crack vanishes and I lay back in an exhausted heap. Why is this so hard? My brothers seem to be making strides of progress with their Kri’Aeshons. When we decided to add a haram of Mor’Tahls to our Empire like Yuk’Au did, I never imagined it would be this difficult to obtain. With Ichi infatuated with growing crops and Sahn overseeing Dohs’s construction of the outer palace, it’s been up to me and my powers of Kri’Asehon to bring the actual Mor’Tahls to life. If only I paid a little more attention when Yah’Yah was teaching me how to use my powers. Before Oh’Shun. When living was as simple as Kri’Aeshon itself. And now… “Deh’Mi!” “Not now, Sahn. I'm busy,” I mutter, rubbing my temple as I telekinetically reassemble the pieces of the turning plate together. “But the newly crowned princess of Oh’Shun just got here. She wants to meet you and get to know our island better. An alliance with Ahtah'Bae.” A loud groan erupts from deep within. First, my failed creatures, and now some water princess expecting a grand tour of our Lahnd? My Lahnd? As if I’m even interested in an alliance with the empire of Oh’Shun. What could those fools possibly offer that we don’t already have? “Very well,” I sigh and flick the remaining mud off my hands. “Let’s get this over with.” "You could stand to be a little more excited," Sahn snaps. "After what you did to our mother's physical form, you're grateful that Ahtah’Bae doesn't seek revenge." "As long as I stay away from Oh'Shun, she can't harm me." "Well, you better get your act together before we get to the beach. I will not have you embarrass us during our first diplomatic meeting with another Rehlm." I pat Sahn on the shoulder with a yawn. "Relax, Sahn. I've got this." Sahn leads me out of the hut into the bright afternoon. With Kah’Noh lacking in trees, I’ve requested a sheltered walkway that connects the outer halls of the palace. Everything is coming together just as planned. The jewels outlining the edge of the main palace add a touch of color that accents our vision. Unlike other things around here. "Remind Dohs to make a large room for my workshop," I scold Sahn. "Based on the looks of things, it was overlooked during the initial construction." "I'll begin construction on it the moment you begin producing some results." "But what about the Mor'Tahls? I doubt they'll be able to stand too much time in the sun at first." "There won't be any Mor'Tahls at the rate you're going." “They simply haven’t been what I’m looking for,” I shrug. “You can’t rush perfection, ya know. That's how we get beings like you.” I move to flick his forehead but he catches my hand, unamused. “Whatever you say, Deh’Mi. You know I trust you. But don't waste my existence with your weak excuses.” He throws my hand away and we continue to walk the unfinished halls of the palace in silence. Once they’re complete, we will officially have an empire to call our own. No longer will Yuk’Au come over and call our home Dirtlandia. He'll be forced to recognize Kah'Noh as a powerful ally. Once I figure out how to make our Mor’Tahls, they will be even more beautiful than his. Stronger. The fiercest in all the Lahnds. My mind has wandered so long that I don't initially realize when we've already reached the southern tip of the island, the tall whisps of grass lining the beach swaying in the breeze. It’s been a while since I’ve been out here. Working in my temporary workshop has taken up most of my time these days. So has avoiding the very mistake I can never erase. The waves of Oh’Shun crash on the shore as Sahn leads the way, his lanky frame blocking my view of our guests as he moves to greet them. “I do apologize for the wait,” Sahn says, bowing slightly. “Not at all. We understand that your Lahnd is vast and must take time to traverse.” Her voice sounds like a melody. Every word she speaks leaves me craving more and I refrain from shoving my brother out of the way as he straightens up and extends a hand towards me. “May I introduce my brother and the leader of Kah’Noh, Emperor Deh’Mi.” He finally moves out of my eyeline and the mere sight of the princess takes my breath away. Skin as blue as the Skai with large, round eyes and puckered lips that I need to devour. I can already imagine unpinning those braids one by one. Her eyebrows crinkle in confusion and she glances at the hulking man standing beside her, his skin a deep blue and demeanor stern. Beh’Ni. Oh’Shun's ultimate protector. I didn’t even notice him at first, his usual form now completely transformed. But one glance his way tells me that he’s not a fan of how I gaze at his sister. Honestly, I couldn't care less. “A pleasure to meet you, princess,” I say, extending a stiff hand between us. “We’ve been expecting you.” She grips my hand with authority, and it's as if my soul has been struck. “The pleasure is mine.” I can feel her hand begin to retreat but I tighten my grip slightly. “Will you be staying with us long? I hear you swam all this way for a thorough tour of our empire.” “We’ll have to be going soon to visit Yuk’Au,” Beh’Ni says, his hand extended between us. I'm forced to let go of the princess and his grip nearly crushes my physical form into dust. I flex my hand a little to regain some feeling, causing a small giggle from the princess. “I'm doing a tour of all the Lahnds today,” she says. “I hope that we can get to know each other better over time and become allies." That smile of hers sends my heart into overdrive and I'm compelled to take her hand once more. “Well, you must come back for dinner! Ichi has been testing out some combinations from the harvest and I refuse to allow our newest ally to go home without trying some.” Her puzzled expression causes me to loosen my grip on her hands slightly but to my delight, she doesn’t retreat. Instead, she observes me with curiosity until she finally purses those full lips and shrugs. “Sure, we’d love to. ” “Perfect,” I kiss the top of her hand before fully releasing her with a mischievous smile. “It’s a date. I expect you back in time to watch the sunset. As you said, my Lahnd is vast and it may take some time to show you all of it.” A tinge of pink creeps into her cheeks and the princess averts her gaze with a shy smile. “Of course. I’ll-” “Well, we'll see if we can squeeze you into our busy schedule,” Beh’Ni snaps before ushering his sister away with a nod. "It was good seeing you Deh'Mi. Sahn." “Beh’Ni!” she snaps but they disappear under the waves without another word. I can feel the eyes of my brother boring a hole into my back, but I can’t seem to tear my gaze from the horizon. “Sahn?” I ask. “How long will it take to finish the palace?” “We are currently at 65% completion-” "Aww, we missed the Princess," Dohs wines and I turn to find him and Ichi walking towards us. "I believe our brother was just asking about the percentage of our progress," Sahn calls to them. “Why?” Dohs asks. A wild grin spreads across my lips as my brothers gather before me. “We’re going to finish everything before sunset.” “Are you insane?” Sahn yells. “Sure the fields are coming along fine but there's so many interior structures that need to be built. There isn’t enough time for your antics this-” “We’re the children of Iti’Bah," I snap. "The literal ground we build our empire on. We can and will get this done. Am I understood?” “Why is this so important to you all of a sudden?” Ichi pipes up, munching on a mouthful of grapes. “Yeah,” Dohs squints his dark eyes as he slinks towards me. “Give me one good reason why we have to speed up production when you don’t even have a single member of our haram ready?” I glance back at Oh’Shun, excitement bubbling up in my chest as I drape an arm across Dohs's shoulders. “Because, brother, the game has changed.” “And?” I chuckle darkly to myself. “And I believe that I’ve just met my wife.”