Archive of Our Own

There was a time where magic still existed, canalized in every being and space belonging to Mother Nature. You could find it everywhere, soothing chanting its lulling melodies and transforming the dynamics of the Earth, helping its inhabitants to live better their mortal existences. Magic was everything and it was everywhere: in the green fields, in the high snowy mountains, in the barren tiny hills, in the villages built by mankind, in the flowing rivers, in the placid ponds and in the raging sea. The ocean, home of enchanted mysteries, assumed a even stronger aura of flair. The sole presence of merfolk was an evident proof of the existence of magic and yet, their presence wasn’t the only proof provided by the Universe to assert the presence of magic. Merfolk could use magic, once upon a time, channeling it in their melodious voices and charming songs or using it for spells, potions and incantations. It was used to the greatest good, to help merfolk and the other species to live in peace with the natural equilibrium of life. Yet, if for every ying there is a yang, it was the same for the use of magic. There was who, like you, used it to heal and bring joy and who, like the mermen who had grown to love and then to fear, who used it for their own gain, transforming the magical privilege in a weapon that never should have existed. But let’s start from the very beginning, because this story has deep roots, embedded in years of rivalry, deep waters, enchanting spells and most importantly… with undying love.

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“ ♪  Ritorna a me
Cara mia ti amo
Solo tu, solo tu, solo tu, solo tu
Mio cuore ♪ “

Down on the Mediterran reef, this is what you used to sing when, as a little mermaid, your mentor would teach you the proper way for a mermaid to sing and captivate the enchantment of whoever was there to hear. But, contrary to mankind’s beliefs, your skills weren’t those of a bloodthirsty siren who wanted to lure and drown incautious sailors, carrying them to the profound black abyss. No, you used your voice to heal. Healers between the merfolk population were extremely rare and their voice was said to be the most bewitching yet the most lethal between all the voices gifted by Nature to mermen and mermaids like yourself. Your voice could enrapture the heart of any human but the sugary and enticing tune of it could entice even your own kind. It didn’t bewitch the merfolk in the same intense way it would with humans, but it could make them still attracted to your singing nonetheless. It was suggested for those who had your gift, to reduce a little their singing and to use it in times of real need since it could lure even your own kind. It was both a curse and a blessing, but you had always loved the healing properties of your tone and you had even discovered that you could help people to sleep, lulling them with the sultry melodies you would harmonize for them. Magic enticed your singing and so, every time a note sung by you reached somebody, it was guaranteed to make them swoon, sedating whoever needed to be healed with your song. The melody, mixed with the magic, would cure their wounds. This was your power, yet every mermaid or merman seemed to have a peculiar ability that they excelled on and so, from a tender age, merfolk would be introduced to magic and a mentor would teach them how to use their skills at best.

It was like one of those human schools, you noticed. After all, the lessons you would attend with other little mermaids and mermen had nothing to envy on those your human colleagues would deal with. The mentor would teach every element of magic, it would not only teach you how to highlight your already present talent. And thus, you would learn about any potion and spell that was had been used by your kind for centuries and centuries. And it was in one of this long lessons that you had met them. You were only a kid at that time and as any carefree kid would do, you were able to befriend them with other little mermen that were around your age.

Prosciutto and Risotto. At that time they were only little mermen and their gaze held the innocence and day dream wonder every other little merman would have. They, too, attended the same classes that you attended and between a spell and a fit of laughter, you had started to speak a little with the both of them and to get to know them better. Yet as they grew, they become some of the most beautiful mermen you had ever countered in your underwater life.

Prosciutto’s tail coloring reminded of the same bright colors of the scales of a royal dottyback. The iridescent hue of his scales would reflect the bluemarine light in such a vibrant way that you couldn’t help but smile when you saw him swim with elusive elegance and magnetism. Every move he would make with his long and lean tail was guaranteed to enchant whoever who admired his swirling in the crystalline sea water. The colors of the royal dottyback were the main inspiration for Mother Nature when providing a coat for his tapered tail, yet he showed the first section of the tail to be a bright yellow and then, as you eyes would travel further, it changed in a graceful mixture of colors, shifting from the canary yellow to a impressive rich purple. The points of his tail were blackish but, overall, the lustrous colors really gifted him a colorful look. His physique was strong, supple and agile, every movement he made was pure dynamism and yet, he looked so bold and strong with every swift action he performed. His hair was a curtain of pure gold, long and flowing with him, giving him such a soft yet solemn aura, as he was. You really loved his eyes, they glimmered as bright sapphires and the way they would reflect the iridescent colors of his tail was just… a true mesmerizing sight. His look screamed pure elegance, that much was true.

Risotto, on the other hand, was quite the bulky guy. His frame was imposing and magnificent, every movement of his was pure authority and might. He had a different tail from yours or from that of Prosciutto, because his kind belonged to the sea snakes genealogy and thus, he looked like a gigantic aquatic naga. His tail was extremely long and quite less chromatic that Prosciutto’s, but enthralling nonetheless. In fact, his tail was a gargantuan spectacle of power and vigor and the colors displayed on his humid skin were the one of a zebra moray. The mix of elegant white and rich black really made him stand out, even if were his eyes the most impactful trait of his authoritative look. They were black pools of enchantment, while his pupils were cherry red. He had truly the most unusual yet fascinating pair of eyes you had ever had the chance to witness. And his algid snow white hair really framed his strong jaw in such a imperial way, that you couldn’t help but feel a bit intimidated by his massive presence. Such a sharp gaze he had always had but by far, his eyes would always be the most distinctive trait of him.

They, too, had a magical power they were more talented into. Prosciutto really was a rare talent with potions: he would blend the ingredients in such a precise way and following your mentor’s every word. He trained every day with mixtures to become even more skilled, adding effort and hard work to his already natural talent. He specialized in potions that would change one’s aspect: he could take the form of somebody else and he would even make them younger or older for a certain amount of time. Everything that could be changed in the physical appearance, Prosciutto had learned how to modify and create anew. The only thing that would allow him to proceed with the shift, was having a personal object of the person he wanted to transform into and, while having said object and drinking the potion, he would shift. There was a gamma of spells and potions that could be used only by using a item belonging to the subject of the enchantment, yet it was a touchy subject and most mentors would not teach to the young merfolk about them, because this type of magic was borderline close to prohibited magic. Prosciutto, too, was really pushing it with these type of potions, yet the mentor didn’t know about all the potions he had learnt to make and thus, he never had known about Prosciutto’s ability to shift into someone else.

If you were talented with singing and Prosciutto with potions, spells were the department Risotto excelled on. His favored ones regarded changing materials. He could change water to ice and change the structure of every material he would stumble upon. He even had learnt to change blood into metal, but it was something the mentor never knew about since trafficking with blood was something that was deeply frowned upon. Another thing Risotto was very talented to were deals.

Usually mermen didn’t use their magic to grant any wish, but there was a legend that said that every first Friday of August, the full moon would enhance the power of the underwater creatures. Many magical beings used that night to strike deals and Risotto used that chance to his advance too, since he had always been a bright and perceptive individual. There was a thin line that decided the limits of what was accepted and what not, so, who used magic was always attentive in not stepping over the boundary. Yet, this mindset didn’t apply to Risotto, because he saw great possibility in what was prohibited by the magical non written laws that applied in your marine kingdom.

Risotto would be up to sketchy business time to time, but you were always there to remind him to not go over the limit because forbidden magic was luring: just a bit from such glutinous apple and you would never be able to return back and to taste other foods without craving the rich aroma and flavor of said dark arts.

You had grew up with Risotto and Prosciutto and even if you had seen them change in the years and become the mesmerizing mermen they were, in your eyes they were always the brilliant and silent kids that you had befriended when you still didn’t know what magic even was. They used to be such reserved individuals, yet you had learnt to know them and go over Prosciutto’s inquisitive nature and Risotto’s menacing stare. Prosciutto wasn’t harsh as you thought he would be: in fact, there was a kid that, irony of fate, was named literally “Pesci” which means “Fishes”. It was such a goofy name and some kids would make fun of him for it and sadly not only for that:. He was teased for his soft and bashful demeanor and also, since he didn’t seem to click with anybody because of his shyness, only Prosciutto had managed to become his friend and he had even acquired the habit to call him “Big bro”. Prosciutto, in return, would say he was a “mammone” which meant a childish individual, but even though their bonding dynamics were strange, they respected each others. Prosciutto seemed so brash yet defended Pesci when he was being teased and made fun of: he wanted to achieve a really detached appearance and yet, when Pesci would be under attack, Prosciutto was quick to come to his aid and tell him that he had to grow a pair.

Pesci, was, coincidentally, the prince of your kingdom, so Prosciutto would always try to make him understand that to be a good monarch he needed to be strict and yield an iron first, even if the thought of it all never quite appealed Pesci’s softer and meek side. But this didn’t meant he would become a bad ruler, if anything, it suggested that his command would be free from cruel actions the most. You had befriended him too and you really adored his personality: he was very hesitant but if kindly encouraged, he could become so brave. But everything fell down, when both Risotto and Prosciutto were accused of breaking the magical laws, since they had used their power to commit frauds and crimes, succumbing to the charm of the forbidden dark arts. Your heart shattered when you first heard it and ins spite of what everybody said and of the evidences of their wrong doings, you couldn’t bring yourself to believe that your Risotto and your Prosciutto, your dear friends with whom you’ve experienced sadness and joy and shared so many experiences thought the years, would hid such a dark side. From the world, from your mutual friend Pesci, but above all from you. You felt really betrayed by their wrongful actions, most of all because they had tricked you in believing they would never cross the border, they would never surrender themselves to the appealing prospect of the total sensation of freedom and power provided by the use of forbidden arts. They had swore to you they would never, as they had promised, along with you, to always stay together thought thick and thin. 

Only later you had realized what a grave mistake you had done in making that promise, because with that promise came the realization that your friends were, indeed, outlaws and that Pesci, just after becoming king, with infinite grief-stricken eyes, had to ban them from the kingdom. You were angry with them but never you could have imagined how much it would have torn you apart. The evidences against them were too high and so, even if they had protested, Pesci could do nothing since his first priority was to ensure his people’s wellbeing. And so, with deep resentment, they promised they would return, eventually. But before being extradited from their home, Pesci had conceded you the privilege to see them one last time since you were so deeply connected to them. Or, at least, to what you believed they were. You were angry with them for their deplorable actions but you couldn’t hate them. They were still your friends, the ones that always had your back and that accompanied you for so many years. It felt unreal to do so and yet… there they were, accused of being criminals and sentenced to leave the kingdom, without the chance to ever return.

You could have never guessed that this could happen. They were such smart individuals, skilled in the magic department and with a bright future ahead of them… why had they let themselves be consumed by the fire of sweet corruption? You had tried to warn them but not even once you could have predicted that their interest for dark magic, would become a consolidated reality more than a mere interest. However something had been shifting with them, some days before being exposed for their criminal wrongdoings.

You three had been swimming in the reef and since you needed to find some rare herbs for some healing potions, you had asked the both of them if they could accompany you. Prosciutto had stated that you could it alone without them tagging along yet, then, he joined you and Risotto. Risotto had accepted without much complaint, he was never a merman to display emotions openly but you knew he appreciated you request.

“And thus, when I’ll finish this super difficult potion, I’ll finally have a solution for the frequent headaches of Mr. Doppio”

You explained, while cutting the last white coral twig you needed for the healing elixir you were brewing in your grotto. You had to make a potion for the poor merman that came lamenting a frequent migraine. You had tried to cure his intense headaches with your singing but they kept being frequent and always more violent, to the point Doppio had even taken the last white coral twig and used it as a phone to call a certain “Boss”. You didn’t question it since he seemed already on the verge of a breakdown, so you let him take the coral and promised him you would try to make a potion to help him relieve the pain.

“I had terminated my white coral stack this morning. Thank you coming with me, you guys are always a great company!”

“Likewise” You heard Risotto, that swam near you, an hint of a smile in his enchanting visage.

“I still think you should learn to do your herb collecting alone. What would you do if neither of us would be there?!”

That snarky attitude. Only Prosciutto could be that ceremonious in reprimanding you.

“I know you love to stay with me and Risotto, Pro”

You answered him in such a teasing tone, making him glare at you.

“I don’t like that nickname you’ve given me”

“Would you prefer “Mamma”, then? Because, to me, you really resemble one” You snickered, while Prosciutto kept being irritated by your taunting antics.

“Prosciutto” He responded seething, glaring at you even more intensely

“That is my name. Use it”

“Oh come one, Pro, you know I’m just joking!” You winked to him, sticking your tongue to the fuming merman, while Risotto kept observing you, internally amused by the dynamics of your interactions.

“Sei una peste” He grumbled, shifting his glare from you to the reef and then letting go of a breath. You couldn’t help but being entertained by the way he would respond. He was always like this, grumpy and authoritative in the exterior, but with a good heart.

“Strange, you didn’t call me that when you asked me oh so desperately to sing for you”

Back to your teasing, the smirk you were sending his direction was met by another roll of eyes.

“Never in my right mind I would dream to ask you such thing. Pesci does and I enjoy it too, that’s the end of it” he finished, glaring again towards your smirking form.

Yes, as if, you thought. It was true, Pesci asked you to sing for him sometimes, since it helped him relieve his constant anxiety and worrisome. Your chanting had the power to ease his mind and almost lull him to sleep. Most of them time, Prosciutto and Risotto were there too and they enjoyed the relaxing power of your voice. Sometimes, Prosciutto had even requested for you to sing for him after hearing your singing for Pesci and being dazed off from it all, he had addressed you in such a needy tone. From that moment on, you had always teased him for that and Prosciutto would always roll his eyes, declining the fact as mere product of your fantasy.

“You truly have a beautiful voice though” came Risotto’s deep voice from behind you, scaring you a little since he had been silent till that moment. His compliments were always so direct that you couldn’t help but avert your eyes, now feeling a little embarrassed by how straight forward he had been.

“Do you really enjoy my singing this much, Risotto?”

At your uncertain shift of voice, Risotto grew even more pleased by how you were responding to his flattering.

“Of course I do, (Y/N). You have the voice of an angel”

Oh my, he was truly a flatterer. But you knew he was being earnest, since he wasn’t the type to overflow people with compliments.

“Thank you so much” You responded to him, earning another small smile from the merman.

“W-would you like, by any chance, to hear the new song I’ve been learning? The mentor said I was doing good so… maybe would you like to hear it? I’d like to know what you think of my interpretation”

The invitation was sent to both mermen and Risotto answered with a small nod, while Prosciutto sternly gestured for you to start. The little uncertainty you had felt was vanishing little by little. The melody came to you almost instantly and you started to tune the new song in such an ethereal way, that you literally could sense how much they were enjoying it. Their pupils were blown out, a clear sign of liking and they seemed to be so peaceful right now, almost in a daze. Your singing had always had that power or mermen, but with Prosciutto or Risotto, somehow, everything seemed to be lived in such an intense way that you felt as if their adoration for you was reaching fully its apex with how every word you would pronounce. They were like moths drawn to the beautiful elegant flame provided by your singing. Yet, everything seemed to be still as a iron spear passed past you, grazing your face and part of your arm, breaking the enchanting spell you had been building till that moment. Everything happened in a blur. The spear had been thrown by some human hunters, that had been alerted of your presence by your song. Seemingly, they were too far to be affected by your powers but close enough to hear a distant beautiful echo. They had understood you were a mermaid an had wore a special equipment to not fall prey of your melody when they would approach. Since mermaid were such precious loot, it didn’t matter if they were kidnapped or killed, buyers would pay well for having a specimen of your kind.

One moment you were languidly singing a beautiful tune, the other Prosciutto was tightly grasping your body while your vision was becoming red from the blood you were losing. Your face was tarnished by a deep cut and some warm blood had started to drip in your eyes, thus preventing you from seeing. Eventually your sense came less, but you could register Risotto in the distance performing some magic, a lot of blood (that you thought belonged to you) and Prosciutto looking at you with such preoccupation and shock that you never would forget how terrified his eyes had looked while looking at your injury.

“You are in danger, you must be protected” He kept repeating, whispering in such a quick pace and the more he gazed at you, the more frantic he sounded. His words were the last thing you remembered. Then, you would wake up, bandaged and lying on a soft bad of algae, with your parents by your side and Prosciutto and Risotto gazing at you in such a concentrated yet preoccupied manner. They seemed so relieved when you finally opened you tired eyes and asked, whispering, what happened. In recalling the last events, you had remembered nothing at all and so you gave credit to what Risotto told you. They had been able to scare off the hunters and escape, saving you in the process. He seemed so shaken up by the last occurring events and it surprised you how such a impassive looking merman like Risotto could worry for your wellbeing in such a warm way. Prosciutto seemed to be much less abrasive and he was lenient with you during your recovery. Still, the wound would be forever embedded in your skin as a faint scar, thus keeping reminding you of the incident.

From that moment on, Risotto and Prosciutto had changed a bit their attitude towards you. They seemed much more attentive to everything you’d say and even Prosciutto, so used to your taunting, would not demonize you as he used too. You noticed that Risotto stared at you much more time that you had seen him doing and asked you, even twice or thrice at day if you felt alright or if your wound hurt. You didn’t understand why they would be so caring but, probably, the thought of seeing their friend in such a dire situation, had them more worried by you. Nonetheless, you appreciated the attention, even in sometimes you found their stares to be a little bit too… creepy, if you dared to say.

From this situation, everything escalated to utter betrayal when you had found out of their criminal records and thus, when Pesci allowed you to see them one last time, you couldn’t have anticipated their actions. That meeting would be the one to put “end” to your everlasting story of friendship and of shared adventures, magic spells and smiles.

“Please, tell me this isn’t true” you begged them to deny the reality, to tell you that what you were living was only a bad dream. But there was no point in deny what was visible to everybody’s eyes. Not even a nightmare could compare with the dreadful feelings your heart was experimenting in such a difficult time. Seeing your friends handcuffed had your heart shattering in a multitude of pieces. You couldn’t believe it. You wanted to opposed the truth you eyes were telling you because in your heart, they were still your silent and emblematic Risotto and your bratty and caring Prosciutto. How come things had changed in such a fast way? When did they even fell victims of the haunting power of the dark? When had their true natures been unraveled and why hadn’t you noticed sooner? Everything you were living there, with them, kept disassembling every part of your tired heart. Just how…? Why did this have to happen?

“Non capiresti” came Risotto’s dark and commanding tome, after some minutes of asphyxiating silence that almost took your breath away.

“It’s for the best, (Y/N). Dark magic gives you much more that what you can achieve with our basic knowledge”

You directed a scandalized glance towards his own piercing gaze. You couldn’t believe Risotto wouldn’t even bother to try to cover the truth. He was directly admitting his defeat against forbidden magic’s luring call. It was there that downed on you that your joyful days with your cherished friends had died. Definitely.

“But why didn’t you say anything? We could have found a solution for this!” You said, looking from Risotto to Prosciutto in such a fervent manner, looking for any signal that would deny the reality of facts. But nothing could bring back your friends, they had crossed the border, lost themselves to the thrill of danger. Your determination in getting an answer for their behavior drove you to Prosciutto.

“Prosciutto, even you said that dark magic was dangerous!”

Now you had shifted your attention to him, bringing your trembling hands on his wide chest and concentrating all your pain in the way you stared at him, yet his unforgiving eyes told you, without the need to express it openly, that there was no going back.

“Risotto is right. Forbidden arts may be dangerous, but they give you power like no other”

He only muttered that, looking at you straight in the eyes. The solemnity in his tone and his sharp eyes was spine-chilling. He really meant what he was saying.

In receiving such a direct response, you were at loss of words. You let go of him and withdrawing to your previous location, you couldn’t bear to look at them anymore. You couldn’t understand what happened to them. It was as if all of their rational sense had been replaced by this incredible hunger of power. It baffled you how much wrong you had been in thinking that, maybe, this was only an unpleasant misunderstanding. No, they truly were committed to deliver their speech with truth and through their words you could see that they had given up on the notion of living life without stepping the magic boundaries. You couldn’t do anything to help them at this point. No redemption could be in sight for them and this aspect tore at your heart the most. You kept remembering about your happy memories with them… they had concealed their dark side in such a sly way that you hadn’t see this storm coming.

Yet, when said storm crashed down, it drag you away from everybody you had held dear. You used to spend so much time with them and now, you felt as if the mermen in front of you weren’t your Risotto and Prosciutto anymore. Who were they, at this point? You raked up your mind in search of a sign that could have alarmed you sooner, yet, apart from Prosciutto’s stare the day you were harmed and Risotto’s fascination with blood magic, nothing came to your mind. Of course, Risotto’s interests could have suggested you his true nature, but the magic tricks he showed you, like changing blood to iron, were always innocent tricks, without any dark intention. He always assured you that he did this just because he liked to try to enchant different materials and that he would never try to harm somebody. Yet, he had. Prosciutto told you that he, too, wouldn’t use his shifting potions to impersonate somebody else. Yet, he had. They had always assured to you they would never betray your trust and never in a million years they would fall victims of the dark art’s charming fascination and, well… they had. You berated yourself for believing them all this time but you were truly convinced of their good heart. Yet, everything seemed to be blurred out by the seriousness in their speech, hinting to you that they would never go back to be the Risotto and Prosciutto you had held in your heart so dearly.

You were feeling so detached by everything’s happening to you and with such sorrowful eyes, you pointed your eyes to the ground, whispering:

“I don’t understand.. why did you do this…? I thought… that we were going to keep the promise we made…”

Ah, the promise. Yes, you three had made the promise to be always honest with one another and to live peacefully in your little kingdom.

“We did this to keep the promise” Came, then, Risotto’s baritone voice. He seemed so focused on you and the way it was addressing you now, made you focus your attention only on his magnetic eyes.

But how was using the forbidden magic a way to keep the promise? Risotto seemed to read this question in your eyes and thus, was quick in providing a response:

“Only with these powers we can protect you. This is why we have to do this now”

“Do this…?”  you asked uncertain, looking for an answer in Risotto’s eyes. What was he referring to? What was this “this” he had to do? And everything happened in such a fast way that you didn’t even register Risotto breaking the handcuffs with such power and launching himself at your unsuspecting form.

The guards had been fools to believe a simple pair of handcuffs would restrain them, since Prosciutto had broken his own pair too. You found yourself glued to the wall, with Risotto’s frame pressed so tightly against yours that you felt like his massive weight would crush you. His tail had warped itself against you in such a rapid manner and his rough hand was being pressed against your mouth tightly, forbidding you to emit even a sound, if not a slight muffling. You couldn’t move a centimeter with firmly Risotto was holding your body, you thought that he wanted you to pass out. He kept pushing his hand to avoid your screaming, because with eyes full of terror, you had started screaming at him to stop and to let you go.

You had first looked at him like a deer caught in the headlight but after registering his forceful restricting ways you were quick to trash around and to call for help.

“Risotto, let me go! Let me go this instant!” You would scream, but everything came off as a feeble humming since Risotto’s palm was so tightly forced against your mouth.

Risotto kept boring holes in your eyes and was quick to divert his eyes from your horrified eyes to Prosciutto, that was searching for something in the room you three were at.

“Prosciutto, the knife”

You heard Risotto’s mutter and at this, you paled and became desperate to be freed.

…Knife? Was he going to… kill you? You paled. Your survival instincts screamed at you, in that moment, to do anything in your power to escape the danger. You didn’t know what to think or to feel anymore. The sole thought of Risotto wanting to end you broke your heart further but you hadn’t time to feel heartbroken. You were desperate and in such a dangerous predicament that every part of your body twisted itself to try to break free from Risotto’s invasive hold. You hadn’t time to think about why he would do this, you needed to survive in that moment and so you acted without even thinking.  You started to move in every direction with every ounce of energy left in your body, even if Risotto’s hold was becoming too tight to even breath properly. You screamed and shook, even trying to bite his hand, but nothing seemed to move him. He continued to wait for the knife, opening the palm of one hand, while the other kept you glued to the wall. It shook you how methodical he was being. He didn’t waver for even a second, in his eyes there was this utter calmness and such a surgical and  calculative attention that you even more agitated.

Then your blood froze when you saw Prosciutto advancing with a nacre sharp knife, placing it in Risotto’s hand. Prosciutto, too, held the same methodical and uncompassionate gaze Risotto’s wore, as if what they were going to do was such an easy talk to do. Did they not feel remorse for even having the thought of taking your life?

At this point you were so panic-stricken and every action was fueled by adrenalin, that you didn’t even know what you were doing anymore. It was the instincts that told you that you had to do anything you could to get out of the strong hold Risotto was inflicting upon you. Seeing that knife augmented your panic even tenfold and so your instinct kicked in even more intensely and you turned to the only power you had. Magic.

You had never used magic to attack, nor had you even trained to do but the panic was so high that your abilities made you act up without even realizing it. You didn’t want to hurt them, you truly didn’t. But there was no other way to save your wellbeing and for your own safety, your own survival instincts told you to use your magical abilities. In fact, you had learned that what could be cured, could be also reverted back to their previous state. As if stricken by a revelation, you remembered Risotto and Prosciutto’s still healing wound from the day you were attacked. They had been hurt too in, what they had told you, being their  fight against the human hunters. You remembered how grateful their gazes had been while they watched you singing for them and healing their wounds. Still, they needed treatment and so, you had been preparing ointments for their recovering injuries too, so you knew they weren’t healed fully. And you did what had to be done.

With unexplainable fastness, you concentrated your magic on the wounds and even without being able to sing to concentrate your power better, you opened their wounds making them flinch and even hurting them more in the process. You were horrified to see how strong your power was affecting them, how pain had struck their eyes when your power had hit them, making them drop on the floor. Risotto completely dropped you and fell down, his own wounds opening and cutting even deeper that humans had cut him. They hadn’t anticipated such a violent outburst from you, since your power had always been used for healing, never to cause harm. Yet, you had surprised them and even yourself, since you had been able to hurt them and slip past their hurting forms, while you pounded on the door begging for help. You didn’t even spare a glance to them, because your mind screamed at you to ran away to the furthest place on the Ocean to escape from them. You hadn’t meant to harm them but frankly, you couldn’t have done anything else. Your life had almost ended at the hands of the people you loved the most in your entire life and even if you knew you had done this just for your safety, later you would feel so guilty for causing them so much pain, since you never had wanted for them to suffer. But what else could have you done? You were only trying to survive and so you had trusted your magical abilities, ending up in quite the predicament.

“Pesci! Guards! Please, let me out of here! Let me out!”

Prosciutto and Risotto stared at you from half-closed eyes, full of pain that you had unleashed on them. They felt how deep the wounds  were now that they fully understood that your power was even more grand that they could have ever anticipated. You had always been so kind and docile, that they thought your magic would be a mirror of your attitude. This side of you they hadn’t predicted and thus, they found themselves witnessing your desperate escape, while the guards came bursting out on the room, restraining them further.

Pesci caught you in his shaking arms and he shook too in seeing how alarmed you were. Your mind was such a in panic state that you kept repeating to him you had to get out from there. It took quite time to calm you. Pesci tried to do his best to calm you and assure you that you would out of harm way, but his mind was spiraling in fright too in seeing how terrified you had been. He was, also, flogging himself internally because he had permitted to happen. He was sure your security would be secured with Prosciutto and Risotto handcuffed with enchanted restraints and yet, your quivering and shaking form was a proof that his beliefs had been betrayed. As he head you shockingly telling him what happened inside there, he was distraught in learning the mermen had tried to kill you. He couldn’t believe it. The time he had sent with you and them had always given him the security they cherished you with their whole heart, so hearing your side of the story had him completely distraught. What had gotten into them? He couldn’t believe just as he couldn’t believe your power had manifested in such a violent way. Yet if it hadn’t, you wouldn’t be there with him. He really felt responsible for the dire situation you had been forced to live and the marks left by Risotto’s tail on your arms were the proof you had been, indeed, attacked by the merman. Now, they were charged even with attempted murder and when, eventually, they were interrogated again about what had happened there, they didn’t give any useful explanation, since nothing they would say would change their fate. They had already been sentenced to be expelled from the kingdom for using dark arts so, even if they tried to defend themselves, nothing would be useful to prevent them from being sent away forever.

After that interrogatory, they departed the day following your attack and you would never see them again.

Over the years, you had put all the protecting spells you knew over your little grotto. You really feared for your life after everything that had occurred between you and the duo. With the years, they had made themselves quite the reputation and you had learned that they had joined a organization, named Passione, that would commit prohibited criminal acts while using dark magic. You couldn’t’ help but being so glum about everything that happened. They had been the brightest kids in your class and now,  they run illicit business with criminals and performed such unsavory magic acts. Both of them could have helped in improving the underwater world, they had the skills and the bright mind to do achieve anything they wanted.  Yet, they had fallen prey of the tantalizing prospects of having power and easy money with associating themselves in murky waters they would never came out after diving in. It was a real distraught for you losing them, since they had been always a huge part of your life but there was no turning back. They had chosen their fate and you, yours. You had become a healer and even if people always called you “The good sea witch” because, sometimes, the scars from the iron spear could scare a visitor away, your good heart was always what drove people to you. You had put a magical shield on the opening of the cave you inhabited, so you could sense if Prosciutto or Risotto approached. It was a strong spell that could sense their magic, so even if Prosciutto disguised himself, you would tell it was him. Also, after the attack, people believed you were not only a healer, but a fighter and thus, there a silent mutual belief that put you as the defender of the kingdom, along with Pesci’s army, since your power had been the only one to land a hit on Prosciutto and Risotto. Many people had tried to fight them, but they would always return badly injured… or not return at all.

 You had been the only one to effectively hurt them and thus, your fellow merfolk believed that if their shadow was to haunt again the little kingdom, you would been the one to defend them with your magical abilities. Still, Prosciutto and Risotto had always been the ones to have quite the intellect in performing spells and creating potions and you were sure that all the years had made them even stronger. You knew they, probably, had acquired even more abilities and much more knowledge in the field of dark arts. You had trained and learned all you could to defend yourself and the people of the kingdom if anything was to happen, but you really feared that everything you had done would be nothing against the duo’s terrific powers. It was as if you, Risotto and Prosciutto, once so lovingly intertwined, had now started a silent war for predominance. They knew you would have fought against them and after the way you had badly hurt them. The truth is that this combative side of you had them even more interested in the current contrast between you and them. Good and Evil were once, again, measuring their forces and from friends, you had now to face two enemies.

But you had never wanted any of this. Everything you wanted was for them to leave in peace with you, not finding yourself to leave your life with the menace of their attacks. You had to live with constant worries and precautions, because Risotto and Prosciutto’s haunting presence would be always in the outskirts of the kingdom, ready for you to finished what they started. You feared they would come, someday, to kill you. And still to that day, you still couldn’t understand why they would to that. You three had always lived in harmony so you really couldn’t bring yourself to understand what could might triggered their killing instincts in your regards. There was no explanation for their actions and the fact that they could be still lurking on the deep ocean waters really put a strain on you, but you couldn’t waver. You had to be strong for yourself first and secondly, for the people that counted on you.

Pesci, too, with renewed experience, had learned to be a even bolder regnant. After what happened to you, he had learned to give anything for granted and this served him well on the years of his reigning. Still, he had maintained a good relationship with you and appointed you as the royal healer, after witnessing how impressive your skills were. Also, he had provided more protection for you, even putting a little team of skilled soldiers out of your grotto, that would roam the area to make sure nothing was suspect. It intimidated merfolk, even Mr.Doppio that kept coming to your aid to obtain new white corals potions for his frequent headaches, but it was the least that could be done to protect you, since you could be the main target of their vengeance.

They day they had attacked was the fateful first Friday of August, the day that was rumored to be an enhancer for merfolk’s powers. Probably, it was that that made you react in such a strong way. You were deeply sorry for wounding them back there, but, at the time, it was the only thing you could have done to save yourself. Still, you didn’t hate nor Prosciutto nor Risotto, there was no resentment in your heart for their unjustified hate towards you. The only thing that they stirred on you was pain, because they had been so deeply   engraved in your little heart, that they betrayal had hurt you in such like never before. What you had seen in their eyes that day still tormented you and it was if remembering their piercing gazes, so unforgiving, still provoked deep slashed in your heart and in your feelings. But, even after everything they had done, you couldn’t hate them. You just couldn’t. In your eyes they were still your friends that had lost themselves in a magic too strong for them to control. Nothing would deter you from this thought, because you still couldn’t believe how much they had changed. But the reality of the facts kept reminding you that they were, indeed, wanted criminals and nothing that you would think or try to tell yourself, sadly, could change what they had become.

It was, currently, the fifth anniversary of that night. Every first Friday of August you would remember that accident, even more vividly. You still kept living in the memory of their gaze, but, in that particular day, their cunning eyes would haunt you more than ever. Everything you could do was trying to remember Prosciutto and Risotto when they had looked at their best but no matter how many times you tried to recall happy memories, the merciless gleaming eyes of Risotto or the wicked gaze of Prosciutto prevented you to forget their actions.

However, as any other first Friday of August, you had to endure the memories. You kept yourself busy with reading and creating elixirs for your healing patients, yet your melancholy was hard to be sated. Your mind wandered, again, to the memory of Prosciutto berating you in such a comical way or Risotto appreciating your singing. What had happened to them? Were they alright?

Yes, they had almost killed you, but you had always had a kind heart. You still cared for them, even in, someday, you would have to fight against them to protect what they had come to collect and destroy. And you knew, anything that you would try to say would not talk sense in them and, eventually, your confrontation would leave only one of you standing, because they were restless competitors and words such a “compassion” or “pity” rarely appealed to them.

You had a scheduled meeting with Pesci and thus, you were waiting for his arrival. With you he was always informal since you had been a friend of him, the last one remaining after Prosciutto and Risotto’s banishment. Still, his royal tasks took always so much of his days but he, somehow, would dedicate a little slice of time to keep you company since he, too, would feel so sad in that day. You two had always been the bright light contrast of Prosciutto and Risotto’s serious glow, so, in a way, both you and him sought each other to spend some time together, trying to not think about the menaces that lurked outside the kingdom. He passed that gate and the magical shield without problems and he greeted you in his soft fashion, since he was always welcome in your little house.

“Pesci, what a pleasure to see you! How are you doing?”

You greeted him with such a warm smile.

“(Y/N), I see you are doing well. I’m fine, thank you”

He responded back. For once he didn’t seem to be startled as you had greeted him which only make you smile more. He was truly becoming a courageous man.

“I prepared the two elixirs you asked me to make. One is to tone down your sense of anxiety and the other one is to sleep better”

You handed him the two little containers. Pesci thanked you and put them on his little satchel. He would always request these elixir from you and you would make them for him. He could have sent a servant to take the flasks, but he wanted to pay you a visit from time to time and you were always delighted when he would come to see you. You always lived in such a tense situation that living some moments of peace, really helped you relax a little and loosen your worried thoughts.

“How is life in the palace? They always keep you so busy, I guess! I’m lucky I wasn’t born a queen” you chuckled, imagining Pesci running here and there with his arms full of scrolls to sign and so on.

“Indeed. There is always so much to do” he started, without closing his sentence. It was as if there was something he wanted to tell you and from what he told you, you had guessed right away.

“Is there something you wish to tell me, Pesci?”

He seemed uncertain to speak and then went on, quite surprising you with the request he made.

“Actually, yes… I was asking myself if you could perform a spell for me…”

“A spell?” You asked, intrigued and quite appalled.

“What type of spell? You know that my forte is healing, so if it about anything concerning that field, I have no problems at all in performing any kind of enchantment”

“Well, it’s not quite about healing…”

And thus, as your shock grew stronger, he narrated how he had been going to the surface and had met a human. He started to talk with them and he, even, had started to feel something for them. Yet, the problem with this relationship was only one: he was part of the merfolk kind and not any ordinary merman, he was a king, while his interest was human. They could not be together, not only because the relationships between humans and merfolk were quite taboo, but because Pesci could not walk or stay on land. So, not only were you shocked when he had told you this, but your eyes widened in pure bewilderment when his request registered itself in your mind.

“Could you, by any chance, transform me into a human?”

To which, you responded in almost fainting.

“WHAT?!” You couldn’t believe he was asking you this. He was the king and yet, he was asking you to become human. Had his work loud become too heavy that he had became too tired and started asking such strange questions?

“Pesci, d-dici sul serio? You really want to have legs?! But…what about the kingdom?! If you leave, who will protect it? What if Risotto and Prosciutto attack us?!”

Your train of doubts was legit but Pesci seemed to answer promptly to the tornado of questions you had sent his away, which startled you again, since he didn’t do well with when bring asked so many things at once. Yet, this time, he seemed to have thought to anything prior, so he provided an answer to every question you had asked.

“It would be just for some days and I already appointed a viceroy to take care of my royal duties while I’m away…” He started, fidgeting a little but not losing his renewed bold demeanor

“There is nobody else I can ask this since you know how this type of spells are frowned upon… yet, I need to go on land to see them! Please, (Y/N), you’re the only one I can confide in!”

His insistence was really putting a strain on you. Everything you could have expected, but never this type of request from your king and friend. You knew where he came from when he told you he couldn’t entrust anybody else with this demand and it was true. He was, basically, asking you to perform one of those spells your mentor told you, specifically, it was better to not indulge on. One of those spells Risotto or Prosciutto would have performed with no qualms. Yet it had been asked to you and your heavy heart prevented you to give your consent to Pesci’s unusual desire to go on dry land. It was a dangerous spell, not completely forbidden but it was heavily suggested to not perform it. And, honestly, after seeing what crossing the border could do to your friends, you didn’t want to have anything to deal with these kind of enchantments. But the desperation mixed to the determination Pesci was casting in his hopeful gaze directed to you had you think twice. You felt as if he had put you in a situation you really couldn’t refuse since he basically implied that you were the only one that could grant his wish of love. You felt so despicable in thinking that your refusal would forbid Pesci from seeing the person he loved. He probably had to keep the relationship a secret for much time and only now, on the verge of desperation, had come to seek out your help and you felt so bad in denying him the chance to be with whoever he loved. Ah, what a inconvenient situation it was! You truly were struggling with yourself between your rational mind that told you to refuse and your good heart that wanted to see Pesci happy and loved.

“It’s not as if I’ve something against a merman and a human being in love” you started, giving him such a uncertain expression.

“They are beautiful relationships and I’m glad you found love but… performing those spells it’s extremely risky, Pesci! You know that to obtain something, you must give something in return and frankly… I would prefer not casting any type of dangerous spells…”

But your uncertainty only spurred him further in quest to try to make you change your mind.

“Please, (Y/N), I beg you!” He was even giving you such pleading eyes… you truly felt like the most despicable being in that moment because part of you wanted to refuse.

“I turned to you because you’re my only chance to see my beloved since you’re the best magician of the kingdom! Please, I will give you anything for this moment of happiness!”

Yes, you truly felt despicable.

“And also… I remembered Fratellone had given you a book for your 16^th birthday that talked about shifting and… you were the only person that came to my mind. Please, (Y/N)”

Yes, he still called Prosciutto “Big Bro” or “Fratellone”, since he had always had great respect for him. And wow, he even remembered what book Prosciutto had given you for one of your birthdays, which was strange because you didn’t even remembered to have that book in the first place! How strange… maybe you had talked about it some time ago and forgot about it? You just brushed it off, probably you had referenced said book to him and forgot about doing so. Pesci was a smart individual, after all and surely, he had registered that information, that now, he was using for trying to have you caving in his request.

At this point you really didn’t know what to do. You knew it was wrong for you to perform such a dangerous incantation and yet, you couldn’t bring yourself to deny Pesci. You understood he must have been really desperate if he had chosen to bet in such a risky magical field. It was true, Prosciutto had taught you something, but it was always very superficial since you really didn’t want to be mixed up with magical spells you were afraid you couldn’t control. You were going to tell him no, that he had to see his beloved from the ocean you both lived in.

And yet, one look into beseeching eyes and you had caved in, not bearing the thought that you could be the only obstacle between Pesci and his happiness. You wanted him to be happy and if such goal could be achieved by you performing the spell, then be it. With great effort you told him you would help him, which had him ecstatic. You looked to your book section and finally you found the book Pesci had been referring too. It laid untouched on the shadowy corner of your bookshelf and not because you didn’t appreciate Prosciutto’s attention but because you didn’t want to indulge in patchy spells. You searched through the pages while Pesci kept hopefully scanning your form.

“Here we are” you said, starting to read the title and the paragraph of said enchantment.

 “Temporary transmutation in human form. The subject will have three days to stay on dry land, but in order to obtain his human legs, he must give up his voice”

You trembled a little in reading so, scanning the part that listed the magic formula.

“To seal the contract, the one to perform the spell must give a personal item to the subject of the spell in exchange of their voce. Please, make sure to never remove said item or the magical effect will wear off”

“Great” you thought. So, it was one of those spells that, akin to every other shifting spells, worked with the notion of using a personal object. In this case, the personal object you would have given to Pesci would render him human for three days, since the incantation would be stored in said object. And, since it was a trade, he technically was giving you his voice, while you were trading his voice for the enchanted amulet. You always had disliked this type of spells, but there was anything else you could do, since all the other spells were permanent and requested much more that only one of your personal belongings. You huffed a little thinking about the dire situation you were embarking yourself into, but to see Pesci happy, you had to go through with it.

“A personal object?” You wondered aloud “Let’s see, what could I give you? The book states that I’ve to give you first the object, then cast the spell and then your voice will be taken out and your tail transmuted into legs”

You kept rereading the lines, yet there was everything that there was to do. Pesci seemed to be euphoric about the whole ordeal.

“I don’t care how much it costs, I’m willing to do it” He reassured you, shocking you again with how much confident he was being. Once it was Prosciutto’s encouragement who got him acting in such a secure way, but you’re glad he was showing you much more confidence lately. His courage gave you courage too and you nodded to him, confirming your will to go on. Humming, you rummaged through your pendants, because you had thought that giving him a necklace could be a favorable option. He could wear it without it being too noticeable. Yes, it could work just fine.

As you inspected the necklaces you owned, your gaze rested itself on one delicate necklace Risotto had gifted you long ago. It was made of pure shining silver and  had a simple design: just a tiny red gem sat on the center of the delicate chain. It wasn’t noticeable at all and Pesci could wear it just fine without it being too much gaudy.

“This should be perfect” you commented, taking the elegant necklace and passing a finger delicately on the red stone of said jewel. In seeing it, you couldn’t help but envision the day Risotto had gifted it to you. He had looked so serene that day and Prosciutto had helped you tying the necklace on your neck, commenting on how you needed to do it alone, yet he added that the delicate look of the jewel really complimented your features. You were brought back from your daydreaming by Pesci’s questioning and intrigued stare. He was really trying to study you in that moment and probably, you had looked like a fool in front of him.

“Ops, sorry for zooming out! It’s just that Risotto gifted me this necklace and when I see it, it makes me remember of how things used to be between me, him and Prosciutto” You trailed off, still looking with a fond smile your reflection on the red bright gem.

“Do you still miss them?” Came Pesci’s question. He was really serious now and it almost startled you how focused he was in asking you this question, since he had been so eager just a moment ago. You could sense him staring at you with such an unreadable expression.

“Yes, immensely” You sighed, letting go of a nostalgic look.

“They were the people I loved the most and even if they betrayed me and tried to kill me, I hold no resentment against them. If anything I… I still hold them close to my heart. It saddens me how things played out…” Another sigh left your nostalgic looking visage.

“And I keep asking myself if I could have done anything to avoid this situation, but at this point it’s late to think about what could have happened and what not. I only hope they will find light in their life, someday”

You finished you sentence, shifting your eyes from the red gem to Pesci’s eyes. He was still deeply focused on studying what you had said to him, yet, now, his features had soften and the eager look had returned to his face.

“Well, here goes nothing. Please, take it” You smiled a little to him, offering him the pendant, that was resting in your outstretched palm.

Pesci extended his arm to take the necklace and as he was doing so, he responded to you.

“You know, (Y/N), about the light in their life…” he trailed off, reaching finally your hand. But, opposite to your belief, he snatched the necklace and gripped your arm in such a tight way that your mind was starting to scream at you that that wasn’t something your dear friend would do… and then you paled when you heard his next words, his voice shifting to a much darker undertone just as his appearance started changing and the mop of green hair began to change into an elegant curtain of golden blonde hair.

“I think they finally found it” He finished and the person you had under your eyes, that was grasping your arm in such a vice like grip wasn’t Pesci anymore. There was no Pesci in love with an human and no trasmutation spell to be performed. It was Prosciutto! It was him, you were sure, you could even sense his aura and you were sure that it was indeed him! But how was this possible? The protective shield should have told you that the one to visit you was Prosciutto disguised as Pesci and not the real Pesci. It was specifically designed to reveal his or Risotto’s magic and yet, it had failed. Just how was this possible?!Fast as lightening and widening your eyes to their fully extend, your mind started to panic and your heart was almost close to burst out of your ribcage. You struggled to break free from him yet the more you pulled, the more he tightened his wretched hold on you.

“Non ci pensare nemmeno per un secondo” You heard him mutter, glaring at you in such a venomous way.

“You got away already one time and this time there’s no escaping me, tesoro”

…Tesoro? He never called you that and he had used such a serious tone, as if really mean it. But, wait, didn’t he hate you to death? What was the sense of calling you in such a tender way?

He spun you around and had you tightly pressed on his chest, so he was hovering over you from behind, while you struggled and struggled to be set free. He kept pushing you against him, while he snaked his arms, one on your hip and one on the arm he had grasped earlier, so you were trapped against his strong form. Hell, he even had gotten more muscled than he was before. Yet, your mind kept you so agitated, you were almost having another panic attack. Just as you thought about conjuring your magic to try to attack him, you paled in discovering your power didn’t come to you. Nothing at all. It was if there was a barrier that forbid you to use your power, even if you did your hardest to call your abilities. Yet, nothing happened. Prosciutto seemed to decipher your utter anguish and while he stalled with your body so tightly glued to him, he chuckled.

“Let me guess, you were thinking about pulling another stunt like the one you pulled on us exactly five years ago” You heard him taunting you, his face standing just above your shoulder so you could feel his warmth so closely pressed on your own body.

He even nuzzled against you, while he kept talking to you, yet hypnotized by the sole notion of feeling your warm skin on his frigid one. And thus, he started to explain you everything, while he kept you pushed against him in such a  passionate way, a behavior you couldn’t really understand from somebody that wanted to end you. He had been able to enter you grotto under concealed appearance  because, in this particular night, his powers were enhanced too.

He had gone some distant lengths to put his hands on one of Pesci’s items yet he was able too, while shifting from servant to servant. Only for you. Only to feel you against him, only for him to quench his thirst for you, so highly enhanced by years of longing and not having enough powers to reach you.

The night had increased his power and thus, his disguise had tricked the shield barrier you had built. You always knew he and Risotto were clever individuals, yet you couldn’t imagine Prosciutto would hunt down so many servants just to be in the place of the one that was tasked to tidy the King’s room. And thus, that was how he had been able to grasp an item of Pesci and impersonating him, eluding your shield. And your powers not working against him?

He provided an explanation for that too.

“You see, the last time we’ve met you have been quite the bad girl. You really hurt us, you know”

And as he said that, you noticed how tightly he was grasping your hip and how much he was driving himself into your body, as if to see attached to you to the maximum.

“We couldn’t risk you pulling another stunt like that. And thus, Risotto performed an immunity spell on me. The only thing to activate the spell was you giving me one of your personal items, willingly. And you did, when you gave to me that pendant”

He was so proud in narrating you the plan he had devised. You couldn’t see him but you knew he wore a wicked grin in his beautiful full lips. He had you exactly where he wanted you to be and how he wanted you to be. The sole reason for “Pesci” to mention that specific book containing that specific spell, was for you to read it and use that specific spell he knew oh so well. Of course you would not suspect anything of this little ploy, since you would trust Pesci and you would never imagine Prosciutto would acquire enough power to trick even your powerful defensive shield. Yet, he had chosen the perfect night to do so.

To get you to give something of yours willingly, he knew that he and Risotto had to act up with shrewdness. Prosciutto had to become somebody you would trust and that you would give something willingly. He knew of the barrier you had risen up on your grotto’s entrance since he had tried to enter so many times to get you, because the truth was that they never hated you. If anything, they had loved you too much till that day.

“The only problem with you, amore, is that you never interested yourself with this type of spells but if you had, you would know that immunity spells require a willing offer of a personal object. If you had known this, then, maybe, you could have expected this from me but I’m glad you didn’t because now I have you, permanently” He kept talking and very word he would utter, you would feel on your back since you were so closely intertwined with each others.

“And you must know this. I’m soul bounded to Risotto and since I’m immune to your powers, he is too, since soul bounded individuals share even incantations that are casted upon them. So, now you know that you can’t escape”

You grew paler the more he kept going on. You couldn’t believe he had tricked you with such a perfect plan. He and Risotto had outsmarted you and your powers and they had taken their time into acquiring more abilities to strike you when you couldn’t have expected them. This was why “Pesci” had arrived earlier than you thought. The real Pesci probably was still at the palace, while you shivered inside Prosciutto’s feverish embrace. Your fate dawned on you and smacked you like a pillow full of bricks. It was done. Whatever fate they had in store for you, you would have to endure it. At this point, you weren’t sure if they wished to kill you since Prosciutto had kept calling you “amore” and Prosciutto wasn’t one to use pet names. You had known him all your life and the most affectionate thing he had called you was “cretina”, which means “dimwit”. You really didn’t know what to think anymore. Yet, you knew, that running away wasn’t an option since your powers wouldn’t be effective anymore and Prosciutto won in physical force. If he was strong in the past, now he had grown even stronger.

“Risotto, you can come” You heard him call from behind you and everything he had told you, proven to be right as you saw the humongous and imposing frame of Risotto slowly slithering in your cave, passing the shield completely unbothered. He gazed at you and you saw something burning into his eyes. Was it longing?

“Finally we can see each others again, amore”

He, too, now had began to call you in such an affectionate way and you didn’t know what to think about it. Were they here to taunt you one last time before finishing you off? They had fallen into the deep void of dark incantation and it was plausible, for them, to gain some form of entertainment from mocking you before bidding you goodbye. Yet, there was no murderous intent inside Risotto’s eyes. You had always thought that his eyes were deep pools of coal, a portal to his mysterious soul. And the more you stared, the more you could read a somehow sense of desperation in them. He tentatively reached out, grasping your chin in such a delicate way and making you look straight into his mesmerizing piercing glance.

“You have grown even more beautiful from the day we were forced to depart” He said, longingly, looking at your full blown eyes and then your lips, scanning your face in such an attentive way, like he used to do when you were younger.

“Are you here to finish what you started that day?” You muttered, while Prosciutto grasped you even tighter, as if you had offended him in asking that to them.

“What the hell are you talking about?” You heard him say from behind you, while Risotto simply shook his head and talked after him.

“That day you misunderstood our actions. We never had the intention to hurt you in the first place”

You recognized the same rich tone and methodical way of speaking he had always had. He truly didn’t change in his way to interact with people, even if his aura had grown even more imposing and menacing.

“But… but you had a knife!” You retorted.

“Yes, for the soul bound” came Risotto’s answer.

“For a soul bound you must use the blood of both the souls that want to be bounded together”

It was Prosciutto to talk now, resting his head on your shoulder with closed eyes, while Risotto let go of your chin and started fumbling in a little satchel he had on his hip.

“We needed the knife to practice a little wound on you, but you put everything in jeopardy because you believed we were going to kill you. Only a dimwit like you could think about this. If only you knew about how much both me and Risotto longed for this moment”

You shifted your attention towards Risotto and as you saw that he had the same knife closed in his rough hands, you started to trash again because it was evident that now that you knew it of their plan, you didn’t want to get soul bounded with them because it would mean an eternity with them. And yes, you had loved and missed your friends, but these mermen were corrupted by power and the faint dream of money. Nothing had remained of their innocent heart, swallowed by their greed.

“Stop struggling already, you can’t oppose this” You had Risotto murmur to you, as he, too, grasped the arm that Prosciutto had been latched into for all this time. You kicked and struggled and begged to be released, but your screams fell on deaf ears.

“Please, don’t do this to me! If you ever cared for me, don’t do this!”

You tried to appeal to the part of them that you hoped still remembered and cared for you, yet there was nothing that came out from your lips that seemed to be effective.

“We’re doing this for you” Prosciutto reprimanded, clutching your waist with such force that you thought he would leave bruises.

“Acquiring power and making a soul bound will guarantee us the fact that you can’t leave our side and you’ll be forever protected”

In fact, soul bounded merfolk couldn’t stay away one from the other one without falling ill. This meant that if you ever managed to escape from their grasp, you would suffer hellish pain.

“After seeing you injured, we understood that we had to do everything in our power to provide for your safety. Even using dark magic if it meant your total protection” Added Risotto, as he began to press the knife’s blade into your delicate skin. It hurt him to see you wincing from the pain he was causing you in cutting your palm, but he tried to be the most careful possible. They kept you restrained and as Risotto cut your palm open, your eyes started watering, because this wasn’t something you wanted. You had wanted to live your life with your friends in serenity, not being forced in a soul pact with somebody who used to be your friend.

They hadn’t come to you with the ill intent to kill you, but when Risotto had chanted the formula and had pressed his freshly open palm that he had promptly slashed, letting his warm blood flown with yours, it was as if something inside you had been killed. You could feel your blood boiling inside your veins. You knew it was his dark magic nesting itself inside your body, enslaving you forever and bounding your freedom to be under the command of the two mermen you once called "friends". And since Risotto was bound to Prosciutto, Prosciutto was bound to you too. As the grim magic kept burning you, Risotto had withdrawn and Prosciutto cradled you in his arms, trying to soothe you, but you felt no power in your scorching muscles. Everything hurt and the tears kept flowing into your face, promptly washed away by Risotto’s fingers that caressed you in such a tender way. Yet, the more delicate they were, the more tarnished you felt, because you were forever linked to them. You had wanted for them to be with you forever, but not in this violent way.

Now, you would have to stay with them and forced to leave in the outskirts of the kingdom, away from everything that once you had loved. You would miss everything: your family, your friends, Pesci and even the  odd calls of Mr.Doppio, performed with every strange item he could find. You had wanted to, maybe, live in peace again with Risotto and Prosciutto, but you knew things couldn’t return to what they used to be. They wouldn’t, not even after this extreme act they had forced upon your quivering form.

Prosciutto kept rocking you inside his big arms, while he had preferred to assist you and let you slip a little on the rocky ground of the ground, so he kept you with him, while you cried and whispered to revert back the enchantment, even if you knew that once casted, it couldn’t be undone. Not with how enhanced Risotto’s powers were now. He was sure the seal had been marked on your soul and it had, indeed, been printed since you felt so weak from the dark magic flowing in your system. No turning back.

“But this is what you wanted, wasn’t it, amore? For us to live forever together” Prosciutto whispered to you, keeping his face so close to yours, almost bumping noses with you. You were standing lateral to him, so he could only see a part of your face, yet he could help but feel sorrow and change his berating tone to one more considerate. He almost sounded sweet, but nothing he said reached you. You shook your head no and kept looking away from him or Risotto, not tolerating what they had imposed on you.

Risotto, who was frontal to you, then, reached out for your face, making you look at him while he stared at you with those orbs full of adoration.

“Amore, please, don’t refuse us. We loved you from the very beginning and you know how much it hurts us to see you crying. We have done this for you, only for you”

He kept approaching his face to yours to the point he had grasped your cheek and was whispering directly on your lips, while he kept gazing at your tear stained eyes in such a way that you couldn’t help by being lost inside his magnificent orbs.

“Please, amore, just surrender to me, to us…” He brushed his lips on your so tantalizingly slow, pinning you against Prosciutto’s broad chest with only a mere glance. Prosciutto, on the other hand, had been following his partner actions too and had tightened his hold on your weak body too, adjusting himself to the point he was just directly behind you, resting, again on your shoulders and whispering to you just as Risotto was doing. Having them so close and feeling just how much they craved your contact had your mind spiraling in so many thoughts but the rational part of your mind told you to not surrender to their soft whispers.

“Yes, tesoro, surrender yourself to us…” You heard Prosciutto whisper to you, directly next your ear that you felt your heart going crazy, but you couldn’t do anything about it if not staring into Risotto’s magnetic eyes, that propelled you into feeling your heartbeat even more agitated.

“We love you, we have always loved you…” you heard Risotto utter in such a sensual whisper, before brushing his lips on yours, so close to kissing you.

“So…” came Prosciutto’s answer and he whispered it just right, concentrating so much passion in a mere word. Yet, he had murmured it against the shell of your ear. Oh God, your mind was gone blank with all this tension they were inducing on your system. Evil was really tempting, you had to give them that.

"…much”

 You heard them both mutter before feeling your lips engulfed by Risotto’s hungry and bruising kiss, claiming for himself what had always been his and Prosciutto’s. He had always wanted to kiss you, for years he had longed to feel your touch and your supple lips on his that he barely could restrain himself. The moment he had brushed your lips, you had him enraptured with you only.  He behaved with such hunger as if he had been starved for you. He even took the side of your face and pressed you even tighter to him, consuming your lips and biting every plump centimeter of your mouth he could find. He explored your mouth and it just left you breathless, the way he was conquering you with such a violent kiss had your mind going numb. He was restless, pressing kiss after kiss on your swelling lips, even catching the lower one with his own teeth and biting you in the process. Yet, he seemed unstoppable just how unstoppable had been Prosciutto’s attack on your tender skin. He was biting you with such fervor to the point your neck was sore and full of red teeth marks and the more he watched as your skin would swell, the more he kept reminded that it was his doing. He was marking you. He was the one to own you along Risotto. This epiphany drove him to keep claiming you further, making the whole world see that your right to belong had been stolen by his lips hungrily roaming your neck. He and Risotto were marking you and in their lust and aggressiveness you could read how longingly they had waited for this very moment.

They had done everything they could to accomplish their plan of having you, pushing you against them and savoring every squeak you would emit when their lips kept administering bites and then, after sucking your skin and marking you, they would gift you so many tender kisses as if to ask you for forgiveness. But your forgiveness would be such an hard task to achieve. You had forgotten when you had thought they wanted to take your life so, eventually, you’ll come around and forgive them, becoming the loving and docile healer they had always known. They had always loved every side of you and to them, your true potential was being wasted. But, If you stayed with them and came to realize that everything they have done, even using forbidden arts, had been always for your own good and yours only, then, maybe, you would use your powers to their own beneficing too. You could be a glorious trio, you had always been. And nothing would hinder you further from passing your underwater life in their eternal grasp.

“Amore…” You heard Risotto whisper on your lips, calling you to the reality as he printed another short kiss on your bruised mouth.

“Would you, please, let us hear your voice again? We missed hearing your singing” He said, keeping kissing in you in such a tender way. Prosciutto had just finished to plant an open mouth kiss on your neck when he continued Risotto’s speech.

“Yes, tesoro, please, sing for us. You were right, I have been always desperate to hear you sing only for us”

And as they kept cradling you and smothering you with kisses and faint whispers, you heard them mutter again about their undying love for you.

“Ti amiamo con tutto il nostro cuore”

 They had both said in unison but you didn’t want to believe that this was what they defined as love. Was keeping you away from everything you had loved, true love? Was forcing you in a eternal soul bound with them, true love? Was everything they did to you even classifiable as “caring”? You were too tired at this point. The dark magic kept slithering in your blood, making you even more tired. Your previous session of crying had, indeed, worn you out. And the breathless kisses they had given you and all of their marks had both left you breathless and hurt. What were you even supposed to say at this point? You had protested and trashed with all your might, and yet, the outcome was the same: you, Risotto and Prosciutto forever tied together by blood magic. At this point, you had started to believe that to gain a light in their life, that had chosen to take yours. It was impossible to not feel discourage because from every angle you saw the situation, you didn’t see any solution in sight. They were stronger, more powerful and now, linked to you for the rest of your life. You had tried to appeal to their good side, if even they had it left, but no result whatsoever.

So you complied, even if your voice was broken and hoarse and your singing smudged by your pain. There was not a single hint of joy in your melodic voice, yet this seemed to gain both Prosciutto’s and Risotto’s gratification as they purred against you, Risotto placing his head on your heart, letting himself being lulled by your heartbeat while Prosciutto, on the other hand, kept peppering little kisses on your red neck and shoulder, trying to calm you even more. Singing used to bring you joy, now it seemed more of a consolation in front of the destiny that awaited you. You knew that after you’ll finish your song they would take you away, so you took your time in admiring every item of your little grotto. You even passed your eyes on the forgotten necklace that laid near you, the Trojan horse to bring you to your defeat. And thus, you let yourself go to the grim fate that was awaiting you.

“ ♪ Ritorna a me ♪ ”

You sang for them, while another tear left your eyes in remembering all the good memories you had created with them. Not even in a million years would you have imagined your relationship would have ended up like this.You thought that your poor friend Pesci would be so distraught when he would notice you had vanished into thin air. It really saddened you, because you couldn’t see him again, just as you never would see again your family or the kind costumers that came in your little grotto asking to be healed by your singing. You wondered about the misery Mr.Doppio would have to put up with his incredible painful headaches. Him, too, you wouldn’t see.

“♪ Cara mia ti amo"

“Yes, amore, just like that, keep singing for us” And between kisses, Risotto would keep your mouth occupied while you sang.

“We love you so much amore”

He kept kissing you so tenderly.

  "solo tu,

solo tu"

Prosciutto held you close, burying his face into your sore neck while his partner kept brushing his lips on yours, feeling the sweet melody running on his tongue, for his mouth was on yours so predominately.  And as they started to stir themselves with you in their hold, you understood that time had come. They would take you away.

You felt the last kiss being pressed by Risotto, tasting your lips in such a tender way before he let you watch for the last time your little grotto, your little home you had loved living and adorning with so many items and gifts. Even the ones they had given you over the course of the years. Yet, nothing of this you would see again. You felt an incredible sense of sleepiness enveloping you and so you let yourself go to the sweet thought of peace, laying your head on Prosciutto’s own shoulder and finally, you shut your eyes, surrendering. It was done. But before falling asleep, you were able to finish the song and in doing so, you felt Risotto and Prosciutto murmuring these lines, along  with you:

" solo tu

Mio cuore ♪ “