By Erudessa Gentian
Kai Zimer had a useless gift. People praised his voice as angelic, but what value did Merfolk have for a male siren? The two most popular career choices for Mermen were tending the coral farms or joining the military. But since he couldn’t even keep a shellplant alive for more than a week, he would never make it as a farmer. And his jellyfish-like coordination rendered the classic trident more of a threat to himself than his adversary.
He didn’t hate his voice, exactly. In fact, he loved music. He just wished it wasn’t his only talent. How could his voice make an impact on the Oceans?
Sulking his way home from another fruitless day of job hunting, Kai heard worried whispers all around about the dire straits of the kingdom. The Mermaid Saint’s magic had put all of aquatic life in danger.
Saints were born with the Magic of the Ocean. Without their control, chaos would overturn peace, death would devour life. Their magic prevented predators from going on a killing spree, stopped the underwater volcanoes and vortexes from obliterating half the ocean floor, and kept the coral reefs vibrant. The newest Saint had come into power nearly a year ago, but wasn’t fully in control yet.
Kai sighed. Now that was a gift. To protect all of marine life was a huge responsibility, but what he wouldn’t give to be useful.
That restless thought stayed with him through dinner. It taunted him with every mundane chore. It even followed him into bed.
Unable to fall asleep, Kai headed off into the night. Swimming through the dark, sinister-looking waters made him more nervous than normal. Every scuttle of a crab had him envisioning a shark attack.
Finally at his favorite park, Kai attempted to calm himself with memories of kelp sandwich picnics on the sea grass and hours of composing songs after school.
But an unease continued to drift along the soft current, spreading far across the oceans. He couldn’t even see the usual schools of fish that tended to play here.
Only one thing made him feel better in times like this.
Taking a deep breath of water, Kai opened his mouth and launched into a song.
After a couple rollicking tunes, Kai transitioned into softer melodies, eventually ending with one of his mother’s old lullabies. And as the last note flowed off into the watery distance, Kai gave a contented sigh.
He stifled a yawn. Time for bed.
The next morning, a royal proclamation made its way across the waves. All mermen singers were required to report at the palace.
Full of curiosity, Kai made himself presentable, then started off. As he swam through the streets, Kai thought the city seemed brighter than usual. The current of anxiety had eased, giving way to smiles and laughter throughout the city.
After filling out pages of forms and hours of waiting nervously, Kai joined ten mermen in a plain room full of chairs.
One by one they were summoned. Kai wasn’t sure if he should be worried as the room emptied without anyone returning.
When they finally called Kai, he swam silently behind a muscle-bound palace guard into a grand hall.
He gazed at a set of splendid thrones made from the purest white coral, belatedly realizing where he was. Would he audition for the very King and Queen themselves? There they sat, regal and intimidating. Matching gold crowns adorned the Queen’s pink hair and the King’s black curls. A look of tired impatience was mirrored on their faces.
Kai bowed, a dozen questions swimming around his head. “Your majesties.”
“Kai Zimer?” the Queen asked.
“Yes, your majesty.” Kai answered, still in a deep bow.
“Do you know any lullabies?” The King’s voice rang through the whole hall, imperious and strong.
“I do, your majesty,” Kai said, looking up in puzzled surprise.
“Any one will do.” The Queen nodded. “You may begin.”
Kai hesitated for a moment, then started singing his mother’s lullaby.
Before he finished the first verse, there was a noticeable waver in the water—a relaxing, happy feeling permeating the hall. A curtain behind the thrones pulled back, and a hooded figure swam forward.
Power radiated from this stranger, and Kai backed up involuntarily.
“It’s him!” The hooded figure pointed to Kai.
The powerful voice made little waves throughout the hall.
“What did I do?” he asked, not sure whether to be anxious or confused.
“Your voice is the miracle we have been looking for.” The king’s stern face melted into a beaming smile.
Kai’s eyes widened.
“I am the Mermaid Saint.” The figure in front of him threw her hood back.
Kai tried not to gawk. The Saint was glowing! Her kelp-green eyes looked haunted, but grew more peaceful by the second. Kai could still feel the magic emanating from her, though it was softer than before.
“My power has been unstable,” the Saint told him. “Until I heard your songs last night.”
“My songs?” Kai could hardly believe what he was hearing.
The Saint nodded. “Your voice calms my power. Will you stay in the palace and help me? There is much damage I need to right.”
It took a moment for Kai to snap out of his shock. Was it really possible he could be of use to the most powerful of Merfolk?
“Th-thank you!” Kai tried not to mumble out of nerves and embarrassment.
And then a thought struck him.
He had a useful gift after all.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cool story! I meant to give it 2 stars but my finger slipped and the website won’t let me change it! (Sorry!) You brought me into Kai’s world right away. Makes me wish I was snorkeling.
Thank you so much! I was finishing up my scuba certification as I wrote this story, so I know the feeling 😂
Gave you three stars to balance out the mistake above. I enjoyed your story very much. Liked Kai’s character.
That is so sweet, thank you!
I had a lot of fun with Kai. My husband helped me finalize some of his details.
Nice story!
Thank you! It was fun to write this one.
Aw, I loved this! Kai’s character was so interesting, and I especially loved the ending!
Thank you! I want to keep playing with Kai and the Saint, so we’ll probably see them again 🤣
So. Darn. Cute. Heart of my childhood right here.
🥰 thank you! I feel his feels so much 😂
Awesome story! Very intriguing. Loved it!!
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it
I love a good underwater story, and what a fun twist to make a male siren who feels useless!! So unique and clever, and I love the world development in the story.
Thank you! I liked the idea of a merman, instead of another mermaid story. We don’t have enough of those 😜
It was so much fun developing an underwater world, that could still feel contemporary. Sadly, due to word space, I had to keep a lot out. But the fantastic editors helped me keep the important stuff in 😁
Many a disaster has been turned by a kind word or song. Remembering both sides singing ‘Silent Night’ on the battlefield and resulting temporary truce.
Such an amazing moment in history! The power of music is incredible to me.
Fun-ness! Merfolk! And sirens! And genuine scuba experience to provide a wet and watery feel to the whole thing!
And what a fun story! I want there to be more.
Most of all though – YAY! MY FREN HAS A STORY IN HAVOK!!!! ;)
🤣😁🥳 yay!! So happy to be with you here. I love walking this adventure with you, even if we’re worlds apart 😂😘
Great job making Kai so relatable! (you should DEFINITELY write another story with him and the Saint!).
Thank you! I can’t take all the credit, though. My husband helped smooth Kai out 😁
I made a longer version of this story, but I have plans to continue their adventures in the future 😆
I absolutely love the world building in this story—and I echo others; I’d love to see sequels with these characters! :-D
Thank you! I had so much fun thinking of an underwater reality 😁