9th Wave - Chants from the Depths [1]

Deeper and deeper, the princess swam into the dark crevice, getting closer and closer to the source of the eerie green glow that kept reflecting the reluctance in her gaze. The water turned colder, sending shivers down her spine, while the whispers and crackling noises only got louder.

Paths and forks appeared within the passage, and when Eirin was finally standing in front of a makeshift door—done half-heartedly with a large piece of wood from a sunken ship—her tail was hesitating as she watched shadows moving from behind the door, the green glow escaping through the cracks.

The squid swam close to her face, the smugness in his eyes enough to make her stomach churl in anger.

With a deep breath, Princess Eirin banged the door open.

“Witch of the Undisonus Sea, I, daughter of the great Queen Yūritsu, came to request your services—”

Eirin choked on her last words.

For once her mind finished processing the space, she had no idea what to think of what she was seeing.

Right in the middle of the room, a cauldron brewed—blue and purple smoke coming from within, together with a faint light. The main source of light, however, came from the wall. Stuck together to create a large screen, crystals of different sizes and shapes emanated the powerful and eerie green glow as shapes appeared within their reflection.

Forms of two large crabs fighting, with a blobfish watching.

Two deep-sea catsharks turned with shocked expressions the second the door burst open, rushing to hide behind some large stones. The whispers and noises came from the crystals themselves, the sound they produced being mediocre at best.

Spread out on top of big sponges, smoking, was the Witch herself; long black tentacles, a short hair that changed color based on which glow shone stronger, a grayish skin, and two pairs of eyes completely black, showing only a glimpse of color in the vertical irises that shone faintly with a yellow glow.

“Would you mind closing the door behind you? Otherwise, the signal might disperse further down these tunnels, and I really don’t want to miss this next part.”

Eirin blinked, still as a rock. As Risei swam past her, using one of his tentacles to close the door, he glanced at the catsharks hovering in the back, eying the new visitors with nervous gazes.

“Your loneliness finally caught up to you, that you decided to get some pets?”

“They are rescues, free to leave whenever they want—now shush,” the Witch spoke without averting her gaze from the crystal screen, her tone as monotone as her voice was static. “You see, both brothers fell in love with Min-chan, who also loves them both, yet Kani-san senior found out how Min-chan was the one who ate their parents. Kani-san junior needs to pay Min-chan’s dad’s debt to a great white shark who is threatening to eat Min-chan. Now Kani-san senior and Kani-san junior are facing each other in a duel to see who is more deserving of her love.”

The mermaid princess’ eyes closed and opened a few times, trying to process what she had heard. And she couldn’t understand one thing.

Which was understandable; the saga of the crab brothers and the blobfish had been going on for quite some time. 

“Break his claw, Kani-san. Fight for your love,” the Witch cheered without ever raising her voice, or without a single ounce of enthusiasm and energy whatsoever.

“Wait, who are you cheering for? The senior or the junior?”

She did not turn to Risei as she took a new drag, letting out a puff of smoke before she replied. “Who knows. I’m just hoping to see some action.”

Eirin looked to the crystals, watching as both crabs engaged in a fierce and passionate fight with claws and paws.

…how in all the seas...

...is that the Sea Witch?

“So, what do you want? Don’t think I won’t charge full price just because we are family.”

The squid frowned in disgust. “You think I swim around announcing the fact I’m related to an old hag like you?”

“Oh my, how crass of old Rii-chan. You were cuter when you were smaller.”

“At least one of us was cute at some point.”

“Wah, so cruel, this cousin of mine.” Not once did the Witch change her apathetic tone, much less move her gaze from the crab’s fight.

Yet the next time she spoke, even Eirin was able to notice. The subtle change in her voice. A small hint of seriousness—of someone willing to listen.

“So. What does the little princess want?”

Risei suddenly turned to Eirin, and it was at that moment that she was finally able to swim closer. To stand near the Witch of the Undisonus Sea and lock gazes with her.

“I want to go to land.”

There was a flicker, something that crossed the Witch’s eyes as her gaze finally shifted from the glowing shapes to the mermaid’s eyes.

“The humans' dry land, you say?”

Eirin hesitated for a second, her nerves getting a brief hold of her.

“Yes. There is someone I need to meet there, a male sailor. Can you help me or not?”

The Witch searched within the princess’ gaze; through her unwavering resolution, her fierce determination, her burning desire. And soon enough, the Witch found it—hidden so deep, in a place so dark and isolated, not even the princess knew.

Ah…is this how it is, then?

I see...

Eirin didn’t know what the Witch was doing, why she was staring at her with such intensity. All she could tell was how uncomfortable she felt with those eyes on her, piercing and digging into her own.

Then—

“Aah, what a pity. I thought this would happen.”

Being reflected in the crystal screen, the blobfish was finishing eating both crabs. Not even a shadow of remorse in their cold, calculated gaze.

“That’s the problem with interspecies relationships—they often end tragically.” The Witch finally moved, her tentacles moving in fluid, controlled movements.

As she approached the brewing cauldron, getting closer to the blue and purple lights, her hair color changed accordingly, matching their faint glow.

“Hmm, just like I thought. It’s not ready yet.”

Eirin’s lips trembled, her heart racing as she uttered her words. “S-so, can you help me with my request or not—”

“Oi, little princess. Give me a couple of your scales.”

Though the Witch cut her mid-sentence, the mermaid obliged, taking a few scales from her tail. The cold and sleek tentacles took them from her hands, dropping into the cauldron while the Witch took another smoke.

A blue light became stronger, darker.

“Hm, good…”

Princess Eirin frowned, getting closer to the cauldron, trying to see whatever the Witch was seeing. Yet the older creature turned around before she could get too close.

“Ok, you two can come back tomorrow. It should be ready by then.”

“Wh-what do you mean? Don’t you need anything else? Shouldn’t we discuss the terms and payment, or—”

Once again Eirin was interrupted as one of the Witch’s tentacles closed her lips, a trail of smoke leaving her mouth as she spoke.

“Tomorrow. I have a very important appointment now [which involved spying on the private affairs of yet another unfortunate soul and their chaotic drama], so you two can scram.”

And before either could do or say anything else, they were pushed and dragged away by two catsharks, watching the door close with one powerful bang.

Princess Eirin stared at the makeshift wooden door for a long time before she finally said.

“You know…I can actually see how you two are related.”

From behind the door, they heard a muffled voice. "No... Don't give up your inheritance, Tako-chan—think about your long-lost sister."

The squid let out a long sigh.

“That makes one of us, then.”