Prince Asher, Are you sure, we are doing the right thing?" Finn whispered in his ears, who was lying on the soft shell bed covered with sea planktons to make it comfortable. His breath warm on the scales of Asher's neck.

"You've spoken enough, just focus." Asher muttered impatiently. he had waited long enough for finn's approval after many fights, he gave up his position as crown prince and was living in the low town district of the Atlantis- a place only meant for working mermen.

An aching sob tore from Finn’s chest. His eyes were heavy with tears, but before they could dissolve in the water, they hardened.Slipping free from the corners of his eyes, each drop formed into a perfect sphere. A string of delicate, pale pearls trailed down his cheeks. He closed his eyes, his head settling heavily onto Asher's shoulder.

“There, there,” Asher murmured, gently patting Finn’s delicate back. His other hand pressed against Finn's chest,gently tracing the sensitive markings along his ribs. Finn let out a low moan. Asher felt intoxicated by the sound. He pulled the floral quilt over both of them, and the rest of the night they spent together in the quiet refuge of their forbidden love.

The sun light, though very dim, filtered through the water above them. Asher woke up first his tail curled around finn's. He watched the light traced the pearls that were scattered on the woven kelp mat, a beautiful testament of finn's love.

He carefully shifted away, covered finn with a quilt and made his way to the tallest cave in the entire labour area.

The cave was known as the 'widows cave' but for Asher, it's the lighthouse: his secret base for years. He'd spent months for his exile.

Inside the cave was small, it's single entrance was perfectly covered with the bioluminescence algae. The opening was secured by some magic some sea spells- only a true heir from the royal families can enter. Asher opened it with ease, the walls were filled with numerous stone carvings, scriptures, maps of the deep-sea trenches and the detailing information of small, yet powerful royal kingdoms in the vast Atlantis.

He walked to the center of the cave where the oldest script glowed faintly. The conch shell on the rock beside was his medium.

He placed the conch shell on the script. He pierced the tip of his thumb with the volcanic glass. Beads of blood started flowing down.

He let out the first 3 drops and allowed the next one into the conch shell. The royal blood immediately dissolved into the shell.

The shell began to vibrate, making a low resonating hum. Purple- black ink formed on the shell making the cave echoed with raw voice - The exiled prince summons the deep, "what do you need this time."

"The royal blood bows to you. I need the true weapon to end the king's monarchy. To regain my status the real real king of Atlantis. I wish you would lead me to the destruction of the emperor." Asher uttered his words are filled with clear conscience.

The conch shell remained quiet. Asher was puzzled before he could take a step, the voice began - it requires the three main weapons. I can show you the path but not the solution. Just nod if you agree to the condition.

Asher doesn't want to waste any time. he couldn't risk Finn and his mother's legacy. He simply nodded.

The shell emitted a bright glow on the dark cave walls.

The first weapon - The trident ( a royal weapon)

Found at : deep volcanic base of the oceans.

The price : should follow the trail of worthiness along with the spouse.

The second weapon - The song of pearl (a magic pearl to destroy sea spells)

The price : requires grief tears of pearls of spouse.

Asher collected them all. Each time finn cried even last night's. He dissolved them to obtain this weapon but he wasn't ready to face finn's wrath

The third one : A sea shell diamond (Radiant conch shell) on queen Elora's crown. Who was the strongest Nobel in the monarchy.

The conch shell returned to its previous state. Asher pulled the script and shell in his kelp bag and swam back home.

Finn was busy cooking meals. The table filled with sweet mosses, cakes made of planktons and corals.The freshly roasted aroma of the sea fish filled the room. Asher eyes lit up and he quickly grabbed finn's hand stopping him as he was setting the dishes.

He didn't taste the sweetness of the moss or the rich fish aroma; he tasted only the fear of the secret burning on his tongue. He pulled Finn close to his chest.

"I went to the lighthouse, to summon siren, and help us retrieve what I truly deserve. Asher continued. It showed us the path but it needs your support too. Asher paused. Finn kept listening he gave an assuring smile.That's enough for Asher.

He didn’t soften the details. He told him about the Trident, about the powerful Queen Elora's diamond, and finally, he spoke of the Siren's hardest price.

Finn, the second weapon—the one that destroys the Sea Spells. It requires the grief tears of the spouse. I—I used them. Every single pearl you cried last night. And all the others I kept.” Asher braced himself for the hurt, but finn didn't pull away, he didn't scream or cry. He buried his face into Asher's neck deepening the hug.

"I cried because I fear you Asher. The fear of losing you was worst. if my tears were your powerful weapon to destroy the fake king and stop this war, then they were never mine to keep.

A wave of pure love washed over Asher. He thanked the heavens for sending this pure soul. This was his real crown.

Asher broke the hug. He cupped finn's checks, eyes fixed on the youngsters plump lips. Their lips moved with slow rhythm and passion.

Asher bit Finn's lower lip, making a quiet moan escape his lips. When finn opened his mouth, Asher's tongue entered tracing each inch raw and intense.

Suddenly,Finn pushed Asher not too unkindly. He wiped his mouth, breathing unevenly he spoke - Enough. Have a meal. He insisted. "You said we have an early morning journey to the volcanic base".

Asher chuckled. He shoveled the spoon full of sweet mosses into his mouth enjoying it a bit too much as he watched Finn.

The morning came fast. Finn is busy packing the survival essentials while Asher packing all the ritual things into his kelp bag. He even put the conch shell in it. just in case he needed it for emergencies to protect Finn.

The couple began to swim to the south towards the deep ocean ranges, they met with many new and exotic species of their kingdom. The temperature suddenly spiked as they were near the spot.

The legendary Trident of authority glowed above the volcanic crest. Climbing it seemed impossible : though it didn't fully erupt, a simple shift in the rock was enough to end every species in the water and on land.

Siren soft beam echoed : It's not the physical task, Asher. Remember what I told you about the trail of worthiness. You have to prove it with your mental abilities along with Finn.

Finn murmured "Isn't this worthiness about trust. My grandmother used to say that. It uses the Mirroring task effect like using the forbidden spell formations of both clans."

Asher lost in his thoughts.

Asher was lost in his thoughts. He started recalling the secret of spells, that his mother mentioned. He remembered it has 3 important hand signs that were made to open the seal. But he only knew the half sign. The other half was never mentioned by anyone neither his mother not books.

Asher went pale. He was in a conflict if he fails- Does that mean he will lose Finn?, But he doesn't want that to happen. He was about to lose control when a pair of hands soothed the scales of his hands.

Finn whispered let's mix your hand signs with mine. Asher has no option left. He took a deep breath and began.

The first sign : Asher formed half the symbol of Octopus and Finn made a cuttlefish a low-town sign

They waited for the answer : one - two - three BOOM.

 Finns got two slashes on his back, blood oozing from the cuts.

Asher was shocked. He forcefully removed Finn's grip his heart felt a pang of guilt. Hands traced the back of his husband. Finn hissed in pain. But he didn't stop.

Let's try again, Finn voiced the pain evident in his throat eyes almost teared.

Asher nodded hesitantly.

The second sign: Asher formed the royal symbol the devil fish while Finn made a jelly fish.

The couple were watching eagerly. Asher's hands trembled with fear. Finn's grip tightened

Urughu. A loud cough sounds shocked Asher. Finn coughed blood, his mouth turned crimson. Asher couldn't dare. Enough Finn.

F**k the title! Let's just live like a normal merman. If it costs your life I don't need this royalty.

Finn pushed Asher back to the position, Asher reluctantly agreed. He gathered all the courage that has left.

The third sign: Asher made the Royal Cod sign resembling Dominion while Finn made the Poor Cod sign resembling sustenance.

They waited , the grip on their hands tightened and the eyes shut forcefully.

The Trident came floating. It secured in Asher's hands perfectly. Siren echoed - congratulations on winning the first weapon.

Since you already got the second one, the third weapon can be obtained only on the day of full moon night which is 2 days later from today.

Asher ignored the voice , his focus was on Finn. He's searching for the wounds that formed earlier which have vanished now. His smooth scales were back, but they glowed more than before. The relief wave hit him hard. He hugged his mate. Finn returned it with more affection.

They swam back to the low town. Since , It already became night when they reached their home. Asher secured the ritual things in the sacred place. Finn plopped on the shell bed.

The events made him too exhausted to retrieve them. As the warm bed touched his cold body he slowly drifted in sleep. Asher adored his little mate. He covered him with the quilt. Ruffling Finn's hair taking every detail of the facial features. He kissed the youngsters' forehead with love.