As Celestine swam with all her strength, something wriggled inside her seaweed brassier and slipped free. It was a silver ring, its light-blue pyramid glowing faintly. She froze. Mother's ring. A memory flashed—her mother pressing it into her hand and whispering, "Keep it safe."
"Somebody needs me," a soft female voice drifted from the ring.
Celestine gasped. "You… you can talk?"
"Apologies, my lady. I am magical—and I sense your need."
Her eyes widened. "Then help me! The boy—he's slipping away!"
"Leave him to me."
The pyramid flared, releasing a burst of blue light that enveloped the unconscious boy in a glowing bubble. Celestine let go, astonished, as the bubble floated steadily beside her.
"He will neither sink nor float," the ring assured. "He is safe. Now swim—I will aid you in every circumstance."
"Thank you, magic ring," she whispered, turning forward.
"You are most welcome." Replied the magic ring.
The shore was still far—neither near nor impossibly distant, but vast enough to drain hope. Celestine steeled herself, dove deeper, and sprinted like a dolphin. Her tail propelled her swiftly, the bubble gliding faithfully behind. She smiled faintly, then pushed harder. Two hours later, she had covered a great distance, yet her body ached for more speed.
"The ring is magical," she thought aloud."Perhaps… it can do more."
"I need more speed, magic ring." She voiced out.
"I'm on it," the voice replied. Celestine noticed that the ring sounded like a young girl, just her age, but brushed the thought aside.
The band widened, sliding around her waist and glowing with a soft blue radiance.
"Ready?" it asked.
"Yeah… sure."
"Then swim as if the land boy's life depends on it."
She stretched her arms forward and dove. Lightning surged through her body, charging her tail with energy. Her oscillations quickened until she rocketed through the water.
"Don't glance back," the ring urged.
She obeyed, racing non-stop, determination burning inside her.
'Nobody will jeer at me again. Nobody will call me useless or powerless. With the ring's help, I'll prove them wrong.'
The thought made her smile. The ocean itself seemed to bend for her—fish darted aside, predators ignored the glowing bubble trailing her, as though enchanted by the ring's power.
Still, time gnawed at her strength. She swam for hours, until her body trembled and her stamina faltered.
"In need of extra speed?" the ring's voice teased.
"Exactly," she panted, slowing. "But I'm almost out of strength."
"What if I give you both?"
"Can you really do that?" she asked, doubtful.
The ring did not answer. Instead, a strange sensation rippled through her tail—like marbles rolling upward, rising toward her chest. The energy gathered at her heart, then melted into warmth that spread through her veins. Her body relaxed, her muscles soothed, and suddenly—she felt unstoppable.
"What… was that?" she gasped.
"Nothing special. Just breaking down fat from your tail into pure energy."
"So strange… but effective."
She aligned her arms tightly to her sides, focusing her energy. With a burst, her speed climbed again—higher, sharper, until she surged like a supersonic missile fired from the heavens.
The streamlined rush consumed less energy. Every stroke felt effortless, every push more powerful than the last.
"You are close to the shore," the ring's voice murmured.
"Really?"
"Yes. Look for yourself."
She surfaced quickly, stole a glance, and her heart leapt. The shoreline glittered ahead. Diving back with renewed excitement, she twirled as she swam.
"I've succeeded!" she exclaimed.
"Not so fast," the ring cautioned, its tone shifting. "That beach is crowded. Do you wish to give humans the spectacle of a mermaid sighting?"
Her joy faltered. "No… of course not. Then what do I do?"
The ring slipped from her waist, glowing brighter. Before her eyes, it transformed into a small turtle, its body blue and its shell shimmering with many colors.
Celestine's jaw dropped.
The turtle smiled knowingly. "Simple. Just snap your fingers."
Celestine hesitated. What if it changed more than the water around her?
TO BE CONTINUED...