The sky split open like it was alive. One second the pirate ship was slicing through calm waves, the next—BOOM. Thunder cracked. Lightning struck the sea, and a black whirlpool started pulling everything down. The crew screamed. Sails ripped. And then something huge—not a wave, not a beast, something ancient—rose from the deep and slammed into the ship.

Before you could even grab your sword, the deck cracked beneath your feet. You felt something wrap around your leg. Cold. Strong. You were dragged under into the dark.

You woke up, and saw that you were in an ethereal castle, underwater, and you could breathe.

They were princes. Each one a son of the Sea King, rulers of a kingdom hidden beneath the ocean.

Bangchan stood at the front, clearly the one in charge. His long dark hair floated like silk in the water, and a golden chestplate shimmered over his strong frame. His tail—sleek and powerful—glowed like sunlight breaking through waves. “You’re finally awake,” he said, voice calm but heavy with authority. “You shouldn’t be here. But now that you are, you’re ours to deal with.”

Leeknow leaned against a jagged coral pillar, arms crossed, unimpressed. His icy silver tail flicked slowly, and his sharp eyes scanned you like he was waiting for you to make one wrong move. His armor was minimalist but deadly-looking. “We should’ve left her on the wreck,” he muttered, voice sharp. “Let the sea take what it wants.”

Changbin, broad-shouldered and strong, hovered a little closer than the rest. His emerald green tail was thick and fast, built for fighting. His armor was heavier, dented from past battles, and his brows were furrowed with concern. “She’s just a girl,” he said, more to the others than to you. “She didn’t ask to be part of this war.”

Hyunjin floated upside-down with perfect balance, looking like he belonged in a painting. His silver-blue tail sparkled like starlight on water, and his expression was unreadable. A small jeweled dagger spun between his fingers, never slipping. “She’s HIS girl. That’s enough,” he said, voice smooth and slow, like dripping oil. “Don’t get soft.”

Han was always in motion, circling you with a wide grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes. His deep violet tail shimmered with streaks of gold, and his layered armor clicked quietly with every move. “Wonder what pirate princesses dream about?” he laughed, eyes wild. “Gold? Fire? Blood?”

Felix was quiet, his honey-gold eyes glowing against the darker blue of his tail. There was something grounded about him, like he’d seen too much and wasn’t quick to trust. His voice was deep, steady, and hard to read. “She shouldn’t have been there,” he said, floating still as stone. “But she was. That’s reality.”

Seungmin had short dark hair and sharp, calculating eyes, holding a glowing scroll between his hands. His dark blue tail flicked occasionally, like he was always thinking. The way he spoke was like facts dropping into silence. “Her father’s ship crossed the boundary,” he said, tapping the scroll. “He knew the law. He broke it. We can’t ignore that.”

Jeongin, the youngest, with a soft blue-green tail and worried eyes, stayed a bit behind the others. His armor was lighter, like he hadn’t seen as many battles yet, and his hands fidgeted at his sides. “She looks scared...” he whispered, voice small. “Maybe... maybe she doesn’t even know what he’s done.”

Bangchan turned to face them all again, his voice commanding the room. “He burned coral cities. Took our people. Spread poison into sacred waters.”

Leeknow, cold as a blade. “This is war. And she’s the only piece we’ve got.”

Changbin, frustrated, eyes flicking to you and back. “So what, we keep her locked up? Like she’s treasure?”

Hyunjin smirking. “She’s leverage. Her father will come for her. And when he does...”

Han finishing the sentence with a laugh. “We drown him.”

Felix, his jaw tightening. “This isn’t about revenge. It’s about saving what’s left of our kingdom.”

Seungmin, unrolling the map wider. “She stays. Under guard. Until we decide.”

Jeongin spoke almost to himself. “...What if she’s not like him?”

Bangchan paused. Then looked at you with eyes like thunderclouds. “Then she’ll prove it.”