Corlis
The western Sea Kingdom: The City of Waterblue (Capital)
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On the vast blue carpet of the Western Sea, the first of the ocean cities was built by Moonlight D gar. It was strange that the founder of the Amphibian Empire, which ruled the four seas was human.
Despite the passing of centuries, Waterbloo still stands tall among the waves that embrace it from all directions.
From a distance, the city appears like a magical dream in the heart of the ocean, where lights sparkle in the darkness of the deep, surrounded by a transparent bubble that prevents the sea waves from invading it. The city is divided into three unique layers, each telling a different story.
The upper layer sits in the sky, tilted slightly above the sea surface, standing on a massive pillar that runs through its center, like a rose on its stem.
From here, you can see the distant horizon and enjoy the sunrise and sunset, as the sunlight reflects on the surface of the water.
This layer tells the story of luxury, where the nobles and high-ranking amphibians live, those who sit atop the seat of power.
This layer is filled with lavish palaces and magnificent buildings adorned with glittering aquatic gardens, where artificial waterfalls flow and flowers bloom in vibrant colors. Here, daily life intertwines with opulence, where major celebrations and ceremonies are held, and critical decisions that shape the state's future are made.
As for the second layer, it is the largest and most vibrant. It was built at sea level, surrounded by massive walls that block the blue of the ocean, with no access to it except through its giant gates enclosing it from all sides.
This layer is characterized by its compact square buildings that align with its organized streets, all leading to the city's heart.
In every corner, small lakes sparkle under the sunlight, bustling with dolphins swimming gracefully, adding a touch of magic to the atmosphere.
Outside the city gates, the ship harbor stretches like a world full of life, where the sounds of arrivals and departures blend together.
Here, the docks are buzzing with motion, activities unfold rapidly, sailors shout, and conversations between travelers flow.
The refreshing scent of salt fills the air, mixed with hints of seaweed, stirring the senses. As you get closer to the edge of the port, scattered drops of water hit your face from waves crashing nearby.
As for the third layer, it was built beneath the sea's surface, where sunlight gradually fades, giving the city an atmosphere of mystery and shadow.
In this submerged world, lighting is dim, but the transparent bubble surrounding the city allows a clear view of marine life.
Colorful fish swim around, and coral reefs shimmer in vibrant colors, as if they were underwater artworks.
But this layer holds tales of suffering, where dilapidated buildings scatter through polluted, narrow alleys—reflecting a harsh reality. Here live the poor and marginalized, those who found no place in amphibian society.
Corlis D gar, who was not yet twelve springs old, stood before the window of the Hall of Kings, his eyes gazing at the crashing sea waves.
The cries of seagulls echoed in the distance, while soft breezes slipped through the window, playing with his golden hair. He closed his sparkling green eyes involuntarily.
Corlis, like other amphibians, looked human in appearance, as his amphibian features only emerged when he came into contact with seawater.
The prince moved toward the massive wooden table at the center of the hall, made of lotus wood and adorned with carvings that reflected the beauty of marine life. The seats around it were decorated with seashells, while he passed by the stone statues of former kings, which filled the space with a sense of rich history.
Corlis sat down to have breakfast, his hand flipping through the pages of his book, trying to refresh his memory about the events of the novel he had finished reading the night before.
At that moment, the knight Nile entered—of the garow family, which had, in a short time, risen from commoners to nobles close to the royal family over the past hundred years due to the ship trade.
Nile was a handsome young man, tall and in his twenties, with brown hair and grayish eyes. His broad shoulders were draped in his gray cloak, and his yellow sword hung at his waist.
Nile was considered one of the strongest warriors in the Western Sea Kingdom, which earned him the honor of becoming Prince Corlis's personal knight.
Prince Corlis spoke to Nile, who was standing at the far end of the hall, surrounded by the splendor that characterized the Hall of Kings.
With a warm smile, he said: "Won't you join me for this meal, Nile? You know I dislike eating alone when someone is nearby."
Nile replied in a formal tone, placing his hand over his heart in a gesture of respect: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your gracious invitation, but I am not hungry. I've already had my breakfast earlier, and I also suffer from an allergy to sea cheese."
His tone reflected deep politeness, but a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes.
Quickly, Corlis removed the cheese plate from the table, smiling as he looked at Knight Nile.
He said jokingly: "Do you have another excuse, Sir Nile garow? Or do you simply enjoy watching me beg? Since when did you speak so formally?"
Knight Nile went silent for a moment, then burst out laughing as he sat down on the chair next to the prince, where the golden chandeliers hanging from the ceiling sparkled above them.
He said, "I wanted to play the role of the disciplined knight, but it seems it doesn't suit me."
Prince Corlis and Nile shared a meal together, as the atmosphere filled with laughter and exchanged jokes. Nile, with his sarcastic tongue, fired off humorous remarks about others.
Prince Corlis was a shy young man, lacking confidence in himself, as if shadows of doubt surrounded his every step.
But when he was with Nile, he became a completely different person.
Nile's laughter and quick wit lit up the hall, making Corlis feel as if he were shedding the heavy cloak of shyness that burdened him.
He wished he could show this stronger version of himself to everyone, but the criticism he received from those around him hurt deeply.
People often scolded him for his weakness and saw him as unfit to be the next king.Their words were like swords, piercing his heart and deepening his frustration, making him feel trapped in a cage of self-doubt.
As Nile glanced at the book beside Corlis, he asked curiously :"Is that a new book? Don't tell me you already finished the one from yesterday!
I remember the last book I read took me four months to finish."
The young prince replied, taking a sip of water: "Actually, that book was very boring, so I couldn't finish it. I replaced it with this new novel. It's about a selfish man who only loves himself,
and he gets possessed by an evil spirit that drives him to do horrible things to those around him.
As time goes on, he starts to fear hurting others, and the only way to end his suffering was to kill himself. You have to read it , it's amazing!"
Nile let out a light chuckle, revealing his pearly teeth as small wrinkles formed under his eyes.
He said: "When I was young, I used to read stories about great figures whose names became immortal in history. I saw in them everything I lacked.
It was a way of self-flagellation, indirectly.
But over time, I realized I was missing an important point. those people were lacking things too, just like us.
The lesson here, Your Highness, is that no one in this world is perfect."
Corlis lowered his head, the signs of sorrow clearly visible on his face. He said in a soft voice: "It seems we're alike. I do the same thing. When I read stories about great people, I imagine myself in their place, living through the events they experienced.
Their strong personalities and their influence on others have always drawn me in. and when I look at myself in the mirror, I wonder if I share even a small part of their traits."
He swallowed the lump in his throat, trying to control his emotions before continuing with his question to Nile.
The words danced on his tongue, but he felt their weight, as if they carried a burden of doubt and fear.
"Tell me, Nile … do you think I'm capable of changing?"
Nile turned and grabbed the prince's chair, rotating it to the right so that he faced him directly, allowing those hesitant green eyes to meet a pair of firm brown ones.
He said in a firm tone, like an older brother reprimanding his younger sibling: "That question alone shows you don't trust your abilities. Change belongs to everyone, and no one can define your limits but you.
So the change you seek, you alone can decide whether it's possible or not."
Nile garow swallowed the bite of food in his mouth, then took a sip of water before continuing: "Do you know what your problem is?
Your problem is that you don't do anything to achieve what you want. You're like someone who loves reading but never actually reads.
I know that's a dumb example, but you get my point. You're locked up here in the palace, and it's been a long time since your feet touched the sea. I know it's because of the Queen, she wants to protect you. but it's isolating you from the world."
He smiled naturally, then added: "Don't worry. I'll try to talk to the Queen about letting you come with me to the rock city .
I have a friend getting married there, and I'll tell her I'll protect you, nothing will happen to you.
After all, I'm your knight. That's my duty."
Prince Corlis didn't say a word, nor did he show any excitement toward the idea.
He rose from his seat and walked toward the large window that overlooked the entire kingdom.
The view before him was mesmerizing. a blue expanse stretching beyond the horizon, surrounding the city.
Corlis gazed at the sea, wondering to himself if he would ever be able to cross that blue expanse and see what lay beyond.
He imagined the creatures that lived there, the vast green lands he had always heard about from old Jon, and the massive trees that blocked the sky from view.
He remembered how he used to listen to Jon stories about adventures in the dense forests when he was little child, and about the sparkling rivers that flowed between rocks.
Those stories stirred in his heart an indescribable passion, as if they were calling him to break free from his shell.
But now, he felt as though those dreams were out of reach, trapped behind the palace walls.
Corlis said, while gazing at the horizon through the large window: "Have you ever seen the forest?"
Nile wasn't entirely focused on the prince's words, as he was busy wiping his shining yellow sword with a white cloth, trying to remove the stains from its hilt.
Still, he heard the question. After a moment of thought, Nile replied: "The forest! You mean the Tree Line, right?
I saw it in the city of Green Piece.
It's the only city in the wastern Sea Kingdom built on an actual island. There are other islands, but they're small. But they say the trees in the forests of humans are more huge than the ones on that island."
Corlis smiled, imagining those giant trees that rose higher than palaces, like ancient sentinels watching over the world.
Then Nile continued enthusiastically: "You know, the only memory that still sticks in my head from that island is my fight with a winged monster. I was used to fighting sea monsters, but battling a creature that flies was a completely new experience.
Even so, I managed to rip out one of its eyes, cut off all four of its wings, and turned it into roasted bird!
I even brought back a piece of its meat to taste. And although its face was uglier than Mr. Djon Reba's, it actually tasted good!"
Corlis's frown faded with that memory, and he let out an involuntary chuckle that lit up his innocent face. He returned to his seat, feeling a bit lighter and more cheerful.
He joked: "You really should stop mocking others, Sir Nile, or it might come back to bite you one day."
Nile slowly rose from his seat, pulling the edge of his cloak that was caught between the gaps of the chair with a familiar motion, as if it had become part of his daily ritual.
Then he turned to Corlis, his eyes carrying a faint glimmer, as if something unforgettable had just come to mind.
A small smile formed on his lips as he said in a half serious tone: "You know, Your Highness... some habits can't be left behind, simply because they're a part of who we are."
Then he tilted his head slightly, as if struck by an amusing thought, and added with a faint smile: "Oh, speaking of habits... it seems you forgot today is the monthly meeting. The queen is waiting for you."
Corlis froze in place for a few seconds, then his eyes widened suddenly, as if lightning had struck his heart. "The meeting?!" he whispered the word, then darted out of the hall without saying another word.
His footsteps were so quick they echoed through the corridors. He felt as though the ground were shifting beneath him, and every beat in his chest sounded like a warning.
His thoughts raced as he rushed through the hallways: "How did I forget?"
His worry was multiplying, not just about the queen's reaction, but about his own disappointment in himself.
He sincerely hoped the queen wasn't in one of her bad moods, and that he could survive the look that pierced straight into one's soul.