Krakenos falls silent. I know how much his people mean to him, how desperately he wants to save them from the plague that has ravaged their population.

But I also know that he is a fair and just ruler, one who wishes to see a future of peace on Mythos.

“Then Vornas still lives?” Krakenos asks, breaking the silence.

The Host nods. “He’s already in the medical bay, recovering for the next season.”

I watch Krakenos’s chest rise and fall, his gills fluttering slightly. My stomach twists into knots, knowing that the fate of not just the Aquarians, but all the races on Mythos, hangs in the balance. I bite my lip, grateful that I’m not the one who has to make this impossible choice.

He turns to me, his gaze softening. “Mia, you have changed me in ways I never thought possible. Your strength, your compassion, your unwavering spirit… They have made me a better king, a better man.”

Krakenos then turns back to the Host, continuing, “I have faith in Draven, and that his female has had a similar effect on him. And I suspect that the remaining human female will straighten Vornas out as well.” He squares his shoulders as he declares to the Host, “I choose the collective cure.”

The Host’s eyebrows shoot up, a hint of disappointment in his expression, as if he had been hoping for a more dramatic outcome. But he quickly composes himself, nodding in acknowledgement.

“Then we will see what happens next season,” he says, his tone laced with menace. “Let us hope it wasn’t all for nothing, hm? Now, you may use one of our shuttles to return to your home planets. Farewell.”

I hesitate at the threshold. The finish line stretches before us, a glowing ribbon of light that seems to mock everything we’ve been through. Krakenos’s hand tightens around mine, his webbed fingers cool against my clammy palm.

“We have to,” he murmurs.

I grit my teeth, hating that we’re playing into this game, but knowing we have no choice. With a sharp nod, I step forward, and we cross the line together.

I don’t give the Host or the cameras the satisfaction of looking back. Instead, I tug Krakenos toward the waiting shuttle. Its doors slide open with a soft whoosh, and I pause. This is it—we’re leaving this nightmare behind.

Krakenos’s reassuring squeeze pulls me from my thoughts. I meet his gaze, seeing my own determination reflected there. Without another word, we step into the shuttle, done with Paradise Loop once and for all.

The shuttle’s interior is surprisingly spacious, with plush seats lining the walls and a large, circular platform in the center. Krakenos guides me to one of the seats, and I sink into the soft cushions, my body suddenly feeling heavy with exhaustion.

A light catches my attention, and I look up to see a holographic galaxy map materializing before us. The map is breathtaking, a swirling kaleidoscope of stars and planets, each one labeled with names I’ve never heard before. I scan the map, searching desperately until I find a tiny blue marble nestled in a far corner of the galaxy.

Earth.

My heart clenches with a sudden pang of homesickness, and tears prickle at the corners of my eyes. It feels like ages since I’ve seen my home, and the sight of it now, so small and fragile in the vastness of space, makes me ache with longing. I wonder what’s happening back on Earth, if anyone is searching for me, if they’ve simply assumed I’ve packed up and left yet again…

But then I look at Krakenos, and I know that my place is by his side. I know that my pattern of running away is a thing of the past. I’ve finally found where I belong.

“Mia,” Krakenos says softly, his voice tinged with uncertainty. “Would you prefer to return to Earth, or… would you like to rule the oceans of Mythos with me?”

I can’t hold back my laughter. The sound bubbles up, surprising even me.

After everything we’ve been through, the bond we’ve forged, how could he possibly not know my answer?

I lean closer, our foreheads touching. “You don’t really think I’d choose to go back, do you?”

Krakenos’ smile is warm as he pulls me into an embrace, and together, we choose Mythos as our destination.

As the shuttle hums to life, a peace settles over me. I know it won’t be easy. Hell, the Aquarians might not even accept me as their queen. I’ll have to navigate new customs, learn their language, and adapt to a completely foreign world.

But instead of intimidation, I feel a rush of excitement.

Because for the first time, I have something worth fighting for.

Chapter 17

Krakenos

I gaze out the shuttle window, my reflection ghosting over the receding image of Paradise Loop. The sight stirs conflicting sensations within me. I’m relieved, of course, to finally be free. But at the same time, what challenges await us on Mythos? How will my people react to having Mia, a human, as their future queen?

Despite my concerns, excitement thrums through my veins. I’m eager to show Mia the wonders of my underwater kingdom, to share my world with her.

Mia’s hand tightens around mine as the shuttle races through space. I sense her unease, her uncertainty about what lies ahead. She casts one last glance out the window, taking in the sprawling biomes of Paradise Loop as it fades into the distance.

It’s an oddly bittersweet moment, leaving behind the place where our bond was forged through trials and triumphs, but I know we’re both happy to leave it behind.

Mia then turns to me, her brow creased. “Krakenos, I know this might sound silly, but… How am I going to survive in your kingdom? I mean, I’m not exactly a mermaid…”

I squeeze her hand gently, offering a reassuring smile even though my translation device has no equivalent word for whatever a ‘mermaid’ is. I assume it is a type of human that can breathe underwater. “Don’t worry, my queen,” I say. “We have technology to make sure you’re comfortable and safe on Mythos.”

Her eyes sparkle with curiosity. “Really? Like what?”

“Well, for one, we have underwater breathing devices that we concocted for off-world traders.”

Mia’s face breaks into a grin. “No way! That’s so cool… But am I going to have this thing attached to my face forever now?”

I chuckle at her enthusiasm. “No, not at all. We have oxygenated domes all over Mythos. We’re amphibians, so we like spending time in the open air as much as the water. You’ll be able to move around freely inside the domes.”

She nods, processing the information. “Okay, that makes sense. But what about the pressure? Won’t that be an issue?”

“Our submarines have advanced depressurization chambers, another technology we developed for off-world traders. You won’t have to worry about anything.”

“I had no idea the Aquarians had such advanced technology,” she admits.

“We’ve kept our technological advancements a closely guarded secret,” I confess. “But I hope to change that, to usher in a new era of peace and collaboration with the other races of Mythos. With you by my side, Mia, I believe we can make that dream a reality.”

Mia turns to me, her eyes filled with curiosity and concern. “What’s your father like? Will he… Will he approve of me?”

I take her hand in mine, rubbing my thumb gently over her knuckles. “My father has led our people through countless challenges. The years have taken their toll on him, so I am sure that the news of our union, of the hope you bring for a cure, will lift his spirits. He’s been waiting for this moment, for the day when I can take the throne with a strong queen by my side.”

Doubt crosses Mia’s face. “But will your people accept me? I’m an outsider. What if they see me as a threat?”

I cup her cheek, my gaze locked with hers. “I will lead by example. I will show them that you are to be respected, not feared. Your strength, your resilience, and your kind heart are the very qualities that will make you an exceptional queen.”

She leans into my touch, a small smile on her lips. “You really believe that?”

“With every fiber of my being. The Aquarians are a good people, Mia. They’ve been through so much, and when they see the hope you bring—along with the promise of a future free from the plague—they will embrace you as one of their own.”