Mermaid and the Samurai ch 14

Splash!

Ariel was startled awake as she was dropped into water or what felt like it.  

"Jack? Sebastian?"

She pulled herself upright and started swimming glancing at her surroundings. She appeared to be in some sort large grotto but everything in and above it had the same orange flame-like structures made out of stone.

Above her something moved, Ariel slowly swam upwards  and saw that she was looking straight at an orange jagged cliff leading over a bottomless pit. Up on a small ledge to the right was a large black hexagonal gong, and guarding it appeared to be one of Aku's minions.

She backed away slightly but her movements caught it's attention.

Ariel stared, it stared right back. It's orange eyes watched her apprehensively as if expecting her to out leap of the water and strike.

She soon noticed why, when she tried to speak. "W-where am I?"

"You are in my domain."

Ariel gasped and cringed when Aku suddenly loomed over her, wearing a smug grin.

Circumstances being what they are, the little mermaid didn't fear Aku's wrath, no.

It was his obsession with her that frightened her to no end. She just hoped he hadn't or would ever figure it out.

And she certainly wasn't planning on staying long enough to see either.

She swam away as fast as she could from him, but she bumped into something solid – like glass.

Her heart sank. She frantically continued, trying to feel her way out. But every time she turned a corner, or so much as tried to break the surface, the barrier blocked her potential means of escape.

"No!" Ariel cried, beating her small fists against the barrier that trapped her in the Pit of Hate and with the very monster that haunts her most terrifying nightmares.

"Oh, yes."  Aku smiled sinisterly, "And the spell can only be lifted should I desire your presence by my side."

Ariel just helplessly continued pounding against the barrier. This can't be happening!

The Deliverer of darkness watched the panic-stricken mermaid's futile efforts, basking in her growing despair.

Her crying and her terror only made her even more desirable to him. Making the sea princess his paramour would be something he'll enjoy greatly.

Feeling his eyes boring into her, Ariel turned and demanded shakily, "W-what do you even hope to get keeping me here?! You can't expect my father to give up without fighting for me first!"

Aku leaned towards her into the water, looking the mermaid in the eyes,  "Have you not grasped it yet, merchild? I have admired and wanted you for the past months."

Ariel whimpered softly as he raised her head with his gigantic claw to face him.

"Listen to yourself, you possess a gift. Your voice is sublime. . ."  he said to her in a purring tone, "The most alluring of voices to have ever reached the hearing of Aku!"

Ariel protested, "You can't keep me here like this against my will! I miss my friends, my family!"

She then cowered immediately, remembering who she was talking to.

"You shall sing whenever I order you to do so!" the demon thundered, "Now sing daughter of Triton! Sing!"

Ariel bit her lip to keep from bursting into tears in front of him. She hated being told what to do especially by some terrible tyrant. But right she couldn't afford to provoke Aku. She breathed deeply and began to sing a mournful rendition of her song.

Ariel: By morning break,
My kingdom will fall,

Oh, what would I pay
To be free
and beside you?

What should I do see you
Smiling at me?

Longing to walk,
Longing to run,
Wishing to stay all day in the sun...

My love for thee,
Not meant to be,
Part of your world.

The little mermaid might be afraid, but she certainly won't accept being this monster's slave anytime soon.

"I might be your prisoner, Aku, but I don't belong to anyone especially not you!"

Aku simply smirked at her feeble attempts to sound brave while facing him.

"Then I suggest that you accustom yourself to the idea," He leaned in closer to her and began to destroy her hope,  "You will never escape Aku. No matter how far you flee, no matter where you are, he will always find you.  This is your new home and here you shall remain, for all time."

His cruel words made her gasp in horror.

"W-we'll see a-about that!"   

"By all means try and swim your way out. You will find that every section here contains the very same barrier you've tried to breach," he said with a concupiscent glance in her direction.

Ariel shivered fearfully. "There must be a way out of this place."

She just swam around the labyrinth-esque chambers, searching for a way out. But every possible exit was either blocked by the barrier or it was one required to use legs for.

Every so often thought the twists and turns, she was able to see other prisoners as well; Humans, aliens and other creatures. At one point, she swam past a viewing glass where she could see the underground mines perfectly well.

Some of the imprisoned individuals often watched her sadly while the guards and overseers gave her shrewd, calculating looks as if they already knew who and what she was there for.

Eventually, Ariel grew weary and decided to look for a place to rest. Up ahead, she saw large, empty holes in the walls so she swiftly swam right up to one.

Ariel glanced back to make sure she wasn't being followed (even thought it wouldn't make much of a difference) and swam right in. She looked outside briefly, then settled herself down to a sitting position.

Now that she was quite alone, she felt he pain of being separated from her friends and from Jack weigh down upon her. Aku's terrible words tormented her, no matter what she did he was going to keep coming after her and he would destroy anyone that opposed him. The only who could do so was Jack, but he can't possibly know where the pit of hate is currently located.

Slowly, a wave of despair passed over her.

"I love you, Jack," she then whispered to herself in the darkness.

Heartbroken, Ariel folded her arms against the stone feel of the small hole she was hiding in and buried her head upon them, unable to hold back the tears any longer.