Episode 1: The Call of the Island

Somewhere in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Lake Kivu, very late in the evening, on an island called Idjwi Island, the lake’s waves were becoming strong and deep. The water grew darker instead of clear, while the moon appeared in all its splendor.

As the fireflies filled the night air with their soft chimes, a few fishermen still awake gathered their belongings.

— Hey! Are you done? We’re taking the same road, right?

— Yeah, why not? Are you coming, Simon?

Simon: Oh, not now. I’m going to enjoy a beer for a bit.

— At this hour?

Simon: Yeah, after a hard day, you’ve got to get drunk a little.

— Are you sure about that? Don’t forget you’re newly married.

Simon: Don’t worry, I’m just going to have one drink, then I’ll head home.

— Alright then.

His coworkers leave, leaving him alone.

Simon checks the time on his watch.

Simon: 8 PM… I still have time.

He walks along, carrying his things over his shoulder while whistling. During his little musical stroll, he hears a strange noise.

Simon: What’s that noise? Did the monkeys start again?

Suddenly, a soft enchanting voice reaches his ears. A magnificent and hypnotic song, similar to that of a siren. He completely loses himself.

> “🎶 Come… come see me… 🎼”

Mesmerized by the melody, he follows the voice.

He keeps walking until he reaches the lake.

The silhouette of a beautiful woman appeared on the shore. She was sitting there, continuing to sing beneath the moonlight.

> “🎼 Come to me… come… 🎶”

Simon slowly approaches her.

When the beautiful woman turns around, he discovers a magnificent mermaid of almost unreal beauty.

Simon moves closer to her, and the mermaid smiles gently.

> “🎼 I… love you… 🎶”

The next morning, all the inhabitants of Idjwi Island had gathered around the shore, shocked to see a huge red circle of blood on the sand. At the center of the circle were a lock of dark blue hair and an abnormally long fingernail. Farther away, on the side, Simon’s name was written.

Everyone looked terrified. It seemed like a daily problem they had already grown used to.

— Oh no! A man has died!

— She’s started again…

— Whose name is written there?

A woman steps forward. It was Simon’s wife. Devastated, she collapses to the ground in tears upon seeing the name written in the circle.

Marie: No!!

Her cries filled the villagers with pity.

The village elder steps out of his house, observing the scene sadly.

— It’s her again… another deed of Mami Watta.

— Don’t let the children outside!

— Quick! Let’s go see Kiese!

Far from the other houses, inside a simple hut, a customary chief was meditating around a fire. An ancestral mask covered his face.

At one moment, the fire suddenly weakened for no reason, surprising him.

Kiese: The fire…? Hmm… Once again, it happened.

One of the villagers rushes into Kiese’s hut, confused and out of breath.

— Kiese, it’s serious! She’s done it again today. Mami Watta has taken another inhabitant.

Kiese: This situation is becoming problematic… It repeats itself every day.

— Please, speak once more with the spirits of the ancestors and find a solution. We can’t keep living like this.

The customary chief sighed, exhausted and overwhelmed by deep despair.

Inside a luxurious mansion located on Idjwi Island, two friends were relaxing in a swimming pool while calmly sipping juice.

Christelle: Wow! Amuri, you really had time to add a pool?

Amuri: Of course. How could I welcome my best friend without adding a magnificent pool to relax in?

Christelle: You’ve always been the best friend I’ve ever had. Seriously, how did you even do this?

Amuri: I just asked my father to add a little something, and done. Tell me, Christelle… how’s Kwel? Did you talk to him for me?

Christelle: Oh, I tried… but you know how my brother is. He doesn’t want to listen at all. He just insisted that you and him are only friends and that you never considered a relationship.

Amuri suddenly puts down her glass, annoyed.

Amuri: I’ve done everything for him to notice me! He still hasn’t noticed anything until now?! Christelle, do something! Find any excuse you want, but bring him to me!

Christelle: Don’t worry. For my best friend, I’m ready to do anything!

The two girls looked completely determined.

Yet far from this busy routine, somewhere in the waters surrounding the island, a mysterious kingdom was hidden.

In the depths of the lake existed a true mermaid civilization.

Beneath the dark and silent waters, a massive marine city lived in secrecy, populated by mermaids, mermen, and fish-people carrying out their daily routines exactly like the humans living on the surface.

Inside a shopping mall of this kingdom, several mermaids were divided into two rows, one on the right and one on the left, like a competition.

1st row:

“Go ELONGA tribe! We know you can do it!”

2nd row:

“Go ALIMA tribe! You’re the ones who’ll win!”

In front of them, at the center, stood six young mermaids: three from the ELONGA tribe and three from the ALIMA tribe.

Everyone:

“Let’s go!!”

They dash together toward the clothing aisles of the shopping mall — a full-blown sales war.

Prunelle:

“Come on girls, let’s grab the best outfits.”

Tress:

“The blue ones are mine!!”

Miaa:

“In your dreams!!!”

Loussika:

“Don’t be so rough, girls. It’s just a friendly sale competition.”

They aggressively rummage through piles of clothes searching for something.

— The timer is almost at zero!

While searching, the young mermaid with the orange tail raises her hand. Her soft voice echoes as she finds a magnificent pearl mermaid-tail accessory.

Prunelle:

“I got it! I found it, girls!”

Miaa & Loussika:

“Yaaay!!!”

Léna:

“We lost!!! Why?!!”

A large fish-man steps forward, microphone in hand.

Teb:

“And once again, the ELONGA tribe wins this friendly competition! Once again, this tribe of warriors has legally imposed its greatness.”

The tribe gathers together, thrilled by their victory.

Miaa:

“We’re the best!!!!”

Liv:

“You can recognize this tribe because they always win. And what about us ALIMA? When are we ever going to win?”

Loussika:

“No need to take it so seriously. Besides, it was just a friendly match after yesterday’s competition.”

— Anyway, we know you well enough. It’s normal for the ELONGA to be the strongest tribe in our kingdom.

Prunelle:

“Everyone has their own abilities. We’re all useful in our own way.”

Miaa:

“Meanwhile, who wants to throw a party to celebrate this?!!!”

Everyone:

“Yeah!!!”

They switch on disco lights and party wildly inside the shopping mall.

Inside the palace of the Mermaid King, the king sat upon his throne, holding a trident decorated with ancestral symbols. Wearing his crown, he addressed the guards firmly.

— My King, how are we going to reinforce prison security?

King Demba: Call the detention guard community. Many of them are without fixed positions. This would be the perfect time to recruit new members.

— Understood, my King.

— There’s also a problem near the fountains, my King.

King Demba: I’m listening…

Suddenly, the King felt his trident move. It felt as though someone was calling to him inside his mind.

King Demba: What is happening?

It was a call coming from the surface — from Kiese, who was secretly stirring the lake water with his hands away from prying eyes. He threw some branch ashes into the water.

Kiese: I ask for help from another world. People… creatures of the sky lost within the depths of the sea.

It felt magical and mysterious. Deep beneath the lake, the King continued sensing the same phenomenon.

His subjects were astonished.

— My King… what is this?

King Demba: …This… this is not normal. It’s been several decades since this last happened.

He took his trident and struck it against the floor. That’s when the communication finally connected.

King Demba: Greetings. To whom do I have the honor of speaking?

Kiese: Greetings, people of the mermaids. I am Kiese, the customary chief of Idjwi Island on Lake Kivu. A catastrophe recently struck our island. Every day, we lose inhabitants. The island’s waters suddenly became unstable, causing the return of a great witch — the mermaid Mami Watta.

Upon hearing this, everyone froze, shocked and confused by the news.

— Mami Watta?!

King Demba: How is that possible? She had disappeared.

Kiese: That’s what I believed too, but… even today she continues devouring every person who crosses paths with her blinding beauty. That is why I came to beg for your help.

King Demba: This situation is truly problematic for both humans and fish-people. We eliminated that witch forever, yet she still returned.

Kiese: And her murders are becoming worse and worse.

— What are we going to do?

— If she starts with humans, she’ll eventually attack the fish-people too.

King Demba: We will not allow this tragedy to happen! Customary chief, you did well to contact me. To stop her, I have no choice but to send members of our tribes to eliminate this witch without her noticing. We shall send you the strongest tribe in our kingdom: the ELONGA tribe.

While the atmosphere in the palace became tense, Prunelle, Miaa, and Loussika were relaxing in the mermaids’ hot springs. At the same time, they were reading magazines.

Loussika: Did you girls see this? My magazine is talking about trendy new decorations for mermaid tails.

Prunelle: Really?! Let us see!

Miaa: Which magazine is it? Is it available?

All three look at the magazine together.

Prunelle: Oh wow… it is available.

Loussika: But only for people over 18.

Miaa: And we’re only 17…

They exchange disappointed looks, then sigh dramatically in the water.

The 3 girls: Ahhh!!! This sucks! When are we finally going to turn 18?!

Loussika: First, we should survive school. It’s a terrible torture, but useful.

Prunelle: Girls, school starts again tomorrow, right?

Loussika: Yes, why?

Prunelle: What if we organize a picnic first? We should invite all our classmates and have fun before returning to that stressful classroom.

Miaa: You’re right. I really love the idea. What do you think, Loussika?

Loussika: I think the idea is very interesting, and besides, we lose nothing by doing it.

Miaa: Quick, let’s dry ourselves off!

They jump out of the water and dry themselves with towels while laughing joyfully.

Miaa: Come on! Let’s go have fun!!!

They hold hands and walk happily together, but suddenly vanish. They instantly reappear inside the King’s throne room, surrounded by several subordinates. Shocked, they stare around them.

The 3 girls: Huh?!

Loussika: We’re at the palace? But we don’t have anything to say to the King.

King Demba: But I have something to say to you girls.

They turn around and meet the King’s gaze, surprised to see him.

Elsewhere, in a remote corner of the lake, Mami Watta sensed an aura that disturbed her deeply. It was beginning to suffocate her.

Mami Watta: What is this?! What is this?!! Am I dreaming or is this a threat?!

Back in the King’s palace, after everything had been explained, the girls stood there silently processing the information.

Loussika: So basically, you really want us to go to the surface? To Idjwi Island?!

Prunelle: But why teenagers like us?

King Demba: You are still students, therefore minors, not fully developed warriors. That is why Mami Watta will not sense your presence unless you activate your powers and strength.

Miaa: It’s true that we’re the only teenagers in the tribe.

King Demba: In my name, I, King Demba of the Mermaid Kingdom, ask you to carry out this mission in order to stop this witch. Will you honor us? Please.

They scratch their heads awkwardly, then look at each other and nod.

The 3 girls: Alright, we’ll honor our lineage.

King Demba: Perfect…

They turn toward each other and whisper.

Loussika: Do you think we made the right choice accepting?

Prunelle: I think we did.

Miaa: Obviously! This means we won’t have to go to school anymore.

Prunelle & Loussika: That’s true, it’s good news too.

The King stares at them, his face twisted with disbelief at their carelessness.

King Demba: I can hear you. In fact, we all can.

They instantly turn around in shock, realizing they’ve been caught.

The 3 girls: Oops!

The subordinates bring a gigantic catapult into the palace, ready to launch the girls away.

— Girls, it’s time to go.

Prunelle: What?! We’re leaving just like that without luggage? Without warning our families? Our tribes?

King Demba: I’ll take care of it. Do not fear.

Loussika: Not fear?!

King Demba: At the surface, Kiese will know how to take care of you.

Loussika: And the luggage?! Mermaids wear clothes too!

They are placed onto the catapult. Just as they are about to be launched, Miaa interrupts dramatically.

Miaa: Wait, wait! We’re only leaving if you promise not to make us repeat our final school year.

King Demba: Promise.

Miaa: Sorry? I didn’t hear that…

Too late. They are launched by catapult toward the human world. Terrified, they scream.

The 3 girls: Aaaaaahhhhh!!!

The girls are immediately projected toward the surface, their tails still underwater. It was nighttime.

Prunelle: Ouch… King Demba could’ve been gentler with his teleportation.

Miaa: I would’ve chosen an elevator if he had given me the chance.

Loussika: …It’s true that this time he went too far.

Finally, they notice Kiese standing before them. They freeze for a moment.

Prunelle: Uh… this is starting to scare me a little.

Loussika: Um… are you the person we were supposed to meet?

Kiese: Good evening, Prunelle, Miaa, and Loussika. I am Kiese, the customary chief who requested help from the mermaid people. But I am not entirely convinced about one thing… why send teenagers?

Miaa: Don’t underestimate us, Mr. Chief. We’re very efficient. We belong to the ELONGA tribe.

Kiese observes them doubtfully.

Kiese: I hope this won’t put you in danger. I wouldn’t want…

During their conversation, the lake water suddenly begins boiling violently. Under the moonlit night, a giant mermaid with red hair and a red tail rises from the lake before them.

Everyone is shocked except the customary chief.

Loussika, Miaa & Prunelle: Mami Watta?!

Kiese: So you reveal yourself tonight? Why are you so upset? I sense anger within you.

Mami Watta: How?! How dare you bring mermaids from the ELONGA tribe to defeat me, you cursed customary chief?!

Kiese: Why? Does it bother you?

Mami Watta: You are so desperate that you ask sorcerers for help? Pathetic! What happened to your power as a customary chief? Did God take it away from you?

Kiese: The power of a customary chief was given by God Himself — a force that binds you to the ancestors, to the kingdoms of the dead and the living, to departed loved ones. Our mission is to fulfill the Lord’s will through ancestral means in order to help those in need.

He steps closer to the lake and strikes his staff against the ground.

Kiese: Mermaids are legends that disappeared long ago. They would never have returned if you were not spreading plague and suffering across this island. I brought a tribe that will make you disappear.

Mami Watta: (The scent these girls give off disturbs me.)

She stares at the girls, both determined and curious.

Mami Watta: You… you’re going to get out of my way, little girls! Which tribe do you belong to?!

The girls turn toward her. Their eyes glow brightly in the night, each gaze filled with energy and determination.

Prunelle, Miaa & Loussika: We are from the ELONGA tribe!

Hearing this, Mami Watta becomes terrified.

Mami Watta: Aaaaaahhhhh!!!! Disappear, all of you!

She vanishes beneath the water, unable to withstand the strange pressure radiating from the girls.

Kiese: She could not endure the pressure of your tribe’s strength. We can say she fears your power. That is why I ask you to return her to where she truly belongs.

Miaa: Wow… girls, we’ve got a huge job ahead of us.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***