Chapter 2

The two sleeping cecaelias woke with a startle, the clanging of the familiar bars already ringing in their heads.  It was their aunt, and leader of the Octopid Army, Atlantia.  She had come for their battle lessons, which consisted of fighting with both magic and weapons, often having to fight each other till someone gave up.  As many could have guessed, it was usually Ursula who won.   It was very rare that Morgana won, only when it had to do with mental challenges, one could find that Morgana was very persuasive and had more self control than both her sister and mother.  But in the most fearless and dangerous Octopid Army of the Dark Underwater Empire, why would they ever need self control or persuasive talents?  To " bribe " someone, all that was needed was a knife and no exits to get something out of someone.

As Ursula and Morgana made their way down the dark pathway to the training arena, they noticed little shadows slinking about in between rocks. 

"What are those things?", wondered Ursula out loud.

"I don't know.  I don't think we should worry about it right now, we've got work to do." Morgana muttered, though she was curious as well. 

Atlantia placed the two of them on opposite ends of the training arena, which was round.  She handed Ursula and Morgana both a large stick, which was made of coral, bones, and glowing algae.  At the very end of the sticks, was a very sharp shark tooth. 

Ursula charged at her sister immediately, throwing the stick at her head. Morgana ducked her head and struck her stick against Ursula's ribs, making her cry out and slamming her hand against her face, Morgana's nose crunching with the force and gushing out blood.  Ursula's fingers sparked with energy, the water bubbling and heating around her, the water instantly shot at Morgana's stomach.  But Morgana knew this was her sister's favorite move, and blocked it with a whirlpool she had summoned, sucking the water in and releasing it in a flurry of bubbles.  Stunned that her sister blocked her attack, Morgana took the opportunity to throw the stick in Ursula's neck, which had always been her weak spot.  As the shark tooth struck her sister's neck, a surge of pride and guilt lay heavy on her chest.  Ursula pounced at once, even though blood was leaking from her neck and fogging the water.  Morgana was knocked upside down, then felt a sharp pain in one of her tentacles.  She looked up and saw the tip of her tentacle speared right through, a clean throw from Ursula, who was now beaming.  Morgana, beginning to get frustrated,  grabbed the stick and summoned the biggest whirlpool she had ever summoned yet, sending the stick in between and launching more force into it with a burst of boiling water, and shot it at Ursula.  It struck Ursula right in the stomach, going past her gut and through her back.  Stunned, Ursula froze.  Now Morgana was beaming, no guilt this time. 

Atlantia swam to Ursula's side and pulled the stick from her.  Blood instantly spurted from the wound, which was thick and crimson in the water.  Ursula didn't cry.  She just scowled in annoyance.  Then she gave Atlantia a cheeky grin, a sign she admitted her defeat.  Atlantia placed a hand on Ursula's abdomen, healing the wound, but leaving the pain.  Morgana was given an approving nod, and then healed, free of any injury.  The two girls were then sent out of the arena, free to do as they wished, yet also anxiously awaiting their results.  Who ever lost the battle was severely punished.  Preferring not to worry, they set out on their way to find the slinking creatures they had spotted earlier. 

As Morgana and Ursula neared the rocks they had seen the creatures at, they noticed a hissing noise.  It was very unique.  Low and raspy, yet fast and threatening.  As they swam around the rocks, they had to crawl through a gap.  Morgana swam in easily, her lithe figure quick and silent.  Ursula, however, was a different story.  Indeed she had her mother's looks, but definitely not her body type.

" Get your big butt in, Ursula.  This is why I warn you not to eat so much turtle stew. ", Morgana grumbled, pulling Ursula's arms. 

" Its not my fault Mar makes food so good. ",  scowled Ursula, slightly offended.  " If you wanna leave, go ahead. I just hope you don't get eaten, the creatures could get sick, poor dears. ", she remarked, sarcasm pouring dryly out of her pouty mouth. 

" Ah, well then I'll leave you here to rot , see if you'll lose some pounds, sissy, and maybe spear your butt to see if it can shrink, if that's even possible. " smirked Morgana. 

Before Ursula could send her another sassy reply, Morgana pulled with all her might, and sent Ursula toppling over her.  As Morgana lay squished beneath Ursula in the sand, Ursula grinned and crossed her arms.

" Well, isn't this the most comfy bed I've ever sat on.  Except a little bony, huh, sweet cheeks?? "

" Ha ha, so funny, I'm dying of laughter right now.  And what a nice seat, right? I guess we're on the same terms today, since this is the most comfy bed I've ever been under, though I think it should have sand instead of rocks. "

Ursula grinned and puffed her tentacles , allowing Morgana to squeeze out.  They both swam behind and through a series of rocks, and found two little eels.  Each eel had a yellow eye, which was very rare and a sign of luck.  The eels were fighting, biting each other with their teeth and and sparking each other's sides. 

" Just look at these creatures, aren't they fabulous?  Their eyes are so beautiful! " Ursula gushed, mesmerized by their haunting yellow eyes. 

Morgana inspected each of them, making a mental note to ask her aunt about these eels, since they were so rare, they were nearly worth mercy in the empire.

" They are quite intriguing.  What will you name them? " , Morgana asked, knowing her sister would keep these eels no matter what anyone said.

The eels were now twirling around Ursula's arms, snuggling with her, mischievous grins upon their faces, and their eyes full of intelligence and admiration, their dark little hearts already set on a single goal ; To serve their mistress till the end.

" Flotsam and Jetsam. " Ursula smiled, not taking her eyes off her beloved minions for even a second.