The Risen Horizon

[Jacky]

"You'll come to a point where you envy fins." I tell Scarlett smirkingly, "And when you do, you're afraid you crossed the small line to insanity." I wink at her, then just start to swim after Faith - as it's been found the most effective way of moving underwater.

[Lana]

I laugh, quite surprised that the water doesn't make me suffocate and drown, like it would happen in real, normal life, and I am already wondering whether I *have* crossed that line dividing insanity from sanity. Talking underwater, seeing merpeople all around... this is crazy. And if I started thinking about it, I would surely lose my mind. So I'd better accept it as it is, not paying much attention to the abnormality of everything that's happening.

[Hannah]

Slowly the gigantic doors of the castle open, though there seems to be none who is actually opening them.
As I swim in, a long row of servants is standing there, waiting for orders. I dismiss them with a handgestue en keep swimming, not waiting for Jack and Scarlett to keep up. They will come..

In frond of more big doors I wait for them. I feel that someone is fixing my hair, but I do not pay attention.
As they are there, these doors open aswell and I swim inside. The room we enter now, has on its sides long benches and on these benches all the greek gods are sitting side by side. I swim through the hall, not bowing now. This is my terretory.. they bow for me here, not I for them.

I sit down on the throne they put there for me, looking over to Scarlett and Jack.

[Jacky]

Scarlett and I have come to a stop near the entrance of the room. Standing firmly on two feet again, with the doors closing behind us, I take a look at the gathering of gods and godesses. They're all looking at us as well, a mixture of curiousity, pride and even fear on their faces. They know I've got the blade. The second that possibility occurs to me, I straighten my back and look over to Faith.

[Hannah]

While I am here, my face is nothing else but a mask, showing no emotions at all. I have to be happy, happy for my people. Not for me.

I look back at Jack and our eyes connect for a moment. While some sort of beautiful mermaid song can be heared I get up. "Get close, Captain Sparrow.." I tell him

[Jacky]

I raise an eyebrow and suspiciously take a glance at the 'people' in the room, half-wondering what this is all about. But as I look back to Faith I meet her gaze for a second time.. and no matter how well she is at hiding it, I can see through her cold mask and seemingly right into her soul. I know this girl better than anyone in the room, I suppose. It's me with whom she shared her secrets. It's me with whom she laughed. It's me who knows the woman behind the mask of the mermaid. As our gazes are locked together I give her a slight nod to let her know that I'm at her side - no matter what. And with that I let go of Scarletts hand, and step forward untill I'm in front of Faith's throne.

[Hannah]

"Kneel down" i tell him, still in the same voice, still with the same mask on my face. Eventhough I know what he means with the small nod.. I cannot show anyone here how I feel now..

I hold out my right hand and someone hands me a blade. A long and sharp sword..

[Jacky]

"Faith, luv.." I murmer, my voice too soft for anyone else to hear, "If this is not a decaputation, I don't want to know what you *are* up to." Despite the fact that I don't like the current situation in the slightest, I kneel down on one knee in front of Faith. I trust her, I suppose..

[Lana]

Impressed by the incredibly huge and solemn-looking crowd, by the magesty of the palace, by the surrounding beauty, I am slightly confused. I haven't seen anything but the deck and the sails for a long time... and now, being back to the luxury is like plounging into hot water after swimming in a cold one. Impressive, but confusing at the same time.

I look around at the people - are they people? - who look most respectable, and jerk my chin up, realizing that they are the Gods. Powerful as they can be, they were not powerful enough to get the blade. Jack was. A mortal one. And I am proud of him, proud of being mortal. No matter what is going on here - I am not sure, not knowing all the details - I feel that Jack is the one who can stipulate. Not the other way round. We won't be their toys anymore.

Though, when Faith takes out a blade and orders Jack to kneel down, my eyes widen. What is she going to do?! She can't kill him?! - the first, and the most hectic thought surges through my mind. Though then I finally start thinking rationally again. Surely not. First, she loves him. Second, it is a solemn ceremony... he's most likely to be awarded now.

I purse my lips slightly, feeling uneasy and tense here, in this palace, in this world. I don't belong here. I belong to the world where the sun is shining in the sky, where there are stars... this is not my world. And I feel unsafe, as if I were in the campsite of enemies.

[Hannah]

Horror.. it really is.. I press my teeth onto eachother and look at the other end of the room for a moment. Then I bow my head a little and look down at Jack, kneeling in frond of me.

"With the power vested in me by the royal crown of Ocean I dub thee Captain Jack Sparrow.." I take a deep breath and close my eyes for a second. "knight of the Poseidion.."

Slowly I first place the blade onto his right shoulder and then his left shoulder.