Everyone in the immediate vicinity turned their full attention toward the individual who had just spoken out loud.
"Father," Crystal said respectfully, accompanying her words with a slight bow of acknowledgment.
Though she had a tendency to follow Moon around quite frequently, she still understood and knew the basic manners that were expected of her. He smiled warmly at her in response.
"What's happening here?" He asked once more, this time with a noticeably lighter and gentler tone in his voice.
She smiled back at him.
"I wanted to meet Peter Pan in order to see if we're a suitable match for each other," she said openly without holding anything back.
Erik's POV
I paused momentarily at her unexpected words. What exactly was she talking about?
"Cough, you must be joking right?" I asked with a sense of growing frustration in my voice.
Almost all of my children seem to be getting into romantic relationships these days, but Peter Pan actually might not be such a bad option for her, though truthfully they probably don't match each other very well.
She shook her head from side to side in denial.
"I'm one of the only ones who doesn't have a boyfriend yet," she said with a hint of complaint.
The pirates standing nearby blinked a few times in surprise at the unexpected nature of the conversation unfolding before them. Wasn't a princess supposed to be more conservative and reserved in such matters?
I rubbed my head in mild exasperation.
"If you want to find yourself a suitable boyfriend, then you should have come to ask me first. I have the skills and resources necessary to search for and identify a proper match for you," he explained patiently.
She narrowed her eyes skeptically, clearly not believing what I was saying.
"I have absolutely no reason to lie to you about this," I said earnestly.
She hesitantly nodded her head in reluctant agreement.
"Ok fine, but he has to be absolutely perfect in every way." She said with determination.
I shook my head back and forth in clear exasperation at her unrealistic expectations.
"You know perfectly well that no one's actually perfect in this world." I said matter-of-factly.
She pouted like a child who wasn't getting her way.
"I don't care about that," she said stubbornly.
"Sigh, fine then." I said with resignation and waved her off dismissively.
I then turned my full attention toward the group of pirates that were currently tied up and restrained. I signaled with a gesture for the dragons to move back and give us some space. They did exactly as they were told without hesitation.
I walked forward slowly and carefully inspected each and every one of them. But then suddenly I recognized one particular person among them.
"Jack Sparrow," I said aloud with recognition.
The other pirates immediately turned to look at him with their eyes blazing with anger and accusation.
"Damn it, I knew you had done something to cause this mess, you absolute bastard," Hector yelled out furiously.
Jack looked genuinely stunned and taken aback by the accusation.
"Who are you calling a bastard? I've never even met these people before in my entire life," he retorted defensively.
"Be quiet, all of you," I ordered firmly and authoritatively as they immediately fell silent.
"What is your actual purpose for being here on this island?" I asked them in a cold and measured tone.
They seemed to freeze completely at my direct question, as if they were utterly done with everything that was happening.
"Sigh, we're here specifically for the heart of Davy Jones, I think we must have arrived on the wrong island entirely." Will said with obvious disappointment.
The heart of Davy Jones? Didn't I read something about that a while back? I then suddenly remembered something important.
I took out a mysterious box from my magical storage ring. It had been quite a long time since I had first obtained this particular item.
-Davy Jones Heart-
I had originally gotten it many years ago during my very first campaign. I never really thought much about it at the time and simply thought it was something weird and unusual.
Their eyes widened dramatically in shock and disbelief.
"Y-you actually have it in your possession? Please give it to us, we desperately need it badly," Will begged pleadingly.
I blinked in surprise at his desperate words. Was he seriously and earnestly begging me for this seemingly worthless item? I just casually threw the box directly at him without ceremony.
I didn't really see any valid point in keeping it stored away anymore anyway. And as for what they had said to me, I didn't sense any lies or deception in their words.
I used my powers to disintegrate the ropes that bound them and freed them completely.
"Leave this place immediately, and don't ever return to this island again." I warned them sternly and then turned around and walked away.
They remained completely frozen in their spot for a long moment, but then they finally snapped out of it and moved, beginning to run as fast as they could toward what I could only logically assume to be their ship.
"Now, wasn't there supposed to be a new night fury that just arrived recently?" I uttered thoughtfully to myself.
A few months later, as time continued to pass steadily forward
On the grand and majestic Mount Olympus, multiple divine beings could be seen engaged in deep conversation and discussion. Zeus, the king of the gods himself, had personally gathered together multiple gods and goddesses for an extremely important plan that he had been carefully formulating.
This particular plan involved three gods specifically and deliberately. Phobos, Deimos, and Phobetor were the chosen ones. These powerful gods held dominion and reign over nightmares, terrifying illusions, and pure terror itself.
Zeus had carefully and methodically made a detailed plan to kill Erik once and for all. From what he had managed to obtain and learn from the mysterious sisters of fate, it was either this course of action or he himself would face his own death and demise.
How could he, the mighty god of all gods, possibly not be able to lay with whatever woman he personally chooses and desires? He couldn't accept it or come to terms with this reality whatsoever.
"Are you absolutely sure and certain that this plan will work as intended, father?" Hermes asked with a hint of concern and uncertainty in his voice.
Zeus nodded his head firmly and decisively. Even if this particular plan doesn't work out exactly as hoped, he had a backup plan already prepared and ready. He had already reached out to and contacted his two powerful brothers for additional support.
Now all he had to do was play the waiting game patiently and see how events would unfold over time.
Meanwhile, in Hephaestus's personal home and dwelling, Melody could be clearly seen planting beautiful flowers carefully in the expansive garden area. She had transformed and converted his entire place into a huge, sprawling garden over time. But he never once minded or complained since he truly loved and cherished her company and presence.
"Aren't there perhaps too many flowers being planted here?" He asked with mild curiosity and amusement.
She shook her head firmly from side to side in complete disbelief at his question.
"Our wedding ceremony is taking place in just a few days from now, so we absolutely need more flowers for the decoration and atmosphere," she said matter-of-factly with determination.
He sighed softly to himself and simply nodded in agreement and acceptance. He didn't see any valid point in stopping or discouraging her since she was genuinely happy and content doing this activity.
He smiled warmly to himself, remembering with satisfaction that he had finished crafting the wedding rings quite a while back. It was without question the most beautiful and exquisite pair of rings—no, accessories of any kind—that he had ever created and made in his entire life.
"How about we go out and get our wedding dress and suit prepared for the upcoming wedding ceremony," he smiled warmly at her.
She stopped her movement and activities suddenly as if realizing and remembering something very important. She got up from her position and nodded enthusiastically in agreement.
"Yes, let's go and get our clothes and attire for our wedding day."
A few days later, when the anticipated day had finally arrived
"Are you all completely ready and prepared?" Erik asked everyone present with anticipation.
They all nodded their heads in confirmation and affirmation. He smiled with satisfaction and nodded back, then proceeded to teleport everyone gathered to Mount Olympus's grand location. Upon arriving at the magnificent place, all of them looked around with surprise and amazement at the absolutely beautiful decorations that had been carefully arranged.
Everyone moved forward and got into their designated seats, waiting with eager anticipation for the bride and groom to make their appearance. All of his family members were present here, and even his in-laws had come to attend.
He had made absolutely sure that everyone was included and invited to this special occasion. As he looked around and surveyed the gathered crowd, he felt deep within his heart that his long-sought peace and happiness had finally been achieved and realized.
Then the groom arrived and made his entrance. He walked steadily and purposefully to the ceremonial stand and waited patiently for his beloved bride to arrive. Everyone waited in growing anticipation and excitement. This would be Erik's very first daughter to get married, making it an especially momentous and significant occasion.
Melody arrived wearing an absolutely beautiful white wedding dress that took everyone's breath away. The elegant dress flowed beautifully and gracefully behind her, covering almost everything in its sweeping train. The dress looked almost ethereal and otherworldly on her form, as if she were a divine being herself.
Everyone's eyes widened dramatically in awe and admiration. The dress looked absolutely divine and heavenly in every conceivable way. The creator and designer had truly outdone herself in crafting this masterpiece.
As she walked slowly and gracefully down the carpeted aisle, Erik couldn't help but shed a small tear of joy and emotion. Though at the same time, he had a genuine and heartfelt smile of happiness on his face.
"Do you, Hephaestus, take Melody to be your lawfully wedded wife?" The officiant asked formally and solemnly.
He smiled warmly and sincerely.
"I do," he replied with conviction and certainty.
The officiant nodded slowly in acknowledgment and understanding, and then carefully turned his full attention toward Melody, who was standing gracefully before him in all her radiant beauty.
"Do you, Melody, take Hephaestus to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward?" He asked her with the same formal and solemn tone that he had used moments before.
"I do," she said with complete confidence, certainty, and overwhelming joy radiating from her entire being and presence.
Everyone in attendance cheered loudly and enthusiastically as the officiator finished speaking his final ceremonial sentence, officially declaring them married.
Approximately ten minutes later, everyone present at the celebration was surrounding the newly married couple, offering their sincere congratulations and best wishes for their future together.
Erik stood off to the side, observing the joyful scene, his warm smile of contentment and happiness still clearly present on his face. As he took a small bite of the delicious food that had been prepared for the reception, three unfamiliar gods suddenly and unexpectedly approached him with purposeful strides.
He turned his attention toward them, a look of genuine confusion and puzzlement crossing his expression and features. There was something distinctly unusual about them—they felt strange, almost unnaturally weird in a way he couldn't quite put his finger on.
"Is there something specific that I can help you with or assist you with?" He asked them politely, though with a hint of wariness in his voice.