2
" Serafina, Ava, Ling, and Becca swam inside. Neela followed them, but at the very last second, shield. “I can’t,” she said. “Once I go in, there’s no way out again. This is real. You’re real. All this time, a part of me was hoping you were only a dream.”
The witch cocked her head. “Only a dream?” she said mockingly. “Long ago, a great mage dreamed of stealing the gods’ powers. Abbadon was born of that dream. Atlantis died because of it. Now, because of a new dreamer, all the waters of the world may fall. There is nothing more real than a dream.” She nodded at the waters behind Neela. Silt was rising in the distance, a great deal of it. “The merman Traho knows this. He’s coming. If you do not believe me, perhaps he can convince you. "
― Jennifer Donnelly , Deep Blue (Waterfire Saga, #1)
10
" Daughter of Merrow, leave your sleep,
The ways of childhood no more to keep.
The dream will die, a nightmare rise,
Sleep no more, child, open your eyes...
Daughter of Merrow, chosen one,
The end begins, your time has come.
The sands run out, our spell unwinds,
Inch by inch, our chant unbinds...
Daughter of Merrow, find the five
Brave enough to keep hope alive.
One whose heart will hold the light,
One possessed of a prophet’s sight.
One who does not yet believe,
Thus has no choice but to deceive.
One with spirit sure and strong,
One who sings all creatures’ songs.
Together find the talismans
Belonging to the six who ruled,
Hidden under treacherous waters
After light and darkness dueled.
These pieces must not be united,
Not in anger, greed, or rage.
They were scattered by brave Merrow,
Lest they unlock destruction’s cage.
Come to us from seas and rivers,
Become one mind, one heart, one bond.
Before the waters, and all creatures in them,
Are laid to waste by Abbadon! "
― Jennifer Donnelly , Deep Blue (Waterfire Saga, #1)