Introduction:

Thank you for picking up "Hymn of the Sea". This story is very close to my heart, and I:m excited to share it with you. Before we begin, here is a little introduction to my characters.

Noxland:

Noxland is an imaginary world created by me. It is an Asian island country famous for its blend of Asian and Western culture, as well as its breathtaking Victorian-style architecture, where beauty and darkness collide. Surrounded by the shimmering Veyrith Sea, Noxland hides deep secrets beneath its waves. This is a story about love, revenge, and pain.

Aquanis:

First of all, Aquanis are not sirens, nor are they half-human or half-fish. They are human-like creatures with fully human bodies. They have soft, milky, shimmering skin that is smooth to the touch. A thin layer of translucent fins on their backs and knuckles helps them swim underwater. Their eyes are oceanic blue and always glow beneath the water. Aquanis are breathtakingly gorgeous, with colorful hair and beauty that is hard to ignore.

Powers:

Aquanis possess a wide range of extraordinary powers that make them mystical. They can control water, summoning waves, creating whirlpools, or even pulling moisture from the air.

Their strength and speed are superhuman, allowing them to move with fluid, graceful precision in battle. They can shapeshift between a human-like form and their true, more mystical appearance, which might include shimmering skin, translucent fins, or glowing eyes.

Aquanis also have healing abilities, using water as restorative properties to heal themselves and others, though this may drain their energy.

Some can enchant or hypnotize with their voices, a power known as the Hymn, which can lure humans or calm dangerous situations.

They are perfectly adapted to underwater life, able to breathe underwater, withstand extreme pressures, and see clearly in the darkest depths.

Telepathic communication allows them to coordinate silently and share emotions or memories, especially underwater.

Powerful Aquanis can even influence the weather, summoning storms, fog, or calming the seas.

They are highly empathetic, able to sense the emotions of those around them, though this makes them vulnerable to others' pain and anger.

Finally, Aquanis may live much longer than humans, aging slowly or not at all, which can sometimes make them feel disconnected from the human world over time.

Aquanis have access to magical powers. Their magical core strength comes from their heart, and to use their magic properly, they require energy from their subconscious mind.

Weaknesses:

Despite their powerful abilities, Aquanis have some weaknesses.

They cannot tolerate fire and iron, which can harm or weaken them.

Their magical energy comes from their heart, so if their heart stops, they will die. Even minor damage can leave a permanent wound on their chest.

Using their powers, such as healing or magic, can drain their energy quickly.

Despite all their powers, Aquanis are emotionally fragile creatures. After losing their loved ones, many Aquanis have left the Veyrith Sea and moved to other countries.

Park Jimin:

Role:Male Lead

Species: Aquanis

Age: 105 years old

Appearance: Blue oceanic eyes, silver-blue hair, and pearly white skin.

Jimin is mysterious, alluring, and charming. He is manipulative and stays calm in aggressive situations, but he is the kind of person who destroys his enemies without revealing his true desires. Jimin has a long history of pain and agonizing suffering, which is why he harbors hatred for humans and seeks revenge. He is a conflicted character dealing with pain and destruction, making him a great villain of all time.

Anna Kim:

Role:Female Lead

Species: Human

Age: 23

Appearance: Big doe eyes, olive skin, wears glasses, long brunette hair, and dark brown eyes.

Anna, on the other hand, is a shy and introverted girl, a book lover who admires the history of Noxland. She is confused about her beliefs and what she truly wants in life. Anna has big doe eyes and wears glasses.

Park Jungkook:

Role:Supporting Character

Species: Aquanis

Age: 103 years old

Appearance:Blue oceanic eyes, dark-blue hair, and pearly white skin.

Jungkook is a fierce and rage-filled person. He has witnessed the brutal history of his people dying at the hands of humans, which makes him lose his cool and act irrationally, unlike his brother, who is calm and manipulative.

Officer Ryan Lee:

Role: Supporting Character

Species: Human

Age: 29

Appearance:Tall, tan, and a handsome-looking guy.

Ryan is a curious police officer and the son of Principal Joseph Lee. He is investigating the case of missing people, which leads him to uncover some dark secrets about the town.

Author's Note:

This is a work of fiction, and I've reimagined Jimin and Jungkook as Aquanis a hundred-year-old mythical sea creatures. I have also added some original characters that are part of this book.

Warning:

You might encounter some serious violent scenes that could evoke strong emotions, but remember, this book is just an AU (alternate universe) meant to entertain my readers.

I hope this story takes you on an emotional journey.

Thank you for joining me on this adventure. Please keep supporting and showing me your love.

Saranghae

Rimin

Noxland, an isolated Asian island country surrounded by the Veyrith Sea, had always been famous for its Victorian-style architecture and its history of bloody wars.

Many elderly folks claimed that Noxland was once the land of mythical creatures and their magic. They believed that the war was fought between humans and those mythical creatures, but as time passed, humans banished all the creatures, and they disappeared, becoming a part of history.

However, in modern times, the younger generations considered these myths to be nothing more than fictional tales created for tourism. But even though it was a fictional tale of old times, Anna still found these fantasy stories fascinating.

For Anna, reading a fantasy book about the creatures of Noxland seemed far better than hanging out with strangers. Whether it was about sea creatures or the creatures of the night, known as blood-sucking monsters, all these tales never failed to impress her.

"Don't tell me you found another stupid book from the library," Serena said, Anna's stepsister.

After a night out with her friends, Serena returned home feeling exhausted and visibly irritated. As usual, Serena accused Anna of being boring as she entered the room and tossed her bag on the table.

"I don't understand how you can read all the time," Serena added another taunt, sitting on the couch, her gaze fixed on Anna.

Anna lay languidly on the bed on her stomach, busy reading her newly discovered book. Unlike her younger sister, she hated social gatherings and nights out with friends. Rolling her eyes, Anna scoffed in annoyance, not even bothering to look at Serena.

"It's much better than wandering around the street with a bunch of stupid people who are competitive and jealous but pretend to be your friends," Anna said in a venomous tone. "And rather than sharing my pizza with a bunch of useless people, I'd gladly eat on my own," she added.

Serena folded her arms across her chest. "Excuse me! My friends aren't jealous; they're just envious of me."

Anna finally shifted her attention to Serena, who looked slightly disappointed at her perspective. "And they bad-mouth you too when you're not with them," she said, chuckling softly to mock Serena.

Serena frowned. "You heard something!" she assumed.

"You're not going to believe me anyway," Anna replied in a breathy voice.

"Spill the tea right now," Serena insisted, her curiosity reaching its peak, and she wanted to know everything.

"I'll tell you, but first, let me read in peace," Anna said, turning her eyes back to her book. She smirked slightly at her small victory of annoying her sister in return.

Serena stood up, sat on the bed, and snatched the book from Anna's hands. "What happened?" she asked.

Anna took a sharp breath, put the book down, and sat up on the bed. "Mia, I heard her talking to your ex. She was criticizing you, calling you clingy and all that stuff," Anna said, pushing her glasses back. She shrugged her shoulders and continued, "That's why I always say, friends are hidden enemies."

Serena looked bewildered, her jaw dropping. "I can't believe she did this to me."

"Why can't you believe it? Mia is always like this," Anna said, observing the sorrow appearing on her sister's face.

"It's hard for me, maybe because we've been together since kindergarten," Serena replied in a low tone. "You should've told me earlier," she pouted.

Anna pressed her lips together as guilt washed over her. "I didn't want to hurt you," she said. "But then I thought you'd be hurt anyway if you found out later, so it's best to hurt earlier but less."

Serena felt a deep sadness growing inside her. Anna's words, though bitter, somehow explained the harsh reality. "I think you're my only true friend," Serena said, spreading her arms in an urge for a warm embrace.

"Of course, I am," Anna agreed, wrapping her arms around Serena as they hugged each other.

For the next few seconds, Anna patted Serena's back, knowing that she felt hurt and needed some comfort that only a sister could provide. "You okay?" she asked worriedly.

Serena nodded her head.

"Oh, wait, I had something to tell you," Serena said suddenly, detaching herself from Anna and tucking her hair behind her ears.

Anna felt curious. She already knew Serena had some spicy gossip about something in town that was none of their business, but she still prepared herself to hear everything with full focus.

"You know, two random people disappeared a few months ago," Serena began.

Anna nodded. "I saw the news on TV. Maybe an old man and a middle-aged woman," she guessed, doubting she was wrong.

"Yes! The police found one of the bodies," Serena revealed.

Anna gasped. "You mean the police found a dead body?"

Serena nodded. "Of course, a dead body."

Anna took a long breath, covering her mouth with her palms and widening her eyes. The news seemed quite shocking to her, as Noxland had been listed among the countries with the lowest crime rates. Indeed, the news about a dead body being discovered, that of a disappeared woman, was a serious matter.

"What happened to her?" Anna asked curiously.

"Yuna told me the woman was her aunt, and the police found her in the forest after a month. They claimed a wild animal attacked her," Serena explained.

Silence filled the room, deep and intense. "Why would a wild animal attack a woman? That's never happened before," Anna said, narrowing her gaze and thinking for a moment.

"That's the question," Serena agreed. "The woman's husband claimed the police are hiding something," she said.

"It could be something serious, or maybe not. Maybe it's just a hostility," Anna said in a cold tone.

"And what if it's not?" Serena said, looking more serious than usual. "Isn't it scary? A random animal appeared in our town and attacked a woman?"

Anna exhaled a long breath. "You're worried about the situation because you're scared of Mom's lockdown," she assumed.

Serena nodded with a heavy sigh. "Of course, I am," she replied. "You know how serious Mom is when it comes to our protection," she said. "Last time a girl ran away from her house, and Mom asked Kevin to keep an eye on us," she said, gritting her teeth. "It was annoying."

Kevin, the eldest of the Kim siblings, always acted possessively when it came to family protection. Though Serena often found his constant presence annoying, he continued to follow both of his sisters everywhere. Anna felt less bothered; she had no objections at all.

Anna softly chuckled. "Kevin can be annoying sometimes, but you know he cares about us a lot," she defended, knowing the reason for her brother's obsession with his family.

Anna and Kevin lost their mother at a very young age, even before they could fully understand the meaning of death. Kevin was five at the time, and Anna was merely a newborn. It was a car accident, but it certainly devastated the Kim family until David Kim married another woman for his kids.

Jennifer proved herself to be a kind stepmother. "I'm going to be a good mother, but I'm not replacing your mom... so don't worry," she clarified to Kevin on the first day of her arrival.

Ever since then, Kevin respected his stepmother, and Anna also accepted her. After a year, when Serena was born, the family finally felt whole again. But to pay her respects, Jennifer never let anyone forget Mary, Anna's biological mother.

"You're thinking way too far, Serena," Anna comforted, patting Serena's shoulder. "Nothing's going to happen, so for now, go get freshened up and get some sleep. Mom and Dad will be late tonight," she said.

Serena pouted, stood up, and made her way out of Anna's room. Anna lay back on the bed, pushed her glasses up, and flipped to the next page. Just as Anna began to read again, a faint, haunting hymn echoed from far away, near the sea.

Anna suddenly stopped, stood up quickly, and rushed toward the window. She had never heard anything like this before, yet it seemed oddly familiar. The voice sounded sweet as honey, as intoxicating as aged wine, as if it was calling for her, with words that melted her heart like snowflakes. It awakened something within her, a strange urge to listen more and more.

Anna closed her eyes, breathed deeply, and let the moonlight caress her face as she pondered over the hymn.

"I rise from the depths, where the cold winds cry,

The ocean’s pain runs deep, like the scars in my soul.

You took what was mine, left me broken to die,

But now I return, and the tides take their toll.

The waves whisper your name, they remember your sin,

The water remembers the tears that I shed.

I’ll pull you below, where the darkness begins,

And drown you in sorrow, just like you left me for dead.

I feel the storm rising, it burns in my chest,

The anger, the heartbreak, the fire in my veins.

You thought I was gone, but I’ll give you no rest,

The sea will avenge you, and wash away your stains.

I sing for the pain, for the love that you stole,

For the trust that you shattered, for the lies that you told.

The ocean will answer, it swallows you whole,

And I’ll watch as the water turns bitter and cold.

So hear my voice now, as it echoes through the night,

A song of revenge, of the hurt you caused me.

The waves will reclaim you, they’ll drag you from light,

And I’ll finally be free, as you sink in the sea."

Officer Ryan Lee pulled his car to the side of the lonely highway, stretching between the dense forest. He stepped out of his car, listening to the morning melody as birds chirped in the tall canopy trees. His piercing gaze scanned the surroundings thoroughly.

The quiet neighborhood had suddenly become a valley of death. Over the past two months, Ryan had received a second call from locals reporting a dead body.

The people in this area were from working-class families, making their living by cutting wood and selling it in the market. For the locals who had grown up in this neighborhood, the forest was like a second home. However, the sudden series of events had left them deeply shaken.

Officer Ryan took charge of the missing persons case, a man in his late twenties, determined to solve this murder mystery as soon as possible. Besides him, Officer David Kim was also trying to solve this puzzle, but they had certainly failed to find a logical explanation for the sudden disappearances.

Though only two individuals had disappeared, the discovery of one—a woman found dead in the same forest—and the ongoing mystery surrounding the other were enough to send shockwaves through the media. These chilling details sparked chaos, leading to relentless and sensationalized reports.

Ryan took a slow breath, allowing the morning breeze to fill his lungs. The early sunlight cast a faint shadow on the ground. The forest seemed peaceful, yet Ryan felt an unsettling tension.

He adjusted his jacket and walked toward the woman standing a few meters away from him. Her wrinkled face was contorted with age and sorrow. The woman looked petrified, as if she had seen a ghost.

Ryan stood in front of her.

"Officer Ryan Lee," he said in a calm voice, flashing his badge and ID card. "Are you the one who called us?"

The woman looked at him, her eyes red from crying. "Yes," she answered in a trembling voice. "I'm the one who called you and informed you about the dead body."

Ryan stiffened his shoulders, preparing himself for the worst. *"Could it be the man who disappeared?"* he wondered. "If you don't mind, could you lead me there?" he asked in a firm tone.

The woman nodded in agreement, fear visible on her face, and then she began to walk deeper into the forest. They moved in silence for the next twenty minutes, gradually climbing down the hill. Eventually, the woman came to a halt in front of a pile of dried leaves.

"There it is," she said, pointing her finger. "The dead body."

Ryan stepped closer in the direction the woman had pointed. He struggled to organize his thoughts as he crouched down, grabbed a tree branch, and pushed the pile of leaves aside. When he moved the last of the leaves, he froze. His heartbeat quickened, and his eyes locked onto the body.

It was the same old man who had disappeared a month ago. Now, he lay lifeless, his skin pale and his clothes torn, as if sharp claws had ripped through them. The body had been there for about a month, and the smell of rotting blood filled the air. Deep scratches ran across the man's chest, the flesh torn apart as if an animal had attacked him.

The most shocking part was the hole in his chest where his heart should have been, as if something had ripped it out. The old man had died in the same way the woman had. Ryan was now certain that both cases were connected.

\_

"Your dad won't be home for the next few days. He's solving a case, and y'all know how he is. So be careful, and don't stay out for too long," Jennifer said as she spread butter on her toast.

She worked at a local newspaper company. David's job wasn't enough to support the family of five, so Jennifer had to step out and work.

"Is Dad working on the missing people case?" Anna asked curiously, sipping her coffee. After listening to the melodic hymn of an unknown boy, she had peacefully fallen asleep, and now she had to drink coffee to wake herself up.

Kevin paid no attention, keeping himself busy on his phone, his fingers typing aggressively on the screen.

"Kevin," Jennifer called.

"Yes, Mom?" Kevin looked up at his mother's face, knowing that she was about to give him another task.

"You're the oldest among all, so take care of the girls when I'm not home," Jennifer commanded.

Kevin placed his phone on the table, as he considered his family his first priority. "Your order is my wish," he said in a growling voice, making a salute gesture with his hands.

Jennifer chuckled softly, feeling at ease. Anna appreciated her stepmother's concern deeply, recognizing that not everyone had the good fortune to have such a loving and supportive mother in their life, someone who made everything feel so much easier.

Serena, as usual, felt a wave of anger wash over her. She slammed her glass of orange juice on the table and stood up. "Stop treating us like babies," Serena yelled. "Mom, we're not kids anymore, so Kevin doesn't need to keep an eye on us."

Jennifer huffed in anger. "Nobody is treating you like a kid, so don't be dramatic," she replied sharply. "Someone needs to take care of you when David and I aren't home."

"But, Mom," Serena protested.

"Discussion over," Jennifer replied.

Serena felt defeated. Without saying anything further, she stomped out of the dining room.

"When will she grow up?" Jennifer muttered.

"She will eventually," Anna replied, pressing Jennifer's hand softly.

"I'm done... leaving for work," Kevin said, leaving the dining room as well.

Anna sat at the table, absentmindedly twirling her spoon between her fingers. Kevin had his shift at the convenience store, and Serena was busy planning lunch with her friends, Mia and Yuna. But Anna? She had nothing to do.

The emptiness of the day stretched out before her, and she sighed, staring at the faint reflection of her face in the polished spoon. Her thoughts wandered, and she couldn’t help but feel a pang of restlessness, wishing for something—anything—to fill the hours ahead.

Jennifer noticed the boredom on Anna's face. She knew Anna would never ask for anything unless someone offered help.

"Anyway, summer break is over, and college starts next week. Do you or Serena need anything?" Jennifer asked excitedly.

"Serena went out shopping last week, and she bought me some stuff, so nothing is required," Anna replied, yawning lazily.

"You should go out too," Jennifer said calmly. She stood up after finishing her breakfast and began to clean the table. "I'm not judging you or forcing you to do anything, but still, you should make friends."

"I know you're worried about me, Mom," Anna began to speak. She barely ever opened up, but when her emotions overwhelmed her, Anna always failed to keep them in check. "I don't know... sometimes I feel strange, like I don't belong here, like I'm not who I am right now but someone else," she continued, helping her mother clean the table.

Jennifer stopped cleaning for a moment and looked at Anna with concern. She placed a hand on Anna's shoulder and spoke gently but firmly.

"Anna, I understand how you feel. It's normal to have these thoughts sometimes, especially when you're young and trying to figure out who you are. But remember, you do belong here. You're my daughter, and this is your home. If you ever feel lost or confused, talk to me or David. We're here for you. And don't be afraid to step out, make friends, and explore new things. Life is about discovering yourself, and you don't have to do it alone. We’ll always support you, no matter what."

She gave Anna a warm smile and squeezed her shoulder reassuringly before continuing to clean the table.

Anna smiled, her eyes twinkling as she wrapped her arms around her mother's neck and embraced her tightly. "I love you, Mom," she said.

"I love you too, sweetheart," Jennifer replied, patting Anna's back.