Chapter 38
Racing to Conclusions
Back in Oceanus swimming across the realm, Haruto, Meredith, and Ernest continued on their quest to help Haruto gain enough loyalty to be sworn to him. He spoke eloquently to several towns and villages in each of the districts which helped tremendously in persuading his people. However, it was only the beginning for Haruto as he would soon find out not everybody wished to believe nor submit to his rule.
"Natives of Oceanus, my name is Haruto Okamoto, I am the reincarnation of Scirocco, Prince of Wind and Change, advisor to the Coronum Reginae Cirra of Atlantica. I've come to restore peace in the realm of Oceanus." As he spoke regally, the mer chattered with one another in disbelief. "In order for this to take precedence, neighboring villages must come together to vote one mer to be a representative to the district. And furthermore, these mer laws will take place effective immediately. I also offer job positions as peace keepers. I understand currency is not stable at this time, and I am willing to offer other means of payment."
"You're nothing but a fraud! Scirocco has been dead for centuries!" A maiden cried out. Haruto just glared at her showing no malice or spite towards her words. "Suck on this, peace maker!" Another mer chucked a rock at him. As the rock flew, Haruto whistled and a water spout hurled at the rock driving it into another direction. He whistled some more bringing the water to restrain the rebels' hands that had rocks in their possession.
"Impossible," Another mermaid gasped. "I understand you are all scared, but mark my words, these raids, and the feeling where you can't help but sleep with one eye open at night will come to an end. I don't want you all to fear me because I have these powers. I don't want to use these powers to control you all. My vision for Oceanus is to bring back for what it was known for – as the realm of Peace and Prosperity. I know trusting what I say is easier said than done, but let me prove to you all that everything I say is true." Haruto concluded his speech to the scared mer as he released the ones with weapons from his aquatic bindings. They all dropped them simultaneously as they were free.
One merman slowly kneeled down in front of Haruto, and the rest followed suit. Meredith and Ernest stood there silently watching from the sidelines in amazement on how Haruto handled the situation with one of the group of villagers. He casually explained the mer that they reside in the Hesperian region, and they will need to collaborate with one another with names for the districts they reside in. Later on, everyone complied with his further instructions to them.
As the campaign to the Hesperian region came to a closing success despite a rocky start, Haruto, Meredith, and Ernest celebrate by dining at a nearby tavern. They paid their meals and drinks with silver and went on their way. "I can't believe it's been so long since I've had a meal I've grown up on." Ernest added on taking in the flavors of the delicacies they enjoyed. "Yes, I'd say it's been awhile for all of us," Haruto replied pausing for a brief moment looking at Meredith. "Are you feeling okay?"
"Did that drink have any fermentation?" Meredith asked holding her head. "No, it shouldn't why..." Ernest paused feeling a wave of dizziness hitting him. Haruto coughed unable to finish his thoughts, "You don't think maybe..." Meredith then collapsed on a bedded rocky hill. Ernest followed suit drifting unconscious. Haruto cursed at himself figuring the drinks were spiked but not knowing whether or not if it was lethal.
Haruto kneeled digging his nails into the rocky surface looking around. Before he blacked out, he saw four mer not able to determine if they were maidens or men. He then later deducted they were being followed and drugged so they could be kidnapped with ease.
Some time had passed and Haruto slowly began to wake up finding he was inside a dark, closed up room with a window too small to escape out of. He began listening into the mers' conversation as he began to come to. "Do you think the maiden's dead?" "Nah, he said it'll keep her out for a lot longer, maiden said she needs to stay unconscious no matter what. From the description she gave us, gods know what she's capable once she wakes up."
"What about the rest? Will they be a problem?" the merman asked "The boy? No, the other guy? Can't say for certain, but he won't be able to get out of these restraints though if he does cause trouble." The mermaid said. They both noticed Haruto waking up.
"Oh, look who decided to grace us with their conscious presence," The mermaid mocked. "What did you do to Meredith?!" Haruto shouted. "She got the same sedative you guys had only a higher dosage," The merman smirked mischievously. "If you're so keen on keeping her unconscious, why didn't you kill her?" Haruto rebuked. "We have orders on keeping you alive, plus our client gave us a little insight that even if we wanted to kill you, it'd be nearly impossible to accomplish. The boy however, we can do whatever," The mermaid taunted as she held a knife against Ernest's neck.
"You're not going to touch him!" Haruto shouted as he tried to break from the chains he was bounded by. "Alright, that's enough, you two, we have other orders that need to be carried out, now scram!" The merman ordered the two out of the room. This merman had piercings around one of his eyebrows with his brown hair slicked back.
"Who the hell are you?" Haruto asked hastily. "Now is this the so-called Prince that promotes pacifism? Seems to me you're too hostile to fit the description." The merman said coolly. "What do you want with us? Why are you keeping us holed up in here?" Haruto asked.
"Oh, it's nothing personal I'll assure you, but we have a client that wants you out of sight for a long while." "Who then? Is it Allura? I heard one of your lackeys said your client was a female." "Hmm, look who really knows how to eavesdrop on our little conversations. We'll give you that one hint since it was given to you, unbeknownst you'd listen. But I think it'd be more entertaining watching you struggle to find out who it is." "I don't need to ask you any further, I know Allura hired you. But I do want to know one thing though, why? Why lock us up? Why not kill us? What plan does your 'client' have by keeping us alive?" Haruto asked.
"Hmm, I don't know whether or not I should tell you. Mostly for my own amusement by reacting to the news of what they plan on doing in Atlantica – especially with the Coronum Reginae..." The merman went on. "Amelia!" Haruto thrashed knowing she was in danger. "Oh, her name is Amelia, isn't it? Are we getting a little too cozy with the Queen?" He chuckled. "Oh, how amusing, now I really will tell you know what our little group is up to."
"She will declare war on Oceanus." The merman said with delight. "She won't without proof or justifiable cause. She won't fall for rumors especially from the likes of you!" Haruto snarled. "Oh, we know, which is why there will be 'sources' that will convince her otherwise." "She won't buy it, she knows better." "Why? Because you know her? Because you adore her? The queen that you will never have because she is in love with a disgusting terra boy." He said stroking Haruto's jawline.
"Haruto..." Ernest cries out softly. As Haruto broke his attention off of the intimidating merman, another few of the man's lackeys came in the room. "It's been sent out, should arrive in Atlantica's Aula by the next high tide." One of the lackeys spoke up. "And so it begins, dispose the boy," The merman ordered. Haruto then whistled up little spears of water and wind tussling everyone in the room out of rage. It was enough to have Meredith awaken for a bit. From the corner of his eye, he looked out at the window and saw a shark swimming at a distance.
The merman cursed at Haruto and continued to get near Ernest. As he tried to unlock his restraints, Haruto bit in the mer's arm to the point where he broke his skin drawing out blood. The merman writhed in pain for a second and slapped Haruto's face hard leaving a mark. "I'll deal with you once we kill him." He said as he pointed his finger at him. Then, Haruto quietly blew the blood trail outside the window trying to get it in the direction of the shark. "What are you whistling now, Prince Charming?" The mermaid asked getting in Haruto's face.
Unexpectedly, the walls made of rock came crashing down. Haruto's plan to lure the hungry shark worked. However, he was ravenously eating away anything in its path creating a warzone in which the three were stuck in the middle of. Meredith woke up hearing the cries of the dying mer meeting their fate. Understanding what was going on, Meredith called out to the shark trying to settle him down.
However, the shark was still in a frenzy from smelling fresh blood. She broke free from the chains and held on the shark. She drove the shark out of what was left of the room to get him to open water. The shark calmed after getting out of the small area where he killed most of the group holding Meredith, Haruto, and Ernest hostage. "It's okay, you saved me. It's all over now." She said comforting the shark that was escorting her before. He nuzzled her making sure she was okay and not harmed by her.
Still trying to shake off the effects of the sedative, Meredith swam back to check on Haruto and Ernest. She broke off the chains off of them one by one while they were still groggy. Then she turned to Haruto scolding him, "Have you lost your freaking mind?! You could've gotten yourselves killed luring a shark in closed quarters like that!"
"How did you know it was me luring the shark and not the shark coming at is own free will?" Haruto asked. Meredith glared at him silently. "Okay, I was panicking. I didn't have that many options since you were out. They're trying to pin a war on Oceanus, Mere. Allura hired them to hold us out of the way while they were planting false evidence that we were doing treason. We have to go warn Amelia and stop this before it is too late!"
"By luring a shark that you don't know I probably have claimed already?" Meredith scowled at him. "I'm sorry! But we don't have time to argue. We gotta get a move on, now!" Haruto pleaded. "Have you tried calling out to her?" Meredith asked. "I've tried but she's not answering, that's why I'm worried. What if Allura has her hostage too?"
"No, Allura wouldn't do that, she'd keep it inconspicuous. Plus, she knows Amelia's more powerful than her." "Are you certain about that? She's been dealing with blood magicians to amp up her power, she could trump Amelia if she wanted to."
"That's not how she works from all the times I've known her. But you're right, we can't waste any more time here in Oceanus. We have to go, find Lynae, and come up with a strategy in catching her."
Meredith then instructed Haruto to grab Ernest, and they all hopped on Meredith's claimed shark making their way out to Atlantica.
Back in Atlantica, Amelia swam hurriedly through the currents along with Rimulus by her side. "I want you to suspend my schedule until further notice. And I want you to blockade the Archives. No mer in or out – no exceptions. Round up the guards to keep watch over the place and keep the Aula on lockdown. Same concept, no mer in or out, understand?"
"Yes, my lady, where would you want me? Standing watch over the Aula or the Archives?" Rimulus asked. "Go in rotating shifts – take this to the captain of the guards to let him know only you are immune to the lockdown. This has been signed and sealed with whatever I could find." Amelia instructed as she handed him an order scribbled in squid ink. "Yes, my lady," Rimulus responded. "And, Rimulus?"
"Yes?" "Make sure you are getting well fed and rested in between shifts. I can't afford to lose you over fatigue. You'll know if something goes wrong." Amelia said with concern. Rimulus nodded as he summoned two guards to make their way to the Archives to keep watch. "Two guards are being deployed your way, Your Highness." Rimulus responded. "Very good, that is all I will need of you." Amelia dismissed him as she entered into the Archives belonging to the realm of Atlantic.
Rimulus swam swiftly to the palace and called upon the captain of the guards for his presence. He gave the order as instructed, and the captain of the guard saluted acknowledging the order Amelia had placed.
Out in open waters, Lynae was basking in the sunlight that was beaming through the ocean waters. She has been doing this since Meredith and Haruto went on their quest to find more clues about the mysterious bodies showing up. She drew out her voice singing in a pungent pitch drowning herself in the sweet erotica of hearing her own song mesh along the currents drawing it out.
From a distance, she could hear a commotion feet away from where she was. Instinctively she swam closer and hid behind some large rocks. Ahead of her, she saw guards surrounding the Aula hassling some drifters at the gate. She listened attentively to their conversations.
"This needs to be delivered to Coronum Reginae." An unfamiliar looking mer stated. "No mer in or out by order of Coronum Reginae, now scram!" The guard barked. "I don't need to get in, I just need this to get to the Coronum Reginae. The fate of Atlantica rests in this parcel. Sensitive evidence is in here about a possible coup."
Lynae's eyes widened as she heard that word. The guards looked at one another thinking whether or not to accept or deny the parcel. Then one of the guards spoke up.
"We will hold the parcel until Coronum Reginae returns from her travels."
"Will you be sure it will get to her?" The merman asked inquisitively. "We will inspect the parcel thoroughly, and if the parcel you say is only for informative purposes directed to Coronum Reginae, we will ensure its safe keeping until she returns."
"That's all I ask, thank you," The merman said graciously as he handed the package over to one of the guards. As he started leaving the Aula, Lynae turned her back to the rock looking shocked over what she had just heard.
"I got to find Rimulus, but if he's not in there, where could he have gone? And where did Mia go?" Lynae then attempted telepathy with Amelia. She tried to gain her attention, but she heard no response from her. She tried once more to get her attention, but once again, there was no response. She panicked for a second until she tried telepathy with Rimulus who technically was given a small portion of Amelia's power. No response was given from Rimulus either.
"Figures, nothing is ever easy." Lynae said under her breath. Lynae then thought to herself once more, "She couldn't have gone far. Last I saw her travelling, she was going South towards Atlantica's capital, and Basilea is rather large." Then she knew where she needed to go. She headed South to Basilea in search for either Amelia or Rimulus.
At a tavern in the heart of Basilea, Keanu was sitting at a table near a window drinking his fermented drink. As he gazed out the window, he heard some mermen talking. "Haven't you heard? Coronum Reginae has locked down the Aula. Even the guards are keeping everyone inside locked in. No one in or out." A merman spoke. "Probably a terroristic threat they received and are keeping the queen on lockdown." The tavern owner said. "If she's on lockdown, then why is the Archives sealed away from the public?" Another merman asked. "You're kidding, why is she locking away the Archives?" The tavern owner asked. "I hear she's been there for days cooped up in there." The merman responded. "If she loves the Archives so much, why don't she move in there?" The other merman joked.
Keanu grew concerned at what they were saying. Then he jumped in the conversation. "The queen, you said she's been in there for days?" Keanu asked. "Aye, a buddy of mine saw the Royal guard escorting her into the Archives, and that was a few high tides ago."
Keanu let out a small noise escaping from his throat, then slammed a copper on the bar before he swam out of the tavern. He swam upward to get a better view of the Archives at a distance. From where he could see, the mermen in the tavern were right. Guards were surrounding the only entrance to the Archives not letting anyone in or out. "What are you up to, kid?" Keanu spoke out his thoughts.
After hours of searching the city, Lynae ran out of steam. She searched every tavern, inn, farms, markets, and even the work smith shops. She grew in frustration as she sat on a mountain of rock. "Ugh, Amelia, where would you be? Where is the one place you would go other than the Aula?"
She closed her eyes randomly reminiscing her first encounter with Amelia back in Oahu.
"Hey"
"Hey"
"What are you reading?"
"Porn..."
"It's a mystery novel trying to figure out about mysterious disappearances of numerous of people that go on this beach at night. Do you really think that Mr. Cadet down there would dare let me read something so degrading as that?"
"Oh, ha, right. So... any more on that story that you're reading?"
"The detective claims that there is a serial killer on the loose making it seem like it's cursed to give him a scapegoat to keep his killing spree going. A conspiracy theorist argues that a serial killer would target a certain group of people like males, females, children, race, some that he personally knows... Whereas, these people are disappearing left and right and it does not discriminate on who they are."
"Got any recommendations? I've been kind of burnt out on the books I have, and I could really go for some fresh stories."
"Cute, how many did you have? Five?"
"Fifty-seven actually and two thirds of them have been read twice already."
"So...you're like a super bookworm then?
"I guess, haha. I don't really go out much because, well, medical reasons, so books have been the only thing that's kept me out of the boredom."
Then Lynae suddenly opened her eyes really wide realizing where she was. "The Archives!" She then rose up and swam as fast as she could in that direction. As she was swimming from the side of the Archives, she felt a tight pull on her arm, and she was yanked backwards. A hand covered her mouth. She got a better look at the person who pulled her back, and it was Keanu holding his index finger close to his lips. She wrangled in his tight grasp confused and frustrated as to why he didn't let her get near the Archives building.
Through the screaming muffles coming from her, "You and that girl are like two peas in a pod, I swear." Keanu muttered. Lynae ceased her thrashing by starting to catch her breath. "Are you done?" She gave a low growl in response. He let his hand go from her mouth as she began speaking. "What...are you...doing here?" Lynae gasped.
"Not the same reason you're here. The city folk has been talking about her lingering stay at the Archives. I had to see for myself." "And for what reason? You don't have a reason to be here." Lynae snapped. "And you do?" Keanu snidely commented. "Yes, I do."
"Whatever your reason is, you won't be able to get past these guards." Keanu pointed out. "Wanna bet?" Lynae said as she held out her hand summoning her ice powers. "Without pissing off your friend's crew..." Keanu explained while pushing her hand down. "Cousin," Lynae corrected him. "That explains it. Do you really want to cause a scene over what you want to tell her that is oh, so important? Have you tried connecting to her another way?" Keanu asked while pointing towards his head. "I tried, but she keeps shutting me out!"
"The only thing we can do now is wait." He said glancing at the heavily guarded Archives building.
Inside the Archives, books were flying off shelves, moving across the water, and other books were being placed back where they were once before. Scrolls were scattered among most of the tables inside with Amelia pacing with a book in her hands as she read carefully its Latin derived text.
"Okay, first conquest by King Pontius accompanied by son Lachlan was in 891 A.D. to gain South Atlantica claimed by the Caprice tribe. Lachlan would at the time be eleven years old...making Cirra fourteen...Scirocco nine....and the twins three years old." She continued to mutter along as she read through each book and scroll she came across as if she was trying to fit one giant puzzle together.
"Cirra was betrothed to Naji since she was eleven....Lachlan married in 897 to Lady Giulia of what is now known to be of House Azores... the union brought three children.... Cirra and Lachlan died in 919. Remaining siblings along with Lachlan's wife and children were executed. Ember's execution was drawn out due to the nature of her element. Only noble to be beheaded whilst everyone else... oh god. That's enough chronology of the family for now." Amelia concluded as she set the book down taking in a deep breath.
"None of this is telling me any history with human interaction other than that stupid maiden tale. The subject surely couldn't be too taboo to be recorded." Amelia then swam to the other side of the Archives finding more books to be read. She then discovered some books having the word terra in the titles. She read on some more skimming through trying to find what she could on the relations between the mer and the terra. "Sailors... yawn... Columbus...bah...didn't take Marco Polo as a greedy man." Amelia blurted out guessing who these people were in the books by the year and the location.
She continued furiously skimming books and scrolls, but found nothing to satisfy the worries over her recent visions. This continued on for four more hours. She then got to the point where she chucked the books out of frustrations hitting a narrow hallway. She followed in the direction of the hallway finding boards closing off an entrance. She used her powers to pry the boards off the entryway. As she entered inside, a strong pulsating sensation came to her chest.
She began shaking as she came further down the dark room. As she brought a light in to see what is in the room, she noticed there were some items that were hidden away dating back centuries. She then began thinking in her thoughts, "Why do I feel so anxious every inch I swim towards this dark corridor? And why do I feel like I cannot control my breathing?" She continued forward struggling to pass through the hallway with these uneasy feelings she's having.
The hallway was coming to a dead end, and what she found was shocking. "THIS is why I'm feeling this way? Over some stupid items?!" She then stopped to speak out loud to herself. "Wait, if this was all that was in the hallway, why was it sealed shut?" She aimed her focus on what looked to be a compass that was rusted over centuries. "That compass...what are you hiding?" She slowly stretched out her hand ignoring the growing pain and pulses running through her chest. As soon as her fingertips brushed on the surface of the compass, she grasped it tightly feeling an intense, sharp pain coursing through her head.