"She seems nice." Octavia smiled.
"I'm glad you think so. I know this is all a little weird, and I'm still adjusting to it myself, but we are happy." Zack told Octavia with a smile.
"I can tell. You never looked like that around us." Octavia replied.
Zack walked up to Octavia pulling her close.
"I had happy moments there, and all of them involved you. You were one of the first people I could open up to again, and leaving wasn't easy." Zack told Octavia while caressing her cheek.
"I can understand why you left now, but it was hard to not take it personally at the time," Octavia replied.
"My presence was causing us both pain, but now things are different. I can appreciate the blessings placed in my life, and I won't take them for granted."Zack stated.
"Just so you know I'm staying," Octavia replied.
"I was hoping you would. Just keep aware of the children's presence okay? If you have any disputes you can use the arena, but make sure I'm around to mend any wounds."Zack smiled.
"I was never good at holding back," Octavia teased.
"I'm well aware, but you know I wasn't going all out back then," Zack smirked.
Octavia recalled his angelic form and was curious to see how sparring would go now.
"You remember when everyone was off getting drunk and that wave of abominations came swarming from the woods?" Zack asked.
"Of course that was the day I took interest in you. Most would've cowered or ran for backup, but you took action before I could. There was no one I trusted more to fight at my side than you." Octavia smiled.
The two spent time reminiscing about their time spent together in the guild. Once the water was ready Zack began preparing the lobster with the help of Octavia. She seemed uneasy about working with food but didn't dare walk away in fear of someone else showing up to help. Their alone time was ended when the children ran up to offer their help. Octavia watched them interact with Zack.
'Never thought he would be so good with kids.' Octavia smiled watching the scene unfold.
Octavia walked up to introduce herself to the children and was surprised to find they knew who she was. Zack told the children many stories of his adventures, and their favorite ones involved Octavia. They all began swarming around Octavia with eyes filled with admiration.
"Did you really win a challenge by yourself?"
"Can you teach me how to use a sword?"
"How many duels have you won against big bro?"
"I love your hair! Can you do it for me?"
Octavia was being overrun with questions, and her face went bright red. This was the most attention she ever received, and she didn't know how to respond. Seeing all the kids eagerly waiting for a reply she tried her best to answer. The entire time she answered their questions she spoke with such confidence, but Octavia's face and ears were bright red.
'Didn't know she was capable of blushing.' Zack chuckled.
Octavia looked over and saw him watching with a grin. Feeling Zack staring at her only made Octavia blush more and she began fading into the shadows.
"That was awesome!" Ashleigh shouted looking around for Octavia.
"See if you guys can find her," Zack told the children.
They all went searching in different directions, and once they were all out of sight Octavia appeared behind Zack. Octavia wrapped her arms around him to ensure he couldn't see her face.
"For now is it okay if we stay like this?" Octavia asked.
"Of course, but they will be back soon you know," Zack replied while turning around.
"If you told me what you were leaving to do I would've come with you." Octavia declared looking up at him.
"Vicente told me you didn't like being around children," Zack stated.
"I just get nervous around them that's all," Octava replied.
While the two were talking Mero was speeding up the waterways with a large group behind her. Every one of them was someone Mero could trust, and two of them were visiting Eden for the second time. Harvey was returning with his partner Laura, and they brought representatives from their city.
Speeding right next to Mero was ten mersharks who grew up in the same hunting grounds. They all wanted to pay their respects to Zack for bringing peace to their waters. Trailing at the back of the group was a small band of unagi joros.
They have long eel-like tails and the torso of a human. The top of their tail was black with a small grey fin that trailed down their back to the tip of the tail. They had cream-colored skin and flowing black hair. Their long bodies allowed them to more effortlessly through the water.
They are visiting Eden with the sole purpose of tasting the delicacies promised. They have tried numerous times to take one of the lobsters down, but their powerful shells made their electricity inefficient.
As they traveled towards Eden their leader Kim was confused about the channel they were using. They would often rotate between the rivers during the seasons but never seen this one before. Kim dashed forward catching up to Mero.
"Which river is this?" Kim asked as she looked up at Mero while swimming beneath her casually.
"It doesn't have a name yet, and was made by mate," Mero replied.
"It's impossible for a human to make something this large." Harvey declared.
"He's not human," Mero smirked.
As they neared the barrier to Eden Harvey, and Laura shot straight through. The others had to wait for Mero to grant them access. Security on the waterways wasn't taken lightly especially with the potential dangers lurking about. Once they entered under the wall of Eden they immediately notice the intricate housing built.
They observed Shiro sitting inside a house resembling a human's, but with half of it underwater. Shiro witnessed the visitors and walked out the side of her house through a barrier keeping the water at bay.
Looking around they notice the houses came in various sizes capable of fitting even the large form of the unagi joro. There were even buildings filled with water for those not capable of walking the land. They saw tunnels along the wall, and floor of the lake.
"There are waterways leading around to the important places in town with more to come," Shiro told those looking around in awe.
"We are also looking for new residents for anyone that's interested. All the houses here are empty besides Mero's, and ours." Fuuka stated before she darted up to the surface.
"They're waiting for us." Mero smiled at the guest before following behind Fuuka.