"I need a weapon and new clothes,"
I draw the symbol into Cosmo's palm, pulling away. The prince nods, as I continue, "we'll meet at the entrance of the cave and then go find your brother." The pond and the cave behind the waterfall had led to several waterways throughout the island, even to one directly to the palace, but were sealed off. Levithan's eyes dangled around my neck as I took a step back.
"12. This is dangerous, but..." Cosmo shifts in his place, before shaking his head and giving me a forced smile. "I'm puttin' a lot of faith into you." I smile and step into the pond walking around the edges and to the waterfall, giving one more glance at Cosmo before stepping through the rushing waters. A soft gasp left my lips from the chilly water drenching me. I shake it off, climbing into the cave. It was dark, a lot darker, my hands ran along the smooth wet walls of the cave, leading me deeper and deeper.
Growing colder and colder, until a flash of heat waves over me. I continued, careful to not slip and fall like I did last time. I continued until my feet felt the edge of the cave and the black pit that would lead me outward. Before jumping, I moved from the wall, letting out a deep breath.
I choked down a scream, holding my breath as I dropped into the warm water. My eyesight was blurry under the water. The eye glowed a bright green, giving me light. I swam downward. The vast water cave system defied the very law of physics. As I reached the end of the water and emerged from the place, I first met Maverick. My hands grab the ledge and haul myself on the platform. It was the same as before, the torch slightly dim, but still providing light. I caught my breath, before pushing off the platform and diving back into the water, and swimming further down.
I reached the cave pond floor, gravel and sand running through my fingers as I blindly searched, before landing on a long sharp piece of metal. I swam towards it, digging up the weapon. The name 'Kallin' is engraved in the sword, the gold handle reflecting against the green light of Leviathan's eye.
Kallin Maverick's enchanted sword. The same sword that took Levithan's eyes and belonged to the Pirate Captain Kallin, before he was murdered, and his sword became his son's. I push off from the cave floor, swimming back up onto the platform. Tossing the sword into the dry part of the cave, before pulling myself out.
Shaking the water from my hair and face, and picking up the sword, it was heavy and even buried in water for several 100 years, the sword was still pristine.
"Kallin. Thank you." My voice is a mere whisper, the enchantment on the sword was probably weaker. The mark on my left palm softly burned, my gaze moving from it to the sword. Placed the mark on the sword, running it along with the metal. It sizzled as bright purple words appeared along the metal. I could somewhat understand the sentence, it was an old language that Ventura made me memorize when I was young. As a punishment.
dellik eb ot evresed ,ronoh sih esoppo taht esoht nwod ekirts Ot
"To strike down those that oppose his honor, deserve to be killed," I say the words aloud as the phrase melts into the sword. I exhale, holding the sword tight in my dominant hand. Before continuing forward. The end of the cave should open and lead to a more extravagant and confusing system. That Cosmo explained to me in detail, but I don't remember.
My free hand runs along the wall, and I eventually get it open, revealing a dark pathway. I shudder at the cold and grab the torch, before I step through, walking through the damp hallway until the sound of rushing water becomes clear. I raise the torch higher, seeing five different rushing rivers, each leading in a different direction.
"...I should've paid better attention..." I murmur under my breath, faintly remembering that the furthest one would reach the beach. I place the torch down and attach the long sword to my back. I move to the furthest river, taking a deep breath before jumping it. The water pushed me down, forcing me into its fast-moving currents. I placed my hands over my mouth, a fresh breath of air filling my lungs. I breathed into my palms as I moved with the current.
It doesn't take tong long until I reach the end, nearly flung into the open ocean, disorienting me. I swim to what I assume is the surface and break the water, the sun bright and blindly for a second. I blindly swim wade the water, before gaining back my sense of direction and vision. I swim to the shore and crawl onto the empty beach.
The sword and eye were still attached to me, a sigh of relief leaving my lips. I had managed to beat Cosmo here. I walked further onto the beach, before finding a place to seat in the shade. My hands fiddled with the eye on my neck, before removing it from my neck. It looked smaller. Like the size of a quarter, when before it was the size of a base playing ball.
Consume.
It's like it whispers for me to eat it.
I almost obliged before the crashing of the sea made me look up, I exhaled and reattached the eye to my neck. Waiting a few more minutes in silence before Cosmo appeared, two swords attached to his side and a large bag over his shoulder.
"Took ya long enough," I say playfully, and Cosmo looks guilty.
"The island is on high alert, Forgive me." He places the bag down before glancing back up at me, his eyes landing on the sword on my back.
"Is that the..." I nod, removing the sword from my back and onto my lap. It was only a guess as to where the sword would be, but Maverick called the cave his home, so he must keep all his past important belongings there.
"It is just registering to me that this is happening. All this because of one person... It makes me a little sad." Cosmo sits on the sandy ground, removing the swords from his side. Cosmo was the eldest and next-to-be King, I believe that he is also the only one of his brothers that desire the position to make the nation better and not for power, though I have yet to meet the others besides Leo.
Who was demanding and spoiled.
"....Astrolia isn't going to disappear..."
Cosmo shakes his head at my words. "That is not what I fear." He hesitates for a moment before clearing his throat and taking my hands in his own. A few moments pass and he says nothing, before pulling my hands up to his face.
"...I have ill timing. I do not expect your answer."
The wind blows and I hold his face, cupping his cheek in my hands, leaning down, and placing a soft kiss on his forehead. "You are so kind. I will give you an answer after everything, but for now. We must go see Leo."
He sat waiting for me patiently, Maverick sitting in the plush purple seats of his study. Arms crossed as the door opened, the dragger latched to my thigh, my clothing new and clean. I scowl on my lips. Leo looked up from his book, motioning to the seat for me and Cosmo.
"It took you some time. I was worried you were dead."
"You sent Edwin to follow me."
Leo shrugs as I stand, refusing to seat, sparing a glance at Maverick. Cosmo crosses his arms, glaring at his brother. "I could not put my trust in you. You are a liability, 12. I have worked too hard to get in the position I'm in."
Leo stands and a different pair of hands roughly force me into my seat, a growl leaving Maverick's lips. Slapping the soldier's hands from my shoulders quickly. Leo turns and faces the large windows, staring down at the gardens. "Years of blood on my hands and an emotional father. An idiot for a brother."
"Emotional father?" Cosmo speaks up and Leo turns and faces him. "Our father has never been emotional."
Leo waves him off. "Your father hasn't. He's always been stubborn from an early age. Him and his pathetic wife. It's sad to see my once amazing bloodline go to ruins." It all clicks, and my eyes go wide. At first, I thought it was jealousy. Leo wanted the crown that Cosmo would soon have but it wasn't Cosmo, it was Kastro.
Edwin killed Kastro for Leo.
Even the royal family wasn't exempt from Maverick's curse. Helio fought tooth and nail for Maverick and the kingdom, ruled by emotions of frustration and sadness, to keep the kingdom together. Leo was one of the sons of Helio, who fell to Maverick's curse, and survived.
"I should thank you." I blink. Leo stares at me with a smile. "I have waited so long to not only get my hands on Maverick but if it was not for you. It would have taken years longer."
The catalyst.
Maverick clears his throat. "I have provided you all that you requested." Leo let out a dark chuckle turning around, back to us.
"Throw them into the dungeons. And kill those within the villa. Say they died in an accident." My gaze darts to Maverick and he does nothing but let the guards take him, I follow suit. Cosmo's mouth opens and closes before a frustrated sigh leaves his lips.
"I am more than glad you all complied."