Deep within the heart of the underwater kingdom, betrayal lurked in unexpected places. Nitish had been deceived not just by Lilly but by the very matriarch he had admired - Melurine herself. As he confronted Lilly about her deceit, Melurine stepped forward, revealing her own involvement in the treacherous plot.
"I'm sorry, Nitish," Melurine said, her voice laced with regret. "I too was deceived by Lilly's promises of power and prosperity. I believed she would be a worthy ruler, but I see now that she is driven by selfish ambitions."
Nitish felt a surge of disbelief and disappointment. "You too, Matriarch? I trusted you!"
Melurine lowered her gaze, unable to meet Nitish's accusing eyes. "I was desperate to see our kingdom thrive, and I believed Lilly could bring about that change. But I was wrong, and for that, I must take responsibility."
Lilly's smirk grew as she saw the realization dawn on Nitish. "You see, Nitish, power is everything," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "Even our beloved matriarch couldn't resist the temptation."
Nitish felt a mix of anger and sorrow as he looked at the two women who had once held his admiration. "You both let the thirst for power blind you," he said, his voice tinged with bitterness. "But I will not let your betrayal break me."
Lilly chuckled, her eyes gleaming with triumph. "Oh, you're right, Nitish. We won't break you. We'll simply throw you away."
With that, guards surrounded Nitish, their spears pointed at him. He was dragged away, away from the main hall and the throne that should have been his.
As he was thrown into the cold, dark dungeon, Nitish felt a deep sense of loss. He had fought so hard, endured so much, only to be betrayed by those he had trusted. He felt a crushing weight on his heart, the pain of a love that had turned to ashes.
In the darkness of the dungeon, Nitish's mind raced with thoughts of the past. Memories of his time on Earth, the people he had lost, the world he had left behind, all flooded his mind. But through it all, one thing remained clear - he would not let the betrayal define him.
In the days that followed, Nitish found solace in the darkness. He knew he couldn't stay imprisoned forever, and he began to devise a plan for his escape. He had to reclaim his throne, not just for himself, but for the merfolk who had once looked up to him as their savior.
In the aftermath of the betrayal, Nitish found himself imprisoned and subjected to relentless interrogations by the elders of the underwater kingdom. They were desperate to know the truth behind the elusive fruits and how many of them he possessed.
As Nitish sat in the dimly lit dungeon, he could hear the footsteps of the approaching elders. His heart pounded in his chest, torn between his desire to protect Lilly and his own life.
The elders surrounded him, their expressions stern and demanding. "Tell us, Nitish," one of them said, his voice cold and calculating. "How many fruits do you have hidden away?"
Nitish remained silent for a moment, gathering his thoughts. He knew that revealing the truth about the fruits would not only endanger him but also Lilly and the entire underwater kingdom.
"I don't have as many as you think," Nitish finally replied, choosing his words carefully. "They are not as plentiful as the rumors suggest."
The elders exchanged suspicious glances, clearly not convinced by his response. "You expect us to believe that?" another elder scoffed. "You, a common folk, possessing such rare and powerful fruits? It's preposterous!"
Nitish held his ground, maintaining his calm composure. "It is true that I possess some fruits," he admitted, "but their number is not as significant as you fear. I gathered them for a purpose, to protect our kingdom and its people."
The elders eyed him skeptically, their doubt evident. "And how do we know you speak the truth?" one of them challenged.
Nitish took a deep breath, realizing that he needed to show them proof. "I have one of the fruits with me," he said, reaching into his 3D space bag. He pulled out a small, glowing fruit and held it before them. "This is the source of my strength, the reason I stood on par with the beastmen."
The elders stared at the fruit, their curiosity piqued. "And how does it work?" one of them asked, intrigued by its power.
"Consuming this fruit grants immense energy and strength," Nitish explained. "But it must be used sparingly, for its potency can be overwhelming."
Another elder stepped forward, his eyes sharp with suspicion. "And how many of these fruits do you possess?"
Nitish hesitated, knowing that revealing the full truth could have dire consequences. "I have a limited number," he replied carefully. "They are not infinite, and I have been using them judiciously to protect our kingdom."
The elders continued to press him, their questions relentless.
However, unbeknownst to Nitish, the elders had their own plans in motion. They were not satisfied with his vague answers, and behind closed doors, they conspired to take drastic measures to uncover the truth.