Amy cannot sleep or focus on the tournament. She can't. With all these mermen surrounding them, she has to protect everyone. The noise cancelling headphones are working well and none of the groans and moans are having any effect anymore but Blake says to keep them on until morning or when they leave their territory. Luckily, they can still communicate even with the headphones on.
She began noticing the melancholy look on everyone's faces and curiously approach Professor Wyatt.
"Why the long faces, Professor?"
"Oh, it's just that the mermaids brought some unpleasant memories, that's all."
Mermaids invoke memories of lost or unrequited love through their songs. The lull gives them the illusion of a non-existing happier memory and it's making everyone depressed.
I can't even blame them.
Amy peeked below to check if the mermen are still there and holy cow, they are still there in large numbers. Even after getting away from them, they are still at their territory?
Damn it! It's not like they have a sign put up or physical borders. Just how far do they have to go? she thought as she went down.
Lisa sighs as she lovingly stares at the mermen from the small window down below. Just how badly does she want a romance of her own?
"C'mon, get back to work. None of these guys can make you happy." Amy pats her back and close the curtain.
"You really are unaffected by them. You never fell in love before?"
"People have different beliefs about love. Mine are subjective. I don't fall for people who I know will not provide for me or bring no value."
"You're quite cruel to yourself, Amy. Do you not believe in love?" Lisa says horrified by her response.
"I believe in platonic love or one that is born from practicality. I just don't believe in romantic love being everlasting, unconditional or magical. Love that burns passionately can die just as quickly until there is nothing left. It can just be easily forgotten, and factors can ruin a relationship. To me, romance is more of an experience. It is something to learn more than to enjoy. What's truly cruel is believing in love blindly."
Issac came over with short breath, interrupting their conversation, "The mermen are climbing up the ship!"
"Wait, I'm sorry. Climb?" Amy says incredulously.
"Grab your weapons. We need to get you out of here."
Everyone ran up and jaws nearly dropped at what they saw.
Before Amy could react, Issac covered her eyes. As the youngest on the ship, Issac's actions are not surprising.
"Oh my god! They're all naked."
The mermen grew legs and are not wearing anything underneath. It seems that they finally got impatient and decide to climb up the ship. Amy's eyes peer towards Lisa, who is blushing but secretly enjoying it, her eyes peek past her fingers. She's enjoying this. Amy thought sardonically.
Before Issac closed her eyes, she did have a brief glimpse. There is one key difference when comparing them to humans, even with human legs. They basically remind her of marble male statues from her original world.
That's wild. Amy mentally thought. But I guess that makes sense.
"Everyone is fighting them and throwing them back overboard. We need to get you away." Issac says with his hands still over her eyes.
Seemingly taking advantage of their lack of shame, they attacked Issac who is still covering her eyes. "This might take awhile so run down the cellar."
Amy grabbed Lisa's hand and ran to the cellar, avoiding the mermen.
"Pull yourself together! This is not the time to stare!" Amy yelled.
"Are you not embarrassed?" Lisa says with bated breath as Amy locked the door.
Amy looked to see Manny and Kate hiding as well. Good.
"It's embarrassing sure but, we're all in possible danger here. I'm more worried about the ship being raided by-"
Then there are sounds of groans and moans again.
"Dammit, I gotta go help them."
Amy grabbed the only non-lethal weapon she could have, unlocked the door and head out with an angry expression.
"You are seriously pissing me off. After hours of chasing, you crossed a line." Her shadow then elongated before it turned into large hands. Two days in that underground dungeon has taught her their shadow technique, "So you either jump overboard or I'll make you."
*
Alabaster struggled not to laugh while watching the tournament. It is getting hard to focus on the fights and Boris is more interested in mermaid biology to even find the situation utterly hilarious like he did.
"That is quite unfortunate for her to be put into this situation, and you have the gall to laugh out loud?" Boris scolded Alabaster.
"She's a grown woman."
"And it is still a traumatizing experience. Having the mind of an adult doesn't mean unfazed. Now," Boris says in a loud voice, "Focus on the damn tournament like you're supposed to!"
*
"So that's what happened." Theseus explained to Rufus just before the semi-finals.
"She doesn't believe he's the one. Then who is?"
Theseus shook his head, "Don't know. The connection broke off before she could tell me. Come to think of it, she might be in a bit of trouble right now so it would take some time for us to wait until we can communicate again."
A look of frustration bloomed in Rufus's expression. Selim isn't the one who would kill Leon?
"We have to get Leon out of the game. I don't care how, but he has to drop out."
Theseus has a look of guilt on his face, "There is something you should know. Leon has been planning something for a while and only Nate knows what it is. He's been trying to stop him but apparently failed."
"Plans?" Rufus forgot. He was so busy and occupied with the investigation that he forgot about Leon's plan.
"What the heck is Leon planning? He's been so damn confident for a while that I am not sure whether or not to trust his judgement."
"I don't know how exactly but he's cheating in the tournament."
"Cheating? Leon is cheating?" he says in disbelief.
Leon is not the type to cheat. He might be a troublemaker, but he is always confident in his own ability, so this is hard to believe.
But also, that would explain some things that seem out of hand during the tournament, Leon's speedy win through the obstacle course and also the headband question trial. But the area is also cheat-proof. What exactly did he use to cheat?
Rufus heard his name being called and left the room, fuming. He will need to talk to him as soon as his match ends.