The gentle rocking of the ship had become a familiar rhythm to Nereus, but his heart still longed for the sea. His days were spent in quiet observation, learning the human world through Victor's patient instruction.
Each day brought new words, new sounds, new gestures. But despite his growing understanding, there were deeper complexities—emotions, fears, desires—that he still struggled to grasp.
Victor's visits were becoming more frequent, and though his expression remained stoic, Nereus could sense an unspoken connection growing between them. The merman had seen glimpses of Victor's life, catching fragments of conversations when the door was ajar, or overhearing the sharp orders he gave his men.
He understood, vaguely, that Victor held power—an authority that others feared. But the man before him, the one who taught him to speak, who listened patiently to his halting words, felt like someone else entirely.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting golden rays over the ocean's surface, Victor arrived in the cabin, his expression unusually tense. He stood by the door, watching Nereus with an intensity that made the merman shift uneasily.Nereus tilted his head, sensing something was wrong.
"Victor?" His voice was softer now, more confident with each passing day.Victor stepped forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Nereus, do you trust me?"The question startled him. Trust. It was a word Victor had taught him, but its meaning went deeper than Nereus fully understood.
His wide, innocent eyes met Victor's, and though he didn't speak, his silence was answer enough.Victor let out a slow breath, sitting down across from him. "There are people coming for us—people who wouldn't hesitate to hurt you." His voice was calm but edged with something darker, a warning.Nereus frowned, struggling to comprehend.
"Hurt… me?" He had seen violence before, in the wild seas where predators roamed, but in this world, the threat felt different—sharper, colder.Victor nodded, his gaze unwavering.
"Yes. They don't understand you. They see you as… something to be used, to be exploited." His jaw clenched, and for the first time, Nereus saw a flicker of vulnerability in the man's cold demeanor."Why?" Nereus whispered, his heart heavy with confusion."Because power drives them," Victor replied, his voice low.
"And you, Nereus, are something they've never seen before. You're unique. And in their world, anything unique is a tool to control or destroy."Nereus looked down at his shimmering tail, the scales reflecting the dim light of the room. He felt out of place—an intruder in a world not his own. But in Victor's eyes, there was something that reassured him, something that told him he wasn't alone.Victor leaned forward, his voice softening.
"I won't let them hurt you. I've made enemies, dangerous ones. But I'll protect you. You have my word."
The sincerity in Victor's voice struck Nereus deeply. Though he barely understood the full weight of what Victor was offering, he could feel the gravity of the moment.
He reached out, placing a hand on Victor's arm—a gesture of trust, even if he didn't fully grasp its meaning.Victor's gaze flickered to the merman's hand, and for a moment, the cold, calculating mafia lord disappeared, replaced by a man who had buried his own emotions for far too long. He covered Nereus's hand with his own, a rare softness breaking through his hardened exterior.
"I've spent my life controlling everything around me," Victor admitted quietly. "People. Power. Fear. But you…" His voice trailed off as he searched for the right words. "You've reminded me of something I'd forgotten. Something I thought was lost."
Nereus tilted his head, his eyes filled with innocent curiosity. "What?"Victor's lips twitched into the faintest of smiles. "Wonder."Before Nereus could respond, the door to the cabin burst open. One of Victor's men rushed in, his face pale and frantic.
"Boss, we've got a problem. They're closing in. We need to move now."Victor's expression hardened in an instant, the softness from moments before vanishing. He stood, his grip tightening on Nereus's arm.
"Get the men ready. We're not letting them take this ship."The man nodded and hurried out, leaving Victor and Nereus alone once more. Nereus looked up at Victor, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and confusion.
"Who… they?" Nereus asked, his voice trembling.Victor's eyes darkened. "Enemies. They're after me, but if they find you, they'll take you too." He turned to the door, his voice clipped and commanding.
"We don't have much time. You need to stay close to me, no matter what happens. Understand?"Nereus nodded, his chest tightening. He didn't fully understand the danger, but he trusted Victor. Something about the man's presence, his resolve, made Nereus feel safe—even as the storm of uncertainty loomed around them.
Victor's hand rested on the hilt of the gun strapped to his side, his posture tense as he prepared to face whatever threat awaited them outside. Nereus felt a pang of fear—he had never seen Victor like this, so guarded, so ready for violence. The man who had been teaching him gentle words and showing him kindness was now a warrior, preparing for battle.
The ship's deck was eerily quiet as they emerged, the crew scurrying in preparation for the approaching danger. The air was thick with tension, and Nereus could feel it, like the electric charge before a storm.
Victor's gaze swept over the horizon, his eyes narrowing as he spotted distant figures on fast-approaching boats. His enemies, ruthless and determined. He turned to Nereus, his voice firm but laced with a rare gentleness.
"Stay close," Victor said. "No matter what happens, I won't let them take you."Nereus nodded, his heart racing as the reality of their situation began to sink in.
The waves crashed against the ship's hull, echoing the storm of emotions brewing within him. He didn't understand this world of violence and power, but he understood one thing: Victor was his anchor in the storm, and no matter what happened, he would hold on.
As the enemy vessels neared, Victor stood tall, his presence commanding and unyielding. Nereus, standing at his side, felt a strange surge of strength.
Whatever came next, they would face it together.