In the depths of Fish Mystic Land, a majestic castle defied gravity, suspended in mid-air within a colossal bubble that shimmered like a fragile, ethereal orb.
Outside the bubble, a gargantuan whale hovered. Its massive form was a tenth of the size of the castle it vigilantly guarded. With unhurried ease, it floated around the bubble, as if a sentinel dedicated to protecting the majestic castle within.
Within the castle's majestic throne room, a grand hall of immense proportions, stood the regal throne, crafted from a giant white clamshell. Upon it rested a humanoid creature of breathtaking beauty. It was a female being draped in ethereal attire that seemed to radiate an otherworldly aura, eclipsing all earthly comparisons in its grandeur and loveliness.
Not surprisingly, the creature upon the throne was legless, her lower form transformed into a shimmering silver fishtail, long and slender. A clamshell-adorned design tastefully veiled her prominent bosom, exuding an irresistible allure that seemed to weave a subtle spell of charm and seduction.
Her facial features were a masterwork of mesmerizing loveliness, capable of stunning even the most jaded of souls into awed silence. To behold her countenance was to risk being utterly entranced, as if the very act of gazing upon such perfection might be a sacrilege, leaving one trembling with reverence and humility.
That creature was, of course, no other than a mermaid.
Giving heed to her physical appearance, it was a symphony of silver accents, with long, luscious eyelashes and thick eyebrows that shimmered like the precious metal. Her straight hair, a cascade of silver locks, flowed down her back, merging seamlessly with her fishtail. Even her eyes gleamed with silver pupils, adding to the mesmerizing allure of her features.
In contrast, her skin glowed with a warm, almond-brown tone, rich and vibrant, exuding a soft, inviting radiance that drew the eye. Her slender figure was complemented by long, elegant hands, while a deep, accentuated belly button added a subtle nuance to her curves.
Behind the throne, two imposing Royal Guards hovered, their merman forms towering over the majestic mermaid. Each grasped a mighty trident, its silver and gold staff gleaming with regal authority. The guards were clad in striking black and white armor, their massive physiques, three times larger than the mermaid's, exuding an aura of formidable protection.
The Royal Guards stood like statues; the air around them vibrated with an intimidating energy. Their eyes, blindfolded, rendered their faces impassive. Yet their very presence seemed to reverberate with an unspoken warning. Their expressionless visages only added to the aura of unyielding vigilance, as if warding off anyone who would dare to approach the throne without permission.
Above the head of the one on the throne hovered a delicate crown, its gentle levitation a testament to the mystical energies at play. Meanwhile, a small, vibrant red octopus rested on her lap, its tender form receiving gentle caresses from her fingers, as if it were a cherished companion or a precious gem.
Not until a moment later, the gentle caresses abruptly ceased as her fingers closed around the octopus's body, holding it in a tight, almost crushing grip. The sudden violence a stark contrast to the tender moments that had preceded it.
The octopus shrieked for a moment, but tried to stifle its voice. Its tiny body trembled in her grasp as it struggled to endure the pain. Its cries muffled in a desperate attempt to avoid further torment at the hands of its master.
"So... you're telling me one of my daughters is injured, and we're still clueless about what's behind this sudden depletion of fish in the Forest of Rain?" The mermaid, the one on the clamshell throne, spoke. Her soft voice belied the icy undertone that sent shivers down the spines of those who heard it. Her words laced with a quiet menace that hinted at the turmoil brewing beneath her composed exterior.
The threat of the unknown invaders seemed to disrupt her mind.
Before her, down there on the throne, kneeled another mermaid. She knelt in abject submission, her face pressed firmly against the floor, and her eyes averted in a gesture of utmost deference, as if the mere glance upward might shatter the fragile balance of power in the opulent, eerily silent chamber.
This mermaid's features were a stark contrast to the throne's occupant, with her pale skin and flowing blue locks. Though her beauty was undeniably striking, it was eclipsed by the regal mermaid's radiant presence. Her demeanor, however, spoke volumes of her awe and trepidation, as she exuded an almost palpable sense of fear and reverence for the entity before her.
"Pardon me, my Queen, but we lack the full details as yet," the kneeling mermaid replied, her voice trembling with a potent mix of dread and worry. "Princess Nerrissa insisted on investigating alone, and with the skill Absolute Order, she's bound us to obey. Not only are we forbidden from stopping her, but we're also powerless to follow. My presence here is solely to report to you, my Queen, and await your greater authority."
Her tone grew increasingly strained as she added, "One thing is certain, however, Princess Nerrissa is injured. There's a faint crack in her Life Pearl."
The Queen's silence lingered, heavy with unspoken weight, as she pondered the situation. She was well aware that the Absolute Order was an unyielding command, one that stripped subjects of their free will and bound them to obedience, leaving them powerless to resist or defy the authority that wielded it.
In the end, the Queen sighed and gently pressed her temples with her slender fingers.
"Nerissa, Nerissa, oh my little Nerissa... Why are you so adamant to prove yourself?" The Queen's voice was a tender murmur, laced with a mother's worry and concern. Her words hung in the air, heavy with emotion, as a single tear escaped, tracing a lonely path down her cheek before she brushed it away with the back of her finger. The gesture a poignant blend of sorrow and maternal love.
With a weary sigh, the Queen's gaze drifted back to her subject, her hand absently stroking the little red octopus as she spoke in a measured tone, "Three days." The silence that followed was palpable, her words hanging in the air like a challenge. "That's the time I'm granting you to prove your worth hasn't diminished. I want you to uncover what's happening in that place and, more importantly, bring my daughter back to me safely."
For her daughter to be injured, something dangerous must be happening there in the Forest of Rain. She needed to fix this issue before troubles arose any more than what they already were. But...
"As for the one who harmed my daughter..." The Queen's words trailed off. Her voice transformed, its warmth and maternal concern replaced by an icy, menacing tone that seemed to reverberate through the castle's foundations.
The subject knew exactly what she meant, and the Queen's chilling declaration hung in the air, "You already know what to do."
"Yes, my Queen. Thank you for giving me the chance." The subject's response was immediate and laced with a mix of determination and gratitude. Her words were a testament to her understanding of the Queen's unspoken command, and the opportunity granted to her to redeem herself and exact vengeance on behalf of the royal family.
''You may now go.'' The Queen replied, this time, a faint smile reappeared on her lips.
''As you wish,'' The subject's response was crisp. With the Queen's permission granted, she swiftly rose in midair and accelerated away at an incredible speed, her form a blur as she vanished into the distance. Her eyes burned with fierce determination, fueled by a burning resolve to personally resolve the issue and bring back the Princess, no matter the cost.
''Just you wait...'' She muttered coldly, thinking about the one who harmed the Princess. She gritted her teeth as she spoke again, ''Whoever or whatever you are, I will certainly make you suffer life worse than death.''
***
Meanwhile...
King's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he sensed the approaching trouble. A mermaid's arrival could only mean one thing. They must have already discovered the rapid extermination of their minions in this location.
They must have been suspecting that someone had invaded their territory and was causing trouble.
But the true concern lay elsewhere. King had already anticipated the mermaids' response, knowing they'd eventually send someone to uncover the reason behind their minions' sudden demise.
A contingency plan was already in place, waiting to be set in motion once the mermaids made their next move, ensuring King was ready for the impending confrontation.
But for that kind of mermaid to appear here...
King knitted his eyebrows in deep thought. Brown skin... Silver hair... Silver fishtail... Peerless beauty...
There was no doubt about it. That mermaid must be of royal blood. A member of the Sirena Clan!
For one of the royal blood to actually come here... That wasn't what King expected. And no matter how he looked at it, only trouble would soon follow if he involved his business with them.
The potential risks were now outweighing the benefits.
It definitely was a good decision to get out of that place now.
King's gaze simmered with calculated indifference. Of course, King wasn't afraid of the mermaid. Considering that she was still yet to reach adolescence, King felt an unsettling confidence in overpowering her, even in his diminished state.
Of course, he'd need to pull out all the stops if he wanted to do that. A mermaid of her caliber was, after all, a member of the royal family. Her bloodline guaranteed latent power, and underestimating her would be a fatal mistake.
Another concerning fact was that killing that mermaid also meant incurring the wrath of her mother, their Queen. If that lunatic was the one to make a move, then his very survival might hang by a thread, with tomorrow a distant luxury.
Their Queen, after all, was one of the Eleven Eldritch Elementals.
The wisest course of action seemed clear: retreat and avoid entanglements with the mermaids altogether. Discretion was the better part of valor, especially when dealing with royals and their unforgiving wrath.
He could have left quietly.
They could have avoided that mermaid without too much effort.
But the bigger problem was that Jax actually hit that mermaid with a giant bolt. Whether it was on purpose or just a coincidence, that held little importance now.
It wouldn't change the fact that Jax still hit that mermaid hard.
The bolt might not have been fatal enough to kill her, but it was a spark to dry tinder — the mermaid's anger would definitely burn hot, and her desire for revenge would be relentless. Jax had just become a target, and King doubted he could protect him from the wrath of the Sirena Clan.
''Tch, that little punk sure knows how to bring trouble.'' King's frustration boiled over into a disgusted click of the tongue. He already knew it, but that Jax really appeared like someone who would mess his life for good.