Chapter 11 LoveAs Joe hangs there, half way through the moonhole in the ceiling, with his shoulders in the air garden, his eyes fixed upon the vibrant purple flower glowing serenely in the dim light, he finds himself captivated by its ethereal beauty. Each delicate petal seems to sparkle in harmony with the beautiful serenity of the airgarden, casting a mesmerizing spell upon his senses. The rich hue of the orchid hybred reminds him of Nerissa, its vibrant shade echoing the enchanting presence she holds in his heart.In his daydream, the world around him fades into a hazy backdrop, and Nerissa's image comes to the forefront of his mind. He can almost feel the warmth of her sign radiating through the depths, igniting a spark of hope within him. Her eyes, like sun-kissed waves, hold a playful glimmer that teases his imagination, beckoning him to explore the depths of their connection.As his thoughts swirl, a whirlpool of emotions takes hold of Joe's heart. They have shared countless mo
Chapter 12 CamaraderieBut just as quickly as the kiss begins, it is abruptly broken. Nerissa pulls away, her gaze filled with a mixture of longing and concern. Joe's heart sinks, a wave of confusion crashing over him. Has he misread the signals? Has he misinterpreted the depth of their connection?Bewildered, Joe searches Nerissa's eyes for answers. He sees a trace of sadness, a hint of hesitation clouding her expression. His mind races, desperately trying to understand the sudden shift in their intimate moment.Then, with a tender expression filled with both vulnerability and longing, Nerissa signs the words that send Joe's emotions spiraling into a whirlpool of conflicting thoughts. "When will you and Bryan have your bonding ceremony?" she asks softly, her voice tinged with a mixture of hope and uncertainty.The weight of her question settles heavily on Joe's shoulders. It is a reminder of the unbreakable bond that merfolk share, the deep connection that transcends mere friendship.
Chapter 13 Just A Glimpse Joe navigates the winding halls of the underwater palace, his heart beating with anticipation. He searches for Madissa, knowing she can guide him to Nerissa's chamber. Spotting her in conversation with Selena, he patiently waits until they finish speaking. As Madissa turns towards him, her face brightens with a warm smile. "Madissa," Joe greets her, "I've been trying to find Nerissa. Could you please tell me where her chamber is?" Madissa nods and provides him with clear directions. Grateful for her help, Joe follows her guidance, determined to find Nerissa and share a moment of connection. Joe's curiosity leads him through the hidden entryway into Nerissa's chamber. As he enters, he marvels at the exquisite surroundings, adorned with shimmering seashells and vibrant coral. His eyes are drawn to another door at the far end, which beckons him to explore further. With anticipation in his heart, he approaches the door and pushes it open. To his surprise, he fi
Chapter 14 Sworn Blood-brothers In the days leading up to the bonding ceremony, Joe and Bryan find themselves immersed in preparations. They attend lessons on merfolk customs and traditions, learning about the significance of the blood oath and the responsibilities that come with being bonded mates.Nerissa, on the other hand, is busy with her own preparations for the upcoming mating ball, a grand celebration for unmated females of age in the kingdom. She busily makes arrangements, selecting the finest seashell jewelry and adorning her tail with vibrant seaweed patterns. Her focus is on creating a mesmerizing presence for the event.The day before the bonding ceremony, after completing their studies for the day, Bryan finds himself seated at his desk in his quarters. His gaze falls upon the new scroll of parchment he has acquired from a quaint shop in the colony just outside the palace walls. This particular parchment is crafted from rare Pole Red Kelp, known for its vibrant hues an
Chapter 15: Bryan’s Love LetterWith newfound determination, Bryan swims off in search of Madissa, his heart brimming with hope and excitement. His movements through the palace corridors are fluid and graceful, his tail propelling him effortlessly through the water. His destination is a secluded alcove, a sanctuary of tranquility nestled amidst the enchanting underwater flora.Approaching Madissa, Bryan sees the surprise in her eyes, a spark of satisfaction lighting up within him. He had immersed himself in merfolk culture, meticulously researching their ways to keep his romantic intentions a secret until this very moment.In his hands, Bryan holds a beautifully crafted box made from shimmering seashells. With a flick of his tail, he surges forward and gracefully bows, presenting the box to Madissa. Intrigued, she accepts, her curiosity piqued by this unexpected turn of events.Within the secluded alcove, Bryan's eyes shimmer with anticipation as Madissa opens the box. Delicately arra
Chapter 16 The Journal As Selena glides through the underwater palace, her vibrant blue hair trailing behind her, her keen eyes scan her surroundings. The soft, ethereal glow of the bioluminescent plants casts a mesmerizing blue hue upon her mermaid form, enhancing her allure. Her tail, a gradient of majestic purples blending into mesmerizing blues, shimmers with every graceful movement.Lost in her thoughts, Selena's gaze wanders towards a secluded corner of the palace. There, her eyes widen, and her heart skips a beat as she catches sight of Bryan and Madissa locked in a passionate embrace. The scene unfolds before her, a tender moment captured in the depths of their love.Quickly recognizing the opportunity before her, Selena's mind races. Joe is occupied in the grand celebration hall, completely unaware of her presence. A mischievous smile curves her lips as she realizes she can slip into Joe and Bryan's private chamber unnoticed.With the grace of a siren, Selena swims to the ot
Chapter 17: The Rulers Convene As Selena navigates through the underwater corridors, her mind races with possibilities. She has debated all night, torn between her loyalty to her family and the potential implications of what she has discovered. Though hesitant to approach her fathers directly, she knows she needs guidance and support. She decides to seek solace and counsel from her mother, Queen Eria. Reaching the grand chamber where Queen Eria often resides, Selena pauses for a moment to collect herself. She sways gently, pushing aside her doubts and fears, and gracefully glides forward to enter the regal room. Inside, the sits upon a coral throne, her serene presence commanding respect and wisdom. Selena approaches Queen Eria, her heart swaying within her chest. She curtsies respectfully before speaking, her expression filled with a mix of trepidation and determination. "Mother, I seek your counsel and guidance. I have come across something... something that fills me with concern
Chapter 18: The ArrestAs Joe approaches Nerissa, the echoes of Queen Eria's summons begin to fade, leaving a sense of urgency in the water. Uncertainty hangs heavy in the depths, and Joe can't shake the feeling that time is slipping through their fingers. He doesn't know the purpose of the rulers' meeting, but a lingering unease fills his heart, whispering of imminent capture and upheaval.Determined to leave no words unspoken, Joe reaches out and gently takes Nerissa's hand in his own. The touch is tender, a silent reassurance of their connection amidst the turbulent currents surrounding them. He raises her hand to his lips, planting a soft, lingering kiss upon the back of it. The gesture speaks volumes, conveying his devotion and the depth of his feelings.With a gentle turn of her hand, he kisses the palm, savoring the delicate touch against his lips. He then places her hand gently against the side of his face, relishing the warmth and connection it br
Chapter 114 More Secrets.It dawned on her that they might not fully understand the significance of the special dish she had prepared for them earlier. In her culture, this dish was traditionally made for groom-pair to eat at the wedding feast. By accepting and eating the dish, the groom-pair would be acknowledging the bride as their mate. In a legal sense, they were already mated temporarily for a year, during which the pod would determine if they were a good fit. They had the option to recommit permanently at the end of the year, or if a child was born or conceived during that time, the mating would become legally binding when the child was born.However, given their short time together, Aziza wasn't sure if Trent and Hunter, her bonded mermen, would still feel the same about her later. She knew they were both honorable and would take care of her if a child was born, but she didn't want them to feel obligated. So she thought perhaps it best if they used
Chapter 113 Last Night In LuxuryWith the old weight unhooked and pushed aside, Trent grasped the metal cords anchoring the air bladder to the weight and began to lift. The two counterweights were supposed to balance each other, ensuring buoyancy while underwater. However, it seemed a little heavy, and he planned to discuss this with Tritan later to get his input on the matter. Despite that, Trent knew his work was done for now."Good! Because I saved you dinner. Everyone else already ate, and I told them you were busy," Hunter informed Trent through their bondlink. "Aziza and I are waiting for you."As he prepared to head back, Hunter's message reached him through their bondlink. Trent smiled at the thoughtfulness of his bondmate and thanked him. Feeling a renewed eagerness, he swiftly swam back to The Serpent's Blood inn, where Aziza awaited them.Trent's heart warmed at the gesture and the camaraderie he shared with his companion
Chapter 112 Air, A Commodity Later, Trent finds himself entering the black market alone, heading towards the specific shop where they inquired about a restricted item the previous day. The merchant, known for dealing in new Atlantian military-restricted items, had mentioned that he had what they were looking for, but it wasn't kept in the shop. Trent navigates the hidden and unsavory place, a black market that can provide anything you need, even if it's hard to find elsewhere. However, what sets this black market apart from others and puts Trent at ease is the absence of one despicable thing he couldn't stand witnessing – slavery. There's no hint of such terrible activity here, which allows Trent to focus on his mission without worry.As Trent reaches the end of the hallway, he turns left into the shop he seeks. Inside, the shelves are filled with crates containing various weapons, including lazerarms, light spears, crystal induction daggers, and other items restr
Chapter 111 Last Day To RelaxAs the bright white waylights illuminated the underwater city of Watch Point, the group gathered at the little eatery near the statue. Markous and Lucious hovered in the line to get food, while Marine kept the table clear, waiting for the rest of the group. Soon, the whole group arrived, and they all sat at the table to eat. Tritan briefly explained that they would be leaving the morning after next, having to wait one more day for the custom sword to be made.After enjoying their meal and engaging in pleasant conversation, Bryan leaned forward and addressed the group, "I've already found the perfect place to get the rest of our provisions. There's a reputable merchant named Fintar, not far from here, who specializes in supplying adventurers like us with high-quality gear and tools for underwater journeys."The group's eyes lit up with interest, and Joe nodded in approval. "That sounds great, Bryan. Lead the way, and we'll follow you to Fintar's shop," he
Chapter 110 The ForgeAs Tritan, Finrir, and Naida approached the end of the alley, they were met with a sight that captured their attention—a large shop with no front wall, only a bar-like counter stretching from one end to the other, leaving the interior visible and open. Beyond the counter lay a bustling work area where four skilled mermen were diligently crafting their creations around a central wall. The wall, not perfectly round but built around a natural formation, exuded an aura of rugged elegance. It extended around the back like an irregular well, with the mermen moving gracefully amidst their craft, adding an artistic touch to the workshop's ambiance.Two windows were meticulously cut into the wall, and each window's sill extended out a foot, supported by a large anvil stone. This unique design left a square foot area with high sides around each window, which then rose and joined in an arch at the top, forming a tunnel-like extension that stretched out a foot, also supporte
Chapter 109 The Arms Alley Finrir swims around the circular market, his eyes carefully scanning each alley until they finally lock onto something of interest down the alley directly behind a grand statue standing tall in the center of the market. Eager to share his discovery, he swiftly swims back to Tritan and signs, "I found it, it's this way."Tritan can't help but grin playfully, his curiosity piqued by Finrir's excitement. Naida's eyes also light up with anticipation as they both join in the chase, following Finrir through the bustling market. With each stroke, they navigate the narrow alleyways, passing by various stalls offering an array of goods, ranging from colorful trinkets to delectable underwater delicacies.Finrir leads them down the alley, never pausing for a moment, while Tritan and Naida eagerly keep up the pace. They pass a series of weapon shops along the way, each displaying the usual assortment of tridents, spears, harpoons, and sleek metal armor. Tritan briefly
Chapter 108 The Black MarketElsewhere in the market, Trent and Hunter, the latter still with one eye bandaged from his recent injury, stealthily navigate a dark and secluded alley. The row of stalls and shops surrounding them appear closed or abandoned, concealing the pathway leading to their destination. Trent's senses are heightened, and he can't help but feel the weight of anticipation in the air. His parents' unscrupulous teachings have honed his ability to locate the secretive black markets hidden in the most obscure corners of any realm.As they venture further into the dimly lit alley, Trent and Hunter rely on instinct, guided by Trent's uncanny knowledge of finding these covert hubs. The absence of illumination, the hushed silence, and the shadows looming around them all add to the enigmatic allure of this clandestine place. Trent remains vigilant, feeling the gaze of unseen eyes upon him, but he remains composed, knowing that the right sigil can lead them
Chapter 107 The SonoclamSwimming up to Nerissa, he peered over her shoulder as the merchant signed to her. She held a delicate metal clam in her hand, and Joe could see a crystal bead inside, nestled like a pearl in a real clam. To his surprise, as Nerissa opened the clamshell, he noticed an intricate holographic screen inside the top shell. She deftly interacted with the holographic display, leaving Joe in awe. He had no idea that merfolk possessed such advanced technology.The presence of the honeycomb-shaped piece and the tiny node on the other wall now made sense. Just above the holographic screen, near the top of the clamshell, there was a honeycomb piece similar to the ones he had seen earlier. A matching smaller piece, fitting into the center of the honeycomb, was attached to the bottom shell. The arrangement resembled a flip-phone, with the two glass-coated metal pieces functioning as a speaker and microphone.As Joe scrutinized the device, he cou
Chapter 106 Watch Point’s Market.The next morning, as the first rays of dawn gently touched Aqualeara, the group emerged from their rooms, feeling refreshed and ready for a new day of exploration. Aziza sat gracefully at the bar, her tail swaying softly as she engrossed herself in a captivating book, waiting patiently for her companions to join her. The inn's airgarden provided a tranquil start to their morning, allowing them a few peaceful moments to collect their thoughts before they embarked on their adventure.With their spirits lifted and stomachs content from a hearty breakfast, they set off for the market, the heart of Watch Point. As they approached, the sight that unfolded before them was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The enormous statue of the Guardian of Virtue stood majestically at the center, a testament to the village's values and beliefs. The smaller-than-life-size sea serpent coiled gracefully in a magnificent mound, its head rising up in a protective stance, and it