Chapter 36 Naida Pushes Past TraumaThe next morning, Naida gracefully swims towards the grand palace, her heart filled with anticipation. As she approaches, she is confronted by the guards, their tridents forming a barrier in her path. Naida comes to a graceful stop, her hands swiftly moving in Aquasign.She signs, "I'm friends with the princesses, Princess Nerissa and Princess Madissa. I would like to visit them, please."The guards exchange glances, silently communicating with each other. Then, one of them opens the palace door and signals to someone inside. Moments later, a mermaid with a deep teal tail emerges from the doorway. She signs to Naida with a welcoming smile."Princess Madissa is currently away, but Princess Nerissa is here. Follow me, and I'll bring her to you," the mermaid signs.Naida nods gratefully and follows the mermaid, her eyes widening in awe as they swim through the corridors adorned with intricate coral fixtures on the walls. The palace emanates an aura of r
Chapter 37 Naida Finally Delivers Her MessageNaida, noticing Bryan's signs, quickly taps Nerissa's shoulder to get her attention and signs to her. "Oh, that's right! I just remembered what I came to tell you about. Before I left home, there were travelers talking about a kingdom on the other side of the Aqualearia called Burminia. They are known for their amazing healing abilities. I wanted to suggest that you see if your parents would consider sending an envoy to seek their help. From what I heard, it is in warmer waters just on the other side of the Atlantic. It's a long way from my home but not too far from here, only a few weeks' journey."Nerissa nods with wide eyes as a plan begins to form in her mind. She signs to Bryan, seeking more information. "Does that sound like where this Caribbean Sea Whip grows?"Bryan furrows his brow as he ponders and signs thoughtfully, "It sounds about right, but I would need to see a map that includes both this kingdom and Burminia to be certain.
Chapter 38 Can You Get A Map?On the training grounds, Tritan and Finrir engage in a challenging sparring session, their swords slicing through the water with precision. Finrir, determined to teach Tritan the art of swordplay underwater, guides him through the intricate movements. However, their training is interrupted as Nerissa clicks and waves to catch their attention.Finrir immediately senses the urgency in Nerissa's expression and grants Tritan a break from their spar. Tritan, concerned, signs to his sister, "What's wrong, Nerissa?"Nerissa's determination shines through as she presses her lips together and signs with conviction, "I think I have a plan, but it may take some time. First, I need a map of Aqualearia, and I need you to bring it to our lunch meeting. Madissa and Naida will be there too. I'll explain everything then. Can you get a map?"Tritan nods resolutely and signs, "Of course, I can. Finrir will be there too." Nerissa beams with joy, knowing Tritan's unwavering s
Chapter 39 LunchTogether, Tritan and Finrir swim towards the dining hall, where Naida and Madissa are already seated. Tritan takes a seat next to Naida, unable to ignore the captivating beauty he finds in her. Finrir sits on Tritan's other side, giving Naida a warm smile.Finally, Nerissa arrives and immediately signs to Madissa, "Could we do the mating ceremony tonight? The priestess is available and willing to do it for both of us. She just needs to speak with you first." Madissa's face lights up with joy, and a tear of happiness escapes, creating a shimmering bead of milky white liquid that disperses in the water. She signs back, "Yes, I can't wait!"Nerissa takes her seat next to Madissa, her excitement palpable. As they settle in, the mermaid with the deep teal tail, who had made a previous appearance that morning, gracefully emerges once again. With a sense of familiarity, she carries a bowl filled with exquisite delicacies and places
Chapter 40 Finrir’s HatredInside the prison, Joe, Bryan, and their fellow inmate find themselves huddled together in the now cramped tear-drop-shaped cage suspended from the ceiling. Originally designed to accommodate two fully grown mermen comfortably, it now barely provides enough space for three muscular mermen. Finrir's attention is drawn to the bold black tattooing on the merman with the black tail. He turns to Bryan and signs, "Who is your new friend?" Bryan places a hand on the merman's back and signs, "This is Trent."With Finrir's assistance, Tritan positions a table beneath the cage, allowing the other mermen to have a clear view. Tritan then retrieves the map from the long leather tube and unrolls it onto the table. Bryan pulls himself to the bottom of the cage, peering through the bars to examine the map. He wonders how different it is from the land maps he's familiar with.The map reveals a world map in an oval shape, with the Pacific Oc
Chapter 41 Planning The Mating CeremonyMadissa and Nerissa swam gracefully through the majestic temple of Amphitrite, the goddess of the sea. The temple was a grand structure made of intricately carved coral and shimmering pearls, with gentle currents flowing through its chambers. As they entered the main chamber, they were greeted by the sight of magnificent statues depicting the Greek sea gods and goddesses.On one side, there loomed a regal statue of Poseidon, the mighty god of the sea, holding his trident and exuding a sense of power and authority. Beside him, there was a statue of Amphitrite herself, the beautiful and serene goddess, with flowing hair and a gentle smile on her face.Further along, they saw a statue of Thalassa, the primordial goddess of the sea, embodying its vastness and mystery. Her statue seemed to ripple like water, as if alive with the eternal essence of the ocean. Nearby, there was a statue of Triton, son of Pose
Chapter 42 Preparation For The Mating Ceremony Nerissa and Madissa enter their respective chambers, preparing themselves for the upcoming mating ceremony. In each chamber, they follow a similar bathing ritual, engaging in a luxurious and rejuvenating experience. They begin by filling their large double clamshell bathtubs with a white, oily bathing gel. The gel sinks into the water, creating a soothing and nourishing environment. Slowly, they remove their clothes and gracefully lower themselves into the tubs.Taking hold of soap bars made from a concentrated and hardened version of the same gel, enriched with sandy sediment rich in tiny crystal granules, they begin to gently scrub their delicate skin and scales. The granules act as a gentle exfoliant, leaving their skin feeling renewed and refreshed.Nerissa adds a shimmering silver liquid to the gel in her bathtub, creating a mesmerizing effect as she dips her soap bar into the silver-infused mixture. With each stroke, her skin glist
Chapter 43 Offerings King Poseidon gracefully swims up to Bryan and Joe, his presence commanding and regal. He communicates through sign language, instructing the guard to escort them to a waiting room. With a gesture, he points in the direction they should go before turning away. Bryan and Joe understand the king's message and follow the guard to the designated room. As they swim towards the waiting room, anticipation fills their hearts. They exchange glances, their excitement mingled with a touch of nervousness. The room itself is a tranquil space, adorned with intricate seashell decorations and soft, ambient lighting. The gentle currents create a soothing atmosphere, providing a sense of calm amidst the anticipation. Bryan and Joe take a moment to settle in the room, their minds abuzz with thoughts of what lies ahead. They exchange a few words, offering each other reassurance and support. Their trust in the king and the sacredness of the ceremony gives them a sense of peac
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