Chapter 52 The ResearchWith the determination firmly set in their hearts, the group made their way from the training grounds to the grand library of Aqualeara. As they swam through the magnificent halls, they were surrounded by towering bookshelves, each filled to the brim with ancient tomes and scrolls. The library itself was a testament to the wisdom and knowledge accumulated over generations.The lighting in the library was a sight to behold. Bioluminescent sconces adorned the walls, casting a soft, ethereal glow that danced across the pages of the books. It was as if the wisdom contained within the volumes was brought to life by the gentle luminescence. Crystals, embedded within intricate chandeliers, scattered and refracted the light, creating mesmerizing patterns that shimmered across the vast expanse of the library.The shelves, extending from the floor to the ceiling, were adorned with vibrant corals and seashells, lending an organic touch to the
Chapter 53 Signing The Petition.The following morning arrives, and as Nerissa and Madissa search through the palace kitchens, Tritan, Finrir, and the scholar gather in the dining hall for breakfast. The scent of freshly prepared food fills the water around them as they nourish themselves for the day ahead. After a satisfying meal, they set off, swimming gracefully as they make their way down to the prison.Moving with purpose, Tritan leads the way, his tail propelling him through the water with grace and determination. Finrir and the scholar follow closely behind, their expressions focused and ready. Their movements create ripples in the underwater currents as they navigate through the palace's corridors, their minds filled with the weight of their mission and the hope for a positive outcome.Upon reaching the prison, they receive unexpected news. The prison authorities inform them that, in order for the prisoners to sign any documents, onl
Chapter 54 Filing The Petition.Nerissa, fully engrossed in her merscript notes, glances up from her writing as the scholar enters the bustling kitchen. She exchanges signs with the cook, who provides her with a list of provisions that are needed for the upcoming journey, but are currently unavailable in the kitchen. Another maid gracefully moves about the kitchen, swiftly gathering supplies. The cook, in the midst of signing about the need for pots and pans, watches as the maid examines and sets aside various stone-carved cooking utensils. The maid finally discovers a non-stone pan, repurposed from the human world, its surface polished and adapted for merfolk use. It stands out from the others due to its lighter weight, and the maid places it on the counter among the other provisions.Madissa, noticing the presence of the scholar, quickly swims over to him and signs her question. "How did it go? Is the petition signed?" With a warm smile, the scholar nods in confi
Chapter 55 Gathering some SuppliesOut in the hall, the scholar nods to the princesses and bids them farewell with, "I'll see you princesses at the hearing this afternoon." He then swims off, leaving Nerissa and Madissa to discuss their next course of action. Nerissa signs to Madissa, "We need to find Naida, Tritan, and Finrir and let them know when the hearing is. I'm sure they will all want to be there too. The guards will make sure Joe and Bryan are present." Madissa nods in agreement, and they both swim off to find the other members of their group and inform them about the hearing.Madissa swam off to the healing cove to find Naida, while Nerissa set out to search for Tritan and Finrir, who had become inseparable since Finrir's pod had arrived in Trinania. They were practically tied together at the fin, and Nerissa knew that if she found one, she would surely find the other. Heading towards the training grounds, Nerissa scanned the area and spotted Tritan swimm
Chapter 56 The Audience With The RulersIn the grand hall, where the hearing is to take place, the five rulers of Tritania are seated on their imposing thrones, positioned on a raised dais. Nerissa, Madissa, Naida, Tritan, and Finrir occupy the first row, their attention fixed on the thrones before them, patiently waiting for their turn to participate in the forthcoming hearing. The significance of their presence reflects their influential roles as witnesses and participants in this important event.As promised, the scholar is seated at a small table positioned to the side of the grand hall, directly in front of the dais that holds the thrones. The scholar, poised and prepared, awaits the commencement of the hearing, ready to facilitate and guide the proceedings with their expertise and knowledge.With a sense of authority, the guards escort Bryan and Joe into the hall. Both Bryan and Joe have their wrists cuffed, allowing them to freely communicate throug
Chapter 57 Consulting Healer SashaAs soon as the prison guards uncuffed Joe and Bryan, they both rushed out of the palace to gaze upon the magnificent Tritanian skies, reveling in the sight they had been deprived of for so long. Joe took Nerissa in his arms and kissed her passionately, while Bryan did the same with Madissa. However, their amorous moment was soon interrupted by annoyed clicks from Tritan and Finrir. Joe and Bryan turned to face them, realizing that time was slipping away.Tritan signed urgently, "It's already four hours past midday. If we are leaving in the morning, we have a lot to do and very little time to do it in." Bryan nodded and responded with signs, "Madissa, Naida, Finrir, and I should go to the Healing Cove to talk to Healer Sasha about a few things for the quest. Tritan, can you, Nerissa, and Joe pack the bags?" Tritan shook his head, conveying his understanding. "I understand why you need to go to the Healing Cove, and it makes sense f
Chapter 58 Meanwhile at the palaceUpon arriving at the palace, Naida enters the grand halls and makes her way to Prince Tritan's chamber. Inside, she finds Tritan diligently packing their belongings and provisions for the quest. Naida and Finrir join him, eager to lend a helping hand in organizing their supplies.As they enter, their eyes fall upon ten packs neatly lined up along one wall of the chamber. Each pack has a pile of identical items placed in front of it—a camouflage cloak, a net cutter, and four sets of form-fitting travel clothes, designed for optimal swimming. Some of the clothes are lightweight for warm waters, while others are made of sturdy whale leather for protection against harsher elements.Next to each pile, there is a box filled with carefully selected food provisions. In the center of the sitting area, Tritan packs a chest with larger items that will be shared among the entire party—pots, pans, and other essentials f
Chapter 59 LuggageTritan turned to face their group, his gaze sweeping over Naida and his two sisters, Nerissa and Madissa. With swift and deliberate signs, he suggested, "Why don't you mermaids retire for the night? You can use my bed chamber to save time. Finrir, Joe, Bryan, and I will start hauling the supplies to the front door, then we'll fill the airbladder and take care of the final preparations. We'll come get you when we are ready to go."Naida was taken aback by Tritan's offer, but she followed Nerissa and Madissa into Tritan's spacious bed chamber. The bed was unusually large, big enough for four large merfolk to comfortably sleep. Naida found herself pleased by the luxurious size, while Madissa and Nerissa exchanged puzzled glances, silently questioning why Tritan had such a grand bed. Tritan closed the door to his bed chamber, allowing the mermaids to rest and recharge while he and the other mermen attended to their tasks.Outside the chamber, the four mermen—Finrir, Joe,
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