Chapter 11

The strength of Maranu and his Elementals began to falter against the onslaught of the Celestial Beasts. Complicating matters further came the appearance of Guardians, animal spirits that took the form of the elements who had long sworn allegiance to the Celestial Beasts. The Militia and the Elementals were completely overwhelmed by the army of supernatural creatures assailing them. Not even Maranu, blessed with Rhuknor’s power, could hope to avail such a force. Though Balvor’s heart yearned to save the humans, Graymor held her back with his claws. All seemed lost. In a moment of desperation, Maranu called upon Rhuknor for aid, but the Golden Dragon would not heed the call. Though Rhuknor now pitied mankind, he could not bring himself to oppose his son as he once did in the ancient times of the Multiverse War. Frustrated, Maranu summoned the last vestiges of his power for some kind of solution. And that’s when the Orb of Destiny appeared.

“I beg of you, your highnesses. If something is not done, it could mean a crisis for the people of Atlantis, and by extension, all the aquatic races in the universe allied to our kingdom,” said the boorish Keeper once more.

Princess Jezrin Coralseed tried unsuccessfully not to yawn. These Keepers were overdramatic alarmists as always. She couldn’t imagine why her mother and father kept the relics around. Modern Atlanteans had long transcended such old-fashioned xenophobes.

Noticing the Princess’ boredom, the leader of the Keeper entourage, a young Merman with a large frame and long, red hair, drew himself up higher. He wasn’t bad-looking, but since he leaned more to the conservative side, he sadly wore heavy brown robes like his companions that covered up his bulky form, even most of his blue-scaled tail fin. If he wasn’t such a stick in the mud, Jezrin might’ve asked such a specimen to join her harem. Poseidon knew she could use a few more strong men to spice things up for her.

Such a shame for a man to have a body like that and be in the Keeper’s political faction, she thought despairingly to herself with an idle shake of her head. His blue tail and fins are the same azure shading as mine ... a sign of compatibility from Amphitrite herself. Such a shame.

“More and more Sharkmen are gathering in the coastal city of Nepton,” went on a different irritating Keeper whose name Jezrin could not recall. “They are disrupting trade among the land-dwelling merchants with their constant riots and looting. As the leaders of the ruling Seeker Faction, you are charged with the protection of our capital planet, lest the Aquatic Alliance become destabilized. Why have we not sent for more Defenders to keep the peace?”

Oceanus Coralseed, Jezrin’s father, groaned loudly. The large, older Merman, with his long, blue beard, splendidly beautiful green tail fin, and muscular frame, was a testament to Jezrin’s good genes. The only sign of imperfection on Oceanus’ flawless body was a small birthmark on his chest in the shape of a crescent moon, a trait that all the males in their family shared. Jezrin’s mother, Amphi, seemed no less diminished next to her husband with her long, blonde hair, sparkling blue tail fin, and youthful features. Like Jezrin, her parents went for the popular minimalist approach to fashion, wearing only their gold and silver crowns and small purple sashes over their waists where their humanoid and fish halves connected. Jezrin’s mother had thankfully decided to wear her red seashells over her ample bosom today. The stink the Keepers would’ve raised if the queen came to court bare-breasted again would’ve given the journalists a field day.

“The Sharkfolk are just expressing their legal right to protest,” said King Oceanus exasperatedly. “As the most recent members of the Aquatic Alliance, they feel the need to assert themselves, that’s all. They haven’t done anything ... too drastic, so summoning forth the Defenders from their protection of our borders neighboring the Tarrus Empire would be a waste of resources.”

“But the financial strain the Sharkfolk refugees are putting on our planet cannot be ignored any longer,” piped in another Keeper toady with an accusatory finger, this one much less attractive than their leader with a dumpy face and a stout build. “Word has it that the Sharkmen have been keeping with some very shady company from the Forbidden Galaxies. And don’t forget that the appearance of the new Zombie Whale species just happens to coincide with the uptick in Sharkmen activity on Atlantis.”

“Yes,” assented the leader of the Keepers, the handsome one with long red locks. “That’s another issue the Royal Family has yet to address. These Zombie Whale mutations are ruining crops and spreading disease among our fauna. Our harvesters and fishermen haven’t seen such a strain on our supply chains in centuries.”

By the redness of his face, Jezrin’s father was getting flabbergasted. He never did well under pressure, the poor dear. Turning desperately to his wife for support, Oceanus assumed the role of submissive. Amphi floated gracefully up from her silver throne, using her superb mastery of Water Elemency to control her ascension above the platform where the Keepers had gathered. Her blonde hair flowed rhythmically around her as the currents from a tiny whirlpool kept her in place without the need to move her tail fin too much.

“You bring such tedious concerns before your king,” said Jezrin’s mother in her queenly voice. “Can you not see that your constant bellyaching is upsetting to him? The seed of Poseidon, firstborn of the Merfolk, should be treated more respectfully.”

Jezrin could not help the stirring of admiration for her mother in that moment. Mother is so beautiful and so strong. One day, I’ll be queen of Atlantis ... and then these overly traditional fools will have to bow to me in supplication.

Indeed, even the Keepers, who were usually religious prunes, seemed thunderstruck by the queen’s magnificence. When the lead Keeper finally composed himself, he almost opened his mouth to speak, nearly breaking a sacred rule of etiquette. In matters of debate, the males were not allowed to disagree with females of higher rank. Realizing his folly, the lead Keeper turned to one of his female subordinates, a petite Mermaid with long red hair as well and a girlish figure. The lead Keeper then swam back a pace as tradition dictated. Even while covered in that ridiculous brown cloak, the Mermaid Keeper was pretty in a girlish kind of way, but Jezrin noted with no small amount of satisfaction that the girl’s beauty paled in comparison to her own - and her breasts were far too underdeveloped to be considered desirable.

“We do not presume to offend the seed of Poseidon,” said the Keeper Mermaid meekly, her purpke tail fin batting the water as she kept herself upright. “But our constituents among the Walkers wish that the situation on Atlantis be resolved before something endangers the-”

“As to your complaints, the situation is not so dire as you make it out to be,” continued Queen Amphi, the authority of her noble bloodline punctuated in every syllable. “The Sharkmen and Sharkmaids are still a marginalized minority with little sway in Atlantean Court. Our trade routes to the Tarrus Empire and the Triumvirate are still secure, as is our wealth. The people are still largely in favor of the Royal Family’s governance, and that is not likely to change anytime in the near future. Long have the Keepers prophesied the doom heralded by the Seeker Party’s ways, a doom that has yet to come to pass. There’s been so many supposed prophets proven wrong over the years that I wonder why you people still bother.”

Jezrin snorted. She sensed that now would be appropriate to bring in her input and win some well-deserved prestige within the court. “They bother because they have yet to accept the era of prosperity and enlightenment that we Seekers have ushered in, a growth in wealth which their party failed to bring to Atlantis. They forget that the Zombie Whales are not a new phenomenon either. Mutations have occurred in the past when our Industrialized Coral Reefs tainted the seas of Atlantis as they stoked the furnaces and underwater volcanoes to create weapons of war. Our Defenders along the borders have been asking for too many new ships as of late due to fear of the Parasites – who have largely been dealt with by the Elementals. Hence the rise in pollution, and hence the creation of the Zombie Whales brought on by warmongering. It’s proof that Atlantis should be moving towards disarmament, not bringing in more warriors. Do you wish to return to those uncertain times when Atlanteans valued warfare more than love?”

Jezrin glanced at her mother, who gave a nod of approval at her daughter’s observation. A fountain of warmth bubbled up within Jezrin, an occurrence that only her mother could bring about.

The redheaded Mermaid nearly turned as red as her hair as she glared at Jezrin. “The weapons of war were needed to combat the threat that the Dark Dragon Lords posed during the last Reckoning. Regardless, it’s not been proven whether Zombie Whales are simply a mutation born from the Industrialized Reefs. Weapon Production has been declining for centuries, so there’s nothing to substantiate-”

“Excuse me,” interrupted Jezrin as she looked past the Mermaid Keeper to the ginger-haired giant behind her. Yes, it was a bit of a breach in protocol for a female of higher rank to address a male in a political debate, but Jezrin was getting bored, and she’d never been one for tradition anyway.

The redheaded Merman soon realized that Jezrin was addressing him, pointing at himself in confusion.

“Yes, you ... the cute one with the big arms. What’s your name?”

“Uh, Thurgus, your highness,” said the Merman nervously.

Big but shy, thought Jezrin insatiably to herself. I’ll cure him of that soon enough.

“Hmm,” said Jezrin musingly as she leaned on the silver armrest of her thrown with her elbow, accentuating her figure for her prey. “Thurgus, is it? I take it from your gorgeous red locks so similar to her own, that shrew speaking for you is your sister, not your mate?”

A slight frown crossed his lips, but he composed himself well. That wouldn’t do. Jezrin preferred to see him get angry. Men always looked cuter when they were just a little angry. “She is, your highness.”

“Good. I would’ve claimed you from her regardless, but this saves time. When you’ve finished wasting everyone’s perfect day with your useless whining, come to me later in my chambers, and I’ll show you a better use for that sharp tongue of yours, pretty man.”

A round of astonished gasps rang through the Keepers, but Amphi just giggled. Oceanus shook his head in exasperation, but he had long given up on reigning in his daughter’s whims.

Thurgus’ sister looked suitably perplexed, but Thurgus himself looked furious. Now there was the reaction Jezrin was looking for. “As if I’d stoop so low as to let my sacred body be used by such a Nymph tramp!”

Jezrin raised her eyebrows as her lips curled up into a satisfied smirk. Now the looks of astonishment were directed at Thurgus. The Keepers may have been detractors of the Royal Family, but they also were adamant upholders of Atlantean rules of etiquette, a rule that Thurgus had just violated. When he realized his infraction, he bowed his head sheepishly and turned away.

“I believe you mean ‘such a beautiful goddess’, as all seeds of Poseidon must be addressed by their inferiors,” said Queen Amphi with the subtlest hints of a threat in her majestic voice as she crossed her arms.

Jezrin raised her hand. “That is quite alright, mother. I never did adhere much to that tradition in matters such as these, so there’s no need for a formal hearing or a rite of appeasement.” Lowering her voice suggestively, Jezrin leaned forward and said, “However, if you do opt for the sacred rite of appeasement, then you may come to my quarters later tonight if you wish. I can promise you this, pretty man, that any humiliation I’ve inflicted upon you this day, I’ll more than make it up to you.”

Thurgus, knowing that further debate would be seen unfavorably given his breach in protocol, put a hand to his chest and gave a polite bow. Jezrin wasn’t sure if the man would come or not, but not knowing was quite exciting as well.

Amphi turned to her husband, silently permitting him to speak. Oceanus brightened up, happy to be of use again. “If that is all, let’s move on to the next matter of state. Some Harpy traders are asking about their next shipment of Coral Spice, and we really need to reschedule the-”

A shockwave suddenly shook the throne room, sending the swimming recipients sprawling to the floor. Jezrin’s head felt like an underwater minefield had been detonated in her brain as an incessant buzzing noise filled her ears. She hadn’t been so out of sorts since her seahorse bucked her off when she was a child. When Jezrin’s head cleared, she was on the floor being cradled by the burly Keeper she’d been flirting with earlier. Normally, she would’ve considered such an outcome a win, but it would probably be best to put a pin in that scenario and find out why she and everyone else were on the floor.

“By Neptune’s Trident, what in the seven sea worlds was that?” exclaimed Oceanus as he pushed up from the floor with his fin and repositioned his fallen crown. “An underwater earthquake?”

“No, my king,” cried out one of the guards who was already extracting Jezrin from her rescuer’s embrace (to her chagrin). “Scanners indicate an unauthorized Gateway opening up within the planet’s atmosphere, a capital ship of unknown origins. The vessel’s mass is displacing ocean currents throughout Atlantis.”

“A-a capital ship,” stuttered a flabbergasted Jezrin as she pried herself from her guard’s grip. “Don’t be absurd! Our planetary defense systems should’ve prevented something that large from beaming behind our atmospheric shields.”

“Our analysts believe that someone on Atlantis must’ve authorized the jump,” explained her guard grimly.

Jezrin’s eyes opened wide in disbelief. Before she could voice her confusion, Amphi swam forward, her composure unshaken as she said calmly, “Where is the ship now?”

The guard looked to his wrist communicator, which was already buzzing with holographic readouts. “According to our scans, it’s en route to the coastal city, Nepton!”

Jezrin’s heart sank. “Nepton! But ... but Thazia ... and-and Jorrez ... they’re celebrating her ‘Coming-of-Age’ ceremony!”

For once, Queen Amphi looked absolutely terrified. Still, she tried to maintain a calm demeanor despite the situation. “We ... we don’t know that they’re hostile. Perhaps they just made the wrong calculation and jumped through our defense field by accident.”

The guard’s face paled, the water churning around him as his tail moved faster in a fit of agitation. “Though we haven’t been able to ID the vessel, according to our scout ships ... it’s a warship with the most advanced weapons ever recorded.”

“Stop splashing me! It’s not fair that you can control water!” yelled the young human noble, albeit playfully as he returned the gesture in kind.

Thazia giggled as she continued lobbing aqua globs at her assailant. Though she wasn’t as good with Water Elemency as her sister, Jezrin, she could still use it well enough for play fighting.

“You’re the one who challenged a Mermaid in a pool, human!” she teased. “You must pay the price for your own folly!”

Lord Danial Koban, a young nobleman and the son of a prominent Senator from Tarrus, made for quite the dashing figure with his short, blonde hair and boyish good looks. Even with those weird human legs of his, Thazia still found him quite attractive, and if anyone was a good judge of attractiveness, it was a Mermaid. No matter what happened tonight, she was determined to lose her virginity to the young human despite her brother’s meddling.

Daniel laughed as he dodged past a spray of levitating water to tackle Thazia into the pool. When they were submerged in the water, she easily slid out of his grasp and swam up to break the water’s surface as she jumped. Using the atmospheric converter on her arm, Thazia concentrated psions throughout her body, allowing her to float above the surface of the pool as if she were still swimming underwater. The silver wristband on her left arm began to glow as its blue crystal emanated the psions that held Thazia aloft and allowed her to breathe oxygen with far less difficulty. Merfolk had learned long ago how to survive in air-based environments using atmospheric technology. The wristbands allowed Merfolk to literally swim through the air as if they were still in the water and aided their lungs in processing oxygen without the hydrogen elements found in the sea. Although there was a limit to how high they could hover over the ground and how long they could stay outside the water depending on the strength of the Atlantean. For Thazia, she could only hover a few meters off the floor’s surface at most.