Volume IV of Legacy: Quest for the Cosmic Cores, Part 1
Copyright© 2025 by Uruks
Chapter 24
Peace for Tarrus did not last. The human colonies soon came under invasion by several Demihuman races once more, none more savage than the Goblins who would become mankind’s most devoted enemy. Sifa longed for a way to end the wars permanently, and Lexandar gave her an answer. In the darkness of his cell, Lexandar told Sifa of Maranu’s secret. He said that Maranu had the power to make safe the human race for all eternity through the Orb of Destiny, but he lacked the courage. Remembering the awesome power that Maranu displayed in his struggle against Graymor, Sifa found herself hesitantly agreeing with Lexandar. She beseeched Maranu to use that power once more, but he refused, revealing Rhuknor’s warning and his vow to never use the Orb under any circumstance. As time went on and the war grew more desperate, Lexandar slowly convinced Sifa that she should take matters into her own hands.
“For the last time, Lady Erica, you are not authorized to voice any opinions of security matters to the Royal Palace! Now will you kindly leave as per the Queen’s instructions?” demanded the impatient Defense Secretary on the holoscreen.
Erica put on a strained smile, though Éclair could tell she was losing patience. “We still have an official summons from the Royal Palace. Now, until the summons is officially rescinded, we are obligated to render whatever aid that Atlantis requires as the old accords dictate.”
The Defense Secretary (an elderly Mermaid who at least had some sense of modesty as she sported a blue business suit over her human half) clicked her tongue as she rolled her eyes. The white bun adorning her hair seemed to bounce as her temper flared. “Though we appreciate the Water Ministry’s quick response, your presence is not needed. There have been no indications of a threat to the Royal Palace. And even if there was, our security volunteers are more than capable of protecting our administrative delegates.”
Leon scoffed as he crossed his arms and smirked, his bearing warning of a sarcastic remark. “Clearly. They only let an entire invasion force through the defense wall.”
The woman’s face went stark red with outrage. “Atlantis contained the so-called ‘invasion’ to a single city, which will be free if the talks are allowed to continue uninterrupted without your meddling! Hardly the prelude to planetary conquest!”
Leon chuckled playfully as he adjusted his glasses. “Oh, yes. You only lost one city, not the whole planet, so job well done. It’s not like you could lose the Royal Palace where all the HIGHEST-RANKING OFFICIALS OF THE ALLIANCE are currently staying. That would be unthinkable. And yet, just in case, would it not be prudent to simply check on the matter on the recommendation of two Elementals who happen to be psychic?”
Éclair winced a little as she tugged on the back of Leon’s uniform. Leon, dear, perhaps a little less forceful. We don’t want to cause an interstellar incident, thought Éclair, hoping Leon would hear her thoughts as she projected her psyche to him.
Leon only gave her a brief sideways glance. She wondered if he heard her until he gave a telepathic reply. We’ll have more than an interstellar incident to deal with if Erica and I are right about this. The eradication of the Aquatic Alliance’s leadership could throw the whole sector into disarray.
Éclair offered no argument. Given her past tutelage in politics, she knew better than most the violent fallout that could occur in the void of any leadership, good or bad.
The Defense Secretary seemed past the point of mere anger as she sputtered incoherently in a string of Atlantean curse words that the computer’s universal translator only partially translated. Turning to Erica in barely bottled rage, she leaned towards the holoscreen and hissed, “Lady Erica. As the Tarrus Empire has more regressive rules of etiquette regarding the roles of the sexes, I will forgive you for allowing your male to speak. But for the sake of our continual goodwill towards the Water Ministry, I ask that you restrain him!”
Erica appraised Leon with a proud smirk, one that almost made Éclair reevaluate her initial low opinion of the woman. “Actually, I would say that ‘our male’ is voicing our concerns for Atlantis rather splendidly, albeit in a less diplomatic manner than what you are accustomed to.”
Leon’s lips curved into an almost smile at Erica’s praise, though Éclair could tell through their telepathic link that he was pleased.
“Regardless of whether we are allowed to stay or not, the threat to the Royal Family still needs to be addressed,” spoke up Victor, ignoring the Defense Secretary’s slight grunts of protest. “If the Royals insist on us leaving with an official writ of dismissal, then we will leave.” Erica looked like she wanted to object, but Victor held up a hand without turning from the Defense Secretary as he continued. “But only after we have confirmed their safety. Surely it will not be against protocol for you to issue a warning to the palace?”
The Defense Secretary looked decidedly displeased that another male had opted to join in, though Victor’s reasonable tone seemed to win her over somewhat as she continued slightly more cordially, “As I said, there have been no reports of any danger. Just a small, isolated disturbance with the local wildlife.”
This time, it was Éclair who lost her cool as she stepped forward heatedly. “So there has been an incident! And all this time you’ve been stonewalling us? With all the attacks that Atlantis has suffered in recent days, I would think that you would take our warnings a little more seriously!”
Éclair silently rebuked herself as her face lowered in abashment. And here I am lecturing Leon about interstellar incidents.
The wrinkled, old Mermaid just gave a mocking shake of her head. “It’s just some unforeseen animal migrations. Many creatures of our seas change their travel patterns on occasion, but our Deterrent System ensures that they can never become a threat to the public. Now, I will get that official writ of dismissal, but until then, you are not to attempt to contact the palace in any-”
A young, dark-skinned Merman with only a golden sash covering his waist suddenly appeared on the holoscreen and whispered something urgent in the Defense Secretary’s ear.
“You were given instructions not to disturb-” started the Defense Secretary angrily with an upraised finger. However, she soon became engrossed in whatever the messenger had to say. When he finished, she looked at him in astonishment as she said loudly, “What?”
The Merman grimaced as he cupped his mouth with one hand and whispered again, his voice still inaudible to the Elementals.
The Defense Secretary’s confusion soon turned to fear as her face clearly paled. “But ... but they told me that it was a non-issue! I was assured that-”
The woman then frantically held up a silver bracelet with a blue jewel embedded at its center. From what Éclair had heard, the bracelets served dual functions as communicators and as atmospheric converters that allowed Merfolk to move in a non-water environment. As the woman typed at various holographic displays arising from her bracelet, all the color drained from her cheeks as her eyes popped in horror. By the stark white expression on her face, Éclair could guess the contents of the information she had just perused.
Éclair and Leon shared a look as he said, “Let me guess. You just lost communication with the palace.”
The flabbergasted Defense Secretary seemed near the point of tears as she put a trembling hand to her throat. “I ... I don’t understand! They said it was only a pod of whales! How ... how...”
“Madame Secretary,” said Erica calmly, her usual firmness replaced with genuine concern. “What was the last report from the security teams?”
The Defense Secretary was indeed crying now as she rubbed her eyes and suppressed a gasping sob. “They-they said that the animals had become very violent ... that they displayed size, strength, and speed not normally found in Atlantean species. Several cities surrounding the palace have already suffered significant damage, but it seemed that the palace itself was their primary target. Our defenses were completely overwhelmed. The last report came out ten minutes ago. It stated that the creatures were heading for the Palace’s Communications Array ... and then all went silent.”
Victor nodded as he cupped his chin, seeming not at all surprised as his impeccable Wielder cool was on full display. “The Communications Array, huh? Then it can’t simply be a case of some unruly wildlife. How soon can reinforcements be sent?”
The Defense Secretary shook her head. “All-all the Defenders in range have orders not to break their formation around Nepton under any circumstances. The Queen gave a direct decree on the matter.”
Thinking fast, Éclair turned to Erica decisively. “For once, I agree with the Queen’s ruling. It could be that the Sharkmen are trying to goad the Defenders into breaking their lines so they can send out troops from the city and occupy more territory. If that’s the case, then we should be the ones to go.”
Erica nodded as she turned to the Defense Secretary with a resolute posture.
Understanding Erica’s meaning, the older Mermaid hesitated as she stammered, “I-I would if I could, but I can’t authorize something like that, not with the Queen’s standing edict that you leave.”
Éclair was about to launch into a tirade of arguments when a newcomer’s voice on the intercom gave her pause. “I can authorize it,” said the male voice, audio only.
Éclair looked to the computer console that Torsha just happened to be manning as the voice persisted. “This is Brigadier Captain Odysseus of the Odyssey. As the commander of the Atlantean Fleet, I take full responsibility.”
There was loud grunting and sounds of turbulence indicating some kind of physical struggle as a female voice suddenly said. “This is Doris, Milfma of Captain Odysseus. For the record, Madame Secretary, I want it made clear that I did not give my mate permission to listen in on your conversation with the Elementals. I, uh, also apologize for not stopping him and eavesdropping as well. If you will show him mercy, I promise to straighten him out right away and-”
More shoving sounds rang out, followed by Odysseus cursing and Doris shouting something like, “You brute!”
“I repeat, let it be done on my authority,” came the Captain’s breathless voice. “Any repercussions that may follow should be put on me and me alone. I defied my Milfma, so Doris has no blame in this matter.”
Again, more shoving noises, followed by some loud sniffling as Doris said in a sobbing whimper, “You don’t get off that easy! I can be rebellious and stubborn, too! So if you get excommunicated, then so will I, damn it!”
There were some shushing and cooing noises from Odysseus as Doris continued crying pitifully into the intercom. If Éclair was not mistaken, there were also some loud smooching and moaning sounds accompanying the crying now, as well as a few lude comments from both parties. Given some of the intimate pillow talk that was starting to spring up, Éclair grew quite uncomfortable. She turned to Torsha in desperation and quickly slid a hand across her throat. The Werewolf blessedly understood the gesture, nodding briskly as she cut off the intercom before things got too spicy.
All the crewmen of the Venture had now gathered on the bridge as they stared at the Defense Secretary in unison. Grafael’s and Tork’s faces were particularly grim, though the younger Water Elementals did a good job of matching the serious mood in the air.
Thankfully, it didn’t take the Defense Secretary long to come to a decision as she said in a stunned whisper, “Go. And Poseidon be with you.”
Jezrin’s head felt like it had just been crushed by a whale, which wasn’t too far off the mark. She heard screams, roars, crashing, and the sound of weapon fire. She also got the sensation of movement as she rested in the strong, muscular arms of her father. He was taking her somewhere. Judging by his haggard breathing, he wasn’t faring too well himself.
“Is she alive, Oceanus?! Please, tell me our baby’s alive!” came the frantic voice of Jezrin’s mother.
“She’s alive, Amphi! She’s alive!” he repeated over and over again as if trying to convince himself.
Jezrin groaned loudly in disgust. Such hysteria was unbecoming of royalty. “Mother. Father. I’m fine. Really, I am. There’s no need for all this fuss,” she said hoarsely, but her voice was too weak to be heard amidst the roar of the battle. She tried to roll out of her father’s grip but found she lacked the strength for that as well. She couldn’t even summon the energy to open her eyes. It was strange. She wasn’t exactly in pain. She just felt limp like a flopping piece of seaweed.
“Corporal, where’s our reinforcements?” came the Queen’s voice again.
“Unsure, your highness!” yelled back the Defender, his voice mixed with laser blasts and the angry growling of dozens of unwholesome creatures. “Signals outside the Palace are being blocked! They must’ve taken out the Communications Array!”
“They’ve cut off all the exits!” came the voice of another Defender. “We need to get the Royals to the Emergency Gateways in the Council Chambers!”
“You can’t leave the other delegates!” demanded the Queen.
“We’ll take as many as we can, but your safety comes first!”
“There’s no time to argue! Jezrin needs help now!” rang out Oceanus’ voice, his powerful chest resonating throughout Jezrin’s whole being.
“Look out!” cried another voice just before the water around Jezrin churned with immense violence.
Jezrin was thrown from her father’s grasp as a colossal shockwave shook the room. She fell to the floor, scraping her elbow against a sharp metal object. Jezrin cried out, the pain bestowing her with the strength to finally open her eyes and move, albeit limitedly. She beheld a world in ruins.
The Council Chambers of Polyphemus had been demolished. The great window of the Cyclops’ eye had been shattered. All about the chamber were strewn the tattered remains of golden shell chariots. Even the thrones had not escaped unscathed as their pieces floated aimlessly out to sea. But of course, the desolation of the once pristine architecture was only part of the horror. There were floating bodies everywhere. Mermaids. Mermen. Delegates from the dozens of races that comprised the Aquatic Alliance. Even quite a few slain Water Horses. Several Water Horses that still lived were running amuck screeching in blind terror.
Jezrin caught sight of her own precious stallion, Fezrin, just before he was caught in the jaws of an unspeakable monstrosity. With a sickening crunch! that broke poor Fezrin’s neck, the majestic Water Horse was silenced forever. Jezrin watched in horror as a gigantic monster slowly ate her dear friend. It was indeed the size of a great whale at over a hundred feet in length, though the word ‘whale’ did not seem to fit with this creature. A whale was majestic and beautiful, everything that this monster clearly was not. It had sickly green skin with warts and callouses covering its whole body. The shape of its tale was reminiscent of a whale, but its upper half was nearly humanoid, almost like a Merperson. However, the humanoid half did not resemble the natural grace exhibited by most Merfolk. It had long, spindly arms with groping fingers curved into claws. Its back curved into an unnatural hunch, and its ribs were prominent on its grotesque form. Despite its great size, the creature looked half-starved as its stretched skin clung tightly to its bony form. Most awful of all was its head, bald and nearly humanoid except for the wide, frenzied yellow eyes and the gaunt, skeleton-like face. Its lips and cheeks seemed non-existent, revealing black gums and a mouth full of sharp, crooked yellow teeth dripping with the blood of Fezrin. To add insult to injury, Fezrin’s head was soon lobbed off as the Zombie Whale bit down hard on his midsection, swallowing her treasured pet in a single sickening gulp. Fezrin’s head, with crimson blood seeping out of the neck wound to mingle with the ocean water, now floated lazily among the refuse littering the once elegant chamber. His lifeless eyes were wide and his mouth was open in a soundless wail.
Several nearby Defenders took aim at the beast that slaughtered Fezrin with their laser-tridents. It cried out in alarm as wounds peppered its large body. The creature’s purple blood flowed throughout the chamber like a fog. Even after suffering hundreds of laser shots that tore at its flesh, the monster still fought back against the Defenders, tearing several to pieces with its wicked claws.
“Jezrin!” cried out Oceanus. Jezrin noticed her father crawling towards her, crimson blood coating his long blue hair and beard. His bulky arms were coated with cuts and bruises and his once beautiful tailfin was horribly disfigured, but a king wouldn’t allow such trivialities keep him from his daughter.
“Daddy!” Jezrin screeched, reaching for him just as fervently. When she tried to crawl to him, a blinding pain stabbed through her arm. She realized that the sharp object she had cut herself on was a piece of metal from the ceiling. Fortunately, she still had some mobility left in her tailfin, allowing her to swim the distance to her father as a cloud of blood followed behind her.
When the two Merfolk reached each other, they embraced in the desperation born of terror. Debris and bodies were falling everywhere. Another Zombie Whale tore into the chamber, throwing up pieces of rubble and broken golden chariots as it dove for the two royals. Just before its rancid jaws could swallow them up, Jezrin and Oceanus were saved by the arrival of the Queen. Amphi raised her hands, using her superb mastery of the waves to create a pocket of solid water around the trio, rebuffing the monster with the power of the sea. Defenders attacked the creature with lasers and tridents, sometimes even using their strong fins to create water currents to push the monsters back. Even guards from the other delegates joined the fray, the Krakens and the Crabfolk among the most ferocious as they attacked with their powerful pinchers and tentacles.
A blinding light to her left caught Jezrin’s attention. She shielded her eyes, pointing to the shimmering white and silver circles that indicated the opening of Gateways. “Mother! The Emergency Gateways!”
Amphi turned to the newly appeared lights, her features briefly lighting up with hope. Unfortunately, that hope soon vanished as large, shadowy figures walked slowly out of the swirling vortexes, blocking off escape.
Jezrin’s eyes went wide in disbelief as a contingent of armed Sharkmen stepped out into the chamber. Dozens of fierce Sharkfolk stared down at the Merfolk with wicked, toothy grins. Jezrin had only seen images of the Sharkfolk, but those images didn’t really convey the sheer savagery of the beings. Their black eyes were alight with hunger that Jezrin had never seen in any being. It made Jezrin think that surely the imposing blend of humanoid and shark was not something that the Lord Caretaker had intended in his master plan. All her life, she was told to look for the good in all sentient lifeforms, but for the first time, she questioned that belief as these creatures regarded her with pure predatory malevolence. Their scarred leader was General Umtha himself. Him she recognized from the constant holovids he sent to the palace.
Most of the Defenders were busy fending off the rampaging Zombie Whales, even managing to down a few, though more kept bursting through the walls and ceiling. When the Defenders closest to the Royals noticed the Sharkfolk, they advanced with weapons raised, but the Sharkmen were faster. Blue lasers sprang from the Sharkmen’s silver rifles, ripping apart at least five Defenders and scattering their limbs and heads to float around the death-filled chamber.
A hovering Zombie Whale took note of the commotion, regarding the Sharkmen as a new threat as it dove at them from above. Jezrin, though hating the Zombie Whales just as much as the Sharkmen, felt at least a fleeting sense of satisfaction in the knowledge that the two sides would likely kill each other off. Unfortunately, her respite did not last as Umtha raised his wrist communicator and pressed a button. A vaguely buzzing noise seemed to emanate throughout the chamber from the Sharkman’s wrist. Whatever the noise was, it seemed to inflict a great deal of pain upon the Zombie Whale as the creature let loose a shriek, covering its head with its huge arms and swimming away. Indeed, though the Zombie Whales continued their assault throughout the Palace, they gave the Sharkmen a wide berth.
He’s controlling them! That must be why they ignored the Wildlife Deterrent System! thought Jezrin, squeezing her father all the tighter as he cradled her to his huge chest.
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