Chapter 31 - Short Reunion

Chapter 31

Short Reunion

Back in Arktis, Amelia, Haruto, and Lynae were in the tavern looking around all of the happy mer celebrating their victory they had nearly a week ago. Amelia couldn't feel but anguish and anxiety throughout the celebration. Then Haruto grasped her hand in comfort. "It's gotten worse, hasn't it?" Haruto said with sad eyes.

"Haruto-" Amelia was then cut off. "Tell me the truth, and don't brush it off saying 'you're fine'. What is troubling you the most?" Haruto demanded an answer out of Amelia.

"They're coming back." Amelia said softly. "When?" Haruto asked. "In two days, they'll be bringing on some crew of some sorts. They're going to try to expose and potentially capture us, Haruto." Amelia said shaking.

"Then what are we waiting for? We have to get ready for them!" Haruto said jerking up spilling the contents on the table. Then he swam over to get everyone's attention.

"Listen up, may I have your attention please?" The mer simmered down to listen in. "I've just received a tip that this battle is not over yet. More ships are coming." Everyone turned in confusion. "This is very important because this means our livelihoods are at stake. They're possibly going to send in divers to search for us."

"We shouldn't have attacked! I knew this would happen!" Multiple angry mer shouted. "Listen, we can..." But Haruto's voice wavered over the shouts of screaming mer in worry. Knowing he needed to get their attention, he took in a deep breath, and belted out a screech that was powerful that glasses were shattered from the strong sound waves.

Everyone paused after hearing the painstaking supersonic screech from Haruto. "Now that I have your attention again, they won't get far because I have a plan."

While Haruto was explaining and calming the crowd down, Amelia was dumbstruck at Haruto's ability. Was this part of his powers? Could other mer do what he just did? Thoughts swirled around and gave Amelia an idea of how to sway the ships and divers away.

"Then we should not take the arrival lightly. If what we hear is true, we will be ready to take position." Beluga stated supporting Haruto's idea. The mer then cheered with confidence that they could outsmart what was awaiting them.

"Haruto! Wait!" Amelia grabbed him by the arm as he walked off. "How did you do that?" Amelia asked. "Yeah, that was a bit extreme, but incredible." Lynae chimed in.

"Did what? Screech?" Haruto questioned as he was confused as what the girls were asking.

"Yeah, is that part of your abilities?" Amelia questioned more. "No, it's actually what every mer can do. You didn't know that?" Haruto chuckled in disbelief. "Well we weren't exactly mermaids as long as you were, you know," Lynae scoffed at him.

"Fair enough, what got you figuring into that ability? Did you thought of possibly using that to make the terra's ears bleed?" Haruto asked.

"Well, they do have sound detectors of some kind; I would imagine so it would be kind of dangerous to talk openly when they are nearby." Amelia pondered on possibilities to chase them off. Then an idea came to her. "Lynae, tell everyone not to say a word when the boats come. If they have anything to say, they can telepath me. Just tell them to reach out through their thoughts that's all they need to do to reach me." Amelia ordered. "On it," Lynae swam and told the other mer instructions for the incoming intruders.

"Nice, I feel much more comfortable knowing what we're going to do, and how you have the inside scoop ahead of us," Haruto said feeling relieved. "Don't count on a victory just yet, remember, I can't see everything, I'm not God," Amelia reminded him. "I know, but it helped get us prepared for what's to come. I'm sure Lynae also appreciates you helping her people out as well." Haruto said warmly.

"You would too," Amelia rebutted. "No I wouldn't, I'd cut my losses and say, 'not my kingdom, not my problem.'" Haruto retorted. "Uh huh, keep telling yourself that," Amelia said slyly.

It was the day of the invasion that Amelia had predicted. A scouter from the west side of Arktis spotted two ships coming this way. He radioed in via conch to get the tribes prepared.

"Alright now, listen up, we have three ships coming our way and possibly more. They are heading at approximately forty knots southeast according to our latest report. Now remember, it is imperative that you listen to these instructions. One, no talking whatsoever, if it is an emergency, reach out to Queen Amelia through telepathy. All you do is call out to her through your thoughts, and she will hear you. However, keep in mind, she is in this battle alongside us. This is why I say emergencies only. Two, when the signal is let out, we lay low. And I mean really low. These divers can only go so far with the barometric pressure on our side. Lastly, if you see a diver or if you are close to one, well; let's just hope it doesn't come to that, otherwise, do what needs to be done. Any questions?" Beluga gave out orders and waited for an answer which he did not get. "Alright, Pup Squad will get into position and fulfill their objectives. The rest, let's move out!" Beluga lead the way with his team of mer going down the depths of the icy waters.

The signals were given and the sound of trumpets erupted. Everyone got into position as the ships came into their territory. Amelia focused with her strength to eavesdrop on the ship's crew.

"Alright, gentleman, we don't know what we will find in this expedition, but if anything, we need to take extra precaution. If you see anything suspicious, report in. If needing a closer look, approach with caution but avoid detection. We will also have these microphones on the divers and planted underwater. If you can't see anything, we will at least have audio. Remember, treat this as if you were on a rebel base. Godspeed." The captain announced.

A few minutes later the microphones were dispersed in the water and the divers were scattered. Lynae then stretched her hand focusing on the water around her. Concentrating hard, she tried to lower the temperature even more. As she lowered the temperatures, the divers were looking at their oxygen tanks. "Didn't we fill these tanks beforehand?" One diver asked.

"The water is getting extremely cold, I'm having a hard time moving around," Another diver complained.

These were the voices that Amelia was hearing in their minds. She silently said in her thoughts, "It's working, Lyn, keep going, they can't tolerate this cold much longer."

The divers eventually gave up and returned to the ships. However, what Amelia didn't expect was the crew also had a submersible. As the submersible was about to take off. Amelia focused on the ships' control rooms. She effectively made their connections go haywire and their visuals were shut off completely. The submersible's auto release was malfunctioned as well.

However, this didn't stop the submersible from dropping down. They had a manual release latch if the auto became non responsive. Amelia grew worried as the carrier became closer to them.

"Fallback. We can't afford to be seen." Amelia telepathed to everyone. They swam down as they saw the carrier drop further down. Everyone hid in the tightest places they could where the submersible could not reach. A bright light was shining through the larger cracks, but it didn't last long since the direction of the light went horizontal.

While Amelia was hiding, she checked around the area with her telekinesis and still saw the microphones floating in the water. Then she went to telepath Haruto.

"Haruto!"

"Yeah?" "Can your vocals reach the microphones from where you're at?" Amelia asked. "Yeah, it won't be as strong though to take the mics out I'm afraid." Haruto stated.

"That's okay, we just need to drive them away as soon as possible. Can you screech without the sub catching you in sight?" Amelia asked.

"That's not a problem, I'm on it right now," Haruto said and swam out. He then took in a deep breath. With all of his might, he belted out his supersonic screech and the waves went directly towards the microphones.

Then the boats caught something on the mics. "What in the devil is that?" A crewman asked. "Fine tune it," the first mate commanded. The crewman did what he was told and when he altered the sound reception, the hull was filled with an unbearable, high pitched noise.

Everyone was trying to cover their ears but the sound was so loud that some of the crew fainted. "Turn it off! Turn it off!" The first mate shouted. While barely hearing his commands, the crew member turned off the microphone reception. It was then complete silence.

"What the hell was that?!" A crew member cried out. "I feel dizzy, first mate," another groaned. "That's enough for today. Clearly, we are not wanted here. Bring up the submersible," The captain commanded.

"Captain, what do we put in the report?" First mate asked. "We'll look on the footage from the submersible, maybe they had better luck than we did."

From Amelia's vision, she saw that the sub was called back and the mics were pulled up. Haruto noticed that they were backing out returning from where they sailed in. Amelia gave the clear notice for everyone to come out.

"Are they gone?" A mer asked.

"For now, let's hope for good." Lynae stated.

Hours have passed and everyone was at the villages celebrating on chasing away the intruders once more. Then Beluga came up. "If I may have your attention, please. For decades, we have seen the decline of our food supply grew from these fishermen. However, in nearly one week, we were able to cease the decline and encourage the creatures to come back to repopulate. I would like to thank this person. She may be a mere sardine from the looks of it, but she's got the spirit of a barracuda. Please join me in thanking our Drottning, Lynae, ruler of Arktis!"

Everyone clapped and cheered loudly as she stepped up the platform in the tavern. She then turned to make her speech.

"I'm very humbled at how you've welcomed me within your tribe and for Arktis in general. To be honest, I did not ask for these powers. I did not ask to be ruler. In fact, it took me the realization that my people were starving and nearly to the brink of extinction to step up. I'm not saying you guilt tripped me into coming to help. I'm saying I've finally accepted in what I was destined to do. I've seen first hand on how you all lived, and it got me thinking about how I should rule. As your Drottning, I don't want to share the burden of making all of the decisions on behalf of each and every one of you.

For centuries, you've lived in tribal communities. You were more connected and shown more like a family than I've seen in a lifetime. Therefore, I have an announcement to make. I have decided to make the tribal chiefs as representatives for the many districts we have in our Arktis nation. Each representative will have a seat at my council. They will carry your voice and embody each and every one of you here."

She then turns to Beluga, "So with that being said, Beluga, if you please," Beluga stood and faced her. "Kneel for me," he did as he was asked. Lynae then crafted a medallion of ice with the tribe's symbol on it. "Beluga, it is my honor to bestow upon you this honor as being Baffinbukt's first ever tribunal chief representative of Arktis. Please rise," She commanded after placing the medallion necklace around his head. "Baffinbukt, please welcome your chief figure, Beluga!" Lynae declared while holding up his arm in the air.

The mer roared in cheers and started chanting Beluga's name. "Tribal Chief Beluga, I trust that I can see you attending council when called upon to do so?" Lynae asked. "It will be my honor, for the Norse gods, for my Drottning, and for Arktis." Beluga said accepting his political position.

"Now I won't bore you on how the council will work yet. For tonight, we dine and drink!" Lynae shouted with enthusiasm. Everyone clapped and clinked their glasses merrily as the music began playing once more in the tavern.

"Lynae, I must say, you've come a long way from where you were, I'm very proud of you," Amelia hugged Lynae. "I appreciate the sentiment. I hope you don't mind but I wanted to run my realm a little differently than yours. I still want that sense of independence like how our government in the United States is set up. Besides, I'm not going to be just sitting on my ass all day on any icy throne either." Lynae said jovially.

"How you wish to rule is entirely up to you, and like how the other oceanic realms are up to each of us." Amelia reminded.

"Your passion is quite admirable. I'm glad as well that you've accepted your rightful place on the throne of Arktis." Haruto said attempting to congratulate Lynae. "And you came a long way wanting to take the seven seas all for yourself." Lynae said smartly. "You will never let me live that down, will you?" Haruto said sighing in frustration. "Nope!" Lynae said teasing him.

"Let her have her moment, Haruto, it's a joyous day for Arktis. The least we can do is help celebrate their progress for prosperity and peace." Amelia said comforting him. "As long they are happy, then I guess I am as well." Haruto said. "That's the spirit!" Amelia said tugging at him.

Suddenly the door flew open with two strong figures coming through. Beluga rose up and shouted. "State your name and why you dare make such a fearsome approach on my tribal grounds?" Beluga demanded.

"My apologies, but I must speak with Coronum Reginae immediately!" The figure requested firmly. "What business do you have with the Reginae of Atlantica?!" Beluga shouted growing impatient. "That is none of your concern but mine and hers alone."

"Wait a minute, hold up... Meredith?!" Lynae got closer to see who it was and it was her sister Meredith alongside with her guard. She then rushed to hug her sister tightly. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in Samudra?" Lynae asked. "I need to see Amelia, it's important." Meredith pleaded.

"Did you know this maiden, Drottning?" Beluga asked.

"Drottning?" Meredith asked. "That's their way of calling me their queen. Yes, Beluga, this is Meredith, she is my sister, queen of Samudra." Lynae explained and then turned her attention toward Beluga.

"An honor to have you here Queen of Samudra, I apologize for my harsh interrogation earlier for I was merely startled." Beluga apologized. "Within every right to be, I do apologize for startling your guards, but as I have mentioned, I need to attend my business with Reginae of Atlantica for it is urgent." Meredith explained.

"I am here, we can discuss in private outside." Amelia suggested. Then Meredith nodded as she led the way out of the tavern.

Amelia swam out of the warm lit tavern back into the cold, darken sea floor with only a few magma torches lit up around the area. She clenched her shawl and slowly picked her eyes up to meet Meredith's.

"You need me for something, don't you?" Amelia asked but knew she was right guessing at why she was summoned out here to discuss with Meredith. Meredith then sighed. "Yes, well, no, ugh. I'll just get to the point. I was sent by another royal figure to come get you." Meredith explained.

"As prisoner?" Amelia asked only raising an eyebrow but not wavering. "No, it's not like that at all. You see, The Princess of Alearabia's father is dying." Meredith continued. "And what makes you think my powers can help save him from something we are surely guaranteed in life?" Amelia condescended. "No, not save his life, she wants you to help her father die in peace." Meredith corrected Amelia. "And so she can take the throne for herself? Kind of a selfish motive if you ask me." Amelia commented once more.

"Oh my gosh, how do I explain this? Your ascendant was betrothed. And her father is the reincarnate of Cirra's former fiancé Prince Naji."

"I think I might have skimmed on a few pages on Prince Naji but they were very vague not explaining his relation to the five. I didn't see any betrothal records in the archives. Are you absolutely sure?" Amelia asked.

"I'm not, but Cyra and her brothers are certain that he is the reincarnate of the Prince. Will you not come with me to help them?" Meredith begged. Amelia paused for a brief moment thinking of her options. She cannot see whether or not Meredith might be betraying her, but she could sense suffering afar where Meredith was explaining.

"You haven't betrayed my trust once, and the archives did mention Naji a couple of times not giving a lot of detail about him. I will go with you. When do you intend to leave?" Amelia said.

"Not tomorrow, but the next morning, I have some catching up to do with my sister." Meredith answered while looking through the window of the tavern seeing that her sister was having such a great time. They headed back in the tavern to celebrate in the long night. Lynae was ecstatic to not only celebrate their realm's victory, but a nice surprise visit from Meredith as well.

The next morning, everyone was gathered for breakfast. Haruto, Amelia, Lynae, and Meredith were all chatting in one table.

"Wait, carriages?! They have carriages?!" Lynae was surprised. "I need to get my people into researching this and start making them pronto cause I'm tired of all this long stretch swimming!" "Leave it to one of the royals having such a luxury. Have this Princess send over some blueprints, and I'll definitely be into that business." Haruto agreed.

"Will do, she offered me a currus, but I declined, I'm not a fan of it myself, I would rather swim freely." Meredith stated. "You know you still can with a porpoise, right?" Haruto mentioned. "Oh, yeah, I guess I could have." Meredith paused for a moment and thought it through.

"Did you know you can talk through a conch like a cell phone?" Lynae asked Meredith. "Wait for real?" Meredith said stunned at their discovery. "You didn't know that?" Haruto said deriding her. "Hey, shut up! You've been underwater longer than we have, and this is news to us!" Lynae chided him.

While Haruto and Lynae were bickering, Amelia stirred her ice sea lettuce tea using her telepathic powers in a slow counter clockwise motion. Meredith noticed this from Amelia probably thinking she was pondering about the meeting with Alearabia's Princess Cyra. Amelia was thinking to herself trying to get to Cirra in some way.

Cirra, if you're there, please tell me if this is true or not. I know I've seen his name numerous of times in the archives but nowhere does it show your relations towards him.

"Mere, you should come with me, there's so much I want to show you around Arktis!" Lynae said dragging her along. "Alright, alright, hang on," Meredith giggled. Haruto noticed that Amelia's demeanor was unusual. He then swam side by side with Amelia as Lynae and Meredith were up ahead leading the way.

"Want to tell me what Meredith wanted from you? Sounded pretty urgent." Haruto asked trying to comfort her. "Another royal has requested my presence in Alearabia and made Meredith their messenger." Amelia coldly explained. "Do you think she is forced to come get you against her will?" Haruto asked. "No, her demeanor was sincere and not forced." Amelia responded. "Do you think it's a trap?" Haruto asked. "Not really, I sense pain and anguish but I can't determine who is suffering," Amelia questioned more.

"Is it more apparent when someone you know is suffering?" Haruto asked. "Yes, it paints a clear picture, but when I first had those visions of Allura, all I was able to see of her was her tail and nothing more. This is like how it is now as well," Amelia explained. "Should I come with you?" Haruto asked. "I would feel more comfortable if you were to keep Lynae company while she sorts things out with her kingdom first."

"What if she stays?" Haruto asked. "She won't." Haruto was about to ask her how she would know but he knew instantly why she could. He kept his mouth gaping without a voice coming out of it. "I know, still getting use to it." Amelia said blatantly. "Was that directed toward me or you?" Haruto asked. "Both," Amelia smiled.

"If anyone other than Meredith or Marius go with me, it could potentially be more dangerous for me. I rather play it safe than risk your life over your involvement with looking after me." Amelia explained. "Only if you think it's best. Like you said, we cannot afford any enemies right now." Haruto quoted her own words.

They headed up to the surface and took a deep breath of the cold air above them. "What are you wanting to show us, sis?" Meredith asked. "Take a look at how these iceberg and ice caps are versus underwater. It's the same element, but they feel and look different compared to each other." Lynae said pointing out.

"Yeah and?" Meredith said not getting where she was coming from. "Imagine how the humans see this water. Do they just think there's just fish underwater? Or does their curiosity drive them to plunge underwater?" Lynae asked sincerely.

"I see where you're going with this. It's what grandma had said all those years ago isn't it?" Amelia spoke up. "Yeah, that time she gave us these lockets. Now I understand what she meant all those years ago. Never just look straight." Lynae said stammering.

Amelia then looked over at Lynae smiling at her reminiscing their late grandmother together. It reminded them on how much they had a really good time when they were really little. Seeing each other together made them wonder. It made them wonder if their grandmother was watching over them with joy and pride as they persevered on to making a world where they came from into a better place.

The four of them played together like little children until dusk. Their bond was now stronger than ever before. And they feel that no matter what would happen in the future, they would be ready for it and support each other. Meredith and Lynae would fall asleep cuddling one another as it would be their last night before being a while they would see each other again.