Chapter 26: Five years later

"Hey Alon! Malik! Time for dinner!" I said. My twin boys came running to the dinner table. My grandparents and other neighbors helped to babysit these two rascals. "Hey Rin. Welcome home. The boys just got to the table." "Thanks Kai. I don't know where you boys get your energy from. I want some." They both laughed. We laughed too. Then we ate our dinner.

"How was work Kai?" "Oh it was fine. I had a train a new person today. It was sort of fun. Oh and on the surface, more and more creatures are showing up." "Yeah I talked to sea and our parents about it and they said it was thanks to you." Said Rin. "All I did was say no matter who or what a person is, should be treated equal." "Yes and that's why someone heard and took it too the boss of the town and is allowing it." "Woah dad. Your like a star!" said Malik. "I guess you can say that Malik. I am like a star." "Oh I forgot to tell you Kai. There is going to be a reunion coming up. Your uncle Aiden and his kids are going to be there with your aunt Chris I think her name was?" "Yeah that's her name. That's cool. I haven't seen those guys since I left their ship. It will be nice to see them. We should bring the kids." "Yes I was thinking the same thing." "Woah no way! We get to meet River and Rush! Yes! After you told me about them, they sounded awesome. I wanted to meet them." "Well Alon. Now is your chance." I said. "Did they have a date yet?" "They are still waiting to hear back from your uncle." "Oh ok then. After work tomorrow, I go up I will see if they had any word from them." "OK sounds good." So we finished eating our dinner and got the boys to bed.

We stayed up longer to talk about things. "So how was your work? I forgot to ask." "Oh its fine. I took care of Talia's kids today. They are just as handful and our kids. Same age." "haha is that so? We should introduce our kids to them sometime then." "Yeah. That would be nice. Oh I forgot to ask. How are your merfriends?" "Oh about that, we were invited to Harkin's coronation. Its in 2 Days. Scarlet said for us not to worry about clothes. To come 2 hours early so we can get ready." "Oh I can't wait to see what she has in store for us." "Oh and don't worry. Its in the castle, which is air. You won't need an air bubble for that part of the castle anyway." "Oh that's good. For the kids too." "Hey Rin? I worry about the kids. I just don't want them to suffer like I did if they turn. Knowing Malik the youngest twin, I don't know if he will be able to handle the pain. If Alon turned, I know he would be able to handle it." "Oh Kai. Everything will be fine." Said Rin. "Our boys are strong. I mean look at their father. He's a strong and handsome man. He can make friends with anyone. No matter what happens, he is always there for the ones he loves." "Oh you." Then I hugged her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "We should probably get to bed. I have work in the morning." "Ok Kai." Rin sighed.

The next morning, I got up to get ready for work. I got my clothes on then turned and headed to work. "Hey guys. How is everything this morning!" "Oh good thanks!" Said the Captain. "You look a little chipper." Said Sea. "Haha Yeah. I just got invited to a Coronation in a couple of days. The sister has the clothes picked out of us." "Oh well lucky you." "Oh I will have to miss work in 2 days. That's when the coronation is." "That's fine. How are the boys doing?" said Cliff. "A handful as ever." I sighed. "You looked tired Kai." Said Kaia. "You sure your going to be able to work?" "Yeah I'm fine. I will pull through." "If you need any rest, you can rest a bit on my ship." "Thanks Kaia. That would help a lot. I'll try not to need it though. Ok who do I need to help right now?" "Oh go ahead and help Kaia then Millie will need your help then go from there." Said Captain. "Ok then."

After work I headed to mom and dad's house. "Hey mom. Dad. I came for a visit." "Oh hey Kai. How have you been." Said mom. "Ok I guess. Kids are exhausting. I just wish Elias was here to see the kids now. Dammit! I know its not my fault, but I still think it is. If I had just stayed with him, he would still be alive. I wish people would just blame me. It would be a lot easier." I punched the wall. "Sorry mom. At least I didn't make a hole in it." "Take a deep breath Kai." Said dad. "Sorry guys. I came here to visit, and I'm acting like a child." "Its ok. Its understandable. Even though he died 4 years ago its still fresh in some of our minds." "If they hadn't gone after my kids, I would have been able to stay with him. I would be the one in his place. Then the kids wouldn't have a father and that would be bad." I took a deep breath like dad said, and calmed down. "OK. I feel better now. I forgot to ask Kaia. Did they get any word from my uncle yet?" "Yeah they did. They will be here in 4 days. So two days after the coronation. Good." So I visited normally with them.

After the visit I headed back home. "Hey everyone. I'm home." "Daddy" Said Malik. "Hey dad." Said Alon. "Oh good. Your home. How was work?" "It was good. My tiredness started to show. Kaia said I could take a nap on her ship if I wanted to. Thankfully I didn't need to." "Oh that's good. Do you have any news from your uncle?" "Oh yeah. 2 days after the coronation is when he will be here. Most likely around dinner time. We will be staying on Kaia's ship until they arrive." "Oh ok. Sounds good." "Hey honey. I think I'm going to sleep for an hour." "Ok sleep well." So I went to my bed and went to sleep.

An hour later, Rin went into the room to check on Kai to make sure he was ok. "Hey Kai are you alright?" "Hmm. Yeah. I'm fine." "Ok I'm going to be with the boys if you need me." "Thanks honey. I have to do some work here." "OK see you soon. OK come on boys." So they went outside to play.

It was getting time to get ready for bed. "Night boys. Sleep well ok?" I said. "Ok daddy." Said Malik. "Night dad." Said Alon. "Night boys. Love you." Then I left and it was Rin's turn.

I waited for Rin on the couch for our time together. Then I saw her finally come out. "Hey Kai. Why the long face?" said Rin. I sighed. "I did it again. Every time I go over there I feel so guilty of what happened to Elias. I start freaking out. I know its been 4 years since it happened but I just can't deal with it. I should have been in his place. I should have been the one to stand in front of the kids not him. I was just 1 second too late. I hate myself." "Oh Kai. I know mom and dad probably told you this but its not your fault." "Actually it is. Now that I think about it, I think I was possessed at the time. I couldn't control my body or maybe I could. I knew our kids would be taken, I just didn't think they would hurt them or even kill them." "Kai. It doesn't matter what happened whatever it was, its done now. We may have lost a brother but its not your fault ok?" "Yeah. We should probably go to bed." So we went to bed, I pretended to go to sleep and waited until I heard Rin's breathing relax.

'Good. She's asleep. I can sneak out now.' I thought. Then I heard a door open and cursed in my head. I turned around and it was my boys. "Hey boys what is it?" "Malik had a nightmare." Said Alon. "OK go see your mom. I have to go somewhere important ok?" "Where you going dad?" "Don't worry about it. Tell mom I will be back ok?" "Ok dad." Said Alon. Then I turned and headed out.

"Ok where are these bastards that killed my brother?! I want to slaughter each and every one that was involved." So I swam further in, until I finally got to their base. "Open up! My name is Kai! You killed my brother!" Then I heard someone say "Open the gate!" so I walked in and said, "Where can I find the boss?!" "He's been waiting for you." Said a half shark man. So I followed him to his boss's quarters.

I was let to a strange building I have never seen before. He knocked on the door. (Knock knock) "Its me. I got the boy." "Come on in." said the boss. So I went in with the shark man. "You may leave Z." "Yes sir." So the shark man left and I was left alone with the boss. All the people here were half shark half men. So we were underwater and I was in my Sea dragon form. "You know why I came here don't you." "Yes I'm pretty sure I do. You want to kill the people who are responsible for your brothers death." "Well your smarter than you look. So where are they?" "First I want to ask you. Do you really think killing them will make you feel better?" "I don't know. Its worth a shot." I said honestly. "Well if you think it is, then follow me." So I followed the boss where the people who murdered Elias were.

We finally got to the cells where 4 of them were. "Take them out. Take them to where you do your death sentence." I said demanding. "Do as he says." Said the boss. So they did as he told them and I followed them. Us Sea dragons have poisonous claws and saliva. I was thinking if I could just pierce their neck with my claw, I would be happy they would die.

Finally made it to the place where they kill people. The prisoners couldn't move. They made sure of it. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I clung out my claws and pointed it at the first guys neck that did the final blow to Elias. The guy didn't look scared at all. Which made me irritated. "Why aren't you scared? Are you not afraid of death?" "Ha. Why would I be afraid of death. I came close to it plenty of times. I'll probably escape it again." "What makes you so sure you will?" "Oh I just have a feeling. Look. If you really want to know what happened that day it was your brothers fault. You and he should have known I wasn't going to kill your kids. Yes it may have looked that way, but we were going to hit the ground beside them. We wouldn't hurt kids. He just jumped in without knowing and got himself killed." I walked closer to the guy and said, "That is a lie. I remember being possessed and couldn't do anything. When I came back my brother was already protecting them. I don't really know who did the finishing blow. Was I myself? Or Did you people kill him? I need to know before I make my decision." "Yes you were possessed. That was his doing." He pointed to the man next to him. No you didn't kill your brother. It was me. Like I told you he got in the way without thinking and I just hit him in a bad spot and killed him." Where is the proof? If its true I would like to see proof. Until then I will have to kill one of you and if I see proof I will leave the rest of you alive. I choose you the one I am talking to." "Fine with me I have nothing to lose." I put my claw to his neck and hesitated. I saw Elias in my head saying "Don't do it. Its no ones fault. I really though he was going to kill them. I was the stupid one jumping in not knowing. If you do it you would be just like them. You will regret it for the rest of your life." "I know brother." I said to myself. "I'm sorry. I will have to be." I put my nail into his neck and his veins turned black. "Now unless you show me the proof the rest of them die." Everyone looked shocked because they didn't think I would actually do it.

"We have the proof in here. Follow us." Said the boss. I followed the boss to a room with some screens for different things. "I had him microchipped in case things got out of hand. I also have a witness." "Bring in the witness." I was shocked on who it was. "Pisces? You saw the whole thing? Please tell me. What happened. I need to know." Then he told me just what the man I poisoned said. "No. It can't be right. I want to see for myself. Play what the chip recorded." I demanded. So the boss did. I watched the whole clip and thought for a moment. Then I decided to go back out and kill the rest of them. I didn't realize Pisces was following me. I got my claws out and this time I'm not just going to pierce I'm going to slice their necks.

Just as I was about to slash a neck, I heard Pisces's voice. "Stop Kai!" "No! I know what happened now and its not their fault. They still took my babies. They are going to pay!" Before Pisces was able to get to me I sliced the rest of their necks. I looked at Pisces and swam away to see the boss. "I'm leaving now. If anyone tries to kidnap my family or friends again. I won't hesitate. This is what happens. This is the last time I better see you or your kind." I said in a criminal voice. I swam off and out the gate headed for home.