Chapter 13

I walked into the cave to see a desheleved Tiamat and a young mermaid I had never met. This was Viridian Tiamat's youngest daughter. I was requested by the defenders to go to stay with a new mermaid colony called briny deep. As always I jumped into the lagoon and was taken rag doll style by two young mermen. I was taken to a deep part of the Atlantic Ocean. We went past ridges and what looks like underground mountains. I saw a light emanating from the side.

Mere moments later I saw that the place looked like it was a scene from a mermaid novel. I saw people that looked like they came out of my childhood imagination of the merpeople. Dolphins had rein on them and the harness was attached to hollowed metal out discs that were beaten till there was a cavity for them to sit in. Some people were riding them like chariots. They ate only shellfish and they were so gentle. Young

merfolk were seen with fish on leashes. I am guessing these are kept as pets. There were markets and people used sand dollar as money.

I was given a cave to reside in till they realized that I need oxygen to breathe. So they used their gifts to move the water off a shipwreck. Soon they filled the place with air. I was able to breathe. I stayed there and only go out for as long as I can hold my breath. After a few hours there was a screeching sound. I came out to see that the other mermaids have arrived. The great white sharks had reins on them. They were attached to an actual Roman chariot. The wheels were damaged but still appear to be in working conditions. Tiamat was holding the reins. She was not pleased that her responsibility was passed on to another. So she arrived to collect me. The moment I saw her I swam as fast as I could. Both leaders saw what I was doing. But after some time I was stopped. The merman of briny deep pushed me back to the shipwreck.

I was waiting for the verdict when a young mermaid arrived to keep me company. She had chocolate colored skin and her hair was in pigtails. They looked like pom-poms. Her fin was light beige. She didn't wear a seashell bikini but she was cover liberally with scales from her shoulders all the way to her fins. She politely introduced herself as Lilac. She said that she is a member of the defenders. While Tiamat is from the helm of darkness. I said that it doesn't matter. I wanted to see her as well. The mermaid politely refused. She swam outside and called out in Mermish, "Guards". Mermen were soon placed outside with tridents to defend me but I made it clear that Tiamat was my friend so she won't hurt me. The others ignored me on principle till they heard screams. Tiamat's mother Nigreos decided to invade. The merpeople had to go fight her fiercely. I managed to get away from the shipwreck. I swam as fast as I could to reach Tiamat. Nigreos had with her a glowing humming sword. She tried to kill the leader of good mermaid. But I managed to pull the weapon out of her hand and cut off her hand. The sword turned to dust immediately.

Nigreos screamed and swam with her forces of dark sea creatures to the very portal that allowed them to get here. I reached Tiamat and asked her to take me back to her island. She happily escorted me back to her chariot and we were about to leave when the young mermaid stopped us. She said the defenders are able to protect their own. To which Tiamat replied casually that I am no longer a defender but a neutral person of interest. I have been in her protection since I became this vampiric form. We had a deal since I got her what she desperately wanted. I agreed with Tiamat which angered the young mermaid. Nero the king of Briny deep allowed us to leave. His daughter declared her disapproval. He waved her off as we left the place.

After some time I was starting to run of air so I quickly surfaced to see a ship getting smashed by orcas. The boat sank and Tiamat's children started to feast off the passengers. I looked the other way till they were done. The sharks took the chariot with Viridian on the reins while I took Tiamat's hand. She took me to her island within mere moments. She swims faster than I can fly. Tiamat thanked me for feeding her children. I bowed with respect and she took it as a victory. She made sure mention this to her children. Also that they and their descendants don't harm me. I had promised to help her with her attempt to restore the secrecy of their existence from human beings.

Viridian arrived and the others help her place the chariot in cave somewhere in the north side of the island. I walked to see Yuri had arrived. I shivered as he recalled the day he first met me. It was the day Poseidon's Trident was destroyed. Tiamat mentioned that there was a relic that could imprison her mother but unfortunately it was an island she can't go to. I asked her to send me there and I will acquire the relic for her. Yuri's happy demeanor changed to something serious. He said that the crystal dagger has been lost for ten millennias and everyone has been searching for it. There's no way they can find. It is unlikely to fall on their laps.

I asked Yuri to get me my dagger which I named Mini Excalibur. He did so but reluctantly. Tiamat wanted to know what was going on. I said that this could be used as an alternative. Tiamat said that she will consider it. The high council had sent a witch as tribute so Tiamat and her children began to eat. I asked permission to go swimming to which I was allowed. I requested that the sharks avoid me since I have crippling fear of them. Viridian sent them to a safe distance so I can take a dip. I swam around observing the life around the coral reef and the seaweeds. I saw breeds of fish that I had never know existed. The underwater scenery took my breath away.

Moments later the air in my lungs departed when I saw a great white shark about a hand span away from me with it's mouth wide open. I screamed the air of my lungs and I was once again surrounded by bubbles. I noticed that it didn't attack me or anything. It just stood at a distance. I felt myself go numb but somehow I found the courage to swim back to shore. The fact that it was so close is already filling me with dread. I will have trouble sleeping tonight. Viridian had commanded the sharks to convince me to come back to the island. It turns out Lilac had arrived with a note from the other defenders proving that I am supposed to go with them. But like I said I was under Tiamat's protection. An angry Lilac wasn't convinced so she demanded proof. Tiamat merely waved her hand over my arm. A tattoo appeared shaped like the head of Tiamat in monster form so Lilac left empty handed.