Chapter44: Investigating

Near the end of the afternoon, Yang, Teru, Liam, and Tarish arrived at the entrance of Arán village. They were dirty and covered in wounds, clear signs that they had survived a battle with savages. One of the guards stopped them, observing them cautiously.

"We are the companions of the female who arrived at the village with another of her companions," Yang explained, trying to maintain his calm despite the evident exhaustion in his eyes.

The guards, seeing the state they were in, exchanged glances before finally allowing them to pass after a few minutes of deliberation.

"You may enter, but don't cause any trouble," said one of the guards, opening the village gate.

Yang, Teru, Liam, and Tarish quickly entered, following the special connection they shared with Lala thanks to their conjugal mark. They sensed her presence in the last cabin of a row. They headed there with firm but hurried steps, eager to see her and ensure she was safe.

Upon reaching the cabin, Yang knocked gently on the door.

"Lala, it's us," Yang said in a firm but soft voice.

The door opened slowly, and there stood Lala, her face illuminated by a mixture of relief and happiness at seeing them. Noir was beside her, with an expression of calm and security.

"Yang! Teru! Liam! Tarish!" exclaimed Lala, hugging them one by one, feeling the relief of having them all safe.

"Thank the Creator God that you're all right!" said Noir, his voice low but full of gratitude.

Lala looked at all of them, her eyes shining with tears of relief, the presence of her husbands giving her strength. They sat in the cabin, sharing their experiences and making sure everyone was well.

"We've reached a safe place, at least for now," said Yang, looking at Lala with tenderness. "The most important thing is that you and the cubs are okay."

"Yes, we're safe thanks to all of you," replied Lala, caressing her belly with a smile.

The cabin was simple but cozy. The wooden walls were adorned with seashells, and a soft breeze carried the smell of the sea.

Upon entering the cabin, Lala hurried to clean the wounds and apply ointments to Yang and Teru. When it was Liam's turn, she noticed a new mark on his arms, indicating an increase in his power.

"Congratulations on your new mark, my Liam," she whispered in his ear, kissing his cheek softly.

Liam's face blushed intensely like a cherry. Lala smiled and continued treating him. When examining Tarish, she saw that he too had ascended with a new power mark, now with three marks on his body.

"Congratulations, my little cat, on becoming a male with three stripes," she whispered in his ear and kissed his cheek.

Tarish remained silent, blushing intensely. Lala finished cleaning and healing everyone, feeling deeply grateful to have them back.

"Rest now, Noir and I will take care of things today," she stroked Yang's hair.

Lala and Noir took out the cooking utensils they had brought and began preparing a vegetable stew with pieces of meat. The aroma of the food filled the cabin, providing a sense of home and security. The candlelight flickered softly, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

"Thank you all for returning safely," said Lala as she stirred the stew. "I'm so glad to have you here."

Noir approached and hugged her from behind, placing a kiss on her neck.

"We are also happy to be back, Lala. And even happier to know that you and our cubs are well."

Dinner was a moment of unity and gratitude. Everyone enjoyed the stew and shared stories of the battle, feeling more united than ever. As the night progressed, exhaustion overtook them and, one by one, they fell asleep, grateful to be together and safe.

A rumor had spread among them like the murmur of sea currents: a new female had arrived.

The males, always curious about the unknown and especially intrigued by the possibility of a new companion, approached the guards who had been the first to see her timidly. They spoke among themselves in whispers, mixing expectation and admiration in every word.

"Do you think that terrestrial female came to find a new companion?" asked one of the males, his eyes shining with excitement under the glow of the bioluminescent waters.

"I want to see her myself," replied another, his voice broken with excitement. "They say she's as beautiful as our mermaids, is that true?"

The guards, privileged witnesses of the new female's arrival, nodded with a mixture of reverence and caution. They had seen the foreigner up close, admiring her grace as she moved along the village paths.

The next day, after a restorative night, Teru was the first to get up. With skill and affection, he prepared breakfast for Lala: a steaming vegetable soup and a fresh fruit salad. The warm, comforting aroma filled the cabin, slowly awakening its occupants.

Liam was the next to wake. Observing the disorder, he improvised a broom and began sweeping the room and hallway. His movements were careful, wanting to ensure that everything was clean and welcoming for Lala. Meanwhile, Noir unpacked and arranged their belongings, organizing them in what would be their home during the rainy season.

Lala, still enjoying Yang's warm and fluffy fur, felt comfortable and protected. Embraced by her third husband, she woke up slowly. Upon opening her eyes, she felt a deep connection with her surroundings, the aroma of soup and fruits mixing with the familiar smell of her husbands. With a tender smile, she caressed her belly, noticing it was rounder than before.

"Good morning, my little ones," she murmured affectionately, whispering words of love to the beings growing inside her.

Yang, feeling Lala's movement, looked at her with eyes full of love and warmth.

"Did you sleep well, my Lala?" he asked, his voice low and reassuring.

"Yes, very well. I feel more rested," replied Lalabel, caressing Yang's soft fur. "Thank you for always being by my side."

Meanwhile, Teru approached with a bowl of hot soup and a fruit salad.

"Good morning, Lala. I've prepared this for you. I hope you like it," said Teru with a smile, extending the bowl to her.

Lala accepted the breakfast with gratitude, the comforting aroma further awakening her senses.

"Thank you, Teru. You always know how to make me feel special," replied Lala, taking a spoonful of the soup and feeling its warmth spread through her body.

Liam, having finished sweeping, approached and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead.

"My Lala. Do you need anything else?" he asked, his eyes full of concern and love.

"No, I'm fine. Thank you, Liam. All of you make me feel very cared for," said Lala, her eyes shining with gratitude.

Noir joined the group, gave Lala a kiss on the cheek.

"Today is going to be quite a busy day, we need to check that the cabin roof is in good condition and finish unpacking the rest of the things," Noir explained, continuing, "Lala, you should go out for a walk in your beast form, accompanied by two of us."

After Lala finished breakfast, she decided to take a walk with Teru and Tarish through the Arán village. Meanwhile, Noir, Yang, and Liam took care of arranging the cabin and reinforcing the roof, making sure it was in perfect condition for the rainy season.

Lala transformed into an elegant panther, moving with grace and agility. Teru and Tarish, walking beside her, accompanied her as they explored the village. Their eyes shone with curiosity as they observed their surroundings, and they soon discovered several interesting things about the culture of the inhabitants.

During their walk, they learned that most of the mermaids and mermen in the village had names beginning with the letter A. This was a tradition in honor of the first mermaid who existed in this peninsula. The story of that first mermaid and her companions and the eagle beast had left a deep impression on the community. According to legend, the mermaid Arana had sea beasts and an eagle beast as companions, but one day they mysteriously disappeared during a walk, which generated a certain distrust toward eagle beasts.

Lala then understood why Noir had decided to transform into a man before reaching the village. His instinct had told him that it would be better to avoid any misunderstanding or distrust from the villagers toward his eagle form.

Suddenly, the system blocks Lalabel's vision with a message:

Mission

Investigate the legends that exist in the Arana peninsula

Objective:

Research about the mermaid Arana

Investigate what happened to the Guardian of the ocean.

Reward:

50 white crystals, recipe book.

"Perhaps this quest has something to do with alpha and beta females," she clicked accept.

Tarish, always curious, approached a group of mermen who were fishing near the shore.

"Excuse me, can you tell us more about the Guardian of the ocean?" asked Tarish courteously.

An old merman, with a long beard and wise eyes, nodded and began to tell the story.

"The Guardian of the ocean was none other than the kraken, a powerful creature feared by many. But those who know the true story know that the kraken was the guardian of the Mermaid Arana. It is said that the kraken loved Arana deeply and protected her from any threat that dared to approach her."

Lala, Teru, and Tarish listened attentively as the old man continued.

"After the mysterious disappearance of Arana and Adam, the kraken fell into a deep sleep, immersed in sadness and hopelessness. Some say it still sleeps in the depths of the ocean, waiting for the day when Arana returns or someone worthy of its protection appears."

Lala felt a deep sadness upon hearing the story. The love and loyalty of the kraken towards Arana were moving, and the idea that such a powerful creature could suffer so much from the loss of his beloved was heartbreaking.

"It's a very sad story," commented Teru in a low voice, looking at the old merman with eyes full of compassion.

"Yes, it is," replied the old man, "but it also reminds us of the power of love and the loyalty of us males to females. Although the kraken is asleep, its spirit continues to protect these waters. And who knows, perhaps someday, the guardian will awaken again."

Tarish, always inquisitive, asked another question.

"Is there any way to awaken the kraken?"

As Tarish formulated the question, Alan, the current leader of the mermen, approached upon hearing the conversation.

"Only Arana's song, a melody that she created, can awaken it," added Alan, his voice full of gravity and respect.

Lala, Teru, and Tarish listened attentively, fascinated by the story. Lala, in particular, felt a strange sensation with the legend. The mention of a powerful song resonated in her heart, awakening an innate curiosity in her.

"Is there anyone in the village who knows the melody?" asked Teru.

The panther's eyes shone with interest.

Alan slowly shook his head.

"The melody was lost with time. Only the legend remains. However, some elders say that the essence of the song still lives within the landscape of the ocean."

As they continued their walk, Lala, Teru, and Tarish couldn't stop thinking about the story of the kraken and the mermaid Arana. The legend added a new layer of mystery and magic to the coastal village, a place already full of charm and natural beauty.