Underwater Hosts (2)

The last thing Six remembered was the creature's webbed hand curling into a fist before everything went dark. A single, crushing blow to the side of his head was all it took to send him spiraling into unconsciousness.

When he came to, his head throbbed painfully, his vision swimming as he groaned and blinked his eyes open. The damp, cold stone beneath him was gone, replaced by something far smoother and colder. Polished marble.

He forced himself to sit up, his gaze adjusting to his new surroundings. The room he was in was vast, cavernous, and ornate—completely unlike the dark, grimy cells. The floor beneath him was a mosaic of sea-green and azure, depicting intricate patterns of waves, fish, and strange symbols he couldn't decipher.

'Maybe Stone would understand them'

Massive pillars carved from coral and stone rose high, supporting a vaulted ceiling that shimmered as though made from water itself, undulating softly. Around the room, glowing orbs of light hovered in midair, casting an ethereal glow over everything.

The air was heavy, not just with the chill but with an underlying tension he couldn't place.

Then he saw them.

In each corner of the room, figures stood perfectly still. They were clad in dark armor, their faces hidden behind angular, intimidating helmets. Each held a strange weapon—strange hybrids of blade and staff that seemed to hum faintly, as though resonating with an unseen power. Their presence was unnerving, their silence almost unnatural.

Six's gaze darted to each one in turn, his unease mounting. There were four in total, each stationed at a strategic corner of the room. He didn't know what unnerved him more—their stillness or the way their presence seemed to press down on him like a tangible weight.

"Ah, you're awake." The voice made Six's head snap toward the source.

At the far end of the room, on a raised dais, stood a throne carved from black stone and adorned with jagged shells and glistening pearls.

Seated on the throne was a figure that immediately commanded his attention.

It was humanoid but with features that were unmistakably otherworldly. Its skin was a deep teal, marked with iridescent scales that shimmered faintly with every movement. A crown of coral and bone rested atop its head, and its piercing, luminescent eyes locked onto Six with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine. The being exuded authority, its posture relaxed yet commanding.

Six scrambled to his feet, his body tense and his mind racing.

He felt something slimy and sticky behind his ear and tried to reach for it but he couldn't, his hands were chains.

"W-where am I? Who-what are you?" He asked, his words echoing faintly in the cavernous throne room.

The creature leaned forward slightly, resting its sharp elbows on the carved arms of the throne. A smirk flickered across its angular face, as if the question amused it.

Its lips moved, but it wasn't speaking to Six.

Words in a guttural, alien tongue spilled from its mouth and echoed as if the room itself responded. The air seemed to ripple, and a faint hum rose around them, like the murmur of unseen voices.

Six looked around as his heart pounded in his chest. He saw no one else, yet the creature was clearly addressing something—or someone.

Finally, it turned its attention back to him, its sharp features twisting into a smile that sent a chill down his spine.

"Who," it asked, its voice smooth and laced with a dangerous curiosity, "are you?"

Six straightened up, suppressing the unease crawling up his spine. "I'm Six," he said firmly, though the wavering in his voice betrayed him. "I was dragged here against my will and I need to find the Snow Queen. Do you know where she is?"

The creature's expression twisted into something between amusement and irritation. Its deep voice reverberated through the chamber, dripping with disdain.

"You humans," it began, leaning back in its throne as its clawed fingers tapped idly against the armrest. "You invade my waters, disturb the order of my domain, and yet you stand before me boldly, demanding answers."

Six clenched his fists but held his tongue, letting the creature continue.

"In my realm, trespassers are dealt with... decisively." The creature's sharp teeth glinted as it sneered. "Your kind often believes you can take what you want, but let me assure you, Six—this is my kingdom, and I decide who stays, who leaves, and who rots in the depths."

It leaned forward again, its glowing eyes narrowing. "Tell me, what should I do with an intruder like you? We have... customs for dealing with those who cross into our territory unbidden."

"I'm just trying to leave, and I need to free the Snow Queen to do that."

Straightforward.

The creature's head tilted back slightly, and there were faint glimmers of amusement flickering in its dark eyes. "Six," it mused, the name rolling off its tongue with an almost mocking tone. "An intriguing designation for one so… ordinary."

The creature paused, allowing its presence to sink into Six further. After several seconds, it continued "You are pretty straightforward, I like that." it said. "You speak of freedom, Do you truly believe you can unbind what has been chained for so long?"

Six's breath hitched, but he forced himself to meet the creature's gaze. "I don't have a choice," he said, the words sharper this time. "If that's what it takes to leave, I'll do it."

The creature's cold smile widened, its voice dripping with a mix of amusement and challenge.

"Let's see you try, Six," it said, leaning forward slightly, the dark gleam in its eyes sent a shiver down his spine.

The words hung in the air like a dare, daring him to step into the unknown, daring him to face whatever lay ahead. The weight of the creature's gaze was suffocating, but Six straightened his shoulders, steeling himself against the pressure.

"I will," Six said, his voice steady now, each word deliberate. "And I'll succeed."

The creature chuckled, low and menacing, its laughter echoing ominously around the chamber. "Brave words," it said, reclining in its seat once more. "Let's see if you can back them up." Its glowing eyes narrowed as it studied Six, a twisted smile beginning to form on its pale face. It leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on a clawed hand, his gaze heavy with mockery.

"Take him back to his cell," It ordered, its voice calm and measured, carrying an air of chilling authority.

The creature that had dragged Six into the throne room snarled, stepping forward with relish. Its massive fist clenched, and it swung back, poised to deliver a brutal knockout blow.

"Stop."

The single word from the "King's" lips froze the creature mid-swing. It stiffened.

It tilted its head, its grin widening into something colder. "It is not right to harm the one who will free the Snow Queen," Its voice was low and mocking. A dry, humorless laugh followed.

The creature did not reply, merely lowering its fist in silent obedience, though its every movement was stiff with frustration.

"Take him back," the king repeated, leaning back into his throne. The glow of his eyes dimmed slightly as he waved his hand dismissively. "And ensure our guest remains... unspoiled."

The guards stepped forward without hesitation, grabbing Six by the arms and hauling him away. The creature remained rooted to the spot, its gaze burning with silent fury before it reluctantly followed after them.