Kisame Week Day 3: Blood in the Abyss
AO3:Â https://archiveofourown.org/works/20036536/chapters/47871880#workskin
The worldbuilding is going crazy but I donât know if Iâm ever gonna use them all. Sorry it took a while. I hope you enjoy!
Rated: Teen/Up for swearing
âI never thought such a random quest will trigger this.â
âAre you really getting slack-jawed at this, Beast? Itâs a fallen kingdom, a pile of rubble and stones.â
âA golden rubble. How much money can I get if I sell that?â
âYou sell that and NPCs will stab your ass.â
âThose mermen with shiny stabby sticks might.â
It was a step too near, too close for the comfort of the NPCs. A breach of their borders, even if their sacred kingdom had fallen, they would protect it till their last breath!
Seeing danger approaching, Tailless Beast quickly swam to the side, dodging the valiant charge by the NPC Mermen. As they tried to escape, he couldnât help but wonder how she had been able to catch sight of the mermen when he was unable to. Ducking under the rubble, Akira and Tailless pushed off the fallen pillar with their legs, briefly increasing the distance between them if only for a little, and with the small extra distance, the two players could finally observe the pursuing NPCs.
Grieving Merman Guard (Level 52)
Tailless Beast pursed his lips, bringing his broadsword up to his side, sick of running away while Akira furrowed her eyebrows. That word was nagging at her mind, magnified and dancing teasingly. Normal NPC monsters would not be named as such, unlessâŚ
âBeast, stop!â A forceful tug at Tailless Beastâs large arm interrupted his skill and he shifted his glare from the returning Merman Guards onto the smaller, human figure by his side. His jaw opened, pointy teeth bared in a snarl, the urgency rising higher within him but Akira simply returned it with a deadpanned. âCalm down, will you? Youâre always looking for a fight!â
Before the furious Blade Master could retort, Akira had already pulled him out of Atlantis borders and the pursuing Merman Guards immediately halted their bloodthirsty pursuit, stopping a couple of meters shy from them. Up close, they could see the smooth skin of the Mermen, darkened by the black circles and bags under their dull eyes. Scales gleamed, though dull, under the dim shine in the sea from their waist down, revealing hips entirely covered with the same scales that ended in long, thick fish tails instead of legs. In the lore of Eden, it was said that the Merfolk were humans blessed by Suijin, the Water God that presides over all things water, a manifestation from the peopleâs beliefs of a benevolent presence that resided in the element. And water to them, was the source of life!
With intruders beyond their borders, the Merman Guards relaxed their stances and started to swim back to their positions when a gentle voice called out to them.
âThere are no words that I can offer you to ease your grief, but the great land of Atlantis will always be remembered and revered in my heart,â Akira solemnly said. When the two Merman Guards turned around, they saw the Elementalist bow at the waist, long hair softly waving in the water at her lowered head. Moving their spears to their left hand, the guards held out three fingers with their right hand, thumb and little finger folded in, and placed it over their hearts before also lowering their bodies into a low bow, returning her respect with one of their own: The Tridentâs Heart, where their king and the land of Atlantis would forever remain in their hearts. Seeing the situation, Tailless Beast gave his respects and bowed as well, but the guards blatantly ignored him and addressed Akira.
âWe thank you, kind traveller, for your words. If I may so bold to ask, what is your purpose in visiting Atlantis?â
Akira was silent for a moment as she contemplated her words carefully, before deciding to risk it with the truth, praying that Mermaid Knight Rie was at least someone respected in their ranks since they were both of a similar profession. âI was guided here by Mermaid Knight Rie with the hope that I could uncover the truth behind her death.â
Like a crack on the dam slowly spreading outwards, the guardsâ smiles slipped away, eyes widening in agonised disbelief as words tried to crawl out of their trembling lips. âY-You know⌠of Her Highness â M-Mermaid Knight Rie?â
