Even if Hadama had sensed Kaiden in the seas nearby he would not have thought to defend himself from the mershark. Always before they had stood fin-to-fin against the Void. Had trained together, shared meals together, and swum the same currents. He trusted his friend, for all that Kaiden was half-feral and prickly at the best of times.
Until recently, at least. Until he had run into them off the coast of King's End and the mershark had said things which should have given him greater pause, if he had not been so unwilling to accept the purple-hued truth that lay beneath the cheerful, honeyed words.
The shark's blunt head slammed into his ribs, breaking his concentration in shock more than pain, and the weight of incipient gravity in the water dissipated harmlessly. He grunted as he righted himself, shaking his equine head as he put on a burst of speed to put distance between them before twisting to face his friend - someone's Friend - with a leaden heart. There was the briefest flicker of anguish in the Bond before he locked it down, allowing only his voice to reach the other Mer. It is corrupted by the Void, Kaiden. And it will spread its corruption if it is allowed to live.
Maybe he had misunderstood. Maybe he was wrong about why Kaiden had interfered. He had to give them the benefit of the doubt. Had to try.
The tumsea changed its direction, a toothy smile seeming to appear on its twisted maw as it began to fin its leisurely way towards Kaiden with a welcoming croon that speared, dissonant, through the water.
Until recently, at least. Until he had run into them off the coast of King's End and the mershark had said things which should have given him greater pause, if he had not been so unwilling to accept the purple-hued truth that lay beneath the cheerful, honeyed words.
The shark's blunt head slammed into his ribs, breaking his concentration in shock more than pain, and the weight of incipient gravity in the water dissipated harmlessly. He grunted as he righted himself, shaking his equine head as he put on a burst of speed to put distance between them before twisting to face his friend - someone's Friend - with a leaden heart. There was the briefest flicker of anguish in the Bond before he locked it down, allowing only his voice to reach the other Mer. It is corrupted by the Void, Kaiden. And it will spread its corruption if it is allowed to live.
Maybe he had misunderstood. Maybe he was wrong about why Kaiden had interfered. He had to give them the benefit of the doubt. Had to try.
The tumsea changed its direction, a toothy smile seeming to appear on its twisted maw as it began to fin its leisurely way towards Kaiden with a welcoming croon that speared, dissonant, through the water.
