[SE] Cobalt shadows

His patrolling had drawn him close to home once more and he was glad of it. The Maria Mundi was vast and far from as empty as the surface dwellers seemed to think out in the deeps, and he had noted both the normal denizens of the abyss as well as their corrupted cousins in his travels. He had used his teleportation at several points to move quickly to different areas of the world's waters, but he wanted to do a final search of the sea outside of Vi's Shield. Wanted to see how close the corruption was coming to washing up against their protections, where it might threaten the Mer in their hidden city.

Hadama, in his hippocampus form, gave his equine head a shake, snorting water in a small eddy around his nose. As he looked up he caught sight of a flash of purple in the dark and he gathered his power around him as the shell of a corrupted Tumsea caught a flicker of his starlight and swallowed it. Emerald eyes narrowed as the water around him grew heavy, pulling into the beginnings of a crushing sphere that would suffocate the foul creature without spilling its blood to taint the waves further.

Kaiden

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Voidshell Tumsea (uncommon/mythical): The once magnificent tumseas now carry shells covered in shadowy patterns. Void energy pulses beneath their ancient hides, and they are drawn to areas where void rifts are more prevalent, leaving a trail of corrupted energy in their wake.

kaiden

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Kaiden had almost returned to Torchline and it seemed that they were following the same route as Hadama given that they spotted the man yet again. Spotted him about to attack a Friend. Letting out an angry screech, rage filled the bond as the mershark shifted forms and slammed headfirst into the hippocampus' side. What are you doing?!?! Get away from them!

Why would Hadama attack an innocent tumsea? It didn't make any sense. Betrayal filled the mershark's heart and they could practically feel their heart crack. They'd trusted the Demi-god. Even considered him a friend! How could he do this?

Chomp chomp bitch

code by sky

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.

kaiden

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Kaiden didn't even pick up on the anguish, so filled with their own. They just didn't understand. It's just trying to live, Hadama! Leave them be! Seeing the tumsea approach, the shark angled their body to shield the creature from the Demi-god threat. Staring down Hadama, the shark thrashed their tail. You'll have to get past me to harm them.

Kaiden was terrified and they were sure that it was leaking into the bond. Hadama was so much more powerful than them. Older, wiser, stronger, and if the rumors about Demi-gods were true, immortal. The mershark didn't stand a chance. But they had to try. They had to protect their friend and hope that Hadama would understand.

Chomp chomp bitch

code by sky

The mershark did not need further violence. Their words slammed into the Tidebreaker like fists. And Hadama absorbed them, closing his emerald eyes as he grew still in the water. He did not wish to see the mershark staring at him with resolution and fear in their eyes. Did not wish to see the tumsea that passed close to Kaiden, brushing a cratered fin lovingly over the shark's hide in a caress that was almost obscene in its obvious claim to the proud and wild Mer.

The tide had indeed turned. And with it, Kaiden's loyalty.

The hippocampus raised his head after eight long heartbeats that felt like an eternity. He set aside his pain, tucked gently deep within his heart as he met those frightened black eyes. He swallowed the words of pleading. Of bargaining. Of threat and grief. It was his first time facing a Friend of the Family so openly, and he steeled himself for what he must do.

Very well. It was anathema to let the Voidshell Tumsea swim freely in these waters so close to his home. But he would not risk Kaiden sacrificing themselves for the creature. Perhaps he could strike the tumsea without affecting the mershark--

But he did not trust his aim at the moment. Not yet.

And just because Kaiden was lost to him for now did not mean they would be lost forever.

I will not risk you. You have my word that it may go in peace.

kaiden

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iden didn't understand why Hadama suddenly wouldn't look at them. Was he disgusted, disappointed that he couldn't kill the innocent creature beside the shark? It didn't matter what the King though tof Kaiden so long as they took the mershark's words seriously.

And it seemed that he did, given the promise made across the water. Even as they felt horror at Hadama's actions, Kaiden still believed the man. Time and time again, the Tidebreaker had stood by his word, and despite their fear, the mershark was willing to put their trust in that one more time. I believe you. With that, Kaiden gently nudged the tumsea and swam alongside it as the void-infected duo disappeared into the depths.

-[FIN]

Chomp chomp bitch

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