Chapter 207. Aquis Vanlur
In the nation of Aquis Vanlur, buried deep within its heart, stood a colossal coral-based structure, half architectural marvel, half living organism. Its surface was riddled with sponge-like holes that constantly exhaled soft streams of bubbles.
From its body sprouted numerous jagged appendages, thorn-like extensions that twisted and turned like petrified sea serpents, giving it an aura of both divine majesty and silent menace. It was the kind of place that struck awe first, and fear only after the awe wore off.
Deep inside this wonder beneath layers of labyrinthine coral corridors, within a chamber illuminated by faintly glowing algae, floated two merfolk.
And before them, suspended in the water as if caught between sleep and death, was a man.
He had hair the color of amethyst, strands drifting gently with the water’s rhythm. His eyes were closed, chest rising ever so subtly. Though his body seemed numbed and his presence muted by the crushing depths of the ocean—The Silver Sea, he was... alive.
And that, above all else, was what perplexed the two merfolk.
The younger one, with a vivid red tail and sharp finned arms, cast a wary glance toward his companion. "Brother Furis," he muttered, voice bubbling through the water, "have you ever read about such a human? As far as I know, humans can’t survive down here. That’s why they’ve never tried to conquer us. So why... why can this one live?"
Furis, older and broader with a sleek blue tail that shimmered faintly with each twitch, furrowed his brow. "I’ve never seen or heard of such a thing, Muirs. It’s possible he’s some unique aberration... or perhaps the land-dwellers are seeking our deity’s blessing. Maybe they want to live down here like us—to infiltrate and eventually... conquer."
Muirs’ pupils dilated. The very idea seemed to pierce his chest like a harpoon. "Then... isn’t this human dangerous? If he returns to the surface, if he says anything about what he’s seen they’ll come. They’ll come down here with all their filthy war. We’d be forced into hiding again, or worse..."
He scowled at the floating man, tail flicking with agitation. "We should kill him. Feed him to the trench-fish before he wakes."
But Furis extended an arm, stopping him. "No, Muirs. We don’t need to live like that anymore. Not now that we have our deity."
His voice deepened.