Chapter 8: Aquaea
Abel rushed to the submarine’s bridge as quickly as he could. Following behind him was Nia and Melia, the latter had requested to follow suit after the three had heard the message:
“Odysseus. That’s my big brother. Let me talk to him.”
So Abel granted her request. The three reached the control room with not a moment to spare.
“This is Captain Abel Ramsey of the UEC Space Force,” Abel said through the Star Surfer’s instruments. “Cease your fire, we are not with Cain.”
Melia thus interjected, “That’s right, big brother. Abel and Nia saved my life. Please don’t fire on us.”
The voice of the Aquaean princess was followed by stunned silence on the other side.
But Odysseus finally spoke, “Melia! Where have you been? We’ve been looking for you!”
Melia’s breath skipped. “I… I know. I apologize. I simply wanted to…”
“Well never mind that,” Odysseus said. “I’m happy that you’re safe, and I’m sure father feels the same way.”
“But you didn’t let me finish,” Melia said, her tone indignant.
“Abel Ramsey,” Odysseus said, ignoring Melia. “You have my gratitude for rescuing our princess. May I ask the nature of your business?”
“Yes, Your Highness,” responded Abel. “We have just escaped from the clutches of Emperor Cain the Conqueror. We ask for refuge with the Shark Tribe.”
“Oh?” said Odysseus. “Then welcome. An enemy of Cain is a friend of Aquaea. Follow our lead, we shall help you dock your ship.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
And with that, Abel turned off the comms. He couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
“Glad we got through that,” Nia said.
But Melia’s expression was sullen, a contrast to that of Abel and Nia.
“Melia?” asked Nia. “Is something wrong?”
“No, no problem,” Melia said, her hand clenching into a fist. “Everything’s fine. If you two don’t mind, I’ll be down below.”
Nia’s expression was one of befuddlement, but with a hint of knowing. “O-of course.”
And so Melia left, leaving just Abel and Nia by themselves.
“Poor Melia,” was all Nia could say.
“Agreed,” Abel added. “Yet I can’t say I don’t sympathize with the Crown Prince. It looks like Melia had just disappeared without a trace, and the Aquaeans had been beside themselves looking for her. It’s a good thing we got to her in time. Otherwise they would have found her a corpse, if at all.”
At this, Nia crossed her arms and eyed Abel with suspicion. “You know, Captain,” she said. “You sure have a knack for rescuing princesses in distress.”
Abel’s eyes widened. “What are you implying?”
***
The Underwater City of Aquaea was shaped in such a way that the Sharkmen could live both underwater and above it. While the city as a whole was aquatic and its inhabitants got around by swimming through the water, various air habitations, Aquaean bubbles, as they were called, dotted the dark blue waters of the Aquaean Sea.
The Star Surfer had been docked at the Central Node, where the Royal Palace of the Shark Tribe was located. Abel looked around with curiosity as he saw the golden coral walls of Aquaea. He began tapping on his communicator, taking notes of things he had seen.
Abel was busy with his observation when he felt the soft touch of Nia’s hand on his shoulder. She had been following closely behind with Melia.
“Captain,” she said. “Enjoying the view?”
“Sure did,” responded Abel. “When I signed up for the Space Force, I never thought I’d be seeing… whatever I’m seeing. I can think of nothing like this on Earth, not even in Earth Space.”
Nia nodded. “Same. I’d expect a place like this in the Electrosphere, not Beyond the Pale.”
“I’m glad you love it,” Melia said.
“Oh right,” Nia said. “This is your home. Right, Melia?”
Melia nodded. “It’s all I know for as long as I can remember. Papa wouldn’t let me out of this castle. So I left. Just for a bit. I wanted to see the outside world.”
Abel interjected, “I’m guessing that’s what you were about to tell your brother.”
“It was,” Melia said. “But he never listens, like papa. They never listen!”
Then tears began to fall from Melia’s eyes.
Moved with pity, Nia hugged Melia. The young shark girl said nothing, though she did not protest.
“I understand, Melia,” Nia said. “Believe me, I know how you feel.”
Melia nodded in acknowledgement. “Thanks, Nia.”
Having observed all this, Abel thus reached out his hand to Melia; it was a silent gesture that told her that he would be more than happy to help her in any way he could.
“I thank you also, Abel,” Melia said, taking the hand.
Abel coughed. “Don’t mention it, Your Highness. Now if you don’t mind, please direct us to the palace.”
“Don’t mind if I do,” Melia said.
As the three were heading towards Aquaea’s Royal Palace, Nia couldn’t help but notice their placements: Melia in the middle as each of her hands were holding either Nia’s or Abel’s. Of course, Melia was already in her womanhood, but just barely. It looked as if the three of them were…
Nia refused to finish her thoughts, and her cheeks turned bright crimson. It was a good thing that Abel and Melia both were more concerned with making their way to the Royal Palace, so neither noticed Nia’s blush.
***
The way to the Royal Palace was smooth, as was expected given that the Princess of Aquaea was with them. That said, Abel couldn’t help but notice that the inhabitants seemed to be moving hurriedly, some stopped to look at the two arriving non-sharkfolks, but it seemed their minds were occupied elsewhere. Abel put all that aside; for now, he was focused on the two men in front of him.
The first was King Poseidon of Aquaea. The ruler of the Sharkmen was so old, it looked as if he was rooted to his very throne. The second was Crown Prince Odysseus who cut a mighty figure; he could not be much older than both Abel and Nia, assuming Sharkmen age like Earth humans. If Abel didn’t know any better, he would assume that Poseidon was the grandfather of Odysseus and Melia rather than their father.
At the signal of Odysseus, everyone, including Abel and Nia, bowed and knelt before Poseidon, King of the Shark Tribe. Then, the old king raised a hand, indicating for everyone to be at ease.
With everyone back standing back up, Poseidon finally spoke,
“So these are the dragon dissidents who rescued my daughter? A pleasure to meet you both, and you have my thanks.”
Abel bowed, then spoke, “The pleasure is all mine, Your Highness. Yet I am compelled to offer a correction. We are not dissidents of Kruptos, as neither Nia nor I are natives of this world. We seek to return back home. Though we are aliens to this planet, we have no love for Emperor Cain for he had imprisoned us, and even seek to wed my subordinate Nia against her will.”
“You say you are not from this world,” Poseidon said. “Then tell me, strangers. What world did you hail from?”
The King said this for Odysseus had yet to tell his father that Abel and Nia was of the UEC Space Force.
Abel answered, “We came from Earth, Your Highness.”
At the mention of Earth, the entire court gasped and began chattering amongst one another.
The old King, though feeble, focused his gaze. “You are a Son of Seth?”
Odysseus interjected, “He is, father. Sir Abel introduced himself as a Captain of a United Earth Coalition. Most likely the Sethite kingdom that reigns over the old homeland.”
“Interesting, interesting,” Poseidon said. “That certainly explains your contention with Cain. I have learned that the Emperor, having conquered all Kruptos, now seek to go beyond the realms of the Hawk Tribe. Yet to reclaim the old homeland from the Sethites… truly, the ambition of Cain knows no bounds.”
Abel then spoke, “That is why… we ask for a refuge here in Aquaea. We promise we will stay out of trouble.”
Poseidon placed his arm forward. “Very well. Ye son and daughter of Seth, you are welcomed to stay in the City of Aquaea.”
Abel then brought Nia forward. The two of them bowed.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Abel said.
“Now,” Poseidon said. “Next business, please step towards me, my daughter.”
Melia moved to Poseidon, her steps hesitant.
“Papa,” she said.
“Explain your disappearance,” the King said.
“I was seeking to explore the outside world,” Melia said. “Forgive me. I almost lost my life, and I would have without the intervention of the Sethites.”
“Indeed,” said Poseidon. “Now you understand the dangers of the outside world. Melia, know that I do not want to lose you. Your mother’s death was enough.”
Melia bit her lip. “Yes, papa.”
Poseidon nodded, seemingly satisfied. “Now go to your chambers. I want you to meditate on your actions.”
And Melia complied. She bowed before her father, then turned towards Nia and Abel.
“I must be going now,” Melia said. “I hope I’ll see you two again.”
Abel nodded.
“Amen to that,” Nia said.
***
The audience with King Poseidon had concluded. Moving through the gilded halls of the Royal Palace, Abel and Nia were being guided by Prince Odysseus towards their room.
As this was ongoing, Odysseus spoke up,
“Apologies for my sister.”
Nia furrowed her brows. “Pardon?”
Odysseus coughed. “I’m sure Melia had given you such troubles.”
“Not at all, Your Highness,” Abel interjected. “She was no trouble at all.”
“There is no need to flatter her for our sake, Abel Ramsey,” Odysseus said. “Melia always was a curious one. My father loved Melia, but perhaps he was too protective of her. The late Queen, my mother, died giving birth to her. From that point on, he made sure to know where my sister is at all times. I’m sure this is why Melia escaped, I think she just wanted to take a quick gander and return before anyone realized she was ever gone.”
“Hmm,” Nia said.
“But enough of that,” Odysseus said, his expression troubled. “I have arranged a room for you each. Nia Ennis, your room will be at the upper left wing, close to my sister’s chambers. I’m sure she’d appreciate that. Abel Ramsey, your room’s at the center section, close to here.”
“Thanks,” Nia said.
“But that’s not all, is it, Your Highness?” asked Abel.
Odysseus nodded, rather heavily. “Indeed. I will be frank with you two. Aquaea is in grave danger. The great Old One of the Abyss, the Kraken suddenly awoke and is heading this way. We’ve been amassing all our ships, even the fishing boats, to form a fleet against this monster. It pains me to ask this, especially of our honored guests, as it makes us seem transactional. But we need all the ships we can get, including yours.”
Nia spoke, “You’re asking us to help out with the battle?”
“I do,” said Odysseus. “You are free to refuse, in which case I advise leaving the city as soon as possible.”
Abel shook his head. “No, we’re in.”
Odysseus smiled. “Thank you. It will be some time before the Kraken gets here. Get some rest. Tomorrow, we dine in Hades.”
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