Nereus lay back on his sponge bed, the bioluminescent light casting a soothing glow over his room.
The events of the past days weighed on his mind, but he allowed himself a moment of relaxation before the continuance of tomorrow's selections.
The soft pulsations of the sea wraiths as they fed on the small incisions on his body, and the newly evolved sea banshee floating around him created a somewhat rhythmic lullaby, their feeding drawing out his sea essence in controlled, measured amounts.
The sea banshee, now fully evolved, had a much more distinct and humanoid form. Her long, translucent gray hair drifted like ghostly tendrils in the water, and her piercing eyes glowed with an eerie light.
Unlike the sea wraiths, who were amorphous and shadowy, the banshee's form was almost graceful, a terrifying elegance that masked her deadly abilities.
Nereus felt a sense of satisfaction as he reflected on the banshee's new capabilities. She could now access the thoughts and memories of anyone she devoured, a skill that would prove invaluable.
The banshee's sonic wail, a disorienting and concussive attack, could incapacitate enemies with ease. He recalled the fear in the assassins' eyes as they faced the banshee, their terror amplifying his own excitement for the future
The sea wraiths, too, were evolving. Each feeding accelerating their growth, and he could feel their hunger, their need for more sea essence.
As such explains his current predicament, with the knowledge now that his own blood and sea essence was much more beneficial to their maturation he had decided to supplement their growth.
He watched as one of the wraiths, slightly denser and more defined than the others, began to shimmer, indicating its impending evolution into another sea banshee.
As the wraiths and banshees fed, Nereus's thoughts turned to Devran Caerule. The attempts on his life had not gone unnoticed. The first in the coral field had nearly succeeded, and the second, most recent attempt had been thwarted by his sea banshee.
'That Devran's persistent threats on my life have become an increasing nuisance, one that I refuse to ignore any longer' Nereus decided.
"Devran must die," he said aloud to himself, his resolve hardening into almost fact.
The death of Devran would send a clear message to his enemies but would also cause a commotion within the sect given his background.
As such the timing had to be perfect.
'With the Inner Disciples Selections still ongoing, and any overt move could jeopardize my chances...Hmm'
As he lay there, he devised a plan.
The Inner Disciples Selections would soon be over, and once he secured his position, he would make his move.
"Devran will pay for his treachery with his life."
Nereus's eyes narrowed as he imagined the look of surprise and fear on Devran's face in his final moments.
The thought brought him a grim satisfaction.
With the sea banshee and wraiths finished feeding, Nereus felt a huge lapse in his strength.
Increasing their power required sacrificing his own, it was a literal drain on him.
But in his eyes a necessary one.
He recalled the 3 wraiths and the 1 banshee before he then closed his eyes, allowing sleep to overtake him with a smile as his last thoughts were of how Devran Caerule would not live to see another attempt on his life.
Brutus's POV
The chamber was dimly lit, the bioluminescent plants casting a faint, eerie glow.
Brutus Nyx floated at the center, his broad frame and fins shrouded in shadows.
He glanced around, ensuring they were alone before turning his attention to the figure across from him.
Beatrix Cryex Vorteesi stood with an air of icy detachment, her alabaster skin and flowing white hair giving her an almost otherworldly appearance.
"Well what's this urgent matter that you insisted I meet you for on such short notice?" said Beatrix haughtily as she fixed her cold gray eyes on him.
"We have a problem," Brutus began, his voice low and menacing.
"Is that so..." Beatrix raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And it is?"
Brutus clenched his fists, his frustration evident. "Argent. I know you've noticed, he's becoming a significant threat!"
Beatrix's cold, gray eyes fixed on him, showing no emotion. "Your stepson?. His presence at the Inner Disciples Selections has been quite impressive but I don't se how that would make him a pro-"
Brutus took a deep breath, his mind racing. He knew revealing Argent's true identity would be risky, but he needed Beatrix's support. "He is not just any boy. His lineage is… significant."
"Oh please he's talented but- that's not what you mean here is it?" Beatrix's eyes narrowed. "Explain."
Brutus hesitated before speaking, choosing his words carefully. "He carries a lineage that could disrupt everything we've built. A lineage that can be traced DIRECTLY to the Vorteesi leadership.
"Understanding dawned in Beatrix's eyes, followed by a cold, calculating look. "Th-That's impossible...You couldn't mean…?"
Brutus nodded, confirming her unspoken question. "Yes it is exactly as you suspect."
Beatrix's expression turned icy, her anger barely concealed as small snowflakes began to appear in the water between the two. "And you failed to eliminate him! We had a deal, you assured me that mermaid was no longer a threat in your care, what's more you said he was the son of some passing merchant th-this is utterly preposterous!"
Brutus's frustration turned to desperation. "I understand I betrayed your trust and I truly regret it, but understand I have tried my best to correct my past error to protect both of us. I even hired the Abyssal Eels and figured they should have been more than capable. Yet he showed up today unscathed, more powerful than ever..."
"Hmph! It seems you and your efforts have a knack for being insufficient and disappointing. I mean really how hard could it be to kill a guppy such as him?" Beatrix all but shrieked incensed. At this moment jagged shards of ice could be seen swirling around her hands as the temperature near the two Mer dropped considerably. "Urgh I have half a mind to kill you instead where you stand right now!"
"I-I know your ladyship please forgive me! I thought for sure that The Abyssal Eels would be infallible. But Nereus is more resilient than we anticipated."
Beatrix's lips curled into a cold smile. "If you cannot handle this, I will. His existence jeopardizes everything. We cannot afford to let him live."
Brutus felt a chill run down his spine. Beatrix's methods were ruthless, and her involvement meant the stakes were even higher. "What do you propose?"
Beatrix stepped closer, her presence intimidating. "I will take care of him myself. My resources are more extensive than yours. He will not survive the next attempt."
Brutus nodded reluctantly, knowing that Beatrix's intervention was necessary. "Very well. But it must be untraceable. We cannot afford any suspicion."
Beatrix's smile remained cold. "You need not worry. Argent will be dealt with, and no one will suspect a thing."
As Beatrix turned to leave, Brutus allowed himself a moment of contemplation.
He had always known Nereus was a threat, but he had underestimated the boy's mother's resistance and his resilience. Now, with Beatrix involved, the stakes were higher than ever.
'I can only pray her plan will succeed...'
Once she was gone, Brutus's thoughts turned to his children, Ruth and Rave.
They had their roles to play in the selections, but they were not yet aware of the full extent of his plans. He would need to ensure their readiness.
Failure was definitely not an option.
The chamber grew silent, the weight of their conversation hanging in the air.
Brutus knew the coming days would be crucial.
The Inner Disciples Selections were just the beginning. If Nereus survived Beatrix's attempt, it would mean trouble for both of them. But if she succeeded, they could proceed with their plans unimpeded.
As he left the chamber, the shadows swallowed his form.
The stakes had never been higher, and the outcome would shape the future of the Vorteesi sect.
Argent's fate was sealed, one way or another.
The early morning light filtered through the waters of the Vorteesi sect, casting shimmering rays that danced across the Grand Arena.
The previous day's intense matches and unexpected twists had left everyone buzzing with anticipation. Today, the participants gathered once again, eager to see what the next stage of the Inner Core Disciples Selection would bring.
Nereus, Jonny, and Triton swam towards the Arena, their expressions a mixture of determination and curiosity.
The air was thick with suspense as they joined the other competitors. The Arena, usually a place of ceremonial grandeur, was now a hub of excitement and speculation.
Nereus couldn't help but notice the intricate decorations adorning the Arena.
Sea silk banners fluttered gently in the currents, and bioluminescent sea plants cast an ethereal glow over the gathering crowd. The atmosphere was electric, a palpable sense of anticipation hanging in the water.
At the forefront of the Arena, atop a grand dais, stood Kano Vorteesi. His commanding presence demanded silence, and the crowd fell into a hushed reverence.
By his side was Beatrix Cyrex Vorteesi, her icy beauty even more pronounced in the soft glow of the Arena. Her alabaster skin, flowing white hair, and piercing gray eyes gave her an aura of cold authority.
Kano raised a hand to address the participants. "Welcome back, esteemed members of the Vorteesi sect," his voice echoed through the water.
"Today, we continue the Inner Core Disciples Selection. The next stage will test not only your strength and skill but also your resilience and ingenuity. Traditionally, this would be a combat round, but this year, we have decided on an unprecedented change."
Murmurs spread through the crowd, and the participants exchanged confused looks.
Nereus's eyes narrowed as he sensed a shift in the atmosphere.
Devran Caerule, standing with his brother Dante, stared upon Argent with a shocked expression that made him look as if he had seen a ghost.
'B-But how?!' he thought confused, he's supposed to be dead! With the Abyssal Eels reputation they definitely wouldn't leave a paid job unfinished, which means he must've...but that's impossible right? What kind of freak is he to be able to kill off 3 Reef Master ranked Abyssal Eel members?!
Kano continued, "This year, the final challenge will be the Sea Serpent Maze. Each participant must navigate the perilous maze, retrieve an essence crystal from the lair of the sea serpent within and make it out before the dawn of the next day. Only those who succeed will be admitted as Inner Core Disciples."
The crowd gasped, and the murmurs grew louder.
Brutus Nyx, standing with his children Ruth and Rave, felt a pang of worry. 'This must be Beatrix's doing,' he thought, his eyes narrowing. 'She means to finish off Nereus, but my children... they are at risk too!'
Nereus's inner dialogue was calm yet determined. 'The Sea Serpent Maze hmm... There's not much within Argent's memories about this place... I'll have to approach this vigilantly.'
He glanced at Jonny and Triton, both of whom seemed lost in quiet contemplation.
Devran Caerule's reaction was now a mix of further confusion and fear. 'That maze is known to have a deadly sea serpent that has killed Mer before! Has the sect leader gone mad?! If father wasn't watching I'd definitely drop out right now and go into hiding...'
He grimaced, his confidence plummeting further.
Kano's voice cut through the noise. "Participants, prepare yourselves. You will be escorted to the entrance of the Sea Serpent Maze shortly. Remember, only the strongest and most cunning will prevail."
Beatrix watched the reactions with a cold smile.
Her inner thoughts were cold and calculated. 'This maze will surely take care of that Argent He will not leave it alive!'
The participants were led to the entrance of the Sea Serpent Maze, a massive cave mouth that seemed to breathe an ominous energy.
The path to the cave was lined with sect members, their expressions a mix of awe and fear.
As they approached, Nereus felt a chill run down his spine. The cave's dark entrance seemed to swallow the light, its depths unknown and foreboding.
Jonny, swaming beside Nereus, whispered, "This is going to be tough. We need to stick together."
Triton nodded. "Agreed. We have to watch each other's backs."
Nereus's thoughts were focused. 'Judging by everyone's reactions, this maze has quite the bad reputation and appears to have some level of life threatening capabilities. From what I've gleamed it will even have dangerous sea beasts of the Reef Master level calling it's innards home, and that's not even to mention the supposed sea serpent within...I can't wait!.'
Kano and Beatrix observed from a distance, their expressions unreadable. But his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.
Beatrix had pleaded with him to introduce the Sea Serpent Maze, citing the need for a more rigorous test and the possibility that the sea serpent was long dead after decades without sustenance.
Alas he had reluctantly agreed, knowing that it would push the participants to their full potential.
'Beatrix,' he thought, 'I hope you know what you're doing.'
Altogether there were 15 participants in total that would be split into five groups of three.
They were all equipped with one Soul Pearl which was part of a pair that would remain with the elders on the outside.
As the pearls were a bonded pair, when the life of the organism bonded to the pearl heading into the maze was ended it would manifest a physical change to the one on the outside.
In this way the elders could in someway monitor the safety of the participants but this felt like very little help to many including Kano.
As they reached the cave entrance, Kano addressed them one last time. "Remember, the Sea Serpent Maze is a test of not just physical prowess but also your wits and teamwork. Watch over each other, protect each other. And may the best disciples emerge victorious!"
Rave, standing at the front of his group of three consisting of Ruth and another mermaid named Maris, shot a venomous look at Nereus.
"Try not to get lost in there, Argent."
Nereus met his gaze calmly. "Worry about yourself, Rave."
The crowd watched in hushed anticipation as the participants prepared to enter the maze.
The sea around the cave entrance seemed to pulse with an eerie energy, the promise of danger lurking within.
Each participant steeled themselves, knowing that the challenge ahead would be the ultimate test of their abilities.
Kano's final words echoed in Nereus's mind. 'Only the strongest and most cunning will prevail.' He took a deep breath, ready to face whatever lay within the Sea Serpent Maze.
As the participants lined up, the sect leaders signaled the start of the challenge.
The waters around the cave entrance shimmered with an otherworldly glow, marking the beginning of the Sea Serpent Maze Challenge.
Nereus, Jonny, and Triton exchanged one last look of determination before stepping forward.
The maze awaited, its dark depths promising trials and tribulations like none they had faced before.
The Sea Serpent Maze was not just a test of strength and skill, but of their very resolve.
And as they approached the entrance, the weight of the challenge pressed down on them, knowing that only the most resourceful and determined would emerge victorious.