Star Eater

Chapter 563:

Marina's Point of View

Sea Bottom

"You are making a mistake." I calmly told them.

They aren't the only ones who messed up. I was too careless in coming here. Clearly, I should've approached this differently, but taking me captive? I'm sure Father would have something to say about that. Thankfully, I had the orb in my hands. Given that they had no idea what it was, they had no idea that I'd taken my energy out of it. Father should've received the signal by now.

Looking across the Seafolk who swam above, or floated off to the sides, my attention quickly turned to the one in front. She looked beautiful. Vibrant red hair that was a far cry from Cassidy's or Austin's. It practically glowed as her matching eyes watched me. Fins, and webbing lined their bodies, but they looked closer to Humans than I would've thought. Part of me thought they'd have tails like mine.

Her gown fluttered slowly through the water as she looked down on me. "A mistake you say?" Who I could only assume was the Queen of these people spoke in a silk smooth voice as it rang clear through the water. "Is it similar to trespassing in this Kingdom? Crawlana does not get many visitors that are still living aside from wildlife."

I had been caught watching the city from afar. After stumbling upon a group of children, I followed them without being caught. For a time. Once near the city, it became impossible to leave as the water refused to listen to me. My own element had seemingly turned its back on me, and I was captured.

"I did not trespass. I was brought here by your guards." I replied.

Several soldiers lined the underwater building. Both inside and out. Balconies were on every side of the room, with them leading directly outside. Adornments floated in place and crystals shined brilliantly through the room that appeared like blue fire.

"The bottom of the Sea is our domain." My attention quickly returned to the woman. "Just because you weren't within the Kingdom's cities, doesn't mean you weren't trespassing." Standing, her dress seemed to flow with the current as it drift to the side. It was a blue that stood out from the water around. "So, what does a spirit, or perhaps a creature of the old world, seek in Crawlana?" Her crown stood out in her fiery hair as it was blue that matched her gown.

"I'm neither a spirit, nor a creature of the old world. My father sent me here." I told her honestly.

She quirked a brow at that as she stepped in front of me to examine me. "Your father?" Her neck rolled slightly as her eyes closed.

"Correct."

The gills on the side of her neck going down to her upper back behind her hair seemed to open slightly. I didn't know enough about their people to know what that meant, but I'm guessing she was either sighing or annoyed in some manner.

Her crimson eyes locked onto mine as she spoke. "Who is your father?" She began examining me more closely. "No manner of land dweller that I know of could produce a child such as you. You resemble no known species, no known race, so who is it that sent you here exactly?"

"Arthur Pendra-" Quickly moving, the woman's hands found my face as her eyes turned an icy blue that blended in with the water surrounding us.

"The one who once went by Mordred is your father?" She asked, but her voice had changed, as had her demeanor. Her hands started to squeeze against my skull to the point where I was in pain. "Now that is interesting. That's very interesting." Bringing my free hand up, I tried to break away from her, but the water surrounding us ignored me once more. "I know what you're trying to do." Even trying to form ice met with little result. "It won't work. This is my domain."

"Don't do this!" I cried out, painfully.

Her fingers started to sink into my skin. "Don't worry. I have no plans to kill you. Instead, you'll be our guest until your father arrives, but I can't have you leave." Realizing I was only using one hand, she looked down confused. "What are you holding?"

A weak laugh came from my lips. "Well, just like you, I had no plans to leave." At that moment, the orb lit up to a blinding degree.

She yelped and let go of me, but the light quickly faded. When it was gone, she looked at me. "Was that supposed to help you escape?"

"No." I answered plainly. "It's more like a beacon." I explained.

"A beacon?" Her eyes widened for a moment before her gaze shot up. "Not possibl-" She was cut off as a loud echoing boom slammed through the chamber.