I, Prince Kai Marines III, agree to guide the great five successors of the Lords to my Kingdom!
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They had been diving for what seemed like hours. The surroundings had long fallen into complete darkness. The only light guiding their way was from the Prince’s tail, a weak, flickering glow, straining their eyes. It had been a long time since they’d encountered any creatures or plants in these obscure waters. The deeper they went, the more devoid of life the place became.
The icy water pressed in from all sides, the cold biting into their skin like needles. A dull numbness spread through their limbs as they descended into the abyss. The only sound was the faint hum of their breathing, muffled and distant eerily echoing in the expanse.
Seo-Jun thought that if not for their enhanced physiques, it wouldn’t have been possible for them to continue, as each movement felt laborious under the pressure.
Many times, they questioned Kai III’s intentions, especially Zhiren who was reminded of a certain cannibal when she witnessed the gap in the Prince’s personality, wondering if it was a trap.
Jason and Alice had their suspicions as well because they couldn’t believe his hostility would so easily change into reverence after finding out about their identities.
Daiki on the other hand couldn’t care less and decided to go with the flow.
And Seo-Jun…was too busy catching up to have any considerations.
However, when the prince was questioned he swore his undying loyalty to the successors.
Without warning, the Prince halted, and Jason jumped back.
His grip tightened on his sword, his knuckles white. His heart pounded in his ears, his chest tightening as he broke into a cold sweat. His stomach churned as he took a deep breath, watching the Prince with narrowed eyes. His mind raced.
Why’d he stop? There doesn’t seem to be anything around here…Is he finally showing his true colors? Or am I being paranoid?
Blocked by Jason’s back, the others could not see the light they had been following had stopped moving and crashed into him with a bone-jarring impact. Jason stumbled, his sword swinging wildly as he frantically tried to steady himself. His blade sliced through the water, narrowly missing Snow. Snow had twisted his body to the side, his tail whipping the water with a sharp snap, just in time to avoid the blade.
The water swirled around him as he darted to the side with a low growl, flames dripping out of his mouth. ‘Hey!’.
Jason jolted at the sound, instinctively turning his head to see Snow preparing to fire. He frantically raised his hands. ‘Sorry, sorry! It was an accident!’
Snow narrowed his eyes, retracting the flames. He swam back to Alice who was touching her forehead as her brows furrowed. ‘What’s wrong?’
Zhien winced at the sharp pain as she bumped into Alice’s head. She felt a warm trickle run down her nose. While she was wiping it away, Daiki slammed into her back, shoving her forward but caught her before she fell. He quickly let go of her shoulders, backing away. ‘S-sorry’.
Seo-Jun saw the light stop moving from a distance. He narrowed his eyes, brows drawing together as he clenched his jaw. ‘Why’d we stop? Is something wrong?’
What is he planning?
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Before he got an answer, a strange flame flared to life in the palm of Prince Kai III, crackling as its warmth spread through the icy water. They could feel the warmth at a distance, alleviating the cold that clung to their skin.
The prince lifted his hand, spreading a warm glow through the surroundings to reveal a large boulder in front. The ominous shape had loomed out of the darkness. The flame cast long, wavering shadows across the surface of the rock. Kai III placed his other palm, stroking the smooth surface and it buzzed as if in response.
He turned his head, looking back at them with a wide smile. ‘We’re here.’
With a rumble, the boulder groaned as it slid aside, the vibrations reverberating through their chests. The water churned around them, sending waves ahead that pushed them back slightly. The vibrations caused ripples all around. The group stepped back, gripping their swords. A bright light shone from it, flooding the area with a harsh brilliance.
Prince Kai III calmly put out the flame on his hand, waiting for the path to fully reveal itself as he stared at it. Jason closed his eyelids, turning his head to the side while Snow covered Alice’s eyes by clinging to her face as soon as it shone. Daiki immediately covered Zhiren’s eyes with a hand while squinting, startling her. She turned to look at him with a raised eyebrow. ‘Thanks…’
Daiki’s cheeks warmed as he realized what he’d done, the tips of his ears turning red. His pulse raced as he quickly pulled his trembling hand away. His eyes darted anywhere but at Zhiren—until he remembered where they were and quickly scanned their surroundings, tension settling back in taking a deep breath.
‘Yeah…don’t mention it’.
Why’d I do that?
Seo-Jun blinked and tilted his head at this scene, briefly distracted by the unexpected interaction between Daiki and Zhiren.
He shook his head. This wasn’t the time for this. Not here, not now.
The light faded, revealing a 10-meter narrow stone path with a black iron gate at the end. The prince swam forward and banged on the gate. The group cautiously followed behind, exchanging glances. The prince cleared his throat. ‘It’s me. Open the gate.’
The gate creaked before swinging open. Two mermen were standing at the gate. They both had black hair and grey tails and eyes that shone as they glared, standing rigid. They wore silver armor holding long black tridents that gleamed ominously in the dim light. They bowed their heads. ‘Long Live the Royal Family of Marines’.
The Prince raised his neck and strode forward with his hand behind his back. The guards raised their heads, furrowing their brows as they caught sight of the group hesitantly moving forward. They crossed their tridents at the gate. ‘You do not have permission to pass’.
The group halted, their breath catching, as the guards stared down at them. They felt the water grow heavier as the guard’s gaze bore into them.
Prince Kai III whipped backward, wide-eyed. ‘STOP!’
The group had hesitantly taken a step back as the guards blocked their path however upon seeing the prince’s reaction they exchanged glances, smirking at each other.
Jason raised an eyebrow, his hand inching toward his sword as they made eye contact causing a shiver to run down the Prince’s spine. Let’s see what he does now…
Alice crossed her arms, her eyes narrowed as the corner of her mouth twitched. ‘Tch’.
Heh, he looks like he’ll piss himself.
The prince flinched at the sound. ‘N-no, I didn’t’
Seo-Jun cleared his throat. ‘Maybe we weren’t clear enough’.
Poor cannon fodder.
The prince shook his head. ‘Y-you were!’
Zhiren titled her head. ‘You acted like you were all important. Was it only this much?’
Which was kinda annoying, to be honest…
The prince had tears in his eyes. ‘No, that's-’
Daiki sighed. ‘Disappointing’
Are we done yet?
The prince jumped back at the remark, turning to the guards. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple, mingling with the seawater. His tail flicked, and his voice trembled as he shouted at the guards.
His eyes watered, his nose stinging as a warmth spread to his cheeks. ‘HOW DARE YOU-’ his words stumbled, hands trembling. ‘-STOP MY GUESTS!’ his voice cracked, as he pointed at the guards.
‘DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO THEY ARE?!’
To be continued…
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Seo-Jun: Where’d that romance side-plot come from?
Author: Author: ╮(╯▽╰)╭
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