26 - Elder

Long ago, a merman swam through the oceans in search of one of the stars that had fallen into the sea. Long ago, the star he guarded faded in sorrow. Tired from his long journey, the merman sat on a rock to rest. Battle scars adorned his tail, leaving no doubt that he was a siren with the tail of a sperm whale.

— The vast ocean seems so restless... So many new tribes, so many conflicts... Very different from when the stars lived. This world that their fall created for the daughter of the two is so magical, but meaningless for an elder like me... — he murmured, his voice lost in the currents that danced around him.

He swam to the surface and expelled the water from his lungs. The old habits of a sperm whale were still imprinted on him, even though he was no longer entirely one. The starry sky made him want to admire it, but it also brought a weight to his chest.

— The descendant of the stars only needs a guardian and told me to be free... But this purposeless freedom makes me sadder each day. Without you, stars, I wish I had stayed by your side longer.

He looked at the sky, seeming as if he wanted to cry while gazing at the stars. But then he heard a familiar sound. The waves in the current seemed to call him for a conversation, despite the distance between them.

— Little Zhaelor, can you hear me?

The sperm whale frowned, irritated at being called "little," and answered rudely:

— What do you want, you worn-out elder?

— I see your tongue is as sharp as ever, little one.

The great sperm whale snorted. It had been a long time since he had spoken to the elder, after all, he was far away. Without the blessing of the stars, not even the song of sperm whales could be heard.

— So, why does my dear and battered elder want to speak to me through the descendant of the stars?

— A new lineage has been born.

The sperm whale choked on the water he had expelled and, after a few minutes, regained his composure.

— That joke wasn’t funny.

— It’s not a joke. The descendant of the stars discovered it herself. I will send the condemned. Well, your time of freedom will soon be over. How do you feel?

Zhaelor crossed his arms, observing his own distorted reflection in the water.

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— Free from this nuisance.

The elder laughed but soon returned to a serious tone.

— A hatchling with scales like crystals tipped in blue... Congratulations on getting a new master, little one.

The young sperm whale chuckled, and as soon as he heard the location, his exhaustion vanished. With his powerful tail covered in battle trophies, Zhaelor swam toward Nexha.

Days and nights of travel did not tire him, but as he approached his destination, he heard the song of the treacherous orcas. They seemed to be searching for prey. Though other creatures could not hear from such a distance, to a sperm whale, the sound was loud and clear.

A smile formed on his face. The desire to fight and put those troublemakers in their place overtook him. He never ran from a good fight, and the chance to teach those creatures a lesson was irresistible.

He followed the soft songs until he reached a barrier of moray seaweed. Impressed by how precisely they were planted in two layers, preventing the orcas from entering due to their large size, Zhaelor grew curious about the place. But before he could discover more, his urge to face the young orcas took over.

As the great sperm whale approached, the young orcas grouped into formation, trying to intimidate him with their numbers.

— We don’t want to fight a whale!

— That’s right! Leave our territory, and nothing will happen!

Zhaelor laughed sarcastically and replied:

— The little orca pups are baring their teeth... How terrifying, these little fish fresh out of the egg!

Provoked, the orcas became furious and attacked in perfect coordination. Zhaelor, however, mocked them, while their weapons couldn’t even scratch his skin. With a single powerful tail strike, he created a strong current that easily disarmed his opponents.

When one of them charged at him, aiming for his head, Zhaelor grabbed the young orca with one hand and squeezed tightly. Desperate, the young one called for his brothers' help, but they abandoned him as soon as they realized they couldn’t win. The orca cried loudly, hoping they would return to rescue him, but they never came back.

— They are so cruel... Leaving their poor brother behind to save themselves! — Zhaelor teased, watching the desperate young orca.

He released the young orca, and while he enjoyed the scene, a great shark emerged from the moray seaweed wall, wielding a spear with a dark tip. The shark showed no fear of the sperm whale, which caught his attention.

The battle with Krahs was fierce. Unlike the orcas, the shark did not flee or hesitate. Zhaelor felt foolish for being wounded multiple times by such a small being. With each attack, his anger grew. How dare such a small creature challenge him? He stopped playing. Violent strikes made the surrounding waters swirl into brutal currents.

And then came the scream.

— Father!

The childish voice froze Zhaelor. He stopped just as his instincts demanded the final blow. He looked in the direction of the sound and saw Nexha.

Krahs did not hesitate. Wounded and desperate, he grabbed the hatchling and swam to protect him. Zhaelor hesitated, the weight of revelation making him falter. He already knew who the hatchling was, but seeing him there, so small and vulnerable, stirred an unfamiliar discomfort.

The sperm whale growled and cast a spell. Even with his tail paralyzed and holding the child, Krahs refused to let go. He began to sink, but before he did, he shouted:

— Run, Nexha! Don’t look back!

The hatchling hesitated. His gaze met Zhaelor’s, filled with restrained rage. Then, he tried to swim faster... But he was captured.

Zhaelor gripped him lightly, feeling his rapid breathing. Something inside him twisted, and a strange happiness emerged, confirming that this was indeed his new master.