A low voice grumbled and filled the area. “Yes…” the monster hissed
“If I let you down, do you promise not to attack?” Drim followed up.
The Squordfish squinted, as if it was doubting its captor’s words. “I am a monster. It is in our nature to attack humans. So it would be foolish of you to let me go.”
“Well, it’s a good thing I’m not a human then,” Drim chuckled. “But I have a certain trait, you see. I can look into a being's soul and determine their nature for myself. And you’re the first monster that has ever been different, not giving solely into its instincts. Well, besides one other I know. There’s thought in there, choice, feelings. You may have the body of a monster, but you also have enough intelligence to understand morality, and yours isn’t bad.”
“So let me ask you again. If I let you go, will you stay and answer my questions?”
“I accept,” the slow voice took its time in answering. Drim then lowered and released his vines, letting the monster orientate itself upright and properly. It took a moment to stretch its tentacles and soothe its aches before it finally settled. “What do you ask?”
“First, you’re a Fiend, aren’t you?” the boy got right to the point.
The Squordfish didn’t answer at first, thinking on the matter. “I do not know what that is.”
“Well, you are one,” Drim reinforced. “My sister here already confirmed as much. Basically, you’re not like others of your species, are you? You’re stronger, smarter, and you have a unique power, don’t you?”
“I make others around me sick. If you call that a power, so be it. But I consider it a curse.” The monster probably didn’t understand irony, but it sure was spouting it.
“Phon, if you would,” Drim glanced over.
She then recited, “Curse: Allergen. The user can infect any target within a certain proximity with a random allergy. The allergy will be something the target is currently touching or something in their immediate environment.”
“So that’s how it is,” the boy affirmed. “I don’t know if you were using it purposely against us, but it is something you can control and learn restraint if you try. With enough practice, you could master it. But tell me, when did you first start to notice this ability, or have an idea when you became a Fiend.”
“There was this human,” the monster seemed to be reaching deep into its memory. “I lived in the middle of the ocean, a territory all my own, where only the foolish would enter. But a human arrived one day, on a small, weak ship. I was going to eat him.”
“But he spoke to me. I did not understand his words at that time, but he clearly was trying to communicate. I was enthralled with him and his stupidity, and decided to let him live on a whim. He then dumped some meat into the water for me to feed upon and then left.”
“I never thought I’d see the foolish human again, but he returned the next day with more words and more food. Time and time again, the human returned, and eventually, I became attached. Then I was the foolish one.”
“After he left one day, I decided to follow him. He returned to a bigger ship, full of other humans. They were going to attack me. I was going to kill them. But the man stopped them, and they let me be.”
“I don’t know for how long, but then I followed their ship around. They had me destroy other ships and praised me for it. I would bring them treasures that sank to the bottom of the sea. It was an entertaining life.”
“Eventually, they lead me to what I believe you humans would call a laboratory. Many humans then trapped me, caged me, tricked me. I was outraged, but that first human remained. He stayed with me and visited me everyday. Someone I could trust.”
“The days passed, those other humans tried to get me to complete tasks. I believe they were trying to train me to be their weapon, their monster. But it was fine, because I had the human.”
“It was around this time that I began understanding your speech. The human called me his friend. That was something I clung to. But one day, I saw my friend embrace another human, possibly his mate. It stirred feelings of envy. Not against the mate, but my own longing.”
“I too wanted to feel that embrace. So one day, I lifted my tentacle and gently wrapped it around my friend. I was so careful, so delicate, barely touching him. Never would I want to hurt my friend. But then he died. I understand now that he had one of those allergies you mentioned. The entire time, he was allergic to me.”
“Ohmygosh that’s so sad!” Kada suddenly dashed into the water and swam to the monster. She climbed up on one of its floating tentacles and gave it a hug. “I’ll be your friend! I have this great monster resort where you could go and live and be safe forever! Well, you may be too big, but we can let you swim around in the waters around it and, wah—”
The Squordfish lifted its tentacle and raised it over the sand, shaking it until Kada couldn’t hold on any longer and flopped back down onto the beach. “I appreciate the sentiment,” the monster responded genuinely. “But I think I am done with humans for the time being. Assuming… that you’ll let me go.”
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“I’m planning to do so, if you promise not to recklessly attack any more islands,” Drim got serious. “But first, I’d like to know why you attacked Archlave and how those assassins managed to control you.”
“They did not control me!” the Squordfish completely refuted that accusation. “They… tricked me! Or maybe they didn’t. Maybe my friend was tricking me all along. Someone moved me from the laboratory not long after my friend's death. I heard one of the humans say that I had been ‘purchased’, though I still do not know what that means.”
“Those that took me said that my friend had one last wish, one I should be obligated to fulfill as his killer, as his friend. They told me he wanted to see the island Archlave destroyed, as it had betrayed him long ago. Once we got close to the island, they instructed me to wait for their signal, a light in the water. When the light lit up, I attacked. That was our arrangement.”
“I see,” Drim finally got the jist. “And from what my sister has found in your mind, it seems to match up. You also only have a vague idea where that lab was, somewhere on the western coast. So we’ll let you go now. You’re free to do as you wish. I’m sorry for having left you tangled up for so long, but consider it punishment for your transgressions that have now been atoned.”
“In the future, though, we will know where you are and what you’re doing. If you live a quiet life, you’ll never see us again, but if you cause trouble, we will not be so kind as to spare you a second time. I hope you understand that.”
“And even with that arrangement, it doesn’t mean that we can’t be friends, or that you can’t have them again. Kada’s offer may have been a bit forward, but it was genuine. If you ever need help or want to try being friends with humans again, head to her island. It’s far from here, about as far as you can get on the other side of the world, but I think you’d be up for the journey. Now farewell, and enjoy the rest of your life.”
The Squordfish swam away immediately, not wanting to risk its chance at freedom. But before it dived deep down into the water, completely out of sight, the Fiends on the beach could have sworn that they saw one of its tentacles wave farewell to them.
With the day saved, crisis averted, and wedding successfully crashed, the party dispersed. Victori seemed the most eager to head back home, rushing into Valen’s portal as soon as it was opened. She was clearly glad that the adventure, which she’d impulsively snuck her way into, was over, and she could return to her lazy, pampered, and most importantly, safe life.
Tize and Nachi quickly followed suit—eager to head back and make a trip to their usual bar. Kada asked Valen to open a new portal to her resort, in the mood to hug some more monsters. And not long after, Mallea got the ship working and began the flight back to the compound.
This just left Drim, Phon, and Rusa standing on the beach with some unfinished business. Valen was also still there, basically waiting around as their chauffeur. Though, she was happy for them to take as long as they needed, eager to witness the drama about to unfold, ready to write down ideas and take pictures. One of Chorus’ orbs also posted up next to her, recording any action that may occur.
“So back to my demands,” Phon immediately started getting riled up again. “As I said, I want to kill this incarnation of Rusa and—”
“There’s no way I can give you permission to do that, Phon,” Drim sighed.
But someone else’s opinion mattered more. “No, it’s fine,” Rusa gave them a friendly smile. “I don’t want there to be any lingering hostility going forward, and if it would die along with this form, then that’s perfectly fine with me.”
“See, she gets it,” Phon grew a greedy grin and began to snicker maniacally. “Prepare to die—”
“If you kill her, you’ll have to raise her as a baby.” Drim’s words stopped Phon in her tracks, all eagerness immediately replaced with dread.
“Buh, but you could just age her up a bit, get her past that annoying part of her life,” Phon protested.
“No, I think the next form is due for a proper and full life,” Drim insisted. “I forced a bunch of rebirths before this plan. There’s no telling what that could be doing to her psyche. Her next life needs to be a proper one. And if you trigger it before it’s due, then you’re responsible for raising her.”
“Ugh, yeah that’s not worth it.” All hostility immediately ceased and then Phon demanded, “Alright Rusa, go on and get out of here. The rest of this doesn’t involve you, and I don’t want to see your damned pretty face anymore, or I’ll just get angry again and change my mind.” The princess didn’t hesitate and quickly ran over to Valen, vanishing into a portal.
“Now then, my dearest brother, I have two demands for you to earn my forgiveness.”
“Alright, lay it on me,” Drim shrugged slightly and braced himself for the worst.
The girl’s tone then got a little softer. “If it comes to it, which I hope it never does, at least not for a long time… But if you’re ever actually feeling like dating someone, from a passing interest up to wanting to get married, you’ll tell me first before anyone else.”
“That’s it?” her brother was genuinely surprised. “I mean, obviously I will. You’re the most important person in the world to me, Phon, so I’m going to share everything with you. But we both know that I’m not really focused on that kind of thing right now, so I don’t think you have to worry.”
“Oh, an even better idea then,” the sister quickly got giddy. “Did you know that sibling marriage is actually legal in Tooshifont? Kaizu told me about it once, apparently some archaic law that was never abolished. We could then have legal recourse to keep all those wandering eyes from bothering you. Think of all the problems it would solve, schemes it would stop, and all the annoyances it would keep it bay!”
“Yeah, I think that would just cause infinitely more problems…” Drim was a bit dumbfounded by how that would be a net positive for their plans.
“Eh, it was worth a shot,” Phon quickly brushed it off. “Now for demand number two. I’m not saying right now, since I think we could both use a rest and some time to let ourselves cool our heads. But on your next day off, you’re going to spend it with me. Just the two of us, not as colleagues, but as a family. Brother and sister enjoying the day together, preferably far away from the ruckus of our daily lives.”
Drim smirked. “Yeah, I think I can do that. It sounds nice, so why don’t we make it a whole weekend.”
“Oh you spoil me!” Phon leapt forward and wrapped her arms around him in a huge hug. She wasn’t expecting much, but her breath still stopped short when he reciprocated and hugged her back. Close and loving, an embrace only they could share.