Alistair waited with bated breath as they approached the vicinity above the underwater city. They avoided flying directly over the city to prevent appearing too threatening, though there was still a slight chance the Kaiakos could be attacked. With their shields up just in case, they descended without incident.
Disembarking first, Alistair breathed in the salty air and felt the sharp winds at this altitude, taking a moment to absorb the scene. The massive Kaiakos loomed overhead, casting a large shadow over the landing site and sending any nearby flying beasts scattering.
As the others followed, Karrut and the crab woman descended using jetpack-like devices, still lacking the necessary flight skills. Alistair kept a watchful eye on their descent, ready to step in if needed, but both landed gracefully in the water and quickly stored their jetpacks. Dexter, thrilled to be in open waters, swam rapid circles around them. Alistair took a moment to enjoy watching Dexter's playful swimming, waiting for the rest of the group to catch up.
Diving into the water with the others, he looked about the depths, seeing a magical outline of large structures in the distance through his conceptual awareness with some smaller forms approaching them. Fortunately, his new flight skill didn't distort his view underwater, and his conceptual awareness skill adapted quickly due to his practice on their own planet, allowing him to see much farther than his eyes would normally allow him to.
"We have some incoming, but not enough to be a threat. Try not to overreact to whatever they are," Alistair called out over his Akashic Link, which connected everyone in the group.
He waved at Nessyra as Riseth had already joined him. They floated in front of their group, waiting for the inhabitants to approach. Due to the somewhat clear nature of the ocean, they quickly spotted them, and Alistair saw that they were mermaids accompanied by mermen. While he had seen mermen before, it was his first time seeing mermaids. He knew they weren't necessarily of the same species but were merely compatible, so he looked up the available information on mermaids.
Nessyra frowned and cursed over their link. "This isn't good. If they are all mermaids, we have an issue," she said, biting her lip.
Alistair turned to her in confusion. Nothing he knew about mermaids or was currently looking up indicated they would be problematic.
"What's the problem?" Alistair asked over the link, still confused as he watched the small group approach.
The mermen and mermaids were clad in what looked to be masterfully crafted metal and chain-link armor that seemed heavily enchanted and impervious to the ocean waters. This indicated they were skilled craftspeople, which was quickly confirmed by the knowledge he had copied into his knowledge base. They were a famous yet incredibly rare species, even more so than dragons and other mythical creatures, and were known for crafting legendary weapons and distributing them to chosen heroes and champions. Before he could digest more information, Nessyra spoke up after a slight hesitation.
"They aren't known to be great fighters, and mermaid flesh is one of the most coveted dark alchemical ingredients due to its incredible healing and regenerative properties. If processed correctly, it can grant a lesser form of immortality, providing effects similar to reaching Grade 5, where the body regenerates and heals any wounds with enough time; it also rejuvenates the consumer and prevents aging. This is why most mermaid enclaves, once exposed, are attacked, hunted down, and enslaved by Blackmarket syndicates and forced to breed work and be slaughtered for their flesh once deemed useless. If we didn't have a target on our backs before, we definitely will now if we take them under our wing."
Alistair's voice was firm over the Akashic Link, which connected only Riseth, Nessyra, and Simon to the conversation. "Fuck the Blackmarket Syndicates," he said. If there was a crafting-specialized race on the moon that needed protection from the Syndicates, he would provide it. They had already demonstrated that they wouldn't tolerate the Syndicates, and he wasn't about to back down now.
"I agree," Nessyra replied, determination in her voice. "But it's still not ideal. We need to inform them and work to keep their presence a secret with formations, especially scrying formations, as soon as possible before someone tracks this place and finds them and, in turn, us."
Simon cautiously added, "We should talk to them as planned first, before inciting any panic among their ranks and leadership."
They agreed and waited for the Mermaid carrying a spear and shield leading the proceeding to address them.
The green-haired mermaid spoke up, some tightly restrained fear in her voice as she hovered in front of them, the Shadow of the Kaiakos still blotting out most of the surrounding light. "Welcome, visitors; my name is Ayano. How may I address you?"
"We are the Ryser Clan. You may address me as Alistair, and this is my wife, Riseth; we are the Patriarch and Matriarch of the clan," He said before introducing the others. "We came here to speak to your leaders," he concluded.
Alistair noted how Ayano calmed down but couldn't help but notice how incredibly tight her control over her aura was. This also applied to the rest of the proceeding. If he wasn't this much more powerful than them, he would not have been able to use his Identify skill on them [Ayano—lvl 71]. After identifying her, she looked at him surprised and failed to do the same to him, a worried expression barely contained before she spoke up again.
"What do you wish to discuss?" She asked
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"We have settled the neighboring planet and wish to establish friendly relations and initiate negotiations with your people," Riseth said warmly, her smile helping to ease the tension among the small group.
"Of course, we must ask your group to wait outside the palace while we seek the empress's agreement. Please follow us," Ayano replied.
They followed the small group as they approached an expansive underwater cityscape, characterized by curved metal spires and colorful deepsea quartz structures. The inhabitants watched them cautiously from a distance; most were mermaids, with the occasional merman and unfamiliar aquatic species that Alistair couldn't even categorize. All the mermaids were incredibly beautiful and seemed to be blessed by ethereal youth as they lacked any signs of aging. They were led down the main path toward the heart of the city, where a massive palace stood as the centerpiece and largest structure. Its towering metal spires and fortified walls were visible from afar, surrounded by warding spells that protected the impressive structure. Fish and other underwater species glided above them, akin to birds in the sky.
They were requested to wait in front of the gatehouse as Ayano rushed into the large structure. The guards let her pass, and they didn't seem to take offense to her carrying her weapons into the palace in a hurry. After what felt like 10 minutes, Ayano rushed back out towards them.
"Empress Denoida Naurei is eager to speak with you and invites Alistair, Riseth, and Nessyra to join her. Your other companions will need to wait, but they are welcome to partake in a small banquet in the meantime," Ayano announced.
They nodded in agreement and were led inside the palace. The guards eyed them with some worry as the rest of the group was escorted down a different corridor. Ayano led Alistair, Riseth, and Nessyra into the throne room, where they were greeted by Empress Denoida. She was a stunningly beautiful mermaid, about the same size as Alistair when he wasn't restraining his size. Her long cobalt blue hair and smooth skin highlighted her elegant form. She wore chain mail armor that also functioned as an elegant dress, adorned with metal scales, insignias, and decorative gems that almost distracted from the incredibly powerful enchantments worked into the armor.
A soft and pleasant voice rang out as Ayano bowed and left the room, closing the gate behind her. "The Ryser clan, I have been hoping you would be the ones who would find us, and it's so much sooner than I expected," Denodia said with visible relief.
Alistair was a little surprised by the statement and the lack of any guards or protectors, as nobody else was present to guard or support their empress. Riseth and Nessyra also looked around in slight confusion.
"What do you mean, hoping we would be the ones to find you?" Nessyra questioned.
Denodia let out a soft chuckle. "Apologies, I am getting ahead of myself. To preempt some confusion, my strongest concept is that of 'Future.' It allows me to act as something of a prophet at times, and your arrival and our meeting are among the strongest and most important potential events I have been able to foresee."
They exchanged hesitant glances; dealing with someone claiming to see the future was a little troubling.
"Do you have any evidence to support that claim?" Nessyra asked skeptically.
Denodia seemed quite relaxed as she tilted her head from side to side before responding. "The red metal you wish to gift me is something I looked forward to working with," she said with a cheeky smile.
"It still feels a bit like a parlor trick; she could just see what's in our storage," Alistair said over their Akashic Link.
"I don't know, but I agree I don't trust this," Nessyra replied over the link before pressing Denodia further.
"Do you have any other evidence besides this? What do you know of us?" Nessyra inquired.
Denodia idly played with her long blue hair, which slightly flowed in the water, still smiling at them. "Unlike most of the other potential events, I know you come as friends and want us to join your clan." After a short pause, she added, "I know you will tell us of a potential outside threat and offer to protect my people from them, but anyone could have guessed this much, I suppose..."
Alistair thoughtfully scratched his chin before speaking up, deciding to skip some of the preamble. "What is your stance on joining our clan, then?"
She beamed at him before answering, "I personally welcome the offer, though tradition dictates that you would have to marry me to lay claim to the throne and officially become the leader of our people."
Alistair was taken aback, his doubt about her ability to see the future deepening as all the women in the room looked at him with curiosity and expectation.
"I'm already married, and while I'm flattered by the offer, I don't plan on taking multiple wives," Alistair responded with a smile.
Denodia pouted before smirking at them. "I kind of knew it wouldn't work, but the future isn't set in stone, so it was worth a try. He's a good catch for a mate, and we will all live long lives. Perhaps you'll change your mind," she added teasingly.
Nessyra seemed more peeved than Alistair as she spoke up. "Is there no alternative to marriage?" she asked.
"Of course there is," Denodia replied with a laugh. "I can send out a chosen one on a quest to slay a beast of renown before granting them a weapon of power, signifying their divine right to lead our people alongside me. And as it happens, there is such a monster threatening my people right now," she added with a less cheerful expression.
Alistair and Riseth exchanged a knowing look and had to hold back their laughter, struggling not to crack. Nessyra looked at them in confusion while Empress Denodia chuckled.
"I know, strange women distributing weapons are no basis for a system of government. But I hope you can bear with our farcical aquatic ceremony," Denodia said, showing them a toothy smile.
"Oh, what the fuck," Alistair said as he burst out laughing, with Riseth and Denodia joining in.
This was by far the most compelling evidence that she spoke the truth. Especially since he had been completely unable to pierce her veil and deeper intentions, however, her words and facial expressions painted her as a fun and casual individual.
"And yes, you can expect to wield supreme executive power," She added.
Alistair snorted. "Alright, I believe you can actually see the future," he said, raising his hands to quell Denodia's quips.
Nessyra, still confused, received a short memory recording from Alistair to explain the exchange and let out a groan after reviewing it.
"Until the beast returns, please stay so we can get to know each other better," Denodia offered, noticing that Nessyra had felt a bit left out of the loop.
She engaged Nessyra, asking questions and answering some of them in return.
"Oh right, what do your people call this moon and its planet?" Riseth asked.
"We call our moon Nautilis, and the planet we have named Lacustrine," Denodia replied.
"Lacustrine... I like it; that saves me the time to come up with something," Alistair said with relief.
This initiated a more relaxed and casual exchange than they had anticipated. Denodia eagerly inspected their gifts, particularly the red bars of dragonstalk metal, and thanked them, her bubbly personality radiating warmth and friendliness.