The lake was now clear. Crystal clear. Even from the bank I could almost see all the way to the bottom, where the massive rocks and crevices hid the giant caverns below.

Chunks of flesh were floating all around the lake. Bubbly fatty things. There were hundreds of birds and other animals pecking at the chunks, feasting happily. I knew it’d only be a few weeks and the Monarch’s carcass would be gone entirely. Even the huge skeletal pieces underground, stuck in the cave I had chased it to, would eventually decay away.

The Monarch’s heart was in my pocket. It was a smaller orb than normal, but it was dense. Holding it made the hairs on my hand stand on edge. There was even the feeling of a magnetic tug to it. Whenever I went near metal, or certain rocks, it became heavier and pulled towards them.

Which was odd. It tugged itself towards the metals, not the metals to it.

Divinity made no sense sometimes.

“Vim…!”

I stepped back, away from the rocky ledge, as Lilly flapped down next to me. She landed with grace and smiled at me. “Everyone’s finally accounted for. The family that ran off hid in a nearby forest, I guess. They got back a little bit ago,” she informed me.

“Oh. Good. Why’d they run?” I wondered.

Lilly shrugged. “Some people are just cowards Vim, you know that,” she said simply.

Well… I did… but…

I sighed as I glanced back to the lake. Some of the birds feasting on a nearby chunk of eel flesh were squawking at us, upset we were disturbing their mighty buffet.

Ungrateful bastards.

“So no casualties,” I said.

“Other than the fish,” Lilly said.

Right. True.

I hadn’t killed any of them. Though Merit would likely never believe me.

During the fight with the Monarch, several caverns had collapsed. Some parts of the lake were even now different, thanks to the sunken sections. One of the nearby beaches to our left, looked weird thanks to the fact that the water wasn’t as high anymore. There was now several feet of water missing… but that might not be so much thanks to the collapsed caverns beneath, but instead the water being pushed out of the lake by the ruckus from the Monarch.

Luckily the duck’s village had been far enough that even though the rivers surrounding them had flooded, it hadn’t been too bad. They were already almost finished cleaning up the mess from it.

Merit’s people hadn’t been as lucky. They had all been living underwater, in one of the caverns beneath the lake. In a place with air, and large pools of water that they could sleep in peacefully.

Merit and I had both tried to get there, but couldn’t anymore. It was blocked off by giant boulders and collapsed earth.

Likely wasn’t just blocked off at all, but rather gone. The cave had collapsed completely.

With most of her people inside it. They had tried to hide from the Monarch’s wrath, and only trapped themselves in doing so.

“So uh… in a way we’ve done our job, right?” Lilly then asked.

“In a way,” I admitted. Even if it felt like I had screwed up completely.

We had protected the duck’s home… but not in the way I had intended. Nor in the way that Celine would have wanted, either.

I still didn’t even know why the Monarch had thrown a fit. Chances are I never would. Nor would I ever really find out why some of Merit’s people had hunted and ate the ducks. She knew they had been doing so, but didn’t know or care to know as to the reason.

But it was fine. It was over. The Monarch slain. The supposed feud was over, thanks to the entire fish family being lost or killed. From a certain perspective… everything had gone smoothly and my goals were fulfilled. Somehow…

Yet all we had to show for it was a single girl. One who adamantly refused to join our Society to boot.

“What uh… what are we going to do with Merit, Vim?” Lilly asked.

“I’m not sure yet. What do you think we should do?” I asked as to hear her opinion.

“Not sure. I don’t think leaving her here is smart… what if she comes to hate the ducks or something? Plus they’re all scared of her. They keep running off whenever she walks around. Though that might just be because she’s naked. Why won’t she wear clothes?” Lilly rambled a bit, making me smile.

“She knows we’re leaving soon, doesn’t she?” I asked.

Lilly nodded. “I’ve told her.”

“Has she mentioned anything?” I asked.

“No…? She slept a bunch after you two swam in the lake, and then woke up starving. She ate a bunch of eggs and stuff, and since then she’s just… been walking around. Watching people. Looking at stuff. I think she’s just lost, and not sure what to do,” Lilly said.

“Isn’t that the truth,” I whispered. I knew that feeling well.

“What happened anyway? She looks like you beat her senseless,” Lilly asked.

“I didn’t hurt her,” I said.

“Oh…? The Monarch then,” Lilly said, as if it made sense.

I didn’t correct her, since it was Merit’s story. Not my own.

Even if she was proud, and wouldn’t let me take credit for killing her abuser… I wasn’t sure if she’d ever tell anyone or admit to it.

Turning, I gestured for Lilly to follow me. She flapped her wings as she went to walking alongside me, as we headed back to the village.

“You know she’s strong right?” Lilly then said.

“Who? Merit?” I asked.

She nodded. “She helped me carry your boat to the river. She lifted her end easily, probably as easily as I had lifted mine,” she said.

I frowned but wasn’t too surprised. Merit had quite a few non-human traits… particularly one that was rather unique. She was able to create electricity, somehow. That meant her non-human blood was thick. So her having great strength was no surprise.

Her struggle with her abuser had seemed… simple and equal, to me. But honestly I had no idea if they had been fighting with great strength or not. I had been so broken, physically, at the time that when I had pulled her off I hadn’t been able to tell how hard I had done so.

There was a really good chance Merit was strong. Far stronger than she should be. I’ll need to verify it later.

“What are the ducks saying about her?” I asked.

“They’re weary of her, like I said… but they’re not asking me to kick her out or anything. Yet. But I bet they’ll not be happy if we leave her here,” Lilly said.

Right. Yes. I knew that.

She won’t be able to stay with the ducks… but the few conversations I’ve had with her since the fight with the Monarch, she’s made it very clear she didn’t want to join our Society.

I wasn’t sure why, just yet… I had hoped after a few days she’d have calmed down, and not be so defensive about it… but this morning she had very loudly made her point clear once again. After she and I had checked the lake for any of her surviving family members, I had asked what she had planned. She had told me she’d rather die than join before swimming away, and going back to the village.

I couldn’t blame her, really. Even I still had second thoughts about this Society. And it’s been years since I’ve joined.

We rounded a small stream, and went to walking alongside the larger river. The one that led around the village.

“If you do end up taking her back with us… you might want to warn her about Celine and the rest. Merit seems to be the type to really hate touchy people. I tried to help her up when she woke up, just by offering a hand to her, and she slapped my hand away,” Lilly added.

“She’s got trust issues. But she has a good reason for it. Just be patient with her,” I told her.

“Who doesn’t have trust issues? I think you’re too nice sometimes Vim. Children don’t learn if you don’t scold them,” Lilly argued.

“Says the child,” I teased her.

“I’m older than her! Even if you don’t include my wings, I’m way bigger!” Lilly argued.

I smiled and nodded. “You are… but all of her people had been small. I think it’s just their traits. She might be older than you think,” I said.

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

“What… you’re serious? So she’s an old lady? So she’s not a snotty brat but a grouchy hag? Great,” Lilly sighed, as if it made more sense that way.

“Well…” I hadn’t meant it that way…

“Makes sense you’d realize that. You old people can always tell,” she added.

Rude. “Actually most never can tell in my experience,” I said.

“Hm…? Oh you mean they can’t tell that you’re old? Really?” Lilly found that interesting as she flapped her wings, drawing closer.

I nodded. “Really. Maybe it’s the eyes?” I wondered.

She scoffed. “Doubtful. Your stare can break rocks,” she said.

“Really…?” I found that interesting. She thought I had such a gaze?

Lilly was about to say something, but went silent as she noticed someone waiting for us.

Little Merit shifted, covering her chest with an arm as she held herself close as she watched us approach. She was likely apprehensive.

“What…? Now she’s embarrassed?” Lilly mumbled, and then glanced over at me.

“Hm?” I glanced at Lilly’s odd look, and then the owl actually scoffed and shook her head at me.

“What…?” I asked. What had happened?

“Nothing. You’re either too old or you’re just dense. Probably both,” she mumbled at me.

Taking offense, I chose to not respond as we walked up to Merit. The small fish was still naked, but was dry. Her long and thick hair hid most of her body from view. “Where were you?” she asked me.

Frowning at her, I glanced past her to the village. It wasn’t too far. It looked fine… and people were walking around. Nothing strange seemed to be going on, or had happened.

“Checking the lake. Again. It’s just a habit of mine to always verify stuff,” I told her.

“Sounds like something pointless,” Merit said.

“It is, but it’s better than him being negligent,” Lilly added her perspective.

Merit frowned, but then nodded. “I guess that’s true…” she mumbled, as if it made sense.

I sighed and Lilly stepped away. She flapped her wings as she went to go aloft. “I’ll check around, Vim,” she said as she took to the skies.

Watching her go, I tilted my head a little as one of her molted feathers floated past. It hit my shoulder, and rolled down my chest to the ground.

Merit stepped forward, to pick the feather up. I was half tempted to step backward as she did, since she got rather close… but resisted the urge. I wanted to step back out of respect, since she was naked, but I knew if I did such a thing she might take offense or get hurt by such a thing.

Once she had Lilly’s feather in her hand she smiled as she stepped back and away from me. She twirled the feather a little, staring at it intently. “How does she not run out of them?” Merit asked.

“She’s molting. She needs bigger feathers, since she’s growing. So she’s basically shedding the old, dying, feathers that are too small to support her wings. If you held that feather up against one of the newer ones you’d see that they’re quite bigger now,” I explained.

“Molting…” she mumbled the word, and I realized this poor girl had a lot to learn.

“Walk with me,” I said as I stepped around her, to head for the village.

Merit didn’t oblige right away, but eventually hurried to follow me. I made sure to keep my steps short and slow, since her tiny legs didn’t grant her much speed.

Walking side by side, I felt it was oddly familiar. Lilly had been about her height not too long ago… though her wings had always been larger, I think.

“What are we doing?” Merit asked as she twirled the feather in her hands.

“I just want to check on the village,” I said.

“It’s fine?” Merit said as we stepped off the grass field and onto a dirt road.

“It does seem so,” I agreed as we entered the village.

Some of the ducks that were out and about noticed me, but did little more than pause and stare. Even the children who had grown accustomed to me didn’t do much more than stare at us as we walked around.

I knew the reason they weren’t approaching and talking to me, but didn’t want to voice it. Even if the reason herself didn’t seem to care at all.

The village wasn’t that big. A little under a hundred people lived here, and most lived in larger houses in large groups. As far as I was aware, some even lived with multiple families under a singular roof. I wasn’t really sure why, since they had plenty of space to expand… but I wasn’t going to stick my nose into their personal affairs. Even if it was weird. More so, really.

“Vim!”

I slowed and smiled at the young duck approaching us. She skidded to a stop, her large tail feathers opening into a fan as she did so. “Your boat’s great! I can rock it all over and it won’t tip!” the young duck girl declared.

“Don’t rock it…” I said.

Wait. What had been her name…?

She ignored me and giggled away as she pointed behind her. To two other women. They were carrying small buckets. “We caught plenty of fish! Want some?” she asked.

“Not right now, thank you,” I said, and felt horrible. How come I had forgotten her name already? She’s been hanging out with me a lot ever since I gave her that boat.

I really was a jerk sometimes.

“How about you, little man-eater?” the duck turned and asked Merit.

“I don’t eat men…” Merit grumbled.

“It’s just a phrase,” the duck said with a huff.

“I’d rather have your eggs again,” Merit then said.

The duck blinked, and then laughed. “I see! We’ll… it’ll be a bit before I have any ready! Haha!” she barely got the words out as her tail flapped, kicking up some dust.

The village had flooded a little during my fight with the Monarch. Thanks to the surge of water. It dried out rather quickly, but it had left a small layer of fine dust behind in its wake.

I sighed at her, and the supposed man-eater who was frowning at the one laughing at her. She wasn’t amused at all, by the looks of it.

“Get over here and help!” one of the women shouted at the girl.

She flinched, and her tail feathers folded a little. As if trying to decrease in size, as to hide. “Woops. Bye Vim! Thanks for the boat!” she shouted happily as she ran off.

I waved her away, and watched as she hurried to go help the other women with their fish. They disappeared into one of the houses, talking loudly as they argued.

After a small moment I glanced down at Merit. The girl had an odd frown on her face, as if bothered… and was twirling the feather in her hand a little absentmindedly.

“Can’t believe you just outright asked for her eggs,” I said to her.

“Huh…? Why not? They let us eat them,” Merit tilted her head at me.

“They do… I guess…” I admitted. They didn’t seem to find it weird at all.

Actually…

Did they eat their own eggs…? I hadn’t noticed. The only time I ate with them was the night I arrived, and they had honestly just fed me and Lilly. They themselves hadn’t eaten anything. Since then I’ve not really been around them when they had their meals.

“What are you thinking?” Merit asked me.

“I’m wondering if they eat their own eggs,” I told the truth.

“They don’t. I already asked,” Merit said.

“Oh. Good…” I sighed in relief. I wasn’t entirely sure why it was a good thing, but it just felt right to think so.

The eggs they laid weren’t fertile. Somehow. Supposedly. But that didn’t make it any better.

“Bet it hurts to lay them…” Merit mumbled as we returned to walking through the village.

I nodded, I bet it did.

It didn’t take us long to circle the whole village. We passed a few of the elders, who had waved but not approached or said anything. It seemed other than that young duck earlier none were willing to draw too close to Merit. At least they weren’t running away from the mere sight of her.

By the time we finished walking the village, I decided to address the… fish out of water.

I took her to one of the benches in the village. It was near one of their little pens for livestock, though none were in it. Their cows were all grazing in the distance, roaming freely.

Merit didn’t sit down next to me as I relaxed on the bench. She stayed standing, a few feet from me as she glared at me.

“We need to talk, Merit,” I said to her.

“About…?”

“What you plan to do from here,” I said.

Her little eyes blinked at me, and she shifted on a heel… and then stepped forward. She took a seat next to me, and released a soft sigh as she did.

“I know. But we have to talk about it. Lilly and I plan to leave in a few days, now that everything’s settled,” I said.

“Now that my whole family is dead or missing, you mean,” Merit mumbled.

I shifted, and the bench creaked because of it. “Well… yes,” I admitted.

She smirked at me, and then pointed to the bench. “Are you really that heavy?” she asked me.

“Sometimes.”

“That’s weird,” she said.

I nodded, though wasn’t sure why people always found it so odd. She could release electricity. The ducks laid eggs. Lilly was molting… why did my weight sometimes changing make people so unsettled when all those things seemed normal to them?

“If you’d like to join us, Merit… you can come with us. To Telmik. From there you can find where you want to live, and do what you want to do, once ready. There are many people there, many different people. There are other fish there too,” I said. Not many, but enough.

Merit shifted, and I was forced to remember she was naked. Her hair shifted, and stopped covering most of her.

“I don’t want to join your Society,” she said.

“Can I ask why?”

“If I’m going to just be used for breeding there was no point in fighting off my uncle,” Merit said.

Oh. “Merit… That’s not what the Society is about,” I said.

“I know… Lilly explained it. It’s just… well…” Merit fumbled with the feather in her hands, as if to distract herself.

Hm. “Is it the clothes? You don’t want to join because then you’d have to wear clothes, huh?” I asked her.

The feather came to an abrupt stop in its twirling, and then she blinked… and then looked up at me.

“Huh…?” she whispered with a shocked look.

Uh oh. I had meant to just make her refusal light-hearted… To keep the air from getting to heavy… But…

“It’s not a big deal. I spent years on some islands not too long ago. I went naked the whole time too, it’s freeing,” I said, doing my best to divert her strange shock in another direction.

My attempt had little effect. She looked down… at herself… and then…

Suddenly the pale and almost see through girl became a flushed red.

“Woops…” I reached out, but it was too late. Merit darted off, running away so quickly she had almost slipped and tripped in the process.

Sighing as I watched her run away, I once again had no choice but to accept the fact that I was in over my head. In many more ways than one.

Looking down, I bent over and picked up the feather that Merit had discarded in her haste.

Lilly’s feather was slightly bent. Broken from Merit’s brisk movement. Or maybe she had stepped on it as she ran off.

“Great job Vim. So mature of you,” I chastised myself as I spun the owl’s feather, as Merit had done.

Before I could finish blaming myself… Merit returned.

She ran back up to me, coming to a stop a few feet away. Now though… she had a large hat. A straw hat, that she had likely stolen from somewhere nearby. She held it in her arms, covering herself with it. It was big enough to cover all the important bits, as she glared at me with a flushed face. “I’ll join you. But not the Society,” she said quickly.

Then she turned and ran, holding the straw hat in her front… completely neglecting her backside as she ran off.

I groaned and tossed Lilly’s feather aside.

I wasn’t ready for this at all.