The moment Nereus emerged from the collapsing Sea Serpent Maze, the gathered crowd erupted into a cacophony of shock and disbelief.
Whispers and murmurs swirled like a whirlpool among the Vorteesi sect members and the families of the participants.
The cheers that had greeted Ruth, Rave, Triton, and Jonny were replaced by an uncertain buzz as all eyes turned toward the unexpected return of Nereus, who stood at the entrance, clutching his essence crystal with an air of calm finality.
The sect leader, Kano, swam forward, his presence immediately commanding the attention of everyone present. With a single raised hand, his authoritative voice cutting through the noise.
"Silence!" he called out, and the crowd quickly obeyed, hanging on his every word. "The participants have endured unimaginable trials within the maze. They need rest."
His tone brooked no argument, and the crowd fell into a respectful silence.
"The official congratulatory ceremony will take place tomorrow. For now, let them recover."
With that, the sect members began to disperse, still buzzing with the implications of what they had witnessed. Ruth and Rave, clutching their essence crystals, exchanged smug glances as they swam away, while Triton and Jonny lingered near Nereus, their expressions a mix of relief and concern.
Triton placed a hand on Nereus's shoulder, his voice low. "I'm heading home. We'll talk more tomorrow."
Nereus nodded, his mind already elsewhere. "Take care, Triton."
As Triton departed, Jonny moved to float beside Nereus, offering a weary smile. "We made it, Argent. Somehow, we all made it."
"Yes," Nereus replied, though his thoughts were already drifting toward the Spatial Pearl now nestled securely in his possession. "Let's go home, Jonny. We need to prepare for what comes next."
The two of them left the bustling scene, making their way through the winding underwater pathways back to the Vanderbilt estate. Once there Nereus retreated to his private quarters where he then diverted all his attention solely to the Spatial Pearl.
Nereus seated himself on his bed, the glow of the essence crystal in his hand casting soft light on the walls.
With a deep breath, he focused on the pearl, his sea essence quickly intertwining seamlessly with the relic.
Like a long lost love the pearl seemed to welcome Nereus's presence as it pulsed in response, and with a thought, Nereus activated its dormant powers.
In an instant, the world around him shifted.
He found himself floating in a vast, pristine white space—a stark contrast to the dark, tumultuous depths of the ocean.
The interior of the Spatial Pearl was nothing like the chaotic ruins of the Sea Serpent Maze. Instead, it was a meticulously organized, laboratory-like environment, still filled with the ancient instruments and tools that Nereus recognized and utilized from his past life.
"Its all just as I left it all those years ago..." he whispered wistfully as memories from the past welled up within him like hungry sea wraiths. Blinking back the past, he focused on his lab in front of him.
Every surface was polished to a gleaming white, reflecting the soft, ambient light that filled the space.
Rows of tables were lined with arcane devices—strange, crystalline apparatuses that hummed with dormant power, alchemical vials filled with mysterious liquids, and intricate mechanisms that seemed to defy the laws of nature. Along the walls, shelves were stacked with ancient tomes and scrolls, each containing knowledge that had been lost to time but preserved within this hidden sanctuary.
At the center of the room, a large, cylindrical containment chamber stood, its walls transparent and glowing with a soft, blue light. Within this chamber, Nereus could see several large, egg-like structures—sea serpent eggs, each pulsating with a faint, internal glow.
They were protected by the pearl's powerful essence, awaiting the day they would hatch...
As Nereus took in the sight of the lab, a familiar presence made itself known.
Eve, in her Mer form, floated near the containment chamber, her dark green hair cascading over her shoulders and her emerald eyes fixed on him with an expression of deep reverence.
She was dressed scantily, in a makeshift seaweed and sea silk torn top that accentuated her graceful form, the fabric though thin shimmered with the same iridescence as her scaly aquatic tail.
"Master," Eve murmured, bowing her head slightly. "I'm so glad you've come. I wanted to apologize for my actions earlier—for all the chaos I caused.
Nereus regarded her with a mix of curiosity and caution. Her beauty was undeniable, and the way she gazed at him was filled with an almost childlike adoration.
Nereus regarded her with a calm, measured gaze. "It's ok, I understand you weren't yourself in that moment, But now, that you intend to serve me, it is imperative that we understand each other." Speaking plainly Nereus wasted no time getting to the point, "So I have to ask, if my calculations are correct you've lived for over three centuries, and yet you look no older than a girl of sixteen. How? And most importantly what was that miraculous healing ability you did back in there?"
Eve looked up at him, her emerald eyes gleaming with an ancient wisdom. "I am a Sea Healer, Master. My abilities allow me to heal almost any wound, to rejuvenate the body and soul. But it also means I age much more slowly than others of my kind. I've been able to keep my youth… though at a cost."
But that's impossible or at least it should be" he couldn't help remark, "sea serpents, being more akin to sea monsters genetically than Mer, are one of the few races that naturally only produces Sealockes. At least as far as I know there has never been a sea serpent that was born a Sea Healer or Sea Knight."
"You're absolutely correct master, I've never met another of my kind with the same abilities before." Eve admitted honestly, "I'm not exactly certain why I have such a unique ability, but if my bloodline memories are to be believed I think it has something to do with the special circumstances of my birth. You see master, shortly before my mother birthed me she consumed an extremely rare herb with powerful healing properties known as the Nexus Kelp."
At the mention of the Nexus Kelp, Nereus eyes shone with surprise for a moment as he thought to himself, 'The Nexus Kelp?! I had thought that miraculous plant was a myth!' With his curiosity piqued he gestured for her to continue.
"Her body ultimately wasn't able to handle the powerful energy held within the herb and as such she died, but not before laying an egg that had absorbed the majority of the extremely potent healing energy. That egg was me master!" Eve exclaimed.
"Extraordinary..." he couldn't help but remark aloud.
Suffice to say Nereus was impressed by her abilities.
Besides the scientific value in being able to research such a miraculous specimen up close (non invasively of course).
He thought to himself as the gears in his mind began to turn, 'Both the short term and long term potential for such an ability is immense to say the least, especially in someone he would be able to consider an absolutely loyal ally... she absolutely must be mine!'
"Thank you for being so forthcoming so far Eve, if I'm being honest, I believe we absolutely can work together… But if we are to do so, I believe we should establish a Blood Seal. It will ensure ease of telepathic communication as well as location if necessary so overall it's simply a safety precaution, I have no doubt of your loyalty"
Eve nodded eagerly, her expression one of pure devotion. "I accept, Master. I am ready."
"E-Excellent!" he said with a slight tone of surprise tinging his voice.
'Hm she agreed much quicker than I thought she would... but I guess this should come as no surprise considering the complimentary hierarchal nature of our bloodlines, all the better, I'd better seal the deal.'
Nereus extended his index finger as a wickedly sharp claw then extended from his nail bed.
SWISH
With a swift flourish he made a shallow cut on his palm. He then did the same to Eve, who accepted without hesitation.
Wasting no time he then pressed their hands together, and as the blood and sea essence mingled under Nereus's influence , it began sparking with a faint, glowing light as the Blood Seal took hold.
WHOOSH
The art of the seal was ancient, and its effects were immediate—a deep connection formed between them, an unbreakable bond of master and servant.
Eve shivered slightly as the bond settled within her soul and then smiled up at Nereus with adoration.
"Now that's settled, I'd say I really have only one more question if you'd be so kind...How exactly did you end up sealed in that maze in the first place?"