Lin darted off towards the Southern Oceans, taking the messanger along with him.
” There. ” Lin placed him on the ground as dust blew with the intensity, ” Where did they say they were keeping my Mia? ”
The man pointed at the ocean bed with trembling hands.
” There? How did you get there? ” Lin asked , wondering how a mortal could stay underwater for such a long time.
” There’s a shrub behind the palace of the mortal king. It one eats adequate doze of it, one can breath under water for quite a long time” the man answered.
” Really? There is? Take me there immediately. ” Lin picked the man up and off they went.
Lin made a soft landing behind the palace .
” Here? ” He asked the man. The man nodded his head and pointes towards a purple orchid like flower.
” These are the ones. Water Breathers. But… ” The man stopped without completing.
” But what? ” Lin asked.
” Nothing. Nothing important. ” the man said after slyly walking off.
Lin held his collar from behind and pulled him in, ” Where do you think you are going. Pick that and eat. “He commanded.
” Me? ” The meek human looked at him and ripped a flower and are it without any delay.
Lin picked some and kept it in his pocket and asked, ” How long does it work? ”
” Each flower gives you about eight hours of under water breath. ” The man said after calculating with his fingers.
Lin grabbed the man’s collar to carry him along just when a few shadows inside, caught his attention. Lin strained his ears to get a few words-
“Did you think it over? ” one voice asked.
” There isn’t any other way. Didn’t you see what happened the last time? I dare not think what would happen if we disobey. ” said another.
” But the manifestations of the curse has already been lifted. Why bother meddling with the immortal world? ” asked another.
” It’s called leverage. We perish if we don’t. ” The first second one said and they marched together out.
Lin had to teleport back to the shore. Though the conversation was at the back of his mind, Mia was the priority here.
“You first, ” Lin pushed the man infront, ” Get going. ”
” Why me? First the mer-witches tortured me and now this fox. Why don’t you immortals solve your own problems? “the man asked.
” Why you? Well you tell me what were you doing with the mer-witches in the first place? Don’t tell me they went to your realm to drag you out of your house. Your filthy ass isn’t that important I guess. SPEAK UP. What are the humans upto? ” Lin roared.
The man fell to his knees and bowed before Lin. “Forgive me my Lord. I was sent here by my king. I don’t know anything else. ”
” The king huh. Ok. Let’s get to Mia first. ” Lin jumped in the waters after pushing the man infront.
The flowers actually worked. They could not only breathe under water but also see very clear. Lin took good notice of the place they crossed everytime.
But unfortunately there weren’t any landmarks underwater and he kept getting confused. The man swam until he came to a spot where he made a weird sound with his throat. Within a few moments there came a fleet of armed mermaids. They asked Lin to stand back as they opened the barrier acting as a gate. The effect of the force to opene the gate could be seen with those huge ripples.
Lin’s eye changed colours with changing hue of the changing waterscape. His eyes witnessed creatures he had never seen or fathomed about before.
“This way, ” One of the mer-witches, decked in armoured suit instructed as they neared a barricaded entrance. Lin wondered why they were not blindfolded before being taken to the mer-world, unlike how the wolf king had described.
He entered the premises wondering if it was a friendly territory or it belonged to a foe. Then again, they wouldn’t have rescued Mia and given her a safe haven had they any malicious intent. Mia was after all one of their own.
“Lin, you are finally here, ” Mia’s voice ripples through the waters like the highest note in a symphony.
Every thought evaporated from Lin’s mind. His legs waddled faster, as if breaking into a run.
Mia was waiting, holding onto a shell that was designed like a balcony. The leather like dress fitted every inch of her curve. Her hair, which usually was of a brownish hue, appeared bright red today. Her eyes locked on Lin as her lips quivering.
Lin grabbed her in between his hands and swirled around in a tight embrace.
“Are you all right? Are you hurt any where? ” Lin asked kissing her every where.
Mia did not answer. Lin kept kissing her around her hairline above her face. He pulled her close and whispered in her eyes, ” It’s ok , I’m here. Everything will be fine. ”
Lin picked her up in his arms and went right in.
There were seats curved with corals and cushioned with the rarest sea weeds.
Lin put Mia beside him and put his head on her lap to rest. He held her hands in his tracing her palm with his fingers
“You have no idea what was happening to me, ” Lin said, ” I thought I could never see you again. ”
Mia still didn’t say anything. Lin flipped around with his face in her direction, ” Mia, tell me did that thing harm you? ”
Mia still didn’t answer. The corner of her eyes crystallised as tears welled up. A tiny blue crystallized tear drop fell on Lin’s face. Then another. Then another. Lin sat up and looked at Mia, his eyes full of fascinating. He lifted his index finger then softly brushed a tear off. He held the crystal in his hand and showed it to Mia.
“Even your tears are rare. What would I do without you Mia? ” Lin pulled her head on his shoulder and stroked her head with the back of his hand.
” You know I am here Mia. You can take it all out on me. ” Lin said untangling Mia’s hair as he ran his hands through them.