The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 72: The Sea King ()

"I fear my father is prepared to take drastic measures when it comes to Queen Heveneth. The Fairy Queen has remained unchecked for far too long, she has become too daring!"

" Father is greatly angered by the slander of Princess Eloneth’s abduction." Prince Treyton replied.

Zariah frowned, she understood the Sea King’s stance, but that did not mean she approved.

The command over the Sea held by the merfolk was not an ability granted to any other specie, they were meant to oversee tide changes and keep the volatile seas in check.

This had been their responsibility granted by the creator from the beginning of time.

A battle was a battle, regardless of if the war took place or not, the Sea King’s duty as guardian of the sea was never meant to be used as a weapon against other species.

Not even the Floral Domain, as unruly as they had become.

"And what are your thoughts on it? Do you think the merfolk repaying aggression with brutality is the most suitable call?" Zariah asked Prince Treyton.

Flooding the Floral Domain was far beyond a counter attack, it was brutality of the highest scale,

The magic of fairies had just one bane, and that was water, flooding the Floral Domain would lay it to waste.

"It may not be the most suitable, but it is the only call the Sea Kingdom can take against the Floral Domain considering we will be outnumbered three to one on the battlefield."

"I may not like it, but my father’s decision was made after careful consideration. I will execute it without fail." Prince Treyton replied with a firm tone.

"I see..." Zariah said with a slow nod,

Zariah knew there was no need to speak any further, the Floral Domain had the greatest population and the largest fighting force.

Zariah could not expect the Sea Kingdom to give up their natural advantage for a fair battle out of water that would ultimately end in their defeat.

The battle fairies certainly would make use of their nature magic, how could she ask otherwise from the merfolk?

Prince Treyton soon led them around a corner and they arrived at a large double door that Zariah assumed was entrance to the throne room.

There were two fierce looking battle mers standing on either side of the doors and they bowed in greeting to Prince Treyton.

"I will inform my father of your arrival." Prince Treyton said as he swam forwards, the double doors opened of their own accord and closed shut behind him.

"The Sea Kingdom’s stance is crystal clear, it seems the Ethereal Domain will have to be prepared for the worst case scenario." King Askel said to Zariah in a low tone.

"Let us hope Lord Kodin has better luck in the Floral Domain. The result will be dependent on the retreat of the battle fairies." Zariah said in agreement.

"I doubt Queen Heveneth will be so easily convinced, if she fails to comply..." King Askel trailed off at that point, knowing he did not need to tell Zariah of the consequences.

"I have sent two figures representing the authority of ’Crimson Moon’. If she refuses to comply, they will make her comply. I am confident in their ability, you can be rest assured King Askel...they will not fail." Zariah assured in a confident tone.

"If you say it Mhíjani, then I believe it. I have left orders with Dechlan to provide whatever aid the Crimson Wolves may need." King Askel said with a nod.

Zariah was quiet for a moment at King Askel’s words, particularly the first phrase.

’Stay focused.’ Zariah mentally reprimanded herself.

"Our present concern is finding out just what the Sea King knows of Princess Eloneth’s disappearance and whatever other secrets known to him alone." Zariah replied in a blank tone.

Whatever King Askel was going to say afterwards was interrupted as the large double doors swung open and Prince Treyton emerged, gesturing for them to follow him in.

Zariah walked into the the throne room by King Askel’s side and her gaze immediately settled on the terrifying figure sitting on a mighty throne of what seemed to be ice.

On first glance, the Sea King did not look to be anything more than fourty summers of age, that was if Zariah did not already know he had lived for centuries.

He sat erect on his throne, his muscular build on full display as the merfolk did not favour clothing.

His hair was a midnight black with stripes of blue mixed between and his eyes were an deep blue shade, the exact color of the sea.

His tail was a deep midnight blue shade, almost black and it stretched from his throne all the way down the elevated platform.

Zariah guessed his tail was at least 13ft and it exuded a deep hum of ancient magic as it swung this way and that.

"King Askel!" The Sea King greeted in a booming, authoritative tone as in a casual flick of his tail, he was off his throne and hovering right infront of King Askel, with an outstretched arm.

"King Himan." King Askel greeted in response, grasping the Sea King’s outstretched arm firmly.

"I have waited long for your arrival, come, sit!" King Himan said and it was only then his gaze turned to rest on Zariah.

King Himan visibly froze up for a moment upon sighting Zariah.

Zariah quirked a brow in confusion as she watched King Himan’s eyes widen in surprise at the sight of her.

"Father, this is Lady Zariah. Head warrior of Crimson Moon." Prince Treyton introduced when he noticed his father just stood in place, staring at Zariah with wide eyes.

King Himan quickly shook himself back to reality, a broad smile settling on his lips although there was a complicated expression in his eyes that stirred Zariah’s suspicion.

"Ah...Lady Zariah. Treyton has told me so much of you. From all I have heard, you truly live up to the revered name of the Crimson Moon." King Himan commended,

"Forgive my unannounced arrival, with the situation being the way it is already, I cannot remain uninvolved." Zariah said with a small bow.

"It is no bother, I am rather relieved at your presence. This is a matter I can be rest assured to entrust only to the Crimson Moon." King Himan replied in a serious tone, gesturing for Zariah to take a sit.

Zariah nodded as she headed to the vacant seat on one side of the throne room.

"First, I must express my deepest gratitude to you King Askel, for honoring my invitation on such short notice, regardless of the circumstances surrounding your ascension as Alpha King and the impending battle." King Himan began.

"Truly, your actions have put me in a difficult position King Himan, but considering our long standing friendship, I cannot turn a blind eye to your request."

"Since you have sent for me, I would like to believe I have come for a worthy reason." King Askel replied.

"You have only just arrived the Sea Kingdom, but I fear I must burden you with urgent matters. After you have heard what I have to say, you may then decide for yourself if the reason is worthy." King Himan continued.

"You may go straight to the point, we did not come with hopes for a vacation and my return to the Ethereal Domain is expected at the soonest." King Askel said.

"Very well, I am certain you all must be wondering why I have requested King Askel’s presence in my domain which is unlike me." King Himan began, his expression turning grim.

"I am afraid to say, this dates back to precisely three months ago, or at least that was when we first noticed something was off." King Himan said, shaking his head slightly

"It began when the Sea Oracle first reported some strange changes in the Sea tides and the unexplained withering of sea corals and plants at the Northern Seas."

" A team of five of my trusted battle mers were sent out to investigate the unusual phenomenon and return with their report."

"However days passed by, yet the team did not make their return. I dispatched a second team in search of the first soon after. This time made up of scouts and trackers."

"The second team soon made their return, their efforts had proven fruitless and the first team dispatched was still nowhere to be found."

"The days soon stretched into weeks and the weeks into a month, but there was no news of them yet, it was as though they disappeared into thin air, right in my own territory!" King Himan’s expression was dark at this point as he related the story.

"A month ago, a team led by my son Prince Treyton scouted the West Sea and that was when these five battle mers who were initially dispatched to the Northern Seas were discovered,"

"In a completely different part of the Sea from where they had been sent and they each were affected by the sleeping mist." King Himan said.