The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 73: The Sea King 2 ()

"The sleeping mist?" Luther asked.

Zariah recalled she had read of it before, amongst other unique magical plants that were native to the Sea Kingdom.

"It is an underwater plant, when inhaled or injested, it induces a temporary state of unconsciousness that lasts till an antidote is administered." Zariah explained.

"Lady Zariah is correct. We concluded the team of five had unknowingly chanced upon the sleeping mist and fallen under it’s influence, drifting with the waves till they arrived the West Sea." King Himan continued.

Zariah frowned slightly, how possible was it that five different mermen had drifted on the waves, not to completely different locations but to the same location?

It was clear Zariah was not the only one who had such thoughts as King Askel aired the question on her mind.

"All five of them? Drifted with the waves and deposited at the same location?" King Askel asked with a frown.

"It made no sense even then, but there was nothing to be done as all five awakened with no memories of what had happened at all." Prince Treyton chipped in which a shake of his head.

"Is a loss of memory a usual side effect of the sleeping mist?" Zariah asked curiously.

"It should not be, the sleeping mist has never resulted in such a condition." Prince Treyton replied.

"How strange." Nile murmured, tilting his head to the side like he always did when he was deep in thought.

"It only becomes even more strange... since that moment up till now, those five battle mers have displayed strange and unsettling changes." King Himan said,

"What do you mean by strange and unsettling?" King Askel asked with a raised brow.

King Himan was quiet for a long moment, his expression grim as he slowly shook his head.

"They are currently held in confinement in the Sea Oracle’s cave. It was imperative to keep the news from spreading beyond proportion and inciting panic." King Himan explained.

"It has been a month and still no improvement, what is worse, the death and decay spreading across the Northern Seas has only become more apparent."

"We have sealed off the area and I have prevented my mers from venturing any closer, not until we figure out what happened to the five battle mers." King Himan said.

Zariah frowned, she had not expected the Sea Kingdom had encountered such a strange situation in the past lifetime.

But of course, Zariah admitted back then, there was not much she knew of the world beyond the Crimson Barrier, it was unlikely the Crimson Moon would have received word of such an intentionally veiled occurrence.

"The fact that you have sent for us shows you already have your suspicions." Zariah said knowingly.

"That is correct, however first, Treyton will show you to your quarters, rest a night. Tomorrow, I shall take you to see for yourself." King Himan said.

Zariah nodded in understanding, some things were better left unsaid, King Himan did not need to reveal everything, a look at the situation would make things a lot more clear.

"Very well then, we must speak on the other pressing situation." King Askel said.

"The war, you mean?" King Himan replied knowingly, his expression turning cold and chilling.

"Your expression already tells me what I need to know, however you must know that the Sea Kingdom adopting an aggressive stance will only escalate the situation and the merfolk will make an enemy of the supernatural realm." King Askel pointed out.

King Askel kept his words vague so as not to let on the fact that he had heard of King Himan’s intentions to flood the Floral Domain.

Prince Treyton had revealed that information to them in confidence and it would only infuriate King Himan if he were to realize Zariah and the others were now in the know.

Zariah knew King Askel understood that they would have to seek other means to prevent the impending war, however perharps King Askel just wanted to hear King Himan’s stance in person.

"As a major party, I understand the consequences of this war better than anyone else, King Askel."

"My people have always been advocates for peace, keeping ourselves detached from the conflicts of the supernatural realm."

"We have never stirred up trouble with any of the other Domains, yet the Fairy Queen dares accuse me of abducting her daughter."

"I have declared my innocence with words, she refuses to relent. She has beat the drums of war instead of first offering the benefit of doubt and giving the Sea Kingdom a chance to investigate and provide a satisfactory explanation.

"Very well then, my Sea Kingdom is equally up to the task."

"I have conveyed my stance to Lord Kodin, I will not take the Fairy Queen’s insult lying low."

"I will be shaming my ancestors if I back down and allow the Floral Domain make a mockery of my Sea Kingdom." King Himan stated in an unyielding tone.

"Yet it is without a doubt that Princess Eloneth is missing. I mean no offence by my words but this situation is more complicated than it appears." King Askel said straightforwardly.

"King Askel, you are one I hold in high regard and as such, I respect your opinion and stance on this situation and will not fault you for whatever decision you chose to take to protect your people as regards to this war."

"However you are a King and so am I, I will defend my honor and that of my people at any cost. On this, I will not compromise." King Himan clarified.

"I understand, I cannot promise I would do differently if I were in your shoes, thus I shall not insist." King Askel said with a slow nod as he rose to his feet.

"We will retire first as you have suggested and begin our investigations on the morrow. Whatever it is, you need not fret, regardless of the impending war, the Ethereal Domain will spare no efforts to aid the sea kingdom." King Askel assured.

Zariah also rose to her feet and inclined her head in a small bow to King Himan.

"As will the Crimson Moon, if this is truly as you have reported it, I doubt the Sea Kingdom will be the only one affected. King Himan may focus your attention of your Domain’s affairs, it will provide us sufficient cover to look into this case." Zariah added.

"I knew I could count on you, truly whatever affects the Seas will eventually spread out to all other domains, it is why I have sought your aid. I will explain the present results of all our investigations when you are well rested." King Himan said with a nod.

Zariah took that as the cue to leave and as she made to head out of the throne room, King Himan called out to her.

"Ah...Lady Zariah, one more thing, I have heard of Kristen’s deplorable actions on his visit to the Ethereal Domain."

"As Chief of the Royal Guard, one would think he would be amongst the very last to fall under influence of a charmer demon...I was ashamed to hear of his inability."

"As much as I would like to deliver a more brutal punishment, I have only that one nephew."

"I am grateful that you have spared his life, I assure you that he will be severely punished for his actions according to the laws of the Sea Kingdom." King Himan promised.

"I was also going to mention this, I have heard the merman has been accorded punishment for the event back at the Ethereal Domain."

"If I may be allowed to share my thoughts on it, I have had many encounters with charmer demon spirits and if there is one thing I know, it is the fact that anyone, regardless of strength could fall a victim to it."

"The demon spirit was vanquished in a timely manner and Kristen did me no harm in the end, it would be fair if you restrain your hand this time, if only in light of the fact that I do not blame him." Zariah requested,

King Himan pondered over Zariah’s words for a moment before he nodded in understanding.

"Then I will have my nephew thank Lady Zariah for your leniency." King Himan relented.

"It is no bother, I will take my leave now." Zariah said with a bow as she headed out with King Askel who had been waiting quietly.

"I had not expected my father would let Kristen off so easily. My father has never been so easily convinced... ever. Lady Zariah, you must teach me of how you did it." Prince Treyton commended the moment the doors to the throne room were shut.

"Have you ever tried just... asking nicely?" Zariah asked in amusement,

Prince Treyton chuckled deeply at Zariah’s words.

"I believe it is nothing to do with how I asked Prince Treyton, your father would rather not have Kristen punished, I only provided him a justification for it." Zariah replied.