The female dolphin squealed in fear and darted away before Arys could finish healing her. Arys spotted the figures approaching and darted away, praying she hadn't been seen. Hiding among the coral, she dared peek out. Fish darted away as several dark figures approached the reef. The leader of the small band was a muscular merman with a grim expression. Scars on her chest and arms and on large one across his face made him menacing. The hatred in his eyes made him terrifying.
Arys covered her mouth to stifle a whimper, her greatest fears confirmed.
Mermen had come to their waters.
"Kayn we have gone too far from the pack. We should return."
"Flee if you so wish fledgling," the scarred merman snarled. "I refuse to return empty-handed to my Hellran." His icy eyes scanned the reef, narrowing suspiciously. "This area is rife with weak sea creatures. Barely any predators in sight. That means it is either unclaimed, or soon will be."
His hard gaze fell over the coral formation that Arys was hiding behind. She clutched her throat and froze, trying not to shake so much. By shaking she disturbed the water around her, drawing attention to her location.
They bear the fin like us, but do not be fooled... savage, bloodthirsty, brutal beasts... Death and destruction is all they know, all they desire... feared and avoided at all costs..." Her Shellan's teachings repeated like a mantra in her mind.
The senses of a predator told him he was close to prey. Kayn swam slowly towards the formation, his teeth already bared and his hand gripping one of his twin swords.
Out of nowhere a squeal startled all of the mermen. A young female dolphin darted in front of Kayn, squealing and clicking rapidly. "Bothersome beast," he growled and resheathed his sword, turning back to his scouting squad. "Swim the parameter of the reef and scout the islands. Kill any resistance you come across."
The Rage was building again. He could feel it burning through his veins like fire. Blood... he needed to kill something... the feel blood on his hands and let it seep into his soul... he scowled at the female dolphin. Such weak prey was not worth his time. He would search for the pod of dolphins this one had come from and kill the largest male he could find. Perhaps that would sate him for the time being.
Once they were all gone the female dolphin approached the coral once again, clicking and whistling quietly. Arys came out from her hiding place and hugged the dolphin. "Thank you," she murmured. "Go. Warn my sisters," she told her, waving her away. She would stay in the reef and clean up whatever mess the mermen left behind.
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