A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.

If the merman's words were meant to be comforting, they were anything but. She knew very well what she would have and wouldn't have if she hadn't stared out at the ruins and caught Tarhuinn's attention. His words only caused dislike for him to form. He was being nice enough to bring her to her husband, and she was grateful for that, but his unexplainable hatred for him was beginning to irk her.

They had never encountered the merfolk before today, and they wouldn't have if it weren't for probably the authors and mage coming down early. Truthfully, they most likely would've still been teasing each other or maybe even sleeping. What else was frustrating was that she had no concept of time in the water filled caves.

Her attention looked to her right, however, as four more mermaids were surfacing. The merman lowered his hand and nodded his head to the four. Both of the merfolk that guided her to the space as well did the same. (F/n) gave no sign of respect since the merfolk hardly deserved it. She wouldn't dip her head towards the ones that were going to possibly send Tarhuinn to his death.

"We didn't expect to find the human so near to the kelremm's location. Why is she here?" asked one of the mermaids of the group.

"She wished to see her husband, and I agreed to bring her to him. I believe that it's only fair given that he'll most likely die."

The four glanced over to the merman beside her. "We may come to the conclusion that he'll be spared. It depends on what he tells us," the second mermaid responded. Her gaze moved to (f/n), and she swam close. (F/n) backed away in the water but not too far, for the merman placed his hand behind her back and kept her nearby. "You've been shedding quite a number of tears, human. That's expected, though. You look like you may crumble and melt away into the water."

(F/n) was tempted to reply with a rude remark, but her gaze focused on the mermaid's approaching hands. She tried to lean back. Unfortunately, the merman continued to keep her in place. Her fingers glided up gently along her cheeks before her thumbs wiped away any tears there. "You really would be lost without him, wouldn't you? Such a strong devotion that you have for him. It makes me a little envious of you. I find that I can feel no such emotion. It's as though I try, but I only find myself in a void."

Frankly, (f/n) didn't wish to listen to what emotions the mermaid experienced and didn't experience. She desired to push her away. As if someone actually cared about her discomfort, one of the mermen cut in. "Aqua, you can discuss your own emotions later with the girl. We have business with the kelremm that needs tending to."

"Be patient, Cetar. I wish to ask her some questions first. Not only her husband will have words about their reason for being in our territory. She knows it as well, and two perspectives are better than one. Or, are you still angered by the fact that the kelremm caught us off guard with that call of his?"

An annoyed grunt left his lips. "Fine, do what you want but make it quick. If we intend to have the kelremm tortured, I'd rather start sooner than later. I think that Piscina and Lacus would agree with me."

"Whether we torture, kill or free him, I have no care whether that's today, tomorrow or a week from now," who she assumed to be Piscina spoke. She took her hair out of her braided bun and started to create a new one on her head. "And, frankly, this is about the most excitement that any of us have had for quite some time. You should enjoy it more. Or, are you worried that the kelremm will find a way out before we can decree his fate?"

"You know that's the reason," answered the last council member. "Cetar has always underestimated our abilities. He thinks that only he can control the situation. It's because his father filled his head with too many ideas of how to lead."

"And, here I thought that I could count on you two for once," mumbled Cetar. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, becoming obviously more irritated. "Just hurry up with this business, Aqua. Otherwise, I may cause Lacus to become unconscious for his intolerable comment."

Lacus rolled his eyes and signaled for Aqua to continue. She nodded and drew her hands back from (f/n). "Tell me why you two decided to travel this way. Were you not aware of our presence here? Or, did you wish to fulfill your curiosity on whether merfolk exist or not? Perhaps, it's another reason altogether."

"My information may free my husband, correct?" Aqua gave a nod and motioned for the merman to let go of her. Without his support, she did have to put in more effort to keep afloat. That was hardly a major concern for her, though, at the moment. Wiping away the last of her tears, she collected herself even though she was close to breaking down again.

"The snow pixies had warned us that there were dangerous creatures here. We had intended to avoid coming into your territory, but we were forced in this direction due to unexpected visitors. All of you clearly know of kelremm, and we were about to encounter three that we'd rather avoid until the proper time. Are you familiar with the names of Tergii and Bimaa?"

Immediately, her countenance shifted into one of pure hatred. The other merfolk in the room shared a similar expression. In a voice dripping with venom, she questioned, "How do you know of those two? Do you know of the other three: Amtoma, Rocean and Alpontus?"

"Yes," she answered, pausing, as she finally registered how cold the water was since she was no longer focused on crying. She shivered, and she at last noticed that her teeth were beginning to chatter. (F/n) rubbed her upper arms, but that barely did anything.

"That'll be all for now, then. You'll come with us as we interview your husband. We need to get you out of the water. We have no dry clothes to offer you, but there'll be torches in the place where your husband is at. Warm yourself by one." Aqua flicked her right hand to the merman beside her before she went back under with the other three council members.

No time to respond was given. She was back under the water with the merman again. There was some hope for Tarhuinn and her. The merfolk detested the five authors more than him. Or, they seemed to at least. They were going to the authors. So, maybe, they could promise to bring back one of the authors to get out of the merfolk's lair. That author would be submitted to a horrible end, but, already, the authors had made multiple attempts on their lives indirectly. Not only that but also they had threatened everyone in the third complex, and they were a hidden menace to the other two complexes.

Those five and their spies had probably committed atrocities that were still a secret. She doubted that they were as bad as Will, but she knew better than to underestimate them. When they resurfaced, she wiped the water from her eyes. Her breath caught in her throat. (F/n) had never seen Tarhuinn look so weak. There had been the time when he was running to the cabin, but even then it wasn't as bad as now. His feet were barely touching the water. He was clearly suffering.

She pushed against the merman so that she could go over to him, but he lifted her out of the water and set her on the piece of stone across from her husband. There were three new merfolk in the room, and one of them moved over to her. They held their spear close to her. (F/n) was tempted to grab the weapon and turn on the merfolk, but that would most likely end in death for her or some grave wounds. Regardless, she was happy to see him alive.

Hearing the movement, Tarhuinn opened his eyes. Steadily, he lifted his head up. Relief flooded over him upon spotting (f/n) across from him. If he were in better condition, he would've raced towards her. His joy was replaced by fury, however. He saw how red and puffy her eyes were, and there was a spear pointed at her. The desire to rip apart the mermaid grew indefinitely. How dare she threaten his wife.

Pressing his hands against the stone, he tried to get up so that he could reach her. This attempt failed him, and his head fell back down. He wished to raise his fists and smash the stone beneath him in vexation. She was right there, yet he couldn't go to her. Tarhuinn had caught sight of her mouthing something to him. We'll make it out of here.

This phrase had been chosen over another since the other seemed to be final. (F/n) didn't wish to speak it under such circumstances unless things became even direr. She would rather wait until they were gone from the merfolk's lair. Then, she could say it so that only his ears would hear. The merfolk didn't deserve to hear those three words.

Swimming up to the edge of the larger pool, Aqua lifted herself out of the water and sat on the edge. She kept her distance from Tarhuinn despite his weakened state. The other council members remained close to her while one of the merfolk with a spear stayed close to the higher authorities.

"Your wife has mentioned the five names that create great loathing among my kind. Now, what do you say on this matter? She mentioned that you two wish to avoid them until the right moment. What did she mean by that? Answer carefully, and you may be spared. If we dislike your response, you'll be killed. Whether you're tortured or not beforehand will depend on the opinions of the rest of the council. And, remember, answer truthfully. No lies will be accepted here."