It was a strange new world they've found themselves in— a world that even the most brilliant of creatives could not recreate. Darya and Aerin's heads were whipping to and fro, looking at everything and anything.

Safara was between them, one hand on either girl's bicep. Aerin didn't blame her as they would probably wander off and get lost in the crowd. That was another thing. It was extremely crowded, yet somehow nobody bumped into each another.

Aerin was slightly hoping that some of the beings would bump into her out of curiosity. What would they feel like? Dry and scaly, like snakes? Slippery, like fish? Or something else?

She saw a few curious looks at them, some glaring and she swore she heard a few grunted mutters of words that were unfamiliar to her that were directed her and Darya's way.

"Dyop'dia," a large man sneered as he passed by.

She did not mishear after all. She turned to Safara. "That sounded like an insult? Was that an insult?"

"It means two legs. The Waterborne have a bit of a resentment towards humans because of how much they pollute the water," the mermaid (Aerin was still trying to process that) explained. "In connection with that, they tend to dislike those borne on the surface. Your clothes give you away plus that wide-eyed look you're giving."

"Oh... I don't blame him then," said Aerin, frowning at the heavy truth behind that. The documentaries about the oceans their science professor makes them watch is enough proof of that. Animals dying from trash in their throat, oceans filled with micro-plastics, trash being washed up on shore as if that was something normal, and so on.

"Humans think they're the best thing that's ever happened to this planet. Shepherds of nature," Safara scoffed, apparently she was not exempted from the biases of her people. "Don't make me laugh."

"We're human, you know?" Darya spoke up.

Safara hummed. "Are you really?"

Aerin opened her mouth to protest but thought better of it. She had her world turned around these past few weeks and the question Safara threw at them made her realise that. She had stopped walking. Suddenly everything was too loud. It was too crowded. It was too bright.

"Aerin? Hey, Aerin!" Aerin snapped out of her stupor, looking up at a worried Darya. She forced a smile on her face, doing what she did best: avoidance, pretending nothing was wrong.

"Yep. I'm great. Just had a bit of realisation." It wasn't a lie exactly. Darya could tell when she was lying and Aerin didn't want her to worry. "So where are you taking us?"

"To the headquarters of the Grand Union. They're the ones who sent me."

Aerin frowned. "How did they know of me?"

"The prophecy."

"No. Why me? There are dozens of other orphans with mysterious backgrounds."

Safara seemed to ponder the subject before shaking her head. "They will tell you why. Come. We cannot keep them waiting. And it is not safe to talk here."

Aerin furrowed her eyebrows in suspicion, about to ask more but Safara had already went on walking. She met Darya's eyes, hoping for an answer.

"I'm as lost as you Aerin. I'm still trying to process this all," Darya shook her head. "I have questions too. Dozens but we can't do anything except trust her for now."

"Hurry up you two!" Safara called out causing the two to rush after her, trying their best not to bump into anybody which was hard considering the surprising congestion of the street they were on.

Thankfully, the mermaid grabbed their wrists and guided them through the hustle and bustle of the underwater capital. Just before they reached what was obviously the city center, which was marked by a large bubble fountain, Safara pulled them into a side street then an alley and another and another. Aerin was tense once again. She tried to keep track of the turns but the similar-looking walls made it difficult. She knew she'd have difficulty finding a way out for her and Darya.

She looked up. Swimming up was an option but she wondered how far and how fast they'd have to swim to outrun their captors if things went sideways. Aerin was distracted by someone squeezing her hand. She looked up. They had stopped.

Shit.

Aerin had gotten lost in her head. There was no way they were navigating those alleyways. She threw a suspicious glance at their guide. Safara met her glare with a steadfast expression. Aerin clenched her fist. She intentionally took the long path.

"Calm down," Darya murmured in Aerin's ear, giving her free hand another squeeze.

"There is no use fighting. Let us head inside and all shall make sense," Safara stated, her usual smile back on her face.

Now that Safara had mentioned heading inside, Aerin got a good look at what exactly they were entering. Compared to the vibrant structures they had passed before, the place was rather non-descript. It was built into some gigantic aquatic tree-plant hybrid like many of the other structures they had seen but the flowers of the plant glowed in muted cool hues. Dark purples, dark blues and dark greens that blended with the darkness of this portion of the city.

Somehow though, to Aerin, it seemed inviting— a peaceful retreat in the otherwise bustling city. As they stepped through the doors, that feeling only grew. Aerin felt oddly calm and relaxed.

"Silens has special wards that give a feeling of comfort and home. It helps deal with the paranoia a lot of members feel due to our job description," Safara explained, a knowing smile on her face from hearing the unintentional sigh of relief Aerin let out.

That broke Aerin's calm. Something that manipulates emotions like that was dangerous. She immediately tensed and went to step back.

"Don't worry. It's not strong compulsion magic. Anyone with a will can shrug it off if they want. Magic like that is illegal."

Aerin didn't really feel reassured by that. Who knew if anyone can just adjust the strength of whatever the magic affecting them was?

A dolphin-like laugh came from ahead of them. "You're quite paranoid, aren't you, Prophesied One?"

"Sof'ros!" Aerin and Darya were rather flabbergasted when Safara knelt on one knee and bowed to the man.

Aerin wasn't sure what mythology had a creature like this. He had a seaweed green hair with some sort of pink underwater flowers weaved through them, his skin was a shimmering blue (she wasn't quite sure whether he had scales or whether it was his skin texture) and he had no arms or legs, just squid-like tentacles.

"I am so happy you are back Ty'mo, and you've not only brought back the Prophesied One. You are the heiress of Cast A'lli, yes? I am acquainted with your father." The man spoke with a deep but gentle timbre to his voice, odd considering the high-pitched laugh that came from him earlier.

Upon the confused stares given to him by Aerin and Darya though, he let out another high-pitched laugh (at this point, Aerin thought it to be a chitter). "Oh my, such lost expressions. Forgive me, I was quite excited." Then he bowed about a quarter forward from the waist, one arm across his chest. "I am Sof'ros Kyos'ral but you may call me," he paused and lifted his head, showing a friendly grin, "Hershey."

There was a moment of silence before Darya asked, "Like the chocolate?"

"Indeed. I am quite fond of that human delicacy. You would not happen to have brought any with you, would you?"

He almost looked like a puppy in the girls' eyes. Aerin was incredulous of the whole situation. It was like something from a badly-written comedy. What is this? An act? Is he trying to get us to lower our guard?

She wasn't the only one either. Looking at Darya, Aerin saw the same bewildered expression on her face. 'Help,' Darya mouthed, no doubt feeling as lost as she was. Upon turning to Safara-- who had stood up without notice, Aerin saw that the mermaid looked half-exasperated and half-embarrassed.

Does this happen often? Aerin couldn't help but ponder the uncharacteristic expression on Safara's face. She was usually neutral, amused or determined. Aerin didn't think that she had ever actually seen Safara without a slight hint of a smile on her face or a sparkle in her eye, in fact. She just had that kind of personality.

"No? Don't you worry about it then. I'm sure you have many questions but unfortunately, the rest of the sof'rosi are out. Why don't you leave your things here and let Safara tour you around the city for a bit? We have the Eirini Festival going on right now. I believe it is a good opportunity to see the culture of the Waterborne. This is your home after all."

His statement did not leave any room for refusal. While he had a friendly disposition, there was no doubt that the man before them had authority.

In fact, two dolphins had come from nowhere and were lightly tugging at the carry-on bags in their hands. Aerin blinked. Dolphin attendants? How weird.

------

Author's Note

Hello, hello! It's certainly be a while. I believe I promised someone a chapter for this month. Thank you so much for being patient. I had quite a writer's block but NaNoWriMo, had me writing this and more. Plus I already have actual plans for this book. xD

Yes, I was just winging this as I went. I'm disorganized like that. Thank you so much for waiting. I hope you like this! And stay tuned. Next chapter will be a little more worldbuilding with The Capital.

I no longer have a proof-reader or co-writer so all errors are mine. Thank you so much for reading! Please vote and comment. They're food for my soul. Until next chapter!!

Word Count: 1529