KrakenKid

"My lord!"

The sound of a distressed Illithid met my ears when I was digging through the many drawers. I turned to see they had already made it by my side. "Yes? What do you want?" I felt my eyes narrow just a bit. No way this could be good news.

"I have some suspicious activity to report!" They told me immediately. This one knew better than to dawdle with the words. "What type of suspicious activity?" I felt my heart stop for just a moment before asking the question. "Is there a traitor?"

To my relief, they shook their head. I sighed deeply, comforted by this fact. The paranoia however, would not fade. "Well? Spit it out!" I ordered the humanoid squid. "You know of the crystals, correct?" I blinked. "You mean the one's just outside the caves? Of course, why wouldn't I?" They shrugged it off and continued. "That's where it has been happening. Two days ago, I patrolled up there, you know, for regulation." I nodded along. "Okay, okay."

"I watched something leave. It was fading and at the time, I had no idea where it came from. I checked around the crystals and I found some strange tracts on the ground, kinda like tires but different patterns and not consistent. Someone was there."

"Why wasn't this reported? Why did I never learn of it until now?"

"I didn't think much of it, it could have been an animal after all. It was about One O'Clock or so by then so I figured I check it out later. I forgot later until yesterday night and checked again. This time, I saw something leaving the sight. They were too far away for confrontation or recognition. They disappeared but I definitely saw someone. This all happened at around 12:30."

I hummed to myself. "Interesting... I shall check it out myself. They might come back." I searched for the nearest clock, finally catching one with my eyes. "It's Twelve huh? Better leave now." I grabbed my diamond pickax from a drawer, everything else already with me. "Thank you for telling me this. Next time try to tell me ahead of time and not last minute. It'd be nice to prepare more."

I made my way down the wide spiraling staircase, moving with haste. "Sir? Where are you going? You do realize it's Midnight right?" The voice I knew too well rang from one of the rooms. "Just checking something out Darrel. I'll be back soon." I called back and continued.

I decided to take a shortcut, cutting through the opening in the kitchen and swimming out to the caves, dodging the traps set for intruders. Finally, the edge of the caves were near, and the shining crystals were in sight.

For some reason, the crystals gave off a glow, not a blinding one, just one that you could see. It was useful sometimes but they didn't always do it. I've always wondered if they react with the moon. Just a thought.

Just as the Illithid had told me, someone was there, sitting down with the crystals in front of them and looking up. They were admiring them. With their back to the opening, they didn't see me coming, and before I took out my gun and started to ask questions, I got close enough to see them.

I had seen them before.

"It's you again!" I exclaimed in half shock. My voice caught their attention, and they turned. The female smiled warmly at my presence, like it was a welcoming one or maybe just a reassuring 'I'm not a threat' smile. I never could tell the difference, though I don't think there is one.

"Oh! Hello there. Krakenkid wasn't it?" I nodded. "And your-" I looked around, trying to remember what it was, before snapping my fingers. "Tanith! That's who you are. The one who healed one of my Illithid guards."

She nodded to confirm my statement.

"What are you doing here?" I interrogated her. She didn't answer at first, just turning back to the glimmering rocks, then back at me. "This is my favorite place." My eyes squinted in confusion. "What?" She repeated herself. "This is my favorite place in all of Atlantis. These crystals are so beautiful." I couldn't help but take a second look at them. "Really? This is your favorite place in ALL of Atlantis?" She grinned and nodded.

"Why? I see they're pretty and all but... Really? Just the crystals?"

"Yes. I suppose there might be sentimental reasons behind it."

Before I knew it, I was sitting down, questions flowed out of my mouth. "Sentimental? I thought you just moved here or somethin'." Tanith nodded. "Well, yes but not like that. This is my first time I've been to Atlantis but it's the crystals themselves. They remind me of home."

"Home?"

"Yep. I'm a long way from home."

"Where is your home then? The Overworld?"

"Well, in the waters of the Overworld, yes. I lived in a village with others of my kind with my family."

I couldn't help but ask, "Why did you leave if your family was there? Did they move here too?" I could have sworn something flashed in her eyes. Almost like sadness. "No, they're probably back where I came from. I had my reasons. Honestly, 'Home' started to feel not so 'Homey' anymore."

"So what, did you live in a crystal or something?" That comment got her to laugh. "No! They were used as currency, money basically." I nodded, understanding. "Ohhh... So... If you miss it so much why not just go back home to visit? That would solve everything." The same look lingered in her eyes. "I don't think I ever could. Long story." I paused. "Well, I'd being lying if I said I wasn't interested so... Spill! I want to know now!"

Her head moved from side to side. "Come on! You just did that whole 'I have a dark past' thing and now you aren't going to say anything?" She laughed again, harder this time.

"I don't really have a dark past! I chose to leave. I wanted a different life so I left. Pretty simple really."

"... Well now I'm disappointed that you story wasn't interesting. Thanks a lot!"

She kept giggling. "What's so funny?" I demanded. "You are!" I huffed. "That's awfully blunt for someone to say to someone who has a GUN!" My hands felt more comfortable holding the Dragon gun once again. Tanith wouldn't stop laughing. "Just once," She breathed. "We have to having a meeting where you don't point a gun at me." Memories of her comment last time flooded back and I couldn't help but chuckle. "Don't take it personally, I point a gun at everyone. You could say it's my charm." The last word was spoken in a slightly different voice.

When she finally stopped laughing, I asked one last question. "So you left your home right? Why do you miss it then?" She gave me a look I didn't recognize. "Because home is home, no matter how far you travel. Think of it like this, you have a home right?"

"Well yeah. Do I look homeless to you?"

She shook her head and continued. "What would happen if you had to leave your home and most likely would never return? Wouldn't you miss it? Not just the actual house but the people as well. Wouldn't you cling to anything that reminded you of it?"

I didn't answer. What was I supposed to say? I had never really thought of that. "Yeah..." I finally spoke the truth. "Okay I get it now." I glanced at her and got up. "Anyways, I have one mystery solved." She blinked. "One of my guards told me someone was here and now I know who." I nodded in her direction. "Oh. May I ask why you have guards?"

"I need to protect my home. There are some people who really don't like." I told her simply. "What is your home anyways?" Her gaze lingered to the entrance. "Do you just live in a cave?" Tanith asked. "Nope. I call it the Conch Command." I said proudly, grinning. Her eyebrow raised. "Really? Cool name." She commented. "Thanks. Maybe I can give you a tour later." I joked.

A grin appeared on her face once again. "I'll hold you to that." Tanith told me before rising. "Wait I was joking!" I tried before she shook her head, wagging her finger. "Too late, you said it yourself. Anyways, I better get going. I kinda need sleep and staying up all night isn't going to help. See you around Krakenkid."

She waved as she left. "Bye!" I sorta waved back.

Just as I was turning, an idea popped into my head. "Hey! Wait a moment!" I called getting the hybrid to stop. Taking out the pickax I had with me, I mined up a single crystal block and handed it to her. "Here. Now you don't have to come all the way out here just to see those crystals and I don't have to check for intruders every time you come over." Her eyes shined when she took it and thanked me before leaving.

When coming back, the same Illithid stopped me. "Did you figure it out?" I nodded.

"Yep. I took care of it."  

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Here is number seven! Things are getting interesting as I reveal more and more things. Tell me what you think! I was kinda unsure on Kraken's lines so feedback would be great. Anyways, enjoy!

--JustAnAtlantisWriter