Biohuman

Keng and Calis descended downwards into the Merfolk village. The guards greeted Calis and whispered amongst each other as Keng followed after Calis. Calis led the way to the large building in the middle of the village. It was between the large tower and the other side where Keng had come from.

The doors opened, Calis moving to the side to let Keng through. Keng moved in, passing Calis as eyes looked up at him.

"Savior." A Mermaid greeted him. "Are you well?"

"Where's Lily and your Village Leader?" Keng asked, impatient. The mermaid looked at Calis who ushered her to answer.

"Young Savior is in the tower with the healers. She's learning from them. The Village Leader is in his office. I can—"

Keng moved past the mermaid towards the large set of doors. The guards started to block when Calis lifted his hand.

"Let him through. He doesn't have time." Calis told them. They moved back to their spots and allowed Keng through.  Keng pushed through the doors, entering the lavish office. Zax scribbled on a sheet of paper as Keng entered with Calis tailing him.

"Who might I owe the—" Zax glanced up, noticing Keng and Calis. The doors shut behind them as Calis came to stand next to Keng. "Savior! Calis! You are back! Good good. Are you doing alright?" Zax was a fairly built Merman. He had plenty of scars that were painted over with black ink. This was a form of identification of a well-respected warrior and leader. Zax stood up, hovering in his spot as Keng let out a sigh.

"I have to return to Earth today." Keng told Zax. "I'll find your cup there, but I need to deal with my personal matters. You don't have to leave Calis with me. I will get you and your people what you need. They won't die."

"What are you talking about? Do you have the supposed scabbard and firefly, Leader Calis and Leader Rya were talking about?" Zax asked. Keng took a step forward, lifting his hand. Hydrosphere appeared in his hand as he moved over to set it on the table. Zax grabbed it and studied it.

"So you do." Zax nodded. "Good, but I do not agree with your last statement. Calis must stay with you. Someone will have to. I get you have personal problems you must deal with. I was informed by Elder Jyu'so, but I won't risk you escaping after a half-done job."

"I don't back on my word, Village Elder." Keng told him. "I just don't want to get Calis involved in my personal matters."

"And what does that matter to me?" Zax asked. He set Hydrosphere down and swam around the desk to Keng. "Understand, Savior, your people and mine are still at odds  with each other. Do not ruin what Elder Jyu'so has done to get us to this point. We are thankful that you've come to help us even with your problems."

"Sir, you shouldn't…" Calis spoke in Merfolk. Keng scoffed and nodded.

"You asked me to help you." Keng responded in Merfolk. His eyes stared directly into the Elder's eyes. "Well, you asked your goddess for my help, correct? I'm helping you. I just need to handle my affairs. If I don't do that, you'll have no help."

"Then you should be able to accept my condition with Calis. He will be much help. He's spent a lot of time on land. Understands the English tongue and can pass as a human." Zax motioned. Keng bit his lip as he turned to look at Calis.

'I don't need someone else to know I might turn into a monster at any given point.' Keng thought. He could feel the pain in his chest swelling.

"Might as well just bind us with marriage and make our two tribes friends." Keng joked.

"Ha, maybe I should." Zax chuckled. "Marriage is something Calis's father has been contemplating for his son. I just don't know if he would want to spend his life with someone devoted to his Vessel." Keng bit his cheek, hand squeezing.

"Are you insulting me, Elder?" Keng asked.

"And what if I am, Quick one?" Zax responded.

"Elder." Calis broke the two away from each other. "Let us not ruin how far our two people have come. They've willingly listened and had the All-Father send his Light to us. Even the Sea recognizes him and accepts him. Can we not be lenient with him? It seems like this one's very personal and dear to him. Life or death."

Keng's mouth twitched at that. Everything Calis had said was true, especially the 'life or death' part.

'So they know.' Keng thought. His anger was bubbling. It was strange, even to Keng, to feel this much. He was usually calm and detached from anything, but when it came to Lee Seng, his emotions were always true.

"Elder." Calis lifted his hands. He knew the Savior and his Elder were angry. "It's about trust, no? We should trust that he will finish his job. He's done well up until this point."

"My men almost died." Zax pointed out. "Though that might not be your fault and the Leaders… Savior, you've broken away from the Leaders multiple times to follow whatever thing you wanted to."

"Someone has to protect my friend!" Keng shouted. He pressed upon Calis, who turned and pushed him back. His eyes went onto Calis. Keng didn't read into his sorry eyes. His anger was too much for himself. "She was whisked away by Ferals because of your poor leadership."

"You—" Zax began to raise his hand.

"Yes, it's my fault." Calis admitted. Zax began to say something when Calis looked at the Elder. He shook his head and looked at Keng, turning his full attention to him. "I am sorry I have failed your expectations on that. She is alive and well." Keng's fist squeezed hard as he debated on pushing Calis to the side and socking the Merfolk Elder in the face. His face released and he let out a sigh of energy.

"I will apologize on my negligence." Calis started to bow.

"Ca—" Zax called out. Calis bowed low and long as Keng's anger began to waver. His face was conflicted. Zax could tell that much.

"It wasn't your fault anyways." Keng quietly whispered. His eyes looked up to Zax. "Give me enough time to deal with my problems on Earth. Calis can come if you really don't trust me. I just came to warn you what I was doing. I will take my leave." Keng bowed politely and held it for a couple of seconds before leaving. The door shut with a force as Calis turned to look at Zax.

"Elder Jyu'so told me that one is well behaved for the most part." Zax commented, looking at the door. "He also warned me about this side of the Savior. His Vessel and it seems the young Savior are people we shouldn't mess with."

"His loyalty to his friends is immense." Calis nodded. "I thought you already agreed on letting him deal with his… Problem, Elder."

"I did." Zax turned to face Calis. "I just wanted to see if he would be serious about this matter. Follow him and look out for the cup, Calis. We must save our people with the help of the Savior."

"Yes, Elder." Calis bowed.

Keng stomped out of the building and huffed. He folded his arms together and looked around.

"I thought they'd be a bit understanding!" Keng whispered angrily. "They had to push my buttons!" He stomped over to the tower, throwing the door open. Chuckles filled the room as Keng closed the door.

"Like that?" Lily asked. She was bending her back backwards. She was trying to imitate Cayi and some other Merfolk.

"Not even close!" A mermaid chuckled. "You have to move up and down afterwards too!" The mermaid demonstrated and they all laughed.

"I'm not flexible like you guys." Lily chuckled. Her eyes went towards the door, recognizing Keng. "Keng!" She ran to Keng, tackling him with a hug. "You're okay!"

"Hey." Keng smiled, patting her.  Lily pulled away and looked up at him. "What are you guys doing? Elder Zax said you were learning. What're you learning?"

"Merfolk flexibility is insane!" Lily glowed with delight. "It's so crazy! I wanted to try to do the backwards thing Glo did, but I can't! They're so cool!" Keng cracked a smile. His anger fading just as fast.

"You need to stretch more, Lily!" A young Merman next to Cayi told her. "You'll get it!"

"I thought you guys were practicing your runes." Vizo called the mout. The young Merfolk began to freeze, giving him a slight salute.

"S-sir." Cayi stuttered. "We were, uh…"

"I'm just joking, everyone. Enjoy your time off as you desire." Vizo chuckled. He swam over to Keng and nodded at him. "You're awake. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Keng nodded.

"Is it time for you to go?"

"Yeah." Keng nodded. "I need to send Lily back."

"Oh, about that!" Lily tugged at Keng. The pink-haired girl had grown on him over the last couple of months. "I'm gonna stay down here a bit longer and learn. I'll meet with Rell in another month and a half. I could learn a lot from the mages and the healers here."

"Y-you sure?" Keng looked at her before looking at Vizo. Vizo didn't gie him an indication of what she was saying was true. Lily moved backwards and caught his attention, again.

"Yes, I am. Don't worry! I already contacted Dad." Lily reassured him.

"I'd look like a bad friend, though…" Keng tapped his chin.

"Awh, shut up!" Lily slapped Keng. "I'll be fine. Go and find Lee Seng first and find the cup! Let me know when you come back!"

"Y-you sure?" Keng asked. Lily moved forward, spinning him around.

"I'll be fine!" Lily pushed him towards the door. "Go!"