With a nod to Ambrosia and Teagan, Jewel dove downward and began to make her way to the middle of the abyss. Ambrosia and Teagan went slightly before Jewel, because they were able to see through the darkness. Sage and Jewel stayed in the middle, and Frost and Galadriel were merely inches away from the back of Jewel’s bubble-skeleton. Jewel was more than a little relieved that she had made the outside of the bubble-skeleton’s stronger to break, but that didn’t take away all the worry, however, because they had no idea what kind of creatures they might face. If they got swallowed whole for example, the bubble-skeletons would do very little to help.
They made their way down the hole as quietly as possible, trying desperately not to make anything bigger than a ripple in the water as they did so. Every so often Jewel would glance up, seeing the rest of the group watching as they made their way down, until she was completely enveloped in darkness and unable to see them any longer.
Jewel, Ambrosia, Teagan, Frost, and Galadriel were making good time so far, or at least Jewel hoped so, because the longer they were in the hole of horrors, the more anxious Jewel became. As it was, the hair on the back of her neck was standing up and she had goosebumps lining her arms, both of which had absolutely nothing to do with the temperature.
There were even a couple of times during their descent where Ambrosia and Teagan stopped to let something unknown to Jewel, pass either beneath or by them. Jewel kept wanting to ask Ambrosia and Teagan what they were seeing, but she didn’t want to startle either by sending the question telepathically and if she was being honest- she wasn’t sure she really wanted to know.
Jewel knew that they had reached quite a depth when her ears began to pop due to the pressure. They had been carefully making their way down for about five minutes, so Jewel was hoping they were almost to the middle shelf. The ear popping thing wasn’t exactly painful, but it also wasn’t very comfortable. Combine that with the mental anguish of feeling as though they were going to be attacked at any moment and still knowing that they had to retrieve a spine from a poisonous porkipuff was enough to make Jewel feel like tucking her proverbial tail and getting everyone out of there. But she knew she couldn’t do that. She had to get the spine to create the potion for her Dad. She couldn’t fail. Not when she was this close.
Do you see that? Sage asked, snapping Jewel back to the present and away from her imagination which was running wild.
See what? Ambrosia answered, stopping the downward trek.
The small orange glow…..down and over to the left. Sage replied.
I see it. Wow. I can’t believe I didn’t notice that before. Ambrosia commented.
Completely understandable. What with you and Teagan trying to keep us from running into anything that might try and kill us, Sage added, and even though they were communicating telepathically, Jewel could almost picture Sage ending that sentence with a wink and a lopsided grin.
Thanks for that. Ambrosia said, with a moment of silence following before the Vampiress spoke again. Well….Girlie, looks like it’s showtime. You ready?
Yep. I mean, who wouldn’t be ready for this. Easy peasy, and all that. I mean, all we need is the one spike, and then we can just pop out of here. Jewel said with a nervous undertone.
Everything will be fine, Gem. Just relax. Frost said, his voice meeting her nervous tone with his own soothing one.
Jewel took a deep breath before saying, Just make sure everyone stays close, okay? Definitely don’t want to be down here any longer than needed.
Not a problem, Green. We’ll stick together. Now, let’s go get this spike. Galadriel said.
The six of them continued downward, watching as the little orange glow that Sage had spotted became bigger and bigger, until it was obvious that it wasn’t just one thing emitting the orange glow, but what appeared to be dozens of porkipuffs huddled together. It reminded Jewel of a nest of rattlesnakes and sent chills up and down her spine. The whole name, porkipuff, was very misleading as well. Things with the word ‘puff’ in their name shouldn’t be this scary. Like cream puff or jet puff marshmallows- those things were delicious, fluffy, and best of all, nonthreatening. These porkipuff’s were living, breathing Frankenstein-ish looking fish. They all had the face of a rodent with teeth hanging over their lip, and the spines were barbed at the end and definitely glowed like Coralia had mentioned before. But what was even more daunting was the fact that these things were huge. They almost looked like a beach ball that had been blown up way too much and would pop at any given time, with two little fins sticking out from the sides and one in the back. Guess that’s where the ‘puff’ portion of its name came from, Jewel thought to herself.
This probably isn’t the best time, but I just thought of something. Sage began, his face finally coming into view thanks to the glow from the porkipuffs. How are we supposed to get the spine if we are in these exoskeleton shells?
Exo-what? Jewel said. Are you talking about the bubble things surrounding us?
Yes. Sage nodded. Nothing can get in, which is great, because we need the air.
Ambrosia mentally groaned. But if nothing can get in, then how do we reach out to get the spine?
Exactly. Sage replied, his eyebrows knitting together.
Young One. Teagan said. Can you pop our protective layer and put it back in place after obtaining the spine?
Theoretically, yes. Jewel replied. But I can’t guarantee it. Jewel bit her lip as she mulled things over silently. The rest of the group was sending messages back and forth to try and figure it out, but Jewel already knew that nothing they came up with was going to be full-proof and most of the ideas being thrown out there were a long shot at best.
Jewel took in her surroundings and sighed. She already knew what needed to be done, but she also knew that she was going to make everyone really mad in the process. There was no more time to debate what course of action they should take, and she knew that no one would agree with what she had come up with anyway. So, with a remorseful look, she sent out an ‘I’m sorry about this’ message, and immediately teleported the five others back to the top of the abyss. She hurriedly cut the mental connection she had with them. She knew they were going to be upset, especially Galadriel because he had made her promise that she wouldn’t leave him behind or out of her plans, but she would deal with that later. He wouldn’t have been able to help with what Jewel was going to do, and technically she didn’t leave him behind- she sent him away, so there was that. But, either way, none of them would have agreed to the insanity she was about to try, so it was better that she was alone. Well, unless something tried to eat her, but she would cross that bridge when and if she had to.
Without wasting any more time, Jewel forced the bubble-skeleton to recede until only her head was covered. She had to be fast getting the spine, because the rest of her body was very exposed, and she was sure that the glow from the porkipuff spines was doing little but acting as a neon sign pointing straight to her as the snack of the hour. Her eyes searched the ginormous pile of porkipuff’s to try and locate the easiest one to get the spine from. There was one right on the edge and a little further away from the rest, so Jewel decided that that porkipuff was as good as any and got as close as she could.
Jewel reached out slowly, watching the porkipuff, and hoping that it wouldn’t wake up before she had time to grab the spine. She was careful to keep the barb at the tip from touching her skin, wishing all at once that she had had the good sense to wear gloves or have those oversized tweezer things that Brine had used earlier. But, of course she didn’t, so with a quick movement, she wrapped her hand around the spine and yanked it out. Way harder, however, than what was actually needed because not only did the spine come out, but she unintentionally pulled the porkipuff right off the shelf. It woke with a shrill cry, reminding Jewel of a police siren, which of course woke up all the other porkipuffs and alerted them to her presence.
It all happened so fast that Jewel didn’t even have a chance to teleport out. Nope. Instead she felt
a thousand needle-like pokes in her leg which made it seize up and immediately she understood what Coralia had been talking about because all the nerves in her leg became a numb, tingling mess that couldn’t seem to move. And as though that wasn’t enough, the stupid porkipuff seemed to be stuck on her leg now, with Jewel trying her hardest to get it off by flailing around. The other porkipuffs were hissing, but at least they weren’t trying to latch onto her too.
Less than a minute passed, and Jewel could no longer feel the bottom half of her body. A few seconds after that, the top half had become numb and was the sole reason that she dropped the spine that she had been gripping in her hand.
With a frustrated cry, Jewel tried to move her arm to grab another spine, but it was no use. The closest porkipuff was the one that had attached itself to her leg, but as though it knew she was going to pluck another spine from it, it wriggled free and swam back to the shelf. Jewel began to sink, but if she could just get close enough to the shelf again, she could try and get another spine. It wasn’t as though she feared the spines piercing her skin at this point. Been there, done that, so with fear no longer in the way, desperation quickly took its place.
Out of pure determination, she reached out as she passed the shelf and tried to grab a spine from the numerous porkipuffs that had congregated there. But it was no use. She could no longer feel her arm and the use of her hand was gone along with it. She used her water magic a few times, propelling herself upwards and allowing herself to slowly fall right past the porkipuff shelf, but it was no use because she literally couldn’t make her arms do what they were supposed to.
After the seventh try, Jewel allowed herself to sink further in further into the literal and figurative abyss. She had failed. She had failed her Dad, and she had absolutely no idea if she was going to even live to see another day. She knew the porkipuff’s poison was a paralytic, but she had no idea if there was an antidote, seeing as Coralia had never mentioned one, or if the poison would shut down more than just her nervous system.
Jewel squeezed her eyes shut as tightly as possible, unspeakable frustration threatening to shatter any semblance of sanity she still had. She knew she needed to teleport herself back to the top of the dune, but rational thought meant very little to Jewel in that moment. How could she face everyone’s ire, knowing that she had failed? It would have been different if she had succeeded. Then at least her friends’ being upset with her for teleporting the group back up to the top would have been worth it.
Jewel’s eyes would no longer open for her, her mouth couldn’t move. Every part of her body was in a state of comatose that she had no idea how to break through. Dark thoughts swirled in Jewel’s mind, darker than the abyss itself, consuming her and making her unable to do what she needed which was to get out of the Deep. And although her mind was still very much alert, at least for the moment, her emotions had taken over, which was no bueno for Jewel.
Jewel had no idea how long it had been since she had teleported everyone back up to the top of the Dune, but she started getting the weirdest sensation that she was being pulled upwards. She wasn’t able to open her eyes, thanks to the porkipuff’s venom, but she was sure that something was happening as light began to appear behind her eyelids and she could have sworn that she heard a couple of voices at one point, but that was neither here nor there, because her mind was beginning to fog over and with her last conscious thought, she tried to teleport herself out of the Deep’s abyss and back to the top of the dune where she knew everyone was waiting.
*******
Jewel had no sense of how much time had passed when she began to regain consciousness, but she knew she was safe because of the familiar voices she was hearing.
“Chocolate covered potato chips.” Rain exclaimed. “Is she going to be okay?”
“Yeah. Hybrid’s been out for a while now.” Jade added nervously.
“She should wake up at any moment. The antidote works fairly quick for the porkipuff venom, but she had over a dozen spines stuck in her leg, for water’s sake.” Coralia pointed out. “So, that’s probably why it’s taking more time than usual.”
“Agreed. But as you can see, the color in her cheeks is returning, and she is looking no worse for the wear.” Dune commented.
“And how amazing is it that not only did she get the spine she needed, but now I have a whole lot of them, so I can make more antidote. Great turn of events if you ask me.” Brine smiled.
“Well, nobody asked you.” Frost scowled. “She could have died down there.”
“Yes. The Unknown could have.” Coralia agreed. “But she didn’t, thanks to my two stupid, albeit, brave siblings. And she succeeded with her mission, so calm yourself, and watch your tone.” She warned.
Succeeded? Coralia said succeeded with the mission. But I failed. I dropped the porkipuff spine, so how’s that possible? Jewel thought to herself, her mind beginning to unfog and her limbs beginning to regain feeling.
“This may not be the time to mention this, but the tide shifted over an hour ago, and I’m sure Father is going to want a report on the Unknown’s exit. What would you have us do, Rae?” Dune inquired.
Jewel heard an audible sigh.
“We will stall if questioned.” Coralia stated. “But I don’t think anyone even knows we are here since we took the secret passageway, so hopefully the Unknown will wake up and be able to portal everyone out, and Father will never be the wiser.” She shrugged.
“As you wish, Rae.” Dune replied.
“Should we try and wake her up? You know, expediate the process.” Brine suggested.
“Don’t you come any closer and don’t you dare try to touch her.” Frost growled.
The group began to argue with the three Merpeople, and Jewel could sense a fight wasn’t far off, so she forced her eyelids open. “Stop. Stop, everyone.” She said, her voice so hoarse that it was almost unrecognizable, even to her. “I’m okay. Just stop fighting.”
“Well, look who finally decided to join the living again.” Ambrosia said fangily, her lavender eyes flashing with hurt and anger.
Teagan placed a hand on Ambrosia’s shoulder and something unspoken passed between them because she got up in a huff and made her way across the room to Brine’s bookshelf, arms crossed and looking madder than Jewel had ever seen. Well, at least towards her. Sage, however, went to talk to her, and Jewel could only hope the Vampiress wouldn’t stay angry with her for long.
“I am glad to see that you are better, Young One.” Teagan said, running his hand through his shaggy, ebony hair and worry still etched on his face. “You were brave for what you did, but-”
“Brave. Brave?” Galadriel said, his face reddened and contorted in what could only be described as rage. “Is that what we’re calling it. Well, no thanks. I’m going to call it like I see it. It was suicidal and probably the stupidest thing she could have done.”
Jewel tried to sit up, but Teagan and Rain had to help her a bit, as her limbs still weren’t completely back to normal yet.
“You promised!” Galadriel bellowed. “Remember! You promised me that you wouldn’t leave me behind and that you would include me in the plans, Green. How in the worlds are we all supposed to protect you if you keep pulling stunts like that, huh? Or do you even care that you almost died? Again. We’re all here, risking our lives for you on a daily basis, and this is how you repay us? By sending us away where we can’t help you? That’s not right, Green. And you know it.”
Jewel understood where Galadriel was coming from, but she also knew she had done the right thing. No one would have agreed to let her do what she needed in order to get the spine, and no one else could have done it without her risking their lives so regardless of how mad everyone was- she still didn’t regret her decision.
“Now, now Galadriel. I’m sure there is a perfectly good explanation as to why the decision was made to send you five back to the top of the dune with the rest of us.” Skye offered, attempting to diffuse the explosive situation.
“Didn’t go exactly as planned?” Ryker asked incredulously- speaking for what seemed to be the first time since they had arrived in Aquatica. “I believe that’s a bit of an understatement, Jewel. You almost died.”
“Yeah, well, that seems to be the norm in my life.” Jewel fired back. “No one seems to appreciate the position that I’m always being put in. I can’t be responsible for any of you being hurt or worse. I would rather die a thousand times than to put any one of you in a position where you could be killed. Don’t you get it? I love all of you. You are the family I never had, and I wouldn’t be able to handle it if anything happened to you. Especially not if it was because you were trying to protect me. I already have to live with the guilt from my Dad’s current predicament. I can’t add any of you to that list.” She finished softly.
The Council Page 15