by J E Feldman
“Welcome to my home.”
“That’s it?” Ronit asked sceptically. “A big black wall of rock?”
“Una Occultum!” Meristole uttered and a cave-like opening took shape in the wall.
She floated beside it waiting for them to enter. “After you.”
They swam through the cave, uncertain about what they would see at the other end. The Merleon followed.
Emerging out, they gasped at what they saw. They were surrounded by fully submerged mountains, which played with shades of blue, red, and green. The Merleon camp had embedded itself in some sort of a valley at the base of these mountains. There were huts made of hard aquatic rocks. At the centre of the valley, there was a miniature volcano, erupting spasmodically with puffs of red smoke that soon dissolved in the water. Scattered around the volcano were shiny blue rocks; the fuel resource Meristole had talked about! They shone brighter than diamonds and were shaped like eggs. Expecting the ocean above their heads, the children were amused to see a whitish sphere of energy separating the civilization.
Others like Meristole bristled about, dressed in makeshift clothes similar to Meristole’s. Some were men with flowing long hair that trailed behind them in the water. Some were children with skin greener than any grass they had ever seen. There were women like her too, but most of them didn’t have the same athletic build. Beside the Merleons, there were fish of all shapes and sizes, looking at the newcomers with wide eyes.
Meristole led them inside, recounting the history of her land. Tectonic movement at the centre of the earth had shifted the ocean bed. Their civilization had risen into the sea, along with the Aquantaurs’. They had shifted camp very often, adjusting to the changing seasons. As they talked, they came across a wizened old lady with snow white hair and bright red eyes. Even at her age, she could match Meristole’s charm and grace with ease. Dangling around her neck was an amulet that shone with prismatic brilliance.
“This is Meraka, our leader,” Meristole said.
The old Merleon greeted them graciously and offered them what looked like fruit slices.
“Eat unabashed, my friends. This is plomber, a fruit with healing powers.”
It tasted heavenly sweet and the children felt their energy levels rise instantly.
“What are they doing here, Meristole?” the leader asked, not unkindly.
“They were captured by the cruel humans, Meraka.”
The old woman seethed as Meristole recounted the events that had transpired.
“Something must be done about them. Our people are in danger!”
“Dammit, Saxena!” Rastogi bristled. “You had one job! One job!”
They were at the forest. The team had gathered there only to find the Aquantaurs empty-handed.
“It’s not my fault they escaped,” Saxena snapped. “Blame them.” He pointed at the group of Aquantaurs.
“We followed every order. We rushed there as soon as we got your message,” Yonus shot back.
“Guys! Calm down,” Thakur pleaded. “Fighting amongst ourselves won’t get us anywhere. Besides, what harm can two teenagers cause us?”
“Children talk,” Rastogi said.
“Who is going to believe them?” Saxena scoffed. “What’ll they do? Babble to the police about Mermaids?”
“It’s still too big of a risk. They are a threat to Operation Blue Rock.”
“What’s your plan, big man?” one of the Aquantaurs asked.
Rastogi thought for a while.
“Malhotra! Consolidate our resources. Contact our fuel suppliers and buy as much as our funds will allow. Thakur, prepare for an underwater mission. Yonus here will ready his tribe for war!”
“Kill off all the Merleons?” Yonus asked, his eyes gleaming.
“Sir, there must be another way!” Malhotra advised caution.
“There isn’t,” Rastogi snapped. “At least we can bring back bags full of their rare rocks and vegetation. We’ll attribute it to a trial mission for a new class of submarines. Once the tribe are washed out, there is no need to declare their existence.”
“What about us?” Yonus asked.
“We will keep you out of our reports. Once we get our rewards, you will be given a hefty share.”
Before plans commenced, Rastogi pulled Thakur aside and motioned toward the unsuspecting Aquantaurs.
“You know what needs to be done?”
“Perfectly.”
They spent a blissful half hour perusing the Merleon’s camp. There were exotic fruits and flowers everywhere! One flower’s touch could kill you on touch while its immediate neighbour had fragrance that had reparative abilities. Every shape here was somehow different than anything above ground, but it all came together in a beautiful symmetry.
But in spite of all this, the twins found one artifact that warranted frequent gazes.
“It’s the source of my power,” Meraka said, twirling the amulet in her hands.
“Whoa! Can you read minds too?” said Ronit.
“Yes, but I suspect that has more to do with my age than magic,” Meraka replied, a twinkle in her eyes.
Meristole chuckled. “You’re just being modest!” Turning to the kids, she said, “Old? Meraka here is stronger than our youngest, toughest warrior in our camp.”
“You flatter me!” Meraka said, her skin changing its hue. “Also, I’m not the only one who is being modest. I bet you didn’t tell the kids about your lineage.”
“She didn’t!” Nikita burst out. “Do tell!”
“Meristole here is not an ordinary Merleon. She’s the only female warrior of this land! For generations, her family has been commanders and counsellors to the tribal chieftains. She learned to wield weapons almost as soon as she could swim.”
“All in your service, Meraka,” Meristole said, with a slight bow.
They had just completed an entire round around the camp when the cave opened once more and in came a shark. It had a spear thrust through its belly and came in roaring with pain. Seeing Meraka, he charged at them, and for a sickening moment, the twins thought they were dead meat.
But mid-lunge, the shark morphed into a Merleon and fell at Meraka’s feet.
“They’re coming!” he cried. “Tens of them! Armed and ready to fight.”
“Warriors!” Meraka bellowed in a voice that did not suit her body. “Prepare for war!”
A Merleon sounded blasts through a conch shell. The sound echoed eerily across the water. Far off in the camp, there was a sudden thundering noise as the Merleon warriors came to the forefront. They were big, strong males, ready for battle. They were armed with battle axes and swords and hammers. Muscles rippled across their body as they got into formation. They wore armour that glistened with the same colour as that of the blue rocks near the volcano.
Meristole held the wounded Merleon steady and beckoned to the children.
“This is too dangerous for you. Let’s get to safety!” Holding the injured one between them, they swam to a safe vantage point up a mountain. From there, they peered below.
Meraka bellowed orders in the manner of a skilled commander. The civilians scurried behind the volcano, far away from the war. The Merleon warriors sprang into explosive action and quickly assembled into battle formation. From around them, filed other warriors, but with what appeared to be shields. Meristole pointed at them.
“Turtle shells, the hardest to break.”
The twins stared in awe as the shield bearers formed a protective wall around the battle formation.
Meraka closed off the opening of the cave by uttering a spell. There was a deafening crash as pieces of rock burst out at the entrance. The Aquantaurs blasted their way into the camp, holding gleaming axes of their own. They wore armour too, but it was feebler than the Merleons’.
“For our motherland!” Meraka gave a war cry and the battle formations surged ahead. The Aquantaurs met them head-on and a shrill shriek of steel against steel rang out. At the anterior end of their battle formation, was
the Aquantaur with the spear, from the forest. He was visibly stronger than the rest of them, towering at a formidable height.
“Why doesn’t he lead?” Nikita asked, oddly remembering the many games of chess she’d played.
“Magic,” Meristole replied simply. At their raised eyebrows, she continued, “Magic is a strange power to yield. We have infinite strength for the simpler tasks like closing off the forest opening or morphing to sustain overwater life. But when it comes to battle, uttered spells sap our strength rapidly, forcing us to take brief respites until another spell can be used again.”
She explained further that some creatures won enchanted artifacts in battle, which could add strength to their existing abilities. Like the amulet. The Merleon and object then became inseparable; without the amulet, Meraka was entirely devoid of magic.
Below, the battle began gaining intensity. Sure enough, the twins saw the one called Yonus using his spear as a regular weapon, rather than the object of his magic. On either side, warriors fought fearlessly and soon, the water became mucky with spilt blood. The four of them watched from above with held breaths. Meristole helped the injured Merleon on his belly so he could watch with them.
The hammer bearing Aquantaurs led the battle as they swung ferociously at the defensive wall. The Merleons pushed up against them, trying to put as much distance between them and the civilians as possible. They held up valiantly and stood their ground against the powerful hammer blows. A few Aquantaurs tried to swim over the wall, but they were cut to pieces by ready Merleons. After much warring, the shields finally cracked and the Merleons abandoned them to take up other weapons in hand. Chaos ensued as the ocean shuddered due to swinging weapons.
Meraka, strengthened by her amulet, blast off spell after spell and sent the enemies into a helpless stupor. As the war dispersed on a wider field, an Aquantaur saw a slight break in the Merleon formation and seized the opportunity. He fought his way directly to Meraka. She saw him too late and only had a chance of uttering a disarming spell. Giving a roar, he leapt at her and clasped her throat in a powerful hold. She gasped for air, clawing at him. She lifted her tail and fell backwards, the water current delaying her fall. She used the change in direction to push up her tail against his torso and swung forward. He let go of her and scrambled backwards, grabbing her amulet.
She cursed as his grasp tore the amulet from her neck and cracked it into pieces. The Aquantaur smirked and slipped away before she could catch him. Powerless without her source of magic, she hunted for a weapon, but found none. She realized now she had to depend on her wit alone to defend her. Three enemies advanced toward her. She settled into a defensive stance, alert for any swift movement. Suddenly, an Aquantaur wielding a sword lunged at her. She dodged his attack narrowly and pushed her back against him. Bringing down his extended arm over her shoulder, she splintered his elbow joint as he cried out in pain. He clutched at her with his free hand, letting go of his sword. Meraka leapt forward and grabbed it and thrust it backward into his gut.
With a backward kick, she pushed the warrior away even as another charged at her with axe ready. She leapt to her side and stepped hard on the warrior’s hand as he brought his axe down. She jumped at his moment of confusion and drove her newfound sword through him, which lodged into his body. She struggled to pull it out, but it wouldn’t budge! An Aquantaur charged at her from the side, his hammer raised over his head. Luck smiled down at her as she saw the handle of a knife tucked into the dead Aquantaur’s armour. With a rapid motion, she pulled it out and swung the knife at the charging enemy, slashing it clean across his throat.
Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw a Merleon fall at his knees, as his assailant bore down on him. She swam toward him in a desperate effort to save her own. But another Aquantaur intercepted and swung his sword across her back, leaving a burning gash. She drifted to the ocean floor, certain of her defeat. A Merleon nearby bashed her attacker’s head in with his hammer before the fatal blow could fall.
“Protect your leader!” he screamed.
All around Meraka, Merleons abandoned their fighting and formed a protective circle around her. They fought in that formation for a few moments and held the enemy at bay. A sudden blast of yellow light blinded them as a surging energy threw them backward. The wall had broken. It was Yonus! Now devoid of magical energy for a while, he made for her, intending to finish her off. Meraka struggled to get up as the terrifying sight of his pointed spear grew nearer.
Up above in the mountains, Meristole sprang into action. She dived toward the base of the mountain and morphed back into her muscular human form mid-dive. She cupped her palms and sent a vicious energy flying at Yonus. It struck him in the side and the spear flew out of his hand. Shaken, he noticed Meristole rush at him in a tackle. He turned and grabbed her waist before she could make contact. He flung her upward and with a neat arc, thrust her back at the ground. Water slowed her fall and she used the opportunity to tighten her legs around his neck in a triangle choke. His face registered violent surprise as he went down with her.
They wrestled on the ground, wet sand burning against their skin. Meristole tried to press up her legs around his necks and snuff out his breathing. But he swung his arms around her body and hammered at her face with his fists. Pain blinded her eyes as she felt her cheekbones crack. Dizzied, she let go of her hold and scrambled back. Gasping for air, he recovered, but not before Meristole had enough time to get back up on her feet. Her head spinning, she tried to ready herself for his next move. Snarling, he grabbed a sword from a dead warrior lying nearby. With an ugly cry, he swung his sword at her head. She had just enough time to get away.
Bad move. She was now cornered against a mountain wall!
“You die today!” Yonus used his free hand to choke her and readied his sword for a final thrust.
She searched the depths for her soul for energy as life started escaping her. He brought the sword down in a deadly motion, but she feebly managed to push his hand away by inches. She gritted her teeth and grappled with his arm, struggling to sway the sword. He pushed harder and the sword made a deep cut near her ears.
Gathering the very last dregs of her energy, she gave a painful scream and kneed the Aquantaur below the stomach violently. Flailing wildly, he let go of her and faltered. She dove under his arms and swam toward a more open area. Seeing one of her own weakening nearby, she pushed him out of harm’s way and grabbed his sword.
She whirled around to see Yonus charging at her. His sword met with her. They pranced around each other as their swords crossed in a volley of blows and blocks. A mighty thrust from him sent her sliding backward, costing her valuable seconds. He thrust his sword at her gut and she awkwardly deflected it by stepping out of his path. Seeing her miss her footing, Yonus brought down his sword in a diagonal swing. She bent at her knees and blocked it by swinging her blade upward. Not expecting a strong retaliation, the Aquantaur was taken aback. She got to her knees and slashed her sword straight across his calf.
He went down on his knees, one of his legs rendered useless. She finally had an advantage!
Desperately, he swung his sword upward, hoping to strike her belly. She was able to block it easily and suddenly, she realized her hilt was right across his face! With a burst of energy, she drove her hilt forward, which made damaging contact with his forehead. He fell on his back, groggy beyond measure. Had he been thinking clearly, he’d have used the distance between them to get away. But he brought his pride in the equation and that changed everything. Fury driving him blind, he charged at her thoughtlessly.
She was ready. She ducked underneath and cut the tendon of his other leg. Yes! Yonus had now completely lost his footwork. Agitated, he attempted an overhead swing. Expecting it, she prepared herself. Just as he was near enough to complete his swing, she thrust his sword through his neck.
The Aquantaurs’ tribe leader had fallen.
The remaining Aquantaurs had no incentive to fight anymore; their resolve wavered.
Without caring about any of it, Meristole rushed toward Meraka. Her leader’s breaths had become jagged and alarmingly short. Tears trickled down Meristole’s eyes as she prepared for the inevitable.
Just then, there was a thunderous, whirring noise of a machine. A monstrosity none of them had seen before flew in through the blasted wall. The war seemed to stop all at once. The warriors dropped their weapons and cowered away from the monster. It was a deathly monster, with a body as big as a whale. It had a rigid body and shining skin.
Up in the mountains, it suddenly dawned on the twins. It was the submarine!
A man got out of the vehicle, adorned in diving equipment. To the twins’ horror, they saw he held a spear gun.
Thakur held the survivors at gunpoint, Merleons and Aquantaurs alike. The Aquantaurs simmered with anger, stung by the betrayal.
“Who wants to die first?” he leered.
Meristole found the spear lodged into the wet sand nearby. With a jerk, she grabbed it and fired off a blast at the man. The man leapt aside in shock, missing the blast narrowly. It went on to ricochet off the machine he’d arrived in and caused a huge dent, air bubbles escaping.
His only means of transportation were gone! His hands shaking, he fired a poorly aimed bullet at Meristole. It hit her in the thigh and brought her to the ground.
Ronit swam out of hiding place.
“Ronnie, no!” Nikita whispered, but he didn’t listen. The man had his back to them. Ronit swam toward the lodged sword and struggled to pry it out, the webbing of his hands making it difficult.
Thakur regained his composure. With the barrel of his gun, he tilted Meristole’s chin upward. Her body throbbed with pain. Behind her, Meraka’s moans grew weaker. She closed her eyes and readied herself for death.
A sudden cry reverberated through the ocean. Meristole started as the man threw his gun away and curled up into a ball. Ronit had shoved the sword into the gunman’s legs! Meristole leapt up and hugged Ronit tightly, giving way to sobs. Ronit called out to his sister who swam down promptly to his side.