Vanilla Reaper
Chapter 4
-Depths-
Riku was holed up in his room, piles of books lining the bed open to random pages or carelessly tossed onto the floor. He had been working away through many texts trying to find a clue in regards to his next task, and a few hours of searching had turned into a couple days. He sat shirtless, chest expanding every time he came close to something, only to let out a defeated breath when he arrived at a dead end. Slamming the book shut, Riku fell back against the pillows lining his headboard.
"Damn it…this is driving me insane…"
Griever had grown incredibly restless and was audible about it.
"We haven't done any training in three days. You should take a break and do some sparring with me."
"There must be something in these books. The library is massive, I can't believe I can't find a single thing. God, I don't know what to do anymore."
A dark shadow loomed over Riku.
"I say swallow your pride and ask them for a clue."
"Forget it," Riku was quick to reply, running a hand through his hair, "there'll be some catch to it and who knows what else they'll have me frickin' do." He looked upwards, Griever slightly transparent. "Any ideas?"
"You already know what I think."
"Psh, you're no help."
There was some internal muttering on Riku's part as he got up from his bed, using a moment to stretch his tired limbs. He touched his shoulder, no wound and pain to speak of. But the memory of the injury, the fight that ensued in what Griever would inform him was called Disney Town, it had left a mark deeper than physical pain. Riku visualized the expressions on the court guardians, their shaking hands, quivering eyes. They really had to say nothing for their feelings to get across. It wasn't until everything was said and done that he felt the slightest traces of guilt. Unlike cutting down his own parents, people that looked at him with nothing but disdain and anger, this time around it was different. They were looking at him with anger, yes, but there was something else. Genuine heartbreak.
"You shouldn't be thinking about that. The moment you start feeling any sort of remorse, that's the moment you crumble."
"I know…I just…" Riku wasn't sure what he wanted to say, "they lost someone too. But I couldn't feel sorry for them. I wanted to, but I just couldn't."
"That is something you must get past. Your current situation does not allow you to be soft. Things will only get harder, I can say that with certainty. The tasks will only become more cruel. You must close your heart off from it."
"You mean, half my heart, right?"
There was a deep chuckle, surprising the silver haired man.
"Idiot."
Riku let out a sigh as he looked around the red velvet walls of his room. He strolled around, hands in his pockets, checking out the other artwork that decorated his living space. Riku drew trails with his fingers, tracing the delicate lines in the various other portraits. There was a ship venturing through a violent storm, figures of men being thrust overboard and into the ocean waters. But there was something peculiar he found, feminine creatures peering out from the tides and watching as the sailors were thrown around like rag dolls. Riku concentrated on them, their long wavy hair, naked breasts, and long muscular fish tails. His breath hitched in his throat.
"The patron is required to seek out and attain a voice," he said aloud. "This makes sense…"
Griever's shadow followed him.
"Found something?"
"I've read legends about creatures that called to travelers onboard ships with beautiful voices. They'd be entranced by their singing and end up diving right into the ocean, killing themselves. Sirens, mermaids, that's what they called them. Of course, there's nothing like that in my world."
"Not on yours, but on others there are."
Riku turned towards the winged lion. "Do you know of one?"
Griever materialized by Riku's bed, massive paw resting against the silken black sheets.
"I have heard of a world, but it poses a problem."
"That being?"
"How do you plan on going to the bottom of the ocean?"
There wasn't a way for Riku to respond to such a thing. He backed up against the wall, sliding down until he was sitting on the floor.
"Is there some spell I could find that would let me breath underwater?"
"Breathing underwater is not the issue Riku. The oceans are vast, you would have no idea where to begin looking. Not to mention, a human in deep water? Magic, physical skills, none of it would be useful. You'd die."
Riku gripped his head, digging the ends of his nails into his scalp. "Well fuck, I don't care. I'll have to figure something out. Will you lead me to this world?"
"On one condition. You get off your lazy ass and train before we leave. You were the one that practically begged me to do it."
"Alright, alright, jeez, sometimes I think you only want to spar so you can find new ways to hurt me," Riku bellowed out throwing a hand into the air.
"Not my fault you're weak. You still haven't been able to land a hit against me."
Riku threw on his long sleeved white shirt. "You love rubbing that in, don't you?"
Griever produced a black ripple in the space of the room.
"Let's go before I change my mind."
The sun was shining its last rays of the day, the skies burning with a vibrant array of colors. A long stretch of beach lined the coast, a castle off in the distance bathed in the glow of the early coming night. Riku's footsteps trailed one after the other in the sand, a pair of black boots adorning his feet, grey trousers and an airy black shirt with a matching cape finishing his ensemble. Griever found the attire of the human population in this world humorous and was not at all shy about letting Riku know of his unkind opinion.
"I swear, human style is so…"
"Revolting? Yeah, I'm not too fond of this either," he said tugging on the cape around his shoulders. "I'm glad I kept the clothes from that earlier world so I could just refine it into these. Those were pretty bad too."
They had arrived half a day ago, their walks through the town and surrounding areas providing nothing for them to follow on. After being nearly trampled by a rampaging horse and carriage, Riku felt he'd had enough of the town and figured the beaches would prove a safe enough place for him to think. He held his hand out towards the lapping waves, spiraling lights leaving the surface waters and colliding with his chest.
"At least I won't run out of Water spells now, that makes 100," he said with a sigh.
"Brilliant observation seeing as how we're near an ocean."
He continued for another stretch of beach before reaching an outcrop of rocks and sat with his back to one of the smoother surfaces. Riku placed a hand in the sand, feeling the familiar sensation against his skin. Hailing from Destiny Islands, a world caressed with beaches and oceans everywhere one looked, Riku did not feel out of place. Even the seagulls that flew by over his head cawing loudly were no different. Riku found himself finding the similarities rather than the differences as he sat there, the night coming and nothing to show for his ventures.
Riku could feel his eyelids drooping slightly, the results from traversing the corridors. Griever had not told him how far they'd be traveling, and like he was informed before, Riku would still feel the physical and mental exhaustion. He never noticed that he had fallen asleep until he awoke to the sounds of a musical tune carrying through the air. Riku pulled himself up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Welcome back princess."
"Shut up, how long was I out?"
"A few hours, you didn't miss anything."
The skies were darker and the air colder, but nothing Riku couldn't handle. He stood up and headed for a nearby cliff before performing a few calculated jumps until he was looking over the ledge, his eyes landing on something slowly coming out from the waters.
"What the?"
The feminine figure rose out from the waves, her long hair carried by the wind. A floor length gown and cape embraced her, never showing a sign that they were ever wet. Riku kneeled, hand placed on the ground as he watched her move down the beach, growing ever closer to the palace standing before a fully risen moon.
"Looks like we've found our mermaid."
"Except there's something really wrong with this picture."
It was then that it came. Riku's eyes went wide when his ears perked up to the melodic, harmonizing voice. It was unlike nothing he'd ever heard before. He jumped down the cliff side, revved up his pace just a bit to get closer, but not to the point that the woman before him could pick up on his presence. Riku was forced to stop when he felt a weight on his shoulder, Griever's claw holding onto him.
"What's wrong?
A pair of violet eyes turned in his direction, Riku freezing to the very spot he stood on. He was face to face with the beautiful brunet woman, her cape encasing her frame. She eyed the silver haired man, narrowed her brows slightly as a smile played on her red lips.
"My, whatever have I come across?"
Her voice was delicate, charming, yet there was an undertone that spoke of a vastly different quality. Riku looked to the side as if to ask Griever something only to realize that the woman was following his exact movements.
"What in all the oceans is a Guardian Force doing here?"
Griever's form appeared, his long thick tail drumming down onto the hard sandy surface.
"Didn't think I would find someone in this world with the capability to see my form. You must possess great magic in order to do that."
The woman let out a soft chuckle. "Excuse me for saying, but your words are quite refined for a monster such as yourself."
Riku could feel his insides constricting following her words. He was half expecting to see Griever lunging forward and tearing the woman into pieces. Yet, he did nothing of the sort. Griever did perform his charismatic growl, but didn't follow through with any further actions.
"And yet, you are the one hiding your ugliness underneath that delicate skin."
The waves lapping at the shore, if Riku didn't know any better, ceased to move. The woman venomously pointed her gaze at Griever.
"Do not tease me, Guardian Force."
"The same I ask of you, witch."
She raised her head dismissively. "Well, I am a busy woman, and have many things I must do. So, I'll be on my way."
"Wait."
She finally turned her attention to Riku, finding him a much more appealing target. The look on her face softened. "You're quite adorable."
Riku shook his head. "We're looking for something. I thought I'd ask if you could help."
"Now isn't the time dear boy, like I said, I've got things I must do."
She walked a few steps, but found that her stride was stopped when Riku uttered something incredibly interesting.
"I'm looking for a mermaid's voice."
The brunet woman found a nearby rock, patted the spot next to her and veered her giddy attention towards Riku. The entire time, the notes of a flute could be heard from the palace off in the distance.
"Please my sweet child, do tell."
The light seeped into his eyes, rendering him motionless and unable to blink. Vanessa directed him with her hand, wordlessly commanding for the dark haired man to join her down in the sands. It was but a minute before he was kneeling in front of her, taking her hand in his and kissing it briefly. She peered over her shoulder, Riku's form appearing from a nearby cove and Griever's shadow not far behind.
"So, Riku…do we have a deal?"
He nodded, "Sorry I can't sign your own contract, but yes, it's a deal."
"Understandable. The sorceresses' contract you are bound by takes precedence, mine cannot coincide with theirs. Very well," she continued, "you will be guided by my beloved pets, and if all goes as we spoke, then the voice is yours."
"Alright," Riku finished, "then, I'm ready."
Vanessa coiled ribbons of water, forcing them to her hand. She blew a breath over them, turning the tendrils a golden color. They snaked their way around Riku, his clothes dissolving as the witch's magic worked its course. He could feel his insides churning, his limbs were shifting and skin prickling. Riku closed his eyes for a moment, and the next second, the feeling subsided.
"Aren't you a handsome one?"
Riku looked down, and where once a pair of legs stood, eight moving tentacles replaced them. They snaked around, a bright orange color with rings of electric blue. He looked up to meet Vanessa, her lips still pursed in a smile.
"I find fish fins to be boring, you make a wonderful cecaelia."
"Guess I'll have to figure out how to work these," Riku said feeling each tentacle pulling in a completely different direction than the other. "
"You seem to be a smart one, you'll figure it out."
She held onto the prince's arm, slowly leading him towards his palace. "I'll be seeing you again."
Once they disappeared from Riku's line of vision, Griever expressed his thoughts.
"I don't like her."
"Tough," Riku said, "without her, I would never be able to get a mermaid's voice."
"You have nothing to guarantee she will keep her part of the deal. There is no contract, it's all a verbal agreement."
"I don't really have a lot of options," Riku expressed, "I found a lead, and I have to do whatever I can to see it to the end."
"Fine, do whatever you want. I can't stop you. But just so you know, once you're down in those waters, it's all on you. I will be at your side, but I will be unable to materialize my physical form there."
"She did offer to transform you as well," Riku quipped in, "What? Didn't want to swim around in a fish tail."
"I hope something eats you."
"Whatever, let's go."
Riku somehow managed to drag himself from the sands to the waters, a pair of yellow eyes watching him. They belonged to a set of eels, their mouths agape with crooked, sharp teeth. These were most likely the pets Vanessa spoke of that would lead him down into the mermaid kingdom, Atlantica. They cackled and whispered amongst themselves, turning their tails around and jumping back into the waves. Riku sucked in a breath, and followed after.
He would have no reason to hold onto that breath. It was a completely different world than the surface. It was dark, the currents moving in every way imaginable, yet somehow, Riku was able to follow without too much difficulty. The eels were right in front of him, their glowing eyes a beacon for him to follow after. Riku held his arms at his side, his mind concentrating on the array of tentacles that made up his lower half. They propulsed him forward, retracting towards his abdomen and then jutting out sharply in order to cast him along. He had come across his fair share of fish and other ocean creatures, he was after all, from a rural area in Destiny Islands where fishing was the industry of choice. Riku wasn't completely out of the loop on their physiology, but it was an entirely different thing actually being part of the very same animals he saw.
The deeper they went, the colder it became. They passed enormous underwater mountains, swam through fields of reeds and weeds sprouting miles high from somewhere in the ocean's basin. Riku soon realized that they weren't the only ones that called this their home. They met schools of fish and swarms of varying forms of sharks chasing after their prey. Every once in a while he'd come across a lone turtle, slowly meandering through the coral reefs.
"I sense something up ahead, be careful."
Riku took notice of Griever's cautionary words, slowing his movements. Despite the lack of light, he could see a massive outline off in the distance and it was closing in. Riku summoned Soul Eater, unsure of how his skills would work out in the water. He'd have to thank Griever for forcing him to train before they traversed the corridors and arrived on this world. But Griever's warning would prove unnecessary as the giant whale sang its song, covering gargantuan distance with each stroke of its tail. Riku watched it rise upwards, a smaller whale lingering right at its side.
"You are falling behind," the eels hissed in their strange dialogue, "you can admire the scenery later."
They continued, Riku glancing back. "Have you heard of this kingdom?"
"Atlantica? No, I haven't. I have heard of one with a similar sounding name, but it is not the one that the witch Ursula spoke of."
"I thought her name was Vanessa."
"Didn't you hear us when we were trading insults? That form is created by magic, and so is her name. I wasn't kidding when I said she was hiding her ugliness, I could see past it. Just in the same way she was able to pick up on my presence."
"She did make a point," Riku teased, "sometimes the way you talk doesn't match your appearance."
"Fuck off brat."
Riku grinned. It had felt like an eternity before their surroundings began to brighten. He could see the source encased by large outcrops of rock. There was finally a bottom to the ocean, Riku could see the sands.
"This," the eels synchronized, "is Atlantica."
They stopped short of an opening between the underwater cliffs, a massive gleaming structure appearing to be made out of gold. Thin, column like beams supported the castle in arching formations. There were no sharp corners or edges, everything appeared as if it was one fluid motion. Riku couldn't help but be awed by what he saw deep in the ocean waters.
"Your mouth is hanging open. So, what's the plan?"
"Ah, how sweet. To be on a perpetual quest to bring your most loved one back to life."
Riku had finished explaining his reasoning for wanting a voice, something that Vanessa apparently found heartwarming. She held a hand to her large breasts, looking skywards and sighing.
"Truly, you do not hear of these things anymore," she tittered. "Well, Riku, it seems you had the right idea in coming to this world. The oceans here are home to the merpeople, and they truly possess some of the most beautiful voices. I," she said toying with the seashell around her neck, "am currently in the possession of such a voice."
The silver haired man focused in. "I need that voice."
"Hmm, interesting. The problem here, as you may not find surprising, is that I cannot give something without expecting something in return."
"I don't have anything to offer," Riku replied holding his hands out.
"Oh! But you do my lovely," she bellowed, grasping Riku's defined arm muscles and giving them a more than necessary squeeze. "You appear strong and capable. I could most certainly find something you could do for me."
Riku could hear Griever's chuckles.
"Strong and capable, the witch is blind."
"Griever," Riku muttered under his breath.
"Don't worry about him, if he can't see the potential you have, then it is he that is blind. Now," she said clasping her hands, "this is what I would like for you to do…"
"You are to travel to Atlantica, the merpeople's kingdom, and retrieve the king's trident. It is his symbol of authority, not to mention the source of his power. Without it, King Triton is nothing but a simple fish. You will bring me his trident, and in return, the voice of his beloved daughter Ariel, is all yours."
Riku repeated Ursula's words over and over again as he stood contemplating his next move. The eels had long since gone, returning to the surface to be near their master. He was hovering over one of the cliffs overlooking the kingdom, his eyes watching as multitudes of merpeople filed in and out of the buildings surrounding the royal palace. Riku was quick to realize that out of all the moving bodies he watched, none of them bore a similarity to him. He was the only one slithering around in bright colored tentacles.
"I can't very well just go on in," he said aloud, "and this is one time refining clothes isn't going to help me."
"You sneak into the castle, find the trident, and get the hell out. I don't get how that is so difficult for you to understand."
"It's easy for you to say when you're not the one having to do this," Riku replied.
Griever snarled at him.
"Consider what you've already done. You've killed people. Do you think this is comparable to that?"
Riku held a hand to his head. "You don't have to remind me."
"Then get your act straight and do this."
He didn't need to question what Griever said, it was very true. When compared to what he had already done, performing an act of thievery, despite being at the bottom of the ocean, was child's play. Riku held a hand to his chest, closing his eyes as the word materialized into an image in his mind. The cogs of a clock began spinning.
"Haste."
Everything around him was a blur. Riku's tentacles were retracting and shooting out at alarming speed. He spiraled through the water, went past a series of gates until he was looking up at the towers. The spell vanished, a multitude of air bubbles surrounding him and rising up. Riku looked from side to side, a few mermen bearing spears leaving through an opening. He placed his back to a tower wall, watched as they swam out and beyond the gates. Without hesitation, he coiled his lower half and sped off towards the opening. He swam upwards, dodging around whatever corner he could find when met with someone coming in his direction.
The halls became more elongated and tall as he passed, the attendants becoming less and less as he grew closer to the center of the castle. Pearly orbs decorated each pillar, their internal light illuminating the spaces. Riku stopped short of another open gate, everything falling silent. He swam up to the opening, peered inside to see a circular chamber surrounded by pillars, and in the center, a throne. Riku had read enough stories and seen enough artwork to know that this was what he was looking for. This was the king's throne room. He circled around , only to be let down when he found no traces of a golden trident.
"I knew I didn't like that witch. This was all one big waste of time."
"It could be somewhere else, I can't stop looking."
A blast of scorching light zoomed past him, striking the basis of the throne chair and leaving a hollowed out indentation. Riku summoned Soul Eater, his attention falling on the form of a merman with a broad chest, and wafting white hair. A spiky golden crown sat atop his head, and in his hand, a three pronged trident. Riku didn't need to bother searching further.
"You," the voice boomed, "state your name!"
He remained quiet, hand firmly on the winged sword. The merman narrowed his white brows, the tip of his weapon aimed at Riku.
"I will ask one more time, state your name."
He could feel Griever's presence behind him.
"Don't falter."
Riku performed a loop through the water, his coiling body shooting down like a rocket. He swung Soul Eater, the blade meeting with the trident in a reverberating shock. Riku gritted his teeth as he pulled his strength into the blow, hoping to render the attack his and forcing the king to move back. But it was to be a fruitless attempt. King Triton thrust himself forwarding, smashing Riku against a pillar.
"A cecaelia, you…you are in league with the sea-witch Ursula! Aren't you? Are you responsible for Ariel's disappearance? Answer me!"
Riku was using every ounce of strength he had to simply hold the king from crushing his chest. He held a single eye open, his mouth forming the word.
"Thunder!"
The jagged bolts carried from his hand and met their target. King Triton retreated, the sparkling electricity rendering his limbs numb.
"Your magic is weak."
The spell proved useless, King Triton's body soon recovering from the attack. "Where has that witch taken my daughter?"
Triton opted for a more savage like sortie, forcing his trident in a succession of powerful jabs. Riku danced around the points, barely escaping each blow. He swung Soul Eater upwards, parrying the attacks and putting some distance between them. Riku wasn't able to escape in time as the tip grazed his side, the water around him suddenly clouding red. He hissed, breathing inwardly and expanding his naked chest.
"Cast Haste and trick his senses. He won't be able to keep up."
Riku followed Griever's suggestion and cast the spell, his movements deceiving the king. Triton was jabbing at empty pockets of space, sending off those scorching blasts of energy randomly. It carried on but for a moment, the king using the bottom of his trident to jab outwards with one clean, powerful strike.
"You underestimate me, cecaelia boy."
The strike met Riku's gut, knocking him back and slamming into the floor. His tentacles defensively surrounded him, shielding the silver haired man from any further attacks.
"I was able to follow the trail of blood, I am not someone to take lightly."
Riku scanned for anything he could use to his advantage, but his options were highly limited. The pupils in his eyes dilated when an idea struck him. He didn't know how to go about it, but he needed to do it. Riku sprang up, a cloud of black ink quickly spreading throughout the throne room.
"Do it, now!"
The tentacles came at Triton, tethering him up in their grasp as Riku brought the edge of Soul Eater up to the king's neck. He looked down at him, eyes narrowed and lips thinly set. There was no need for Triton to struggle as the grip on him only intensified. Riku used his free hand to take a hold of the trident, ripping it away from its owner. The pronged weapon began to glow, a gentle heat seeping into Riku's skin.
"I guess turning me into an octopus was a good idea," Riku said.
"Vile creature," Triton spat out, "what do you plan to do with my daughter?"
He exerted a bit more force on his lower half, the tentacles only constricting him further. Riku did away with his Soul Eater, Griever's shadow appearing beneath Riku.
"Let him go Riku, we're done here."
"He could still come after us, we-
"No, we're done. You didn't realize when you grabbed him, but you poisoned the king with your tentacles. It's coursing through him right now, he won't last long."
Riku undid his hold, the merman descending towards the floor. "Poisoned?"
"Bright orange tentacles, electric blue rings. In nature, what does bright colors stand for? "Stay away from me, I'm deadly." Did you think your pretty colors were just for show?"
Riku could see the pained expression on the king's face, his body performing a series of convulsions. He held the trident in both hands, his hair billowing in the waters. Without a word, Riku coiled his lower half and jetted through an opening between the pillars. King Triton was left on the floor of his throne room, his hand reaching outwards.
"Ariel…"
The crown fell from atop his head, clanking onto the ground as his vision slowly darkened.
"Do you, Prince Eric, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
The clergyman read from the large scroll perched on the podium, his tiny figure dwarfed by it. Eric, looking eternally towards the horizon, opened his mouth.
"I do."
"And do you, Vanessa, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do."
"Then by the powers vested in me, by God and before all these witnesses, I do hereby declare this union of souls, married. Your Majesty, Prince Eric, you may now kiss your bride."
Riku stood off in one of the corners of the wedding vessel, hidden behind a velvet drape. A roar of applause rang as the ceremony drew to a climactic close, and clasped gently in his hand, a spiral shell glowing brighter than the last rays of the setting sun.
~00000~
A/N: In case readers didn't know, a "cecaelia" is the term for a octopus-human hybrid.