Chapter 21: Fusion
Konk was in more trouble than he'd bargained for, since he realized he was daring to board the Maelstrom empty handed on a mission Bloth had sent him on. But he wondered what was worse - being outrun and outnumbered by a group of snot-nosed children who ran him out of their village with rotten fruit, or facing the Constrictus under Bloth's demand.
The Constrictus was the more deadlier option, but the peg-legged pirate had a plan - one he hoped Bloth would hear him on before casting out a hasty demise.
Bloth sat in his chambers, gazing intently upon the map of their present locale. He looked up when Konk hobbled into the room, noticing the peg-legged pirate's reluctance.
"I trust that you have the crew of the Wraith in your hands."
"Not yet. Konk and Dagrons search around temples, but no Ren or crew."
Bloth raised one annoyed brow. "Then I trust you've kidnapped one of the children Ren has connected with. What was the one girl's name? Leria? It would be useful to have her again as a bargain. Ren seemed quite taken with her."
Konk shook his head. "Tried to take girl from village, got ambushed by brats with rotten fruit."
Bloth seemed much calmer than what Konk was expecting at that news, but the temperament was shortlived as he reached across the table, grabbing Konk by the throat.
"Are you to tell me that not only have you lost Ren, but you were run out of the city by a group of children?"
"Konk was outnumbered! Needed more crew!" Konk tried to squirm out of Bloth's grip but the hand only tightened more around his throat. His vision blurred as he struggled to breathe.
"Give me one reason why I shouldn't cut off each of your limbs and make you watch me feed them to the Constrictus!"
Konk gasped. "Don't need brats. Ren and crew bound to find treasure. Catch them on the way out. Their treasures can clear the Dark Water."
Bloth abruptly released him, causing Konk to fall to the floor, coughing furiously. "I suppose that is a much better plan. Very well, ready the men to strike. I will have the Treasures of Rule. Whether that means slitting Ren's throat to have that compass, so be it."
Leria stood just on the outskirts of the village, looking towards the path of the temples. Many of the children in the village had long gone to sleep, and several of the adults stood guard around the village. The extra security came after she'd been nearly kidnapped by a piglet of a pirate that was said to be one of Bloth's men. Luckily, a group of children had found some raw fruit to chase him away.
Din looked none too happy as he appeared to be searching for her. He marched over to Leria from one of the cabins, arms folded across his chest as he glared at her. "Do you wanna get kidnapped again? It's late, Leria - you shouldn't be out here."
"But Ren and the others aren't back from the temples yet. That's not good - the Krawlers are stronger at night. But at least we can say we drove the pirates away. Look, they're retreating."
Din followed her gaze, watching as the Maelstrom sailed offshore into the moonlight. "Well, those pirates didn't know who they were messing with!"
The two of them were startled by voices from within the village, shouts that echoed through the night. At first Leria and Din thought they were calls of alarm, but when they returned to the center of the village - it was a group that was celebrating.
Ren, Ioz, Tula, and Niddler had all returned, a large group of the village children and adults alike surrounding them.
"See, told you, Leria! I knew they'd come back fine." Din said. He moved through the crowd with relative ease, ending up in front of Ioz as the boy made a short whistle between his fingers. "About time you guys showed up!"
Ioz scowled. "Best watch your manners. It's been a long night. But we can say that the city is now protected."
Ren nodded. "Yes, it took us a while, but we managed to clear up the Dark Water that was in the temple and outside of it. Now all the water is clear inside the city. On our way out looking for the next treasure of Rule, we'll take care of any remaining Dark Water."
Barin put a hand on Ren's shoulder. "You should not have to worry about heading out tonight. It's late enough and I imagine between being abducted by those horrible pirates, finding the treasure you sought, and clearing up the Dark Water - you must be exhausted. Feel free to stay in the village as long as you need to."
Ren smiled. "Thanks Barin. I think we all could use the rest."
Tula nodded. "And supplies. We'll gather as much as we can on our way out tomorrow. But I'd rather sleep in a little first." Tula felt herself take a long yawn while stretching her limbs. She watched Ioz struggle not to doze where he stood.
Niddler tried to stifle a long yawn, but was unsuccessful. "Thank Kunda we can finally sleep. My eyes are so blurry that I can't see my hand in front of me. I'm with Tula - not having to get up before dawn would be nice. And a breakfast of minga melons would be wonderful."
Barin laughed. "Done. Rest well, my friends...and our heroes."
They stayed longer than expected the following day. Ren had been the last of the Wraith's crew to wake that morning. Tula arrived just as he was putting on his boots as he sat on the edge of his bed.
"Barin asked Leria and Din to wake you, but both of them refused, even begging the old man to give you more time. You slept like the dead, Ren."
Ren winced at her words. "Well, guess as much as Bloth and the temple gave us trouble yesterday, I was more exhausted than I thought."
Tula appeared to regret her words, her expression faltering though Ren's words hadn't been harsh in tone. He shook his head. "I didn't mean that the way it seemed, Tula."
She sighed. "No, don't worry about it. I'm just glad you seem to be more like yourself today. If a full night and half a day's rest does the trick, so be it. Now we can celebrate having the 11th treasure of Rule! Just think of it - we're almost to the end of the Quest! Speaking of treasures, you never showed us what the new one looked like."
Ren pulled the cloth from his breast pocket. "See for yourself. Wasn't intending on holding it back from you, with the exception of Ioz's greedy eyes," he said half in jest. He unfolded the handkerchief to reveal the brilliant yellow gem that looked like it was in the shape of a wing. Tula eyed it with awe.
"Noy jitat, it's beautiful, Ren. Just like all the others." She looked then at the compass around Ren's neck, which was pulsing wildly. She frowned. "I've never seen the compass react that much before."
Ren shook his head. "It's been like that all night. The compass is reacting to its power."
"All that power in such a treasure," she said. Before Ren had the chance to react, Tula picked up the gem with her bare hand to get a closer look.
"Tula, don't!" Upon uttering the frantic words, Ren realized his error. The 11th treasure of Rule was harmless in Tula's bare hands. Its contained power and potential to react only served as a harm to Ren because of the treasure lying dormant in his own heart. He wasn't ready for that fusion of power. He'd been trying to hold off on it as long as he could. Ioz and Tula would have too many questions. And Niddler...he didn't want to think about how much he'd worried Niddler over the course of the last few treasures they found, since the monkeybird knew the truth of it all.
Tula looked at him with a mixture of concern and disbelief. "Ren, it's okay. I know how important this quest is. The fate of Mer rests in us being able to collect all of these."
Ren sighed. "I know you do, Tula. Just...it's better that we keep the treasures held in a safe place until we return to Octopon." He held out his hand with the handkerchief as Tula placed it within the fabric. He wrapped the treasure carefully and put it back in his breast pocket. "At any rate, I still need to tell you, Ioz and Niddler everything that happened while we were in the temple. We have many more eyes watching everything we do with the last few treasures. If they fall into the wrong hands, we'll have much more to lose."
Ren knew he wouldn't tell them everything, but he knew he needed to tell them enough to continue the quest. His own foretold fate didn't need to be part of that discussion. Not yet, if ever.
"That's everything we can take aboard. We should have more than enough provisions for the sail ahead," Ren said as he stood on the deck of the Wraith. Nothing but clear, sunny skies for the sail ahead. Ren knew from the compass's direction they would sail further south - and the climate would be much, much colder than any place in Mer they've been on their quest before. It was also an area where sailors typically wouldn't go - the amount of Dark Water was far too great for any regular sized ship to sail through. Ren wondered if the Wraith, as well maintained as it was, would be able to bear the weight of the expedition.
Ioz put the last of the crates in their proper places. "Normally I would curse Niddler's name for having us haul all these minga melons onboard, but we don't know when we'll stop next to a town like this. I hate to admit it, I'll miss those brats once we leave here. But once the quest is finished, we can return for a visit, right Ren?"
Ren had no response to that. It was a much harder question than he wanted to answer. There's a chance that I won't make it back here, not unless we return after finding the last treasure. And that's precisely what we're searching for.
Ren closed his eyes, allowing the sea breeze to rush around him. He needed as much focus as he could muster for the journey ahead. A new enemy, a race to beat another foe, a new foretelling of failure - all of it weighed on Ren as if the Dark Water itself cloaked and suffocated him. Not even the treasures could lift away this darkness. Ren knew what he had to do, but he didn't like the shadows of secrecy or darkness that lay ahead.
He felt two hands on his shoulders, which broke through his thoughts. Ioz's voice was quiet but firm. "Ren, if you're worried about Avagon, you need to stop while you're ahead. She's our enemy now. I know we've learned much over the course of our journey in this village, and she led you to the treasure. But if she gets in our path towards the Quest, there will be no mercy, at least from the end of my sword."
Ren sighed, knowing his crewmate and friend was right, but only in part. He turned to face Ioz's stern expression, the pirate studied Ren with firm determination. "I know it, Ioz. I just don't accept that there isn't another way that we can help her. I'll say this - we'll do all we can, exhaust every possibility to try to find a cure. If the treasures were able to cure you as well as the adults in this town from Dark Water sickness, I wouldn't doubt we could find a way to help her from the Darkdweller's influence."
"And if there isn't a way to cure her?"
Ren straightened, facing Ioz's stern look with no reluctance. "Then I will do what she wishes." Ren pulled the sword from his back, laying it flat between his hands. "Even if it means I have to use my own sword to do it."
Ioz gave a reassuring squeeze to Ren's shoulder. "Good man. Just wanted to know that we were on the same page. Believe me, I understand your reluctance. However..."
"Always the Quest." Ren finished, returning his sword to its sheath. "That was also her wish, and I intend to honor it."
"If you two scallywags are finished bonding, I could use some help getting the Wraith to sail off," Tula called from the crow's nest. "The ship won't sail herself, and Niddler's actually putting in more effort than you two."
Ioz shook his fist at her. "Noy jitat, woman, don't test my patience. Since I don't trust you steering in lightly charted waters, I'll take the wheel."
"Have it your way, just know that we'll be facing more Dark Water - I don't think your reckless steering will be appreciated in dangerous currents. It needs a much lighter touch, and I think I'm the best one to do it."
"Curse you Tula!" Ioz trailed off into a further argument with Tula that left Ren shaking his head and smiling. Niddler approached Ren as the prince of Octopon leaned against the railing of the Wraith, watching his crewmates trade blows in a verbal spat.
Niddler rolled his eyes. "Oh man. They're at it again?"
"It wouldn't be a normal sail if those two weren't fighting, Niddler. If anything, I welcome normal," Ren said with a shrug.
"Ren! Niddler!" A familiar voice called to the two of them from a distance away. Ren and Niddler both turned to see Leria and Din running to the dock to see them off. Niddler and Ren met them halfway, standing on the dock as the children struggled to catch their breath.
"Prince Ren, we wanted to see you before you left, but got busy in the village," Leria said. "Sorry, we wanted to be here sooner."
Din groaned. "It was Leria's fault. I told her it would take us too long to sort through the fish for cooking."
"We had more people to help out! They cured all the adults so there were more hands to help sort," Leria argued.
Din shook his head. "But we also had more fish to sort through because of all the fishermen. Not to mention thanks to Ren and his crew, all the wildlife that fled because of the Dark Water is starting to return." Din turned to Ren directly. "I'm sorry that we weren't welcoming to you before, and that I gave you a hard time without knowing why you were here. You really helped everyone out."
Ren nodded as he knelt to meet the eyes of the children on the dock. "You did what you had to, Din. I can't fault you for that. The village is lucky to have you watching out for everyone. And I was happy to help out in any way that I could."
"We really wish you could stay longer, Ren," Leria said as Ren turned to her. "I know you have an important journey ahead, but please don't forget us."
Ren smiled. "I could never forget all of you. I'll keep you in mind as we continue to restore Octopon and protect the whole of Mer. If anything, I'm grateful to have met both of you."
"Can you make me a promise, Ren?" Leria asked. The question took Ren by surprise, as he wasn't sure what she wanted him to do. His brows raised, but he found his voice after a moment's pause.
"If it's within my power, I certainly will. What is it, Leria?"
She placed a slightly hesitant hand against his chest, just a few finger widths away from the compass that hung around his neck. Beneath her fingers, his heart beat strong and in a firm rhythm. "Promise me you'll take better care of your heart, if it gets sick again."
Even Niddler looked taken aback by Leria's sure statement, her words unwavering even with how her hand slightly shook. As if the girl was afraid of something, but she couldn't voice it aloud. Niddler tried to meet Ren's gaze to question whether Leria actually knew anything about the quest or his purported fate. But Ren returned her look with confidence.
He placed his hand over hers as it remained on his chest. "I promise."
As the Wraith sailed from the port, it was a difficult goodbye for all the crew. Even Ioz found himself pleasantly surprised at the number of villagers who shouted cheers alongside mentions of his name from the shoreline. Most of the shouts had been for Ren, but that didn't seem to faze him.
"So let me guess, Ioz, you'll miss the village despite all your complaints about it before?" Ren said with a sly grin.
Ioz rolled his eyes. "Yes, you don't have to rub sand in my wounds about it. Like I said, when we save all of Mer, we can always come back for our victory march."
Ren didn't respond to that, though Ioz hadn't asked him to. I hope I can come back, Ren thought. I really hope so.
It was a quiet evening as the Wraith sailed further south. The Maelstrom was nowhere in sight - much to the crew's collective relief. The waters were calm under the light of a mostly cloudless sky and full moon. Ren watched the sight of the ocean beyond from the window of his sleeping quarters beneath the deck. Tula was already sleeping, while Ioz steered the ship full speed ahead. Apparently, Ioz had gotten his wish to steer the ship for the time being.
Niddler slept somewhat soundly in the bed beside his, with the occasional screeching and muttering of pooka looka pies. Ren had to smile at that - his feathered friend never stopped dreaming about food even with his belly full.
Ren couldn't sleep. He'd lain the 9th and 10th treasures of Rule on the top of the surface of the bed, with the 11th treasure still in the handkerchief left for him by Avagon. He studied them carefully, even as the compass that hung around his neck started to pulse a faint blue. It was as if it sensed what Ren wanted to do, and he wondered if it was simply responding to the power of the treasures around him, or warning him to steer clear.
"By the blood of the twin moons, what do I do now, Father?" Ren said quietly, though he knew no one could hear him. "I know this is my fate, but...is there a time when this would be better to do or not? I wish that I had something to guide me forward, just a hint."
Ren listened as if he expected an answer, but nothing came.
He remembered the experience of the power of the treasures fusing with the one in his heart very well, more than he wanted to remember for the pain they caused. The 9th treasure had been the clearest memory, after meeting with the Oracle in Parat and traveling with Niddler within the temple.
"I'd rather just get it over with while I can. That way we can be prepared to use the power of the treasures without having to worry about what effect it's going to have on me later on." Part of him thought about what he'd have to tell Tula and Ioz about the reaction if they witnessed it. Niddler would know, not that he was happy with it, but at least he understood.
"I wish I could tell Tula and Ioz the truth. About the Dark Heart, the visions I've seen of the Quest, all of it. Maybe there's something I'm missing, but I won't find out until I find a way to move forward. I need to create my own destiny, no matter what danger awaits." His hand pulled back the handkerchief, revealing the brilliant 11th treasure that shimmered as the moonlight streaming through the window touched it. Ren's compass started to pulse more rapidly. The compass often reacted in ways that Ren didn't expect while on the quest, but it was if he knew what it said of his intentions. Don't do this. Walk away. Wait.
Ren closed his eyes, took a few shaky breaths, then reached with his bare hand to grab the 11th treasure of Rule with the intention of fusing its power with the rest of the treasures. As the glow of the treasures surrounded him, the shock to his heart flooded his senses, made him grit his teeth.
Then he was completely lost.