Having returned to the Red Rock Den, Roderich and Vash quietly comfort one another, and share what they know of the mysterious Ancients.

...xXx...

Night had fallen, and Roderich wouldn't stop pacing.

Vash perched atop the red rock of his den as he watched the male paddle agitatedly in wide circles. He hadn't said a word when he reunited with them, only rubbed his face against him and Lilli before pacing around, pretending to catch a few shrimp. Vash had urged his sister inside the cubby and stayed put to monitor the merman.

He wasn't used to seeing the gentle male act this way. Angry. Roderich's long, eel-like tail shook, flicking side to side sharply, scaring away the nearby fish. In the evening waters, lit vaguely by the wisps and the soft yellow glow from inside the den, glowing violet eyes were dark themselves, nearly black.

He himself was still simmering after the meeting that had just occurred. Vash hadn't hoped to even get the chance to consider the alphas' offer of joining the pods—pod, now, he supposed. Everyone else had seemed content with the pods joining up until he had been mentioned. Up until he called Diedrich and Alexius out on keeping secrets from the rest of them.

And, it seemed something else had happened after he'd stormed off, something that was enough to make his lovely merman steam water.

His. Vash swallowed a rumbling in his throat as Roderich's tail snapped. Mine.

The emerald male watched and waited. When the other merman at last slowed his circling, he called to him, "Roderich, come here."

Roderich did so, almost in a daze. As if his body had heard him, but his mind did not. The male swam up and floated to a stop, eyes unfocused.

Vash sighed and his ears flushed hot as he leaned forward to press a small kiss to the other. That violet gaze narrowed on him, blinked, and Roderich melted.

That worked. Vash murmured, "What did I miss?"

He could sense the flash of white hot emotion rippling under the merman's scales as if it were his own, and he shivered. Roderich looked away from him, eyes luminous now as he stared at the scraggly red rock.

"Gilbert."

"What did he do?" A deep frown twisted that pretty mouth and the leopard blond bent to try to recapture his attention. "Did he say something?" Roderich glanced at him and away, shoulders hunching.

Aha.

Vash straightened himself on his elbows and lifted his chin with a snort. "Ignore him. Whatever it was, it's not worth you getting flustered over."

"It is!"

Vash flinched at the unexpected hiss. Roderich shook his head, fingers digging through his hair as he squeezed his eyes shut. He winced, as if his thoughts were too loud. They probably were. He was ill-suited to dealing with inner pod conflicts, especially between siblings—though, he doubted that they actually were siblings, and oh, how everything was much more complicated now!

What he did know was that he didn't like the look of hurt on the iridescent male's face. He wanted it to disappear.

With a huff, Vash leaned forward and nipped the male's shoulder. Roderich startled and looked at him, but he kept going. He did it again when Roderich pushed off the rock and he grabbed for him, biting at his collar next. The brunet made a strangled sound in his throat, unable to escape the emerald male as he held firm. Vash pressed down the length of him and twisted Roderich to lay beneath him on the rock.

Vash teethed at his throat, fangs dragging against soft skin and silver scale, not quite breaking through. Roderich shuddered beneath him as the blond soothed the bite with his tongue and a soft purr. Pulling back, he was pleased to see that violet eyes were glowing brighter, looking at him widely.

Vash ducked his head, sighing. He laid his cheek against Roderich's.

I'm not very good at this sort of thing, he admitted to the other, noting the purr trembling beneath him. But it's okay, it's all right.

Roderich made that choked noise again, interrupting his purr briefly, and silver arms gave him a squeeze. There was a light prod to his thoughts, and Vash allowed the flashes of images and sounds to run through his mind.

Careless words thrown like stones. A fluttering of color and electric snapping. The rise of flame within his chest. Disgust. Fury. Red eyes flash and narrow. Silver tail curling. Heat sapping from scales. Dashing through icy waters.

Vash blinked away the recent memories and felt a kiss to his cheek.

It's okay, he reiterated. Vash leaned up on his elbows, perching on the male's chest to meet his eye. Let's both soften.

Roderich's anger crumpled. Vash dipped down and tenderly rubbed their faces together. He was glad for the darkness so his embarrassment wasn't on full display for the other, despite his actions. He wondered if the merman could feel his heat anyway.

The two laid there, sharing a quiet few moments. Purrs matched, cheeks pressed warmly together, tails idly swaying.

It's really good to see you. Roderich exhaled heavily beneath him, and pressed his lips to the blond's neck. I'm sorry about this. Tonight has been . . . stressful.

Your pod got even bigger, Vash thought, pulling back to eye him. Might even be the largest pod now. How can I compete?

Oh, well. A small smirk broke across Roderich's face, and it pleased him to see the anxiety fading from the merman. I think you have a good shot.

Idiot. Vash chuckled.

He nosed into the other and Roderich stole a few extra kisses. It had been a week since he'd last seen the merman, and the blond allowed himself to admit relief at the sight of him. The feel of him. Hale, whole, warm. Vash felt a pull towards the male at all hours, even while asleep—a constant tug to his bones, scales rippling under their shared thoughts over the distant week. He'd never felt anything like it before. Absolutely never.

Stars, when did I become caught by him?

The ripple of pleasure down his spine was still so new and foreign, and oh so welcome. Now that he'd gotten a taste of companionship, it was hard to imagine going back to being alone. Vash pressed their foreheads together, closed his eyes, and breathed in the other's warmth.

These waters were peaceful.

However, outward peace couldn't shield him from himself. Thoughts of how he was alone continued to nip and bite at him. Now that the Sapphire Caverns merfolk had combined with the Great Alcazar pod it would be even more difficult for him to approach the group. Vash knew that they were all welcome there in the sanctuary—and he did appreciate the invitation for him and his sister to stay, and possibly even join—but that didn't mean that overnight he would accept involving himself with the others, or that he would be accepted in turn.

He'd barely even involved himself with Roderich, and that had taken weeks to get to this point. The point where he felt comfortable enough to lounge atop the merman and steal kisses, out of sight of his sister and any others.

Thinking of Lilli, Vash's scales prickled. The tail beneath his own shifted and he felt Roderich hum, thoughts brushing against his own curiously. What is it?

Lilli. Vash sighed, leaning up on the other's chest. How am I supposed to explain any of this to her?

Roderich hummed again, violets twinkling up at him. Just tell it as best you can. She's smart.

I know, but I . . . I don't know much about the Ancients, or this Ormís. A sudden growl in his chest startled them both, and Vash swallowed it. That damnable thing.

Oh. Roderich blinked, surprise clear on his face. "I can help," he murmured aloud.

Vash felt his ears burn with shame. He knew of the Ancients and of their kind's ancestors who lived with and fought them, but his mother had hardly gone into detail.

"They were great beasts of shadow and gold," she'd said once. "Starlight molded them together with ropes of darkness, and set them upon the oceans as protectors and predators. A balance of nature. Leviathans of the depths, like nothing ever imagined."

A gentle kiss pulled Vash back to the present. A whimper left him. He hoped Roderich couldn't see his pained expression, but he knew from the arms wrapped around him that the male could feel him. His grief.

"I'll help," Roderich said again, leaning up from the rock with the leopard merman in his arms. "My father made sure all of us knew our history. Though, I believe I was one of the only ones really interested enough to pay attention most days."

Amaranthine irises flashed at him fondly, a fanged smile following. Vash stared, entranced. He breathed deeply, inhaling his lucky stars, and nodded. He buried himself under the brunet's chin and held the merman tightly for a moment more.

Vash didn't hear the others approach over Roderich's purr.

"Are we interrupting?"

The two mermen startled. They turned to see Emma floating below them on the sand, a pale bundle in her arms. She petted the merboy's long hair, staring up at them sheepishly. Vash cleared his throat and pulled off of Roderich, scales burning as he paddled to the side.

"Yes." Roderich let out a long sigh and held onto his hand, not letting him get very far. He allowed it.

"Sorry, Rod." Emma flicked her tail. "I wanted to talk to you both, and Ki wanted his baba."

"Are the others very angry?" Roderich asked.

"Not very," Emma said, paddling up to them. She tilted her head. "Not angry."

Killian poked his face out of his hair and reached for his brother, his little eyes puffy and cheeks streaked with oily tears. Roderich made a small sound and at once took the merboy into his arms, cradling him closely. Killian babbled up at him, sounding more excited than sad now that he was with his brother.

Vash watched, warmth still clinging to his scales. He looked over to Emma and raised an eyebrow. "What did you want to talk about?"

The mermaid looked around the black waters, head swiveling as if she were making sure they were alone. The motion instinctively put him on edge. "Could we talk inside?" she asked, then immediately waved her hands. "Only if you're okay with it, obviously."

"Sure," Vash said, fins tilting towards the cubby entrance. And he meant it. After all they've been through, he was comfortable enough with Emma to leave Lilli with her, so he saw no reason why she wouldn't be allowed in his new—

Home.

Vash dipped his shoulders and led the way inside, beckoning them with his fins.

The inside of the cubby opened up before him, the waters illuminated brightly by the stubborn yellow wisp settled upon the newly established moss bedding that covered the floor. He swam towards his sister, who laid with her back facing them at the far end of the domed space. She was drawing on the red rock with a stone stick, leaving chalky scribbles of blobby fish and merfolk in her wake.

Lilli turned as he nuzzled into her hair, giggling. "Vashy!" She looked over his shoulder, eyes wide as the others filed into the den. "Emma! Ki! Are we having a sleepover?"

"We'll see how the night goes," Vash said, not having the heart to outright say no.

The leopard merman watched the siblings as they settled upon the moss, noting Roderich's gaze in particular as he stared around the cubby. "It looks like you've opened up the space," the male said.

"Yes."

And he had. In their week apart, he'd dug down deeper into the compact sand and out wider, matching the curving of the rock. Which seemed to follow down deeper, as well. Towards the bottom of the new floor he'd dug through cracked and crumbling rock to make a tunnel to separate sections. So far he'd only been able to dig out a small hollow for Lilli to have as her own. He felt it important for the mermaid to have her personal space, like she'd had in the shallows, and he stuffed it with the plushest mosses he could find.

If they stayed he would have time to make his own, some day.

"It was too cramped for us," Vash said, waving his hand towards the kelp covered tunnel. "Lilli needed her own space." He met Roderich's eye. "And so did I."

"Ki! Come see my room!" Lilli sped towards the merboy and grabbed his hand, pointing towards the kelp. "Big Brother made it just for me."

Killian's eyes, no longer wet with pearls, widened greatly and he nodded so fast his hair tangled. Lilli darted into the kelp and turned to poker her face out, waving the merboy over, and he was quick to follow. The pups disappeared into the private space with giggles of conspiracy.

"Make sure to keep quiet, you two," Vash called, laying on his good side with the curve of cool stone behind him. He motioned to her when she poked her head out again with a small chirp! "We have to talk."

"Okay, okay!" Lilli whispered and ducked back inside. The following laughter was slightly quieter. Vash snorted.

A soft sound of a throat clearing had him look up and over, spotting Roderich floating above his tail. The iridescent male eyed him, thoughts brushing his own with an unspoken question. Vash looked away, shifting his fins ever so slightly, and pretended not to notice as the male drifted closer.

When Roderich paused again, as if hesitant, Vash hummed. You can lay here.

The draping of warmth behind him was better than any blanket, and he tried not to delight in the way that eel tail curled over the end of his own. There was a chaste touch of lips to his shoulder as Roderich settled himself in the curve between spotted scales and red rock, as if he'd always belonged there.

"So," Emma began as she laid on the moss across from them. "You two seem cozy."

The deep crimson that flushed across his skin contrasted sharply with the green of his scales, and Vash startled as Roderich spoke behind him. "Really, Em."

"What? I'm glad, is all," the mermaid said, shooing her hand at them. "I'm not trying to tease."

Vash cleared his throat and composed himself. "I'm surprised. Your pod doesn't seem happy about the fact that I'm courting your kin."

It was Roderich's turn to flush, and though he didn't look behind him he felt the heat ripple through his tail. Emma grinned at them and then looked at the floor, tugging at the strand of seaweed she'd tied in her hair as a bow. "Well, I like you. So does Abel. The others don't have as much of a problem with you as you think."

"Is that so."

"Really, they're just giving you both a hard time, mostly on Rod's behalf." Said merman sighed, his breath warming Vash's neck. "The few times we've encountered you over the years haven't been the friendliest moments, so some of them are just wary." Emma tipped her nose towards her brother. "And it's Rod here who almost started a fight earlier."

"Only because Gilbert provoked it," Roderich huffed, gritting his teeth. "I have made my feelings known, and he still made a mockery of them. And none of you spoke up to stop him."

Emma's smile faded. "I know. I'm sorry."

Roderich stretched further so he was shoulder to shoulder with Vash, his tail quite long enough to curl around the end of his own, and the blond male was able to see the hard edge to his eyes returning. He leaned into him and brushed one of his fins against his scales, relieved to see the edge dull and not take hold.

"Is this what you wanted to talk about?" Vash turned back to the mermaid. "Or was there something else?"

Emma nodded and scooted closer, glancing at the little room where the pups were chattering quietly. She came to a rest about an arm's length away and lowered her voice. "Tomorrow, everyone's going to decide who's gonna make the journey home to retrieve our treasures. I know Abel wants to go."

"Are you going to go?" Roderich asked, taking note and lowering his own voice. Emma shook her head. Silver fingers brushed against her brownish-orange ones. "That's all right then. I'm sure Abel can last a few days without you."

Emma smirked, but Vash could see the dark clouds over her eyes. The scales along his spine prickled at the look. He gestured for Emma to come closer and the mermaid gladly leaned against the wall in front of her brother, the three of them speaking in a small circle now.

"He'll be fine, it's only for a day or so, right?" Emma asked as Roderich held her hand. "I know they'll be back quickly."

Roderich nodded. "You're staying here, then?"

"I don't want to leave, not while that thing is out there."

Vash prickled as a low growl erupted, unbidden, from his throat. He swallowed it down as best he could and looked at the moss pointedly. "If I see that thing again I'm going to rip it to shreds."

Both he and Emma startled as a sharp laugh leapt from Roderich, and the brunet ducked down to nuzzle his cheek, warm lips smiling wide.

"Now there's a sight I'd love to see," he whispered. He straightened himself and chuckled as the two blondes stared at him, shrugging a shoulder. "Besides the whole us having to actually see that creature again, of course. I truly hope we never come across it for at least a few centuries more."

"I second that," Emma said. "I mean, I want my things back as much as everyone else, but I don't want to lose anyone doing it."

Roderich sighed heavily. "In any case I suppose I'll go, as well. I need to retrieve my sword and a few other things, so I'll be sure to watch out for Abel, don't you worry."

Emma relaxed before them, clouded eyes clearing brighter. "Thanks. Hey, if you grab my stuff for me I'll let you wear my cloak."

"Ha. Deal."

Vash curiously eyed the purple merman, asking, "You have a sword?"

"Oh, yes, a very beautiful one, in fact. Regrettably left behind, considering it would have been most useful handling our troubles while getting here." Roderich pressed a soft kiss to the leopard male's temple, words tickling his hair.

"I'll have to return, too." Vash lifted his chin, and Roderich pulled away. "Lilli will have to stay here with the other pups while I'm gone, which hopefully won't be longer than a few days."

"I can look after her," Emma said at once.

Vash met her eye, emerald alighting on grass green, and he knew they both felt the gravity of her offer. If anything were to happen to him, Emma would be Lilli's caretaker from then on. Though he was loath to even think about orphaning the poor mermaid of the last of her blood family, he was relieved to know that she would have somewhere safe to grow up. And, of all the rest of the Sapphire Cavern pod and Alcazar, besides Diedrich, Emma was the one he trusted the most to look after her.

"Thank you," he said, meaning it. "It's good to know she'll be safe with you, just in case." Dark eyes met violet. And with you, should you make it back and I don't.

Hush. Roderich outright nipped his shoulder, causing him to burn again. Do not speak of it.

"Really, you two, I'm still here," Emma drawled, rolling her eyes. Vash was too embarrassed to even squeak. "Anyways, Vati's said that the Alcazar has never been breached by the Ancients before, or humans, or anyone else not allowed in, so I wouldn't worry about us."

Vash adjusted his weave and settled more into the eel-tailed merman's side, glancing between them. "Right. Could you tell me about them?"

"The Ancients?"

"Yes," Roderich said, and he spent a moment gathering his thoughts before he continued. "They were massive leviathans given sovereignty over our world by the stars, creatures made to shape everything with water. To give life, and to take it away. There were five of them; Ormís, The Devourer, Fóvos, The Blind, Galíni, The Haunted, Ischýs, The Calamity, and Ásma, The Silent. Together, they were the forces that gave the oceans their strength, and the world its reverence for them. The hungry currents, the horrors of the depths, the tranquility of clear waters, the rage of a thousand storms, and the songs that echo throughout both land and sea.

"Our ancestors were said to be as much fodder for the Ancients as we were kin, also gifted this world by the stars. Given life by a passing song and determined to exist in these waters as much as they."

"They were supposed to be just tall tales from dead men and ghosts, and those of us still superstitious," Emma added softly, sharing a look with her brother. "Though, we grew up knowing they're real. Our father has fought with them before, and he is not one for false tales."

Roderich nodded and met Vash's eye once again. "So if he and Alexius say that what we encountered was indeed one of them, this Ormís, then I see no reason not to believe them."

"But what are they?" Vash asked, feeling more confused now than before. "How could such massive creatures swim these waters for so long without us seeing them sooner? And why would they attack us when we'd done nothing to provoke them?"

"Creatures, spirits, shadows. I don't know. Vati once said that long ago that a few of the Ancients had been corrupted by some of our kind working with men to capture them, and that ever since they've been hunting us. There's been many battles since that have slain the beasts or caused them to hide away from us and the above world."

"Hunting." Vash balled his hands into fists, scales slightly standing on end. "What chance could we possibly stand if that was just one of them?"

"Well, they were all supposed to be dead or gone," Roderich said, for the first time looking uncertain. "Our father defeated the last one, which was Ormís, nearly four hundred years ago." Vash blinked, stunned at that revelation. "However, killing gods isn't that simple. He said they managed to shatter the creature into remnants and they scattered throughout the oceans. I suppose some must linger to this day, and that's what we ran into."

"That's probably why they wanted us to come to the sanctuary," Emma said. "They wanted to keep us safe since a remnant has found its way here."

"Maybe the two of them," Vash began carefully, "being as old as they are, know a lot more than they're telling us."

All hummed in agreement. Roderich tilted his head thoughtfully, glancing at his sister. "The Alcazar has been around for many centuries, and there's lots of artifacts and histories that have been stored here. Perhaps while we're gone, if you find the time, you could try to search for something substantial about all of this."

"Roddy," Emma lilted, eyes wide with excitement. "Are you suggesting that I sneak into the alpha's tower while Alexius isn't here?"

Roderich opened his mouth, then closed it. He looked apprehensive at her sudden conspiratorial tone. Vash leaned forward and caught their attention. "That would be for the best, I think. I feel old secrets have been kept long enough. Especially since everyone's lives are at risk."

"Don't worry, I won't get caught," Emma said confidently. She swished her tawny tail, green speckles flickering in the gentle wisp light. It would be hard to spot her among the sands and grasses, especially so if she went during the night. "I'll let you know what I find."

"That's settled then," Roderich said, straightening from their huddled positions. "You'll look after Lilli and Ki tonight, and go looking for answers once we leave tomorrow."

"Why tonight?"

Vash also looked at the male, an eyebrow raised. Roderich held a private a staring competition with his sister, his expression unreadable. A soft fin laid upon his back.

"Oh!" Emma startled with a realization of some sort and pushed off of the moss. "You're right, you're right! It's getting so late now, and you both will need to get some rest if you're going to be swimming all that way tomorrow. I'll take the pups so they won't bother you."

"They're not a bother," Vash said, watching as Emma twirled to reach into the little den, easily pulling out a pup with each arm. They already seemed as if they'd been dozing.

"Nonsense," Emma scoffed, cradling them close. Killian tucked himself against her chest as Lilli grabbed around her neck instinctively. "You two will have to get up pretty early if you want to join the others on time."

"Are they meeting at dawn?" The mermaid nodded as she adjusted the pups. "All right, then." Vash hummed and pushed himself up, paddling over to her so he could give his sister a kiss to her cheek, murmuring softly, "Be good for Emma, okay? I'll be back soon."

Lilli blinked sleepily up at him, tiny hand snagging his thumb. "Are you going home?" she asked softly.

"Yes, but only for a few days, and then I'll be back for good." He gave her hand a light squeeze. "You'll be having so much fun here you won't even notice I'm gone."

Lilli stared at the floor, gripping his thumb even tighter. She was quiet for a few heartbeats before whispering, "Say goodbye to mama for me."

A large lump of heat caught in his throat and Vash couldn't reply. He grabbed both of her hands and kissed him before kissing her cheek one last time. He forced himself to let go and paddle away as Lilli closed her eyes, and he looked to Emma. The mermaid held his sister close, and Vash could only endure the ache in his heart alone.

"Go."

...xXx...

Ormís - momentum
Fóvos - fear
Galíni - serenity
Ischýs - power
Ásma - song

Bear with me here on the vague lore names, since I thought Greek very fitting! Hope you all enjoyed! :)