SIX
It was darker than usual around the Inklings. It was as if the lights had been turned down; was this the Octarians equivalent to night?
Rina was perched a few feet away from the rest of the group, keeping watch for enemies atop a flat stone. She glanced back at her teammates sleeping figures. They were all curled up peacefully, bodies softly moving with breath under the blankets. Rina felt a fond smile come over her face. I hope they'll be safe, she let out a sigh.
She couldn't shake the looming sense of dread that hung over her. Something big was in motion.
Rina sat in silence for a long while, looking out over the grey rocky outcrop. They had found higher ground for the night, and Rina had a clear view of the city's dark outline. The lights had all but went out a few hours ago, leaving behind only a few dots of dim light. It was strange to Rina; Inkopolis was almost always lit up, especially during Splatfest.
Rina put her head in her hands as her mind wandered to her lost friends. "Why did this happen...?" She hated how her voice sounded so small and afraid. So weak.
"Rina?" A soft voice sounded behind her. Rina turned to see Blue staring back at her, a blanket around her small shoulders. Her head tentacles hung loose and long, pale and ghostly in the darkness.
"You should be resting." Rina said quietly. Blue's eyelids fluttered as she looked down and then back at Rina.
"I.. couldn't sleep well, a-and..." She took a step closer, clutching the blanket around her. "I was worried about you."
Rina's forced a smile onto her face, "You don't need to worry, Blue. I'm fine."
"I don't think you are, though. You're stressed and worried. I understand." Blue spoke timidly, looking sideways at nothing in particular. "I'm sure you're thinking about it too..."
"About what?"
"Why they were taken and... and you weren't."
Rina's breath caught in her throat. Yes. That was why she was feeling so... guilty. She was the one who attacked the Octarians face to face. Why were the Squid Sister's targeted? Rina's throat felt tight.
"I'm sorry." Blue said quickly. "I-I didn't mean to upset you."
"No. You're right. It's strange. I should have been the one they attacked." Rina rubbed her eyes. She would not start crying. She couldn't let Blue see her so weak. Rina turned her back on Blue, looking out over the dark, unfamiliar land.
Blue was quiet for a moment. The air felt heavy with silence, filled only by the sound of breathing.
Then she walked forward, climbing up beside Rina on the large flat rock. Without saying anything, Blue draped her blanket around Rina and herself and scooted in close.
Their arms touched. They didn't meet each other's eyes.
Neither Inkling spoke for what seemed an eternity, until Rina whispered. "I think I know why the Squid Sister's were found out."
"Hmm?" Blue mumbled sleepily, looking over at Rina.
"Agents 1 and 2 weren't there when I battled the Octarian king, DJ Octavio, but..." Rina clenched her fists, gazing down at her knees. "to help me, they overrode his stereos and sang for me. They sang to lift up my spirits. Maybe someone overheard the battle..."
Rina's gaze turned hard and Blue's eyes widened.
"They're famous..." Rina muttered. "for their singing voices."
"Oh no..." Blue muttered in realization.
"How could we be so foolish?" Rina hung her head in her hands, suddenly swamped with despair. "I should have stopped them. I should have... I don't know."
"Hey, it's not your fault. They just wanted to help." Blue leaned against Rina in reassurance, a gaze of concern etched on her face.
"I couldn't even help them during the attack on Inkopolis. I was right there and I couldn't do anything." Rine muttered into her hands, voice cracking.
Blue frowned, "No one expected that to happen. What counts is that we're doing something now." She leaned her head on Rina's shoulder and closed her eyes. "I believe in you, Rina. If we all work together, I know we can save them."
"Thanks, Blue." Rina laughed and raised her moist eyes to look at the Inkling girl beside her. "You seem to cheer me up a lot, huh?" Blue giggled, sitting up straight again.
"It's weird that I've only know you for a few days, yet I ... I care for you a lot." Blue looked down at her fidgety hands. Rina felt a grin on her face. Blue let out a little "Eeep!" as Rina suddenly threw her arms around the girl and hugged her tight, making the pair wobble. Blue let out a cheerful giggle, "We're gonna fall!"
"Thanks for being here, Blue." Rina mumbled softly into the girl's neck. Blue put her arms gently around Rina and leaned into the embrace.
"It's no problem. I just wish I was of more help." She shrugged sheepishly.
"Are you kidding? You're so helpful. I'm an emotional mess, but you keep me fighting." Rina leaned away to look Blue in the eyes, a warm smile on her face. "I can't do this without you. All of you. Being with friends makes me really believe that maybe we can do this."
Blue's eyes widened in surprise, a blush spreading across her face. "Heh... thanks. Of course we can do it, Rina. As long as we're together, we can do anything!"
"Are you two done being so sickeningly sappy?" A voice quipped from behind the two Inklings and they jumped in surprise, letting go of each other.
"C-Cream? U-uh, we were just..." Blue stuttered, her face flushed.
Cream stood with her arms crossed, but a glint of amusement was in her gaze. "I'll take over here, okay? Get some rest you two."
Rina smiled in embarrassment at Cream's smirking face and lidded eyes. "Uh... right. Thanks, Cream."
She just nodded and the two Inklings awkwardly untangled themselves and climbed off the perch to go lay down next to Binke's softly snoring figure. They avoided each other's gaze, but a warm feeling remained in each Inkling's chest.
"Goodnight, Rina."
"Goodnight."
"Dammit!" A fist slammed down hard, making the nearby Octarians jump. An air of nervousness surrounded the campsite after what had happened. They were completely taken by surprise during the battle with those Inkling warriors; not even Oliver was able to stop them.
The boy Octoling had removed his goggles, his eyes glaring daggers at the soldiers in front of him. He crossed his arms behind his back as he paced back and forth, looking tense.
"As all of you are aware, I assume," Oliver started, his face stern. "In the occasion of a direct attack, we are to report information about the enemy." Some Octarians nodded at this. Oliver continued, his voice becoming more strained with frustration. "Yes, well. I sent out a messenger immediately to the city, and the Council has made a decision on what to do."
There were a few quiet mutters of confusion and curiosity. Oliver's narrowed eyes swam with fury. "They have decided it best to... send in an elite soldier to help deal with the situation." At this, an even greater number of the camp started muttering to each other. The chatter was quickly silenced by a fierce expression on Oliver's face. As young as the boy was, many were fearful of his dangerous temper. And of his status as the new Octarian leader's son.
"Our enemy is still out there." Oliver raised his voice to the crowd. "Now with new information, given by one of our own." His dangerous gaze turned harshly on an Octoling girl, who shivered fearfully. She fell to her knees, cowering on the ground and bowing to Oliver.
"I-I'm so sorry, sir! I-I-I didn't mean-" Her sobbing voice came out in shaky bursts.
"Silence!" Oliver spat. "Pathetic. You should have let them shoot you before telling them where the captives were being held. I should have you killed for this." Oliver's voice dripped with malice in those last words. The girl erupted into soft sobs and shook violently on the dirt.
Shocked and fearful gasps went through the crowd. Of course, the son of the new King would have power to make this decision. If the cowering girl was a traitor, he could do whatever he wished as commander.
"There will be no executions today, Oliver." A clear, confident voice carried over the crowd as they parted in the wake of a new arrival. Oliver's golden eyes narrowed in obvious displeasure.
"You do not have the authority to stop me, Venus." Oliver hissed with fury.
"I think I can say whether or not you shoot one of our soldiers because of your own hurt pride." Venus's pretty face flashed a haughty smile at Oliver's furious one. Many in the crowd had never seen her before, but were now silent in awe at her confident and beautiful stature. She had just dared to speak to Oliver as if he was a child throwing a tantrum. Her pale orange eyes stared into Oliver's challengingly. Her arms were hung lax at her sides.
Oliver was so furious with this insult that his lean body was now shaking. He moved a splayed tentacle out of his face and back into it's side swept position as he turned away from her to walk back into his tent. "What do I care. She's just a weak child anyway." He muttered as he disappeared.
The cowering Octoling girl looked up at Venus in shock and relief. She smiled down at the young girl and offered a hand. "Are you alright?" The girl nodded numbly and weakly stood up. Venus was wearing the typical Octoling armor, tight black shorts and a metal breastplate, but her dark red tentacles were not in the same style as most Octoling girls. Her tentacles were twisted into two large round buns atop her head, adorned with the iconic seaweed that strong warriors wore.
"Th-thank you, miss." She said shyly, hurrying to wipe her face.
Venus waved a hand dismissively. "No need for such formalities. I'm only a few years older than you, at most!" The girl's eyes widened in amazement. "Don't look so surprised!" Venus laughed.
An Octarian's voice burbled from the crowd, "Are you the elite soldier Sir Oliver was telling us about?"
Venus snickered, "'Sir Oliver?' Heh... yes, that's me. I'm here to help search for the Inklings that attacked us. We can't have them running around and ruining everything, can we?"
The crowd whispered to each other nervously. How was an elite officer so... nice? And Oliver was so... Well. The word 'murdery' comes to mind when concerned with that kid. If he wasn't so scary, many of his peers would probably admit that he was a particularly attractive Octoling. Venus definitely was.
"So," Venus huffed, her playful tone was dropped for a more serious one. "Let's get down to business. Is there an estimation on the whereabouts of this Inkling squad?"
"Um," A young Octoling boy in the back spoke up hesitantly. "Well, our scouts believe they might be hiding out in the Rocky Maw."
"That big old rock? Makes sense, it's a good place to take shelter and observe the surrounding area." Venus held a hand to her chin in thought. "It'll be hard to sneak up on them if they are there, but I enjoy a challenge. We can't let these Ink-jerks take away everything we've worked so hard for." Venus's eyes glittered with determination as she held up a fist in front of her. "Everyone, let's fight for a brighter future! I know we can claim the Great Zapfish if we work together!" She lunged her fist into the air, a passionate grin on her face.
The soldiers cheering was deafening.
Hey squiddos! Sorry this chapter is a bit late (and short). I had the majority of it written but I was fumbling to finish it :P
Well, Tada! Here's the other Octoling character! I struggled sooo much to get a fix on her personality. Aaahh, also her name hehe...
As always, leave me feedback! I will try to make the next one longer.
ALSO: this story is now available on Archive of Our Own! I'm going to start posting stuff on both websites, just cause *shrug*
Thanks for reading, everyone! Feel free to post online or draw fanart for TTA3 if you enjoy it! 3