Chosen Chapter 13: From the Deep
Part 4
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On the rocky beaches of Northern Ireland, Bryant and Harper appeared in the pouring rain through blue spirals. After receiving the locations of the merfolk from the sea hag, the two had teleported all over the world to capture them. However, the creatures proved to be slippery and difficult to catch. They were still empty-handed and starting to get very frustrated.
"I'm getting tired of this." Harper remarked as she rubbed her arms against the cold. "My clothes are wet and smell like fish."
"Your complaining isn't helping." Bryant replied as they started walking. "Try to remember why we're doing this. Immortality."
"I only care about the here and now." Harper said. "And all I want now is a hot bath."
"If you don't care, then why are you here?" Bryant asked.
"I could ask you the same thing." Harper replied. "But I guess I know the answer. You're so desperate to get daddy's approval. Must suck to know you're not the favorite son."
"Shut up." Bryant said. "You don't know anything about me."
"We're family, whatever that means." Harper replied.
"That doesn't mean we have to like each other." Bryant said. "We share the same blood. Other than that, we have nothing in common."
"Suit yourself." Harper said. "But what do you think is going to happen once we capture the merfolk?"
"We claim our immortality and help father reclaim this world for the Wizards." Bryant replied.
"And then what?" Harper asked. "Think we'll live happily ever after?"
"We can do whatever we want." Bryant said impatiently.
"Sounds pretty boring to me." Harper noted. "The entire world at our feet, no fun or excitement. Nobody to play with."
"You mean nobody to torture with your sadistic electro-games?" Bryant replied.
"Well, I'll always have you, big brother." Harper said smirking as electricity sparked between her fingers.
"You're insane." Bryant replied as he rolled his eyes. "Father should have kept you locked up."
"And he should have left you in that dump you called a home." Harper snapped at him. "I'm never going back to that place."
"Neither am I." Bryant said determined. "I'd rather die."
"Then I guess we have more in common than we thought." Harper replied.
"Quiet. We're getting close." Bryant said as he saw a large rock formation in front of them. It was the entrance to some underwater caverns where a mermaid was hiding. The two wizards circled the rock formation and discovered a cavern on land.
"I don't get why you would chose this place over some tropical paradise." Harper remarked.
"Well, the hag said mermaids love exploring." Bryant replied. "Either way, these caverns are the perfect place to catch her. I can use my power to seal any escape routes."
Bryant placed his hand on the rocks. He could feel how the formation was constructed. There was a large chamber with several tunnels leading to the sea. He quickly used his power to collapse them all. Harper smiled and stepped inside, using lightning in her hand as a torch. The two descended into the cavern and reached the chamber. A beautiful mermaid with black hair was desperately trying to find a way out.
"Who are you? What did you do?" The mermaid asked when she saw them. "Let me out."
"Sorry, Ariel, but your exploring days are over." Harper said as she fired a bolt of lightning at the mermaid. She screamed as she was electrocuted until she passed out. "Well, that's two down. Do we really need more?"
"Unfortunately, we do." Bryant said annoyed.
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As the others were still downstairs, Billie headed to her room for a quick change of clothes, since her current outfit was not exactly suited for kicking ass. Now that they knew who had kidnapped Nadia and why, their goal was clear. However, they had no idea how to fight someone as powerful as this Ambrose figure. He seemed to be in an entirely different league, far more powerful than any member of the Brotherhood.
After changing into some combat gear, Billie wanted to head back, though before she could, Violet entered her bedroom. She knew this was coming, as Violet had noticed her doubts about Arthur.
"Violet, hi." Billie said. "Something wrong?"
"Billie, we both know why I'm here." Violet said. "Can we please just get it out?"
"Alright." Billie replied. "Honestly, I'm not sure we can trust Arthur with all of this."
"How can you say that?" Violet asked. "You know I love him."
"I know you do." Billie said. "And I'm sorry."
"How can you not trust him after everything we've been through?" Violet asked. "How can you not trust me? I know him better than anymore."
"I do trust you, Violet." Billie admitted. "But can you honestly say you still know him? Even now that we know the truth about his father?"
"Arthur didn't know about Ambrose." Violet said. "He is a good person. He would never side with someone as evil as that."
"I know that, Vi." Billie replied. "I know Arthur is a good person, but Ambrose isn't. We don't know what he has done to him."
"What do you mean?" Violet asked confused.
"Look, Ambrose manipulated Arthur's memories." Billie said. "But how can we be sure that's all he did? What if Ambrose messed with his mind as well? He could be controlling him as we speak."
"You think Ambrose is using Arthur against us?" Violet asked.
"Arthur might not even realize it." Billie said. "I want to believe he is on our side, but we have to be careful. We've never faced anything like Ambrose."
"I don't know." Violet said hesitantly.
"I'm not saying this to hurt you." Billie replied. "I'm trying to protect you."
"I get it." Violet admitted. "I just don't want to believe it."
"Of course not, you love him." Billie said as she hugged her. "We'll figure this out, but first we have an innocent to save, so let's keep this between us for now, okay?"
"Okay." Violet replied as she wiped away some tears.
Billie wondered if Violet believed her, as she obviously loved Arthur and didn't want to doubt him. Billie hoped she was wrong, but she couldn't take that risk. There was a knock on the door. Billie turned around and saw Duncan was standing there.
"Hey, what's going on?" Billie asked.
"We have a plan, sort of." Duncan replied.
"What is it?" Violet asked.
"Well, we started wondering how the Wizards are tracking the merfolk." Duncan explained. "They are nearly impossible to find underwater, so we figured they must have had help. According to Ridley, only one being is capable of tracking them across the seas. A hag."
"A hag?" Billie asked with a frown. "Like a creepy old lady?"
"More like a powerful witch that controls the seas." Duncan replied. "Nadia stole the coral bracelets from one of them."
"And now you think the wizards are working with one?" Violet asked.
"It's our best bet." Duncan replied. "We have already tried locating Nadia and failed. The hag might be able to lead us to her."
"Sounds like a plan." Billie said. "But how do we find the sea hag?"
"Ridley can lead us to her lair." Duncan said. "Apparently, hags have a very distinct underwater stench. Merfolk can sense them from miles away."
"What about Arthur?" Violet asked.
"We should leave him here." Billie replied quickly. "We can have him and the twins prepare some potions and stuff. Just in case."
"Am I missing something?" Duncan asked with a suspicious frown.
"Oh, just that Billie thinks my boyfriend is being controlled by his evil father." Violet said frustrated. "She thinks Arthur is working for Ambrose."
"I didn't mean it like that." Billie argued. "I'm just saying that we need to consider the possibility."
"I hate to say it, Vi, but maybe Billie is right." Duncan said after a moment of consideration. "We don't know what happened between them."
"So you both think he is evil?" Violet asked angrily.
"No, that's not what we're saying." Duncan replied.
"Forget it. I get where you're coming from, but I don't believe it." Violet said. "I think you and the twins should go after the hag and I'll stay here to get some answers."
"How?" Billie asked.
"If Arthur is being controlled with magic, I'm sure magic can reveal the truth." Violet replied determined.
"Alright." Billie said hesitantly. "Just be careful."
"I will." Violet said. "I promise."
Billie and Duncan exchanged looks and nodded. They both realized that this was something Violet needed to figure out on her own. It was her relationship and her choice to make. Meanwhile, there was another couple of lovers that needed their help.
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Through the smoke of a teleportation potion, Billie, Duncan, Ridley and the twins appeared on a deserted beach outside of the city. Billie still wasn't sure about leaving Violet behind, but she knew she had to trust her friend. She was no longer the shy and awkward girl from a year ago, she was more confident and stronger now. She could handle herself.
"So now what?" Nick asked impatiently as he looked around.
"As soon as I get into the water, I should be able to track the hag and find her lair." Ridley said.
"And how are we going to track him once he's underwater?" Nathan asked.
"Time to test your telepathic range." Duncan replied. "We need the two of you to maintain a link to Ridley. Once he reaches the lair, we'll use a teleportation potion to get there."
"Are you sure?" Nathan asked. "We've never done anything like this."
"Of course I am." Duncan replied. "You were able to send me a telepathic message from over four hundred miles away. You can do this."
"Alright. We'll try." Nathan said.
Ridley nodded and headed to the sea. When he was waist-high in the water, he removed his clothes and the coral bracelet, returning him to his merman self. He tossed the bracelet and clothes to Billie and dove underwater. He resurfaced a moment later.
"I'm picked up her scent." Ridley said. "Are you ready?"
"We need this work." Billie said determined as she turned to the twins. "We can't lose him."
"You know, you're really hot when you're being bossy." Nick remarked with a smile.
"Just focus." Billie replied annoyed.
"Relax, we got this." Nick said as he placed a hand on his brother's shoulder. They closed their eyes and focused. "We got a strong signal."
"Alright, go." Duncan said. "We'll be right behind you."
Ridley nodded and disappeared underwater. Billie impatiently paced around in the sand as she waited. "Can you still sense him?" She asked after what seemed like forever.
"Do you have so little faith in me? That hurts." Nick remarked without opening his eyes.
"Ignore him, we're still tracking him." Nathan added. "Hold on, he is slowing down. Quick, a potion."
Duncan reached into his pocket and handed Nathan a potion. When he shattered it in the sand, they all disappeared in a cloud of smoke. When they rematerialized, they were standing in a dark underwater cavern. Glowing mushrooms illuminated the cavern in a creepy pale light.
"It worked." Nathan said surprised.
"You should be more confident in your abilities." Duncan replied. "Just because you lost your strength and speed, doesn't mean that you're powerless."
"Where is Ridley?" Billie asked.
"I'm here." Ridley said as he surfaced in the water. "The hag is close, so I hid until you got here."
Billie placed the bracelet and the clothes on the ground. Ridley climbed out of the water and put the bracelet on, giving him human legs. Billie quickly turned around to give him some privacy as he got dressed again.
"Alright, let's go see what this hag has to say." Duncan said.
The group went deeper into the cavern and reached an open space. There were fungi growing on the walls and a large round pool in the center. A large black cauldron stood next to it.
"I don't think she's home." Nick remarked.
"No, she is here." Ridley said with a disgusted face. "Her stench is overwhelming."
"Who dares intrude my home?" A creepy voice echoed through the cavern.
Water rose from the floor and it gathered into the shape of a dark-skinned woman with ragged hair and clothes. She held out her hands and seaweed appeared around all five of them. Billie struggled against the weed, but it was too strong to break.
"Stop, we're not here to fight." Duncan said. "We just want to talk."
"You wish to talk?" the hag asked. "Then why do you invade my home and insult me? Why do you carry artifacts that were stolen from me?"
"We know you're working with the wizards." Billie said.
"I'm not working with them." The hag replied. "We bartered. I gave them what they wanted and in return, they will get me what I want."
"You showed them where they could find the merfolk." Duncan said. "But how are they going to steal their immortality?"
"For that, they need a rare magical artifact." The hag replied. "The last of which are stored in a place long forgotten."
"Auger Shells." Ridley concluded. "But then their plan will surely fail. Immortality must be given up willingly. Nadia would never give hers to them."
"Are you sure, boy?" The hag asked. "After all, wizards are skilled at casting illusions."
"Wait." Duncan said. "That means Ambrose can easily trick them into giving up their immortality."
"But they still need the Auger Shells." Billie replied. "Which means we can still stop them."
"Except we're a little tied up at the moment." Nick noted.
"Where are the shells?" Billie asked.
"I know where." Ridley said. "But that is place is cursed and dangerous. The wizards could never reach it."
"We can't take that chance." Billie said. "Time to get out of here."
"Foolish witch." The hag snapped at her as she clenched her fist, causing the seaweed to tighten. "You're mine now. I think I'll turn you into sea snails."
"I wouldn't count on it." Billie said. "Duncan?"
"Got it." Duncan replied.
Duncan closed his eyes and slummed over. An astral copy of him appeared behind the hag. He conjured a metallic sphere and threw it at the hag, though she sensed the attack and turned into water. She reformed and held out her hand, trapping Duncan in a column of water. Billie squinted her eyes and telekinetically threw the hag across the cavern. Duncan was freed and threw another metallic sphere, which vanquished her in a fiery explosion upon impact. The seaweed then rotted away, freeing Billie and the others.
"No!" Ridley called out. "She could have led us to Nadia."
"Don't worry." Billie said. "They still need her, as long as they don't have the Auger Shells, they won't be able to steal her immortality."
"You said you knew where to find them." Duncan said. "We need to obtain them before they do."
"So where are the shells?" Nick asked.
"Like I said, they are in a cursed and dangerous place." Ridley said. "A place that the wizards could never reach. The sunken city of Atlantis."
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