A creature sat in his prison as he watched bars that separated him from freedom. He didn't mind to be in there. He was paying the price for his crimes he committed against the Overworlders. He closed his eyes for a few seconds. He thought back on his tribe. He left them behind. He did learn how much Gal'drad was changing his tribe. They weren't the same as before. Milla'iin surrendered and lost the war. Something he never expected, knowing Milla'iin. Still, if a human from the Cothica could pull something like that, he wouldn't doubt it. He was impressed Tom managed to do that.
For now, it was silence in his jail. It wasn't peace, but he didn't feel the weight of evil on his shoulders for a long time.
The moments he enjoyed where when Tom Major came to visit him. The boy would talk about his adventures, a bit of his embarrassment from his mother, who actually came with him once. He could see a bit where the boy's attitude came from.
Phelphor wouldn't be surprise if the boy would become a fine man in the future. He had no idea what he would become, but he was curious. Still, he knew that this prison would be his grave.
Chapter 39: The Exchange Part 1
Tom was in Kiru city and searched for Maxxor. Today was the day that Phelphor would return to the Deep Ocean. He had no idea if his friend knew that news or not. Remi was elsewhere with Gal'drad and a few other M'arrillians who went to bring the Fluidmorpher back home.
The teenager reached the castle and walked inside after saluting the guards. He quickly found Maxxor near the entrance. He noticed the boy coming and nodded with a smile, "Hello Tom. I expected to see you and maybe your friends," he wondered why he was on his own.
"Good day to you too Maxxor. Kaz is currently talking with Chaor about something. Pretty much distracting him with something. Kaz also told me that Chaor wanted to talk about something that he delayed for too long already."
"About Lord Van Bloot kidnapping him?" his hero asked.
Tom nodded, "I can only think of that. Sarah has an important match and is busy for now. After this, she had to see the Danians and might meet with the Danian queen. She will have some protection since the Metalist know where she lives."
"In other word, you are on you own," Maxxor didn't want to bring up the disappearance of Peyton on such a day, "You know what is going on today?"
"Yes. Remi told me that you will release Phelphor in exchange for information to save Peyton.," he answered.
"Yes. We will also form an alliance with the M'arrillians. Theb-Saar is going to be here soon enough to greet Gal'drad."
"That's good. Remi is with them," the human told him.
The king of the Overworld nodded. He glanced at his friend, a bit worried, "Are you okay? I know you plan to leave and be a prisoner of the Elementalist soon. It's coming a bit too quickly."
"Yes. I train to control my power and it's progressing well. I can use my power without forcing myself," he walked by the side of Maxxor, who began to walk towards the prison.
"That's good, but I wished that this plan of them wouldn't involve you. I talked with Tera Motus and do not agree with those Guardians of the Cothica. This plan is risky and he knows you have the strength to prevent the Elementalist from pulling this off. Not only that, but he said that there is little chance the four members of the council would agree to this."
Tom glanced down. He didn't want to hide something to his best friend, but he could say a bit, "I can't explain it Maxxor, but there is another reason. It's important that I go there with Milla'iin," he raised his gaze, "I can't tell you why, but it's important and I accepted. Even in a weird dream I had agreed with this. Don't ask," he nervously chuckled, "I'm… I'm not sure how much of that was a dream honestly."
"Don't worry. As I said, we will save you as quickly as possible. You are my friend Tom and I won't leave you behind," he declared. He did wonder what that dream was about. It was obvious that no answer would come today.
They reached the prison and continued, "Thanks. Should I be the one to tell him the news or you?"
"You do it Tom. You are also his friend," Maxxor replied. He added, "And I am still grateful that he put his life at risk to save you. If it wasn't from that, I wouldn't accept the offer from the M'arrillians."
"I know. Phelphor changed for the better and I know it. Weird that he is much older than many of us," he nervously laughed.
"Agreed Tom."
They reached the jail where the M'arrillian was. Phelphor noticed them and quickly stood up. He was a pink creature with a lighter shade of pink for his underbelly and chest, green eyes, long pointy dark pink ears, horn on his forehead and spikes on his back. He wore a dark green loincloth and bronze shoulder plates.
The M'arrillian smiled lightly, "It's honor to have you visit me again Tom," he glanced at Maxxor. A thought came in his mind and was a bit confused, "And Maxxor. What do I owe you the honor of your presence? I have nothing else to share with you and I have no intention of hurting Tom. If you are worried about it," he put his hand on his chest and bowed to the ruler.
"I know you have no intention of attacking Tom or hurting him. We have a few things to share with you," the Overworlder replied.
"Things to share with me? Is it about the misadventure of Tom? I heard about those Metalist who got your friend Peyton," Phelphor admitted. He glanced at them and didn't notice any change in their expression. That meant that what they wanted to share had nothing to do with that, "Please. Tell me what's going on?" he knew it wouldn't be an execution. It wouldn't make sense anymore and Maxxor wasn't the type to do that. He expected that kind of thing from Chaor, maybe the Danians too.
"You are not in trouble at all," Tom quickly said with a small amusing smile on his face.
That reassured the prisoner, "Good. I was afraid I was in great trouble for something I haven't done," he sighed a bit in relief. He glanced at them, "Then what is going on? I'm not in a situation where I can tolerate the suspense," he stood up and approached the bars.
"Yes. It's good news for you," Tom said with a smile.
"Gal'drad and other M'arrillians are coming to Kiru city. They will bring some documents to help us save Peyton from the Metalist. With their help, you will be released and allowed to return to the Deep Ocean," Maxxor announced.
Phelphor was flabbergasted by that announcement. This was the last thing he expected from Maxxor. He never saw himself being released until he died, knowing he did something good in his life at least. The creature gazed at both of them, "You are serious?" he asked in disbelief.
"I am. The Underworlders doesn't know about it and we will make sure that everything will be safe and sound for your release," Maxxor added.
"I'm glad for you Phelphor."
"But my tribe… I left them behind. Why would they want me back?"
"Gal'drad is changing a lot of things in the Deep Ocean. Remi told me that they are trying to get better. With Milla'iin surrendering last year, it really helps him," the teenager smiled. He added, "Remember that he fought against Milla'iin. He is the ruler of his tribe now. You also turned against Milla'iin when you saved me."
"I left my tribe and I decided to never come back. We have done so many horrible things, I have done many horrible things. I thought they would never change and it would be the same as under Aa'une. Then Tom, you told me that Milla'iin surrendered and some of the M'arrillians fought against them," the creature replied as he glanced at the wall behind the human and the Overworlder. His vision was a bit unfocused as he thought about the decision of the new ruler of the M'arrillians, "I can't believe this is even happening. I still can't believe Gal'drad is turning things around. I… Why do they want me to return to them? If I abandoned them once, I could do it again."
Maxxor decided to help him as he replied, "You didn't abandon them. They used you and you decided to leave them behind, making a stand against them. You saved Tom and Gal'drad helped us save the Cothica. They want to bring you home," he let out a small smile, "Because you are a M'arrillian. Once who changed for the better of your tribe and the Cothica," he added a few things when the creature gave him his attention, "Things will be different now. We will also form an alliance with them to save Peyton from the Metalists hand."
Phelphor sighed as he let out a small smile, "If they changed as you said, I should give my tribe another chance," he looked at them, "When do they arrive?"
"Very soon. The M'arrillian guide to the Cothica is also with them," the ruler of the Overworld replied.
The mind of the prisoner seemed to blow up when he learned about the existence of their guide. He couldn't believe what he heard.
Tom chuckled as he had many things to tell him while they waited for the M'arrillians to arrive.
Gal'drad and a few M'arrillians followed him as they approached Kiru City.
Aval'par watched the large city. The large eye of the purple creature observed the large wall that surrounded it, "I still remember the last time I came in this city. It was under very different circumstance," the thing he was proud before was so bitter now. The lies they believed from Aa'une.
"Yes. Everything is different now. We are coming in the city as allies and not invaders," the new ruler of the Deep Ocean replied. He glanced at the few guards who came with them. He glanced at Remi, "I'm sorry if Bahrakatan couldn't come with us. He is pretty busy right now."
"He said that he was on a small project. He is often busier on the planning phase," the teenager scratched his chin. He wondered what the idea of his friend was. Without any idea, he just moved on from it, "And are you nervous? This is a big deal."
"I would lie if I said I am calm. I am nervous that something might go wrong. We are M'arrillians and the sins of the past won't go away that easily," Gal'drad replied.
The purple M'arrillian nodded, "This is another step. We've done our first steps in many different ways," he thought back of Tom. He was in the city and would be glad to see his friend again. The teenager who convinced him to become a better creature of Perim. Realising his mistake in the invasion of the Cothica, "That's all."
The green M'arrillian nodded. He took a deep breath before he joked, "Right. I shouldn't tense so much or my tendril might break in pieces."
"I thought it was actually happening," another M'arrillian commented.
The group snickered a bit. The creatures felt the tension. They were in the Overworld and there could be trouble. They avoided any contact with the Underworld, despite being noticed. They knew the hard part was to bring Phelphor back to the Deep Ocean by foot.
The M'arrillians came prepared. They had a get around solution.
Remi watched them and slowed down when they reached Kiru City. He went in the city many times before, but the feeling was a bit different, now that he was with the M'arrillians. There was a bit of dread and nervousness. Also, there was excitement coming from them. He felt the same way, "I'll see you soon Tom."
AC: This is the end of the first part. Next part is the exchange.
