Author's Words: Hello, I am Korean. I translated Korean with a translator. Sometimes there can be errors. Please understand. Thank you.
01
The kings of the tribes gathered in the Cat's Eye Tribe's meadow. Their faces were grave as they convened in the abode of Tabby, the Cat's Eye King.
"Pener's words suggest that a war has broken out at the Purple Eye Tribe's abode," said Cheepaeji, the Monkey Eye King, lowering his voice.
"Is that true?" asked Salmon, whose pupils resembled those of a fish.
"Not only Pener but also the warriors who went with him witnessed it. We are now instructing Pener to keep his mouth shut," Cheepaeji nodded.
"What happened to them?" someone inquired.
"There was no one left," Cheepaeji sighed.
"My cousin Lummus is due to give birth soon. The Purple Eye needs to be there to help," Cheepaeji ran his hand over his face. There was no tribe without a woman nearing childbirth, and thus, the kings' expressions grew gloomier.
"Was there nothing salvageable? Like tools used for rituals? We could learn some from the Purple Eyes and manage on our own," Spaddy, the Bug Eye King, asked Cheepaeji.
"There were only traces of burning and water damage," "What in the world could have happened?" "How do we explain this to the Seena?" "Here's what we should do," said Tabby, the oldest among the kings. She had hair of mixed yellow, orange, and brown hues and yellowish-brown eyes.
"Let's gather the pregnant Seena and ask Morey to look after them," Tabby suggested. Morey was a member of the Water Eye Tribe, who lived alone at the Detran Falls, the only water source in umodo. His ancestor had saved Shari's life, and thus, the Purple Eyes had taught him a few spells. Morey suffered from a genetic disease that made his bones flexible, causing him to always coil his body like a snake. His temper was fierce, and though the Purple Eyes had taught him some spells, they avoided speaking to him, simply fetching water from Detran when he slept. He was intensely protective of the water from the falls, instantly knowing if anyone took some.
"If it's the king's order, he has to comply," Tabby said.
"I'll do my best," Salmon smiled awkwardly. The Water Eye Tribe, being a part of the Fish Eye Tribe, had to attend the tribal meetings occasionally. There had been incidents where Morey dragged attendees into the water by their thick arms, rendering them unconscious.
"No need," came a voice from outside. To everyone's surprise, Morey entered Tabby's abode, wearing a cloak made of seaweed, typically worn by the Fish Eye Tribe to cover deep wounds. Salmon approached Morey with a concerned expression.
"What happened?" Salmon asked.
"I nearly died," Morey replied, removing his hood to reveal purple spots on his face.
"There was a massacre at Yono," Morey continued, causing the kings to gasp.
"I pulled someone into my cave out of annoyance, only to find they were gravely injured. I failed to save them, and when I went outside, the place was on fire," Morey shivered.
"They're insane. I'm a tough one, but…" he scratched the spots on his face.
"They dried pufferfish poison and used it to make bombs. That's why the Purple Eye Tribe couldn't extinguish the fire. I'm partially immune to pufferfish poison, which is why I only have spots on my face. They bit and threw me when they realized," Morey explained.
"Who did this heinous act?" demanded Salmon.
"We must know, king salmon." Morey sighed.
"Remember the Shark Tribe?" Morey asked, and Salmon's eyes widened. Known for his bravery, Salmon looked deeply disturbed.
"What is the Shark Tribe?" Tabby inquired.
"Oh...Tabby...When I ascended to the throne, there was strong opposition from those who called themselves the Shark Tribe. They had unusually sharp teeth and rebelled. My close ally Kirawai lured them into a trap and crushed them with her tremendous jaw strength, drowning them. We deemed it a great disgrace and kept it secret," Salmon explained.
The other kings nodded, understanding that fighting within the same tribe was considered shameful.
"They claimed they were the original inhabitants of Seena and shouted to find the Diamond Eye," Morey said, as Salmon bit his lip.
"The reason we drowned the Shark Tribe was due to their constant claim over all water in Seena. They wanted to charge those who took water or sailed without Fish Eye's permission. I was always against it. We never owned the water. it was merely lent to us by Nuru," Salmon explained.
The kings nodded in agreement, believing that all nature in their land was a gift from Nuru.
"So, we asked the Purple Eyes to imprison them in the Deep Sea Prison, designed to be nearly impossible to escape. Only the Purple Eyes knew the way out, so we were at ease," Salmon said.
"Have they escaped?" Tabby asked.
"They proposed cooperation to me in the past, but I preferred solitude and refused," Morey explained.
"They attacked me because of that," Morey revealed, showing his wounds.
"When the Monkey Eye Tribe came close, I escaped to Hebisha, where my only friend lives," he added. Hebisha was an underwater canyon, and Morey's only friend, Madtisse, lived there. Known for her fierce temper, she communicated in a unique language only Morey understood. Rumors had it that they were married.
"What is the Diamond Eye?" Spaddy asked.
"A legend speaks of someone born with a powerful spell stronger than the Purple Eyes, with silver-white eyes, white skin, white eyebrows, and red lips. He is said to be the only sibling of Nuru and the father of Shari, born once every millennium with the Purple Eye," Morey explained.
"How did they know he might be in the Purple Eye Tribe and cause such destruction?" Spaddy questioned.
"The Shark Tribe can distinguish our heartbeats. The Diamond Eye's heartbeat is different from the Purple Eye's," Morey replied, scratching his face.
"They said someone with a different heartbeat was in the Purple Eye's temple, and I fled after hearing that," Morey concluded.
"Then they might not have found him yet," Spaddy suggested.
"Perhaps. If they had, something significant would have happened by now," Tabby agreed.
"All kings, listen. Gather your vice-kings at the entrance of Oomdo. I will guide you to the temple," Morey announced.
"You?" Salmon asked in surprise.
"You need the Purple Eye, and I want peace in my home. We have the same goal, don't we?" Morey responded, donning his cloak.
A clicking sound echoed from outside.
"Let's meet again when Titaak's Auror cries once more," Cheepaeji said, and Morey nodded before leaving. Titaak, a bird that constantly flew in sync with the sun, cried once per position change. Accompanied by its three chicks, the smallest, Seconda, cried every 60 ignitions, the medium-sized Minita cried later, and the largest chick, Auror, cried 24 times, while Titaak circled to protect them.
After all the kings left, Abyssi, the vice-king of the Cat's Eye Tribe, approached Tabby.
"My king," Abyssi said.
"Abyssi. The Purple Eye Tribe has vanished. We are to meet at the entrance of umodo with all vice-kings. Prepare to leave immediately," Tabby ordered.
"The Purple Eye Tribe?" Abyssi was startled.
"This is an emergency. Your wife, Lagdo, is pregnant. Find at least one," Tabby urged.
Abyssi felt a mix of emotions but was determined as a soon-to-be father. Lagdo had experienced several miscarriages, and this new life had to be protected. Abyssi bit into a sharp tooth-shaped ornament from his pouch, pressing it into his gums. His teeth gleamed sharply, resembling a cat's fangs.
Abyssi stepped out, looking up at the sky. Judging by Minita's position, Auror's cry would be heard soon. He sprinted towards Oomdo's entrance, marked by a red M-shaped pattern on his forehead, signifying his role as the fastest in the Cat's Eye Tribe.
'Lagdo, wait for me. I will find the Purple Eye Tribe,' Abyssi thought, smiling briefly at the thought of Lagdo.