277 Legs?

"You were expected to arrive about a week earlier. When a delay was expected, the associate who would receive the convoy went off on a different mission." Laena explained. 

Vy thought back to her first step of the Kingdom of Papillion to embark on this convoy mission. It had been filled with endless obstacles, one after the next. They visited so many different places, met different people along the way. 

"I do regret the delay. But it had been a much more eventful trip than previously expected."

Laena nodded, "We have heard the reports. It had not been an easy mission indeed."

-Reports? They were keeping tabs on us?- Aether hissed in Vy's mind. 

-Not surprising. They seem to have eyes everywhere.- Vy replied as she looked all around them, wondering who could be watching them at that moment. 

Laena led them to a building in the middle of a bustling street. It had a huge clam shell shaped entrance, while most of the building seemed to be made out of smaller shells. It was as if the shells were painstakingly put together to form a large tessellated design. 

Vy swam up close to the wall to take a closer look. Upon closer inspection, each shell looked like an individual paper parasol umbrellas with ridges and swirls. 

"The building is made out of a combination of natural coral underneath, reinforced with a top layer of sea snail shells," Laena explained. 

"Sea snail shells? Wouldn't that make it brittle?"

"Quite the opposite," Laena corrected, "Sea snail shells are some of the strongest materials. Depending on the breed of sea snails, their shells carry different properties."

There were no guards at the entrance of the building. Laena brought her hand close to the panel on the side of the entrance. Vy watched carefully as the bracelet on Laena's wrist emitted a soft glow. The panel also produced the same glow. 

With that, the entrance to the building opened and they were able to enter. 

-Fancy.- Aether commented as they swam in. 

As soon as they were in the building, the entrance quickly closed behind them. In the entrance hall, they were in, there was barely anyone or anything, apart from a counter at the end of the room, with an entrance to a hallway on each side. 

There was no one mending the counter. But on the countertop, there was a small statue made out of marble. All of them swam up to it for a closer look, following closely behind Laena. The small marble statue was carved beautifully without a single flaw. 

"What creature is that supposed to be?" Lycster whispered to his sister. 

"It's called a Merlion. A mythical creature of water and land, with the head of a lion, and the body of a fish." Laena explained.

As soon as Laena came close enough to the statue, its eyes lit up. 

"Welcome back, Laena." a voice greeted them. It came from the statue. 

"That thing can talk?" Lycster gasped in disbelief. 

"I see you have brought out guests," the voice spoke again, "They are waiting for their arrival in the White Pearl Room."

Laena simply nodded, "Thank you Leony, please open West Wing Entrance."

The door on the left opened, corresponding with the command she had given. Following suit, they all entered through the open entrance and entered down a corridor filled with different types of doors on each side. 

According to the coral plates that hung on each door, Vy was able to do a quick glance and decipher what each room was for. But the names each room had were a little confusing. Some of them had misleading names. 

One room was just named 'Legs'. 

-Did you read that one wrong?- Lycster asked with a quizzed look after he heard what that room was called. 

-I don't think so. Aether, it said legs right?- 

Aether agreed with Vy. - It said legs.-

While the gears of their mind turned and churned with wonder and confusion, they arrived at the White Pearl Room. Laena knocked on it three times, before placing her bracelet near the doorknob. 

A small light source flickered green and a soft click was heard. She gently turned the doorknob and entered the room. Vy and Lycster followed Laena in. True to the name of this meeting room, the entire room was white. Some of the furnishings even had a pearlescent finish. 

As soon as they entered the room, Lycster could feel an oppressive presence emanating. The pressure almost made it impossible for him to breath. While Vy felt a similar feeling, she was largely unaffected by it. 

But both Aether knew where it was coming from. It was from one of the auras of the guests seated on the sofa. Laena could feel the oppressive aura as well, hence she remained by the door. Her duty was to bring the convoy here, that was it. 

"Mylo, I've brought the convoy to you," Laena announced. 

"Thank you, you may go," he replied. 

Mylo was seated on the left. He had dark wine red fin-shaped ears and scales running down the centre of his forehead. His eyes looked similar to a reptile's, with a black slit in the middle of his pupil. 

His expression was grim, posture upright and dressed in scale armour. His most defining feature was he had no legs, only a long slithering body that ended with a tail. 

Laena bowed and left the room swiftly, closing the door behind her. Vy wanted to take a seat down on the sofa, but she was held back by Lycster. She could feel his anxiety, and the oppressive aura made it difficult for him to breath. 

Vy pinpointed the aura to have come from the being that was seated next to Mylo. 

"I'm really sorry, but could you suppress your aura? My brother can't withstand it." Vy asked politely. 

Mylo's expression remained the same, as he turned over and snapped at Vy, "Do you know who you're talking to, you simpleton?"

-Watch your tongue, lizard boy.- Aether's voice rang loud and clear with intensity.