Chapter 807 The Next Juri Head

"The Crest of Juri… You are familiar with this crest since you were but a little guppy." Father Juri said. He lifted his hand and a crest of a trident with each bladed tip, a different weapon. A spear, a trident, and a glaive. "You were my only child, so you will bear the mark of our family and take on the responsibility of the Juri Head…"

Calis watched as the mark shimmered. It spun around in Father's hands. He watched as Father lifted his gaze to Calis.

"Are you ready, Calis?" Father Juri asked. Calis hesitated. It was something he rarely did.  Calis's whole life was about making decisions. It was about becoming a leader worth the people who was under him and a leader for the village. Every moment was precise and curated for this very moment.

There was a growing hesitation in Calis and Father Juri noticed this. Calis knew the crest would somewhat change him. He would be given all the knowledge and abilities of Clan Juri but a part of him wouldn't be the same.

"What is wrong, Calis?" Father asked. Calis snapped out of it and shook his head.

"N-nothing, it's just…" Calis's voice trailed away. There was something within him that didn't want to be changed. Father knew exactly what it was and patted his son. "I just…" Calis sighed and looked down. He stared at his feet like he was going to tell Father something so shameful, so—

"Calis…" Father sighed. He pulled his son in and hugged him. Calis's eyes widened. Father never did anything like this. He was a good father, but… something like this? "It is okay to waver… with your heart."

"F-father, I—" Calis stuttered. Father Juri patted his son's back.

"You have someone in your heart whom you don't want to forget, hm?" Father asked. Calis froze. He pulled away and looked into his Father's eyes. The old man had read him like a book and now Calis didn't know what to say. Father patted Calis's cheek and smiled. He poked at Calis's heart, drawing his eyes to it. "The heart will never lie on how you truly feel… Taking on as Clan Head won't take away what your heart truly wants. Yes, it may take away a part of you, but your heart? No, your mother stayed in my heart. I eventually found her again.

"The clan symbol will take away the part of you, you want to keep the most, but it doesn't mean you won't forget it…" Father patted his son and pulled away. He pulled the clan symbol up and looked at it. "It is okay to be scared, but a fate such as this must come to fruition just like those Fox Spirits…" Calis's eyes widened for a split second before shielding himself.

"Y-you knew?" Calis asked. "Father I—"

"It's alright, son." Father smiled. The Edge shimmered, drawing Father and Calis's attention. Father sighed and looked at his son. "We must return to where we belong soon. It's time. Steel yourself!" Calis took a breath and nodded. He straightened himself out and Father lifted the Juri symbol. "Your time has come, son. Take upon the symbol of the Juri and lead us to the next generation… May you guard what is right and pave the way for what is to come…"

The crest shimmered as energy rippled from it. Father Juri pushed it into Calis. The crest burned and Calis's form flickered. Human legs and feet to Merfolk tail. It flickered back and forth. The world grew bright white and Father's quiet voice spoke one last message to his son.

"You will always be my son, Calis… No matter where your heart leads you, I will always follow you… Goodbye, my son… Come pay offerings to your mother and I when you bring the one home… I love you."

Tears streamed down Calis's face as he woke. Manny and Evan hovered over him, checking to see if he was fine. The burns had almost disappeared. Manny's healing energy wrapped around Calis as he noticed the waking Merman.

"H-hey, take it slow, Cal." Manny spoke. "You aren't fully healed yet."

"Y-you're awake!" Evan stammered. The Cup and sheath peeked into view. Calis's eyes went to it and in a strange blur, he immediately grabbed it and tried to push Manny and Evan away from him. "H-hey, it's fine. It's ours."

Calis shielded the Cup away from Manny and Evan. His head was foggy.

"Calis," Manny called out to him. "Are you okay? Do you remember anything?"

"Who are you people?" Calis asked.

"Amnesia?" Evan looked at Manny.

"Why do you have the Cup!" A wave of water shot out at Evan and Manny, pushing them backwards. The Merman lifted himself up. He floated in the air as water moved around him. The Merman looked at the two humans like they were enemies.

"H-hey! We're allies! Friends!" Evan stammered. Manny and Evan threw their arms up and Calis looked at the both of them. "Y-you came with us to find the Cup! W-we helped you find it! Don't you remember?"

"I would ask humans for help? Am I on Earth?" Calis whispered.

"Calis, we're not going to hurt you. W-we just need you to —" Manny started to move when Calis turned and fled.

"Calis!" Manny and Evan shouted. They rushed after the Merman, who quickly made his way towards the others.

Calis flew out of the tunnel, noticing a large body of water below him. Olivia, who sat between two cocoons of energy, looked up and noticed Calis.

"Calis?" Olivia called out. Calis turned to look and noticed the human sitting next to two strong energy sources.

'What's happenin— Ahh!' Calis clutched his head. The stream of water ended and Calis quickly plunged into the water.

"Calis?!?" Olivia stood up. She rushed over to the water and watched. The waters grew quiet and there was no sign of Manny nor Evan. She looked down at her bracelet and touched it.

'Guys?!? What's wrong with Calis?!?' Olivia asked.

'Amnesia!' Manny shouted. 'He has amnesia!' The waters exploded as Calis conjured the trident. He flew straight for the large bodies of energy. Olivia watched as Calis flew over her, descending straight for Keng's cocoon.

"No!" Olivia shouted. She threw her hands up, freezing Calis. Calis's body seized up and slammed against the ground, missing Keng's cocoon. Olivia ran over, protecting Keng and Lee Seng's cocoons. "What're you doing?!? They're our friends!"

Calis growled as darkness grew around him. He broke out of Olivia's hold and grabbed the trident and rushed at Olivia. Olivia gasped as she started to pull the dagger out.

"CALIS DON'T!" Manny shouted.

"Shadow Burst!" Calis growled. "Die!" The trident flew straight for Olivia's head. He moved faster than Olivia could react. Screams grew as Evan and Manny rushed for Olivia.

[Evolution complete.]

pαпdα-ňᴏνê|·сóМ [Choose 8th Tail Ability…]

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[8th Tail Ability has been chosen… 'Protector' has been chosen.]

[#$%! ]

[Mutation… Has ERROR occurred!]

[8th Tail Ability 'Protector' has evolved into 'Shield and Sword'! All Offensive and Defensive abilities has been boosted to match the User's highest stat: Offense - B+]

The cocoon's cracked and Lee Seng was in front of Olivia, allowing the trident to pierce him. Keng grabbed Calis as blood spilled from Lee Seng. Olivia's eyes squeezed shut, not noticing Lee Seng was in front of her. Keng grunted as he threw Calis the other way. Calis soared through the air, shooting a beam of water at Lee Seng.

A gold transparent barrier appeared in front of Keng, blocking the attack. The shield shimmered and shot straight for Calis. It wrapped itself around Calis, squeezing him in place. Calis grunted and poofed into smoke.

"Where is he?!?" Keng asked, looking around. "The Cup! He took the Cup with him!" The trident disappeared from Lee Seng's chest. He winced as his injuries instantly healed. He turned and grabbed Olivia, spooking her.

"It's me. It's okay!" Lee Seng hastily told her. "It's fine! You're fine! You aren't hurt, right?" He peeked down at Olivia's eyes as she peeked. Olivia let out a sigh of relief. She had barely managed to react. Her eyes filled up with tears and she shook. "You're okay now." Lee Seng pulled her in for a hug as Manny and Evan rushed over.

"Where did he go?" Evan asked.

"I can't feel his energy anymore." Keng told them. He whipped around, eight tails moving out of his way as he looked at the group. "What happened?"

"W-we went to heal him and he woke up and started to attack us." Evan answered.

"Seems like he has some sort of amnesia. He doesn't remember us at all." Manny added. Keng sighed.

"What about the others?" Olivia asked, pushing Lee Seng away. She wiped her eyes and looked at Manny. "Where's Liz a-and Ritsuka?" Lee Seng looked up. His eyes tracing something out of sight. He eventually turned to Keng and was looking up at the wall.

"Found them?" Keng asked.

"Yeah." Lee Seng nodded. "Let's go."