Book One Chapter Fifty Two: Siren’s Touch.exe

Book One Chapter Fifty Two: Siren’s Touch.exe

The Chosen One pulled himself up out of the water and shook himself like a dog, causing Qube to slide off his back.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

So, whats the deal? the Chosen One asked the mermaid still sitting before him.

I tell you, our people have been taken, she sighed, her dark, seal-like eyes glistening with unshed tears. I plead with you, free us from the Deep Ones.

Yeah, okay, sure. How do I do that? the Chosen One asked, crouching down and trying to pry out one of the pearls studded into the rock.

I tell you, the tears of the Deep One will save us and restore our city. The mermaid tried to touch the Chosen Ones face. Without looking, the Chosen One grabbed Sewer Bard and shoved him in-between them. As the mermaid caressed the Bards face, his eyes nearly rolled back in his head in bliss.

Hey, wait, the Chosen One said, catching the ecstatic expression on Sewer Bards face. Gimme that. The Chosen One caught the mermaid and smacked her damp palm onto his cheek with a wet slap.

The instant she made contact, the Chosen One went slack. His Sacred Sword that hed been using to vandalise the scenery hit the ground with a clatter. The sudden, sharp sound seemed to startle the mermaid, making her shift slightly, breaking skin contact and snapping the Chosen One out of his mini trance.

The instant he was awake, the Chosen One backpedaled off the rock, nearly throwing himself into the water. He burst above the surface, doggy paddling as fast as he could to the corridor. As he hauled himself up, the mermaid called softly after him.

I beg you: free us all, she said, her voice echoing strangely as she started to sing again.

Sewer Bard, Qube said to the entranced man. Sexy Screamy Spider Lady and Definitely Bad Guy were still in the grottos water, already turning to follow the Chosen One. But the Bard remained seated, his eyes glazed as he stared adoringly at the unnamed woman. Sewer Bard! she repeated more urgently, reaching out and touching his shoulder. At her touch, he slowly blinked and looked at her.

I need you to carry me over through the water, Qube said, unsure if she should be worried or exasperated by his stupor. Surely this was taking appreciating inner beauty a little too far? Still, the song and the singer were beyond anything Qube had ever experienced before. She couldnt exactly blame Sewer Bard for being blown away.

On the other hand, she couldnt swim and he was being slow.

Forgive me, fair Healer, Sewer Bard said, still a little groggy. He shook his head and seemed to recentre himself. I-I have heard tell of the mermaids song before, but I never dreamed of what power they would hold. The green mana still floating in the area seemed to throb. Sewer Bard reached out and lightly tapped one of the half-formed notes. It popped, and the mana rushed back into his lute. He shivered.

I feel as if I have learned something, he confided to Qube.

The saga? Qube was far too polite to ask anyone, even a fellow party member, if they had acquired a new spell. But Sewer Bard, having more social graces than a certain Hero, perfectly understood her meaning.

Yes, he said quietly. I feel like I can do something I wouldnt have been able to do before.

Thats wonderful! Qube enthused, turning him to face the corridor leading out of the grotto. Fortunately, he didnt have a backpack. Now, can you please give me a lift back to the corridor? I have trouble with water.

Nothing would give me greater pleasure! Sewer Bard declared, as Qube piggybacked onto him. It was an awkward pose, mostly her just reaching over his shoulders and clasping her hands together in front of his throat, then hanging off of him like a pseudo backpack. A small part of her felt like she should wrap her legs around his hips or some such, to help distribute her weight more evenly, but it didnt seem to be necessary.

His doggy paddling was much smoother than the Chosen Ones, and they quickly caught up with the group. The Chosen One hadnt waited for them instead he had started back the direction theyd come from, before abruptly pausing and turning.

You! he said, pointing a finger at Sewer Bard. The Bard looked nervous. What was it like when the fish lady touched you?

Sewer Bard seemed to lose focus again as he contemplated how the mermaid had made him feel. He gestured, somewhat helplessly, as he failed to find the words.

Wonderful, he managed eventually. The Chosen One nodded.

Chosen One, youre so smart! she chirruped. The Chosen One rolled his eyes at her.

The fact that you genuinely seem to believe that is a very good argument against true AI, he muttered to himself.

The new corridor they were in was surprisingly dry, considering it was completely submerged under water until only a few moments ago. And, given the original room had been half-filled when theyd arrived, seemed to have been so for quite some time. Even the moss one would expect confined itself to the edges of the floor and the walls, with only a few strands of seaweed dangling from the ceiling.

So, how are we going to rescue the mermaids people? Qube asked the Chosen One as she trotted beside him, the others the standard three steps behind. The Chosen One shrugged.

Kill that Deep One. Itll drop some tears, and then well know what to do. He thought for a moment. Or well have to kill the mermaids. That seems to be how these things go. Hopefully well be able to do both.

Why would we want to kill the mermaids? Qube asked, aghast.

I, for one, would be totally and utterly against the harming of any creatures as lovely as the one we left chained back there, Sewer Bard said firmly. He paused, as the full implication of what hed said sunk in. Wait, why did we leave her chained up back there?

She touched me and it made me feel weird, the Chosen One said.

From behind them, Qube heard Sexy Screamy Spider Lady choke.

Settle, the Hero said warningly, not looking back.

Silence was his reward.

I would be greatly interested in first attempting to study these so called Deep Ones, Definitely Bad Guy rumbled. It is entirely possible that they will have unique aspects, or some knowledge that we could benefit from. I request that we communicate with them before destroying them, if possible.

Im surprised you dont want to study the mermaids, the Chosen One snorted. You [fiddling] creep.

Oh, I do, Definitely Bad Guy said, with unmistakable earnestness. I very, very much do. Once you have recovered from whatever spell the water woman placed on you, I was going to ask for your permission to try and capture one. That is less urgent, though. If we restore their city, there will be plenty of time for me to research them, at my leisure.

The Chosen One briefly closed his eyes, before looking up at the seaweed strewn ceiling.

Why are all my party members so weird? he asked the stone above him. No offense, he said to Qube.

None taken, Chosen One! Qube smiled. They say a party always reflects their leader, after all!

The Chosen One gave a bark of laughter as they came to another platform. This one stood over an empty room, with a lever in the middle. Opposite them, about half way up the wall, there was another corridor.

Right, the Chosen One said, jumping into the room and approaching the stone lever. The others dropped down behind him.

Noble Patron? Sewer Bard said, suddenly at attention. He was staring at the walls on either side of them.

What? the Chosen One asked as he tripped the switch, and six large squares opened in the walls, pouring forth both a rooms worth of water, and six very large, very angry-looking sharks.

That, Sewer Bard said meekly, and the battle began.