Chapter 67: Homecoming
Arnaav quivers as he holds onto the Capricorn, on his own. His little heart is going insane in his chest, beating a mile a minute as they move through the ocean.
He shouldn't be doing this. The mark on his left chest symbolizes his betrayal, why would they insist that he leaves? What if something happens? What are they going to do once they see him?
He eeps as he signals ahead, hearing a collection of voices from the distance. His body is heavy with fear and suspense. He wishes that he can just turn back, he shouldn't have to endure the ranting he is about to receive.
Moments later, Arnaav can hear the school of otter merfolk before him. He huffs and whimpers as the Capricorn slows down, still shaking to the point of vibration as he rises up. He huffs and whimpers as he sees a large white, furry mass at the front of the pod, along with a female otter mermaid by his side.
His throat clenches as he rises up, and gives a very timid call. He gasps a little as he sees the pod slow down, if only slightly. He gives another faltering call out to them, and turns the head of the large Triton at the front.
Triton Bertone gaps as he sees the tiny boy floating there, alone, looking very terrified just to be there. "My boy..." He mutters. Bertone immediately pushes his mighty arms to launch forth towards Arnaav.
Arnaav squeaks in fear as Bertone paddles swiftly to him, shaking with terror before those huge arms grab him tightly. He grunts as he is forced into the polar bear merman's big, fluffy body. Arnaav wriggles against him, and moves into a more suitable position as he feels his father hold him tightly.
"F-Father," He grunts as he tries to talk, "I-I-"
"I am so happy you are back..." Bertone whimpers. Arnaav's trembling starts to ease as puts his small paws onto the bear's chest, "I have missed you so much..."
"Y-You mean..." Arnaav looks up with emotional eyes, "You do not hate me?"
"Mnnhh!" Bertone hugs tighter as he shook his head.
"We were never angry, Arnaav," Noita Rayette says she comes around, and gently caresses the boy, "You are back, if only for a little while... We have always loved you..."
Arnaav sniffles as he reaches an arm out, and feels his mother's touch. Bertone huffs with emotion as he opens one arm up, and allow the Noita to come in closer. Adra Aricio swims around, and puts her arms in as well.
Arnaav purrs lowly as he snuggles in the crowded embrace, moaning in contentment as the fear melts away inside him.
-Almost 2 Years Later-
A large, unsuspecting flounder hovers by along the reef. Its body casually hovers along the sand as it moves peacefully, minding its own business.
Its body halts as its wavering fins slow for a moment, sensing a slight disturbance in its vicinity, like a wave of invisible prickling from all around.
In a flash of a moment, a brown and cream blur hurls forth in a rapid wheel of motion! The flounder opens its small fins JUST before a pair of blades sink into it! At the hands of an otter merman as he grinned deviously at the kill, his tail moving to and fro with suppressed excitement.
Arnaav removes the ornate dagger from the flounder's carcass, while keeping the survival knife impaled into it. He swims back to the ascending Piscien hiding under a large stone.
"That was a good kill," Merrick commented as his protégé presents his prey to him, "One-hit strike, very decisive and precise." He observed that the flounder has not moved at all since Arnaav killed it, "You are still sending one too many signals than you need. At the last moment, it sensed that you were near."
"I am beginning to understand what you say about knowing the prey's next movement," Arnaav told him, "The way it was moving its fins and tentacles, I was almost sure of where it was going to go, as if I can see into the future!"
Merrick chuckled as he scratched the otter's fuzzy head, "Not quite. Intuition is not the same as psychic. You are coming into your talents nicely, now that your Father has been able to instruct you when you see him."
"Yes, that is because he did not yell at me at each lesson!" Arnaav stuck his tongue at Merrick.
"Oh, lay off, Arnaav," Merrick tapped the young one's nose, "I haven't yelled at you in years, and I stopped soon enough. Besides, my own Father was the one who was harsh on me. My first kill was that of a swordfish, and that was when I was younger than you."
"Hanngh," Arnaav nipped at Merrick's hand with his mouth, before they chuckled and turned.
"Come. Let us return to the pod. I am wondering if it is time for me to return home yet."
"Hrrmm..." Arnaav's ears lowered as he murred sadly as they loomed forward towards the pod while Arnaav nibbles on his lunch. Moments later, they meet with the band of Coshitons, resting for a moment before continuing on to their travels.
Noita Vanora has her hands upon Deilan's head, her eyes closed as she feels his energy and stamina, reading into his body and analyzing his very being while her fingers radiate with abundant power.
Finally, she opens her eyes and addresses the squid merman before her, "You are not yet ready, Deilan. I advise 2 more moons before returning to the land."
"Confound it..." Deilan scowled.
"My turn!" Syrinx says as she paddles up. Vanora places her hands upon Syrinx's temples, and began to feel her soul's aura as well. In a few moments, the Noita removes her hands gently from her.
"You are ready, Syrinx." Vanora informed her.
"Wonderful!" Syrinx rejoiced. Merrick's heart pounds as he swims up to Vanora.
