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Mirrored Waters - Chapter 2 1/2 -

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Chapter 2:

Coral

 

             Danny was surprised at the others reaction (and the fact that they apparently had the same name. He hadn't seen that coming). Surely the coral couldn't have been that hard to find...
             He took the dry piece back from the other and examined it over, trying to find out why the older male had gone so defensive upon seeing it.
But the moment the other said that it was a suicide mission... it made him more tense than he already was.
The witch... couldn't have sent him all the way here in order to kill him... could she? She had paid quite a deal for him to be a part of the shiver.
             A suicide mission...?
             ...
             He looked at them and gestured for one of the two to explain what exactly he had gotten into.       
             Was it a plant found near the more shallow, human inhabited areas? Or... perhaps it was guarded by another group of animals? He honestly hoped that the elder was exaggerating on how dangerous it was.

 

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             Phantom had apparently gotten the gesture as his gaze narrowed more so than before; pupils having narrowed into slits. His form still remaining tense as his tongue rolled over the inside of his fangs, as if mulling over the words. Despite being more fluent than his mate, his isolation had made him slightly mute, and thus the words weren't always easy to grasp even if he knew perfectly what the word was, his tongue simply would refuse to form the sound.
             He heaved a sigh, grimacing slightly in the seriousness of it all before attempting his best at speaking. His mate was far too new the waters to know why he'd called such a task suicide, true her past with studying plants and animals had left her knowledgeable, but not of the dangers that lurked within the waters.
             "It's... volcanic.... growing.... near active.. sea mounds..." He'd practically bit his tongue as he spoke, through the strain of forcing himself to speak, as well as the clenched feeling of the muscles within his jaw. It gave him a rather sour looking face, though in some sense the message was there.
             Sam's eyes widened slightly as the pieces put themselves together. The only area she'd known like that was still another day's swim off, towards the outermost edge of the southern reef. The water was heavy with gases and minerals it should not possess, and though the reef life held strong, there were rumors of its warped presence there, though she'd never had a chance to witness it herself. He'd been more than unwilling to go near there.

 

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             Danny's eyes widened at the knowledge before they looked down in contemplation. So... it's practically set of undersea volcanos? Well... crap.
             What was the witch thinking?! Sending him on this mission when she knew well enough that he probably wouldn't survive. His tail wouldn't be strong enough if he got caught in a strong enough current. He still had a hard time controlling his timing as well. He could accidently drive himself right into the line of fire.
             Then there was the heat, and the components of the water in the area. He had a hard enough time breathing, what would he do if his lungs got clogged?! He increasingly became more panicked, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
But...
Did he have a choice?
If he came back without, not only would he get a lashing to the back but his already minimal privileges would be revoked for who knows how long.
             He could be locked up in his small little cave for years if she sees it fit. And he will no longer be able to have any contact with the others. They would turn their backs on him for defying the witch's orders. Even the ones who had become good 'friends' with him. What was better. Death by trying, or complete isolation?
             The boy looked at the coral in his hand and sighed silently.
             Death by trying it was then.
             He looked to the pair, the male in particular, and gave him a pleading look despite the sudden pang of anxiousness that went through him at seeing the other's face.
             He turned to the violet colored mer and mouthed:
             Please, just point to me where I have to go.

 

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             She'd understood the silent words coming from the boy, and seeing the way the emotions played across his face left a solemn feeling in her heart. She didn't quite know why he was in search of such an apparently dangerous to obtain coral, but he was obviously desperate enough to go through with it. A sigh escaped her as she looked over him, from taking in his small, almost beaten stature, and could only wonder if he was trying to prove himself in the eyes of his peers.
             "I'm afraid I don't know where it is exactly.... She shook her head sadly, her gaze shifting over to her mate whom still held an irritable expression upon his face. His tailfin twitched in a manner expressing his agitation, though it was almost deep in thought.
             He then turned away from both of them, his gaze looking out across the rocky reefs. It was a pregnant silence between them before the older male swung, bringing his claws down upon the rock face. He held an angry huff of breath before bringing his hand back over to examine his claws; a noticeable wound left on the rocks.
             "...... I'll... take him... there... He let out a sigh of his own before looking over his shoulder at them. His face held a hardened resolve over the issue, something Sam knew she could not argue with.
             "You know where it is?" She hesitated, a nervous flick of her tail one of the few signs indicating her concern.
             He paused momentarily, a distant look growing in his eyes before he turned away again. The way his shoulders hung held a look of shame to them, "I lived there... once.."

 

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             Danny frowned slightly when he heard the female's reply. He earnestly looked to the male in hopes that the other would know.
             The older mer's muscles were taut like a strung bow and he looked to be having an internal conflict with himself. However, once he heard those words from the elder, he had to do everything in his power to refrain from hugging the other in gratitude.
             Most of the relief seemed to fade, however, when he realized that he was apparently touching upon an incredibly sensitive subject. He was usually not one to pry or question but... it looked like the upper sea mer had had a rough history with the area he wanted to go to.
             Danny's eyebrows furrowed. Well, the other could just show him the area or give directions, then the older could leave him to his own devices. It would be less pain for both of them; he didn't want to be a burden.
             The boy swam up to the other and covered the mers hand with his own, giving a both gentle and reassuring smile. He shook his head, saying that he didn't need to take him anywhere. He wasn't sure if the older mer would understand him but it was worth a try...
             He took the others hand and ghosted letters over the palm. The black haired boy was only learning the basics of the written language (something that the witch couldn't just poof or replace into existence). But he knew enough to write a basic sentence, assuming the other knew how to read the hieroglyphs in the first place. They roughly translated into: Just tell me where. No need to come with. Once he finished conveying the message he looked back up and smiled as he had before.

 

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             Phantom shook his head, but couldn't help a meek smile that had slipped onto his lips. The child was so innocent and young, and where he was intending on going, was like hell on earth. He wasn't about to let some child go someplace that the surface mers feared more than the land above.
             He shook his head once more. He just wouldn't let himself put someone else in his situation. It was where he'd first been exiled upon his mother chasing him far from home, her hopes that the harsh environment would give him a quick end. He'd proven her wrong, considering he'd stood here now. That didn't mean he wanted anyone to experience that sort of place again. This child however, was determined to find this plant at all costs, despite everything it risked. It forced the question as to what was driving the poor soul on such a mission.
             He closed his eyes for a brief moment, before turning his gaze over towards his mate. The look in his eyes was deep, a mixture of pain but determination held strong within them. It was almost like the face of a man knowing he was headed off to war. A curt nod was his finally gesture towards her. Something she stared on with in an almost frightened understanding, returning the gesture.
             He then turned towards the young mer, and oddly enough, repeated the same action he'd done when he'd met the boy only an hour before; patting the youngster's head, smiling. With this he swam off a few paces, turning to look over his shoulder for the younger to follow.

 

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             Danny was honestly surprised at the fact that the other was willing to come with him. The mer barely knew him yet he was willing to bring back (apparently) bad thoughts and memories to the forefront just to help him.
...
             He wasn't used to asking favors without giving something in return. But what could he offer this couple that they did not have? He would have to think of that on the way, he supposed.
             Danny quickly made way to follow the other as he led him to where he would be able to find the coral that he needed. As it was his nature, he couldn't help but feel guilty at the fearful look on the face of the male's mate.  But he had to get the coral soon or he WOULD die of the lack of pressure in the upper sea.
             There was a reason that each shiver had a sea witch; he had somehow been "lucky" to find one of the more powerful ones to be a part of, because they couldn't travel to the surface without the protection that she offered to each of the shiver. In return, they brought her food and protected her from surrounding shivers. The pressure would cause them to literally explode. She had given him a week; which the other called 21 twists for one reason or another to complete the task. He hoped that it was enough...
             He also hoped that the area wasn't as bad as described. He had withstood many of the horrors of the deep seas, the animals of that world were pure brutal and dangerous. He had nearly gotten eaten himself at least ten times... he was learning fast but apparently not fast enough.
             Not to mention that they all scared the hell out of him, especially the ones that persisted to follow him around because of the fact that certain parts of him DID glow; though it was not very noticeable in the light of the upper ocean. He couldn't count how many times he had felt teeth chomp down on his tail and side fins.

 

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             A sigh graced the phantom's lips as he continued on over the rocky reef. He'd only paused once a short ways off from the lagoon, giving one last call to his mate. It was like a sorrowful lament as she replied, wishing him safe travels among the seas. He'd not stopped moving since then, his pace wasn't his fastest, knowing the weakness of the other's tail, but that didn't keep him from trudging on for the next few hours. He'd remained silent through most of that time, likely lost in his thoughts.
             It was only when he noticed the other struggling to keep up that he brought himself down upon a sand bed to let them take a breather. Giving an apologetic smile towards the younger mer, he stretched deciding that here was a safe enough place to rest for a short while. He'd not realized how much his own form ached from the trek until he'd let his muscles rest. However he found he wasn't able to lay his head down for long.
             A loud ear piercing shriek was the wakeup call. A large male, rusty colored scales and brighter red fins flared at them from a few lengths off. A deep almost reptilian hiss roared from Phantoms own throat as he picked himself up, fangs barred. Oddly enough, when he'd risen up from the sand bed, the male had seemed a bit taken aback, before becoming far fiercer looking than he had earlier, as if the white haired mer's presence was far more of a threat than a simple intruder. Phantom in turn snarled, his sail unfurling slightly, but he remained reserved, not truly wanting to pick a fight with the territory holder, but not exactly willing to be chased off. He honestly just wanted to take a nap, maybe find something to eat and be on his way.
             But the other wasn't having any of it. Fins flared to the full extent, the male screeched before charging right at him. It was that which set the black mer off. Within seconds they'd already landed blows, Phantom's shoulder, to the other male's side, claws drawn, gnashing jaws, and flared fins. The posturing display continued as they circled one another before colliding again, tearing at one another with their claws and their fangs.
             Upon the third collision, Phantom shifted in the most unexpected manner. His form twisted round, bringing the full brunt force of his swinging tail at the rusty mer's face. The hit knocked the male off balance, tumbling as he tried to correct his position within the water.
             Another shriek drew the attention of both older mers, another brighter red mer was heading their way, looking to enter the fight. From what Phantom could assume, it was most likely the rusty mer's brother. Either way, being outnumbered when he had a more important mission, namely helping the frightened teenager, that was forced to turn tail and run. Grabbing the boys arm, he'd all but hoisted the younger mer onto his back, fins pressed flat against his form before, with a twist of his tail, he took off with a speed a marlin could envy.

             He continued at this pace for what seemed like forever, passing by what looked like a small community of mers, without so much a second glance. The reasoning becoming apparent by the number of agitated cries that rang out into the waters. From the size of the community, it was apparent that they weren't simply singled to their own territories and could be social in their own right, but the sight of the jet black mer put them into frenzy. It was almost a wonder as to what he had done to cause him such animosity.
             After he'd passed over the shallow reefs and into the open water did he let his pace slow, and allow the younger mer the freedom to swim of his own accord again. His form shook from having overworked itself, and blood drifting into the water from the injuries sustained. The primary one had been from the first blow to the shoulder. He'd been lucky his speed had been enough to avoid the actual hit, as it had been aimed right for his gills. Either way, he knew it would leave a nasty scar when it healed.

             A tired breath escaped him, letting his form lower into the depths of the darker water. The sun still had enough strength to penetrate down into the depths, bringing about a different assortment of plants and corals. Essentially it was a lower reef, and from the smell in the water, they were drawing closer to volcanic activity, though how close they were was still debatable, as the current could carry scents far and near.
             Phantom simply ignored the smell, bringing himself down upon a rocky patch with an exhausted huff. His form slumped into a tired ball. It was still another day's trek to where they were headed, he knew. But he'd exhausted his current reserves with the need to disappear from their assailants, and with his injuries requiring the rest of his strength, he could only apologize to the boy, knowing his body would pass out on him whether he wanted it or not.

 

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             Danny envied the others speed. Why had the witch given him such a long tail to deal with? It was truly annoying. Perhaps in the future he would be able to use it to his advantage but at the moment it was an annoyance and hindrance.
             The boy was pleasantly relieved when the other stopped to rest but the relief ended when he heard the unmistakable battle cry. Of course, he should have expected running into quite a few upper sea mers in his time here but now he was dragging someone else into the mix of his people's war. Danny couldn't understand why he felt fear knowing he could handle certain threats in much worse conditions but he couldn't handle it now... It showed him just how weak he was...
             When another cry rang out, instincts that lay dormant within the boy began to cut loose, his fingers curling slightly as his face twisted into a snarl. How dare they touch his friend!
             Coupled with the growing feeling of hunger, he might have lost control and had tried to attack. It would have been a losing bottle but his enraged mind wouldn't have cared. But before his instincts could react the older grabbed him and practically hooked him to his back and took off.
             Danny buried his head into the others shoulder, his eyes burning slightly.
             When the other stopped, he could not recognize the place at all. Just knowing that it was somewhere in which there was no one else that SHOULD threaten them, well, he hoped. Before he could do anything the other had taken a perch on the nearest rock and had passed out. The teen quickly made his way over and sat by the older and inspected the others condition.
             He cringed as he saw the injury near the others shoulder. His hand hovered over it, careful not to touch it and aggravate the wound. His eyes watered when he realized that it was his fault.  It was all his fault. If he hadn't been a dark mer they wouldn't have attacked them. If he hadn't been with the older mer they wouldn't have attacked him. He mouthed the words 'I'm sorry', wishing that the other could have seen it, or if the boy could talk: heard him.  Tears were trickling down his face as he sobbed silently. Perhaps that was another thing that was good about his vocals being gone. He could hide his misery much easier than most.
             His head hung low in shame, the fins that had long replaced his ears were laid back.  He... couldn't leave the mer like this. But..... His eyes snapped wide open.
             Danny knew he had a hero-complex, but this might have been crazy even for him. The boy knew the basics of magic: you give what you take, everything is connected, even magic is transferable. That last one better be true. He could use the magic casted on him before he left to heal him! The only problem was that it was the magic keeping him alive in the shallow waters. Using it would shorten the time he got to successfully complete his mission and increased his chance of death but... he didn't really care much for his own life at the moment, especially if the one who saved him was unharmed and he had gone out of there without a scratch.
             The older mers had taught him the basics of transferring and stealing the energy. It was supposed to be something that all of the shiver should know.  He wasn’t proficient at it but he supposed that it was sufficient for this.
             Danny carefully took the hand that was closest to the other and placed it over the wound, earning a hiss and twitch at the pain that came from the contact. He took his other hand, lifting himself up slightly from the rock so he wasn't in such an awkward position, and placed it over the other hand.
             He let out a breath as he focused his breathing. He then took in another, cringing as he felt the tightening in his stomach; the barrier that kept that crucial part of him from expanding weakening by more than he expected.
             He was pleasantly surprised when he saw the green glow go to his hands and seep into the others skin, the skin under the scales mending themselves, and hopefully doing the actual job. When Danny took his hands away, he immediately placed it to his stomach, cringing as he felt the lack of pressure affecting him.
             From what it felt like, he had just given up two days of the magic's effect on him.
And not only that but he was starting to feel fatigued, hopefully it was from all of the excitement that the day had caused him. He had passed out long before his head had hit the rock.

 

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             Phantom winced slightly, having felt the pressure upon his shoulder. He hissed in protest, tempted to roll over in his sleep to remove the sensation. However it changed into something else, the cold sensation seeping down into his very bones. Fins raised like hackles, form tensing, and eyes shooting open, glowing an unearthly green. He knew that sensation as it crept over him, so dark, eerie, and unnatural; a sensation he felt when he'd lost control within a fight, to the sinking of ships.
             He shuddered, trying to pull himself back together as he turned to look at the site of the sensation, finding his wound glowing with the foreboding, radiating green, however it quickly faded, leaving his skin mostly healed and for the scales to regrow over it. He wasn't sure what to think of it, wondering if his body had founds a means of healing himself when he wasn't looking. but he didn't have much time to think as the youth fell from the corner of his eye.
             Wide eyed, he reached out, catching the boy before he fell to far down the rocky slope. The sea ahead of them was a foreboding place, and he dared not leave the other out here alone, let alone unconscious like he'd been not long before. He hadn't seen the teen take any injuries, and wondered if the fatigue from the day had simply overwhelmed him, if it wasn't for the familiar glow that dulled around the boys own form.
             His eyes widened as he set the boy down upon the rocks, looking the teen over for some sign that indicated what was wrong. The first thing he'd become aware of was how distended the younger mer's stomach had become, and instantly the alarm bells went off within his head. His mind running through the events of the last day, to where he side glanced his mate talking with the youth as he played with their child. He came from the deep, the dark depths where the water grew heavy and cold.... He'd come up to the surface in search of that horrid plant far too quickly, when it should of taken weeks to allow himself to adjust to the pressure, slowly rising to the surface. He bristled unknowingly, whether from dread or irritation at the lack of reasoning, he wasn't sure. Either way, he knew he had to do something fast.
             He picked him up, hoisting him onto his back with a wince at his sore fore before diving off the enclave and into the depths. The lowest portion of the reef was not as deep as the dark waters of the ocean, but the pressure certainly built up at 80 meters. The coral started to dwindle with the lack of light at such depths towards the sloping sea floor. It wasn't the miles and miles deep elsewhere, but he hoped that the difference in pressure would at least ease the pain he knew was there.
             His own form flinched as the water around them seemed to press inwards; fins laid back against his form. His eyes held a stronger luminescence in the dim as he searched out a safe place to set the boy down to rest, finding a rocky outcrop just a few inches from the sea floor. It would have to do, the bottom of the reefs in this region was dangerous as they drew closer to the volcanic activity, leaving the seafloor an active mess of tectonic violence. It wasn't uncommon for vents to sprout up from right below where one would be swimming, spewing up a mess of toxic gas and burning smoke and fire.
             Setting the younger male down upon the rocks, he came to rest down beside him, flinching once more from the change in sensation of the deeper water. It wasn't just the pressure that was getting to him though, but the sensation it caused him as his body felt like it twisted in on itself. In turn, the lateral line along his sides slowly flickered into life, glowing with a similarly eerie green, his eyes had followed suit, becoming brighter in the dim; his fins following suit not long after, though they were much duller, and a ghostly whisping white, seeming brighter at the base closer to his body then at the tips. To some degree the sensation was painful, more than uncomfortable, as he felt like his veins had caught fire. He curled in on himself for what seemed like hours, before the sensation had died down and he felt like he could move again.
             His head turning over to check up on the boy who lay beside him, seeing that the worn out pain that had streaked his face from earlier had died down some, and the bulge of his stomach had quieted within the deeper waters. He heaved a sigh of relief, hoping that the youth would hold a little more resilience towards the shallower waters come morning, as these depths weren't the same as his home, but it held enough pressure to enable one to acclimate a bit. It seemed his form had done something similar yet in reverse; though he was known to take such appearances in a fit of rage. He let himself stretch out, muscles taunt from pain and exhaustion. Then letting his form curl protectively around the younger mer, resting his head down on the other's shoulder, he let himself doze off for a few hours.
             The sleep had proven useful, though he didn't get much, it was enough to recuperate before his stomach made its protests known. A grumble held in his throat as he rose, finding the youth still asleep, only smiling in response. Children always slept so much, especially when as exhausted as they were. He shook his head slightly, turning his gaze up towards the surface, still finding the moon high in the sky, but the sun slowly making its way over the horizon to where his mate had called the east.
             Picking himself up, careful not to disturb the boy, he let his form rise up to go search for breakfast. From what he'd garnered from his mate's interaction with the teen, and the fact that the child had openly accepted the fruit, that his appetite held strongly with the diet his mate preferred. Though the fact that he'd accepted the crab in a feeding frenzy also had him wondering if the boy was trying to force a habit onto himself that his body couldn't actually handle. He frowned slightly before shifting course, turning in search of something in specific.
             He'd returned an hour or so later, finding the boy awake, probably fearful of his surroundings and wondering where he'd run off to. Phantom’s fins flickered in the dim light as he drew near, a number of things within his arms. He guessed, he'd probably startled the teen, giving an apologetic smile, "...Ss..sorry.."
             Setting his catch down upon the rocks between them, he sorted out a number of different foods. An armful of clams, a bunch of different edible weeds he'd found his mate picking, a coconut, and a salmon. He just smiled sheepishly.

 


 

This chapter is split in half due to it being too large. .___. Go figure, I keep breaking DA.
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Mirrored Waters is a collaborative fan fiction that was the result of a long running role play by myself and :iconbubblewithwings:
The fiction may appear blocky or switch perspectives drastically at several points as it is the collaborative piece of two people and their character's perspectives on the scenarios that take place. Minor corrections are appreciated, but please remember that this is a roleplay fic and not your normal fic.

Mirrored Waters is a side story and in no way affects the stories "Captivity" Or "Deep Sea Tale"

Either way I hope you all enjoy!


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