Tears, The Rare Gourmet

Schools of fishes swim around the ocean floor reflecting the rainbow colors on their scales. The coral sea's different shades of color made it look like an underwater disco ball. Small and big creatures alike swim in harmony. The dark blue cold water only gave off the feeling of warmth to the underwater dweller. Among them were larger figures of humanoid figures. Some had half of the body of a human of different gender, and others had fish parts instead. These were merfolks. Just like the sea fishes, the merfolks were also colorful. From scales to the tips of their fingers and to their tails, and their hairs along with their unique eye colors. 

Among the colorful ones, there was a unique merfolk that gathered attention from the rest. This merfolk alone was a merman with beautiful rose quartz eyes. He swam through the underwater city with ease as mermaids and mermen followed him with admiration. Everything he did made them gasped in revelation or even sigh with a smile. 

“He's so charming…” said a mermaid with neon white hair.

Another mermaid sigh, “I know… Whoever becomes his lover would be so lucky…”

“Haa…” they all sigh at the thought of becoming his lover.

Lost in their admiration, the only thing that knocked them back to reality was the sight of seeing two security shark merfolks dragging a merman in their arm. The merfolk were covered in torturement wounds. Everyone who saw this whispered among themselves.

“Another one was found going to the surface again…”

“Without permission? Goodness, are they trying to get everyone here to kill?”

“Well, I’m glad they caught him before we got exposed!”

The young man that was surrounded by the merfolk also watched the misconduct the merman created himself. It was a law in the merfolk kingdom to never go to the surface without permission. This law was imposed because of the horrible incidents that took place every time a merfolk went to the surface. They would either get killed because of the rumor of immortality, or be turned into slaves due to their beauty and in turn use as bait to bait out more merfolks. Since this law was imposed, strict security and surveillance was placed at every outskirt of the merfolk kingdom to keep an eye on those heading towards the surface.

However, leaving the kingdom to go to the surface isn’t completely cut off. As long as one gets permission from the Elders or the High Priest/Priestess, then one can leave the kingdom and head to the surface but only for a limited amount of time. Those that are guaranteed the chance to go to the surface are the ones who passed the changing test, in charge of trade, or meet special requirements. But these chances were hard to get and come by. 

The changing test requires the merfolks to be able to change their lower body into legs and not fins. Once passed, they must be able to maintain that state for at least twenty-four hours, and no less. Being in charge of the trades was to be in charge of trading with the surface dwellers, or even about talks concerning truces and whatnot.

If a merfolk goes up to the surface without permission, they would either get imprisoned, or banished from the merfolk kingdom. If they get imprisonment that would be considered lucky, but being banished was one of the worse punishments to get. A merfolk would lose their tail, memories erased, and throw to the surface world, never to return to the underwater kingdom. Though, that’s what’s been told to the merfolk since no one really knows what happens once they get banished.

“Wonder if he’ll get banished or imprisoned?” a mermaid asked.

“Maybe banished?”

“Nah, perhaps imprisoned.”

“...Hey, where did Lord Tears go?”

They all turned around and saw that Tears was gone. While everyone was distracted by the situation, Tears took this chance to leave. He swims past the coral city towards the open clear space of the ocean. A security guard at the open clear space saw Tears and swam towards him. 

“Lord Tears,” said the security guard, recognizing him, “What brings you to the open clear space?”

Tears hands over a pure white snow shell to the security guard. The security guard takes the shells and gives them back to Tears. He moves to the side, “Save journey, Lord Tears.”

Tears nod at him and swim up to the surface of the ocean. As he got closer and closer to the bright shimmering surface, a smile formed on his lips. He closes his eyes and with a loud splash, Tears jump out of the ocean water, welcoming the warm sun against his skin. Tears drop back into the water and float on top of the water. The birds flying in the sky swoop down and greet him. Tears waves at them and swims towards the rocky edge of the land. 

Tears found a good rock to sit on to bathe in the sun. He pulls his seaweed bag to the side and opens it up. There were gold coins and other gemstones inside for currency. Tears was planning on going to the town nearby to buy himself some food. He saved up a lot of money this time just to enjoy the festival that was going to happen soon. Tears close his eyes and concentrate his magic on his tails surrounding it with a bright turquoise light. A few seconds later, legs took place where his tail once was. Tears places his arm on the rock to support himself to stand up straight.

“Alright,” said Tears with a smile, “Now then, spicy food here I come!”

Tears whips his magic around to make himself some clothes. He puts on a cotton beige shirt and black pants. He taps on his hair to change his navy blue hair into a muddy brown color, then ties it up into a ponytail. He looks at the water reflection and smiles. Now, he looked like a normal person. There was no sign of his merfolkness anywhere. Without wasting another minute, Tears heads over to the nearby town to enjoy their festival.

It was more lively than usual. There were all different kinds of races here in the town. Catfolks, Deerfolks, Wolfolks, and etc. Here and there, there were also humans as well, but these humans were either witches, wizards, or human’s that have magical powers. Tears went through a couple of booths buying just spicy food such as, spicy pork kabob, pickled chilli, extra spicy hot pot, and chilli garlic bread. Each food he tried, he would add more spice to it, or mellow it out with a sweet cold drink.

Tears quickly took a break and found a place to settle down. He watches as the people enjoy themselves with the festival. They were either dancing or playing a game. In the underwater kingdom, their festival was just as lively as this, but there wasn’t any spicy food to enjoy. Lost in watching the fun happening before him, Tears and the people in town were cut off guard by the sudden turmoil. People started to shout in fear and ran to safety. Tears looked towards the direction where the shaking was coming from.

Suddenly, the air started to become difficult to breath. Tears falter on the ground as he places his hand against his chest. He uses magic to purify the air around him. He looked around and saw that the people near him were also starting to collapse one after another. Those that could use their magic were trying to purify the air around them like Tears. There was only one thing that could explain this sudden change in the air, the Sealing of Chaos. 

Tears took his stuff with him and quickly headed back to the ocean. He needed to let the elders know that the Sealing of Chaos was acting up with a good chance of coming undone. He ran out of the town, past the forest and followed the river leading up the ocean. On his way there, something caught his eyes. He stops his footsteps and turns around. There was someone floating in the river. The air became unbearable again. Tears tighten his grip on his chest. His eyes were closed tight from the pain. It took a few seconds before his magic could purify the air around him again.

He glances at the person floating in the river as the movement of the water pushes them against the rocks near the edge of the land. Tears looked towards the ocean that wasn’t far off then back at the person in the river. Tears gave out a reluctant sigh and headed towards the person. As he got closer to them, he noticed that there was a horse underneath the person. As though it was trying to keep the person from drowning. Tears stretch out his hand and use his magic. The water in the river shook and rose up with the person and horse inside of it. The water pulls them out and places them on the land. 

Tears run up to the person and pull them to their back. His eyes widened in shock as he saw that the person he saved was a Catfolk. His hard breathing slowly returns to normal as he narrows his gaze at the Catfolk. He wasn’t breathing, but it wasn’t too late to save him. The miasma in the air started to choke Tears again. He closes his eyes and surrounds them with a large sphere of water to keep out the miasma. Tears opens his eyes and stares at the Catfolk. He saw the bruises and injuries on the Catfolk and on the horse. Tears reached out to the horse and felt for a pulse. It was dead.

“Were you protecting your master…?” said Tears as he pulls his hand away.

He glances at the Catfolk for a bit before placing his hand against the Catfolk’s mouth. He opens up his mouth and leans in. His gaze still on the Catfolk, “...Since your horse saved you even to their death, I’ll save you as well. Be grateful to your horse.”

Tears place his mouth on the Catfolk and breathe into him. After a few breaths, he pulls away and pushes his chest. And then, he repeats the action over and over until the Catfolk chokes out the water inside of his lungs. He curls up to the side and coughs out the water. Tears gave out a sigh of relief. Catfolks opens his eyes and slowly leans up from the ground. He saw the sphere of water around him and then turned around. He looks at Tears and blinks at him.

“Are you alright?” Tears asked, “Do you feel hurt anywhere?”

The Catfolk stares at him then looks around. He saw the horse's body next to him, not moving. He looks back at Tears, “Is your horse alright?”

“My horse?”

The Catfolks nod. Tears stare at him, “Isn’t it your horse?”

The Catfolks looked at him as though he had no idea what Tears was saying. Tears looked at him closely and saw that he was bleeding from the side of his head. Tears reach out to touch his injuries, but the Catfolk jolts back in fear. Tears saw the fear reflected in his eyes as though Tears was going to hit him.

“I’m just checking your injuries,” said Tears, “I’m not going to hurt you.”

Hearing Tears said that, the Catfolks relaxed his body. Tears felt his head and sure enough there was a bump there. He pulls his hand back. It was covered in blood. Tears surround his hand with healing magic and heal the Catfolk’s injuries.

“You seemed to have lost your memories,” said Tears, “Do you recall anything?”

The Catfolk concentrated to see what he remembered. He shakes his head for a bit and then nods at the next seconds.

“Well?”

“...I remember my name is Noah, but…”

“But…?”

“Who’s Moon?” Noah asked Tears.

“I don’t know,” Tears answered.

His eyes couldn’t help but look at the horse. Tears point at the horse, “Do you think that’s the horse's name?”

Noah looks at the horse, “...I don’t know.”

“Then let’s just say that the horse’s name is Moon,” said Tears, “Now, we need to find a place to bury it.”

“Kay,” said Noah like a child, “But, what surrounds us?”

Tears get up, “It’s a water barrier. It’s keeping the miasma from entering this space.”

“Miasma?”

“You really don’t remember anything…”

Noah nods at him again. Tears gave out a sigh. He didn’t think that he was going to save a Catfolk, and one who lost his memories no less. There’s no helping it. What’s done was done. Tears got up ready to release the barrier so they could bury the horse, but the quaking of the Seals made it difficult to stand. Tears lost their footing and slipped. He fell on top of Noah.

“Tsk…” said Tears as he felt pain in his hand. 

He opened his eyes when the shaking stopped. He was in shock and surprised. Noah had his hand wrapped around Tears’ waist while looking out at the forest.

“What was that?” Noah asked, oblivious to the situation.

He turns his face towards Tears and their lips barely touch one another. Tears slam his palm right into Noah’s face and quickly gets up. He dismisses the barrier without sparing another second as he covers his mouth with a red face.

“I’m in a hurry so let’s hurry up and bury the horse,” said Tears without looking at Noah.

Noah gets up and walks over to the horse. He touches the horse’s face with his hand. A strange sad feeling washes over him. His eyes started to turn hot as liquid poured out from his eyes. Tears turned around and was taken back from seeing Noah crying. 

“What’s wrong?”

Noah touches the tears rolling down from his eyes, “I don’t know…”

He stares at the horse, “I’m feeling very sad for some reason…”

Tears and Noah found a place to bury the horse and placed a stone on its grave carved with the name Moon. Since that was done, Tears starts to head towards the ocean, only to be stopped by Noah. He looks at him, “What?”

“Where are you going?” Noah asked.

“To put a stop to this miasma and tremor,” Tears answered with an irritated voice, “Now let go.”

Tears yanked his arm free from Noah’s grip. He runs towards the ocean without looking back. Noah followed him. Tears glanced behind him, “Stop following me! Go back!”

“To where?”

“I don’t know, just don’t follow me!”

“But I don’t know anyone or know what’s going on,” said Noah as he caught up to Tears.

As expected of a Catfolk, they were fast even if they weren’t riding a horse. Tears uses his magic on Noah to stop him from following him. He set up a water wall in front of Noah. He stops in his footsteps and watches as Tears leaves him behind. His shoulder slumps down with sadness and loneliness. He stood there hoping that Tears may come back to him, but the next thing he knew, the ground underneath him collapsed.

“...!” Noah felt a gust of wind rushing right beneath him, “Ahhh!”

To Be Continue

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