[Before you guys start reading. I want to remind you of something first. I've written this chapter in Henry's 1st pov instead of the usual 3rd pov. Honestly, not only because I wanted to try a different writing style but also because I just wrote the first two chapters of my second fanfic in 1st pov and I've grown to actually like it.
Anyways, tell me what you guys think.]
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Blinking several times, I couldn't help but ask, "A blessing?" I looked around before settling my attention back on him, "Right now?"
I watched as King Triton nodded his head and said, "Give me your hand. I'll make this quick."
As I unconsciously stretched my arm to him, my mind wandered to my other blessings. This is, like, my fourth time getting a blessing? Can someone even get as many blessings as I am? Or maybe it is just me?
Just as I was deep in my thoughts, I felt something warm gushing in on my arm. It's like that one time when I was injected with a vaccine back in my previous life, I can feel something coursing through my veins and such.
When I looked at what was going on, the first thing I saw was a tattoo on my hand. It was shaped like a trident, it's small and fully black. It rests below my left wrist, the three-pronged tips were pointing upwards, where my palm is.
"I grant you my blessing. This is called the Mark of Atlantis. I won't discuss what it can do with you, you'll slowly figure that out in time. What I can tell you is that this mark will also grant you free passage to my kingdom of Atlantis as you are now recognized as a distinguished friend of Atlantis." King Triton's loud booming voice reverberated across the dining room.
Thankfully the servants have already been dismissed earlier. Otherwise, it would be a hassle to explain everything that just happened.
"And onto the next matter." All of a sudden, the atmosphere shifted, pressure descended on me once again as King Triton leaned towards me, "You think I don't know about your other relationships? My daughter may not be that bright when it comes to this because you are her first love, but I'm not gonna easily tolerate something like this, especially to my precious Ariel."
He went even further until our noses were almost bumping each other, his eyes stared into mine, "I know what kind of a man you are."
All of a sudden, I found myself getting flashbacks. Poseidon reacted the same when I met him through possession of Boy.
But do I feel fear? I don't know. But I'm not gonna back down now, not when I already grew to love Ariel back. It would be unfair not just for me but also for her.
So I stared back and stood my ground, my previous fear nowhere to be seen, "I'm sorry, King Triton. But my love for Ariel is pure. I may be a womanizer to you and she may not be the first wife I will have but that doesn't make my love for her less than I have for the others."
I don't know if I'm just digging my grave here or what but I feel a tiny bit of rage churning inside my chest. I've heard of Greek Gods and every weird thing they do especially when it comes to their love life.
"I'm not like the Greek Gods. I don't and won't cheat behind my love's back. I don't force myself on women using my status and strength." I can see King Triton's eyes widen as I list all the degenerate deeds of his uncles, "And lastly, I don't rape a woman and leave them to be cursed by another, especially not when I can do something about it."
The last part was special. Because it was the famous story of what King Triton's father, Poseidon, and Athena did to Medusa.
"If they can live happily as they are right now despite being the worst of the worst. Then what makes me marrying multiple women equally, worse than theirs?" I can see the recognition in King Triton's eyes. He's probably shocked that I had the audacity to actually spit all of this in front of his face.
"…I don't know if you're either brave or just a fool. But you don't mess with gods. What they do is beyond mortal comprehension."
"Since when has rape been beyond our comprehension? Look, I appreciate your apology and the compensation but if you gave all of this to me just to make me cut off ties with Ariel, then please take it back. I'd rather earn your apology through my own efforts and without sacrificing anything in return."
After that, I gave my hand back to him. I don't need to know what it can do or its value. If I'll get a blessing in exchange for Ariel, I won't hesitate to disagree.
King Triton stared at me for a brief moment. His lips parted and then closed back again several times in succession. On the other hand, I watched him back in return, taking note of his facial expressions and hand gestures.
I'm not sure if he's angry or how his temper goes around when it comes to his father and family but I'm prepared to bolt out of here right now. Perhaps my confidence stems from the fact that I've already met Poseidon and even that man didn't kill me despite being aware that the person his granddaughter loves has other women.
Finally, after what seemed like an hour of silence between us, King Triton spoke, "You're not a fool but a brave fool. I admire that." After that, he stood up, towering over me instantly, "I'll let this slide for now. But I want you to know this, if I ever see a single tear fall from my daughter's beautiful face."
This time, the pressure intensified. I felt my knees almost buckle as I lost my balance. He continued, "I'll be watching you. And I want you to know that I have a particular set of skills, so no matter where you hide, I will find you. And when I do…"
He doesn't need to finish his words. I already knew what he's implying.
And just like that, the pressure was gone and so is King Triton. How long have I been standing here? Did I just actually confront a minor god? Although not on the same level as Zeus or the other infamous twelve Olympian gods but still a god nonetheless.
Oh Henry, you're playing a dangerous game here. Every single day, one after the other, you're getting braver and braver.
With a wipe of sweat on my face, I discreetly left the dining hall. I'm curious what this new blessing can do aside from free passage.
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I made my way to the gardens, where the pool is located. To my surprise, it seems Ariel and her sisters weren't the only visitors we had. There was a splash in the pool as a familiar but bigger creature came into my view.
"Aqua!" I smiled and waved my hand to get the Scylla's attention. Aqua was bigger than the last time I saw her. She almost occupies the entire length of the pool. Mind you, the size of that swimming pool is almost the same as a basketball court. At least from what I could remember.
However, instead of hearing the usual 'Kyuu!' Aqua suddenly spoke, "Papa!"
Instantly, my body froze. Did I hear that right? Did Aqua just speak out loud and call me 'Papa'?
"Aqua. Did you just…speak? Why did you call me Papa?" I also wanted to ask her how she got here without getting too much attention, as I'm sure I would've heard whispers and comments from the servants about her. But I have a guess Ariel's father had a hand in it.
To my surprise, Aqua's face—that is slowly taking the shape of a cute girl compared to her previous featureless face that makes her look like an octopus—beamed.
"Papa! You can understand Aqua! Aqua is so happy!" When she lifted herself above the water, I finally got a good look at her entire appearance.
It would be a lie for me to say I wasn't surprised. Aqua looks exactly like before she was reborn. Although her face and upper body looked similar to that of a female child except that her upper body was flat with no notable features, her lower part was the biggest out of everything.
Three puppy heads with tongues dangling from their salivating open mouths were plastered around her waist. Two heads each on her left and right side waist and another one in the middle.
I would've cooed at how cute the puppies looked if it weren't for her massive tentacles that turned out to be the reason behind why she fills the basketball court-sized swimming pool. I barely counted how many large tentacles she has and each of them has a large mouth with razor-sharp teeth.
However, at this point. Those scary mouths were smiling similarly to Aqua's expression. I guess she hasn't yet grown back to her prime where I last fought her. For now, she still retains her innocence, and perhaps her current self could be attributed to Ariel who has been taking care of her.
There was a loud splash as Aqua raised her tentacles before launching them at my position.
Swoosh!
I looked up and watched as three of her large tentacles swept in the air before descending towards me. The three tentacles immediately circled me, and I felt a strong pull in my waist.
Splash!
Despite standing my ground, Aqua's monstrous tentacles were too overwhelming for me. Before I knew it, I found myself submerged in the pool, which gave way to another surprise for me.
I looked around me, confirming that I was indeed under the water. If so, how come I'm still breathing just fine? It's as if I were still on the surface.
In front of her, Aqua also plunged herself into the water. She was staring at me happily, "Papa! Papa! Play with Aqua!"
While she swam in circles around me. Something inside me clicked, as if recalling a certain muscle memory that I'd forgotten I knew.
"Aqua? Can you hear me?" When I opened my mouth. I heard my familiar voice. I see, so I can also speak while underwater.
This must be the doing of the Mark of Atlantis blessing. Not only did it make me capable of speaking to an aquatic creature—which I have a gist that it also extends to all other aquatic creatures. But now I can also breathe and speak while underwater.
Not gonna lie, this is such a useful blessing, though it also made one of my spells useless from now on but it doesn't matter.
"Papa! Papa! Play with Aqua please!" Aqua's cute high-pitched voice snapped me back to reality.
I gave her a closed-mouth smile and replied while matching her energy, "Sure thing, Aqua! But do you mind answering my question first? Why are you calling me Papa?"
I watched her tilt her head, "What does Papa mean? Papa is Papa! Mama said you're my Papa!"
Her answer made me rub the bridge of my nose. I may have an idea as to who this 'Mama' is. Of course, it would be Ariel. She must've been the first person that Aqua talked with once she learned how to communicate.
"Papa! Can we play like how Aqua's friends play with her?"
"Alright, Aqua. How about you introduce this game to Papa first? What kind of game are we playing?"
Aqua excitedly nodded her head and explained, "Papa is going to swim away while Aqua will chase Papa! If Aqua touches you, Papa loses!"
Her explanation was brief but missing something crucial, "Then how would Papa win?"
"Silly Papa! You're not supposed to win!"
Huh?