[Ahhh…]
In the corner of an office, I can't help but sigh at the scene in front of me.
On the balcony with a panoramic view of the port, Yumi is on cigarette number 20, maybe more. The ground around her looks like a tobacco graveyard.
"PHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"
With a powerful exhale, smoke flies from her lungs and the thick cloud rises to the sky.
Click... click... click...
The continuous "click" of her heel hitting the metal balcony drills into my nerves, while the old cigarette butts and ashes vibrating to the steady rhythm are proof of the enormous force imposed in each tap.
[Shit, shit, shit, shit.]
Yumi's choked murmurs resonate in the silence smelling of saltpeter as she tries to light another cigarette with trembling hands.
But in the end, the cigarette slips from her hand.
[Ahhh…] tired of seeing her wallow in self-pity, I sigh again and try to step out of the shadows to scold her.
But as soon as I take a step.
[SHIT]
BANG!
In an outburst of anger, Yumi kicks the metal railing in front of her.
The powerful impact generates a shockwave strong enough to scatter the mess of cigarettes around her.
The metal creaks with an agonized shriek, as if hit by a hydraulic wrecking ball. In the place where Yumi's boot connected, the ten-centimeter thick solid steel bar bends as if it were cheap plasticine.
Crack... crack...
Concrete rivets pop from the wall. The structure groans, threatening to collapse.
I took back the step I took before. Obviously, she needs to calm down a little more.
Yes, let's go back to the shadows.
Of course, I don't plan on blaming her. I wouldn't be any better after the conversation with Matriarch Kayda, if it were about my daughter.
And what's worse, we already saw it firsthand. Before, when the fight with that damn orc ended. That trance, that bloodthirsty madness in his unfocused eyes.
This isn't simple speculation. It is a fait accompli.
What the hell is a power that drives you mad? Fuck that…
[What the hell is this damn brat doing…] as soon as I started feeling empathy, the main culprit appeared out of nowhere to turn all my feelings into nothing but disdain.
For some reason I don't even want to start imagining, he moved behind Yumi… no, "move" is a word for humans. He is literally dragging himself on the ground, crawling on his stomach with spasmodic movements, as if he were some kind of nasty worm.
[Didn't we agree you were quitting smoking?] he asked finally, poking his head between the legs of the careless Yumi, who was trying to light another cigarette with trembling hands.
[Hick?] of course, she got scared and kicked the boy in the face by instinct.
[GYAAAAAAAAAAAA!]
You deserve it, I thought.
But Yumi seems to have come to her senses because of the scream. With a fluid movement, she grabbed Astrad from the ground by his shirt and lifted him into the air.
[You…] she hissed, her hands trembling and not because of the weight she was holding.
[Kekeke, what will you do if you damage my beautiful face? How will you explain it to my harlots?]
Astrad tries to provoke, but Yumi doesn't react.
Instead, she slowly puts him back on the ground.
[You can't… You must not… I don't want to…] Yumi's voice came out broken; her words didn't seem to make sense, but they had a clear nuance.
She was pleading.
Her trembling hands released Astrad's shirt and instead, wrapped around his back in a hug.
[You have to promise… promise me…] Yumi buried her head in Astrad's chest, her arms clinging with just enough strength so no one could take him away, but without hurting him.
Silence stretched for what seemed like an eternity, while Astrad, unusually, remained silent and motionless.
Finally, he moved his hands to return a reassuring hug, while affectionately stroking Yumi's hair.
[I can't lose you… You and Milia… I can't…]
Yumi's murmurs were like daggers piercing the heart of anyone who heard them. The desperate sobs of a mother who dares not accept the unthinkable.
Then, for the first time, I saw in Astrad a look that wasn't mockery, disdain, or sarcasm.
But the look of a man who knows every word must be thought out carefully.
[There is no way the Rat Kid gets consumed by any will or shitty fantasy energy.]
He spoke finally, his words seemingly simple, but his tone charged with a promise, as he slowly brought his face closer to Yumi's head, deepening his embrace.
[You did it before… You got lost…]
[… But I came back.]
[… What will you do if you get lost again?]
[…. Then… I just have to come back again… As many times as it takes.]
.......
-------------------------- Astrad's POV ------------
[We have completed the preparations, so we will depart.]
[It's good that everything went well… But, are you really okay with a boat without a sail?]
[Haha, I assure you we have ways.]
There was the Rat Kid, dying of boredom in the shitty negotiations that don't interest me.
Why do I have to keep attending this? I don't even do anything?
[Hey, Grandma Fish, can I take her?]
I ask Grandma Fish while pointing to the Little Mermaid with legs.
I have to get some profit out of this.
[I... I am not merchandise.]
[Of course you can, young Alpha.]
[Grandma?]
Kekeke.
[GYAAAAAAAA] I scream in pain when Auntie hits my head. I think something cracked in there.
[Hoho, please ignore this imbecile, I dropped him a couple of times when he was a baby.]
You mean you cracked my head open with knuckles when I was a child, damn woman.
[But are you sure about giving us everything in exchange for nothing? I feel like we are taking advantage.]
At the receptionist bitch's question, the old fish shakes her head calmly.
[None of this is ours in the first place; besides, the exchange of information has been the most valuable thing we could have. And… these few things are nothing compared to having a friendly relationship with the young Alpha.]
Tsk. That's why I hate dealing with old foxes… or… old fish? Fish-foxes?
Anyway, I signal 9, and she approaches the old woman with a Tablet.
[Please keep this, we already explained how to use them, right?]
[Oh, the magic tablet. Why is this one special?]
[It has the information on the underground channels beneath the archipelago we live in. You mentioned you prefer fresh water, right? Those channels connect to rivers and lakes all around the place. Although we don't know if other sea creatures might have taken them, please be careful.]
The eyes of the old fish and the Little Mermaid with legs shine because of the information.
[Is it okay? This is very valuable, I feel embarrassed.]
[You have something you need, I have something I need. We don't owe each other.]
[Hohohoho, what a difficult child. But is it okay? This gives advantages to my people in your territory.]
I stand up and shrug.
[I never said we can't do future business. The more useful you are, the better.]
The old fish lets out a resigned sigh as I start to leave the improvised hut.
[One more thing.] I turn around to clarify one last point just in case; after all, outside this house we no longer understand each other without her witchcraft or whatever.
[Don't go around being overly friendly out there, especially with the humans of this world.]
When I say it, the old woman is surprised for a few seconds, but quickly returns to a "kind" smile.
[You don't have to worry, I assure you our trust was never in the human race, but in the Alpha.]
[Kekeke, good instincts.]
[It is a trait of our lineage.]
Whatever, time to go home.
----------- Third-Person Point of View---
Inside the makeshift cabin, NaRisha's eyes lit up with joy as she observed the information on the tablet she had recently learned to use.
Although it was very difficult for her at first, thanks to Carla and the others, she was able to learn enough. Furthermore, 9 had configured it to only show information about the archipelago, which made it much easier to handle.
[Grandmother, look!] — she said, approaching the meditating Kayda with enthusiasm. — [According to the tablet, there is an island nearby with no human tribes. It has a massive river; it's perfect for... OW!]
NaRisha's excitement was cut short by a sharp thud from Kayda's staff.
[Why...?!] — she asked with teary eyes while rubbing the sore spot.
Seeing her ask with such a pitiful look, Kayda narrowed her eyes contemplatively. Only to finally land a second strike.
[Ow...] — NaRisha whimpered, but said nothing more. Instead, she sat down in front of her grandmother, who was beckoning her.
[Child, I do not wish to blame you; it is true that our tribe has been practically isolated since before your birth...] — the old woman hesitated, choosing her words with care. — [But even without practice, you should not be this foolish...]
[Grandmother, ever since we arrived here, you've been treating me poorly...] — NaRisha puffed out her cheeks.
She had to admit she had become somewhat lazy and intrepid since arriving in this new world, but she felt justified. After all, they no longer lacked food, and their future seemed promising. The weight of several years had vanished without a trace, making way for her lost youth.
The old woman looked at the grumpy girl; her thoughts were an open book to Kayda's wrinkled eyes. She knew that her reserved and responsible granddaughter hadn't disappeared; she simply wanted to rest from the tension for a while.
[OW!] — Even so, she gave her another strike with her staff.
[I am not reprimanding you for being intrepid or for wanting to explore the information on that tablet.]
[T-Then? OW!]
[For that.]
[EHH?]
Kayda shook her head with a sigh. The thought of her distant retirement made her feel miserable.
[Child, you are my granddaughter, and for now at least, the last Triton in the tribe. Once the river claims the end of my days... In other words, you are the future Matriarch. I know you understand that.]
NaRisha nodded, but honestly, she didn't fully grasp it. After all, she had always carried that weight. Nothing had changed.
Seeing her granddaughter's face of feigned understanding, Kayda landed another strike before continuing.
[Being a Matriarch is not just about worrying for your tribe, growing stronger, and mediating. It is also about planning, understanding, reading between the lines, and making difficult decisions.]
Kayda moved her staff slightly, and a small group of worn-out scrolls appeared before NaRisha.
[From today on, you will spend one hour a day studying. It is part of the education as a future Matriarch that you should have received since your youth.]
[Ehhh? I never heard of that.]
[That is because we were going to die anyway. What was the point?]
Her grandmother's harsh bluntness left NaRisha speechless. Kayda had confessed the truth about the dying world when they first arrived, but only now did she realize just how short her life was going to be.
[NaRisha, do not be confused. Yes, this land is full of life, but it is far from a risk-free paradise.]
NaRisha nodded, this time with genuine understanding. Her grandmother had mentioned it before during the meeting with Astrad and his group. According to the history of their old world, in the beginning, Alphas were born every day. Tumultuous times of incessant conflict.
NaRisha could also feel it. Echoes of howls being born and lost in the distant wind. Her heart skipping a beat every couple of days.
[Alphas are the will of nature. It is not uncommon for a vigorous land to give birth to more children.]
[...I understand, Grandmother. I will train harder so... OW!]
NaRisha's words were cut off again by another strike.
[You are understanding nothing. The point is, there are no established territories. I do not know why our worlds are merging, but it is no use thinking about that. The point is that, most likely, the countless dying races will eventually reach this world just like we did. What do you think will happen then?]
[That is...]
[War... Everyone will want their place, a zone to call home. But this land is also already occupied, and the inhabitants—though they do not seem to have knowledge of magic—possess strange tools that are far from harmless.]
NaRisha's complexion turned pale when she finally understood what her grandmother was referring to. Until now, no race had tried to fight them for territory, but how long would it stay that way? What would they have done if Astrad had been hostile?
[Grandmother, then all the more reason we must go to this island. DON'T HIT ME AGAIN, I'M SORRY!]
NaRisha cried while shielding her head as she saw her grandmother's staff rising again. Seeing her, the old woman sighed and then pointed at the tablet.
[Child, that is both a compensation and an offer.]
[Huh?]
Kayda paid no attention to her granddaughter's confusion and instead pointed to the tablet.
[Why are you trying to settle on a different island from where the Alpha lives? He did not warn us to stay away, and he specifically showed us exactly where he resides. The implication is simple: we can choose. To be a known tribe with whom he can trade, or to have a deeper closeness. Tell me, in our current situation, what is better?]
After explaining the situation, Kayda raised her head, hoping to see a more profound expression on her young granddaughter's face.
[[...]]
Unfortunately, NaRisha only had a look of disdain.
[Grandmother... no offense, but I think you're overthinking it. I don't think that dumb male thinks about anything beyond his own crotch,] — she said with a certain sarcasm.
At first, NaRisha was cautious around Astrad, but the few hours she spent with him were enough for her to start seeing him as a trouble-seeking younger brother. She didn't dislike him, but the possibility of him having a profound thought didn't fit her image of him, no matter how she looked at it.
Kayda looked at her granddaughter—who didn't even realize her guard and caution had been bypassed in just a few hours—with a dry mouth. Then she closed her eyes as if making a great decision.
[I see it now. NaRisha, forget the studying. You will go with an exploration group to the closest possible point to the Alpha where we can establish a colony.]
[Once settled, we will seek out the Alpha to secure those three promised babies.]
[Then I will raise those children properly so they can be the chiefs before my passing... I will not fail this time.]
[Grandmother?]
NaRisha's complaints were ignored.
........