103 - Enter us

  With the plans laid out and materials gathered, the construction finally began to take shape. Nexha and Lilay worked side by side, coordinating those who wanted to help.

  With so many extra hands, they managed to raise the two platforms in just one day. Of course, it was a team effort, but the result was already visible.

  Now, however, came the hardest part. The roofs of the two platforms had been divided into three parts each. Built underwater to make the process easier, they now needed to be lifted and placed onto the structure. The problem? They were huge and incredibly heavy.

  — Are you sure this is going to work? This seems absurdly heavy.

  One of the helpers commented, watching the enormous woven bamboo pieces float slightly, but still difficult to handle.

  — Now we just need to call Zhaelor to lift the pieces, and grab some kelp ropes to secure them in place. If we work together, this should fit just right.

  Nexha watched the others moving around, feeling a wave of satisfaction as he saw everyone collaborating. The construction was difficult, but the atmosphere was light, punctuated by conversations and laughter.

  Some were making jokes about Zhaelor's strength being the greatest of all, while others were already starting to plan how they would use the new structure.

  — After this, we can put some nets to prevent the seagulls from escaping — suggested one of the helpers.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  — We’ll make more baskets for the food storage later.

  — Good ideas. And maybe we can try different types of food to see what works best — added Lilay.

  Nexha smiled, feeling the warmth of camaraderie amid the hard work. For a moment, the world's problems seemed distant. Here, they were building something together, and that was enough.

  But as the construction was almost finished, two tritons moved away from the camp, Krahs wielding the King Slayer. Before him stood another unarmed triton.

  — You think I wouldn’t notice you, orca?

  Krahs's voice carried a contained fury, but his gaze was a stormy sea of resentment. He gripped the King Slayer’s handle so tightly that his fingers seemed to merge with the bronze shaft of the weapon. His chest rose and fell with heavy, controlled breaths, guided only by sheer willpower.

  His hatred for the orcas was not a mere whim or passing rivalry. It was a bitterness ingrained deep in his soul, rooted in the pain and bloodshed of friends and family.

  To him, the orcas were not just mermaids in the ocean—they were murderers, merciless creatures that destroyed everything they touched.

  The triton before him was unarmed, but that meant nothing to Krahs. He had seen orcas tear apart prey without needing blades, heard the muffled screams of victims who never stood a chance.

  — I wanted to kill you the moment I saw you. Unfortunately, my young ones care for something more... so I gave you a chance, but you don’t seem to want to take it.

  He raised the King Slayer, the cold shine of the trident's blades reflecting in his eyes filled with hate. The orca triton in front of him was covered in scars, his body marked by past battles, to the point where he hardly resembled what he once was. Krahs's gaze was merciless, his voice carrying a contained rage that threatened to overflow.

  — So tell me, orca... why did you try to kill yourself?

  Krahs's voice was as cold as the blade in his hands, but there was something more there, a hidden weight in the words. His eyes locked onto the triton before him, as if searching for an answer that went beyond simple words.