I followed the Mermaid leader for quite a while when I noticed that we have been swimming towards the depth. From my speed I'd say we're at least 300 meters under the surface now but...strange, I don't feel any water pressure.
Before I can decide to ask her where we are, I saw my surroundings becoming brighter, as if the surface is below us! A giant, underwater city came into my view. There are all sorts of light sources among the buildings, illuminating the area.
Together with all the unknown yet beautiful fish crowds and glowing jellyfish around me, this place feels like a dream.
"Isn't it wonderful?" The Mermaid suddenly turned back and asked me.
"Huh? Oh! Yes, truly."
I admit I'm totally attracted by the scenery. Why is there something like this under the sea?
"This city won't survive for much longer."
She sounds...sad.
"But why? It's so beautiful."
"Our energy source is running out."
"Energy source? You mean, you need electricity?"
Funny. The company created a sea city that requires electric power?
But the Mermaid gave me a puzzled look. "Electricity? You mean lightning? Why would we need that?"
Okay...this means they don't know about electric. Maybe they use something else. The developers probably wouldn't place modern technology into this game. Maybe fire powders, or steam power, at best.
"Can you tell me about that 'running out' part?"
"It's our core energy source. It is failing, if we don't find something to replace it soon the city will stop functioning."
"That...isn't really enough explanation. Take me there. Maybe I can help."
"That would be perfect."
We continued towards the city.
When we're close enough I found out that this is not a city but a series of metropolises connected together. There are 13 half-sphere shaped dome structures, each protecting a city from the water. The Mermaid led me to one of the central ones.
When we approached the dome I saw a door. Well, at least I think it's door. The domes are transparent, while this "door" is blue, which really stands out.
The Mermaid swam straight through the door. I followed behind. Before I enter, I tried poking it with my hand. The inside is empty, I mean, there's no water inside!
"What are you waiting for? Come in." The Mermaid turned around and saw me still playing with the door. She went back and pulled me over. "If you help us solve our crisis, we can just give you some of these doors if you find them interesting."
"Oh!"
I kept following her while looking around at everything in curiosity like a country bumpkin. All constructions here have round, smooth outlines. There are road lamps along the streets, poles with giant, white crystals on their tips. So the gentle light I saw from the outside came from them. Most buildings have pale yellow walls and pale blue doors. Colorful but pleasant to the eye.
There are pedestrians on the street. I only see young people or children. There's not a single elder for some reason. As King Conqueror said, they all have stunning looks. I don't feel special here but I'm sure I should never let Big Pot knows about this place or he'll just try to flirt with every Mermaid.
"Here." The leader stopped. "This is the energy tower of Atlantis."
The tower is at least 300 meters tall. It reaches all the way towards the dome. So this tower provides energy to support the domes and prevents water from coming inside. As I watched, I saw the tip of the tower blinking, and it sometimes gives out strange noises.
"Come on." She pulled me inside. There are four guards standing along the entrance but they didn't say anything since their leader is here.
The object in the center immediately caught my attention. Actually it is the only object inside the tower. It's a...how do I describe it, an electric fork? There's a rectangle pedestal, about one meter tall, with a hollow on it. A water well-like structure is embedded inside it. A pitch black cylindrical object, 1 meter in diameter, is sticking out of the "well". Eight glowing sticks that look pretty much like fluorescent tubes are floating around it. They are slowly rotating, centered around the black stick. And it looks as if they may stop moving any time now.
"This is the 'crisis'?"
"That's right." She looks desperate. "This is the Magick Barrier Generator in Atlantis, which has been supporting all thirteen cities. It also provides us with everything else, protection, light, oxygen, food. Now it's about to stop moving. When that happens our cities will be completed immersed in water. Newborn Mermaids cannot breathe underwater in their starting years. If our next generation dies, our entire race will be no more. And Atlantis will stop existing."
"What's the cause? It has been well for many decades, if not longer, right?"
She pointed at the base of the cylinder, where another white crystal is located, bigger than any I saw outside.
"There, the energy crystal is depleted. It was violet once, the pale color indicates it won't last long. Recently, our barrier has begun to fade. Our demise will be any moment now."
"So...how should I help?"
" It's simple, really. Offer your energy crystal to us and everything will be solved!" She said that while floating about only one centimeter from me, looking at me with big, demanding eyes.
"I don't mean to be rude but, I don't have those things."
"Of course you do. I can feel it, there is one single energy crystal on your ship, a big one. That's why we attacked your ship in the first place."
"On my ship?" I searched around my brain. "Can you tell me where exactly? I must've forgotten."
"I...only have a vague idea. But I'm quite certain it's somewhere around the front deck of your vessel."
"Front deck...? The crystal cannon? It can't be..."
"Yes, or very close to it!" She began to use seduce tactic. "Pleeease, I'll give you anything in return! Pretty please!"
Hell no. Is this Mermaid trying propose--ahem!
"Too close!" I pushed her away from my face. "You don't have to do that. So what can you provide in exchange?"
"Exchange?" She stopped. Apparently she never considered it before.
Before she can give me an answer, someone else came in.
"Aldeina! Who is this?"
It's a Merman, also wearing armor. He's carrying a trident, must be another leader or someone with high rank.
"King Atlantis!"
The Mermaid went down on one knee. "This is a...friend, I found outside. He possesses the energy crystal we need, and we were talking about how to trade it."
"Oh? You have it?" I think his eyes are literally shining. "My ears did not deceive me right?"
"Actually I'm not sure. Even if I have one...it is not as big as yours."
"Fret not!" His voice sounds too emotional for a king. "Size makes no difference now. It may be small but it will maintain our home for a while! Though it is true that the bigger is always the merrier."
I raised my hands. "About this, a tenth as big of yours."
"Good. Good! That will hold for at least another ten years! Haa-haha!" He stopped his laughter. "...You mentioned a trade, no?"
"Right. I know you need it but I didn't pick it up for free. I require something in return."
I do business, not charity.
"Well...!" The king discussed something with the Mermaid and beckoned me. "Follow us."
We left the tower. After some walk we came to a warehouse-like structure, with two guards stationed in front of it. The king told them to push open the door and let us in.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login