It felt strange wearing the new clothes. The fabric clung to my body, moving with the currents, but I knew I'd have to take them off soon to get back into my cave and retrieve my possessions. Curiosity got the better of me, though—I wanted to see how I looked in them. Unfortunately, there was no reflecting pool nearby, and while parts of the city had glasswork, the reflections were too dim and distorted to give me a clear view. The city was simply too dark, and the small light sources barely illuminated the streets. That’s the way the people liked it. The race of Raroren, the KaHohonu who built this city, worshiped Tovon er, The Deep One.
The KaHohonu all seemed to have dark black hair, and where most people had whites in their eyes, theirs were pitch black. Their skin was a cool shade of blue. Judging by my own skin and hair, I guessed that one of them must have been my sire. Long robes were common among the city folk; I suppose most of them didn’t plan on swimming anywhere fast.
"I don’t understand the construction of this city," Karson grumbled. He seemed upset, as he could only walk on the seafloor, so naturally, navigating the city was hard for him.
Underwater, up and down are only suggestions, really only mattering when it comes to buoyancy. Building underwater is tricky, so the Holohonu made the best use of their space. Walls and ceilings were as easy to access as floors. I quickly swam to the side to avoid an approaching carriage, made from a massive seashell and pulled by an Iwielua—the likely original owner of the shell. The creature resembled a gigantic, shell-less turtle with the heavily armored head of a crustacean.
"That thing reminds me of a bull," Karson remarked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
"Karson, what is a bull?" I asked.
"It’s a strong work animal, dangerous if mishandled."
"Oh, I suppose they are kind of alike then," I mused, pausing my swimming for a moment to watch the carriage pass by.
I glanced around, realizing I wasn’t entirely sure where I was supposed to be going. "Um, Karson, do you remember which temple I’m supposed to be going to?"
"I believe it was Dralok," he replied after a moment’s thought.
"…Who?" I asked, more confused than before.
"I don’t know what you Ausawen call the gods," Karson admitted, his tone apologetic.
"Thanks, Karson. That’s really helpful," I sighed. But I guess one temple is as good as another. I’ll just go to the nearest one.
With that decision made, I began swimming through the city again, keeping an eye out for any signs that might lead me to a temple. The streets twisted and turned, and the darkness made it hard to navigate, but the gentle glow of bioluminescent plants and creatures helped light my way. The city was alive with movement, people drifting through the water, their robes flowing like ink in the currents.
As I swam, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching me. I glanced over my shoulder, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Just the usual mix of KaHohonu and other aquatic beings going about their business. Still, the sensation lingered, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
I sped up, eager to reach the temple
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When I first laid eyes on the temple, I was surprised. At first, it seemed overgrown with plant life, but as I drew closer, I realized that the growth was deliberate, carefully cultivated to give the impression of natural chaos. The temple was composed of towering columns, with the entrance open to the water, yet a massive set of black doors, embroidered with gold, kept the inner sanctum shut. Even if I pushed with all my strength, I doubted I could open those doors alone.
As I drew nearer to the temple, I noticed that many of the people around me wore some sort of green cloth, marking them as residents or devotees. That’s when something strange happened—the Raroren began to part for me. It wasn’t just a few of them; it was as if the entire crowd moved aside to make way. Raroren never part ways for anyone who isn’t one of their own. It just isn’t done. But here, in the temple, they acted differently. This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened, which is why I usually avoided temples. The whole situation made me uneasy. People who wouldn’t even glance in my direction in public were now bowing their heads and clearing a path as if I were some kind of noble. I always felt like I was one wrong move away from offending someone and getting executed.
And the worst part? Karson was silent. Usually, he’d have some sarcastic comment or a piece of advice, but now, when I needed an explanation, he was utterly useless. Thanks, Karson. I really needed you now, Karson. Could you please say something, Karson? The words bubbled up inside me, but I was too afraid to speak them out loud.
As I swam toward the black and gold doors, they began to open as though expecting me. A chill ran down my spine. Beyond the doors, I was momentarily stunned by the sight of the Nahesa. They looked like me, well, almost. The Nahesa were my species. Until today, I could count the number of times I’d seen another of my kind on one hand, but now, I saw over a dozen just inside the temple. Some of them looked at me with curiosity, others with warm smiles, and a few with an air of expectation. I had to fight the urge to flee, forcing myself to swim closer instead.
As I entered the temple, the Nahesa closed the massive doors behind me. It took four of them to move the doors, and while they weren’t all as large as I was, it made me wonder if those doors were a bit too big. The thought crossed my mind, but I wisely kept my mouth shut.
"Welcome, Priestess of the Flesh Mother. To what do we owe the honor of your visit?"
The voice that greeted me belonged to the largest Nahesa I had ever seen. She was stunning, her presence was so soft and regal. Her upper body was powerful and imposing, and spoke of immense strength. Her skin, though firm held a softness that belied her strength, and her chest and hips were wide, giving her an undeniably majestic appearance like some of the artwork I've seen of Naieth. Long hair cascaded down her back, interwoven with vibrant flowers that seemed to grow naturally from her adding to her awe-inspiring appearance. The lower half of her body was a massive, serpentine tail, over 100 feet long, well over twice mine covered in shimmering emerald scales that caught the light with every movement. Her tail was adorned with delicate fins that folded seamlessly against her body, they were mesmerizing and intimidating.
I could barely comprehend what she was saying as my thoughts raced. She was breathtakingly beautiful, but in a way that made me feel small and insignificant. My mind wandered, thoughts swirling about how she must find it difficult to navigate narrow spaces, unlike me, with my more streamlined form.
“Karson,” I muttered under my breath as softly as I could, “what did she just say?”
“She asked why you are here, Katari,” Karson replied, his tone gentle but firm, snapping me back to reality.
“Oh… I’m here for learning,” I blurted out, not entirely sure if that was the right answer.
My response seemed to surprise some of the Nahesa, but others nodded, as though they had expected it all along. I noticed the flowers growing in the large Nahesa's hair again, wondering what kind of care they required, as it must be an immense task to maintain them.
The enormous woman regarded me with a thoughtful expression before speaking again, her voice rich and resonant. “I was not expecting this, but yes i see, your Well aligned with the will of Thúl. I understand why you were sent here. We will prepare accommodations for you.”
Her words left me puzzled. Did she know the merchant? And why did she assume I knew who Thúl was? But I didn’t dare ask. Instead, I followed her gesture to an area where the water seemed to end abruptly. It was as if there was a solid wall of air cutting off the water. Hesitant but curious, I reached out and found it easy to pass through the barrier. On the other side, I found myself in a well-lit, dry room.
