13 Part 13

Conch swam along the trench line away from the black markets. Inside the trench was dark all the way down to the bottom. In his eyes he could faintly make out the bright blue stream at the very bottom. It was as if it was calling to him. This was were Coral found him when they were young. This place was where he would almost always go to clear his heart and mind. He tended to wonder why he was always comfortable in eerie places like this and the gorge. Other times it simply felt like he was home. He was tempted to dive into the trench and follow the stream below.

Zui-

So you are here.

Conch turns around to find Zui closing in.

Zui-

Do you come here often?

Conch-

That's my question? What are you doing here?

Zui-

There was a report of a blue tentapod swimming near the trenchline. Your color doesn't seem to be common here.

Conch-

Is that right?

Conch loses his interest to enter the trench and just looks down into it.

Zui-

Is this where you come from? Below the trench? I have heard stories that there are thicker waters underneath that light the trails and passes there but not many have gone down far enough to see. It is too dark for our eyes.

Conch-

My friend told me the same thing. But I can see the streams like it was daylight from here. I can see clouds in a different color and swim through them with ease. My entire life I didn't know what darkness really looked like to everyone else. To me, darkness is my best ally.

Zui-

So it is true. You are ancient.

Conch-

I'm what?

Zui-

I feel as though you belong in the trench where you see the beauty of it beyond the darkness. Like the ancient breed that was reported lost so many years ago after the great sea calamity. They just vanished.

Conch-

Okay. Back to the first topic. What do you want? You looking for me obviously means you want me for something.

Zui-

I came to warn you. The king knows about your existence and has granted a search party for you. You may be in great danger if you stay around.

Conch-

. . . . You're helping me? Why? And don't tell me it's because I saved you. That storie's past and gone.

Zui-

That, and I wanted to make sure you got this also, before you really disappear.

Zui holds out one of the clamshells she had before.

Zui-

I couldn't find the matching one when I got back from the gorge.

Conch holds out the other he found just outside the gorge.

Conch-

You mean this one?

Zui-

What!?

Conch-

I found it while I was scavenging. Think some soldiers were out looking for you then.

Zui-

These are charm lockets. So long as the the little pearls inside glow white, then the party of either side will know if they are okay.

Conch-

Cute. Why are you giving something like this to me? It sounds like something you should give to a significant other or a close friend.

Zui-

It is. I want you to be the other. So I at least know you are safe. So I know the one who saved me is not in danger. If you are it will tell me and show me where to find you.

Conch-

Sounds a little inconvenient for me.

Zui-

I will not tell anyone! I promise! You have my word as the princess of the Chinese waters. Please.

Conch-

Princess?

Zui-

I swear not to tell anyone about you. I only ask for one thing.

Conch-

...And what's that?

Zui-

Your name. It will be recorded in my shell and mine will be recorded in yours. That way it's even.

Conch hesitates for a while. A princess is asking him to accept a gift that only they can share it sounds like. He opens the shell and sees a little blue pearl in it. What would be the harm. He won't see her again after he leaves the ocean once and for all.

Conch-

Conch Marine. That's the name I'm taken.

Zui opens hers. She has a matching blue pearl in hers.

Zui-

Zui Taizao. Princess of the china river kingdom.

Both pearls glow a brilliant white. Conch was amazed it worked.

Zui-

Thank you, Conch Marine. I hope to see you again. You must go now, before the guards find and capture you. Be careful returning home. They know you pass through the gorge.

Conch-

I'll keep that in mind.... Thanks.

Zui-

No. Thank you.

Conch swims as fast as he could away from the trench to the gorge. Zui watches as he leaves. She looks around to see if anyone was near and swims back to Atlas.