The underdog
The tentacles were still attached to his spine and legs trying to hold him down but he ripped them off without much effort. But before he could leave the platform Mendax hurriedly stopped him.
"Looks like someone is in a hurry. Aren't you forgetting something?"
"???"
The merman looked at him in confusion until he blurted out, "Your MARK! The reason you came here in the first place? Get back in the middle!"
"Y-Yes!" more than a little embarrassed the merman ran back and waited patiently for the final part.
*Sigh*
With a disappointing sigh Mendax threw out the words without much thought or emotion behind them.
"By the power vested in me, I grant you access to the inner Sanctum as a hallowed-" he paused to look at the obelisk that shone with a dim light, "-'Servant' of the Nine!? Impressive! Welcome youngling, you may leave the platform now."
The merman gave another bow to Mendax and one to Lord Aekor before getting off the platform with his egg in hand.