Serulenia nodded, smiling just a bit. As she further entered the world of the Nereids, she saw a mermaid swimming above her.
"... Alexemia...?"
Serulenia quickly swam upward and signaled to the mermaid swimming above her. The mermaid quickly swam toward Serulenia and the both of them grasped each other's hands. Serulenia swam back down with Alexemia and looked to the hero.
"This is a lucky coincidence... Hero, this is Queen Alexemia, the Queen of the Nereids. Naturally, she is more mermaid than Nereid, but... Yes. She is the Queen, as well as my sister."
Alexemia extended her hand to the hero, seeming quite comfortable with him right off the bat, only because Serulenia seemed so fond of him.
Alexemia: Hello there... As Serulenia has stated, I am Alexemia, Queen of the Nereids. Who might you be, young one?
Alexemia kindly nodded her head to the hero, taking note of his surprise on her appearance.
"... Never have you seen a mermaid, it seems, hm? Other than my dear sister, have you ever seen a Nereid before?"
Even though Serulenia did not resemble a Nereid as much as she should, for she moreso resembled a human with pale blue skin and clad in nothing but blue. However, more Nereids seemed to be coming out of one of the houses. They swam close, near Queen Alexemia, tridents in hand just in case. It would seem that they weren't fond of humans.
Atlantia: Queen Alexemia! What is a human doing here? Is he attacking?
Minerva: Humans shouldn't be down here!
Serulenia smiled, swimming in front of the two Nereid girls.
"He is with me. Ah.. It's good to see you again, Atlantia and Minerva."
The two were stunned to see Serulenia. It had been quite a while since she left and they were not expecting her to be back after so long. They both lowered their tridents reluctantly, but started to warm up to the hero because both Serulenia and Alexemia seemed to be very friendly towards him. And so, Atlantia swam up to him, but not too close.
Atlantia: Hello. My name is Atlantia...
Minerva would then swim up beside her in the same fashion. "And I am Minerva."
Alexemia: They are personal assistants and the top Nereid warriors, second only to Juno... I wonder where she might be? No matter. The 3 of them are my personal platoon for protecting this place, since our best combatant, Serulenia, left us.
Atlantia and Minerva humbly nodded their heads once the hero told them his name, smiling slightly at him.
Alexemia: It is odd to see you two without Juno... Where is she...?
Just as Alexemia said that, who would be swimming up from the distance? It was Juno. wielding a trident, just as Atlantia and Minerva once did. She did not look as friendly as they did at this moment, however...
Juno: Ugh, a human! What is your purpose for being here, human!?
Alexemia and Serulenia turned to Juno, about to tell them that the hero was a friends, but before they could, Juno kept on talking.
Juno: Did you come here to try to destroy our city? Abuse our Queen for her healing powers?! What's your angle!? Answer me now!
Nereids were an aggressive race, and Juno was the epitaph of that alleged aggression. She was already ready to spill some blood.
Juno snarled, raising her trident closer to his neck. "That's a lie! A goddamn lie! Why would a Nereid side with a lowly human, anyway? And even if she did, I bet she did it because you did something to her, isn't that right!? Well, human!?"
Before Juno got too out of hand, both Alexemia and Serulenia stepped forward and placed their hands on her shoulders, signaling her to stand down.
Alexemia: Juno... He speaks the truth. He is not a threat nor is he like many of the humans we have faced on this planet over the years.
Serulenia nodded in agreement "Yes, that is right. He is actually a very nice man and wanted me to come down here so that I could see you all again... As you all know, I have been on my own for quite a while... He gave me the courage to come back down here for a visit, as well as show me around the upper world a bit. It is very beautiful and, from what I have seem from him and a boy named Khrona, there are a new age of Humans that are not like the ones from the past..."
Serulenia looked off to the side for a moment "... Though, I don't think that Khrona boy was even human, though..."
Juno sneered at the hero, then hesitantly put her trident down. She still had a large hatred and mistrust for humans, despite what those two said. But seeing Atlantia and Minerva, her closest friends show a bit of restraint and acceptance, she decided to, as well. She reluctantly sighed and started again.
Juno: ...If you say so, Queen Alexemia and Mistress Serulenia... My apologies to you, human. My name is... Juno.
Juno nodded, not really trying to say the same back to him. She and the other 2 Nereids swam closer to Alexemia, serving as her bodyguards, as Alexemia had already expressed that they already were.
Alexemia: ... Now since that is all settled... Serulenia mentioned that you brought her down here of your own free will... What was your reasoning for this, hero?
Truthfully, Serulenia wanted to know that as well. She hadn't asked, since she was caught up in the reunion moment. So yeah. She wanted to know what he wanted, as well.
They all turned to each other and nodded.
Alexemia: I see... Well, we are very appreciative of your actions, hero. Do take care of our dear Serulenia for us... Is there anything you would like while you are here? Oh, and Serulenia... I have something for you upon your departure...
Serulenia did not know what it was, but was very... Thrilled and excited to know that she was getting something. Regardless, she planned to enjoy her time down here with her Nereid people while she could. She started to converse with Juno, Atlantia and Minerva as Alexemia spoke to the hero.
Alexemia nodded "Ah yes, I see... Well, it was nice to meet you, hero."
By the time the hero and Alexemia were done talking, Serulenia had finished chatting with her Nereid buddies.
"It was so nice to see you all again after so long... But now I feel it is time to go again... But now since I know where you all are, I can and will visit you at anytime. And I am sure that the same goes for the hero."
She looked over the the hero and smiled for a moment, but was quickly pulled over to the side by Alexemia.
Alexemia: Serulenia... There is something I want to give you before you leave...
Alexemia would touch Serulenia's head, concentrating her power throughout Serulenia. Serulenia's armor then started to make drastic changes to itself. The metal started to take the shape of shells and coral, yet still retaining its metallic properties, many spikes and such started to protrude from them, her sword changed into a lance made of the same material, and on her left hand was an armored giant lobster claw. From her armor extended a long, flowing dress, making it seem as though she had no legs.
Alexemia: This is the power of the Nereids...
"Oh... Such power... It will remind me of home every time I use it. I am very grateful for the upgrade to my armor..."
Serulenia then thought... With an upgrade to her armor, she could probably create another servant from a piece of herself! Yes... She would do that part later. Even though she liked the feel of the armor, she decided to release the power and revert to normal. It was taking up her power unnecessarily, so she didn't need it.
"The Nereid General armor...."
Alexemia: As you already know, one of its perks is the ability to control and alter all marine and water-oriented creatures to your will... And any other perks, I will let you find out on your own, my dear..."
Serulenia was thoroughly impressed. She thought that Juno would receive this because of her high ranking status, but this must have been a reward as well as a goodbye present for Serulenia. It made her happy.
Serulenia swam back to the hero, about to get ready to explore the rest of the ocean, when an alarm started to sound. It was loud and blaring, even through the water.
"... What is that?"
Alexemia shook her head "The Hydra Alarm..."
Juno: We've been having some problems with the Hydra people recently... And we're at war now. They claim that we have been taking advantage of their resources and letting our Hydrones run wild near their habitat. Of course, we have been doing no such thing!
Alexemia: But there is no reasoning with them while they're angry... They are going back to their primal instincts from thousands of years ago, before they became civilized... Which is why this is a problem, you see. We are losing many Nereids, and as you know, us Nereids do not reproduce often, being an all female race and all...
Juno: And because we don't want to associate ourselves with the dirty humans, remember!?
Serulenia nodded, as she remembered how the Nereid system worked... Every so often they would get a child with a human, which would come out as a full Nereid baby... Naturally, a girl. Sigh...
"... Well, if our population is declining, do not fret about it, my sisters. I will go into battle in your stead. Juno, Atlantia, Minerva... Stand down."
Serulenia manifested her sword, looking rather determined to do battle with the Hydras.
"My magic is very powerful, as is my physical strength... Something that many Nereids cannot boast both of. So I shall combat the primal Hydras and try to put them in their place."
Alexemia closed her eyes, thinking very deeply... "... If you must, Serulenia, then you may go. I believe you are more than capable.
Juno and the others nodded, even though it was apparent that they wanted to go.
Serulenia turned to the hero, nodding at him. "I would appreciate it if you assisted me on behalf of my people, hero..."
Serulenia nodded, greatly appreciating the hero's help. As Alexemia and the rest swam back into the palace, a large creature started to swim toward them.
"... On your guard... Here one comes..."
It was indeed a Hydra, rather large and seemed to have about 7 heads, each glowing with different color eyes. It had no arms and no legs, but an extremely long body and tail.
It hissed at the two of them, looking rather menacing...
