Love Far Beyond the Ashes

Mermaid Tale

Zeta pov: Flashback...

Selen, Ela, and I went to investigate the person I had thrown into the forest. We all inspected the greenery. "Damnit," a woman mumbled. I went to check it out, parting a bush a little bit as I was seen. The woman shot up and punched me in the face to no effect.

"You're weak on land," I mentioned.

"Owwwwwwww!" The mermaid girl screamed.

I noticed her fingers must have been broken since she punched me so hard underwater. Her punches hit like a truck, but now I have the total advantage. I grabbed her arm and threw her out of the bushes and into a tree. She landed on the ground in front of Selen.

"Finana?" Selen questioned

"Oh, hey, Selen," Finana said in a daze.

"You two know each other?" Ela questioned

"Yeah, she's my friend." I'm surprised that you tried to fight Zeta, though you aren't the type to like confrontation, so why did you?" Selen asked

"I thought she was a poacher!" Finana said

"Well, luckily I can hold my breath underwater for a long time, or you would have killed me for sure." I laughed.

"About that, how did you last for so long? We were under for about five minutes," Finana stated.

"Oh, I'm a modified human," I said.

"Modified cat..." Ela corrected

I sighed and glared at her, but I couldn't be mad at her, especially not right now.

"Actually, Selen, what brings you here as well?" Finana asked

"Well, Mumei was coming here and I was with her, so things just happened, and also, I died a few hours ago," Selen laughed.

"What???" Finana said

"About what?" Selen asked

"Okay, let's start with one thing at a time: when were you with Mumei?" Finana said

"Yeah, she left, though." Selen yawned

I began to wonder if she was friends with Mumei as well.

"Okay, next you died?" Finana questioned

"Correct, you should really be more perceptive; you can't sense my presence." Selen questioned

"Well, I can; it's just that I forgot to because I haven't needed to do it in so long since I'm not a fighter," Finana said.

"Look, it doesn't really matter since I'm alive right now. Mumei has told me that me and her probably won't get another chance at this." Selen said

"You need to be more careful and know your limits!" I told her

"That would be helpful," Selen laughed.

She clearly isn't aware of her limits since she has naturally been strong, and she isn't good at gauging her opponent's strength either.

"It's good to have self-confidence, but you need to know the line between being cocky and being passably confident," Ela said.

"Look, I'm self-confident; I'm not that cocky!" Selen said

"You are the definition of cocky." I said

"Prove it," Selen said.

"You think you can beat Mumei-senpai in a fight, and you can't; she is the strongest ever!" I said

We continued to bicker back and forth when, suddenly, a voice rang in my head.

"I finally got a hold of you," Mumei said.

"Eh Mumei-senpai?" I said it out loud.

"I'm speaking to you cognitively since I'm nowhere near your location. I'll brief you fast. There is another dimensional visitor again. You need to intervein and stall until Calli and Kiara get there." Mumei said

"Got it, what's the threat level?" I asked

"Ten," Mumei-senpai said.

I knew this was serious. I can't waste any time at all.

"I apologize, but Mumei just briefed me on a level ten emergency, so I have to go," I said.

"Wait, before that, what is your relationship to Mumei?" Finana asked

"She's a good friend, my senpai, my oshi!" I yelled

"You seemed panicked; maybe I should tag along!" Ela said

I glared at her and touched her stomach softly. "I have more than one life to protect," I whispered to her. She nodded, knowing staying here would be best right now.

I can sense two Amelia-senpai, so I assume that's where I need to be. I was going to run off, but Selen got in my way.

"Maybe I should come," she suggested.

I shook my head. "Watch over Finana, and please look after my wife; make sure she doesn't get sick," I told her.

"S-sure?" Selen said with confusion

I need to think calmly and rationally. I'm going to be the only one in the way of this alternate Amelia-senpai and whatever they want until Calli and Kiara show up. I need to be on my toes.

"Are you still there, Zeta?" Mumei asked me

"Yes senpai!" I said it out loud again.

"Whatever you do, don't get hurt, Zeta; that's an order!" Senpai said

"Got it," I calmly said.

I began to run down the forest and rushed past the lake once again. As I entered the path we came from once again, I pulled out Mumei-senpai's cloak. She probably wouldn't mind if I wore it, so I put it on, letting her arouma fill the air. To be honest, it soothed me for some reason.

I sped up, and this time I could tell I was getting closer, and as soon as I got close enough, I lunged out and slashed some tentacles, only to see Reine was there.

End of flashback...

"So that's the story of why I am here," I said.

Gura and Ina glared at me, hoping I could drag that story out for longer.

"Okay, I'm going to kill you now!" The other universe, Amelia-senpai said

"Wait!" Reine-senpai yelled

"What!?" The alternate universe Amelia-senpai growled

"I need to tell my story!" Reine-senpai said

"Okay, make it quick," the alternate Amelia-senpai sighed.

"Where to begin?" Reine asked

"Maybe the parts where you and Ollie were talking about Matsuri-senpai!" Anya suggested

"Right, we'll start from there, and this may seem long, but the whole thing is important for this story!" Reine-senpai lied

The alternate universe Amelia-senpai sat down and grunted. I was shocked that somehow this was working.