Survivors of Alterna: Final Run

Chapter 5: Grudges With a Splatoon

Back down in the depths, Akikta, Nakji, and the salmonids followed the octoling from a reasonable distance.

During the exiles' retreat, she had led the group through a small service tunnel—which Rick had no knowledge of until now.

It was off-putting how the octoling knew more about Atlantis than the salmonids living in it, but Rick did mention he recognized her. Curiosity bubbled within, creating a painful urge. There was probably no better time to ask questions than now. "Rick, how do you know her?" Akikta whispered, not wanting the octoling to know he was talking about her.

"Many moons ago, when the usurper was still just a common warrior, he brought that octoling and three others here. He claimed it was for the betterment of the clan... his decision got several of our war chieftains killed by the tentacles of those cephalopods." Rick explained, which actually confused Akikta more than it answered his questions.

"Wait, wouldn't that make you not trust her?"

"Look at her, human," Rick said. Akikta did as told. "The way she moves is that of a predator. Her strides are slow, careful, calculated... an efficient killer."

"Ok, you're losing me..."

Rick grumbled. "If she truly wanted us dead, we would've been dead. We wouldn't have even heard her coming." Now that Rick mentioned it, Akikta realized how right he was.

During his first encounter with her, Akikta didn't even hear her approach in those narrow tunnels, he only sensed incoming danger. She could've easily ambushed him and Nakji. And again, back at the Manta Maria, she chose to talk rather than fight. Considering how strong these cephalopods were, he had no doubt in his mind that he would've lost the fight were it not for her seeing his face.

She had every reason to kill him, but even now, she didn't choose violence against him. It was... strange.

"We could use her killing talent. Especially against the likes of the usurper..."

Akikta was reminded of his other question. "Oh, right! Speaking of him... what's the deal between those two?"

Rick shook his head. "No idea. After what happened years ago, the usurper has been... touchy on any subject regarding her, to say the least."

Akikta's eyes went back to staring at the octoling. Something happened between those two, and he was aching to know what. Maybe he should just ask? No, that was a stupid idea. After what happened on the Manta Maria, there was no way she'd share now. Then again, it wasn't like he had any other choice.

Akikta decided to bite the bullet, gradually tiptoeing his way closer to the octoling. Then, as if she were psychic, her pace slowed, allowing him to catch up faster than he would've liked. Akikta didn't immediately speak to her, choosing to walk beside her quietly instead.

The damp and ruined tunnel didn't exactly help Akikta come up with any good conversation starters. What should he even say to her? He couldn't just straight up ask her about Sal. Maybe he should apologize, but for what? Beating her twice? Getting her team attacked? Not trusting her? Getting Marie kidnapped? There was a lot...

A moment passed; then Akikta turned to her. "Uh, you never did tell me your name..." He started, unsure how the octoling would respond.

"Eight..." she said plainly.

"Eight? Is that your real name or...?"

"It's the only name that matters to me now." She stated non-aggressively. Akikta expected Eight to show more hostility, but she spoke like they were acquaintances.

He put his hands behind his back as they walked. "Look, Eight, uh... I'm sorry about... everything. Punching you in the face, giving you a hard time back at the metro, and... well, getting Marie in serious trouble." He said with genuine sincerity, fumbling his fingers over one another while looking ahead. "I never meant for things to get this bad..."