The Legacy of the Alliance

Chapter 50

"Where did you go? Why didn't you come back?" Val's father had previously introduced him self as Connor. The group had sat themselves in the living room: Lyra and Zeke on the floor, Connor on the armchair, Celeste perched on the couch arm and Val, Theo and Atlan sat on the couch. Each of them had some kind of warm drink.

"Dad, I'm sorry I didn't come back... I am. But, we have discovered so much! The higher ups of the different territories might be trying to-" the younger researcher tried to explain before being cut off by the older man as he raised his hand slightly.

"I know you're sorry. But I also know about what the governments might be doing."

"How would you know?" Zeke tilted his head; resting his tea cup on a nearby table.

"I overheard a rumour. That's why your mother left us... Speaking of, have you and friends been to any merfolk territory? Now that you know, well clearly you do because your bandages are gone, we might have a chance at finding her."

In that moment, Val remembered everything that had happened. She had completely forgot about it. The loss was still raw and burning and now she had to give that despair to her own father. "Let's talk alone, in your room." both researchers stood up - everyone else still sat, looking at the pair in pity.

"Is everything okay?" it was such an odd question to her. No. Nothing is okay. Her mother was brutally murdered and her corpse was still rotting below the deck of the ship.

"You might want to sit down..." Connor obeyed and sat on the edge of the bed. "We did go to the merfolk's waters... I found mom its just- We got back to the boat and some government worker named Maverick had found us. He has a hybrid that he calls Genesis. She- We fought with his guards and... Mom fought against the hybrid. She- She didn't make it..."

Connor's eyes widened before he calmed down again. This was his time to be strong. Just like the first time he had lost Cordelia. "Where is she?"

"Back on the boat..." tears pricked at the corners of the younger woman.

"Come here..." Connor pulled his daughter into a comforting hug; wiping away the tears streaming down her face. "We can bury her here. It'll be fine..." he plastered a soft smile on his face. "She loved you so much Valerie... She would've killed, massacred even, if it meant you were safe."

"Maverick is going to find us eventually... My friends and I can't stay here for long. You could come with us!"

Connor shook his head. "No, this is your journey. I am content here... After all of this is over, you can come back whenever you want."

"Dad-" she cried into his shoulder - any words she was going to say, forgotten.