✔THE STING (onc-19)

Epilogue - ' The children of sea.'

Kai's olive eyes wobbled to gain focus on the the most beautiful face he had ever seen, "hey, easy easy. You are hurt." Sheila sat him up. He glanced over his shoulder to observe the place, the shiny wall beside curved upwards into a spirally ceiling.

"Where are we?" He spoke in a groggy  voice, tiredness weighing his ever word down.

"We are home." Sheila grinned and bent over to retrieve a drink from the table behind.

"Did we transform?" Kai uncovered the blanket, his face wilted as a chitinous fish tail still lay there, glued to his waist. He suddenly became aware of a dozen of legs and a pair of claws sticking out of his back.

"Noo..." Sheila shook her head sideways, her face glowing with playful intent, "but..."

"But? What?" Kai grew impatient with every new word. Sheila beamed a heart felt smile, followed by a happy sigh.

"We can transform anytime we want." She said handing him a jar of gooey soup, "eat. You need it."

"Bleck!" Kai's throat constricted to gag, "it's bitter."

"I said you need it." Saying that she headed towards the door, "and oh...get ready for the ceremony."

"Ceremony?"

"You'll see."

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Kai wore a royal blue cape, with a symbol of trident sequinned on it with golden threads and rubies. He took a deep breath and ventured to face his people, the civilisation he saved from extinction, the friends he had made in this beautiful journey.

A golden chariot, in the shape of conch was waiting for him in front of the porch. Sheila and Zaren were waiting for his arrival, standing on either side of the door. Zaren bowed holding his clenched fist on his chest as a token of respect to the unsung hero. Sheila held his hand as they  swam into the chariot. An expression of surprise washed over his face. 'why would he do that...to 'me'?

"Sheila. What's all this? Did the high priestess grant us a huge prize or something? That's wicked. We are rich!" He ushered a breathless speech, as Sheila settled in with him.

The chaperone signalled the sea horses, with a click of his tongue and the chariot took off.

"Kai...shsh...listen to me! Stop blabbering the gibberish." Sheila cupped his face with her petite hands and brushed his chin with her thumb. "Just have some patience, alright? I want it to be a surprise."

After a ride of barely few minutes, the chariot pulled over. Sheila glided the screen aside and welcomed him out along with her.

The bright light of the orb blinded him, he turned his face away squeezing his eyes. But, soon as he adapted, he noticed the five of priestesses standing at a distance to welcome him.
Thousands of people had gathered to welcome the prodigal children who slayed the witch. Gabby, Sal and kids stood in the front line; Gabby shedding buckets of tears, snorting into her white laced hand kerchief. Sal nodded to him holding chip in his arms. Chip waved a blue flag of trident in her hands, "Kai! Kai! I am here!"

Kai waved his hands at them, his lips tugged up in a proud smile. As he waded slowly along the aisle, people cheered by throwing confetti up into the water. "Whoohoo!"

The high priestess came into the spot light and cleared her throat, "only love can fight the hatred, only sacrifice can undo the selfishness, that's what these kids have shown us today. It is the day of celebration, my children. As once again, honesty, bravery, and truthfulness has ended the dark days. We shall now celebrate the triumph of victory." She paused welcoming Kai, Sheila and Zaren into the stage.