Black Hearted

Part 79

Mark stiffly climbed to his feet, heading toward the shore to pick up the katana sword, asking over his shoulder dryly. "So... The only way to turn the Sirens back from their cannibalistic cravings is to give my mother her Sea Crown... Which can only be reforged by Nate... Who right now is a Siren. Do I have that right?" Hefting the katana, Mark turned to face the others with a grim expression. Sean sat down on the treasure, staring down at the bright blue diamond in his hands, replying softly. "I have to agree with Mark... Even if we find Nate and he's alive... He's not himself. He won't listen." Oceanus grunted as a scar formed and healed across his chest. Staggering back to sit down on a rock, Oceanus answered seriously. "Yes. But that is why you need to find Kai." Mark burst out laughing, wincing from the lingering pain he felt. After a minute, his laughter died, and he snapped back. "You can't be serious...? Kai is crazy! He tried to kill us! He won't help us if his life depended on it!"

Oceanus locked hard eyes with Mark, retorting a bit icily. "You're right. He won't listen to YOU. But he'll listen to ME." Sean huffed quietly, uttering out under his breath confidently. "He's your paramour... He'll listen to you... and the Sirens listen to him." Oceanus nodded, telling them coolly. "Say what you want about Kai... But he has always put Poseidon and me first. He has a greater resistance to the blood moon's influence. He's the only Siren you can reason with." Sean slowly rose back up to his feet, summoning his trident to his hand. Standing confidently with the trident, Sean told Mark seriously. "We've worked with less. I say we give it a shot." Mark ran a hand through his hair, causing his antlers to disintegrate to dust. Mark looked at the dust on his hand, telling them seriously. "Alright. What can I expect from ascending? Will I be able to talk to her?" Oceanus stood back up, answering with a smirk. "Yes. You'll become like her. Which is why I must ask you to be careful." Mark raised an eyebrow, asking him curiously. "Have you talked to her?"

Oceanus shook his head grimly, answering in a hurt tone. "I have tried. But something is wrong. It's like... It's like she doesn't remember me..." Mark walked over to put a hand on his dad's shoulder, telling him warmly. "I'll try." Oceanus nodded, informing Sean after. "Listen to me. When he summons her. We will need to act fast. We find Kai and I'll convince him... but I won't be much help after that. Understand that once I see them... I have to help." Sean nodded, puffing his chest up as he told him understandingly. "I understand. I'll do what I can." Oceanus gestured Sean to follow him and together they followed Mark up the wet rocky stairs to the top. Reaching the Dragon Gate, Mark took a shaky breath. Behind him, Oceanus held Sean back, whispering to him. "We can't pass beyond this point. He must do this." Mark set the katana down, moving through the gate. He didn't know what to expect, but he certainly didn't expect to see the vast hole of rushing water.

Mark peeked over the edge to see that it was a hole with water rushing into the depths of the mountain. The thought of jumping in felt insane. Behind him, Oceanus rushed out. "Summon her first. Once you have the pearl, then jump in and grab the Sea Crown. It will be at the bottom. You'll only have one chance to grab it. Or you'll grow too big and get stuck in the tunnel." Mark turned wide eyes on Oceanus, who shrugged and added softly. "What? The tunnel wasn't designed for you to linger." Mark shook his head, noticing a strange brass disc mounted into the mountain wall. Moving closer, he slid his hand across the smooth metal. The metal vibrated under his hand and when he knocked a knuckle on it, the sound rippled from the mountain twice as hard. Slapping his hand to the disc, a powerful bellowing sound resonated throughout the room. The mountain even vibrated from the noise. Mark waited, but when nothing happened, he sighed heavily. Glancing around, Mark saw a light fade on the opposite wall.

Sean picked up the katana sword, before it vibrated down the mountain, asking Mark curiously. "What? What did you see?" Mark swatted the disc again without answering, then rushing to the other wall. Mark smirked to himself. On the wall, the symbol for the leviathan glowed. In the center of the symbol was a dark hole. Holding his breath, he reached his hand in hesitantly. The light for the rune faded, causing Mark to nervously keep inching his arm in. Touching the damp walls, he timidly moved his hand around. It felt like there was a slide leading in. Following the slanted floor, his fingers touched something that wasn't a rock. He tapped it a few times, then grabbed it and pulled it out. Cradling the item in his hand, he turned it over with fascination. It was a white conch shell with sliver metal plating on the ends and decorated with runes and jewels. Licking his lips, he felt a small part of him whisper like the devil on his shoulder. "That alone could be worth enough to make you the pirate king. Such a shame to see such a pretty thing sit in a hole in the wall." Mark clenched his jaw, turning it over to bring the end to his lips.