Finn
"Your highness! You're really too much." Haoyu exclaimed while folding his arms.
Finn glared at him, "What?"
"This clothes are too hot for me. So many raggy layers!"
"Stop complaining dimwit."
"How could I not! Mine's the most extra here. Look at Drew walking so comfortably."
Finn smirked in response, "That's the price you pay for always making fun of me whenever you have a chance."
Haoyu stopped moving and thought for a moment, "Mhm. Fair enough." Then he burst into laughter.
Aliyah and Oliver faced each other unsuprised, "Our supreme really is a crackhead."
The mood of the troops were beaming radiance. They felt what everyone else in Seacrest felt. A happy, playful, carefree normal creature. Not carrying burdens of a protector. But ofcourse they haven't forgotten what all of this pretending is for. They're supposed to roleplay as townsmen. To blend in and observe the people. The surroundings. The abnormality, if there is.
"Best food place in town! Come in! Dine in!"
Finn and the troops members' attention were caught by a big fancy restaurant. The entrace is filled with flashing lights. The wood is painted aesthetically brown. It's design is like a maze, every space has its own set of table and chairs. There's also a lot of eye-candy. The beautiful servers, masculine performers and glittering ceiling. Don't forget the unique plant decorations.
"Woah! Your highness we should stop by here." Zion said excitedly while mildly yanking Finn's shaped long sleeve.
Ethan grabbed her by the shoulder, "Your eyes always lights up when it comes to food, gluttonous woman. Also you're calling him your highness, do you want us to be exposed?"
This kind of stuff isn't new to Finn, Ethan has always payed attention to everything Zion does. Plus, they keep bickering. No one knows their true relationship though. For him, it seems like love-and-hate.
"Call me Jin. I suppose Zion is right. Let's eat first." He replied in an imposing tone. The troop members nodded in unison. They agreed to dine in at different times. As to not alert anyone. Still like before, Haoyu stays with him.
"Hello! Welcome to Shining Pearl. The number one, best food place in Seacrest! What would you two gentlemen like?"
"Your five best dishes." Finn replied to the super optimistic decent-looking girl accommodating them. Haoyu then nudged him with a smug look on his face, "Jin do you think its okay to you know.. Have fun?"
Finn rolled his eyes. Besides Haoyu being a corny jester, he also has an insane amount of liking when it comes to girls. He isn't known as "Playboy supreme" for nothing.
"Whatever. Just make sure to not attract trouble."
Haoyu jumped in excitement, "Thanks, my bro Jin." As usual, he burst out laughing later on. After a few minutes of waiting for the food, Haoyu decided to stroll off since he's bored. He said he wanted to find girls capable of giving him spice for the day. Finn shook his head and didn't bother stopping him, his voice is too good to waste for a horny dimwit like Haoyu.
Finn shifted his attention to his surroundings. The place is very lively. He wasn't surprise, for a fancy restaurant it is to be expected. The dishes they serve are impeccable- just base on the smell. Its enticing aroma filled the air. Their performers are also very entertaining, masculine guys to tempt girls and cute women to allure boys. That's a good, very well taught-out strategy. The only bad thing Finn doesn't approve to is this blinding lights. It's an irritation.
"Here are our four, famous dishes. Calamari Fritters, Goan Crab Curry, Shrimp Creole, and Sizzling Squid. Our most-awaited star dish for today is Lobster Stew. Thank you for ordering, please enjoy the meal!" The girl said with a bright smiling face while serving the foods onto the table.
Finn handed her the payment- a piece of gold and didn't say anything else. After she left, he started to ingest. All this dishes are looking really presentable. It's hard to stop oneself from devouring. Especially with the help of hunger.
"Chill out bro. I also have to eat!" Haoyu shouted from behind with a taunting tone. Finn glanced at him through his peripheral vision and snubbed. He can't believe that dimwit had the audacity to bring a girl here.
The lovey-dovey new couple sat beside Finn, they were touching each other like crazy. How does Haoyu do all of that without cringing? The girl is holding onto him so tightly like it's the end of the world. Like a parasite. "Can you stop? Im eating. Don't touch me." Finn finally snapped.
Another girl came, clung in his back and spoke in a seductive tone, "Jasmine didn't mean to hit you mister, their movements are just becoming more thrilling."
Finn jerked up and stared coldly at the girl, "How dare you?"
The girl sensed the instant change of aura and was taken aback immediately. Haoyu then noticed and acted quick, "Ah, sorry lady. My friend here already has someone in his heart. A fool in love!" He laughed and Jasmine, the one he embraced did too. After that, the stunned girl followed with a giggle, "My bad! Didn't know your friend is dog-like."
Finn clenched his hands and held his boiling anger. He sat back down and continued to eat. The girl didn't bother him any longer. Instead, she went to chat with Haoyu and Jasmine. Finn swore he was this close to casting a spell. Thankfully, he didn't.
"Your highness. Your highness wake up!" Haoyu's panicked voice awakened him from what felt like a deep sleep. He looked around, it's eerie. He and his troops are knocked out, seated and tied onto a circular wood. What is happening?
A few minutes passed and a batch of feet barged in. The first two girls were holding torches, illuminating what he thought was a room. It's actually a cell. The ground they were sitting in is very filthy and muddy. The walls' paints are so old and dry it started to peel off. Overall, a zero.
Drew's scream caused him to look up once again, "Who are you people? What do you need from us?!" He sounded scared and angry. Petrified. Oliver elbowed him gently, "Calm down Drew."
Another three girls entered the cell, they dressed fancier than the other five earlier. They're wearing one-piece form fitting dress that has a high slit on one side of their thighs. The way they carry themselves is very regal too. Finn and Haoyu assumed that they belong to a higher rank.
"Memies, our visitors here are awake." The first girl said while touching her damp bangs.
"We see that. We have eyes." The other sassy-looking woman inserted.
"You two, enough. We have guest tonight, be more dignified." The most majestic one muttered in a striking tone. The other two obeyed immediately and stood straight, waiting silently.
"You-" Haoyu muttered with his eyes wide open. He must have been shocked.
"Since you all will die here anyway, an introduction won't hurt. I am Eurenox, Queen of the mermaid clan." She inserted, cutting off Haoyu, while looking down at Finn. He twitched his brows, "What is a mermaid doing in Immortal Sect's Territory?"
Eurenox tapped her two fingers and they were all transported to an unfamiliar place. Finn and his troops were shocked. The mermaid queen can do teleportation? Not even Queen Annalise has the ability to perform that. Mermaids really are extraordinary creatures.
"You shouldn't ask us why. Your mortals and I have made a deal your highness. As long as they follow us, we will give them wealth. In short, they have betrayed you. Foolish idiot." The queen mockingly uttered while sitting on her throne.
So this is mermaid clan's original habitation. The structures are all corals. Seaweed as decorations. The creatures here also have an odd tail. Its shiny scales glitter even more when hit by the sun's rays. Finn can't help but notice their hairs. It's flowing with the waves, so smooth and pretty. Makes them look more ethereal. Odd but he pictured Liu'er and Crystal in his mind as mermaids.
He shook his head. Now isn't the time for that. "Did they inform you about us?" He replied while still looking at Eurenox warily.
She laughed, "Oh no they didn't. Everyone knew you were coming deary. Because I was the one who ordered them to report a false barbarian attack. They were also the ones who drugged your foods yesterday."
Stunned Haoyu became infuriated. He angrily tried to escape the ropes he was tied with but failed. So he shouted instead, "That's impossible! Why would they betray us like that?"
The inflamed Drew also backed him up, "If they did then they really are heartless, worst than monsters. Betraying their protectors who came here just for them. Show we where they are, I'll stab them one by one myself!"
Upon hearing this, Oliver lost it, "Enough Drew! Control yourself! You are a guardian. Guardians don't kill their own kind!"
Aliyah whispered to Oliver, "Calm down, you know he's sensitive." While Zion shouted at everyone, "Guys we shouldn't be arguing!"
Eurenox spoke, "As much as I enjoy this drama, it's time to dispose of you all guardians. Except the crown prince Finn. You are a necessity for me to finally enslave the entirety of Immortal Sect." Then she let out a blood curdling laughter.