The mage that the triton king called was a woman. A rmaid to be precise. But she didn't look like one. She was walking on two legs, and there was not a single feature in her appearance that would make William link her to a rmaid.
If she was disguising herself, then it was flawless. "This is my court wizard, ridia. She is quite powerful, and the mage that I trust the most."
William shook his head. "And how does this test works? I an, will it change your view of ? I've heard that your race dislikes humans."
The king laughed, "and where did you hear that? We don't, and we had a lot more human visitors in the past. Was soone in the cells that told you that? That person is a liar and a thief."
"So if you don't dislike humans, why would you trap without the chance of letting go?" William said.
"Well, if you had reached this place by so other ans, that I wouldn't. But now you know one of the secret entrances, and this ans you cannot leave because people can't know about it."
William smirked, "You an I can leave, right? Because your mage will do this test and it will see that I am one of the heroes."
"We will see, young man, we will see."
ridia stepped forward, her athyst eyes, mirroring the king's, fixed on William. "The verification process is simple," she explained, her voice calm and asured. "I will cast a spell to reveal your true nature. If you are indeed a summoned hero, a mark will manifest, signifying your status and the nature of your powers."
William nodded, his apprehension growing. He had no idea what to expect. ridia raised her hand, her palm glowing with a soft, ethereal light. She chanted in an ancient tongue, the words washing over William like a gentle wave. He felt a tingling sensation throughout his body, a warmth spreading through his veins.
As ridia concluded the incantation, a gasp escaped her lips. Her eyes widened in shock, and she stumbled backward, collapsing onto the polished floor.
"What is it, ridia?" the king bood, his voice laced with concern.
ridia, still reeling from the revelation, stamred, "Y-Your Majesty... he... he is indeed a summoned hero." She pointed a trembling finger towards William's forearm, where a mark had materialized – a black dragon, its scales intricately detailed, its eyes glowing with an inner fire.
The king's eyes widened in disbelief. He approached William, his gaze fixed on the mark. "This... this is unprecedented," he murmured, his voice hushed with awe. "Not only is he a summoned hero, but he bears the mark of the Black Dragon, the strongest among them. No hero has been summoned with this mark in over ten thousand years."
A wave of realization washed over the king. He straightened, his eyes filled with newfound respect. "Forgive my earlier skepticism, Hero William," he declared, his voice resonating with sincerity. "I had no idea... We are honored by your presence."
He turned towards the guards. "Release him imdiately. And prepare a feast in his honor."
William, still processing the events, felt a surge of relief. He had narrowly escaped imprisonnt, and his identity as a summoned hero had been confird, even celebrated.
The king, eager to make ands, offered William a tour of the palace, showcasing its grandeur and the intricate workings of their underwater society. He introduced William to his queen, a graceful and intelligent rmaid with a warm smile, and to other mbers of the court, each expressing their admiration and respect.
"We are indebted to you, Hero William," the queen declared, her voice gentle and lodic. "Your presence here is a blessing."
The king, eager to fulfill his end of the wager, offered William not only his freedom but also the rmaid's Tear he sought.
"It is an honor to assist a hero, especially one bearing the mark of the Black Dragon," the king proclaid, presenting William with a shimring pearl, its surface iridescent with the colors of the sea. "May it aid you in your noble quest."
William accepted the Tear with gratitude, his heart filled with a newfound respect for the triton king and his people.
"Is this the rmaid tear that I needed?" he asked.
The king confird, "Yes, it is."
"Incredible," William breathed, turning the pearl over in his palm, srized by its iridescent glow. "Thank you, your Majesty. This is..." He paused, searching for the right words to express his gratitude.
"A small token of our appreciation for a hero," the king finished, a warm smile gracing his features. "Now, co, let us celebrate."
The feast was a grand affair, held in a vast hall adorned with shimring coral and luminous pearls. Long tables overflowed with platters of exotic delicacies – roasted sea serpent, grilled kelp cakes, and platters of glistening seaweed salad. Triton musicians played haunting lodies on conch shell instrunts, and rmaid dancers twirled gracefully, their movents fluid and srizing.
William, seated beside the king and queen, felt a warmth spread through him. He had been welcod into this hidden world, not as an intruder, but as an honored guest. He savored the delicious food, marveling at the unique flavors and textures.
"This is incredible," he remarked to the queen, who sat beside him. "I've never tasted anything like it."
The queen smiled. "We are proud of our culinary traditions," she replied. "Our chefs are skilled in utilizing the bounty of the sea."
As the festivities continued, the king leaned closer to William, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Hero William," he began, "I understand the importance of discretion. Your identity as a summoned hero will remain a secret within these walls. Only the royal family and ridia will know the truth."
William nodded gratefully. "Thank you, your Majesty. I appreciate your understanding."
The king raised his goblet. "To Hero William," he announced, his voice booming through the hall. "May his journey be filled with success and his na rembered for generations to co."
The hall erupted in cheers, the tritons and rmaids raising their goblets in unison. William, basking in the warmth of their acceptance, felt a surge of hope. He had found an unexpected ally in this underwater kingdom, a powerful force that could aid him in his quest. He knew that with their support, and the rmaid's Tear secured, he was one step closer to fulfilling his mission and saving King mphis.
Once the festivities concluded, the king and William retreated to a private chamber for a more intimate conversation. The king presented William with an azure ring, pulsing with a palpable magical aura.
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"This is a unique artifact," the king explained. "We possess only three of its kind. It will allow you to open a portal to our city whenever you wish. You can also use it to return to the location where you first entered."
William was astonished. He had never encountered such a powerful treasure.
"We have remained hidden for far too long," the king confessed. "Perhaps this is an opportunity to re-establish communication with the humans and rekindle our friendship. Could you arrange a eting between myself and King mphis in the near future?"
The triton king saw this as a chance to initiate contact with the human world. William was pleased; he had gained a valuable ally.
"Certainly, your Majesty," William assured him. "I'll arrange it."
William didn't know if the other heroes were getting powerful allies, but he knew he was, and that was only the start. He would reclaim his glory, and get his revenge.
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