Chapter 13 (Patreon)

Scylla was the youngest of a brood of six. Much to mother's dismay, she’d given birth to five male pups before being blessed with a female heir.

The specimen currently having his arms coiled around Scylla’s neck was Cetus. Only a year and a half older than Scylla and the youngest brother in the troop, he was easy to mistake for her twin. Cerulean blue scales littered his arms and chest, and just like Scylla, they tapered down into deep black stripes and a solid black tail. The two of them together had a predilection for tricks, and got into heaps of troubles while growing up. Trouble, Cetus would usually end up taking the fall for, as he got scolded for being a ‘bad influence’. Luckily, he never seemed to hold it against her, that was just the way things were with mother…

‘Did you miss me?’ He purred with an inquisitive grin.

‘Life hasn’t been the same without you.’ Scylla couldn’t help but grin as well. She hadn’t seen any of her brothers for at least a month now. They had wisely made themselves scarce as the mating ritual approached, like they did every passing year.

‘Why are you here? There are a couple of days of the ritual left, you returned early. Mother might still try to pair you off.’ Scylla teased. Mother couldn’t really, but the taunt was worth the shiver it caused Cetus.

Her brother uncoupled his hands and twirled around his younger sister, big bright yellow eyes offset against the deep blue of his face.

‘You haven’t heard? Mother summoned me back. And it isn’t just me, either.’ He pointed to the far side of the room and there, hidden behind a group of loud bachelors, skulked Euryale. A thin pale gray male pressed against the wall. If he could sink into it and disappear, he probably would. Being the fourth brother and runt of the family, he preferred to fade into the background as much as possible.

‘Wait? Euryale’s here?’ Seeing him in the caverns wasn’t rare, but being in the same room with this many Mer made him anxious beyond belief. Even from this distance, she could see him unconsciously lean away whenever anyone swam too close by. He’d never ever be out here of his own volition.

‘I’m pretty sure Charon had to force him to come.’ Cetus mused while cocking his head to the side.

‘That I did.’ An all too familiar voice spoke up, originating from just besides Scylla. Both Scylla and Cetus jolted backwards like a pair of startled cats, away from Charon, who had seemingly appeared out of the shadows next to them.

‘For fuck's sake, Charon! Do you have to do that every time?’ Cetus growled while smoothing over the fins on his head.

‘Do what?’ Charon smirked while nuzzling the top of Scylla’s forehead. ‘Mind your language, Cetus. You are in the company of our future matron. We don’t want that kind of language rubbing off on her.’

Charon was the second-oldest brother, and had a nasty habit of sneaking up on people, even if it was unintentional most of the time.

‘That ship has long sailed, brother. She bunked with Lycaon for 3 years, remember?’ Cetus flicked a claw in Scylla’s direction.

‘-And Lycaon is a self-proclaimed leasing-monger, muck-spouting-’ They started rattling in tandem like they’d rehearsed it, but Charon raised a hand, putting a halt to their prose.

‘Please. Have mercy on my poor ears…’

As she let her gaze wander between the two brothers, Scylla found herself staring at the newly collected coral trinket adorning Charon's face. A bright pink specimen with stalks trailing outward to the sides of his face. It covered his right eye and clutched one of his ears. He must’ve chosen it for the occasion, judging by the intricate, elegant and fragile detailings. Not something he usually wore.

The masks, Scylla had started to call them by, served to cover a particularly nasty looking scar. She’d asked him about it when she was younger, but his explanations had always been vague at best. All she knew was that most of the side of his face was gone.

The very first time Scylla ever saw Charon, way back when she was just a pup, she’d screamed like he’d been the deep devil himself. Ever since, Charon kept his face covered, whether that was his own choice or her mothers, Scylla did not know. That was such a long time ago and she’d been so very young. Even though he never made it seem like she’d hurt him, Scylla still felt awful about that day. Luckily, as the years passed, she’d come to see him for what he truly was. A kind-hearted, be it aloof stick in the mud.

‘Do me a favor, Cetus, and keep her away from Lyca tonight. I just know he’s going to eat one too many ambrosias, and I don’t want to expand her vocabulary any further.’

Ambrosia's were a type of juice filled seed that grew at a depth sunlight did not reach. Once a year, they could be harvested under a full moon though. Their presence made known by a bioluminescent green glow.

Poking a hole in one allowed for the liquid to be sucked out, and that liquid in question had a very peculiar effect. It loosened the tongue as well as the mind. For Scylla, one or two seeds were enough for the room to start spinning. If there was Ambrosia available, Lycaon would definitely be here.

As if on cue, his bouldering laugh rang from somewhere in the crowd. Sure as day, a huge recognizable frame towered above the mass of Mer. Brown and orange scales glistering on top of a wall of muscle. He was surrounded by females and males alike, all yipping to catch his attention. Scylla pitched a short chirp to draw his attention towards her and her merry band of brothers. Lycaon slowly turned, showing of his fangs into a wide smile, but quickly got distracted when one of the more pushy females gripped onto his arm.

‘I guess he’ll come say hi later.’ Cetus leaned in. The three of them watched as the female dragged Lyca’s hulking frame down into a provocatively close embrace.

‘Maybe he’s considering joining the ritual after all.’ Cetus coughed.

‘Maybe…’ A blush rose to Scylla’s cheeks. It was doubtful, though. Lyca got lonely easily, but even though plenty of Mer would swim loops to have him as a mate, he never joined a single ritual before. It was strange, but surely he had his reasons.

That only left one more…

Scylla smiled as she scanned the rest of the room expectantly, but It didn’t take long for her smile to falter. Surely one as flamboyant as him would stand out in this crowd, yet she couldn’t spot him.

‘Where's Midas?'

An awkward silence took hold of her brothers. 'You know how he is,’ Cetus' ears drooped. ‘He was probably all the way in the outlands when mother's summon rang out. He'll show up sooner or later. You know he wouldn't miss your big day.'

Midas, the eldest son and golden child. No, he wouldn't miss this, if only to make sure Scylla got properly hitched. After all, Scylla's birth had completely removed him from mother's radar, much to Midas' delight. A fact he'd taken ample opportunity to rub in her face over the years.

Still, she missed him. He was an A-grade dickhead to most if not all, but he'd also looked out for her. Knew better than anyone the scrutiny she was under during this ritual. After all, until her birth, taking over for mother was his responsibility. Those kinds of similarities created a bond between them and deep down she knew, he was the only one who could understand the tough spot she was in.

The newly gained freedom mother had bestowed upon him, resulted in Midas rarely ever coming home anymore. Surely her vain brother wouldn't pass up a feast? Would he?

‘Where’s mother?’ Cetus interrupted her train of thought. His ears flicked back and forth as he cautiously scanned the room.

‘You are not the first to wonder that today.’ Scylla mumbled. ‘-and everyone asks me. Like I would have the slightest clue.’

Unlike Scylla, who was still a bit worried about her mother's disappearance, Cetus had a whole different reaction. The sheer look of excitement on his face was as contagious as it was frightening.

‘So. What you are saying is, Moonsorla without a matron?’ Cetus’ gaze shot back and forth between Scylla and Charon, eventually settling on the latter with big yellow pleading eyes.

‘Oh no, we should hold off until she returns…’ Charon growled. ‘I’m not letting the two of you loose on these innocent Mer.’

Cetus’ suggestion didn’t sound too bad. After all, Scylla already made all the preparations. A night where Scylla could pretend the ritual wasn’t happening, no mother to loom over her shoulder, where she could just have fun. By herself, or with her brothers, or with Diz. She leaned innocently into Charon’s side, glancing up at him, doing her best baby seal impression.

The dark eyed male rubbed the unmarred side of his face and sighed.

‘Oh, dear gods, spare me your tag teaming…’



(Woof, I can’t believe it is August already! I’m in France right now, so drawing is a bit difficult. So instead I will put out some more chapters of Between! Enjoy the brief introduction of Scylla’s brothers. Which one would you be interested to find out more about?)