Amelia didn't waste time in shoving her own breather inside Venus' mouth and immediately transformed herself into a mermaid. Rufus and Agnus were too busy guarding the clam throne to notice anything, both were worried sick about Daphne that they paid no heed on anything else or anyone for the matter. Venus wanted to scold Amelia for the reckless action but they couldn't talk to each other underwater even if the later was in a mermaid's form; she only took the appearance but not the power besides the breathing. Venus was very thankful for her, the act was selfless but still she couldn't accept the fact that Amelia had to divulge her secret just to save her.
Yet again.
Venus found it very ironic being called as the chosen one when she's the one that needs saving all the time. How could she be considered as the most powerful one when she's always helpless and unable to use her greatness. It seemed to her like all she did was endanger the people around her.
On the other hand, this made Scalia more interested in the group nonetheless as the queen was watching everything unfold on her magical viewer. She was again surprised with the shifter's unique powers. She was smirking upon realising the fact that the group were no ordinary beings, they were all together for a reason. So far, she witnessed the peculiarity of the three women. The men, were, yet to be discovered. And discover she would. Soon. . .
Meanwhile. . .
The group of Venus were stuck between waiting and run out of breather except for Amelia of course or abandon the castle and wait up shore. They couldn't formulate a plan since they couldn't communicate with each other. They even attempted to make use of the sign language but the effort was futile and a complete failure. They waited for hours but Daphne didn't reappeared until the last stretch of their breather. Rufus tried to dive inside the void out of desperation but it compelled him. The void was no longer accepting anyone so with a last look they were all forced to swim away or drown.
"What do we do now?" Agnus asked the moment they surfaced. They were near the mountain cliff so the wave was harsh and strong. They were treading with all their effort to avoid being pushed towards the rocky edges.
"I say that Amelia goes back and stand guard to wait by that void until Daphne comes back and the rest of us finds the cave of silence to save Aldrik and Marcus." Rufus said the moment he catch his breath.
They all look at Venus but she shook her head and said, "no. I don't think that's a good idea. I won't leave Amelia there by herself. God knows what will happen to her after they discovered her secret. I don't trust them."
"But it's alright Vee. I can defend myself." Amelia insisted.
"Yes you can. No doubt about that but it's their territory, their kingdom. You will be outnumbered plus the fact that it's underwater. So my decision is final. No." Venus stated with finality looking straight at Rufus while talking.
"So what do you suggest then? Just leave Daphne there who sacrificed herself for us? For you specifically?" Rufus spat.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that Fufu. Of all people, you should be the one to know me. And yes, we will leave her there. For now." Vee raise her eyebrow at the demon waiting for his rebuttal while both Amelia and Agnus were as silent as the grave sensing the increasing pressure between the other two.
"I'm sorry, Vee. I didn't mean to. It's just that. . ." Rufus wasn't able to finish what he was about to say when suddenly Venus reached for his face with her right hand.
"Ssshhh. I said I didn't hear anything. There's nothing to be sorry about. Believe me Fufu, D's very important to me. I can feel her. She's distressed but okay. We have to hurry."
"So, what's the plan then?" Agnus asked with caution.
"Forget about the quest. Saving our friends are far more important. We go all together to find the cave and save Aldrik and Marcus then capture that Scalia so she can set Daphne free." Vee said with conviction.
"Aherm. I hate to burst the bubble here but in order to help Daphne, we need the Pearl. That shark teeth lady doesn't have the power at the void just as she said." Amelia butted in but in a very low voice. Afraid that Venus or Rufus would suddenly lash out on her but she needed to do it. Both were planning with their heads on the clouds. She had gone to real life battles and this one isn't something that should be planned hastily though they really were running out of time.
"How do you know if she's telling the truth? I don't trust her." Vee insisted.
"She have a point Vee. So what if Amelia's right. What do we do then?" Rufus asked.
Venus eyes darted from Rufus to Amelia simultaneously but gained no answers so she looked towards Agnus.
The faerian paled but spoke, "Um, what if we ask help from the masters?" He turned to Amelia and asked, "you could turn into a bird or something faster with wings to go back to Phoenicia, right?"
Amelia rolled her eyes at Agnus and answered sarcastically, "or you could go by yourself and travel by fire. Yeah?"
Agnus was beet red when he realised his stupidity. He was still getting used to travelling by fire and he easily forgotten about the ability since they travelled towards their destination through a portal.
Seeing Agnus' embarrassment, Venus gave Amelia a 'what-the-hell' look which automatically made the shifter guilty about being tactless.
"I'm sorry Agnus. I didn't mean to offend you. It's me and my big mouth." Amelia apologized quickly while biting her lower lip from the awkwardness she felt from the look of Rufus that sent daggers to her direction.
After Agnus nodded to Amelia as acknowledgement, Vee looked directly to the Faerian and said, "as much as the idea appeals to me but I don't think there's something they can do. We we're sent on this quest on our own for a reason and we should solve this by ourselves. Besides, if the masters and mistresses knew that they could find a way to come, they wouldn't be letting us go unaccompanied."
"You're right. We're running out of options. It seems that we only have one choice and that is to find the cave." Rufus stated full of dread.
"Any idea where we should start looking?" Agnus asked doubtfully when a voice was suddenly heard from his back.
"I'm a loyal servant to Queen Scalia. My apologies for my sudden appearance but I was ordered to escort all of you to the cave of silence." A scrawny but colorful merman appeared as he swam nearer to the group while introducing himself.
They all looked at each other in surprise then Venus shrugged her shoulders and said, "Okay then, Cave of Silence here we come."