Just as they were about to turn around, a faint glimmer caught his eye. It was a fist-sized gem located just below the seabreeze lily. Huxian’s eyes widened when he saw it. It can’t be, he whispered.
What is it? Silverwing asked, floating up beside him.
A Water Essence Core, Huxian said, gulping. And it looks like the marrow inside it hasn’t been claimed. My guess is that the sharks have been using it to nourish the seabreeze lily. They won’t harvest the marrow until it ripens.
Isn’t that what boss’s brother is looking for? Lei Jiang said.
That’s right, Huxian said. Brother needs it, so we need to get it for him.
But there are too many sharks here, Silverwing said. We’ll die if we try.
Huxian nodded slowly. He was brave, not foolhardy. Even with Gua running a distraction for us, we wouldn’t make it a mile before being torn to shreds. We need something bigger, something that will keep them busy for quite some time, distracting even ol’ hammerhead here. Now tell me, who hates sharks more than anything else in the world?
Dolphins, Lei Jiang, Silverwing, and Gua replied instantly. Dolphins will mess them up. For fun. The only problem is convincing them. They’re incredibly lazy.
Huxian nodded. Dolphins are the perfect match. It’s just…
Just what? Silverwing asked.
I just don’t trust them, Huxian said.
Why not? Silverwing said. Everyone loves them and gets along with them. They always look happy, and they don’t do anything bad.
That’s exactly my problem! Huxian said. No one is that perfect. They must have some deep, dark secrets they don’t want anyone noticing. Their niceness is just a façade.
Well, it’s dolphins or orcas, Silverwing said. And I’m not luring orcas, no matter how effective they are against sharks.
Huxian shuddered at the thought of dealing with those murderous creatures. Sharks were brutal and bloodthirsty and naturally tended toward the fiendish way. But even they fled at the drop of a pin if they heard orcas were in the vicinity. Yes, dealing with dolphins was a better alternative. With any luck, their hatred for each other would result in a bloodbath for dolphins and sharks alike. The world would thank him for his actions.
But how do we convince them to act on it? Lei Jiang asked with a voice full of innocence.
How do you convince a bunch of angry, pent-up males to do anything? Silverwing said mockingly. Are you doing it, or am I?
I’ll do it, Huxian said, sighing. He retrieved a tiny recording orb from his storage collar and got to work.
Chapter 10: Interference
I just don’t see why this is our problem, the leader of the dolphins said. He was one of the five leaders who occupied a large territory on the sea bottom. Those who traveled in dolphin territory gave those of his tribe a wide berth, lest they get chosen for their next meal. Sharks do their thing; we do our thing. Sometimes we fight to the death. No need to go out of our way for it, though.
Huxian facepalmed mentally. They’d caught them in the middle of breeding season, meaning that these dolphins were especially lazy.
Dinner is ready, a nervous-looking female dolphin said, bringing a net full of dead demonic fish up to the quintet of male dolphins. The entire school was under the jurisdiction of these five peak-core-formation demons. This included feeding and social structure, among other things. All of them had cute beady eyes, but Huxian could swear he saw a hint of darkness within them, a blemish on their otherwise innocent demeanor. One day, the world would know the truth. One day, but not this day.
Thanks, hun, the dolphin said, nibbling on one of the fish that was thrown his way. He gave his—or the group’s—mate a loving smile.
Huxian almost retched at the over-the-top show of affection. Sharks might be bloodthirsty murderers, but at least they were honest about it.
Did you see the loads of herbs they were harvesting? Huxian asked, placing the recording orb in front of them. Detailed pictures of the garden appeared. The seabreeze lily was conspicuously absent from the picture, hidden by his illusions. These could all be yours if you chased them out. All you’d need to do is brutally murder their entire family.
The dolphin shrugged. There are loads of places like that around here. Nope. Can’t be bothered. Especially with such nice company around here. He tapped a passing female dolphin with his fin and winked at her. The dolphin scampered off, obviously frightened.
Huxian and his four friends suppressed a shiver and turned a blind eye to the demon’s leering.
Look, I know you have a lot of things to do, dolphins to… meet, Huxian said. Thing is, I’ve got a problem with these sharks. I have it on good authority that they fought an orca not too long ago. Killed it, but they’re bleeding badly. All that’s left out there is a few strong males and defenseless women and children. The orb’s image shifted to other select images, never showing their full forces.
I… I dunno, the lead dolphin said, reclining against an algae-covered rock. It just seems so troublesome.
What’s troublesome about it? Huxian said.
Fighting and killing is troublesome, even if it’s sharks, the dolphin said.
But it’s the right thing to do, a female dolphin suddenly said, swimming up to them. Sharks kill anything in sight. They kill our family members all the time. We have a perfect opportunity for vengeance, and you’re going to give up on it. Think about it, hun. They’re not half the dolphin you are.
Huxian struck while the iron was hot. That’s right, they’re not half the alpha dolphin you are. With your crew, they wouldn’t stand a chance.
The dolphin’s mate nodded enthusiastically.
Besides, the dolphin’s mate said, her body wiggling in a way Huxian
