Chapter Text
The feeling of hunger wasn't new for Lance.
But, it was still so very painful.
It affected so much of him and plagued his being as he desperately tried to find something too chew or nibble on. Lance didn't care if it was bones or twigs if it stopped just for one second on the agonizing feeling of starvation. Then he would relish in the relief it gave and appreciate it with all of his being.
Even now the merman nibbled on the roots of a tree that dipped into the water. Keeping to the shadows so that no one would be able to see him as he got some relief for his hollowed body. Lance weakly looked around and with a sigh, he left the protective covering in order swim towards his next destination.
His movements were sluggish and the burst of speed that Lance would make wasn't even that fast. His fins were torn and his scales were covered in thick slimy grime. Scars littered a few places here and there from the harsh fights with other merfolk with some looking nastier than others.
The colors were dulled to the point of rotten gray and constantly Lance had to use his hands to get around due to his condition. For his fins could barely get him around anymore in their state of almost lifeless decay. Even his beautiful sail had deteriorated and all that was lefts were weak spins.
His whole body was thin and brittle looking that even Lance feared for his body to break in the lightest of currents. The merman knew he needed to eat or else he won't last the next few weeks.
So Lance decided to pull a very risky move.
With a shiver, Lance looked at the wide entrance of the canals that ran through Red Forest. Gulping at seeing the beautiful red trees and the little crimson petals that floated around the entrance. As if showing to all that a bloody death will be upon you if you enter.
When Lance had first come to the territory he heard the rumors of the canals that wrapped around Red Forest. A forest made with trees that birthed garnet colored leaves and crimson flowers that was brighter the more you looked into deeper into the dark woods. It almost made it look like the trees had flowers made of flames if you didn't look close enough.
Even the grass was a tint of red and almost looked hauntingly in the darker parts of the forest. Almost like the ground of been painted blood of the victims who dared wonder inside.
'Then again....' Lance thought, remembering the time a loud commotion happened in the great lakes. From the distance and in the safety of long seaweed Lance saw a few injured merfolk rushing away from the direction of the Red Forest. Listening as they all told the tale of the vicious guardian that lives there with his familiars.
About the magnitude of his power and the lack of remorse when striking down his enemies.
And Lance was about to go in there in hopes of finding a meal.
In a corner of his mind, Lance knew this was a stupid idea and his instincts were signaling that something might happen while he was in there. But, his empty stomach took over his senses and he swam into the canals with wary and desperation.
The merman stuck close to the canal floor and made sure to freeze if he thought something above the water's surface had moved. Without even noticing a hand went up to his throat and felt the ugly scars that decorated the flesh. Flinching at the memories that came along with it.
'Don't think about that now.' he thought, gripping the floors and pulling himself along.
When he felt a little more confident Lance poked his head out of the water and silently looked around. Making sure there was no movement except for the small critters that lived in the forest he started taking in deep long breathes. Something sweet tingled his senses and like a siren's call beckoned him to come closer.
Lance couldn't resist it no matter how hard he tried and started finding himself going closer to the smell. When Lance finally came upon the scent he immediately noticed that the smell was coming from a large bush filled with ripe red berries. It almost made Lance want to cry as he immediately pulled himself from the water and started making his way to the bush.
Again Lance's hunger consumed him and he didn't notice how far he was crawling away from the safety of the water. He didn't notice the large mass that was above in the trees or how the forest seems to go silent as he got closer to his meal.
When he was finally stopped in front of the berries he couldn't help the few sniffles as he grabbed a few of the large delicious looking fruit. With a sigh, the merman popped the first one into his mouth and cried at the burst of flavor. He cried and whimpered as he savored each berry wanting to commit the taste to memory.
For the first time in forever... he started to feel full.
He never thought he would have this feeling again.
It made him shed even more tears as he continued to slowly eat.
By the time ten berries were consumed Lance allowed himself to lay on the grass in content. Sniffling as he tried to get his composure back from his bountiful meal. He needed to head back into the canal and he needed to leave before the guardian of the forest took notice to his being here.
So with great reluctance, Lance started turning his body to head back to the water only to freeze when he saw a large mass of scales all moving along to block his exit. Lance made a distorted weak sound as he moved away from the large body mass. The scales reminded Lance of the color of wine that he saw a few centaurs drink and in a few spots were bold scales of pure raven black.
Lance continued to scramble back until he was up against a tree surrounded by that long scaled body that seem to just scream with power. Fearfully, ocean blue eyes looked into blazing violet ones making Lance trill softly at the naga that towered over him.
The naga was beautiful and Lance was in awe at the strength that came off of him like the waves during a storm in the ocean. His hair was long and the same color as the black scales on snake lower half and his skin pale, but not unhealthy looking.
'…. his eyes though...' Lance thought, looking into those beautiful eyes.
They were like a fire that both destroyed and gave life. Those eyes were frightening to look at, but there was a fascination that took control of Lance. Refusing him from looking away from them as the naga slowly lowered himself to be more of his eye level.
“It has been a long time since anyone dared to come into my territory,” he informed, his tone deep as he glared at him. There was anger in his voice that made Lance flinch and try to curl up as much as he can. Covering his scared throat with his thin fingers, though not being able to hide it before the naga had a good look.
“How interesting...” the naga mused, leaning back as he took in Lance's body. Making Lance try to curl up even harder to prevent such a beautiful and deadly predator from having to witness him.
“You stole from me.” the naga hissed, eyes narrowing and pupils turning into thin slits.
“I-I... wo-on't... co-ome an-n-n-ymore.” Lance spoke, his voice raspy from out of use and from the injury that prevented much of his speech. The naga snorted, wrapping Lance up in his long and thick body causing Lance to trill in distress.
“Do you think that will solve everything?” he asked, bringing Lance close to his face and allowing the colors of violet and blue to mix. Lance felt fresh tears roll down his face as he struggled to protect his throat from the other creature.
“.... k-k-ill?” Lance whispered, struggling in the naga's hold. But, the struggles ended in just a matter of a few minutes and Lance lay limp with exhaustion in the naga's hold. The naga stared at Lance intently, tilting his head side to side before leaning down to whisper into his ear.
“No... I have something else in mind little fish.” the other whispered.
Suddenly everything around them was a blurred as they traveled through the forest. Lance watched as trees whipped past them and how animals scampered by the sudden mass sailing across the tree tops as if they were flying like the birds in the skies. It was amazing and Lance couldn't help enjoy the feel of wind surrounding him.
It has been a long time since he was able to swim with bursts of speed. A long time ago he could remember a fond memory of swimming as fast as he could before breaking the surface of the water and flying into the air with a bubbly laughter that would make his family laugh along with him.
Even though he was in danger he couldn't help relax as he was carried away.
For the feeling was too familiar and warm to not relax.
Suddenly they came to large pond area that was plain and yet pretty. The waters were crystal clear and the bottom was covered in beautiful white sand that matched the floors of the canals. Many trees surrounded the area and one looked to almost form into a nice little home area.
Lance wanted a closer look at everything despite his situation.
He got his wish and he yelped as he was thrown into the waters below.
Trilling in confusion the merman stayed where he sunk and looked above to see the naga moving around the surface quickly. Sounds of something moaning filled both the air and water making Lance scurrying along the bottom in terror. But, when he started heading towards the exit thick roots seem to shot out from the sides and the ground. Making thick bars that allowed only the water to flow through and a merman to be trapped inside.
Lance chirped and started heading over to the two other exits only to see the same thing happening to them. Not knowing what to do he stayed in the water and huddled into the sand. All sort of thoughts comes to his mind on what was going to happen to him.
Suddenly the end of a tail dipped into the water and Lance gulped as he tried to get away. But, he was too exhausted to swim and he already used up most of his energry in his struggles against the other. So he was scooped up like a limp doll just enough to bring him out of the water where the naga was waiting.
“Tell me your name.” the naga demanded, reaching out to move a few strands of hair away from his face.
“... L-... Lance....”
“Well Lance, my name is Keith Kogane, guardian of the Red Forest.” Keith introduced, his tone deadly.
Lance watched as snakes both small and large started to slither around the branches. One, in particular, was massive and was even bigger than the naga himself. The snake even had the same coloring as the naga, but instead of violet eyes that Lance was in awe and terror with.
This snake's was a glowing a brilliant yellow.
“You've decided not only to trespass on my lands but also steal from its very soil,” Keith stated, pure rage in his sound of his voice that made Lance try to scamper off the tail that was holding him. But, the large appendage just tightened it holds over the frantic merman.
“So let me welcome you Lance of Merfolk.” Keith drawled, gripping his chin and forcing the other to look at him.
“For you are mine now.” he hissed.
Lance gave a weak noise before finally allowing himself to fall into darkness.
He wondered if he'll even wake the next morning....
“.... he fainted!” Keith cried, staring at the weak merman that lay limp in his hold. Quickly Keith used his power to make a small hammock in the water. Gently placing the merman inside it as he fretted over the other.
“Red! Was I too much?!” Keith asked, looking at his protector.
Red gave Keith a raised brow before nodding her head. “I didn't want to make him faint! I JUST WANTED TO SEEM POWERFUL!” Keith explained, getting Red to snort as she watched Keith order a few familiars to get Shiro. Watching the snakes leave Red nestled herself on a few trees as she watched the naga slowly assess the starved merman.
“You're too thin,” Keith whispered, hissing a few snakes to grab supplies as he nursed the other.
For the next few hours, the naga would panic over the unconscious merman and awkwardly apologize when the other awoke for a few tiny seconds he opened his eyes.