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Krux did not particularly desire meeting with those who lived below the sea. It was madness to visit so deeply into the Endless Sea. The almost mythical Merlopians were well known to Krux as being nuisances who derived pleasure in sinking ships. Their king though had been thorough in his invitations to celebrate his son officially becoming heir apparent of Merlopia. And Krux, who was supposed to be dead, had his invitation written on a rock to the Master of Time, not Dr. Saunders, the stuffy historian who made slipcovers for old books.
He needed to find how they discovered his true identity without even stepping onto land. He only just started his ruse. There wasn't enough time to enact his plans prematurely. Control the narrative. Command a new truth.
The new heir apparent was a young Merlopian named Benthomaar. He was, clear to anyone with eyes, adopted.
Krux also realized he was perhaps a bit foolish, rash in arriving to do damage control so soon. Wu was not here. Not even the new self-proclaimed royal family was here. He was the only person from the land who found a way to arrive. Wiping the water drops from his glasses, Krux regathered himself to his feet, pretending his clothes were not so soaked.
"Welcome to Merlopia," Benthomaar said eagerly, shaking with both hands. Too eager. "I'm so glad you could make it, Master of Time."
"How did you find me?" Krux asked.
"Whatever do you mean?"
"I was in hiding." He even tricked Wu! How could they have known when his enemy couldn't, right in front of his face?
"You were the one who told me where to find you."
He was the one? Utterly ridiculous—
—unless… if he really did, at some point, regain his powers… Krux shifted his free hand.
"You prevented my brother from reawakening Wojira."
What.
The story of Kalmaar was interesting enough. Krux didn't know why a future him would have bothered.
Benthomaar kept holding his hand. Krux tightened his grip desperately.