Tide leaned forward, his eyes fixated on the ring in Finely hand. "This indeed changes everything," he mused, his mind racing with possibilities. "If possibly those other insignificant treasures are as powerful as you suggest, then it’s imperative that we immediately locate the leader and retrieve any such artifacts in their possession."
Finback nodded in agreement. "Indeed, your highness. The power these items hold could tip the balance in favor of the opposition. It’s crucial that we act swiftly and decisively."
Tide turned his attention to the council members. "We shall launch an investigation into those magical treasures that haven’t been credited to the royal palace and their distribution. I want every available resource dedicated to this task. Finback, Finely, work closely on this matter. I need to know every merfolk who possess these items and how they plan to use them."
The council members acknowledged the orders with nods of determination. Finely carefully placed the ring on the table before him, its trident retracting back into its hidden compartment. Finback spoke again, "Your highness, if I may, I suggest we also strengthen our intelligence network. If there’s a black market or secret dealings involving these treasures, our spies must uncover them."
Tide leaned back, contemplating Finback’s suggestion. "You’re right. We need eyes and ears in every corner of the kingdom. Assemble our most trusted murlocs underling, and have them infiltrate any suspicious groups or gatherings. We cannot afford to underestimate our adversaries."
"This will be a good time to ask about the forces of our kingdom, are they enough and ready for this supposedly upcoming threat" Tide asked.
This is a good time to bring up the power system Tide and his people created that has been a great help in boosting their power.
The first stage is what’s called Elemental Novices, the murloc are a race surrounded and lives in water so the element mostly surrounding them heavily is the water element and at this stage of power is mainly focused on get a feel on the mana by undergoing rigorous exercises in controlling water flow around their bodies, developing basic hydrokinesis which allows them to manipulate small water currents and enhance their swimming speed. They gain the ability to create simple water projectiles or manipulate water in small containers.
The second stage is called the Elemental Channelers, where enhanced hydrokinesis allows them to create defensive water barriers and move through water with exceptional agility. They begin to sense the mana elemental attuned best to them so at this stage most shark men and murloc Develop control over ice, allowing them to freeze water temporarily, not only ice other diversities of the water element like manipulating water in various states, transitioning between liquid, steam, and mist. They learn to control the density and behavior of each state. Channelers in this stage engage in meditation sessions to attune themselves to their mana element.
The third stage is called the Mana Infusion Adepts: Which is not different from the other two stages that comes before it, only difference is that it requires a more sophisticated understanding and mastery of the mana element, the training involves meditative practices that allow them to attune themselves to the underlying magical currents within the water. Both species learn to exert some control over this current which they focus on seamlessly integrating mana to enhance their hydrokinetic abilities.
The fourth stage is called the Tidal weavers, Both species at this stage just have to focusing on increasing the amount of mana inside of them at the same time try to expand their control over the magical current in the water as in this stage, both species have reached a power above mortal and can now generate powerful ice storms and create very sturdy frozen constructs. Both species at this stage can manipulate water on a grand scale like creating tidal waves or controlling large bodies of water, they also can change the properties of water at this stage allowing them to purify or poison it.
Two of Tide sons are both in this stage as well as the councilor Finback, the Sharkmen and Murloc power system works effectively for them as they are surrounded by water making advancement easy. Only struggle being the magical current of the water which has stumped a lot of members in both races.
As for the fifth stage, none of them has any idea how to advance past that yet, "Your highness, I believe soon, most council members available right here in this throne room can advance to the fourth stage, furthering our power so yes your highness we have enough and is ready for anything that comes our way" Finback answered as him and the other council member bowed.
Tide nodded as his mind drifted off as he thought about his sister, "I wonder, how sis is doing and is her kingdom also facing this problem. I should contact her one of these days"
At the same time on the other side of the sea where a similar underwater kingdom can be found, at the palace of this Kingdom sat Flowua in her favourite shell as she looked at all the women advisors in front of her.
Flowua like her brother is also facing similar situation but the difference is that her opposition are the men in her country, Flowua has laid the foundation of her kingdom with women being at its center and men just being their to assist and help populate her people.
Now this system is biting back at her because, now here is a uprising of men wanting to change the statue quote and having more right, Flowua at first thought nothing of it as she arrested most of the men involved but she then found that that didn’t stop anything as more men rose and now they were even putting up a decent fight.
So now she is gathered with her council to know why this is happening and how it can be stopped.
"How are the men this strong, Our system made sure they were preoccupied most of the time and have no time for mana training, so how are you girls still finding a hard time with subduing them" Flowua asked her councilor Pearlina.
Pearlina, a seasoned and wise advisor with flowing aquamarine hair, sighed as she adjusted her sea-pearl necklace. "Your Highness, it seems some of them have managed to develop their own methods of mana training in secret. They’ve also become weirdly skilled at applying usage of the treasures that fell from the sky and perhaps our restrictions inadvertently fueled their determination."
"How are they able to use the weapons when we ourselves are still figuring them out"Flowua asked with confusion in her expression.
Another advisor, Coarline, chimed in, "It exactly like Pearlina said your highness, they are applying usage of the treasures and weapons with gives them an edge over us"
Flowua scowled, her turquoise eyes narrowing. "Unbelievable! Unless there is a third party involved who somehow has knowledge of these things and is teaching them to the men to use against us"
Pearlina nodded in agreement, "It is a possibility, Your Highness. We should investigate if there’s any external influence. Perhaps there are alliances forming beyond our knowledge that are supporting this uprising."
Flowua leaned back in her shell, contemplating the situation. "We cannot let this rebellion continue. It threatens the very foundation of our kingdom. We need to find the source of their newfound strength and put an end to it."
One of the younger advisors, Sirenna, spoke up timidly, "Your Highness, perhaps we could consider a compromise. Adjustments to the existing system to address their concerns might quell the uprising without dismantling everything we’ve worked for."
Flowua’s expression turned stormy. "No compromises! The moment we give in, it undermines everything we, I stand for. We cannot let them disrupt the harmony I have carefully crafted. We must find the root of this rebellion and eradicate it. I won’t let them tarnish the legacy I’ve built!"
The hall fell silent att Flowua outburst, she herself knows it wasn’t a good sight but for her to compromise, it is equal to her agreeing that her brother was right on his advice to her about have only women taking important positions.
She wanted to do something different, to show her father and brother that she is not only beautiful but she can also be a strong leader like both of them.
Taking a deep breath, Flowua looked at her advisors, "I am sure not all men have turned against us, there are still some men out there who agrees and sees nothing wrong with our system, find those men and cater to them for whatever there need is, after that have them infiltrate this new rebellion"
"Have them find out how the knowledge behind those weapon and treasures, it is something we need to equip ourselves better and also have those captured men released and send them off with a gift as an apology from the royal family"
"As for the rebellion party, send them a message that i request for an audience with their leaders, to see if we can all find a common ground"