Dexamene

Characteristics

Physical

o1.) Dexamene is covered in scales over most of her body with the exeption of her face. Smaller scales cover her up to the neck and fade in from her hair line.

o2.) Her ears, while being pointy are "finned" toward the bottoms and fan out but not overly so.

o3.) Her hands and feet are webbed. Her fingers aren't clawed, they're more rounded with short nails and ridges on the inside of the palm for better grips on things since her fingers can't widen like a humans.

o4.) Dexamene has become facinated with Indian culture, (Thats from India, not Native Americans, lets keep it PC here people.) and has adopted many traditions of theirs. Such as wearing elborate patterns of Henna on her calves, ankles, and feet under her boots.

o5.) On January 3rd 2010, in a ritual held in Talos, near Circe Island, she cut all of her long hair off. It is thought by surface walkers when thinking of Mermaids that their hair is quite dear to them, most having several feet of it, being decorated with shells, pearls, coral and the like. Most Mermaid pictures by surface dwellers always show them combing or brushing their hair while sun bathing on the rocks of the coast. Dexamene's hair was cut short into a choppy bob and dyed with Henna to a brilliant coral red.
Now as of March 12th 2010, it has grown to shoulder length, a mixture of her natural seafoam white, navy blue, and sky blue.

Personality

Dexamene is the epitomy of contradictions. She wants to be well liked yet she can't stand being around alot of people. She wants to feel love but holds no desire to be married or have a family. She yearns to be comforted yet refuses to let people in. She has been in the millitary nearly all her life. She has become hardened, jaded and unsympathetic and rather unladylike. She despises gossipers, flirting, and the general catterwalling of most females. She finds it ridiculous.

Other Forms

Dexamene was asked to help with the removal of several entities called "Overseers" in the zone known as the Rikti War Zone, Firebase Zulu. A large expanse of nothingness, where several large chunks of earth floated. Upon entering, she was immediately cast into battle and spent nearly a whole day chopping her foes to bits. Towards the end, she came upon a cluster that seemed to be guarding something. Upon their demise she found a black steeled sword, with a large purple/burgandy cat eyed sword, and matching sheild laying on what looked like an alter of some sort. Taking them as spoils of war, she has since learned that they are inhabited by the spirit of a Giant. One of Gaia's many offspring, not as strong as a Titan, but damn sure close. While not hostile or demanding in nature, Dexamene has noticed that over time, through repeated use, as was her bargin with the Giant, she has taken on diffrent attributes while in possesion of it. As follows..

o1.) Her entire body oozes with a sickly purple light that bubbles and mists while she stands, and trails after when she moves.

o2.) Her normally blue hue'd hair, now dyed red with Henna, changes to stark white, touched by the faintest hint of baby blue. Her pale blue skin, knicked and scarred changes hue as well, to a dark almost navy blue, her scales growing hardened and larger in size. Her facial features, although oddly delicate for one so battle worn, change as a row of larger scales appear over her brow, giving her a more menacing appearance.

o3.) Her height, a meager 5'9" grows when in possesion of the sword to 6'.

Her Story

Part I

"And so it was that Poseidon blessed his children with the ability to breathe in the ocean to...." Belladonna trailed off looking at her daughter who was much to captivated by the sounds of boots clashing with the stone of Atlantis' streets to pay attention to history.

"Dexamane!... Pay attention!" her mother cracked a school pointer on the table she was sitting at to emphasize her point.

"Mother!..." Dexamene breathed out of shocked, "Yes, I am sorry...I was just... I heard.... <<sigh>> I am sorry." she looked down at her study table, waiting for a long lecture.

"Dexamene, you time to join your sisters in battle will come sooner than you think, and I know when it does come, you will do what is right for yourself and Atlantis. But until that point, you must pay attention so you know where you came from. Only when you know where you come from, do you know where you must go." her mother preached.

"Yes mother. I understand." Dexamene said with a half hearted tone. The lines around her mothers eyes eased and she put a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Don't be so quick to grow up my little starfish, the ocean is wide and full of life to discover. Do not deny your old mother the precious few years she has with you."

"Oh mother, you're not old! And even if you were, I'd never leave you unless I absolutely had to." Dexamene wrapped her arms around her mothers waist and nestled her head into the squishyness of her mothers embrace, feeling safe and warm, and protected from any dangers.

10 years later....

"And so it is with great Pride, that we award Dexamane, daughter and only child of Belladonna, as a Junior Member of the Interior Guard. As decreed by her superiors, and the ruling body of Atlantis." All of the political nicey nices were beginning to wane on Dexamene's nerves. Her uniform was stuffy, she felt very out of place, and uncomfortable with everyone looking at her.

When the ceremonys were long over, and she returned to her mother's home, she found her Mother with large eyes and a face full of both sorrow and joy.

"Mother? You are well?" She asked with concern. Her mother laughed and opened her arms which were a bit more saggy then Dexamene remembered. Her embrace was a bit more frail, but full of love as always.

"Of course my little starfish. I am so proud of you, of all you've accomplished. You have done excatly what you set out to do, and for that, I admire you with all my heart." Hearing her mothers words made Dexamene's heart swell to several times larger than it already was.

"Thank you Mother, I do it all for you. To show that you were not just a lowly soldier, that you were a queen among Atlanteans, who loved more fiercely then any lionfish could have for her young. I am proud to have you as my mother." Dexamene, now towering over her aged mother, held her tightly, comfortingly, full of love.

4 months later......

"Dexamene, you and Octavia are assigned to the streets that run along the Palace's opposite walls. Make sure you keep an eye out for anything.." Saluting her superior, Dexamene and her comrade, who had been friends since they were children, and indeed had joined the guard together, patrolled their assigned streets. Two hours later, there was much commotion in the ranks, finding everyone in a flurry, Dexamene asked a fellow guard what had happened.

"The King has been murdered. Poisoned! Can you believe such a thing? What ever are we going to do? We must see to the Queen, make sure she is safe. You and your Junior class are dismissed until we figure this all out."

Instead of going home, Dexamene, wandered the streets. She had been close to the palace, why did she not see anything? How could she have missed something as sinister as an assassin coming for the Kings life? Maybe she wasn't cut out to be an Interior Guardswoman after all. Going home, her mother now to weak to get out of her chair, motioned for her daughter to come in and shut the door.

"Is it true? Have they slain the King?" she asked her eyes wide with fear for the future. "Yes mother, it is true, King Bahamut is dead." Her mother let out a long sigh of breath, and clung tightly to her daughter. "Thank the Gods above and below the waves that you were not hurt. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come home." her mother, holding onto her only child, began to sob. Dexamene, sighed and removing her armor, laid back on her mothers chase lounge chair, and held her until she fell asleep, much like her mother had done for her, as a child. Soothing rubbing her shoulders, "Do not worry mother, I will always come home. Always."

1 Week Later...

With the King laid to rest, the government battling itself to find a replacement, and scouts who had followed the traitor returning, Dexamene and her mother hoped that things would return to normal. Her mother had stablized, but she was still old. More so then most reached. She had all the determination to continue going. And then it began... While laying in her bed, Dexamene heard the call of her name. Thinking her mother called her, she got up and went to her mothers bed chambers only to discover her sound asleep. Bewildered, Dexamene, laid back down and went back to a very restless sleep. This pattern continued night after night for almost a complete moon cycle. She finally dreamnt of a face. It was male, dark skin, light hair, and pointed ears. He and a female stood at the waters edge, on land, calling for help. The very thought of Atlantean's above water shook Dexamene to the very core, and caused her to wake up. She got up and walked to her desk, she wrote a letter to her mother, bidding her farewell, and telling her just how much she loved her, should she not return. Although she didn't say that she'd never return, she simply stated, "I will be back for you." and left it on her pillow. She quietly slipped out of the house and down the to city square. She tapped on her friend Octavia's window. They had become each other's source of support since the King's Murder.

"Octavia. Tavie wake up. Wake up!" she insisted. "Dexie? What on the ocean's floor are you doing here, have you any idea what part of the cycle it is?" she has exhasperated. "I do, which is why my time is short, they will be changing guards soon, and I can't miss them. I am leaving. Please don't ask me why, or where I am going, because I don't know. I only know that Poseidon is putting images in my head to a place I must go, and I can't deny it, or him. I only came to wish you fair tides, and to give you this." Dexamene handed her a medium size bag of Atlantean currency.

"I am giving you this to take care of my mother while I'm gone. I was going to have a new home built for her, but, I would prefer if she stay where she is. Let her want for nothing, and if it runs out before I get back, keep track of every scrap spent and I will return it to you when I come back...Please.. please take good care of her. She deserves it you know and..." Dex felt her eyes getting wide as the thought of leaving her mother made her hesitate in Poseidon's plan, but she knew in the end she could not stay.

"I will Dexie, I promise I'll take care of her. Send me word somehow whenever you get to where you're going, and I'll try to keep you in the know of how she's doing. Take care my friend." The women embraced and said their goodbyes. Sneaking around like a theif in the night, totally against her character, Dexamene made her way to the Gates of Atlantis. All she had to do was somehow sneak past her sisters in arms and she would be on her way. It wasn't very difficult. She knew their chatty and gossiping nature. Making her way farther and farther out into the murky water, she looked back one more time at the beautiful city she'd called home for her entire life, she burned the image into her memory. And then with one swift movement upwards, it was gone.

For many cycles she rode the currents, snagging food where she could, avoiding sharks and giant squid from the deep. Eventually she took the change, the last one she'd have of ever going back to Atlantis. Dexamene's aquablue hair broke water. The salty air, cold and sweeping stung her face and eyes, making her blink repeatedly. She coughed much, until all the water was gone from her lungs. Gasping for what seemed like an eternity, she finally managed to take in air to let her lungs be full. Spotting land, she made her way toward it. Large shapes, floating in the water, made of what could have been Atlantean steel, blocked her visage from the peak where land actually started. Climbing up a strange material she would later know as "wood" she took her first step on land. It was wobbly and unsure, and she quickly fell to her hands and knees. Then she heard them. The laughing jeers, and cackles of maniacs. Looking up into the hot sun, she saw large figures heading toward her. She could understand what they said, for they spoke "common".

"Well well well, what have we here? What a pretty little fishy straight from the ocean. Get her!" They piled on her like sharks at a feeding frenzy. She tried to struggle, but the more she did, the tighter they held on. There was just to many of them. She eventually fell unconcious. She eventually woke up, and found herself strapped to a table. Her armor removed, she felt utterly embarassed to be seen with no garments on. Soon her attackers rejoined her.

"So, where's the pretty little fishy from?" a large man jeered. A female in a painted mask, leaned over the table with something very hot and put the sharp point to Dexamene's skin when she refused to answer. Dexamene's eyes went wide and she screamed in pain as the molten hot rod scarred her face.

"Still not going to talk huh? Well, we got ways of making you talk." he said getting angry. Taking the sharp poker out of the masked females hands, he drove it straight into Dexamene's left eye. The smell of burning flesh stayed with her for hours, even days after that. She screamed till her vocal cords were stretched and blood dripped from her mouth. Unspeakable things they did to her body, and her mind, twisting her thoughts until she simply blacked out. When she came to she was in a cell, lined with some strange stick things (hay) that made a somewhat suitable bed, for hours Dexamene laid there and cried quietly to herself, but she never showed weakness to the Carnies for fear they'd take more advantage of her and break her spirit. Her will to live was as strong as ever, she would get out of this place, just wait and see if she didn't!

How many tides came and went while Dexamene was held prisoner by the Carnie's she'd lost count months ago. Being held on one of the large shapes she'd first seen when she broke the surface (ships) she took comfort in the sounds of the sea when her captures were off on their escapades and the place was cold and silent. The pain in the left side of her face lessened over time, although the feel of a crust on her scales and face from the salt escaping her body made it uncomfortable to try and move. What intrigued Dexamene the most and kept her mind from always thinking of the pain, was the one in coral orange. She was called a "Harlequinn" and her job was to throw discs at people and hack them in half while her comrades stole things from money to weapons from all the major corporations around the city. But when no one was looking for her, or paying attention, she was with Dexamene, treating her eye wound. She didn't have a full mask, and didn't speak like the others, so Dexamene was guessing that she was a new recruit with them.

Making sure there was no infection in the eye, the female would speak to Dexamene about her life, almost as if she were talking to a pet. She went on and on about her parents, about her family in general, her life circumstances and all that lead her here up until this point. For hours at night when the rest were causing havoc, this coral one had been assigned to watch the prisoner. Then, one night, the coral one was in a particularly blabbering mood, moaning on and on about some boy and kept referring to Dexamene as "fish lady", her patience was sent to the breaking point. In mid sentence, Dexamene opened her mouth and proceeded to give the girl a tounge lashing.

"By the Gods above and below will you stop your infernal whining!" she snapped. The girl, jumped and looked around as if trying to identify where the voice came from, and looking at Dexamene who sat on the floor she tip toed over and asked her...

"Did...did you say that fishy lady." Dexamene's sole eye grew blood shot veins and she finally exploded.

"You infuriating landwalker!" she said springing to her feet, "My name is not FISHY LADY! My name is Dexamene, daughter of Belladonna, citizen of Atlantis, and I grow weary with your moaning and groaning over some male of your species as if he was the sole reason for your being. How dare you come in here night after night and torture me with your boring stories and general whining about how life isn't treating you well. I've news for you young pup, life isn't fair! If it was, I wouldn't be locked in this blasted cage like some kind of animal while your cronies gallavant around this place looting and pillaging like common criminals. Have you no sense in your head what so ever? How in the world did you ever involve yourself with these flea bitten mongerals?! You should still be with your studies! Working on becoming something of importance, and making your family proud with honor for the name they gave you, instead what do you do? Come here and bore me to death with your overly dramatized life!"

The girl, sat in disbelief at what she'd just heard. "You can talk?" was all she could say. Dexamene stared at her in equal disbelief. "Did you not hear what I just said you bane of my existance, YES I can speak, and very well I might add."

After that night, Dexamene continually berated the girl who came to her with all her teenage problems. Over time, the girl began to understand that she didn't belong with the Carnies and life wasn't what she wanted, but it was what she made it for herself.

"I don't know how I will ever be able to thank you." she told Dexamene one night. "I've gone to the police, and told them everything, they were willing to cut me a deal if I pleaded no contest and in return for asylum, gave them names, dates, and any information I had about the Carnies. So this will probably be the last night I see you." Dexamene nodded.

"If I can by my death or life make sure one person has benefitted from me then I can die happy." she replied.

"We have to figure out a way to get you out of here. No offense, but you're starting to make the place smell like low tide in here." she said fanning by her nose with her hand.

"It is the salt and sea water escaping from my scales, because it's been so long since I've been in the water, I've been overly drying out, which is why I hardly ever move from this spot."

"Maybe you could play dead and I can tell the carnies you need to be thrown away?" she suggested.

"Perhaps. It maybe the only chance I have of getting out of here without endagering you anymore then you've already done so yourself." Dexamene said.

The next day the coral one went to the large man who had first scarred Dexamene's face and body.

"Oi! Bossman, I think the fish is dead, the cage smells rotten and she hasn't moved in days." she said. "Oh yeah? well lets take a look." he grabbed a heated poker, and headed for the cage. Dexamene lay on the ground in the cage, she could smell the heated poker from the door, it smelt the same as the one that scarred her face and she knew she was in for the trial of her life. No matter what, she had to remain still and pretend she was dead if she was ever to escape here.

The man banged on the cage, roared and threw things at Dexamene to see if she moved. When she didn't, he took the poker and carved into her shoulderblade lines from the poker which later, when scarred over, resembled a starfish.

"Yeah, she's dead, no one could resist that. I'm getting tired of this fishy smell in here, dump the body and her junk." the large man barked. A oddly shaped woman picked up Dexamene's armor as another man made his way into her cage to pick her body up. Just then Dexamene heard a conversation that froze her blood.

"So Denise, I hear you've had a little chat with the cops." he said as he closed the door, and Dexamene heard the girl scream as someone came up from behind to hold her. She was about to try and break free when the man tossed her body over the railing of the ship into the cold waters off Founders' Falls. Right before she hit the water, Dexamene heard a strange siren noise, and felt flashing lights through her closed eye, hearing, "This is the police, come out with your hands up!"

• Splash!!*

The ocean water washed away the from her body and she scratched furiously to get the crust off before she was encased in it. She stretched long and loud. Finally free of her captures, she hesitantly felt her face, and for the first time dared to touch the empty socket where her eye once was. Emotions came over her and for hours she lay beneath the waves, curled up into a ball, sobbing bitterly for what they'd done to her. Why, oh why had Poseidon told her to come here? Was it a mere joke? Had she been the butt of a joke of the gods? No surely not, the loving God Poseidon wouldn't do that to one of his children, there had to be another reason. She had to be here for something. Putting her armor back on, she swam the waterways of this strange new world until she came across a wreck just under the waves by large surface dweller built statue. Corpses, long decomposed were chained to the walls of the old ship, one man had lost an eye, much in the way Dexamene had. Feeling that she would do no disrespect, she took the eyepatch which half covered the red marks on her skin, and the empty eyesocket that no longer held a match blue orb.

Once again coming ashore, she ducked into what the surface dwellers called their "sewer system". The water was filthy, rotten, dirty. Full of waste and decomposing things. Insects and disease, and...zombies. The dead and the living of various types wandered the large expaneses. Managing to sneak by them all she finally found her way to fresh clean water. It wasn't ocean water, but it was better than anything she'd come across thus far since the ocean waters.

"Hail sister!" Dexamene turned quickly and unbelievable, saw one of her own kind.

"Hail!" she returned, somewhat timidly. "Who are you?"

"My name's Kyravae, and this is my sister Nimuyea. Who are you?" Dexamene was awestruck when the second Atlantean silently hovered down.

"M-My name's Dexamene, daughter of Belladonna. What are you doing here?" she asked astonished.

"We were called here by Leviathas, told to come by Poseidon. I'm sure that's why you're here too." The one called Kyravae said. Dexamene could see under the fringe of her braided hair, that Kyravae was sincere in her statements.

"Then...there are more of us?" Dexamene asked, her shyness wearing off, and her sickness for home taking over.

"Of course, come, I will introduce you to Leviathas." Kyravae waved her over. Standing on the base of a large white surface dweller made statue, stood an Atlantean that took Dexamene's breath away. His skin. His eyes. His hair. It was him! The one from her dream, and standing just behind him, the female, with hair as white as seafoam, the same female who knelt beside him. Nereidia she was called.

They were truely a match of Atlantean strength and determination. The one called Leviathas was a large male. Darker toned skin peaked from his armour which was polished, yet battleworn. Pride flushed every feature of his face. His eyes gave forth an unearthly glow that blazed from the orbs that flickered like fire. Trim and fit his body showed he was a warrior. A sword and shield he wore, decorated with symbols of Atlantis and his family line. Dexamene was instantly impressed. The woman was the picture of calm. Serenity played in her hair while peace danced her eyes. Her smile was one of confidence and pride. She was supple and shapely and was very much a lady. Regal her features were, and she stood with an air of superiority. Her voice was sweet sounding and reminded Dexamene of a calm day of the tides. They looked familiar somehow, as if she'd seen them before, a long time ago.

"Approach." Leviathas stated simply. Dexamene brought her formor training into play and, drawing her sword and shield marched right up to Leviathas, no fear in her heart what so ever.

"I am honored by your audience M'lord." she stated putting her sword and shield in an "at ease" position while speaking.

"From where have you come?" he asked.

"From Atlantis M'lord." she returned.

"Such a far way. And why have you come soldier?" he asked.

"Because I was called to, ordered to and I obey my orders." she said. Leviathas smiled a wicked smile.

"Soldier you say you are, prove it to me!" he bellowed.

By now, several others had joined him on the base of the statue. Another light skinned, golden haired female called Kenjia by the others. Her face lacked emotion and her eyes stared straight ahead. She seemed a bit standoffish but Dexamene could tell a warriors heart beat in her chest. She wore the battle garb of a Temple and Dexamene guessed she was very important. A tall, well built light skinned man, with a bald head, and his own eye patch, called Mandorallen also captured Dexamene's attention. He wore the look of a warrior. His own sword and shield was drawn and he looked as if he took pride in his sword skills. Dexamene made a mental note to speak to him later about them.

And of course Kyravae, and Nimu floated in the background. A darker figure, who looked like he'd just arisen from the depths of the ocean craters itself stood off to one side, they called him Iru. His face was diffrent then the others, he looked more feral, and his scales were thicker. Dark clothes and a dark aura radiated from his body making him just a black patch among the rest who were all clothed in Green and Gold. Just then, the skies darkened. All looked up questioning this strange happening. Dexamene instinctively pulled her sword and shield, a bit worn for wear, dumped by the Carnies in Founders' Falls back into battle positions. Leviathas noticed and smiled yet again.

"Atlanteans! With ME!" he called and bounded off over large poles of metal, and into a courtyard that looked like the small capital of this strange new place. Dexamene followed as well.

"What is it? What is going on Kyra?" She whispered as everyone there made ready. Dexamene could sense an approaching battle. She was not afraid of battle, not in the slightest, but would rather have known what she was fighting and why.

"We are here because of the Kings murderer coming here. This place is called Paragon City. It's confines are popuated with civilains, what the surface dwellers call "heroes" their own kind with special powers, and "villains" those with powers and using them for evil. They come here to help the officals of Paragon to keep the villains under control. We have decided to stay because, Nimu, and Leviathas have sensed something on the wind. Something that we cannot see but we know it's there. A darkness that has engulfed the surface world as a whole. We stay here to fight it, in the hopes that it never reaches Atlantis."

And that's when it all made sense. Dexamene finally understood.

She was never ment to find out who killed the King. She was ment to remain in the dark until Poseidon's light brought her through. She was ment to be a member of this group of rogue Atlanteans who, although they defied Atlantean law, did it to save the city. Dexamene thought of her mother, of her friend Octavia, of her chance at having her own family, and decided that if it ment keepting those she loved safe, she would exile herself to never see them again.

Then they appeared. Large alien creatures with strange weapons that shot out beams of light that seared the skin, and scarred the flesh. Dexamene took aim at the biggest one, and charge for him, ramming her sheild into it's stomach, she hacked at it's limbs. The creatures, whom she would later be told were called "Rikti" were Alien invaders from another place and time. They wanted to take over the entire planet, and drain it of all it's natural resources. Thinking of Atlantis, she couldn't bear the thought of her beloved city shook to ruins yet again. So with increased fervor, she attacked foe after foe. Others to came to descend upon the aliens giving a unified message that these beings would be in for the fight of their lives if they continued to try and take over.

With the battle over, Dexamene cleaned her sword of alien blood and stood off to the side to catch her breath. Leviathas came up to her and offered a small smile and his hand in friendship. Dexamene smiled for the first time in a long time and watched as he and Nereidia walked away together. The others to, one by one, went back to their daily patrols or slipped back into the water for a brief period. The only one to remain was Kyravae, she had brought Dexamene a gift. Several folds of cloth gave way to a pair of golden boots with wing embellishments.

"These boots are a sign of our Order," she explained. "Leviathas bid me give them to you. Welcome home Dexamene, daughter of Belladonna. You honor her with your presence here." Kyra smiled. Finally understanding that she'd been accpeted Dexamene hugged the boots and shed one last tear.

Months later, after many battles and trials, wearing the armor of a Roman Soldier given her by close friend of hers, Dexamene and her sword sister Shaiera were called by Leviathas.

"On this spot, many tides ago, this grass served as battlefield for all of us. This is where I met the one called Dexamene. Never asking any boon of us, she fought along side us against the blasted Rikti Invaders and earned her way into our Order. And so it seems only fitting on this spot, that this ceremony take place. Dexamene and Shaiera. Front and center." he ordered.

Dexamene and Shaiera looked at each other and did as they were told.

"Kneel." he said. Doing so, Dexamene felt the same way she did when inducted into the junior Interior Guard.

"Many battles you both have faced, and it takes the gift of a true warrior to face them, and continue on. Do not think your contributions to our cause have gone unnoticed. Fellow Atlanteans, I present you now with warriors Dexamene and Shaiera." Given an up in rank made Dexamene extremely proud and the wish that her mother was there to see it. As the ceremony ended and people started to leave Leviathas called to Dexamene.

"You were in the Interior Guard when you were in Atlantis, were you not?" he asked. "Yes M'lord, but I was only a junior member, I never made it to being inducted. Your call came, and to me, it was more important." Leviathas face was emotionless for a moment, and then just a hint of softness came to his eyes, it faded quickly, just as it had come.

"The next time I see you, you had better be wearing a purple cape." he said with a grin. Dexamene smiled wide. She now had everything she had ever wanted. As she made her way to the tailor to have her cape made, she thought of her mother.

She longs for home, for her mother, for a hug from days past that made her feel that everything will be alright. But alas, she must wait, and pray that Poseidon lets her mother live that long.

Part II

"Atlanteans, there have been confirmed sights of Serpents near the borders, we must go and do what we can to help the infantry. Our brothers and sisters lives are in danger." Leviathas explained. Dexamene felt there was more. Something he wasn't saying, but kept quiet. She polished her sword, one she'd taken from a Roman guard who had threatened her life. She kept it as a trophy, and spoil of war.

"Then let us go." Naireus stated simply. Everyone in agreement headed towards the water, preparing for the journey. It had been a long time since Dexamene had traveled this far away from the surface. It was then that a woman, of the royal court had audience with Leviathas, and explained what more had happened. Directing them, they continued to travel. Soon the serpents, vile and cold came into view, they were everywhere. Massive droves of them. "We're looking for our brothers and sisters, as well as a scout, and... my brother." Leviathas said, his teeth on edge. After many battles with the snakes, the scout Baccus (I can't remember if that's his name I'll edit later if it's not.) was found dead, his medallion removed and taken should they ever find Mercutio, Leviathas' brother. And find him they did. He explained that the snakes were looking for something in the caves. Something they MUST NOT find.

Leviathas and his group tore through the caves, destroying any serpent anywhere near them. They were looking for a jewel. A large jewel who's reputation was known by all. With the knowledge it had been forged by Gods, and it was nothing a mortal should possess, their efforts became more urgent. They HAD to find it before the serpents did. But alas, upon finding it's case, it was vastly empty, they'd lost this battle, but were determined to win the war. It was then explained that the serpents were heading for Atlantis!

Fear soared through Dexamene's heart as she thought of her aged mother still living in her family home, all alone. Her pace quickened with her pulse as they returned home. It was the first time in many tides she'd seen Atlantis. An overwhelming sense of pride and homesickness washed over her seeing the shining city. If her mother had managed to resist the attack, somehow make it to more secure surroundings, she'd see her. The thought of seeing her mother and showing her all her accomplishments made Dexamene's heart swell. She just had to be okay.

Tracing the serpents movements they came to a part of the city that Dexamene knew well, and in horror, saw her own small neighborhood in ruins, a vast amount of the lower section of the city had already been destroyed and pillaged. Her own house, gone. Dexamene's heart sank, as she dropped to her knees. While her comrades, accompanied by mercutio slaughtered snakes, Dexamene remained in what was once her home, her heart breaking.

She had failed. She told her mother she'd always come home, and she didn't. Told her that she'd always protect her and she didn't. Swore she'd save her mother and Atlantis from such happenings, isn't that why she remained at the surface even after the King's killer had been slain? And it was all for naught. Her mother was gone.

Numb she followed her companions who trudged forth after the serpents to punish them and their kind for what they'd done. Destroyed drove after drove of serpents, and already badly damaged, they seemed to be to late. At the end of their journey they found snakes, paying homage to their God... in the form of Leviathas' brother Mercutio. Possessed perhaps by the God of snakes, she had no idea, but she was hesitant to raise her sword to another Atlantean.

Leviathas and the others destroyed the serpent worshippers, and demanded an explination from Mercutio who balled up his fist and aimed it at Leviathas' head. He then turned his attentions to a large Atlantean named Aegaeon, who out of self defense returned a blow. Leviathas, his eyes large with tears pleaded with his brother to refrain from doing this, to wake up from whatever madness had betaken him to no avail. Seeing his people's life in jeopardy, and fully understanding the shell standing before him was no longer his brother, he called to his brothers and sisters to do what they must.

He fought bravely, hard and true as any Atlantean would, but Mercutio was eventually defeated. After such a battle, Dexamene again sank to her knees, feeling she'd lost much this day, and unable to continue, returned to the surface. her companions went on without her to defeat countless more foes in their quest to make the serpents pay.

Changing her armor to black and gold, out of mourning for her mother, and the respect of one of Atlantis' finest warriors being laid to rest, Dexamene's heart is now cold. The stages of death taking their toll on her, she is prone to fits of anger and rage, and other times weakness and fear. Tears flow as they've never flowed before, and her heart aches for relief from this pain.

She knows she must be strong, and as she answered Leviathas when asked to remain so..

"I am Atlantean. I don't know how to be anything else but."

Part III

After returning to Atlantis, and sensing something was brewing, Dexamene stayed only for her mothers memorial, and to gather up her things. Her mothers sword and armor, to be placed in honor in Dexamene's small corner of the Temple, her medals from King Bahamut for years of service and gratitude for a lifetime of loyalty. The small golden loop with several starfish charms made of diffrent coloured corals, a present from her paternal grandmother and several other knicknacks that all reminded her of her mother.

Before her departure the morning after her mothers remains had been put to rest, according to Atlantean law and Poseidon's arms welcomed her home, Dexamene had been questioned.

"Have you seen her yet?" "Has she found you yet?" "Have you spoken to her?" "Does he know you're here?" "Have you seen him? Will you see him before you go?"

Dexamene, not fully understanding who they were speaking of merely shook her head no, and stated simply that she was leaving at the first light of early tide to ride the current back to the surface world. Before walking away, a voice, sounding much like her mothers stopped her.

"Just a moment young woman. I would have a word if you please." Turning her head, Dexamene saw the figure of an old woman, a Mer, in a billowing cape and garments made of fine silk. She could tell that this elder was important. Perhaps to someone, she supposed but not to Dex.

"As you wish Elder. How may I be of aid to you." She replied politely and yet curtly.

"Do you know who I am child?" she asked simply. Dexamene studied the woman's face. Her features were well defined and polished, making her face very expressive and her eyes nearly jump out of her face to whomever she spoke with.

"No elder, I'm afraid I do not." Dexamene answered truthfully. The old woman came forward, being helped by a sturdy piece of drift wood that had been carved, seemingly by master craftsmiths, into a cane of polished ebon and gold. She brought a webbed finger to Dexamene's chin and lifted her face to get a better look into her sole eye.

"I am your grandmother child. I am your father's mother. Does that mean anything to you?" she basely demanded as she let her chin go. Dexamene's demenor went cold and rigid, and she took on the appearance she nearly always wore at the surface, one of distant irritation.

"No madame Elder, it does not. I have no father." she nearly spat the words and turning walked on towards her friend Octavia's house, leaving the Mer woman, and her little can to whisper and talk amongst themselves. In disbelief that a child would speak to an elder like that, they clucked together like so many pea hens, while the Mer woman smiled a knowing smile as she watched her granddaughter, strong and defiant walk on.

"Well done Belladonna."

Dexamene was told at the age of 10, that when she was 3 years old, her father's family, who was against the union of her father, a Mer, and Belladonna, a "human" from the very start, began to finally crack her fathers defenses. And he caved in, was granted a divorce from Belladonna who let him go under the condition he leave little Dexamene with her. The family, headed by her grandfather, agreed and decreed that the union between the two was over, and denounced Dexamene's existance and claimed her a bastard child. She had no place in her father's house, would never be welcome there, and indeed would go her entire life without knowing any of her fathers folk. Which was all well and dandy except for Cyedraiah. Dexamene's paternal grandmother, who enjoyed Belladonna as her daughter in law, and loved little Dexamene as any grandmother should love their grandchildren. Even after her husbands long winded decree, she still sent gifts and trinkets secretly to Dexamene through a kind hearted servent, and Belladonna herself. She made sure that even though she couldn't have direct contact with her, she allowed Belladonna to spend as much time with Dexamene as she could, so that Dex could grow up and say "My mother loved me." since she'd never know her father.

Returning to the surface, and exchanging her gold and black mourning armour for her regular Interior Guard attire, she began patrolling once again, and found her comrades right where she left them. A single medal with the shape of a star pinned to her breastplate in honor of her mother. Several of her "family" were pleased to see her.

The only one she hadn't seen was Endyein. A rogue Atlantean, Endyein had spent much of his life, as many of her family, away from Atlantis, making his own way in the wide oceans. He had expressed friendship toward Dexamene because she hadn't pressured him in anyway shape or form. Never asked him where he was from, why he wasn't one of her order, why he'd left Atlantis. She was simply happy to be around him. At their last meeting, he embraced her, presented her with a sea anemone flower, in the middle a large black pearl, (Large meaning like the size of walnut type large) and left her with these parting words, "I must be going, to where I do not know, and I cannot say when I'll be back. Just know that I am happy that I've known you, and just like surface walkers to our fair city, I will always come back looking for you."

With that he vanished into a storm cloud of his own making, and was gone.

Then one night, in Atlas, Dexamene's life changed forever. After speaking with Yllandria about her trip back to Atlantis, and her suspicion she was being followed, several new recruits were being introduced to existing members of her order, and having their purpose explained. One shy and timid Mer woman stood out from the rest. After being introduced merely as Dexamene, and giving a short, polite nod, as per usual, her face was in it's semi perminant state of nonchalant when she noticed the small Mer woman was repeatedly looking at her and shaking horribly as if some unseen force were attacking her.

After several minutes of this, and the others having bounded off to help each other sparr or whatever it was they were going to do, leaving just the mer woman and Panos, Dexamene called the woman to her.

"You" she said simply, "Come here." The woman started and blushed a shade of dark blue as blood rushed to her blue skinned cheeks.

"M-Me?" she stuttered, fidgeting with her skirt.

"Yes, you come here. Why do you keep looking at me like that?" Dexamene asked. Again the woman blushed and something clicked in her mind.

"It's you isn't it? The one everyone was asking me about in Atlantis if "she" had found me, they were speaking of you weren't they?" she demanded. The woman seemed pretty shaken up at the question and her eyes darted in all directions unable to look Dexamene in the eye, but sort of looked around it at her face, her toned body, her long hair, taking in every feature.

"Well, you've found me now, what do you want with me?" The mer woman whispered something under her breath that Dexamene didn't catch, and then said quietly, "I-I came to see you for myself, He always said you looked more like him then I did and that you were the better warrior, he talked about you all the time, and said you were his pride and joy and that I could never live up to that kind of warrior status.." the woman breathed all in one breath. Dexamene arched a sculpted eyebrow and again something clicked.

"He sent you to find me did he?" she asked. The woman shook her head no. "N-No, I defied him to come and see you. I will get in such trouble if he finds out I came here but I couldn't help it, I needed to see you. N-Needed to know w-who's shadow I was l-living in." She stammered truthfully.

"Compared you to me did he? That bastard." Dexamene gritted her teeth and swore under her breath, "So, now you've seen me. Now what? Will you go back to him and tell him what you've seen?"

"NO!" the woman breathed, "I can n-never go back. I-I want to stay here with you." she said her voice turning back into a whisper.

Dexamene's mind raced. If what she said was true, this girl was her sister, half sister but sister non the less, she had come all this way against the old man's wishes to see her "big sister" who, without knowing it, Dex had cast a shadow on all her life. Dexamene's facial features softened, something of a rare occurance. She extended her hand to the girl and smiled, "Come."

The mer girl took Dexamene's hand and was immediately pulled into an embrace as Dex wrapped her arms around her and patted her hair. Stuttering in surprise, and near tears, the girl latched onto Dex's armor and went on and on about how she could never go back to Atlantis and how she wanted to stay and be by Dexamene's side, until her shaking stopped and her sobs subsided, now that the aching longing was satisfied at last.

"Then you shall stay here with me, if that is what you wish. Although I warn you, this place is not made for souls as gentle as yours. You will see much that will scare you, sicken you, make you want to run back to the tides and make headway for home. And if you choose to go back, I will not hold it against you. War is not pretty, it is not fun, and it's not ment to be. This is a bloody battle we're fighting. But it needs to be fought, and I must stay and do my part as the oath I took to Lord Leviathas and Lady Nereidia." Dexamene explained.

"I-I understand." For many tides thereafter, Dexamene watched the girl named Kallidora grow and expand as she gained knowledge, training and slowly but surely began to relax around others.

And then she was taken away. Dexamene was swimming off the coast of Talos when she heard a familiar sound. It moved swiftly, and made strange motions as if not sure in which direction to go. Diving under the water, in the murky depths, Dex saw tentacles, and for a moment thought Lusca had returned to take her revenge! But this beast was to large to be Lusca, it easily dwarfed the large Octopi by several lengths. It was a kraken! A mysterious creature from the very depths of the ocean, what the duece was it doing here in a bay of Paragon?? Upon investigation, Dexamene got to close and spotted, a sea witch. Almost Naga in shape she shrieked when she saw Dexamene looking at her and ordered the Kraken to dispose of her. Drawing out her sword and sheild Dexamene again and again attacked the tentacle that threatened to squeeze the life out of her all while dragging her down to the depths and far out to sea off of Paragon's Rhode Island coast. For days she was dragged along the bottom where her lungs barely worked, the pressure nearly made her eyes pop out of her head. And then she heard it. On the waves, the distance sound of whale song caught her attention. It wasn't of just any whale, it was of the sperm whale. This Kraken had dragged her on a long journey to be sure. Remembering what Kenjia had taught her, when she trained Dexamene to be a siren like her, she sent out echo locations calling to the whale. Eventually a large shape began to form in the murky waters of the depths. The Sea Witch now long gone, had abandoned the Kraken and without her, the large beast was defenseless against the whale.

Like something out of an epic novel the Sperm whale's jaw locked onto several of the tentacles of the Kraken and hauled it off into the murky and cold waters, leaving Dexamene to swim upwards toward less dense water. For days she floated aimlessly. Lack of food and knowlege of just were she was, caused her great pain and frustration. Finally the waters began to warm, and the current picked up. Hitching a ride with a pod of smaller whales who favored the bays of Rhode Island, and Massachusettes, she finally returned home.

After all the talk of the traitor thing had been told to her, she shook her head in disbelief. "The Queen has been..replaced sister." Kallidora told Dexamene. Panos, nodded. "I didn't think it'd be to long," Dexamene offered, "I knew that the Queen would never take another after Bahamut died and she couldn't rule on her own. Honestly I'm surprised she made it as our Queen for as long as she did."

"She was replaced... by force. While she was s-still grieving." Kallidora said, her stutter never quite fully going away. At that Dexamene chuckled.

"Of course they had to remove her by force! I admire my Queen with all my heart, just as any other Atlantean does, but between you and I, and these four walls Kalli, the Queen was a grand bitch. She was as hard as coral, and twice as venomous. She fought hard to retain her place as Queen and stood beside Bahamut for every decision he ever made, both good, and bad. Both publically, and privately. His roaming eye was whispered of. Whether it was true or not I don't know but who knows really."

Just then, the alarm went up for Ophysia who needed assitance with a task. There were foes afoot, and since Kallidora was closer in age to Ophysia, and needed the practice, Dexamene agreed that she should go. Kallidora nodded and smiled.

"Do not worry sister, you're important to me, and I won't get in trouble." she said without almost stuttering.

"You're important to me too." Dexamene said as Kallidora ran off with Ophysia.

Watching the door and hearing them leave the Temple where they had been speaking, Dexamene closed her eye and felt her heart swell a bit, and whispering to the thin night air..

"So very important to me you are little starfish. I only hope someday you learn how much." and with that, Dexamene laid down in the safety of the Temple and rested for the first time, in a long while.

Friends and Family

Belladonna; Dexamene mourns the loss of her mother. A brave soul who dedicated her entire life to the Atlantean Milita for as long as her body was able to continue to support it. Her rapid aging was never identified as any disease, most thought it to be a curse, causing her to deteriorate much quicker than others of her age. The heart and soul of Dex, Belladonna taught her daughter everything she knew about swordplay, about life, and about having an iron will.

Kallidora; Kallidora is Dexamene's half sister by her Sire. Pushed all her life to surpass Dexamene in every way possible, Kallidora was driven by their father to succeed. Overshadowed her entire life by a woman she never knew, Kalli defied their father to come to the surface and find this one called Dexamene. Upon finding her, Dex instantly took Kallidora into her heart and has kept her there despite the changes in her sisters attitude and mood, as well as threats of her father coming himself to take her back. Kallidora, at only 20 Atlantean years old, is currently the youngest sibling.

Nikias Antaeus; Nikias is not of Dexamene's family truthfully, nor of her bloodline at all. Of the House of Anteaus, he was cast out by his own family, and after having saved Dexamene's life twice, she felt she owed him the change to have a family that truely cared for him. So after having asked and been accepted, Dexamene and Kallidora have adopted Nikias as their brother. He is second oldest in the family at this point in time.

Soalonah; Soa's entire family had been wiped out by the war. How the small Mer child survived no one really knew, but her powers seemed to manifest early, her being between 4 and 6 years of Atlantean age. Mute, and speaking only with sign language, it has forced Dexamene to learn sign herself. Adopted by the small child, Dex feels an overwhelming outpour of love and responsibility for the child. Commonly referred to as "my little starfish", just as Belladonna had called Dexamene.

Nialane; Nialane is the daughter and only child of her brother Nikias, and his long passed wife. The child was brought up by her mothers family and like many children in that situation, she was berated, and spoken down to like a common household pet. Repeatedly told she was not worth the sacrafice her mother made, giving her own life so that Nia could live, slowly wore away on the child's mental state. Although most of her life has been full of disappointments, rude awakenings, and self hatred, Dexamene has added the child to her family and refuses to let her go unloved, no matter what.

Octavia Arethusa; Octavia Arethusa is Dexamene's best friend, and truely partner in crime since they were little. Growing up together in the lower part of Atlantis' city, the two ran rampent through the streets and grottos that lined the outer rim of the city walls. Training together to be in the Interior Guard, they were always together until Dexamene heard Leviathas' call and left for the surface. In her absence, Octavia, or Tavie, as she is sometimes called, trained for the Atlantean Milita, became an expert swords woman in dual blades, carrying both "Naebi" and "Stingray" one light, one dark to balance her out. Tavie was also responsible to taking care of Dexamene's mother up until the Naga attack on Atlantis and the destroying of over half of the lower level.

Endyein; Endyein and Dexamene have known each other since he was 14 and she was 12. Always in trouble for misconduct with his professors and teachers, he always felt as though his learning pace was to slow. Leaving Atlantis, rather than face the shame of his parents being told of his misdoings, he wandered the sea finding several remote tribes of Mer and their ways of life. Leaving Dexamene with his minion stone, stolen from his own school, fully grown and called upon it changes into the rock creature that fights by Endyeins side. Misshapen and warped it is the product of the heart or hearts it has always been close to. It is thought that the rock creatures appearance is due to the agony Dexamene was put through with the Carnie.

Dexamene Says...

Atlantean & Mer

• King Leviathas; "I had seen him several times as a child. He was always getting into trouble. Accompanied most of the time by a young girl, and a Mer boy, or with an older boy. He was high spirited and always had a lopsided grin beneath his seafoam green eyes, almost always covered by waves of messy white hair."

• Queen Nereidia; "Ah little Nere. She loves with all that she is and yet will never understand the true power she wields. She's a credit to all of Atlantis. On her best of days, I believe that even Queen Casseopia would smile down on her."

• Aegaeon; "Aeg and I never really got off to the best start. His secrets and cocky attitude kept me guessing, as well as irritated. It made it very difficult to put my full trust in him. But he has proven himself, and is loyal to Atlantis. As long as that never changes, neither will my general good will towards him."

• Kaeus; "I respect Kaeus with all my heart. His dedication, discipline, and tireless watch over Ophysia makes me smile just to think of it. His promotion to being an Ambassador for Atlantis is well earned and more then well deserved in my humble opinion. With people like Kaeus to serve the crown, Atlantis need never fear for it's safety."

• Princess Ophysia; "Little Ophy. The child is fearless, brazen, bold, and fierce to behold. How all that power can be packed into such a small child I will never know. She pushes herself to the limit in whatever she does. The only thing that rivals the amount of power she wields is the amount of friendly enthusiasm that oozes from every scale on her body."

• Kydras; "Kydras and I have one of the most onfusing relationships. We're both as volatile and short tempered as the oceans underwater furnaces. But no matter what, he is still my brother in Poseidon and I will kill for his safety."

• Tritonius; "Prince Killian. He is somewhat of a mystery for who and what he has become. As a Merridian, I owe him my loyalty and pledge my allegiance to the crown along with Atlantis, should the sparkling city of Merridia ever need me. My wish is still for him to become more to me than just a face and title, but time will tell if we truely become friends."

• Kenjia; "My sister Kenjia. I don't believe many others know me better. She has this odd way of looking me in the eye and I can feel her stomping around in my heart. Her compassion and understanding when I needed it most, more than likely saved my life. I can never thank her enough for all she has done for me."

• Mandorallen; "Grog drinker."

• Pandora'lai; "Pandora is a sweet girl with much affection. Despite how tough and strong she puffs herself up to be, inside she is full of feathered down. Her voice can be smooth as silk, or course as pumice. She has a bravery that far exceeds her years, and I'm proud to serve with her."

• Toxary; "Tox has a darker side that I've yet to unlock. She's determined to become something great, despite the cost, or the risk. Almost as if she has something to prove to someone somewhere. But in the grand scheme of things, don't we all?"

• Endyein; "What can I say about Endy. He is one of the few who has known me almost all of my life. He has seen me at my best, at my worst, and his affection for me has never changed. His smile can build me up high enough to touch Olympus itself, and his frown can tear me down to the barest bones of my soul. He has evoked emotions in me that I thought I would never feel, has changed my way of thinking for ever after. I thank Poseidon and Aphrodite every day for blessing me with his presence in my life."

Non Atlantean

• Knight Sentinal; "Brother Sheppard, Noble Brent, Love of my life' These were all terms that I had heard to describe the man they call Knight Sentinal. He was an enigma, a ghost to me, when I first became aware of his presence. Long and hard his team and our people serached for him. And now that I truely know who he is, after the battle of Red Moon, I would say the effort was well worth it."

• Blue Mage; "Dashmier has one of the greatest hearts of any man I have ever known. His patience and understanding at times seem infinate, and without our talks I don't believe that I would have come this far. My greatest fear is of losing his presence in my life. I hope even after his wedding, he will still have time for me, and my "babble"."

• Matt King; "Matt is quite a treasure. His knowledge of outer beings and just the history of his life thus far is more than exceptional. I was proud to call him friend before the battle of Red Moon, and now months later, I still consider it an honor."

• Divine Maiden; "Juliette is the epitome of innocence. Her sweet smile, musical laugh, and overly concerned face always warms my heart. Braving the very depths of Hades seemed almost trivial. In my eyes, for all that she has done, for the beautiful person she is to everyone around her, she deserved that much."

• Cade Lawson; "Cade is a rogue! *laugh* One of the mose handsome non Mers I've come across in my time at the surface. Disregarding his loyalty, sense of justice, moral code, and proper manner, his silver eyes are quite expansive and you could easily lose yourself in them."