Reluctantly, she propelled her body upwards, breaking through the water's surface and entering the realm she had been forbidden to explore. As her eyes adjusted to the surroundings, she couldn't help but be mesmerised by the moon's radiant glow dancing upon the rippling waves. With a mixture of trepidation and excitement, she cautiously lifted her gaze above the water, revealing a panoramic view of a bustling city and majestic ships gracefully navigating the distant waters.
A barely perceptible sneer played on her face as she directed her attention towards the city. The repugnant sounds that filled the air were a stark reminder of the foulness that plagued the entire place. Her mother's stories about Driftmark and its ruler, a lord who claimed mastery over the tides, echoed in her thoughts. The idea of a human assuming such a grandiose title irked her, but she knew she had to present herself in the best possible light if she wanted their assistance
As she ascended towards the surface, her head emerged completely from the water, revealing her full face to the world above. She did so with a hint of reluctance, as if she was not quite ready to leave the cool embrace of the water behind.
Her face stung from the heat, her gills throbbing with discomfort as she struggled to see clearly. The sensation of cold shivers creeping up her spine made her long to plunge back into the soothing embrace of the deep, dark waves
her mind scanned through her thoughts over and over again, trying to find an excuse not to go not land, she looked back at the ocean waves before looking at the shore, hse had to do this, she knew she had no choice but what if it would be all for nothing, but it was her duty and she couldn't stay in the water forever.
The water seemed to stretch endlessly before her, but she was settled to reach the safety of the shore. Stroke by stroke, she heaved herself forward, her body growing weary with each passing moment. Finally, she reached her destination and sought safety under the shelter of a dock. The rough wood provided a stark contrast to the coolness of the water, and she relished in the momentary peace. As she emerged from her aquatic form, she felt a wave of pride. She had conquered the waves and arrived on the dry sand.
The sand's unwelcome presence in her gills and scales was something she despised wholeheartedly. Her tail whipped back and forth in a frenzy, as if engaged in a battle against the discomfort, desperately seeking relief.
The transformation became an even more excruciating experience, courtesy of the biting coldness that enveloped the night air. With every breath, the freezing atmosphere seemed to penetrate deeper into her bones, intensifying the already unbearable pain. The icy touch of the night air served as a constant reminder of the harsh reality, making the transformation an agonising journey through the depths of her suffering.
With a sickening snap, the air filled with the sound of flesh being torn apart. Her tail split right down the middle, leaving behind a jagged slice. As if in a grotesque transformation, the skeletal structure inside her began to contort, while her once grey scales appeared as if they were melting away, transforming into a liquid-like fabric. Slowly, she wriggled her upper body out of the discarded tail, shedding it like a snake sheds its skin. As her gills closed, emitting a similar sound of tearing flesh, her hand started to change shape. The webbed fingers transformed back to their normal state, allowing her to use them to drag her limp body further under the safety of the dock.
She looked at her new body and she hated it. she hated humans, she hated everything about them, the way they looked, the way they talked, the way they smelt, she found it repulsive.
Completely exposed, she resembled a newborn, her bare skin glistening under the glowing moons embrace. Casting a cautious glance around, she cautiously manoeuvred herself towards the right side of the deck. Amidst the hustle and bustle of a few workers loading cargo onto the nearby ships, she caught snippets of their hushed conversations. With a soft hiss, she instinctively retreated from the edge of the deck, poised to pounce on the unsuspecting voices. Curiosity getting the better of her, she leaned over the dock's edge, only to discover a barrel before her, concealing a pristine white sheet.
She felt the fabric beneath her fingers feeling the fabric she had never felt she wrapped the tarp around herself and
With a deliberate motion, she extracted the sheet from its hiding place, resulting in a chain reaction that sent the barrel tumbling down, creating a resounding thud that echoed through the air. The sudden noise caught the attention of one of the men nearby, who couldn't help but inquire.
"What was that?" Curiosity piqued, the two men made their way towards the rear of the dock, where the fallen barrel lay. As they approached, one of them reassured the other.
"It's just a fallen barrel," before returning to his duties. Undeterred, the other man decided to investigate further, making his way towards the barrel. With a determined stride, he lifted the barrel and gracefully descended onto the golden sand, his eyes fixed on the cotton sheet that lay nearby, waiting to be retrieve
As he tugged at the cover on the floor, he felt a sudden resistance. Determined, he exerted more force, only to be met with a faint hiss emanating from beneath the deck.
Curiosity piqued, he knelt down to investigate, and to his astonishment, he discovered a young girl, no older than ten, concealed within the folds of the sheet.
The girl possessed a crown of chestnut hair that cascaded down her shoulders, perfectly complementing her mesmerizing bioluminescent blue eyes. Her skin seemed to shimmer, almost as if it were adorned with a delicate layer of stardust.
"seven hells...." he muttered under his breath, lowering himself to the girl's eye level. Realising the urgency of the situation, he called out to Luca, another worker nearby.
"Hey, Luca!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with urgency.
"There's a girl down here!" he bellowed, his words echoing through the air. Startled, Luca rushed over and leaped off the deck to join his friend.
As he crouched down, he witnessed the little girl trembling in fear, her tiny frame bound by the confines of the blanket.
As she slithered backwards, a low hiss escaped her lips, her face contorted with sheer terror, resembling that of a vulnerable creature on the brink of extinction.
kid...you alright?" Sensing her distress, the compassionate man approached, his voice soothingly assuring her that everything would be alright."Hey
"Y-you hel-help" The girl's words stumbled out in a jumbled mess, as if she were speaking an entirely different language. Trembling, she managed to stammer a plea for help, desperately seeking refuge from the unknown.
"yes, yes, we are going to help you" The man's gentle reassurance echoed through the air, promising to provide the assistance she so desperately needed.
"what.is.your.name" With cautious curiosity, the other man slowly inquired about her name, enunciating each word with deliberate care.
"my- name, is, r-ryis" her voice quivered as she drew closer to the men, her movements resembling that of a wounded animal seeking solace.
Offering a glimmer of hope, one of the men extended an invitation for her to join them.
"ok, hello ryis, can you come with us?" As she rose to her feet, the men provided support, guiding her unsteady steps across the sandy beach towards the safety of the grass.
Yet, there was an eerie quality to her demeanour, as if she were operating on autopilot, her gaze captivating anyone who dared to meet her eyes. The workers helped her wobble to the top of the deck and they helped her stay idle.
"Hey Ryis, can you tell us where you're from?" inquired one of the workers, enunciating each word carefully to ensure clear communication
"I come from the sea," she replied in a deliberate manner, mirroring his pace of speech. The two men exchanged glances before silently turning to converse with each other, ensuring she was out of earshot.
"Did you hear? She's one of them... they found a dead one just last week," one of the men whispered to his friend, his voice filled with intrigue.
"Well, if that's true... she'll be sold to a brothel without a second thought," the other man replied, his tone laced with a hint of conspiracy
Ryis found himself once again confronted by the group of men, their attention now fully focused on him. With a mischievous grin spreading across his face, one of the men proposed an intriguing idea, "Why don't we escort you into the the city?"
Ryis stole a quick glance at the vibrant cityscape behind her before refocusing on the two men who had come to her aid. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she weighed their offer, her frustration evident. After a moment of contemplation, she finally gave a small nod of approval.
One of the men couldn't hide his smug grin, clearly pleased with himself for offering 'assistance'. The other, however, seemed to be filled with a mix of shame and reluctance, his gaze fixed on the ground as he shook his head. Despite his reservations, he eventually gave a hesitant nod in agreement.
As they made their way into the city, the sounds of music and shouting grew louder, assaulting Ryis's ears. The chaotic noise made her head spin, the overwhelming clamour a stark contrast to the peaceful solitude she was used to. The bustling streets were filled with a whirlwind of activity, from the scent of spices to the sight of fireworks lighting up the sky. Ryis found herself navigating through a sea of people, each encounter more intimate and intrusive than the last
They navigated the city until they were at a bar, the bar was loud and obnoxious, the smell made her eyes sting and she felt lustful eyes on her as she navigated the tables.
With a gentle smile, the more kind-hearted man beckoned Ryis to join him, gracefully pulling out a chair for her at the bar. His warm gesture instantly made her feel a bit at ease, as if he understood the weight she carried on her shoulders at that moment.
Ryis seemed detached from herself, as if she were merely going through the motions of existence. Her mind was a blank canvas, devoid of any thoughts or emotions. It was as if she had temporarily lost touch with her own identity, floating in a state of numbness.
The man's compassionate act of offering her a seat was a small but significant gesture that spoke volumes. It was a reminder that amidst her inner turmoil, there were still people who wanted to help and were willing to extend a helping hand. At that moment.
As she settled into the chair, a mysterious man approached her with a sly grin on his face. "Hey there, sweetheart, could you do me a little favor?" he whispered, his hand firmly holding onto his manhood. She gazed at him blankly, showing no emotion on her face.
The man who had offered his assistance turned to her and said, "This is not the right time, keno." He leaned in closer to Ryis and added,
"But why not? She has the perfect plump lips for it."
the man interrupted, taking a sip of his ale, and said.
"He thinks she's a-" The man paused. pouring wine for Ryis, before asking,
"A what?" In a hushed tone, he whispered to the man,
"A siren."
"siren, me, yes" Ryis spoke, chugging the whole glass of wine without any effect or breath.
The group of men looked at her. The drunk one burst out in a snicker "what like the one from the fairy tales" the man snickered, chugging the rest of his drink.
"What is fairy tale?" ryis questioned looking the men that had offered to 'help her' the men just looked at eachother.
"Don't fret, sweetheart," the intoxicated man murmured gently, mistakenly placing his hand on her shoulder. Without a second thought, she firmly grasped his hand and swiftly spun him around, sending him soaring across the room. It was as if she possessed the might of a hundred men, her strength undeniable and awe-inspiring.
Ryis hissed and shook her body being repulsed by the thought of being touched by a human, it was like she had found a spider on her and she turned to the men who offered to help her.
"You no help Ryis" she spat out before leaving the bar and walking up the hill closer to the large castle.