Back at the quiet beach, where the waves rolled soft and silver, the strange comfort of safety was fleeting. Erdeon lingered close to Shin, his eyes betraying a warmth the boy never seemed to notice. The twins, Yuma and Toma, tumbled about like mischievous sprites, declaring that this place was safe—far from the forests of elves, and far from the reach of the Ocean Conqueror.
But my mind was elsewhere. The book. I had read Chapter Two, and the fountain had nearly drowned me. I had survived, but only because of Shin. Now I needed the third chapter. Without it, my journey had no path forward.
"Erdeon, Toma, Yuma," I asked carefully, "have you seen a man with a strange clock-like earring?"
The three froze, exchanged glances, then faced me again. Their answer was the same, spoken together.
"No. We haven't seen a man with a clock."
But then Yuma added, "We did see a dog."
"A dog?" I repeated.
Toma nodded. "Yes. It wore a collar shaped like a clock. It carried a bottle with paper inside. Then—it jumped into the sea."
A chill went through me. Paper. It had to be the third chapter. "Where did it take the bottle?"
Erdeon's hand lifted slowly, pointing across the horizon. An island rose faintly from the waves, shrouded in mist.
"There," he said, voice low. "But it is too dangerous. That place lies at the border of the siren and mermaid tribes. If we go there, they will hunt us."
I clenched my fists. "What about you, Erdeon? You swim faster than any of us. Couldn't you—?"
He shook his head. "I cannot. I am an outcast. That is why I stay near the surface—away from both tribes. If I return to their waters, they will drag me down."
The truth weighed heavy, but I had no choice. "Then Shin and I will go ourselves. That bottle is our life sentence."
At that, Erdeon's pale face lit with sudden fire—his gaze snapping to Shin as if the boy's name alone gave him courage. Puppy love at its rawest form. Shin, unaware, was already nodding with resolve.
Then came the tug at my shirt. Yuma and Toma, eyes gleaming, begged to join.
"No," I said firmly. "It's too dangerous in the water."
They pouted, then raised their faces with wide, glistening eyes—shameless puppy eyes that shattered every wall I had. I sighed. "Fine. You can help. But not in the water."
Their grins returned instantly.
"You'll climb to the tallest tree," I instructed. "Use mirrors to reflect the sunlight. Blind the sirens and mermaids when they come after us."
The twins scampered off, mischief blazing in their tiny steps.
Toma returned briefly and pressed something into Shin's hand. "Earplugs. Made of coconut skin, seashells, and leaves. Boys are the ones who fall to siren voices. With these, you won't hear their song."
Shin slid them into his ears, grateful.
Preparations were done. Shin pulled off his shirt, ready to swim. I slipped behind a rock to change into my rash guard. When I returned, Erdeon was already offering himself as transport—his transparent tail gleaming in the light. Shin climbed onto his back, and Erdeon's face flushed crimson. I allowed Erdeon to grip my wrist; I didn't care for romance, only survival.
And so, we plunged into the sea.
At first, the water was calm, the journey smooth. But the further we went, the heavier the air became. I could feel eyes on us, circling unseen.
Then the songs began.
Whispers of melody carried through the waves, sweet and terrible. My blood chilled. Though they couldn't reach me, I knew what they meant to do. Shin was safe too, sealed away by the earplugs. Erdeon swam harder, determination cutting through fear.
Shapes appeared in the water. Sleek, shimmering, hostile. The mermaids came at us with violent speed, fangs bared and claws outstretched.
"Faster!" I cried.
Arrows of sound whistled past, songs twisted into weapons, but the twins above did their part—their mirrors flared like sudden suns, beams of light cutting through the mist. Sirens shrieked, momentarily blinded, while we surged forward.
Finally, sand scraped beneath my feet. We pulled ourselves onto the island's shore, drenched and breathless, but alive. Erdeon collapsed beside Shin, relief softening his face as he clung too long to the boy's arm.
I stood tall, my eyes fixed on the land ahead. Somewhere here, hidden on this island, was the bottle that held the third chapter of the book.
And I would find it.