CROSSING RIVER (B×B×B..) *COMPLETE*

Chapter 28- Life underwater

“Well nothing ever happened to him in regard of things considered inhumane. He doesn’t have the genetic makeup that leads to transformation”, Olivia assured him and he calmed down a bit. River just didn’t want Brandon to go through anything like that by himself but since it’s not going to happen, he felt at peace.

They all took another nap except for River who had enough sleep and chose to become the guard as the others slept. Riley and Wayde had actually tangled their tails around his own while they slept. River couldn’t believe he was no longer a virgin or that he was “Married” to two men. He placed his hand near the mark on his neck and smiled.

His smile vanished when he remembered how the day had started for them. The investors who gave money to the facility to get something that could make them immortal will soon learn that the organization had vanished and if they try to sue Erina they will find her dead body. Brandon would frame the Tragedy on Veronica and they will surely investigate the island.

He kept remembering the melody his mother had sung when she summoned the lightning, it had caused storms and the calm ocean had become hectic. She had actually made the thunder come down from the sky while he had generated it from within him, his attack had only stunned those sharks while hers had killed that beast. He had finally seen the face of the monster that hunted his dreams for all these years.

He couldn’t help but wonder if he was right about the paradise, what if it was something his mother showed her child to keep him calm? What if it was just a metaphorical place that his mother claimed as home? He doubted everything but deep inside he knew it was real, he believed in his parents. River wondered what were they doing so far from home.

Wayde woke up first then pulled River towards him, “I love you”, River heard Wayde say and he quickly snapped his head at the boy. His heart was racing and he felt butterflies in his stomach, his throat had gone dry. Wayde smiled lovingly at River then whispered, “Why do you look so surprised? Isn’t that what married couples say to one another? Someone they cherish, care about and want to keep safe?”

River felt like his body would mush under such sweetness then he heard a voice behind him say, “I love you more than him”, and he was hugged by Riley. River was once again sandwiched between them but he felt giddy and safe. “I love you both, equally”, he whispered then felt himself being crushed once more.

All happiness vanished from his face when he was poked from front and back. He punched Wayde and elbowed Riley, they both grunted then stopped teasing him. He narrowed his eyes at them but they just gave him gorgeous smile. They were seriously acting like brothers!

The moon was no longer high in the sky but had started going down. The dark sky had a bit of light seeping through it by the time Erina and Olivia woke up. Soon the newly formed family came out of the cave and started swimming to the beach house. Riley and Wayde were the brawns as they pulled the boat while Erina taught River and Olivia how to navigate under water.

The ocean was vast and no longer were there any glass walls limiting them. River was the fastest in the group. His entire body felt very energetic after resting. It was three hours journey to the beach house and the sun was starting to shine. Erina taught them how to skip like dolphins and River found it far more fun than anything else.

He loved the currents hitting his body as he slid through them, the feeling of flying and having no fear of falling was really addictive. They met a pod of dolphins on the way and played with them, River remembered Daisy and felt a bit sad. She was back in the water park, that dolphin really loved being with humans.

The gang finally arrived at the destination and Erina asked the boys to push the boat to the shore after taking out the food containers. She led then deep under the water and soon through a tunnel which had lock but with a chop of hand, it came off. They followed her through the tunnel and into a room, inside the house.

“Made it long time ago, can’t believe I actually get to use all these things”, Erina said as she jumped out of water and on the floor. She hoisted Olivia then the containers, “Wait here, let me show you something more amazing”, she told them and dragged herself further to the wall and she stood up a bit on her tail like a seal.

They watched her as she pressed something on the wall then the entire room shook and made croaking sound. The walls moved making the four rooms all accessible from one room. The floor separated, creating passage to all the room, water flowed from through the gaps and connected with the pool which extends to the outside of the house.

The platform where all they were floating on, suddenly went up. This place was built by Siren for the Sirens. They all moved around as freely as possible and laughter escaped from their mouth as they swam.

“Alright everyone gather around. Ok, so we have a long journey ahead and it is very likely that we will come across some creatures. So Wayde and I will teach you how to rely on your instinct when facing the enemy”, Erina said and then pressed on the nose of Ariel’s painting from the little mermaid. It was a water colour painting.

Everyone heard a click then the glass with background view of ocean which they all thought was a window, slid open and their mouths touched the ground. It wasn’t a window at all, it was a weaponry cabinet. There was something similar to tridents , spears, swords and knives, these were all made out of crystals with sharp blades on the top.

“Back when I was in water, my leader didn’t like us carrying weapon to hunt or protect ourselves. She thought our natural weapon, fangs, claws and tails were enough. I used to also agree on that then I lived up here where people’s fangs had turned to teeth that came out after a punch, nails were trimmed and had become soft, No one has tail but legs but where humans lacked in strength they used their brains and weapons. Everything can be done with the help of weapon”, she said as she looked at all the weapons she made and collected.

Soon she took out the weapons and gave one to each of them, she thought giving trident to River would be funny since he can generate electricity, she gave spears to Riley and Olivia, swords went to Wayde and to herself while small knives were for every one.

They all tested their weapons then put it aside, now was the time to practice physical strengths. She took them to a long room which was mostly submerged in water. River looked around and said, “No wonder this place was so empty. You seriously were living a James Bond fantasy life, things just changes after pressing buttons”. Erina smirked and she carried a proud expression.

“Ok, this couch here is as strong as rhino’s skin. I want everyone to have their claws out and give your best to tear it. You can use your tails as well. After that I want Wayde to have a battle with me”, she instructed and declared. Every one looked at her as if she was now way over her head. This was her new body, she hasn’t been in there even for a day while Wayde had his own body that he had trained in for years.

However, no one said anything. They have unofficially made her their leader, the woman had literally seen the world longer than they had also they had been following her instructions since yesterday and things had gone pretty well. They unanimously thought Erina had leadership skills.

First to go was fresh blood, Olivia. “Speed and timing is everything when fighting an opponent”, Erina said and Olivia understood. During her human life, she had no Physical strength whatsoever but now she could feel herself as some strong goddess. She focused on one spot then glided all the way to the wall at the back then she narrowed her eyes and with a flick of her tail, she swam to the right part of the couch then scratched it with all her might. As soon as she did, she did a complete arc and slapped her tail on the surface.

Every one watched with excitement, three light gash was formed on the surface and the couch had moved a bit backwards. “Well done! Next”, Erina yelled. River thought this part to be a bit of a cringe. Riley went next and in similar manner he slashed three longer but still lighter marks were formed and the couch had been pushed further away.

It was River’s turn and since it was physical training, he had his claws out, the webbed needles extended and his bony end was sharp. This was Olivia’s first time seeing River up-close in such form and she found it fascinating then she wondered if she also had that pointy needles.

River’s eyes constricted into a slit then in a flash he was in front of the couch, he slashed it side ways also used his bony spear to poke a deep hole then finally he flipped his entire body which lifted the couch, it was out of the water until the hands rest  then it came back down.

Every one looked at the result and knew how strong River really was. He had been in too many fights since his full shift. The guy, Micah, the one he had killed in self defence was his first then he had also fought with Wayde a bit and finally the group of sharks. Erina gave him a nod then it was Wayde’s turn.

Before he went and took his position, he pulled River towards him and rubbed their faces together. River was learning how much of an affectionate Creature Wayde really was. He wondered if the guy was born a human, he wouldn’t have shied away from PDA. River, himself however was very shy from such display of affection.

He quickly swam towards Riley and stayed a bit behind his figure. Riley wrapped his hand around River’s waist and pulled him further together. Erina shook her head with a small smile while Olivia just cooed at them. Wayde was the strongest one among all of them and he had experience. His claws had left deep gash and he had literally smashed the couch to the wall with a flick of his tail.

He gave a smug and pride filled look at everyone then made his way to his partner and Riley who was now his brother. Now, every one’s eyes were on Erina. She took her position and she titled her upper body forwards, sharp webbed needles extended through her spine and her claws also elongated. She shook her body a bit then flashed forward, her speed somewhat close to River’s then she paused for a moment in front the couch and gave her all as she plunged her five fingers inside the couch.

She then swung the couch with her palm still inside the seat. The huge couch was hoisted Above the floor and titled sideways then she used her tail and slammed the couch back down. “Doong”, sound was heard by everyone from the impact and when she turned around to face them, the couch broke into two parts behind her.

All four audience were amused but they thought it cracked in half because she had gone last and it had become weak after four of them smashed it before her. “We all have to remember one thing and that is our opponent won’t stay still for us to slash them, so we have to use the momentum and aim for piercing their skin. After that your enemy would be stun and overwhelmed with pain so, you can move them in any direction then use your tail to break their bone. Now that’s done, let’s focus on vibrations”, she said then swam out of the room.

“She is scary”, Olivia spoke first, River and Riley agreed while Wayde looked like he had finally met his real master. “In under water world, going for kill is the only way to survive. Riley, listen carefully to what she teaches, if we follow her ways we will be strong enough to protect our family”, he said in a serious tone.

Let’s just say it wasn’t just River whose heart skipped a beat upon being called a family. Even Riley was moved by Wayde’s words and Olivia was crying even though no water came out of her eyes. It was similar to River sobbing in water some time ago, where he wept without tears.

Riley gave Wayde a nod and the guy was pleased. He really seem to enjoy being the elder one between them. “Why just remind Riley and not us? We are part of the family too”, River said as he pointed towards him and Olivia who gave a nod. Despite information exchange, Wayde wasn’t used to seeing others who were not fit to be warriors as protectors.

“Yes. Olivia, you too listen to Erina carefully”, he said then avoided looking at River. “Seriously? Wayde, you are being sexist... Somehow. I mean I don’t have to be told to listen carefully to Erina but why put me out of the protection circle? Do you want me to zap some sense into you?”, River said as he pointed his finger at Wayde.

The Siren turned to River, “Why would you ever put yourself in such situation to kill? I’m telling you to stay behind protection circle at all times. You are fast and have extra set of weapons but your body isn’t physically strong. I’m just saying you should preserve your energy and look for the right moment then attack. You are in no way allowed to face enemy head on. Please promise me you will escape if such situation ever arises where you might face other warrior Meras”, Wayde explained and requested as he held River’s arms.

River had wanted to argue with Wayde but finally understood the meaning behind his words. He wasn’t stupid or some one with ego. He knew his strength by now and it was sneak attack. His offensive move was power of surprise, River knows that other Sirens already knew everything he was just learning. It would be suicide to fight them head on. He looked at Wayde’s crystal blue eyes and nodded.

Wayde gave him a very relieved smile and pulled him in his embrace once again. By now River was used to this. Riley smiled at the annoyed boy then teasingly slapped his butt area. River glared at the boy but his shyness was evident in his eyes.