The Mysterious Door

Chapter 21

"What happened," I say as the world comes back into focus.

"You're finally awake," I hear a raspy voice, but struggle to focus on the source, "Good. I thought you'd be out forever."

I sit up and take in my surroundings. I'm back in the merqueens castle, but the beautiful woman from before has been replaced by a giant version of the siren statue. Its giant webbed feet spread out wide in front of it.

"I'm back in the ocean," I ask confused, "Where's Liam and Kyle?"

"Yes and no," the siren says, "You are actually back in the caves in their medical unit where they are trying everything they can to wake you."

"How do I wake up?"

"Oh you silly child," it smiles revealing three sets of hideous teeth, "Your soul belongs to me now. You're never going back."

"What do you mean my soul belongs to you," I start to yell, "Who are you?"

"Raising your voice wont help anything. We have met in my other form. This form resides over the sirens."

"You're the mermaid queen?"

"Indeed. The day Poseidon bestowed his ancient artifact on me I became a being that existed in two realms simultaneously. In your world I had the form of the queen you met and, in this world, I took a much darker form. From there all my people began to exist in both worlds as well, but I never intended for them to find out about this side of them. Now, whenever they need to tap into that part of them their mermaid form comes in here and the siren form takes it's place and vice versa."

"That still doesn't explain what I'm doing here."

"The lake water in which merpeople live is sacred. Anyone that takes even a sip from it will forfeit their soul to me."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know."

"It has been done and can never be undone."

"I can't just sit here while my friends fight the Instructor. Please, at least just send them some help."

"Like I told you before, my help will have no difference on the outcome."

"But it will," I stand up, "A lot of people are gonna lose their lives in the battle. I know it might not seem like a lot to you and you've probably seen many lifetimes pass, but right here and right now every life counts. If we lose this battle the Instructor and PEACE will be one step closer to coming after you."

"They can try," she says, "But you do make a point, boy. I will meet with the council and we will decide together what, if any, aid will be provided to the Commander."

"That's very generous of you, my queen."

"My queen," a siren says rushing into the room, "We have a problem."

The queen closes her eyes, "No," she stands up, the fins rising on her back, "They can't be this stupid, can they?"

"What's going on," I ask, frantically looking around.

"Someone's here for," she starts, but is interrupted by an armored Anthony bursting into the room, spear in hand.

"I'm sorry," he smiles, "But I can't let you have my best friend."

"Anthony," I say struggling to find any words, "You shouldn't have come. The queen is going to see if they can help us."

"We need you," he says still frantically fighting off sirens, "Stella says all you have to do is get above water and you'll wake up. We're in the mirror dimension so you don't need to breath, so all we have to do is run."