Nalu: The Siren's Song

Chapter 17

"Natsu! Snap out of it!" Wendy yells as I ignore her, continuing to sail towards the island.
Lisanna laughs. "He's not going to listen to you! He's mine now!" She says with a smug smirk. Up ahead I can see the island getting closer and closer into view. It's only a matter of minutes until we land. Noticing the close proximity of the island as well, Wendy begins to panic.
"Stop, Natsu! You can fight it! I know you can!" She yells but her words flow right past me. I am unable to turn, unable to speak, unable to stop. I can't move my body on my own or even acknowledge Wendy, no matter how much I want to. Like a puppet being pulled by strings, I am stuck moving against my will, sailing by the will of Lisanna.
Suddenly, something surfaces several meters in front of the sailboat, raising a forest of bubbles with the abrupt outburst. Wendy's eyes grow with hope but it immediately fades away as the figure becomes clear and several more emerge from behind her. It is the mermaid queen and the rest of the mermaids we had just escaped.
   "Natsu!" Wendy yells again, her voice much more urgent and laced with worry.
Something sparks inside me upon hearing her concerned voice. I have to help her! I have to turn around and get us out of here! And Lucy, she is somewhere out at sea. I have to find her! But still, as I try to move, try to fight, try to turn against Lisanna's wishes, I find myself unable to do so. No matter how hard I try, I can't break free.
A sweet song, flowing over the still sea catches my attention and I recognize the familiar voice. But before I can connect the dots, the ocean suddenly begins to grow rocky and a huge wave forms. The wave goes right past us peacefully before crashing down on the mermaids, sweeping them away and out of sight.
   As the ocean dances at a swift, sloppy pace, more strangely large waves form, this time coming from in front of the boat. The waves brush against the side of the sailboat in a gentle manner, turning it around and propelling us away from the island.
"What!? Natsu, turn the boat around!" Lisanna screeches. I try turning the boat but it won't budge as the waves continue to push us out to sea. "Why won't you turn around!" She yells.
"It looks like the ocean isn't in your favor." A familiar voice says. A blast of water shoots up from next to the starboard side of the boat, a blur of blonde hair flying by as a figure lands gracefully on the deck.
"Lucy!" Wendy excitedly shouts.
She turns around with a sweet smile. "Miss me?" Lucy says. My heart leaps out of my chest as joy and relief wash over me. 'Lucy!' I want to yell, if only I could.
"You mastered your mother's power!" Wendy says in a voice filled with awe.
"Perfect timing, isn't it?" Lucy says.
A shrilling screech from Lisanna interrupts the moment. "No! You were supposed to drown!"
"Sorry to disappoint, but I'll be taking back this boat and Natsu." Lucy says with a triumphant smirk.
Lisanna roars in a rage of defeat but her anger is quickly replaced by a sly smile. "Fine, you can have it. Have fun with your floating piece of scrap wood. But Natsu is mine." She says. "Come Natsu." My body begins to move on its own, walking towards the edge of the deck.
"Natsu! No!" Lucy and Wendy yell but I remain unfazed as I begin to step into the frigid water below.