Siren's Kiss

07: Hunted

Among all the Gods of Creation, Ciel found the Phoenix God and his spouse, the World Devourer, the most intriguing. How could a deity with the power to reset everything align with an immensely powerful draconic god, often depicted as a malevolent force that periodically destroys worlds?

The phoenix bird symbolized immortality, resurrection, and life after death, while the dragon was the embodiment of chaos and untamed nature. Dreams of golden feathers accompanied by black flames signified one thing---the end of that world.

However, Ciel did not dream of gold and darkness together. Instead, he dreamt of the bird and heard its beautiful voice guiding him. It was said that gods could not intervene with the rest of creation, but Ciel believed that given the opportunity, a god might try to manipulate circumstances to save someone they deemed worthy.

And Som deemed the world of the Seven Seas worthy.

Captain Drake pushed open the creaky door to "Mervin's Marvels", a musty scent of old parchment and exotic herbs wafting out to meet their nostrils. The shop's interior was dimly lit by flickering candles, it cast shadows that danced across the shelves cluttered with an array of peculiar items---ancient scrolls, golden vials, and artifacts of questionable origins. Even the walls were lined with dusty tomes and jars filled with strange, preserved creatures.

As they stepped inside, a small bell tinkled, announcing their presence. Mervin, a wizened old man with a long white beard and sharp, knowing eyes, looked up from behind the counter. Though he recognized the guests immediately, especially the infamous Captain Drake, he kept his expression neutral.

"Ah, welcome to Mervin's Marvels," he greeted them, his voice raspy yet warm. "How can I assist ye fine gents today?"

"You're a Pirate," Ciel gasped as he recognized the accent before the man could even reveal his face.

"Aye," Mervin smiled.

Drake stepped forward and appeared commanding despite the cramped space. "We're lookin' fer some knowledge 'bout the Azure Kraken and the secrets of its pearls. Heard ye might be the one to help us, mate."

Mervin stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I know a fair bit 'bout the Azure Kraken and its pearls. But I reckon I ain't the one yer lookin' for. Still, I'm willin' to take a gander at what ye got."

Ciel, standing beside Drake, hesitated for a moment. But after some thought, knowing that he had nowhere to go and no one to trust but the word of the god who visited him in dreams, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of a blue pearl, its surface glistening faintly in the dim light. He handed it to Mervin, who took it with surprising gentleness, examining it closely with a jeweler's loupe.

"Hmmm," Mervin murmured, turning the pearl fragment in his fingers. "This here, it's a fine piece, no doubt. Almost identical...but not entirely similar."

Ciel stiffened under the old Pirate's gaze. "What do you mean?"

"I can tell ye straight---this one here didn't come from the Azure Kraken."

Ciel was speechless while Drake stood in the corner, watching his expression closely. "How would you know?"

Mervin looked up, his gaze piercing. "The Azure Kraken's pearls have a certain...resonance, a unique signature. Denizens of the land craft precious jewels from it. This one...ye could make a necklace and fool most folks, but to an alchemist's eye, it lacks that essence. Where'd ye get this, lad?"

Ciel swallowed hard, he could feel Drake's gaze boring into him. "It was given to me as a gift. I always believed it was from the Kraken."

Drake frowned, crossing his arms. "If it ain't from the Kraken, then where's it from?"