A Sun's Siren

☆-4-☆

Chapter 4: Tangled in the Depths

Moon's POV
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The dim light of the ocean's surface barely penetrated the thick waters as the siren, with his sleek, scaled tail gliding effortlessly, scoured the seabed. Moon's pet shark had disappeared, yet again, distracted by a school of shimmering fish. He sighed, rolling his sharp, predatory eyes as he flicked his tail in frustration. "Of course you'd run off," Moon muttered to himself, scanning the expanse of coral, rocks, and drifting seaweed. "Why do I even bother with you?"

He twisted through the rocky outcrops, his ears twitching at the soft sounds around him. Suddenly, a faint movement caught Moon's eye. Among the thick, dark tendrils of seaweed, something struggled—a flash of iridescent scales, tangled and writhing.

A mermaid—no, a merman.

The siren's lips curled into a smirk. "Well, well. What do we have here?"

The merman was trapped, his arms pulling at the thick seaweed that wrapped tightly around his tail and torso. His shimmering scales reflected the pale light, his breathing labored as he looked up, startled by the siren's approach.

"I uh— Hi??— Can you uhm— Help me.. Please?..."

The siren circled him slowly, his grin widening as his tail flicked playfully at the water. "Help you?" Moon echoed, his voice thick with mockery. "Why would I do that? You seem to be doing just fine."

The merman tugged harder, frustration and panic etching across his face. "I didn't ask for this! I was caught by accident."

"Oh, an accident, was it?" the siren drawled, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "How clumsy of you. Can't even avoid a bit of seaweed."

The merman glared at him, his jaw clenched as he struggled in vain. "I don't need your comments. I just need your help."

The siren chuckled darkly, swimming closer until their faces were inches apart. "Really? Because it looks like you need a lot more than help. Maybe some lessons in grace? Or strength?" Moon flicked the seaweed with a lazy wave of his hand, the vines barely budging. "You know," he continued, his voice a low murmur, "I could help. But what's in it for me?"

The merman's eyes narrowed, clearly torn between his need for escape and the insult. "I won't beg," he muttered.

The siren leaned back, a smirk playing at his lips. "Oh, I'm sure you will. Give it time." Moon's words hung in the water, teasing the merman as he fought to suppress his frustration. The mermaid tugged at the seaweed one more time, his muscles straining, but it was hopeless. The vines were too thick, too tightly wound around his tail.

"Stubborn, aren't you?" Moon mused, swimming in lazy circles around him. His sharp gaze never left the merman's face, watching every flicker of irritation and defeat. "You're only making it worse, you know."

The merman stopped struggling, his chest heaving from the effort. He glared at the siren, who seemed to be enjoying every second of this. "You get some kind of thrill out of this?" the merman snapped. "Watching me struggle?"

Moon stopped directly in front of him, his cold smile widening. "You're not wrong," he admitted, his voice smooth and dangerous. "There's something quite amusing about it. But I must say, I'm surprised. You mermen are supposed to be proud, aren't you? Strong? Yet here you are, helpless."

The merman clenched his fists, his jaw tight. "If you're not going to help, then leave."

"Leave?" Moon laughed, a dark, melodic sound that echoed through the water. "Now why would I do that? You're far too interesting."