Of Song and Darkness

Chapter 3

Rhea

As I drew nearer to Eel Cavern, the ocean's chill seemed to intensify. A shiver coursed down my spine, extending to the tips of my fins. At that moment, I couldn't tell whether it was caused by the icy embrace of the water or the apprehension of encountering the sea witch. It was likely a potent mixture of both. My heart banged loudly against my ribcage at the mere thought of defying yet another of my father's rules, but what did it matter? I had already broken the most sacred law of the sirens. How much more trouble could I be in by going to parlay with a sea witch?

The lush, vibrant vegetation gradually surrendered to a grim terrain of jagged rocks and menacing boulders. The waters grew somber, as if the sun itself refused to cast its light upon this forsaken part of the sea. My certainty in being on the right path deepened as eels cautiously emerged from the rocky crevices, their dagger-like teeth gleaming menacingly. As much as I tried to avert my attention from them, I couldn't help but be drawn to their disturbing presence, their beady black eyes fixated on my passage.

Finally, I came upon the entrance of a colossal cave, an unmistakable sign that I had arrived at my destination. I drew in a deep breath, attempting to summon the remnants of my courage before daring to enter its dark maw.

"Hello?" My voice shook as I was swallowed by the cave's darkness.

A sudden movement to my left caused a tight constriction in my chest.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, princess?" a voice called from behind me.

Terror crept up my fins. The speaker had stealthily approached from behind, effectively cutting off my escape route. Summoning a deep breath, I slowly pivoted, my eyes fixing on a silhouette drifting through the murky water. The dim light failed to unveil any details.

"How do you know who I am?" I asked as the being drifted closer to me.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips as the figure swam past me and deeper into the cave. With its departure, a profound sense of ease settled over me, now that it no longer blocked the entrance.

"I am Morgana, the sea witch, dear. Ask me a harder question," she singsonged.

I nervously gnawed on my lower lip, my apprehension growing by the second. "Very well. How do I find the gorgon that has a piece of Poseidon's heart in its locket?" With a sense of urgency, I plunged headlong into the matter, for there was no time for pleasantries or idle talk.

At my inquiry, she stopped moving. "Now, that is an interesting question."

I didn't miss the sarcasm in her voice.

I gasped as a spark of magic surged through the cave. The eerie, dim cavern transformed, bathed in an otherworldly green glow. Blinking rapidly, I allowed my eyes to adapt to this newfound brightness.

I struggled to keep my mouth from falling open as I could now see her features. Inky black tentacles drifted around her, forming a twisted, aquatic halo. She appeared elderly and frail, with a sickly paleness. Her skeletal frame made it all too easy to count each rib along her side. With a graceful flick, she swept her flowing mane of white hair over her shoulder, unveiling more of her pasty gray skin.

I caught myself gawking at her and quickly averted my eyes. My attention shifted to the smooth cave walls, which were adorned with countless shelves, each crammed with an assortment of potions and mysterious objects I did not recognize. With measured movement, I eased closer to a particular shelf adorned with glowing magical bubbles. There had to be over fifty of these shimmering orbs.

"Gorgeous, aren't they?" she asked, plucking one from the shelf and holding it out for me to see.

I leaned in closer, captivated by the enchanting spectacle. The lower portion of the bubble was filled with water, while a miniature ship floated serenely on top, mirroring its existence on the ocean's surface. Startled, I shifted my gaze back to hers. She offered me an insincere smile, her jagged, razor-sharp teeth grazing across her blood-red lips.