Siren's Kiss

68: Thalassara, the Siren Kingdom

"Nothin's happenin'! I'm still meself!" Jo wasn't sure if he was trying to convince himself or the crew after swallowing the pearl whole. Aside from the strange sensations in his chest and the rumbling in his stomach, nothing about him had changed. For the most part, he felt like himself.

He glanced at the other crew members, noting they seemed unchanged as well. They exchanged uncertain glances, searching for any signs of unusual sensations. Their surgeon, Gus, began to ponder aloud, "Maybe the effects be more internal than external, eh? I've noticed some of the aches in me bones and muscles be slowly fading away."

"He's right," Toby chimed in. "I be feelin' more invigorated than ever before!"

Captain Drake tugged at his shirt sleeve and was astonished to find the bruises he had acquired in his arms during their adventure at the Lost Isle had vanished. Like the others, he sensed that his internal injuries were healing too. Although pirates were known for their resilience and tendency to ignore wounds, it was a welcome relief to feel their bodies renewed and infused with a new kind of vigor.

"As if me life be extended tenfold," Drake muttered, glancing at Ciel. "Be this the effect of yer pearl, me love?"

"My pearl can indeed heal, but it shouldn't have been taken directly. I warned you about the side effects. If they manifest during our journey, don't act surprised," Ciel reminded him and the rest of the Crimson Corsairs.

"Sometimes Ciel's tears can have the opposite effect and become a poison instead of a cure," Coraline added, causing the crew to gasp in unison.

The cook, Ollie, couldn't help but grumble, "And ye thought to tell us this now 'cause...?"

"Because we didn't think you'd be willing to take the risk," Coraline replied simply.

"Cap'n!" the crew cried in alarm.

Drake waved his hand dismissively. "Aye, aye! I trust Ciel. I know he wouldn't let anythin' happen to us, me hearties."

Ciel's eyes softened as he regarded Drake. To calm the crew's outrage, he explained, "If you've noticed, my pearls come in varying colors, each representing a different emotion. Just as when I take the form of the Azure Kraken, the pearl's effects shift based on my emotions when I shed those tears. The ones I saved are meant to heal and facilitate a transformation. Keep this a secret; it will be our little pact. I trust my alpha, and in turn, I trust his crew."

Hearing the confidence in his tone, none of Drake's crew dared to protest. They had sworn fealty to their captain, and that allegiance extended to his chosen omega as well.

Now that the crew was prepared, Drake approached the Scarlet Tempest and marveled as it automatically repaired itself the moment he touched it. It seemed that the healing his body had undergone also extended to his ship. The crew gaped in fascination at the magic the siren prince's pearls had unleashed. It was clear they had never witnessed anything like it on the Seven Seas.

Not only did the ship repair itself, but its entire body was also coated with a transparent substance that blended seamlessly with the wood. It gave the vessel an unusual sheen, and when Drake touched it, he found it sleek yet sticky, as if it were alive and elastic, expanding alongside the ship.

"What be this, me love?" he asked Ciel, who was following closely behind.

"Just like you, your ship can sense that it's about to embark on uncharted territory. My pearl is currently protecting its entire structure, inside and out. The effects on your ship will be similar to those on you."

"Are ye sayin' this gooey substance be likely shieldin' our internal flesh?" Gus asked, curious about the pearl's effects on land dwellers.

Ciel nodded. "Coraline and I suspect it's creating a shield to protect your internal organs from further damage."