SIREN [CNA x Roses and Champagne]

CHAPTER 6

Taekjoo's eyes fluttered open, the harsh light of the cave searing his vision. As he tried to recall what had happened, memories of the siren and the river flashed through his mind. He struggled to sit up, but his body felt heavy and sluggish.

Realizing that Leewon was nowhere to be seen, Taekjoo panicked.

Taekjoo staggered to his feet, his body aching with every movement. He winced as his hand grazed a particularly deep scratch on his arm, a souvenir from his encounter with the siren. The pain seemed to bring back memories of the creature's hold on him, its sharp scales digging into his skin. He could still feel the cold water closing in on him, threatening to steal away his last breath.

Taekjoo tried to steady himself against the damp cave wall, his breathing still labored. His mind raced with questions: Where was Leewon? Were they still in danger? And why had he been spared?

He surveyed the empty cave, his eyes falling on the spot where Leewon had lain unconscious earlier. His heart sank. If Leewon had woken up and left, why hadn't he taken Taekjoo with him? Unless...

Unless Leewon had been taken.

Taekjoo couldn't shake the image of Leewon, limp and lifeless, drifting away into the depths of the river. The very idea made his stomach turn. But he knew he couldn't dwell on that possibility. He had to find Leewon, or at the very least, a way out of the cave.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of splashing water coming from the direction of the river. 'Was that... what was that?' He thought

Taekjoo held his breath, his body tensing as he strained to listen. The splashing grew louder.

Was it the siren returning? Or something even more sinister? he knew that he had to be cautious.

Slowly, carefully, Taekjoo's feet shifted uneasily on the damp cave floor as he inched closer to the water's edge. The river's current surged through the underground cavern, its water a murky swirl of darkness.

He peered into the depths, his heart hammering in his chest. Whatever was causing the splashing noise, he knew it was close. Too close.

Suddenly, the splashing stopped, and Taekjoo held his breath, listening intently for any hint of movement. His eyes darted around the cavern, searching for signs of life, but all he saw were the shadows of stalactites and stalagmites.

And then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of something. Something that sent a chill down his spine.

The water's surface rippled and churned, and from the depths of the river, a pair of glowing, blue eyes pierced through the darkness.

Two icy blue eyes stared back at Taekjoo, their cold gaze locking onto him like a predator about to strike.

With a rush of water, the creature burst forth from the river, its lithe, sinuous body glistening in the dim light. It towered above Taekjoo, its human-like torso rippling with muscle, and its scaled tail thrashing behind it.

The siren hissed, its sharp teeth gleaming in the darkness. It stepped forward, its taloned feet sinking into the cave floor with a wet squelch. The water dripped from its glistening scales, leaving a trail of wetness in its wake.

It was then that Taekjoo realized he was staring at the very creature that had nearly drowned him. Its shining blue irises glinted with a menacing intelligence, and he knew that he was facing a being of incredible strength and cunning.

The siren's lips twisted into a cruel smile, and with a wicked chuckle, it lunged at Taekjoo. But before he could react, the creature's hand shot out, catching him by the throat.

the siren hissed and chuckled menacingly

Taekjoo struggled against the siren's grasp, his hands clawing futilely at its slippery skin. But it was no use. The siren's grip was iron-like, and his vision began to dim as it cut off his air supply.

The siren smirked enjoying the struggling human then he finally decides to speak,
"It's futile," the siren taunted, its lips curling in a cruel smirk. "You will be mine."
Unlike the other siren with Leewon this siren speech was more fluent.

Taekjoo could feel his body beginning to weaken, his lungs burning for air. But he knew he couldn't give up. Not now. Not when he needs to find his cousin, too.

With a surge of desperation, Taekjoo thrashed his legs, kicking out at the siren with all the strength he could muster. The creature's grip loosened for a moment, and Taekjoo seized the opportunity to strike.

He drove his elbow into the siren's stomach, his mind racing. If he could just break free for a moment, he could make a break for it. But the siren recovered quickly, its grip tightening again.

"Pathetic," it growled. "You can't hope to escape me. You're mine" he snickered

Taekjoo refused to give up, using his knee to strike the siren in a sensitive part unknown to taekjoo.

The creature hissed, its grip momentarily slipping. But before Taekjoo could capitalize on the opportunity, a powerful tail swept up from behind, catching him off guard and sending him sprawling onto the cave floor.

The creature loomed over him, its blue eyes gleaming with malice. "You've exhausted my patience," it hissed. "Now, you will be punished."

"Human"