THE KINGLESS QUEENS

THE SIRENS TRAP

Lyra led the group deeper into Lunaris, her demeanor remained composed and almost hypnotic. She spoke in a soothing voice, her words rolling over them like waves. Calia felt an inexplicable heaviness in her eyelids, and the others seemed to be drawn in as well, as if some unseen force was pulling them closer to Lyra.
"Where exactly are we going?" Charlotte asked, trying to mask her unease.
Lyra glanced back, her piercing blue eyes reflecting the flickering light of the moon that seemed to follow them. "There is a place where you can rest, where dreams and reality converge. You'll be safe there."Evelyn's instincts screamed louder, but she kept quiet, observing Lyra's every move. The path narrowed, leading to a clearing surrounded by willow trees. Strange symbols adorned the trees, glowing faintly in the moonlight.Lyra stopped, turning to face them. "This is a place of respite. You must be weary from your travels," she said, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Close your eyes, let sleep take you, and you will awaken renewed."But Zifrin, always suspicious, took a step back. "I don’t trust this," she muttered under her breath."Maybe she's trying to help us," Zayla whispered, unsure herself.Just as Lyra opened her mouth to speak, a haunting melody began to fill the air. Evelyn and the others felt their bodies relax against their will, a drowsiness threatening to pull them under."She's a siren," Nemo gasped, shaking her head to clear the fog. "It's a trap!" Lyra’s eyes darkened, her smile fading into a sharp, sinister grin. Her voice now carried a hint of menace. "It seems you’re cleverer than I thought," she hissed. "But you’re still too late."With a wave of her hand, the willow trees shifted and stretched, their branches turning into chains that snaked toward the girls. Calia tried to dodge, but a tendril wrapped around her arm, pulling her toward Lyra. Evelyn struggled,adrenaline pushing the drowsiness away, and she grabbed a nearby branch, yanking herself free."Run!" Zifrin shouted, grabbing Nemo and pulling her away from the ensnaring branches.The group scattered, each of them narrowly avoiding Lyra's grasp. Zayla managed to throw a rock at one of the glowing symbols on the tree, shattering it. The tree recoiled as if in pain, the chains loosening their grip.In the confusion, Evelyn led them through the narrow path, away from the clearing. They ran until their lungs burned and their legs felt like jelly, but they didn’t stop until the strange symbols on the trees were far behind them. Finally, they collapsed in a grove, the moonlight filtering gently through the branches above."What was she?" Charlotte panted, her eyes wide with fear."A siren," Evelyn confirmed, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins. "She wanted to trap us here, maybe even take our memories or something worse."
Before they could catch their breath, a rustling sound emerged from the shadows. A figure stepped out—a tall man, with tousled silver hair and sharp green eyes. He looked like he belonged to the forest, with clothes that seemed to blend into the foliage around him."Who are you?" Zayla demanded, her voice tinged with distrust."I’m Orien," he replied, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "You must be the travelers Lyra mentioned. I can explain everything—if you’re willing to listen."The group exchanged wary glances but nodded.Orien sighed, glancing back at the path they had fled from. "Lunaris is a realm of dreams, but it can also be a place of nightmares if one is not careful. Lyra is a siren who once conquered all of Olympus. She feeds off the dreams and fears of others, trapping them within this realm. But there are other parts of Olympus, each with their own guardians and secrets."He gestured for them to sit, and they listened intently as he continued."Zifzia is the realm of wisdom, where ancient knowledge is guarded by the wise. The Wake Lands are the realm of fire, ruled by beings who harness the power of flames. Orchid Oceans is the realm of purity, where the waters can cleanse and heal. Wish Woods is a place of peace and tranquility, and finally, the Rose Canals, a realm of nature, overflowing with life and beauty."Orien’s voice became somber. "But ever since Lyra took control, the realms have been isolated. The guardians of each realm are trapped or in hiding. To find your way home, you must pass through each realm and unlock their secrets."The girls stared at each other, a mixture of fear and determination reflected in their eyes. They were strangers in a strange world, but there was no turning back now. They had a mission: to survive the realms of Olympus, and perhaps even free it from Lyra's grasp.
"So, where do we go next?" Evelyn asked.
Orien smiled faintly. "That depends on which realm you’re ready to face first. But be cautious. Lyra won't give up easily. She’ll be watching."
And so, with Orien as their guide, the group set off once more, their path uncertain but their resolve growing stronger with each step.