Siren's Kiss

78: The Final Push

The Sanctum Aeternum was the seat of power for every Templar of the Seven Seas. A holy city, it stood as a beacon of influence and strength. Rowan grew up believing that the Templars were the greatest mortals to walk the land, their regalia a testament to their nobility and wealth—treasures that seemed to rival even the depths of the ocean.

Now, as Templar Commander, Rowan led his unit deep into uncharted territory in search of weapons and armor, only to be confronted by hordes of infected creatures. They were relentless, with unnatural speed and resilience, their decaying bodies oblivious to the agony they inflicted upon themselves. Bloodshot eyes, mangled limbs, and monstrous strength propelled them forward, unyielding and unstoppable.

Outside, the silence was deafening, a stark contrast to the chaos brewing within the sanctum. These creatures seemed to awaken the moment Rowan entered with a group he never imagined himself leading—a motley crew of pirates, sirens, and djinn. To bring such outsiders into the sacred hall of the Templars felt like an unthinkable act of desperation, yet here they were.

As one creature lunged with feral intent, Captain Purity reacted swiftly, smashing an antique vase over its head—the nearest weapon at hand aside from her pistol. Reloading quickly, she fired, though Shaikh Zahir had warned her that bullets would do little good.

"They're comin' at us like bats outta hell!" Purity hissed, glancing at her companions, each fighting their own battles.

A disheveled, naked woman staggered toward them, moving far more sluggishly than the others. Her cataract-clouded eyes gave her a tragic air, and Princess Coraline's heart ached with sympathy. Perhaps not all the infected were beyond saving.

"Not everyone succumbs to the plague completely," Coraline said, her voice tinged with hope. "We might be able to help her. If we understand this sickness, we could use siren magic to heal the land."

Before she could approach the woman, Sage stepped in, gripping her arm. "What are you doing?" he demanded.

"Trying to save her!" Coraline snapped. "We can't just give up on them."

Sage shook his head, his tone firm. "Cora, this isn't what you think. You're not Ciel—you don't have his tears. Even if you did, we don't know if his healing powers could fix this. The djinn said it himself: we need to find Grandmaster Lucius. He's the link between Lexios and the land dwellers. We must sever that connection—"

"Severing the connection means killing those who consorted with Lexios!" Coraline interrupted, yanking her arm free. "Do you even understand what that entails? Killing a god? We don't even know if it's possible. I'd rather save whoever I can."

As she stepped forward, determined to follow her plan, a hand stronger than Sage's clamped down on her shoulder, halting her in her tracks.

"Ye're a fool if ye think like that," Purity said, gripping Coraline so tightly she couldn't even struggle. "Look at her—she's just as disfigured as the rottin' corpses attackin' us. She's too far gone."

Coraline hesitated, unable to ignore the truth in the pirate's words. The woman's nostrils and ears oozed blood, her pale skin already showing signs of decay. Still, before Coraline could change her mind, a sudden blow to the head made her flinch. She turned sharply, glaring at the female pirate, who had fired her pistol at what felt like the worst possible moment.

"You didn't need to shoot her in front of me just to make your point!" the siren princess snapped.

Purity blinked in surprise, her expression almost innocent. "I didn't. It were an accident, I swear."

Coraline let out a frustrated groan, spinning on her heel and storming back to where Sage stood. At this point, she'd rather stick to her own kind. These pirates were more trouble than they were worth.