DEMIS (A Clash With Lightning)

32

They approached the cave late that night. The clock on the wall of the women's quarters read that it was just past midnight. The group gathered on the deck. Jasmine passed a pair of headphones to each of her male friends to stick in their ears. The siren's song wouldn't affect her or Rose, so she didn't bother grabbing a pair for them.

"Do not take these out under any circumstances," she commanded. "I'm looking at you, Keith."

"Why are you only calling me out?" he asked.

"Because you don't listen," she scolded. "Do not take these out until we leave the cave."

They turned the volume of their headphones up and collectively cringed when heavy metal music blasted at full volume in their ears. Jasmine felt like it was the safest genre to use because of its volume. She turned to Rose.

"We're going to mostly be on our own for this one," she warned. "This mission is too risky to bring the boys."

Rose nodded. She was nervous, but part of her was happy they were leaving the boys behind. She needed space from Ban after what had happened a few hours ago. She yawned and rubbed her eyes. She'd only managed to get about two hours of sleep before they arrived. It would be nice if they could grab this armor quickly and get back to bed.

"I'm ready," Rose said.

"Good," Jasmine nodded. "We can do this."

The girls gave a final look at the boys in the boat before jumping out of the boat and onto the rocks near the entrance of the cave. As soon as their feet hit solid ground, they could hear a screeching that sounded like a bird.

"Oh my gods! What is that sound?" Rose covered her ears. "It's awful. It sounds like something is dying."

"I think that's the siren's song," Jasmine noted.

"Impossible," Rose scoffed. "Aren't they supposed to have the most beautiful voice you've ever heard?"

"That's only for men. Since we are unaffected, I guess that means we hear what they truly sound like without the magic," Jasmine said as she carefully maneuvered around the rocks.

"I wish they'd shut up," Rose grumbled. She really was in a foul mood right now.

"I doubt that's gonna happen. They probably smell the boys," Jasmine sighed. "It's our job to get the armor and protect them."

Rose didn't respond. Instead, she followed closely behind Jasmine, and they finally reached the mouth of the cave. The wailing sounds of the sirens were louder now. They were extremely close by. They followed the sounds that led to a pool of seawater in the middle of the cave. Inside the water were the hideous sirens in their true forms.

They had slick, mermaid-like tails, but their upper bodies were that of chickens. Their heads quickly turned to the two intruders. They blinked slowly and synchronized. At least they weren't singing anymore... if you could even call it that.

Jasmine scanned the area for signs of the armor. The sirens seemed to be docile at the moment, but that could change in the blink of an eye. She wanted to get a good understanding of their surroundings.

"Hello, ladies," one of the larger sirens spoke. "Welcome to our humble abode."

Jasmine nodded. "We are here to retrieve the armor of Poseidon," she spoke with confidence, as she always did.

The large siren turned her head curiously before blinking. Rose found it more than unsettling when they blinked because one eye blinked faster than the other. It was as if they were truly unhinged and were hiding their true colors just below the surface.