Beneath the Sea

Part title

She sat there on the rocks, watching as the moon rose high above the sea. It was truly beautiful, the way the moon illuminated a path across the waves. Slowly, clouds began to cover the small planet. Chills went down her spine as the scenery around her got darker and darker, the line between the sky and the sea blurred together in the shadows. The townsfolk always said that it was unwise to be on the waterfront past dusk, and she was about to learn why.

They swam towards her at incredible speeds, grabbing at her feet as she sat low on the rocks near the water. Desperate to run away she kicked and cried out and struggled to escape, but it was too late. For what can you do, when the sirens decide that you are their next play thing? All you can do is pray that they'll get bored of you soon and let you live to see another day. They dragged her into the water, going further and further down into the depths. The inky blackness of the water around her worsened her vision. The pressure made her light headed, and she started to feel the effects of not breathing. Yet down the went, further and further towards a system of caves, ensuring that she will not escape. The life of the princess was an excellent bargaining price for the sirens. Ever since the king had decreed that no one was to be out after dark, they had decided to take measures into their own hands.

You see, the sirens didn't mean to cause all of this. They simply enjoyed sitting on the rocks and singing to the moon at night. But those who heard their songs were spellbound, unable to stop themselves from coming closer and closer to them. One night, a man had gotten too close and had fallen into the water. One of the sirens dove off of the rock she was sitting on immediately to try and save him, but that was her mistake. The moment she stopped singing, the trance was broken and he thrashed about in her grip. The man scrambled out of the water and spread the rumour that she had dragged him in. Naturally, after being shunned by society and everyone they knew and cared for, they became the monsters they were thought to be. It was hard at first, but as time went on, their hearts grew colder. They became less merciful and began to drag people under the water as sport. Hundreds had been killed. Men, women, anyone who heard their songs. Anyone but children. For they were not so cold hearted that they could bring themselves to kill a child. Kidnapping? No problem. But they would never harm them.

That is why the princess is so important. To not only bargain for their rights, but to also prove that they didn't want to hurt people. The queen of the sirens' kingdom wanted to return her subjects to their former selves. But it was all in vain, for nothing could stop what had been started.