Waterline

The Siren that Remembers

Mae pushed the boulder slightly showing a secret opening. Nelson's eyes widen surprised by the secret he was never told about. He then helped Mae push the boulder so the both could fit through it. "I didn't know this area was a secret cave" Nelson said.

They were currently at the sleeping hatches. It was a safe place for sirens to sleep without getting spotted. It was also the most secure place for the siren that remembers. Not many sirens tell each other where he lives since he loves being isolated from the rest. That's why Mae found it strange that he wanted to see them.

Mae and Nelson both entered the tunnel. It was a narrow channel that seemed to have many turns. Both swam upwards to an opening and to the surface. It was a large cave that had torches lit on the walls. Books laid on the dry rocks and carvings were propped against the walls. Mae and Nelson looked around as they continued to go through the cave.

"So you got the message" a voice echoed throughout the room. Mae looked around until she saw the man sitting on a boulder at the shallow end of the cave. Nelson moved back slowly while Mae stayed still. "Don't be afraid, I'm just like you." The man grinned at the duo. "Come, sit" the man patted at the boulders around him. Mae and Nelson slowly approach the man and sat at the boulders.

"A little brown haired girl told me that you didn't lose your memory" the man smirked. Mae slightly growled at the man, Nelson looked at her confused. "Don't be like that" the man smirked at her.
"I want you to stop manipulating my friends," she said. The man chuckled at her before reaching for a book. Mae watched him, slightly annoyed by him.

"In this book is a contract, Neptune promises to me that I could become ruler of the Mediterranean Sea, as long as I have subjects to rule," The man said flipping through the pages. Then he showed the signature to Mae, it was hard to believe a God would reward a creature that they didn't like. "But why?" Mae asked him.

"I was the prototype of the siren project when he realized I was a failure. He didn't want me to be seen with humans. Neptune saw how miserable I was, so he made it up to me with this" The man grabbed a trident that was hidden behind him. Mae looked at Nelson, thinking about running away from the crazy man. Why would Neptune give up one of his tridents to him? It holds an insane amount of power if it has enough energy.

"The thing is: the trident isn't strong yet. Neptune told me if I have more subjects to rule, the trident would gain power" The man smirked as he carefully examined the trident. Then he lifted it up and it blew out all the candle lights. The three sat in silence until the flames were reborn.

"Why would you want that kind of power?" Mae asked him.
"Imagine a world that sirens are no longer miserable and are happy. And the humans can pay for conflicting this pain onto us" the man visualizes. Mae would admit that being a siren made her miserable. But does she really want her friends to suffer so she could be happy? Mae was sorta tired of the man's plan. "Is that all you want us for?" She asked him.

"You're going to leave so soon? I thought you would want to know what's happening to your lover boy?" He asked her. Mae turned around and looked at him concerned. "Conor? What's wrong with him?" Mae asked. The man grabbed his trident and pointed it at the water between them. An image showed up, it was Conor turning in pain. "What did you do?" Mae asked him, she was starting to get angry and worried.
"You mean what did YOU do?" The man corrected her.
"What?" Mae asked him
"It says that a person who is still in love exchanges with a siren, the effect doesn't work for the siren. But the human becomes a siren and the loved one has to pay the price"
"How can I help him?" Mae asked.
"I'll tell you but both must promise that you'll always serve me and tend to my every will. Together we will save these heartbroken people and finally, everyone will get a happy ending!"
Mae looked at Nelson she didn't know if he would be down to do that.

Nelson looked at Mae. He wasn't about to bring her down. "I promise, sir," he said. The man smirked as he looked at him.
"Call me Micah, I find it surprising that you would help her of all people," he said to him.
"Why is that?" Nelson asked Mae started to get nervous about what he would say next. But was mostly concerned by how Nelson would take the news.
"You don't know? Mae was the reason you are a siren and you were the reason she became human" Micah told him. Nelson looked from Micah to Mae, having a hard time believing. Mae just nods to what he said, ashamed to look at Nelson in the eye.

"This is why I brought you here. Nelson, you can be human again and live the normal life you want. Mae, you can finally be with the people you care about. But both of you must do something for me" Micah negotiates.
"What do we have to do?" Nelson asked he didn't even look at Mae.
"To fulfill my plan, I need more subjects. So I want you to go to the surface and each bring down two more sirens"
"How do we do that?" Mae asked Micah.
"I will still give you a power of a siren but in human form, all you need to do is find a heartbroken person and change them into a siren with a kiss" Micah explained to them.
"I'll give you a week, good luck" Micah lifted up his trident and two lines came out of it aiming at Nelson and Mae's chest.
"Once you leave the ocean, the timer begins" Micah finally said.

Mae and Nelson both swam in silence as they both started heading towards the beach. Mae assumes that Nelson was mad at her so she chose not to say anything to him. It was still awkward. "Mae..." Nelson started, Mae turned her attention to him.
"I'm sorry that I seem mad, I thought you did this to me on purpose. But I should know better, this isn't your fault" Nelson told her.
"I'm sorry too, I was so ambitious to be human. But the cost of that was too high and a burden for me to carry" Mae apologized.
"I'm glad we understand each other, so let's do this!" Nelson said, realizing how close they are to the surface. Mae nods and smiled at him.

The two were hiding something from each other. Both didn't want to go through with it, and would rather turn back into a siren than harming innocent people. They hope the other won't be mad at them.