Eclipse

Chapter 33

Grant's POV

Eclipse and I followed this siren for quite a while. I didn't want to follow her in case it was a trap, or if I did, I didn't want Eclipse here. I didn't want to risk putting her in danger. I had tried to convince Eclipse to return home, but of course as always, she wasn't about to listen to me.

After we swam into Siren territory, I pulled Eclipse closer to me. It made me uneasy. I was little when it happened, but I do still remember the encounter with Satori and Wakatoshi. I remember they were dangerous, and my dad was hurt and bleeding. I'm just thankful he was okay and the trident was safe. 

"There's your boy." The siren said after we swam into a cave and surfaced at an air pocket. I saw Akihiko kneeling on the small patch of rock that was out of the water. His arms bound behind his back by something. When he saw me, he looked worried until I pulled myself out of the water. I reached forward and pulled him into my arms, feeling him relax in my grip.

"What took you so long to finally visit me.." He said quietly. I laughed faintly, looking over his shoulder and untying the thick vines that were being used as restraints.

"It was only a week.."

"But it took me getting kidnapped for you to see me." I smiled slightly, once his hands were free he wrapped his arms around me. I gave him a gentle kiss when the siren girl cleared her throat loudly.

"AHEM. Yeah okay whatever I never said you're getting him back right now." She said, crossing her arms. 

"What exactly is it you are looking for." 

"None of your business."

"Then how are we supposed to help you." I asked, the siren rolling her eyes.

"I have a lead and an idea where to go. But it could be useful to have someone help me."

"Why do you not just ask one of your father's soldiers? Or another of your kind." I asked, rather curious. She just got angry at me, threatening to tie both me and Akihiko up till I dried out and he starved. I glared at her when Eclipse moved between us.

"Okay you two are clearly not gonna be great at working together. How about you let Grant and Akihiko go. And I'll help you." Eclipse said. The siren narrowed her eyes in suspicion before sighing.

"Yeah okay fine. But only because he seems like a pain in the tail to work with." She said, Eclipse actually laughing.

"Yeah. I get that." She said, making me huff. Akihiko giggled too, making me pout.

"Hey why are you all picking on me..!" I complained, Eclipse smiling and rolling her eyes.

"Oh hush you big baby. Take Akihiko back to the village. I'll stay here, okay?" She said with a smile. I was worried about leaving Eclipse alone. But, I knew she was strong. I nodded, giving Akihiko another scale so he'd be able to make the journey to the surface easier.

"Hey, be safe.. okay?" I said to Eclipse once Akihiko and I were in the water. She nodded, giving me and Akihiko kisses on the cheek and wishing us a quick swim before we headed off.

Eclipse's POV

"Alrighty. So. Can I know a name before we head off?" I asked, the siren looking at me before sighing.

"Kaito. Kaito Ushijima."

"Ah. Well, I'm Eclipse Kageyama." I said, Kaito nodding as we both dove back into the water. I still had no idea what we were going to be looking for, and I have no idea why Kaito said she thinks it'd be useful to have me come along. Grant was right, why couldn't she just ask another siren or one of her dad's soldiers if they were the equivalent of kings down here.

"So. What are we looking for?"

"I just told your friend it's none of your business."

"Yes but you're the one who said he's a pain in the b- er, tail. I'm easier to work with." I said jokingly. Kaito glanced at me before looking around.

"..Fine. I'm looking for my dads."

"What?"

"They went missing a few days ago. And I don't know where they went.. I know they wouldn't have just left me, so something must have happened to them I know it."

"Where do you think they have gone to?"

"Well. I know that both of them were working for some humans."

"Working doing what?"

"They wouldn't tell me. They never let me know about it, and I'm not sure why. All they told me is that it was dangerous. And so.. it worries me that they're both missing. Especially considering my father is so strong. What if something bad happened.." Kaito said, sounding genuinely scared. I felt bad, I know what it was like to worry about people you cared about.

And it must feel worse to know that both her fathers mysteriously disappeared without any kind of trace. I know I'd be scared if just one of my dads disappeared, let alone both. 

"Then where are we headed."

"I'm going to go to the kingdom where the humans who made my dads work for them live."

"Do you know where that is??"

"I have an idea. Neither of my parents told me exactly, but, I know they have a map in their room and there's a kingdom that was marked. So. That's where we're headed."

"That's a good start. But really, why can you not bring along another siren?"

"...Because I need a mermaid scale."

"What for."

"...You are human, aren't you."

"I mean, not at the moment." I said, Kaito laughing faintly.

"You know what I mean."

"Yes, I'm human."

"Well, in your mermaid form, your scales will work just the same."

"Okay.. Do you wanna explain what you're talking about now."

"Sirens don't have the same ability as mermaids. We can't heal, and the only powers we have are harmful. And we can't transform into humans. So I needed a mermaid's help to get onto land."

"Ohhhh, I see. Well, I'm gonna let you know, your first time with legs is gonna be WEIRD." I said with a laugh. Kaito just nodded, looking to lost in thought and concern. I stopped swimming, her stopping as well as I looked at her. I put my hand on her shoulder with a reassuring smile.

"Hey, we'll find your parents. I promise you that."