The Legend of Melody

Back in the comfort of Nana Amelia's living room, the atmosphere was thick with a mixture of nostalgia and urgency. Jeff watched as the old woman stared at the television, her eyes wide as if she were seeing a ghost.

"Melody..." Nana Amelia whispered again, her voice trembling.

"Who is she, Nana?" Jeff asked, leaning in. "You talk about her like she's a legend."

"She is more than a legend, Jeff. I haven't seen that face in decades, and yet... look at her. Not a single wrinkle. Not a gray hair." Nana Amelia pointed a shaky finger at the screen where the singer was performing a hauntingly beautiful aria. "She's a Siren—the rare, beautiful product of a mermaid and a human. Her voice doesn't just entertain; it heals, it commands, and it breaks the darkest of curses."

The Search for the Lost Mother

While Ethan prepared the portal to return to the city, Baekhyun pulled Jasmine aside. The weight of his family's fractured history was heavy in his eyes as he held out a faded, weathered photograph.

"Jasmine, I need a favor. Something personal," Baekhyun said, his voice low so the others wouldn't overhear.

"Anything, Kuya. What is it?" Jasmine asked.

"Can you find our mother?" He handed her the photo. "She's been gone a long time. I know you're worried about Jin Ae, but you're a Banshee. Your kind has a gift for hearing the echoes of those who are lost. If anyone can find her, it's you."

Jasmine took the photo, looking at the woman who shared Baekhyun and Jin Ae's features. "I'll do my best, Kuya. I won't stop until I have a lead for you. You have my word."

Return to the City

With a sharp crack of magical energy, Ethan's portal stabilized.

"Let's go," Ethan commanded, his face set in a mask of determination. "Nana Amelia has found her. We don't have much time before the Dalaketnon curse claims Jin Ae for good."

Aki stepped through first, followed by Baekhyun, who carried his sister's limp body with protective care. Ethan took one last look at the field before stepping into the shimmering light, the portal collapsing behind them.

THE CONTINUATION:

A Warm Welcome

The portal shimmered and collapsed behind them as they stepped into the familiar warmth of Nana Amelia's living room.

"Oh, thank god! You're finally here," Nana Amelia cried, rushing forward to pull Ethan, Baekhyun, and Aki into a tight, motherly hug.

"You guys look exhausted," Jeff added, gesturing toward the dining area where steam rose from several plates. "We've prepared a feast. Eat first."

"I am starving, Ninong!" Aki didn't wait for a second invitation. He slid into a chair and started piling food onto his plate.

"Hey, save some for me!" Baekhyun followed close behind, sitting next to Aki and digging in with equal enthusiasm.

The Girl in the Photograph

While the boys focused on their meal, Nana Amelia led Ethan to the side, pulling a weathered, sepia-toned photograph from an old album. "This is her," she whispered. "This is Melody."

Ethan leaned in, squinting at the two women in the picture. One had a wild, ethereal beauty, while the other looked strikingly familiar. "She looks... familiar. But I can't place the woman on the right. Where have I seen her?"

Nana Amelia chuckled, pinching his cheek affectionately. "That's me, Apo! That was taken a long time ago."

She then pointed to the other woman—Melody. "She was my best friend. This was back when I had to leave Baekhyun with Ara Choi. Melody was a Siren, a child of the sea and the shore. When the ocean called her back, we lost all contact. I never knew if she survived the tides of time... until this morning."

"How can you be so sure it's her?" Ethan asked. "If she's a Siren, wouldn't she be... older?"

"Our secrets were shared, Ethan. We knew each other's true natures," Amelia said, her eyes misty. "Sirens don't age like humans. The woman on that TV screen is the same girl I laughed with fifty years ago."

The Diary Disaster

The serious moment was suddenly shattered by Aki, who came running out of the hallway, still chewing a piece of chicken.

"E! You're not going to be happy about this!" Aki yelled, pointing toward the stairs.

"What now?" Ethan sighed, his hand moving to his forehead.

"Baekhyun found your diary! He's in your room right now, reading it out loud and laughing his head off!"

Ethan's face went from pale to a bright, furious red. "BAEKHYUN!" He roared the name so loud the plates on the table rattled.

Nana Amelia simply closed her eyes and held her head in her hands, knowing exactly what kind of magical chaos was about to erupt in her hallway.

The Secret of Eternal Youth

In her private dressing room, Aria handed her phone back to her assistant, Madeline, with a frustrated sigh. Her manager's voice was still ringing in her ears.

"What was that about?" Madeline asked cautiously.

"The usual. Manager Kang thinks my performance was 'lacking,'" Aria replied, her voice tinged with annoyance. She took a deep, steadying breath. "Forget him. Let's go to that place you mentioned—the lead on my old friend."

Madeline hesitated, checking her notes. "Miss Aria, I'm still not sure about this. The woman you're looking for, Amelia... the records say she's in her fifties."

Aria looked at her reflection in the mirror—flawless, youthful skin that defied the decades. "That's exactly right. Amelia would be fifty now. And so am I." She caught Madeline's confused expression and added with a sharp, knowing smile, "Perhaps I just had a very talented surgeon to keep me looking this young. Let's go, Madeline. We're wasting time."

As they packed, Aria stopped. "Wait. Where is my necklace?"

Madeline reached into a velvet jewelry box and pulled out a delicate cord made of tiny, iridescent seashells, featuring a single, perfect clam pendant. Aria took it, her eyes softening. "If I wear this, she'll recognize me the moment she sees me."

The Banshee's Map

Elsewhere, Jasmine sat alone, staring at the photograph of Baekhyun and Jin Ae's mother. The task felt impossible. "If only Monday were here," she whispered. "She'd know what to do."

Absently, Jasmine began to draw lines on a scrap of paper. At first, they looked like random scribbles, the frantic movements of a restless mind. But as she stared at them, the lines began to shift in her vision. To any human, it was just ink, but to a Banshee, the lines began to connect, forming the outlines of streets, landmarks, and hidden paths.

"A map..." Jasmine gasped, her fingers tracing the ink. Her natural ability to find the lost was finally waking up.

The Weight of a Crown

In the silent, mist-covered realm of the Witches' Coven, Catherine watched Jasmine through a scrying pool. She reached out toward the image of her friend, but the vision was snapped shut by her grandmother.

"Banshees are born to find what is lost, Catherine. It is in her nature," Lola Esther said, her voice stern. "But your nature is different. You must focus on your baptism. The coven is counting on you."

"But Lola—"

"No 'buts'!" Esther scolded. "There is a war coming between the Bad Bellators and the Good Bellators. The Nogitsune has nearly reclaimed his nine tails. Witches are the only line of defense left for humanity. You cannot help your friends if you are not fully equipped for the battle ahead."

Catherine bowed her head, the weight of the war settling on her shoulders. "I understand, Lola. I'm just... I'm so worried about Jin Ae. She won't wake up."

Lola Esther's expression softened slightly. She placed a hand on her granddaughter's shoulder. "Trust in the timing of the world. Amelia's friend will help Jin Ae break the Dalaketnon's curse. For now, you must meditate."

Catherine nodded, closing her eyes and letting the magic of the other dimension flow through her, preparing for the day she would officially become a leader.

A Chaotic Reunion

"Good Lord, what is happening now? Why are you two fighting like children?" Nana Amelia cried out, throwing her hands up in exasperation.

In the middle of the living room, Baekhyun and Ethan were locked in a ridiculous scuffle, tumbling over cushions. Meanwhile, Aki sat comfortably on the edge of the sofa, staring at them while peacefully munching on a bowl of popcorn.

"Aki, do you know why they're at it again?" Nana Amelia asked.

Aki swallowed a handful of popcorn and shrugged. "Nana, they always do this. Usually, it's Baekhyun and I fighting for Ethan's heart, but today they've just got too much energy. I don't know how to stop them anymore."

A sharp knock at the door cut through the chaos. When Nana Amelia opened it, the world seemed to go still.

"Is this the residence of Amelia Sandoval?" the woman at the door asked.

Amelia's eyes traveled from the woman's youthful face to the necklace resting against her collarbone—a delicate string of rare conchs and sea shells. Her breath hitched. "Melody?"

"Friendship! Oh my gosh, it's really you!" Aria cried, throwing her arms around her old friend.

"Please, come in!" Amelia said, her voice trembling with joy as she led her guest into the small house.

The Siren's Assessment

As they entered, Amelia shot a warning look at the boys. "You two, stop this instant... or else," she said softly. The sheer authority in her voice made Ethan and Baekhyun freeze mid-shove.

Aki, ever the gentleman, hurried over with a tray of hot tea. "Thank you, Aki. You're very thoughtful," Nana Amelia said, before turning to Melody. "These are my grandsons. This is Ethan, and this is Baekhyun—the baby I told you about all those years ago."

Melody smiled warmly at them. "I'm so happy Baekhyun found you, Ethan. I told you once, Melia... love will keep us alive. And hey, that's a song!"

They shared a laugh, but the lighthearted moment was shattered by a piercing scream from the guest room. It was Jin Ae, her voice full of agonizing pain. They rushed to her side, finding the dark vines on her skin pulsing with a sickly light.

"What is happening to her, Melia?" Melody asked, her face turning pale.

"We are so lucky you're here," Amelia said. "We need your help to break this young lady's curse."

Melody approached the bed, staring at Jin Ae's feet where the vines were thickest. She slowly unfastened her seashell necklace.

"What is she doing?" Baekhyun whispered.

"She's under a Dalaketnon curse," Melody explained, her voice turning clinical. "We're fortunate; the one who did this isn't high-ranking in their world. I can sing for her, but it won't be easy."

"Why not?" Amelia asked.

"This curse won't break in an hour. It takes days—sometimes months. And my voice alone isn't enough to shatter the Dalaketnon's grip. I need the harmony of a Banshee. Our voices must collide to reach the frequency needed to tear the curse apart."

The Transformation

Melody began to hum, a low, vibrating sound that made the water in the glasses on the bedside table ripple. As the melody intensified, the air grew humid and smelled of salt. Her legs began to shimmer and fuse, her skin turning to iridescent scales until a magnificent mermaid tail rested where her feet had been. Her gills fluttered at her neck as she began to lose her balance.

Amelia acted quickly, using her magic to lift Melody, letting her float in the air as she continued her haunting harmony.

"The legends were right," Ethan whispered, mesmerized. "Their voices are beautiful."

Baekhyun leaned over, whispering into Ethan's ear, "I think I'm getting horny just listening to her."

SLAP.

Ethan's hand connected with Baekhyun's face before he could finish. Aki stepped in, pointing toward Nana Amelia to keep them quiet.

"About the Banshee," Ethan whispered. "Jasmine is the only one we know, and she's away on a mission to find Baekhyun's mom. Should we summon her back?"

"No," Baekhyun said, his expression softening. "I'll find our mom myself later. Let her finish her task."

"Don't worry, bro. We'll help you with that mission when this is over," Aki added.

"Excuse me?" Aria's assistant, Madeline, stepped forward, interrupting them. "You're looking for a Banshee?"

"Yes," Ethan said, confused.

"I am a Banshee," Madeline stated firmly.

Melody stopped her humming for a moment, looking at her assistant in shock. "Are you sure about this, Madeline?"

"I'm positive, Miss Melody!" Madeline didn't just say it—she inhaled deeply and let out a controlled, piercing shriek that rattled the windows and made the two fox-spirits and the Sigbinan wince in pain.

Everyone in the room was convinced. They finally had the two voices they needed to save Jin Ae.

TO BE CONTINUED...