T𝕳E WO𝕽ST K𝕴SS O𝕱 𝕸Y LI𝕱E

────────────────────────

𝐒𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐒 and pirates have a long relationship. A tumultuous one, but a relationship nonetheless. Sirens think the entire ocean is their territory, even though they stay under water and rarely ever come up to the surface. As per my knowledge, the sirens don't even control the entire ocean. Their power is centred deep underwater at the nucleus of the four continents. From which, my ship is still two or three days away.

After the Siren War, between Zuar and Siren Kingdom, they signed an agreement. The tailed freaks will allow merchant ships to pass as long as Zuar paid them a tax. It is ten percent of the goods value.

After other countries separated from Zuar, they, too, signed similar treaties. But all of them conveniently left out pirate ships.

That's why we use witches. People on the mainland don't believe witches exist. I didn't too until I saw one.

The sirens approached us with the same deal they had cut with the countries, the one pirate captain who signed it was isolated from the entire community. Buying potions and hexes from witches is cheaper than paying those slimy monsters. The witches even lower their price if you can get them some exotic plant or a crystal.

For my journey to Magroven, a witch named Laveau, gave me a blend of different herbs packed in a cute bag to keep on the main deck. It is supposed to disguise the ship from sirens. Which it isn't doing right now. I don't remember her mentioning a time limit before they expire.

"Laveau's potion is not in the main deck!" a crew member screams over the roar of the waves.

Something drops in my stomach. Someone must have thrown it out while cleaning.

"Are you sure?" I ask. I frantically turn the wheel; the winds weren't strong enough to pick speed.

I couldn't go to down to check the main deck myself. Changin was on the other side of the deck, barking orders, and if the wheel was left unattended, the waves would flip the ship.

"We have a big problem," another crew member pants. "Water is filling in the stores."

I curse. "Take some of them and try to contain it."

Another wave washes over the ship. I could taste the sea.

Cowards. I thought. Hiding under the water.

I scan the sea, the water in around me is turning angry, but farther it is still pleasant, playing in the warm gaze of the sun. I steer the wheel hard starboard. A gust of wind catches the sail and pushes the ship further.

The wind vanishes and doesn't pick up again. Fuck. I do my best to get some distance between us and the sirens, but this is where they are the strongest.

The ship jolts, and I hit the foremast. My eyes pound and the metallic taste of blood coats my tongue.

I glance up at Yujin. She is holding the mast, completely drenched, trying not to get thrown off.

The wheel is spinning as if it's possessed. I push myself off the foremast and grip the wheel again. My heart had clawed its way up my throat. I swallow and start steering. My sole focus was getting away from the sirens.

It is impossible to outrun them. I pray for the land which would not come for days.

Another wave throws me off my feet and takes the wheel with it.

The sirens were cruel. They would never come on board to fight; they enjoy using the sea to suffocate the people who have devoted their life at sea. Turning our favourite thing against us to make us one of them.

I look up at my crew. They are trying their best, but the sea is stronger than us all.

Waves engulf every surface, destroying my beautiful ship. The mast breaks off and Yujin falls into the ocean.

Before I realise, I am leaning over the edge with my arm outstretched. "YUJIN!"

The waves pull her down. I wished my arm was longer to pull her on board again. She tries her best to fight against the current. My throat burns as I call for her name.

She fights against the pull of the current. Her arm is outstretched, trying to grasp mine. A wave washes over her. Then another. Rope-

Before I can finish my thought, I am yelling. I can't comprehend the words falling from by lips as I watch. I want to turn around and check if anyone heard me. My gaze is locked on Yujin. I can only see her ashen face between the waves. Her chapped lips spill blood, which the sea greedily swallows. Her hair sticks to her face. The sea has already snatched her hat. The eyes full of sparkle, like stars in the night sky, are slowing losing their light.

About two years ago, Yujin approached me at a pub in Zernova. Hire me as your navigator. I can tell you directions better than Keeho. She had barely turned eighteen, but she was right. Keeho, with his years of experience, looked like an amateur against her.

Yujin and her trusty compass had navigated us away from difficult situations many times before. We just ran out of luck this time.

Something whistles past my ear and plops into the water. The knot at the edge of the rope lands near her, but the waves push her back. Changbin curses. He pulls the rope back and tries again, with no luck.

I snatch the rope from him and repeat the process. The knot hits her head and falls into the water. Fortunately, she grasps it.

Changbin grabs the remaining rope and we pull with all our might. Yujin comes closer and closer until she is directly below me.

A bony hand emerges from beneath the surface and wraps around Yujin's neck. Her eyes widen as the grip tightens, and she lets go of the rope. Her lip's part to speak, but I can't catch the words. The hand pulls her underneath the surface.

"No!" I scream. I stare at the dark surface. She doesn't resurface.

I push my wet hair back. They took my navigator as I watched. Too far to help. I can't help her the same way I can't help my crew. The emerald and ruby bracelets I had got for my moms are still in my cabin. I can never give it to them.

They will never see me again. For months and years, they will wait, then will have to eventually accept that I had met the inevitable fate of a pirate.

I turn around. The waves had splintered my ship. I had traded one of the finest the royal vessels to get her. She was a brand-new ship. One of the fastest. I also had the shipwright carve a raven on the hull. Which got me a lot of teasing from Changbin.

She was injured before, but we could patch it up and she would be good as new. Not after today. This is the last time I get to see her. Stand on the deck, cast my eyes on the limitless sea.

I assess the damage. The two foremasts have also broken off. The wheel is floating aimlessly in the water. Most of the crew has also fallen in. there is a gaping hole in the deck. One peek will tell me about the situation in the stores which are filling with water.

The constant waves hitting the ship weren't helping the situation. The ship is breaking in two.

I turn to my quartermaster. He is strangely quiet. Until today, he would panic in a situation like this and try to get away from the situation. I love him, but he is useless under stress. He is a puppy who needs to be calmed and reassured that everything will be fine. I blame his upbringing.

"The ship is going to down, isn't it?" Changbin asks. His eyes red.

My smile tells him the truth. I don't comfort him. Soon, we all will be claimed by the sea, and there is nothing comforting about its embrace. It's an ice cage.

I wrap my arms around him and hold him as close as I can. "Swim away from the sirens."

︶꒦꒷. . . ★⺀

things have certainly taken an interesting turn,
haven't they? 

what was your favourite part?

comment 'siren' if you have made it this far. please
don't forget to vote.

💙