They listened in disbelief. The words just flew out from the nervous mermaid, her fins shivering awkwardly while their hazel and silver eyes stared. She could only let it all out, from the point where it all began for her. They soon heard of the attack in the dark, the malicious smiles of a shark. And all the things he told her.

“A-and after he explained all I should say, h-he directed me towards the cay.” She raised her gaze shamefully, fearful of their reactions. “I found your friend. I saw her trying to control her gift, I approached. I told her about the witch… I actually did not have to say all that the shark told me to convince her to go.”

The shark told her to say that a sorceress lived in the ruins, that she was someone that could help her. It was obvious that the enchantress had only been the remains of another unfortunate soul, like Iara.

Matthew had promised he would not be angry. He said he wouldn’t yell. Yet Diya could not avoid wincing when he lost his coolness, only Alon remaining composed. The human was frowning, his mouth opening and closing, trying to find words.

“S-so, that witch… took her?!“

Diya hid her hands below her fins, again biting her lip with a dreadful smile.

“That witch, as we all have seen, is nothing but a parasite. A parasite that has taken her mind and will, with a spell. She is not herself anymore, only a trace.” Alon tensed with every word, because Diya knew what would come if Iara kept like this. “That thing will try to consume everything. You have seen the vines, tangling. That thing will force her will, bend it, and make the choices for her. It only wants blood. And it will have it, every day stronger.”

Alon scowled, his hands clenching painfully, his heart beating with more guilt than Diya’s. His voice was barely a whisper, which echoed over the reef they sat on, having swum out the darkness.

“She traded her thoughts and mind for his change… There’s always a cost in magic. But how could she surrender those? W-what was she thinking?”

Alon and Diya blinked, because Matthew spoke up. He was looking at his own fins with an eerie gaze, his voice monotone.

“She didn’t know.” The tall merman shivered, because the former human raised his head to look at him. He affirmed, having an epiphany. “She did not know the real cost of the spell, Alon. I saw no doubt in her eyes that night. She really made a mistake, unknowing. While I sunk in pain… she sunk too; I’m sure I heard it. Her eyes looked so empty, once I could see her. Iara did not know what that thing would do to her. I did not know where she got that damn flower from. We just did not know.”

She was not ignoring his pain out of coldness or malice. She did not try to hurt them out of anger or hate. Iara had taken that flower out of trust and hope. All they suffered was brought by a sick creature, which had her under its grasp now.

Matthew lost his words, staring at nothing, gulping. All the bitterness he had felt was gone, drowned by fear and care. It left Alon to listen to what Diya had to say, the brunet’s heart too sorrowful to pay much mind; all he could focus on was the memory of his change, now under a new light.

Alon’s eyes narrowed attentively, and every single detail he heard made him feel regret. Each second he listened to Diya, he could recall the horrible memory of Iara asking for help, and how her eyes looked when he denied it.

“That shark has attacked us both.” She met Alon’s eyes, almost pleading. “They want us dead. Please, we have to leave, far. Only you can escort us, Alon. The shark fears you. It’s dangerous to-“

Alon cut her off, leaning down with an eyebrow raised.

“They want you both dead for a reason.”

She knew. They could imagine why; Iara gave them a fearful look when Matthew stepped in between, when he prevented her from stabbing him. Diya sighed, trying to make a point, brushing her tail with exasperation.

“True.” Matthew shivered, because their eyes fixed on him, slowly. “Magic takes will, all merfolk know that. Human, when she gave you that flower, you were part of it all. You are a piece of the trade. She wanted you to change, right? They really want you dead, gone. That shark preferred to kill you first. It means the parasite must dread… something from you.”

Matthew shook his head, raising his hand a little, having no clue.

“But what do they fear? What can I do to-?“

“If I knew, I would tell you both.” Diya was fidgeting now, too nervous to pay mind to her painful scars. “We don’t know how to stop that thing, how to bring her back. So, the best thing we can do is flee. I mean, it would be stupid to try to face her without-“

“I won’t flee.”

Diya and Matthew turned their heads slowly, frowning at Alon, who was now outright glaring… at nothing, with his fists clenched, expression dark.

Matthew watched silently as Diya let out a small huffed laugh, waving a fin at Alon, almost questioning mockingly.

“N-not flee?! Haven’t you seen firsthand what she can do?!” She raised her lower fins a little, tail leaning sideways to show off her wounds. “Look at what she did to me! You should have seen how she leaves anything that she catches under her grasp! Had you not neared her, I would’ve died!”

Matthew cringed, expecting well the next words. Indeed, Alon’s eyes could not be seen below his long hair as he spoke darkly.

“Repeat those last words, Diya.”

She blinked, tail dropping in a small jolt.

“Huh?”

“You said…” Alon’s eyes finally were seen, his head leaning close. His mouth opened and closed firmly, slowly and clearly. “You would’ve died. That’s what you said. Think about it.”

That surely made the mermaid stutter nervously, shying below her upper fins. Alon snorted and looked away, while Matthew glanced at him sideways, as thoughtful.

“She will kill, given time. That thing is pouring blood on her hands. I can’t allow it. Not after she ended up in its possession for my… lack of sight and sense. She fears something, something I don’t know. But hell if I will let that make me cower. I will at least try to rip those things off her.”

Matthew whispered with a haunted look in his eyes, folding his fins against himself.

“She fears me.”

Alon smiled sadly, feeling his heart pound by just looking at Matthew. The dread was obvious on his face, a million thoughts flowing in his mind for sure; mostly the thought of nearing Iara, while under the control of that thing. It all made him fear, and he could see it as clear as water.

His hazel eyes lidded with doubt when Alon offered, slowly.

“You are what she targets the most, yes.” He grinned tiredly with his eyes closed, bowing his head sadly. “You don’t need to come, Matthew. This is my fault. You two can go back to the shores of the cay and wait until-“

“Again?” Alon blinked when that word echoed suddenly, tangling with anger. He slowly looked back and saw that Matthew was glaring, unbelieving. His tone was bitter, inquisitive. “Are you seriously thinking of leaving me behind again?”

“Matthew, I only-“

He was surprised, because Matthew suddenly kicked his tail and swayed closer. His only hand gripped his wrist, pulling him down to scold him clearly.

“N-not again, Alon!” He shook his head, hurt evident in his voice. “She almost killed you. Don’t deny those vines are hard and sharp; she could have easily ripped you to pieces! She fears something, ME! And you are telling me, again, to stay back?! T-this time I know you plan on leaving, and I won’t let you! You’ll die, like a moron!”

There was a minute of silence. A mermaid swayed on the rocks deadpanned, while both mermen glared at each other. They argued wordlessly, only with intent looks. Though Matthew was surprised when Alon outright snorted, shaking his head down with a defeated tone in his voice.

“You can’t understand that I fear for your wellbeing.” Silver eyes met hazel ones, trying to be sincere. “But I guess that trying to avoid trouble one-sidedly only makes things worse, for everyone. You two care too much to let go of things, even if it’s painful. Now I know you fear too, Matthew.”

Matthew let go of his arm, swaying a little away with a tired look, nodding nervously.

“Y-you got something right, finally.” He brushed one of his fins mindlessly, too nervous to meet his eyes. “I won’t flee. Not when I know she only wanted me to be alright, that she feared too. She must be… hurt right now.”

Alon felt his heartbeat fasten, because Matthew was smiling a little, hopefully. There was a simple question, voiced expectantly.

“So, Alon… let me be around, please? I don’t fucking care how dangero-“ He quickly corrected himself, confessing. “Well, maybe I do care that it’s dangerous, but you know. I just want this to end, things to be alright. At least for you two to be how you were before. I admit, I’m scared; but how can I let the chance of helping her pass by? How can I do nothing to aid you? I just want to-“

His fast ramble was cut short. He blushed slightly, looking down at the fins set gently over his mouth. It was just like Iara did once. Alon was smiling, speaking without words; it was a look he understood, his head was leaned to meet his eyes closely.

Still, Alon spoke while he swayed timidly.

“We will find a way to bring her back, okay?” He fumbled with his hands, lowering his tail. “…And then stay together, the three of us.”

Both mermen were having a moment of understanding, voicing the same wish. They had an objective. Their emotions were clear, beating strongly in their hearts. Their minds pondered silently… until an awkward cough echoed. Both blinked down at the mermaid, who eyed them both under her fins, seeming to be analyzing their actions.

“You two sure want to die together.” They watched as she sat up a little, pouting. “I want to stay alive, on the other hand.”

Diya was examining her bandaged fins, obviously wanting to leave as soon as possible. She would not even consider the idea of going near those vines again. Alon tensed, hearing her next words.

“I’m leaving towards the cay. I prefer to face some humans than this seaweed. If all are like him, maybe I can-“

“Don’t count on it…”

“W-wait, you can’t leave!”

One was not preventing her from leaving, only giving her an amused look, like if he knew something about humanity. The other had raised his hands and was now floating off the rocks, blocking her way. Alon almost spoke in a panic, urgently.

“You haven’t told us where those ruins are! Where did you tell her to go?”

Diya glared and huffed, because she did not manage to swim around Alon. He only had to sway to block her faint moves.

“Sorry, but I won’t tell you!” Both mermen frowned, her words firm and quick. ”I told her, and look what good it did! I’m not sending you towards your death too! Forget it! Just leave this place, go to other oceans! Anywhere! She can’t possibly reach for the whole world, can she?!”

“But she can take most of it!” Again, Alon blocked her moves, arms outstretched, firmly preventing her from swimming away. He kept her at the rocks non-menacingly, but still scolding. “She must be stopped!”

“You can’t stop her!”

Matthew got in the argument, sarcastically.

“Are you one hundred per cent sure of that?”

“Maybe not, but if there is a chance, it is small! Too small! We don’t even know how to reach for it!”

“But that is still a chance, isn’t it?”

Alon finished, with a determined growl.

“If there is one, I will find it, understand it, and seize it!”

Diya finally stopped trying to swim around the huge merman. It was pointless to try. The two were in her way.

“Are you going to force me to tell you?”

That made Alon jolt, heaving back slightly. A confident grin grew on her lips, her fangs showing more, seeing him doubt and leave her some space. He hated to be menacing. So she floated off, swimming around and away, shrugging.

“If you excuse me, I will be making my way to safer waters. You two can stay together blindly until she kills you. Something I don’t recommend! Just think and go!”

She was calmly moving away… until a voice echoed, sarcastic, almost jokingly.

“I will stay with Alon, yes. You know, so that no sharks decide to near me because I’m alone. Maybe those vines will get me, but at least no sharks will try to maul me! Those eyes are surely furious now, always watching! Waiting for a chance to get even…”

Alon gave Matthew a disapproving look, seeing Diya shiver and halt. But the brunet had a smug smile plastered on his face, his eyes closed. He let out those words without remorse. Maybe he was a little bitter because of what she told Iara, and for how she kept avoiding them and their questions.

Matthew was not surprised when Diya began to fidget, her fins trembling and swaying in fast motions. Her eyes trailed the waters ahead, which were dimly lighted. They had not dared move much, they were still in the depths where they found her.

Alon raised an eyebrow when Matthew raised his hand. He began to mutter with his lips.

“Three.”

He lowered one of the three fingers he raised.

“Two.”

His smug smile grew, only one finger left.

“On-“

Matthew laughed silently, and Alon turned around in surprise, because Diya yelled and swam back to them.

“Okay, I- I’m staying for a while! Because my wound still hurts and I can’t swim fast! Only because of that!

Matthew gave him a slow lean of head, seeing a glint of realization cross his silver eyes. The human let himself float with boredom and fumbled with his fins and tail, faking being uninterested. Alon took the matter in his hands, both knowing they were now in control. He faced Diya with his arms crossed, his tone tangling with faked firmness.

“You stay here near these rocks. We are going to search blindly around, trying to get a clue of where to swim, where she is. Because, well, we don’t have anyone to give us directions! No one to tell us-“

“Ugh!” Both looked at her, finally, amused by how she seemed to spring on place, fins sharpening in a fit. She let out a long ramble, water puffing out with her yells. “West! The damn ruins are southwest from the cay! But since we are south from the cay already, it’s just west! Down into a chasm! Darker and more chaotic than these depths here! Full of black seaweed! Where no one likes to go! I never go! I guess that parasite likes darkness! It does not matter! It is west! There you go! Now you know, and you can’t blame me! I gave you answers, and you better be happy; because I am not! You are going to die!”

She huffed multiple times; only to realize that Alon had been faking his firmness and coldness, his eyes now showing sympathy. There was a warm smile on his face as he tried to calm her down.

“Thanks, Diya. I really appreciate it. You don’t have to worry, alright? You can now do what you want, we’ll leave you be.”

Matthew coughed, knowing.

“I think that’s the last thing she wants.”

Indeed, Diya was ruffling her fins, looking all around.

“I’ll stay by you until you fix this!” She had an idea, eyes glinting wide. “I- I know! If you were to be near her, that shark would have other priorities than hunting me! I could lead you two through the dark, and flee while you try to deal with the problem! If you die, you will at least have won some time!”

They both watched as her lure flickered more, the mermaid floating there, anxious.

“I mean, if I guide you through that dark chasm, I could compensate you for what I did! I would owe you nothing! I would be setting things right!”

Both mermen exchanged thoughtful looks. Only to nod at her, one smiling gratefully, the other sighing.

“Sounds fair; will not have to swim blindly.”

“I won’t let anything harm you, alright? Just lead.”

A small relieved smile crossed the mermaid’s face. Then she raised an arm, pointing, calling insistently.

“L-let’s just go ahead! The faster I get you there, the sooner I will be able to go away!”

They complained, seeing her move in nervous fast sways already. The bandages were sure to open if she kept swimming like that.

“Not so fast, Diya. Please, let’s swim calmly!”

“Chasing an angler again, wonderful.”

“Just follow me you two!”

They were not looking forward to what was to come. And at the same time, they hoped. They followed the eccentric mermaid, carefully and slowly.

There was dread in their hearts, but they were too hopeful to halt.