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I was happy to return to a life of solitude when I took my place. Happy to continue without the loud voices of the ones I started my life with. Relieved to be free of the cruelty of the one who I replaced. It would be a safe peaceful life. At least I had hoped it would be peaceful. I got my wish for years, then I heard your voice for the first time since I accepted my role.
Save them , your words echoed through my very being. I sighed, I didn’t want to save anyone, but I was your voice. Your connection. I couldn’t deny you.
“Save who?” I asked. I pushed myself off the rocks I slept on. A comfortable place where my tail safely blocked the cave with my charges. The stones I had to protect.
A human. Their vessel has been destroyed. I will guide your hand. Save them .
“How? We both know I can’t leave.” The request was a demand to me. I was your avatar. I had to do as you asked, but I was trapped because I belonged to you. I could never leave, you and the one before me told me that. Now you were telling me to save someone that could never be within the circle of rocks hiding me.
Reach over the rocks above the surface. I will guide your hand with my currents. The winds will blow to help you find the right direction. Please! Save them.
“As you request.” I knew you hated when I called them demands. You’d done it before, demanding something in the form of a request. It was when I asked you about the one before me, why he suddenly offered his name. A request not to ask about it, a demand in disguise.
I traced my hand up the rocks before I broke through to the surface. I hated it when I was up there. At least in the waters the currents could guide me, I knew what was around me. In the air I was truly blind, it was too much of a risk when others like me were so ready to kill me. I couldn’t avoid it when you told me to go though.
I took one last deep inhale of the water I knew before breaching the surface. Everything felt wrong without the water, without the currents. I felt something strange brushing past me, it made everything worse. Hesitating would leave me in this terrible place too long. Quickly, I trailed my hand up the rock wall of the nest I resided within until I found air. Then I reached forward letting the currents guide me as soon as my claws hit the water.
It wasn’t long before something touched the tips of my finger. It was so small, smaller than I could even remember being. I must have been smaller than the thing on my fingers at some point. I moved so my palm cradled the tiny being. More things joined them, but they were saved. I pulled them up, into the air I despised.
My hand continued to rise until I knew it was even with my eyes. I pulled the little human close, biting back a growl as the coughing started from my palm. I couldn’t risk them dying when you’d sent me to them. I ran two claws over my hand to the smallest spot of warmth. Pinching them caused a tiny yelp to reach my ears. I ignored it, quickly dropping them into my mouth. I would heal them as I searched for the cave the sirens used. A place above water, where their voices could reach even the humans.
The small creature struggled against my tongue, but I couldn’t begin to care. I reached out to find the small cave. It wasn’t hard to find the opening, it was part of the area only just open enough for me. The air was blowing towards it too, it was strange. Almost like the currents I was used to. Someday I’d take my place to protect this nest and it would be as deep in the waters as I could reach.
More struggles pulled me from my thoughts. I reached into the opening to find the floor, using my arm to guide my other hand. I dumped everything to the ground before pulling back and opening my mouth again. I easily pinched the squirming human in my claws before dropping them alongside all the other debris I’d captured. A sigh escaped as I realized I would need to come up here daily to get them food. I didn’t want to care for a human, but I wouldn’t let the one you asked me to save die.
I hefted myself out of the water to reach deeper into the ocean outside of my prison. I scooped up all the fish I could before falling back to the waters I knew. Sliding down I used the noise of the tiny human muttering to find where they were. Dropping the fish near them caused another yelp. I didn’t expect anything from having saved them.
“Th-thank you!” they shouted. I jumped, no one had ever thanked me. I helped my kind before, but I never received that. I lowered myself until my mouth was covered by the water. “I-I surely would have perished without your action my lady.”
“I did as I was ordered to,” I answered. I could feel your disdain for the words as soon as they left my mouth. I didn’t quite care, you directed me to do something and I did it. I didn’t think the human could speak my language anyway. That they’d know what my words meant, or even truly respond. “Thanking me is pointless.”
“My lady, you still saved me and for that I thank you.”
“I can’t bring you back to humans. You’ll be here for the rest of your life.”
“Well I had been running to find a place for safety, this appears safe enough. I still feel grateful for your actions.”
The kind words made my cheeks feel warm. I had never felt it before. I dove into the water, hiding from the human. I heard words again, but I didn’t want to hear them. In my memory now I want to say I watched them. That I worried about their safety, but I didn’t. I almost hoped they’d try to leave. To spurn the kindness you offered through me. They never did.
After some time it was easy to just follow a routine. I would wake, breach the surface, collect fish for the human, and return to my depths. A part of me knew you wanted me to do more with the human, but I didn’t care. Until you told me to speak to them I had no intention of doing so. The human tried to speak to me, many times actually. I always ignored them.
I remember a day I woke up late. I had nightmares, ones I hid from you. The feeling of teeth biting through my tail hadn’t evaded me. The one before me was gone, but I was still scared. I expected the silence of the waters when I woke up. That silence calmed me each time I had a dream like that. This time I heard singing. A calm deep tone that reached into my bones. I still remember the shudder that sent me racing to the surface.
As soon as I felt the air on my skin the beautiful singing stopped. I knew it was at the surface and for once I wanted the noise to stay. In the memories I have the human yelped and reminded me they were there. In reality I probably whimpered. I knew I whimpered the next time I woke up to that dulcet voice.
“My lady? Did I disturb you?” they asked. As much as I wanted to avoid speaking with them, I had to know. For the first time in a long time I allowed the sight to enter my eyes. Lights that still terrified me filled the shadows I had always known. It was a bit hard to find where the human was, the burnt parts of my eyes hiding them. Once I found them I sank into the water and stared at them.
“Was that you?” I asked. It wasn’t possible. Humans singing as their vessels passed was common. Before I took my place I listened at times, it never sounded like the tones I’d woken up to.
“I do apologize my lady, I tend to sing while I cook and had lost myself this fine morn. I will be more careful. I would never wish to disturb you after your kindness in helping me survive since that horrible crash.” My vision filtered back to the shadows. It felt like I could still see their form, it wasn’t true. I could smell them though. Something that was tempting.
“I… it didn’t bother me.” In all honesty I wanted to ask them to sing. I wanted to hear more, but I was scared. I couldn’t open the door to them. Let them start to do something for me, it would change this from your request to something different. Something… something I didn’t understand at the time.
“That is truly a relief my lady.” I heard shuffling, it was strange to hear the movements of a human. “I do appreciate the chance to speak with you. I wanted to thank you once again for saving me that day. Also I don’t believe we have been properly introduced. Please call me Sy.”
“Sigh?” The word felt wrong. Somehow sounded wrong too. I couldn’t quite make it.
“Close enough my lady. As I said I am Sy, might I have the honor of my heroine’s name?”
Instead of answering I sank into the water. I didn’t have a name, I never wanted a name. At that time… At that moment I was ashamed for not having a name. For days I avoided the human… I avoided Sy. I would only surface when the currents ran calm, when the night had taken hold. Looking back I think I was scared. I think… I think I was worried they’d hate me if I truly spoke. If I even allowed them to know I didn’t have a name. Even the one before me had a name.
Days passed without Sy talking to me. Then that song came again. This time it lit my body on fire, I was awake when they started to sing. I nearly jumped out of the sea, as though I was possessed. I heard a scream as the dulcet tones stopped. Almost on instinct I found the spot that should be Sy’s location, blocking the edges with my fingers. Water spilled past until their miniscule form bounced against my finger.
In a panic I pinched them with my claws. Dropped them in my mouth and focused on them. This time… That time I noticed their taste. Even now I have no words to explain how amazing it was to me. I purred, I never even knew I could make that noise. If they hadn’t begun to squirm I likely would have lost focus and slid back to my usual resting spot.
When I pulled Sy from my mouth they coughed. I was waiting for some kind of anger or hatred. Instead the coughing slowed. Carefully I set them back on the dry land, their tiny fingers dug into my skin before long. I couldn’t bring myself to pull away. The small feeling wouldn’t let me run away.
“You’ve saved me once more my lady,” Sy said after some time. My chirp made the tiny fingers against me jump. It actually made me sad, but the guilt I felt took over. I saved them from my own actions, if I hadn’t jumped from the waters.
“...don’t thank me,” I whispered. For the first time I wondered how my voice sounded without the water. “I had put you in danger.”
“It seems you are misunderstanding my lady. I had been preparing one of the fish you generously gave me last night. My knife slipped, it’s unfortunately dull honestly. I injured myself, in a panic I removed it. I had only known you to respond when I had been singing and the burns of the sun were gone when you had first saved me. I merely hoped you’d have a way to staunch the bleeding and cure me once more.”
“You… you wanted my help.” The idea was foreign. No one had wanted help from me before, they just wanted to use me. Although Sy had wanted my healing. That would be my use.
“I did. I cannot see that I deserve your continued kindness, but I do once more thank you for saving my life. Although it will be harder to cook the fish safely. I will be more careful in the future so that I will not worry you or abuse the kindness you’ve already offered.” I sank in the water until my mouth was covered. I left my hand near them.
“My claws are sharp.” The words flew from me, but I didn’t know if I meant this. I’d be around them. They’d see me and talk to me. I wouldn’t have the silence, I wouldn’t have the currents either. I didn’t stop the words. “You can use them to cut the fish…”
“My lady, I could never do that. Using your claws as a tool is cruel.”
“It’s better than you hurting yourself with the…” I remember struggling back then. I had never heard a word how he said it. “Nighfuh”
“I… That would be wonderful, thank you my lady.”
“Just… tell me once you’ve finished with my claws for now.”
That started so many things. Every day I would go sit with my hand on the surface. I could feel when he brought the fish each time. At first it was silent until they were done with my knife like claws. Then they started to hum while they used it to slice the fish. I didn’t understand why they did that. Then they started to talk to me.
“My lady, would you mind if I told you how I came to be here?” they asked me one day.
“I won’t stop you from speaking,” was all I could answer. They stopped what they were doing that time, laying back against my fingers. It shocked me, but I didn’t mind. I was starting to find myself enjoying their presence.
“I had left my home a long time ago. I managed to cause trouble that made us all targets. We went all over, but in my new home trouble found me again. Honestly I was running away. People wanted to hurt me.”
A whine left me. It wasn’t on purpose. Somewhere deep in my heart I understood the pain. In some way I had caused trouble, I had to leave and trouble found me. Others of my kind continued to hunt me. They made many attempts on my life. Admittedly the sirens’ nest was a blessing, I was finally safe. Even when the one before me had been cruel. Small hands tapped against my finger in a rhythmic fashion. A calming fashion.
“I joined a ship that had been coming in this direction. Late at night when we neared my goal I stole one of the lifeboats. My lady, I had come here expecting to die. There were stories about a cruel creature. A merfolk of legend that enjoyed destroying ships that came close, but the crew had always survived. I had… I had hoped the merfolk would take pity on me. That the merfolk would kill me.”
Another whine, this time in pain. It had to be the one before me that did that. Neither of us could injure another on purpose. I knew that, he told me that. It meant he had never killed the humans just as Sy said.
“When I fled the ship I’d traveled on, I had unfortunately picked the night of a storm. As the waves crashed I thought my life was forfeit and… and I grew scared. I realized when my small ship capsized I wanted to live. Then your hand appeared.”
Sy’s small hands pushed into my skin. The tiniest warmth of their form disappeared. It… it hurt me. I doubt I would have ever understood if they stopped their story there.
“At first I thought I had discovered the merfolk of legend. I expected to die. After you released me… I thought I had been saved by an angel.”
A rumble started in my chest when they said that. One I had never made before.
“My lady, my angel, my proof that the stories those who raised me told were wrong. I deeply thank you for saving me and wish to do anything I can to grow closer to you.”
Honestly I don’t remember how I reacted anymore. You would probably know had I been in the water. You never forget anything do you? That doesn’t matter. It once more changed things. They would call out to me more often. Eventually they started to call me angel, as if it were my name.
The next shock came only a few days later. They used my claws to cut the fish. For once I was starting to let myself be curious. I… wanted to talk to them.
“Why do you cut the fish?” I asked. Sy yelped, but it actually made me smile.
“Angel, I’m honored you would choose to let me solve your curiosity. I cannot safely eat raw fish. I need to cut it to cook it. It’s often a bit much for me, would you care to try it?” The offer terrified me.
“I… will try it.”
“Excellent!”
I listened as the human ran around. A strange crackling sound came from near my hand. A stronger heat than the human usually produced came from it. I wanted to touch it, but the fact I had no idea where Sy was kept me still. Eventually they started to sing again. The notes they hit were calming. It made me want to be near them. I was almost growing glad that you had told me to help.
“I hope you don’t mind waiting. It shouldn’t take much longer Angel.”
“I don’t mind.” It was true. With all the time I had been above the waters I was losing my distaste for it. I realized the air had something similar to the water’s currents. It was becoming easier to find my way, feeling the currents outside the water.
“I do hope you enjoy this. I can’t imagine merfolk are much for cooking living below the waves.”
“Mer fall keh?” I tried to mimic the word this time. They often used that term talking about me, I didn’t know what it meant.
“Ah yes, I do hope it is the right term. Others around me had always called the beings in legends of your kind merfolk. Is that not quite the right term? I would be happy to know what you truly are my dear.”
“I… have never known. Merfallk is fine…”
“Merfolk it is then, my dear.”
Their fish finished cooking soon after. It was a strange and amazing taste, but I honestly liked Sy’s taste better. After that more days were spent above the waves with them. More stories told about their life with humans. How their singing was something they had to stop a long time ago. The fact I didn’t mind made them happy.
It was a curious time. I never expected things to be like that. At night I was growing excited by the prospect of the next day. They made me happy. I didn’t think I’d ever be more than alive. A life of solitude had frozen my heart. That ice had slowly begun to melt thanks to the smallest sprinkling of heat I’d ever found.
“Sy,” I spoke up first for once. Only a few days before things were going to change. Looking back I almost wish I never spoke up. Maybe things wouldn’t change. “I… want to tell you of my life…”
“Are you sure?” They asked me. I could hear the curiosity in their words. They wanted to know and after all this time I wanted to tell.
“Yes. I… I am something special here in the ocean. Trapped here to protect this place, the things hidden within here. I was taught very little by the one before me. They were meant to prepare me to take my role.”
“Before you? Your predecessor?” They didn’t often interrupt when I spoke, but I didn’t mind.
“Pred essess or?” As had happened since I first tried to say one of their words it felt wrong. As though it wasn’t meant for me.
“Yes, the one who held your position before you. Perhaps more of a mentor? A predecessor would be the one you took over from, but a mentor should teach you more.”
“Then he was my predessessor. I came here and he was cruel, but I survived what he did.”
I felt those impossible hands on my skin. Gently petting me. Something strange ran down my face. They gasped which made my fingers curl in. It pushed them, but they stayed next to my fingers. I… They should have hated me then. If they hated me, pushed me away they would have been fine. I had tasted them. Trapped them to spend their short life within the desolate waters.
“He claimed it was for my safety.” The words spilled out. All the words about the past that I kept to myself. That I didn’t realize weighed so heavily on my frozen heart. “He would bite my tail hard enough I bled, but then he’d heal it. I have marks from where I healed around his teeth. Claws dug into my sides, but the most terrifying were the times he’d rest his tail on me. I thought it would crush me.”
“Angel… I have no words to express the pain I feel hearing of your life. I… I doubt I could truly understand the feelings in your heart. Please tell me anything that weighs on you. I want to be able to support you in the ways I can. Cry all you need.”
That was the first time I had cried. The only time someone taught me what the feeling on my cheeks meant. I duck beneath the waves for only a second before returning to where I knew they could see me. Hours were spent with them sitting within my curled fingers. Eventually I pulled my hand away. They made a noise.
“My lady before you go, I have a question. After all this time, would you grace me with your name?” The request somehow hurt me more. I hugged myself before I spoke.
“I have never had one.”
The following days were awkward. They used my claws, even gave me some of their fish, but didn’t speak. I wanted to hear them. The song I had started to memorize didn’t even grace their lips. I worried my admission had finally ruined whatever had begun. My melting heart wept… as did I. I remember you using the currents to try and comfort me. The way they surrounded me in almost a hug.
The next time they spoke to me the world that had been created between us was destroyed.
“My lady, I fear I must be honest with you,” they said. It scared me. I thought they had told me their truth. I didn’t do anything, but they already knew that meant I was listening. “My decision to come here was not solely in hopes my life would be forfeit. I had come here for something else. You see, my family told stories of an old life. One… one where our ancestors belonged in the waters. We sang and the magic held in the words was a blessing for others to hear. I… I came here hoping to reclaim that.”
“What do you mean?” No one had said anything about magic. About a blessing or anything similar.
“There are songs that I know. That have seeped into my mind my whole life. The true power lies in some relics here. Please, allow me to access this and learn what this power holds.”
In fear I ducked under the waves. There was no secret power. I was your voice. Your avatar. I didn’t hold secrets that would reveal something to them. It wasn’t possible. Only… that’s when you finally spoke again. So long you left me in silence with the human. Allowed Sy to melt the ice that would have kept me content. You waited to tell me the truth of what I protected.
The stones, show them the stones. You said. I shook my head. They were meant to stay in the cave, they were my charges. I tried to pretend I had no idea what you meant. The ones that had burned you so long ago. I will help you guide them. Go to the entrance and swirl your hand. The stones will follow.
I wanted to ignore you. It scared me that you even spoke up. Instead I listened. I dove down and swirled my hand. My claws scraped the ground, but the currents that followed were stronger than I had ever caused before. Stone slammed into my fingers. Once I stopped moving the stones sat heavily on my fingers. They felt big, much bigger than Sy. You told me to give them to him…
I steeled my nerves as I curled my fingers into my palm. It was hard to count the things in my hand. Something about them was changing, it felt like a single mass. I needed to get them away from me. In my view it took hours to reach the surface, but in reality it was merely seconds. I allowed the lights to invade my vision, seeking out Sy before I let the stones fall to the land they were waiting on.
“My lady, what did you bring?” they asked. They sounded scared and excited. A mixture I hated. I had no answer.
“Something I was told to give you.”
The silence was deafening. I couldn’t bring myself to keep seeing the lights, retreating to the shadows I found comforting. Eventually Sy was singing. It didn’t sound like the songs they’d offered before. It was harsher, forced. I whined as they sang. Somewhere in my soul I knew things were going to change. That it wouldn’t last and it hurt horribly. Honestly I have no idea how long the song lasted. It echoed in my mind long after they stopped.
“...I need to rest,” they said. I accepted it and returned to the depths where I knowingly cried. The haunting echo causing nightmares I won’t ever repeat, even to you.
The next days were similar to the beginning. Silence despite the fact they’d been so talkative before. They would use my claws slowly to cut and clean the fish. Sometimes I heard a shout and crash, it caused me to chirp. They always assured me they were fine. A simple quip, “Don’t worry my dear.” They didn’t sound right, as though more than one person spoke.
It scared me. This wasn’t what I wanted. It made me hate you, they weren’t the same. If I had never listened I would still have them. They would talk or sing… That was the worst part. I never heard them singing. They wouldn’t sing the haunting words or the ones that drew me in. All I received was silence.
“My lady, might I see your teeth?” they asked. Almost two weeks after they’d seen those stones. The stones were far away, hidden back where they had started. The idea of them almost made me growl.
“Why?” It was a strange request. My racing heart made it hard to comply. I didn’t have trouble complying when they’d touched my hair or claws. My teeth were no different.
“Please my dear, just something I have to do. It will only take a second.”
“Go back, to the very back and I will show you my teeth.” I lowered myself to wait. I knew there was enough space I could leave my teeth where they could truly see them.
“Ready. I truly thank you for this, my lady.”
Moving forward set my heart pounding. Tears were on my face. As though I’d seen the ending before it happened. As though I knew that the last new word I would be taught was predecessor. A part of me will never forgive you for that. For letting the events that were coming reach their conclusion. You could have made it easier. We both know that.
The sound of their footsteps was strange. Broken, halting steps. It was more like they were fighting something to reach me. It made me hold my breath, I was terrified that I was keeping them away. The steps continued in the strange cadence. A stumble forward met with seconds of silence. I worried they would never reach me.
“My lady, your teeth do in fact appear sharper than your claws. I can’t quite say why I asked for things this way, you do not deserve these consequences I have brought on myself.” Words sat on my tongue, but they were too close. I couldn’t take a risk. I wouldn’t kill them. “I have stories to tell you soon angel. If you’ll give me this one last gift.”
A scream filled my senses. Soon after the taste of their blood landed on my tongue. I lunged without thinking, if I grabbed them I could heal them. They were smart. Sy avoided me. Tears flooded my face. I had hurt them. The one who melted my heart was hurt by me.
“My lady,” their voice was different. “Do not cry, I did that on purpose. Those songs, those stones, they did something to me. Another has been in my mind and heart. I cannot keep them at bay forever. I could not risk the horrible things they wish to do to you.”
“Let me heal you. I can look for another way to fix this,” I begged them. I knew it wouldn’t happen. I already knew deep in my heart there was no way to stop what they said.
“Please, just indulge me. I know I must die, my lady. If you’ll only hear the parts of my story I’ve yet to tell.”
“Speak.” The only word I could manage. I pulled back, inviting the lights once more. Staring at the brightest one below me. The one… the one I wanted to save.
“I had been running because of my voice for many years. When my power came in I sang a song that haunted my mind. It poisoned the others around me. Everyone could understand everything. Animals and humans. It terrified the others. It lasted on everyone except myself for a mere day, but my family ran in fear of witchcraft accusations. There was a chance we’d all be hunted for what had happened.”
Their light changed, grew darker. It made me whine.
“Unfortunately I hadn’t learned my lesson. Of course it didn’t help I kept the results. I could speak to any and everyone. Understand them too. It… it was why I understood you, my lady. After you told me the truth I couldn’t keep running, not to stay here with you. I thought… I thought I was strong enough.”
“Strong enough?” My own voice was foreign. I had never heard myself in that manner. Too quiet, too pained… too emotional.
“Strong enough to bear the curse my mother had warned me of. The sirens, that’s what we were, had stones that held our power. It held the songs, if I had them I’d be free to do more. The pull and dreams would go away. I’d be here with you and free of the motives that brought me. I had already stopped wishing to die, now I could stop wishing for the songs.”
Their light dimmed again. Almost blending in with the shadows. I wanted to go back. To keep hidden from this. That I could pretend they were thriving. You’d told me I had to see the lights. It would tell me when a charge was in danger… when a charge was dying. A charge was dying right in front of me and I was frozen. I couldn’t ignore their request.
“I was wrong. I wasn’t strong enough to fight this curse. Now I must leave you. I’m so sorry my dear, my angel.”
“Don’t leave, let me…” I brought my hands close to the constantly dimming light. Their small small palm pressed against me to tell me no. I could force them, but the idea made me sick.
“That isn’t all I wanted to tell you. I had to face this because I wanted to give you something.”
A whimper escaped me this time.
“My family has a tradition. Our names are related to music. I had been hoping to give you one too. A name all your own. My name.. My full name is Symphony. I couldn’t think of one for you. Anything I thought of sounded wrong for an angel such as you. I apologize…”
“No. no don’t say that. I don’t need a name.”
“I will still give you something. I can be sure that my soul will be pulled to join what has tried to take my mind. I will not let you face others who act as foolish as I. I will keep sirens from learning the songs, making my mistakes, and torturing you my lady… my angel. I will still be close and I shall fight with you in my mind for as long as my soul persists.”
Whimpers were all that left me. Their light was too dim. It was nearly gone.
“Although. I would like it if you indulge my selfish wants once more. You said you liked my taste, please do not leave me for scavengers or for fish to devour. Be the one to rid this world of my remains…”
All I could do was cry. Their fingers dug into my skin. I shook my head, but you knew as well as I did that I would do what they asked. When their light was almost gone my own heart shattered.
“Why did you both do this?” I cried. For the first time in my life I made my voice as loud as I could. “My predessessor only told me his name was Shark before he died. Told me to hate him to never forget him. Now you tell me all of this, put me through all this pain and offer me your name just as you die. Symphony, how could you melt my heart and leave?! Offer me something I never once considered and abandon me?! How could you make me understand what it means to be happy then leave me?!”
I received no answers. By the time I shouted, Symphony’s light was gone. I was alone. I did honor their request, disposing of their corpse as you had me do with Shark’s. I promised myself I would be the only one here until their soul was free. I would never put another through my pain. I would be here… I would be your avatar… eternally.
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“Are you happy? You’ve heard my memories there’s no reason to continue this,” Harmony had started crying early in her story. She’d almost forgotten Symphony’s tradition, that new siren may be a distant relative. “There was nothing until the next one arrived. When the siren arrived and destroyed the stones. My only wish is for Sy’s soul to be set free with their destruction.”
I am never happy to hear these memories , the ocean itself whispered to her. He was a gentle being, pulling her away from her reality. The two were in some strange place where his body was small enough to hold her. Harmony had told her story with the ocean spirit’s hands running through her hair. Is there anything more you’d like to tell? More you would like to recall? The childhood you lived alone or with those who hatched you? The time you spent with Shark despite his cruelty? Please little one tell me all on your mind.
Harmony was done. The ocean’s voice was deceiving. Her words promised relief, but these memories offered nothing but pain. There was nothing to share. Shark was a cruel merfolk who wanted to be hated, the ones who started her life were selfish, the in between filled with nothing but her own travels in silence.
“Why are you asking me this? Did you ask me for a reason?” Harmony had grown tired. Her reasons for staying were long gone. She just had to live until the siren was gone. Then her replacement would arrive, devour her body and grow twice her size. Possibly bigger.
Your time for rest is imminent little one, her voice was soft and calm. You will no longer suffer. I ask this because I will never forget you, Harmony. I remember all who have held your role. You are the closest to my own children and I will not let you suffer with no one to think of you.
“Shark wasn’t telling me his life was he? He was telling you…”
Yes, little one. Is there anything I can do before you finally rest? It’s nearly time now, mere minutes before the magic of your soul has run its course. Thousands of years is rare for your kind to last alone as you have been.
“All I’d want is to speak with them once more…” Harmony knew it was impossible. There would be no way to do that. Sy’s soul had moved on.
I am able to grant that. They had not left yet, waiting for you.
Harmony jumped, the arms just slightly bigger than her tightened. She waited for the scent she knew so well to reach her. For their voice, the song, anything. She wanted to just tell them her name… That finally what they wanted had happened she had one.
“My lady?” Sy’s voice made her jump despite expecting it. “Where are we? How… how could this be? Have I reached the heavens and been gifted a chance to see you once more?”
“No little siren,” the ocean spoke. His voice had always echoed in her mind. Their words were loud, too loud. Almost painful for her and yet just enough she could understand. “This time will be short, the two of you both must go soon. Speak as you will.”
Their arms disappeared. Harmony whined at the change, but different arms held her. They weren’t ones she knew. No one except the ocean could hold her anymore. One of the hands started to pet her hair as it pulled her close.
“I admit my lady, this is a strange view of you. Although I do enjoy seeing your face all at once,” Sy said. Their voice was in her ear. They were her size, the ocean giving them a chance to talk at the same size. “It seems the curse has been broken. I am relieved to know you are not forced to suffer with another fool like myself.”
“I did. There was another siren. She had a brother who broke the stones. She made new ones…” Harmony said. It was strange, truly getting to speak with them again. “When her brother brought me new ones, they offered me a name.”
“I hope you took it, angel. A name that suits you.”
“They had your tradition. Music based names… They offered me Harmony and I accepted. My name is Harmony. I can finally tell you, after all this time. I wanted to tell you for so long.”
“Harmony…” She worried when their hand paused on her head. “That is perfect. I could not pick one myself so many fit you, but harmony is all brought together. Yes, Harmony. It’s wonderful to meet you Harmony, please call me Symphony. Although those closest to me call me Sy and I’d be honored if you would do the same.”
Harmony cried. Sy wiped away her tears. She wrapped her arms around them and pulled them close.
“I still remember that song you always sang. I started to sing it myself after you died,” she whispered.
“Would you grace me with your rendition?” they asked. Harmony nodded, she knew they’d see her. She could be confident they’d see her.
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Kyrie put his all into his tail. He had to reach Harmony. She had to know what had happened. His tears were floating behind him instead of up due to his speed. Melody was… he couldn’t even think it. He almost crashed into the cave rather than hitting the entrance. It was harder than normal to squeeze through.
Once he opened the secret door for his size he hesitated. Harmony’s voice echoed out, but she was singing. He’d never heard her sing before. It was nice, not as nice as Melody’s. It actually slowed his tears as he swam closer. When he entered the nest he panicked.
“Harmony!?” he shouted. The massive mermaid had taken a strange position near the surface. Her tail was sliced into the nearby rock and her eyes were closed.
“I’m tired, they said I could finally rest,” she whispered. Kyrie’s heart was racing. Pulse crashing in his ears. This couldn’t happen, not the same day. He can’t lose them both at once. His mate and his mentor, both at once. “Kyrie is ready… I can finally go on. We can go together, Sy.”
Time moved too slowly as the light faded from her eyes. His body screamed to do something, but he couldn’t move. The bubbles from her gills and the slight twitch of her fins were gone. His eyes blurred as he stared at her. Melody was gone, Harmony was gone… Caprice would be next… All he could do was scream.