Praim gained his consciousness as we thanked the Siren leader who helped us. We also thanked Ruby for helping me. 

We were currently on the ship taking a break. It is almost night now. The whole day we had a rough day and I was really tired. Thanks to Ruby who offered us to stay on her ship for the night. the next morning we will be leaving to meet the Siren Lord who shall help us to get the stone. 

"Are you okay?"- A voice said from my behind. Priam.

I smiled and replied-" I am now".

He sat beside me, as he looked at me with concerned eyes. He was searching for what I wanted to hide desperately. The weakness. Lack of self-worth. Fear. 

I looked away as I asked-" Today was tired... I think we should sleep"

"We will... But not before you tell me what is bugging you."- He said looking deep into my eyes. 

Those brown orbs are the ones that could still take my breath away. He had still that effect on me. Just like he used to. He is the only one who could understand that I was hiding my feelings apart from Junnie. 

"I was s-scared today... I felt helpless and weak Priam. I am... not strong like before... I don't have any powers now. The girl with the golden wand was again a myth now. Today when I saw the dead bodies of those soldiers... I couldn't stop myself from feeling so vulnerable... How weak I was... What if someday... I won't be able to save you and others? What if my non-magical being will be defeated by those powerful evil souls?"

I said out loud all my insecurities before him. His eyes soften as he looked at me like he was looking at the most fragile thing before him. 

He wrapped his arms around me as he pulled me closer to him and whispered in my ears-" Then I will always be there to protect you and our dear ones. You are not alone Shawna... I will be always with you... Forever..."

I looked at him with tears full of eyes and asked like a little girl-" promise?"

He smiled as he rubbed our noses slowly and said-" promise"

We smiled as his lips slowly landed on mine. We kissed each other slowly yet passionately. Tears of joy flooded out of my eyes. I was happy to finally have him as mine. Finally, in my life, everything is started to feel okay. I just hope it stays like this. 

BRAD'S POV:

I was sharing the room with John and King Alan. Today was tiring yet better. Better because of her... she was there in front of my eyes now. 

The more I see him, the more it is hard to control my feelings. The suppressed feelings wanted to come out with the spring, but I cannot... I promised her mother...

I cannot.

I inhaled deeply as I put on my expressionless cold face again. John went to take a shower. I already finished my shower and currently lying on the bed. King Alan was removing his armours.

Talking about him, I personally don't like this guy. He might be almighty a DemiGod... but he doesn't leave any part where he gets to flirt with Junnie. And the worst part is she doesn't tell him to stop. 

seems like she enjoys it. Huh... Who does she think of herself? Just because she has found herself as an elementary witch... doesn't mean she became something good. She was still the stupid girl for me. Who doesn't know what to do, or whom to believe? Too naive. 

" Junnie is really an amazing girl I have seen in my life till now"- The brat Alan said.

I clutched my fist avoiding his eyes as I remained calm. Trying to control the anger. 

John came out at the right time as he replied-" yes she is."

Alan smiled at him and walked a little towards him as he asked with a sparkly eye-" Oh, yes I forgot you guys are her childhood friends. Can you tell me more about her?"

God!!! I haven't seen a stupid demigod before. Is he even a man? I don't think so. the way his eyes twinkled by her name, it looked like a lost puppy. 

John kept his towel in the bed as he began to describe her-" Ummm.. she is..."

Before he could say anything I said-" She is a stupid little woman. She barely could sort things out and put herself in the danger... Too naive to trust people so often... and a woman with lots of self-ego"

I left from there without even listening to anything back from them. I am pretty sure they both are looking at me with shocking eyes. But it was true by the way. 

I came out of the room and inhaled the fresh air. I needed it. the thought of her used to make me feel hot. "God that stupid woman!!!"

"Who is?"- A voice asked from my back. I turned around to find another other than Junnie. 

"Did I say that out loud?"- I asked with a little embarrassment. 

"Sure you did"- she replied in a blunt voice. 

God, what is her problem? Why the hell am I feeling nervous around her now? Why wouldn't I be? She was not the girl she use to be before. She had turned out to be the most beautiful woman I have seen. indeed that made that stupid Demigod fall for her. We are talking face to face like this after 4 years maybe, and she is incredibly blunt. 

I gulped as I blinked a few times at her.

"Intriguing"- she smirked and said.

" What is?"- I asked with a frown.

" You. being all nervous like this. this was a new side of you to explore"

" You are here for work... not for exploring Junnie"

" yes... this was the real Brad I know. very much fond of his work... no time for anyone... playing with one's feelings like it never matters to you"

Her each word made me angry now. Only if I could show how much it affects me. How much it hurt to see her away from me. To see her smiling at another man. 

But I cannot... I cannot let her know. I kept shut. She frowned and walked towards me as she continued-" What happened? Isn't this true brad? tell me I lied... tell me it mattered to you..."

I kept quiet.

She let out a painful chuckle as she looked away. Probably hiding her tears... She said-" people like you don't deserve mercy... You are the one who is worst than Felix... You two have no difference.. he played with Shawna's feeling and you...."

She stopped for a moment and said-" You deserve to be alone forever... I hate you"

Her voice cracked at the end. Tears started flowing from her eyes. She tried hard to keep up but couldn't. What I hate the most is her tears. I couldn't stand it. I lost control. She was about to go away as I pulled her by her wrist and without any second thoughts I placed my lips on her beautiful one. 

She froze at my touch. Probably shocked. I was too. I didn't know what I was doing. I lost control over myself. How can I not? She is the only girl that holds my heart. Tears in her eyes are the one who broke the god damn dam.

I kissed her with all the passion I had hidden in my heart for her. I poured it all out. Slowly could feel her lips moving on mine. She kissed me back. And that was the time I want to freeze till eternity.

I couldn't express what I was feeling right now. A pure ecstasy. She tastes like home. My home. 

I don't know until when we kept kissing each other. Until then where we almost choke on our air. Finally, slowly we pulled out and our heads kept on each other. I was still closing my eyes, afraid to see if this might be a dream. I didn't want to go away. I want to stay. Like this. Forever. 

Her sweet angelic voice brought me back as she asked-" B-Brad?"

My eyes snapped open in fear. No... what have I done... I have promised her mother... I cannot break the promise... She deserves a better life. That maybe I cannot give.

I looked at her with guilt and fear as I moved away. before she could say anything, I ran away while mumbling-" I am sorry"

NEXT MORNING:

SHAWNA'S POV:

" We are ready!!!"- I said while buckling up. Priam, Junnie, Brad, John and King Alan stood by my side. Ruby nodded and replied-" very well, we shall leave now."

She looked away and ordered her men to march towards the "Trio Whirl" The place where the leaders of the Sirens lived. It was across the shore, in the middle to be exact. Ruby described there will be a strong whirl right in the middle of the sea. That is where we have to jump in to meet the leader. 

I have the right to get nervous of course. As the ship sailed I stood by the corner watching the vast blue sky getting merged with the beautiful ocean green sea as if they were one. This is what nature teaches us. We are all one at the end, just in a different disguise. But we are too foolish to not understand its mission. It is us who creates the division. It is us who creates chaos. And nature still endures all of it. Even it pains her to see her children's not getting along. That is what mother nature is called as the mother figure. 

I wish I could be a good mother in future. I could give everything that I lacked. She or he will see a better world. I will make sure of it. 

As I was thinking all of this, I felt a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist. I couldn't move as he kept his head in the crook of my neck. I felt a familiar scent. It was Priam. 

" Nervous?"- He asked in his husky tone.

" I have the right to be"- I replied truthfully. I turned around to face him. As soon as our eyes met, all I could see is love. It was the same Priam whom I knew, whom I fell in love with. The Priam from these past couple of months was just a disguise. 

" Says the girl who slew Lady Georgia"- he teased.

Her name... was like an arrow in my heart. The more I think of her... I remember... because of her, we have faced danger... My friends nearly died... I met Felix... I lost of dad... King Nashall and Uncle Ben... 

I frowned as I replied-" We are not sure of that... and I don't have the wand now..."

"Well, that is why we are here... right?"

" We reached!!!!"- Ruby shouted from the deck. We looked at her. I was confused about what to feel right now. Should I be happy or nervous? 

The ship stopped right before the big Whirl as we saw it from up. I looked at Priam and he blinked his eyes assuring me he is there with me. I inhaled a big chunk of air and said-" I am ready!!!"

Priam looked back and said-" Okay... Shawna, I, Ruby and Junnie will go down... The rest of you be here. We will pull this rope thrice if we need help. They nodded and we jumped in. 

The water was cold... and the whirl was making it difficult to think anything clearly. I saw all of us surrounding the big whirl of the water which was going god knows where. Should I not get panicked now? I tried looking at others, as Ruby seemed unaffected as if she was used to this, While Junnie was struggling just like me. Finally, my eyes falls on Priam who was trying to get the grip but failing continuously. Throughout his struggle he managed to look at me and mouthed me-" I am right here... Hold on!!!"

I couldn't listen but I could understand. I nodded at him. The Whirl took a few minutes before landing us in the deep sea. "How are we breathing?" I looked at Priam as the sound in my head just echoed out loud. 

Junnie and Priam looked equally amazed and confused like me. Ruby smiled back and said-" It was protected by the magic of water-god. Only the permitted members were allowed here to breathe in here. And we will be only talking through our thoughts... So nobody could lie..."

I was amazed and shocked at the same time. This was the first time I am seeing an underwater city. It was... Beautiful. There were little homes made up of shells where the Sirens were peeping through. Though it was dark... But the middle of the city was glowing on something. As we pass through swimming the eyes were on us. Some hissed... Some looked at us with envy... some were hungry and filled with anger... some were filled with grief and fear. 

The emotions were hard to read. 

Soon Ruby stopped and turned back as she thought-" We reached."

We nodded and stood beside her. We looked ahead and saw an old female Siren standing in front of us. She looked at Ruby and asked-" Are you sure she is the one?"

Ruby nodded and looked at me. 

I came forth and thought-" I, Parshawna Macduff... I am the heir of the golden wand... I came here to take the Stone."

The old female siren's expression was cold as he replied-" We will only hand over the Stone to the one, who is the true heir. the one who can break this curse."

" Curse?"-Junnie asked looking at Ruby. 

She didn't answer anything. I remember Ruby telling us about the curse, but she didn't inform me that I have to break the curse to get the stone. 

" How am I suppose to break the curse? I don't have the wand with me. Give me the stone so I can get the wand back and only then I can help you"

" We don't trust outsiders... Especially witches like you. The only way we will give the stone after you break our curse... That was the deal we made with Chole"

" But..."- I was stopped in the middle as his demanding tone ordered... " Break the curse right now... or die...."

NOOOO... the other sirens... captured Priam and Junnie. 

Junnie tried to pull the rope but one of the Siren cut the rope as it hurt her arms too. the blood began to flow out as the water near her got a little red, mixed with her blood. She hissed and said-" how dare you"

She closed her eyes too began her magic but... there was nothing. Our magic wouldn't work in the land of healers. I said-" Stop... Stop... don't hurt them... please..."

I looked at Ruby with helpless eyes but she chose to stay silent. I was angry with her. She lied... She betrayed... I trusted her... She put us all in danger... Should I empathy her? She doesn't deserve it. 

 I looked at them who were now possessions of Sirens. Their sharp teeth were a few inches away from Priam's and Junnie's skin. Their eyes began to glow in the taste of our soul. What should I do now?

Maybe be this is all a bad idea... Maybe We were supposed to fight without the wand... I have to do something at least... but what? How should I save them? How am I supposed to break the curse without the wand?

Fear engulfed me and the panic spread all over my body. I looked at the Sirens who were looking at me like they were ready to pound on us. 

Think

Think

Think

Suddenly I can hear a faint whisper... Something in my head... something that wanted me to listen. 

I closed my eyes and focused. Soon a voice sounded clear in my head as if it was chanting something. I focused more and now the voice is audible. It was a familiar voice. A female voice. 

It says-" Belief in yourself, my child... You are the one... You are the magic... You are the prophecy... Endure everything in you. Endure the happiness... Endure the sadness... Endure the pain... Endure the pleasure... Find yourself... Find the magic... Where you lay"

The sound hissed in my mind as it rang across my head again and again. Believe in me? Am I the magic? Am I the prophecy? The feeling of each happy moment I passed in this world... Mom... dad... Grany... My friends... Priam... The feeling of sadness when I lost my Mom... Dad... Uncle Ben... King Nashall... The feeling of pain... to those lonely nights and haunted memories... The feeling of pleasure where I united with my love again. I was the magic... The magic is me... 

Something in me tingled across my body... I sweet scent of lavender and peach roamed around me. the scent of strong elements became closer to my senses... the water began to flow in my blood and the skin turned into the soil as it was made of... the green layer of moss folded me and the cool air I inhaled... I was controlling all the elements of nature... The vast Ocean seemed so small now... the sky met with me and I was floating in the air... I was the magic that I need.

 It was always there... But I never tried to see it. 

I opened my eyes as I began to glow. I opened my eyes in jolt and the golden light felt across the sea, making everyone close their eyes due to the strong light. I had the power in me again... And this time it was so powerful. I looked at my hands as the golden wand appears... A smile crept upon my lips as I directed the wand to those who held Junnie and Priam. 

In one go, they swept away in the floating water. I looked at the Old male Siren as I said-" Pellem liberam quae in hac concha latet.... reduc illam quae olim in inferno amissa erat... colour Qualis olim fugit.". (Free the skin that lies within this shell... bring back the one who was once lost in hell... colour the nature as it once fleed... free the magic that was hidden in the broad deep sea.)

The strong aura felt the dark sea as the skin of the Sirens began to break one by one, lifting the light from within. They looked in amazement and happiness as the skin of the haunted creature began to flood away washed from their skin. The colour spread across the sea, as the city was bright with lights again. It was no longer dark and the place of hideous Sirens...

It turned out to be a bright joyfully kingdom. The sirens that were holding us hostage were now beautiful mermaids and mermen. they had big bright colourful tails and they swim to flaunt that. 

The smile didn't leave their lips and they finally gathered to say me Thanks. "Thank you queen Parshwna... the greatest witch of the decade!!!!"- A loud murmur of cheers filled the area.

My eyes landed on Ruby who was looking at me with shocked eyes. My eyes turns dark as soon as my eyes landed on her. It was her turn now.