Chapter 13: The cries of war
As the mighty ship prepared for the fight, Stavros kept an eye on the restrained Delphis. He'd struggled for a while, but he was incredibly weak, his power having been transferred to the trident as soon as it pierced through him. Without water, he couldn't heal, and so was stuck with about the strength of a child, infuriating him. The elder man surveyed the deck, his crew preparing their weapons and ready for whatever command Stavros had for them. Kai's father had been enlisted in the village a few hours prior, and was aboard one of the other boats, taking charge of the operations but not particularly enthusiastic to join the fight. Miriam, meanwhile, was commanding her small crew, who all had their own boats they'd be using during the fight, but who would follow her command. She polished her shield, before pulling a net onto a hook beside her. Kai would thank her later…maybe. She sighed. Could she really bring herself to kill the citizens if they attacked her? Going against Merlie and her sisters was easy, as they'd hurt everyone, but what about the teens like them, the teens who had grown up in the city, and were being punished for it? She clenched her fists, taking a deep breath. She'd do what she had to, and if that meant hurting others for the safety of her friends, she would have to face the consequences for those actions later.
Kai's mother had almost offered to provide food for the ships, but having seen the look on her son's face when she spoke, she decided against it. He seemed distraught by the idea of hurting the Itarians, but was at least reassured when Stavros promised him they'd give him a chance to try and settle everything peacefully before the fight began. She watched as her son headed up toward the peak, presumably to talk to Lucia, and took a look at him. He was still her sweet baby boy, underneath it all. She remembered the first time he'd gone sailing with them, the excitement in his face and the feeling of the wind in his hair, and hoped he'd never lose that same joy. The ocean was a place of happiness for Kai, and she held hope it would stay that way forever.
As Kai ascended the path, he turned back to stare at the sea as it sparkled, the faint outline of Itar present as a small blot on the perfect blue line, where sky met sea. Gazing at the horizon for a moment, he thought of the adventure he'd been on so far, meeting otherworldly creatures, trying amazing food, and finding love. Taking a breath of the fresh island air, he clenched his fists, determined that the battle ahead wouldn't take everything from him. Even despite the suffering Itar caused, he knew the people inside were also in pain, and so freedom was what he would fight for. Freedom for him and his island, freedom for the prisoners, like Fiddle, freedom for the citizens and their home, and freedom for all the lost souls, like Cori and that little girl who had disappeared. Finishing the climb up the path, he knocked on the door, Lucia opening it with a bewildered expression. Wordlessly, he handed her the book, and bent down to her level. "You have to help him, for everyone's sake." he whispered, before standing up and walking away without another word.
Meeting at the beach, the entire island was assembled and the smoke of the emergency flare was sailing high above, Kai's mother watching as both her husband and son departed in boats. Lucia sat on the deck, having read the book but unsure whether she could bring herself to disobey her father, while Stavros steered, his crew watching over Delphis. Miriam led her fleet to the horizon, Kai following in one of the rowboats, the boy taking one last look at his mother. Raising a hand to wave, he felt sobs choking his throat, knowing that he may be seeing her for the last time, and gripped his oars tighter, hoping that they could settle everything peacefully.
At the edge of Itar, Stavros raised his trident, plunging it into the waters below and yelling for the sea to split around the nine. After a moment of silence, the once tranquil waters became violent, Delphis's eyes going wide and clenching his fists so hard that his nails left marks. Lucia watched in fear as he struggled, clearly in agony from his pained breathing and exhausted expression, but couldn't bring herself to move. The seas rose up sharply, sending their boat off to the side, shells and rocks scattering all over the deck and pelting the crew. Stavros watched in awe as the columns of ocean formed, leaving only sand in the centre which stretched toward each island, and a small slope of waves to ensure the boats could get down safely. So this was the power of the sea.
As the Itarians walked out, they stared at the sand channels in awe, Allura leading a group of them forward, directly toward Stavros's ship. The man motioned for Kai to come forward, Miriam's hands tightening on her wheel. It was completely silent, save for the small splashes of Kai's oars, and he took a deep breath, before braving the slope, eventually ending up on the sand and disembarking. Stepping forward, he took off his sandals and walked toward Allura, who raised an eyebrow. Keeping his voice steady, he felt the weight of the necklace around his neck. He had the protection of Hermes, he'd said a prayer whilst sailing, and the love of his friends and family could make him strong. "Allura…we don't want to fight you. Is there a way to settle this peacefully that we can agree on?" he posed, the siren stepping forward too, both of them now standing face to face. "That depends on the terms. You have hurt our people, sent us to the depths of the sea for decades, misshapen us, and now you intend to do the same. Is that peaceful to you?" she demanded, Kai looking down. "I know…we have hurt you, sent you to the bottom of the ocean, deformed you, and…some of us wish for the same. But if we can agree peacefully, I believe there is an opportunity for everyone's freedom. After all, you have hurt our people, drowned many of our sailors and children, even…" he trailed off, spotting Fiddle among the crowd in a long dress, watching him intently. "Even…taken us prisoner." he spoke, her eyes changing in sorrow. Allura turned, seeing the young girl clutching her bow, and nodded, Fiddle gritting her teeth and subsequently pulling out an arrow, arming herself. "Come forward, Fiddle." Allura commanded, Fiddle staring at Kai and aiming at him. "It is highly unlikely we can reach an accord, Kai." Allura replied. "Your people and my people cannot exist together. We exist in a constant power imbalance, a threat of having our comfortable existences drowned by your bloodthirsty demi-gods, who hold the entire power of the ocean at their disposal." she spoke, staring up at Stavros, who looked down at her, before turning around and ordering his crew about. "Thus, it is with deep sorrow, that I must declare war." she finished, Kai shaking his head. "Allura, we need to think this through! Your people will die! You will all be sunk to the bottom of the ocean again!" he screamed, the nymph pausing. "There was never any chance of peace, Kai. Fire at will, Fiddle." she commanded, the young girl raising her bow slightly higher, Kai's eyes filling with tears. His heart pounded as she aimed for his chest. She was going to kill him.
Above, Miriam watched as Allura walked away, her hands going white as she clutched the wheel. She would have to watch her best friend be murdered, all because of the selfish ideals of two power-hungry leaders. Her eyes filled with terrified tears as she gasped for breath, unsure if she would even make it down in time before Fiddle shot. Lucia watched from the deck, Stavros turning and motioning for her to close her eyes. Sympathetic, Delphis stared down too, knowing that if he was free this terrible outcome might never occur. Kai's father was tightening a rope, realizing too late what was happening and only meeting Miriam's tearful eyes. His son…his beautiful son, was about to die.
Fiddle raised her bow, lips trembling from holding back her silent sobs, and watched as Kai stared at her, tears rolling down his cheeks and small, pathetic sobs escaping his lips. He was afraid, afraid of dying, of the pain, and of never seeing anyone he loved again. He pressed his lips together, trying to hold back the sounds, but they trembled, and she then noticed how his entire body was quaking. Taking a deep breath, tears began stinging her eyes. Could she really kill the boy who showed her so much kindness, so much love, so much compassion? The boy who had shown her the sunset, read with her, brought her into his home…she raised her bow. Kai gritted his teeth, sniffling, trying to hold back the terrified sobs, and raised his eyes to the sky. An arrow sailed.
And hit Fiddle in the chest.
For a moment, all Kai heard was his own breathing. He blinked, slowly, eyes blurred from the tears, before letting out a slight gasp. Confusion, Fiddle hadn't shot him, and then concern. Reaching up to wipe his eyes, he watched as she recoiled, her arms slowly falling and her bow with it, the pain setting in. Falling back slightly, she winced, Kai seeing the blood seeping out onto the white fabric and his teary eyes widening. Another arrow sailed, hitting the young girl in the cheek, her entire body freezing in pain. Kai turned, seeing Stavros holding a bow, far above, joined by the rest of his crew, and his face turned from fear to pure horror. Screaming for them to stop, he rushed toward Fiddle, arrows now raining down around them. Calls to attack from both sides didn't even register for him, and the boats moving into action barely weighed on his mind. All that mattered was Fiddle. Screaming, the boy rushed toward her, catching her before she fell to the ground completely, and held her in his arms, cupping her wounded cheek with his hands. New, fresh tears filled his eyes as she placed her hand over his. She mouthed something, the boy trying his best to focus on her silent speech. An apology, his name, then something else. Her name, her true name. Lei. Without warning, he leant in close and stopped her mouth with a kiss, his tears mixing with the blood running down her face from the arrow. Even with the scarred form, the wounded pride, the injured body, he loved her. He loved her, he loved her, he loved her, a thousand times over, until the sea ran dry and the sky lost the sun. Feeling as if his heart was being torn, he suddenly turned his head to see Allura in mermaid form, floating in the waves. She beckoned to him, Lei also seeing her and nodding, weakly pointing toward the water. Both confused and horrified, Kai shook his head, but Lei leaned up, planting a kiss on his cheek, and mouthing that it was all okay. Hugging her, hard, and wary of the arrow, he took her hand and let her lean on him, the two walking a few steps closer to the side of the wall of water, Kai suddenly gripping her hand. "Don't leave me…" he whispered, Lei gently taking their joined hands and kissing them, tears in her eyes. Moving toward Allura, she held out her other hand, her captor embracing her and scowling at Kai. Gripping her hand firmly, he sobbed, the two finally parting ways as Allura swam away with the girl, who was bleeding and burning all at once. Knowing they would be safe at the castle, the two fled, as the battleground turned to chaos and Kai was shot at from all sides, running as fast as he could whilst tears poured down his face.