Somewhere in the Sea

Chapter 10

Deep down in the murky depths of the sea off the coast of Gwadar, there lived a colony of some of the most disgusting creatures that ever existed. They were sly and cunning and were known to cause trouble. Their ancestors were half humans and half birds who used to lure sailors to their death. But as human civilization grew, they hid in the ocean. Overtime, they lost their ability to fly and because they frequently mated with other creatures, their appearance completely changed. They now look like pale skinned humanoids with slit-like eyes, webbed hands, long nails, seaweed infested hair, dark lips, sharp teeth and the lower half is a black tail with spikes. The sirens were banished here after they attempted a coup against the mermaid kingdom.

Now they live in caves in the abyss surrounded by darkness, feeding off whatever they can scavenge. This included dead fish, bones and even rocks. Surprisingly, plastic has no bad effects on them as they thrived around it while the other species suffocated. Their homes consist of caves dug out in the walls of the trenches. Since they lived in the depths of the sea, they managed to befriend some of the creatures of the deep. Parasitic eels, sharks and a variety of bioluminescent creatures shared their homes with the sirens after they were banished. 

Two of the sirens stood outside the cave of their leader and were budging each other. "You go first", "No, you go first. She hates me already", "You want her to kill me?" "Well yeah that will be an improvement. Ok fine I'll go in", said one of the sirens and she went in first. The cave was dark and gloomy outside. In one corner, there hung a giant skull of a huge fish with razor sharp teeth. On the other, there were shelves upon shelves of jars and flasks filled with potions which were stirring slightly. The floor had jagged rocks and fissures filled the walls. The light source was an anglerfish hovering over the rocks arising from the floor in the shape of an armchair on which she sat. Their chair had its back to the entrance.

"Ah... Uh..", the siren stammered to say something. "Milady... Ma..Madam Roohar''. The anglerfish glared at her. She froze but continued, "Madam Roohar, the prisoner is refusing to eat. She said she'll starve to death before eating here". "Hmm..", came a sound from the seat. "Also the merfolk are sending their troops all over the sea. It's hard for us to attack on the surface now." "Yeah", said the other siren. "It's about time they'll catch us and find out where we hav-", "No one is going to find out anything", said a voice from behind the chair and Roohar rose. Unlike any other siren, she had long black hair, pale skin, her tail was grayish silver and she had an intimidating aura around her. When she turned and faced the sirens, they both trembled in fear. 

"No one will have to know", Roohar continued. "Until when the time comes, we'll tell the entire world. It's time we take back what's rightfully ours. For years, our kind has lurked in the darkness, suffered endlessly at the hand of those mermaids but that's all going to change now. We will no longer live in the shadows. The sirens will arise once again! I will avenge my father's death and take over the entire sea!". "Yes Milady!", said the sirens. "Now Vex", she said to one of them, "Go back to our little prisoner and feed her whatever you can find. We'll need her alive." "And Blitze", she said to the other "Go and see how far those mermen have scattered. We need to resume the attacks again. Those humans shouldn't be thanking the heavens just yet". "Yes Madam Roohar!", they said, trembling and swam out. 

"Father", she said to herself. "I will not let you down Father. I will avenge your death and will make you proud." The anglerfish glared its teeth in approval. "They have no idea what trouble is coming their way. The reign of Roohar has just begun!" Her laugh echoed throughout the abyss.