Chapter 11: The Redeemer

His mouth curved in a half smile, a sign of joy and happiness.

"Your name in my language means God's blood is the sweetest of nectar..."

"God's... Blood...?" She purred.

"Yes, Rachael.... and you're my sweetest nectar," his words were soft, yet filled with an undeniable power. Her body trembled as if she was being submerged in icy water. His voice reverberated in her head, and in the depths of her soul and it sent tingles of pleasure to all parts of her.

He leaned forward and brushed her lips with the tip of his tongue. His tongue tasted like mint. Like heaven. His eyes seemed to glow from their own source of darkness.

The man stared straight through her. Rachael was lost in that stare, unable to do anything but return his heated gaze. He pulled back slightly but didn't break contact, staring down at her face.

"No... This isn't right," Rachael broke out of his embrace and took a few steps backwards, holding her already beating heart.

"Don't tell me I'm going crazy," Rachael whispered, "please I hope this is some kind of hallucination. Don't make me believe this is real... I… don't… know…you." Her voice cracked, as the tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.

"It's just too much to bear... I... I don't know you, Creature," Her hands went to her face, wiping away any evidence of unshed tears. Then Rachael looked down at him, waiting for his reply.

She didn't know his name, and the only word she could conjure up was "Creature".

The merman stared at her , his expression unreadable and completely void of emotion. The only thing Rachael could feel was coldness. She couldn't deny one thing for sure: His eyes held no compassion, no warmth. His gaze reminded her of centuries of betrayal... Denial... and....and....

Her senses choked on the numerous interpretations of what his eyes meant.

There was something about him that felt like she'd known him since the beginning of time. But her heart failed to justify that fact.

"You're-" His words were cut short by the sounds of footsteps that echoed inside the cave.

He knew they were finally here. His fellow race was finally here. And it wasn't safe for him.

He moved with a certain speed back towards the pool, and before Rachael could stop him, he plunged into the pool and disappeared below the surface of the murky liquid.

Before Rachael could process the situation, four mermen emerged from a corner of the cave walking towards her. They had the finest of clothing made out of sea corals covering every inch of their skin, their features sharpened into inhuman perfection.

Two of them carried what looked like spears, while the other one had two swords. The third had a small axe that he swung around menacingly. One of them stopped directly in front of Rachael.

Merman Warriors.

Fear crept up her spine, paralyzing her and leaving her frozen with dismay, unable to look away. Rachael stood still, unsure of what to say or how to react.

She tried to focus on any escape strategy. Any plan that could get her out of this alive. A sudden realization hit her like a brick to the skull: It might not have been possible for a human to escape these creatures.

One of the merman raised his spear and pointed it at her chest.

"It's time, Íkrótosi," he said in a low, raspy voice. "The great Kàyósi awaits you and others who will help bring our dead prince back to life... For through your death shall we be salvaged." His grin was evil and twisted with malice and hatred.

Rachael swallowed hard, the panic setting in. She could hear her heart thumping in her ears, the sound ringing loud and clear. She had to run. There was no way she would be able to defeat any of these monsters. They would probably kill her within minutes of laying a single finger on her.

"No." She whispered, shaking her head, refusing to give them what they wanted.

"It's not in your power to say no, Íkrótosi. We never took you against your will. Your people did. They did abandon you to die in the sea, and instead of dying unnecessarily, we took you to achieve something for a greater good," he finally said.

"Fear ye not, for your death will be honourable. Your name will be engraved on the pillars where the body of the great Kàyosi lies." He grinned once again, baring his shark teeth.

Rachael's stomach churned and the feeling of dread grew stronger by the second.

"Please, I beg you, let me go. I can't stay here. Please, I'll do whatever you want. Just let me go!" Rachael pleaded, her voice breaking.

"Blame your people for abandoning you. Humans have been pathetic throughout the years. They once plundered home, but thanks to the great Kàyósi who saved us. Now his body lies without a living soul, all thanks to your RACE!" The creature spat the last words venomously, which made Rachael finch under his harsh tone.

"You think it's cruel for us to do whatever we have to do so that the soul of the great Kàyósi comes back to life, Íkrótosi? No. We never wanted it YOUR PEOPLE HAPPENED" He paused, his expression morphing from anger to sadness and back to mischief again. Then he smiled.

"TAKE HER." he ordered the merman closest to Rachael. The tall one who wielded a sword stepped forwards, his eyes narrowed, but a smile played over his lips.

He grabbed Rachael roughly by the arm, dragging her forward with such force it almost hurt. She stumbled forward, tripping over her own feet.

The girl had fought with all her might, but in the end, the merfolks had won. They had bound her arms and legs with seaweed ropes, gagged her with a slimy cloth, and carried her over their shoulders like a captured seal. She had tried to bite and scratch them, to kick and punch them, but they were too strong, too determined.

Slowly, the one who had ordered her capture began to chant a sweet song, the syllables sounding like distant echoes. His voice grew deeper and more hypnotizing.

Rachael felt herself growing lighter, until she was no longer conscious of any pain whatsoever.

And then, her world went dark.