Sepide followed the woman without knowing why, it just felt natural for her to do it. The two swam far from the others, only stopping once the mermaid noticed that Sepide was the only one following her.

"Where are they? I thought for sure I could charm them with my voice."

"Charm them?" Asked Sepide "But you didn't charm me."

"I-I didn't?" Asked the woman, a bit confused "Then why did you follow me?"

"I don't know, you just left. I thought you wanted to bring us somewhere."

"You're... Really naive, what if I wanted to kidnap you?"

"I don't think you would, I can't tell why but I trust you."

The woman blushed a bit and looked away, a bit surprised by Sepide's words.

"I suppose I managed to kinda charm you, let me show you where I live, I'm sure you'll be comfortable there."

Sepide looked behind her, trying to see her friends.

"What about Neige and Silva?"

"Don't worry, you'll see them later. Just go to my house, it's safe, I promise."

"Alright, I follow you."

The woman was amazed by Sepide's obedience, she couldn't tell if she was charmed or just naive by heart. The two continued into the vast ocean, calmly swimming toward their goal.

Sepide was led to a small cave. A few pieces of wooden furniture were inside along with some fruits, leading Sepide to think this was Venus's home. The mermaid sat on one of the chairs and incited Sepide to do the same. Once they were both sitting in the house, Sepide asked the question on her mind.

"Why did you bring me here?"

"Isn't it nice? We can decorate a bit more if you want."

"You didn't answer my question."

Venus's cheerful tone disappeared, looking at the outside of the cave.

"I'm lonely... It's been so long since I've got any friends. My kind exiled me many moon cycles ago."

"They exiled you? Why?"

"They were scared of me... They said I brought bad luck everywhere around me and... I can't say that they're wrong. I come from a family of horrible people, it's basically written in me that I'll bring problems."

"That's idiot, you're not the same as your ancestor."

Venus smiled softly at Sepide's words, still looking away from her.

"That's kind of you, I'm glad you understand. Does that mean you'll stay with me? I can make sure that you won't have anything to worry about!"

"I wouldn't mind a life without worry but... There are so many things that force me to refuse. I don't want to leave my friends, I still have an important mission soon, and my bottle of oxygen can only last a day."

"Why did you say that like those three are at the same level of importance? And I'm sure you can find a way around all of these."

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"Can we go to Silva and Neige, I'm sure they could find a solution for you."

The siren clenched her fist in frustration before letting out a sigh.

"I would force you to stay here usually, but I can't bring myself to hurt you, you look so innocent... I'll bring you back to your friends."

"Thanks, but what about the stone we're searching for?"

"I honestly don't know where it could be, I just used it as an excuse to gain your trust. Maybe the king would know but I'm banned from there so you'll need to go alone."

"I'm sure Neige will find a solution, he's smart."

Sepide stood up, ready to leave. Venus was about to follow but stopped when she saw Sepide's two friends. Silva took her firearm and pointed alternatively between Sepide and the mermaid with panic.

"W-Which one's the siren?"

"The left one."

Silva pointed her weapon at the mermaid, who raised her hands with fear in her eyes.

"I-I didn't do anything! I swear!"

"She right." Said Sepide "She said that she would guide us to the stone we need."

Silva turned toward Neige and waited for his order. After taking a good look at the woman and Sepide, Neige put his hand on his friend's firearm, prompting her to stop pointing at the mermaid.

"Where can we find the stone?"

"I'm not sure, but I know that my king collects a lot of treasures. I'm sure he at least knows something about it."

"Fine, you can guide us there, but if you try anything we'll take care of you."

"You won't need to." Said Sepide "She didn't try anything too bad, she just wanted a friend."

"Let's just go... I feel useless in this world."

Everyone agreed with Silva and followed the woman, hoping that she wouldn't try anything weird on the way.

The group arrived in front of a giant dome. Venus wanted to leave but Sepide convinced her to come with them, at least to the entrance. They ended up in front of a huge door with two other people with tails instead of legs holding spears in their hands. They immediately took an aggressive stance at the sight of Venus, pointing their pears at her.

"We told you not to come here, don't you value your life?"

"I just came to guide them, I don't want to cause any problem..."

One of the guards looked at the group and widened his eyes at Silva's sight. She took back a neutral stance and even bowed in front of her.

"Princess Silv! We were expecting you!"

Silva was confused but quickly managed to act like her other self would.

"Great, can you let us enter? We have to talk with the king."

"Y-Yes!"

Silva entered with confidence, followed by Neige and Sepide. Venus stayed behind and considered leaving, noticing it, Sepide took her hand and forced her to enter in the dome. The inside looked like a citadel made of ice. They quickly headed to the castle in the center of it, hoping to see the king there. Everyone gave them a strange look, both because of Venus and the girl they thought was Silv. Once the four of them made their way to the castle, it didn't take long before the king himself came to greet them. They didn't even enter that they already found the person they were searching for.

"Silv! I heard you arrived. Just like you asked, we found the lapisium you needed."

"You did? I mean, you did a great job. We'll take it and leave now."

"That's great but... What is she doing here?" The king pointed at Venus with concern on his face.

"Her? I don't know, I didn't quite follow what happened with her."

"Please, can you let her come back?" Asked Sepide with a desperate voice "She feels lonely outside, she didn't deserve this treatment."

"I'm afraid it's impossible, her lineage is cursed. Allowing her here could have disastrous consequences."

"But she's not her lineage..."

Seeing how passionate Sepide was, Silva put her hand on her shoulder to comfort her.

"Is she really that important to you?" Silva's question was answered by a nod from Sepide. Once she had the confirmation from her friend, Silva turned toward the king, trying to act intimidating "Allow the woman again, that's an order."

"But Silv, she could-"

"Could, she didn't do anything yet. I'll allow you to ban her if she ever does bring problems."

The king looked at Venus with disgust on his face, barely holding his hatred for the woman.

"Fine, if that's what our God wants, then we'll comply."

"I'm a God for them?" Silva mumbled to herself, a bit amused.

"I hope she won't cause any trouble, I'll warn everyone that she's allowed again."

"That won't be necessary." Venus came forward, to everyone's surprise "I decided to stay exiled. I... Don't want to be with people that consider me a burden."

"Is that what you want?" Asked Sepide "You could be with your kind again."

"It's okay, I'm happy like that. I think that luring people and keeping them with me wasn't real friendship either, I need to change my ways."

"So... You'll stay exiled?" Asked the king, confused "Well, may everything go well for you. I hope this was the stone you needed, Lady Silv."

The king left the group by themselves. Venus looked at the citadel that was once her home but didn't regret her choice. She left with the others, hoping to live a better life thanks to Sepide.