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With a sudden, powerful gust of wind, Tova and the mysterious woman found themselves transported to a secluded campsite, nestled high up in the branches of a towering tree. Tova’s heart raced as she carefully held the limp form of Iravan, gently lowering him down onto the soft forest floor. Rushing to his side, Tova’s eyes immediately went to the aquarium tank strapped to his back - but to her horror, it was empty. The water and the delicate aquatic creatures it had once contained vanished without a trace.
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Tova’s hands trembled as she reached for her canister, desperately hoping to find some water to revive Iravan, but it too was bone dry, the container offering no relief. Panic and dread washed over Tova as she hovered over Iravan’s motionless form, unsure of what had happened or how to help him.
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Tova closed her eyes and exhaled, trying to control her emotions, when the woman grabbed Tova’s shoulders. “Let me help,” she looked down at Iravan. “What do you need?”
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Tova looked up at the woman, helpless. “sea water” she whined desperately.
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“I have some fresh water and a bunch of salt packets” The woman stood to find the stuff.
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“seawater is more than just salt and water” Tova rolled her eyes through her tears, and she looked at the sea. “The sea is not too far from here,” Tova suggested with her eyes.
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“It is far too dangerous out there,” the woman fired back. “You know that,” she eyed Tova.
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Tova rapidly shifted her gaze to the woman, making her take in a deep breath at the sight of those dangerous eyes. “I will not let him die,” Tova said in a bitter tone. “Unless…” her eyes lit up for a moment.
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“Unless what?” The woman didn’t like the look in those eyes either.
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“Are you a male?” Tova asked, wetting her hands with the freshwater from her canister before throwing the water over her hair.
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“What? No,” the woman said, confused.
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“No, male tendencies?” Tova circled herself with water.
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“no, why do you ask?” The woman watched Tova’s actions with such curiosity.
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“I’m gonna summon sirens from the sea,” Tova said, sitting in the circle.
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“But he is a man.” The woman pointed to Tova’s friends with wide eyes.
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“Iravan is not really male or female, he is just the ocean,” Tova commented, closing her eyes. “now be quiet, I need to concentrate, I haven’t done this in years”
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As Tova’s body began to glow, a mesmerizing, otherworldly sight. A bioluminescent spot of water had somehow filtered through her skin, casting a shimmering, ethereal light around her. The woman stared in wonder at the scene unfolding before her eyes, captivated by the sheer beauty of it.
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As Tova’s curly hair rose, seemingly suspended in a water bubble, a hauntingly sweet voice flowed through her body and into the surrounding air. It was as if Tova had become one with the very elements, her physical form merging with the aqueous light and melodic tones in a breathtaking display of natural magic.
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The woman could scarcely believe what she was witnessing, her senses overwhelmed by the serene yet mystical sight of Tova’s body pulsing with a bioluminescent glow, her hair defying gravity, and her voice carrying an ethereal, siren-like quality that sent tingles down the woman’s spine.
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‘Oh sirens of the sea
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With your voices so sweet,
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We call upon you now
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To bring us water to drink
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Sirens, sing your song
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And bring us water from the deep
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Sirens hear our plea
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And quench our thirst with your melody’
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As the last notes of Tova’s captivating melody faded into the night, the forest seemed to come alive with movement. A gentle rustling swept through the trees as if the very leaves were responding to the enchanting song. Then, a soft rattling sound emerged from the darkness, growing steadily louder - the unmistakable sound of scales gliding over one another.
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Suddenly, a faint glow began to emanate from the edge of the tree line, a bioluminescent display that heralded the arrival of two otherworldly beings. Emerging from the shadows, the sirens materialized, their long black hair clinging to their lithe forms like ink spilled across the parchment.
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Droplets of water clung to their iridescent scales, sparkling like precious jewels, while their fins and tails undulated gracefully, resembling the flowing panels and fringes of a harem skirt. Their features were rounded and smooth, their eyes alluring and mesmerizing, as if the most skilled artisan had sculpted them.
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In their delicate hands, the sirens held a shell-shaped vessel filled with water, and the other a massive clamshell, the contents of which remained hidden from view. The sight of these ethereal creatures was enough to captivate any who laid eyes upon them.
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Tova opened her eyes, and the glow faded from them. “They sent the twins,” Tova said in a nonchalant tone.
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“Is this how you keep your promises?” The twins chorused together.
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Tova’s eyes turned into rage. “Are you questioning his choice?” she stared deeply into their eyes, as they gasped.
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Tova stood before the twins, her gaze locked with theirs as a tense silence hung in the air. The two young sirens, their scales glistening in the dim light, let out a series of low, guttural hisses, the sound echoing through the room. The display of hostility took aback Tova, her eyes widening as she tried to comprehend the sudden shift in the atmosphere.
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Without hesitation, she felt an instinctual response rise within her, and before she knew it, she was hissing back at the twins, matching their aggressive tone. The back-and-forth continued, the volume and intensity escalating as the three became embroiled in this bizarre, primal argument. Tova could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins, her heart pounding as she struggled to maintain her composure.
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Just as it seemed the confrontation would spiral out of control, she raised a hand, silently commanding the twins to cease their hissing. To her relief, the sirens reluctantly obeyed, Tova took a deep breath, realizing how easily the situation had descended into such an absurd display of reptilian posturing, and she knew she had to find a way to diffuse the situation before it got out of hand.
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“Drop your gifts and go” Tova looked at them and in a hissed they descended the tree, leaving.
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Tova’s heart raced as she rushed to Iravan’s side, panic surging through her veins. Seeing him lying motionless, she knew she had to act quickly. Snatching up the shell-shaped vessel, she hurriedly scooped up water and flung it over Iravan’s limp form, the cool liquid splashing across his face and chest. Tova’s hands trembled as she refilled his tank, desperate to revive him.
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Finally, the water seemed to take effect, and Iravan’s deep skin tone began to return to his body. With a loud, gasping breath, he stirred and sat up, his eyes locking onto Tova’s. In a sudden movement, he reached out and pulled her into a tight embrace, his muscular arms wrapping around her waist as he held her close.
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Tova exhaled softly, the fear and panic melting away as she felt the comforting warmth of his body. Relief flooded through her, and she sank into his hold, savoring the safety and security of his touch.
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“It took you long enough.” Iravan teased her, which made Tova slap his chest playfully, chuckling.
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The mystery woman clapped her hands. “That was weird, but everything is sorted,” she smiled, throwing off the cloak.
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Revealing an intricate pin affixed over her heart, the pin’s design permeated to the kingdom of Shakane. The pins, intricate gears and cogs whirred softly, powered by some unseen mechanism, while delicate filigree framed a central gemstone that seemed to pulse with an inner light.
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“You are from Shakane,” Tova whispered, her eyes still on the pin.
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“A soldier” Iravan looked just as shocked at Tova.
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“A General,” Tova corrected Iravan, her eyes still fixed on the woman.
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“Former General” The woman cringed at the look on their faces.
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“What’s your name?” Tova asked, almost scared of the answer.
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“Nari” Nari looked between Iravan and Tova.
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“the mercenary…” Tova uttered softly.
