Chapter 9: Trouble After Trouble

Chapter 9 Trouble after trouble.

“No,” Vesper argued.

“You were braver than I was.”

“No,” I argued.

“You dealt with the hunter.” I said.

“You discovered him.” Vesper shot back.

“But you changed him.” I argued.

“No use arguing with me.” Vesper giggled.

“I know.” I said.

Vesper licked my cheek.

“Love you.” She whispered.

“I too.” I said.

Vesper stared at me with her sky-blue eyes. I stared back my eyes seemed to dig into hers.

“I hope to see the day when you are a dragon.” She said.

“I eagerly await that day too.” I said.

Vesper sighed and laid down on the ground. I stared at her.

“Is something wrong?” I asked.

“No,” Vesper said.

“Thanks for caring.” I knelt down and sat down beside her.

“I hope that you will get to see your own son.” I said.

Vesper sighed. I laid down on the ground and sighed. Vesper growled and laid her tail on me.

“Hey,” I said.

“That hurts.” Vesper snickered.

She put her head in my hands.

“Little Pullus.” Her mind said.

Her tongue flickered in and out of her mouth. I pushed her tail off myself.

“I wish that it wouldn't happen.” Vesper muttered.

She got herself off of me. I stared at her with a questioning face. Vesper shook like leaves in the wind. I wondered what she meant but she told me later. But for now I relate something else that happened not too long after.

We decided to go sailing for our honeymoon. I managed to build a large, steady and very strong ship. I called it

“The dragon man.”

We sailed around the globe determined to find a island that hasn't been inhabited. I found one which I named

“Grande olster.” Unfortunately there was one thing that did inhabit the island, Sirens. And today those creatures seemed to disturb Vesper in some way.

“What?” I asked her, when we finally set foot on the island.

“The atmosphere here is different.” Vesper said quietly.

“Of course it will seem all quiet and peaceful, that's the good one good attribute of an partially uninhabited island.”

It was only a few hours later when I saw those creatures.

“And I thought this island wasn't inhabited.” I thought.

“These creatures never are ones that don't raise the curiosity,”

I continued thinking while walking. The sirens were resting on some rocks along a giant waterfall. I watched as they sang and dove in and jumped out. Some of them even spoke to each other. Most of there color was blue except for their eyes which were either poison green or ruby red or enticing blue. I moved forward and stood at a few rocks just to get a good look at one. When they saw me. Well in my mind if I was them, the first thing I would think is: Who's that? But instead one of them curiously crawled up to me. The siren stared at me with rather intriguing blue eyes. I stared back with my powerful sky-blue ones. The creature giggled playfully and jumped away into the water. I didn't see anything wrong with this, but somewhere at the back of my mind I knew I couldn't trust them no matter what. Some how I managed to sit down on a rock and watch them play with each other. All of the sudden they lept into the water and disappeared. At first I thought they were going to come back up and moment, but after two minutes I grew bored and wondered back to the beach. To my complete horror and astonishment I saw the sirens dragging Vesper towards the water. I watched for two seconds and then rushed to her aid. I grabbed hold of her and kicked one of the sirens away.

“How dare you try to steal our queen?” One siren shouted.

“Queen?” I asked while still tugging.

I managed to release her from their grip and pushed her into the boat. I just barely managed to shove the boat into the water when the sirens started chasing us.

“Oh good the wind is at our side.” I said to Vesper.

One thing I noticed since I had landed on this island was, that Vespers sky-blue eyes seemed to darken. I realized one thing, the sirens had her under their spell. And worst of all they started singing. One thing I will say is that if I was a normal sailor I would have taken on that music immediately, but I wasn't normal, I had lived and loved a dragon for four years and this music was rather irritating. But it seemed to draw Vesper like a magnet. She tried to get off the ship. I let go of the steering wheel and grabbed Vesper.

“I don't think so!” I shouted.

I held on to her and all of the sudden realized my odds against hers, I was just a small man compared to a huge dragon. Now you wouldn't believe me if I said that I managed to keep her down no matter what I did, but that's exactly what happened. She was a hard creature to battle against. I managed to get the dragon ring onto her. That transformed her into a human and made it easier for me to hold on. I tied her to a mast and picked up a musket and shot down three sirens. I was occupied with them until something hit me. It knocked me across the deck and into the floor. Whatever it was it burned.

“Love-stroke again,” I gasped.

“And I thought it was only to hit me once!” I thought.

Vesper somehow had released herself from the rope and started sprinting for the water. I grabbed her just in time and we both tussled on deck. I hated this. Fighting Vesper and love-stroke at the same time killed me. And worst of all my strength was weakening and the sirens seemed to sense it. They sang louder and more passionately.

“When will they stop?” I wondered.

With the songs they sang; even in human form Vesper seemed to get stronger. I slammed her onto the deck and pinned her down. I stared at her. Her eyes were blackening at all sides.

“Cursed sirens!” I shouted.

Then I heard them laugh. Vesper wriggled and tried to roll out of my grip but I held her fast.

“I'm not letting go of you!” I shouted.

I all of the sudden heard a splash and one of the sirens came out onto the deck. It had a sword I also assumed it was a he. I tied Vesper to the mast again as quickly as possible and also made sure no hand could untie it. I turned to the siren.

“You'll have to go through me to get her.” I said.

The siren shrugged.

“All right.” He said.

I took out my own sword and we fought on the deck. At the corner of my eye I saw a siren jump out and land near Vesper. It crawled over to her and whispered to her. Vesper smiled. The siren removed the dragon ring and a loud roaring noise was heard and Vesper in all her glory exploded out of the ropes. I caught the dragon ring killed the swords man and grabbed Vespers tail. I yanked her onto the deck. Vesper turned and roared at me. The sirens started chanting. Vesper lunged at me. I dodged her.

“Bet you forgot I am Pullus.” I said grinning.

But inside I was burning. All of the sudden she began to become smart. Finally she jumped at me and slammed me into the ground. She had her talon on top of me. I did the only thing possible, I stabbed her in the finger talon with a knife. She roared in pain and released me. I stood up and turned to the sirens. They were getting loud. Behind me I saw a club swing and love stroke slammed into me and Vesper shot fire at me all at the same time. Everything went black. When my eyes finally opened I wasn't sure where I was. Either my eyes weren't accustomed to the light or I was a small bit blind. Once my eyes focused I noticed my wounds had been cured and my sword was still with me. I smiled to myself. I remembered putting the enchantment that wouldn't let anyone else touch the sword except me. I also wondered where the love-stroke went. I should have been dead.

“Oh good, your awake.” A voice said.

I turned my head and saw a siren standing there at the foot of my bed. One thing I noticed was that his eyes were different. Not like the other sirens which were either blue or green. His were yellow.

“Where am I?” I asked him.

“You are in my house,” Said he.

“I am an out-casted siren.”

“Oh?” I asked.

“Yes, I raised a question about the laws of Slater in the siren arena.” said he. “They have a arena?” I asked.

“Sure but I wouldn't go there if I were you, too dangerous and very violent and peril.” Said he.

“I have laughed at peril.” I said.

“Not like this.” replied the siren.

He stretched out his hand to me.

“You can call me Fortis.”

“Pullus.” I said shaking his hand.

“So what are you here for anyway?” Fortis asked.

“I was taking a honeymoon with my wife when we stumbled upon a inhabited island, or so we thought. Then we were attacked by sirens.” I replied.

“I saw the rest,” Fortis smiled.

“They really had a fight against you,” He said.

“Too bad they retrieved their queen.”

I jumped up.

“Queen?” I asked.

“No, she isn't their queen!” I said.

Fortis smiled.

“By what I hear, she will be queen until she dies.” He said.

I nearly fainted.

“Oh Fortis,” I gasped.

“These creatures will pay.”

“The election is the day after tomorrow,” Fortis said.

“So if you have any objections you'd file them now.”

I stood up.

“How long has it been?” I asked.

“A week,” Fortis said.

“I found you on one of the pieces of your ship,it is still in tact yes, but it needs repairs.”

“I want to find this arena, tell me where I would find it.” I said.

“Well, today they are taking in anyone who would dare fight for the queens non choosing.” Fortis said.

“I'll take it!” I shouted.

“But no one has survived.” Fortis said.

“Look, the Romans fell cause' they were too big and they lost too many lives to their Colosseum.” I said.

“That's what these sirens are,” Fortis said.

“And more.”

“Do you know their queens name?” I asked.

“You can't utter it here.” Fortis said.

“What?” I asked

“Against the rules?” Fortis nodded.

I hushed down to a whisper.

“Her name is Vesper and she is my wife.” I whispered.

Fortis jumped back.

“Whoa.” He said.

“If I was in your shoes I'd go pick a fight for her.” He said.

I nodded.

“Take me there.” I said.

We left the house and went to the edge of the water.

“Now,don't be afraid,” Fortis said.

“This is how sirens take outsiders to their depths if the human is worthy.”

He grabbed my hand and started talking to the waves in a strange humming sound. A huge wave went over us and we plunged into the sea. The sirens city was spectacular. Entirely made of real crystal,silver,gold,bronze and even rock that I had no idea how to name.

“Here we live in constant war and repeated rebellion,” Fortis said.

“At least the queen may be able to settle the war, and if not this city will vanish from existence.” We landed at the gates.

“The guards are pretty dumb but they often get smart with new comers so let me handle the talking.” Fortis said.

Just as he said we moved past the guards quite easily, it seemed Fortis knew how to persuade them.

“So where is the arena?” I asked Fortis.

“It's that huge construct there.” Fortis said.

Pointing to a huge structure of pure gold and clam shells and crab shells. It must have been entirely round copied from the roman Colosseum.

“Amazing!” I shouted.

“Wait till you see the inside.” Fortis smiled.

We came up to two huge doors that were entirely made of wood and gold bolts. Fortis turned to me.

“Before we go in there,” He said.

“I must warn you, even the slightest sight of blood could make even the most humble man insane for more.” I nodded.

He pushed open the doors.

“I have been to an arena before.” I said.

“Ah,” Fortis smiled.

“So you know what it is like, that is marvelous.” He stood there for a moment.

The whole entire place was filled with cheers, groans and roars. Immediately I saw Vesper. She was in a small box. It didn't hold her like a cage but it was instead, like a opened box with windows. And she was able to walk in it if she wished. I turned to Fortis.

“Is there a way to sign up?” I asked. Fortis glanced at me.

“Here.” He said handing a paper to me.

I stared at it.

“Now you might want to sign under my name as my apprentice.” Fortis said.

So I did.

“Now what?” I asked.

“Wait.” Fortis said.

The fights seemed like hours. My patience waned thin.

“Fortis how long does it take to finish a fight?” I asked. Fortis smiled. “Unfortunately I saved you for last.” He said.

“What?” I asked. “I saved the best for last.” Fortis beamed at me.

I glanced at Vesper. Vesper all of the sudden glanced my direction. Our eyes hit and for a moment we were froze in awe. One of the sirens noticed and laughed, which grabbed the whole crowds attention.

“Looks like our queen has an admirer.” He said.

Fortis put his hand on his face.

“Why me?” He asked.

“And what does the queens admirer request?” The guy asked.

I stood and said.

“To fight for the queens freedom from the judgment seat of the sirens and to leave safely with me,” I shouted.

“And I will fight, and die, but at least it will be a good example of care!” “And if you lose?” Vesper asked.

My heart jumped.

“I will be an outcast and a rejected commoner,” I said gravely.

“I will never be seen here.” The crowds muttered their agreement.

“You will fight different stages of warriors,” The siren said.

“Till you manage to climb to the top where no one has ever passed.”

“Who's last?”' I asked.

“Phantom.” The siren said.

The crowds went into a frenzy.

“Quiet!” The siren shouted.

He turned to me.

“Alright, do your worst.” He said.

I stepped into the arena.

“Well,” I muttered.

“This is it.”

The first few contestants were too easy. It was as if they were trying to tease me. They sent out gladiators and soldiers from other countries and places. They all had their own fighting form. But I always beat them . And some how it bored me that I had to fight such wimpy soldiers and knights and gladiators. But gradually they got harder. And soon I found that I was bested in many things. Swords-man-ship, skill,agility and smarts. I don't know how but I made it through. It's one of those things I had to do. I knew I was one step closer every-time. I wondered often. “Who was this Phantom?”