Ari (Child of the Beastman Goddess)

We were on the huge branch of a century tree and we were lucky that the leaves were thick enough to hide us. I can see a few Sirens passing by around the area as if they can sense our presence, but couldn’t identify our exact location. We only sneakily checked on their movement one at a time.

I wanted to check the area on my own, but the Sirens would definitely know our location once I set off to fly up because they were sensitive to air and water waves. They move faster than any regular beastman race because their bodies were built to defy the pressure underwater. Another thing we needed to consider was that they may not know how to climb a tree, but we have no reassurance that they won’t be able to find a way up.

Dillon was trembling with anxiousness and asked, “Are we still going to cross the ocean? It would be risky for us, especially for Ari and Tora.”

“I don’t think it’s still possible. Is it safe to go back from where we came from?” my brother asked while looking at Lowell.

All our sense of smell was weakened due to the suppressant we drank, making it harder for us to sense the scent of others at a distance. Hence, he was tasked to spy around the area jumping from one tree to another discreetly-he was the perfect fit for the job since he was the most agile and tactful among us.

He shook his head with a disappointed look on his face and answered, “No. They already surrounded the area when I checked earlier so I had to fall back as quickly as possible to prevent them from noticing my presence.”

We had no choice but to wait for the Sirens to go back to their territory, so we stayed on top of the tree while observing their movements. We even witnessed them take away a few females from areas nearby-but we couldn’t do anything and let them have their way.

We were supposed to sleep early while the males took their turns to guard, but I couldn’t sleep due to the guilt of seeing a female being forcefully dragged away and not doing anything to help her.

The moon was full but ever since I have awakened, I no longer have nightmares. I haven’t seen Ayla even in my dreams since then.

I was trying my hardest to relax my mind, but a stunning and seductive voice suddenly echoed across the tropical forest. It sounded like a loud hum of longing voices filled with grief and regret. It sounded like a chorus of a group of people seeking a particular person.

Tora suddenly sprung from her sleep and tried to walk down the branch-I had to forcefully stop her from doing so. I accidentally woke up my brother who was sleeping beside me and Gurion, who then helped me restrain Tora with a confused look on his face.

She was still asleep, but she was walking as if she was being controlled as the chorus became louder.

I tried to shake her as we pulled her back on the top of the huge branch and shouted, “Tora! Wake up!”

My brother wrapped his arms around her whispering words I didn’t understand, but she kept on struggling. He looked worried and frightened, but he didn’t let go of her even though she forcefully tried to struggle and free herself.

She accidentally scratched my brother so I tried to go near but my brother growled, “Back off, Ari! Please… Don’t come any closer and cover your ears.”

I stumbled and fell on my knees as I looked into his eyes. I wanted to help him with Tora but I wasn’t sure what to do. I trembled in confusion as the loud echoing voices rose, sending intense sensation in one’s heart. I covered my ears and I almost lost it despite doing so-the wave of their voices could get through even if you were deaf.

I felt so sleepy that I almost lost it when the two pairs of arms suddenly surrounded me and hugged me trying to help me stay awake-it was Lowell and Dillon.

Lowell whispered, “Ari, don’t listen to those bastards.”

Dillon kissed my bare forehead and said, “I won’t let go of you no matter what happened, but please try your best to stay awake.”

The intense grief I felt wasn’t even mine, but my tears kept streaming down and it felt like I was being persuaded to answer their call.

TheirPublished by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

My brother was already worried for Tora but he looked horrified seeing me cry-he almost loosened up his grip on Tora.

Luckily, Macan came and embraced Tora as my brother regained his grip on her-she was sandwiched by the two huge males of our group just to restrain her from going down the branch.

Macan growled, “Idiot! Don’t loosen your grip!”

My brother looked at me again with his weary eyes and said in a low voice, “I know, but Ari-”

Dillon roared, cutting down my brother’s words, “Just focus on Tora! We already have Ari with us.”

Lowell also growled at my brother, “You’ll just worsen things if you let go of Tora!”

I felt like I was almost losing it and screamed, “Everyone! Please! No matter what happened, don’t let go of Tora!”

Macan looked at me with horror upon hearing my voice and mumbled, “What do you mean?”

Dillon and Lowell asked as they tighten his grip, “Ari?! What are you saying?!”

It was funny hearing their voices in unison, but my heart couldn’t handle the intense emotion any longer.

“Back off! Please,” I mumbled before transforming to my passive – aggressive form.

I spread my wings uncontrollably while releasing some energy to push Dillon and Lowell away, causing them to fall down from the tree. I didn’t mean it to happen, but I couldn’t control myself any longer as I suddenly saw Ayla’s image in front of me. I wanted to back off, but my body couldn’t move as I pleased.

Everyone was baffled and seemed like they couldn’t see her.

She walked near and whispered, “My dear sister. They are calling for you.”