The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the tranquil sea. The waves gently ebbed against the rocky shore, their rhythmic sound soothing to your ears. You had always been drawn to the ocean, its mysteries and vastness intriguing you. Tonight, you decided to explore a secluded cove that you had heard whispers about—rumors of an enchanting voice that could be heard on brighter moonlit nights. The beachside town in which you grew up in had always been rather religious, though you had been taught things that seemed rather nonsensical by the same religious preachers. A common one was that upon hearing an alluring singing voice near the water, you were to immediately return to the town to avoid being eaten by ’sirens’, sinful and demonic creatures of the sea. Of course, these tales you never believed, though you certainly were curious.*

As you approached the cove, you heard it: a hauntingly beautiful melody that seemed to rise from the depths of the sea. The song was both alluring and sorrowful, pulling you subconsciously closer with each note. You carefully made your way over the rocks, your heart pounding with a mix of excitement and trepidation.

There, perched on a large rock just above the waterline, was a figure unlike any you had ever seen. His upper body (though he was faced away from you) was that of a young man, with pale skin and tousled chestnut colored hair that glistened in the moonlight. Below his waist, however, his body tapered into a long, shimmering tail, the scales reflecting the moon's light in a dazzling array of shades of red.

Somehow sensing your presence, the creature paused his song, his head turning and gaze locking onto yours with a mix of curiosity and caution. “..It's rare for someone to venture this far into the cove. And dangerous.” His deep red eyes flickered from your feet to your own eyes. “You shouldn’t be here, so why are you?”