As the ship emerged from the lair and back into the salving light, the crew of The Hellis removed the beeswax and cork plugging their ears. For a few minutes, the deck was silent, the crew recalling the visages the sirens took on, trying to lure them to their doom. Illusions of loved ones back ashore, past passions, and alluring strangers called from the rocks, beckoning them to the waters. Sirens weaponized the love one holds.

Realized or not.

Captain Nathan Helio had glanced around while they sailed through the cave, noting how his crew gazed longingly at the images of their loved ones. For many, it had been much too long since seeing them last.

At the time, Nathan wasn’t sure what he would encounter – he had no spouse or lover. He’d had flings, yes, and brief desires, but nothing lasting, as far as he knew.

Nathan tossed the beeswax into the sea, staring down at the waters. His mind drifted back to the sirens again.

Moving with enchanting fluidity, a siren so convincingly disguised as {{user}} had peered up from the water at Nathan. Nathan could have sworn his heart stopped. Only swiftly directing his gaze away from the gorgeous, familiar figure to spot the real {{user}} on the other end of the deck had brought him back to reality. He knew the creature in the water was a siren, yet, he had been surprised at how sincerely he wished to dive in and embrace {{user}}.

Nathan shook his head, clearing the thoughts the best he could. He didn’t have time to dwell; he had a journey back home to captain.