Iris Meloni's Story

Everything Goes Horribly Wrong
“Here’s what we have to do…” I began. “Azima and Etios will distract the mermaids while Iris, Aleress, and I will steal supplies from the mermaids.”
“That doesn't sound like it’s going to work.” Azima raises an eyebrow.
“Do you have a better idea?” I retort. I'd like to get out of here quickly, before anything worse happens than losing two people and stealing from mermaids.
No response from anybody.
“Okay, if we all agree on this plan, then let’s start.” Iris says, with a hint of hope in her voice. Probably that someone else will come up with a better plan.
Iris, Aleress and I all sneak towards the storehouses, past the assorted groups of mermaids that are bargaining about whatever.
At the count of three, we start packing the fuel tanks and materials into bags and boxes, mainly after casting shrinking spells on the stuff. One we have as much as we can carry, we run to where Azima and Etios are yelling nonsense at the mermaids.
“Let’s go now. They might get angry soon.” Aleress warns us.
We safely got out of mermaid territory, though it could’ve ended badly just as easily. Etios looked down at the magical mirror, our only way of contacting the ship. However, the person on the other side of the mirror is Vrede instead of Tenexier, and her features are contorted in a look of deep concern.
“Did something go wrong? Is everyone okay?” Tenexier is always holding the mirror. If he isn't, then Ennis has probably confiscated it to talk to me. Etios is visibly freaked out, which is a new look for him. The others begin to notice.
“What’s going on?” I pulled Etios's arm and the mirror it was holding over to me so that I could see Vrede more clearly.
“Pirates came onto the ship. They kidnapped Ennis and Tenexier. It’s just Setana and me now.” Vrede’s eyes dart around to her surroundings. “I don’t think they’re coming back anymore.”
“They took Tenexier…?” Etios stared at Vrede, waiting for her to tell him it wasn't true, that it was all a joke.
“Ennis was kidnapped by pirates?” I forced the words out, and almost felt a wave of shock wash over me. Oh no. Nonononono. I cannot deal with this on top of everything else. NO.
“We’re going to find them. Now.” Etios pulled his arm away and stomped back to the ship. I pulled him back.
“Etios! We can’t just go on a destroyed ship with limited fuel and expect to find the pirates. We are going back to the school and preparing for this. And you’re not going alone. You think that you’re the only one who had someone you care about kidnapped?”
He looked back at me, with a look of unbelievable anger in his eyes, and then calmed down. I could feel tears forming, and my hair had turned an inky, lightless black. Not now not now I CAN'T DO THIS
The ship feels eerily lifeless without Ennis and Tenexier. I even find myself missing Mikah, although that feeling doesn't last long. The two blonde girls are the only people left on the ship now.
“We are going back to the school now. Then, we steal an airship and go find Tenexier and Ennis.” Etios looked out at the remaining few of us, four less than we started. “Who here knows how to fly an airship well?”
“I do pretty well in airship piloting class.” Azima raises her hand.
“I’m not in a good state of mind to be flying this airship. We need to go back to school.” He repeats, with a hard look in his eyes.
I sat down on the floor of the galley and felt the tears stream down my face. I knew exactly what was going to start happening to me, and in truth probably already started. The Mierma might have their Glamour to make people do what they wanted, but that had nothing on the terror that the Panic could create. And the whole reason that I had distanced myself, the whole reason I had never made any friends, the whole reason I had shoved every emotion into the darkest recesses of my mind was to hide. And now that the closest, possibly only friend I have ever had was gone, the emotions were bubbling up and... Everyone is in danger. It's going to be my fault. I'm going to go insane and anyone who spends time near me will too and this is all my fault.
Lets just say that it was a really unpleasant ride back to school, what with Etios almost strangling anyone who talked to him and my locking myself into my room and not talking to anyone, although you could probably hear my crying all the way down the hallway. Vrede would occasionally shove notes under the door, but they just got shoved back with the same response: Go away I don't want to hurt you. I guess she must know enough about both me and the Sprizat in general, because I didn't hear anything from anyone until the ship docked, at which point I threw my stuff into a bag and unlocked my door. Etios was sitting outside, apparently looking for the furthest area from everyone else. When I opened the door he jumped a little, and then went back to staring at the wall. I could almost see the anger and sadness floating around him.
"Can you help me plan out what we need to bring with us? I need someone else's input." He stared at me, and then smiled. Well, he drew back his lips from his teeth, which is as close as he was going to get, and I didn't run away like everyone else had apparently doing. He sagged, and then shrugged. He stood up carefully, and it looked like he had been sitting there for a pretty long time.
"Anything to get him back." He stopped, then corrected himself. "Both of them."
We walked up to the deck, where the rest of them were apparently trying to convince Aleress to go down and get us.
"He's going to murder me! You know how he's acted whenever anyone has gone near him!" She was not taking it very well. "Vrede, why can't you do it?" Vrede groaned, and it seemed like they were about to start on another round of arguing, when Setana noticed me and Etios watching them.
"Uh, I don't think its actually an issue." She pointed at us, and the others turned around. It must have been a shock to see either of us, especially not safely interacting.
"Keely! You're okay!" Iris started toward me, and then looked at Etios standing next to me and apparently decided against it. "Come with us, you can have one of the extra beds in the dorm, and we can plan the rescue mission. We don't want you to stay by yourself." Or with him, they seemed to be saying. From what I could feel of the emotions rolling off of them, Etios had threatened all of them and they were surprised that I was still alive.
"She's staying with me." He sounded cold, and I was glad that I didn't have to say anything. We walked past them and I could hear them whispering. There were no teachers anywhere, and all of the ships that were on the trip were back.
"So, what exactly has been going on with you? I hardly expected you to be crying. Ever." He looks down at me with concern in his eyes, a new look on him.
I hope you realize that by spending any time with me you are putting literally everyone in danger. "Well, do you know how Sprizat magic works?" We were at the courtyard, and by extension Fort Nope. Nobody had touched it, surprisingly, and equally surprisingly, he didn't leave. "Its controlled by emotions, so basically I'm now surrounded by a bunch of magic that I have no training in and can't control" and is likely to drive everyone around me insane and possibly kill them, so I'm just having a great time with the guilt of two kidnappings and potential deaths because I didn't think ahead.
He laughed. "So one of us is currently trigger happy and slightly insane and the other is a complete loose cannon. We make a great team." I smiled. This is going to end really, really badly. And honestly? I'll enjoy it.

Etios:

It’s silent. I perhaps should feel more comfortable this way, completely alone. That was the way I lived my life all these years, pushing everyone away until nobody ever tried to get through to me ever again. That was, until the beginning of this year. The silence and numbness of being completely alone with only my thoughts is something I am completely used to. No, it’s something I was completely used to. I cannot fathom how I went through my entire childhood like this, in silence, believing that no person could be worth getting close to. Everything I've ever believed about my own ability to talk to people has been disproven and proven by that boy. I never believed that I would have such a fierce connection to him or even come to trust anybody. Yet, now that he's gone, I am finding it even more difficult to communicate with others.

It seems ridiculous to feel the need to be by Tenexier's side at all times, but I've noticed that bad things happen while I am not with him. That's why I have to be there to protect him from anything. Him being kidnapped like this is evidence of my own failure and Teneixer is suffering for it. The helplessness within me is slowly replaced by hatred. Hatred for the pirates, for that Gierna girl, but mostly for myself. Strange how a boy has caused me to feel more lighthearted than ever and later cause me to hate myself more than ever.

The door opens, knocking me out of my thoughts.

"Can you help me plan out what we want to bring with us? I need someone else's input."

Keely. Nobody else would approach me at this point. I can't blame them. Keely likely feels a similar way right now. She's become distant. Much more than she ever was before. Getting up to speak to her, I notice how long I've been sitting. My legs ache from suddenly being forced to stand.

"Anything to get him back." I notice a change in Keely's expression. Ennis is the one Keely is most worried about. They saved Tenexier when I couldn't. How could I forget them? "Both of them." I correct.

I follow Keely to the deck, where the others are.

"He's going to murder me! You know how he's acted whenever anyone has gone near him!" I curl my lip at this. "Vrede, why can't you do it?"

They're speaking as if I'm not a human. Perhaps I seem inhuman to them now. I can't say I'm pleased.

"Uh, I don't think it's actually an issue." Setana points at Keely and me. I roll my eyes in response.

"Keely, you're okay!" Iris starts walking towards us, but decides against it after seeing me. "Come with us, you can have one of the extra beds in the dorm, and we can plan the rescue mission. We don't want you to stay by yourself."

Occasionally, somebody will glance over in my direction and look away immediately. The impression I'm leaving on these people is not something I'd like to be known for. 'That guy who tries to kill everyone who talks to him' is what I've been referred to. While I'd like to hurt someone who acts as if I am inhuman, I have to admit that they are not wrong in thinking so. I've threatened the lives of people who didn't do much wrong, simply making me more stressed than I already am. My first reaction to a source of anger is violence. Still, I don't have anything against Keely right now. She is in a similar state to my own.

"She's staying with me." My voice is harsh.

As we leave the others behind, I want to talk to Keely.

"So, what exactly has been going on with you? I hardly expected you to be crying. Ever."

This isn't isn't at all how she was before from what I saw of her. She takes a moment to look at me, then asks a question of her own.

"Well, do you know how Sprizat magic works?"

I don't.

"It's controlled by emotions, so basically I'm now surrounded by a bunch of magic that I have no training in and can't control."

I let out an amused chuckle.

"So, one of us is currently trigger happy and slightly insane while the other is a complete loose cannon. We make a great team."

I smirk at the shorter girl. Much shorter. Keely reaches my chest in height, making us look like almost complete opposites.

"How do we plan to get an airship in time to rescue Tenexier and Ennis?" I look down at Keely.

"Well, the teachers probably won't just give us an airship in time. Our only choice is to steal one. Soon."

"Thievery. That's something that would get us in quite a lot of trouble." I smirk. "The things I'd do to bring that boy back."

Keely rolls her eyes.

"You're hopelessly in love, Etios. Anyways, let's get ready to steal an airship."

***

"Keely! Etios! Wait for us!"

The Minerette and I were completely prepared to sneak on an airship and leave everyone else behind.

"You're not leaving by yourselves. You'll get hurt." Iris warns.

The others are also prepared to leave the school behind. They must've planned to catch us before we left.

"We aren't going to take no for an answer." Azima says.

"... Fine." I turn away from them.

"That was easier than I thought." I hear someone whisper.

As long as we find Tenexier, I have no problem. If not, I have no idea what problems may arise.

Vrede
Perhaps it seems a little odd for me to be on the ship, considering I have never thought about my sexuality except for when it is directly brought up. But I can't enter the mermaids' domain. They would kill me, like the fire fae killed the half-mermaid caught on their lands. I am the perfect revenge, a half fire fae trapped on mermish territory, the perfect way to get revenge for the cause of a century-old war. As it is, simply being near them, surrounded by salt water, is slowly killing me. I am constantly cold. The air seems to weigh down on me, and I have a fever from my body trying to keep me warm. My head hurts from the giggles of the mermaids in the back of my mind. Over the few days we are trapped here, I begin to lose weight and grow steadily paler. My cheeks begin to hollow, and it hurts to breathe. Normally I can be around water. But in a land infused with the mermaids' power I am ill. Even my powers are blocked. I am unable to summon fire to warm me, as all my inner heat is going to keeping me alive. I cannot see as the mermaids' spell is clouding my vision, giving me pounding headaches from the visions I can't see.

The only one who seems able to tell is Setana, who smirks at me on occasion. Our natures hate one-another, and she will naturally get satisfaction out of watching me grow weak while she gets stronger and stronger. Trust me, the feeling is mutual.

I feel personally responsible for every unexpected thing that happens while my visions are blocked, like Mikah and Dabir ditching and subsequently vanishing. When the mermaids refuse to give supplies and the others have to steal them. When the pirates attack.

And trust me, when the pirates attack…I want to hide. I want to vanish into this air and never return. But I can’t. The situation is my fault. The island was trying to send me warnings, and I wasn’t receiving them. So when the pirates come, I try to make sure everyone else is safe. I try to protect everyone else. I hide last. And I’m found first.

The man who finds me is one I have seen before in my dreams. I have seen him male and female. I have seen him living, fighting, and dying. But that isn’t the first thing that hits me when I see him. No. The first thing that hits me is that he really does look like Ennis.

It’s not obvious, but the turn of his nose and the shape of his eyes are distinctly Ennis-like. And I don’t know why, but that irritates me. It irritates me that Sage would attack a ship that he obviously knows his sibling is on. And when I get angry…I get angry.

The distinct temper that my father’s people have is balanced out by the steady temperament of my mother’s people, the farmers. But when I am truly angered, it is a sight to behold. I turn a brilliant shade of red, and steam comes out of my ears. And as I get angry, I begin to feel healthier than I have ever since we landed in this godforsaken area.

When Sage catches me, he holds a cutlass to my throat. And he laughs and my reddening expression.
“Is the little girl angry? Is the little girl scared?” He whispers in my ear mockingly, and I see red.
“How dare you threaten me? If you kill me, or spill a drop of my blood, my people will fight. This is a declaration of war.” And Sage laughs.
“Really little girl, one would think you’d be smarter. We are standing on mermish territory. Your death is on their hands” I hiss in frustration. He is right.
“I can still curse you.” His eyes widen.
“Sage Harlow, if you spill my blood, the ground will burn beneath your feet. The air will scald your lungs. Water will taste of acid. And every day you live, another who follows you catches the curse. Que o lume queima a súa alma e cazalo para sempre.” And the curse is finished.
“I don’t need to kill you.” He whispers harshly, a lot more angry now that I’ve stopped him from killing me. “I just need you.” And that’s when he lures in Ennis.
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When I come to, there is a large bruise on my throat and Ennis and Ten are gone.


1 week later
We’ve been flying for days when I get hit with the visions.
Etios is fighting with Iris about what the best method of attack on a ship is. Most people are watching (Setana) or trying to break it up (Azima). It’s when the punches start flying that I get hit. Everything around me turns black, and I see several concerned faces turning my way as I collapse for no apparent reason.

There is water everywhere, and even in a visions, everything is cloudy and indistinct. I can barely make out a solid black structure and a…hand? Yes. A hand. Followed by a face. A stunningly familiar face. Mikah. And there are the mermaids, swimming around him and mocking him. And that’s when I’m scared. Because he is going to die if we are not careful.

When I come to, there is a bucket of water splashed over me, and I feel sick. The other look down on me, and someone, I can’t tell who, asks me what’s wrong. And so I tell them.


((AN: Sorry, best I’m doing today))

Vrede
Having my hair held back as I puke my guts out isn't something I enjoy. Neither is having it held back by someone who, a) refuses to admit her heritage, and b) seems to hate me for revealing mine. Although, the way she is rubbing my back does help a lot. When I finally stop, Keely gives a hairpin to hold my hair back, and then leaves to steer the ship away. I reach out an arm and stop her.
"No, we can't leave." I croak. Keely looks startled.
"Why not? You're sick."
"What if the others need a quick getaway? We need to be nearby." Her confusions clears from her face, but she still looks shocked.
"You're being poisoned! Don't think I don't know what blood feuds do to people like us! We're only half immortal being, we wear out faster. We die faster. The others don't understand precisely what is happening to you simply by being here!"
"Setana does."
"She won't tell anybody." I remain stubborn, and refuse to move. When Keely speaks again, her voice is tinged with reluctant admiration. "You really are stubborn. And I suppose pretty selfless. Fine, we'll wait. And pray you don't kill yourself."
I grin in joy, and the promptly throw up again.
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Iris
I cast the breathing spell on Aleress and we follow Azima into the water. It is almost odd, how the water bend around us. It is humid, even though it is cold, and I feel like the water and air I breathe are pressing down on me. The mermaids spell is trying to lure me in. However, I have always loved the water, and years of swim lessons are useful.
Swimming in the water, it is hard to find the crystal structure where Mikah is kept. I can’t help but wonder why it appeared black to Vrede when it seems to shine with inner light. And then we swim closer and I feel it. There are enchantments in the crystal. They help drive the captive insane. And I curse softly. The mermaids are vindictive.
Azima tries breaking through with brute force on one end, and Aleress and I each go to different sides. And although I can feel stone, the structure is somehow alive. So I treat it as such. I tickle it.
Yes! It sounds stupid! But it worked. The entire structure shudders, and as I tickle it with my magic, Azima’s force breaks through. And we grab Mikah.
On the way back to the surface, I find myself grabbing Azima and Aleress at random intervals to keep them going, I feel them push me onward when I get tired. And together, we finally make it to the surface, my hair shining wet in the sun.

We arrive at the shore, ((I dont think Aleress still exists tbh so im not going to include her in this)), and I drag Mikah away from the water. Iris shakes her hair out and joins me as I try to make Mikah wake up. ((yeah this is a little bit before my last post sorry if its confusing)) He finally opens his eyes. He looks confused for a second before it morphs into an expression of anger. He stands up and throws me off. I land on a stick and curse, loudly, grabbing at something to defend myslef with. But it seems like the effort required to stand was too much, and Mikah collapses into the sand, and goes for ranting instead. "You stupid bitch! Why did you take me away from the mermaids? What the fuck, why do you have to go ruining someone's chances like that? Damn! Who the fuck even are you? Do I know you? Do you realize what you just did?" ...
I glance over at Iris and roll my eyes. She mouths back, "Stage One of Recovery." Yeah...riiiight.
I tune out Mikah's rant and start trying to wring out my soaked satchel when something he says catches my attention. I stop. "Why the fuck did you come here? How about you rescue Ennis and Ten who actually need help? You aren't helping anyone by getting me, I didn't even wanna leave!"
I get quiet. "How do know about Ennis and Ten?" "Oh nothing, just voices in my head." He sounds really sarcastic, but it still seems suspicious. "Iris, we have to get him to the ship. If he knows anything about Ennis and Ten the others need to be aware of that. Even if its really shady that he know that."
I know Mikah is super weak right now, so I just use a spell to make him lighter and pick him up. He tries to fight me but he's really tired. Iris and I walk back to the ship slowly since Mikah is still not that light and slowing me down. After a while he starts shaking and crying out. He seems really sick, but it's probably all mental. We get to the ship, and I see Vrede lying down with a rag behind her head. I know Dabir's still out there, but we have to get out of here before she dies or wastes any more of our small bits of food throwing up. I unceremoniously dump Mikah's body on the floor, then explain what happened. Setana and Etios have returned, and we tear away from the island. I think Dabir's smart enough to deal on his own. I hope. I know he has the magic gem so it should be a little bit easier for him to survive.
Mikah wakes up a few hours later. He's shaking really badly and the last thing we need is another sick, so I go to the back room and find him a blanket. I put it over him. "Thanks," he whispers. "Are you guys rescuing Ennis and Ten now?" I nod. "Do you know any more about where they are?" He furrows his brow in concentration. "In a cell...somewhere...and Ten's hurt badly. That's all I know."
Setana has apperently overheard the conversation. "So Mikah's a prophet now? Or what?" I expect Mikah to try to fight, and I want him to rest, let alone NOT start a battle on the ship, so I say, "Why are you even on this ship? You don't care about anyone here." Mikah looks at Setana. "Set...I wanna say, I know I did something bad to you before, I can't really remember much but...I'm really sorry."
Setana looks taken aback crossed with suspicious at that. "Since when are you someone who actually considers others' feelings?" She asks with her eyes narrowed. "Since when did you have any feelings, Set?" I ask back. Vrede is recovering slightly and Keely and Etios look slightly less like they are about to explode. Okay....we're getting somewhere...
Mikah moves over slightly to be closer to Vrede. When I go into the cockpit to fly the airship (Etios is NOT good at it) they are engaged in some type of conversation about magical species. I never thought I'd say it but...I miss the old Mikah.

Iris

Perhaps it is the fact that we are flying again, but leaving Mermaid territory I feel much safer. I never quite feel at home on the ground, which is why I like skimming just above it in my boots. There is something about the island that sometimes feels Malevolent. I don't understand how Vrede can love it so much. How she can want to save a place that is filled to the core with so much fear. I think running away from Earth did that. I think that because we ran away with what little was keeping Earth alive, we are haunted by the planet we left.

Going back to Georgina Samin sometimes feels safer. The darkness in the halls doesn't scare me, because I understand it. It isn't the darkness of fear, or of regret, but of secrets. And when I'm there I feel as though if I tried hard enough, I would be able to uncover all the secrets. And then I'd be safe.

But when I can't do that, I go to the Air.

I used to want to be a Pilot. And then Mother got really sick. And so when I was eight, watching her waste away, I swore I would learn how to heal people. Mother got better, and she approved of my decision. Now I'm dedicated to being a doctor, but occasionally I regret not being a pilot. Not soaring through the air. Not being free.

Vrede is really sick, even after we leave the Mermaid territory. She's been poisoned from the inside, and Mikah is still half delirious, his mind poisoned by the mermaid song. I'm afraid that it may be too late for me to do anything. And so while the others' priorities seem to lie with Ennis and Ten, mine lie with my patients. Because I love Ten. He is like the little brother I never had. But I am a healer to the core. And being unable to heal Vrede and Mikah...it makes me feel trapped in the air for the first time in my life.