The Humble Beginning of a Fake Fake Cultist

The next day we left the city early and headed right over to the pond. The boat was already in the water and a couple of Sirens were waiting for us. They were going to make sure we didn't die underwater, or so I thought.

Hilda had also showed up for a farewell.

Everyone got on board.

"Alright then, I guess this is goodbye," I said.

"Yes," Hilda said.

Shia said nothing.

I gave each of them a hug. I couldn't reach either of them, so they had to bend down but oh well.

That said, I got on the boat.

"Why's she still down there?" One of the sailors said.

"Are you afraid of getting your hair wait miss?" Another one said.

"I'm not going," Shia said, and to most of our surprise.

Alustur and me weren't surprised, obviously. But the crew, the sirens, and even Hilda was surprised. I suppose that was the only logical.

"She's not coming with us?" The captain said, looking my way.

"No," I said. "I will explain everything to father. You don't have to worry about anything."

"She came out here on her own," Alustur said. "It's not your responsibility. I'm sure her father would understand."

"If he doesn't," I said. "I'm willing to take a couple of punches and slaps."

"Let us hope that's all you have to take," the captain mumbled.

I could feel my face cringe up with the mere thought of what could happen. The Barracks loved their kids. Barrack Senior had a rather soft spot for her daughter, so I was really in for a pounding.

Yet, just like I couldn't say no to her the last time, I couldn't say no to her this time either.

Shia waved as the boat slowly submerged. I waved back. Thought I'd cry.

I didn't.

***

An odd bubble of sorts covered the ship. It didn't stop the water or make it so people could breathe under water but rather it had formed a temporary safe zone; It had a limited number of uses but the Sirens were lending it to us out of courtesy. The sirens fed the crew some of that seaweed stuff and knocked the guys out. I was the only one awake. And it was up to me to see everything went okay.

The siren duo moved fluidly and dragged the ship through the tunnel into the open sea. Instead of dragging us straight to their village, they expertly escorted us to the deep seas. The corals lessened but I could almost see the different currents merging and clashing. If we somehow got swooped up in one of those, this ship was done for. I was ready to use my reserve mana bracelet if push came to shove but it never did.

Eventually, we arrived in the deep sea and the sirens took up above. The bubble disappeared.

The sailors coughed up water and were coming back alive.

"Well then, we shall be going," one of the sirens said.

"Yes. Please express our gratitude to Amanda and the elders."

They nodded and dived back into the sea.

Meanwhile, Alustur took of his dress and started draining the water. "It is going to be a long journey," he said.

"Yeah," I said. "But hopefully it won't be pointless."

"No journey is ever pointless. You learned many things on this voyage."

"I'm really not in the mood for philosophy right now."

"That's fine." He cracked a smirk. "Did you say your farewell?"

"Yes," I said. I'd visited her early in the morning. Spoke some things. Made some promises. She'd probably be rolling in her grave if she actually heard what I was going to do next but, that's on her. She was the one who died.

I was still alive and I was going to do whatever the hell I wanted. If she wanted to stop me, she'd just have to come back to live. "Let's go home."

"YEAH!" I got a shout from almost all the sailors. Almost because one was still busy throwing up water.