AQUIVER the bearer of death

Luke chased Sirena, who escaped the club, forgetting Baron, her target.

"Sirena!" Luke shouted.

Sirena ran as Luke chased. She couldn't let Luke catch her; she had a crucial mission tonight. Just then, her watch beeped. She pressed her earpiece to answer the call from Mia, her-right hand.

"Captain, we've been caught by Zoger!" Hera exclaimed.

Sirena stopped abruptly. Luke, caught off guard, crashed into her. They fell, Luke's arms wrapping around Sirena. She landed smoothly on his chest.

He groaned. Sirena focused on the gunshots and voices coming through her earphone.

Sirena rose, Luke still grasping her. Her mind raced: her team had failed to secure Cloud's weapon, and now they were captured. Baron, their target, was also in Luke's custody, Zoger's owner.

Sirena's gaze locked onto Luke's. "You—" He said.

Covering Luke's mouth, she listen urgently into her earphone, "Captain! Hera betrayed us!"

The call dropped as Ellam snatched Mia's earphone and watch. Luke waited patiently, observing Sirena's urgent conversation. Her gaze shifted, focusing on him.

"I'll come with you," Sirena said, resignation in her voice.

Luke's silence betrayed his confusion; Sirena's sudden surrender perplexed him.

"Explain," Luke demanded.

"My team was captured by Zoger," Sirena replied.

"What? How?" Luke pressed, confused.

"A misunderstanding," Sirena clarified. "We received intel that Cloud would sell weapons at Lilac Plaza. My team investigated, but Zoger's men apprehended them."

Sirena quickly joined Luke, determined to rescue her team from Zoger.

"The Lilac Plaza's where Ellam made the deal," Luke explained. "Those weapons belong to us. The buyer's from the Lion organization."

Luke trailed Sirena, eager to inquire about the mysterious woman, but she hurried on.

Sirena's eyes narrowed. "There's no organization called Lion."

Luke eyed Sirena, sensing she knew more about the weapons sales than Luke. She halted, gaze fixed on Baron, dragged out by Sandi.

"You'll interrogate him first," Luke said.

Sirena nodded. Luke gestured to his car. "Let's go."

As they drove, Luke dialed Ellam, who answered promptly.

Luke's voice was firm over the phone. "Ellam, what happened?"

"Transaction failed. Lion was ambushed. We captured the attackers," Ellam replied.

"Don't harm them; they're Sirena's team. Take them to base," Luke instructed.

Ellam snorted. "Are you drunk?"

"I'm serious," Luke emphasized.

Ellam's tone turned menacing. "Luke Raymond, stop mentioning her name, or I'll lock you up. Arrest Baron and—"

Sirena intervened, "Luke's right; I'm here."

Ellam, disbelieving Luke, fell silent upon hearing the familiar voice.

"Really, Sirena?!" Ellam asked, shocked.

"A misunderstanding, Ellam. Spare my team. I'll explain once I'm reunited with them," Sirena pleaded.

Ellam was stunned, surprised Sirena was with Luke, her former lover.

"H—hey! Stop it! Stop now!" Ellam shouted, halting the beating Sirena's team.

"See you at the base," Ellam added before hanging up.

Sirena sighed, frustrated. After disappearing for two years, she was now back with Luke.

Two years ago, Sirena should have witnessed Luke eating another sea serpent, but after they dated at the museum, Sirena received news that Atlantis was attacked by black mermaids.

Now, Atlantis is in a critical period. Everyone, including child mermaids, are guarding Atlantis' borders. The black mermaids, led by Andreas, invaded Atlantis with weapons from the mainland.

Sirena waited for Esme on the shoreline after assigning her the task of cursing Luke again before they departed. However, Sirena, unable to wait longer, left Esme, who had since disappeared.

After the critical period Atlantis endured, Sirena led a troop to the mainland to procure weapons. Andreas planned to attack again, threatening to destroy Atlantis. With the full blood moon approaching, Andreas aimed to dominate the ocean. Sirena and the Atlanteans had to prepare for the impending assault.

Luke broke the silence. "So, you weren't a doctor all this time? I wasted time searching hospitals."

Sirena shook her head. "I planned to kill you."

She sighed wearily. "But, problems never cease."

Gazing out at the empty road, Sirena's words stirred Luke's emotional turmoil. Her sudden disappearance two years ago now made sense – her intention was lethal, not loving.

"I was weak at that time; why didn't you do it?" Luke asked.

"I should have killed you," Sirena replied. "But I remembered my friend you killed. So I wanted to make you suffer. Unfortunately, Esme failed."

Luke looked at Sirena, who appeared tired and thin. "Esme?"

"You killed her?" Sirena accused. "I ordered her to kill you before we left, but there was no news."

Luke fell silent, processing Sirena's revelation. She had vanished two years ago, driven by vengeance for her slain friend.

Luke's past deeds weighed heavily; he had taken numerous lives, making it pointless to inquire names friend Sirena. Yet, Esme's name stirred unexpected unease.

Twenty minutes passed. Luke remained silent beside Sirena, who looked exhausted. Despite the danger, she fell asleep.

Upon arriving at headquarters, Ellam greeted them. Luke gently stroked Sirena's cheek, and she opened her tired eyes. Shocked, she reached for her knife, but Luke quickly restrained her.

"We're here," Luke said.

Sirena glared at Ellam, then closed her eyes in annoyance. "I forgot."

Luke nodded sympathetically, noting Sirena's tired appearance. "You look exhausted. When's the last time you slept?"

"I'm fine," Sirena replied. She immediately got out of Luke's car, who tried to give her attention. Ellam was really shocked when he saw the face of the woman from two years ago who made his young brother crazy. It turned out Sirena was really with Luke.

"Really, Sirena?" Ellam said, disbelieving.

"I have to ensure my team—"

"They're inside. Three people are dead," Ellam replied.

Sirena nodded and entered without waiting for an invitation.

"What happened?" Ellam pressed Luke, who watched Sirena's retreating back.

"I don't fully understand," Luke added.

Sirena entered the base, where her team gasped in surprise. They rushed to her, exchanging tearful hugs.

"Captain, how did you get in so easily?" one team member asked, perplexed.

"The leader, Zoger, knows me, but this isn't easy - he's our enemy too. I'll discuss it further," Sirena replied. She pulled the team representative, Mia, aside. Mia followed Sirena away from everyone as Luke explained to Ellam what he knows from Sirena in the car.

"What happened?" Sirena asked.

"Hera and Amel betrayed us, Captain. The intel was incorrect; the weapons belong to Zoger," Mia explained.

"Where are they?"

"Follow Cloud. Do you have an exit plan, Captain? They won't let us leave easily," Mia added.

Sirena glanced at Luke and Ellam, who were watching expectantly, awaiting her next move.

"Do you know Cloud's schedule for another transaction?" Sirena asked.

"Next month, Captain," Mia replied.

Sirena took a deep breath. Atlantis, once secured by an impenetrable gate, remained vulnerable. Andreas' attack had drained the gate's energy, and the cause remained unknown.

Besides Atlantis, black mermaids now dominate the ocean. Citizens must hunt armed to gather food. Rations will last only a week. Sirena's priorities: free her team and secure weapons.

"Mia, guard Atlantis and stay in touch. Whatever happens, I'll handle it here." Mia nodded.

Sirena approached Luke, who attentively awaited her words.

"Luke, can we talk?" Sirena asked.

"Stay here; I want to hear this too. I won't let you trick Luke again," Ellam said, holding Sirena back.

"It's okay, Ellam," Luke reassured.

"No, I decide regarding the Sirena team; l'm captured they," Ellam insisted.

Sirena nodded. She glanced at the two men awaiting her words.

Although Sirena was hesitant to say it in front of Ellam, time was running out to save her team and the other mermaids in Atlantis.

"I sold myself," Sirena said.

"What?" the two men exclaimed. Their brains were deadlocked by Sirena's words.

"Buy me," Sirena continued, looking at Luke, who wanted punishment for the past two years, though discussing it now seemed unsuitable.

"The price of your body and the benefits I'll gain?" Luke asked.

"Free my team, provide all the weapons, and food," Sirena replied.

"How much food?" Ellam inquired.

Sirena glanced at her remaining fifteen team members. Nearby, a truckload of weapons caught her eye – enough for eight people. Food, being lighter, would be easier to transport to Atlantis.

"Four containers, and I choose the food," Sirena replied.

Dirgan and Ellam exchanged thoughtful glances, surprised by Sirena's offering.

"The advantage is, you can ask anything. My information is highly valuable," Sirena added.

"Is that all we get for the weapons' price?" Luke asked skeptically.

"What do you want?" Sirena asked.

"There are many things I want from you," Luke replied.

"I'll do everything I can," Sirena said.

"Deal," Luke replied.

Sirena glanced at Ellam, who still seemed uncertain.

"I'll test your valuable information," Ellam said, pulling out a bullet.

He handed it to Sirena, who examined it briefly.

"Do you know who this belongs to?" Ellam asked.

"It belongs to Cloud. The star symbol is Jenifer's mark," Sirena explained.

"Who's Jenifer?" Ellam inquired.

"My enemy," Sirena replied.

"I mean, her profession," Ellam replied.

Sirena extended her hand. She remained firm, refusing to divulge any information until Ellam fulfilled her three conditions: freeing her team, providing all the weapons and supplying four containers of food.

Ellam rolled his eyes at Luke, then shook Sirena's hand. "Deal. You're ours now."

To Be Continued…