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My heart pounded in my chest as my eyes locked onto the sea witch, unable to comprehend how she had found us here in Cordelia’s cave. Kaga’s grip on my hand tightened, his eyes mirroring my shock and confusion.
“What are you doing here?” I finally managed to stammer out, my voice wavering with a mix of fear and anger.
The sea witch chuckled darkly, her twisted smile sending shivers down my spine. “Oh, my dear Allura, did you really think I would let you and your little human lover escape me so easily?”
I took a step back, the weight of her words crashing down on me. How could she have found us so quickly?
Before I could say anything, her attention shifted to Cordelia, who stood regally. The sea witch’s sinister gaze bored into the mermaid, and a malicious grin spread across her face.
“Give me the pearl,” said the sea witch, her voice dripping with venom. “Or what I do next will be your own fault.”
Kaga moved in front of me, a protective stance, but the sea witch’s laughter rang through the chamber, freezing us in place. Gritting my teeth, I reached forward, handing the fake pearl to her.
“This one is nothing but a trinket,” she said, her voice scraping against my ears. “It holds no true power. Where is the real one?”
With a flick of her wrist, the sea witch tossed the pearl, and it clattered against the cave wall, rolling away into the darkness. “Pathetic,” she spat. “You think you can trick me?”
My pulse raced as I warred with indecision. I knew that giving the real pearl to her would mean unthinkable consequences.
“I won’t give you what you want,” I said, trying to sound defiant despite the fear that gripped my heart.
The sea witch’s wicked grin only widened. “Oh, I think you will,” she said, snapping her fingers at Cordelia.
Before I could react, Cordelia’s body contorted in pain, her screams echoing off the cave walls. My heart broke at the sight, and tears stung my eyes.
“Stop! Please, stop!” I begged, unable to bear the sight of Cordelia suffering.
Kaga floated forward, his eyes blazing with anger, gesturing wildly. Leave her alone! Take me instead!
The sea witch laughed, the sound cold and heartless. “Oh, don’t worry. I’ll take you both. But first, hand over the pearl.”
Glossing over the fact that she heard him, I hesitated for a moment, torn between protecting Cordelia and saving us all from the sea witch’s wrath. I couldn’t bear to see Cordelia suffer, but I also couldn’t let her destroy the whole realm.
The evil witch saw my hesitation and snapped her fingers at Kaga. Instantly, his body bent unnaturally. Just like Cordelia’s.
“Kaga, no!”
Only I heard the screams in my head, each piercing sound breaking me inside. My hands trembled. “Please, stop.”
“Give me the pearl,” said the sea witch.
No, Allura, don’t, said Kaga. His words were weak, covered in pain. Then he screamed again as his limbs were stretched away from him.
“I’m sorry, Kaga. I can’t watch you suffer like this.”
Tears drifted away from my face. With a heavy heart, I handed the true moonflower pearl to the sea witch. As soon as it left my grasp, Kaga stopped bending unnaturally. He slumped down, panting. When he gathered his bearings, he floated next to me, shaking out his arms and tail.
The pain in Cordelia’s eyes vanished, too, and she stood tall once more.
“That’s a good girl,” the sea witch said, her voice sickeningly sweet.
The sea witch tossed the pearl to Cordelia, who caught it with a grin. They both burst into laughter, their voices intertwining in an eerie harmony. My mind reeled.
“What… what’s going on?” I asked, as my eyes bounced between Cordelia and the witch.
Cordelia winked at me, then gestured to the sea witch. “Meet my sister and accomplice, Seraphina.”
“Your accomplice?” I stuttered, unable to comprehend what I was hearing.
