Introduction
On Somelody [1], there are "cycles." According to a religious belief, each living being has its own cycle, its own destiny. Nothing can change it, only delay it.
Many Somelodians [2] have tried to avoid their tragic fate but none has succeeded.
In a small village by the sea lives a young girl named Salieka [3].
For her, two cycles are possible: the Red and the Blue.
What is her cycle?
[Red Cycle ~ Cycle of Hatred]
"...ka."
My aquamarine eyes open to the wooden ceiling of our room. I slowly roll over in my little canopy bed and close my eyes. I don't want to wake up right away.
"...eka!"
I open my eyes again and slowly, reluctantly, get up. In the distance, I see Merivia [4], my younger sister, on her bed. Her ultramarine eyes are wide open. We are both blondes.
"Salieka, are you going to get up soon?" My sister asks me, "You're supposed to be helping mom and dad today."
I scream out in rage. How dare she wakes me up for such a stupid reason!?
"I don't want to work at the shop!" I retorted.
"But..."
"Nothing interesting ever happens, like in the rest of this fucking village!"
Merivia's eyes widen. She always makes that face when I talk dirty.
"Salieka, you shouldn't talk like that."
"Why?" I asked my annoying sister. "I'm not a child anymore! I turned 16 yesterday!"
Merivia doesn't answer me. I keep talking.
"Which means... HOLY FUCK!"
16 years old. I had completely forgotten. That's the age when all the girls in our village must get married. According to my parents, this is an old and sacred tradition. A stupid tradition, rather! Especially since most marriages are arranged. I don't want to marry a stranger! I don't even want to live with a man! I like girls. I used to think I liked boys but since SHE saved me, I—
"Salieka?"
Merivia had noticed my reverie or rather my deep thoughts.
"Is everything al—?"
"SHUT UP!"
She holds back from crying. I ignore her. Merivia is 12 years old, but she's a real brat and she's dumb. Just like Tirara [5], for that matter.
I get up and take off my worn white nightgown to get dressed. Normally I would be wearing my old black dress with an apron, the work outfit at the family shop, but instead I change into my skimpy outfit. A very low-cut blue dress. My sister was telling me I shouldn't dress like this when I left the room and slammed the door. How stupid she is!
As I walk down the stairs to the ground floor because the bedrooms are on the second floor, I hear Mom yelling something at me. Probably not to argue with my sister. I go to find her in the kitchen.
"Mom?"
"Salieka. Oh, Salieka, what happened to you? You were so sweet when you were little and now—"
"I don't want to hear your lecturing, Mom! I only came to tell you that I don't want to get married!"
"There, that's the problem!!!" Mom exclaims. "I have endured your whims for years—"
"My 'whims'?"
What is she talking about?
"Your filthy language, your whore-like attire, your disrespect for your own family, your hours of wandering instead of helping us in the shop... BUT THAT'S ENOUGH! YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED OR YOU'LL BE LIVING IN THE STREETS!"
"Y-You can't do this to me!!!"
"Oh yes, I can! Besides, your father and I have found you the perfect husband."
"SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT! Who?"
Mom tells me a name and my anger fade to surprise. Liu [6]. The mysterious Fisherman's son. He and his father are the only ones who manage to sail on the Socean ocean [7] without being eaten by the Sirinaid [8].
He is a handsome young man, but his short hair is a strange color. A bright orange. SHE also had a strange hair color. A cherry red.
"Tar— Liu? Do you want me to marry Liu?" I asked.
"Yes." Replies my mother. "He's handsome, humble, and he likes you."
That's what she says. Liu and I hardly speak to each other.
"Whatever! You can threaten me all you want, I'm not getting married!"
Mom was about to yell something at me as I ran out of the house. Without wasting any time, I head for the beach. That's where I go when I want to relax... and be alone.
On the way, I pass Tirara. She’s fooling around with a boy. That crazy girl. She wastes her time chasing guys who don't want her. She says she's my best friend and she wants to spend time with me - when she's not out chasing boys - but I don't give a damn about her.
She doesn't matter to me. Only one person matters. HER.
I arrive at the beach and, looking at the sea, past memories resurface. I was very small. I was... 7-8 years old? And I was looking at the sea. Mom and dad always told me never to swim in the sea because of the Sirinaid. However, I can swim because there is a small lake in a forest east of Closehant [9].
That day, I wanted to disobey my parents, so I went swimming in the sea. At first everything was fine but then I heard a song. Without controlling myself, I dove in and the water filled my lungs. I was drowning... I lost consciousness.
When I came to, I was lying on the beach and a woman was watching me. A naked woman with long cherry red hair.
"Oh, sorry!" The woman said to me. "I lost my clothes to the Sirinaid’s clutches when I saved you."
Strangely, there were no scratches or bite marks on her body.
"My name is Taralise [10]. I... I travel a lot. What's your name?"
That's how I met her. Taralise. I've seen her several times since then because she often comes to Closehant on her travels. Since she saved my life, I've - how can I put it? - I have changed. I don't care about anything but HER. I would like to be with HER...
I also hate the sea and the Sirinaid. Those filthy bitches have killed too many people, especially the fools who try to cross Socean to reach Seahant [11]. According to a legend, there is a treasure there. I continue to look at the sea when I hear a voice calling me.
Thinking that it is my sister or my mother, I suddenly turn around and start shouting the most scathing insults that I can think of.
"Woaaaaa, Salieka! It's me, Liu."
"... Oh."
"You're not in the mood, I see. Something wrong?"
"None of your business!"
"HEY!!! Show some respect or I'll walk away without telling you about Taralise!"
When Liu said Taralise's name, my heart stopped for a moment.
"Well?" He asks me.
"... Sorry... okay? Are you happy now?"
He smiles at me. It has no effect on me.
"I saw Taralise not long ago." Liu says.
"Where?" I ask him.
I need to see her. I have to talk to her. I must... marry her. Yes, I must marry her. I love her. I don't know why, but I love her like crazy. To hell with my family. I'm going to live the rest of my life with my beautiful Taralise.
"To the dock. She wanted to go to Seahant."
"To the island? Why the hell would she go there? For the treasure?"
"Actually..." Said Liu, "It's not the first time she's been there."
"HUH? What? How?"
In all the conversations we had, she never mentioned Seahant to me. Now that I think about it, I don't know much about her. I know that she travels a lot, that she likes the color blue, the fishes... That's all.
"Yes." Said the fisherman's son. "My father always refused to take her so she always managed on her own. It's still amazing. She manages to survive the Sirinaid—"
"And you and your father, how do you survive the Sirinaid?"
Liu seems nervous. He moves his feet slightly and scratches his head. There's a strange gleam in his eye and I'm sure I've seen it before. In Taralise's eyes.
"My father and I... the Sirinaid... we have something in common."
"Something in common?"
He refuses to tell me more. The gleam in his eye has disappeared.
"Well," Liu said to me, "I have to get back to the pier. See y—"
"Wait! I... I have to go to Seahant. Will you take—?"
"Did you know that your family wants me to marry you?"
"FUCKING SH—!" I yelled. "Yes, I know that. What? Will you marry me?"
"Yes... but I know it's impossible. Your cycle—"
"What did you say right now?"
"Nothing and stay respectful or I won't take you to the island!" Exclaims the fisherman's son.
"U-Understood!" I quickly say to Liu.
"Good. Come to the dock tonight and we'll leave."
"Tonight? But I want to leave right now!"
"Impossible. The Sirinaid are very active during the day. To maximize our chances of survival, we must sail at night."
I pout, but Liu is adamant. I reluctantly return home. The parents aren't here. They have to work at the store. I don't see Merivia either. It's perfect!
I waited for the night (how LOOOOOOOOONG!) and went to meet Liu at the dock. Merivia tried to stop me, but a good slap put her in her place. The idiot.
"There you are!" Liu says. "Well, we're going to take my old man's boat."
"Are you stealing his junk boat?"
"Don't be mean! His boat is in very good condition and I am not stealing it. I had to convince him, but he agreed to let me take you. Come on, let's head for the island!"
We board the boat and it slowly sails across the ocean. Liu is at the bow and I am standing next to him.
"It's TOOOOOO slow!" I say, annoyed. "Can't you go faster?"
"No, it will attract the Sirinaid." Liu explains to me. "Speaking of those creatures, I better teach you some survival tips. First of all—"
Blah, blah, blah. How long and painful it is!
"Salieka?"
"What?"
"You haven't been listening to me at all... idiot."
"HEY! DON'T CALL ME AN IDIOT!"
Liu sighs, and suddenly I hear a loud bang.
"What the...?" I ask.
Liu goes to look and I hear him shout an insult. He runs back to me.
"A Sirinaid hooked on the boat!" He tells me. "Others will join her soon!"
"SHIT!" I shouted.
"Come quickly!"
Liu takes me to the stern and grabs a bow and a quiver full of arrows. He motions for me to take one.
"No, no, NO, NO! I'm not going to fight those things!!!"
"SALIEKA!"
"I don't know how to use a bow!"
Liu's face turns red with rage and the strange gleam return in his eyes. He says something so vulgar to me that I am left on my backside. I didn't think he was capable of such language.
"Now you're going to stop being a bitch and help me!"
The glow disappears from his eyes and he goes to shoot an arrow at the Sirinaid, knocking her off the boat. Other creatures arrive as reinforcements and I help Liu as best I can. I quickly waste all my arrows. When Liu also runs out, and the Sirinaid keep coming, I yell at him that we are going to die.
"THAT'S NOT FAIR!!!"
"Why did you want to go to the island?" Liu asks me. "For the treasure?"
"NO, I WANTED TO FIND HER!"
"Taralise?"
"She’s the love of MY LIFE!"
Liu lowers his gaze to the boat’s planks.
"The love of your life, huh?" Liu says to me. "If only you knew..."
"???"
"Your cycle... a cycle of Hatred... You're such an idiot!"
Suddenly, he drops to his knees and he plays four long notes. Without me understanding why, all the Sirinaid run away. Liu gets up and, without saying anything, returns to the bow. The boat goes on its way and I see the island getting closer and closer.
As soon as the boat docks, I disembark without thanking Liu and go in search of Taralise. After all, she’s the only person who matters to me.
"TARALISE, WHERE ARE YOU?"
"Salieka? I'M COMING!"
She arrives in front of me, her pale skin covered with a simple white sheet, and I feel like melting.
"Wha...? Why are you here?" Taralise asks me.
Everything in me is speeding up. I must tell her how I feel and FAST!
"SincethedayyousavedmeIthinkofyouoften—"
"Wait, wait, slow down!"
"IloveyouIdon'tloveanyoneelseIwanttobeyourwifewouldyoumarryme?"
"What?"
"I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU!!!"
Taralise seems surprised. I don't understand why.
"I don't understand. You... Do you love me?" She asks me.
"Yes!" I tell her at once.
"Do you *really* love me?"
"YES!"
"We barely know each other—"
"I want to live with you!"
I lose all control over me.
"I want to marry you!!!"
"Salieka—"
"Come inside me, Taralise!"
I rip off my dress, take off my underwear, and lie down on the rough floor.
"I'm ready!"
She approaches me. My naked body trembles with excitement, but Taralise doesn't react as I expected. Her face becomes as cold as stone. Her voice, once soft, is guttural and from her mouth comes only fury.
"Why!? Why didn't I notice it sooner!?" Said Taralise. "When I saved your life... I postponed your time while bewitching you!"
Her appearance changes. Her hair turns black. Her skin turns from rosy to gray.
"‘Watery Death.’ This is your cycle, your destiny. Nothing can change it, only delay it!"
She throws off her white sheet and I see black scales on her chest, even on her breasts.
"I can feel the cycles of the Somelodians, as can my people, the Sirinaid."
Taralise is one of them.
"I am Taralong [12], Celeong's older sister [13], and I became a Somelodian to find her!"
Despite her transformation and the fact that I was naked, at her mercy, the only thing I could say to her was...
"Fucking shit! What the fuck is this crap?"
"You poor fool! I should have let you die that day."
She is preparing to attack me when I jump up and run away. Shit, shit and shit again! I thought. I must find Liu and get the hell out of here. I arrive at the boat and climb aboard, all the while yelling at Liu to leave.
"Leave? Already? But w—? Uuuuuuuh... Salieka why are you naked?"
"IT'S NOTHING, BUT THE LOVE OF MY LIFE IS A FUCKING SIRINAID AND SHE—"
I shut up. Taralise, or should I say Taralong?, has arrived and she climbs on the boat.
"SHIIIIIIIIIT!!!!" I shouted.
Strangely, Taralong just looks at Liu.
"Luirei!" She said. "Help me and complete the cycle of this cunt!"
"Li...u...rei...?" I say, surprised.
"Liurei [14]! What are you waiting for?" Asks Taralong. "Throw her in the water!"
"... Salieka... you know, the Sirinaid... aren’t just females." Says Liurei.
I remain silent. It is impossible...
"This island... is ours... There was never any treasure. It was a ruse to attract prey." He explains to me.
Him, a Sirinaid?
"You're ...really are... an idiot... you know that, right?"
I couldn't answer him. He grabs me and, with super-powerful force, throws me overboard. Shit! I can't get to the surface. The water fills my lungs. I... I hate you... I hate you all as much as you are! Taralong, Luirei, Merivia, Tirara, mom, dad...!!! I'm drowning.
RED CYCLE END
[Blue Cycle ~ Cycle of Pity]
My aquamarine eyes open to the wooden ceiling of our room.
"Salieka?"
I slowly get up and see Merivia, my 12-year-old sister, on her bed. Her ultramarine eyes are wide open. We are both blonde.
"Hi!" I said to her.
"Hi. I didn't know if you were going to wake up."
"Of course!" I said happily. "I have to help Mom and Dad today."
Our family has a small shop. We sell all kinds of things. I go to get dressed in no time. After I put on my work dress, a black dress with an apron, I go downstairs and Mom calls me. I go to find her in the kitchen.
"Mom?"
"Good morning, Salieka! There, now you’re 16 years old, you’re a woman—"
What exactly is she talking about? Oh no! My future wedding! At the age of 16, all the girls in our village must get married. According to my parents, this is an old and sacred tradition.
I think it's a bit silly, especially since most marriages are arranged. I don't want to marry a stranger. Besides, I like girls. I used to think I liked boys, but since SHE saved me, I—
"...he's the perfect husband for you! Salieka?"
"Uh... Mom. I need to tell you something."
"*sigh* Don't tell me you're going to act like a rebel and refuse to get married!"
"No! I mean, I... I like girls."
"What?"
Mom either doesn't get it or is in denial.
"I like girls... women. I want to marry a woman, Mom."
Mom remains silent and then starts screaming as if the house is on fire.
"MOM! I am not a monster like the Sirinaid! I'm your daughter and I'm attracted to women. There's nothing wrong with that!"
Mom wouldn't listen. She yelled that I was possessed by evil spirits and other nonsense. Seeing that I couldn't calm her down, I left the house.
Normally I would go to the shop to work but instead I went to the beach. That's where I go when I want to relax... and be alone. On the way, I meet Tirara. She asks me if everything is okay.
"Yeah, sure, what about you? Are you still chasing boys?"
Tirara laughs, while telling me "no." She has better things to do with her time. Then I arrive at the beach and, looking at the sea, past memories resurface.
I was very small. I was... 7-8 years old? And I was looking at the sea. Mom and dad always told me never to swim in the sea because of the Sirinaid. However, I can swim because there is a small lake in a forest east of Closehant.
Usually I always obey my parents, but that day I wanted to break the rules, so I went swimming in the sea. At first everything was fine but then I heard a song. Without controlling myself, I dove in and the water filled my lungs. I was drowning... I lost consciousness.
When I came to, I was lying on the beach and a woman was watching me. A naked woman with long cherry red hair.
"Oh, sorry!" The woman said to me. "I lost my clothes to the Sirinaid’s clutches when I saved you."
Strangely, there were no scratches or bite marks on her body.
"My name is Taralise. I... I travel a lot. What's your name?"
That's how I met her. Taralise. I've seen her several times since then because she often comes to Closehant on her travels. Since she saved my life, I have - how can I put it? - I have changed. I often think about HER. SHE haunts my dreams. I would like to be by her side. I once wondered if she had cast a spell on me.
Looking at the sea makes me sad sometimes. The Sirinaid have killed too many innocent people. Somelodians who tried to cross Socean to reach Seahant. According to a legend, there is a treasure there.
I keep looking at the vast ocean when I hear a voice calling me. I turn around and see Liu, the mysterious Fisherman's son. He and his father are the only ones who manage to sail on Socean without being devoured by the Sirinaid. He is a handsome young man but his short hair is a strange color. A bright orange.
"Hi there, Salieka!"
"Hi Liu."
"Is everything okay? You seem worried..."
"It's nothing." I say.
"Come on tell me!" Liu tells me.
"My parents want me to get married. I think they have found someone, but I like women."
Hearing me speak, Liu's face darkened.
"Oh..." He said. "I didn't know, I..."
"?"
"It's... me... you were supposed to marry."
"WHAT?! Is this a joke?" I asked.
Liu doesn't answer me.
"We know each other well, you and I, but... getting married?"
Liu still remains silent. Is he in love with me? Should I ask him? In the end, I didn't have to.
"Forget it. Anyway, my father was against this union, and your father was putting pressure on him."
"Really? It's true that Dad can be stubborn."
"Let's talk about something else, shall we?" Liu asks me. "I saw Taralise not long ago."
Liu's face regained its color. When he said the name Taralise, my heart stopped for a moment.
"You saw her? Where?"
I don't know why but SHE takes up all the space in my head. I must see her, talk to her, and marry her. I have to, because I love her. I don't know why but I know I love her. I don't care if my family doesn't accept her.
"To the dock. She wanted to go to Seahant."
"To the island? Why would she go there? For the treasure?"
"Actually..." Said Liu, "It's not the first time she's been there."
"HUH? What? How?"
In all the conversations we had, she never mentioned Seahant to me. Now that I think about it, I don't know much about her. I know that she travels a lot, that she likes the color blue, the fishes... That's all.
"Yes." Said the fisherman's son. "My father always refused to take her so she always managed on her own. It's still amazing. She manages to survive the Sirinaid—"
"You and your father, how do you survive the Sirinaid?"
Liu seems nervous. He moves his feet slightly and scratches his head. There's a strange gleam in his eye and I'm sure I've seen it before. In Taralise's eyes.
"My father and I... the Sirinaid... we have something in common."
"Something in common?"
He refuses to tell me more. The gleam in his eye has disappeared.
"Well, I have to get back to the pier. See y—"
"Liu, wait! I have to go to Seahant. Will you take—?"
"Sure. Come to the dock tonight and we'll leave."
"Tonight? But I want to leave right now!"
"Impossible. The Sirinaid are very active during the day. To maximize our chances of survival, we must sail at night."
"I understand. Thank you."
I go back home. The parents aren't there. They have to work at the shop. I don't see Merivia either. That's nice. I wait for the night and go to meet Liu at the dock. Merivia didn't try to stop me. She's so classy, my sister!
"Salieka, there you are!" Liu says to me. "Well, let's take my old man's boat."
"Doesn't he mind, your father?" I asked.
"No, well... I had to convince him, but he agreed to let me take you. Come on, let's head for the island!"
We board the boat and it slowly sails across the ocean. Liu is at the bow and I am standing next to him.
"Uh... Liu? It's a little slow... Can't you go faster?"
"No, that will attract the Sirinaid. Speaking of those creatures, I better teach you some survival tips. First of all—"
I listen to him carefully.
"Did you understand everything?" Liu asks me.
"Yes."
Suddenly, I heard a loud bang.
"What the...?" I ask.
Liu goes to look and I hear him shout an insult. He runs back to me.
"A Sirinaid hooked on the boat!" He tells me. "Others will join her soon!"
"NO!"
"Come quickly!"
He takes me to the stern and grabs a bow and quiver full of arrows. He gestures for me to take one.
"Okay," I say, "but..."
"COME ON, QUICK!" Liu shouts.
"I will, but I don't know how to shoot a bow."
" ... Oh... Try anyway."
I take a bow and quiver. Liu shoots an arrow at the Sirinaid, knocking her off the boat. Other creatures arrive as reinforcements and I help Liu as best I can. I quickly waste all my arrows. When Liu also runs out, and the Sirinaid keep coming, I tell him it's all my fault.
"You're going to die because of me..."
"Don't say that." Liu says to reassure me. "By the way, why did you want to go to the island? For the treasure, if there really is one?"
"No. I wanted to find her!"
"Taralise?"
"She is the love of MY LIFE!"
I can't believe I said those words. Am I really bewitched by Taralise? Do I really love her? YES, I LOVE HER!!! Liu lowers his gaze to the boat’s planks.
"The love of your life, huh?" Liu says to me. "If only you knew..."
"???"
"Your cycle... a cycle of Pity... If only I could change it!!!"
Suddenly, he drops to his knees and he plays four long notes. Without me understanding why, all the Sirinaid run away. Liu gets up and, without saying anything, returns to the bow. The boat goes on its way and I see the island getting closer and closer.
As soon as the boat docks, I thank Liu. I disembark and go in search of Taralise.
"TARALISE, WHERE ARE YOU?"
"Salieka? I'M COMING!"
She arrives in front of me, her pale skin covered with a simple white sheet, and I feel like melting.
"Wha...? Why are you here?" Taralise asks me.
Everything in me is speeding up. I must tell her how I feel and FAST!
"SincethedayyousavedmeIthinkofyouoften—"
"Wait, wait, slow down!"
"IloveyouIdon'tloveanyoneelseIwanttobeyourwifewouldyoumarryme?"
"What?"
"I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU!!!"
Taralise seems surprised and so am I. I know I love her, but...
"I don't understand. You... Do you love me?" She asks me.
"Yes!" I tell her at once.
"Do you *really* love me?"
"YES!"
"We barely know each other—"
"I want to live with you!"
This is not normal.
"I want to marry you!!!"
"Salieka—"
I lose all control over my being.
"Come inside me, Taralise!"
I rip off my dress, take off my underwear, and lie down on the rough floor.
"I'm ready!"
She approaches me. My naked body trembles with fear, not pleasure. What am I doing? Am I really going to make love to her here on an island? I was expecting Taralise to leap on me and make love to me, but she remains unmoved.
Her face becomes as cold as stone. Her voice, once soft, is guttural and from her mouth comes only fury.
"Why!? Why didn't I notice it sooner!?" Said Taralise. "When I saved your life... I postponed your time while bewitching you!"
Her appearance changes. Her hair turns black. Her skin turns from rosy to gray.
"‘Watery Death.’ This is your cycle, your destiny. Nothing can change it, only delay it!"
She throws off her white sheet and I see black scales on her chest, even on her breasts.
"I can feel the cycles of the Somelodians, as can my people, the Sirinaid."
Taralise is one of them.
"I am Taralong, Celeong's older sister, and I became a Somelodian to find her!"
Despite her transformation and the fact that I was naked, at her mercy, the only thing I could say to her was...
"Please don't kill me! I love you!!!"
"You imbecile! You don't love me! You are only under my influence! The powers of the Sirinaid seduce both men and women."
"N-No! I… I—"
"Are you 100% sure you like women? This is not the first time a Somelodian has had a change in sexuality due to our magic."
"Don't talk garbage! I love women and I... I want to marry you! Even if you are a Sirinaid!"
"Your cycle is a cycle of Pity... what a tragedy... forgive me, but I don't want to let you live."
She prepares to attack me, but I jump up and run away. No... This is a nightmare! I... I have to find Liu and get out of here.
I arrive at the boat and climb aboard, all the while yelling at Liu to leave.
"Leave? Already? But w—? Uuuuuuuh... Salieka why are you naked?"
"IT'S NOTHING! TARALISE WANTS TO KILL ME, WE MUS—"
I shut up. Taralise, or should I say Taralong?, has arrived and she climbs on the boat.
"NOOOOOOOO!" I yelled.
Strangely, Taralong just looks at Liu.
"Luirei!" She said. "Help me and complete this girl's cycle!"
"Li...u...rei...?" I said, surprised.
"Liurei! What are you waiting for?" Taralong asks. "Throw her in the water!"
"There... are... males... Sirinaid?" I asked, not wanting to believe it.
"Yes. I am Liurei. Nice to meet you."
"LIUREI!" Taralong yells. "Stop being a charmer and complete her cycle!"
"I can't... I love her."
"What?" Taralong asks, not quite believing it.
"You heard me, but she doesn't like me. Your magic works well. She only loves you. Why don't you make her happy?"
"Are you kidding me? I hope you do. There's no way she's going to be my Soulren!"
"A what?" I asked Liurei.
"A Soulren (soul + siren). A kind of soulmate for the Sirinaid. You would always be together and in love. It's—"
"Madness!" Taralong explains. "Have you forgotten her cycle, Liurei? A ‘Watery Death’. Sooner or later she will die and I don't want to perish with her! Most Soulren commit suicide to join their partners in the afterlife but why am I wasting my time explaining all this to you, Salieka? Liurei, if you don't throw her overboard, I will!!!"
Feeling that my end is near, I beg Liurei to protect me. He just looks at me, his eyes full of water, before throwing me overboard. NO! I can't get to the surface. Water fills my lungs. Luirei, Merivia, Tirara, mom, dad!!! Why...? I... I'm drowning.
BLUE CYCLE END
[1] The third planet of the Obaldor system. Historians can't agree on the origin of its name. It is a portmanteau but does it come from Some Melody or from So Melody?
[2] Somelody's inhabitants.
[3] Our heroine. Her name is the result of the fusion between Salina and Erika.
[4] Salieka’s younger sister. Her name results from the fusion between Meredy and Olivia.
[5] Salieka's best friend. Her name is the result of the fusion between Tiara and Arara.
[6] The son of a fisherman. Unlike Somelody’s other inhabitants, he has an ordinary name rather than a fusion.
[7] The name of this ocean results from the fusion between Song and Ocean.
[8] Aquatic and cannibal creatures. Their names result from the fusion between Sirin and Mermaid. Salieka believes they are only females.
[9] The village where Salieka lives. Its name results from the fusion between Close and Chant.
[10] A mysterious woman who saved Salieka from drowning. Her name results from the fusion between Tara and Elise.
[11] An island. Its name results from the fusion between Sea and Chant.
[12] Taralise's true identity. A Sirinaid. Her name is the result of the fusion between Tara and Long.
[13] Taralong's little sister. A Sirinaid. Her name is the result of the fusion between Celeste and Long.
[14] Liu's true identity. Male Sirinaid. His name is the result of the fusion between Liu and Rei.