Chapter XX : Shir, Shiri, and Shirel

Author's Note:

I don't know what to say. It's been a while since I updated. Hehehe. So, here it is! Have fun guys!!

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"Bye Bye, teach!" Ursula saw her little student's quick jump with a loud splash. She didn't even have a time to open her mouth to speak up when her little student sprint a dive and disappeared into her view.

The corner of her lips twitched, witnessing how her student just made a quick escape and can't help but reveal a flash of nostalgic light.

"Ah~ what is she doing. She's already more than 10000 years old and she still act like a child." Helplessly, she shook her head, "after all this years, she never really change. But that's what make me worry more. However, seeing that you three are there, I don't think my worries were not needed anymore."

Ursula eyes stared beyond the beach yet her words did not seem to be spoken for herself, but a deliberate words indicates for someone to hear.

As if waiting for someone to speak up, Ursula just remain standing in her place. Her tentacles wiggling against the white sand. Her face have a trace of smile and her eyes reflect emotions of an elder. The whole surroundings were filled with silence. Only the wind breeze and ocean waves could be heard.

Right, she maybe too old for this, she sighed. Getting sentimental after reuniting and abidding farewell to her student again. Maybe this time, she'll be able to see the whole Sea Realm at peace again.

As her thoughts begin to get deeper and deeper, Ursula was then, interrupted and was forced to pushed down her bursting emotions from deep within.

"Sly old witch, when did you know?" A childish voice of a boy sounded. It was a very soft voice, quite lovely to hear, nevertheless, the voice's owner doesn't appear to be someone who is naive, but he seems to be someone who is quite quick witted and calculative.

Ursula crunched her brows hearing the boy calling her old witch. She maybe– in truths really old, but she still have her own pride. Especially, her looks didn't conformed with her age. She is still beautiful, sexy and quite young looking Cecaelia.

"Yeah. Yeah. Our hiding skills were the best but you still found us. Is it because we're on your island? Did you plant some of your consciousness in the whole island?" Another voice spoke up, sounding sweet and charming. It was a voice pertaining it came from a little girl. She sounds curious, and excited. Like someone who's doing some experiments that found things that need to be fix and to be improved.

Hearing these two voices, Ursula can't help but sigh. Who wouldn't, these triplets were troublemakers. Thankfully, seeing as they didn't destroy her island, these three finally saw some light and now knows how to be sensible.

"Who do you think I am? I'm sure you three were the once who led little Alana towards my island. Seeing her circumstances, I, thank you as her teacher for bringing her here."

"Of course! She's so stupid and always get lost. If not for us, who would be her guide." Another boy said. His voice was different from the first one. Childish haughtiness could be heard from them, and his voice held distinct proud and innocent bearing.

"Just shut up, Shir. As if your any different." The girl rebuked.

"Fuck you, Shiri! What do you mean by that, huh? Are you looking for a fight again?!" Hearing Shir's exclamations Shiri too burst her bubbles.

"Fight? You want to get beaten again. Then fight! Come on! Pipsqueak!"

'P-pipsquek?! She called me pipsqueak again!' Shir who was desperately enduring his patience, finally snapped.

Rumbles. The whole island shook. Birds panicly fled for their lives. The two electric eels napping underneath the pond were shocked awake by the sudden intense vibrations of earth. Water begin to swirl under the sea, forming a vortex. Huge wave thrashed the White sands, and the skies were slowly gathering dark clouds.

Shir knew that between his two siblings, he was the least tallest one. He was always being teased for being small and he really hated the fact that he is much more smaller compared to his annoying sister, despite being a man. He felt humiliated, and his pride took a devastating amount of damage.

That's why, no matter who it is, family or not. Everytime someone called him names that pertains his height, he will snap.

Like right now.

Watching to the side, Ursula's vein bulge in her forehead. She just praised these lot about being sensible for not destroying her island. And now...she gritted her teeth totally pissed off.

"Shirel." She called. "You know me. Don't mess within my territory." When Shirel heard Ursula's warning, the tremor immediately stopped and everything became peaceful again.

"Wha- what the fuck?! Shirel you wanna fight me too!!" Shir might not be the tallest of the three, but he have the most destructive powers. Shiri, that stupid girl won't be able to stop him from running amok even with her full on control and manipulation. However, Shirel, that punk could stop him with a snap of his fingers.

"Hehehe. See, even Shirel is sho–"

"Shut up, Shiri." A childish voice rang, silencing both Shir and Shiri. Shirel's voice was stern and held strong momentum, which the two both loved and hated by the two.

Shiri quieted down, feeling nervous and guilty, while Shir was silently fanboying his brother's coolness. Shirel on the other hand, ignore the reaction of the two. As long as they both quieted down, he didn't care about what they thought.

At the same time, to the side, Ursula was listening to the voices looking amused. Nevertheless, she still couldn't help but feel pained for these triplets. In spite of not having there bodies, they could still remain sane and act the same as they always have. Maybe she was really too old to understand how these children able to grow up so strong and resilient. Ursula shivers just thinking about placing herself in their place. She might even destroy her own soul in the process of insanity. Those three didn't just lost their bodies, in the process they also–

Shaking her head out of her thoughts, she smile towards nothing, and invited the triplets to her home.

"Now. Now. You three run away the moment you saw me four days ago. So, as punishment, why don't you accompany this old woman for a nice chat. I know you three have a way to immediately appear beside little Alana, so grand this old woman her tiny wish."

Chuckling from her words, Shirel agreed. Droplets of water gathered in front of Ursula, slowly turning into a basketball sized water ball.

Blop. Blop. It wiggled up and down, bowing in ceremony. Shirel greeted Ursula in respect as his elder, not someone who was in higher status or power. With Shirel's body of water, these wiggling action were the only thing he could do for greetings. Though he could talk, he can't do much using his currently form.

Knowing that, Ursula just smile. It was very clumsy but she dare not laugh at the boy's effort.

Shir and Shiri saw their bother revealed himself in front of the old witch, so, they too did the same.

Now, three balls of water encircled Ursula happily. Inviting them inside, Ursula led one steady floating water ball and two annoying and bouncing balls towards the heart of the forest.

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Meanwhile, at the same time, Thetys almost exploded in anger. She was naive to think that she can trust that hateful snake. Now it just run off somewhere, leaving her, a pitiful woman alone at the middle of the sea.

She wanted to give chase and beat the crap out of the white snake but she halted. A gentle stream of water came to her. Firm blue light flash the front of the long stream. When the light stopped in front of Thetys, a cute Undine pop out from the light.

Thetys looked down at the Undine and can't help but fear whatever she have to report. Not waiting for her boss' order, the Undine hummed a soft tune that made a small vibrations in the water. The song was mellow and good to hear, but listening to it, one can't help but feel palpitations. The tune was soft yet it was sang in haste. The notes were agitated and the rhythm was in tremor reflecting her uneasiness.

In response, Thetys sang a fast pace hummed. Her sweet voice release much more heightened sounds. Her eyes revealed her panicked and worries are growing inside of her. Although, there's a slight feeling relief and joy in her heart, hearing that her son was finally found. She still can't help but feel heavy knowing how dread her son's situation is.

So, in the brink of an eye, Thetys chose to forget a certain snake that left her immediately the moment they reach outside of the cave. She burst into tiny bubbles, turning into a sea foam and dissolved into the sea.

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Swish~

A certain white snake, nimbly wiggle his flexible body as he went deeper into the depth of the sea.

After he left the cave, he immediately run off leaving the annoying Nereid behind.

He knows where he should go and he does not want this nagging Sea Nymph to tag along. And since he knew that their desired location was opposite to where the other would like to go, without any hesitation the white snake swim off leaving Thetys behind. This will make things much easier for them, and it save time too.

They will meet again later anyways.

So, the white snake went on towards a certain direction.

Unbeknownst to him, his little Mermaid, despite being in the opposite direction will unknowingly drift off to the opposite side. Making them missed each other.

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Time passed quickly when one is enjoying a peaceful and joyful company. From noon to the big sun setting off to sleep; Shir, Shiri and Shirel told Ursula many stories from their adventures. And Ursula, quietly listened to them attentively like how an elder would listen to their grandchildren's story of the day.

Shir and Shiri laughed and talked about how the three of them escorted Princess Alana out of the Illusionary Labyrinth. Shir laughed out loud while describing Alana's pathetic and pitiful self as she crawled out of the maze. Shiri, on the other hand, speak out how they purposely led Alana the wrong way, and made her swam long distance travel instead of using the shorter and appropriate sea route.

While the two trouble makers told Ursula all their amazing escapade, Shirel, on the other hand, described many meaningful and noteworthy happenings in the Sea. Like the emergence of those floating islands. Unlike what Reed had thought, those floating island were very unusual. After the Age of Titans, the world was divided into three Realms. And a very obvious divided line surfaced, isolating the land and the other two by themselves, as well.

What belongs to Oceanus stays in the ocean. What belongs to the Gaia stays within their territories, and what belongs to Dyeus always stays afloat beyond the skies.

These floating island should belong to the Ocean Realm. The very existence of the fishes there, were enough proof to say that those island belong to the sea.

"But their floating. Some floating island almost reach the skies as well." Listening to Shirel's doubts, Ursula couldn't help but gently pat the ball of water in front of her. Ignoring the two entangled mass of water to the side, that almost mix together as one from all their fighting and brawling. Ursula wanted to release all doubts Shirel was feeling with her answers and explanation.

"Basically, those floating island, were remnants of the war."

"Remnants of the war?" Shirel doubt deepens after hearing Ursula. They were not there when the war emerged. They were hidden from view and were caged from the outside. They didn't know what happened back then.

Nonetheless, Ursula, like how her attitude towards Reed's unending inquiries. She didn't explained how it happened. Except from speaking out the great war, Ursula answered the rest of Shirel's questions, satieting the curious boy.

Shiri too, asked Ursula many questions. She is very interested in the art of witchcraft, and herbalism. She knew many plants and she was very proficient in creating poison which she gain from her father's teachings. What she lack is the knowledge about healing herbs. She wanted to learn how to put curses too. She have a very suitable guinea pig for practicing those curses. And she knows Shir will like it~

So, Shirel and Shiri took turns asking questions and Ursula happily answered their questions descriptively. She enjoyed the company of the two. Enthusiastic students who love to learn and is curious is teacher's favorite. Her little student, Alana always ditched her classes or slept in class. That's why seeing these responsible children made Ursula's day.

However, Ursula's ears twitched in annoyance from the loud noises and laugher from the side of the pond.

Shir, who is all brawns without brain joyfully drifted off far away from his smartass siblings. He hated studying and even if he concentrates enough and pour all his focuse and attention towards what they were discussing, Shir will not understand it. Much less, join their discussions, he will just end up being beaten up for disturbing them. He already tried, lol. He thought they were talking about something fun. After listening a few bunched of jargons, his head hurt. So, when he saw Flotsam and Jetsam, he immediately escape to play with them.

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Though, time was short, it was fulfilling.

Again, Ursula stood under the coconut tree waving her hand as she sends Shir, Shiri and Shirel out of her island.

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