16

"Damn it!" Duke punched a tree and it fell to the ground with a loud thud. "We've combed this damn forest and still haven't found a trace of her." he said to the unhappy duo before him.
"We had just this chance.
This was a grand chance to become vampire kings and we just blew it like this. Unbelievable!" Martelio said in between pants.
"Maybe we should keep searching again?
" Brian suggested.
They were close to the seashore and they recalled that the girl wanted to head to a water body before they could grab the chance to capture her at her weak moment.

Maybe she'll surely come here?

They need not think for too long as they could hear the sounds of fast running.
"Seal your smell, brothers," Duke ordered and the others obeyed.
Now all three had hidden their rotten scent and hidden behind high shrubs.
Not long after, a running figure slowed down.
It was Lavana, who was still carrying Beatrix on her back. The little girl opened her eyes at this moment and got down to stretch her legs.
"Hun, we made it.
Look, there's the sea!" Lavana exclaimed in excitement.
Words couldn't describe the happiness she felt right now.
She could finally get out of here. Hurray!
"Are we going to swim?
" the little one asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Sure!
I guarantee you that I'm an excellent swimmer." Lavana said with pride.
Beatrix sized Lavana up in skepticism and sighed.

"It would be a fortunate thing if the currents do not sweep you to some dangerous place."
"Are you doubting me, kiddo?
"
"Nope.
Just stating the facts. I also wouldn't want to board a ship that, err... forget it. If you say you can hold up against the currents then it's so. ," Beatrix replied with a shrug.
Lavana thought it was because of her thin frame.
Indeed, Beatrix, though slim, had more meat on her body than her. How unfair was life! Anyway, once she had settled among humans, she would slowly have more meat.
Just as they were about to walk forward, they perceived a rotten smell and it just got stronger by the second.

"Ew!
" Beatrix spat on the ground while Lavana's eyes widened in realization.
"Get on my back, quick!
" she whispered, quickly going on one knee.

Beatrix didn't ask questions. Either way, she had no desire to stay in this place with a rotten smell ruining the fresh air. Gah!
Lavana started heading towards the shore.
The three vampires looked at each other and nodded.
They started running after them, easily overtaking them in less than 2 seconds.

"Hahaha!
We finally found you, girl." said Duke with a triumphant smirk.
"And you got a little witch for us.
A witch's blood is good too. Well done, 'Lia'." said Brian with insincere applause.
"You guys smell bad.
" Beatrix blurted before covering her mouth. Gosh! These bastards smell terrible.
"Come with us.
We have good work for you." Martelio ordered.
Lavana sighed and whispered to the little one.

"Hug me tighter.
"
"Ok!
"
Doing so, Lavana turned to face the sea and ran towards it.

"You a'int escaping this time, young lady.
" Duke ran after her, only for her to suddenly stop.
Duke wondered why she did so.
Was she surrendering herself and the witch since she couldn't swim?
Martelio, however, had a bad feeling.

Water suddenly rose from the sea and formed several long ice chains.

Duke's eyes widened.

He'd forgotten how terrible those ice chains were.
Now that she was by the sea, she had an endless supply of water to form ice chains that could strangle them until their life force was extinguished.
"Buddy, run!
" Martelio shouted. 

He turned around to escape with Brian, only for ice chains to wrap around their feet. They fell and tried to grab onto something, but the chilliness emitting from the ice chains seeped into their bodies till they had no strength to do anything.
Lavana used the chains to drag all three of them.

More ice chains were formed from the sea water and wrapped them from neck to feet.

They could only stare at her in terror.

"I can't dirty the water and your blood is a disgusting thing to the ground.
So I'll just take your lives in a better way." Lavana chuckled. Being in control was really good. That water she drank was also good too.
"Save it.
We are immortal!" Martelio yelled. He was displeased at being unable to struggle free.

"Immortal?" Lavana asked with a raised eyebrow and broke into mirth.
"Hahaha, that is...
so long as you aren't exposed to heat or daylight, you'll remain immortal. Everything has its own weakness, not even the strongest creature has one. You guys are pitiful and I feel that you need to experience the warmth a fire can give and the happiness of seeing the sun. I promise, you'll 'enjoy' the feeling." Lavana smirked and caused more ice chains to wrap them up. She stopped making ice chains and made the trio fly towards the sun.
They began to shriek and beg for leniency.

"I'm burning.
Miss Lia, have mercy."
"We promise not to disturb any of you ever again!
"
"Mercy, Mercy!
Ahh, I'm dying. My skin's become rigid..."
The heat and light weren't welcome to them, alright!

"Miss Lavana, please let them burn to ashes.
" Beatrix suggested, after getting off Lavana's back.
These bastards don't deserve to live.
If they let them go, they would harm other innocent people and once they became vampire kings, killing them would be out of question. Better to snuff out the evil from the root!
Lavana nodded.

"I suffered a lot because of them.
Of course, I must pay them back." she let them fall down to the ground hard and caused the ice chains to melt away. When they struggled to rise; she launched lightning balls at them, causing them to lie back down.
"We only chained you not torture you.
What do you mean by this?" Brian spat, coughing out black blood that smelt so bad that Beatrix started retching. Lavana frowned and launched ice chains at his neck with one hand. She then pulled on it, causing him to try to loosen the chain. 
"Let me go!
" he managed to speak despite choking.
"I thought you begged for mercy last time.
Is this the attitude of a beggar?" Lavana asked and tightened the ice chain even more. His partners on the ground had no energy to even raise their hands, say less of watch their friend's plight.
"Just kill us if you want to.
We aren't interested in your torture. Just burn us to death, okay?" Martelio spat. He's had enough of this.

"I suddenly don't have the heart to kill you guys anymore. How about... cutting off your limbs. This is a better option, right Beatrix?"
The little girl simply gave a thumbs up while covering her mouth and nose with her left hand.

"Alright, let's start," she set fire to their clothing.
While they were distracted and thinking how solve this problem, Beatrix cast a spell that made one feel like a thousand ants were eating their body from the inside.
Lavana gave Beatrix a baleful look as blood trickled down the corner of her small lips.

"What did I tell you?
"
"That I could use my scepter whenver I want..
" Beatrix replied.
Lavana rolled her eyes and caused water from the sea to rise and drench the trio.
The fire had extinguished and before they could sigh, she launched several lightning balls at them. Their shriek of agony was piercing and she thought she almost went deaf.
"Bastard!
" Beatrix spat and wanted to summon her scepter again, only for Lavana to smile meaningfully at her.
"Want a taste of these?
"
"I was just joking," the little one smiled so brightly that Lavana nodded.

"I'm not sadistic.
"
She launched ice chains at their knees and tied them all together at a nearby tree.

"I wonder if I can make an ice sword.
" she thought and decided to put her idea into practice.
She looked at the sea and raised both hands before clapping once with force.
Immediately, the water rose and formed a small ice sword.
"Perfect!
" she muttered before using it to cut off the vampires' hands and feet.
"I decided to show you mercy.
Beatrix, let's go." Lavana signalled to the little one who ran up to her and held her left hand.
"Get in the water.
" Lavana commanded.
The little one sighed.

Seems she was really bent on swimming.
Whatever, as long as they can get out of here, it's fine.
She let go of Lavana' s hand and ran into the water.
When it was deep enough, she activated the underwater spell and dived in after a magical barrier surrounded her from head to toe.
Lavana looked at the trio.
Their cut off limbs were regenerating fast to her shock. This was never in the records. Maybe that's why they were immortal. She summoned another ice sword and used it to cut off their heads in three clean swipes while looking away. When she heard thuds on the ground, she braced herself to look back one last time to make sure she had really done the deed.
The three heads were indeed on the ground.
Their eyes were wide open in shock.
Their headless body spasmed before laying flat on the ground.

She used another ice chain to bind their bodies together close to the fallen heads and sighed.
This was her first time killing.
She felt a mix of emotions- happiness, doubt, sadness and relief.
She launched a big fireball to the corpses and watched them burn to ashes at a fast rate.

"This is what you deserve," she muttered and steadied her mind.

They truly didn't deserve to live; sparing them was wickedness in itself.

She looked at the forest once more and flashed a small smile.

She turned around and headed into the water.
When it was deep enough, she dived in and swam forward for a while before finding Beatrix ( who was covered by a magical barrier all over) seated on a rock with folded arms.
"Shall we leave, miss Lavana?
"
"Wait!
" Lavana swam to hide behind another larger rock.
Beatrix's eyes widened in realization.

"She could hear and talk underwater without a magical barrier?
" she muttered in shock.
Suddenly, someone tapped her shoulder from behind.

She turned around to see an orange-eyed, beautiful lady with a pink gemstone on her forehead, scales on her neck, cheeks and arms.

Her purple long hair covered her boobs, her blue lips were full and tempting the more she looked at them.

She looked down and saw a purple tail with silver spiral designs and large fins.

"Such a beautiful mermaid!
" Beatrix thought in awe.
"Hello again, Beatrix.
You like the new me?
"Eh?
You know my name?" Beatrix looked confused.
"Yup, dear.
I'm Lavana."
"What?
You are miss Lavana?" Beatrix asked in disbelief and sized her up again.
That couldn't be true.
The miss Lavana she knew was skinny. But this one was slim but had more meat. How could one say the two of them were the same? Also, didn't Lavana tell her she was an Omega? Many thoughts race through her mind.

The mermaid nodded with a chuckle.
"Yes, of course, my dear.
" she swam upwards a little and did a spin. Her tail glittered as she did so.
Then she swam back to a still bewildered Beatrix.

"D-Didn't you say you were an Omega?
How come you are a mermaid now? According to the books, mermaids are long extinct..."
"I'm a mermaid indeed.
" Lavana replied.
"Then why did you lie to me earlier?
"
"I'll explain later, okay?
Let's get out of here first." she stretched her hand and Beatrix unfolded her hands after a minute.
She let Lavana hold her right hand.

"Are you ready?
" she asked the little one, who still looked pissed.
"Always.
" Beatrix replied with a long face.
"And off we go, hun!
" Lavana declared in excitement.
She started swimming east slowly but soon picked up speed.

Beatrix's puffed face slowly relaxed and she started smiling as she saw various wild life.

"Being a mermaid is cool!
" she laughed.
"You're finally cheerful," Lavana commented.

"It doesn't mean I've forgiven you yet, miss Mermaid!
"
"No problem.
I know little Beatrix can't be angry for too long and won't keep grudges."
"Wrong!
Witches keep grudges a lot and if the resentment is too much, they become evil. I wanna be a good witch like my mum.
"Ok!
Beatrix is always right. Happy now?"

"Hmph!" the girl looked away and watched a school of fish swim past her.
She'd never seen this specie of fish before.
She wanted to hold one of the fish, but Lavana pulled her back.
"You don't want to get attacked, do you?
"
"They look cute.
Can't I have one as a pet?"
"Let them be.
In the future, I'll find you the cutest fish as a pet, alright?"
"Okay.
Hey, look at that plant over there. The fruit is shiny red." Beatrix excitedly pointed downward. Lavana saw the said plant was short but had some big, red fruits that looked tempting to the eye. 
"It looks good too.
Wait here. Let me go check if it's edible." Lavana swam downward towards the short plant. She saw seven big, red fruits and they looked appetizing.
She plucked one and pinched it with her nails.
Her nails did not change color and she smiled.
"Sorry, plantie.
I and my lil friend up there need a taste." she said and plucked 3 more.
She turned around to see a very big fish had opened its eyes behind her.
It looked so scary and her gill nearly jumped out of her chest.
Seeing this, Beatrix covered her mouth in shock.

It was now she remembered.

This fish is known to guard the plant as a treasure.
It felt only it deserved to eat the fruit but here Lavana had plucked four. No one who plucked one survived. What should they do now?
As a witch apprentice, she couldn't cast spells when using the magical shield underwater.

"Beatrix, swam west as fast as you can.
" Lavana yelled and Beatrix looked at her still.
"Go now, kiddo!
"
"You'll come for me, right?
"
"Yes.
Go now!" Lavana warned one last time before Beatrix turned away, swimming forward west.
"Hello, Mr Fish.
I was just curious. How about I put them back?" she laughed sheepishly.
In response, the fish made a loud sound.

"Guess I have to try my luck then.
" she thought and turned around. She started swimming east fast.
"Mermaid, wait!
Don't go."
"Eh?
" Lavana, who had prepared 1000% energy and already thought of ways to escape from this scary fish, stopped in her tracks and looked around slowly.
She saw the fish still in the same spot, looking at her.

"Did you just talk?
" she asked slowly. She thought she was hallucinating.
Haha!
How could a fish talk? 
She turned around, only for her to hear the same voice again.

"What's happening to my ears now?
" she thought in annoyance and turned around.This time, the fish had moved from its earlier spot and swam slowly to her.
"Hello again...
" she waved nervously.
"Don't be scared of me, Mermaid.
You like the fruit, right? You can have it all." the fish opened its mouth to speak.
"Eh?
You can really speak? So I wasn't just hearing things?" she asked in surprise.
"Yup.
I guard this tree and am the last one. It's kind of boring to remain here. How about I follow you?"
Lavana still hadn't registered what the fish said.
It wants to follow her? Can it even walk on land?
"I know you're worried if I can walk on land.
I'm just big, not scary. I have killed no one except fishes when I'm hungry. All those people who died did so after seeing my appearance. But I have no bad intentions. I usually want to tell them to back off, but they just die. It can't be helped.
"It can't be helped; you are really scary.
" Lavana thought.
"So you mean I can have all these fruits?
You won't immediately betray me and eat us up, right?" she asked.
"No, I wouldn't.
"
"Okay.
But at some point, my friend and I will get to land.You want to follow us; do you expect us to carry you on our shoulders?"
"Don't worry.
I know my limits. I'll just escort you guys to the shore of your destination." it persuaded.
"You know the way to nearest human territory?
"
"Yup.
"
"Fine, then.
" Lavana plucked the remaining three fruits and put two into his mouth. "Beatrix and I will share the others" she said and started swimming west.
*****

Beatrix hid behind some tall plants and when she was getting ready to come out and search for Lavana, she saw her swimming in her direction.
She broke into a smile and came out of hiding.

"Miss Lavana!
" she called and swam towards her. Then she hugged Lavana.
"I was afraid you won't be able to escape.
It's all my fault..."
"Ssh!
It's all fine now.
And I have a new companion with me.
" Lavana said after they broke the hug.
"Who?
" Beatrix asked in confusion. It couldn't be that she found another mermaid, right?
"Come over here please!
" Lavana clapped and the scary-looking fish from earlier swam towards them.
Beatrix started stuttering.

"That...
that is..."
"Our new travel companion.
He'll show us the safest path to inhabited land. His name is Rome." she introduced.
"How do you know his name?
"
"Hello, lil Beatrix.
I'm Rome. Nice to meet you." the fish spoke.
"Miss Lavana, can I pinch you?
"
"Pinch yourself.
I treasure my skin."
Did the fish just talk?
" Beatrix asked in disbelief and Lavana nodded.
She sighed.

"Need some time to process it.

"You can do that as we move.
We can't remain in this spot forever. Let's go." Lavana took the little girl's hand and swam forward.
Rome followed them closely behind.

>>>>>>>>>>
An hour later.

Beatrix walked to shore and stared at Lavana, who was still in the water, laughing at Rome's jokes.
This big guy was very funny. It's a pity he has to go back.
She crawled to shore and transformed into her human self.
She rose and waved at Rome.
"Good bye!
We'll come visit you someday, Rome."
"Alright!
Take care." Rome went back inside the seawater. Lavana turned to face Beatrix.
"You still have anymore of those red fruits?
" she asked.
"No, Beatrix.
You ate 4 of them and I ate one. Why, you aren't satisfied?" she pinched Beatrix's cheeks.
"Hey.
You didn't let me pinch you down there, but now you pinch my cheeks?" Beatrix hollered.
"You can pinch my cheeks back when you become tall enough.
" Lavana pinched the little one's cheeks again and ran forward laughing. Beatrix was chasing her.
"I won't let you get away with this.
How dare you call me short? Don't you understand that I am still a kid? I'm still growing."
Lavana stopped and Beatrix ran into her.

"Okay.
You win. You're always right. Happy now?" she squatted to the level of Beatrix.
"Alright, you can pinch me now.
" she offered.
"You don't have meat.
Should I pinch your bony face?" Beatrix walked forward.
Lavana shook her head and sighed.

"Her temper's similar to Thora.
" she thought.
Her three spirits were still asleep.
She would do her best to avoid any danger that could prematurely wake them up from their slumber.
She rose and ran after Beatrix.

"Kiddo, wait for me.
" she hollered.
"Catch up to me if you can.
" Beatrix started running, but Lavana soon caught her.
"Got ya.
"
"Hmph!
I just let you win." Beatrix said with her nose facing the sky.
"I accept.
Let's go find your home, shall we?"
"Okay.
But you have to carry me."
"Deal!
"
***********
30 minutes later.

Both were now on the hard shoulder of a tarred, busy road.

Across were houses and shops; people moved back and forth.

Beatrix had gotten down three minutes ago.
Lavana turned herself invisible, but she placed her hand on Beatrix's shoulders to reassure her that she was still there.
They needed to get Lavana clothed first.

"Humans are interesting!
" Lavana thought as they crossed the road together when there was a chance.
The smell of street food made Lavana nearly drool.

"We'll get some food after finding you a dress.
" Beatrix whispered.
"Ok!
" Lavana whispered back.

A/n:
Hello, again huns.
I hope you liked the chapter. Do you have any suggestions to give? Please, state them in the comments/review. I would be glad to read them. Honestly, I'm having fun writing these days. I hope you all stay safe. Have a nice day/night. 
Don't forget to read other books.
I found a novel to read that made me sleep late last night and I'm planning to binge read it soon. Accept my kisses! :)

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