Throughout hundreds of years it had been a custom for young men to be sent out in the wilderness to survive on their own for two months, as soon as the men turned eighteen.

On the men’s eighteenth birthday the town would throw them a ceremony party, in which they would receive their first jade pendant, cut out in their family’s official animal. Jades were known to protect, and to keep evil creatures at bay, and such qualities were valued for the young men who had to face many things out in the wilderness.

The wilderness surrounding Chanyeol’s village was especially known as the home for the most cruel and vicious of Sirens. But the power of the Jade would keep the young men out of the Sirens’ claws, in most cases.

There were still stories about young men who were lured into the traps of the skillful seductresses. Men who were pulled into the water, some drowned, but most speared on sharp rocks, for everyone to know how powerful each Siren was. Some of the most monstrous Sirens lived of human meat, of the blood of their victims.

And so the young men were taught through their whole lives, to stay far away from Sirens.

And Chanyeol surely planned to do so.

It was late autumn when Chanyeol turned eighteen and received his first jade pendant in the cut of a phoenix. He felt ready, more than many did, and the whole village had no doubt than he would return home – that he would win in the battle against the wilderness.

The parting between Chanyeol and his family was quite easy because of that. He left with the promise of returning.

And surely as predicted, Chanyeol had an easy time surviving even as a whole week passed. A whole week which was spent in comfort – as much comfort as the wilderness provided – and with deep thoughts.

Chanyeol had always been a dreamer. Even though he was quite intelligent, he had the heart of an adventurer. And soon, the comfort of what he had created in the wilderness became boring. He wanted excitement, but in his head he could hear the continuing voices of his parents and the elders of the village, telling him not to stray off too much from his path, telling him about how dangerous it could be out there.

But also, Chanyeol had never been very good at following orders.

So after a week spent in comfort, he wandered further into the no-man’s land with his dagger clutched tightly in his hand, and his sword secured in his belt. He was adventurous, yes, but he didn’t want to take any chances. Who knew what was hiding out there?

He met nothing, however. As the sun slowly disappeared in the horizon, and as his legs grew tired, danger was still to show. He didn’t hesitate before setting up his camp nearby, just for the night, as the area seemed peaceful. Even more peaceful did he feel when he fell asleep to the calming sound of water in the distance.

Looking back, it may not have been the brightest idea Chanyeol have ever had. But Chanyeol didn’t realize that before he woke up and he ended up staring into a pair of bright yellow eyes. He reacted quickly, sitting up while grasping his jade pendant in his left hand, while the right one grasped the knife that had been placed on the ground beside him.

However, the creature in front of him didn’t get ready to attack in any way. It kept its distance – probably because of the jade around Chanyeol’s neck – but its eyes were wide with curiosity.

It was clear that it was a Siren in front of Chanyeol. Its hair was still wet, fresh from where it had just been in the water, and down its shoulders, arms, chest and legs were dark feathers – feathers which despite their darkness still seemed to shine with a golden hue. Where the feathers didn’t cover was patches of pale skin, and on its head was a golden headpiece which was matched with the shining golden jewelry covering the creature’s arm and neck.

Sharp knifelike fangs were shown through the parting of lips which were colored a pale pink, and though this creature was known as a deadly murderer, Chanyeol felt more captivated by this creature than afraid.

It was surely more beautiful than any woman he had ever seen – and yet it was also more handsome than any man he had ever seen. It sounded like a weird combination, really, but it seemed to describe eerie – and yet ethereal – being in front of him.

It felt as if he reached o