(In order to make a more detailed and complete universe, I wanted to focus on the stories of the other major characters of Ithycca. This one will feature both Ithycca's friend and supporter, Eliza, and the rambunctious Djinn girl Kali. Enjoy!)

Ithycca Sidestories
Chapter 9.5
My Best Frienemy
By AoifeM

When I started doing volunteer work, I was doing it for the sake of the people whose lives had suffered. I was always a compassionate individual. Plus, just going out to see the world was interesting in its own right.

I didn’t expect how much of the world I would actually see- far beyond the normal cardinal directions of north, south, east, and west. Beyond my wildest imaginations as in fact. I was rather fond of Kyle Weathers. I thought he made a good friend in what was otherwise a rather lonely and unfamiliar place. Perhaps a part of me wished for a little more.

However, my life turned upside down when that same man became something I could only imagine in fairy tales: a mermaid. He changed gender and everything. The idea that such mythological creatures did exist, that magic truly wasn’t just sleight of hand, but an actual, supernatural phenomenon; that blew me away.

But I knew he- or now she was even more shocked than I was. I was but an observer; he was actually experiencing it! Having your life change so drastically, so immediately, made my fright meager in comparison.

So, even with little knowledge understanding a mermaid’s…physique, I did what I could to help her. Sure I tried to keep things as light hearted as I possibly could. I even joked about the situation, hoping to at least relieve some of the tension. I felt as if the only one that was positively affected by it.

Still sometimes I wonder, even now, if she understands even a modicum of my own feelings, because it’s not like this isn’t stressing me out either! I keep quiet about my concerns however; I didn’t want her to worry any more than she has already.

Putting my hand over my doorknob to my apartment, I was surprised to see my door was unlocked. I knew that somehow Ithycca could grow legs at this point. I didn’t have a clue how, but I just went with it. Most stories I was told when I was a little girl suggested that some form of magic allowed her to do that. I just hope she didn’t have to sacrifice her soul or anything else important to some “Real Life Ursula.”

In either event I assumed that she must’ve gone off and forgot to lock the door behind her. Seems like even after all she’s been through she still has some annoying masculine habits left in her. I suppose I should reprimand her when she returns.

Opening the door came an even bigger surprise. My room was being invaded by some latina girl with golden blond locks. The women already went through my wine cabinet, as I saw her pop open my bottle of vintage chardonnay and let the fizz run down to my carpet. I already knew she was going on my shit list.

“Who are you?” I yelled. “What are you doing in my home? And what the fuck are you doing ruining my perfectly good carpet?!”

The woman was fooling around, looking all over, almost toying with me. She knew there was absolutely no one else around that I was referring to. “Oh, me?” The woman asked, making a pouty face as she pointed a finger towards herself.

“I don’t see anyone else invading my home without my consent!” I angrily told her.

And with a quick 180 ° her pouty frown turned upside down. “I like you,” She replied enthusiastically while avoiding all my questions. “I could see why Ithy would dig such a lady like you. Not afraid to take charge, no siree bob! I guess spending her past life doing all the handiwork; even I would wanna take a break and let someone else do the heavy lifting for me. I better write that down! Gotta keep these things in mind you know? That’s what keeps a relationship healthy!”

I didn’t get what she was babbling on about. There was truly only one thing she stated that stood out in my mind.

“You know Ithycca?” I asked, surprisingly.

“Well, of course!” She answered. “Why else would I have gone so far to arrive here unannounced?”

She seemed to give off a rather shady vibe. She obviously wasn’t afraid of me, or worried that I caught her. I decided to proceed carefully. “Well, she isn’t here at the moment,” I stated, feeling a little uneasy. I could tell- this was no ordinary woman.

“Oh, I know,” She declared. “She’s not the one I wanted to see; at least not yet.”

Now I knew I could panic.

“What do you want?” I yelled as I nervously began to back up.

“Well, Eliza,” She began; her mischievous smile and her knowledge of my name only made me feel even more discomfort. “I guess I’ll have to be totally honest with you. I like Ithy. I mean, I really, really like her. And yet here she is, getting all cozy with you. I mean, honestly, what do you have that I don’t? I’m lovable and I know how to have a good time! Hell, give me the opportunity and I can create fireworks with just the wave of my finger!”

“You’ve got it all wrong!” I desperately tried to relay to her. “I don’t like her like that! I don’t like women! As much as he was interesting back when he was Kyle, I can’t see her like that. If she wants to hang with you, then go for it! Leave me out of this!”

“I wish it was simple, my human friend,” she countered. “But as long as you’re in the picture she won’t even notice me. I’m just trying to root out the competition, so to speak.”

“So you’re gonna kill me?” I retorted, already preparing for the worst. “Just like that?”

“Kill you?” She repeated, stunned. “I’m not some murderer! Heck, once I have her wrapped around my little finger I was gonna let you go anyway! Maybe once this is all over with we’ll be great friends.”

You sure have a weird way of making friends, I couldn’t help but think to myself.

I didn’t even finish my train of thought before I realized I was transported out of my home and into a wide open desert. Being the middle of the night I couldn’t believe the chill that was present.

“Ah, the wonders of Gate control,” Gaia gleefully replied. “You humans oughta try it sometime. Better than paying for airline travel.”

“Where am I?” I yelled in astonishment. “What the hell did you do?”

“Don’t need to be bitchy,” she replied. “Just sent you out in the Sahara for a little bit! Just till my little date is done!”

“Are you mad!?” I asked, even though in my mind I already knew the answer. “I’ll freeze out here!”

“Geez-Louise!” She shouted. “You humans and your body temperatures!” She began to cast a spell which surrounded me with a barrier of fire. “There! You see? What are frienemies for?”

I almost was ready to tackle that bitch. Yes, she was obviously more powerful, and such rash behavior wasn’t the most logical solution. But when taken out of your comfort zone, sometimes you throw logic out the window.

“Send me back!” I demanded with my fists clenched and face seething.

“Sorry!” She told me, not intimidated at my rising anger. “I’ll check up with you soon! Promise!”

And with a flash of light she was gone.

“Damn you!” I shouted at the top of my lungs. “Come back!” I knew yelling was pointless however. Out here, no one can hear me.

My stomach began to growl. Hours past and that childish woman didn’t even consider that I could starve out here. And yet, even if I could hunt or gather food in a place like this, this barrier she put up was a double edged sword; sure it kept me warm, but it also prevented me moving from this very spot.

I lied down and put my arm over my head, coaxing my stomach to settle down. I was feeling a little weak. And without any sustenance I felt that the best thing I could do at this moment is save my energy, as little as I had.

Suddenly I was greeted with an oddly reddish hand, holding out what seemed to be a drink of some sort. I didn’t worry about what was giving me this; I just grabbed it and began to chug it down.

“Consider it a free gift,” The strange figure replied. “An apology for your treatment by my little sister.”

Sister? I immediately stared upward at the person, and realized, he looked like the Devil!

I immediately scuttled back in fright, he didn’t seem to be thrilled by my reaction.

“Please,” The demonic man pleaded. “Do not be alarmed. What you hear in those fairy tales and religious texts defile our very nature.”

“What…” I started to stutter, “What are you?”

“I am Said,” he replied. “I am Djinn. I see that you have met my younger sister, Khalifa, or Kali, as she prefers to be called.”

“She doesn’t look anything like you!” I exclaimed, frightened to death at the fiery presence before me.”

“She must be under a glamour,” he assumed. Seeing that I wasn’t going to be any more comfortable around his devilish appearance, he casted his own “glamour” to appear human.

“Does that make you feel more at ease?” he asked cordially.

“A little,” I replied, even though I still didn’t understand why he didn't just do that in the first place.

“Gaia is a good soul,” he stated. “Bless her heart that she allows us these spells to adapt to your society, even if it’s most temporary.”

That explained Ithycca being able to walk on land.

“I remember Ithycca talking to me about someone with that name," I remarked, "although I myself have never met her. She apparently gave her the scale that turned her into…well.”

“Yes,” he informed me. “Who knew she had possession of such a powerful artifact? And to believe she would use it; it is very interesting indeed.”

“I don’t get it,” I admitted. “Why Kyle? Why not anyone else?”

“He was obviously the reincarnation of the late Princess,” he answered. “Still, her existence wasn’t going to go unnoticed. Even Lord Efreet is having trouble deciding what to make of it all.”

“And what is your purpose, anyway?” I asked.

“We’re fairly neutral,” he told me. “We Djinn live in a free society. We do what our heart desires. That tends to be good, or bad, as you can see from your circumstance.”

“No kidding,” I seconded his notion.

“Most of us prefer to work alongside other species. We specialize in mercantilism. We could be considered the one who taught humans the art of trade and bargaining. The stories of Three Wishes? Nothing more but a sample, a trial offer of what we could offer, if the price is right.”

“That’s pretty amazing,” I remarked. All of a sudden it felt like history was being retold right in front of me.

“Of course, that’s where the ideas of soul stealing, and blood sacrificing came along. Obviously the Angels didn’t appreciate our business.”

“Angels?” I replied. “You’re trying to tell me they’re the bad guys?”

“No,” he answered. “We’re just polar opposites. We live as individualists. Angels are collectivists. Much like the Catholic Church; while there are many priests and cardinals and bishops who have their own interpretation of the words of Yahweh, the Pope has the final say. Angels follow the same model. Most Angels cannot comprehend our line of thinking, and to be honest, I don’t understand them just as well.”

Chaos versus order, I realized in my own head.

“I must again apologize for the mess my sister has put you in,” He repeated once again.

I grew comfortable with him enough to the point I could ask him. “Could you perhaps get me out of this place?” I wondered.

“For the sake of my own guilt,” he replied, “I will do what I can. However I cannot dispel the barrier, which is blocking all magicks from within. Only Kali can do that. However, being Djinn, fire doesn’t hurt me. I can walk in and out of the barrier without trouble. If you don’t mind waiting a little longer I can have a “talk” with my little sister. Although I know she may be quite the troublemaker, but I doubt she’d just leave you to die. However, maybe with my assistance we can shorten your time spent here.”

I sighed, knowing I wasn’t going to get anything better than this. But it’s not like I have anything better to do. “Alright,” I reluctantly accepted.

“Then it shall be done,” he affirmed. “Shall I show you my wares before I leave you then?”

“Wares?” I said, unsure where he was heading.

“Yes,” Said began. “No offense to your situation, but there isn’t a better customer than one who’s trapped outside in the middle of nowhere.”

“And you know this how?” I asked, acting like the wife of a TV sitcom family who just knows her husband is hiding something.

“Heheh,” he nervously chuckled, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. “I suppose I shall go now!”

And as he left the barrier he immediately vanished. Hopefully he’ll be able to take care of my little “problem.”