26 - The Melody

After days of calm, with no sign of Nalu trying to escape or posing a threat, Krahs still remained on high alert.

I approached him hesitantly and asked:

— Are you still keeping an eye on her?

Krahs crossed his arms and answered without taking his gaze off the sea wolf:

— Cub, an adult’s trust takes time to earn.

— But…

I stopped before finishing my sentence. A tightness grew in my chest as I realized my thoughts didn’t seem the same as before. My mind was confused, as if I were changing without noticing. I’m not the same anymore.

I felt a lump in my throat, about to be swallowed by an existential crisis, until Krahs placed a hand on my head.

He looked concerned.

— Nexha?... Nexha? Cub, are you alright?

— I... was just thinking.

— Don’t scare me like that, standing there with that confused face.

He ruffled my hair. It was a small gesture, but it gave me a strange feeling. For a moment, it felt like Krahs had let his guard down. But then, he froze.

I didn’t understand at first. But then I heard it.

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A deep sound, echoing through the water like an ancient whisper.

Low, melodic… and sad.

Lilay’s eyes widened in amazement, like a child hearing music for the first time.

— Did you hear that?

— Yes… — I murmured, frowning.

— It’s beautif...

— No.

Krahs cut Lilay off before he could finish his sentence.

And that’s when I realized. The old shark looked tense. His instincts were screaming. He recognized that melody, but at the same time, something about it was different.

— Those damned things are crying.

It was the first time I had ever heard Krahs curse in front of the cubs. Lilay, curious, whispered to me:

— Nexha… what does ‘damned’ mean?

— That’s a lesson for later, Lilay. Right now, focus. Krahs knows something we don’t.

— O-okay...

The old shark was angry, but Nalu was terrified.

She covered her ears with her hands, trembling, as if the ocean itself was crushing her chest.

— I-it can’t be… Orcas don’t grieve.

Krahs scoffed, teeth clenched.

— Yes, they do. When something even they can’t defeat appears.

Nalu swallowed hard.

— Like what?

Krahs gripped his spear tighter.

— Something we can’t defeat either.

He turned to Nalu, his expression as hard as stone.

— If I don’t come back… take the cubs as far as you can.

— But...

— You wanted my trust? You have it now. Protect the children.

Without looking back, the old shark swam out of the nest, faster than I had ever seen him swim.

Lilay was confused, not understanding what was happening. But I did.

Without thinking, I dove into the water and started swimming after him.

I wasn’t as fast as Krahs, but I wouldn’t give up.

After a while, I realized I was lost. I couldn’t see Krahs anymore.

But then, I smelled blood.

It was strong, thick. My heart pounded.

I followed the trail and approached the moray seaweed barrier. The currents made them sway like golden spears. I found a gap and slipped through.

And then I saw it.

Krahs was in the hands of a massive merman, so big he could almost snap Krahs’ tail with one hand.

Krahs’ spear lay broken in two on the ground.

He scratched and thrashed, trying to break free, but the enemy was too strong.

Without hesitation, I ran to the wreckage of his weapon. I grabbed the piece that still had the sharp tip.

And then, with everything I had, I activated my ability to make myself more resistant and charged forward.

— Father!