57-Nest Killer

Nexha looked at the barracuda’s mouth, feeling a strange chill run down his spine. Something small and shiny was wedged between the creature’s teeth. He moved closer and carefully pried open the predator’s rigid jaws.

— What is this?

Amidst the blood and torn flesh, a small orange egg with a white dot came into view. It was smooth and glossy, about the size of one of his scales, and miraculously intact.

— Could it still be alive?

He picked up the egg delicately, noticing that its shell was tougher and stickier than it appeared. The residual heat from the battle still made his chest rise and fall rapidly, but curiosity took over. How could something so small and fragile have survived inside the mouth of such a monster?

— Looks intact...

Nexha observed the egg for a moment, feeling a strange weight in his stomach.

— This thing must have devoured an entire nest of these to get that strong…

Looking at the lone survivor in his hands, he couldn’t help but feel a pang in his heart.

— Well… now you’re with me, right?

Using the remains of the fishing net destroyed by the barracuda, Nexha improvised a small pouch to carry the egg, while the rest of the mesh was tied to the fish so he could drag it. His body ached, and his stomach was beginning to complain. It was time to head back.

Nexha dragged the barracuda along the way, feeling the creature’s enormous weight. Each beat of its tail made his muscles protest, and the cut on his belly burned whenever the salty water touched it.

— Damn… this thing weighs more than Lilay after eating too much…

After a while, he finally saw the entrance to his home. But before he could fully relax, he heard a cry of surprise.

— WHOA! WHAT IS THAT?!

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Lilay swam at full speed toward him, eyes wide as he circled the barracuda, trying to process the sheer size of the creature.

— Is this a fish or a monster?!

Nexha huffed, dropping the net onto the sand.

— A barracuda. It gave me trouble, but… I did it.

Lilay looked at Nexha, then at the fish, his mouth opening slightly.

— Brother... did you steal this catch from Zhaelor?

Nexha’s face darkened with rage.

— YOU’RE AT IT AGAIN?!

He lunged at Lilay and grabbed his tail.

— I CAUGHT IT MYSELF!

— O-Okay! I believe you! I believe you!

Before the two could start rolling in the sand again, a larger shadow approached. Krahs, who had been resting after eating, opened his eyes and swam over to them.

— Again? Do you two never get tired of this?

He looked from Nexha to the barracuda, then back to Nexha again. His eyes hardened.

— You’re injured.

Nexha blinked and only then realized his wound was visible.

Krahs moved closer and held Nexha, lifting Lilay in the process, tilting his head slightly to examine him better.

— It’s a nasty cut, but not too deep. What did I tell you this morning?

Nexha hesitated.

— I tried to run, Dad, but it was faster than me!

Krahs let out a heavy sigh and ran a hand over Nexha’s head.

— You need to be more careful. I told you to run if something was too strong.

— I tried, Dad...

Nexha answered again, now in a whining voice, trying to fool the shark with his childish cuteness.

Krahs’ gaze grew more serious, but he didn’t argue. He just sighed and let Nexha go.

— Fine… but don’t make this a habit.

— Okay.

Krahs looked at the barracuda again and let out a short laugh.

— But I’ll admit, this is impressive. It’ll make a great dinner.

Lilay, who had completely forgotten the scare, clapped his hands excitedly and broke free from Nexha’s grip in an instant.

— YES! LET’S EAT!

He went to the barracuda and tried to take a bite right then and there.

— HEY! We’re cooking it first!

That was when Nexha remembered the egg.

He sighed and took it out of the makeshift pouch, showing it to Krahs. At first, the shark’s face was one of shock, and without warning, he pulled Nexha’s ear.

— WHICH NEST DID YOU STEAL THIS FROM?!

— Told you he stole the catch… — Lilay commented with a full mouth, chewing a piece of fish.

— Ow, ow, Dad, I didn’t steal it…

— Then where did you get it?

— Well… from the barracuda’s mouth.

Krahs’ expression turned lethal. In an instant, he swam to Lilay and made him spit out the piece of fish he was eating.

— You should’ve said that earlier! Lilay, don’t eat any more of this fish!

— W-Why…? — Lilay asked, his voice now tearful.

Krahs didn’t hesitate. His tone was grave, leaving no room for argument.

— Nest killers can make entire tribes sick.

Nexha didn’t question it. He just swallowed hard, feeling a chill down his spine.

Lilay, still upset, crossed his arms.

— But it was tasty…

Krahs ignored him. His gaze turned to Nexha.

— Take that egg to your old nest and leave it in the water there.

Without wasting time, the shark grabbed the barracuda and Nexha’s net, swimming away without hesitation.