Darius hadn’t slept well. His night was a haze of uneasy dreams—visions of Breachers clawing their way across the ocean, burning cities, and memories of his father. Today marked five years since he’d lost him.
Five years ago:
“Good morning, brighteyes!” his father’s voice called, full of warmth and energy. “Your mom made pancakes. Better hurry if you want one before I eat them all!”
Darius scrambled out of bed, bounding to the kitchen. “Not fair! You were supposed to wake me up!” He rushed to the table, stacking his plate high with two pancakes and three rashers of lab-grown “Barely Bacon”—a term his father had coined for the synthetic stuff.
His mother came to sit down, giving the kitchen a once-over with a quick swipe of a cloth. “You’re lucky I made breakfast today, kiddo. You remember Henry the Terrible’s pancakes from last time, don’t you?” Her voice held a teasing warmth as she threw a loving smile toward her husband.
“Ugh, Jess,” his father groaned, burying his head in his hands, “do we have to bring that up every time? Those were experimental pancakes. In some cultures, blackened food is a delicacy!”
Jess snorted. “Not in this one!” Darius burst out laughing, his family’s playful teasing filling the room with lightness. She reached over and took Henry’s hand, squeezing it.
“All right, all right,” Henry said with a feigned pout. “If you two are done bullying me, it’s high time I tell you what’s on the docket at work.”
Darius leaned in, eyes wide. His father was a Breacher Ecological Researcher and his stories from work always thrilled Darius, sparking in him a fierce desire to follow in his father’s footsteps one day. Henry’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper.
“They captured a live one,” he said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
“What?!” Jess exclaimed, her face tightening with concern. “For the love of God, Henry, tell me you’re not going anywhere near that thing.”
Henry chuckled, dismissing her worry with a wave. “It’s a small one, practically a baby—not even as tall as Darius here,” he said, ignoring Darius’ indignant look. “But think about what we could learn. We know they’re intelligent, that they plan and have some form of basic communication. They’re territorial, prone to infighting, but if we can crack even a hint of their language, we could get closer to winning back the mainland. Imagine it, Jess. A world where we’re not confined to floating cities, where we’re not always under siege.”
Jess’s face softened, though worry lingered in her eyes. “I still don’t like it. Are you sure it’s safe?”
“Absolutely, honey,” Henry replied, his voice soothing. “Guardians will be watching every move, and the Breacher will be in a containment cage. Besides, I’m only running experiments, not getting up close. Just data and analysis.”
Darius couldn’t hold back. “Promise you’ll tell me everything after, Dad? Every single detail?”
Henry gave him a warm smile, patting his shoulder. “You got it, big fella. I won’t leave out a bit.”
They finished breakfast in high spirits, laughing and talking over small plans for the day ahead. That was the last morning Darius had seen his father.
Present day
Darius snapped back to the present, standing in his doorway, the memory slipping away. With a deep, unsteady breath, he opened his bedroom door, and the comforting smell of pancakes wafted over him.
“Good morning, sunny boy,” Jess greeted him with a soft smile, though her eyes held shadows. “How’d you sleep?”
“Great, Mom. Couldn’t have been better.” The lie came easily.
She raised an eyebrow, eyeing the dark circles under his eyes. “Sure you did. With bags like those, you look ready to take a one-way trip to New Vancouver.” She chuckled.
“And by the looks of it, you could join me,” he teased, managing a smirk.
“Well, hurry up and eat before it gets cold.” Jess motioned to the table, and Darius wasted no time piling five pancakes and a hefty serving of Barely Bacon onto his plate.
“Honestly, kid, you’re going to eat me out of house and home.” She shook her head, feigning exasperation.
“Growing boy and all that, you know how it is,” he said with a shrug, shoveling a mouthful of pancake into his mouth.
“The snark on this one,” Jess replied, smiling. “So, what’s your day look like, kid?”
“Don’t call me kid, old lady,” he replied with a mischievous grin.
Jess scoffed in mock offense. “Watch it, kid.” But her smile widened, a flicker of amusement in her eyes.
“Aaron and I have dive club,” Darius said, his voice brightening with excitement. “We’re checking out the coral reef the brigade has been building below the Driftspire. Dr. Marroe said if we’re quick, he’ll take us to see the Emboria Reef– a section he’s been redeveloping. He says we have to see it to believe it, but I’ll try to get some pictures for you.”
“That sounds incredible, honey,” Jess replied, genuinely pleased to see him passionate about something. “Don’t forget we’re visiting your dad’s memorial later. And maybe, afterward, we can grab dinner at Chang’s?”
Darius smiled, nodding eagerly. “I’d like that.”
“Good. It’s a plan then,” she said, beaming as they continued with breakfast.
Once they were done, Darius washed up the dishes and put everything away while Jess returned to bed, saying her fever had left her feeling drained. She gave him a quick hug and murmured a quiet thank you before disappearing down the hall. Darius lingered for a moment, his chest tight with a mix of sadness and gratitude, then slipped back to his room to tackle his homework until it was time to head out.
By 12:50 PM, Darius was ready to leave for dive club. He caught the train without incident, barely noticing the faint tingling that accompanied each teleportation as he was shifted onto the high-speed bullet train. The train's sleek interior, a sterile white and blue accented by vibrant coral-themed seats, was bustling with commuters, but seating was ample thanks to the train’s extraordinary length and speeds.
The Netacts® contact lenses he wore allowed him to program his stop without lifting a finger, syncing his route to the train’s onboard AI to ensure he’d be teleported off at the right moment. His budget model only offered basic features—route planning and simple searches—but some of his wealthier friends had advanced models capable of web browsing and gaming with such fidelity it was practically indistinguishable from reality.
After a 30-second ride, Darius was teleported off, barely registering his short trip in the streaking lights of the train’s interior. He walked the last block to the dive club, passing a fish and chips stand and a few small outlet shops, until he reached the water’s edge. The smell of salt and fresh air filled his lungs, calming his nerves as he spotted Dr. Marroe waving from the dock.
Darius waved back, scanning the gathering members, but Aaron hadn’t arrived yet.
Dr. Marroe watched the clock on his Netacts as the digital display ticked to 1 PM. Right on time, he cleared his throat to address the group—just as a young man came sprinting along the waterfront, stumbling a little in his rush to join them.
Aaron.
“You’re late!” Dr. Marroe called, his voice firm but good-humored.
“No, I’m not!” Aaron shot back, panting as he approached. “I’ve got thirty seconds before I’m late. I’m practically early!”
Dr. Marroe chuckled. “Then since we’re all here, let’s start a little early.” He paused, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he scanned the group. “Today, we’ll be diving at a special site—the coral reef project with the rumored Emboria Reef. Some of you may have heard about the Brigade for Ocean Rehabilitation’s work, but you’re about to see it up close.”
He walked to the edge of the wharf, peering down into the dark, choppy water. There was a quiet sadness in his posture, as though he were mourning the old reefs, the lush ocean ecosystems that Earth had lost. “The coral reefs that once flourished in these waters are all but gone. But here, we’ve been trying something new. This reef,” he gestured out to the glittering expanse, “is the largest artificial coral habitat we’ve managed to create—a testament to both preservation and adaptation.”
He extended his arm, directing the group’s attention to two elegant, gleaming titanium structures in the distance, rising just above the waterline. “The Brigade set up these twin scaffolds two kilometers apart, each stretching three kilometers into the sea. Beneath the surface, a series of nets and ambient water heaters stabilize the temperature, simulating the equatorial warmth coral thrives on. We also have UV lights scattered throughout, providing similar lighting to natural coral regions. You’ll be familiar with the smaller trial site, but this one…” Dr. Marroe paused, his eyes bright with anticipation, “it is unlike anything else. Today, no dry suits are necessary—the water here is kept warm. Please don your wetsuits only.”
A thrill of excitement sparked in Darius. Cold-water diving had its charm, but without the dry suits, they’d have more freedom to explore. Quickly, he and Aaron slipped into their wetsuits and checked their BCDs and tanks, securing the equipment with practiced ease. Once all the gear was in place, they performed final checks and took their positions at the dock’s edge.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
As soon as Darius submerged, he felt his mask flood slightly, a rookie mistake, but he quickly purged it with his regulator, adjusting to the surreal world that awaited him beneath the surface.
The reef unfolded before him in an expanse of color and light—a strange, otherworldly landscape that stretched into the hazy depths. The coral was impossibly vibrant, glowing in shades of diamond white and emerald green. Small clownfish darted among the coral, bright flashes of orange and white, taking quick refuge as the imposing figures of the divers approached. Aaron made the dive sign for “check this out” and pointed toward a seahorse hovering nearby, drifting gracefully in the water. Its scales glimmered with ruby and obsidian stripes, and delicate, feather-like appendages formed a fractal pattern along its body, mesmerizing in their intricacy.
Darius reached out, and the creature floated closer, a curious gleam in its eye. Just as his gloved hand brushed the delicate fins, Aaron tapped him and gestured toward Dr. Marroe, who was motioning for the group to follow deeper into the reef.
As they descended, the colors of the coral shifted, the neon greens and pinks fading into richer, darker hues. Sapphire blues, amethysts, and blood reds took over the landscape, creating an atmosphere that felt both eerie and beautiful, like a glimpse into a forgotten world. Darius felt a sense of awe and unease—the silence was absolute, broken only by the steady sound of his own breathing.
At around 25 meters, he saw what Dr. Marroe had wanted them to witness: an expanse of crimson coral stretching before them like a forest, its branches weaving into vast, spiraling structures. Each branch formed part of a double helix, ten meters high and covered in alien-looking anemones and small, intricate fauna.
Among the coral moved creatures Darius had never seen before, trailing soft glows of phytoplankton in their wake. The creatures resembled reef sharks, but their bodies were covered in alligator-like scales, and their fins extended into long, flowing shapes, delicate yet clearly formidable. He glanced at Dr. Marroe, who nodded, granting permission to approach.
Darius swam closer, each movement stirring up tiny clouds of emerald-green phytoplankton that drifted lazily, catching the light. He marveled at the complexity of the coral structure, and as he neared one of the double helix tendrils, he spotted small crustaceans clinging to the surface, each with a sail-like appendage extending from its back. They were filter feeders, combing the water for tiny particles, and they displayed a trait that took Darius aback—their wings were eerily reminiscent of the Veilwing Breacher, though on a much smaller, harmless scale.
Darius glanced around, noticing more creatures with subtle Breacher-like features—elongated fins, chitinous armor softened by marine hues, and strange geometric patterns across their bodies. Yet everything here was gentle, non-threatening. It was as if the Brigade had managed to create hybrids of Earth’s marine life and the alien creatures from the other dimension, crafting a delicate, thriving ecosystem out of what could have been chaos.
He could have stayed for hours, cataloging the fascinating creatures, but he noticed his tank was already down to half capacity. Reluctantly, he signaled to Aaron with the dive sign for “50% oxygen” and repeated it to the others. The group shared his reluctance, exchanging glances as if they, too, wanted to linger longer. But air was finite, and they all knew they needed to begin the ascent. Darius cast a final look at the surreal, alien coral, vowing silently to return.
Back on dry land, they stripped out of their wetsuits and toweled off, Darius struggling not to stare too long at Alice, who was cheerfully chatting with some of the others. She caught his gaze and flashed him a quick smile, which he returned with a bashful wave, his cheeks burning as he turned back to his things.
Once the group was dressed, Dr. Marroe gathered them around.
“So,” he began, “what did you all think? A little different from the last reef we visited, eh?”
Aaron was the first to speak. “What was that down there?” His voice was full of awe.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Alice added, her tone reverent.
A murmur of agreement passed through the group until Darius, his mind racing, finally said, “Was that what I think it was?”
Dr. Marroe looked pleased. “You’ll have to be more specific, Darius. I’m no mind reader.”
Darius hesitated, then nodded to Cody, who voiced their suspicions. “Were those some sort of Breacher hybrids? Those creatures down there… they didn’t look like they’d evolved purely on this side of the portal.”
Dr. Marroe nodded, satisfaction glinting in his eyes. “Yes, you’re right. The Breacher Genetics Lab, with the help of some uniquely gifted empowered individuals, has been working tirelessly on splicing these creatures, aiming to develop resilient species that can adapt to rougher ocean conditions while remaining non-aggressive toward humans. Your father, Darius, had a hand in some of this early research. He wanted to make something beautiful from the destruction the portals had wrought—a tribute to life, even in the shadow of death. Henry was a brilliant man. We lost someone irreplaceable when he passed.”
Darius nodded, feeling a surge of pride mixed with grief. The thought that part of his father’s legacy lived on in this strange, ethereal reef gave him an aching sense of connection.
Dr. Marroe let the group linger on this thought before saying, “We’ll call it a day here, but I’ll send you all an article on the lab’s work—worth a read if you’re interested in the details. Next week, we’ll explore the reef further. Until then, stay safe, all of you.”
The group dispersed, each of them affected by the experience. Darius walked away with a sense of purpose, feeling as though he’d glimpsed a small part of his father’s vision—and for the first time in a long while, he felt hope blooming alongside the sorrow.
As the group began to disperse, Aaron turned to Darius, a grin still playing across his face. “I can’t believe we just saw that,” he said, his eyes wide with excitement and lingering wonder. “I mean, those creatures—whatever they are—it’s like we just swam into one of those crazy VR games at the arcade.”
Darius nodded, sharing Aaron’s excitement. “It’s insane. The way the coral looked, how the fish moved, even the colors... I feel like I just stepped into a different world.” He glanced back at the spot where the ocean met the shore, a sliver of regret tugging at him. “I could’ve stayed there all day.”
“Same. But at least now we’ve got an excuse to come back,” Aaron said, nudging him. “Not that we needed one. You know, Dr. Marroe would probably let us dive every day if he could.”
Darius laughed, adjusting the strap on his bag as they started walking toward the teleport station. The sun was beginning to set, casting the city in hues of warm gold and soft pinks, the reflection shimmering on the water. The day’s discoveries had left them feeling lighter, even though the weight of the Breacher threat always loomed in the back of their minds. For now, it felt like enough just to walk with his best friend, both of them caught in a rare moment of pure wonder.
They shared stories of their favorite moments from the dive, comparing their reactions to the alien reef, laughing at the look on Alice’s face when she’d spotted the strange hybrid creatures. Aaron gently ribbed Darius for checking out Alice in her bathing suit bringing a flash of embarrassment back to the front of Darius’ mind.
When they reached the teleport station, Aaron glanced back at him. “Well, this is where I leave you,” he said. “See you at school tomorrow?”
“Definitely,” Darius replied, offering a fist bump. “Later, man.”
Aaron returned the gesture, and with a grin and a quick wave, he stepped onto the platform, disappearing in a flash of light as he was teleported onto the train to take him back to his part of the city. Darius lingered, watching the place where Aaron had stood, feeling a pang of gratitude. Diving with friends like Aaron made everything—both the wonders and the dangers—feel a little more real, a little more manageable.
Darius went to meet his mom at the New Toronto graveyard where his dad’s memorial was. Driftspire graveyards weren't like the traditional cemeteries from the world his great grandparents grew up in. It was an indoor space, filled with holographic displays, softly glowing glass panels engraved with names, and rows of small, elegant monuments. Each grave was marked by a luminescent plaque that held a brief projection of the departed’s life story, flickering gently in the dim room. A somber hush filled the space, the gentle hum of the machinery the only sound, giving it a timeless feel.
Darius spotted his mom standing by one of the illuminated panels, her hands resting gently against its edge. She glanced up as he approached, a soft smile breaking through the solemnity of her expression. Without words, he moved to stand beside her, and they both looked at the projection of his father’s name.
“Hey, Dad,” Darius said softly, feeling a familiar knot tighten in his chest. His dad’s life story glowed softly, cycling through cherished moments—their family vacations, photos of him laughing with Darius as a toddler, a blurry shot of him tinkering in his workshop. Darius felt a sense of calm, almost as if his father’s presence lingered around them.
“You’d have loved what we saw today, Dad,” he murmured, his eyes fixed on the projection. “Dr. Marroe took us to that coral reef project they’ve been working on. You’d have been amazed. The coral’s all... different, but in a good way. And some of the creatures down there... well, you’d have talked our ears off about them.”
He glanced over at his mom, who was watching him with a mix of sadness and pride. “Dr. Marroe told us that Dad worked on part of the genetics project that helped develop that reef,” he said, his voice soft. “He wanted to make something beautiful out of all this. And I think they did it, Mom. It’s... it’s like he left something good behind. It’s like he’s still there.”
His mom nodded, her gaze fixed on the images, her eyes distant. “That was your father’s gift,” she whispered. “Always seeing a way to make the best out of even the worst situations. And he was always trying to pass that on to you.” She paused, a tear slipping down her cheek. “He would be so proud of you, Darius.”
For a while, they simply stood there, letting the silence say everything they couldn’t put into words. Memories drifted between them—his dad teaching him how to read the stars, the nights they’d spent together as a family, listening to old songs and sharing quiet laughter.
“You remember the way he used to sing to the radio in the mornings?” Darius asked, a faint smile playing at his lips.
His mother laughed softly. “Yes, he was terrible at it. But he never let that stop him.” She looked up at Darius, her eyes warm.
Darius nodded, feeling the bittersweet ache of memory. “Yeah... I’m glad he didn’t.”
After leaving the graveyard, Darius and his mom headed to Chang’s Best Chinese, seeking a simple, familiar comfort. Chang’s was a small, cozy place tucked away in one of the busier parts of New Toronto near their home, where neon lights illuminated the street in shades of pink and blue, reflecting off the rain-slicked pavement. They passed Bris’ Supply where a new headline about the missing Razorwing was displayed before arriving at Chang’s. The owner, Mr. Chang, greeted them with his usual warm smile as they entered, guiding them to a booth by the window.
They ordered their favorites—steamed fish dumplings, crispy noodles, and spicy shrimp. The scent of ginger and garlic filled the air, mingling with the faint hum of music playing from the restaurant’s speakers.
As they ate, they fell into an easy rhythm of conversation, reminiscing on old family stories. They laughed over tales of his dad’s various “fix-it” projects that never quite worked out the way he’d hoped, and his mom told him stories he hadn’t heard in years—about their first date, when his dad had accidentally insulted her dress by telling her it was very “matronly”, and about the night he proposed, nervous and tripping over his words.
The atmosphere was warm, tinged with nostalgia, and yet there was a peacefulness in it too. Darius felt a quiet sense of closeness, something that seemed rare these days. The weight of the day’s discoveries was still there, but here, in the glow of Chang’s neon lights and the comfort of shared memories, it didn’t feel quite so heavy.
After they finished eating, his mom took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you for today,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “For reminding me of him.”
Darius smiled, his heart aching but full. “Thank you, Mom. For everything.”
They sat for a few more minutes, just watching the people pass by outside, lost in their own thoughts. Finally, as the night deepened, they rose to leave, stepping back into the city lights.
As they walked back home, Darius felt a renewed sense of purpose settle within him. Today had been a rare gift, a blend of discovery and memory that felt like a glimpse of something beyond the ordinary.
With his father’s memory vivid in his mind and the image of that alien reef still haunting his thoughts, Darius felt a new resolve awaken in him. There was so much to explore, so much to understand and protect—not just for himself, but for the legacy his father had left behind.
Tonight, he would carry the weight of these memories and dreams, knowing they were both the burdens and gifts that had been passed down to him. As long as the world held places of beauty like the reef, and as long as he could remember the warmth of family, he knew he would keep moving forward.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges. But for now, wrapped in the gentle glow of memory and the quiet of the evening, Darius felt ready to face whatever lay ahead.