Dear Reader,

Wonderful news, Lukka is back! The world has gotten just a little bit lighter; I will not lie I feared that my last letter was to be my last. The truth is that my strength was faltering in these last few weeks, until yesterday. She found me before I was completely submerged within the sea, latching onto my chest.

Hers was a comforting touch, strangely it felt as if she could understand my words. As a mother would when calming her child. One of her lengthy arms brushing up and down my balding skull, silly as it may seem I broke into tears. All the pain and suffering, the fear of the last few months dissipating with that touch.

It was only in that moment, on the brink that I realized the truth, Lukka was my crutch. This creature of the sea had become the closest thing to family that I was able to recall. The only aspect of reality that appeared to exist, everything else I had thought to be real, merely fragments in a sea of dark memories. Who was I? What was I before this? I am but an empty husk, yet no one has the answers I seek.

Those answers can only be found within that abyss of grey darkness. Yet I fear the further I delve the less likely I am to return. Everything I have witnessed are moments of pain, suffering, and death. I cannot help but fear the truth, for I am realizing that I am not who I believe myself to be.

I have found that having Lukka within sight helps to ease the growing anxiety that torments my every waking moment. The only moments of the day in which I can feel safe and sane. I would also like you to know that I enjoy these quiet moments of contemplation when my mind can be at ease.

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But let me stop here with these fatalistic thoughts, for now I am still fine. Lukka has returned and for once I have some news, which had surprised me greatly.

Honestly, I could not even tell that it was her when the dark shape descended upon me. Gone is the little girl who could barely wrap my arm in her tentacles. In her place is a new Lukka, a grown Lukka, one who’s arms are able completely encircle my entire body.

I am not sure what she ate to become this size, but her main body alone is half my own. If we were to add the full length of her arms, she easily exceeds the size of an adult. My previous treats could barely whet her appetite now, the last few times I went fishing she snapped up both my catches and whatever poor unfortunate fish in the vicinity.

It helped that her mimicry skills had grown significantly. Previously she could only shift colors, but now when she rested along the sandy floor, she was barely recognizable from her surroundings. Many a creature could be seen swimming lazily, going about their business, only to be suddenly snatched up and vanishing within the waiting maw.

However, the truth is that none of the fish here in the shallows are enough to fill her belly any longer. I can tell, she only remains in the vicinity because of me, at times I fell her slide over, a single arm lightly slapping my feet. I truly believe that Lukka feels that something is not right, her feelings breaking through the barrier of species. At these moments I cannot help but both laugh and cry, for she has shown more humanity toward me than my own neighbors.

I would like to happily inform you that these last few days have been filled with fitful rest. Not a single night has been burdened with the nightmares that had pained me these last few months. For once I was able to rest peacefully, and I truly believe this to be thanks to Lukka’s presence.

Tomorrow I will go and retrieve my boat, if the villagers do not return it, I will find other means to head to the reef. Lukka will not be forced to hunt at night, wasting away her mornings to spend time with me. I will find a way, at the week’s end the two of us will hunt together. I will return to the sea, irrespective of what those fools say.