Chapter 1: Storm Clouds

Salt water lashed and stung underneath a pair of sea weary eyes. With a thud, he sat in front of the door to the cabin. Solace's eyes gazed at the clouds, while adjusting his life jacket. The season for fishing is drawing to a close. Out in Feri Maris clouds begin to gather on the horizon. A few hours away from the storm, feet shuffle on deck, bringing in the last catches of summer. Fish bounce and flail about on the deck their scales glimmering in last evening light as the sun began to set. The rest caught in net thrash between each other. Slippery hands begin storing fish on this green and white vessel. The Stingy Snapper is what the six men on board decided to call this floating hunk of metal. Two draw in the single lines tossed out into the deep blue, while one draws the nets up. The other three storing the fish. Mostly calm around them, the blue water waved off towards distant shores. A red wall of light farther off in the distance, with brilliant orange and red clouds, for now anyhow. From the west a bigger weather pattern was threatening to sweep across and block out the light. For whatever reason, he had terrible luck when standing up to possible storm like the others.

Maybe it was because of how short he was, or the blue fishing shoes he wore, with a whisker fish engraved on one side of each shoe, its whiskers stretch from one to another. It’s bad luck, it has to be, he thought laughing to himself. It's what I get for fishing, I’m going to slip on their whiskers one day, and that will be the end of me.

His amber eyes fell from the sun. Rays of light faded as he looked towards his friends on the bow. Both had their backs turned. As they were focused on the sea.

For about twenty minutes or so they both silently pulled in all kinds of fish. Small and short, others being long and stuffed to the gills. As they pulled their catches in with all of their strength, one turned toward the other. Helix, with moustache and a goatee.

“Hey, Tobias think we somehow both caught the same fish? It could be one of those rare two headed fish, a churning pike?”

Tobias, his brown eyes focused on both lines as they both turned and converged on each other. Both looked to be the same height. Helix was intensely watching the line. Something he was accustomed to in the navy. He wasn’t going home empty handed. Not like they had enough already. Fingers started to burn as he gripped the reel tighter. No pain was felt as this was often his routine. Deter him it did not. On the other side it was a bit more of a struggle. Only doing this a few times a year was not enough for Tobias. Wincing he rolled up both sleeves while clinging to the line. A single tattoo of black and gray painted down his right arm ending at the elbow. Coiling down and ready to strike, a dragon took shape. This was taking all of his focus and no reply was given.

“It very well could be, that would be quite the catch, haven’t had one of those turn up in over about two hundred years. They rarely come up from the deep. Can you imagine the little bit of press we would get? We would be prolific back home. You could take it and display it next to your strange findings from being out in the wild and all.” Helix went on.

With a grunt he reeled in harder, the tension of the line felt like it was going to break at any moment. The same was happening for Helix, as they both took steps back to get their footing. Where the lines converged, a head breached the surface. Its deep black eyes looked forward, its mouth agape with two rows of teeth. Both front rows of teeth had huge fangs in the front, four terrors that you would not want taking a bite out of you. As it begun to tire out, its huge body slowly emerged. A dark yellow and green painted its scales. Fins on both sides flapped helplessly as the two brought it back on board.

“Well would you look at this monster, it does have a second head,” Helix said.

Bringing it closer to put on board, the second head could be seen where the tail should have been. The other set of dark eyes circled about as it was disoriented coming out of the water. It gnashed its teeth and tried to toss itself back into the water; however, the other head was too stubborn—it was hooked. Letting go of their fishing poles as they brought it in, Tobias and Helix put his hands under the huge fish and held it up. It measured to be about as tall as him and a half.

“Hey! Lydon, Maxwell, Grant, Solace come look at this guy, what a sight,” Helix called out.

Solace, who had turned his attention to the sky again, lowered his head adjusting his glasses, heading over to the two headed fish. Grant tugged upwards bringing in a net full of fish and set it along the deck. Maxwell did the same. Lydon, storing the fish in their freezers, shook his hands to warm them up a bit and went to huddle with the others.

“Oh man, Helix you got to get a picture with us and it before we let it go back,” Lydon said, eyes wide and cautiously moving around it, as one of the heads moved snapping open and closed.

“Already on it, everyone line up and get a hold under it, then let’s put him back in.”

Helix brought out his Holoframe with one hand. With the crew of the Snapper, now all around the rare fish, they all smiled forward, with Lydon making a face, mouth wide open, a scrunched nose, and wide eyes. Grant was on the left side of the Churning pikes head, the one that was passive, dazed by the bait and put up a victory fist, with eyes lowered into a comical, serious looking face.

“Take an aerial shot for us,” Helix said. The frame in his hand hovered out of his hands and rose above their heads. As everyone held still, a picture was taken. You knew it was done when it began slowly lowering back down, a very useful tool for a new age device, hands free no hassle. Helix placed his one free hand with the Holoframe, on the fish scales.

“Bring up the latest images taken, please,” he said.

As promised, it took about ten pictures, each in different angles. There was also a video that recorded as well, but for the moment they did not need to relieve the moment too soon, so Helix put his frame back in his life jacket pocket. Lydon being curious as he was, got closer to the one head that had been biting away since being reeled in. His face, right next to one of its black eyes, suddenly stopped biting, its one eye focused on him.

“Yep, this is a trap. Lydon said nervously, laughing. If I do anything this ancient guy is going to tear me a new one, let's get him back in before that happens.”

They all nodded and put their hands under its thick scales and walked over to the side, as gently as they could they let it go, as it fell toward the water, the head opened its mouth and started biting frantically again, as its counterpart on the other side hit the water and dived to where it had come from.

Grant was elated.

“Guys! We have finally been blessed after a rocky few years to see one of the most rare creatures the planet has to offer us, and we are unscathed! No one but us in the past two centuries have gotten to see the creatures, even with all the technology available around the world!”

“That is for sure,” Helix said. “They are often known as lesser devils of the deep and it didn't seem overly aggressive to us, besides the thrashing of teeth. Good those rumors fell flat, we escaped its possible infected bite. Going to have to give my fellow mates and officers the news back at base. They are going to be disappointed.”

Waves for the moment gently rocked the vessel back as lightning crackled in the distance. Grant, an average sized boulder of a man at about five eight, left his feet as distance flashes tore across the sky. A few fish spilled and smacked the ground with a wet thud! That was enough to send the big man face down into the deck, as he slid on the bundle at his feet.

“Gawd’dam it!” He yelled.

Lydon roars with laughter. “We’ve been doing this for the past five years or so and you're still not used to a little light show?”

The long blonde-haired man, a few inches taller than Grant, tosses a fish onto Grant's bald head, with a wet plop it almost sticks to his head.

“Ugh…son of a… My favorite, hitting the deck and getting a taste of salt.” Grant mumbled. The fish that was thrown onto his head slid off the front of his face. With a quick squeeze around its scales, it was promptly chucked back into the depths.

Salt trickled into his mouth and into his eyes. Not much he could do but wait for the taste to pass. It was impossible to not rub the irritated skin and the need to try and spit the taste away.

A few deep crabs that had been caught scuttled across the deck. Their claws in the air, gesturing a defensive posture. The crew watched them as they scooted off back into the ocean.

Maxwell shook his head, with a shit eating grin.

“Alright you two fools, let's hurry it up and get all these fish stored, that storm looks like it might hit us sooner than expected, let's not get tossed around out here in this salt tub when it hits. It will probably last most of the night, so let’s get prepared.”

Solace the shortest of the bunch nods, finishes his part in storing the fish quickly.

“I’m not going to risk almost getting tossed overboard, like last year, this time fellas, see ya at the table!”

Solace dashed towards his quarters.

Inside the cabin, Solace sat at the bottom of the stairs shivering in fear. The voices of his friends became distant. His thoughts quickly raced to when he got thrown off the boat. The deep blue blocking sight. As he thought this the lights in the cabin dimmed. Hands trembled as he tried to collect himself.

Helix raised his brows and sent a glance at Maxwell.

“I don’t blame him. It looked like he was going to just go right through the railing last time, luckily, he was just tall enough to ping pong off.”

Maxwell nodded. “We got really lucky, not sure how we would have been able to pull him back in with those winds, and high waves.”

With a slick hand, he gripped the cold iron railing. The cold on top of being wet already, sending chills all over.

Tobias finished reeling in other cast that had been left out and gathered up the bait boxes.

“Alright.” Sighed Tobias.

“Our last day out here and we get to enjoy our trip back to the sound of the ancient ones having a spout.”

“Hopefully they will keep it to a minimum tonight.” said Helix.

Maxwell and he headed for their cabins below after setting their fish nets on the part of the boat that led to the storage freezer.

Grant, still recovering from his fall, spat out some salt water on the deck and rubbed his temples. Lydon came over and gave him a pat on the back and picked the net of fish he dropped. The three remaining on deck cleaned up, setting aside barrels and sending the rest of the nets down for the trip home. After all the tangles of net were picked up, the loose fish returned to the sea, they stood and looked out to the sky. The last rays of the sun, piercing the clouds still giving off that warming orange glow, began to fade and the light began to fade. The clouds from earlier were fast approaching and that sped up the amount of light they had left.

“I’m going to go on in and get cleaned up, see you all in a bit.”

Grant walked off, sun shining off his head.

“You and Helix got us a nice catch this year, gives a good sendoff. Lydon said smiling.

“Yes, it was, to end a half decade of doing this without bloodshed from the teeth that thing was packing? Heck yeah.”

Tobias grinned. Letting out a yawn, Lydon stretched his arms and straightened his life jacket, a light drizzle began to fall.

“Alright, that’s the signal to head in Lydon said”.

“Yep, good timing on that part, I am going to stay out here just a moment longer, don’t worry about the poles, I’ll grab them. Lydon said no more, giving out a yawn and a nod, he headed inside.

Tobias walked over towards the railing and leaned against it, staring at the storm clouds. As long as we don’t flip over, or have something strange happen in years past, we will be fine, he thought. He gathered the fishing poles and headed to his quarters but felt the wind tickle his neck and stopped. Something was drawing him to turn around. Gold dust fluttered into the air and with a quick swipe it was ripped from the air. The coin evaporated, leaving specks of gold as it fell to the deck. Tobias couldn’t believe his eyes and ran a hand across his face. It was Mathias one of the former crewmen that came with them every summer. Always flipping the darn coin in the air. The wide brim hat all hiding his face. One day they hoped a chance for justice would come for them. Mathias had been taken away violently. There was nothing that could have been done. Tobias pushed the thought out.

The clouds covered the last flickers of light and Mathias was gone. Outside the wind started to pick up and brought along the rain. Rushing water splashed against the ship's windows and gusts battered the flag of their hometown. Lightning zipped through the sky and thunder bellowed in the distance. The clouds had begun to mash together and look as though they were falling, almost as if they were being funneled into the sea. Below, the others were in their rooms changing out of their wet clothes for the final time this month. Tobias set down the fishing poles against the wall and the tackle boxes back in the cupboard. Lights in the living quarters were dim but bright enough to see well. Canned soup, bread, crackers and some rum were on the table.

One More Night of finest cuisine on the ship, what a shame. Grabbing a bottle of water from the cupboard, he chugged it and tossed it in the trash. Tobias grabbed dry cloth and wiped the water off his beard on the way to his cabin.

Last time I got to smell and taste the salt and fish from my stash, till next year. Thank god.

He and the others did not mind doing the work at all, after about three or so weeks you become indifferent and crabby towards the sea. Looking into the bathroom mirror inside his small room, he peeled out deep bits of seaweed that got wedged into his hair, along unknown bits with some guts from the deep. Fresh non salted water now spilled out into the sink as he motioned his hands over the sensors. Ducking the whole of his head into the sink, he washed his face trying to get out all the days’ worth of salt. Eyes still sealed and taking a few steps back, face drenched once more, he reached out to grab a towel. He raised his eyelids slowly, wiping off all the water on his face—or tried to.

After being out at sea for so long it feels pointless, you are almost always soaked. Grabbing his flannel shirt and nightwear from his traveling case, he took out an old-fashioned magazine in the side compartment he brought from home. There was still plenty of time before they reached home, and he was not in a huge hurry to eat dinner. “A Mechanized Future” the title, he flipped to where last leaving off at. The last chapter and began to read.

Thunder and lightning tore through the atmosphere.

If the gods were real, they really have it out for each other tonight. Tobias thought.

Like a shield deflecting a blow from a sword. The sparks from the clash lighting up the darkened sky. Thunder punched through the air. The roar, if not for a moment seemingly stopped the eternal swaying of the ocean.

Digitalizing the soul and consciousness. The chapter headline read. Crazy Times we live in, technology advances so quickly, Tobias thought. It sucks being inside a piece of metal, like in this ship right now, can't imagine life being a lumbering piece of scrap with a soul. At least there is the option to end indefinite life that is possible, after moving vessels.

Tobias began reflecting: Thankfully he and the crew live in a secluded part of the world. Surrounded by mountains and forest, the sea at their back. Clausum Mare, his home is quite archaic compared to the rest of civilization now. Sure, it has slowly developed and absorbed technology, and influences from the rest of the world. The world has changed as technology ran rampant and began developing faster than anyone could have ever expected up to the late turn of the century.

Tobias flipped the page slowly. His fingers were a bit wet still, causing the pages to slip in his grasp. Lightning crashed outside, lighting up the inside of his small room for a moment. A picture frame of him and his dog, Onyx lay atop his packed case. The left side page of the magazine showed all the recent advancements. While the right had a few paragraphs dedicated to each one. His favorite bit was on the section of trackless trains. It read:

Keep on chugging! Enjoy new adventures on The Spear of Flight! Comfortable lounging, free connection to the I.C.H.N, free accommodation for all passengers (Please see terms and agreement before taking board.) even those that are made of flesh! There will be no tolerance for harassment aboard our vessels. Please keep that in mind as any inconvenience may ruin the trip for all traveling. All of this is recorded and kept confidential and reported to the proper outlets. With new technologies BALLISTIC, INC. is proud to introduce this train to the world. With over one hundred sensors along the train, it is able to detect trouble and collisions in all directions. Equipped with precise computing modules that constantly update route advisory. In this way there is no need to worry about reaching your destination as there will be no sudden stops or delays. Built to reroute at the slightest bit of trouble. From ground to air traffic, herds of wild animals to mudslides. Come aboard today to see and feel a new perspective across the world!

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

With a smile and a turn of the pages, he came across the main hub of this technological boom. Grayland. That took the smile away rather quickly. People in Grayland let go of their natural forms long ago. Their goal was and still is to evolve, strive and push the limits of nature. His mind wandered away as he frowned through some of the pages. Mostly those involving the process of leaving the body. He did not want to imagine his mind going on indefinitely through a form other than his own. Even though it is possible to stop existence at anytime.

Mechanized cities, sprawling spires of metal. Flying Cars, trackless trains, and airplanes are faster than ever. Robots build and maintain just about everything. Nuclear power is the main source of electricity, cell phones people relied on in the past are now long gone. All that is required is a chip inside. Mostly tucked into the body, any part will do. That allows for calls communication as high and far as the upper atmosphere. A hologram will form based on the user's body.

It is oddly scary how real it can feel. Some have experienced the feeling of solid touch. It is not an exact technology but it is evolving every day. It is all begging to gather seamlessly for humans to be interconnected. Good or bad, no one knows for certain as we continually adapt as fast as possible to these changes. Now at least people can be less distracted than the already are. Do people really need more control taken out of their hands? Sure it makes life easier, all advancements have helped us. What does an individual do once all routine tasks are out of their hands? There has to be a limit to progression. Where will that end for humans? When the line is crossed what will life as humans see it, be defined as?

Viewings from the older times on the I.C.H.N (Interconnected human network) on a visit to Grayland. People would be so soaked up in their handheld devices and do the dumbest things imaginable. Most of it revolving around not paying attention to their surroundings, walking and running into traffic, crashing into others, and everything around them. Those people seemed to be out of their minds, maybe a metal body would have suited them more as the technology sure did not seem to help them.

In many parts of today’s world many people have abandoned their shell, the human form. Many choose to keep the appearances as humans, as others change into whatever they wish for their metal foundation. Most choose to resemble humans because it is still embedded inside the mind. Some even choose to “live” inside a system in their mind, or “soul” still continuing on. Some of those that do explore the stars through these means. They are simply referred to as the settlers, who set up safe passages between worlds. Most of this is kept behind closed doors. Only certain info that is fed out, is what is currently known. It would be fascinating to see how all of it is done.

Turning to the end of the magazine there is a picture of a wormhole with the caption, “What's next, can humans dive deeper into another reality?”

Finally finished with it rolling his eyes, Tobias chucked it into the corner of his cabin. Pressing his face against the window, looking out into the black, waves splashing up against the window and listening to the rumble of thunder. The tumbling of giant waves became soothing. However, from being out on the deck a few times during the past few years it was insanity. The fear of drowning and being lost to the sharks, whales, stryilns, squid and other deep horrors made everyone cling to their life vest, often.

Alright it's probably about time to get some food in me then pass out. The others should be out there already, can't wait to get into my own bed again. I hope Onyx is doing alright and not causing Ektros much trouble.

Ektros, a robotic AI that serves as a watcher, or whatever you need it to be. For Tobias needs it took the form of him. To watch over his dog while he was away on these long annual trips.

Out in the hall of the snapper the lights Illuminated the walls, a map of the world lay in between two of the lights. They had marked all of their adventures as coordinates for fishing, the best and worst spots. Not all of the time was spent out at sea, as sometimes they docked to the closest body of land. Everyone had different rooms on different sections of the ship, three on each side. Grant and Maxwell had been on this side, both of their doors left open. Passing by another door with a large seal with a hat on simple reading, “COMMAND”.

This was the engine room. The quiet mechanisms humming, a welcome sound. Steeping around the corner and out to the table everyone else had gathered and begun eating. The Snapper cruised through the stormy waters, on an autopilot course back home. Being equipped with some of the newer technology was a real convenience, everyone could go about their business and what not while ships make their way to their charted course. The table, as it is called in the middle of the cabin sunken into metal, which has grooves that act as a seat to have food. This keeps everything flat on the ship to deal with the rocking of the waves. Powered by an anti-gravity device below the table, it keeps everything inside the ship from flying all over the place. No need to worry about spilling drinks and getting food on someone’s face every time a wave hurdles the boat. Outside, not so much as the invisible field only extends from the back of the ship, to the deck.

Solace, already having a head start from heading in first, is leaning back in the “seat”, since he is so short, he almost perfectly sits inside.

The others had been sitting normally, as the seats automatically adjusted to their preferences. While quietly eating their last seafaring meal. Tobias took some bread and soup out of the cupboard along with some cheese in the small refrigerator that lay to his left. Glasses of water had been filled and been set at the table already. Snacking on some bread, he popped a can of soup in a canister holder, that started to heat up the soup. The holder begins to turn a light orange color, as the soup bubbles up.

“I will get this out of the way right now. What do you think is going to happen this year, if anything?” Solace said.

Maxwell let out a cough choking on bread, while Helix and Grant let out a groan. Lydon, nearly spitting warm soup out of his nose.

“Didn’t we already talk about this before we left Mare?” Grant asked.

“I know I know, but this trip has been so smooth so far, nothing out of the ordinary and we are just a few hours out till we get back,” Solace replied. “I still think it's a setup man, they are after us, Archveil”.

“Let it go, Solace. For Mathias at least.” Tobias said.

“That’s impossible”, Grant replied. “I’ve told you this already but we are not getting any imports at the factory. We haven't been able to get any molten metal from them for at least five decades now. Where they are on the map does them no favors either. Most countries nearby have their eyes set on them. They are not going to be able to slip out any time soon. Those stories you heard are old Sol, it's not happening”.

Grant went back to eating his soup.

“But—”

“That’s enough, Solace, drop it There has been no new news.” Maxwell interjected.

“Any other news for us that we should know, Mr detective, Grant quickly asked”.

“Nothing of note, no signs of activity of others trying to breach into Clausum, through mountains or sea and nothing from the apex either. Just Grayland continuing their expansion of metal cities.”

Solace, dejected, said, “what about three years ago, that was some crazy stuff.”

“What did I just say?” Tobias sighed and his head sank to his lap.

It was the middle of summer, and it was another typical day of catching fish out in the Wild Sea. The sun was beating down and the sea was calm. Everyone was kicking back with their lines drawn hoping for a decent catch. Another ship was approaching about four clicks away.

“If they are scaring off a good catch, I’m going to hook line and sink those bastards” Grant snarled.

“Easy there we got plenty of time to get a good stash going. If they ask us for a good spot though, then yea we are going to sink those fools,” Lydon said.

They were not asking for directions, as far as they could tell no crewmembers were out working on the boat. The red and black boat was slowly chugging towards the Snapper. “They are going to ram us if they keep up the pace, let's set up to fire if we need to, said Grant”.

“I bet you they are just thrilled to see other people out here. I mean, you guys are great company and all. But it's nice to get to see some new faces!” Mathias said. Narrowing the brim of his big brown hat and tossing a coin in the air.

“I’m sure they will. Just like every other time you’ve tried to hail a boat.” Tobias said.

“They just end up passing by.”

That made Mathias lips pursed together in a frown. He flipped his coin a few more times.

“Is that not going overboard? We could end up in serious trouble after firing.” Solace remarked.

“No it will be justified, it is their duty to hail us through the proper channels if there is a malfunction on the boat. Even then a fail safe would have stopped it from going rogue.” Helix said .

Sighing, Helix took out a small rectangular device. A remote that controlled the ship and its settings. He swiped and went through the settings, setting up the port side cannon. Materializing out of the side a small cannon formed. As this was mainly a fishing vessel, it should be enough to do the job to either stop or get their attention. The Stingy Snapper slowly turned and faced the oncoming ship.

“They better have just accidentally increased the speed. I bet some rookie screwed up,” said Grant.

The ship, about a cast throw away now was finally slowing down but not enough as it closer and gently ran into the snapper. Everyone braced for impact as the ship rocked ever so slightly.

“Idiots, that could have been so much worse,” Lydon said, walking towards the railing. The deck of this red and black ship was certainly a sight to see. “What in the hell?”

Everyone gathered next to him to look. The deck was covered in blood. Dead animals lay all over the top of it. Octopus strung out, some of their tentacles cut off. Fish stacked, most of their flesh gone. Sword fish speared into each other. Sharks were also onboard dead, their fins torn off as they hung along the door to the cabin, almost like hunter's trophies. Blood dripping out of their mouths, with their bottom teeth missing and eyes gorged out.

Silence washed over the gruesome sight before them. Some piles began to move, and everyone froze. Fish were being moved aside and a hand broke out from under all the dead fish. As the crew's eyes widened, a hand shot up, grasped for leverage. Someone was lifting themselves out.

A man came out covered in blood. Standing on top of the pile he looked at the sun and released a painfully raspy yell. Turning around his gaze fell upon The Snapper’s Crew. He had a missing eye, his uniform torn to bits. Missing both ears, massive holes in his arms, his chest deeply cut, his flesh a reddish, purple color as well as swollen legs. He yelled at them for help as he collapsed straight ahead, his knees buckling under him.

“What the…” Helix said, mortified. Tobias was scanning the boat looking for any other kinds of movement, nothing.

“Let's hurry and get him out of there!” Solace yelled.

Mathias flipped his coin, jumped up on the railing, then launched himself across. He grasped the coin, tossed it in the air several times and shoved it in his pocket.

Woo wee. What a tangle we got here. This is not how I wanted to meet another person out here. Mathias said as he quickly made his way to help the man. As he passed lifeless eyes and soulless bodies.

In that moment all the fear had left Solace to help this stranger. Worrying about himself became the last thing on his mind. Tobias could only watch his friends jump into action. He was frozen in doubt and disbelief. Dealing with dead animals back on land was a part of his job as a ranger. This was too much. The smell of blood, salt and decay hit instantly and nearly made him wretch.

Lydon had his mouth wide open. Going into a squatting position against the rails.

Grant in the meantime tried to run his hands through the now missing hair on his head. Eventually they found the surface of his scalp. Firmly he kept them there.

Now I’ve seen a mess. Seen some rather gruesome injuries, even a few deaths at the forge. Nothing can compare to this though. Grant thought.

Since the two boats had collided, they did not have to worry about wasting time to get over to the man. They brought their ship just a tad closer. Helix and Solace climbed over the railing to help the man out. Both having almost bit it upon slipping on the mass of fish. Kneeling next to him they each grabbed an arm and pulled him to his feet. He was wearing a badge; it had an octopus entangling a globe.

“This is the badge from Ovoroth,” Solace noted.

Ovoroth, a huge island down south known for its powerful navy and trade for rare deep-sea minerals only found along the island.

The man was muttering and shivering uncontrollably.

“It’s coming, don’t let it get me,” he kept murmuring.

Behind them the dead mass of fish was rising, and a metallic claw smashed down behind them. With snarling metal teeth, a screeching mechanical sound came out as it rose. Leaping out, it furiously swiped its tail back and forth sending piles of fish into the air. Its body, a long mass of rusted brown with what appeared to mimic scales along its hardened body. Its black eyes stared right at them, focused and ready to kill. Its golden brown mane could be briefly hinted at behind all of the blood. Its tusks were drilled into the deck unable to fully get them out.

“SHIT, GET BACK HERE NOW!” Tobias yelled.

Solace, Mathias and Helix wasted no time and quickly started dragging the man back towards their ship. The creature thrashing as hard as it could shook the ship attempting to break free.

“SNAP”, one of the tusks had shattered while flailing about. Free from being lodged into the ship, it lunged towards the four. As they hurried back to the ship, it stuck out its forked tongue. Everyone attempted to lift the badly beaten stranger into the boat, while the others grabbed to pull him in.

The man's body went limp, as the forked tongue pierced once through the man’s chest. His only eye popped out from the force, right into Lydon’s hands.

He puked all over himself in that instant and dropped the eye on deck. The others lost their grip as the mechanical horror drug him back on deck and tore him apart with its claws.

With its prey now fully dead, it began to feast. Its forked tongue appearing to soak up the blood. Helix and Solace quickly jumped back. With Mathias still on deck who yelled in pain.

“What are you doing hurry Mathias hurry!” They all frantically yelled at him to hurry.

He stared at them with disbelief. Not one, but both of his feet had been pierced through the middle. Claws anchored into the side. From another beast. Had to have been as the other charged at the boat. His will to speak was gone.

Looking up at the jostling from the sound of the Snapper moving back. The beast charged across the boat, its every step sending wooden splinters and fish flying off the sides. With a gaping mouth it dislodged its jaw as wide as it could and bit into the middle of Mathias. His last moments he could only hear the yelling from his friends, as everything went dark. His body was furiously ravaged against the deck before the beast stumbled before the Snapper. The grinding of steel pierced their ears as its head smashed through the railings. An oily and blood-like substance began to stream out of its mouth into the sea. As Mathias body hung lifelessly in its jaws for a moment, before falling into the water. Helix quietly signaled for mayday, as Lydon stared down at the eye covered in vomit.

The others just stared in disbelief, frozen looking over this creature and what had happened to their friend. The top of Mathias' feet stood in place where impaled. The rest of his body was gone. His hat fallen to the side, soaking in blood.

In a rush Helix quickly took out his device to move the boat away, while signaling mayday. The pincers that pierced through the bottom of the horrific boat, withdrew its grasp. With a powerful rip it tore back down into the sea, Mathias’s feet going along with it.

Spectacles of light continued their display through the night. The sound of thunder continued its bombastic yell. For the lightning, it threatened to permanently paint the sky as it fell. The crew was silent. until Grant spoke up, ever so slightly.

“Rest in peace. Good buddy.” He said, wiping away tears. The others tried to keep their emotions in. Tobias' head was sunken to the floor.

“Yea, I’d rather not think about that right now, Solace. I can still feel that guys eye in my hand thank you very much,” Lydon said, grimacing.

No one else had anything to say, trying to finish their meal in peace.

“Sorry, I couldn’t help but think what if it came back or was still out there,” Solace said.

“Solace, forget it for now. After we sent out the S.O.S and had rescue crews examine it, was taken to the forge to be broken down. For some reason its body just stopped. We saw it die, it's done.” Grant said, punching his seat in frustration. His face was reddening with anger. Solace knew it was time to shut up and fell silent.

“We only got about an hour left till we hit the dock and you bring up the nightmare fuel, thanks,” Lydon said.

Other things have happened in the past few years, nothing quite violent as that though, Tobias thought.

As the crew finished their dinner, avoiding further talk about what happened in the past, the thunder had finally stopped. Almost breaking free of streak with no eventful things happening this summer, a loud crash was heard on the deck. Solace ducked in his seat and covered his head.

“Oh no. Oh shit I JUST DOOMED US DIDN’T I. WE ARE GONNA DIE,” Solace said trembling and shaking.

“Calm down, it could have just been a wave. If you have just cursed us however and we end up dying, the first thing I’m going to do is cut you in half with a sword fish when we are in the afterlife, Tobias said. “Helix, let's go check it out”.

“Just a wave, sure, sure that sounds reasonable, that is a familiar sound during the storm, it will be fine”. Solace said to himself wide eyed.

Tobias and Felix both grabbed short whaling spears and started towards the door. Just before the door both looked at each other and nodded. Tobias went to open the door but it wouldn't open.

“What the?” Tobias looked lost. “Did you lock us out of here Helix?”.

“No. Why would I do something that stupid, hang on, let's see what happened.” Helix said.

Taking out the device for the ship once more, he realized it was dead. No light shone from it. Pressing down on the screen to power it up, nothing. It was dead. They looked at each other stumped and turned towards the others.

“Well at least if “it’s” out there, you know what never mind nothing good is going to happen regardless” Grant said.

“Good way to stay positive, Grant,” said Lydon.

“Shit, shit, shit. SHIT.”

Solace was losing his mind now. Some of the lights started to dim, then shattered.

“Solace my brother, blood is on your hands when we all die,” Lydon laughed nervously.

“Arghhhhhhh!”

Solace was now in the fetal position, rocking back and forth. Pitch black In the cabin, it began to glow red.

“Sweet is the emergency power coming back on!?” Grant said.

“I don’t think so,” Tobias and Helix said at once. “Look at the ceiling.” A red, blackish ooze began to fall, forming a puddle on the floor. Flooding down the color began to take shape.

“Well, this is it guys, good times.” Maxwell said, standing up and backing against the cabin walls.

The mass began to take a more defined and clearer shape, almost human-like. Its arms bulky and deformed, like they were about to explode. It formed a mouth, but no other features came.

“Harpoons!” Tobias whispered to Helix,

They did not need them much on their journeys as they were only used to help and remove foreign objects from gigantic sea life. Now was the perfect time to use them. Tobias' head began to sweat as he slowly took a few steps to his left.

The mouth on the unknown form in front of them, began to shift slightly. To Grant and Maxwell it looked like a sinister, empty smile. It rotated around the shape of its head. The mouth reacted to every step Tobias took. Still unmoving as the walls turned a darker shade of red. Other than the rapid beating of their hearts, the thunder roared with triumph and the waves rose threatening to send them to the depths.

When Tobias stopped, so did the mouth. It was focused right on him. The feeling of dread was indescribable. Thump, thump, thump, thump. Pain gripped the heart as sweaty hands tried to keep a handle on the harpoon.

Helix, wide eyed, placed his left foot in front of this thing, ready to strike. Licking his dry lips nervously.

Tobias aimed for the head. Muscles tightened as hard as they could as he lined up the kill shot. But as he focused, something else began to take shape. An eyeball began to form inside the mouth. From the bottom half the white of the eyes began to form.

“On two!”.

They both lunged their harpoons at the mass. Both struck, one hitting the head and the other through what would be the neck area. It just stood there unaffected by the weapons. Veins of red traced across the murky white eye. The harpoon struck right through, where the iris would be. Which could faintly be seen from the glow going off around them. It made a loud moaning sound, still doing nothing. The spears lodged into its body suddenly started to dissolve. It turned slowly, observing the two attackers. Staying still, mouth agape, its body started to bubble. Every part of its body began to swell up. A loud groaning gurgling sound blurted out. Growing louder and louder, its gurgling was mixed with mechanical screeching.

It took one step towards the two and exploded.

The lights slowly began to return to their brightness. R74ed and blackish bits started flying around, they simply disintegrated. The smallest flicker of gold dust faded with the rest. Nothing remained of what had just taken shape. Nervously looking around, no one moved or spoke. Not until the ship announced they were now back in Clausum Mare. Tobias wiped the sweat off his forehead.

“Wow what a ride. Thanks for the jinx, Solace,” he teased.

Solace was still rocking back and forth. Fear had taken over. Hands shook violently almost as a fever had taken over. Before him all he could see was the poor man he tried to help. Blood painted across the innards of the cabin, stained to his hands. Out of the corner of his eye, Grant's body lay dead on one side. Mathias on the other. Eyes rolled back into his head and outstretched fingers pointed in his direction. Trying to stay calm, his amber eyes meet a single eye against the blood stained wooden deck.. It was brown and gazing back up at him. He lost his mind. Trapped on that boat, doomed to be the next victim of that monster.

“NO!” he shouted. He lunged forward trying to escape this nightmare.

Two strong hands stopped his movement. Slowly bringing his eyes up from the deck, Maxwell and Grant both had a hand on him.

“You alright there Sol?” Maxwell said.

“I–I think so. Grant, I saw you dead just a moment ago.”

“Well, you can hear and feel can't you? Alive and well over here.”

Grant gave him a sucker punch to the shoulder. Solace frowned and acknowledged the blow silently.