Kain walked gingerly along the dock. Looking out into the water with a thousand yard stare. The waters seemed calm, yet ready to swell at any moment. The usual dark clouds roaming in the distance. Bumping into another dock worker, he dropped a small barrel of fish. With a groan he helped pick them up.
At least these ones looked fresh. A few more catches had turned into that black grime, sludge or whatever the heck it was. Not a good sign going forward. The docks would slowly lose production, which may lead to a shutdown. The urge to sail was raging through his mind. Weary arms and legs said otherwise. Getting too old and tired to go out for a wild ride. His gray hair blowing with the small breeze.
Climbing up wet wooden stairs, hunching over a barrel, he opened it. A fresh batch still, so he thought. With a closer look with the old set of eyes, they sank. Small bits of black sludge were seen creeping over the fish. With a quick push, the barrel fell over and all the fish spilled out. Frantically trying to separate the catch. Sliding the fish across the second floor, after minutes they had been divided.
“Filth.”
He clenched his teeth and let out a small growl. With two blue gloves he grabbed the sickened fish and chucked them back in the barrel. Splash, crack, splat! Terrible sounds as they hit the bottom. Back when he was younger, the only thing to worry about was a squid's ink covering your clothes. Along with critters of all sizes, from land and sea trying to steal your meal. This though, was out of his league.
Never seen anything like this. Hope I won't have to again. He said. He tossed the last fish, a splash of whatever was covering the fish hit his skin. Just a little bit on the upper arm. He went to give it a quick wipe off, but it sank into his skin.
“Well, screw me right?” He said.
It did not burn, itch, sting, feel cold or hot.
He was indifferent to it and grasped the top of the fallen barrel. He stood the barrel back up and covered the messy site. Down a few doors, his chamber was waiting. With a plop, he sat in a giant comfy chair. An old worn cap was at his side, with a tow boat and a view of the mountains. It was fading away but still in decent shape. His Holoframe went off and he slouched, getting comfortable. It had been from Maxwell.
Great. When he does get in contact with me, trouble is usually a brew. Kain thought. The holoframe revealed to him what he had thought. With a groan he put the cap over his eyes.
I will get it set up for them when they are here. Until then I'm resting my lazy self right-
Someone had thrown open the door. His hat flying through the air in a startled response. Two younger workers came in with flat caps over their brows. Kain eyed their hands, covered in mud.
“Now, now. What is this? A little bit of muck and you two barge in?” He asked.
“Sorry sir. The—” the boy said, being interrupted.
Kain waved his hand.
“You best be sorry. Was just about to drift away for a spell. Go on.”
“The water pipes seemed to be clogged.” The girl said. Her fingers spasmed and black ink fell to the floor.
He shook his head at the kids.. These two siblings brother and sister always running the errands. Who knows what Tom the massive spud was doing. Obviously he was not making the proper calls, hence this situation.
“Alright Beth, Bowen. What's with the sudden intrusion?”
“Tom is actually trying to clear the jam. He was helping us out. For once.” Bowen said.
Kain felt like he was stuck in the middle of an earthquake. He could not believe he had gotten off his rocker! Nearly falling face first out of his chair.
“He says there is some weird black liquid gushing out. Not a lot. Just now and then there will be squirts of it. Said to warn you.”
“Oh you have got to be kidding me. Alright let's take a look.” Kain said.
The two spun around and waited for him outside the door. Picking up his hat he stood there looking at them and let out one of the longest sighs of his life.
This better just be oil, or something else. Not in the mood for this nonsense. Kain thought, following the kids.
Only way to catch up is to either fall down the stairs, or just throw myself over to the bottom.
With one hand on the hip, he hobbled along. Across the damp wooden docks small gust made their way through. Adjusting the cap, eyes falling to the sails and the clouds. All was calm, nothing out of the ordinary. Taking the cap off he sighed in relief, believing it was a good sign. The wind tossing his scraggly gray hair.
Ahead of him Beth and Bowen climbed the stairs. His knees begging him to sit. For another ten minutes he walked. Across the docks workers gathered their belongings from the ships. Preparing to settle down for the rest of the year. Some others remained, mostly workers fixing the infrastructure. Along with a few mechanical companions. At least they were programmed to focus on the job. AI and other advancements not causing them to clash. Not in this area, yet at least.
On an incline, not far above the shore a big man was smacking at one of the large drain pipes. From the angle he was at, not much water was coming out of it. Big Tom was hammering away, wiping his brow after every swipe. It was a shock he bothered to keep his hat on. Must be scorching hot. The most work he has done in ages.
The two kids awkwardly approached him, shrinking their shoulders and standing a good distance away from him. With careful steps, Kain eventually caught up to them and got to see Tom's glorious face. Sweat was dripping off his face. His shirt turned colors as he was soaked. Huffing and puffing he took another swing, at what looked to be some sort of clay blocking the pipes. Dropping his pickaxe, arms swayed as Tom hunched forward, out of breath.
“Holy mother above.” He said panting, hands grasping his knees
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“What a sight. I am honestly surprised you decided to move again. Am I dreaming?” Kain said.
Tom slowly turned around to Kain. His face red and belly hanging out.
“Ya lost some chum there pal.” Tom said.
“Oh shut it. I do not want to hear it from you right now.” Kain replied.
“You’re telling me.” Tom said. He tried to dry his soaking face.
“At least you do not have to worry about your guts falling out.”
“Please. That happened decades ago.”
Must be everything in that gut trying to escape.”
“I, I- ca, can't right now.”
Tom lay with his back on the mix of mud and concrete. With heavy breaths and sighs of relief.
“Th-that chilly feeling. So good.”
“If you cannot get up on your own. I will make sure no one on this dock helps up.” Kain said walking by and giving him a light kick in the side.
“So, here it looks like we have a giant wall of clay and gunk. People are walking by this all the time. Your area is just on the other side. How did you three allow this to build up?”
“We … we didn’t. Been out here since early this morning trying to clear the block. Thought we could handle it without letting you know.” Tom said.
“How noble. Good work, kids. I’ll reward you both for the effort. Did Tom actually help?” Kain said.
“This morning he did help us. Not right away. About an hour after we tried to do it ourselves.” Beth said.
“It’s true.” Bowen chimed in.
Kain looked like he saw the reaper. Absolutely stunned.
Rolling onto his back again, Tom couldn’t get up. He lifted up his shirt. A scar had sliced across him. From the lower part of his stomach, almost up his chest. Hands over it, he tried to rubbing the scar to ease the aching.
Kain awkwardly got to his knees and pushed his hands away. At closer look he was not joking around. The wound seemed to have been coming undone after all this time. How was that even possible? At the lowest part of the scar, he noticed a trace amount of that black sludge flowing out of him. The rest of it swelling into a disgusting purple and red.
“Hey kids! Go fetch me some water real fast.” Kain yelled.
“Yes, sir.” The two jolted down the stairs.
“What is wrong with you?” Kain asked. He could hardly stand the stench. Between the docks, blood, oozing wounds and black gunk.
“Nothing. Just a little tired and sore is all.” Tom said, heaving.
“When did this happen, do you know there is something leaking out of you?”
“I….I don’t know. Over the past few years it has honestly just been hurting more and more. Haven't felt so great punching into this gunk either.”
“After the kids get back I will take you to the doctors.”
“Don’t worry about it. Not too long ago. They did not find anything wrong with me. Maybe an oyster or two too many. Not much else.” Tom said in slow breaths.
The kids came back, water bottles stretched out before Kains face. Taking four bottles he took them out and poured them all over Tom. For a moment he could not tell if was really getting senile, but he swore he heard the sound of hissing as the water hit him. Soaked with more water, Tom shook his face from side to side and let out a cry: WOOOOO!
“Don’t think water will ever feel that good. Thanks for the splash!” Tom said.
“Strange man. You alright to get up?” Kain said.
“Heck no. Give me a few minutes.” Tom laid stretched out again. His stomach had oozed some more but slowed as the water hit.
“Is he going to be okay?” Beth asked.
“I’m sure this walrus will be just fine.” Kain said with a forced smile.
“How did he get that scar?
“Both of us here used to be shipmates. He got this from one rowdy catch. Surprised he did not bleed out that day.”
“What was it!? Bowen’s eyes lighting up.
“Let’s have him tell you the story when he feels better. How about that?
“Fine.” Bown pouted.
The four of them took their hands and put them under Tom to lift him up. Leaving the pipes for now. Slowly walking back to Kains office. The few workers glanced up as they passed checking to see if he was alright. With a small nod, everything continued on. No one here was worried about anything really. Other than the regulars that worked here, the rest would go back home. As the stairs came into view Kain stopped and so did the others.
“Hey kids, can you do me a favor?”
“Of course.” Beth spoke up.
“I need you to get things in order for the Snapper. It’s going on another journey here soon. I will come help you after I make sure this lug is alright.” Kain said.
“Okay, will do. Anything special for its departure?”
“Yes. Make sure there isn’t a dead squid lying on deck. If it still smells, pour some neutralizers on that sucker.”
With a nod they ran off.
“Let’s get up the stairs.”
“Yes, please. Would not mind sitting for a bit.”
With an arm around Kain, the two forced themselves up the stairs. Tom staggered as they climbed. At least he was quiet for this. Focusing the rest of his energy to the peak. At the top and down the hall they went. The door was left unlocked and the two pushed it open. Tom let his grip go and he fell into the chair. Making himself at home and getting comfortable.
“You rest up in here. Will check back later today.” Kain said.
“Not going anywhere, my friend.” Tom’s eyes were closed.
“Before I do go, any idea why the pipe was blocked off?”
“Not sure. Checked the cameras last night and nothing seemed to be wrong. Just the light going off when I got in.”
“Well, alright. Last thing did you get into any contact with that black substance?”
“Got sprayed by some of it while trying to clear up the jam. Noticed little puddles here and there on the way.”
“You feeling okay?”
“Oh yeah, I’m fine. It soaked in rather fast. Just ignored it. Like water evaporating off your skin.”
“Alrighty well if there is an emergency before then, let me know and call yourself some help.”
“Got it, chief.”
Kain let out a long sigh and left his enclosure.
Back at the clogged drain. Egg sacks squirmed and hatched. Shrieks from them echoed through the tunnel.
Tobias stared straight ahead. The trees around him withered. Weeping willows around him in a wide circle. A small lake resting not too far from his feet.
Must be dreaming again. Why here? He thought. Fingers stretching out to the water. “
He lowered his gaze and the reflection of the water met him. Time spun out of control Day turned to night, and night into day. Out from the trees. Two figures began to approach him. On the other side of the lake they stepped onto the water's surface. Trying to force himself awake was no good. Just wanting to wake up. Another potential nightmare was not needed. As they got closer, he let his body rest, not fighting back.
His parents hovered over the water's surface. Not seeing either of them for so long struck a nerve. They stopped, at least then inches apart. Mother and father shoulder to shoulder. Their shoulders drooped and eyes filled with dark circles.
What did you two end up doing? He thought.
They just smiled at him. After a long pause, they spoke.
“Be careful of Grayland and the Empyerals.” His mom said. “
“Do not search for us. You will know when you find us.” His dad said.
“Keep your eyes on the s-” All at once, the vivid scene around him collapsed.
His eyes slowly opened and fixated on the ceiling.
Thanks for showing up before my trip. Of course I’m careful of Grayland and the Empyerals. What if all the material from the starlight impact, used in transforming bodies, has already taken root? It would only be a matter of time before a bomb goes off. Then we would be overrun with Archveil beast, and these so called Dividers.
Shit! He tore the covers over him and fell to the floor. The bed was much smaller than anticipated.Onyx wasn’t with him. Probably already causing a ruckus outside. He rolled up his sleeves and glanced at old scared wounds. Mostly from his time alone in the forest, learning the nature of animals. Claw marks, some deeper than others drew their way up both arms.
Really getting beat up here. Got to be more careful out there. He thought.
In the main room, Maxwell and Lydon appeared to be doing something with the Idol one. Grant jumped in front of Tobias. Bringing his face back and slowly glancing back, the welding mask hiding Grant. Onyx snuck around and stood at attention with a helmet over his face.
Lydon walked up spinning the anchor and chain around his wrist. Maxwell followed behind him.
“The idle is going to take some time. Toaster and the gang will work on it while we head out.” Lydon said.
Tobias looked over it. The barbed scorpion tail, ready to strike someone's eye out. Or poison them to death.