The old scholar had always been a man of routine, finding joy in the simplest of habits during his vacation aboard the cruise line. Each evening, he would lean against the guardrails, eyes closed, and let the crisp sea breeze envelop him. In those moments, he would imagine himself as a wandering gull, aimless yet free, gliding over the endless ocean.
One fateful evening, as he indulged in this meditative ritual, the tranquility was shattered. A sudden and ferocious tsunami rocked the ship violently, knocking him overboard. His body plummeted hundreds of feet, slamming into the unforgiving ocean below.
The impact dazed him, dragging him into unconsciousness for a fleeting moment. When he came to, his lungs burned, and his instincts took over. Kicking with desperation, he fought his way to the surface.
Bursting through the water, he gasped for air, each breath a painful reminder of his fragile state. His eyes darted around the vast expanse of sea, his heart sinking at the realization, the cruise ship was gone.
“No…” he whispered, his voice hoarse and trembling. Surely, someone must have seen him fall. The cameras, the crew, someone. He shouted, calling for help, his cries swallowed by the endless ocean.
Despair set in. The icy water gnawed at him, and his thoughts spiraled into grim possibilities: hypothermia, starvation, or worse, becoming a predator’s meal.
Before he could ruminate further, another towering wave surged toward him. The tsunami struck again, dragging him under with an almost cruel force. He struggled to keep his consciousness intact, fighting the relentless currents. When the waters finally calmed, he found himself near something unexpected.
A massive sea stone loomed before him, its dark surface punctuated by a hollow opening near its base. Was it a cavern? He had no other option. Exhausted and desperate, he swam toward it, slipping through the opening.
Inside, the air was warm, a stark contrast to the frigid ocean. The scholar collapsed onto the stone floor, shivering but alive. He didn’t know what awaited him, salvation or demise, but for now, he could rest.
---
The next morning, the sound of laughter stirred him. Groggy and disoriented, he sat up. The laughter continued, distant but distinct. Children.
“I must be losing my mind,” he muttered.
Curiosity and frustration spurred him to investigate. He emerged from the cavern to a breathtaking sight: a pristine beach, golden sands stretching out before him. Children played along the shore, their carefree giggles filling the air.
His heart raced. Was this real? Had he somehow survived and drifted to a paradisiacal haven? Or was he hallucinating, a final gift from his mind before death claimed him?
He stepped onto the sand, his bare feet sinking into its warmth. A soothing sloshing sound came from behind him.
Turning around, he froze in shock.
The cavern, no, what had been the cavern, was transforming. Long, translucent tendrils sprouted from its surface, swaying gracefully in the water. The rock-like texture faded, replaced by shimmering, gelatinous hues that shifted between blue and purple.
It wasn’t a cavern at all.
It was a giant jellyfish.
The scholar could only stare as the colossal creature slowly retreated into the ocean, its tendrils trailing behind like the tails of a ghostly leviathan. It moved with deliberate elegance, submerging itself until it disappeared beneath the waves.
His mind reeled, struggling to comprehend what he had just witnessed. Was the jellyfish some ancient, hidden guardian of the seas? Had it saved him, providing shelter in his darkest hour?
The beach remained, the children still laughing, oblivious to the miraculous creature that had just vanished into the depths.
The scholar exhaled, a shaky yet grateful smile forming on his lips. Whatever the truth was, he had been given another chance, a story to tell, a mystery to ponder, and a memory etched into his soul forever.
---
A Night at Skyrail’s Library
Kelson and Eilla sat side by side in the Library. Both were immersed in the book they were ready, titled The Helm of Mano by Jimz Dale, its pages filled with vivid descriptions of the mysterious sea creature that had fascinated generations of readers.
Kelson leaned closer to the book halfway through when they started, his finger resting on a passage describing the creature’s transformation from a rocky facade into a fluid, jellyfish-like entity. “The way it mimics the texture and form of a sea rock, then shifts so seamlessly into something almost translucent and liquid, rare and fascinating,” he noted aloud, his voice tinged with awe.
Eilla grinned, her eyes lighting up. “I know, right? And how it manipulates its body to create a space for the man to survive, it’s like it planned it all. Even with its otherworldly qualities, it made sure not to harm him or its surroundings. That kind of intelligence is... incredible.”
Kelson tilted his head, a playful smile on his lips. “Do you think it’s based on a real event, or purely fiction?”
Eilla shrugged, leaning back slightly. “I’m not entirely sure. The part about him falling off the ship and being stranded sounds plausible, like something taken from a real story or the news. But being dragged by a tsunami to what just so happens to be an unsubmerged cavern? That feels more like fate, or the author playing with destiny.”
She hesitated, her expression turning thoughtful. “And then there’s the creature itself. Did it help him out of instinct? Or something more? That’s the real mystery, both for the scholar and for us as readers. If something like that does exist in our world, it’d spark endless speculation.”
Kelson nodded, closing the book for a moment. “Fair point. Let’s pause this for now and pick it up later. We could use a break from all this fantastical thinking.”
Eilla smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “This has been really fun, though. Not many people are into books the old-fashioned way anymore. And, well...” she hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper, “I’ve never read this close with a guy before.”
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
Kelson smirked, his tone turning teasing. “Glad I could be your first. You know, this has been a fun date.”
Her cheeks turned crimson, and she flailed slightly, shaking her head. “It’s not a date!”
Feigning heartbreak, Kelson placed a hand over his chest, his expression theatrically wounded. “Wait, this isn’t a date? I’m hurt. Truly, deeply hurt.”
Flustered, Eilla stammered, “No, no! It is a date! I mean, if you want it to be.” She stopped, realizing he was grinning. “You’re messing with me!”
Kelson chuckled. “You’re so easy to tease.”
Pouting, Eilla crossed her arms. “You’re impossible.”
Changing the subject, she leaned forward, her expression turning curious. “By the way, what happened earlier at the square? I feel like that’s something we should’ve talked about first.”
Kelson’s smirk faded, replaced by a more serious demeanor. “Fenra and Cora were chasing down a guy. Turned out to be just an ordinary man, but he’d been... tainted by a Shadow-Dweller.”
Eilla’s eyes widened in shock. “Shadow-Dwellers?” she exclaimed, her voice echoing in the quiet library. Heads turned, and a librarian shushed her with a sharp glare. Eilla flushed and whispered, “Sorry. But seriously, Shadow-Dwellers? They’re supposed to stay in the Underdark. How could one be here in Skyrail?”
Kelson nodded grimly. “Exactly. The man was rushed to the hospital. Shadow-Dweller poisoning isn’t something you mess around with, it messes with a person’s streams, their life energy. He’s lucky he was caught in time.”
[So she knows about Shadow-Dwellers huh? Either she's a true bookworm to the core, or she has some interest in occultism...] He played this thought in his head.
Eilla frowned, her concern evident. “I hope he’s okay. But how in the world did a Shadow-Dweller even get here? The Eclisiarchs are supposed to keep that kind of thing in check.”
Kelson crossed his arms. “True, but no system is perfect. Sometimes cracks form in places no one expects. Even areas with residual negative energy can open pathways. All it takes is a weak or foolish medium to let something through, whether intentionally or not.”
As he spoke, his expression shifted. He stiffened, his brows furrowing as if a sudden realization struck him.
Eilla noticed the change immediately. “Kelson? Are you okay?”
He shot to his feet, startling her. “How could I forget? Dammit, I should’ve seen it earlier!”
Eilla rose too, her voice filled with concern. “What’s going on? You’re scaring me.”
Kelson turned to her, his tone urgent. “Do you have contacts at the S.P.D.F.?”
Her confusion deepened, but she nodded slowly. “I... I think so. Why? What’s happening?”
Kelson didn’t answer right away, his mind racing. Whatever realization he’d come to, it had shifted the entire mood of the evening. And Eilla, despite her concern, felt a strange thrill, like she was stepping into something far bigger than either of them.
---
A Call to the S.P.D.F.
The steady hum of the S.P.D.F. office was interrupted by the sharp trill of a ringing phone. An operator picked up the line, their voice professional yet mildly curious. “Skyrail Police Defense Force. How may I assist you?”
On the other end, Kelson’s voice came through, calm but insistent. “Can I speak to Operative Fenra? Or, if she’s not available, is Cora there?”
The operator hesitated, checking the status board. “I’m afraid both are out on assignment right now,” they replied, noting a faint curse muttered under Kelson’s breath, “Dammit.” The operator raised an eyebrow but remained silent.
Kelson pressed on. “Could I get Fenra’s contact number? I’m a close friend of hers, and it’s important.”
The operator’s tone shifted, a note of caution creeping in. “Fenra is currently engaged in a very critical mission. Why exactly are you calling, and why do you need to contact her specifically?”
Before Kelson could respond, another figure approached the operator, gesturing for the phone. The operator handed it over, and a new voice introduced itself. “This is Commissioner Darrow. I overheard your call. Mind explaining what this is about?”
Kelson greeted the commissioner politely. “Commissioner Darrow, it’s good to speak with you. If you have a moment, I’d like to bend your ear on something important.”
Darrow’s tone was firm but open. “If it’s about Shadow-Dwellers, which I understand you know something about, I’m listening. But if this is just an excuse to harass my subordinates, you’re wasting your time.”
Kelson chuckled lightly, diffusing the tension. “Fair enough. It is about the Shadow-Dwellers, and I think I might have a solution to track their movements, or at least their residual influence.”
Darrow leaned forward, intrigued. “Go on.”
Kelson explained, “When Shadow-Dwellers inhabit an area, they leave behind an energy signature, almost like a faint scent or radar pulse. However, that influence fades quickly once they leave, often making them nearly impossible to track through conventional means, unless, of course, they do something foolish enough to expose themselves again.”
Darrow’s curiosity deepened. “So you’re saying conventional methods won’t work. What’s your suggestion?”
Kelson’s voice took on a confident edge. “There’s a tool called the Moaning Eye. It’s capable of detecting even the faintest traces of energy left behind, provided it’s within a 24-hour window. With this tool, you can pinpoint the highest concentration of residual energy, which might lead you straight to the Shadow-Dweller or its point of origin.”
Darrow tapped his desk thoughtfully. “And where exactly would we find one of these Moaning Eyes?”
Kelson’s tone turned slightly playful. “Do you know any witches? They’re the ones who typically deal in artifacts like these.”
Darrow gave a low chuckle. “Witches, huh? Well, this is certainly unconventional, but it’s worth a try. If this pans out, you’ll be rewarded for your help. And I’ll be speaking with you again soon.”
“Understood,” Kelson replied. “Good luck, Commissioner.”
Darrow ended the call, a thoughtful look crossing his face. The office buzzed with quiet activity around him, but his focus was already on the task ahead, finding the artifact that might just turn the tide against these Shadow-Dwellers.
---
As the call ended, Kelson let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders relaxing slightly.
Eilla, who had overheard part of the conversation, couldn’t help but voice her curiosity. “Are you sure this Moaning Eye can actually help them?”
Kelson nodded confidently. “I believe so. My mom’s told me a lot of things, and she’s rarely wrong.”
Eilla smiled, leaning in with interest. “Your mother must be a very knowledgeable woman.”
Kelson laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “Calling her knowledgeable is the understatement of the year.”
Perhaps emboldened by the moment or a sudden surge of energy, Kelson stepped closer to Eilla. Without warning, he leaned down and kissed her softly, the action leaving her frozen in shock.
As he pulled back, Eilla remained still, her wide eyes staring at him as if trying to process what had just happened.
Kelson, unfazed, simply smiled. “We still have archives to comb through before midnight. Let’s not waste any more time.”
As he walked away, Eilla slowly brought her hand to her lips, still feeling the lingering warmth and subtle vibration from his touch. Her heart raced as her gaze briefly met his crystal-green eyes. The moment left her with more questions than answers, yet she couldn’t deny the stir of emotions it awakened.
---
Meanwhile, Fenra sniffed the air instinctively. Both she and Cora had returned to the alleyway where they’d chased their target earlier. They focused specifically on the corner where the man had made his fateful turn and likely switched hosts.
The area was quiet, with an eerie stillness settling over the darkened street, and the sharp turn of the corners could lead you to ignore the short open death end. It was clear that this corner had been a prime hiding spot, especially given how it would have been pitch-black during the evening hours.
Fenra crouched down, her eyes scanning the ground for anything out of place. Even as she unleashed her heightened senses, she could detect nothing,no lingering scent, no residual energy. The trail had gone cold.
Cora exhaled loudly in frustration. “We’re back to square one. There’s no way we’re getting anywhere with this.”
Just as she was about to say more, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She quickly pulled it out and checked the notification. Her brows furrowed in confusion as she read the message.
Fenra, noticing her partner’s reaction, tilted her head. “What is it?”
Instead of answering, Cora turned her phone toward Fenra, showing her the text from the commissioner.
Fenra’s eyes scanned the message carefully. When she finished, she let out a sigh of resignation and turned to glance at the darkened corner again.
“Well, if we must…” she muttered, shrugging her shoulders with a hint of defeat. Though reluctant, they both knew there was no other option but to follow this new lead, no matter how uncertain it seemed.