Hoori had told her to stay below deck until he signalled for her to come up. The sea was calm like just before a storm rolls in. Otohime tried to gather her thoughts. The ship’s progress slowed.
The door opened and Hoori beckoned her up. “Are you ready?” he asked as she ascended the stairs towards him. The ship had stopped just outside the gates, stopping them from closing again. From here Otohime could see many soldiers were still searching along the docks and on the moored boats.
An alarm sounded above them and two men indicated that they needed to move the boat out of the way so that the gates could be sealed.
“I am as ready as I will ever be.” She took a deep breath and let her body shift. She coiled herself around Hoori, as there wasn't enough room on the deck for her. Her tail fell into the sea and she held onto the mast with her claws.
The alarm changed, proclaiming the threat to the city. Otohime roared and sent waves crashing into the dock. Every person in the harbour turned in her direction. Many backed towards the safety of the city. Some lifted their guns and started firing, but their bullets fell short.
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With them all watching, she began to pull the water away from the city. It came slowly at first, but then in a faster and faster rush. The boats dropped down until they sat on wet sand. She kept pulling it back, raising Hoori’s boat on the giant swell.
Now empty, the turbines slowly ground to a stop with a long groan. The electrical buzz of the generators died away. The sea below her was ready to burst, to wash the whole city away, but she held it back.
“Return my father and the ocean's treasure to me and I will do you no harm,” she said to the city. “However, if it is not returned to the sea I will take away the very foundation of your homes.” She found the President and locked gazes with him. Bracing herself, she carefully let the water return. It rushed into the harbour and splashed up the wall of the pier, spraying sea foam over the city.
The boats were violently rocked and nearly swamped, but the waves gradually reduced in size. She let herself change back into the form of a woman, and was left kneeling on the wet, slippery deck. Hoori lifted her to her feet, “You did it!”
“I showed them my power,” she said. “And no one had to die this time. Will you bring my father and the treasure to me?”
“Of course, but where will I find you?”
“At the dragon palace,” she replied. She dove off the ship’s edge and disappeared under the water's surface.