Novels2Search
The Red Snowman
The Cosmic Ray

The Cosmic Ray

Far in space, a manta ray continued its nomadic life. It traveled from a purple twirl to a purple twirl, searching for food and new wonders.

After years of travel, the manta ray stopped in front of a colossal blue yeti and asked.

"Where are we?"

The yeti lowered its large eyes and responded. - "Above the stone ocean. You are at the boundary of the unknown."

"What is the boundary of the unknown?"

"The place where rules and laws no longer apply. Be wary of monsters or turn back."

The manta ray was not shaken. - "I am not afraid. I've traveled between purple twirls before stars were even born."

"Then, here, you're still a child." - The yeti spoke in a deep voice. - "I won't warn you no more, it is your choice."

Manta didn't listen and continued her journey. She witnessed how stars died and fell, crashing into the stone ocean. She traveled through strands of time, where the causation of events wasn't in harmony with their order. She ventured deep inside steel gratings, where strange machinery ruled the world. Nothing would stop her, nothing would diminish her courage, bravery, and desire for knowledge.

At last, manta ray arrived at a rubbish dump below the city of light.

On an island, she noticed a mermaid there, waiting in silence.

"Where are we?" - The manta ray asked.

With her pretty green eyes, the mermaid looked at manta, then answered. - "In the bubble sea."

"Understood. What are you doing here, alone?" - The manta ray asked, again.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"Waiting for friends."

"How long are you waiting?"

"Seven long years."

"That's too long. I can take you up, to the city above, your loneliness will end there."

"No, thanks. I will wait."

Manta ray didn't insist and continued her travel for long years, until she became hungry. She landed in the middle of endless fields of white wheat. Hungry, she began to devour all plants around her.

"NEEEEIIGHHHH." - A group of horses surrounded the manta ray, they didn't want manta here. It was their pasture.

"Your inhospitality shall not go unpunished. You didn't allow me to feed myself in peace, so I curse you for eternity. Your hunger shall never perish and your bellies will be rotten by poison."

As manta ray said, as was destined. The cursed steed scattered in all directions of the boundary of the unknown, looking for food that would fill their ever-craving stomachs.

Manta continued her travel, she once again traveled over the stone ocean, but this time she was far away from any sign of civilization. Large stones fell slowly floated down from the sky and submerged in stone waters, creating large ripples, which caused air to shake with a loud echo.

The manta ray was annoyed by the noise, so she fled towards the most silent part of the ocean.

There was a small isle with a wooden house, and white smoke rose above its chimney.

The manta paid no attention to it and landed, crushing the house.

"Peace, at last." - The manta ray told herself.

"Excuse me." - A voice of small being bothered the manta.

"Begone. I need rest from all that racket." - The manta rudely disregarded the intruder.

"(Cough) Please, could you get up! You ruined my house."

"Show some hospitality. I flew for years in that loud noise, my ears are hurting. It's the only place where I can lie down."

"But it's my house! I live here!"

"My ears still hurt, cease your voice."

"But..."

"...so be it, you didn't allow your neighbor to rest, so I curse you with being unable to ever sleep at ease. You shall be forever haunted by nightmares. Now, I shall be gone."

...and the curse worked, but the manta ray didn't know who has she cursed.

The next day, her victim had a nightmare, but that nightmare came to life.

Creatures with thousands of eyes, tentacles, and mouths appeared, floating over the far stone ocean. They were far larger than the manta ray and devoured her in a single bite.

That was the end of the manta ray, but it was only the beginning of nightmares.