Carcass 1.5.1

The water below was murky.

Trash floated atop a thin oily sheen. Littered with discarded beer bottles, plastic bags, and other debris. A lone seagull perched on a nearby piling, it feathered were coated in a thick layer of grime, as if it had been submerged in grease.

The salty ocean wind was smothered by the smell of spoiling seaweed and fish guts, mixed with the acrid scent of rust and decay. The wooden planks, once painted a bright white, were warped and splintered. Some were missing entirely, leaving gaping holes that threatened to swallow unsuspecting feet.

Barnacles and algae clung to the water-flooded timber, graffiti covered every inch of available surface, a riot of colors and designs.

Despite its dilapidated state, Jay found comfort in its ruin. The dock spoke of simpler times. Happier ones.

It hadn’t always been this way. Once, the docks had been a bustling hub of activity, where fishermen and cargo ships alike would dock to unload their goods. The city had prospered in those days and the dock had been a symbol of its success.

But the open water was too dangerous now. Those that braved the ocean were either stupid, desperate, or brave.

Often a combination of all three.

Jay felt his hand unconsciously clench, wood splintering under his grasp.

With no use for the docks, the location slowly was abandoned. Those able to leave moved to better parts of the city, those that couldn’t were forced to remain and watch as the area deteriorated. The recently constructed West Seattle was forsaken before it was finished.

Those that ventured down to this part of the docks these days were either people with an agenda or those too poor to live in any other part of the city, squatters who squirreled themselves away in the numerous warehouses.

Only the bottom of society spent their time here.

“You ready?”

Jay turned to the voice.

Shadow Man had transported him here after his time spent with Smog. His voice was lax but hid a forceful edge.

Jay turned back to the ocean, watching the waves smash into each other.

There was a beauty in the chaotic power, one that Jay felt drawn to. He yearned to slip down into the water and leave, escaping into the freedom of the depths. It was a sharp contrast to him of yesterday.

He shook his head, he couldn’t, he wouldn’t abandon those that needed him here.

“Yeah, let's go.”

The duo walked down the concrete path, the darkness and shadows obscuring their movement. The lights had gone out years ago, and the power and electricity to this part of the city rerouted to serve a better purpose. Or what Central Pantheon and the government considered was a better purpose.

Jay and the hooded man eventually stopped behind a shipping container, their target close.

Rusted metal cranes and machinery stood like skeletons against the night sky, their gears and pulleys frozen in time. Piles of shipping containers and age-worn barrels were stacked haphazardly across the area, some of them open and spilling their contents onto the ground. Everything of value had long been scavenged away.

Within the maze of towering metal containers, the crackling glow of a fire could be seen, dancing along the walls. Hyena like laughter cackled within. The faint sound of music provided a soft background for the chatter of conversation.

Jay felt his gut clench at the thought of what he was about to do. His hands clenched tightly into fists, his knuckles turning white. He stared at the ocean, his eyes fixed on the horizon.

As he stood there, he took a deep breath, feeling the air fill his lungs and expand his chest.

“In and out, just like Dad taught you,” he whispered to himself. He moved through the rhythm with practiced motions. His exhale was a controlled and deliberate release of tension.

“Well, Levy? Don’t have all night. Urchins will scamper back into their hovels and leave. This trip will have been for nothing. Maybe I should tell Madok that you aren’t fit for the crew…” The wind whipped through Jay’s clothes but did nothing to the hooded man’s robes.

Shadow Man walked a curving line. One moment he was smiling, retorts and jokes, the next he was making subtle threats.

Jay bit back a retort, knowing it would only entice the man to sling more warnings. As much as Jay wanted to turn around and drive his fist into the man’s face, he knew it would be pointless.

He also didn’t want word reaching Madok that he was getting cold feet. Smog’s warning filled his ears.

“Just give me a second,” Jay hissed back. His face, covered by a black ski mask, did nothing to hide his eyes. The irises which had just glowed a piercing predatory amber.

The hooded man took an unconscious step backward. The shadows seemed to curl inwards for a brief moment before returning to their original, natural places.

Jay took one final look at the ocean, then stepped through the industrial prison, towards the sound of laughter and glee.

New Seattle was a dangerous place run by gangs, villains, and heroes. The latter of which could fall into the previous two categories, depending on perspective and where in the city a person called home.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Even with the oversight of the public ruling class of heroes, many others sought to steal and take from others.

Gangs ran and enforced their own rules in certain parts of the city. The farther out from the center, the deadlier it got.

And the lower south of The Docks was Urchin territory. A group of high school dropouts and wannabe gangsters from the docks that distributed low-end dope and engaged in minor illicit acts. On orders from a villain by the name of Argo. A street kid turned gang leader.

Jay didn’t have a problem with the Urchins, nor Argo, but the problem with the rising gang is that in order to carve out territory, you have to take it from others. New Seattle already had its top dogs, and something about having power and authority made people selfish, reluctant to share even the tiniest scrap.

That’s why he was here.

Jay walked into the light of the dumpster fire, the ragtag gathering of misfits and outcasts huddled together for warmth in the chilly night air. Their dirt-smeared faces were alight with smiles despite where they were. Their figures were gaunt, skin and bone, most of them looked like they hadn’t had a decent meal in days. Their clothes were torn and ripped, scrounged up from the nearest trash can. They looked barely old enough to be considered legal adults.

A few cans of non-perishables cooked over the fire. Filling the air with the smell of questionable meat and beans.

Bottles and cigarettes were handed around as they laughed and joked, escaping the troubles of New Seattle for at least one night. The faint thump of music from a radio filled in the gaps of conversation and covered the sound of Jay’s footsteps as he approached.

Jay felt his heart grow heavy in his chest. These weren’t murderers and rapists. They were just kids, trying to make the best of their situation. A situation he would have been in if he wasn’t lucky.

He took a seat on an empty barrel and listened to the chatter, searching for a reason to make his mission tonight easier. A voice shouted in his head that he was taking an unnecessary risk. He was risking his brother and himself with his moral quandaries.

“You should have heard the way he screamed! Just have to wave the gun around a bit and the dude was pissin’ his pants. Next thing I knew he was handing me his wallet and ring. Easiest things ever!” A teenager wearing a baggy sweatshirt and beanie said. An exuberant grin pulled on his lips, and his pale green eyes danced with emotion.

“Shit Johnny, you shouldn’t have gone in the inner-city, what if some supe' had noticed you?” A smaller, younger kid spoke in a hushed voice.

“If something happened to you then I-”

“That won’t happen!” The young man named Johnny interrupted. Johnny bit his lower lip and looked away. The sudden outburst had dampened the party-like atmosphere. The young kid trembled a bit, tears welling up in his eyes.

“Shit Johnny, now look what you did!” A different gang member rubbed the back of the boy who muffled his own sobs. His hands pressed against his mouth, holding back the sounds that threatened to escape.

Johnny got up from the steel beam he had been sitting on, his hand rubbed the back of his matted hair.

“Ah shit, I didn’t mean-”

“I think you should go for a bit, go see Mama Yin and ask if she needs any help.” The speaker was diminutive in size but spoke with authority. Her appearance put her age close to Johnny, but the boy instantly snapped to attention and gave a shaky nod.

“I’m sorry Quil, I won’t do it again,” Jonny mumbled under his breath before running off through the metal containers. The party was quiet for a few moments before it picked back up in speed, returning to its former tempo.

A shadow traveled along the ground, out of reach of the light of the flame.

“What are you waiting for?! Now you’re letting some getaway you’re supposed to get all of them!” A familiar voice whispered angrily in Jay’s ear. Jay shook his head and lowered his tone.

“We just need Argo, right?”

“Madok ordered you to take out the entire camp!”

“Some of them are just kids!” Jay spoke loudly enough that he finally garnered some looks. A few of the closer teenagers flinched away as they felt the atmosphere grow heavier.

“In the future just get it over with, the less talking with the targets the easier it is on the conscious.” The shadow slipped away, unseen.

“Who are you,” the small girl demanded. Her cold voice was firm and commanding, with it carried no room for argument.

Her posture was upright, her shoulders squared, and her chin held high. It was clear this woman expected her question to be answered. As she spoke her eyes never wavered, holding Jay in her piercing gray stare.

Despite her youth, she carried herself with the poise and self-assurance of someone much older and more experienced. Her hand hovered over what appeared to be a sword at her waist. Strapped together with bits of velcro and rope.

Jay could feel the air of tension growing, his heart, once slow and silent, started to pick up speed, pounding in his chest like the powerful engine of a ship.

“I’m here to inform you that you’re trespassing on Drowned territory. I’m going to ask you to leave.” Jay said, his voice calm and steady despite the way his muscles flexed underneath his baggy clothes. The air around him distorted, like asphalt on a blistering hot summer day. Those around Jay could feel the heat radiating off his body.

While the girl took a step forward, those in the circle retreated behind her steady figure. Her eyes narrowed as she studied Jay.

“And what if I say no?” She questioned. Her stance and tone already promised the threat of violence.

Jay shrugged and fingered a loose patch of his thrift shop outfit, the disposable clothes being nothing special.

“I’ll make you,” the statement was simple but filled with vehemence.

“You’re not wearing Drowned gear, you tryin’ to impress ‘em? This some sort of initiation?” The girl questioned, venom entering her voice.

“Something like that,” Jay muttered. His eyes grew unfocused.

A hospital bed, needles, wires, blood, tears, the pale face of his brother. He was doing this for a reason. He was inflicting his power upon innocents for the betterment of another.

“I don’t suppose this will end peacefully will it?”

The girl shook her head.

“Unless you leave us alone. We won’t be forced to run, not again.”

“I figured. I had wished it wouldn’t have to come to this.” Jay grabbed his shirt and pulled it off. He ran a hand through his long wavy hair. which dropped down onto his shoulders. A strong nose, a hard jar, narrowed eyes, thick eyebrows. His gaze was equal parts regret and anticipation.

“If the Drowned did send you, then you should know they’ve sent others. I’ve killed them all. You don’t look a quarter as strong as the last ones.” She sneered, pale yellow teeth emerging behind thin raw chapped lips.

Jay hadn’t heard Smog or Shadow Man speak about others. He filed that information away for later.

Even though the girl was shorter than Jay, it seemed as if she was looking down on him. Her eyebrows rose in a condescending manner, and her upper lip curled. She tilted her head to the side, goading Jay on.

“Before I kill you, what’s your name? I’ll add it to the list of people who messed with the Urchins and paid for it.”

Jay looked at the young woman, the casual arrogance, the belief that nothing could hurt her. He felt bad knowing that he would be the one to snuff out this light in this dark city. He thought back to the television show that he had watched hours before. The words came to his lips.

“I guess they call me Leviathan.”

Her eyes widened and she instantly snapped to attention, shouting a scream for those around her.

“Get the fuck away from here!”

But her warning was far too late.

The girl took a step forward, her next action instantaneous. Faster than could be humanly comprehended.

A blade slashed toward him. It’s wielder, determined in her belief.

And then everything turned dark.

Jay’s body spasmed, his skin roiled with heat and blood spurted from his pores. The escaped liquid turned to steam the instant it left his body. His muscles bulged and rippled as his body twisted and contorted in a way that defied human anatomy.

His skin stretched and distorted, warping into a scaly texture that oozed and bled. Thick, oily fluids leaked from the pores, creating a slick and disgusting film across his skin. The scales that covered his body were ragged and rough, cutting into his flesh with each new movement.

Jay’s face splintered and deformed, his teeth elongating into razor-sharp fangs that dripped with toxic saliva. His eyes were now slitted, glowing with a fierce and hungry amber light that betrayed his predatory nature.

As the transformation continued, his body grew and stretched, until he towered over everything in his vicinity. The pyramid of shipping containers barely reached halfway up his elongated neck. His serpentine form, was gigantic and muscular, with powerful coils that crushed metal with ease. The skin was a noxious polluted green, gray, and black, with iridescent scales that shimmered in the starlight.

Where Jay had been small, covered behind his layers of clothing, he was now replaced by a monstrous beast that slithered and writhed with an unsettling grace. His movements were fluid and sinuous, each twitch of his tail sent containers flying.

Screams and the cries of the wounded surrounded Jay but he paid them no heed, his primary target was the young girl.

Argo.

From his height, Jay blinked with his reptilian gaze, the surrounding environment giving away any heat sources like tiny suns in the darkness. It took only a second to find Argo. The minor gang leader climbed up the surrounding boxes and yelled orders.

“Get everyone away! I’ll distract while you all retreat.” Argo shouted below and those not caught up in Jay’s transformation hurried to follow. The campfire clearing had been smothered by Jay’s bulk, those not on the fringes or fast enough to notice what was happening had been crushed.

Jay could feel the crunch of their bones under his slicked scales. He could taste their fear and blood in the air, his tongue flickered outwards, instantly reading the battlefield.

He lunged towards Argo, his great jaws shooting faster than a bullet as he opened wide, intending to crush down upon her weak frame. It would have ended the fight and made this entire ordeal simple.

But those that could start their own gangs, and last even a month, always had someone that could throw their weight around at the head. With power came authority.

Argo moved with blinding speed, her clothes rippled and distorted. As she moved, replicas of herself were left behind, each one carrying a different weapon. From bows to hammers, great axes to guns, each copy of Argo wielded something different.

Jay felt an explosion blast against his scales. An imitation of Argo aimed a canon at his monstrous body, she was already shoving in another ball into its barrel. Numerous bullets, arrows, and bombs peppered him, each more annoying than threatening.

Those wielding daggers and swords dashed in close, and the sound of steel clashing against his scales echoed through the air. More joined the fray until dozens of Argo’s struck him from all sides, ants against a behemoth. Something in his mind told him to lay waste to those that dared fight against him.

He obliged.