The Sea Does Not Forgive

Nikolai

  The cold water shocked Nikolai. When he surfaced he looked around, but couldn't see Zoya.

  "ZOYA!" he screamed. She didn't answer. "ZOYA!"

  Again no reply, he looked around and saw movement. Her raven hair was now out of the water, her hands wiping her face.

  "Nikolai!" she called.
  "Over here!"

  She found his face and swam to him. They felt movement underneath and looked down. Another sea monster had attacked their ship, and now they were both bait.

  "Fuck!" shouted Zoya.
  "What do we do?"
  "You hold onto me and hope I don't get us both killed."
  "Sounds a lot better than being sea monster bait."

  He wrapped his arms around her. She spread her arms and Nikolai heard the wind screaming in his ears. Seconds later the were both being carried up by a water tower. The monster saw it and screeched. It lunged up and Zoya released the wind so they wouldn't end up monster food. They fell again into the dark water.

  Tolya and Tamar had run over to the side and found them in the water. Both of their hands were extended and the monster seemed to be stalled for now.

  "What are you waiting for!" cried Tamar, "Get you asses up here now!"

  Zoya tried again this time they landed with a hard thud on the deck of the ship. Zoya was on her feet in an instant ready to summon lighting. Nikolai was beside her shortly after ready to support her. She clapped and a bolt shot down electrocuting the serpent. It went still and lifeless in the water, and they all let out a breath. Too soon because another bang rang out and the ship was shaking again.

  "Damn it, how many of these things are there!" Zoya yelled.

  They made their way to the other side of the ship. This monster looked different. It was twice the size and it's scales a vibrant silver rather than green or blue. It made eye contact with Nikolai, then flexed it's tail and shot spines up at the ship. Zoya created a wind force field and blew the spines away.

  "Well that's new." said Nikolai.
  "That's not good." added Tamar.

  The monster rose balancing on its tail. Tamar's hands shot out and she tried to stop the heart, but the viper shot a spine at Tamar in retaliation. It grazed her arm, but the force pushed her back and she ended up unconscious on the floor. Tolya screamed and attempted the same thing, but the viper spit water at Tolya.

  It must have been hot, because when he went to block it with his hand, he screamed and crumpled to the ground. The monster turned back to Nikolai, but before it could do anything, he heard Zoya scream.

  "Hey old hag!" Nikolai's head whipped to Zoya. She was going to get them all killed. The monster growled, a low noise boomed in the air like thunder. "Oh we're playing that way, very well."

  Zoya spread her arms and clapped, a loud noise echoed over ship. It boomed in his ears, bringing his hands to his head to block the sound. The monster's eyes narrowed. It growled again louder this time. It raised itself higher and while doing so Zoya spread her arms. Her eyes were on fire.

  The sky overhead had turned black, but her eyes and hair and skin were glowing. She clapped again and blinding light struck the monster followed by an ear shattering noise. When the lighting faded, the monster was left black and charred. One last squeak left it before it sank to the sea to remain lifeless.

  The black faded back into the cloudy over head it was before. Nikolai stood up slowly, taking his time as to not pass out. Zoya was already on Tamar making sure she was okay, so Nikolai ran over to Tolya. His hands were burned, but only slightly. If Nikolai had to guess, the monster's water wasn't at its peak temperature yet. He ran and found a canteen and poured it over Tolya's hands, then he wrapped them and helped Tolya back to his feet. Tamar was coming to in Zoya's lap.

  "Oh thank the saints you're not dead."
  "I though you were religious?"
  "I'm not, but I'd feel awful if the reason you were dead is because I chose to ignore your warning."
  Tamar laughed and Zoya helped her to her feet. "Tolya! What happened to you hands?"
  "The sea monster spat boiling water at me."
  "Are you okay?"
  "He'll be fine," Nikolai said, "He just needs to give them time to heal."
  "Two attacked us at once. And what was with that big silver one, what is it their clan leader?" Zoya asked.
  "I don't know. But we better hope it doesn't happen again." replied Tamar.

  They made quick rounds checking to make sure everyone was alive. Nikolai helped his co-captain check out the ship to make sure she wasn't too damaged, then decided to finally change out of the clothes that were sure to give him pneumonia is he wasn't careful.

  His clothes stuck to his body as he peeled them away, but being in fresh clothes made him feel the best he'd felt since, well since he'd kissed Zoya before they were thrown into the ocean. Dinner was ready shortly after, and the hall was filled with chatter and rumors about the sea monsters and where they might have come from.

  Zoya was sat next to Nikolai, her hair still wet from the tumble into the sea. All of her features were glowing though. Using her powers had turned her into a star, and Nikolai found he wanted to stare at her forever. She finally noticed he was looking and waved in front of his face to get him to stop.

  "Are you okay?" she asked.
  "Yeah, just a little out of sorts. Being thrown into the ocean does that to you."
  "Mm, tell me about it. I got thrown in, and this really whinny king came with me. I saved his ass though, not one of my brightest decisions I must say."
  "I think saving him was a brilliant idea thank you."
  She smiled, but it quickly fell away, "I'm starting to understand your fears."
  "Why?"
  "If that happens again, I could maybe do it. But if they're both as strong as the silver one, or it's more than two... Tolya and Tamar are out of commission now and those things don't seem penetrable. I don't know if I can keep the whole ship safe."
  He placed a hand on her arms, "Well like you once said, you and me, we'll figure it out."
  "I hope we do."
  "Theoretically, we only have to survive thirty five more hours. Then in Kerch we can commandeer Kaz to help us bulk out the ship, so we're safer on the trip home."
  "As if that little barrel rat would help us with anything that doesn't benefit him or his crew."
  "Well then we'll find a way to benefit him and his crew."
  Zoya shook her head, "Let's just focus on surviving the trip there first."
  "Gladly."

Nikolai's room felt lonely that night. His room was usually just him, but he always knew Tolya was there. Now, the bodyguard was in his own chambers resting, and a member from his crew stood outside his door. He paced around not really wanting to go to bed. His mind was on fire and a jumble of mixed thoughts, none of which made him feel comfortable.

He sat on his bed and tapped his finger. They had survived the day but now what? They rely on only Zoya to keep them safe? What happens when she tires? And even if they manage to fortify the ship, whose to say the monsters are bomb proof as well as bullet proof. He placed his head in his hands and groaned. Life would be so much easier if he could just think straight.

A knock sounded at his door. Opening it he found Zoya standing just outside, her hair was dry now, but the salt water had created waves in it that made her look absolutely enchanting.

"Hi." she said.
"Hi."
"Can I come in?"