Persphyni : I am Destruction

70

Erebus was getting tired. His trot was slow as I finally dismounted and walked up to the abandoned vehicle. My hand reaching out to feel the hood, the metal cold beneath my fingertips. I scanned the body of water ahead of us and in the soft rising light saw a small wooden canoe resting on the beach.

My shoulders dropped and my hands hung limp at my sides. Tears already rising to the surface as I blinked back the sadness that filtered my mind. Realistically, I knew all along this moment would come. It had to.

With a heavy heart I turned to face my animal companion. The only companion I've always relied upon. My faith in him had never faltered and I trusted him with all my heart. He was my guide to a happier life filled with love.

His eye burn into mine as I walked up to him and pulled him into a hug. I didn't need to tell him, he could read my emotions like no one else. He knew we wouldn't be moving together any further, this would be where we part. His head cradled me tighter as we silently said goodbye to one another. My chest hurt as I had to pull away.

"It's been a good run." I spoke as I looked at him through the glass that separated us, keeping me from giving him a goodbye kiss. "Thank you." He whinnied and nudged me with his nose. "I'm going to miss you. Go be free Erebus." I stepped back and opened my arms showing him the open path that lead to who knows where. "Even if it's only temporary." I moved to stand by his shoulder and held on to his mane as we both began to walk, getting faster until we were sprinting.

"I love you."

Faster until the wind was us. Faster until our footsteps barely touched the snow and ash. Faster until my legs strained from the speed. Faster until he didn't realize I had let go, and his dark black mane caught in the breeze, his tail swishing in the wind. And his feet never touched the ground. Faster, until he finally flew.

"Fly, Erebus. Fly." Then he was gone. His body disappearing into the forest as the earth began to light up. "May we meet again, My Erebus."

His earthly bonds now undone as he flew free. He was free. If only for a moment.

With a sniffle, I turned and walked to the canoe with my bag slung over my shoulder. My gloves making things difficult for me as I flipped the small wooden thing over and sighed once I saw the oars on the sand. I wasted little time as I tossed the oars inside and pushed the canoe into the water. My entrance wasn't as elegant, but I made it without tipping anything over or getting wet.

It took me a second, but I was able to pull the map out and use the sun rising as a compass. With the direction and distance mapped, I grabbed an oar and began to row. Through several trial strokes, I finally began to move forward. Quickly learning that if I only rowed on only one side I'd do a full circle.

The sun rose, getting progressively lighter as the count down continued to run out. If I did math correctly, Arkadia was gone and Polis was next with less than four hours left before the wave hit. They wouldn't make it back.

"What are they up to?"

It was the only thing I could say and think as I rowed faster towards the island. Wishing for a mechanical boat and more oxygen. I had fifteen hours when I loaded it up, with eleven hours of usage. But at the rate I was using it right now, I'd end up sucking down an hour before I reached Becca's lab. Water sports are a different level of fitness.

Why couldn't there have been a land bridge?

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I could see it. The island. It was right there. I just had to get a few more feet before I reached the shallow end. But of course. I'm not allowed an easy ride. Even though paddling for the first time wasn't easy at all. Fate just couldn't give me a break.

I heard the splash come from behind me, but instead of stopping and looking over my shoulder, I continued forward with more vigor. If there was a sea creature in a river, than by all means a whole herd could be in this lake. And I would rather not find out. But of course, Fate wills what it wants.

Within ten yards of the shore, that's how close I was before Fate laughed at me, my oar was ripped from my grasp. My body titling along with it before I let go and rightened myself up, not wanting to be one of those people who hold on and fall into the water where whatever grabbed their oar can now grab them. The canoe wobbled as I grabbed my other oar and picked up the pace once again. As much as I fought my conscience, I couldn't help but spare a glance backwards, but it was a good thing I listened to my gut.

When I turned around I had half a second to shove my new oar out and jam the creature's mouth. It's open orifice filled with rows of sharp teeth as it seemed to be one long snake-like body. Before it could bite downwards where I was, as it had intended, I did a quick calculation and stopped at the first number. My body already moving as I grabbed my bag and jumped down into the water. My feet hit solid sand as the water stopped at my waist. Giving me the ability to run for the shoreline. There was no point in me trying to sneak out as the creature snapped the oar and took a bite out of the canoe finding it's meal not there as it swallowed splinters. It's ugly head already snapping towards me as I raced to the beach.

"Come on!" I roared to myself as the water held my waist back, slowing me down as I dug into the sand to push off. My legs moved powerfully but it wouldn't be good enough as the creature charged towards me. There was no time. My bag with my weapons was on my back, my body was barely moving as I desperately ran the water now at mid thigh as I drove my knees upwards, and the creature was closing in.

"No! I've made it too far, damnit." I could feel the water moving as the creature swam passed and around me, encircling me with its tail. This was some shit you'd only read in mythology as I turned to see it's looming head peer down at me. This was it, I wasn't going out by fire. Or war. Or even a blade. I was about to die in the water from a stupid-ass snake.

"Well come on then!" I backed up discreetly as I shouted at it, it's jaw slacking as it's pointed teeth gleamed. I continued to move back as it watched me carefully only stopping when my breath caught. My knees were at the waterline as I ran into the creatures body. It's body firm as I spared a glance backwards to it's black body.

I'm never going near water in my next life. Ever. I would take air ducts and vents over this any time.

"Oh shit."