The Lonely Earth - Earth ISOT into Magitek fantasy

Chapter 15: It's the ecology, stupid

Guam, 12 days and 2 hours after translocation

A civilian passenger submarine glided gracefully through the tranquil shallows of the water, its sleek form cutting through the crystal-clear depths below. Commissioned by the renowned Atlantis company, this submersible had been meticulously crafted to accommodate up to forty-eight passengers, all eager to witness the wonders of the ocean's depths. It was a demonstration to human ingenuity and an unquenchable curiosity that persisted even in the wake of the Worldshift.

In the aftermath of the cataclysmic event, as the world slowly came to grips with its altered reality, life had gradually returned to a semblance of normalcy. Despite the upheaval caused by the Worldshift, the desire to explore the mysteries of the deep remained undiminished. People still yearned to catch a glimpse of the vibrant marine life and the intricate coral reefs that adorned the ocean floor. The quest for knowledge and wonder persisted, as did the responsibility to cater to the needs of eager clientele.

Beneath the surface, the fish and creatures of the sea continued to thrive, their existence seemingly unfazed by the celestial chaos above. They moved through their underwater realms, seemingly unperturbed by the new suns and moons that graced the sky, as well as the subtle shifts in the day and night cycle. To many, the resilience of these creatures was proof of the remarkable adaptability of life in the face of ever-changing circumstances.

However, lingering concerns still gripped the hearts of many. Fears of cataclysmic "climate normalization" and the challenges posed by an alien sky loomed in the background. The world had irrevocably changed, and both the human and aquatic inhabitants were left to navigate this uncharted territory together.

Amidst the familiar marine life around the lonely Pacific island, there emerged a spectacle unlike any other—an eerie migration of colossal, worm-like creatures that had embarked on an arduous journey from the northern reaches of the ocean to the warmer waters of the south. These magnificent beings, roughly the size of elephants, propelled themselves through the water with an almost hypnotic grace, their serpentine forms undulating in a mesmerizing dance.

What set these creatures apart were their manta-like wings, unlike any other known creatures of Earth, a remarkable adaptation that allowed them to glide effortlessly through the ocean's depths. As they soared through the water, their wings created a breathtaking ripple effect, demonstrating the intricate beauty of nature's design. Observers aboard the civilian passenger submarine could only marvel at the grace and power of these majestic beings, their presence both captivating and mysterious.

The Wymog, as they were commonly referred to, possessed lamprey-like mouths that served as highly efficient filtration systems. They sifted through the water, capturing the tiniest of organisms, particularly the abundant phytoplankton that constituted their primary source of sustenance. It was a marvel of evolutionary specialization, a reminder of the incredible diversity of life that inhabited the ocean's depths.

Yet, there was an underlying sense of foreboding that accompanied the arrival of these magnificent creatures. The Wymog's presence hinted at something more—a harbinger of an impending invasion. The ocean, once a realm of tranquility and wonder, now held the promise of change and uncertainty. The delicate balance of life beneath the waves was soon shifting, and the world's inhabitants could only watch in awe and trepidation as nature's drama unfolded before them.

The impending "invasion" was not one of nations or armies, but rather a migration of a foreign ecosystem—an event of unprecedented ecological significance. The very geography of Earth had been stretched and transformed, with the once-impenetrable abyssal plains of Dorith, typically marking the southern edge of the Zonth Ocean, now occupying a new position. This dramatic shift, brought about by the extraordinary power of Elerenth, had profound consequences for the world's underwater realms.