The Altered Map Of Destiny

Chapter 1 : Demons of sea and the reckoning of duty

Sahil's POV
          "Good morning, Nira," I kissed the locket around my neck that contained the remnants of the image of my love, the late dancer Niranjani. I could almost hear her anklets chiming once I remnisced her. But as the days passed, they'd become echoes of a past I never wish had become as such.
           Six years have passed since I joined the Neerja as a cargo lifter. The ship's been everything I could ever ask for. Post the apocalyptic invasion and the mercenary attack on my family, the Neerja became my home, and my crewmates- Amal, the cartographer, Sathya, the fellow cargo lifter with a penchant for getting into accidents and catastrophes, Aruna, the chef, and Ankit, the inventory manager.
           I inhaled a puff off my cigar, reflecting on the six years that passed, all encompassed in the log books and stamps I'd collected. But one old stamp kept frequenting my dreams- the water wave stamp that mirrored the birthmark on my neck, and, once was the symbol of the Varunavanshi dynasty that once ruled the coastal kingdom of Varshadweepa, a land merchants like us should be steering clear of. Visiting the land of architectural marvels, Rathadweepa and the moonlit kingdom of healers, Indudweepa, felt like a breeze, but life still missed that dash of spice I yearned for.
           As I heard a roar outside my cabin, I peeked out, and realized that adventure had come knocking at my door, albeit in the form of a rogue blue whale, ready to swallow a ten Neerjas. "Damn," I muttered, and Amal turned to face me. "Finally, you're out of your beauty sleep," he deadpanned, "The Neerja has encountered a problem, which is, a sea demon seeking lunch."
             "That's a sea demon? But, he looks like a blue whale," I remarked, exhaling a puff off my cigar. "Sahil Dhanraj, you better stop your antics," Amal huffed, "the ship's in danger, and the last thing captain would want to hear is your sarcastic remarks." I heaved a deep sigh, as I rummaged through the captain's armory for a lance, "you're right, Amal. I'll get to work." I walked up to the demon with a calmness that surprised even me, though my heart was hammering within my chest. "Meenasura," I spoke, inhaling a deep breath, "leave this ship alone. We don't mean any harm."
              The demon roared, "Do you think I've come for pleasantries, Varunavanshi? I came here for lunch, that is, you puny humans!" 
"Varunavanshi?" I narrowed my eyes at the demon, "I am but a cargo lifter. Sahil's the name, and I suggest you leave, unless you want to get a taste of my lance!"
"Fool," the demon growled, "you're supposed to be the mediator between us sea creatures and humans. Thou art not meant to be a lowly cargo boy of this rusty old ship - "
"ENOUGH!" I yelled, a mysterious force overtaking my senses, "THIS RUSTY OLD SHIP, AS YOU SAY, WAS THE PLACE THAT GAVE ME A PIECE OF HOME, UNLIKE THE STUPID VARUNAVANSHIS YOU CLAIM I BELONG TO!"
             "So, you provoked a fight," the demon remarked, "you, boy, have an insolence and bravery that belies traditional Varunavanshi standards."
"I did not," I sighed, "Meenasura, you're just hungry. Leave this ship alone. Take me as your meal. Each one, except me, have their respective families awaiting them." But, Meenasura was dissatisfied with my offer. He lunged at me, and I brought my shield forward to protect myself from his poisonous breath. Unfortunately, my right hand bore the brunt, and pain seared through my arm.       
           I gritted my teeth, and swinging the lance in my other hand, struck the lance into the demon's heart, silently mumbling a prayer to the sea God to assist my weapon. The lance found it's mark, and so did Meenasura's venomous breath. Numbness was the only thing I felt amidst my waning consciousness, as I hit the ground.