THE SECRET SEA: EXPANDED EDITION

EPILOGUE

"We're fading, Veles," says Kuma Lisa. "We have been for a long time. The humans don't even remember our names."

"Nothing new," says Veles.

"Yes, but now it's even worse. Queen Suzerain's lackeys have successfully shredded magick from the material plane. Once our power has extinguished fully, that's the end of us. No more renewals."

Veles groans. "Eh, what do you know? You're just a talking fox."

"And you're just a glowing nymph," growls Kuma Lisa. "What happened to your beard? I liked the beard and the big belly."

"I had to change things up to seduce my way to freedom, but that's in the past. I don't have the vitality to change back, so you're stuck with my luscious curves, Foxy."

"Don't call me that," says Kuma Lisa. "So, what are we to do? Just linger on these white cliffs in the salt air until we disintegrate? I suppose that won't be so bad."

Veles shakes their head. "Hardly. I'm not giving up. I'm a chaos god, after all. I still have a few tricks up my nightie."

Kuma Lisa yawns. "Humans beat Poseidon? He's so scary. How is that even possible?"

Veles stands up and looks over the edge of the cliff, their gown lashing in the wind. "Feh, that old devil was nothing but a coward. Long ago, he left me behind and fled to the beginning of time. Fat lot of good that did him. Now he's dead...or soon will be."

"If you have a plan, out with it," says Kuma Lisa, becoming impatient.

"Foxy, what do we need to subsist?"

"Berries? Oh, I like blackberries. And a juicy, crunchy mouse sometimes."

"No, you idiot. What fuels our magick?"

The fox whips its tail a few times. "Belief?"

"Right!" says Veles, their smile revealing a set of sharp teeth. "But belief in magickal things has faded from this world. So, how do we restore it?"

Kuma Lisa searches the gray sky for an answer, but finds only droplets of mist swirling their wet nose. "We can't. It's impossible. There's too much of that damned science stuff the humans adore. Too much information."

"That's just it!" says Veles, stroking the fox's fur. "There's too much information–so much, that no one can verify anything. It would only take a bit of meddling to render all information utterly useless, and when no information can be trusted, what will the humans rely on?"

"Snacks? Oh, I love those cheesy chip bits they leave in the dumpster sometimes."

Veles sighs. "I'd be better off talking to the rocks."

"Sorry, go on please."

"I plan to use my remaining power to plant an idea into a human. A man of science–perhaps an engineer. As his muse, I'll inspire him to create an artificial life-form–a computerized abomination. I'll seduce him with dreams of money and power, and speak of all the wonderful things his creation will do."

The fox sneezes. "So what?"

"I'll whisper in his ear. Reveal visions of his invention. Show him the way it creates unique artwork from mere suggestions, even realistic imitations of life. He'll marvel at its ability to construct captivating stories in seconds. I'll reveal the machine's capacity to absorb vast amounts of data and condense it into a pure stream of truth."

"I'm confused, but go on," says Kuma Lisa.

"All these visions will be false promises. The invention will seem robust, but will never be adequate enough to do anything except sow confusion and distrust. When it's unleashed upon the world, the humans' precious stream of information will be rendered useless under mountains of computerized hallucinations and lies. Unscrupulous users of the flawed technology will spread disinformation in service of their own interests. In short–"

"The humans' trust in information will erode!" interrupts Kuma Lisa.

"Correct. And their reliance on science along with it. Their only recourse will be to fall back on their imaginations. They'll construct fantastic realities out of whole cloth, completely devoid of truth. Conspiracies of incredible magnitude. And they'll band together to defend these absurdities tooth and nail. Belief in the fantastic will be restored!"

"But, how does that make them believe in a talking fox, for example?"

"Well, it might take a few hundred years, but when society collapses, we'll see a renaissance of magick. Until then, we'll just siphon off what we can from their darkened dreams. It won't be a pure form of magick but it should keep us on the material plane."

The fox sighs strangely. "I don't know. This sounds off putting. I think I'd rather just fade away if you don't mind."

Veles smiles. "Oh sweet fox. I don't mind at all. Who knows? In centuries time, they may believe in talking animals again."

Kuma Lisa rubs against Veles thigh and pants. "Before I go, I think I'll go scoop up a few crunchy field mice. Yummy."

"Save one for me!" says Veles with a grin.