Epilogue

Epilogue 3.20

---Gail/Miu-sama---

     "Now will you admit that this was a bad idea?" I say, because yes, I am petty enough to have an "I told you so moment" even when we're all about to be devoured by a giant kraken.

     Ace stands up, causing the raft to totter even more than it already is—how we're even managing to keep afloat with the kraken slamming its giant tentacles against the surface of the water is beyond me. Ace's chest starts to hum as he powers up, activating his arm cannon.

     "Keep him covered!" Topher shouts over the crashing of the waves. His raft floats a few metres away from ours, with Crawford and Mya manning the oars. There's a weary hoarseness in his voice that makes it almost tough to recognize. "We need to buy him time."

     The kraken lashes out with its tentacles again, and a wave of pitch-black seawater comes raining down on us. With all the muck in my eyes from the filthy water, I can only glimpse a blurred vision of moonlight reflecting off of the kraken's glowing orange eyes. The filth stings, and my eyes start to water.

     Martha and Liluye plunge their oars into the sea, trying to manoeuvre the raft out of the path of the next wave. We can't take another hit—the vines tying the logs together aren't likely to hold.

     Our raft bumps up against Em's. Colby struggles to keep their raft from tilting while Melody hops onto our raft, activating her beam sword. We all back away from her, causing the raft to tip to one side.

     One of the kraken's tentacles rises up, blocking out the moon, and then comes crashing down on us. Melody leaps into the air and slashes at the tentacle. The blade makes a hissing noise when it comes into contact with the rubbery flesh.

     Unfortunately, the bit of tentacle she lopped clean off lands right on Em's raft, smashing it to bits. We get soaked by another wave. I frantically try to wipe the muck out of my eyes—did Em manage to dodge in time?

     Everything slows around me as I scan the restless surface of the water.

     Breathe.

     I didn't realize I was holding my breath—I exhale and then take in a deep gulp of air when Em resurfaces, Eloise clinging to his back. Colby thrashes around in the water. If his plan was to get the kraken's attention, it went off without a hitch. The kraken takes another swing, and Colby shoots up out of the water, latching onto the tentacle as it comes swooping down.

     The kraken starts flailing its tentacles about; Colby slides down the tentacle, crushing the air beneath his fingers, and two of the kraken's eyes explode, spewing eye juice all over. Enraged, the kraken lashes out some more.

     Whatever happens next, I don't see it. The raft collapses, and I go flying. I brace myself as I plunge into the sea. I kick my feet and flail my arms, pushing myself back up to the surface, but I'm caught in some sort of undertow. It drags me deeper underwater, and everything goes silent.

     An invisible tendril constricts around my chest, forcing the air out of my lungs. Water rushes in through my opened mouth, and my insides start to burn. Beneath the water, everything is still. Peaceful. Until...

     I'm propelled back up to the surface. I emerge, coughing up water and gasping for air. Miu. She got us out—the splitting pain in my head is evidence of that.

     "Th-thanks." I tread water, shivering in the cold.

     Don't mention it. I've completed my analysis. That is no ordinary kraken.