Dark Water

Chapter Ten

Sleep is fleeting for everyone on board.

For Sagan and Flynn, the quiet of night is a good time to plan.

Sat in the observation room, a book on Hollow Borne in Flynn's lap, they begin their own investigation.

"How'd you know I was a hollow?"

"Markings on your arms. Recognised them the moment I saw you."

He accepts her answer and turns a few pages of the book, scrolling through lore he hasn't heard of before but knows he probably should've.

"Hollow Borne - nature of death. When a Hollow Borne is murdered or exposed to magical substances before death, their soul and body transform into a creature relating to their environment.

The most common transformations are into Forest guardians, Black hounds and guardian spirits. However, in the presence of more ancient influences - such as those of vengeful tides - the Hollow Borne may find themselves emerging as a creature known as a dark or deep water devil.

These creatures are well known for being highly intelligent and aggressive, they can grow to up to five metres in height and - unlike most water creatures - have the body of a humanoid with webbed hands and feet.

They are the only type of Hollow Borne form known to take a more vengeful attitude to the living. If seen, they should never be approached.'

There's a tense silence in the air as Flynn and Sagan try to process what they've just learnt, so caught up in the shock that they don't notice that Zanzi has been listening in until he clears his throat.

"So it was a human once upon a time? That's a shame, probably could've had itself a good life out here before it drowned."

Flynn stares at the male demon, utterly horrified.

"It? You're calling them an it? That seems disrespectful. No offense but I mean, poor soul's life was ended out here...doesn't seem right that we judge when we know so little about them."

Zanzi shrugs and sits down.

"Hadn't thought about it like that. Wonder why they're targeting angels..."

He trails off when Sagan nudges him with her right foot.

She pulls herself into a sitting position, reaching for Flynn's notebook to check the schedule for the next day.

"We're diving tomorrow, have to keep a close eye on each other and keep an eye out for our deep water devil. They'll be mad that we haven't heeded the warnings we've been given."

There's a moment of unspoken agreement between the trio, an agreement to protect their teammates as best they can should anything happen but Flynn feels his commitment to the angels fading.

The demons have been so much nicer to him, the demons have offered to protect him and the demons seem to feel as bad for the creature as he does. Strange given the emotionless front demons are usually portrayed as having.

"We've got the shark cage. I know Sammael doesn't want us to use it tomorrow but it's something."

As much as he hates to admit it, Flynn is absolutely terrified.

The very thought that his own death could turn him into a creature is disturbing enough but the fact that the creature he had originally sworn to capture and kill was once like him distresses him in a way that makes his stomach drop.

Eventually the demons leave him alone, heading to their rooms to rest and prepare for the morning.

Flynn sneaks out onto the deck where Sagan had her encounter and climbs over the railings to sit on the very edge of the boat with his feet dangling in the water.

He stares at the odd circular rock formation, he knows the creature seems to use the rocks as cover and that the attacks have been centred around the area.

Flynn takes a deep breath and stands up, making a brash decision.

He jumps from the deck onto the rocks, climbing up onto the top of natural wall.

'Now what are you hiding.'