Dark Waters

Ch 1: Death of the Sea

It was a full moon as I swam around in the secret grotto I had found years ago when I was younger. The water was always the perfect temperature no matter what season it was, and at night there was ample light thanks to bioluminescent algae. It was a private location that to my knowledge nobody else knew about. I never found evidence of anybody else ever being here whenever I returned, so it was my secret spot where I could escape the world.

Tonight however, something felt off. I had a sneaking suspicion that I was being watched. At first a shrugged it off, but then I thought about the legends. I often thought about such things and the hope of such stories being reality despite the many dangers of the deep the stories speak of. Looking around and in the water, I couldn't see anything of suspicion untill a glint caught my eye. Skimming the water, I turn all the way around trying to find the source of the glint.

Suddenly, I shiver as something brushes against my leg and I look down to see, a long blade? Turning as I try to find the source, I come face to face with a skeleton and gasp in shock, accidentally splashing their face as I swim back. They give a tired chuckle as the swim over to me.

"Dont get any closer. I know the stories and legends. You're a deep sea monster." Smirking, they continue to get closer as I proceed to back up, "How are you so sure? I'm curious what you know."Puzzled, I hesitate before answering. "You have a tail, the most common attribute of all deep sea monsters. Coast monsters have legs, often with webbed feet." I study his tail as I speak, cautions of his large fin that looks like a scythe blade.

Flinching as my back hits the wall, he reaches out to me, inches from grabbing my arm. "You've done your studies then. I'm impressed. Not many care about the legends of the sea as much as you seem to." He grabs at my arm, but before he gets the chance, I duck my head under the water and push off the wall, swimming past him and resurfacing from behind. "Why are you here? This is my place, my territory!" He turns around as his tail reaches out and around my legs, making it harder for me to escap. He gets close again and grabs my wrists. I struggle against him as fear starts to fill my heart and soul.

"You're right to be scared, do you know who I use to be?" I nod in response, well aware of his past. "You were, and in some cases still are, the most feared monster in the whole ocean. If legends are true though, you've moved on. So why are you bothering with me?" I struggle a bit again, trying hard to escape his grip.

"This place isn't as private as you think it is. You aren't safe." With that, he suddenly grabbed my waste, his tail releasing from my legs as he dives down into the water with me. I'm hardly given any time to take a breath before I realize what is going on. I fight back, struggling and kicking. At one point I accidentally got cut by his tail, or perhaps on purpose to try and get me to stop. Running out of breath, my vision starts to blur, my lungs screaming. Slowly, bubbles start to pass my face as I start to pass out.

I wake up, coughing violently as water is rejected from my lungs. As I gasp, I notice The Death of the Sea, as named by legend, out of breath and resting nearby. Looking around, it looks like we are in an underwater cave, bioluminescent plants providing the only light. I look down at my ankles to find them bandaged up, some blood visible from staining. "Sorry about that, but you were making it harder for me to swim. Feel free to call me Reaper." Tilting my head, I question why he didn't kill me like I had original thought he was going to do. "Why did you bring me here? I dont understand."

He turned to me, letting out a sigh before responding, "there are people who want you dead. You hold information that your kind aren't suppose to know about. I'm sorry, but you have to stay here with me until it is safe." With that, he got into a position to sleep and closed his eyes. Feeling the ground beneath me, I realize that I am sitting on soft, dry moss. Laying back down, I too, slowly started to drift off.

-Next Morning-

Stretching, I yawn as I slowly wake up. Looking around, I start to remember what had happened the night before. Moving my legs, I wince in pain and investigate my injuries. Slowly unwrapping the bandages, I notice extra bandages close by and tend to my cuts. Hearing a shift in the water, I look up to see Reaper emerge from below with some fish in hand.

"Morning." He sets the fish down near my feet and gestures to them. Understanding, I start to put together a fire and prepare the fish as best I can. As I do so, Reaper speaks up, "You seem to have experience cooking." Giving I small nod, I continue to work. "Quiet today eh?" Watching the fish as it cooks and keeping my back turned, I ignore him.

Hearing a splash, I feel water hit my back and shiver at the sudden occurence, snapping me out of my thoughts. Turning, Reaper looks at me with an agrivated expression. "It's rude to ignore your host. You're welcome for the fish." Sighing, I reposition myself around the fire so I am facing him and continue to tend to the fish. Silently, I respond, "I'm sorry. I haven't been very polite. Thank you for the fish."

The fire crackled and popped, licking around the edges of the rock that the fish sat on.Once the fish was done cooking, I slowly began to eat in silence untill Reaper spoke again. "I never got your name last night." Thinking and considering my options, I decide to tell the truth. "Name's Time, Gear Time."