Zebervich the Elder Guardian in...
Chapter 25: The Deep Dark Depths
Not even the warm glows of sunlight dare to penetrate the murky depths that lay beneath the sea. Even then, the ocean floor is dotted by the deepest of oceanic trenches and abyssal pits that force us to consider just how little of the world below us is mapped. However, there exists far deeper points where man not only cannot reach, but it is vital for the very survival of his species that he will never attempts to do so.
Terrible beasts dwell beyond these depths, the sight of which would drive any sane man to the brink of absolute madness from which there is no hope of return. They have taken quick notice of humanity's steady conquest of the world above, but until they may return to the distant worlds from which they find their origins, they do not wish to ever rise to the surface and see the stars. They wait in eternal patience for a day to come where they may traverse the infinite gap in between realities.
So they wait.
The oceanic landscape is dotted by thousand foot serpents and tentacled monstrosities which corrupt the dreams of fishermen are merely pawns of far greater beasts. Some are parasites from the ancient worlds, while others are nothing more than pets to those which rule. To understand the colossal weight of any kraken in our terms is to realize the size of a worm or beetle in theirs.
After so many years of waiting, some of these beasts have even lost their names to a hazy fog of forgetfulness. Most have retained their knowledge through slumber, but few have remained awake over the long years, and thus, had long since begun to decay. Earth is not, and will never be, a suitable home for such a terrible roster of creatures. Zebervich, named by the ancient civilizations which first became aware of its chilling presence, is an example to the others of the dangers of remaining here.
Zebervich grew curious of the alien creatures above it and created an avatar to interact with them. His newly created vessel was dwarfed by the monstrosities that dwell in the deep, yet its menacing display of quills are longer than the tallest humans and its single eye so alien that merely the shortest of glances could drive entire civilizations to the brink of insanity. It swam across the world, observing the humans and learning their ways. Those who were unfortunate enough to look upon it were simply incapable of comprehending the terrible sight, their minds forever locked in a futile attempt of blocking out the memories to avoid any further destruction.
When the horrific avatar had circled the world countless times, it decided to study the humans at a closer level. His fellow brethren, with similar curiosities, had created avatars in the likeness of the land dwellers, but Zebervich did not understand the humans enough to live among them. Instead, it sent forth its great sea demon to a fishing village. The waves created as it neared the surface were enough to wreck the town and send the people into a sheer panic.
It may have left the humans alone, but something about their close bonds awoke a deep loneliness within Zebervich. Writhing appendages emerged from the creature's gaping maw and gathered the petrified survivors to live deep within the ocean depths. The others knew the futility of the plan, but nevertheless, they recognized Zebervich 's sudden, tragic sadness and did nothing to stop the resulting massacre as the sanity of his new 'companions' were reduced to ashes.
Zebervich continued to feel broken inside and did not create a human avatar, though not out of fear of provoking more needless losses; the deaths were, after all, inconsequential in the grand scheme of things, but his kin urged him away from the land dwellers; for humanity's sake. Zebervich lay on the ocean floor, overcome with loneliness, until he fell into an eternal slumber from which he might never awaken.
Years later, the land dwellers still remember the shadowy figure of a demonic sea creature and tremble at the memory. Even centuries after the waves had first churned, Zebervich fills their nightmares. They're dreams are ruled by the deep depths and by what they don't, and will never, know. The mere sight of the sea will send them into a terrified frenzy.
So the lonely Zebervich dreams.