Scroll Two: The Skirmish
"The day promised excellent weather, perfect for us to cast our nets in the deep waters. However, an unknown disturbance caused the waves to become uncontrollable, pounding our humble boat, almost causing us to sink into the dark abyss. Just when we thought our fates were sealed, all become tranquil once more, as if the sudden incident was merely an illusion. We released our nets, thinking we had nothing more to lose anyhow; what happened next seems almost like a dream. The sheer number of our catch was more than enough to compensate for the danger we faced, providing us food for more than a few days afterwards. Yet, the cause of quaint event still eludes my mind to this day."
~Aido Takashima, fisherman
Endless blue stretched far out into the horizons, almost meshing with the atmosphere; the termination of the majestic body did not seem possible when the water seemed to pass beyond the very point where the earth met the sky. This new environment differed greatly from what the creature was used to; never did it have so much space to move its lengthy body. However, it took some time before the Imoogi was able to withstand the excess of salt; compared to the ocean, the waters of the land were more diluted than it imagined.
It made sure to keep under the shifting azure surface in case there were any witnesses, though it was unlikely that humans would be so far out in the ocean. The silent serpent surreptitiously wove its way through the clear waters, occasionally riding the colossal waves created by the swift winds that blew westward. So great was the depth that it could scarcely make out the seafloor, although it figured that at the end of the abyss was topography similar to his old home. Quickly losing interest in what it could not see, the Imoogi had swum towards the air, enjoying the constantly changing light that rippled along with the current.
As it continued to follow the tide, the silver-green creature felt a disturbance in its pathway, the subtle vibrations gently colliding into its scales. Moving its emerald eyes towards the direction of the other presence, it noticed a length of bronze approaching from a distance. The Imoogi rotated its own body to make room for the new arrival, although the other was not as great in size as itself.
The lean form with yellowish-brown scales contrasted with the stocky body of silver-green; this difference was probably due to the fact that the ocean did not contain as many locations for rest. The need for constant motion would make a sizeable body disadvantageous; a smaller form would theoretically be faster because of the lack of extra weight. Interesting enough, the smaller Imoogi's eyes had a blue glow that was as sharp as the emerald orbs. Catching the large one's eyes, the other emitted an aura of disdain.
You're swimming in dangerous waters, buddy. What brings you to this part of the ocean?
The tone of the bronze Imoogi was not something that could be appreciated but, trying to be civil, the serpent replied to the inquiry. I'm just wandering around; don't really have business in these waters. Am I trespassing or something?
Not yet, you're not. But you'd better be careful. Where're you from anyway?
Why so curious?
Just answer the damn question.
Irritation for the new arrival began to rise slowly. I come from an obscure lake that no creature would even think about putting in its memory. I decided to get away from my prisonlike setting by following the river that led out of the space, which ended up entering the ocean. I'm just cruising along right now.
It's pathetic to see an Imoogi idling without anything to do.
Going past annoyance, the serpent was about to retaliate when it remembered its friend's advice. Hard as it was, the silver-green Imoogi attempted to keep its anger in check. Actually, I'm trying to find a Yeoiju…you wouldn't happen to know where one is, would you?
What? You can't even feel the ki? Such a sad little Imoogi.
A menacing hiss broke through the water as the barrier that held back the larger serpent's emotions started to crack. Don't patronize me. Of course I felt the large amount of ki, but I was just wondering if you knew how far inland it was.
It's not near the ocean, that's for sure. All the Yeoiju close to the shore were already taken by the Imoogi that were stronger and faster than you. The small serpent smiled slyly, seeing the other losing its composure. The only ones that are left are the ones too far away for any of us water dwellers to find. Looks like you're out of luck this year; it's another five hundred years before the next harvest is sent down, so I suggest that you just go on and continue being lazy.
What makes you think I'll wait around for that long?
Oh ho, so the rustic snake from the country has courage to go on land? Hah, you wouldn't last a day on dry ground. Hell, why don't you just admit it; you're lost right now, aren't you? The silver-green Imoogi remained silent, which was enough for the other. Pathetic. You know, I actually pity you, so I guess I'll help. Do you at least know what direction the ki is coming from?
Not really, it's too far away for me to pinpoint the exact location.
…You rural creatures sure are ignorant. Or maybe it's just you.
Get to the damn point! It could no longer stay calm. Disgust for the ocean serpent was growing while its patience was shrinking.
All right, all right. The ki is coming from the north; if you just go in that direction, you'll probably end up on the beach that leads to the forest. Then all you have to do is crawl through the land until you get to the jewel.
Thanks for your help. The curt response did little to hide the anger of the larger serpent. Pushing past the other, it began to swim to his destination in the north. It agreed that the information was accurate, though the distaste for the other prevented it from expressing this thought; the pulsation of the ki, which came in rhythmic sequences, seemed to be strongest in the said direction.
It had only gone a few feet before powerful tremors discharged a large amount of salty liquid past its floating body. Turning its head, it saw the flash of yellowish brown propelling with bared fangs towards its thick neck. The bastard was planning to kill with one move. Rapidly twisting its body, the Imoogi rolled over to the side as the smaller form zoomed past, the pointed fangs barely missing their target. Annoyance turned to fury as the emerald gems glared into the blue orbs of the other Imoogi.
What the hell are you doing?
The bronze serpent no longer seemed condescending, but determined. It looked solemnly at the enraged creature, the sapphire eyes reflecting its cool attitude. I warned you before, didn't I? When I stopped you, you were on the edge of my territory. I didn't want to hurt you, so I decided to do you a favor, but now you've entered into my waters. It lowered its body, preparing for another attack. As an Imoogi, I cannot let you leave here without a fight.
The silver-green serpent thrust its body upward this time, avoiding the second rush that came faster than before. As the other swum by, the larger creature slammed its tail onto the exposed midsection, causing the bronze serpent to falter. So you wanna fight? I'll give you one that you won't soon forget.
Bring it on, rustic. The smaller creature shot up, once more charging head-first at the larger Imoogi, who was becoming tired of the same tactic. Timing its movement perfectly, it pulled back its body to let the bronze serpent fly past again.
You're not going to beat me if you do the same thing every time. How stupid are you?
Its opponent sneered back, the long tongue hanging out of its slightly open jaw. Better watch who you call stupid, fool. Do you think I was doing all that for nothing?
Before it had time to contemplate the statement, the silver-green Imoogi felt its body rise as the water under it drew back. Instigation from the wind caused gallons of seawater to ascend into a massive wave whose foamy edge curved over the surface. Despite its effort to fall back underwater, the serpent could not force its body against the wave's resistance and ended up inside the monstrous swell. While it was being pulled out, the helpless creature heard its opponent hiss with glee.
I purposefully launched myself so you would move into the right position. If you had lived in the ocean long enough, you also would have been able to predict when and where a wave would form. Too bad you're only a simple, lake Imoogi. As soon as it finished its taunt, the bronze serpent positioned its body in front of the wave and stored its strength into its muscles. It was waiting for the right moment when it could make the deciding blow. As the silver-green serpent fell along with the cascading liquid, the slim creature erupted from the ocean towards its disadvantaged foe and sunk its extended fangs into the unprotected neck. A viselike grip clenched around on the larger serpent and remained in place.
The silver-green Imoogi released a terrible roar, though the cry was quickly extinguished as both fell back into the ocean along with the wave. It tried desperately to break away from the other, heaving its sturdy body in order to throw off the attacker. However, the stealthy creature wrapped its own body around its victim, preventing the larger serpent from moving freely. Pain replaced all other emotions, other than the bewilderment caused by strength of the undersized creature.
As the water started to darken in front of its eyes, the silver-green Imoogi made a final effort and sank its own elongated teeth into the restraining form. Perhaps it was from the fact that its opponent's body was thinner, or perhaps it was from the fact that it possessed more power, but the bite proved to be fatal. As it jerked its head away, a part of the other's flesh remained inside its mouth; the surrounding waters became dyed with the wounded creature's blood, clouded as the cells diffused between each molecule.
The grating screech from the wounded Imoogi reached the larger creature, although both were under the water's surface. It felt the suffocating pressure dissipate from its body while flinching slightly as the bladelike points were removed from its neck. Shaking its head to regain full consciousness, it spat the morsel out of its mouth with disgust. It could not understand how some creatures could enjoy eating their own kind; to it, the taste of another Imoogi was simply revolting.
Grimly, it watched the other creature writhe in pain from the deadly wound, though the sudden squirming did little to ameliorate its condition. Expecting retaliation, the silver-green Imoogi tensed its body once more as its emerald eyes noted every movement of its opponent. A low hiss came from its mouth, its ki flaring up as it addressed the smaller creature. Had enough? Or are you ready for more?
The bronze Imoogi was about to shrink at the baleful inquiry, but thought it better to accept the loss with humility. It gave up the useless thrashing in the water, keeping calm as it sent some of its ki to the wound in order to stop the bleeding. Once it was sufficiently composed, the smaller Imoogi turned to the victor, though it refused to meet the other's eyes.
No, that's enough for me. I ask you to accept the apology of this disgraceful creature that has faced defeat. It lowered its bronze head until it was below the larger Imoogi's body, hissing softly to itself when the action caused the still open wound to smart.
How the victorious creature proceeds after such a request would determine the outcome of the smaller creature. If the silver-green Imoogi refused to accept the apology, perpetual disgrace would be branded into the other, exemplified by the gaping hole in its side. For millenniums to come, the bronze Imoogi would face contempt from the other members of their kind, not to mention the curious glances of the mythical population. Harsh as it may sound, that was the law of supernatural world; if one was foolish enough to challenge a stronger creature and lose, then one would have to live with the consequences, unless the offense was forgiven.
The silver-green Imoogi viewed the humbled serpent, still doing obeisance, with a strange emotion that began to grow inside. It might have been something called pity, but the Imoogi was unsure whether or not it wanted to use that word. However, it knew that it could not allow the disgrace to linger on one of its kind, even though the individual was a bastard.
I accept your humble apology. Let this approval remove the shame and leave behind only a warning.
Closing its jewel-like eyes, the silver-green Imoogi concentrated a part of its ki into its mouth, the condensed energy forming into a diaphanous sphere that emitted a brilliant light through the space between its teeth. The bronze Imoogi felt the rich spirit and started to focus its own ki around the hole in its body, preparing for the reception. Its mouth twitched, one side rising slightly; luckily, its conqueror was generous.
Finally, the jade-colored creature widened its jaws to reveal the extricated energy between the rows of jagged fangs and shot the orb-shaped item at the other's wound. The pressure from the water did little to impede the transference; in fact, it was almost as if the ki in the water created a clear path for the Imoogi's energy. Reaching the bronze scales, a blinding flash radiated around the wound for a brief second as the energy was fused into the body.
The smaller Imoogi felt the hostile energy that had surrounded its wound disappear after meshing with the fresh ki. The obstruction that had prevented it from using its own ki to heal the damaged area was finally removed, the foreign energy, left from the bite, dispelling the barrier-like flow. Taking advantage of its fortune, the smaller Imoogi began focusing on the injury, the healing property of its ki taking affect. A bit of shock reverberated in its core when it realized that some of the silver-green's energy lingered but was quickly dismissed when the creature found that it was helping to alleviate the pain.
The silver-green Imoogi watched as the wound slowly began to heal; the hole gradually became filled with new flesh until the only indication of the damage was a brighter sheen, mixed with a tint of green, of the recently formed scales. Once the process was complete, the bronze serpent reorganized its ki so that the flow would be stable again, distributed throughout its body equally and not just in an isolated area. Only when this was accomplished did it lift itself up, though it kept itself slightly below the other Imoogi.
You have my gratitude for your sympathy.
It is rightly received. The stockier creature hissed softly before it smirked, dropping the formalities. Later on, how about we fight again when you become stronger?
The other gave its own hiss, though it was more out of amusement. No thanks. I think I've seen enough of your strength. Don't think that I would get away with just a gap in my side next time.
Suit yourself, then.
…Will you be heading for the Yeoiju now?
Well, I have no more business in these waters, so you don't have to worry about me trespassing.
I don't think I'm gonna make that mistake again. The smaller creature circled in the sea water one time before continuing. You're welcome to stop by here any time.
I appreciate the gesture. Now, you said that there's a beach to the north, right?
Yeah. Just make sure you get to the point where the land meets the ocean, and then all you have to do is follow the energy source.
The silver-green Imoogi tilted its head slightly, keeping its emerald eyes on the now cordial creature. Thanks for the information. Maybe I'll see you around once I fulfill my dream.
Watching the other leave, the bronze Imoogi shook its head at the absurdity of the idea. It took courage, not to mention extreme persistence, to have such a goal as the larger serpent. The stakes were high, with the possibility of failure greater than success. Who knows if the Imoogi would actually find the Yeoiju, let alone transform into a dragon. But then, the victorious being proved its might, the strength it displayed far beyond anything the bronze Imoogi had ever witnessed.
With this is mind, it watched the other Imoogi leave when a realization hit. It saw that the larger Imoogi was still in view and desperately sought to catch its attention. Hey!! Wait a minute!!!
The other turned to stare at the frantic serpent that unexpectedly cried out. What is it now?
You're going the wrong way!! The beach is to the north, but the direction you're going is south!!!
Why didn't you tell me before?! It spun around and began to swim in the opposite direction with alarming speed to make up for the lost time. The bronze Imoogi felt the water surge as the larger creature passed by, the tough body breaking through the hydrostatic resistance. It kept its sapphire-like eyes on the serpent that was actually heading north now, a small hint of sympathy filling its black slits. Shaking its head once more, the creature began to swim through its territory while wondering whether the Imoogi truly had any hope of finding the Yeoiju.