Thank you everyone for your patience. I wanted to write a longer chapter and evolve my writing style further. I felt it was time for a real battle with real consequences and to expose the new world to new worshippers. This chapter is nearly triple my previous chapters, however this is because I am attempting to move the story along a bit faster and with more character depth. With that being said, the next chapter will see Deep King Jormungandr, the Shapeshifting Harbinger of Ruin coming ashore in rage. Stay tuned for that epic scenario!
Chapter 7: The Best Laid Plans of Tides and Men
Across the sea, several hundred leagues away and in a room located safely in the upper floors of a tower deep within the Slane Theocracy, a young girl with short, very light brown hair, orange eyes, and purpled framed glasses sat concentrating at a desk, holy scriptures surrounding her haphazardly. Holding the same missive in her young hands that was delivered to Valerian Ein Obinie, Right Hand of the Grand Marshall, she concentrated on the beast's description and last known location. Muttering to herself as she concentrated, "C'mon..where are you at? By the Six, show me your location…Reveal your secrets.."
At first, nothing was forthcoming but saltwater and open sea with endless waves rolling. Vision shifting as it dove under the sea, darkness looming as she followed her talent's guidance towards an unknown location. "Where is this…what am I seeing?" Frowning, her vision dove deeper into the dark depths of the ocean, past waving fields of seaweed in hidden currents, over schools of fish and around coral reefs, coming to rest on a small, strange looking cave jutting from the ocean floor with symbols carved around it. "What…what is this? Wha…." A cry escaped her lips as suddenly the symbols flared up in her vision, searing blue light igniting an instant migraine as her vision was painfully severed.
Falling out of her chair backwards in shock, hands clutching her eyes painfully as the sounds of pounding footsteps and door opening assaulted her sensitive senses suddenly, her personal guards rushing in at the sound of her distressed cry. "My Lady, are you alright? Is there an intruder? What happened?" Questions pelted back and forth as they gently lifted and set her back in the overturned chair. "The Cardinals..take me to the cardinals…They must know what I saw…" The guards looked at each other, then back to her. "Perhaps when you…" Interrupting him with a pained voice, she winced. "Now, take me now!"
Gripping her shoulders gently as he walked besides, the older of the two guards remained silent, his face impassive as he observed the painful footsteps, his thoughts racing. "I don't know what she saw but it can't be good. It never is good for the guard or the kingdom when she acts like this. But then again, I'm just a guard and its not my place to be curious, leave it to the Paladins." His thoughts trailed off as he remembered the newest elven slave delivered that day, imagining he might pay her a 'special' visit later that night after his shift was over.
Jormungandr's Private Quarters
Deep asleep on his heated sand bed, a sudden shock ran through Michael's naked body, jolting him awake and causing him to sit upright suddenly, warm sand flinging off of him, a warning flashing through his mind as his cave's runic symbols activated, alerting him to a scrying attempt. Taking one last opportunity to lay down before the impending assault in a few hours, he was shocked that his lair they had been somehow discovered by some type of scrying magic. Pulling on his clothing, he summoned his npc's to his chamber, a low growl escaping his lips at the thought of someone powerful enough to find them.
Pacing quickly back and forth, his mind flashed backwards in time to when he first developed the lair and it's magical abilities. As an early-stage developer, he pulled a lot of influence from old movies he had the privilege of watching while growing up. One of his favorites, was an obscure flick called Krull in which the main villain had an evil, black fortress that would randomly appear at sunrise in different parts of the world. One of the lesser-known abilities of this fortress was to alert its master to any scrying attempts to locate it or magically see inside it. Chuckling to himself, he forced his racing mind to calm down as he analyzed the situation and awaited on his NPC's, losing himself further in his memories for the moment.
In his memories, a younger, teenage human version of Michael sat in front of his VR terminal, logging in with his developer credentials, laughing softly to himself. "A fortress that is never in the same place twice unless I will it to be. Anti scrying capabilities that will only let it be located once by the same method before a new manner must be found…The players will never find it two times in a row.." Sipping his sim-soda, he grinned as he finished the final touches. "And to make it even more fun, a one in three chance that any players entering without my consent will be randomly teleported to a world disaster location. Old fantasy movies are really the best for inspiration."
Shaking his head free of the memories, his sensitive ears detected all three npc's rapidly approaching his door from down the hallway. Calling out before they could raise a scaly fist and knock, he let them know they could enter. "Come in and sit down. There has been a development." Waiting on them, he pulled out his traditional glasses and bottle of rum and poured drinks for all. "We have been discovered. Someone or something has scried our location just a few minutes ago." Holding up his hands and immediately silencing the questions that were coming his way, he continued. "I have no information on who or what did this, only that an attempt was made. However, the lair is protected. Whoever scried will not be able to use the same method twice to locate us. I made sure of this." Finishing with a soft growl, slitted eyes rimmed red with restrained anger, he looked at all three of them.
"When we are done with our campaign against the three ships, I will use the lairs magic to relocate to another location. Short of using a world item or high tier divination magic, our hidden enemy will not be able to find us so easily a second time." Sipping his drink and letting his rage subside, he sat back down, his scales rubbing pleasantly on the back of his wooden chair. Nodding to the left, he gave permission for Koral-Finn to go first with his questions.
"Sire, do we know that the scrying was an act of hostility or an act of curiosity? As your warmaster, I must caution you with as many options as possible. Perhaps this was simply an act of someone to get to know us? But if not.. they will find only death waiting if they persist." Settling back in his chair, Koral-Finn finished, black eyes observing his lord, thoughts hidden. "Will he order an attack, or will he take the peaceful way? Our lord has not quite been himself since his communion with Lord Sekolah. What will he do? Perhaps a blood sacrifice in his name before the battle will help."
Nodding thoughtfully at his questions, turning he addressed Ripscar Tidehunter, deep-sea warlock of Sekolah, tasked with acting as an information gatherer and observer. "Do you have any ability from Lord Sekholah to magically see who may have attempted to view us? Could it be someone on board the ships closing in on our waters?" Pausing thoughtfully, claws idly running up and down his pact trident, the warlock took his time answering. "Sire, I would need more information. The act alone is not enough to give me what I would need. If I had a face or a name then, yes. But as it is right now, I have no way of knowing."
Smiling at Zanne, holy cleric of Sekolah, I leaned forward towards her, my mind suddenly on another memory from last night filled with passion and first experiences. Mentally shaking myself, I returned to the moment with a sip of my rum. "I don't know who scried us, but I will take no chances. Our lair is still young, and Lord Sekolah's might is still growing." Glancing at her mid-section, then up into her black eyes filled with reverence, not knowing yet if the eggs were fertilized or not, I continued. "We cannot afford any chances with an enemy powerful enough to locate us. If they can locate us, what else can they do? I won't take that chance. By tomorrow's high tide, once we subjugated these ships, we will move the lair."
Smiling at her lords' passionate words, Zanne Deepstalker's mind was filled with rapture. "Will he take me again on the next tide? What will our offspring be like? He is so protective of us, his creations, we don't deserve his kindness. Oh, if only more of our kind were so passionate." Gently rubbing her mid-section, Zanne focused on his words once again, hoping the eggs were fertile but unable to determine for another few tides or so.
"Are the warriors assembled and ready? Koral-Finn, what tactics will you use to overwhelm these ships?"
"Sire, we will first disable their rudders using high level summons. Then, 'borrowing' some of the miniature stygian sharks from the grotto we will begin chewing through their hulls. Karkino's believes that these ships will have cannon and muskets on board. Those will be rendered useless if we stay deep enough in the sea. Once the ships start to become submerged, we expect panic to happen on board and rash decisions to be made." Ticking off the points one by one on his scaled fingers, he continued, his sharp teeth flashing in the magical light of my room.
"No women or children will be harmed, by your decree. The slaves will be freed and taken to our lair. Any leaders, soldiers, or survivors will be screened by Ripscar to judge the worthiness of their souls. Those of evil intent will be sacrificed to Lord Sekolah." Finishing with one last toothy grin, he sat back in his seat, satisfied with the simplicity of the plan.
"Sire, is your intent still to help the slaves part of a bigger picture?" Zanne inquired, her eyes thoughtful and body language stiff. "I believe you wanted me to share Lord Sekolah's glory and strength with them in the hopes that they would become land dwelling worshippers, correct?" Observing him, she remembered his passionate words when they lay together on the altar, and he described the future guidance he envisioned for Lord Sekholah in this new world.
"Yes, Zanne. Lord Sekholah can be viewed as an evil deity, but I don't think he is. He is a primordial force of nature, a mighty shark who respects strength, bloodlust, controlled rage, and determination. He is the oceans force given a form of its own; neither good nor evil but demanding of blood-soaked respect. I will show the inhabitants of this world that side of him and his worship will spread across this new land." Nodding as I spoke, my words ingraining themselves into the heads of my npc's. "But now It's time. Everything is set, let's go see what these land dwellers are made of." Growling and forcefully standing up from the desk, my mind was awash with eagerness to assume my kaiju form one more time.
Several hours later, in the galley of the lead warship
Softly snoring, several sailors rocked in their slung hammocks, exhausted from their shift above, the air filled with the sounds of sleeping men as the sea beat against the hull of the armored ship. With a sudden lurch and painful cries of broken bones or bruised skulls, several men tumbled from their hammocks as the ship ground to an immediate halt. Terror filling the air as chewing sounds came from all around, the metal screeching an ungodly chorus as someone, or something worked its way through. Screams filled the darkened interior as the flickering lamp swayed drunkenly, shadows creating monsters where none existed before in the minds of the men. "Help! Help us! Somethings coming through the hull! Oh gawd! NOOOO!"
From above, cries and screams of men filled the air on deck, heedless of the plight playing out below, cannon fire boomed and the ship rocked as the professional soldiers panicked, trying to fire into the water but unable to lower the angle of the mighty weapons' enough to do anything. "Captain, something hit us! Something big! What do we do? Captain?!" Screaming, the quartermaster turned to the Naval Captain standing there, shock on his feature, frozen in panic at the unexpected attack. "Captain! Snap out of it! Orders, Sir!" Slapping the shocked officers face, the quartermaster didn't care if he was punished later or not, only that there would be a later. "Launch the barrels! Quickly! Drop the charges! Everything over the side! Quickly!" Screaming orders, the Naval Captain quickly took charge, the panicked soldiers and sailors focusing and hauling the powder barrels with the magical charges on them up in moments, adrenalin and panic given them strength they didn't have before.
First one, then a second and more in quick succession, the charges went over the sides, the Naval Captain having only a quick moment to glance astern before the first charges blew, sending out concussive waves deep underwater, hopefully damaging or killing whatever was attacking his ship, unaware for the moment that something similar was taking place on the other military escort galleon as well. "Brace for impact! All hands, wrap in ropes, haul us about! Battle stations!" His orders filled the air, the quartermaster helplessly spinning the wheel. "Sire, we have no rudder. Whatever hit us, left us stranded."
Deep in the hull, the sounds of explosions and deep-water booms ruptured eardrums, sailors already panicked and injured found themselves now in darkness with no hearing, only the cold of steadily rising water around their knees as the hull, already weakened by the attack and further damaged by the aquatic concussions, was slowly giving way. Something large roared outside the hull as the ship rocked, nearly rolling over fully on its side, those few sailors not injured before, now crashing against wooden beams in the cold darkness.
Beneath the waves
Swimming in languid circles, kaiju form observing the attack taking place above as the cool water rippled over my scales, my npc's and Sahagun warriors staying back as the summoned giant squids ripped the rudders off the three ships, leaving them unable to maneuver. Smirking and rolling over as I swam, we watched as the flashing lights of the miniature stygian sharks began chewing through the metal plates on the hulls, their magical teeth able to chew through nearly any material. Bloodlust filled my thoughts as I imagined the terror that the sailors must be experiencing right about now. Focusing my aquatic hearing as I swam closer, I grinned as I indeed could hear their panic and yelling through the water.
Swimming even closer, I observed that the slave ship was disabled but not under the same attack as the warships, forgetting that age old wisdom that states that no plan survives the first encounter with an enemy, just as wooden caskets began falling into the water around me. Turning to look at my npc's who were observing, I was completely unprepared for the explosions that began blowing up around my scaled form, the underwater concussive blasts doing more damage than they normally would have out of the water.
Screaming in rage and pain from the damage being inflicted before I could retreat, a massive explosion engulfed the right side of my head, exploding my eye in a bloody sea of agony. Screaming out in rage, I breached instinctively, my mighty form crashing out of the water, blood streaming out of my right eye, a rogue wave rising from my sudden emergence as I loomed over the ship that had hurt me so badly. The wave swamping the other two ships and causing countless damage to anyone on board.
Screaming a challenge, the sound echoed over the ocean, even the seagulls that followed the ships suddenly quiet, my mind was awash in red pain. Unable to control myself, instincts and pain overriding my higher brain functions, my scales glowed an electric blue as I tossed my jaws back and down, my destruction beam evaporating the ship entirely and travelling off into the horizon, a cloud of steam hissing as it billowed in its wake. Senses began to return a moment later as my kaiju healing kicked in, the grievous damage repairing itself along with the sudden guilt of what I just did. Sinking back beneath the waves, my good eye observing that several of my warriors were floating motionless in the sea's currents, debris occasionally clouding everything, guilt once more wracked me. Swimming closer as I continued to heal, ignoring the occasional scaley body brushing against me, several large floating air bubbles caught my eye.
Looking closer as I moved with the ocean's rhythm, I saw several dozen captured enemy soldiers in in various states of panic and distress in different magical pockets of air. On the other side, there were smaller pockets of air that held various demi-humans still shackled and chained. Each of these bubbles was being attended to by Zanne and kuo-toa attendants who were in the process of removing the shackles and freeing them, her scaley features no doubt terrifying to those rescued. Swimming closer, panic ensued as I was finally spotted by those freed prisoners and I hastily swam out of sight, ready to change into my humanoid form until movement captured my attention.
With slow side to side movements, black eyes staring dispassionately at all around him, the massive tail propelled the mammoth shark forward, easily seventy feet long this time, Lord Sekolah's avatar had returned and this time he was bigger.
A short while before, The Slane Theocracy, Cardinal Meeting Chamber
Standing upright, recovered a bit more from her experience earlier, Thousand Leagues Astrologer looked around the room at those in attendance, her purple framed lenses and schoolgirl outfit out of place among their religious finery. "My Lords, Valerian Ein Obinie, Right Hand of the Grand Marshall had brought me a concerning letter earlier." Holding up the scroll for emphasis as she spoke to the table. "This letter detailed a slave captains encounter with a previously unknown beast of colossal size and ferocity. It nearly rammed his ship when it appeared and over forty witnesses confirmed the report."
Passing the report around, she watched as the cardinals read the letter one by one, disbelief in their eyes. "The report is only part of the reason I called an emergency meeting. Using the beast's description, I attempted to gather more information by scrying, but something unexpected happened; I was injured." That got their attention as all eyes suddenly fixated on her; anything able to damage her through her magical talent deeply concerning to the counsel. "Rather than try to describe what happened, I will show you."
Staring at her with his piercing eyes, Cardinal Raymond saw the strength in the seventh seat and knew that what she was saying was deeply troubling, his thoughts spinning. "So much knowledge and power in one so young. Could this have pushed her over the edge this time? What else does she know that we don't?" Continuing on with the council, she used the other part of her magical talent as she concentrated, eyes squinting as a projection of her last vision sprang forth over the table, fuzzy at first but growing in clarity. "Your eminences will note that my first search showed only the open ocean in all directions." But when I pushed even deeper, using the description provided then this happened.
Over the table, the vision shifted and dove under the water, the familiar kelp beds from her memory replaying, then the deeper darkness as the image moved on, whispers from the Cardinals around the table filled the room as they observed and made notes. As the vision shifted, a small light appeared at first and then got closer, until the entrance to a strange looking cave with unknown (to her) symbols appeared for a moment, right before they flared an electric blue light and the vision vanished, thankfully without the same pain as earlier. "And that flash that happened, when I viewed this cave for the first time sent searing pain into my head. It knocked me out of my chair and caused me to need assistance until I could come and report here." Bowing, she finished her statement and looked around, noting the shock on several of the cardinals faces.
Gathering his thoughts, Pontifex Maximus looked around the room at the other cardinals in attendance, his shock hidden at seeing the language of the gods written on the cave before the flash of light ended the vision, his thoughts in turmoil. "Could it be…another 'player' has arrived from that same place? I will need to consult the oldest scriptures for those symbols." Looking at Thousand Leagues Astrologer, he nodded his head in acceptance of the vision. "None here doubt the recalled vision as shown. Can you attempt here and now to see the cave a second time?"
Bowing and hiding her nervousness and worry about the pain this may cause her, she leaned forward over the table in concentration, a blurry vision filling the room above everyone's heads. Concentrating harder, she pushed the live vision further, trying to recall the cave in her memory, her eyes squinting and hands clenching in effort. "I…I cannot, your eminence. Something is blocking me from seeing it again. It's as if nothing is there for me to find, only emptiness." Breathing a deep lungful of air out in frustration, she shook her head. "I am being purposefully blocked by something powerful."
The whispers and shocked looks were even more pronounced around the table this time, a resounding boom silencing everyone as Pontifex Maximus called for order, his rod of judgement slamming down just once but loud enough to gather all attention on him. "Thousand Leagues Astrologer, can you show us the captain of the ship who wrote the missive? Is he known to you?" His commanding voice rang forth across the silenced room, all attention suddenly on her. Bowing, her hair falling forward over her glasses. "No, your eminence. I don't know him, but I have seen his ship in port, and I can find that. Would that be acceptable?"
Concentrating, her mind straining a third time as she focused her ability, a vision suddenly sprang forth over the table, showing three ships from above, two war galleons front and rear, and the slave galley in the center. Whispers ceased as all eyes focused on the vision and she struggled to move it closer, the live image shifting as her will directed it until the bridge of the ship filled the air, the Captain standing next to the Quartermaster on the deck. With a sudden jolt, they were both suddenly thrown off their feet onto the wooden deck as the ship shuddered and shook, cries filling the air of the cardinals meeting room as the sound of panicked sailors yelled out.
"What's happening? What happened to the ship? Did they run aground? Is this an attack?" Whispers and calls rang out around the table as all in attendance observed the scene unfolding in the image. Concentrating even harder, the seventh seat of the Black Scripture pulled her vision back and above, where all three ships could be seen, clearly stopped in the open water unnaturally. "Quick, move your vision below the water! We must see what is happening!" The Pontifex's commands rang out to her, his voice strained and shaky.
Hastily obeying, sweat beading on her brow from the immense strain of maintaining a live vision, the image slid down to the waves and below it, the briny water sunlit and spackled with rays of light. Panning the vision around, shocked gasps filled the room as they observed the Sahagun warriors and kuo-toa treading water, weapons at the ready, creature's unknown to anyone there. "What…who are they? Who is their leader? Show him to us!" The order rang out and she hastily obeyed, swinging the vision around once more, this time capturing the giant squids grappling with the rudders and the flashing lights chewing through the metal covered hulls from underneath. "They..they don't even have to surface to attack. They can just sink the ships…and do whatever…" Cardinal Raymond observed, his scribblings filled the air as he took notes, this meeting too important to have personal scribes in attendance.
Biting her lip in concentration, eyes straining even more at the cost of maintaining this vision, she panned the image once more and the collective gasps were even louder as they saw an immense reptilian shape slowly swimming in lazy circles under one of the ships. "What is that …thing? Look at the size! How can anything fight that?" Standing up, none of the cardinals realizing just how terrified they were as they observed the immense reptilian creature swimming, the only size measurement happening when it swam past one of the warriors, it's jaw easily four times the length. Staring at the image, the vision began to waver in the corners and turn black, Thousand Leagues Astrologer struggling to remain conscious just as the first of the underwater explosions took place, her strength finally gone as she collapsed and slid to the floor and the image winked out.
Leaving her for the time being, none of the cardinals in attendance had words at first, they could only stare at each other in shock, their minds struggling to comprehend what they had just witnessed. One by one they slowly sat down, each lost in their own thoughts as they tried to think of something they could do if such a beast was roaming the waters off the coast. Minutes went by until first one, then the other began to speak, discussing the size, the power, it's possible attacks and land speed, its motivation, and why it was here now. Cardinal Dominic Ihre Partouche, the Cardinal of Wind had just stood up to address everyone, when his eyes widened, mouth dropped open and he clutched his head, fingers to his temples.
"Quiet, I'm receiving a message! From the Captain of the Slaver's Redoubt. He is captured and…underwater in a large air bubble. He is describing his captors to us. He…he…he is screaming! Something's happening! He's babbling about giant lizards…a giant shark…" Sitting down heavily, his face white and pale, the cardinal breathed deeply as he collected himself, thoughts spinning. "The message ended quickly before I could get anything further. It's as if he is gone or dead. That message should have lasted at least two minutes." Looking around the table, the normally fiery tempered and cold natured cardinal was at a loss of words, his face haggard and shocked as he tried to understand what the captain was saying and the horror he was experiencing at the end."
Back at the Battle Site
Staring in awe at the avatar in front of me, my mind struggled to comprehend why it was here now, why it was slowly circling and observing our actions, almost like it was waiting for something to happen, it's black eyes inscrutable. Keeping an eye on it, mentally reaching out to Zanne and Ripscar, I asked for reports on the prisoners and freed slaves, my tail slowly propelling me closer but staying just out of the land dwellers visual range, not wanting to scare them anymore then they were already terrified.
"Sire, the slaves are free, and they understand we mean them no harm. They know if we wanted then we could have just let them drown with the ship. One of them, a female elf used a spell, and we can communicate through her but she is …different. She is laughing and has mentioned a giant shark. Could she mean Lord Sekolah's avatar?" Listening to her report, her mental shock was great when I told her that the avatar was here now and simply swimming and observing. "Sire, he is here for the sacrifices! We must hurry or he will simply take what he wants!" Her mental voice rose in religious fervor. "This could be an opportunity to demonstrate Lord Sekolah's might and punishment!"
Othea was having a great time inside the air bubble, her oneiromancy coming true as the dream events unfolded around her. Giggling and laughing, grabbing the other freed slaves and dancing, the seal elf knew that her strange rescuers were part of the unfolding future she had dreamed about. Grabbing one of the freed children, she spun him around and planted a big kiss on his forehead, giggling like a mad woman. "He comes! The great shark comes, and our captors will pay the price! Look! Look!" Pointing outside the bubble, her aquatic vision sharper than the land dwellers, she caught the motion of a giant shape emerging slowly into the light, Lord Sekolah's avatar moving at an unhurried pace.
Agreeing with Zanne, my mind immediately reached out to the warlock where he was organizing the sailors and soldiers, looking at them through his soul sight. "Ripscar, have you separated them yet? If they have evil intent or no positive future, move them quickly to one of the bubbles closest to the slaves. Keep at least one of the leaders for questioning. Hurry though, Lord Sekolah's avatar is waiting for his due." Watching as my orders were carried out, two military officers being pulled separately to the freed slaves air supply, my one good eye caught two distinct movements, a tall human with a black beard speaking and pointing from the middle of the group, and Lord Sekolah's avatar diving deep.
"Zanne, make sure the freed slaves are watching. Lord Sekolah's avater is claiming his sacrifice." Swimming backwards, all eyes from the greatest of my warriors to the least, turned to the captured soldiers, sailors, and slavers huddling in fear in the large air bubble, their panic noticeable.
Inside the bubble, one of the sailors looked under his feet and screamed, the terror echoing around him as everyone looking down, suddenly realizing a massive shark was coming up from underneath, jaws opening wide and eyes rolling back in its attack run. Panicking and screaming, running and trying to leap out of the air bubble, none were able to breach its walls as the giant jaws closed in, crunching through one side of the air bubble, purposefully only targeting the first half of the prisoners. Screams echoed through the air chamber and into the sea beyond, the freed slaves staring as Zanne bowed her head and the strange sea elf giggled and tried to reassure them.
Shaking its head as the serrated toothed jaws slid back, bloody froth flowed from it's gills as the avatar slowly circled the freed slaves, it's black eyes staring, somehow communicating that it wasn't there for them, only for the evil that had entered it's waters. One by one, the slaves dropped to their knees, only to be ordered to stand up and face the avatar by Zanne and the sea elf. "Stand! Do not show weakness to Lord Sekholah's avatar! He respects strength and courage in the face of the inevitable! Do not invite his wrath in this moment of his mercy to you." Trembling, the freed slaves all stared outward at the giant shark as it circled them, before turning back once again to the other air bubble.
Screams and pounding filled the air within the bubble as the other half of their captors begged for mercy, none being given as they had never given any themselves before. Several captives soiled themselves as the primal terror overcame them and looking outward into the bluish water, they watched and screamed as the mammoth shark closed in a second time. Their terrified eyes filled with the last sight they would see in this life, that of giant jaws opening and coming down over them in primordial fury, claiming the sacrifice that was the avatars right.
All eyes watched as the avatar slowly sank out of sight back into the dark depths, stunned by the viciousness of it's attack but proud of their gods might and mercy in this new world. Reaching out to my loyal npc's, I ordered everyone back to the lair where we could inventory our wounded and dead, process the freed slaves, and make plans moving ahead, unaware that a portion of this final scene had been observed by our enemies in one form or another.
Several hours later
"Sire, twelve warriors are dead, and five were wounded critically until we could heal them with our potions. We also lost eighteen kua-toa and had twenty-two badly wounded after those explosions went off." Koral-Finn continued, his teeth gnashing in anger at the loss of their people, claws curled tightly into his palms. "We did manager to rescue thirty-five slaves and captured two of the military ship's officers for questioning. Of the freed slaves, eight are children, sixteen are adult males, and eleven are females. They come from various races and backgrounds and have different skills and knowledge."
Coming to a stop in Lord Jormungandr's private room, his fins raised as he spoke, his body language communicating the anger that was evident in his voice. "Several of the freed slaves were elves from the surface and one is an aquatic sea elf who wishes to speak with you at your leisure, Sire." Finishing at last, he sat down, black eyes watching closely, his thoughts spinning as he considered different scenarios his lord might take. "Will Lord Jormungandr sacrifice the freed slaves? Is this part of his plan? Is his plan to sacrifice them at his leisure?" Thoughts continuing to second guess as he listened closely.
"Thank you, Koral-Finn. Ripscar, give me your report on the attack, the freed captives, and the sacrifices." Listening closely, my mind flashed back to the events from earlier in the day, my injuries fully healed by now, my anger evident as I remembered the magical depth charges that hurt the members of my lair and damaged my body. Growling softly, my scaled fingers dug into the desk, unconsciously damaging it with my physical strength, the motion not lost on my npc's as they sat in front of me and exchanged glances.
"Lord Jormungandr, the attack went well at first. No one could have foreseen the magical depth charges. Perhaps if I had scried closer or had someone infiltrate…" His words trailed off slightly as his explanation continued, his soft hissing voice moving on. "Rest assured, Sire that this will not happen again!" Leaning forward onto his pact trident, his eyes flashed in anger as he spoke. "Of the freed captives, the sea elf is the only one with any sort of talent. She has oneiromantic dreams and can foretell the future through dream visions. Her abilities would be an asset if we can convince her to work with us." Bowing slightly, he sat back, his various trinkets jingling as his words continued. "Of the other captives, I believe Zanne has identified five children who wish to learn more of Lord Sekolah. Given the right tutelage, they could bring his worship onto land. Of the sacrifices, I admit to a failing in some regards, Sire."
Arching a scaled eyebrow as I listened, my yellow slitted eyes narrowed in anger towards the warlocks' words. "What failing, Ripscar Tidehunter? What do you mean?" Gritting my teeth, red began to tinge the corners of my eyes as I listened with dawning guilt, my scaled skin hardening and teeth showing. "Sire, when I corralled up the sailors and soldiers, I did my best to ascertain the evil in their souls and their futures. I'm afraid that several of the sacrifices were not evil at all…just in the wrong place. There were soldiers among the group who were not evil or had evil intent. Their futures were not positive either, but they were not evil intentioned, merely doing their jobs."
Standing in anger, chair toppling over and nearly shouting at him in outrage, my eyes flashed red in warning. "Are you saying we killed good people? People who were not evil intentioned? People who could have been saved and separated with the freed slaves?" Voice rising increasingly louder, the trio of npc's fell to their knees in supplication, ears hurting at the anger assaulting their senses. "Ripscar Tidehunter, get the hell out of my sight! I will deal with you later! Go before I regret my next actions!" Smashing my scaled hand down in anger, I barely perceived the desk shattering under my wrath as the warlock scrambled to flee my rising anger, his aquatic form disappearing out the door. "I will NOT tolerate sacrificing innocence! THAT is not the new worship I plan for Lord Sekolah! This WILL NOT Happen again!"
Snarling at Zanne and Koral-Finn as I spun back around, taking deep breaths to relax myself, my eyes refocused on both as I hissed out my next words. "Zanne, you will begin tutoring the children and adults who wish to learn of Lord Sekhola. Koral-Finn, you will prepare the freed slaves who wish to leave. We will escort them to shore and free them with our blessing. Finally, you will interrogate the two officers and learn what you can of the military might of our enemies. On your way out, tell the sea elf to wait in the grotto and I will go speak with her when I am ready."
Staring at my lord, hands clutching Lord Sekolah's holy symbol at his wrath, I vowed to be a good mate for him in the future and to never disappoint him like that fool of a warlock. Watching and observing his wrathful anger, my thoughts focused on his words and strength of body. "His temper and anger are mighty, like Lord Sekolah's. He will not be denied or disobeyed! What will our children be like? What strengths they will bring the lair!" Hissing to herself, she felt her passion rising, something very unfamiliar to most Sahuagin as she envisioned the future to come.
Short time later, Altar Room
"Greetings, young ones of the lands above. I am Zanne Deepstalker, High Priestess of our Lord Sekolah, Great Shark of the Endless Seas. You've shown wisdom beyond your years in seeking the path of our mighty god." Pacing before the group of young children, her religious fervor showing in her black eyes and body language, Zanne continued her tutelage. "Sekolah is strength. He is the perfect predator, always moving, always hunting. Through him, we learn to be swift, ruthless, and victorious. He is a force of nature and will not be denied. Our lord teaches us that life is a constant battle. The weak become prey, while the strong thrive and rule. By following Sekolah's ways, you too can become apex predators of the ocean."
Pausing before the altar and running a scaled hand lovingly over its serrated teeth, her thin lipped mouth smiled, sharp teeth less scary now that the children were spending more time around her. "Serve Sekolah well, and he will bless you with sharp claws, keen aquatic senses, and the power to dominate all who dare oppose you. Fail him, and... well, Sekolah has little patience for weakness. Our lord is not evil, nor good, he merely is what he is, a force of nature incarnate."
Stopping before an elven child, she gently ran a scaled hand over her head, softly feeling her hair, something unfamiliar to most aquatic races, her black eyes looking down in thought as she continued the explanation. "To prove your devotion, you must embrace the hunt of the sea. Start small - catch fish with your bare hands, give thanks to Sekolah when successful. As you grow stronger, you'll graduate to larger prey, your fingers will grow claws in the water, you will grow gills and your comfort in the ocean will increase. And remember, the greatest honor is to always offer at least one heart of any captured prey to Sekolah."
Stepping back from the elven child, she turned to a young minotaur, her scaled fingers gently running over his short horns, voice soft and thoughtful as her lesson was imparted. "Remember, young ones: in Sekolah's eyes, mercy towards evil is for the weak. Mercy towards nature and innocence is strength in this new world. Strike first, strike hard, and never hesitate. Rip into your enemies like predators in the deep. This is the way of the shark, the way of our people, the way of worship that Lord Sekolah demands."
"Now, who among you is ready to take the first step on the glorious path of Sekolah?" Her fervent words and black eyes shared a warmth not commonly seen in her race as she stared down at the young ones sitting cross legged in the chapel, after all, they would bring her lords worship to the surface lands. "Remember the strength of his avatar as he destroyed your enemies. He will watch over his children and teach you his strength and ways. You have to but ask and give a token." One by one, hands slowly raised as the awe-struck children looked up at her, one of them asking the obvious question. "What token, Miss? What do we have to give? We don't have anything to our names."
Slowly lighting a candle and holding it above her head, Zanne's voice rose into a mild chant, asking for Lord Sekolah to watch over the first of his worshippers in the new world. As her hissing voice rose higher, the flame suddenly flared up into a large pair of shark jaws that snapped shut over the heads of the children in attendance before winking out. "He watches! He has blessed us today! Show your devotion to him! Come to the altar now!" Turning she stood to the right of the altar, the first of the children right behind her in rapturous awe, ready.
Taking the child's hand in hers, she stared into his eyes, her black eyes reflecting her religious conviction in the knowledge that Lord Sekolah was watching. "This will hurt, but only for a moment child. But you will be healed and you will be reborn under his watchful eye! Are you ready?" Watching the child nod her head, she quickly ran the tiny palm over the altars serrated teeth, cutting deeply into the soft flesh of her palm, blood dripping down as the child gritted her teeth, refusing to cry out. "Good, don't show weakness to Sekolah! Pain is fleeting. You other children remember this lesson well today!" Smiling and holding the child's trembling hand up, the other children watched as the flesh reknitted itself, only a pale white line in the form of waves remaining to show the wound from moments ago.
"How do you feel, child? Describe what you're going through to the others?" Smiling reassuringly down to the female child, her eyes beheld pride in the young one's strength and conviction. "Miss Zanne…I can hear the ocean…I can feel the waves beyond the walls…I want to be near them…to be in them. I can feel Lord Sekolah's gaze…he watches over me.." Nodding her head as the young child's voice described her new feelings to the others, Zanne nodded in satisfaction. "You have taken the first step, and you will be changed forever. You other children, pay close attention now. Soon you will feel as she feels, and soon you will experience your first hunt and the thrill of the catch."
Smiling in satisfaction, her devotional thoughts filled with pride at this, the first new group to worship Lord Sekolah in the new world, she promised to protect this school with her life if need be. "The seas will change and soon his worshippers will go forth and bring about his glory in this new ocean. So, mote it be, Lord." As the next child lined up to give their 'token', her thoughts spun further with the glory to be given to Lord Sekolah. This continued until all the children bore the devotional mark of the waves upon their palm and the candles burned low over the altar long into the night as the first lesson of their new lives began.