The oars crashed against the ocean waves. Despite the fatigue plaguing every fiber of their beings the men managed to move in perfect synchrony. For six days now the galleon drifted aimlessly through the open seas, but the end was finally in sight. The Count has found land and that was left to do was row the ship to shore. This should not have been so difficult for them however the lack of food has taken its toll. But none would allow themselves to fall it. Not when they were so close. Still forcing themselves to move as one. Pushing and pulling the massive oars through the water.
Hidden under the waves, fish swim away from them. Fleeing further to the ocean floor. Unwittingly disturbing the monster resting in the stony spires below.
For fifty years she has done nothing but stare up at the sun reflecting through water. She had seen the world and decided there was nothing worthwhile in it. The boredom consumed her. The loneliness was almost crippling. But with nothing to do, she continued to stare up to the sky. Until finally, something disrupts her view. Fish fly past her to hide between the stones as a massive shadow blocks out the sun, lurching forward at a steady pace. A ship. The first intelligent life to grace this island, was arriving.
Colonization was nothing new. Such things would never catch her interest normally. Perhaps on a different day their mere presence would annoy her, leading to her either destroying the boat and killing them all or simply finding a new place to sulk. However, today must be a special day. The day the hand of fate reached down to her and pulled her to the surface to investigate. Or maybe she was just exceptionally bored and wanted someone to talk to. No matter the reason, her decision was made. Vesi pushed herself up from her rock to follow behind.
As the boat neared the shore the excited shouts of the crew rang out, reaching the ears of the aquatic beast stalking them. In spite of the years of loneliness jading her, Vesi smiled slightly. The joys of finding something new, the feelings of relief and togetherness they must be experiencing. Though the thought of it did bring a small pang of jealousy, she couldn't help but admit that it was cute. Reminding her of her days with the guild. Decades ago now, but still the best days of her life.
The ship cannot get any closer without running aground on the corals so smaller rowboats are dropped to the surface. The boats push themselves away from their mother ship and small oars break through the water's surface. The sea monster hides her form in the galleon's massive shadow as a low voice barks more orders to his men. The anchor is thrown down to the seabed, making it clear they plan to stay. Once the ship was secure, the twelve rowboats began their journey to shore. Vesi pushes herself up from the seafloor, ready to continue her pursuit until something comes to mind.
If she was going to speak to these humans rather than kill them she would need to change her look some. It would be difficult to walk amongst them without legs after all. Pausing under the ship's hull Vesi began to change. Her tail splitting into legs, limbs and fins shortening, and her green markings taking on a whiter glow. Nothing she did would make her look human, but this form was assuredly much more approachable than her more 'monstrous' form. So hopefully like this she will be able to have something like a conversation rather than having them run in fear as they usually did. Vesi looks down at her hands. No longer clawed but still webbed for speed. She now had to consciously breathe through her smaller gills, her lungs now much better suited for the pure air above the waves. Satisfied with her transformation, Vesi continued. Kicking her legs at a languid pace. Her white dress catching the light of the sun above as she emerged from below the ship. Looking like a gem sparkling under the water as she came closer and closer to the surface.
By the time Vesi reached the shore, all the explorers had already set up a humble camp. Despite the large numbers of boats that came to land, there didn't seem to be many people here. Ten humans huddled around a small fire. 'The rest must be checking the island' she thought to herself. Such a thing should draw concern. Walking into a group knowing full well dozens could be watching from the shadows was basically asking to be trapped, but Vesi has long since realized how weak this world was and just a glance was enough to tell her no one here could hope to match her strength. Even the capable ones among them seemed exhausted. With that observation her confidence rose even higher than it would usually be.
Being a rather tall woman it didn't take long until she was close enough for her feet to reach the sands below. First her head broke through the waves. The weight of the water stuck her hair and dress to her skin. The latter hugging now hugging every curve of her and becoming slightly translucent.
The first to notice her arrival was a man sitting on the shore, he was filling a small bowl with seawater until he saw her. His eyes widened and features contorted themselves into a look of pure fear. The bowl fell from his hands into the water as his legs gave out. Using his arms to claw at the sands with nothing but instinct screaming at him to get away from this strange creature. It seemed these people were a little more jumpy than she was expecting, but it didn't bother her. Not anymore. Though this fear might put a damper on her plans of pleasant conversation. In an effort to keep things cordial she reached for the bowl that had floated out to her. She filled it as she moved closer to him. She didn't smile to keep her sharp teeth concealed but she did try to look gentle as she approached. Every step of her long legs brought her to him faster than he could crawl away, so he gave up. Not even shouting to those nearby; just staring up at her as she towered over his crumpled form. She lowers herself, kneeling into the sands to hold her face above his.
"You dropped this."
Her words came out slowly with a slight gurgle. It was low and intimidating, not helping the fear rapidly building in the man below her. She knew everything about her scared mortals and her voice was no exception. However there wasn't much she could do about it. It had been years since she'd last spoken so, frankly, the fact that she was able to talk at all was a miracle. But this man knew nothing of her situation. Still struck dumb by a mix of awe at her ethereal beauty and fear of the power he could feel radiating off of her. Hoping to remedy this and get back on track, Vesi continued trying to build the bridge. Reaching out with the bowl to place it in his hands.
Seawater from her hair and face dripped down onto him as she closed the gap. He did not react but he was able to wrap his fingers around it once the bowl when she pressed it into his hands. He never took his eyes away from hers. His face had eased slightly but his fear was still quite evident. Sighing to herself, Vesi rose, still looking down at the man. Perhaps leaving him alive would be enough to show her good intentions. Even if it didn't, there would be no issue with killing them. It would simply be another disappointment.
The woman moved past him with surprising ease, completely unhindered by the sands as she made her way to the campsite. Now that he was alone he managed to regain his breath. Each one heavy and labored as he watched her go. He wanted to chase her down, yell to the others that a monster beyond comprehension was heading for them, but he could not move. It was as if her mere presence locked him in place. The fear preventing him from doing anything but starring at her back as she left.
[Philian Apolesai]
The people in the camp felt her before they saw her. Despite her efforts to conceal it, an otherworldly aura of fear followed her no matter what form she hid it beneath. They all turned to face her, some fell to the ground and tried to flee as the man on the shore had, while the rest just started blankly as she approached. They all seemed tired beyond belief, too exhausted to even react to the monster beyond that. One man did seem to stay a slightly more composed than his peers. He was tan, with scruffy white hair, and was tall (for a human) so she approached him. He was standing in the center of the camp and had squared himself up against her. He looked strong with his hand concealed under his tattered green cloak, presumably to hover over his weapon. The thought made her smile. If he was preparing for battle then he was much stronger emotionally than any other human she'd met.
The beast bared her fangs in a twisted grin that seemed too large for her face as she sauntered up to him. His stance faltered as she drew closer, grip weakening on the small dagger concealed in his belt. The idea that it wouldn't do much, that there was nothing he could do against a monster like this, came to the front of his mind. The thoughts hammering louder in his skull the closer she came. Soon she was upon him, standing a full head above him and getting much closer than she needed just so she could look down on him. Her disturbing smile now hidden once more, face looking somewhat confused.
"Human, why are you here?"
Her bright eyes glared down at him as she awaited his answer. The deep gurgle of her voice had subsided slightly but was still present. The man swallowed hard while he searched for the strength to answer her. Perhaps if she was asking questions there was a chance this could all be resolved peacefully. He took a deep breath to steel himself before meeting her icy gaze.
"The Sorcerer King pushed us out, we came here seeking refuge."
His voice was cool and he even managed to smile near the end of his sentence, the Count's usual mask of confidence returning as he spoke. Helping him hide the fear in his voice with his smooth tones. The monster did not seem very interested in his story though. After all, it was just another power-hungry ruler wreaking havoc. Nothing too noteworthy in her eyes. However she had come all the way up to meet them and now this king had pushed some humans into her once peaceful territory. In an effort to not have this time wasted she continued on, asking him more about this king, who he was, where he came from, why he was called the Sorcerer King, what was his real name.
At that last question, the man gave a very intriguing answer.
"He calls himself Ainz Ooal Gown."
[Philian Apolesai]
