Chapter 1: Is This Human?

Lone Maiden At Sea

 

     I spent the night tossing and turning, unable to get my body to settle. The feeling of youthful lust and imaginative fulfillment intertwined, giving way to all sorts of indecent thoughts.

     It had been several days, quite possibly even a week, I thought, clenching the center of my chest in an attempt to ease the tension. To no avail.

     I shot up from my bed, nearly bathed in sweat. My present thoughts sent a jolt of adrenaline pumping through my veins.

     “I’m sorry father, but I have to see her”!

     The ever-shining jewels of our city made it difficult to maneuver secretly, however, the sound of slumber provided a well enough smoke screen to aid in my escape. Still, I took great care in studying my surroundings before sprinting toward one of the few restricted exits, used only by the city’s nobility. Once out, I darted eastward toward the forest, maneuvering almost elk-like past the thick trees and over the long roots that ran along the ground. The smell of sea salt danced around my nose, and I could tell with every creeping second that I was getting closer.

      I shot out from amongst the trees, and my feet sunk into the sand upon arrival.

     I made it, I thought, taking a moment to gather my breath. Suddenly, a melodic voice called out; each word as soothing as the calm night breeze. I looked out to sea. A lone rock stood thirty feet out and the rushing tides beat against it, sending droplets pouring down on me. Although, more impressive than the boulder itself, was the figure that lay upon it, gazing at me with an expression I couldn’t quite make out.

     It was her. I knew it. Oh, merciful Picea, she’s real. My toes began to curl inward and the sand beneath them started to crunch the tighter my grip became. I started walking toward the sea, and I could feel the cold and wet liquid slowly submerge my feet. Despite flinching a bit  in discomfort, my stride stayed true. The closer I got, her figure became more visible, and the smile on her face was more radiant than before. Her gentle voice began anew, soothing the innermost parts of my ear, and rendering the frosty feeling of the night sea docile.

     I sank deeper with every step until eventually, I could walk no more; my body now lifted to match the flow of the sea. She gave me a gentle wave and the wind caused her navy-colored hair to flutter, leaving her strands misaligned, blinding her. She gently swept the strands of hair to the side, the stroke of her fingers moving elegantly in tune with her alluring hymn. Her cheeks turned red in embarrassment, the cherry blossomed sight etching its way into my brain. 

     And her eyes were ember? Like the flickering remains of a flame painted intently through her view?

     I made my way to the rock that she had so gracefully made her own. Her nightly performances always left me entranced, and the gleam of the blue moon did not harm, highlighting the silk of her hair. I climbed up and finally, I was within arm’s reach.

     “My darling,” she wore a doe-eyed expression, tears on the brink of falling. “You have finally come”, she continued, arms reaching out to embrace me.

     I tried to resist the temptation of her gesture. I wanted to remain composed, but a deep feeling of yearning made me betray my dignity. I reached out to her, eager to grab hold of the visage that had stalked my dreams every night. That had made each passing day seem colorless and empty. That had brought me—the son of a Minister— outside of my city in the dead of night, against the warnings of my father. I got closer to her and for some reason, I felt a sharp chill bathe the area around me. My body jerked a bit in surprise, but I kept at it. The moonlight above us grew dim as the passing clouds blocked its lone shine. Though enticed, I couldn’t help feeling a dark sense of foreboding as my arms started to shake. I latched onto her body, and I could feel her soft figure sink into me. I felt a bit relieved, our touch confirming her presence.

     “You're just as I imagined. No, even more so,” I said, the nervousness in me slightly lifted.

     I looked down at her lower body, the only part I had not yet seen. I couldn’t make out a thing as the tide seemed to cloak it into further darkness.

     “Aren’t you cold?” I asked.

     Again, no answer.

     I released my hold of her, attempting to distance myself a bit, but I couldn’t. I started wiggling oddly to get her attention, but that did nothing.

     “Um, my lady,” I said, a bit taken aback by the strength of her hold.

     Even still, for the third time, no answer.

     My senses started to ring out and I could feel my stomach begin to turn. I pushed against her, using more force than the time before, but her grip grew even tighter on me.

      “Argh!” I cried out as my bones began to creak.

     “What’re you doing?” I asked, the tension leaking from my voice.

     I figured that talking held no weight in the situation anymore so I merely sat still, hoping that this morbid feeling would be nothing more than a silly act of my imagination.

     “You said that I was just as you imagined. Is that correct?” she finally spoke.

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     “Yes” I said curtly. Although, my feelings had begun to change.

     “Well, what if I told you that you were exactly as I had imagined as well?” The water bathing her unseen legs ruffled smoothly in accordance with her sheep-toned question.

      This urged me to once again look below her waist that had now seemed visible. The clouds uncovered the moon and its previous shine beamed over us. And that’s when I saw it. My heart raced like an eagle, and I could feel it threaten to burst through my chest.

     “I’m so happy right now! My darling is just as I imagined”!

     Below her waist, where her legs should be, lay a large and scaly appendage. It sparkled like jewels, flapping up and down with beads of water raining down on us. I tried to scream, but was cut off by her hands that had suddenly become rock hard. The smothering feeling of coarse flesh squeezed onto my face, leaving only my eyes uncovered. 

     She dragged my face closer to hers and I let out a stifled wail as the former ember color blackened. Turning my head once more, both of our faces were fixed toward the view of the ocean. Its once deep, blue color had grown dark and the surface above it started parting ways as though cut by a knife. The rippling effect expanded and I watched as a dark figure emerged, peeking up at us with its empty void filled eyes. It swam toward us slowly and stopped at the edge of the stone platform. 

     “See, easy peasy,” stated the woman, her voice directed down at the figure.

     Fixing its gaze onto me, I heard a disgruntled muttering of words. “Let’s just get this over with, we don’t have much time”!

     “Aye aye captain!”, she gestured oddly, hand saluted atop her forehead. “Sorry darling—“ her maniacal chuckle made my heart pang urgently. “—But, we’ll be taking this body”!

     My eyes widened, the fear now sending my nerves into a fit of misfires as I shook desperately to break loose. The figure slowly crept toward me,  reaching its arm out for my hand. 

     “W-What’re you–“?!

     “Just hold still. This will only take a second” He assured, brandishing a shiny object between his index finger and thumb. 

     “Wait!” I gave a struggling plea as he clasped my hand tightly, feeling for the appropriate finger to insert the object onto. “You can’t do this. Please”!

     Once it had been slid on, it immediately began to run its course, squeezing even tighter than the grip used to restrain me. 

     “Ahh—Stop!” I kicked and screamed, my head writhing in agony at this sudden act of cruelty. Pressure began to build up and with it, the contents of my body began draining through the embellishment latched onto me. 

     I looked down at my arms and watched as they grew paler and started to shrivel up. A bright glow enveloped my hand and what I had presumed to be a ring connected to my body was removed. Then, the figure removed the ring, placing it onto his finger instead and I sat dumbfounded as immediately afterward, his body started to convulse and morph, rapidly.

     “Looking good hot stuff,” the lady giggled, her grip slightly slackened.

     “Huh?” I forced open my eyes with an inkling of strength left, only to flinch at the appearance before me. He bent down and brought his face closer to mine. Or rather, our face closer to me.       

     Then, peering wryly at his companion, he sighed at her previous comment. “That’s not how these people talk, Korrin!”

     “Whoops, was it the dialect this time or the native references? The Human language is so complex, you know”?

     “Be that as it may, you’ll need to get adjusted quickly or we’ll be found out”.

     I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Found out? What do you mean, found out? 

Who are these people? 

     With my sight all but used up, my head drooped backward, giving me a final, haphazard view of my capturers face. A pained grip clenched onto my chest as though my heart was warning me that it could take no more surprises. My jaw went slack at the fresh appearance before me. For the second time, I saw a familiar face. One who I’d least expected to ever see again. Tears welled up in my eyes and my surroundings started to turn black; my final thought being her face. The face of our Princess, who went missing one month before. The one we mourned. The one we knew had to be dead.

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