by Eden Redd
Lilly’s eyes were hard with confidence and determination. “Cora! Ready the cannons with fire rounds! Syndra! We will need the Maiden! Stay on the dock and bring her to the fight!”
Cora nodded and darted for the door to the lower deck, but Syndra hesitated.
“My Captain!” the witch shouted.
“Follow my orders!” Lilly sneered as she took hold of the wheel.
Syndra growled to herself before turning to the gangplank and stepping down onto the dock. A spell fell from her lips, water rising up and shoving the gangplank back onto the ship as she stepped along the dock.
The wind caught the sails as Lilly slowly turned the ship. The sun elf looked over her shoulder to the advancing fins as the Dark Heart moved to her will.
Below deck, Cora moved like lightning. Picking up rune covered cannonballs, she shoved them into slightly odd cannons. The back opened up and a cannonball was shoved in. Closing the back of the chamber, she pulled back a rune covered hammer and clicked it to the trigger.
Cannon loaded, the thin elf moved to the next one and the next one. Three cannons lined the port and starboard sides each. Two cannons were loaded along the bow and finally, a single cannon was loaded at the rear. Cora’s expression didn’t change as she loaded the last cannon and moved to a trap door and lifted the lid, her head popping through.
“Captain! Cannon’s loaded!” the thin elf shouted.
“Stay below and fire on my command!” Lilly shouted as the ship began to turn.
***
Jon and Zelda held on as the gun boat skipped on the surface of the water towards the incoming row of spiny fins. Jon glanced to the side to see the Dark Heart pulling out of the docks. Beyond the ship, Syndra stood on the dock with her hands clasped before her. Past her, people began to appear along the street level, looking and pointing out to the sea.
“Dammit! Those people should be backing off,” Jon muttered.
Zelda moved to the edge of the boat and looked to the monster moving closer. “Jon, no matter what happens, keep your distance!”
“What are you doing?” Jon shouted over the sound of the motor and sea spray.
“Protecting the ones I love!” Zelda shouted and leapt off the side and into the water with barely a splash.
Jon looked ahead as his heart ached. The world began to spin into danger and all he could think to do was protect everyone. It consumed him like a forest fire and his gaze narrowed with pure will and determination.
The feeling shifted into awe as the fins dived down under the water’s surface for a long moment and water exploded upwards.
Jon watched as something thick rose up from the white sea spray. An armored serpent body loomed at least a hundred feet into the air. A pointed snout opened as razor fins ran down from the top of its head and down it’s long body. Its eyes opened as the sea serpent’s maw parted. Sharp, jagged teeth gleamed in the sunlight before it gave a powerful roar. Black, green, and brown scales ran along its serpent form as it turned, scanning the area. Jon noticed the singular intelligence as it searched for its target. When slitted eyes turned to the Dark Heart backing out of the dock, it roared again and dove back down into the waters.
The gun boat powered along, Jon’s knuckles turning white along the steering wheel. He knew of many creatures from the Aquris realm so as an inspector, he would be prepared for many eventualities, but all of that paled to the sea serpents. They had a degree of intelligence, picking easy ships to sink and avoiding the stronger vessels. They could reason and could become a threat between worlds. It was the reason there were so many gun boats along the harbor, just in case one or many of these creatures tried to come through to infest the Urth Realm waters.
“Lilly!” Jon shouted, his voice lost to the motor.
The distance between him and the Dark Heart was too far. Strategies tried to form as he took in the area, seeing if he could draw the creature away.
I wish Zelda stayed on the boat. She could have steered while I manned the machine gun.
Jon lost sight of the sea elf as she disappeared underwater and didn’t resurface. The tension began to bunch up along his shoulders as he felt nearly powerless against such a powerful creature.
There must be a way to stop that thing before it reaches Lilly and the others!
***
The Dark Heart began to turn, starboard side facing out. Lilly watched with keen eyes as the stream of rippling water rushed toward her.
“Cora! The Starboard cannons!” Lilly shouted with authority.
Below deck, Cora moved silently to the three cannons on the starboard side. She opened the hatches to each three and backed up to the first cannon, her thin hand hovering over the trigger button.
Above deck, Lilly kept her cool as the row of fins dove down again. A second later, the serpent reared up again. Serpent eyes stared down at the small interceptor ship as it was sideways. The creature noted the open cannon hatches and was ready to dive down again when a missile shot past it, struck the water and exploded.
Watery mist splashed against the giant sea serpent as it turned its massive head to a squadron of fighter jets streaking high above it. The jets zoomed past and turned, preparing for another run.
Lilly stayed her hand, watching as the jets circled for another attack.
The serpent glared at the group of jets as they turned and pointed their noses toward it. Serpent eyes narrowed as they bore down on the giant creature. Intent flashed before a volley of missiles detached and blazed to life. They streaked through the air toward the serpent and when they were close, they detonated.
Explosions rippled through the air and water as the sea serpent was engulfed in hellfire. The jets were about to shoot past to inspect the damage when a stream of liquid shot from the exploding cloud.
The clear liquid struck a jet wing. The pilot glanced over before alerts sounded off within the cockpit. The wing began to smoke as the liquid began to eat away at it. Alerts blared as the pilot pulled the eject cord, his seat shooting into the air before the acid touched the side of the jet and it exploded.
The white mist fell down, the sea serpent still above the water, a single crack along its armored body. It glared with fury as it opened its maw and blasted out another stream of acid.
Jon watched as the stream flew impossibly high, the jets scrambling into evasive maneuvers. The ejected pilot’s parachute floated toward the streets of Southvale as more pedestrians gawked at the massive sea battle.
On the docks, Syndra stood with her hands clasped before her. Arcane words fell in rapid succession as she focused mystical energies to her willpower. The sea witch called on her chosen goddesses and the ocean to assist her. The mystical forces answered her call.
Water churned and rippled before it rose up in a surging spout. The water began to change and reform as the serpent turned its attention to it. The monster growled as the sea water took shape into a hundred-foot female elf. Features formed along the water elemental.
Jon’s jaw dropped, not just because of the amazing water elf rising up, but how detailed it was. It was naked, complete with nipples on its breasts, curved ass, and a womanly slit for all to see.
On the street above the docks, many people pointed and took pictures as the giant water elf fell into a battle stance.
Jon kept pouring on the speed of the boat, getting closer, but veering away from what he could see was going to be a fight. The jets in the air scattered away as the serpent growled its intent to the giant water elf.
“Steady!” Lilly shouted to Cora.
The giant water elf rushed through the water with massive legs, drawing back a fist. The serpent opened its maw. A stream of acid blasted out, but was knocked away as the giant water elf punched the side of the creature’s head. Acid struck ocean water as the serpent roared its dismay.
“Fire!” Lilly shouted.
Below deck, Cora struck the button before moving to the second cannon and then the third. Arcane hammers falling, they ignited th
e cannons.
Outside, a cannon roared, one after the other. The cannon balls burst into thick fireballs, streaking over the water. The first two struck the sea serpent’s trunk as the third one shot past and exploded in the water. Flames roared along the trunk as the serpent screeched.
The water elf charged forward, slamming a fist into the creature, followed by another.
Jon watched in astonishment, the cannon fire roaring out from the Dark Heart and the water elemental punching the monster. It was then when he noticed a large scale in the center of the sea serpent’s head, between and above the eyes. It glowed with symbols and purple light. It flashed and pulsed as the creature regained its balance and glared at the giant water elf.
Energy spiraled around the monster before a pulse of light flashed in all directions. The second volley of fireballs winked out to nothing when the light touched them. The water elemental was about to drive its fist into the monster when the purple light struck it. The giant elf melted before it’s fist could connect, splashing down to the water below.
Syndra cried out when the energy pulse struck her, causing her to stumble back and falling to her knees on the dock, breathing heavy.
Jon stared as the sea serpent changed its attention back to the Dark Heart, the single thick scale on its head pulsing with strange power. It opened its mouth and aimed at Lilly’s ship with deadly intent.
Jon didn’t know he was already moving until he stood behind the .50 caliber machine gun. His hands moved on automatic, despite never having fired a gun in his life. The natural flow caused him to load the ammunition belt, and clear the barrel. Maneuvering the heavy machine gun, he had no idea if it would work, but if he could just distract it long enough, it might give Lilly a chance to escape.
Jon took a deep breath before his thumbs touched the butterfly triggers. The monster loomed over the Dark Heart as it readied to use its acid breath when Jon pressed down on the triggers hard.
The heavy machine gun thundered to life as a river of heavy caliber bullets streamed forth. The noise was deafening, but Jon planted his feet, feeling the power of the impressive weapon. Spent shells ejected from the side as he kept a steady stream on the bulk of the monster.
The sea serpent made a loud grunt as heavy rounds struck and deflected off its armored body. The stream was steady, running along its side as it began to move out of the line of fire. Jon’s expression was ice as the gun boat powered forward, the heavy machine gun roaring the entire way.
Lilly turned her attention to Jon on the gun boat, her heart leaping in her chest. “Fire!” she commanded.
Cora just finished loading the last starboard cannon when she slammed her hand on the trigger. Outside, cannons roared one by one, fireballs bursting to life and striking the side of the immense beast. The glowing scale on its head pulsed and flashed again. The mystical explosion hit the Dark Heart, causing it to rock. Cora was thrown backwards, hitting her head on a low beam and crying out.
The wave of energy struck Jon’s boat but did nothing, the heavy machine gun spitting out hot metal death.
“Shit!” Jon muttered as he saw he was quickly approaching the monster.
The sea serpent glared down as rounds peppered its body. Maw open, a thick stream of acid blasted out.
Jon let go of the machinegun and dove over the side as acid blasted the gun boat. Metal melted as the gun boat surged forward, crashed into the sea serpent and exploded.
The sea serpent growled its displeasure as it turned its attention back to the Dark Heart.
Lilly stalked away from the wheel to a metal locker on the upper deck of her ship. Her hands moved with determination, opening the lid and hoisting up a rune covered cylinder. The tube was on her shoulder as her left hand grabbed a symbol covered cannonball. Loading it into the front, she felt the cannonball roll into place.
The sea serpent glowered as it readied to release a stream of acid.
“Leave my Shullkar alone!” Lilly shouted and pulled the simple trigger.
The cylinder flashed as a fireball streaked into the air. The sea serpent blasted out a stream of acid before the fireball struck it dead center on the snout. Lilly stepped to the side as a stream of acid missed her, causing part of the upper deck to sizzle and break apart. Lilly lifted another cannonball and loaded her weapon, eyes filled with deadly intent.
Jon burst above the surface. Looking around wildly, he saw a fireball streak forward and explode against the creature. The young man began to swim toward the creature when a thick fin broke the surface.
Jon’s blood turned cold as a massive shark moved alongside him. It pushed its bulk to him nudging him on. Realization washed over him as he touched the massive beast.
“Zelda!” Jon shouted.
The great white shark kept nudging him with its side. Jon climbed on and the creature charged forward. Jon held onto the fin for dear life as Zelda swam like a torpedo to the giant sea serpent.
Lilly loaded her weapon again as she moved to the edge of the upper deck. The pirate Captain smirked as she saw Jon riding Zelda’s aquatic form.
“Jon! We need to break the seal on its head!” the Captain shouted as she pointed.
Jon barely made out the words over the sea serpent’s roars. He followed Lilly’s pointed finger to the glowing scale above the creature’s eyes.
Oh shit! I’m really going to do this!
Zelda surged forward, her mouth opening with many rows of razor-sharp teeth. She bashed with her mouth and bit the scaled armor of the serpent. The sea serpent growled as teeth sank between armored scales and touched flesh. The great white whipped its head and mouth around, teeth digging in and blood beginning to flow.
The serpent’s head dove down, its mouth open and ready to bite the shark in half. Jon leapt off Zelda just as she let go and swam to the side. The serpent’s head hit the water and missed, its mouth closing on nothing. It reared back up, turning its attention toward the Dark Heart.
Lilly was spinning the wheel, the wind shifting and catching the air. The bow of the ship began to turn, slowly pointing to the massive serpent.
“Cora! When I give the command! Fire the forward cannons and then the port-side cannons!”
Below deck, blood dripped down from Cora’s hairline, soaking into her eyebrow and dripping over her eye. She moved to the forward cannons, her hands out and ready. Pointed ears listened intently, ready to follow Lilly’s orders.
Outside, Jon clung onto scales as he was halfway up the giant sea serpent. Sunlight gleamed along the creature as he took hold of scales and pulled himself up.
I’m going to die! I’m going to die!
Jon tried to shake the thoughts as he climbed higher and higher. The serpent didn’t seem to notice him as it faced the turning ship. Cannons pointed from the bow hatches. The serpent’s mystical scale glowed with power.
Jon was getting close to the neck of the creature when he hugged against the creature, rounds peppering the side of it.
Jets made another run, large rounds striking the monster. It was enough for the creature to turn its head and blast out a stream of acid skyward. Jets roared past as the stream just missed one of them.
“I’m trying to stop it!” Jon shook his fists at the jets as they roared past.
The serpent heard Jon, but before it could turn its head, something bit its tail. Slitted eyes bulged as it screeched and brought its tail up. Zelda stayed on, her mouth clamped on the very end of the monster as she was flung around in the air. The sea serpent waved its tail hard before whipping it across. Zelda’s shark form couldn’t stay on, teeth and scales ripping off as she was thrown hundreds of feet before splashing back into the murky waters.
Jon crawled up to near the top of the head, his heart sinking as he saw Zelda thrown so far away.
I have to stop it before it kills someone!
Jon pulled himself on top of the head of the giant creature, holding and clinging to it. The serpent felt his presence and whipped its head around to dislodge
him.
The bow of the ship nearly lined up with the giant creature, Lilly’s eyes drinking it in as Jon held onto its head for dear life.
“Do it, my love!” Lilly hissed with hope.
Jon’s balance was thrown off as he tried to hang on. He looked down, the glowing scale three feet away. A memory stabbed him with an image of the dagger at his waist. One hand letting go, he grabbed at it and nearly lost his grip on the monster. Vertigo spiraled as Jon held on by thin determination.
Don’t push your luck! I can do this! I can help stop it!
With one hand, Jon grunted, pulling himself to the very top of the creature. Dagger clearing the sheath, he glared down on the scale of mystical runes carved into it. Gravity and vertigo clashed as Jon could barely hold on.
With one last determined act, he forgot about his own safety as he drove the dagger between the magical scale and its neighboring scale. Thoughts and courage spiked as the young man roared in defiance. Jon stabbed and cut around the side of the scale like a demented sewing machine needle. Arm blurring, he couldn’t stop himself as he stabbed deep, pulled out and stabbed again.
The sea serpent roared in pain. Heat and torment prickled along the top of its head as it tried to whip Jon off. It screeched as it continued to try and stop the insect on it.
A madness took hold of Jon as he regained his footing on the head. Feet planted, he sheathed the dagger and took hold of the glowing scale. Fingers dug into the ruined space around it and with a powerful grunt, he pulled.
Sinew and cut flesh ripped. The serpent’s eyes widened as Jon gave one last heave, ripping the magical scale off its head. Holding it up, he roared in defiance before the monster whipped its head and he was airborne.
“Cora! FIRE!” Lilly shouted.
The thin elf slammed her hands down on the trigger buttons. The forward cannons roared to life, spitting fireballs. The serpent looked down just as both hit and exploded. Fire scorched the monster as it roared in pain. The Dark Heart continued to turn, port-side now facing the writhing monster. Cora moved to the port-side cannons and slammed down on the triggers. Hammers crashed down, igniting the magical cannons as they fired fireballs.
