Warning: Contains graphic wording.
“I don’t fear the sea. For as long as I have lived here since the start of the Healers Guild, here in Hanalian and in the nearby town, Nala Tirion, everything was always peaceful. But there’s something that looks off, I can sense it in my bones, Leilatha.” The slender Forest Elf woman with dark copper skin wearing a grey nursing uniform with a starch white apron said to her daughter. Tiriana Valdi was the one of four Grand Healers of the Healers Guild. The people considered the Guild to be a modern day hero of medicine, despite 90% of healing coming from their Light Magic. She let out a sigh as waves crashed against the shoreline as dark clouds rolled into view.
“Get some rest, atara. You’ve been up these past few nights because of the high turnover of patients as of late. I can do your rounds tonight.” Leilatha suggested as she had seen her mother in a sleepless haze while patrolling the halls of the Guild as Tiriana’s shift was coming to a close. To Leilatha something was amiss as her mother always took 15 minute naps during the shifts to make sure she was of sound mind if someone came in late. Or a patient staying overnight coded. The younger Forest Elf knew something was in the water. Especially with the volume of injured Sea people and Dwarves they and the other Head Healers have been dealing with over the last several weeks. At first they assumed the injuries that hailed from Nala Tirion where people getting into drunken bar fights, but upon further inspection they dropped that theory straight away.
As they knew either Sea Elf, Dwarf, or the anthropomorphic Sea Turtles known as the Arruphin couldn’t leave claw-like marks. Even through their magic, it was impossible for them to inflict that damage. “Thank you, my child for the offer, but my duty as one of the Grand Healers here to aid the people.” Tiriana replied as her hazel-green eyes narrowed as a loud, unfamiliar screech came from the depths of the Neptheas. A chill ran down Leilatha’s spine as she recognized that sound was not the shriek of a Kraken or a Sea Dragon. She gently grabbed her mother’s arm to go back inside as fear, a rare feeling for her, gripped her. When attempted to leave, something shot up from the waters, and landed with a hard thud onto the sandy terrain.
The half-eaten body of an Arruphin laid before them as thunder cracked as rain fell.
“Sweet Mother Goddess Terinea!” Leilatha screamed over the roll of thunder as the picked up winds when observing the scene. The lower half of the person’s body and shell were missing as their blue blood seeped into the sand. Both women recognized this was not the work of a Kraken or Sea Dragon, as they experienced neither of those sea monsters could destroy an Arruphin’s shell with such ease. When going to gather the body for further study; Leilatha and Tiriana overheard a loud splash near the docks. When they glanced over, they saw a silver fin go back into the water. The two knew Silverfish hailed from fresh waters such as the Eternal Abyss and Lunenvern Lake, not the sea. “Get the body inside, now. I have to inform King Ranwodeth and Queen Emerwy about this.” Tiriana shouted over the growing noise. Leilatha tried to protest, but she steeled her lip as she did what was told as the other Forest Elf made her way towards Nala Tirion.
Aire was lying on the inn bed, staring blankly at the white, aging ceiling. He let out a frustrated sigh as he placed a scaly arm across his face with his webbed hand splayed out as if trying to block out the Twin Suns’ rays that were attempting to stream into the dark small room through the nearby window. “Go away… Let me wallow in my depression.” The Sea Elf groaned. While moving the arm away, he then dug into his black short parachute pants pocket, and pulled out a small painted picture of a woman with similar blue skin as him, but in a lighter shade. Her flowing hair emerald green and turquoise colored eyes that offset her light purple shell bra and semi see through skirt of the same color as the top. Her warm smile shone brightly causing him to smile before tears escaped as he stared at the picture.
In the corner dated 2/22/400, AOP. It been 3 years since Soliana’s murder and it been roughly 2 since their twins, Riniya and Luirlan, run off to who knows where to track down her killer. Before the young adults took off, the family friend and former slave, Princess Aerilaya Lithrina, disappeared, that was another thing that fueled the children to leave. “I don’t blame them for not wanting to lose another person, but they could have at least told me what they were doing to help” Aire grumbled sadly.
The Teripi, grey seafaring birds with black tips, called to one another as they flew past the window as Aire threw his legs over the side of the bed. “The Age of Peace, huh? Don’t feel like it.” He mumbled while walking over to his trident. While making his way towards the door, his mind thought to the friends he had recently lost because of whatever was in the waters. It still upset him at the sudden loss of his income and home for the monster that lurked. The Sea Elf was one of the rare few who could create sculptures using the sea crystals from the underwater caverns. As he stumbled down the stairs towards the main entrance, he overheard Tari Emerwy speaking with Thrummaz Ranwodeth. The queen of the Sea Elves, Emerwy, sounded exasperated in her tone. As the king of the Dwarves, Ranwodeth, had his typical bored drone going on, causing Aire to roll his sapphire blue eyes.
“You need to take this plight seriously, Brightmare.” Emerwy hissed. Aire knew the conversations weren’t going well if Emerwy was referring to someone by their last name. “Don’t recall the head of that Dwarf professor washing up on the shore? Do you not fear for the safety of the people?” Emerwy continued as the younger Sea Elf quietly listened in while nodding in agreement with the queen. It had been 3 days since Professor Numread Runemaul, of the local Trade School, half-eaten head had washed up after going missing. It was likewise the same day Myluumo, a Neuwood Reef Conservationist, and right-hand man of Emerwy found dead near one of the Sea Crystal Caverns. The people of the court had accused Aire of killing the man at first, but after Grand Healer Skiyun checked over the body, the counil soon cleared the sculptor of any foul play. Because of the conservationist’s death caused the Sea Elves to come on land. “I have concerns about this, my dear, Emerwy, but how we can progress without placing ourselves in harm’s way?” A low throaty growl and slamming of hands on the table rang throughout. Aire could tell straight away that was the wrong answer to give.
Leilatha rushed down the hallway towards the classrooms with the half-eaten body on a stretcher. Blue blood trailed behind as she hurried to meet Lumen, the Grand Head Zeniron Healer of the Healers Guild, didn't coagulate. The body only been dead for 45 minutes and so livor mortis hadn’t fully set in yet, but she questioned why the blood wasn’t stopping. “Atara will kill me, but I have no choice.” Leilatha muttered. Her levitation magic wasn’t doing the trick of keeping the blood contained, which normally happens whenever called for pressure on the wounds. “I’ll clean this mess. Please don’t worry about it.” Leilatha called out to the cleaners when running past, who were perplexed then saw the trail of blood causing them to groan.
When Leilatha came to a wooden door with a door sign saying Room 6, she took in a deep breath and knocked on the open door where a lone woman with light opaque skin sat at the desk. The woman with short white flowing hair and amber-colored eyes looked up from her piles of papers she was grading over to the tired-looking Forest Elf, whose starch white nurse apron, parts of her pink plaid dress, and ruby red hair covered in blue blood. “Where’s your daughter, Illumine, at this hour? I have a body and I need help on autopsying them.” Leilatha said winded while motioning the cart into view. “Dear Holy Father Dinir and his merciful light above! What happened to that poor soul?” Lumen exclaimed as her eyes went wide with shock and horror as the pen she had in hand along with some papers were sent flying across the room.
Leilatha glanced over at the body and grimaced. “The only thing I know, Grand Healer Lumen, is this person ended up like the others.” Leilatha quietly replied. The Zeniron gave a slow nod while rising from the seat and headed over to the sight. “Illumine won’t be able to help without aid.” Lumen said while folding her arms. Out of the corner of the eye, she caught sight of an Arruphin student. “I’m sorry to be a bother, but could you please get Professors Skiyun and Zauku? We need their help over here.” Lumen shouted as the student glanced over at the sight before darting off towards towards the Arruphin’s home room.
Lumen walked over to Leilatha and placed a hand on the cart handle while placing the other on the woman’s shoulder. “Please go get yourself cleaned up and get some rest. You and your mother have been working hard alongside us dealing with this mess, but just like everyone here, we need to take care of ourselves. My daughter and the other fellow Grand Healer and Head Healer, Skiyun and Zauku will handle this.” The woman in the 2 piece navy blue striped office vest and pant suit said as the Arruphin healers and her daughter arrived. “Everyone to the autopsy room, now.” Lumen ordered while moving her hand away and adjusting her white thin square glasses before her and the others left with the body as Leilatha collapsed in terror and exhaustion.
Tiriana entered Nala Tirion to a quiet hustle and bustle of the quiet seaside town. Dwarves were heading their way to either their shops, the trade school for the young ones, or going out to check on their undersea neighbors, the Sea Elves. Everyone knew it was hard on them to adjust to such a life while quietly being concerned about their wellbeing and homes. As she came towards the inn, she overheard a murmuring of concerned voices. Tiriana walked over to the shoreline to find a small group of Dwarves and Sea Elves circling someone, as they howled in pain, it was a familiar sound considering what had taken place at the Healers Guild and here.
“Please stand aside and let me check on this person.” She announced as the people glanced at her before moving to show a young Dwarf female holding her now gashed leg to stop the bleeding as the blood seeped into the sand. Tiriana from a glance alone the wound the woman had sustained was like the others - hard to heal and contain. These wounds, no matter the severity, were impossible to treat. “Let me look at that wound, my dear.” The Grand Healer said in a gentle tone as she placed a calming hand on her shoulder. “What’s your name?” The Forest Elf asked. “Kirnedeth Greyhelm, ma’am.” Kirnedeth replied while trying to hide her growing fears as Tiriana nodded. “Okay, Kirnedeth. Can you please tell me how you got this wound?” Tiriana tried her best to keep calm as she could sense the young Dwarf was just as scared as she was as her mind flashed to the corpse that shot out of the water. She shuddered at the image while attempting to refocus her energies to the current task.
Kirnedeth fell silent as her mind attempted to recall everything that had happened several moments ago. Everything a blur. But she knew she needed to explain something. “Uh, from what I recall is I noticed something odd floating in the water. I thought it was another person’s head, but it turned out to be the monster plaguing the waters.” She explained as thunder rolled in the distance. A hushed murmur came from the surrounding crowd as Emerwy and Ranwodeth with Aire quietly following behind came outside to see the commotion. “What be the problem?” Ranwodeth the first to ask the people as Emerwy noticed Tiriana with Kirnedeth. “Tch, isn’t obvious? Another attack had occurred.” The Queen scowled. Despite the Grand Healer’s best efforts, the wound wasn’t healing. “Magic alone isn’t cutting it.” She muttered.
“Let’s see what is causing these attacks, shall we?” Lumen murmured to her colleagues and daughter, who nodded in agreement. It been 3 hours since the body washed up, yet oddly rigor mortis had not occurred. “Hm, do you have any idea why rigor mortis hasn’t set in, Skiyun?” Lumen asked. “I wish I had an answer, Lumen, but the odd thing is decomposition has taken place.” Skiyun replied noting how swiftly the soft flesh was decomposing at a rapid rate, which was odd. Then again, no Arruphin never saw such a thing. “This isn’t the work of Lilull, the God of the Moon, Trickery, and Death. Even he knows better to be this cruel and confusing.” Skiyun said under his breath as his black eyes narrowed as everyone except Zauku looked over.
“Huh? What do you mean, Skiyun?” Illumine asked. “The Arruphin doesn’t witness the decomposition of our bodies as Lilull or one from his death squad comes to take everything but the shell, is which for housing/building material.” Skiyun said while he pursed his beak-like lips as silence fell between them as the winds howled and the rain fell harder outside against the building. “Something is not right about this. What do we know about the wounds?” Zakuku asked as he studied the half-eaten person. “Light magic is ineffective with them.” Lumen chimed. “Trust me, I’ve had a few personal conversations with Dinir at length about this, and what we can do.” She mumbled under her breath while pressing back her glasses as they slipped.
“What did he say, mother?” Illumine quietly asked as Lumen let out a troubled sigh while folding her arms while gathering her words. “He nor Terinea, the Goddess of Health and Mental Health, can’t help them. And Fayaris has the Ocean Core.” She threw up her arms in frustration before burying her face into her hands while letting out a frustrated cry. Deafening silence surrounded the room as her colleagues and daughter stared at her with mortified looks. “That explains why the Rallenorphous is back.” Zakuku muttered as Skiyun threw him a dirty glare. “You can’t assume that, son. That monstrous razor tooth sea serpent was before our time.” He retorted as the younger Arruphin pointed at the wounds. “Those are what’s illustrated in the medical journals. Along what the people of ancient times recorded on the cavern walls. If you don’t believe me, ask any of the Sea Elves, Krakens, Sea Dragons, or Kelpies. Those sea creatures have been around long enough to know of that monster.” Zakuku fired back as his father, Skiyun, inspected the body while pulling down an old book from the Arruphin medical guide shelf.
Skiyun muttered while taking quick glances at the body, then back at the book he was flipping through to look for answers. Not that he wanted to prove his son wrong; he wanted to see the truth. After several minutes of silence and talking to one’s self; Skiyun had stopped on a page he read out loud to the group. “Date 12th of June, 14 AOD, Age of the Divines. To this day we’re still trying to figure out how that bastard, Algor, got the Ocean Core from us.” He paused as he studied the room. Everyone was listening before continuing with the rest of the journal entry.
“Thanks to Algor’s actions, the Rallenorphous, a creature who can transform into a small Silverfish then a monster to feed, has returned from its sealed slumber. This beast has been wreaking havoc on not only our people, but the Sea Elves, Krakens, Sea Dragons, Kelpies, and the land dwellers. If one survives an attack, mage cannot heal the wounds. The wounds have to be cleansed to remove the creature’s poisonous saliva and stitched in order for healing to start. The kingdom of Gemu will not survive another year if we don’t get that core back.” Skiyun said when finishing the entry as he continued to flip through to see if there were anymore answers on how they dealt with this creature without the Ocean Core. “Does it say what to do on stopping the creature, Skiyun?” Lumen asked as his eyes fell onto a small part of text that didn’t have a date. “It says here only the Shadow Lazarus Trident is effective against fighting this thing. It can only seal the beast away for several 100 years, but it’s something, I guess.” He replied as the room broke into murmurs.
As the women took Kirnedeth away and the crowd disbursed, they left Aire standing there alone, staring out at the sea as another storm rolled into view. As his gaze stayed fixated on the now turbulent waters, he glimpsed something silvery. Casting aside his Orosec Rune was in his arm, he ran towards the shoreline while gripping his Stygian weapon, and diving into the rocky waters as Emerwy and Ranwodeth overheard the splash. “What be that fool doing?” Ranwodeth snorted when he saw the rune on the ground as Emerwy growled under her breath.
“Are you on a suicide mission, Aire?” Emerwy thought before attempting to follow, but interrupted by Ranwodeth. “What are ye doing, missy? You know, those waters are dangerous and your people would be mighty sad if something happened to their ruler.” He said as she batted away his hand. “A man named Aire, who hasn’t been well mentally since the death of his wife, and disappearance of his children has jumped into that. I can tell something is amiss. Let me go after.” Emerwy shouted as Ranwodeth got in front of her. “Sorry. But the boy made his choice.” Ranwodeth replied as the storm grew worse and sickening screech came from below the sea.
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