Sky Log #33: The One that Lurks in the Deep

My premonition turned true about the creature within the depths of the waters. To search for the Cackling Cannoneer for the last mission, I had to dive deeper than I ever thought I could, right down into the Abyss.

However, before I delved into the juicy bits of my adventure, let me first put a name to this monstrous creature. The children dubbed the beast in the forums as "King Krill". I was hoping to find a more fitting name for it, like "Evil Whale" or something, but that was the only name in my searches. Even before the underwater building was opened, many OOB-ers hinted at the existence of such a creature. No one knows where it came from or how it had come into existence, but we all know that it was locked behind those humongous doors until we accidentally set it free.

Remember the large elevator mechanism in the observation deck?

Well, the second last mission was to collect the trinket attached to it because it was one of the many that I had to find. The moment I took it off, the doors to the upper levels were opened, and I heard a huge rumbling creak that groaned for a long while. The King Krill with the smaller krill immediately exited out of those humongous doors. I knew I had accidentally unleashed something that should not have been free. Fortunately, I have also opened other pathways because I pulled the trinket out. Unfortunately, as I explored the upper levels, they were infested with krills, wondering if this place was closed to keep them at bay.

Anyway, I was meant to find the Cackling Cannoneer. They went missing when everyone was gathered at the ship. So, I went to see the location that they were last heard of. I found their boat anchored near the remaining tower, but they were nowhere to be found. Hence, I followed the anchor's line, hoping that I would see them lost in the waters, perhaps too caught up in finding trinkets.

As I dived past the underwater colosseum, the line went deeper into a hole I had never noticed before. It got harder to find aquatic light plants to replenish my oxygen, so I had to conserve as much as I could. I prayed that I could last long enough to see the Cannoneer when there were no light fish or light plants. The waters were so deep that sunlight could not get to where I am and I had to squint at such a deep depth. It did not help at all when my light core was faulty too.

Just when I felt that I should not follow the anchor line any further down, I finally spotted the Cackling Cannoneer.

Putting a couple extra boosts to my strokes, I hurriedly swam to their side and checked their condition. Fortunately, they were knocked unconscious, and there were no serious injuries. How they have lasted so long underwater has far eluded my senses, but all I knew was that I had to quickly get them back to land. By securing myself with the Cackling Cannonner so that they won't slip out while I was swimming, I began the climb up to the shore.

I was relieved to find them unscathed but unconscious, but my seasoned gut told me that lingering too long in the deeps would spell trouble. Unfortunately, with an unconscious spirit that I had to drag along, it was difficult for me to swim fast enough.

But it was too late, for I felt the churning of waters nipping at my heels and a profound echo. A glance backward chilled my bones to the core.

I was face to face with King Krill. My two golden eyes against its numerous red eyes honed on the Cackling Cannoneer and me. Without a second to lose, I gritted my teeth while gripping Cannoneer's clothes and swam forward.

I knew it was useless to run away.

However, it's more fruitless to face it.

What can I do?

I am but a mere Child of Light compared to such an enormous creature of such unimaginable size. We don't believe in wielding violence against the dark creatures. They are too strong for us, but they don't seem to have the power to completely annihilate us.

As King Krill's mouth enclosed around us, I raised a feeble hand towards the closing light. A bubble of "NO!" escaped me, but who could hear me being so far from land?

I thought that was the end of me.

Yet, I woke up with a gasp. I thought I was back in the room with a child of light hugging their legs at the end of the room for a short moment. I felt I had indeed died and was on my way to be rebirthed until I saw a creature being bound up by dark plants. The Cackling Cannoneer was lying next to me, still unconscious and unaware of what was happening to us.

It was hard to identify what it was under the dense foliage, so I had to burn them all away. There was the familiar sound of glass shattering and a burst of light when I freed the creature. Unfortunately, its force was so strong that I was flung backward.

It knocked the wind out of me, but I could finally see what I had freed. It was an orb of light at first, but it materialized as a manta spirit as it flew around.

It had appeared previously from the manta statue in the cave. I never thought I would see it again within the belly of the Kring Krill. As though to thank me, it stopped right in front of me to give a couple of flaps before it made its call.

Immediately, there was a bone-shaking rumble within the belly of King Krill. Somehow, the manta's call gave an adverse reaction to him that we were tossed out from his stomach within mere moments. Not only were the Cackling Cannoneer and I free, but all the marine life that was made into his meal also became free. Schools of fish surrounded me while sharing their light and air with us. They all headed in one direction.

It was towards the light.

I looked back behind me, and I could not see the dreadful creature. But I know it's there in the Abyss, lurking and resenting the light. This would not be the last we would know of it.

I was very much confident about it.

The rest of the journey up the waters was uneventful as I reached the Cannoneer's boat to place him there before steering ourselves back to the main ship. After such a harrowing journey, I'm sure it was time to reunite them with their family. They were already awake and hurriedly handed in their trinkets by the time we got there. The captain, I presumed, as he had always directed us to where we could find the trinkets, and everyone looked up to him. He motioned for Cannoneer to calm down before giving them a great bear hug.

The rest of the crew took turns to clap and hug the life out of them, undoubtedly conveying how relieved they were to see them in one piece. I was very much warmed by how close they were to each other. Sure, they may have their competitions and fights, but despite having no blood ties, they were a family in this ship who went through sun and rain, wind and storm.

Then, everyone turned to me.

Despite having one of the tallest heights after numerous potion drinking, their heights still towered over me. However, they didn't intimidate me because I knew what they were like. Then, in unison, they gave me a salute.

After so many weeks of spending time enjoying their memories, I knew that this was the moment that I bid farewell to them. Just as always, it was nostalgic for me. Previously, the ship I first arrived at was merely a ship where the Abyss Guide stood. Now, the vessel became something more. As I imagined the life these spirits have, I could almost hear the days of them enjoying and suffering the days of being a seafarer. The laughter of one having suffered a prank on a dull day at sea, the little heated competitions during their free time, the days of disappointment of not finding new land…

I saluted them back with a heavy heart before turning to the Abyss Guide. Compared to the other crew's height, the Guide seemed more like a young little girl with her pigtails beautifully braided at the sides of her head. Being the person who held onto these memories and let me reenact all of that again, I could imagine that she was, by far, one of the bravest spirits I have seen. Behind the mask, her eyes twinkled happily before bidding me farewell.

She must be glad to experience all of that adventure again through me. Unfortunately, like all the other guides, she would forever be anchored to this ship to give future newcomers missions.

Seeing the Abyss Guide standing there alone made me make a vow in my heart as I alighted from the boat. I would have to be sure to visit all the Season Guides from time to time. Yet, the experience with King Krill stayed fresh within my mind.

I would have to warn the others.

For better or for worse, more new creatures would come soon to Sky.