Unbelievable

Lord Carnelian had expensive tastes.

Even the wine on the ship was distilled from the finest ingredients.

She had always wondered what it tasted like, since she could never have afforded even a sip.

She handed him the bottle and was surprised when he filled not one but two cups.

Eager to taste it, she murmured her thanks and took her first sip.

The almost golden liquid was very sweet, rich and potent.

It made her feel dizzy and lightheaded, the more she drank.

Nasty stuff.

It was so strong she didn't want anymore.

How did he drink the stuff and with a straight face?

Cyril was already on his third cup and she was struggling to get past the first few sips.

Not to mention the fact that it left a very bitter aftertaste in her mouth.

Whomp! The warship was rocked so hard she thought it was going to capsize.

It started with a dull, heavy sound and then the screeching became ear splitting building to a crescendo.

Her shipmates were screaming and running around like headless chickens above deck.

What in the world was going on up there?

Cyril was up and running from his seat and then out the door before she could even voice the question that was on her mind.

"It's Kanakika!" Lord Carnelian shouted. "All hands on deck. We are going to need all the help we can get to get out of this alive."

She wasn't able to match Cyril's speed but she had to move fast hoping to catch a glimpse upstairs of what was causing all the commotion.

Zyra saw her friends on deck and joined them.

"What is he going on about?" Zyra asked.

Nyla just stood staring at something in the distance and Verity looked like she was about to swoon.

"For someone who claims to read a lot. I'm surprised that you don't know everything when you act the way you do."

He had this nasty habit of creeping up from behind her.

"Leave me alone, Leon. Didn't you hear Lord Carnelian give a direct order to you? Now would be a great time to impress him instead of getting on his wrong side."

"You read my mind,'' he said before he climbed up the main mast to follow Cyril's directions.

As much as he loved teasing Zyra he was always disappointed by the notion that she didn't return his affections and wasn't the least bit interested in him.

It was Verity who spoke next.

"The first mate spotted Kanakika and drew attention to it, and it's not in a good mood."

"And again I ask, what is a Kanakika?"

"I saw it with my own two eyes, Zyra, it's real and we are in serious danger." Nyla croaked.

Nyla's voice felt like it had gone hoarse from all the screaming she'd done when she saw that hideous sea monster.

All now Nyla still hadn't let go of the rail and still gripped it tightly while holding on for dear life.

For she didn't know when that vicious monster would return and attack again.

"You'll soon see for your… look! It's over there," screamed Verity.

Zyra looked in the direction she was pointing and nearly had heart failure.

It was a freaking giant octopus. She didn't know it was called Kanakika.

Other people called it names like Kraken. Zyra always thought it was just a myth.

It disappeared under the water, like it wanted to play hide and seek with them.

You could tell this giant octopus had been around the world a few times, it wore its scars like badges of honor.

How such a monstrosity managed to survive the great war was a mystery.

"Isn't it a beauty," said Cyril. "This is how we know we are in Aguatian territory for Kanakika is its protector. We cannot hope to defeat him but if we put up a decent fight he will see us as seaworthy and allow us to pass."

"Are you saying we have to fight that monster?" she was flabbergasted.

"We have no choice if we want to enter Aguatian territory."

"Unbelievable. Nyla, what do you know about octopus in general?" asked Verity.

Her question was ladled with sass.

Nyla retorted, "What makes you think I know Verity?"

"Because you always act like an expert, like you know everything about animals."

"Keyword: animals. I'm from Terranite territory, remember that. Just like you and Zyra, you know as well as I do, this is my first time out at sea. Sea monsters are out of my area of expertise." Nyla shrugged.

Zyra decided to step in at this point. "Guys stop arguing, I have an idea."

"What would you know?" said Leon.

Always eavesdropping where he was not wanted, Zyra just blatantly ignored him.

"Hello, she's a walking encyclopedia, remember." Nyla answered.

All eyes turned to Zyra.

"Here's what I can recall learning about octopus from science classes with Kayle. They are very intelligent and resourceful creatures. If they feel they will lose a fight with you, they are fast and will make a quick escape. Also, don't take its entire body lightly."

"How so?" Cyril asked. He had been quiet the entire time.

"It's believed that octopuses gather information using every square inch of its body. From its brain, to the suckers on its tentacles. Their brain may be similar to that of a human so expect this one to be cunning, since it's old and managed to survive for centuries. Oh yeah, and before I forget octopus has no bones but three hearts, blue acidic blood and a venomous beek."

"In other words, if we slice that creature we can't let its blood get on us or it will burn. I did not sign up for this mess."

"None of us did."

Now wasn't the time to have a rebellion, so Lord Carnelia was about to step in and squash the dissent when Leon spoke before he could."

"No use crying over spilt milk. Zyra, how do we kill it?"

"It's like Lord Carnelian said before none of us can kill it, we only need to outsmart and distract it. Keep its bloody tentacles away from us so it can't sink the ship."

"Sounds like we need live bait to distract it, any volunteers?" Lord Carnelian asked.

No one raised their hands.

"Before Lord Carnelian makes us walk the plank I have a suggestion to make. No one has to risk their lives unnecessarily. Lord Carnelian this was a warship before you decided to make it another of your toys for leisure. I'll assume those holes on the side are not for decoration and we can probably launch a few cannons at that sea beast."

"Splendid idea Zyra. I knew there was a reason I wanted to take you with me on this voyage."

"I suspect that it's toying with us. That monster sees us as food and it's enjoying the fear and havoc it's wreaking on this ship. We'll try to stay as far as we can from that creature with the ship and aim. While we are shooting it may try to use its heavy monstrous tentacles to do damage to the warship. We have to prevent its tentacles from making contact or it would sink us; so we will have no choice but to fight."

"You heard the lady, everyone will grab their machete and start slicing."

Zyra was pleased that Lord Carnelian was backing her strategy.

"This is a fight for your own lives, don't forget that. It's as simple as that." Zyra gushed.

"It's never as simple as you say," Verity whined.

"Enough."

All eyes turned to Lord Carnelian; they had never heard him raise his voice before.

Everyone knew that even though he always seemed calm and collected. He had excellent fighting skills and was deadly with a rapier.

They had only seen the side of him, where he liked to joke around, dressed flamboyantly and enjoyed provoking Captain Rolf and getting into spats with him.

It was so easy to not taking him seriously and that was a stupid mistake that had caused many humans and wolfbeasts alike their lives.

Only Zyra had seen him transformed into his monstrous shape.

So the power that was leaking from him now had everyone on the ship more afraid of him than the giant octopus right now.

"Unless you have a better plan, spill it right now."

Silence. He continued.

"I thought as much, everyone cooperates and does as Zyra says. As a fire wolfbeast I may not be my strongest at sea but I can still get rid of mortals with ease, don't try me."

"What are your orders, Lord Carnelian?" asked Leon.

"Leon and company will see to the cannons. Ladies, you will join my crew upstairs and do your best to defend my warship."

"Yes Sir."

Everyone scattered after that to do as they were told.

They didn't have time to think about a back up plan.

Kanakika resurfaced and rose to the top and just bobbled like a jellyfish watching them and doing nothing.

Intimidating its prey just for the fun of it.

Then it seemed as if it made up its mind to go on the offensive and started moving towards them like a torpedo at an insane speed.

"Fire!" Yelled Lord Carnelian. They all watched as cannonballs soared through the air towards the sea monster but would it be enough?