The Oceanians, led by Loch, held off the attack by the terrors of the depths. Their harpoons broke the surface of the water occasionally, followed by large displacements of water like geysers or waves as they attacked the underwater enemy. The water churned and foamed, becoming even more restless as time passed.
On the deck of the ship, Aldean stood with his arms folded, his eyes fixed on the turmoil below.
"I didn't expect them to be here around this time of year," he said, his voice low and thoughtful.
Cyrus, standing beside him, nodded in agreement.
"It's probably due to the changes in our world," he said. "That may have triggered an early migration."
As they spoke, another geyser of water rose into the air, and a large piece of a severed tentacle dropped onto the deck. Lin, standing nearby, startled as the tentacle squirmed and writhed on the wooden planks.
Curious, Kojo took a step forward to get a better look at the severed limb.
"Don't touch it carelessly," Aldean warned, pointing to the squirming tentacle.
Kojo glanced at him and then turned his attention back to the tentacle and looked closer, his eyes widening as he saw black blood leaking out with what seemed like vapor coming off it. The area around the severed limb was beginning to corrode. The wood beneath the tentacle was starting to rot, the sound of it hissing and bubbling like a living thing.
Cyrus picked up a broken piece of wood, which he used to skewer the tentacle and hurled it into the sea, while Aldean raised his hand, freezing the affected area and halting the corrosion.
Kojo turned to Aldean and Cyrus, his eyes questioning.
"What are these things?" he asked, nodding towards the sea.
Aldean's expression turned serious.
"Oh, them? They're called Scylla," he said. "They're a type of tentacled creature that roam the depths of the ocean. It's rare to see the full body as they prefer to drag their prey into the depths. Once you see their tentacles, it's too late. But we have seen a number wash up on our shore, and despite appearances, they taste really good. In fact, they're a delicacy in Ezkanur. You should try some sometime," Cyrus said.
Lin and Kojo both shook their heads.
"Oh, too bad," Cyrus said.
"Anyway, I have happened to see their full body," Aldean said pridefully. "They are squid-like creatures that have bodies that are a deep, inky black and are covered in thick, slimy skin that glistens in the faint light. Twelve long, sinuous tentacles sprout from their heads, each one tipped with suckers that are lined with razor-sharp, retractable teeth. Their eyes glow with an eerie, bioluminescent light, casting an otherworldly glow over the surrounding water. Their mouths are massive, tooth-filled maws that seemed to be perpetually open, as if waiting to devour their next meal. A pair of massive, claw-like appendages sprouted around their beaks, which they used to snare and crush their prey."
"Sounds nasty," Lin remarked.
"Oh, don't worry, my fair Lin. I'll gladly face any creature for you."
Kojo rolled his eyes. "Is what I'd like to say, but this is a bit difficult."
"How so?" Kojo asked.
"Despite their monstrous appearance, the Scylla are surprisingly intelligent and adaptable creatures. They are able to change the color and texture of their skin to blend in with their surroundings, making them formidable hunters in the dark, mysterious depths of the ocean. Their corrosive venom, which also flows through their blood, is highly effective at breaking down the flesh of their prey and also has the quality of disrupting arcana flow, making them highly immune to magic."
"Really?" Kojo asked. Aldean nodded and made an ice spear, which he threw at the nearest tentacle to break the water's surface. The ice spike struck but almost instantly lost the incantation holding it together and dissipated.
"See? But don't be sad, Lin," Aldean said, throwing another, more powerful one that caused wind to blow away from him and took off the entire limb, which fell into the already black water. "A small demonstration. Now, this, and the fact that they hunt in pods, is why you should be considered dead the moment you become their target. The seas of this world are filled with horrors that make even the mightiest beast on land pale in comparison. And these things aren't even considered true horrors."
"Are there things more dangerous than this?" Lin asked.
Aldean and Cyrus nodded.
"That's why the Oceanians come into play. They play a vital role as wayfarers, guiding ships through treacherous waters with their deep understanding of the sea and its rhythms. They possess an innate knowledge of the ocean's currents, tides, and hidden dangers, allowing them to navigate even the most perilous routes with ease. Their expertise is invaluable to the ships that sail the seas, and many a vessel owes its safe passage to the guidance of an Oceanian wayfarer. Whether it's avoiding deadly reefs, riding out storms, or finding safe harbor, the Oceanians are the ultimate authorities on the sea."
He paused, his eyes scanning the horizon as he continued, "But their role goes beyond navigation—they're the only ones capable of combating the dangers that lurk beneath the waves. From the massive sea monsters that lurk in the ocean depths and rise up to devour unsuspecting ships, to the treacherous currents and riptides that can dash a vessel to pieces, the Oceanians stand as the only bulwark against the sea's fury. Their bravery and selflessness in the face of danger are an inspiration to all who sail the seas. They are the guardians of the ocean, and their presence is a reassurance to all who venture into the unknown waters."
As they spoke, the battle beneath the waves continued to rage on. The Oceanians were fighting valiantly, their harpoons firing into the darkness as they clashed with the Scylla.
Loch, his tattooed body glowing with a soft, blue light, wrestled with a massive Scylla, its tentacles wrapping around his waist like a living noose. He plunged his harpoon into the creature's flesh, and it let out a deafening screech as it released its grip.
The other Oceanians were fighting just as fiercely, their bodies weaving in and out of the darkness as they battled the Scylla. The sound of their harpoons firing and the creatures' screams echoed through the air, a testament to the ferocity of the battle beneath the waves.
Three days later, they successfully touched down at the port at Ezkanur.
The carnage of the battle with the Scylla had caused a lot of their blood to spill, which ended up attracting more creatures and putting considerable strain on Loch and his people. However, things changed when a recently roused and grumpy Yukio came onto the deck in order to find out what was causing the commotion and interrupting her sleep. She used her elemental ability to freeze the water, then struck it repeatedly with bolts of lightning, frying whatever was near the surface of the water. This killed a number of Scylla, and since they were cannibals, they stopped attacking the ship and feasted on the deceased. Kojo was worried about the Oceanians, but it turned out that they had a high tolerance for lightning and even spread the electric current below the surface.
In short, they had an interesting and informative trip.
Kojo looked around the snow-covered landscape of the northern continent. He let out a breath. Here, he was going to get some answers.