Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

Levi

P erpetual night envelops me. I glide through the Midnight Zone, an endless expanse of absolute darkness where even light surrenders to the void. Here, thousands of feet beneath the ocean’s surface, I savor being in my kraken form. My tentacles stretch a hundred feet through the inky waters, each one attuned to the slightest disturbance in the deep.

Alone in the abyss, the persistent feeling of being an outsider finally fades. The pressure to fit in, to mask my true nature, dissolves in the vast indifference of the ocean. I find the peace in this dark that eludes me among my people. I am just another predator swimming through waters that have welcomed creatures like me since the dawn of time.

My bioluminescent markings pulse softly, casting a blue glow that barely penetrates the gloom. I dim them further, keeping them just bright enough to sense my surroundings without alerting my prey.

As I propel myself through the water with powerful undulations of my tentacles, my mind wanders to thoughts of my unusual heritage. I am not like the other krakens. My father, a human, fell in love with my kraken mother during a chance encounter on the surface world. My mother rarely spoke of him except to say they had loved each other deeply. Now, years after her death, I’m left with only questions. Why didn’t she stay with him? What drove her back to the depths? I will never know because she took these secrets to her grave. I have often wished that I’d pressed her for answers while I still had the chance.

I am the product of their forbidden love – a half-breed kraken. Physically, there’s little to distinguish me from pure-blooded krakens, save that I’m slightly smaller than average. The only real difference lies in how easily I can shift to human form, a transformation other krakens find taxing and painful.

I’ve never met another like me, though I’ve heard whispered stories of half-breeds who were driven from our waters long before my birth. Sometimes I wonder if there are others like me hiding within our society, though I understand their silence. Who would dare reveal themselves when discovery means exile or worse? Half-breeds, after all, are treated with nothing but contempt, suspicion, and hostility.

When the Kraken King chose me as royal hunter and warrior, I knew I couldn’t accept such an honor built on lies. I confessed my mixed blood, expecting to be driven from our waters. Instead, he saw potential where others would have seen an abomination. Under his guidance, I’ve trained harder than any pure-blooded kraken, determined to prove his faith in me wasn’t misplaced.

I taste the water, my highly sensitive receptors picking up the faintest trace of my quarry – a giant squid. Its briny, metallic signature is unmistakable. These creatures are among the few that can rival a kraken in size and ferocity. The strength of its scent promises a prey worth the pursuit.

I propel myself forward. The pressure at this depth would crush most creatures, but for me, it’s invigorating. Every cell in my body sings with the thrill of the hunt.

As I descend deeper into the abyss, bioluminescent creatures flicker past me like living stars.

I sense a shift in the water currents. The metallic tang grows sharper, more potent – my prey is close. I extinguish my bioluminescence completely, becoming one with the darkness. Now, I rely solely on my other senses – the minute vibrations in the water, the subtle changes in pressure, the intensifying taste of cephalopod that tells me exactly where to strike.

A flicker of movement catches my eye – a ghostly shape materializing from the gloom to my right. The giant squid, having detected my presence, unfurls its massive tentacles in a desperate bid for freedom. But in the fathomless deep, I am the apex predator. With a powerful flex of my body, I explode through the water.

We collide in a violent dance of writhing limbs. The squid’s tentacles slash through the water with lethal grace, each sucker ringed with razor teeth. But I’ve hunted their kind for many years. Before those dangerous suckers can find purchase, I’ve already coiled around its mantle. Though it thrashes with savage fury, my grip remains unbreakable.

The battle is fierce but brief. With a final, crushing squeeze, I subdue my prey. As the giant squid goes limp in my grasp, a sense of triumph courses through me. This hunt will feed many of my people, a testament to my skill and strength.

A familiar vibration shivers through my consciousness as I begin my ascent, my prize in tow. The King Kraken’s bio-electric pulse reverberates through the deep – a powerful signal that resonates in every kraken’s core. The intensity of the call, emanating from the royal chambers, leaves no room for delay.

Confusion and a hint of worry ripple through me. What could be so urgent that I’m called away from a successful hunt? In all my years serving the Kraken King, I’ve rarely received an unexpected summons.

With a powerful flick of my tentacles, I increase my speed, towing my hard-won prey behind me. The pressure around me gradually lessens as I rise through the ocean’s layers, from the darkest depths towards the twilight zone where our vast underwater city lies.

The bioluminescent lights of our city come into view. It is a sprawling metropolis of coral structures and carved stone, all aglow with an otherworldly radiance. Krakens of all sizes swim about their daily lives, some pausing to stare as I pass with my quarry.

I briefly detour to deposit the giant squid in the palace kitchen before racing toward the royal chambers. I concentrate as I approach the ornate entrance, feeling my kraken form shift and streamline. My tentacles contract and thin while my mass reduces, transforming me into my smaller, more agile scout form – perfect for traversing the palace corridors.

The grand hall looms before me, its massive doors adorned with intricate carvings depicting the history of our people. Guards, in their kraken forms, flank the entrance, their tentacles coiled and ready. They nod solemnly as I approach, parting to allow me passage into the heart of kraken power.

The royal chamber is a marvel of underwater architecture. Columns of living coral stretch toward the cavern ceiling, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the deep blue of the surrounding water.

And there, seated upon a throne of polished mother of pearl, crystals, and whalebone, is the Kraken King himself. He’s in his kraken form, massive tentacles coiled around his ancient seat like living pillars. Power emanates from him in palpable waves, a reminder that he rules not through politics alone but through pure, devastating strength. His eyes, as deep and ancient as the abyss, fix upon me as I enter.

Flanking the King’s majestic throne are smaller, yet no less ornate, thrones occupied by his family. To his right sits the Kraken Queen, her form graceful and powerful, her tentacles a shimmering array of colors that seem to shift in the bioluminescent light. Her throne is crafted from delicate coral and studded with pearls. Around them, arrayed in a semicircle, are the royal children – princes and princesses of varying ages, each seated on thrones that reflect their status and personalities. Some are adorned with vibrant sea flowers, others with intricate patterns of shells and sea glass. The youngest prince, barely more than a hatchling, wraps his tiny tentacles playfully around the arms of his miniature throne, his eyes wide with curiosity as he watches the proceedings. The sight of the entire royal family assembled is both intimidating and awe-inspiring, a vivid reminder of the power and legacy of the kraken monarchy.

“Levistus,” the King’s voice booms through the water, sending vibrations through my entire body. “Approach.”

Heart pounding, I swim forward, acutely aware of the many eyes upon me. The court is full today, with krakens from all levels of our society in attendance. What could warrant such a gathering?

As I reach the foot of the throne, the Kraken King waves a tentacle for silence. The entire room seems to hold its breath, waiting.

“My people,” he begins, his voice carrying to every corner of the chamber. “I have called you here today to witness a momentous occasion. For years, I have watched and waited, seeking one worthy to take on a role of utmost importance.”

Murmurs ripple through the crowd. I remain still, hardly daring to blink. The thrill of my recent hunt is replaced by a new tension, coiling in my gut like an eel.

“Princess Kaia has reached maturity,” the King announces, his voice resonating through the waters. “She requires a guard now more than ever – one both fierce and trustworthy enough to protect my heir.” His ancient eyes lock with mine, and at that moment, I know what’s coming. “I name Levistus as Head Guard to my eldest daughter!”

The proclamation sends shockwaves through the assembled krakens. Gasps and exclamations of surprise echo through the chamber. I am shocked by the appointment – the King, who alone knows of my mixed blood, has just entrusted me with his most precious charge. His heir’s safety now rests in the hands of a half-breed.

But before I can even process this unexpected turn of events, a shrill voice cuts through the crowd’s murmurs.

“No!” Princess Kaia rises from her throne, her tentacles writhing in agitation. “Father, you can’t be serious! I won’t have a… a mixed-blood as my guard!”

The chamber falls deadly silent, and all eyes dart between the Princess and me. I feel my hearts sink, and a mixture of shame and anger burns in my chest. I didn’t realize that Princess Kaia knew my secret.

The King’s brow furrows. “Kaia, my decision is final. Levi has proven himself time and again. His mixed heritage brings unique strengths?—”

“I don’t care!” Kaia wails, her voice rising to a near-screech. “He’s not pure! How can I trust my safety to someone who’s part… human?” She spits the last word as if it’s poison.

The crowd begins to murmur again. Some nod in agreement with the Princess, while others look uncomfortable at the display.

I take a deep breath and steel myself. This is my chance to diffuse the situation, to prove that I’m above such petty prejudices. I sink into a deep, formal bow before the King and his family.

“Your Majesties,” I say, my voice steady despite the turmoil in my hearts. “I am deeply honored by this appointment. However…” I pause, choosing my words carefully. “I believe I can best serve the kingdom by continuing my current duties. With your permission, I respectfully decline this position.”

The King’s eyes widen in surprise, while Princess Kaia looks triumphant. The crowd erupts into hushed conversations, the tension in the room palpable.

“Levistus,” the King begins, but I cut him off with another respectful bow.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your trust in me. But I know where my strengths lie, and I believe I can do more good for our people in my current role as a hunter.”

What I leave unsaid is that I’d rather be a lone predator in the Midnight Zone than babysit a spoilt princess who loathes my very existence.

For a long moment, the King regards me silently. Then, with a slow nod, he says, “Very well, Levistus. If that is your wish, you may return to your duties.”

I bow once more and retreat, relief washing over me as I exit the grand doors of the throne room. The corridors outside are eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the murmurs and tension I’ve left behind.

Just as I reach a less frequented area of the palace, a powerful tentacle wraps around my midsection, yanking me into a shadowy alcove. I spin to find myself face to face with Malachar, a battle-scarred kraken known for his conservative views. I should have known he would be the first to confront me – he’s always resented me, viewing my rapid rise through the ranks as an insult to more “deserving” krakens like himself. He’s made no secret of his desire to become a head guard, and I’ve often caught him watching me with barely concealed hatred during training sessions. Now, with the revelation of my mixed heritage, he finally has the excuse he needs to act on that hatred.

“You think you’re too good for us, half-breed? I’ve always known something was wrong with you. I should’ve realized your pathetic mother would sully herself with a human. If she were alive, I’d have her punished and cast out for such debauchery,” he snarls, his beak clicking menacingly. “And you… turning down the King’s honor like that? The very position I’ve worked towards my entire life? You deserve everything that’s coming to you.”

Before I can react, more krakens emerge from the shadows of nearby corridors. I recognize them as Malachar’s closest allies – each a mighty warrior, all looking at me with murder in their eyes. The realization hits me that they’ve cornered me here, far from the watchful eyes of the court.

My hearts race as I assess my situation. I am trapped and cornered in a secluded part of the palace, surrounded by hostile krakens, with no allies in sight. I realize with a sinking feeling that this is going to be a fight for my life.

“I meant no disrespect,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm. “I only want to serve where I’m most effective.”

Malachar laughs, a harsh, grating sound. “Oh, we’ll show you where you’re most effective – as chum for the sharks!”

They attack as one, tentacles lashing out from all directions. I dodge and weave, using my scout form’s agility in the confined space to my advantage. But they have numbers on their side. One tentacle coils around one of mine, then another, snaring me tightly. I thrash and struggle, breaking free only to be trapped again. Pain explodes across my body as their beaks tear into my flesh.

The sounds of battle thunder through the palace’s corridors – the thuds of colliding tentacles and the roar of churning water echoing off the ancient walls. I’m slammed hard into a centuries-old sculpture of Thalassor, the impact knocking it off its pedestal. The heavy marble statue crashing over, toppling through the dark water before landing with a dull thud that reverberates through the stone floor. Desperate for any advantage, I dart away, dodging narrowly around towering columns of living coral, their jagged edges gleaming like knives in the dim light. As I weave through the narrow spaces, a few of my attackers slam into the coral, their flesh scraping against the sharp surfaces and leaving trails of dark blue blood. But for every attacker I manage to shake off, two more surge forward relentlessly, their eyes glinting with malice.

Their lightning-fast strikes displace the water in bursts that buffet me from all sides. Many of their blows connect, striking with bruising force. Pain explodes across my body as tentacles slam into me, dazing me and opening gashes that cloud the water with my blood. I lash out, fighting fiercely, injuring as many of them as I can, barely managing to keep the closest attackers at bay. But with each strike, they press in harder, more relentlessly than before – how long can I hold them off before they overwhelm me completely? They’re swarming me, closing in from every angle, hemming me in tighter and tighter – I’m running out of time, and a cold spike of fear grips me as I realize I may not make it out.

In desperation, I embrace my kraken nature. My body ripples and swells, rapidly expanding into my full kraken form. My tentacles unfurl like living whips, and my skin hardens into the tougher hide of a true kraken. The transformation is instant and violent, creating a shock wave that pulses through the water, sending a powerful ripple outward. My attackers, caught off guard by this sudden metamorphosis, reel back in shock. This is where my hybrid heritage truly shines – my half-human blood allows me to shift between forms with a speed and fluidity my pure-blooded adversaries can’t match.

I swell to fill the corridor, my expanding bulk forcing Malachar and his allies to retreat. Power rushes through me like a live current, and I seize the chance to escape before they can regroup. My tentacles lash out with newfound strength, striking fiercely to keep my opponents at bay as I break free.

Malachar completes his shift to his kraken form first, his eyes blazing with hatred as he charges after me. I twist, attempting to fend him off, but our beaks clash in a thunderous impact that sends shockwaves through the water. We grapple, our tentacles intertwined in a deadly dance.

With a violent burst, I break free from the tangle of limbs. My tentacles strike out, slamming Malachar and a few of his allies against the coral walls. The impact leaves them dazed.

I propel myself toward the palace exit with every ounce of strength I have left. Behind me, Malachar’s enraged roar echoes, but I don’t look back. I stretch my tentacles, using my slightly smaller size to slip through the winding passageways of the palace. I push forward, hoping my agility can give me the edge I need to escape their reach.

However, I sense movement closing in fast. Three of Malachar’s strongest allies cleave through the water behind me. Their tentacles snap out, each strike landing with brutal force, leaving burning welts across my skin as I struggle to stay ahead.

I lash out desperately, managing to land a solid blow on one attacker’s eye. He reels back screeching in pain, creating a momentary opening.

I begin to hope that I might be able to get away, but as I near the exit, Malachar appears before me, having circled around the battle and cutting off my escape from the palace.

“Did you really think you could evade capture, half-breed?” he snarls, his tentacles coiling around me like iron bands.

His tentacles bite deeper into my flesh as I thrash against his hold, each movement draining what little strength remains in my battered body. Malachar’s eyes flash with malevolent triumph. His beak snaps wide, and in one savage motion, he strikes. Pain explodes through my torso as he rips open my flesh.

He strikes again, his beak sinking deep into my side, then withdrawing only to bite harder in a new spot. Each bite is a fresh burst of agony, tearing through skin and muscle, leaving me bleeding and gasping. My vision wavers as blood clouds the water around us, dark and thick. I try to pull free, but my body is weakening with each brutal wound, my strength slipping away.

Malachar bites down once more, his beak ripping into my flesh with a final, devastating ferocity that leaves me hanging limp in his grip. The pain is overwhelming, and every movement sends fresh waves of agony through my torso. I can feel the life draining from me, and my resolve falters as I struggle to hold onto the last threads of consciousness.

In a last, desperate move, I summon what little strength I have left. I shift forms rapidly, alternating between my three shapes. The sudden changes in size and texture loosens Malachar’s grip for a split second.

It’s all the opening I need. I burst free, my body a mess of gashes, bruises, and rounded sucker marks. Without looking back, I streak toward the open ocean, hoping to lose my pursuers in the Midnight Zone.

I race through the twisting pathways of our underwater city, my mind reeling from the violence and betrayal. Blood trails behind me, a stark reminder of how close I came to death. With powerful strokes of my massive tentacles, I propel myself away from the only home I’ve ever known, my hybrid nature granting me a speed that pure-blooded krakens can’t hope to match in any of their forms.

As I approach the kingdom’s outer limits, I give my home one last look before turning away for good. I don’t know where to go, but I can’t stay here. It would be a death sentence. One way or another, Malachar and others like him would find a way to end me.

With those thoughts ringing in my mind, I push myself harder and swim into the vast expanse of the open ocean. Behind me, I can hear the sounds of pursuit fading as I outdistance my attackers.

Time loses meaning as I drift through the endless blue, my mind slipping in and out of consciousness like the relentless push and pull of the tide. The pain from my wounds, angry and raw, gnaws at me, intensifying as infection seeps into every cut. Fever takes hold, its heat flooding my veins despite the ocean’s chill, distorting reality until I can’t tell what’s real and what isn’t. My world is a blur of agony, strange shadows, and fractured thoughts, the ocean around me turning into a surreal, shifting haze.

I can’t escape the feeling that I’m not alone. At one point, through the fog of pain, I hear a voice – a voice I haven’t heard in years. It’s soft and soothing, a tone that once brought comfort in my darkest moments. My mother. The realization grips me, sharp and strange, because I know she’s been gone more than a decade. Yet her voice surrounds me, calling my name as she did when I was a child. It fades just as quickly, leaving a hollow ache that pierces through even the fever’s grip.

I drift further, each beat of my pulse weakening, and the ocean’s dark numbing void, cold and merciless, beckons me to surrender. My vision dims, and the weight of it pulls me down, threatening to pull me under for good. But a fragment of will remains somewhere, buried in the recesses of my fading spirit. One final plea forms in my mind, desperate and raw. With the last shreds of strength I have left, I call out to Thalassor, the great kraken god, begging for help.

Conjured as if from my delirium, a vision materializes from the swirling waters. Thalassor, the primordial god of the sea, rises from the ocean’s bottomless expanse like a living mountain. His form is colossal beyond comprehension, dwarfing even the Kraken King. His body stretches endlessly into the murky abyss. Countless tentacles, each as thick as an ancient ship, writhe around him in a hypnotic dance. His skin shimmers with bioluminescence, pulsing with the colors of the deep – midnight blues, purples, and phosphorescent greens. Thalassor’s face is a meld of kraken, whale, and something utterly alien. Eyes, countless and unknowable, regard me with the weight of eons. His presence warps the water around him, and I feel the crushing pressure of the deepest trenches bearing down upon me. Awe and terror seize me as I behold this ancient, incomprehensible deity.

“Your call woke me from my long slumber.”

I try to find my voice to apologize, but I am too weak to speak.

“Do not fear, child of two worlds,” Thalassor’s voice rumbles through the water, resonating within me like the thundering of distant storms. “I am not angered by your call. It is past time for me to rejoin the world after my long slumber.”

I try to speak again, but still, no words come. The god’s eyes, deep as the ocean itself, seem to peer into my very soul.

“Your journey has only just begun. Seek out Lublin Harbor,” Thalassor commands, his voice rising from the ocean’s lowest reaches like an underwater volcano. “There, the goddess Mokosh keeps watch. Within her borders, you will find sanctuary and purpose.”

An enormous tentacle rises from the dark, its surface shimmering with an otherworldly light. With infinite gentleness, Thalassor touches my brow. In that instant, a rush of knowledge floods my mind – I see the path to Lublin Harbor as clearly as if I had traveled it a thousand times. Warmth spreads through my battered body, my wounds knitting together and a portion of my strength returning. Though the journey ahead will be long and difficult, I know now that I have the power to face it.

“Thank you, great Thalassor,” I whisper.

“You are welcome, little kraken,” echoes a voice in my mind, ancient as the tides themselves.

Without another word, Thalassor begins to sink back into the ocean’s abyss. His massive form seems to dissolve into the water, each tentacle melting away like seafoam on a receding tide. The bioluminescent glow illuminating the surrounding waters fades gradually, leaving behind shrinking rings of softly glowing particles. As his eyes – those ancient, unknowable orbs – submerge last, I feel a final pulse of divine energy wash over me. Then, in a swirl of currents, Thalassor vanishes completely. The sea returns to its normal state so swiftly that I wonder if I’ve hallucinated it all. Only the lingering warmth in my partially-healed body and the crystal-clear vision of my path forward convinces me that the encounter was real.

Heartbreak, fury, and disbelief war within me as I head towards the beacon in my mind where the human settlement is located. I had only wanted to serve my people, to find my place in the only world I’ve ever known. My loyalty to my kingdom had been unwavering, and I had imagined that my life would be spent among my kind, defending our waters and protecting our traditions. Now, I am a fugitive, fleeing from the kingdom I had sworn to protect. The betrayal I’ve endured is fresh, an open wound in my chest, mingling with the disorientation of my existence being turned upside down.

With a sense of desolation, I set out to find this mythical goddess and her town. My journey takes me across vast stretches of ocean, skirting the edges of human civilization, a territory unfamiliar and, truthfully, frightening. I have only seen their ships from afar, hulking metal creatures that slice through the waves like foreign beasts. Every ripple and shadow puts me on edge, my body coiled to react, yet I am utterly drained by the physical and emotional toll I’ve endured. Exhaustion and heartache are my only companions.

As I travel, I can’t help but reflect on the kraken society I’ve left behind. Our vast underwater cities, hidden in the ocean’s deepest trenches, feel increasingly like a fading dream. The once-familiar bioluminescent lights, casting their gentle glow across coral-lined passageways and towering structures, are now just memories I hold tight to as the ocean stretches endlessly around me. I long for the intricate network of caves and tunnels, the hidden nooks and quiet spaces that formed my home.

Though I never truly felt like I belonged there, the loss of it all cuts deeper than I could have imagined. The pulse of life within those waters, the comforting rhythms of our society – the very things I’d often felt distanced from – now seem like pieces of myself I’ve left behind. Even as an outsider among my kind, the banishment stings, and I miss the sense of knowing where I belong that I’d taken for granted. I wonder if I’ll ever feel it again.

The weight of my exile settles heavily on me, and the loneliness of the open ocean deepens my sorrow. What will I find among the humans? Will I be able to carve out a place in their society? As much as fear grips me, hope stirs beneath it. If I am to survive and find a new path for myself in this vast and uncertain world, I must place my trust in something beyond my kind, beyond the ocean itself.

The kraken are, by nature, an isolationist species. Our laws forbid interaction with humans, let alone revealing our existence to them. But there has always been a small faction, myself included, who believed in the possibility of cautious integration.

As I swim, my mind drifts to my mother again. What compelled her to mate with a human, breaking our most sacred laws? She said they were in love, but I don’t even know his name. I picture her, young and rebellious perhaps, venturing to the surface world. Did she plan to stay with my father, only to be drawn back to the ocean’s depths? Or was leaving him behind always part of her plan?

The thoughts swirl in my mind like eddies in a turbulent sea. My mother’s early death robbed me of the chance to ask her these questions and understand the choices that shaped my existence. Now, as I navigate toward a new world, I feel the weight of her decisions more than ever. Did she ever regret it? Did she foresee the challenges I would face? The answers, much like my mother, are lost to the currents of time and the vast, unforgiving ocean.

As days bleed into one another, my focus narrows down to only one thought – to follow the beacon in my mind to Lublin Harbor.

The moon’s pull, revered by all krakens for its effect on the tides, becomes my constant and only companion. In quiet moments, I breach the ocean’s surface, letting the cool night air wash over me as I observe the endless dance of waves and stars.

Finally, after what seems like an eternity of swimming, I catch sight of a distant shoreline shimmering with an otherworldly light – though perhaps that’s just my exhaustion playing tricks. As I draw closer, I feel a warmth wash over me – a sensation of welcome and protection that I hadn’t experienced since leaving my home, perhaps not even there.

The water itself feels strange – too warm for these latitudes. I’ve never encountered anything like it. The peculiar warmth seems to pulse through the waves as if the ocean itself is alive with some strange energy.

With the last of my strength, I propel myself toward the shore. The waves, once my allies, now batter my weakened body. As I near the beach, a massive swell lifts me and hurls me onto the sand. Half-submerged in the receding surf, I lay there, too exhausted to pull myself from the water’s reach. With the last of my strength, I roll onto my back and transform into my human form.

Dusk paints the sky in deep purples and oranges above me as I bask in the energy of Lublin Harbor. After all this time, I’ve made it. Despite Thalassor’s healing, the journey has consumed my last reserves of strength. My human limbs drift uselessly in the shallow water, too heavy to lift, too weak to carry me to safety.

As consciousness begins to slip through my grasp, I hear the soft crunch of footsteps in the sand. I force my eyes open, fighting to focus. A figure emerges, silhouetted against the setting sun. As she draws nearer, her features sharpen into clarity – a human female with golden curls cascading over her shoulders and a welcoming smile gracing her lips. But it’s her eyes that arrest my fading attention – deep-set and amber-flecked, radiating the same ancient power I felt from Thalassor.

“Welcome to Lublin Harbor, Levistus,” she says, her voice carrying over the sound of waves lapping against the shore. “Thalassor warned me that you were coming. I am Mokosh, guardian of this place.”

I try to dip my chin in reverence, but my body refuses to cooperate. “Goddess Mokosh,” I manage to croak, my voice hoarse from disuse, “I seek sanctuary within your borders.”

Her eyes, deep and fathomless as the sea, study me for a long moment. “Sanctuary you shall have, young kraken. But it comes with a price.”

“Anything,” I reply without hesitation. After so long adrift, I am ready to pay any cost for a place to belong.

A gentle smile plays across Mokosh’s lips. “My protection comes with certain expectations. You will tend to Lublin Harbor’s needs and keep its secrets. When the fishing boats venture out, you’ll ensure their catches are plentiful while keeping other creatures from their nets. And your presence, your faith in my divinity, will add to my power.”

I agree readily; it is a small price to pay for safety. As Mokosh’s magic envelops me, I feel strength returning to my limbs. The last of my wounds heal, and the exhaustion that had threatened to claim me ebbs away.

With newfound energy, I push myself to a sitting position, taking in my surroundings properly for the first time. The coastline curves gracefully to my left, sheltering a natural harbor in its arc. Through the evening haze, I can make out a forest of masts and rigging where ships cluster along the weathered wharves. The town itself seems to have grown outward from the water’s edge.

Humans and other beings move about their daily lives, seemingly unaware of the arrival of a kraken in their midst. Mokosh gestures towards the town, her eyes twinkling with warmth. “This is your new home, Levistus. You’ll find acceptance and purpose here.”

“Please, call me Levi,” I offer.

“And you can call me Koko.”

As the last rays of sunlight fade from the sky, I make a silent vow. I will do my best to embrace this new chapter of my life. I will learn, grow, and forge a new identity here. The kraken kingdom that rejected me for my human half doesn’t deserve my loyalty or my dreams of return. This is where I belong now.

With a nod of gratitude to Koko, I turn and dive back into the welcoming embrace of the sea. The cool water envelops me, washing away the last remnants of my old life.

As night falls and the first stars begin to twinkle in the sky, I swim out to the center of the harbor. There, floating on my back and gazing up at the moon, with the creak of boats and the distant sounds of human voices, I allow myself a moment of peace.

Tomorrow, my new life will begin in earnest. But tonight, suspended between two worlds, I am simply Levi – kraken, human, and above all, a creature of the sea.