Enjoy! ^_~
Electrostatic Fantasy
Chapter One
~Ghosts Of The Deep~
It has long been the subject of my research that the waters surrounding this island called Aurorice might in fact be home to creatures far more amazing than have ever been conceived. All of it began when a dear friend of mine passed to me an age-worn book on beings of legend. Back then did I indeed laugh on the thought that mermaids or such might be real. How I would laugh now at my former self’s ignorance.
Our research team has for some time been combing these bay areas in search of creatures that may very well be more than just myths. And indeed we’ve actually happened upon markings of the most peculiar nature. They indicate that these beings have four limbs much like land mammals. Those markings left upon rock samples collected both from the shallows and the ocean floors resemble claw marks of tigers or other feline animals. But the evidence didn’t end there. After much work have we now reason to believe that they are not just any underwater kind of cat, but instead bear human form. Yes, in truth a kind of mermaid, yet not like those so adequately described in our modern mythology.
Incredibly, we came to acquire the body of one of these beasts a short time ago. What an astounding historical discovery this could have been. However, before we had a chance to properly examine the cadaver and document our findings, it was stolen by an unknown entity. Oh the loss! But from the brief glimpse I had of it, I saw this individual was fully cloaked in scales from head to toe. Its primary structures, the chief muscles and bones, were exactly like that of a human being. A few elements differed though. The most striking of these was doubtlessly the tail. Its spinal column extended beyond where it ends with the human body, below the pelvis, as though the tail bone had grown and developed fully. It was a fish’s tail surely used to aid submarine movement. Other details, such as spikes along the spine, webbed hands and feet and wing-like extensions along its back where also prominent. Like a man re-formed to live a life beneath the waves. Perhaps they have been here far before the island had even formed. What if in truth they are the forefathers of our caveman ancestors? Thus, it would be appropriate to give them the name that I have seen inscribed in those ancient documents that referred to them: Aqura. From the Latin word, “aqua” meaning ‘water,’ and a word from another, ancient language, “rasone” meaning ‘person.’
It’s beyond question that these aqura are more magnificent and enigmatic than any naturalist or biologist might dare dream. How many other secrets of evolution do their bodies hold? Are they really the forefathers of our forefathers? If so, what would that mean for our modern human race? Of more personal interest to me would be to know, are they mentally like humans too? Have they language? Do they too possess thought, emotion and dreams? Just when I had resolved one question, a thousand more arise. So many puzzles left unanswered. And those answers may very well lie in that stolen body.
I simply must retrieve it lest I never get another chance to find out just what, or who, are they that live just beyond our shores.
–Scientific Research Journal, Entry No. 568. ‘A New Discovery.’
Signed: SRM ~In the month of Midsummer.
* * *
Many tales of the Sea have seen Her described as both cruel and kind. Her storms have drowned the bravest of seamen, Her tides have soothed the innocent infant. Yet hidden among Her blankets She guards Her most precious of mysteries. It is told that to them She gave Her powers willingly. And they in turn would protect and be Her secrets. What’s that? You have met with the fables of the aqura before? My my, you are well read. Ah, but I’ve a tale in mind that I disbelieve you’ll have heard accounted elsewhere. Mine is a story of one of these beings whom had been born different from his kin; in his chest beating a Dragon’s heart. You know they call them the ‘Ghosts of the Deep?’ Well, ever hear of a ghost who wanted to be human? How long has it been? Still I remember it well. After all, who could forget? With all the trouble caused by that Terana and the other fella…but I’m getting ahead of myself. To get to the end I must start at the beginning. And at the beginning there were two aqura: a brush-tail of white and a carp-tail of blue and black. Koyumi and Denkai. One elder, one younger. Yes, I was young then. Young as far as aqura were concerned. Humans might have pinned me at 18. But I was young; young and inexperienced.
That day was beautiful and the Sea around Aurorice was calm. Island fishermen had set off early in the morning in hopes of returning with bountiful catches for which to trade coin at the evening market. Gulls hung in the air like snowy kites, calling and waiting patiently for chances to grab their own goodies. However, below the surface the men were followed by faces more regular to the scene than these same men even realised. They, too, made for the fishing grounds. A school of aqura. And this small group of aqura had lived near that island for eons. Yet recently a new individual had joined their ranks. I, like the others in their first years, was unknowing of the laws that governed our lives. But our leader, Loki, had neither time nor patience to raise such a foolish youngster. Thus had he given the responsibility of training to the white aqura, Koyumi. Over the course of two years he’d been teaching me bit by bit all the rules that the school and all the aqura of the Sea lived by. But the time given aqura is long, and this was only the start. Still there was much I didn’t know. Still I basked in the simple pleasures of life. Even at present, as the others swam solemnly forward, I pranced and danced around the rays of light and the small critters floating about which glittered like fairy dust. Koyumi approached and spoke calmly.
“Be still Denkai, the others are moving forward. You remember what I have said?”
“Yes, yes Koyumi. But these sparkles shimmer and shine so. What do you think they are? Do you think they were made when the Great Shine in the sky was hit and the Sea took the shatters?” This was a story I’d been told by my peers. They called the shining light above the ‘Great Shine’ and said that when time began it had been struck by a God and the pieces had fallen down. The Sea had taken some of them and the Land the rest. They were the source of the smaller bits of light that living things used to get by at night and in the black abyss, or so they said. Koyumi just beckoned me to follow.
“They catch the light as it shines down. They are a part of the Sea, just like us,” he said and swam past me. I stopped and frowned, examining the little glow-critter I’d snagged between my palms. It glittered and blinked. The light reminded me of something. I’d seen many of them together before. At least, I thought I had.
“Koyumi,” I said.
“Don’t dawdle.”
“I saw the dream again.”
Koyumi stopped. “The dream…?”
“That night vision, the one with the beautiful castle and the strange aqura dancing around, the ones without scales that wear elaborate fins. There were shimmers like the sea critters there, but it was like nothing I’ve seen in the Sea. Do you think—”
“Enough,” Koyumi’s voice was quiet but firm. I said nothing for a moment.
“But there is a boy there, with white hair. He always tries to speak to me. But he looks nothing like an aqura.”
“Denkai, it’s just a dream. It’s best if you forget about it. Loki wouldn’t be happy if he knew.”
I hung my head. “But I’ve seen it so many times.” I could feel the critter in my hand wriggle about and finally escape.
Whenever we spoke, the words sounded nothing like any language that the Land-dwellers conversed in. For we cannot speak like humans. Instead, a beautiful echoing drifted through the water. More exquisite than the song of any bird, resembling the weeping sonar of whales and dolphins. The song of the aqura. But to us it sounded not only like a song. The many chords and melodies conveyed meaning and ideas. To me, it was words. Though one of Koyumi’s lessons tended to slip from my mind repeatedly, which he reminded me of equally often. “Do you remember what I have told you?” He continued. I stilled myself and replied.
“‘Aqura roam the Sea in silence. ’Tis our sacred law. ’Tis the Sea’s hallowed way.’”
“Good. We were given our song in exchange for living in Her quiet arms. Don’t forget that.” He swam on.
“Koyumi, do you think I’ll one day become a good aqura? Just like She wants?” I said. To this Koyumi answered nothing.
Aurorice was not a large island yet nonetheless many made it their home. Although situated a fair distance from mainland, the island’s population and technology were of First World standard. Still, the unexplained, even magical things which sometimes happened were what created the greatest contrast to the rest of the world. Magical things, such as us.
Aurorice was also surrounded by many smaller islets. They provided comfortable nooks and hiding places for marine residents to take rest. Naturally, as the fish sought safety there, so did those who fed upon them flock there too. In spite of this, Loki rarely steered his school in their direction. Rather, he took us further out to Sea. Aqura are superior swimmers–and our group exceptionally so–making our chances good even in open ocean. Still it made no sense to me.
“Let’s head for the islets, Koyumi, there is plenty prey for all of us. It would be easy…”
“You shouldn’t question Loki. He leads us.”
“He leads us in the way that is best, soo desu ne?” someone said from behind us. Another aqura approached, a pink and peach bloom-tail. I recognised her. She swam with us; more often, though, close to Loki.
“Angela,” Koyumi addressed her. “Has Loki given new orders?”
“No,” she said moving next to me, “but he tires of such inexperience. You must have learned something by now, ne? Should not ask so many questions.” She placed a hand on my shoulder, blinked rapidly and smiled like a wily catfish.
“But uhh…” I began, quickly deciding that it wouldn’t avail much to begin arguing. “Apologise to Loki for me,” I replied. She swam beneath me and to my other side. I couldn’t quite figure out what she was doing.
“You know, you should know something else too, n desu yo,” she said slyly. “Lest hunger claim you, one could take a human…”
Koyumi hadn’t reacted much to Angela so far, but her latest words provoked him. He stepped in before she could finish.
“That’s enough. This is not something that ought be discussed here,” he snapped.
“Saa, Koyumi-san. What is this? You have not told him about humans? Whatever for not? I hardly imagine Loki-sama—”
“I said that’s enough!” Angela and I drew back abruptly. Koyumi’s sonar echo was not harmonious that time but a harsh, sharp screech. Angela stared at me then gave a strange smile before heading back to where Loki and the rest were.
She wasn’t unkind, I knew that. She had joined the school some time before me but learned the laws of the Sea under Loki himself. Unlike myself, she showed promise. Back then, she would often come to me and tell me how she admired our sonorous song and the way the Sea resonated her melodies back to her. She was young then too. But now she had almost completed her training. We’d stopped talking as friends long since.
Once she was out of sight Koyumi came over to me promptly, his voice now tinted with something. It had been he who had taught me that aqura don’t have emotions, so to think he’d become flustered was foolish.
“Put what she said out of your mind.” He directed, perhaps to keep me from asking questions. I wanted to indulge him but just as much I couldn’t help the curiosity creeping up from inside of me like one of the sparklies. The question rushed out of me like it had a mind of its own.
“What are humans, Koyumi?” My words were lead to his ears. Likely it was the one time I should have neglected to ask. “Are they another kind of fish?” Koyumi set off towards the others. What bad had I said?
Just then, something cast a shadow over us. I saw one of the fishing boats passing above. Usually they liked to stay near the shallower areas, where the fish were plenty and hunting was easy. Was this one with Loki or something? I tried speaking to it.
“Are you coming with us? To the fishing grounds?” It didn’t answer. I caught up with Koyumi. “Why doesn’t it answer?”
“It can’t hear you, Denkai. Those boats are things lifeless as the ocean rocks.”
“Can humes not swim?”
“Not like us,” he shook his head. I was probably pushing my luck again, but I couldn’t stop.
“But you said that those of the Land would not be welcome in the Sea. What will happen to Her if they hunt our prey?”
“The Sea ensures that there is plenty for us and them. It is a balance that She maintains. Now no more, leave them be.”
“But Koyu—!”
Pain staunched my words. The pain that came as Koyumi bit me on the arm.
Would humes have thought it cruel? But it was the way I’d seen everyone being disciplined. It was Koy’s way of telling me I was going too far, and I said no more for fear of enduring another wound. It wasn’t bad, but the scent of my blood could attract worse trouble after a while.
He stared hard. I moved just a little, unsure of what to do. I kept glancing up rapidly. The boat’s shadow had almost passed.
Koyumi noticed and glanced away. “If you’re so intent on your persistence, go and take a look then.”
“Really?!” I hardly believed my fortune.
“Humes are harmless, but don’t let them see you. They wouldn’t understand what they saw. Return swiftly. And Denkai…” he peered at me pedagogically, “no more talk of dreams.” And with that he was away.
The bulky monster resembled a smooth stone that creaked and groaned. Humans. What kinds of things were they, if they could command such great big creatures? I swam over and took hold of the bottom. Using the boat’s side I climbed to the surface’s edge. Oh how heavy my body now felt! The sun suddenly went from soothing to glaring. The cold and desiccated wind dried my scales which soon bristled painfully and burned in the direct light. The swaying motion soon made me dizzy and amongst it all I couldn’t hold on. Losing my grip, I tumbled back where I’d come. But I wasn’t quitting! Again I tried rising from my watery safety and reached out for the banister. Still, each time I tried I would again and again tumble and fall off. There had to be another way of doing this. Eventually an idea came to me. Instead of climbing slowly up, I dove a little and the shot up as fast as I could, flying out of the water and toward the ledge of the deck. The result was sufficiently awkward. My body crashed into the side and I managed to just and just take hold of the banister. There was nothing more to be seen than a close-up of some white paint and I felt like a cloth hanged up to dry.
“What was that?” a voice said from on board. It sounded strange, not at all singing like aqura. Was this the song of the humans I wonder?
“Ah, that was just the fish hitting the deck son! Or more to the point, it’s the sound of dinner hitting the table. Ha ha!” This other voice was deeper and rougher. But what faces did they belong to? I had to know. With every ounce of energy my body had to spare I hauled myself up and just managed to peek over the railing. Standing on the other side of the deck, working the nets that the fish arduously attempted to avoid, were two humans. The deeper voice came from the bigger man, which had thick, black and bristly fur on his face growing from his chin. His hair was as dark as Loki’s, but shorter and unkempt. But the other voice came from the other, smaller human. Thinner though he was, he wasn’t much shorter. He looked to be about my height. His hair was long, kept back in a ponytail, and white as the cold feathers that fell from the sky during winter. I stared hard at him, opening my eyes wide as I could in case it would help to see better.
“He…looks just like the boy from my night vision…” I wanted to get closer so badly.
“Sure you don’t want me to go check it out, dad? What if it’s a hammerhead?” The white one looked back to where I was. Had he seen me?! My heartbeats quickened. Koyumi had warned about that, although it was strange that he’d forbade me from showing myself when he’d also said humans were no threat. Still I didn’t want to disobey. He rarely punished me severely, but I didn’t want Loki knowing. He’d be less understanding.
“I doubt it’s a hammerhead. For some reason they avoid this area. But if you heard something it’s worth going to see. Could be a rogue.”
Oh no, the boy was walking over. Luckily –I guess– my grip failed yet again and I was gone in a splash.
The young one, Yuki was his name, keenly examined the billowing blue over the side. I clung once more to the bottom and watched him back. Was I visible? He was there long before he spoke again to the other hume. I couldn’t hear anything more than the hallow echoes as the waves rapped the hull, but I was hoping he’d decided to dismiss the incident.
I imagined my mentor lecturing me about how I’d better leave while fortune still smiled. Yet right now my ears had deafened to such wisdom, and I simply moved closer. The currents drifted us further and further from the spot I’d jumped on at, and before I realised we were far off. Koyumi had probably noted my absence. Probably, he was looking for me. He may even have reported to Loki. I should have gone back, but my thoughts were too full with curiosity to consider him or the others.
Glossary
N Desu Yo: (Japanese) Roughly “definitely so!” ‘n’ is added to give emphasis of personal opinion, ‘desu’ means to be and ‘yo’ is used at the end of sentences for exclamation.
Ne: (Japanese particle) Added to the end of sentences, in English it means roughly “eh?” or “right?” or “isn’t it?”
Pedagogically: like a teacher or tutor, or having to do with teaching.
Saa: (Japanese) Come, come now.
San: (Japanese) A word added to the end of names. It corresponds to the English Mr or Mrs.
Sama: (Japanese) A word added to the end of names. It’s used after the names of elders or important people. It's more respectful than “san.”
Soo desu ne: (Japanese) A phrase meaning “it’s so, isn’t it?”. ‘Soo’ means ‘so’, ‘desu’ means to be and ‘ne’ is added to the end of sentences meaning “isn’t it?”
