They swam deeper into the ocean. Deeper. Darker. The further they went, the more Reader relied on Ernest's struggling light to find him. Then the ocean started to brighten, as if coming from a cloud. Steadily a soft glow filled the water. They reached the ocean's floor.
Ernest landed in the soft silt at the bottom. He waved his light, its beam harsh compared to the glow all around.
The ocean floor was covered in ruins giving off soft light. Greens, blues even reds. Reader hovered a bit, taking in the crumbling sights, before landing next to Ernest - expectant.
"There's a lot of stone, brick and ceramic down here. Perhaps a sunken city. I spotted some ship wreckage too. We should keep moving so that ... the thing that attacked us earlier, will have a harder time finding us. Let's go Reader."
"I have questions Ernest."
The guy was already ducking under a crumbling arch, the ocean sand beneath his feet turning into swirling clouds.
"Ask away Reader. I'll answer to the best of my ability."
All the recent darkness and the near drowning experience in that stuff made Reader shiver. First on the list would be that.
"What is that weird stuff. You know. That black ink. It's everywhere. The monsters are made of it. The locker spills it over everything which is just gross. You always seem covered in it. We were even in a room made of the stuff. So what is it? I actually have some of this goop in my pocket."
Ernest hummed for a moment, collecting his thoughts. They ducked through more low hanging rubbish, making progress through rubble tunnels. Motes of glowing light floated up, disturbed from rest they floated off into the darkness. They stopped for a moment to rest on overturned stone. The remains of ships and cities became a cathedral overhead.
Now that I have some of this in my hand hmm... it looks kind of like chocolate pudding. Or dark jelly... I... I suddenly realize how hungry I must be to think this is edible. Ah dropped it.
"Strange stuff isn't it? The ink. You can pick it up - it doesn't bite - usually."
Reader paused for a second, before picking it up warily, with just a hint of disgust. Like it was a dead animal that might come back to life and attack.
Ernest continued speaking, "Looks gooey - It's more like sticky taffy. Yet it has a gelatin consistency. It smells indistinct (on good days). Gives you the kind of feeling you want to put it in your mouth..? Don't. That's your inner cat thinking."
Cat?
"Sorry. Should I call it curiosity? And we all know that half remembered phrase - curiosity killed the cat. Well. Just don't play with it too much. It might play back."
Ernest stood up, ready to move out. The high ceiling rubble chamber they had entered revealed a multitude of possible exists.
Hmm... Hungry. It's ink isn't it? Says it's like taffy yet also like gelatin? Huh I didn't realize how close it's getting to my mouth. Hard to fight the urge. Hmm... aaaah.
"I put it in my mouth once..."
Ernest said off-handedly. Reader nearly fell flat. The glob of ink just missing those lips.
"W-What did it taste like? Ernest? Did.. did it do anything to you?"
As if he were a tired magician showing the truth behind a trick, Ernest lifted up one of his hands and looked at it. Little goblets of ink were floating off his finger tips.
"It tasted like nightmares."
He had a haunted look in his eyes. Silently those finger tips became claws. Black long claws.
I guess that explains his grip... And how he ripped into- "Hey wait up!" -
I-I'll just put this away into my pocket for now.
*
Flashlight glare leading the way, Ernest poked carefully through the halls of rubble. Crumbling stone and ship parts glowed from the light of crustaceans. Strange fish swam through the low glowing halls. They flashed like living neon lights.
"Reader. Keep up."
Half gliding half skipping, Ernest made his way through the maze before them. Low hanging scrap moaned ominously. It feels like this place is going to collapse at any moment. Ouch. Stubbed my toe again on another ... Whatever that is. Oh no I lost sight of him.
"Ernest! Ernest! Where are you!?"
Reader stumbled around. Turning a corner. Going face first into another low overhang. OW. Backing into a pile of rubble. "Ouph!" Tripping. "Whoa-" Falling. Unnnnnn.." Rolling down hill. Dizzy.
"Ah there you are Reader. Stand up now, you'll need your feet for this one."
The room still spun to Reader's eyes. Fading in and out. Ernest came into clarity at last. Just in time for Reader to notice they were at a dead end. Ernest nodded then kicked off the ground.
"Where are you-"
Reader looked up and noticed that the hall was now a tunnel going up.
Not a dead end then.
"You coming?"
He had his hand held out.
Just think of it like flying...
Reader kicked off the ground. Hand outstretched. Ernest grabbed hold and together they swam, no, they flew upwards. Every now and then segments of the hollow pillar of rubble would break - showing ever increasing views of the underwater city around them. It stretched on for miles. Each glimpse like a quick snapshot. Fleets of ships were strewn across the crumbling roofs. Coral reefs grew from the still bones of civilization.
Huh... Maybe it's just a trick of the eyes. I thought I saw something large move out there.
"It should be around here somewhere... Here we are."
Their ascent stopped. A door. Tilted to an odd angle. Ernest hovered forward, budging it open. Inside was the remnants of a ship's bridge. Or is this a captain's quarters? What a mess... Looks like several ships collided.
Ernest waved his flashlight around. The beam of light slashing through the gloom. There was no glow here. Ernest was busy rummaging around. Looking through water soaked documents bound in busted drawers. Reader glimpsed through a few of the pages Ernest had tossed aside.
What is this... An illustration. Looks like a maiden. Hmm... Standing tall. One arm up the other at the side. Posing? No wait what is that behind it? Some kind of multi-armed beast? Is she running? Here. Another one. This time a young man with long hair. He seems to be facing something in fear. The page is ripped but there... there is something reaching for him. This.. This?
"Ernest. Isn't this a picture of you?"
He grunted in response.
There were more illustrations. Water logged. Fading. Damaged things.
That girl and guy... They looked familiar. Huh, here's another picture of the girl. Just. This time... a mermaid?
Reader looked around the cabin. Ernest seemed pressed for time. He doubled his search.
Why is he worried?
Reader saw the city again. The view came from a half crushed window of the ship's bridge. It's strange to see ships of different technology eras here... What kind of graveyard is this. Walking towards the cracked glass, Reader saw the glow out there. The aquatic life. The...
Huh is this an emblem on the window here? Right above the glass can't quite make it out. Float up a bit there we go. It's uh... It's a mermaid? Looks like... No that would just be weird.
Reader floated back down to lean on a wooden steering wheel. Ernest was desperate now. Claws out, shredding through documents and drawers.
"What are you looking for Ernest?"
He gave an aggravated look.
"I'm looking for what we need to get out. It's not here. It should be here."
"What like treasure?"
"Maybe. At first I thought it would be a page. Now I'm not so sure."
Reader tapped fingers on the wheel.
First time I've seen him so confused. Heh. Wait. Should I be worried?
First time I've seen him so confused. Heh. Wait. Should I be worried?
Click.
?
"What was that?"
"I don't know Ernest it's... Huh there's a compartment in the center of this wheel."
A small box pushed its way out. Inside was a medallion. Embossed on it was the image of a mermaid. Behind her was a man, screaming in fear at something he sees. And around it was...
Wait a second... Now I remember.
"Hey Ernest. This looks like the twins."
The whole room shook. Did we just get hit by something?
"Reader! That's it! Come on, we're out of here!"
Ernest swam for the door. It closed. He kicked off of it in frustration. Black goo was starting to leak in from under the door.
"That thing is here again. To the window run-"
*
Violence. Water. Tentacles. Graveyard. Sunken cities. Sunken ships. Struggling for air. Surrounded by ink.
Surrounded by that thing.
Holding onto the key.
"Run! Swim! Fly! Whatever it takes! Get to the cloud!"
Turning to see.
Seeing Ernest face it.
Getting enveloped.
Something being thrown into me.
Too late.
I'm taking it in.
Darkness filling everything.
Light!
Spinning light..?
I think I'm going to hurl.
