ᵗʰᵃˡᵃˢˢᵒᵖʰⁱˡᵉ

🪼⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

[ the sea beast attacks ]

𝐌𝐬. 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐨'𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞. "Let's have her ready!"

Immediately, you turned to Maisie, and she inched forward, a scared look in her brown eyes. Your hands connected as you held them with a tight grip. "We're gonna be fine, Maisie. Just stay in here," you said, offering her a smile, before you dashed out the cabin, shutting the door behind you.

"Today's the day we do what we do!"

"Fighting trim! Clew up fore a' main!" Crow called. "Harpooners, tie off them darts! We're going for a sleigh ride!"

With the others, you each grabbed a harpoon, and you turned around, only to find yourself opposite to Jacob's chest. "Y/N," he sighed in relief, before noticing the weapon in your hands. "Uh, no."

"Jacob-!"

"No, lass. You are not dying today," he simply argued, and your jaw dropped as he took the harpoon from you. 

"Why you-!" The two of you stopped at the sound of squawking, and you lifted your heads, finding a large flock of seagulls flying towards the ship. 

"Brace!" Sarah shouted but was cut off as the ship crashed forward. Everyone stumbled, and Jacob pulled you close as you tripped.

He caught sight of the box of grenades that cascaded down the upright ship, which was then pushed by a barrel. Jacob leaped forward, catching the box just as it fell, but not before one grenade slipped from the hold, and into the ocean. It exploded, causing the ship to careen in the other direction, but, surprisingly enough, the blast turned the ship to its normal position. 

Crow held onto the railing as he steadied himself, looking out at the sound of a loud snort. He saw the Bluster's crimson tail, which quickly disappeared under the water. "The ocean has sent us its worst, and we'll send it right back!" Crow declared. "Carcass shot if you please, gunners! Protect our broadside."

Jacob glanced down at the box he was holding, then ran to the canons, where the shooters eagerly took the grenades. "Alright, ya fish killers! We come all this way for a proper fight and-."

"Jacob!" Maisie's scared voice called, and he turned. From your position at the canon, you spun around, eyes widening as a gasp escaped you. "Y/N! What's happening?"

"Maisie, get back to your room!" Jacob ordered, but her focus was on the Red Bluster, which was approaching the ship with haste. "Go!" He saw where her gaze was, and groaned, handing the box to Jack. You followed after them as he picked the young girl up, who was now whimpering and shaking. He plopped her down as you ran around him, kneeling down in front of her. "Stay away from the window."

Jacob took your hand just as you brushed a hair out of her eyes, and he pulled you out of the room, shutting the door. You ran back to your spot by the canon,  quickly securing the grenade Azara inserted. You aimed it towards the imposing creature, as the beast soared upwards, leaving its throat and underbelly exposed, the captain ordering, "FIRE!"

You let the canon loose, and you watched as dozens of grenades bloomed into fire, barely scorching the Bluster. As it dove forward, it collided into the front of the ship, sending it swirling. "Now's our chance!" you called to Crow, who nodded. 

"SPEARS!" On cue, the spears coursed through the air, piercing the Bluster in its back. It growled from the pain, dropping into the water, and as it swam forward, the ship was pulled by the ropes, careening onward. Crow hiked up the fo'c'sle. "We got it hooked. Now we'll wear it down. Full sail, Ms. Merino!"

"Square the yards! Get it off the pins!"

"It'll fight the very wind till there's no fight left in it!" The Red Bluster growled as it surged, causing the ship to dip. Water sprayed the deck, and you wiped your damp face. "Run, ya devil! And there we'll be!"

The creature swerved side-to-side, before diving downwards, into the dark ocean. It began to swim in a swift circle, and the ship followed its course. "Whirlpool!" you yelled to Sarah.

"Captain?" she questioned Crow, who was staggering across the tilted deck, shrugging off his hat and coat. 

He took the long spear with a grunt, curling his fingers around the wood. "We've got you now."

As the boat leant into the water, everyone lost their footing, catching onto rope or a beam. You were by the spindle next to Jacob, holding onto the timber tightly.

You heard a girlish yelp, and you craned your neck, finding Maisie falling out of your courters. She latched onto a sword that was stuck into the deck, but lost grip, descending more. Her body slid against a holed-out grating, causing her to fly for a moment. She knocked into the thick bundle of rope that was keeping the ship and the Red Bluster linked.

She gasped, panting for breath as her face drew closer to the rushing water, where she saw the growling creature below. The ocean barely masked its thunderous roars. You and Jacob grunted as you climbed the rope grid, the salty water splashing in your faces as the mast creaked with exhaust. 

"The ship can't take it!" Jacob yelled to Crow, who was balancing on the bowsprit. 

"We have to cut the lines!" you shouted.

"I've never run from a fight, and I won't start now," Crow countered.

"We must!" Jacob urged. "Even dead, it'll drag us to the bottom!"

"The stubborn old goat won't listen!" you huffed loudly. 

From the ropes, Maisie looked around, finding the crewmates in hazardous positions. Her eyes locked onto your figure, which was hanging on to the rope for dear life, Jacob holding you closer as he strained to keep you both up, whilst battling the heavy winds and tilting boat.

She came to a decision, ripping her dagger from its sheath. 

On the overhead beam, Crow aimed the long spear at the Bluster. "Time has come for ye, ye devil." He groaned when the ship lurched, and he stared down at the sound of rope snapping.  "Maisie Brumble, cut those lines, and I'll kill you for a coward!" he warned. She ignored him, going back to slicing the ropes with a frantic expression. "Jacob, stop her!"

Jacob grabbed a rope, swinging forward, and you followed suit with a fierce look. He landed with a grunt, soon by you, and he grabbed Maisie's cutting arm. The two looked around at the crew, before their gaze zeroed on you. "Damn it!" you cried, wrapping your arms around a beam, teetering closer to the edge. 

Whilst he was distracted, Maisie scowled, and wrenched her arm out of his grip, continuing to sever the lines. Jacob leaned down to grab you, pulling you up and to his body.

"Jacob!" Crow screamed.

The line broke, and as the ship coursed upwards, you, Maisie and Jacob slipped off the front deck with yells as you tumbled into the water. 

It became silent to you, as you waved your arms to swim. You turned, immediately swimming to Maisie. Feeling a familiar hand at your leg, you looked down, finding Jacob coming up to you with puffed cheeks. He used your leg to swim upward and as he stopped in front of Maisie, ready to check on her before she pointed forward. You and Jacob turned your gaze from her to the direction, and your eyes widened as you yelped, sending a bubbles to the surface.

There it was. The Red Bluster. 

Staring directly at you.

Its bright, vivid yellow eyes were shaded duller from the dark blue water, and you had to squint as it slowly sunk down, before disappearing completely.

Jacob looked at you both, gesturing his head upwards, and you nodded. The three of you swam to the surface, and you gasped for air, as did Maisie, when your reached above the water.

The little girl curled around Jacob's back as he waded to the boat. You heaved yourself on, before turning and lifting Maisie up. You helped Jacob as well and he smiled thankfully at you. 

"Bring her to me!" Crow commanded from the ship.

You and Jacob stood as you questioned, "What are you gonna do?"

"I said bring her to me!"

"She's just a child!" Jacob tried. 

"I'm giving you an order!"

Suddenly, Crow turned and pulled out his pistol, aiming it straight at Jacob.

"Please, Captain," you pleaded. 

"Bring...her...to...me...!"

Maisie breathed heavily, and she heard a deep rumbling. She frantically looked around, and you let out a scream as you were lifted into the air. You swiveled around, finding sharp teeth and pink gums, and you came to the sudden realization. 

We're about to get eaten by the Red Bluster.

And the creature clamped its jaw shut, collapsing into the ocean and disappearing into the depths.

You thought you had died. But the air you felt in your lungs and the heavy panting of Jacob, Maisie and yourself confirmed otherwise. Jacob lit the lantern, and you would've laughed in any other situation at the position of Maisie, her small body wrapped around his head and shoulders.

You glanced down, smiling slightly at the sight of Jacob holding tightly onto your hand.

He looked around the cavern- mouth, before he stood. Maisie kept her position as you maintained your hold. The creature growled, and the two spun around, finding the Bluster's throat in front of you.

"Are we gonna... die in here?" Maisie asked softly. Jacob looked up at her, before offering his hand. She took it, slowly clambering off him and down onto the boat. The poor girl latched onto your arm, and you soothingly patted her head. 

"No," he stated. The Bluster snarled, the deep, guttural sound echoing around you. "Well, yeah."

You deadpanned, slamming your foot on his, and he hissed, glaring at you.

Maisie let out a quiet, shaky breath, curling closer into you. "Is it gonna chew us, or will we get digested slowly with acids?" she squeaked out.

"I don't know, Maisie. This is all new territory for me," he answered honestly.

"But haven't you hunted these things your whole life?"

"We kill 'em, lass. We don't study 'em."

You turned your head, looking out into the blue cave of the beast's throat. "I guess it's time to start," you gulped.

Next thing you knew, Jacob was looping a rope around your waist. He tied it into place, and looked down at you, droplets falling from his wet hair. He softly tilted your chin, and you gave up your mission to stare at the ground, giving in to his golden-brown eyes. All he did was smile an effortlessly handsome expression, and you found yourself returning it, although it was weaker.

He then began to work on Maisie's rope, which was the latter of your trio-line. You grabbed the lantern, and he stepped off the rowboat, softly placing his foot on the tongue floor. His foot sunk in just a tad, but he deemed it safe to walk on as the Bluster didn't react.

"Jacob," Maisie whispered out to him. "What if it swallows you?"

"Cut the rope," he said after a moment.

Then, Jacob slowly but surely ventured down the tongue. When he got to the edge, he looked down below, finding an eerie and dark abyss as an answer. He tossed the spear upward, into another tunnel, and heaved himself up with a grunt. He was surrounded in a blue light, which emitted from the creature's insides. Jacob was surprised to find multiple pockets in the beast's internal system. He picked one that seemed more promising than the other, walking through it.

Back in the mouth, Maisie sat on the boat whilst you stood, the both of you watching as the rope slowly continued until it was slightly tugging at your waist. With a soft exhale, you started to walk forward, Maisie trailing after you. 

"Hold my hand, Maisie," you gently ordered, and the girl immediately wrapped her tiny fingers with your own. You lifted her up into your arms, settling her at your hip and she tightened her grip on you as you both began to lift into the air, Jacob pulling you up from who-knows-where.

You grunted as you climbed into the internal hall, and Maisie reconnected your hands. Following the rope, you peeked through, finding Jacob, silhouetted by the blue light. You tugged Maisie through the tight crevasse, walking over to the blonde.

Silently, you came up beside him, and the two of you let out a quiet gasp at the sight. 

You were underwater, somehow looking through a large hole in the Red Bluster, which allowed you to look into the ocean without having to hold your breath. Fish swam in the water, as structures of stone, covered in coral and seagrass created the elaborate flooring of the ocean.

It was then that you realized you were watching this spectacular view from the Bluster's nostril. And that it was aiming upwards.

The three of you stumbled back with exclaims, and you landed on Jacob with a groan, as Maisie fell onto your stomach with a yelp. The Bluster surfaced, and you looked out the nostril, finding a stunning island, littered with flourishing flora and trees, and vibrant pink sand at the shore of the bright blue beach. 

Jacob got up, taking his spear in hand, and Maisie questioned, "What are you going to do?"

"I'm gonna kill it," he answered sternly.

"Kill it? How?"

"Well, I don't know. I just get pumped up and kind of wing it."

"Now is not the time to be winging it!" you snapped.

"Look, I don't want to overthink this, alright? I'm just gonna kill it."

There was a force, and you stumbled a bit, but kept your balance. "I don't know about this," Maisie voiced her concern. 

"I'm Jacob Holland, remember, who killed five of them beasts in the span of two days." He bent down, face-to-face with her, placing his spear against the 'wall'. "And this is just another beast."

You didn't see the spear tilt, scratching at the skin. The Red Bluster snorted from the feeling, a confused look on its face. Jacob pulled you down, and you gripped his shoulders as you fell on your knees. He began untying the rope, as Maisie continued, "There has to be another way!"

"Afraid not, lass!"

"Well, c-can you kill it from the inside?"

He looked down at her with furrowed brows, but was interrupted as the beast lurched back, and sneezed loudly. Her nostrils were clear, though the sudden burst of air had Jacob flying out into the air as you and Maisie held onto the spear which was stuck in the nasal.