PROLOGUE
523 Words
I had always loved diving, swimming and being immersed or surrounded with water. Whenever I get the chance, I always plunge into the water. Seraphina often jokes that I’m like a modern day Moana. In reply, I’ve always sang ‘How Far I’ll Go’.
But I’ve never gone as deep as I had now.
“I can’t feel the sun’s energy. My light will go out soon.” Apollo informed, grunting with the effort he was making in trying to stay a source of light. I had noticed that his body grew dimmer as we went deeper, moving farther away from the surface and any source of sunlight –which was the source of Apollo’s powers.
“I see it!” Seraphina exclaimed triumphantly.
I followed her line of vision and my eyes settled on the great temple. It was mostly ruined and collapse, but it still showed the glory of what was once a Temple Of Poseidon. Statues of mermaids and engravings of lost ancient languages were strewn about, some on collapsed pillars and others detached from their point of origin.
The prayer pyre stood tall, unharmed and intact, but covered with sea weeds and what looked like moss with spikes, like a cactus.
“This way…” Hermes instructed, pushing aside a fallen pillar and plowing through.
We all followed him into the deeper parts of the temple where most of the structures were unharmed but worn with time and darkness, and preserved by water.
“Everyone stop. Nobody moves…” Hermes whispered with an audible gulp. His face paled instantly, his body completely rigid.
We all stopped moving, not even daring to breathe.
“A cetus is asleep around the treasure chest. I think it’s guarding it. Swim slowly backwards. They can sense the vibrations in the water.” He warned.
“What in the name of Jesus is a Cetus? I can’t see anything. My own light is blinding me.” Apollo questioned and complained at the same time. His body steadily swarm back, but the slight quiver in his voice told me he was scared.
“It’s a sea monster you i***t. Look carefully…” Hermes replied.
I strained my eyes to get a glance at the monster and a view of its deadly spiked body made my own turn cold. The Cetus was about twice the size of a baby whale, and I wondered how we didn’t notice it in the first place. Something told me it was the darkness. Despite my vision being enhanced, I still missed a few things.
“What are we going to do about the map?” I directed the question at Hermes.
“We’ll figure it out once were out of danger of being eaten.” He replied with a shrug.
“Achoo!” Apollo forcefully sneezed, his body recoiling in the water, sending waves of forceful vibrations towards the Cetus. He whispered an apology, but received no reply because we all held our breaths, praying that the movement doesn’t wake the Cetus.
Our prayers weren’t answered as the sea monster moved, now fully awake and fully aware of our location!
- Writer
