Spinning as he flew, Kellen glimpsed the army of Selkie dead. Reanimated seals and sea lions too had all surrounded every inch of the pool’s edge.
All watching . . . all waiting . . .
Kellen struck the icy water on his back. The last he saw of the blurry above came from looking toward the same central point in the second-storied, bleacher stands where his mother had often sat to watch him race. Though the one who sat there now bore his mother’s face and emerald eyes, Kellen understood then it had only ever been the lady of darkness herself, the pretender, Nyx, to wear his mother’s face and form in the watery Salt world beneath.
Erebus too sat alongside her, his tentacles sprawling across the bleachers in twining match of hers, concern lining both of their faces as they looked down on all that occurred below.
Kellen opened his mouth to call for Erebus and rescue, just as he had done when trapped in another of the nightmares that Moros had inflicted upon him. Before the name could leave his lips, however, what felt like a lassoed noose latched around his ankle and yanked Kellen below with insurmountable force and speed.
In an instant, Kellen was dragged beyond where the tiled floor should have been, the depth no longer the twelve feet he remembered at the Tiber High pool, but now far deeper and darker. Kellen doubted the anchor carrying him into the abyssal depths would ever stop its pull as he continued to claw for purchase among the water, failing all the while.
I’ll fight for air. His eyes stung at the continued, rapid descent. I’ll make it back.
The laughter in the surrounding darkness suggested elsewise. And when the marbled eyes of Moros opened from the abyssal deep to look on Kellen in full, he understood then that all his efforts and continued fight to combat the prophetic words of Marisa Bourgeois had all been the foolish hopes of a naïve and arrogant boy.
More of the monster’s tentacles emerged from the shadows to seek out Kellen’s wrists and bind his other ankle. We admire the fight in you, favored one, said Moros. But even one such as you are cannot resist us forever . . .
Despite his squirming, continued attempts to breakaway, Kellen saw no true escape in the surrounding darkness and deep. He cringed when the icy tentacles of Moros slithered around his legs and worked up his thigh, their touch lengthening and growing in both number and strength as still others clamped upon his wrists and then flew up his arms also, all working in tandem movement to envelope the full of his body.
Kellen screamed all the louder when the frigid feel worked up to his neck. The Salt flooded into his mouth, its force and supply unending as Kellen swallowed down each new burning, watered breath. His vision began to swim also, alternating black and red with popping white spots. And all the while, the voice of Moros called to him from all around, booming one moment from afar, then whispering to him the next.
Look unto us now, child, said Moros, even as Kellen shut his eyes to the monster before him. Look and see . . .
Still, Kellen refused the call as the icy and shadowed tentacles of Moros poked at his ears and nostrils, prodding him at first, then slithering inside. Kellen howled as the tentacled tips flattened and delved deeper still, burrowing inside his skull, then spreading across his brain. Each ran in search of the others, the feel of them like a rush of icy water dumped into a jar and quickly filling to the brim.
Kellen fought on, his struggle lessening with each passing second. His legs no longer answered his call, as if both had again been taken from him with only the phantom feel where they had once existed to haunt him. Wh-What’s happening to me? Kellen wondered.
Moros purred in answer of Kellen’s private question. Look and see . . .
Kellen’s arms numbed, the strength in his back removed from his control too. No. Kellen refused to obey, the icy touch of Moros climbing in him all the faster, racing up his neck and then into his face as well. Kellen tried to scream against the overtaking coldness within him, yet found his voice strangely stolen too, his mouth no longer working, nor even the grunted sound of one trying to give voice to his pain either.
Aye, look and see, favored one, said Moros, even as the cold consumed Kellen in full. For I am thee . . . and thou art me.
Kellen Winstel opened his eyes, then . . . but not of his own choosing.
Though the darkness and watery deep surrounded him still, Kellen saw no sign of Moros, nor felt the tentacles holding him captive either. Rather than wait for Moros to reappear, Kellen attempted to ascend.
His efforts did not serve though, and his body would no longer heed him.
Swim! Kellen thought to himself, commanding his limbs over and again to kick or claw against the surrounding water, each continued failing as woeful and worthless as the last.
When Kellen did finally begin to rise, he understood it was not through the power of his own choosing.
Test thy will against us all you like, child, said Moros, his voice as loud and clear in Kellen’s mind as the primal seal voice he remembered hearing and lording over in his Selkie life before. For we be now not one part of thee alone . . .
No . . . it’s not possible! Kellen told himself, cursing for his continued failings and fight when his ascent turned faster still with him to control nothing of the swim and his limbs, not even the tilt of his head. His gaze turned toward the hints of light and the surface beyond as the ascent came faster still, leaving the Abyss behind in favor of the clearer, chlorine-laced pool water he recalled from Tiber High.
Nearing the mirrored surface separating the above from the below, Kellen glimpsed the blurred visions of all those still awaiting them upon the pool deck and in the bleacher stands.
Aye, we be not one part of thee alone now, favored one, Moros continued, his voice louder even than Kellen’s screams. WE . . . ARE . . . THEE!
As the crown of Kellen’s head broke through the watery surface and into the above, he understood that the nightmares he had endured thus far beneath the Salt had only been the beginnings of a worser torment to come.
36
MOROS
The lids of his newfound eyes fluttered open, awakening from the nightmarish dream of bondage and darkened captivity that his brother, Hypnos, had held him trapped inside for over an age. Hovering high in the underwater cavern ceiling above, Moros glimpsed the pair of doors that were both his brother’s portals and windows into the world of dreams.
Buried in the recess of his mind, Moros could hear the voice of his newest prize still screaming at the realization of that which had occurred; the powerless position and prison the one naming himself as Kellen Winstel now lay trapped within. The former owner of his new body watched through eyes that had once belonged to him, now opening and closing at the choice of another.
In time, he will come to be as still and quiet as my Selkies learned, Moros comforted himself with the thought, just as he had done with the first of his creation when giving them a second life.
Drawing on his memories of the life before and inhabiting his creations, Moros swept the boy’s continued threats and curses aside with his power, silencing the nagging voice, if only for a moment. Aye, Kellen Winstel, Moros told the favored one whose body he now shared and held sway over. Soon, you will see. Soon, you will understand our new life together.
Moros winced at the minor itch that teased the corners of his mouth, he scarcely recalling the muscled movements it took to smile. The feel of it broadened when he cast his gaze to the mated pair descending from their lofty perch upon the ledge, near his brother’s twin set of portal doors. There was the sight of questioned wonder in his mother’s eyes, the hope she had long nursed too.
Moros understood the look in his mother’s gaze for the same questions and hopes of rebirth he had long held when trapped and locked away inside his brother’s mind in order to survive. I am returned to you, Mother, Moros thought to himself. Aye, finally returned to you and this world still ripe for the taking.
His gaze shifted from her then, preferring to look upon the one beside the lady of dark and deep. And wh
en he saw the concernment and question that blossomed upon the face of his father, Erebus, then Moros’s glee transformed further still, his smile turning to a chuckle, and it to a far reaching, cackled laughter the likes of which made the other awaiting Sancul draw back in fear.
Only one dared to swim closer to him.
His former lover, Black Keerie, was at his side before he even arose upon the bed of ebony make. Moros . . . she cried, the corners of her eyes twinging in hopeful want. Is it you, lover? Truly?
Moros ignored her for the moment, casting his gaze on all those surrounding him instead. His brother’s wife, Pasithee, the masked mother who kept her face shielded still. There was Kanaloa too. The twins, Phobetor and Phantasos, also.
All waiting.
All watching to learn what further plans he had long held in store for them and all other deep dwellers too.
Of all the familiar faces he had longed to look upon of his own choosing again, however, Moros delighted in none of them moreso than the doomed realization he witnessed in his father’s eyes.
Aye, Moros said in answer to Black Keerie’s question, though his hateful gaze never abandoned his stare of Erebus. I am reborn, lover. Moros chuckled. The old Salt finally returned to lay claim over the new.
* * *
Thank you for reading this episode of The Salted Series.
The adventure will continue in Season 8: THE OLD SALT.
A Note From The Author
Did you like these episodes?
I’d love it if you took the time to leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Reader feedback is very important to me — I read every review, so now is your chance to let me know what you thought.
Reviews are the best way you can help authors (and especially indies like me) to reach other readers searching for their next favorite book or series. A review does not have to be detailed or long — seriously, even one line is greatly appreciated.
Either way, thank you again for reading this story. I appreciate you choosing my book when you have so many options. I hope you enjoyed this one and that you are looking forward to more adventures beneath the Salt!
Cheers,
Aaron
Appendix
- Humans -
ALLAMBEE OMONDI, a Kenyan teenager with mysterious ties to Marisa Bourgeois
TARDIFF, deceased, former student at Tiber High School, friend of Kellen Winstel, drowned when being taken down the Gasping Hole in Crayfish Cavern
- Merrows -
AMELIA, a gifted, aerialist performer in the Indianapolis Zoo’s dolphin show, Wilda’s granddaughter, friend of Sydney Gao and Ross Owens, Common Dolphin
BARB, an employee at the Indianapolis Zoo and friend of the Gao family, Bottlenose Dolphin
DARIUS LONGBEAK, king of New Pearlaya, father of Jun Gao, husband of Nattie Gao, Long-Beaked Dolphin
JACK MAYFIELD, a seal and sea lion trainer at the Indianapolis Zoo, friend of the Gao family, and father of Amelia, Common Dolphin
JUN GAO, prince of New Pearlaya, a high school freshman, friends with Kellen Winstel, brother of Sydney Gao, last seen at the Indianapolis Zoo, Long-Beaked Dolphin
MS. MORGAN, the haggard, crotchety vice principal of Tiber High School, friendly ties to the Gao family and Merrows at the Indianapolis Zoo
NATSUKI ‘NATTIE’ GAO, queen of New Pearlaya, mother of Sydney Gao and Jun Gao, Striped Dolphin
RUPERT BOWRIDER, firstborn son of the Duke of the Garland Isles and Keeper of the Indian Ocean, seahorse riding trainer, and betrothed to Sydney Gao
SYDNEY GAO, princess of New Pearlaya, friends with Garrett Weaver, Striped Dolphin
WILDA, a kind and elderly Merrow who lives in the Indianapolis Zoo dolphinarium, Common Dolphin
- Nomads -
ATSIDI DARKSNOUT, also known as ‘SILENT HAMMER’, chieftain of the Hammer tribes, former prisoner of the Indianapolis Zoo, Great Hammerhead Shark
CURSION, also known as ‘WHITE SHADOW’, Nomad high chieftain, blood father of Garrett Weaver, estranged former lover of Makeda, Great White Shark
GARRETT WEAVER, a student from Tiber High School, former Selkie captive and Painted Guard recruit, recently discovered he is a Nomad-Orc hybrid, and the son of Cursion White Shadow, Great White Shark
ISHMAEL, also known as ‘RED WATER’, a pit fighter champion, Bull Shark
QUILL, also known as NO BOUNDARIES, leader of the Unwanted tribe, brother of Watawa, Shortfin Mako Shark
ROLAND, deceased, a former pit fight organizer in Orphan Knoll, brothel owner, and friend of Ishmael, slain by Kellen Winstel, Bull Shark
SHORT-SHORE, the Night-Stalker tribe leader, Oceanic Whitetip Shark
WATAWA, also called ‘THE OPEN SHELL’ by Nomads, a mystical, one-eyed shaman and emissary of the Unwanted tribe, brother of Quill, Shortfin Mako Shark
YVLA, deceased, a gifted actress, loyalist of Nattie Gao, godmother of Sydney Gao, murdered by Malik Blackfin, Shortfin Mako Shark
- Orcinians -
ARSEN, a former pod-mate of Garrett Weavers, a Violovar loyalist of Malik Blackfin, and traitor of the Painted Guard
COMMANDER POHL, a Violovar loyalist of Malik Blackfin’s, and appointed leader of the Orcinians in Bouvetøya
MAKEDA, former pod mother of the Painted Guard, birth mother of Garrett Weaver, sister of Malik Blackfin
MALIK BLACKFIN, also known as ‘THE BLACKFIN’, leader of the Violovar, a rogue band of Orcinian outlaws, brother of Makeda, uncle of Garrett Weaver
MR. (REGINALD) OWENS, custodian at Tiber High School, father of Ross Owens, former general of the Painted Guard, and guardian of Queen Nattie Gao
ORCIN BLACKTIDE, deceased, father of Makeda and Malik Blackfin, grandfather of Garrett Weaver, slain by Cursion White Shadow
OWENS, a student from Tiber High School, former recruit of the Painted Guard, and a friend of Garrett Weaver, Sydney Gao, and Kellen Winstel
PIETER, deceased, a cowardly former recruit in the Painted Guard and pod-mate of Garrett Weaver’s, killed by his fellow Orcinian recruit, Arsen
SERGEANT LUTHER, deceased, a former traitorous soldier in the Painted Guard and Violovar loyalist, slain by Garrett Weaver
SOLOMON, a Violovar loyalist and Malik Blackfin’s second-in-command
VANYA, a sharp-minded former Painted Guard recruit and friend of Garrett Weaver, last seen outside of New Pearlaya
WARDEN ZANE, deceased, a Violovar loyalist and former warden of Røyrkval, slain during the Selkie uprising of Røyrkval
XANDER, deceased, a former Painted Guard traitor and Violovar loyalist, killed by Garrett Weaver
YUSUF, a cowardly Violovar soldier forced into service in Bouvetøya
- Sancul -
BLACK KEERIE, a sea-witch and former lover of Moros
EREBUS, the largest and strongest of the Sancul, husband of Nyx, father of Hypnos and Moros
HYPNOS, a seemingly simple-minded mute with sleep manipulation powers, son of Erebus and Nyx, brother of Moros, father of the Oneiroi Three
KANALOA, Sancul leader and high priest, father of Nyx
KELLEN WINSTEL, a wounded former convict, Selkie slave and pit fighter, and the presumed resurrected Sancul leader, Moros
MOROS, a presumed defeated and deceased former Sancul leader with dark powers, son of Nyx and Erebus, brother of Hypnos, lover of Black Keerie
MORPHEUS, one of the Oneiroi Three, son of Hypnos and Pasithee
NYX, a high priestess with the power of darkness, daughter of Kanaloa, mother of Hypnos and Moros, wife of Erebus, and claimed mother of Kellen Winstel
PHANTASOS, a sorceress with environmental manipulation powers, one of the Oneiroi Three, son of Hypnos and Pasithee, sister of Phobetor and Morpheus
PHOBETOR, a shapeshifter also known as ‘The Salt Dragon’, one of the Oneiroi Three, son of Hypnos and Pasithee
THE MOTHER OF MASKS, estranged wife of Hypnos, mother of the Oneiroi Three
- Selkies -
ANSEL, deceased, a former field slave belongin
g to August ‘Crayfish’ Collins, father of Racer
AUGUST ‘CRAYFISH’ COLLINS, deceased, a former slave trader and owner of Crayfish Cavern, Harp Seal
BROTHER ZURIEL, a servant of Senchis and the Ancients in New Pearlaya who has friendly ties with Lenny Dolan, Leopard Seal
BRUTUS, a former prisoner of the Indianapolis Zoo with a shadowy past linked to Declan Dolan and The Selkie Strife, Walrus
BRYANT, a U.S. marshal and rumored Silkstealer, former captive of Lenny Dolan’s crew, California Sea Lion
CHIDI ETIENNE, a linguist, former property of Henry Boucher and member of Lenny Dolan’s crew, Ribbon Seal
CRISTINA WEAVER, deceased, mother of Garrett Weaver, wife of Tom Weaver, friendly ties with the Gao family and Pod Mother Makeda, Gray Seal
DECLAN DOLAN, deceased, a renowned former slave catcher captain, father of Lenny Dolan, Ringed Seal
Salt Storm: The Salted Series: Episodes #31-35 Page 54