Waterwight Breathe

by Laurel McHargue

  Dad looks thoughtful. “How will you do this, Celeste? If Harmony hasn’t been able to free him—”

  “Yeah, and now that I think about it, maybe you shouldn’t even let him out,” Chimney interrupts. He looks angry. “What if he’s mad and traps you again, or he could send a big wave again, or a—” He fades while he talks.

  I can see him clearly, but the others squint toward where they last saw him by my side. I understand the stress he feels and why he might want to disappear.

  “I hear what you’re saying, Chim, but I got to know him pretty well when I was there. More than anything, he really just wanted the ooze gone and Harmony back. He needs to watch after all the beings in the sea, including Harmony, and she needs her father.”

  Chimney reappears and nods. I feel like he understands wanting a father. Dad puts an arm around his shoulders and Chimney leans against him.

  “As for how I’ll release him from the rock island on the far side of the water, I know someone who might help.”

  Ranger’s ears perk up. “The mountain spirit,” he says. “Old Man Massive will help you, Celeste.”

  “This is my hope. The mountain spirit was the one who trapped Kumugwe when Chimney, Nick, and I were in danger in the water. Once Kumugwe’s free, I’ll convince him to release Odin. I’m pretty sure he’ll be happy to get him out of his castle.”

  There are concerned expressions scattered throughout the group and several look at me with what feels like compassion in their eyes.

  Orville, ever supportive of me, nods and asks, “So, where are they, these scientists? You mentioned seeing a structure. And what do you know about their army?”

  I tell them about the submarine hidden inside the octopus, and how I discovered the source of the poisonous ooze coming from experiments Sharon’s parents were conducting in there. I tell them about Zoya, and how I helped Harmony stop her torturous mechanical heart.

  “They were creating an army of gooey automated life forms under the protection of the octopus’s camouflage. The ravens showed me a vision”—it was a horrible vision, Zoya’s severed limbs on a beach, squirming creatures emerging from them—“of a structure near a waterfront a distance from here, probably where they’re continuing their work. Broken pieces of their submarine are scattered on the shore.”

  The ravens screech. I want to trust they wouldn’t harm anyone here, but the sooner they have what they want, the sooner I can return and help my village defend itself. Based on the vision, the threat isn’t imminent, but I can’t be sure how much time I have.

  I remind myself I’ve never had time.

  I continue. “They also showed me winged, bat-like creatures, as large as the ravens themselves, several of them. They captured Bridger.” I look at Chimney to judge his reaction. He still looks angry. Many in the crowd look angry too. “So you’ll have to watch the sky while I’m gone.”

  “Merts,” Orville addresses the archers, “can you equip others with bows and arrows? And quickly?”

  “We will equip them / We are ready to protect / Our mission is clear.” Merts signals for several people in the group to follow them into the trees. There’s no hesitation.

  I’m reassured by their teamwork. It didn’t exist the last time I was here. Time for me to leave.

  “Residents of—” I falter. I don’t know the name of this village, or if it even has a name. I look around at the faces for an answer, but the reality has just dawned on them too. Shoulders shrug. I look to Orville for an answer. I’ve asked him to lead our people.

  “Vittoria,” he says. It’s a humble suggestion. He waits, and when I look around once more, I see slow smiles and subtle nods.

  It’s perfect.

  “Residents of Vittoria! With your help, Orville will develop plans for our defense. When I return, I’ll know more about what we’re up against. Until I do, watch the sky for the bat creatures, and take care of one another.”

  I hug Chimney. “Don’t worry, buddy. I’ll be back, quick like a bunny.” He holds on for longer than I expected, and then I turn to hug my father.

  “I’ve missed so many years of your life. Not fair, right?” He releases me quickly and lays his hands on my shoulders so he can look me in the eyes. “I don’t want you to go, but I agree with your decision. You come back to me soon, daughter.” His voice cracks.

  “I will, Daddy,” I say. “And remember, you always told me life’s not fair. But it’s okay.”

  “You come back to me.” He pulls me into a tight squeeze again, then let’s me go and walks away. He doesn’t turn back.

  I leave the group, they’re already focused on Orville, and I’m not surprised to feel Nick’s hand in mine again.

  “I’m going with you,” he says, “and you can’t stop me.”

  ~ 16 ~

  “BUT YOU CAN’T! They need you here!” I want to retract my words immediately. Even if what I said is true, I just told him I didn’t need him. Instead of looking defeated, though, Nick puts his hands on his hips and stands taller.

  “You’re not the only one with powers, Celeste, and you’re not the only one who cares about saving this village.”

  Ouch.

  “You asked Orville to be a leader, and look at him.” We both look over to where Orville is talking with people and arranging them into groups—Riku helps him—and as if sensing our attention, he looks over at us. He smiles and nods, and a faint voice in my head, his voice, says, “You two go. Return with helpful news.”

  I hope I’ll always have this connection with Orville. But when I look back at Nick and feel what his closeness does to me, I hope Orville won’t be sharing my dreams anymore. That’s why I want Nick to stay here. He might distract me. He does distract me.

  “You’re right, Nick. But you know these people better than I do, and you’re the only one who can stop time if I don’t make it ba—”

  “Don’t say it. Don’t even think it. I’m going with you, and we’re coming back together. You know I can breathe underwater, and you’re going to need my help.”

  “But—” I search for another reason to keep him here. “You can’t fly, and—”

  “But you can, and you’ve carried me before without slowing down.” He’s agitated, his words come out like an accusation, and he pulls it back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to jump down your throat. What I meant to say was, thanks for the times you’ve carried me, especially this last time. I thought I was going to die, but I could hear your voice and feel you holding me, and I knew you’d find a way to bring me back. I need to be with you this time. I won’t be able to help anyone back here if my mind is distracted with worrying about you.”

  So, which distraction could be the most destructive? Before I can come up with another argument for keeping him here, someone shouts, “Look out!” and all eyes turn skyward.

  I fear the bats, but it’s not them. It’s Huginn and Muninn on a dive-bomb descent toward me and Nick. I see Nick’s face change the way it does right before he stops time, but he’s too late. One of the ravens grasps his shirt at the shoulders, the other grasps the bottom of his pant legs, and they’re flying off with him before I can register what’s just happened.

  I leap to the air and chase the unwieldy, almost comical sight ahead of me, though Nick doesn’t appear to be struggling. The way they’re holding him, he appears to fly between them. As I gain on them, Huginn turns his head back toward me and his eyes tell me their intentions.

  It was time to go. The boy was keeping me too long. It was clear to them he wanted to stay with me. They were being helpful.

  When I’m alongside Nick, he turns to me and his entire face lights up. I’ve never seen a smile so big.

  “Guess I won that one!” he shouts through the wind.

  “Guess so, but you cheated!” I shout back, and our laughter fills the wake we leave behind.

  We’re silent for a while as we fly over miles of pristine water so clear I can recognize the creatures swimming below. How many of them were
in the enormous water bubble that floated high above the sea after I threw Kumugwe’s spear into the poisoned water? To me and all the villagers, the orichalcum-inlaid weapon was the Spear of Sorrow.

  Just the memory of that day in the Overleader’s oppressive house and the horror she made me experience makes my heart sink, and I fall down and back a little, but I shake it off. She’s not the Overleader anymore, and I’m not a scared girl.

  “Where’d you go?” Nick asks when I catch up with him and his bizarre entourage.

  Do I tell him the truth? Does he need to know everything going through my head? Yes, and no.

  “I was remembering the Spear of Sorrow and it took me by surprise, that’s all. Did you know the spear belongs to Kumugwe? He was happy to get it back.”

  “But why did he make it so horrible?”

  “He didn’t. In his hands it was beautiful. Somehow Sharon changed its structure when she had it, maybe the same way she changed her own shape.”

  “So, it’s not dangerous anymore?”

  “It didn’t seem like it was, but I don’t know what Kumugwe uses it for. I guess any weapon can be dangerous.”

  We’re silent again for another long stretch, and I try to get Sharon out of my head. The wind in our faces and the endless span of water below lull us into a trancelike state and time seems to expand in every direction. My flight is effortless. I tingle, and when I feel my fingertips start to dissolve, I shake myself back together and focus on the horizon. The sun is near setting and the clouds just above our heads glow muted hues of oranges and pinks, not quite as beautiful as the clouds in Asgard, but beautiful enough to admire.

  Nick’s voice startles me back from my quiet place. “Any idea where we’re going?”

  It’s a good question. I’ve been staying with the path Huginn and Muninn are on, but they don’t know I plan to rescue Kumugwe first.

  “I guess I should tell them my plan,” I say, and I fly closer to Huginn to get his attention. When he looks at me, I understand the ravens are planning to drop Nick into the water over the place they last saw Odin enter the sea. They know I’ll follow, and we’re to release Odin. They have no allegiance to Kumugwe. Evidently, we’re close.

  No, I tell them. Kumugwe is the one with the power to release Odin from his collapsed castle, not us. We’re going to the island on the far side of the water first. Odin will be safe until then.

  Huginn balks and caws for Muninn’s attention, and while the ravens communicate, our forward progress stalls.

  “What’s wrong?” Nick looks from one bird to the other, and then below to the water, before looking back at me. “They’re not gonna drop me this high up, are they? I mean, I know I’ll be okay once I’m in the water, but this is really, really high up and—”

  “They better not, but if they do, I’ll catch you.” I tell him what Huginn relayed to me, and then Nick surprises me.

  “Hey! You two! You’ll do what Celeste tells you to do or you’ll never see your cherished Odin again. We’ll make sure of that. Do you hear me?”

  I smile.

  The ravens flutter about for a moment and Nick is jostled between them. I’m ready to dive for him if they’re foolish enough to release him, but they don’t.

  “To the island!” I tell them, and after they stare at me for a moment with their steely black eyes, a failed attempt at intimidating me, they resume their northward flight with Nick secure between them.

  “Guess we both won that one!” I try not to stare at Nick as we soar over the water, but I can’t help it. Everything about him makes me want to be closer to him.

  It’s a distraction I’ll enjoy while I can.

  ~ 17 ~

  I SEE A BUMP on the horizon just as the last bit of sun slips from sight. Nick is getting fidgety and I can’t say I blame him. The ravens haven’t been flying as gracefully since their censure, and I’m certain it’s been on purpose. What will we find when we land?

  “There!” I point to the island.

  “Please let them know how upset you’ll be if they drop me onto those rocks,” Nick says, and I’m happy to know he hasn’t lost his sense of humor. Now that we’ve arrived, I can’t imagine being here without him. It’s been a long flight with the sulky ravens.

  “Easy!” I direct the birds when we reach the edge of the island. “Feet first,” I tell Huginn, and when he lets go, Nick dangles beneath Muninn, who still holds him by the shoulders. “Down slowly, Muninn. Gently!” Nick is safely on the ground, though his legs look a little wobbly.

  “Never thought I’d be so happy to feel my feet on the ground again,” he says, raising his hands up to me like he’s ready to catch me if I happen to fall this last short distance. I think about doing just that, imagining how it would feel to have him catch me.

  Just as I’m ready to take his hands, though, a splashing in the sea just beyond where Nick stands distracts me, and I watch in surprise as Harmony—dazzlingly opalescent—propels herself from the water with her great tail and grabs Nick from the shoreline, pulling him back into the water with her. His startled shout is muffled by bubbles as she pulls him under deeper than I can see.

  I don’t land, but dive in after them. A sick feeling in my stomach frightens me—what’s she doing? Where is she taking him? Why?

  The glow from Harmony’s tail tells me where they are in the dark water ahead of me.

  “Harmony! Stop!” I shout through the salty surroundings, willing myself to swim faster.

  She stops and spins around to face me. Nick looks perplexed, but he appears to be breathing okay.

  “You can’t have him until you bring my father back to me, and if he’s hurt, your boy will be hurt too.”

  Hearing her words, Nick struggles to free himself, but Harmony is twice his size, and the hold she has on him is far too strong.

  “Remember, Celeste, Kumugwe gave me many powers. We decide who among those with pure intentions can breathe in our world.” She swooshes her hand in front of Nick’s face and I see his eyes grow wide. He struggles frantically in her grasp as bubbles escape his mouth. His copper-colored skin fades to white and he searches for me in the darkness. If I don’t stop her, his next breath will be his last.

  “Harmony, stop! You’re not like your birth parents! You’re not a murderer! Let him breathe! Now!” My heart constricts, I hold my breath—I’ve never felt more powerless—how could I have allowed this to happen?

  She looks at Nick fighting to free himself from her arms, fighting to hold the last swallow of oxygen in his lungs before inhaling a breath of death, and an expression beyond sorrow washes over her. She swooshes her hand once more and he is safe. He collapses motionless in her arms, but his color has returned and he’s breathing.

  I exhale, and every particle in my body vibrates. I feel like I might explode, and in an instant, I close the distance between us and grab Nick from her arms, leaving her crying a melody I recall from the time Orville rescued me from her sandcastle.

  The sound is achingly beautiful and impossible to describe, even more beautiful than when the three heads of Merts speak together.

  “You keep leaving me, Celeste. Why do you keep leaving me? Why does everyone keep leaving me? I heard you in the sky above—you saw me, I know it—and you left me here swimming around the island. And I can’t hear him anymore! What if he’s gone now too? What if Kumugwe has left me all alone?”

  I’m moved to tears with her—the sea is filled with tears! And even though Harmony has camouflaged herself to look like a woman, emotionally and intellectually she’s probably only about seven. She’s still a girl. A large, powerful, beautiful girl with a very long tail.

  With Nick unconscious in one arm, I open my other to Harmony, and she accepts my awkward embrace. I don’t tell her how worried I am about her comment. What could it mean if she can’t hear Kumugwe anymore? And what will happen if the copper god is dead?

  “Nick will be okay, right?” I’m far more concerned about him than I am about the ancient god
.

  “Yes,” Harmony tells me. “He’s asleep. The struggles and the fright used all the energy in his body. He’ll be better after he sleeps. I’m sorry, Celeste. That was a wicked thing to do. I’m not a wicked girl. And did you know my birth father recognized me? He wouldn’t now, but he did in the submarine.”

  Harmony cries again before continuing. “Poor Zoya! Poor, poor Zoya! Those are the wicked ones! And they left me again! This boy and a smaller one were in a water tube, and I was pulling it away from the submarine so they wouldn’t see us—I was going to stop them, Celeste, I was!—and they left me! Why didn’t Sharon stop them?”

  “I can’t answer that, Harmony.” I’ll have to wait before asking her the countless questions filling my brain. “Let’s go to the island and free Kumugwe.” I’m surprised by how much I want him to be alive.

  Harmony leads me back to the island, and I carry Nick onto the rocky shore and find a flat place to lay him down.

  “Holy moly!” I yell when I turn back around to the water, startled to find Harmony standing right behind me. “How’d you—”

  “I’ve walked all over this island and I can’t find a way in,” she says.

  Of course she can have legs if she wants them. She’s been learning how to camouflage her body since she was an infant.

  I know what I’m about to ask is risky. “Harmony, I have to take a really short flight, just right over there to where you can see land.” I’m grateful for my night vision. “I have to leave Nick here. There’s an old friend there who can help us move these rocks and free your father. Are you okay with me doing that?”

  She takes a long time to answer.

  “You’ll be back fast?”

  “Yes, as fast as I can.”

  “You’re not leaving me here alone for a long, long time?”

  “No, of course not. And I can’t leave Nick alone, so you have to watch him while I’m gone.”