LONG LIVE KRAKEN
The beach shone in a kaleidoscope of parasols and golden energy as Indie flipped down the lenses of her mirrored sun-goggles and stood at the end of the board walk. Removing her sandals and placing them in her oversized hand bag, she stepped onto the soft sand. It shifted with her movements and its sun-drenched warmth excited her.
She smiled at beachgoers as she made her way through the maze of bodies to a vacant space she could call her own for the day. After flicking out her towel on the warm sand she wiggled out of her skull print culottes and surveyed the ocean.
The breakers rolled into the shoreline in short bursts of briny froth as children jumped and played. Indie squinted and adjusted her goggles as she occupied herself by watching their antics. Their excited laughter and yelling drowned out the percussion of waves and young lovers held each other close in the salty water which brought a smile to her tan face.
In the distance between the breakers and the horizon a strange phenomenon caught her attention and diverting her gaze, she adjusted her distance vision on the side of her goggles. She stared and soon more onlookers crowded around shading their eyes and staring out toward the horizon.
The water began to swirl and the swirling grew stronger, the stronger it swirled the louder a strange gurgling sound resonated from within it. Vigorous bubbles formed on top of the water, like a cauldron of boiling liquid, popping loudly and Indie drew in her breath unsure of what was happening; her mind startled into a sense of alarm.
“I can see a ship out there,” someone yelled within the small crowd of stunned onlookers.
Indie turned and stared at where the finger of the man's hand pointed and saw a bobbing ship lurching precariously in the ginormous waves and she watched as the vessel was tossed around like a ball in a performing seal act.
Suddenly a large grey tentacle unfurled from the middle of the turbulent bubbles and flung itself crashing into the bow of the ship breaking it in half then lifting what was left of the vessel into the air the sea monster threw it hundreds of metres away to crash into the depths of the turbulent ocean.
The monster picked up a sail pole and held it high in the air and like a baseball player hitting a home run smashed it toward the shoreline.
Frantic beach goers fled, gathering their children and belongings and Indie knew she should do the same, but for some strange reason the thought of this mysterious creature excited her. She edged forward into the water until it reached her waist.
The waves smashed into her body and losing her balance she held her arms out for support and subconsciously, bit her bottom lip, until she made it passed the whitewash and began to swim through the giant swell toward the ebullient torrent that lay ahead. She realised what she was doing was dangerous and stupid but she had read about this creature, this monster of the sea, and reasoned with an inward stubbornness that she could communicate with it and perhaps help bring him in for investigation. Indie loved her job as a scientific researcher and was always on the lookout for new and exciting research options.
Panting from the effort and fighting to keep her head above the turbulent water, she dog paddled closer until she reached the creature. Their eyes met. Its head a mound of blubber with short thick whiskers swaying under its chin and red eyes, like beacons, glowed brighter for a moment as it looked into hers. Her breath caught in her throat and she struggled for air as she gulped in seawater.
She choked, sputtering loudly as she struggled to stay above the agitated water and as the wind and water raged against her she flailed. Sinking into the dark abyss of the ocean, she floundered, her arms and legs in an effort to reach the surface.
Her lungs started to burn as air became sparse; they filled with water and her eyes felt heavy. Shutting them tightly she fought to breath as her arms and legs began to go numb and sparkling stars flicked on and off behind her eyelids. Sinking deeper, her strength sapped and terror screaming inside her mind; she realised she was going to die. Pressure to take a breath pained her lungs and she lost consciousness.
The water changed colour to a deep dark black and the slashing of giant tentacles launched her forward and a strong grip wrapped around her waist. She vaguely recognised her body moving swiftly toward the open sea; the sea monster focused on the distance. His long tubular tentacles, lined with suckers, forced the water away as the monster propelled itself and Indie further from the coastline.
Indie held on as he plunged deep under the water, her lungs again threatening to explode, then the crisp air touched her skin sending chills through her body and she gulped in air as they emerged before diving into the ocean again.
Finally, they surfaced and as Indie wiped her hair from her face, she noticed an island nearby. We’re headed right for it. The sea monster didn’t seem to be slowing at all. Her eyes widened as she reeled forward and an involuntary squeal escaped her and she feared the worst. The creature ran onto the shore. His strong tentacles carrying them in a bipedal walk along the sand as they slowed to a stop.
The monster’s liquid red eyes stared straight into hers as his tentacle held her up high before softly placing Indie on the ground and unraveling from her waist. He lunged, becoming agitated, as he stood on two tentacles and retreated toward the whitewash.
:You can’t just leave me here: Indie thought.
The sea monster paused then slapping the water with its long tentacles, it growled low and long and its eyes narrowed as he turned to face her. The sea bucked and rolled as he splashed his strong tentacle arms one after the other into the thrashing water displaying his strength and revealing his indignation.
:You are a coward, Kraken:
:I am not the coward:
Stunned, Indie gasped and spun around to face Kraken who reached for her and in one fluid motion, picked her up and held her high in the sky. Her eyebrows caved and fear paralyzed her as she clutched onto a slimy sucker. He lifted her higher.
:I heard you speak:
There was silence. Did I hear a voice? Maybe audible hallucination is a symptom of stress, because I’m definitely stressed! She bowed her head for a moment, desperately trying to centre herself, then looking down at Kraken, she listened as his voice boomed in her head.
:The gods refer to me as a Titan for I was born from Oceanus and Ceto and I am gifted with tremendous size, and power and endurance. But a new god has come. Poseidon. He drew lots with his brother and won my Kingdom of water. He was granted control over the oceans and rivers and the shores and small islands:
He released his grip slightly and Indie adjusted her position to a safer, less likely to fall and hurt herself, position.
:In my fury, I have destroyed entire ships and fleets. I have ruined cities and killed many humans. And it was easy with my strength and speed:
Abruptly, the wind slapped Indie in the face as Kraken bought her back to the ground, like a roller coaster car that suddenly falls from the apex of the structure, her stomach threatened to exit her mouth and he let go and she fell from his grasp onto her hands and knees.
Dusting herself off, she looked up at the beast called Kraken. A frightening creature of the sea with colossal rows of razor-beaked teeth that could shred its prey within seconds and his monstrous face induced a fear that made her tremble, yet there seemed to be an underlying current of gentleness and Indie found herself drawn to it.
He slapped the water as if pondering what to say next before turning his grey globe-like head towards her, his large eyes glistened and she thought she saw the curve of a smile on the edge of his mouth.
:Poseidon is bold and unpredictable. His creative impulses make him moody. I propose we trick him, let him fall in love with you, and then you convince him to challenge his brother for the heavens:
:Woah! Kraken, that’s crazy! I can’t do that:
:I am not the monster I am made out to be:
:I’m pretty sure you are, you’ve just proved it:
:Wait, I have an idea. If I help you then it’s only reasonable to assume that you should help me with something, right?:
Indie raised her hands to her hips and stood square on to the Titan of the ocean, her confidence only skin deep as she tried to stop fear from infecting her thoughts.
:Well, Kraken, do I have a deal?:
The sound of singing travelled in the soft breeze and Indie turned to see where it was coming from when Kraken responded.
:Here he comes! Work your mortal magic:
Kraken slithered quickly into the depths of the ocean leaving Indie on the shore. The sun warming her instantly once she was out of his shadow. Patting her hair done and trying to run her fingers through the tangles, she watched as a strong manly figure atop a white stallion approached and not knowing what else to do she twisted her hair around her finger.
“Sir, I… I am lost. Please help me find my way home?” she fidgeted as she spoke in a small voice, her head bowed low as she looked up at Poseidon through long eye-lashes.
His tanned muscular chest rippled as he jumped from his steed with his trident and ambled over to her. Long sun-drenched hair and stormy eyes with flecks of green, like dried seaweed, intently gazed at her. Indie blinked.
:Wow! More like I’m going to fall in love with him:
:Ah! See, now that’s why mortals have one brain, and giant squid gods have nine:
She heard Kraken loud and clear even though she couldn’t see him, briefly she wondered what the connection between herself and the sea monster was, before reverting her attention back to the god standing in front of her.
The man-god spoke, his voice glorious like the morning tide breaking on the shoreline, “I am Poseidon. You will come with me and I will help you for I am the god of the seas and earthquakes.”
He slammed the trident into the sand and the earth rumbled in response. Indie sucked in her breath and for what felt like the hundredth time today, she felt afraid.
:I don’t think he’s the full quid, Kraken:
:Ha-ha! Go, I won’t be far away:
Straddling the horse, she sat in front of Poseidon as they travelled the short distance to his dwelling. Indie watched the waters for any movement, hoping for the comfort of knowing Kraken was nearby, even though his presence disturbed her, yet a strange longing to be near him grew stronger.
The stallion veered behind a waterfall and stopped at the entrance of a cave and after Poseidon lifted her to the ground and she followed him inside.The darkness, impenetrable, and it slowed Indie down and as she felt the jagged walls for guidance, she carefully moved forward, avoiding the small loose stones that littered the floor, by sliding her feet.
The constant sound of water falling, no longer seemed relaxing, and she fought the urge to scream stop or light a match when she saw three dim lights not far in the distance and headed towards them. The walls of the cavern became slimy and the feel of soft moss under her fingers felt almost comforting as the glow of light came closer and her eyes adjusted to the darkness.
Poseidon stood straight and holding his trident stiffly beside him, she noticed the glow radiating from the tips. She smiled sweetly and mouthed thank you.
A thin smile etched his lips and he said, “The only lies I fear the most are the ones that hold the perfect amount of truth. Through flawless teeth come truth and lies and only you can know the difference. Tell me sweet mortal, how did you come to be on my island?”
He moved closer to her adding, “And be warned I am not one for trickery.”
Indie nervously twirled her tangled hair in her finger but before she could answer he continued, “I have hidden my feelings for years and I never intended on telling anyone. I forced myself to live a life that was not ideal for a god like me. I have wrestled with beasts from nightmares and been victorious, but I have never been able to rid the sadness of losing a lover from my heart.”
Indie stood before Poseidon with nothing to say, she raised her eyes and looked into his and he said, “I once loved a mortal, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.” She began to feel nervous and shifted from foot to foot as the yearning in his eyes became more than obvious.
:Kraken!:
:Here’s the deal. You comfort him, let him fall for you. I’ll do the rest:
:I don’t want to Kraken. He’s actually quite lovely:
The look on Poseidon’s face was one of expectation and Indie realised he was waiting for an answer to a question she hadn’t heard.
“Um, I don’t know,” she responded, hoping it was sufficient enough.
“You know she looked just like you. It was many, many years ago.”
Kraken hid just below the surface of the water, hearing every word spoken by Poseidon and he grew increasingly agitated with every moment. His tentacles flicked like an irritated cat’s tail and just when he could not bare it any longer, he surfaced in a rage of thrashing water and arms.
He slashed at Poseidon but the god was too quick and slipped to the side stabbing his three-pronged spear into Kraken’s tentacle, he twisted it and the sea monster roared in pain as Poseidon ripped a section of his tentacle off. Blue ink-spewing blood spurted into the air before a new section of arm emerged and grew to replace it and curb the bleeding.
With great swiftness, Kraken crawled along the stone floor, his strong tentacles, like legs, and baring his razor sharp teeth he snapped at Poseidon's head. He missed, and raising his two forward tentacles in the air exposing sharp knife-like pointers, he lunged and jabbed at the man-god who somersaulted out of harm's way.
Indie ran to the corner of the cave and knelt low behind a rock and as she peered out she saw Kraken wallop his enemy, flinging him into the cave wall. Poseidon’s body crumpled and he fell to the floor before hurling his trident into the beast's eye. In a single leap, Poseidon landed on Kraken’s head and balancing precariously, he pulled his weapon out.
Kraken roared as he yanked the weapon away, his tentacle knocking Poseidon to the floor and with equal amounts of fury and hate he picked him up and squeezed him tightly before slamming him into the cavern floor. Again, Kraken lifted him high before pounding him repeatedly into the floor and then threw him hard against the wall.
Slowly Poseidon stood, the taste of blood soured his mouth, and he stared into the sea monsters eyes, “Kraken, this will always be my waters. I am a Titan. I am the god of the ocean and earthquakes!”
He waved the trident in the air and slamming it into the ground, Poseidon conjured an earthquake.
The rocks began to tremble and rumble and Indie fought to hold her balance and without a moment to think she jumped through the water curtain and splashed into the cool water below. Chucks of rock crashed to the floor as dust flew into the air like a thick grey cloud and as she arrived at the other end of the waterhole she crawled on to the bank and heard the voice of Kraken booming from inside the rock fall.
“You will not kill her. You killed Mirian because of you're spoilt temper. I will not let you kill Indie.”
Stiffening and furrowing her brow she wondered what he meant as the rock ledge above the cave smashed to the ground leaving a mound of rocks and underneath was Kraken and Poseidon.
“Kraken,” she yelled awkwardly rising to her feet, “Kraken!”
Kraken rolled and tumbled beneath the waves, dodging the falling debris, and turning his head this way and that to find a way out, he realised if he didn't hurry Poseidon was unpredictable enough to harm Indie in his attempt to keep the water kingdom.
An underwater current propelled him around the bay and into the sea and bobbing his head up he scanned the land for Indie just as Poseidon’s horse chariot careered passed leaving a wake. Plunging under the fluid turbulence Kraken swam reaching the shore as Poseidon’s strong arm pulled Indie into the chariot and continued on its way.
:Kraken!:
:I’m coming for you, Indie:
:What’s happening, I don’t understand:
:This war of kingdoms will come to an end. The rightful king shall win and victory will be mine. I don’t have nine brains for nothing Indie:
Kraken spun around and dashed back into the ocean, a plan forming in his complex alien-like head to rid his kingdom of Poseidon for good.
As dawn broke and the crimson sky flanked with scattered cloud sent a cool sea breeze swirling around the island, Kraken and Odysseus prepared for a violent squall. They knew how unpredictable Poseidon could be and his temper could not be matched in the heavens or on Gaia. The wind rose and pushed the choppy sea toward the shore as Kraken said, “So, you blinded his son, Polyphemus, very brave or stupid.”
“I don’t believe the act was stupid, I got the arrogant gods attention and besides it was your ink that blinded him.”
“Hmm, yes a fact still unknown to the stupid blobfish ,” Kraken laughed, “Come on let the fun begin.”
Kraken and Odysseus headed to the sandy shoreline and hid behind the rubble of the cave, waiting for Poseidon and Indie and as the sun reached high in the sky, they could hear the distant mumble of voices approaching. Poseidon sounded angry like a raging sea, swelling to high tide, his arrogance muffling any response from Indie.
:Indie, I have a plan. Follow my lead:
:Kraken! He’s crazy. He killed my great grandmother because you fell in love with her!:
:He told you, eh? I see he neglected to say he loved her also. His reasoning was if he couldn’t have her, no-one could:
:Kraken, he said something about an underwater city and hiding me there. I can’t breath under water!:
Kraken lifted his bulbous head and looked at Indie, he saw the panic on her features and replied :You will be safe. I will make sure of it:
Kraken unfurled a long tentacle :Follow my lead. Ready!:
She sighed and nervously twirled her hair around her finger.
:Yes, ready:
“Poseidon! here I am,” yelled Odysseus.
Poseidon spun on his heels and faced his arch enemy.
“Ah, you've come so I can drown you in my waters, Odysseus. You are brave to meet me here.”
“No, I've come to rid Gaia of you and send you back to where you came from.”
Stamping his trident on the soft ground, Poseidon growled low like distant thunder then raising his spear in the air he conjured a storm.
From behind the rubble Kraken smiled :So far predictable:
:What more would you expect?:
:Get ready to run:
Black clouds began to sprawl across the sky and the waves grew large as the wind increased. A loud crack of thunder heralded the beginning of battle. There was no mercy just the wrath of gods as salty water pounded the shore and torrential rain hammered the island.
:Run:
Indie ran to the cliff ledge and hid behind the rocks as Kraken revealed himself and bipedalled toward Poseidon then falling to eight legs to gain more speed his razor-beak teeth exposed, he bowled the god over. This wasn't a fight to death because they could overcome death; this was a fight of intelligence and wit.
Odysseus was quick to pry the trident from his grasp and throw it into the churning sea, which immediately calmed the storm. The sun glowed warmly in the sky once again and the rain stopped.
“Ready to listen, your majesty,”Odysseus smirked as Kraken fell heavily on top of Poseidon, releasing a dark ink substance that paralyzes its prey. He stared into Poseidon’s face as his eyes filled with the dark ink, glazing them over, and blinding him.
“You will not succeed,” he scream wiggling violently.
“The way I see it, you have two options, you leave my watery kingdom and go back to where you came from never to return. Take the girl with you she means nothing to me or number two I imprison you in Tartardos to live a life of hell with the ancients you put there.”
Indie flinched shocked at Kraken’s words. He can’t be serious. Peering out she wondered if she was the one being tricked then as Poseidon squirmed like a fish out of water she heard Kraken.
“Bow down to me, you blobfish!” he yelled furiously as he drew on Poseidon's head with one of his tentacles. A knife-like spear appeared from its end and as he continued to draw, blood trickled from Poseidon's face.
“Stop, ok. I will go, and take the girl. She will be my slave in the heavens and I will make her my wife.”
Adjusting his position Kraken stood and released Poseidon.
“She is over there hiding behind the rocks at the cliff's edge,” he said unfurling a tentacle in that direction.
Kraken knew timing was everything and he would never let his enemy take Indie. She was after all the love of his life’s great granddaughter. He would protect her at all costs.
Poseidon called, "India come out.”
Indie appeared by the rocks and slowly walked forward, her eyes never leaving Kraken’s face.
:Kraken, please… no:
:Trust me, child:
Suddenly Poseidon flung his arm toward the ocean and his trident slammed into his palm then swiftly turning toward the giant, Kraken, he aimed the spear. Kraken was faster.
Reaching out a long tentacle he grabbed the god and spinning like a big top toy he gained momentum until he was a blur of tentacle arms. In one quick movement, he hurled Poseidon high into the heavens, passed the blueness of Gaia’s skies and into the prison realm of Tartardos.
His spinning slowed to a stop as Indie ran towards him and threw her arms around the giant creature called Kraken and she said while looking into the heavens, “Dark times will rumble ahead of us but with you as rightful king of the waters being born from Oceanus and Ceto, we will prosper.”