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The sea rages and I do what I can to protect the tiny ships at its mercy.
It’s my calling. It’s my legacy.
Yet I struggle with the morality more and more.
Why do these thoughtless humans deserve to be saved when they are destroying my home, the home of millions of sea creatures? My ancestors believed it was our duty, our obligation.
Legend has it that we haven’t always been this way, but we were sentenced to this solitary life of savior as penance for deeds of long ago.”
Rachel paused for breath and flipped a few pages. “Let me get to the good part... Ah, here we go,” she said as she started to read again.
“The ten-foot fishing vessel looked no bigger than a toy as it was thrashed about on the surface. Its dark shadow above me rode out the storm, fighting against the current... It would eventually lose. The sea claimed many—and I could only save a few.
Swimming upward against the tumultuous current, I summon the strength of my ancestors—the fierce, strong Serpent Queens that came before, feeling their strength course through me, making me infinitely stronger. Generations of my kind are connected, each stronger than the last...
I see the boat as a wave cascades over it, swallowing it whole.
I dive below the surface and scan through the dark depths. In the distance, I can see its smashed and damaged hull—and the lone, lifeless body suspended in chaos.
With all my strength, I raise my arms outward and will everything I have for the waves and tide to stop roaring. I send out my peaceful message to the waters all around me, calming it, halting its rage. My arms shake and my body feels tired as the sea continues to fight back.
It’s stronger than ever, and with the waning moon, I’m weaker.
But I keep pushing, gently coaxing, commanding my own will, silently reasoning with the ocean to subside...
Rest, my love. Rest.
A stillness envelops me as the waves die down and the howling wind becomes a mild, gentle breeze.
I swim fast toward the sinking figure—a man—and, reaching him, I bring him to the surface, where his broken ship bobs along the smooth surface. He’s alive, so I leave him on the deck and, knowing this reprieve won’t last, that the ocean’s favoring is temporary, I guide the boat back toward the marina.
The Port Serenity lighthouse beacon shines in the distance, illuminating a path in the dark, cloudy night sky, cutting through with a ribbon of light, a symbol of hope.
I bring the vessel as close as I dare, then watch as it slowly drifts toward the shore.
As I turn away, I see the fisherman stand. His legs slightly unsteady, his gaze bewildered as he searches out over the water.
I can hear his thoughts.
How?
I know I should go. Quickly. But I find myself unable to move. In a trancelike state, I’m drawn to this mere mortal...
My body aches and a deep longing clutches my chest. The water around me starts to churn as my emotions are spiraling beyond my control. What is this feeling? What is happening to me?
My gaze is locked on the fisherman—I’m unable to break away, and when he sees me, I’m trapped.
His expression is one of fear mixed with a relief of knowing.
I’ve seen it on the faces of the few who have spotted me.
But in his, there’s also something else—an unusual acceptance, as though he’d always expected this moment, been waiting for it.
I try to break the spell but it only grows stronger, the heartbeats of my ancestors beating alongside mine, deep within my chest.
Overhead, the sky clears and the thin, waning moon shines brightly overhead, its power a force greater than all else.
I know what’s happening now. I’d always known it would occur someday. But nothing could have prepared me for the curse of what cannot be.”
