Looking Through
Written by: Severod
I awaken, barnacles encrusting my eyes, sand weighing me down. I’ve slept awhile-- I can’t tell how long; that detail was always irrelevant anyway. I stand, a cascade of sand and reef fauna falling off of my back. My head emerges from the icy water, so I open my eyes. I feel the crackling of the barnacles that have so long called my eyelids home.
The sun is nowhere in sight, but the moon is full. An expanse of light lays before me, artificial in nature, by the look of it. Humans have captured light it seems. They do love twisting nature in their own way. These structures as well, many more than three stories tall. I wonder how they ascend so far without tiring.
Immediately in front of me, is a beach. A solitary human sitting there, likely stunned by my appearance. I let out a low chuckle, which must sound so overwhelming to that lone being. I stretch my many arms out around me, making my already gargantuan size seem so much larger. I wouldn’t interact with one of them in normal circumstances, but there are things I would like to know.
I lower my head down to its level, allowing my four-eyed gaze to land upon this human. “The humans of my time called me Mek’Shiir, what may I call you?” I say in my low, gravelly tone.
The human, a female, answers with surprising haste, “I’m Lyrin.” She says her name shakily, but without stuttering. Most would be at a loss for words, or stunned... or screaming.
“Do you not fear me, Lyrin? Perhaps you know of me?” I inquire mercilessly. I continue before she can answer, “What is the year of your lord?”
I can see her panicking to recall the year. “It’s 2009.” Only 200 years later, I awaken? My hibernations have never been so brief, 400 years at their shortest. Unexpectedly, I hear her begin to speak, “What are you?” Her inflection suggests curiosity, not fear.
I’ve been asked to define myself before. My answer is often that I’m beyond comprehension. Strangely, however, I choose to answer her honestly. “I am something old, from far away. Those parts of the cosmos that are void of stars.” I pause before continuing, “Is that explanation satisfactory?” I allow my many tentacles to creep onto the beach and surround where she sits.
She doesn’t seem to notice my movement, and asks another question instead, “What do you plan to do with me?” I cease movement and blink at her.
What do I plan to do? She asks so calmly, as if posing a question to a child. I let out a bellowing laugh and respond, “Absolutely nothing, Lyrin.” I retract my arms from the beach and sigh. My breath blows her dark, shoulder-length hair back.
She stands, legs trembling very slightly. “That’s good, I don’t think I could have done anything about it if you had plans for me.” She sounds so... matter-of-fact.
I narrow my eyes at her. “Accurate.” I have killed before. I’ve killed a great many in fact. Though, those acts were always a necessity. A part of some deal, or a punishment for insolence. “I am Mek’Shiir, but that is not my only title. To your kind, I am also called The Broker. I haven’t made a deal in thousands of years, however.”
Her eyes widen slightly. “Why tell me? Am I being offered a deal?” She seems amused, such a strange one.
I am intrigued with this, individual. There isn’t much harm in playing along. “Yes, tell me what you desire. It can be almost anything, excluding action directly against myself.”
She looks as if she’s considering something. “What have others asked you for?” She asks, likely hoping to avoid mistakes made by other humans.
I am always truthful, “Power, love, help... knowledge.” I move a few inches forward, “Some acquire what they want, some acquire only regret. Or death.”
She looks up at me, a devilish smirk having formed on her face. “I want you to stay here and talk to me whenever I want.” Her wish is sudden and... aggravating.
My tentacles coil onto the beach once more. “You would seek to imprison me with my own power?” I am no fool, she
must
know that.
She notices my arms encroaching on her this time. She seems unfazed as she says, “I just wish to talk to you more, you seem like the type that travels.” I pause my movement. “I just want to make sure you’re here for me to talk to.”
I begin once again moving my tentacles around her, enveloping her arms and legs. “That is...” I hold her firmly but not painfully. “Acceptable.” I feel her muscles relax at my affirmation of the deal. I uncoil from around her and bring my arms back into the sea.
She sighs as I let her go. “I thought it was over for a moment there.”
I retort, “It almost was, Lyrin. You should speak more quickly and clearly.” Her demeanor amuses me, she is unaware of how lucky that is. “Return to your dwelling, I will await your return for another time.” I say, receding into the depths.
She doesn’t hide her exhaustion. “My bed does sound nice right about now. I’ll be back sometime soon!” Her apparent anticipation of our next meeting is baffling to me.
I disappear into the dark waters.
A stretch of twenty-four hours pass by, yet she doesn’t return. I don’t know why my thoughts wander back to her. Never has any human been significant enough to warrant additional consideration. She shouldn’t be an exception.
Perhaps it was her demeanor. It’s not as if she was fearless, I could feel the tension within as I gazed upon her. I could see her muscles lock. I could see the shock in her eyes.
It didn’t take long, however, for her to speak to me as if we were equals. I’ve travelled between stars, seen things more immense than any human. I’ve spoken with beings the size of planets, obtained knowledge unrivaled. Yet I am fixated on this,
mammal
.
I should hope she didn’t strike this deal as a method of keeping me here. She didn’t seem so foolish to me. No clause was created that prevents me from annihilating her. I have to believe that she is, perhaps, afraid to return. I wasn’t very inviting during our first meeting, this is likely my mistake...
Wait a moment! What
mistake
? No such thing exists! I couldn’t care less about seeing that woman again. She is no more significant to me than the barnacles covering my eyelids. What a strange series of emotions. This must be due to waking up too soon.
If she doesn’t return by the next night, I’ll simply find and destroy her. The deal will be nullified, and I can find somewhere to return to my hibernation. Maybe I’ll travel instead, who knows what’s occurred during my absence from the greater expanse. Well, for now, I will wait for Lyrin’s return... the name invokes a strange pleasantness in my mind. Lyrin.
I feel a presence on the shore. I emerge from the water faster than I intended and soak whatever happens to be up above. I’m usually much more composed, this is concerning.
“Ah! I’m drenched and it’s cold out here!” Lyrin says now covered in seawater. “You didn’t have to come up so fast!” Her frustration is overshadowed by the amused grin on her face.
“Apologies, that’s never happened.” I don’t understand why I anticipated her return so fiercely. Nor do I understand my own lack of restraint.