The horizon was perfectly flat except for two distinct objects: the nearby island and a small boat carrying two fishermen.
Saurell and Jones were a Waveborn duo who had always remained good friends despite their contrasting differences when it comes to almost everything. Everything, but their love for the sea.
Jones, from Manta Clade, couldn't help himself from talking eagerly about today's excursion. There was nothing else to do while they waited for the first catch.
"I have a good feeling about today, Saurell! The largest fish ever seen will be caught by us." He began swaying to a silent tune playing in his mind, tugging his line every so often along with the imagined beat.
In contrast, Saurell, from the Chitin Clade, stayed composed and nodded in quiet agreement. He knew there were no assurances when it came to fishing. Still, he knew better than to try to anchor Jones’ positivity in reality.
Their two lines stretched out from opposite sides of the boat as they remained back-to-back, waiting. The steady cadence of the waves was comforting as the sun loomed overhead. Jones became restless and fidgety. He was impatient and eager for the first catch of the day, whereas Saurell enjoyed the serenity and calm of the sea.
Suddenly, there was an abrupt, forceful tug on Saurell's line. His muscles were strained as he immediately pulled the rod back to sink the hook before reeling in the catch. The line became taut, then slack. The hook had slipped.
Jones laughed, "Almost!" but Saurell knew that whatever nibbled at his line was no ordinary fish, though he was uncertain what it may be.
The water around the boat started to swirl and bubble. Jones gave his own line another wiggle, causing the creature below to snap onto the bait. The thin man yelped with surprise when he himself was nearly yanked overboard, but Saurell was quick to let go of his own gear just in time to catch his fellow fisherman, keeping him out of the water.
The two worked together to reel in the monstrous catch, but it wouldn’t relent. It pulled them back and forth for hours, towing the boat across the waves as the men aboard worked to capture it, just as determined. Hours went by without much progress being made, line being gained and then lost by either side, over and over again.
Much later, with the sun hanging low in the sky, something parted the water's surface, its thrashing and twisting revealing a pair of scaly wings. A Serdra. It attempted to take to the sky, but the fishing line held strong. A spray of water drenched the two men as the serpent dragged them with it.
Jones' mouth opened in awe and he looked up. "A Serdra! Saurell, are you seeing this!?"
“Of course I’m seeing this!” Saurell responded, his thoughts racing as he sought to decide what to do. They could become famous and wealthy from this catch, but only if they survived. After all, money and fame are of little value to the dead.
The frustrated serpent dove back into the water, resuming the battle with renewed vigour, once again dragging the boat across the waves. Saurell could feel his heart racing, his excitement tempered by reasonable concern while Jones was yelling at the top of his lungs with fervour. Then, the creature attempted its next manoeuvre, diving into the depths of the sea.
Saurell noticed the water rising to meet the railing, "Jones, we need to let it go! It'll take us down with it!"
Jones, though, was too preoccupied to pay attention. "We have to get it, Saurell! This is our first and last chance!"
Turns out, Saurell didn’t need to worry about the boat being pulled down into the watery abyss. They heard a loud snap below their feet and the boat abruptly broke in two, splinters flying everywhere. Letting go of the rod, Saurell and Jones found themselves bobbing along with the wreckage.
Saurell glanced at Jones with a mix of rage and sheer disbelief at the other’s recklessness. He sharply remarked, "I told you!"
Jones' face lit up as he shook his head and grinned. "But Saurell, we almost got a Serdra! Can you believe it?"
Despite the life-threatening situation, Jones' optimism was contagious, and Saurell relented.
“True. Suppose we’ve landed a good story if nothing else.”
The two discussed their next steps as they swam for the shore, working out a plan for making their way back. It was hardly the first time they’d wound up stranded someplace.