Two crescent moons hang in the cloudless night, one larger than the other. The big one glows with a blue hue, its smaller companion with a red one.


    Stars blanket the sky. I’ve never seen so many back on Earth; it’s almost magical. Almost.


    Too bad I don’t recognize a single constellation. They''re probably not even constellations.


    The submarine rocks gently in the dark waves. I climb out for a better view. The waves lap softly against the sub’s hull. A light breeze brushes my face. It doesn’t feel like an open ocean. I inhale deeply, the familiar scent of salty seawater a comforting reminder of Earth.


    Scanning the horizon, I gradually make out the shapes of mountains and land in every direction, some closer than others. This is an inland sea.


    Well, that’s a new one.


    The gentle lapping is abruptly shattered by a series of loud bubbling noises. Before I can scramble back inside the submarine is launched skyward, then crashes back into the sea with a resounding splash.


    I’m pretty sure I swallowed some of that.


    Struggling to stay afloat, I’m confronted with a massive mouth filled with dagger-like teeth. Well, I thought to myself, this might be my chance to finally break this cursed body. Sharp teeth clamp down on me. A thick blue liquid blooms into the surrounding water. The water now has a rather unpleasant metallic and acidic tang.


    It tastes like…battery acid?


    Looking down at my perfectly intact body, I curse inwardly, realizing the liquid isn’t mine.


    The creature recoils, twisting and coiling. It’s a giant alien looking sea serpent, covered in scales, sporting a couple of pairs of flippers and a long tail. Its triangular head has two pairs of tiny eyes and an absurdly large mouth. The mouth, once full of sharp teeth, now sports several broken stumps. A thick stream of blue liquid gushes from its jaws.


    Guess this creature can’t break this body either. Bummer for both of us, really.


    During my time in the lab, I try to find weaknesses in this body.


    It’s not exactly a hobby, more of a… preemptive measure. Honestly, if something could break this body, it’d be a dream come true. Real peace, finally!


    My biggest fear isn’t death. Honestly, if something could break this body, it would be a dream come true. Real peace, finally!Stolen novel; please report.


    My biggest fear isn’t death; it’s being stuck like this forever. Some sort of sealing ritual, maybe—some way to trap or isolate this body.


    An eternity in solitary confinement? Now that’s my worst-case scenario. So, I absolutely must prevent any possibility of that. Or worse… being eaten! That would be the ultimate indignity.


    The submarine is still intact and bobs cheerfully on the surface. I eagerly start swimming toward it, but another long, massive body blocks my path. This creature makes the last one look like a guppy.


    It whips its tail, and a crushing force slams me into the seafloor. I frantically stir up the water, trying to hide among the rocks.


    Seriously, why are they attacking me? Do I look that delicious?! Am I radiating some kind of irresistible seafood aroma I’m not aware of?


    The larger sea serpent swims near the surface, while the smaller one races to the bottom. The blue liquid has stopped flowing from its mouth. It furiously thrashes, smashing its body against everything on the seafloor in a watery tantrum.


    Taking advantage of its little meltdown, I carefully sneak around it and swim back to the surface, pulling the dagger from my leg as I go.


    When I’m close enough to the larger serpent, I stab and slice into it with all my might. Another wave of that blue fluid erupts, showering my face.


    Honestly, does this stuff ever stop flowing? It’s like they’re filled with it.


    The large sea serpent twists and turns violently, clearly not enjoying my impromptu acupuncture session. I seize the opportunity and rush toward the submarine. Freedom is so close!


    I grab onto the hull and start climbing, but before I can haul myself back inside, the sea starts swirling around me. Losing my grip, I tumble back into the water with a splash.


    Below me, the large sea serpent is swimming in a circle at an unimaginable speed. The water around me twists and turns into a small, rapidly growing whirlpool, dragging everything down.


    Seriously? Just my luck, the creature has a special move. Of course it does. Why wouldn’t it?


    While the larger sea serpent creates the whirlpool, the smaller one launches itself at me from my blind spot.


    Oh, look, they have a combo attack too. How… original. I’m starting to think these guys took lessons from anime.


    It attacks again and again, snapping its jaws, trying to take a chunk out of me. It can’t even pierce my skin, thankfully, but I’m being tossed around in the water like a sock in a washing machine.


    I jab my dagger into its head and body whenever I get a chance. Slowly, the water around us begins to darken, turning a murky shade of blue.


    As I scan for the smaller serpent, bracing for its inevitable return, I’m suddenly plunged into absolute darkness.


    Great. Just great.


    The water around me thickens, turning into something like thick, sticky glue. My body is squeezed from all directions. I push, stab, and slice blindly, my dagger meeting resistance at every turn.


    My mind races as a wave of claustrophobia washes over me. I keep stabbing with the dagger in every direction, a frantic mantra echoing in my head.


    Oh no oh no oh no no no no no… This is definitely not ideal.


    The viscous fluid continues to thicken, enveloping my entire body. I feel myself being dragged down, down, down through the endless darkness.


    I really hope this isn''t how it ends. Ending up trapped in giant monster’s goo, at the bottom of the sea. That would be a truly undignified demise.