Golden Age: Revival

N"Unless that spear folds, impossible. It wouldn't fit. I had a hard enough time getting Roatha's weapon in."

*They see a shimmering shadow on the water, looking like a person. The odd thing is that it's running parallel to the boat, while the sun is to the west of them.*

Allina: <What is that?>

*She points at the shadow, widening her eyes.*

"Nero's "sword" could fit in a knife rack."

Mimiru:<What's wrong, not as tall as you are enough for you?>

*Taiyo holds on to Euryale.*

Taiyo:<Do you know what it is?>

N"Azuma's just overcompensating."

E"I have no idea."

*She reaches out to poke it.*

Allina: <It's going to eat your hand.>

"You're just upset that your sword looks like it came from the cutlery section of a Sears department store."

Mimiru:<You wanna try and out run this thing?>

N"Yeah, it's not like it's the chosen weapon of one of the most successful empires ever, or anything like that."

E"It might just be a shadow, you know."

*The thing rears up, expanding & towering over them so that it blots out the sky, a giant shimmering shadow in the vague image of a bald man.*

E"Or not."

*Two giant red eyes open & its face splits in a wide, sadistic grin.*

"That looks nothing like a curved bow."

Mimiru:<You two wanna be stupid another time? Now are you going to floor it or not? I'd rather not have to swim to Venezuela.>

*Allina shrieks, staring at it.*

Allina: <Holy shit!>

N"The boat is actually already going as fast as it can."

*Storm clouds start ragng when the shadow raises its arms.*

Allina: <You're the sword people! Stab it or something!>

"Seriously? I guess we gotta rock the boat a bit."

Mimiru:<Don't tip the boat over.>

*Azuma stands up keeping his hands out to his sides to steady himself.*

Mimiru:<What do you intend on doing anyways? It doesn't even look like it's made of matter.>

"I didn't take that into consideration."

E"What are you idiots doing?! Sit down!"

*Roatha blasts it with sword-lightning, burning a hole in the monster's chest. It roars, sinking into the sea, which becomes pitch black.*

<I'm scared!>

Allina: <That... can't be good. Is it going to eat us all!?>

"I'm sure it'll be much worse."

[It appears to be a big shadow, so that could mean...]

"Blondie, think you can do light stuff to it if it comes back up?"

Allina: <Maybe? Well, okay, let's see what I can do if it does come back up.>

*Actually, several large whirlpools form in the water around them.*

N"I think it's hell-bent on drowning us."

Allina: <Well, screw it.>

*She stares at the whirpools.*

Allina: <Screw you!>

*As Nero tries desperately to navigate the whirlpools, a large wave looms over them.*

N"Well. It was nice knowing you guys."

*The group was then capsized & plunged into the sea. Fortunately, they're closed to the equator, so at least it's warm. Dark & rapid, but warm.*

*Allina swims to the surface and looks around.*

Allina: <Guys? Are you all right?!>

*Mimiru flails around trying to swim upward.*

[Damn it, I don't want to go out like this!]

*Elsewhere, Taiyo attempts to right herself, a bubble appearing around her, carrying her to the surface. Azuma rights himself and swims up towards the surface.*

*Roatha is drowning near Mimiru when a sudden current takes them up to the surface. As everyone gasps for breath, they're all drawn towards different whirlpools, with the exception of Roatha & Mimiru, who are drawn to the same one. The shadow starts to twist into the shape of a giant snake, floating amongst them. Nero is nowhere in sight.*

*Mimiru and Azuma attempt to swim away from their respective whirlpools. Taiyo's bubble pops, sending several tendrils down at the monster while she falls into the water.*

*Allina tries to swim away from the whirpool. Her torso jerks backward and she's forced to lean forward as she grows a pair of light wings. She widens her eyes and attempts to fly away from the water.*

*A lightning bolt strikes the water & everyone wakes up on a beach somewhere. The first thing Nero does is punch Roatha in the head.*

N"You idiot, you could've killed us all!"

R"Well, it was making storm clouds, like it was asking me to do it! Besides, we were on the verge of drowning, anyway."

N"Did you at least kill it?"

R"I don't know, I knocked us all unconscious, didn't I?"

*Stheno wakes up & starts crying. Euryale puts an arm around her.*