The NewRise

Prologue

Cureencia huffed as she stood up from her throne. Her sail scales glowed and flickered as she ordered her guards to, obviously, guard the entrance. The little squirming child in her hands clung onto her tightly, and she held her daughter ever closer.

Her advisor swam into the room, eyes wide as his sail scales flickered frantically. 'People are dying. Our people are dying. We must flee!' His scales spoke as he took his Queen's hand and began to drag her behind the throne. She didn't fight back; she knew she had no choice.

Behind the throne was a hidden door, created years ago by her mother. Her advisor swung it open and motioned her and the baby inside, then he went inside and slammed the door shut, sealing it and hiding it from view.

Behind the hidden door was a long, down-winding corridor, illumated by lantern clams that hung from the ceiling. As the trio rushed down toward the open waters, something slammed into her advisor, hitting Cureencia with its tail, which sent her into the floor back first.

She rolled back up to see her advisor pinned against the ground by a nearly all black Calliocantovenator, whose hands were clasped around his neck, forcefully closing his gills.

She swam forward and then leaned back, kicking the assailant and knocking them off her partner. Her advisor rolled back up and his scales flickered: 'go. Save the line, for everyone's sake.' She hesitated.

Her partner saw her hesitation and pressed his forehead against her own, pressing her head fin down and stroking her feelers before doing the same to his fearful child.

She watched as their assailant slowly swam forward like a beast, sail fin twitching wildly. Her advisor pushed his Queen and daughter toward the exit while he stood off against the dark beast.

Cureencia looked at him one last time before darting out into open ocean with their child, forcing herself to ignore the cries and echoing screams of her people as they died behind her.

The only life she could save was her daughter's.