19 - Clock

by SilkyNoire

Medari stabbed her trident forward, but it was blocked with a burst of magic. This was no sea monster - it was an otherworldly elf, powerful with eldritch magic. The flooded cave was dim, but slightly illuminated by bioluminescent creatures.

One minute thirty seconds.

That's how long she'd been holding her breath for. She jerked backwards, the elf's speartip narrowly missing her throat. She replied with another jab from her trident, which bounced off of his magic armour. The elf moved back out of range, circling her.

One minute forty-five seconds.

He could see her abdomen having contractions. Clearly, his plan was staying out of range until she ran out of air. Medari had other plans. She charged in, almost forgetting not to shout a war cry. Her trident jabbed forth, one hit after another, breaking through the magical defences of the elf.

Two minutes.

One of her wild swings connected with some orb-looking object, which shattered it. The elf suddenly went wide-eyed, and Medari connected a good swing with his abdomen. Blood was in the water. She was going to do this.

Two minutes fifteen seconds.

The elf grabbed the trident embedded in his torso, snatching it away from Medari's hands. It only took a moment as he snapped it over his knee with unnatural strength. Now Medari's eyes went wide. As he backed her against the cave wall, she tried punching him. Her vision was starting to darken.

Two minutes thirty seconds.

He caught her punch, then twisted her arm. She cried out in pain, losing precious seconds of air. The elf put his forearm to her neck, pinning her against the wall. There was nothing she could do against his strength.

Two minutes forty-five seconds.

Nothing...

Three minutes.

She couldn't...

Three minutes fifteen seconds.

She blacked out.

---

Medari's vision returned to her. She blinked a few times, then shook her head. She was still on the Twilight Wanderer, still getting ready to go fight a sea monster with Sariel. It had caused the events of that day to come rushing back to her, and she'd lost herself in thought.

"Hey, Medari?" Sariel's calm, yet confident voice said from across the room.

Sariel had finished getting ready for the dive. Smallclothes and some items strapped to her limbs. The same as Medari.

"Yeah," Medari replied, strapping a knife to her thigh. "I'm all good."

Sariel seemed hesitant for a moment, then smiled softly and nodded. Medari felt herself blush slightly, and upon realising Sariel could see her blushing, turned even redder.

Sariel's smile widened. "Don't worry, I won't tell Emmy."