Where Men are Monsters

"The 5 arcs of man were glorious ships of steel and gold from which the five Branches of Man were born." "All of them equal yet different, in their beauty and purpose."   "From the Gigantic Frigid Kjeldon, the mighty and ferocious Fjordic were born. From the Vibrant San Eurlo, the beautiful and soaring Avenari were hatched. From the Astute Chitinous Periargo, the brilliant and ingenious Sturmiliad molted. From the Resourceful Mighty Malone, the ever adapting Eveksolute had changed. And from the Conquering Atlentim, the honored and loyal Merrow first swam."   At least, that's what the stories say... We here in the Sinking City know better. We know that none of these "Creatures" that have the gall to call themselves "Human" weren't born. No, they were made. Made by the impure aether that now poisons our air. We know the true names of the arcs, GFK23, VSE99, RMM1, you get the point. And we sure as hell know that there were more than 5 arcs. There were billions. What we don't know is how out of so many ships, only 5 were intact, and we're angry about it.   So you mindless and unwitting excuses for human flesh may pass our waters above us as our lungs fill in the salt and malice of the pure ocean sea, but know that we lurk below, waiting for answers and itching for blood. But your gold keeps us sated.   "So pay the Tithe, or pay the Price."