RAVEN'S GAMBIT | Part 29: The Sea Cat Tithe
The rising light of a new day cast long shadows across the sand-covered terrace where the survivors nursed wounds and whispered prayers. Potions were passed, their bitter taste bringing vitality to broken bodies. Weapons were wiped clean and redistributed. Armor pieces swapped shoulders. Some eyes were hollow with grief.
Others burned with determination.
Many were still injured despite healing efforts. Seren Willowmere, Lin of the Whispering Wind, and Elaren Duskroot worked their spells, closing wounds and mending flesh, but exhaustion gnawed at them.
As preparations finished, Elowyn Mosswhisper stepped to the edge of the next chute and peered down into the shimmering depths.
“The next terrace is another water tank,” she said grimly. “I see two sea cats swimming below. They look… hungry.”
A silence followed, broken only by the clinking of gear.
“Gunslingers and bowmen won’t help then,” Hachiro Noboru noted, tightening the strap on his scabbard. “We’ll have to finish this by steel and spell.”
Then Thalia Emberbranch, voice trembling, asked what others dared not:
“If we get second chances at life… what does Raven get out of this?”
The question hung in the air like smoke. Many looked at her sharply, fear rising. To question a god—especially the one who had saved their lives—was to risk everything.
“This second chance is a gift,” Hachiro answered, staring straight into the abyss below. “No matter the ulterior motive. I will be sure to ask him—after we conquer this mountain.”
No one argued. They followed.
One by one, they dropped into the waters of the next level. Only eight feet deep, but it may as well have been an ocean to the wounded and weary.
The sea cats noticed them instantly, sleek bodies slicing through the water with disturbing grace. Their yellow eyes shimmered with hunger.
Khopesh was the first to strike, slamming one sea cat hard enough to rattle the water.
Lin of the Whispering Wind, Kael the Ember-Eyed, Elric Duskwind, and Kaelen Firebrand each loosed a Magic Missile, searing streaks of light that slammed into the first sea cat’s hide.
Thalia Emberbranch swam forward, blade glinting, and drove her short sword into the beast's ribs.
The others made a break for the next chute—Brock ‘Bull’ Dawson, Seren Willowmere, Trix Vorn, Shino of the Whispering Leaves, and Taya Vex swimming hard.
But not all would make it.
Kael ‘Fingers’ Vire was caught by a sea cat, its jaws closing around his side. His scream choked on water. His body vanished in a froth of blood and teeth.
Elaren Duskroot, trying to aid Kael, was next—the wounded sea cat turned and shredded him, dragging his lifeless form beneath the surface.
Their deaths were quick and brutal.
Theron Blackroot, rage burning, sent an Eldritch Blast into the bloody foam, exploding the sea cat’s head.
The second sea cat turned toward the others.
Elowyn, with a shaky hand and a shivering heart, cast Entangle beneath the water—the strange vines of magic twining around the second sea cat, holding it fast.
Kael the Ember-Eyed and Elric Duskwind sent Magic Missiles, burning into the creature’s flesh.
Kaelen Firebrand followed suit, his spell slamming into the beast’s ribs.
The sea cat thrashed, struggling, but couldn’t break free.
Hachiro Noboru swam up, striking with his katana, the steel carving a shallow wound.
Theron blasted again but missed.Elowyn stabbed with Wave but was off-balance.Lin loosed a Ray of Frost, but it fizzled in the water.
More missiles flew, more blades cut, but the beast was resilient.Then, it broke free.
The water churned with foam and blood as it lunged at Hachiro, raking his side.He gritted his teeth and struck back, the katana slicing deep.
Theron missed.Elowyn missed.
Lin missed.But then—Kael the Ember-Eyed and Elric Duskwind hit home.
Finally, Kaelen Firebrand's missile struck the perfect point behind the eye.The sea cat spasmed—and sank.
It was over.
The survivors turned, grabbing the wounded, supporting the weak, and made their way to the next chute. One by one, they dropped down, into whatever horror awaited them below.
But this time, they left behind two more names.
Kael ‘Fingers’ Vire.Elaren Duskroot.
Both gifted a second chance.
Both taken before redemption could be claimed.