Deep within the frigid waters of the north, lay a sleeping beast so petrifying that it is the master of all oceans. Its swirling mud-colored limbs quiver like jelly, yet has the might to crush a 16th Century Spaniard ship. Its blood-curdling eyes, when opened, are as big as a dinner plate used for the Papal Pope, and sparkles a harbored intelligence. Its beak like mouth could suck an entire ocean dry as it feeds on the inhabitants. Such power, contained in the legendary creature that is the kraken, will once more be unleashed as it awakens.

Azure eyes flickered, a trance like gaze shining from watery darkness. The almighty kraken stirred gently, looking upon the serene world that had not disturbed him for the past five hundred years.

Few could survive in these artic fathomless waters. The few that does are ageless predators, hiding their grotesque appearances from the light. As the kraken leaves his inky recluse, he is greeted by the sight of marvels that are beneath the oceans. And as the languid creature continued on his journey through the realm of once forgotten wonders, he sang… a heart-breaking ballad of glowing planktons and stinging jellyfish. Of humming whales and playful dolphins. Of waving corals and tropical fishes, all the colors imaginable; cerulean, opaque violet, bright gold, shimmery red. Of hiding octopi within stony grottos and mechanical hunters that are sharks. Of land sea creatures; seals and walruses and of poisonous blow-fishes. Of crawling sea snails and scampering crabs along the sandy sea bed.

Of algae covered shores and murky sewage dumps in the sea. Of life killing chemicals poured into rivers and oil spills from ships. Of whitening corals and fishes with their soft underbellies exposed to the air.

The underwater world has so much to offer, weeps the kraken, yet it is no longer as it was, pure and vibrant with life. Soon it will disappear altogether, then what will be left?

By Sukunami Taka