The aftermath of the abomination’s attack left a bitter taste in my mouth. The sight of the destroyed fishing boats gnawed at me, a stark reminder of the havoc these creatures could wreak. When I returned to the docks, the sky was an ominous bruise of purples and grays, mirroring the storm brewing within me. The air hung heavy with the smell of salt and something else… something rotten. I gripped the hilt of my sword, a sense of foreboding settling deep in my bones.

  As I reached the water's edge, the first fat raindrops began to fall. The surface of the ocean churned restlessly, reflecting the darkening sky in a distorted, unsettling way. A wave of nausea washed over me, and I knew I wasn’t alone. My leg caught, from behind, and I was dragged deeper into the water by the damn beast, his fish tail wrapped around my feet and dragging me deeper.

  Delmar: "Gotcha ya priest!"

  The icy water stole my breath, choking me as the merman dragged me down, down, down. Panic flared, but I fought it back, focusing on survival. Black spots danced before my eyes as my lungs screamed for air. The pressure mounted, crushing my chest. Desperation clawed at me. It was down in the blackest depths, and I was beginning to feel helpless. All I could think, now, was what was it doing in here. All that it was, was an abomination. Still, I am a priest, so I cannot die. I struggled in Delmar's hold, thrashing uselessly against his unnatural strength. As consciousness slipped away, I finally managed to draw my blade. With a desperate surge of adrenaline, I plunged the sword into the merman’s skull.

  His grip loosened, and I kicked free, propelling myself upward with what little strength I had left. I burst to the surface, gasping for air, my lungs burning with each ragged breath. Above me, the storm raged, and the rain pelted my face like needles. I dragged myself onto the shore, collapsing onto the wet sand, coughing and sputtering.

  Damn it all...

  My body trembled with exhaustion and cold, but there was no time to rest. The unnatural, I can still smell the rot, as the rot began to come onto shore with me, it,was beginning to crawl and pull itself on land. I staggered to my feet, my sword clutched tightly in my hand. The merman was coming, pulling itself onto the shore, driven by rage and pain. It was a grotesque sight: its once-sleek body now torn and bleeding, its eyes burning with a malevolent light. The memory of the doppelganger came flooding back, the betrayal, the violation. I could feel the old wound aching in my soul, the pain of those dark days threatening to consume me. That thing, this, had brought back nightmares, memories.

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  With a guttural roar, the merman lunged. His clawed hands tore at my face, raking across my skin. Agony exploded as blood welled up, blinding me momentarily.

  Delmar: "HAHAHA take that hope you enjoyed having a scar on you're face!"

  I stumbled back, clutching my face. The pain was intense, but it was the memory of the doppelganger that fueled my rage. I wouldn't be a victim again. I wouldn't let fear control me. My memories of how I can do nothing,but now I know I can do everything. So I will.

  Ignoring the throbbing in my face, I charged, my blade a silver streak in the storm. Fueled by righteous fury and years of honed combat skills, I kicked with precision and the force breaking it, the jaw being crushed into oblivion.

  Delmar: "Gah!?"

  The merman staggered back, clutching its shattered jaw. I pressed my advantage, my sword a blur of motion. I swung and slashed, my blade finding its mark again and again, carving deep wounds into the creature’s flesh. Blood sprayed, painting the sand crimson.

  Delmar: "You damn freak I hope you choke on the bread you eat!"

  I stared down at the writhing abomination, my face grim. It spat those words at me, words of spite and hatred. My heart pounded in my chest, and anger pulsed through my veins, yet, it was nothing but anger and rage. There was something about the bread. Its smell makes me think, so I look down at the abomination, it makes me want to hurt it.

  Nearby, I spotted a large rock, slick with rain. Without hesitation, I seized it, hefting its weight in my hands. As I prepared to crush the merman's skull, the abomination's tail lashed out, slamming into my face with brutal force.

  That one's the one

  It sent me reeling, pain exploding in my head. Stars burst behind my eyes, and I stumbled back, nearly losing my grip on the rock. The world spun, and I struggled to regain my balance.

  Yam: "Oh you dang abomination, how dare you."

  .i then decide to cut the beast stomach open with my blade as when I swung at it this caused it to feel agonizing pain in which it changes its shape into somekind of vulture which it pecked at my eyes, trying to peck them out which I grab it's beak and slam him into the ground.

  Yam:"You ugly abomination, you are such a nuisance, so take this!"

  I, then aimed at it's head, stabbing it, completely impaling it, killing it as I covered my face surviving the damage.

  To be continued