Morning Arc
Chapter 2: Tension in the Midst of Peace
The sky above the Isakov looked calm. White clouds drifted lazily, and the sea around the ship was like glass—silent, without waves. But inside the command room, the atmosphere was far from peaceful.
Lerkov and Shin stood before a dimly glowing holographic screen, displaying what little data remained from a system still struggling to recover.
"Fuel reserves at 62%. Main weapons operational, but reload is slow. Auto-defense system is completely offline," Shin reported with a flat expression, though his tone hinted at concern.
Lerkov crossed his arms, eyes scanning the data. "We don't know how long we'll be stuck in this world. We must assume this is permanent… Establish a chain of command across the fleet, and start mapping the surrounding region."
Shin nodded. "And Nilan?"
Lerkov glanced back. "She needs time. But she'll have to learn fast. This world… it's nothing like before."
Just then, the command room doors opened with a soft whoosh. Nilan appeared with messy hair and a bored expression. She walked slowly toward the two officers immersed in strategy.
"Ugh, seriously bro Her… you're being way too intense," Nilan muttered as she leaned on the radar table. "It's so quiet outside. No explosions, no gunfire, not even birds. Can't we just chill for a bit?"
Shin only spared her a glance before returning to the screen. Lerkov, face blank, stayed focused—until Nilan started poking his arm playfully.
"Hey, hey… look, I'm a periscope!" she said, raising her arms above her head in a silly circle.
Lerkov sighed. "Nilan…"
"Aha! Now you respond!" she grinned. "Gotcha—"
But before her laughter could continue, one of the radar operators stood up abruptly. His voice trembled.
"Admiral, radar's picking up a… large movement from the southeast. Fast. And the size… it's not a ship."
Shin quickly moved to the operator's side. "Zoom sonar feed!"
The screen revealed a massive silhouette moving beneath the water's surface—long, sinuous, moving like a serpent. But too big… far too big.
"A sea creature?" Lerkov murmured.
The operator gulped. "But… its body temperature is abnormally low. Not like any ordinary organism."
Suddenly, the image sharpened. Shimmering black-purple scales… and glowing red eyes from the depths of shadow.
The Abyssal Serpent.
A colossal sea monster from the depths of Svora. A serpent that brings ruin with a whisper. Dozens of meters long, moving like living water, its chilling aura pierced the hearts of every crew member who saw it.
Nilan froze. Her cheerful face turned pale. "That's… not a fish, right?"
Lerkov stared at the screen, then gave a sharp order.
"Set Condition One. Activate all manual defense systems. Do not launch a single torpedo unless I say so."
Shin sprang into action. "All crew, battle stations!"
The sea, once tranquil… now concealed its first terror.