The sea had no edges.
That was the first thought that returned to Nussudle as Nova carried him west, far beyond where reef met land and forest gave way to endless water. Below them, the ocean stretched in all directions, a shifting skin of blue and white that reflected the sky without ever holding still. There were no familiar landmarks here. No roots. No stone arches. Only motion.
Nova flew lower than usual, wings beating in a steady rhythm that carried tension through their bond. The ikran did not like this place. The air smelled wrong. The wind carried salt instead of leaves and pollen. Even the sun felt harsher, its light reflecting off the water until it hurt to look at it for too long.
Nussudle rested low against Nova's neck, one hand gripping the harness, the other resting instinctively against the base of Nova's skull. He could feel the ikran's unease clearly now. It bled through their bond in tight pulses. Alert. Watchful. Ready to flee.
He understood it.
The ocean was alive in a way that felt different from the forest. It did not hum or whisper. It waited.
The warning came without sound.
Nova's body tensed sharply. His wings faltered for half a heartbeat, then beat harder as he angled upward. Panic flared through the bond, sudden and raw, before Nussudle even had time to react.
The water below them exploded.
A massive shape burst from the surface in a surge of white spray and shattered foam. Dark blue hide flashed in the sun, ridged and scarred, water cascading from its bulk as it rose far higher than it should have been able to.
The Akula.
Nussudle barely had time to register it before impact.
The creature's massive fin swung sideways with terrifying force. It struck Nova mid-flight, clipping the ikran's wing and sending a shock through both of them. The bond screamed.
Nova shrieked, a sound of pain and terror that tore through the air as his body twisted violently. The sky spun. Nussudle felt himself lifted free, weight torn from him as the harness slipped from his grasp.
Then there was nothing beneath him.
He fell.
The wind howled past his ears for a single breath before the ocean rose up to meet him. The impact drove the air from his lungs and forced cold water into his mouth and nose. His vision blurred instantly as he was dragged beneath the surface.
Above him, Nova screamed again.
The sound was distant now, warped by water, but the fear in it cut through him clearly. Nova circled wildly overhead, wings beating unevenly, refusing to leave despite the danger below.
Nussudle sank.
His limbs moved instinctively, fighting the pull of the water, but panic slowed him. The ocean pressed in from every direction, heavy and disorienting. Light fractured above him in shifting patterns as bubbles streamed past his face.
Then he saw it.
The Akula turned beneath the surface, its massive body moving with terrifying ease. It did not thrash or rush. It angled toward him with purpose, jaws opening slowly as rows of teeth caught the scattered light.
Nussudle reached for his bow without thinking.
The movement felt foolish the moment he did it. Water resisted everything. His muscles burned as he drew an arrow and loosed it toward the approaching shape.
The arrow drifted.
It slowed almost instantly, losing momentum as the water claimed it. It floated upward uselessly, spinning as it rose, never even touching the Akula's hide.
Fear tightened around his chest.
There was nowhere to run. No ground to push from. No trees to hide behind. The water made him slow and clumsy, while the Akula moved as if born from it.
He could feel Nova's panic overhead, the ikran circling and diving uselessly, unable to reach him without exposing himself again. The bond pulsed erratically, fear bleeding into fear.
Nussudle's lungs burned. His vision darkened at the edges.
The Akula surged forward.
He braced himself.
There was no time for prayer. No room for hope. He tucked his arms in close, jaw clenched, body rigid as he prepared for the impact he knew was coming.
The water shook.
Something massive collided with the Akula from the side, sending shockwaves through the ocean. Nussudle was thrown backwards, spinning helplessly as the pressure slammed into him.
A Nalutsa.
The great sea creature burst into view, its armoured shell gleaming pale beneath the water. It rammed the Akula again, massive fins pushing against the predator's bulk as it let out a deep, resonant call that vibrated through Nussudle's bones.
The Akula recoiled, surprised but not retreating.
The two giants collided again, bodies twisting and clashing in a slow, brutal dance. Water churned around them, filled with debris and bubbles as teeth scraped against shell and fins tore at flesh.
Nussudle kicked upward with the last of his strength.
His head broke the surface as air rushed back into his lungs in a burning gasp. He barely had time to draw breath before Nova swooped down toward him, wings beating hard despite the damage.
Strong talons closed around him, gripping his shoulders and chest with careful force. Nova hauled him upward, screaming as he did, pain and relief mixing through the bond.
They rose fast.
Nova carried him toward the nearest rocky island, wings straining as they cleared the water. He landed hard on stone, talons scraping as he stumbled before steadying himself.
Nussudle collapsed against Nova's side, coughing violently as seawater poured from his lungs. His chest burned. His limbs shook uncontrollably. Every breath felt like it might tear him apart.
Nova lowered his head, pressing it against Nussudle's shoulder, trembling. Fear and guilt flooded through the bond.
"I'm here," Nussudle rasped. "I'm here."
They stayed like that for several heartbeats, neither moving.
Then the water erupted again.
Nussudle forced himself upright, dragging his gaze back toward the sea.
The Nalutsa breached partially, its shell cracked and bleeding, water streaming from deep gouges along its side. The Akula surged after it, relentless, its jaws clamping down on the Nalutsa's lower shell with crushing force.
The sound carried even across the distance.
The Nalutsa thrashed, calling out once more, the sound deep and mournful before it was cut short. The Akula tore free, its lower mandible punching through the shell with brutal precision.
The Nalutsa went still.
Its body drifted, sinking slowly beneath the surface as the water around it darkened.
The Akula rose.
It broke the surface fully this time, lifting its massive head above the waterline. Blood streaked its hide, some of it its own, most of it not. Its eyes were fixed on the rocky island.
On Nova.
On Nussudle.
The beast held there for a long moment, water streaming from its jaws as it regarded them in silence. There was no frenzy in it now. No rage.
Only recognition.
Nova hissed, wings spreading protectively as he positioned himself between Nussudle and the water. Nussudle forced himself to his feet, one hand braced against Nova's flank as he stared back.
The Akula dipped beneath the surface without sound.
The ocean closed over it, smooth and indifferent, leaving only ripples behind.
Nussudle's legs gave out.
He sank back onto the stone, shaking, chest heaving as the weight of what had almost happened settled over him. Nova remained standing, eyes locked on the water, wings still spread, refusing to relax.