The water rose without a splash, and Neo moved before the thing beneath it could show itself.
A hook snapped over the platform's edge and punched into the metal where his boot had been. Rust shrieked as the platform lurched downward, dragged by something heavy under the black surface. Neo drove one blade into a seam between metal plates and caught himself with the other hand before the whole walkway could spill him into the water.
A broad head broke up from below, mud and black water sluicing from its jaws. The creature looked like someone had taken a crocodile, drowned it in oil, and taught it hate. Thick plates armored its skull and spine, dark green under the filth, with pale leech-like growths clinging around the neck. Its mouth opened wide enough to take his leg off at the hip.
Neo vaulted off the platform and landed on a slanted beam, and the beast snapped its jaws shut on empty air.
"First welcome committee." he muttered.
