Williamsburg Coastline, Virginia - 12:23 PM


    “We’re not ready for this,” Kayla said as she stood near me. Her eyes were wide as she stared off into the distance, the beast only visible to her when lightning illuminated it. The heavy rain had soaked us in moments and it wasn’t going to let up any time soon.


    “You said we’d have until nightfall!” Warren shouted, the accusation hard in his voice. The other leaders joined his protest. “Now we’ve got this… this… huge fucking monster heading here!?”


    “Shut up, Warren,” I returned, barely thinking about it as I tried to put the best plan together for the moment.


    Despite his spineless nature, he nearly snarled. “Don’t you tell me to—”


    “Hey, shithead!” Jamie yelled, turning around and taking a step towards him. “If it weren’t for Franklin here, you’d have already given up your city’s right to exist! Give him some time to think so we don’t all get killed or I’ll put you to sleep until it’s all over. That goes for all of you, get me?”


    Sufficiently chastised, Warren seemed to sink back into his group. I couldn’t blame them, not really; this scenario was different from what I promised. A part of me wondered what the administrators were playing at, especially Seraphim. This had his stench all over it.


    “Thanks, Summers,” I said absentmindedly, giving her credit where credit was due.


    “Anything that gets the job done… sir,” Jamie responded, chewing on that last word. I blinked, turning to look at her. She wrinkled her nose. “What? You’re the commanding officer. Don’t look at me like I’m the weird one.”


    “I’d prefer boss over sir, but whatever floats your boat, marine,” I said, trying to keep a hint of a smile off of my face. She rolled her eyes.


    This was quite possibly the earliest she had called me her commanding officer. If I had known my absence would have changed things this much, I might have found a Kayla to help ages ago.


    Looking back at the creature, thankful that it seemed slow, I continued putting the plan together as my amusement faded. The people were the biggest issue. Most knew that a battle was coming, but they weren’t going to be ready for a while. Large scale combats like this required time, resources, and a lot of logistics. Some boats could be loaded up quickly, but I had an inkling that only the corvettes would withstand these choppy waters.


    And even then, there was no guarantee that they would survive.


    Which means I had to do it myself. Or, at least, with a small team. I looked back at Jamie and Kayla and grimaced.


    “Did you talk to Mercury about his role in the battle yet?” I asked my second in command.


    “Bits and pieces,” she answered. “I’ve read it all, but between everything else happening there wasn’t enough time. We were supposed to get to it after this.”


    “Yeah, that’s how things should have gone,” I said, cursing the timeline.


    Not only did we have to take out the monster, but there was a crucial piece of technology in the admiral’s command ship that we needed. Mercury was good at getting in, grabbing it, and getting out while everyone was distracted. If he didn’t know what he was looking for…


    Unfortunately, getting it was a non-negotiable part of the run, especially when I needed more material from across the ocean.


    It started coming together. The how, the where, the when, all of it.


    I looked to the sky. “Skuld, could you guide Kayla to the admiral’s ship?”


    A moment passed. “She can, but she doesn’t want to lose an Avatar so quickly,” Kayla relayed.


    “She won’t,” I said firmly. “The command ship won’t be anywhere near that beast if the admiral is smart. It’s going to come after us regardless, not her. Plus, they just need to make it into the ship we saw earlier, which will be docked on a bigger vessel. There should be a skeleton crew manning it, and they should be easy to get around.”


    “That’s a lot of shoulds,” the Double Agent remarked.


    “The future’s hazy, what can I say?” I asked, trying not to snap.


    Kayla nodded. “Skuld said she’s willing to try. At the very least, it would make a good story about a man who tried to see the future and… got his friends killed.”


    “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I scoffed. “Summers, you with me?”


    She scoffed. “Like you have to ask?”


    “Even into the belly of the beast?”


    The Weapon Master made a face. “I hope you don’t mean literally,” she said. I gave her a thin smile, and she grunted. “That’s just great. The things I do for points.”


    “Thanks, and that one’s not sarcastic,” I replied as I pulled a door out of my inventory. I activated Celestial Wormhole and opened it, revealing a golden swirl. “Warren, this will lead you back to the safe zone. Take everyone and start evacuating the city. You’re going to need to head far inland, maybe as far as Richmond to be really safe, so don’t stop.”


    The others of his posse gingerly stepped through the door at his command, but he paused. “Now you’re telling me that not even the safe zone will be safe?”


    Before I could answer, the administrator decided to do it for me.


    <<<>>>


    [[Jamestown/Williamsburg Scenario 3-Final]]


    The admiral, defeated, returns to the sea, but not before leaving behind a present.


    Over a month ago, a boon was given to the Atlanteans in the form of a magnificent monster with nigh unstoppable regenerative capabilities. It appeared in their midst, and they took to conquering the creature in any way they could. After many lives lost, they managed to succeed in at least pointing it in the direction of their enemies.


    That’s what they’re doing now.


    The Writhing Nautilus is a vast creature that has been equipped with Atlantean weapons of war. No longer suited for the skies, it floats through the ocean as one of its newest apex predators, never seen before. Pain and hunger drive it, and none in its path are free from its wrath, not even those of you who bunker down in your safe zones.


    Flee or fight are your only options, but make the choice carefully. This won’t end with just Jamestown and Williamsburg.


    Objective: Defeat the Writhing Nautilus or flee its warpath.


    Reward: 3,000 points to all who fight the creature, 300 points to those who survive, Atlantean Technology (MVP).


    <<<>>>


    “That answer your question?” I asked with an arched eyebrow. Warren nodded dumbly, and I shoved him through the door before closing it and returning it to my inventory. “Alright, I got a plan. It’ll be in guild chat in a few seconds.”


    Kayla and Jamie nodded and swiped open their menus. I was able to send my message shortly after.


    <<<>>>


    [[Guild Chat]]


    Anthony: Alright, everyone. The finale is coming half a day sooner than expected and it’s been changed by the administrators again. Jeff, go and help everyone get ready to evacuate. Warren and the other leaders should already be talking with everyone. Make sure things run smoothly.


    Anthony: Mercury, come to our location at the end of SR 199. You and Kayla will be infiltrating one of the Atlantean’s ships for an item that is absolutely vital to us. I mean, 100% I can’t stress enough how important this is. Kayla has information on where it’ll be. Bethany, please wake Ashley up and point her to this message. Ash, prepare to move the train to Richmond if needed. The monster heading our way can absolutely destroy the Subspace Depot and everything inside.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Anthony: Jamie and I are going to stop it. We’re going inside the Writhing Nautilus with a similar plan I used to destroy the Writhing Zeppelin, which I assume you’ve all heard the tale of. It’s going to be messy and I’m not sure it’s going to work but… it’s the best option right now.


    Anthony: I believe in all of you, but if you need to, flee. Don’t hesitate to do so. If you have to go, go. Your lives are more important than anything else here, and I won’t hear an argument against it. Good luck, everyone.


    Jeff: I’m on it, boss. Mercury, take care of my wife. I’m trusting you.


    Mercury: I won’t let a single hair on our queen’s head be damaged, Sir Jeff!


    Jeff: I know, buddy. You got this.


    <<<>>>


    “Good character development, Jeff,” I said, praising the overprotective knight for not insisting on going with his wife.


    “He’s chilled out a lot,” Kayla stated. “You’ll see it, unless you’re planning on leaving us again.”


    I shook my head. “Not for a bit, and not by choice. That’s a conversation for after this. Sara?”


    <<<>>>


    [[Patron Quest: Defeat the Writhing Nautilus!]]


    Of course, now that it’s been announced the lock on information has been removed. Let me tell you more about the monster.


    The Writhing Nautilus is the newest evolution of the Writhing Recluse. And I mean that literally; this is an Earth-exclusive monster that has evolved through fighting the crushing pressure of the Atlantic Ocean. It should, by all rights, have died. It even might have before the administrators started talking to each other. This has Seraphim written all over it, and it seems they know a glitch is here, hence the quick change in tactics.


    Either way, that doesn’t matter. You did what you had to. This has been equipped with Atlantean technology that is remote controlled by the admiral’s command ship. It doesn’t look like it’s bothered by it, but you can expect any approach to be carefully monitored and quickly assaulted. I’ll do my best to help you if they open fire, but it’s clear the weaponry is more concerned about boats.


    As for going inside of it, well… I’m pretty sure I know what you’re going to do. I’ll lead you to its core as best I can, but there’s a twisted maze full of monsters in there. Regardless, I think it’s our best chance.


    I’m not going to put any stipulations on this quest, but I still believe in you, Ant. Good luck.


    Objective: Kill the Writhing Nautilus.


    Optional Objective: Jamie Summers returns to shore alive.


    Reward: 20,000 points.


    Optional Reward: 10,000 points.


    <<<>>>


    “Alright, that’s a lot heftier than I thought it was going to be,” I said, running my fingers through my wet hair as I looked at the rewards Sara was offering me. The higher they were, the more dangerous a fight was.


    “Summers, I want to use my Mental Link on you. It’ll share emotions and tell us where the other is in case we get lost, as well as some other benefits. It’s not as intrusive as it sounds, but I want your consent,” I said, looking back at her.


    Jamie arched an eyebrow, but shrugged. “Sure, I guess. Weirder things have been happening.”


    I smiled as I reached for her forehead and activated the ability. Our minds connected in a rush, and I kept everything back except for my trust in her. She stumbled slightly, rubbing where I had touched her with a frown. Her emotions were simple. Apprehension, curiosity, but mostly trust. I had to make sure not to break that, as tenuous as it could be.


    I offered Kayla my Tankless Breather since I had the Harpoon of Atlantean Might, and she took it. Mercury had one and so did Jamie, so I didn’t have to worry about them. Summoning the Staff of Raphael to help heal me as we went, I turned away from the Weapon Master and squatted.


    “Alright, hop on,” I told her.


    “What?” she asked, staring at me in disbelief.


    “I’m carrying you,” I answered, tapping my back with the staff. “If you allow it, then I don’t need to worry about your Constitution score.”


    “You must be out of your damn mind if you think I’m going to get a piggyback ride from you,” Jamie scoffed.


    Hanging my head, I stood up straight before gesturing towards the ocean. “Do you have a way to get over there?” I challenged.


    Lightning arched through the sky, illuminating the Writhing Nautilus. It was getting closer, slowly but surely, and Jamie clicked her tongue. “Whatever. This better not get out to anyone, got it? You, too, Kayla.”


    “My lips are sealed,” she said. “Chances are I’m going to have to do the same with Mercury, anyway, given I also have no way to walk on water like he does.”


    I nodded, agreeing with her words, before squatting again. “Come on, Summers, we don’t have a lot of time.” Scowling, the Weapon Master did as instructed. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and her legs wrapped around my sides.


    “This is an embarrassment,” she muttered.


    “If it makes you feel better, I’m pretty sure you’re making someone really jealous right now,” I said with a chuckle. Neither she nor Sara made a comment about that, and I suddenly felt as though I could be in danger. I cleared my throat. “We’re going to be going over choppy water and likely taking fire. Torpedoes from below, who knows what from above. It’s going to be a very, very bumpy ride. Ready?”


    “Just get us where we need to go,” Jamie said, retrieving her Tankless Breather from her inventory and putting it on. It stuck to her face, and she nodded.


    “Good luck, Kayla,” I said, looking back at her. She gave us a thin smile and a thumbs up, and we took off.


    Since Jamie was not struggling, she was light on my back. We slammed into the water before I activated Flow Control from the harpoon and shot us back to the surface. After a little jump, I put down a Force Field and started skating forward on my Heelies.


    Thrill shot through my passenger’s emotions, cutting through the embarrassment of being carried this way to the battlefield. It was endearing, actually, as we headed into danger together as a team.


    We cut through the waves. The storm had just started, but they were already coming in high and powerful. I had to gauge each one individually. Some were small enough that I forced my way through and only lost a little bit of speed, while others required my direct attention.


    This was the kind of battlefield the Atlanteans liked the most. Their vessels were built for much more intense environments than this, so they could handle being tossed about by the ocean.


    <<<>>>


    [[Patron Message]]


    They seem to have spotted you, Ant. The cannons on the Writhing Nautilus are DIVE LEFT


    <<<>>>


    I complied immediately with Sara’s sudden demand and dove into the water. Moments later, an explosion erupted where we had just been, sending us deeper into the water. Jamie swore, but it was hard to tell exactly what she said.


    Flow Control came in handy as I swam, but it was still slower than skating across my Force Fields. Especially with a passenger. Cannon fire continued to displace the water on the surface as they tracked us with bullshit aquatic technology. The majority of the shots were close, too, showing just how accurate they really were.


    Another warning from Sara, and a second later I saw them heading right for us: torpedoes.


    They were traveling quickly, and my sight was horribly diminished underwater. I Pushed against the head of the first one, causing it to detonate prematurely as if it had hit something, and I used Flow Control to push us towards the surface. The explosion helped, but we weren’t out of the thick of it yet.


    I did my best to take them out one at a time. The number they had sent was absurd for two people. Hell, the response was absurd for only two people. Almost like the Atlantean navy had it in for us.


    Or, perhaps, just its admiral.


    Gritting my teeth, a torpedo I hadn’t been able to get to yet exploded underneath us. I activated Shield and altered the flow of water. We shot upwards, my protection shimmering and heavily damaged but not broken, and we traveled through a column created by another cannon shot. Immediately Spinning myself in the air, I laid down my Force Field and started skating again.


    This time, though, I started going higher. Winged Messenger, sadly, wouldn’t allow me to use my Heelies on an upwards slope, but I could still jump from skate to skate. I got my bearings after making sure we wouldn’t fall, and I made the mistake of looking forward.


    The Writhing Nautilus was even bigger than I guessed; it was at least the size of four Merder Stadiums, not just one. Lightning crashed through the sky, but the cacophony of wind, rain, and Atlantean weaponry barely let the thunder through as a dull roar.


    There was no time to sit and stare. I continued climbing, ignoring Jamie’s death grip on my neck. The thrill I felt through the Mental Link was gone, replaced now with fear, but there was still an underlying trust despite what we were going through.


    I took a long leap to the side as some of the smaller guns on this side of the Writhing Nautilus started going off. Unlike the cannons before, these were made for more mobile threats and didn’t have nearly the same range. They also fired a lot faster.


    “Hold on!” I yelled, unsure if Jamie would be able to hear me.


    Activating Cheetah Sprint, we lurched forward. The guns tried to keep up, to fire where we were going to be, but were found lacking. The speed we were traveling now was beyond their capabilities, as was my fondness for zigzagging. No matter if I jumped left or right, got higher or lower, the bullets whipped past us.


    The Writhing Nautilus stilled, slowing down as it came towards us. Its tentacles’ flailing nearly stopped, and I could feel its attention on me deep in my bones. It was, admittedly, disturbing.


    It opened its mouth wide, a process that took several seconds from the sheer size of the beast, and roared so loudly that my ear drums nearly burst.


    But not before I understood what it said.


    “Antagonist!” the Writhing Nautilus named me, remembering our last encounter. I didn’t dwell on it. Couldn’t, really.


    I started our downward descent into its mouth. There was no reason to believe that we could cut through its flesh, and it was so inviting. Gritting my teeth, I lowered myself down so that I could get into a better position.


    Every few feet I remade the Force Field, dropping less than an inch each time. The precision here under such circumstances might have been something I would be proud of later, if we survived this, but right now all I could think about was the closing maw of the Writhing Nautilus.


    I had been right about the teeth, though my initial estimate was on the low side: there certainly were hundreds of thousands of teeth. Most of them were my size, but there were outliers on both ends of the spectrum. Right now, I was mostly looking at them to distract myself from the fact that they were coming right for us.


    My grip on my weapons became white-knuckle tight, but I replaced the Staff of Raphael with the Vague Stick for the +5 Dexterity. I had to pump it as much as I could and, while it wasn’t a lot, it was still something. I adjusted the staff and the harpoon so that they were behind me, resting across Jamie’s back, and I tied us together with the Cable Conglomerate.


    Something resembling the emotional equivalent of sass came through our Mental Link, even at a time like this. I wasn’t about to take my chances here.


    The maw’s opening started getting smaller and smaller as we approached, so close that I could see the back of its mouth with my aura sight. A part of me wanted to pull the trigger now, but I took that information and filed it away. This needed finesse.


    The gap closed, and we finally got past its lips. My eyes darted, and I took in as much information as I could with teeth closing in from above and below, and I breathed out.


    Letting my body relax, I activated Crash Test, and we flew forward through the Writhing Nautilus’ terrifying forest of teeth.