After what feels like an eternity, the massive creature glides deeper into the abyss, disappearing into the dark waters below. Kael finally exhales, his chest tight with the release of tension. The team remains motionless for a few moments longer, their eyes wide with disbelief at the size of the beast that had nearly crossed their path.
"We need to move," Kael says quietly, his voice steady but urgent. "Stay close. We don't go any deeper today, but we still need to find prey."
The others nod in agreement, their bodies slowly relaxing from the intense fear that had gripped them. Kael motions for them to spread out, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of life. It's quieter than it should be—too quiet—but they have no choice but to continue the hunt. They can't return empty-handed.
Minutes pass as they swim cautiously through the water, the eerie stillness hanging in the depths. Then, Naida spots something ahead, her sharp eyes catching the movement first. She signals to Kael, pointing toward a medium-sized creature grazing on the algae clinging to a rock face. It's about the size of a large dolphin, sleek and muscular, with tough, silvery skin.
Kael's instincts kick in. "This one's ours," he murmurs to the group, his mind already calculating a plan. "Naida, you circle around to the left and cut off its escape. Taryn, stay on its right. The rest of us will force it into a trap from behind. Move fast, and strike before it has a chance to react."
The team moves into position with the precision of a well-practiced unit. Naida swims to the left, her movements graceful and silent, while Taryn takes the right, his spear at the ready. Kael leads the rest of the group from behind, his heart pounding with a mix of focus and adrenaline.
The creature, unaware of its impending fate, continues feeding, its back to the team. Kael counts the beats of his heart, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. He signals with a quick motion of his hand, and in an instant, they spring into action.
Naida moves first, darting out from the shadows to block the creature's escape route. The prey reacts immediately, sensing danger, but it's too late. Taryn rushes in from the opposite side, cutting off its ability to flee to the right. Panic sets in as the creature thrashes in the water, trying to bolt, but Kael and the others are already on top of it.
Kael strikes first, his spear aimed at the creature's vulnerable underbelly. The tip of the weapon pierces through its thick hide, and the creature lets out a high-pitched screech that echoes through the water. It twists violently, trying to shake free, but Kael holds firm, pushing the spear deeper.
Taryn moves in next, driving his spear into the creature's side, hitting one of its vital organs. Blood clouds the water as the creature thrashes harder, its tail whipping dangerously close to Naida, who expertly dodges out of the way. She counters with a quick strike to its head, aiming to stun it.
The creature fights with ferocity, its powerful body writhing as it struggles against the hunters. Kael grits his teeth, feeling the resistance as the creature attempts to escape, but the team is relentless. Taryn plunges his spear in again, this time hitting the heart, and the creature's movements slow, its strength draining from its body.
With a final, desperate thrash, the creature goes limp, its body sinking toward the ocean floor. Kael releases his grip on his spear, breathing heavily as he watches the prey drift into stillness. Around him, the team takes a moment to catch their breath, their bodies covered in small cuts from the creature's flailing limbs.
"Good work," Kael says, his voice filled with both relief and pride. "We needed this."
Taryn wipes a trickle of blood from his brow and grins. "Not as big as what almost ate us earlier, but it'll do."
Naida swims over, her eyes still scanning the depths. "We need to move quickly. The scent of blood could attract more predators—maybe even that thing from before."
One of the hunters, Gorran, wastes no time. He pulls out his razor-sharp knives and begins butchering the creature with practiced precision, slicing through flesh and bone with swift, sure movements. Pieces of the prey float in the water, blood slowly clouding the area, but they know they can't linger. Kael and the others keep watch, their senses alert to any movement around them.
As Gorran works, Naida spots something in the distance. Her eyes narrow as she makes out the shape. It's massive, much larger than the creature they just felled, its sleek body cutting through the water with slow, deliberate movements.
"Kael," Naida whispers, pointing. "Look."
Kael turns, and his breath catches. The creature is as large as a great white, its powerful body gleaming faintly in the dim light. It's a predator, no doubt—a beast built for speed and strength, with a mouth full of razor-like teeth. His pulse quickens, but not from fear. They've hunted creatures this size before. It's dangerous, yes, but if they take it down, it would be more than enough to feed the village for days.
"Do you guys want to hunt that thing?" Kael asks, a grin forming on his face. "If we take it down, we're done for the day. No more diving into the deep."
Taryn looks at the massive beast, eyes alight with excitement. "If we bring that back, we'll be able to rest for today. I'm in."
Naida nods, her grip tightening on her spear. "We've taken bigger. Let's go."
Kael's confidence grows as the group positions themselves, the earlier tension melting into focus. This is what they've trained for. He signals to the team, quickly devising a plan.
"Same as before," Kael says. "Naida, flank left. Taryn, go right. Gorran, you and I will hit it from below. We need to cripple it fast before it gets a chance to use its strength. Aim for the gills—if we can puncture those, it'll bleed out quickly."
The team spreads out, moving into position with deadly precision. The creature hasn't noticed them yet, its attention focused on the smaller fish darting around. Kael watches it carefully, his spear ready, waiting for the right moment.