The storm spits rain like a dragon spits fire, and the ocean thrashes with the violent strength of the wind. I'm below deck, lying in my cot and trying to sleep. Kirishima is snoring in the bunk above me, and Kaminari is in the one to my left. They don't wake up from the snapping lightning--they never wake up to anything but the smell of breakfast--and so that leaves me alone to rub my bare feet beneath the blankets and let my hair toss and tangle on my pillow.

I'm sick of it all. I joined the Navy for the glory and the benefits. I wanted to become a great general, and have the nation's extras look up at me and hate themselves for not coming close to my strength and power. I did not, however, sign up to spend months on a small ship off the south coast of Hokkaido. I did not sign up for the leaky living quarters or the gruel they try to pass as food. I smell like fish, my nails and hair are becoming more brittle, and I want to go back to Musutafu and live the good life, the lap of luxury.

Another shout from upstairs echoes through the ship. I almost ignore it, but as the smashing waves subside and the lightning momentarily halts, I hear a terrified, blood-curdling scream. My eyes snap open, and I jerk up in bed, smacking my head on the metal bottom of the top bunk. I curse and clutch my head, then freeze as something scratches against the outside of the ship--a sound like nails on a chalkboard that sends a wave of dread through my body.

Before I can stop myself, I'm out of bed, shoving on what I think are Kirishima's boots. They're a size too big, but I don't care. My curiosity is overriding my better judgment as I stumble across the rocking floor and throw open the bunker door.

Water leaks through the base of the metal door leading topside, trickling down the steel steps to pool around my feet. The storm must be worse than I thought. I scowl and clench my jaw, then start up the stairs, listening to the splashing of my boots in the puddles.

The door to the deck nearly rips off its hinges when I throw it open. Rain hits me like a wall, drenching me instantly. My blonde hair plasters to my forehead as I squint into the darkness, seeing nothing but blackness broken occasionally by lightning flashes.

"Where the fuck are the spotlights?" I mutter, taking a step forward before something blocks my foot. I bend down, squinting through the downpour. What is that?

Lightning flashes overhead, illuminating the deck in stark white light.

The rainwater surrounding me is red. And the object blocking my boot is pale pink flesh--a human hand, severed at the wrist.

My stomach drops, but I don't feel fear--just rage. Some motherfucker is on my ship killing my men. I step over the dismembered hand and scan the deck in the intermittent lightning, seeing no one else. Where the hell is the rest of the body?

A high-pitched cry cuts through the storm. I whip around and stomp toward the stern, rounding the corner just as the lights above flash. There, silhouetted against the churning sea, is a naked, lithe figure hovering over one of my men. The officer is already dead, blood pouring from his neck.

The figure lifts its head, and in the lightning's glow, I see its face--human in some ways, but with异样的 features. Sharp teeth glinting, eyes glowing an unnatural green in the darkness.

"HEY! THE FUCK ARE YOU DOIN'?" I roar. "GET OFF OF HIM OR I'M GONNA BASH YOUR FUCKIN' HEAD IN!"

Thunder booms overhead as the figure goes motionless. Then it turns toward me, and I swear I hear... singing? A melodious hum that makes my brain fuzzy around the edges. I shake my head, trying to clear it, but the creature is moving toward me now, its lithe body gliding across the wet deck with unnatural grace.

I take a step back, then another, until my shoulders hit the steel wall of the ship. Trapped. The creature continues approaching, its form becoming clearer as my eyes adjust to the darkness.

It's a man--or something like one. He has webbed ears that twitch as he makes clicking sounds in his throat, and scales shimmer across his pale skin like liquid jade. His smile reveals two rows of shark-like teeth, but there's something undeniably alluring about him despite the horror of the situation.

He reaches out, his webbed fingers brushing my wrist with a touch that's cool and slippery, like fish scales. I try to jerk away, but he's stronger than he looks, pinning me against the wall as he presses his body against mine.

"The fuck are you?" I snarl, but my voice wavers slightly as I feel his hardness press against my thigh. "Some kinda sea monster?"

He clicks his tongue and points to himself, enunciating sounds that don't make sense. "-ku. De ku."

"Deku?"

He preens at the sound of the name, his green eyes lighting up. Then he leans in and presses his lips against mine, his naked body pressing fully against me as rain pours down around us.