DOA | Nodin | Spirit of Hallow: Chapter 1

\\\ A Killer’s Path ///

The sun's rays were gradually getting weaker, and weaker, with the summer to fall season change. The normally slow gradual currents became stronger, and the stronger currents around the area weakened. Taking all the plankton and food elsewhere. You could feel the chill in the water, and with Nodin being cold-blooded, he needed to seek warmer waters. He knew he had a trek ahead of him, and a difficult one. His 100 mile migration trail crosses through many hazardous obstacles, but the worst is what most young Aqrions do not live through, Killer Whales. To a full grown Aqrion, they are a danger, but to a young guy like Nodin, it was basically suicide to battle one. With Killer Whales, when there is one, there’s a whole family unit, called a pod; Killer Whales are coordinated killers, efficient and deadly. He will want to tread lightly around their territory, or travel an additional 50 miles to go around the known territory. 

         If Nodin treks the extra 50 miles, he risks starving due to lack of a sustainable food source in the area, on top of potentially freezing to death. However, lined up against certain death by being ripped limb from limb by a Killer Whale, that sounds pretty good to him. So Nodin begins his trek across 150 miles of ocean, dark and alone. Along the way, he discovers many things, since he is still only a child! He discovered many species of colorful corals, and discovered that some corals can defend themselves. Seeing migrating Manta rays is something spectacular, and made him slightly jealous, hoping that some day he too would have a group to migrate with. Nodin got to experience many things; scavenging among ocean debris for food, finding a new place to sleep every night, which was a scary experience for him, and smelling out potential dangers. 

He was about halfway through his 150 mile trek to his destination, and he smelled something different. His quills quivered at the smell, his adrenalyn was pumping, and his instincts begged him to run away. But he froze. He was stuck, paralyzed in fear. This was 50 miles away from any known Killer Whale territory. Which only means one thing. This is a Rogue Killer Whale. A Rogue is a Killer that is casted away from their pod, and they’re only casted out for one reason, cannibalism. This Killer has no rules, not even for Blood Kin.

The shadow loomed in the distance. He stayed there, paralyzed in fear, as the shadow came closer. It was close enough now that he could see the infamous “white eye” of a true Killer. He needed to run away, far away, but it was too late, the shadow quickly changed direction. It was charging straight for him at full speed. 

The Killer Whale was close enough now, he saw its eye gleam over with red. Now or never, he thought to himself. Nodin let out a blood curling screech and charged at the Killer Whale, the Killer was taken aback slightly, but not enough to stop him in his tracks. As the Killer came up on Nodin, Nodin veered off to the side, intentionally slashing the Killers fin. The action seemed to only infuriate the Killer instead of scaring him away. As Nodin looked closer he could see why, this animals hide was stained with countless scars, one in particular was deep. Right above the Killers left eye, trailing all the way down to his chin, making the beast blind in his left eye, that eye was clouded and soulless, yet still somehow gleamed red with hate at Nodin. 

The Killer paused for a second, and actually spoke to young Nodin, his voice was low and deep, nearly a growl, “You see my eye?.... That is from my Father, whom I attempted to kill out of cold blood. I wanted to be the Alpha, and he stood in my way, but I was not strong enough…” he took a pause, “That is why I MUST kill everything in my path, including you!” He bursted towards Nodin like an underwater torpedo. Nodin wasn’t able to move fast enough, and the Killer grabbed Nodins fin, tearing it. He let out a blood curdling scream from pain as he was thrown to the side, his left front limb was bleeding profusely, sure to attract more unwanted guests. The Killer Whale gave an evil chuckle, “Weak,” he charged Nodin again. 

Nodin attempted to get out of the way, but he was not fast enough, he was slammed on his side, knocking the wind out of him. It was getting harder to breathe, the Killer likely broke a couple ribs, his vision was starting to blur and darken. The Killer laughed maliciously, “Last round, kiddo, you’re done.” like a torpedo going from zero to sixty in 30 seconds, the Killer could not react fast enough to what was about to happen. The Killer let out a loud bellow of anger, and ended with a screech. 

Nodin looked up to see what happened, it was a Norwal! It was a bloody scene, the Norwal had impaled the Rogue Killer, straight through the heart. The Killer’s eyes were no longer red, just pitch black and lifeless. The Norwal ripped his sword from the Killers innards, his sword dripped with the crimson blood of the enemy, making Nodin take a step back from this new beast. The Narwhals eyes were hardened from taking the life of another being, but when he looked at Nodin, his eyes softened. 

“There there, child, you are safe now,” the Norwals voice was soft and calming, he glanced at Nodins injuries, “Let's get you cleaned up, I know of a Shaman, she resides in my pod, we will get you taken care of little one.” The Norwal shook his head vigorously to rid his sword of the Rogue Killer’s blood. Nodin was hesitant at first, but he had no other choice, “Do you have a name, child?”

“Nodin -” he said shakenly, “My name is Nodin.” [1012]