Echoes of the Ocean Wraiths

A Whisper on the Rising Tide

On the night the island sank, I watched from my balcony. I watched as others clogged the only streets not yet overrun by the rising waters. I watched as the last ships set sail, seeking whatever refuge the unforgiving sea could provide. And moments later, I watched as the ships were ripped apart by the relentless waves. I stood alone on that balmy night as my city, my world, crumbled away and watched those below as they fought against the tides of fate. I wonder if their curse is easier to bear, though the doom took us all the same.

A Lament in the Creaking Dock

“Come aboard! Hurry! We have to go!” My nautical brother, my dearest friend, called for me. But I couldn’t bear to leave! The council’s power was broken; we were what was left. I continued loading, even as the ship pulled away. Those of us still standing on the eroding shores could only watch as the last flutter of hope sailed away, as the waves rose, as the ship splintered apart and hurled her passengers into the sea. Those I loved and those I tried to save, sentenced to their doom. I’d given all I had, and it wasn’t good enough.

A Prayer in the Waves that Lap Against the Stones

“She will conquer the raging seas and make them calm!” As a servant of the goddess Eirene, words were the only weapon I could wield, the only peace I could offer. They felt flimsy against the rising doom. I hope my quaking voice did not shake their faith. “May the goddess quell the rising tide of fear!” Waves crashed against the temple and shook the walls. Cries ran through the congregation as water seeped in, washing our weary feet. “She will bring eternal peace.” I pray my words prove true. We still wait for you, Eirene! Break our accursed bonds!

Shouts among the Crashing Waves

We gathered outside their walls, not so long before, to speak against the demon’s deal. They did not listen then. We gathered there again as the tides came in. When the council tried to slip away, we drove them back inside their fortress, their tomb. They gave speeches from the window, their words could not pierce our shouts. They sent their soldiers, but they turned on one another. The water rose around our knees, but we stood firm, locking arms and sharing strength. We sealed their fates with ours. We are the prophets, the reminder, the last voices they heard.

A Moan Rising from the Deep

I am what they feared. I brought their doom. The night before I was to be sacrificed, I jumped into the sea. Selfish? Maybe. But the deal was crooked to begin with. They promised prosperity and peace, so long as we followed the pact, but the price was paid in blood. However, in the twisted way of demons, sacrifices were given a choice, an open window in their cell. Words like honor, fate, and shame were used as shackles. They were not strong enough for me. I would not wait for my pyre, and in so doing condemned them all.

A Voice within the Foamy Surf

I filled my boat with all the riches I could manage and cast off into that moonless night. Just hours before the waters would rise, chaos had already seized the streets. I slipped away by a secret passage, abandoning the other council members to the mob. The ocean was calm, but lightning and thunder prowled through looming clouds. I sailed many miles in the dark guided only by my compass. Until, at last! The lighthouse beam of our sister city! As I turned, I heard the shouts I’d left behind, “Murderer! Thief! Tyrant!” And my boat crashed into the rocks.

A Wish Carried on the Salty Breeze

When the sirens sounded, I led the children to the smuggler’s boat. Word had spread, and what started as a plan to save my students had grown far beyond them. Two by two, they boarded, huddling together on deck. Shouts rang out! The guards came running; the ship set sail. My blood stained the rocks, washed away only when the waters rose. I don’t know if the children made it safely to the next port or if they were lost among the waves. I hope they found the future we always promised ‘if they were good and kind and smart’.

About this Story

The writing process for this story was relatively straightforward. This piece of Flash fiction started as a 100 word story (the first of the 7) as a sort of writing warm up. Afterwards, I put it away and thought that was the end of it. However, I found my mind returning to this snippet, wondering about the others on this island. So, some time later, I decided to write additional sections, each 100 words (not including titles) and following a different character on this fateful night. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading! (And yes, this About section is also 100 words).