Chapter Text
On a small island, a village thrived from good weather and easy seas. Not all was as it seemed in this small fishing village. They worshiped a god of old who was cursed and cast out to the bottom of the sea, known as Akhelios. Now every fifty to one hundred years they sacrifice the most beautiful person on the island to the god, leaving them tied to a post on the shore as they wait on their fate. This is where our story brings us.
A young woman was tied to the post next to the shore, her eyes red from crying as she waited for her death. She was from a family who had just recently moved to the island. They were outcast at first, but then given the chance to join in the community if they offered up their youngest child. As she sat there upon the rocky shore weeping, she heard rocks slide behind her. Turning her head, she saw the familiar face of her older brother.
He gave her a soft smile. “Don't worry shrimp, I ain't gonna let this happen to you.” he said softly, cutting the ropes. She threw her arms around his neck and held onto him, crying. He rubbed small circles into her back.
“It's ok…everything will be ok…” he said, knowing his words only contained half truths and empty promises. “Listen, I stole some money, and got you a boat to the mainland. Go start new somewhere fresh away from this cult.”
She wiped the tears from her face, seeing the large bag he had bought for her. “But what about the island and our family? What about them…”
He smiled and ruffled her hair. “Always worried about others. No worries shrimp, I'm gonna take your place. I'm better looking anyways.” he said, joking with her as she seemed to lose her happy smile, now distraught at the thought of her brother giving his life for not just hers, but everyone’s.
“Don't give me that look, I'll be just fine. It's the big brother's job to take care of his siblings…and I failed with John, I won't fail you as well.” he said, kissing her forehead. “Now get going.”
His sister gave him one last hug and then grabbed the bag, running off. He then sat upon the rocks, not noticing the blood dripping from his hand. He’d accidentally cut himself on the post where a jagged nail stood out.
*Rhins pov*
I was informed by a scout that the island had sent the sacrifice early, so I decided to go collect them. As I made my way to the surface, I was caught by surprise. They were not a young girl like the scout had said. This was a large male with a full beard and long hair tied back into a bun. He was not as large as me, but for a human he was impressive. Maybe as tall as Carcharodon if he didn't slouch like he did. His arm seemed to be fully sleeved in tattoos, and his red eyes landed on me as I made my way above the water's surface.
Surprisingly enough, he smiled.
*Tom's pov*
A tall man came from the water. His skin was tanned, and white speckles covered the bridge of his nose and tops of his cheeks. They almost looked like freckles. He also had tattoos upon his arms. His ears were pointed and his throat had gills.
I smiled at him and held his gaze. For a split second, he seemed confused. “Good evening, I presume you are here to take me to my death.” I said calmly as he stepped out of the water.
“Yes I am.” he stated. “You may call me Rhin. You are unfortunately early.”
His last statement caught my attention. “Early am I? I hope that doesn't cause any problems.”
He nodded. “No, nothing we can't handle. You are surprisingly calm. Most of the time they beg to be freed, and yet you sit here not even bound to the post?”
I looked toward his gray eyes and examined him a little more. “Well you see, I have no interest fighting with fate over my life, at least not this time. So why fear what is to come if fear won't change the outcome?”
Rhin simply nodded and approached me. I stood to meet him. I had to look up at him, as he was impossibly tall. As he leaned down and kissed me upon the lips, I didn't pull away, but I did stand fairly confused. “Um…thanks?”
Rhin chuckled as he noted, “It's so you can breathe underwater until we reach the palace, and allow you to withstand the pressure.” I nodded as his eyes seemed to drift down my body, stopping at my arm that had a fairly decent line of red dripping from my hand.”
“You are hurt.” he murmured, lifting my hand.
“Oh, I must have cut it on the post.”
He put my hand to his lips and licked the wound softly, warm tongue sliding over the cut. My eyes widened a bit as a small blush crept across my cheeks. He pulled back as it seemed to heal up almost instantly. “Interesting. It seems our saliva has healing properties for you…”
I looked where the wound once was, now indistinguishable from the rest of my hand. “Does it not work on others of my kind?” I asked.
He shook his head. “No, not usually…”
After a few more questions, he guided me to the underwater palace, which was far closer to the island than I could have imagined. He led me into a large common room where three other deities stood. The smallest was a blonde with golden eyes, and pale skin. He seemed nervous, but inquisitive. The second was a sandy blonde with a messy bun and orange eyes, with what appeared to be stripes on his skin. He stared at me as if I was made of food. The third seemed unimpressed with me. He had white hair and red eyes, with a large scar across the bridge of his nose.
They discussed why Rhin had brought the sacrifice a month early and what to do with it. I kept my thoughts to myself even if it irked me how the white haired one referred to me as “it”. Finally the sandy blonde made his way over to me and was awfully close, his body grazing against mine on occasion. As I looked down into his eyes, he smirked.
“So snack, what should we do with you, huh?” he said, taking ahold of my hand. He pulled it towards his face. I kept my red eyes fixated on his orange ones as I smirked back at him. “Snack huh? I think I'm a whole meal.”
The deity chuckled. “Names Tiggy.'' he said as he took my thumb into his mouth, warm tongue sliding around my digit. I smiled at him as he licked his lips, flashing his sharp teeth. “Mmm, you taste good. What is that, rosemary?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I made some baked chicken for my last meal.”
He chuckled and stepped away. “I love when the food seasons itself.”
The other blonde introduced himself as Lee, voice shaky and a little unsure of himself. I gave him a reassured smile and said, “Nice to meet you, I like your shirt.” He brightened up a bit and thanked me as the white haired one made a snarky comment that I ignored. He was introduced as Carcharodon, better known as Great White.
As they discussed plans, they all seemed to find their attention pulled to the hallway. They mentioned Akhelios was approaching, and thinking fast, Rhin suggested I hide in the closet. I nodded and headed that way, smirking as I had a quick thought of my own.
“Would one of you mind hiding with me to keep me distracted? Easier to keep unnoticed.” I said, suppressing my smirk as tiggy nodded.
“Makes sense to me.” Rhin agreed, “But please hurry and choose someone fast.”
I glanced over them all again and saw Lee rubbing his shoulder. He would be the one I chose. “If you wouldn't mind Lee, care to help?”
“Huh… me?” he asked, looking surprised. I nodded, and he tried to hide his blush as we both squeezed into the small space, our limbs entangled and bodies pressed close together. My nose was filled with a sweet Citrus smell. The low light left a lot to the imagination but I could see him well enough.
“If it h-helps…” he offered, “You can bite my shoulder. It can be quite relaxing…or umm, hug me. Whichever feels better…”
I smirked and wrapped my arms around him, laying my head into the crook of his neck. His scent was lovely. I figured if I am to die in a month, then I might as well enjoy as much as I can, for as long as I can. I bit gently into his shoulder.
“Is this as hard as humans can bite? It's so soft.” he asked quietly.
“Actually, I was holding back.” I smirked and sank my teeth in even more, causing him to stifle a moan. I chuckled softly as a small blush painted my face. Then I just rested my head against him.
This is actually very nice, being so close to someone. I heard the others talking to, who I assumed to be, Akhelios. A short while longer, the door opened and Lee and I came tumbling out. I turned so I would land on my back and kept Lee in my arms, causing him to squeak as we fell.
“You ok?” I asked him. He nodded as I heard Tiggy say, “Next time, I get to squeeze into a tight space with the snack, if you know what I mean.”
I chuckled and let go of Lee, allowing him to get up first. I stood up as they went back to discuss how to make it fair for them to decide who gets to keep me first. They decided to draw lots.
There was some debate after Tiggy was declared the winner. Lee was bummed out, worried I might get eaten before he got the chance to ask me questions. Even if it made me a little worried, I was reassured after seeing Rhin reel Tiggy in, warning him not to go too far.