#it'll be a shame if... someone were to... make them go through IMMENSE angst...

[yourstrulynobody]

[ " Ocean Terror. " DCA mermay comic , 2/2 — part 1 ]

The two of them suddenly hit and laid on a curved surface, but it wasn't the ocean's floor. Rather it was a set of hands in a cupping position that rose them high enough to enter the surface of the ocean, and Sun gasped for air.

"Sunny!" Moon sighed of relief, crying as he held Sun closer. He unconsiously sent out multiple pulses, but that wasn't his priority.

"Moony..!" Sun choked out, dazed but happily returned the pulses—just a bit weaker than Moon's, but good enough.

The waves began to dance as a silhouette drew near and surfaced, revealing a giant. He was maybe a few 100 feet taller with similar features from both brothers; sharper rays and fins, more stringers, and a fiery color mixed with void. His eyes and arms had two extra sets that Moon doubted he needed considering his size and what he could only assume as immense strength that came with it.

A Taiten.

A myth. A legend. A story. Just before them. Holding them.

Even creatures like them didnt believe in a Taitens existence, but now they do.

The Taiten extended one sharp claw towards them, being so careful not to touch their delicate bodies as it tore the net almost immediately at the contact. Lifting the ruined trap, he draws it into his mouth and starts to chew—the bastard can eat nets like it was just any other smaller fish.

Smaller fish like them to him.

Moon didnt dare loosen his grip on Sun, but knew that trying to threaten the Taiten wouldn't be any good either. As scary as it was to be in front of a story, Moon was thankful he hadn't seen Sun implode. Maybe it was better off to be eaten by someone larger than you than die at deep lengths.

The Taiten vibrated, sending out a rather weak and slow pulse towards them, almost like it was... comforting them?

Sun was the first to return it, though because of his state, his pulse was incredibly weak, so neither were even sure the Taiten had felt it. Moon swallowed down his fear and sent out his own pulse, one almost as strong as the last he sent earlier that caught its attention.

The Taiten was silent as it sunk itself into the water, leaving only his upper eyes visible.

"I don't eat those similar to my kind." The giant said, a sense of relief washing over the two. "Sailors, weren't they?"

The duo remained silent as Moon nodded weakly at the question.

"Tell me where you last saw them," he slowly sunk his hands in the water by a bit, letting the duo's tails soak in it to get a bit of energy. "I shall deal with them. I am not too fond with sailors nowadays and before."

Just how old was this Taiten?

"It... I-it was last here." Moon recalled. "I guess it left long ago.."

The Taiten tilted its head, and that was enough to make the waves swing harshly. "Which direction were they headed?"

Moon looked around to see any pinpoints before he pointed to his left. "That way."

The Taiten sighed and nodded.

Sun suddenly coughed, his numb fingers clawing into Moon's skin with little to no damage done. Moon nuzzled his head against Sun's, letting out a soft pulse that questioned if he was okay, and Sun sent out a softer pulse to reassure his brother yet still confirmed he was in no good state.

Moon knew Sun wouldn't be able to swim for a good few days after all the pressure he received, making all that training to get Sun to swim useless. Moon looked over to the Taiten almost helplessly—begging.

Said Taiten looked at Sun pitifully before speaking. "Theres a river I know that he can lay rest in. Awanis like him can adapt to water change fast, no?"

Sun nodded wearily, drifting to sleep.

"Let the Awanis rest."...

...He begun to slowly move his hands, dragging the two with him in a careful pace. "I can assure you that I'll watch over the two of you as best as I can; no sort of hunter shall lay their hands on you."

Moon continued to hold Sun, confused yet comforted at the kind gesture. But he had to know one more thing...

"I—I'm Moon... this is my brother Sun." He introduced themselves slowly. "And you are...?"

"Eclipse." He nodded as if to bow down. "What a coincidence."

Moon was silent before he let out a dry chuckle. "Hm. Thank you, Eclipse."

Eclipse extended one thumb towards Moon, rubbing his head slowly which caused Moon to involuntarily lean into it. "No need for it."