The Peddler Part III

The Leviathan's massive head swings toward Shiro, blood still dripping from its teeth. She kneels by the scattered contents of Skimmer's briefcase, her fingers finding the hidden catch beneath the false bottom. The compartment springs open.

Inside lies an egg, its surface like polished obsidian with veins of bioluminescent blue pulsing beneath. The shell radiates heat against her palm as she lifts it.

The creature's eyes fix on the egg. Its massive head lowers, nostrils flaring as it scents the air. Its jaw opens, revealing rows of blood-stained teeth. Its tongue - rough as steel wool - wraps around the egg, drawing it into its mouth with surprising gentleness.

But instead of retreating, the creature's coils squeeze tighter. The hull buckles beneath them. Its head rears back, throat expanding as it prepares to strike.

Friend lets out an alarmed squawk as Shiro's hands curl into fists.

"So that's how it's going to be." Her voice carries over the groaning metal.

Friend darts behind a crate as the Leviathan's head swings toward Shiro. Something else catches Shiro's attention - a white, oily substance seeping from between the armored plates.

The substance drips onto the deck. Shiro recognizes the coating - a natural defense that lets the creature swim through toxic waters unharmed. One touch would be lethal in seconds.

The Leviathan brings its massive head closer to the bridge. She needs the eyes - the only vulnerable spot not protected by poisonous scales. But the creature keeps its head too far from the deck, just out of reach.

Shiro's hands grip the wheel. With a sharp twist, she cranks it hard to port. The ship lurches, metal groaning as it cuts through the waves at a harsh angle.

The Leviathan's massive body sways with the sudden movement. Its head dips lower, serpentine neck flexing to maintain balance. The creature's coils shift around the hull, trying to compensate for the unexpected motion.

Shiro reverses course, spinning the wheel in the opposite direction.

The Leviathan's massive head swings down, finally within reach. Shiro lunges forward, her sleeve falling back to reveal scaled hands ending in razor-sharp talons. She strikes with lethal precision, claws raking across the creature's ancient eyes.

The Leviathan's scream splits the air as blood and vitreous fluid spray across the deck. Its head jerks back violently, but not before poisonous ooze splashes onto Shiro's exposed right hand.

The substance burns like liquid fire, eating through scales and flesh. Her muscles seize, refusing to respond as she collapses onto the metal deck.

Friend darts to Shiro's side, pecking frantically at her sleeve, but Shiro can't move. Her body lies rigid, paralyzed as the poison spreads through her system.

The Leviathan's massive form looms overhead, blood streaming from its ruined eyes. Its serpentine neck weaves back and forth, searching. When it detects no movement from its fallen prey, the creature slowly uncoils from around the ship. Its armored scales scrape against the hull one final time as it slides back into the depths, leaving only waves in its wake.

***

Minutes crawl by as Shiro lies motionless on the deck. Friend paces circles around her fallen form, clucking softly and pecking at her sleeve. The chicken's normally bouncy waddle has turned into an anxious shuffle.

Shiro's right hand begins to twitch. The blackened flesh where the toxin struck slowly knits itself back together, dead tissue sloughing away to reveal raw pink skin underneath. Her fingers spasm as new nerves form, sending jolts of pain up her arm.

She pushes herself to her knees, movements jerky and uncoordinated. The toxin still burns through her veins like liquid metal, fighting against her body's attempts to purge it. Her regeneration usually works faster than this.

Friend bumps her head against Shiro's leg.

"I'm fine." Shiro's voice comes out raspy, her throat still raw from the poison's effects. She grabs the wheel for support, pulling herself upright.

Shiro grits her teeth against another wave of burning pain. She ignores the way her vision blurs at the edges. The poison will fade eventually. It has to.