Edge of the Real World
CHAPTER ONE
The centaur’s aimed their bows at us. “We are terribly sorry, but it must be done.” Pholus told us solemnly. “We cannot be discovered.”
“Are you ready to leave?” Kaihautu watched as I finished packing food for the journey.
“I think so.” I answered. I stood up and faced him. He’s dressed in typical Māori captain uniform. It isn’t much, just a brown leather suit decorated with a few symbolic feathers.
“Good, let’s go then. Do you know where Wirimu is?” Wirimu is my closest friend.
“Probably still asleep, I’ll go wake him.” I walk out of the twig hut toward a dry patch of grass where Wirimu was sleeping. “Hey! Wake up lazy bones!”
Wirimu groaned and sat up, rubbing his eyes. “Ugh, is it morning already?” He asks.
“Yes, and you would have known that if you slept inside like the rest of us. Why do you sleep outside anyway? Doesn’t it get cold?”
“Grass and leaves are clouds compared to an itchy wool mattress.”
“Fair enough. I’ve packed enough food and supplies for the journey.”
“Ok.” He gets up and jogs toward the hut. I walk towards the tepuke being prepared. It’s pretty basic for a boat, just two large wooden planks held together parallel by smaller wooden planks tied together with think rope. Two sails are being checked for damage.
“All clear captain!” One of the inspectors calls down to Kaihautu.
“Good, and what about the other one?”
“Fine as well sir.”
“Then we best be off.” He replies and walks over to the front of the tepuke. I spot Wirimu running towards the boat with the bag of food I’d prepared earlier across his shoulder. “About time.” Kaihautu jokes as Wirimu jumps onto the boat followed by the two sailors who were inspecting the sails.
“We’re ready to go.” One of them says. Their names are Piripi and Hirini, they’re twin brothers.
Kaihautu turns to Wirimu and I. “Raise the sails.” I nod and go towards the front sail. Piripi and Hirini snigger as I struggle with the ropes. I get it under control and the sail catches the wind.
The boat begins to move and is pushed away from the shore. I sit down and help steer the canoe with an oar just as Wirimu raised the back sail.
We sail smoothly for days in search of new lands. I ignore Piripi and Hirini’s attempts to make me mad. Other than them, it was a nice journey so far.
I stared out at the clear blue ocean. I look ahead and notice a very distinct colour change in the water. The deep blue had changed to an odd blue-green. I decide it isn’t important and we continue sailing.
A few hours later, long after we crossed the mysterious line, I saw something rather peculiar. I look out the right side of the boat, trying to catch another glimpse.
There! A giant, spiky fin rose out of the water before disappearing again. “Did anyone else see that?” I ask, pointing to where I last saw the fin.
“Pab! You’re hallucinating. There’s nothing out th—“ Whatever Hirini was going to say was cut short by the canoe suddenly jolting to the side. We all stood there, stunned at the turn of events. “On second thought, what was that?!”
Wirimu began praying to Tangaroa, God of the seas. The canoe is thrown to the opposite side as an enormous blue snake rises out of the water to our left.
It was hideous. Its nostrils were right between its eyes, which was weird because fish normally have gills. It had green, webbed spikes along the length of its back and on the sides of its head that made it look a bit like a cobra. Its teeth were like knives.
The canoe is drenched with water and I struggle to reach the weapons bag. I grab it and pull out a sword made of stone but as I stand up to attack the creature I topple backwards into the ocean.
I can’t see anything but I can taste the disgusting salt water. I try and reach air but I don’t know which way is up. I lose consciousness.