Beneath the Sapphire Seas
"There's always a world beneath, waiting to be discovered." This is what old Captain Barlow used to tell Timmy, a bright-eyed lad, passionate to know about the world below the ocean's surface.
Timmy's curiosity was fueled by the Captain's stories of fantastic sea beasts and lost civilization, which were as enchanting as they were terrifying. He would sit for hours listening to the Captain, his heart alight with the desire to explore the depths below, gazing at the sapphire expanse that stretched infinitely before him.
Years passed. Captain Barlow's ship, 'The Sea Dove,' prepared for its final voyage before he retired. With his going away gift, Barlow saved a spot for Timmy. The boy, now a strapping man of seventeen, didn't blink before accepting it.
The journey started on a sunny day when the sea looked least threatening. The crew was lively, singing away shanties, while Timmy helped around the ship, soaking up all he could from the experience. His senses were alert to the smell of the salty sea, the wind whipping on his face, and the slight sway of 'the Sea Dove' as it cut through the waves.
Shortly, they found themselves in the great expanse of the 'Whispering Oceans,' a part of the sea said to be enchanted. As per the tales, it was home to beautiful mermaids, monstrous leviathans, and lost cities of gold at the sea bed. Timmy awaited anxiously for his chance to dive beneath the surface.
His opportunity came one day when the crew spotted a faint light coming from the depths in the middle of the night. Timmy didn't hesitate when he was given the chance to explore this mystery. With a simple dive suit and a lantern, he descended into the unknown.
As he ventured deeper into the ocean, the surface world faded, replaced with a mystical scenery. Schools of glowing fish darted past him and colossal sea plants swayed eerily. But what caught his attention was the source of the light—a mammoth, glowing sea creature with numerous tentacles radiating light. It was breathtakingly terrifying.
Overcome by curiosity and fear, Timmy froze. Then, something unexpected happened. The creature spoke. It had a voice that resonated like an underwater symphony and called him 'Human.' Emanating a soothing brightness, it guided Timmy to a sunken city, beautifully preserved beneath the sea level.
A city of gold, just as the tales of Captain Barlow, stood magnificently bearing a deserted look. Exploring further into the ghost town, he discovered murals depicting coexistence―of humans and sea creatures. Amazed by the incredible discovery, he realized this civilization might have lived in harmony with the sea's creatures. Moved by the revelations, he promised the sea creature, who introduced itself as 'Kairos', to protect its secret and maintain the peace it had preserved for centuries.
Returning back with no gold but an unforgettable treasure of experience, Timmy shared an altered, mesmerizing tale with his crew. He spoke of majestic fishes and surreal flora, omitting the secret city and Kairos. The crew laughed and cheered, adding his story to the plethora of tales whispered around the sea.
Timmy grew older, succeeding Captain Barlow, with 'Whispering Oceans' being his favorite route. He held a secret alliance with Kairos, cherishing the serene solitude of the city of gold. He continued to share fanciful tales, igniting curiosity in young hearts, just like Captain Barlow did for him. But he never forgot his promise – to protect the world beneath, patiently waiting to be discovered.
Beneath the sapphire seas, a legacy lived on. A legacy of unspoken stories, fostered friendships, and formidable promises. Echoing Captain Barlow's teaching, there's always a world beneath waiting to be discovered- sometimes it’s in the form of a city, at others in the form of friendships.