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Depth Of The Darkness

In an age where humanity's aspirations gravitate towards reaching the sky, exploring distant galaxies, and unraveling the mysteries of our terrestrial sphere, I, Thunder David, harbor a profound curiosity that sets me apart from the rest. While others fix their gaze upwards, my yearning lies with the vast expanse of the ocean—the enigmatic abyss that encompasses more than eighty percent of our planet, shrouded in an aura of mystique. It is amidst these depths that a group of intrepid marine scientists, myself included, were dispatched on a mission of paramount importance. Our destination: the fathomless trench known as Challenger Deep. At its forbidding nadir rests a prodigious laboratory, an engineering marvel meticulously designed to withstand the relentless pressures exerted by the unforgiving oceanic depths. Orchestrated under the auspices of the venerable Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), this mission held the promise of unveiling unprecedented secrets concealed within the ocean's heart. Among the select few chosen to embark upon this extraordinary voyage, I, Thunder David, stood resolute. The laboratory's corridors became our sanctuary, sheltering us from the relentless embrace of the abyss. However, little did we know that this sanctuary, this bastion of scientific exploration, harbored a clandestine purpose—an insidious truth that eluded even the most discerning eyes. As my journey within the laboratory unfolded, initially marked by anticipation and zeal, an ominous undercurrent began to weave its way through the fabric of my experiences. It was in the depths of my exploration that I stumbled upon an unsettling revelation, a truth hidden from the world above. Yet, I was not alone in my discovery; a seasoned mentor, a sage of the sea, also bore witness to this enigmatic revelation, standing as the sole ally by my side in this labyrinth of secrets. Amidst the darkened recesses of the laboratory, an air of trepidation hung heavy. Shadows whispered of hidden agendas and concealed motives, casting doubt upon the very foundation of our mission. The pristine veneer of scientific pursuit masked a more sinister purpose, intricately entwined with the veiled machinations of those who held the reins of power. As the layers of deception unfurled, a precarious dance ensued, balancing the pursuit of knowledge against the weight of a burgeoning truth. Thunder and his seasoned companion became unwilling accomplices, caught in a web of intrigue that threatened to consume them whole. Together, they endeavored to navigate the treacherous waters of secrecy, ever vigilant for signs of the unseen forces that lurked in the shadows. With each passing moment, the consequences of their discovery grew more dire. The fate of the world above, and the fragile equilibrium of the oceans themselves, hung in the balance. To expose the truth would require untold bravery and sacrifice, for the powers that be would not relinquish their grip easily. Thunder and his steadfast companion embarked on a harrowing journey, determined to shed light on the sinister machinations that threatened not only their lives, but the very fabric of existence. Amidst the depths of Challenger Deep, where the weight of the ocean pressed upon their souls, Thunder and his mentor delved deeper into the heart of darkness. They traversed uncharted territories, navigating treacherous waters both literal and metaphorical, driven by an unwavering commitment to the pursuit of truth. In their wake, ripples of defiance spread, empowering those who had been unwitting pawns in a grand design. With each revelation, the tapestry of deception began to unravel, inch by painstaking inch. A coalition of the righteous, fueled by a collective desire to expose the hidden machinations, rallied around Thunder and his mentor. Their voices grew in strength, resonating across the ocean's expanse, challenging the very foundations of power and authority.

ParchmentInk · Sci-fi
Peringkat tidak cukup
31 Chs

Phase 14

David's Perspective

The fear of succumbing to the crushing pressure of the depths consumed me as the creature successfully opened the capsule. In that terrifying moment, I closed my eyes and waited for my demise. Water rushed in, engulfing the capsule, and I started drowning, but to my surprise, I was not crushed by the pressure. Opening my eyes, I saw that the creature had closed the capsule again, which was now filled with water. It stood before me, observing me as if curious about how I would meet my end.

"Breathe!" the creature commanded, and I struggled to comprehend if I was still alive or not, as its words echoed in my mind.

"Breathe or die!" I began to suffocate, feeling lightheaded as I could no longer hold my breath.

"Just fucking breathe!" Out of fear, I involuntarily took a breath and was shocked when water didn't rush into my nostrils, drowning me further.

"How—" I started to ask, but the creature opened the capsule and reached out to me.

I froze as its cold hand gripped my neck, guiding me out of the capsule. Suddenly, it pierced my jugular notch with its sharp nail, causing excruciating pain.

"We have to remove this microchip implant to prevent them from tracking you, so endure the pain for a moment," it explained as it continued working on my jugular notch.

As it added another nail, searching for something, discomfort spread throughout my body. Afraid it might kill me, I forced myself to stay still and closed my eyes. Minutes passed, and I felt something being removed from the notch along with its nails. Opening my eyes, I saw the small device in its finger. I turned my gaze to the creature as it crushed the microchip.

"W-Who are you?" I struggled to comprehend through the blood flowing from my notch.

"Stop talking, let your wound heal. You don't need to know me, as you already know who I am. Just remember the buried memories," it responded, leaving me perplexed.

"Come with me," it said, dragging me somewhere, and I became even more bewildered as I realized I had a tail.

Swimming with the unfamiliar tail was uncomfortable, but my body seemed to know how to use it. We descended deeper into the cliff where my capsule had been trapped. The further we went, the darker it became, but my eyes adjusted, as if I had the ability to see clearly in the darkness. Or was I mistaken?

"Wait—are we—" I started to ask.

"Yes, remember the laboratory owned by Mister Lex, the forbidden laboratory inside the tower? I know Mister Lex forbade you and Mandryx from entering there when you visited the Green Cave. And don't tell me he didn't, as it was the first thing he always said to visitors or volunteers," the creature replied.

"I remember, but what does that have to do with this?"

"That's why we're here in the Green Cave. I want to show you something that will clear all your confusion regarding these mythical happenings."

We made our way to the tower from the back, away from the active divers. Entering a tunnel, we reached a pool inside an unfamiliar room within the tower.

"Is this—" I began to ask.

"The forbidden laboratory, Thunder. I knew from the start when I saw you with my grandson that you are the son of my deceased friend," a voice echoed through the room.

"Mister Lex," the creature greeted.

"Look at you, you've truly adapted to my experiment," Mister Lex remarked before placing a human-sized mirror in front of me, sending shivers down my spine.

As I locked eyes with my reflection, I saw that I was no different from the creature. Sharp teeth, pale skin, pointy ears, golden eyes, and sharp nails.

"Ho—" I started to speak, but they interrupted me.

"Let's begin unearthing your memories, Thunder. Remember the ring?" Mister Lex asked, showing me the same ring worn by my father.

"This ring symbolized brotherhood. I was your father's senior in the air force. Do you want to know how he truly died?" Mister Lex's chilling laughter reverberated in the room as he gripped my jaw.

"He died because of the snake. I manipulated his aircraft to crash into the ocean, where the snake awaited its food. Do you know why your mother, Étienne, disapproved of your involvement in this mission? She feared you would discover her cruelty in sacrificing your father's life for yours, and how she sacrificed your older brother for you to escape my laboratory. I know you don't remember your brother, whom your mother believed I fed to the snake along with the other juniors who came here fifteen years ago. So, I want you to meet him," he aggressively tilted my head toward my left side, where the creature emerged from the pool, shape-shifting before my eyes.

"Z-zhan—" I stuttered.

"Greetings, brother," Zhan, the husband of Archen, greeted me.

"You see, why would I feed your brother to the snake when I could use him as an experimental subject, just as I did with you before your mother decided to sacrifice him? I know these revelations are difficult to accept and believe, but soon you'll grow accustomed to them because you have no choice. These experiences are a part of your life, and you can't escape them by burying them deep within your memory," mixed emotions eroded my sanity. I didn't know whether to believe Mister Lex's words, but considering my situation—I didn't know anymore.

"Zhan."

"Grandpa."

"Take him to your room for now. He'll stay here, and let his parents go mad searching for him. And make sure Mandryx and Hex don't return here," Mister Lex ordered.

Zhan helped me to my feet, and together we left the laboratory. I felt numb, detached from everything around me. All I wanted was to sink into a deep sleep and wake up, hoping that all these memories would vanish. I would rather face my past alongside Mandryx than endure these revelations. The thought of my mother hating me was more bearable than knowing she sacrificed someone for my sake. It felt as though I was being held captive, subjected to never-ending torment.