CHAPTER 10
ONE SWORD, ONE KRAKEN
Location: The Crystal Caves
Date: 17MAR21
Time: 1730 hours
We walk across the wet sandy beach and arrive at the north entrance of the Crystal Caves. Jagged rocks and twisted wet vines surround the entrance that leads to an open crevasse. I instruct Jag, Daisy, and Simon to stay behind to protect the boat while we try to get the sword. Plus we might need a quick getaway. I give everyone a quick SitRep: “Sea Wolf has already sent a Cutthroat inside to get the sword,” I tell them. “Our mission is to get that sword first.”
As we stand outside the entrance to the caves, I take a moment to look at our group: Penny, Brick, Franny, Smithers, Lindy, M, and Jet. They’re tired and hungry. This definitely isn’t the R&R they were expecting. Still, we’re on a mission, and we won’t stop until we see it through.
First it was underground sewers in Washington, DC, then abandoned mineshafts in Texas, and now crystal caves on an island. Every dark hole in the earth has been home to a horrible creature for us to battle. I sense this place will be no different. Nerves run through me as I stare deep into this black hole.
“M, what can you tell us about these caves?” I ask. “Any intel on the Kraken?”
“The terrible beast protects the caves and Sea Wolf’s sword. Three hundred years ago we—I mean the Oasis animals—lowered the sword into the caves using vines. They knew that no one possessed the courage needed to try and retrieve the sword.”
“We’re brave enough!” Penny hollers.
“Or perhapsss, foolisssh enough,” says Smithers.
“And let me guess, he has like four heads?” Lindy asks.
“Nope, just the one,” M says as everyone breathes a sigh of relief.
“But they say he does have twelve long, slimy tentacles with suction cups that can pull your skin clean off and fangs that will rip you to shreds.”
“Oi! Why did you even ask?” Brick says.
“So what’s the plan of attack?” I ask M.
“It’s about a three-hundred-foot crawl through the narrow pass. Then it opens up into the blue lagoon. Or home, as I imagine the Kraken would call it,” says M.
“Roger. So the second we get to the lagoon, we have to attack—movement and speed are our biggest advantages,” I say.
“Let’s just hope that the Cutthroat hasn’t beaten us to the sword,” says Penny.
“Once we enter the narrow pass, you must remember to control your breathing,” M says. “This is a very tight space. Follow me.”
“Of course it is!” huffs Brick as he lowers his head to squeeze into the tunnel behind M.
Time: 1845 hours
Inch by inch we fight our way through the earth. This tunnel is just wide enough for us to move our legs. My wheel keeps getting snagged on the uneven terrain and the jagged rocks dig into my fur, but I have to keep moving.
M is the point-cat on this, leading us through the caves. With each passing inch, the tunnel grows tighter and tighter, darker and darker. Water seeps from the rocks above, dampening our fur. I can hear bats flying around and a constant creaking echoes throughout the caves.
“We’re almost there. Once we take this corner, it opens up to the blue lagoon,” M says.
I can feel rumbling in the distance, and I hear sloshing water and hissing. As we turn the corner, the darkness opens up to a shimmering body of blue water. Every inch the Kraken moves the water swirls and bubbles. This creature is as enormous in size as it is disgusting in looks . . . and his foul breath is even worse.
“I almost wish it had four heads instead,” Brick says.
“I bet that Cutthroat wishes it didn’t have any tentacles,” says Lindy.
I quickly scan the rocks and locate the sword resting on a perch.
“Listen up,” I whisper. “Speed is key. Don’t stop moving. Change course and keep this Kraken guessing. You stop moving and it’s game over. Penny and I are going for the sword. Everyone else: zig, zag, bob, weave—whatever it takes. Tracking?”
They all nod their heads in agreement.
“You good, Penny?” I ask.
“Whatever it takes,” says Penny with a wink.
I look at the Pawtriots and feel a sense of pride. They’re all locked in and focused on the mission. They’re teeming with energy and it’s got me motivated.
“Now!” I shout. But my hollering triggers the Kraken, as if I just put it on high alert.
Even more tentacles emerge out of the water. I watch as the Kraken’s wild swinging movements send water everywhere.
“I’m going for the sword!” Penny shouts.
I watch as she races across the rocks, leaping for the sword. But just as she is about to grab it . . . Thwap!
“Penny!” I howl as I abandon caution and race across the wet rocks toward her. “I’m fine Rico, get the sword!” shouts Penny as she slowly rises to her feet.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see one of the Kraken’s tentacles rising from the water, ready to slam down on top of me. I quickly maneuver out of the way and continue across the slippery rocks toward the sword. I’m just a paws-length away from it, when I feel a tentacle sweep my legs out from under me.
“Run!” I howl to the rest of the Pawtriots.
I’m pinned on my back, the wet rock presses up against my fur. I try to wrestle free from the Kraken’s grip on my tail, but it’s useless. Another tentacle wraps around my body and another around my legs.
“Rico, I’m coming for you!” shouts M as I’m dragged closer to the blue lagoon.
“No, save yourselves! Run! As long as Sea Wolf doesn’t have the sword, then the curse will be broken!” I holler out.
I close my eyes and brace for impact in the water as the Kraken’s grip tightens around me.
Suddenly, a loud shrieking fills the caves and the Kraken’s grip loosens, setting me free. I quickly jump to my paws and watch as it thrashes violently in the water, its tentacles flailing as it slowly sinks into the depths.
I turn to look at Penny, who has Sea Wolf’s sword in her paw. It’s covered in Kraken blood. I race over to her and give her a big hug. It feels good knowing I have a friend who would do anything for me. She gives me the sword and helps me tie it around my waist with vines.
“It suits you,” says Penny with a smile.
I look to the Pawtriots with a renewed energy and spirit. “The sun is going to set any minute now. There’s no way Sea Wolf is brave enough to come down here and try to get the sword himself. He’s all bark and no bite. “We’ll stay down here until the sun sets and then we’ll head back to the surface,” I say.
“Ssslight problem,” says Smithers.
“What’s that?” I ask.
“If we don’t leave now, we’ll miss our ride home,” says Franny.
They’re right. And just like that, my spirit is lowered again. This might mean we’ll never make it off this island. We might never get home. I look around at all the Pawtriots as they hang their heads.
“Chin up, Pawtriots. We did what was right,” I say.
“This is all my fault,” says Jet as she wipes away tears. “I’m so sorry,”
“No,” M says, “actually, this is all my fault.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Well,” M begins with hesitation, “to be honest, I wanted one of you to ring the bell. I wanted Sea Wolf to be raised. Because his curse is my curse.”
“What do you mean, your curse?” I ask M.
“I was his first mate. And when you arrived, you told me that story about the mutant spider you defeated in Texas. I realized that you were the only ones who could stop him. You see, being alive forever gets old. I’m tired. Very, very tired. And the only way my soul can rest is if Sea Wolf rises and falls. I knew the Pawtriots we’re the only crew brave enough for the job. Once the sun sets, my soul will be free,” M says.
I watch as Brick starts pacing back and forth, huffing and puffing as he goes. He looks like he’s about to snap.
“Cool it, Brick. What’s done is done!” I howl.
“Oi! You cool it, Rico. I’m getting tired of all the heroics. What about us? I miss my home. Our home!” shouts Brick as he points to the rest of the Pawtriots.
“Sssettle down, would you? We all want to go home,” says Smithers.
“I’m hungry and tired. I just want to eat and sleep. Is that too much to ask?” says Brick.
“Get it out, Brick. Just blow off some steam,” says Penny.
I step back and let Brick brush past me.
“I’m sick of this island. I’m sick of these caves,” he says as he picks up a rock from the ground. “And I’m sick of all these stinking rocks!” Brick hollers as he hurls the rock across the lagoon, smashing it into a wall.
“Feel better?” I ask.
“Surprisingly, yes.” Brick says.
“Okay, good. Now let’s get back to figuring out a plan here,” I say.
Suddenly, a loud cracking noise comes from the wall.
“What was that?” Brick says.
We all look at the wall where Brick threw the rock. Then suddenly a huge crack opens up in the wall, sending large chunks of it to the ground.
“This place is collapsing!” I shout, quickly scanning the area, desperately searching for another way out.
“Follow me!” shouts M, pointing to another tunnel. “This should bring us up to the southern entrance by the abandoned church.”
I start heading toward M and the way out when Lindy stops me dead in my tracks.
“How can we trust him?” Lindy asks me.
“We don’t have a choice! Now file in, Pawtriots. I’ll bring up the rear,” I shout.
“Oi! Great, another tunnel,” Brick says, squeezing his body into the tight tunnel.