The Quest for Paradise

*****

Kim stood alone at the prowl of the ship as it cut through the waters of this former undersea paradise. Darkness was spreading across the sky behind them, as the orange clouds above that had always given their light slowly began to dissipate from view.

She'd been here in this lower world for going on four years now and she was sorry to see it go like this. Most, of all the things that she felt herself grieving for though, was her brother, who she had to leave behind.

Kokie wasn't dead, but the future was uncertain for him and the people that he'd become king over. Over half of the Sea People had died in the fight to keep this undersea paradise free from the influences of those from above.

Those remaining were fleeing to the most remote area of the sea that had no islands at all in close proximity. How it would go for them it was hard to say, as they were now greatly reduced in number and the sea beyond the homes they'd made for themselves near the coastlines could be a very dangerous place.

Warm arms closed about her and she rested back against Colt's embrace. Softly she spoke, "It was a hardship to come here and now it's one to leave. I'm scared of what we're going to find up their Colt. I don't think I belong within the strictures of society as it exists up there anymore."

Colt nodded before grimly commenting, "There may not be much of a society to blend in with. Anyway it would seem we're not going to pop out of the ground on Saks Fifth Avenue so relax a little."

Kim smiled, but the sorrow she felt inside didn't go away. Raising her fingers to her lips she blew a kiss towards the open waters of Undersea in a farewell kiss before then turning and taking what comfort was to be found within her husband's loving embrace and the knowledge that their twin boys still had a chance to survive the destruction of the only place they'd ever known as home.

*****

Seventeen days later a mixed multitude of people in varying boat classes converged in on a small spit of land located seemingly in the midst of nowhere. The horizon to the rear was black as night, but here the clouds above shined brightly.

In fact of all the places I'd been in my brief time down here I had never seen this level of brightness. It was so bright it almost hurt the eyes and yet it was wondrous to gaze upon the phenomenon that was taking place before me now.