At the same time, the creature realized that its strikes wouldn’t hit Nicki and tried to submerge its tentacles after her. But the powers they’d absorbed were developed for non-aquatic application and their movements were slowed. Ultimately, they could no longer cope with the environment.

Unobstructed by the tentacles, Nicki descended into the darkness of the water following the creature’s neck and tentacles. Soon she came upon their base and the rest of the creature’s body; a gargantuan slug-like mass sprawled across the ocean floor supported only by the stubby legs lining the sides of its body.

Aside from the tentacles and head that emerged from a mouth opening at one end, Nicki saw no other defenses. It didn’t even move as she swam up to the body and latched onto its skin. While the surface of the body felt rough and bumpy under her fingertips, the flesh itself had a gelatinous slosh as she pushed her claws in. With a secured hold she repositioned her hands before her face, pushed deeply and pulled the flesh open.

It may have been due to the Ocean Hunter’s strength or weak muscle, but the creature’s side tore easily. Once the hole was large enough, Nicki started to reach in and strip back the deeper layers of flesh. Pulling back one layer after another, she soon revealed the creature’s organs. Without hesitation, she started shredding the creature’s innards apart like a wild animal.

“______.”

Nicki’s savage assault only ended once a familiar whisper popped into her head and confirmed that her foe was defeated. She allowed her hunting instincts to calm as she pulled out of the creature’s body and allowed herself a moment to catch her breath. After a moment of floating weightlessly in the water, she turned her head upward and began to swim toward the light of the surface.

“Change pattern: Basic.”

Relinquishing her aquatic form, Nicki broke through the surface of the water to a breath of fresh air. She swam back to the shallows and walked back onto the shore. Looking back, she was able to watch the lifeless limbs of the Ocean Hydra (As the whisper had called it) dissolve into the ocean and vanish from the world. Soon it was as if her battle with it had never happened.

The hydra was only the latest of countless monsters that had risen from The Abyss and tried to overtake the island. There would be more where it came from. But, for now, Nicki had the freedom to relax and continue exploring her home.

Of course, she would probably have to fight another invasion in a month or so, but that didn’t really matter to her. Back on Earth she wasn’t able to enjoy such luxury and intended to get the most out of it while she could. It may not have been everyone’s ideal island paradise, but it had suited her for several centuries.