It was early when he awoke. The sun was streaming through the half-opened blinds and across his face, and he groaned softly. He draped his arm over his eyes, then sighed.

“Hey, Swim,” he said. “You up, man?” He smirked to himself. He pushed himself upright as he spoke. “I was thinking we could get some seafood for dinner. You in?” He snickered to himself, then blinked in the morning light. His gaze settled on the old couch in front of him. He stared dumbly at the merman that was stretched out, then slapped himself in the face.

“Holy fuck I smoked too much,” he muttered. But when he looked again, the merman was still on the couch.

“You know, I don’t really like seafood,” the merman said. “And my name’s not Swim, you nimwit.”

“It… talks?” Jerric muttered.

“Yes, it talks.” The merman rolled his eyes. “Call me Pisces.” 

Jerric blinked at him. “What?” He hesitated. “Oh, my god. Did I find you on Tinder?” He jumped out of bed. “Dude! What the fuck?!”

Pisces peered up at him. “Tinder?” He scoffed. “You’re the one that picked me up!”

Jerric shook his head and rubbed his eyes. “Dude, get out before I call the cops.”

“Well, that’s just rude,” Pisces said with a frown. “You brought me here. I’m your guest.”

Jerric ignored him and made his way into the kitchen, stopping when he felt water under his feet. He stared at the ground where the glass bowl lay shattered.

“Naw! Swim Shady!”

“I said it’s Pisces.”

Jerric whipped around to face the merman. “You ate my fish?”

Pisces narrowed his gaze on him. “I am your fish.”

Jerric blinked at him. “I… WHAT?!”

“You’re just as stupid as those damn pet store employees,” Pisces said.

“You’re… a goldfish.”

“Technically, no,” Pisces started. “I’m a collection of cosmic dust that was brought to life to help the mortals of this world survive an age-long war between the Olympians and the Gigantes.” 

Jerric continued to stare at him. “A… WHAT?!”

“I really don’t like it any more than you do,” Pisces said frankly. “I mean, why is it our problem to clean up after their mess? Half of the problems in this world are a result of Zeus being unable to keep his dick in his pants.” He sighed. “But I digress. They’re unable to fix this on their own, which is where I come in. The fate of the world, unfortunately, relies on twelve mortals, such as yourself. Only you can save the world, Master Jerric. Gods help this world if the other eleven are as stupid as you.”

Jerric stared a moment longer, then burst into laughter. “Holy shit, man,” he said between breaths. “That’s wild. Look. I don’t know where you came from, but you need to get out right now before I call the cops!”

Pisces frowned. “I see you are going to make this more difficult for me. What do I have to do to convince you?”

Jerric hesitated. He fell against the bed. “I’m gonna need some serious drugs if you want me to ride your wild ass train.”

“You know,” Pisces started. “This whole quest of yours comes with superpowers.”

Jerric snorted. “Yeah? Like, what? I can talk to fish? No thanks, Aquaman. I’m not being the lame-ass superhero in this fantasy of yours.”

“Offensive.”

“Bite me.”

“You can alter the subconscious mind,” Pisces said. “I suspect this will come in handy to unite with the other eleven.”

“Sounds as useless as Aquaman,” Jerric muttered.

“I’m done with you. When you’re ready to listen, you know where to find me.”

Without warning, Pisces transformed suddenly, right before Jerric’s eyes, dropping to the floor as a goldfish once more.

Jerric dropped his bowl and leaped to his feet. “Jesus fucking Christ!”

The fish flopped onto the floor for a moment until it fell still.

“Swim Shady!” Jerric dropped to his knees, then with his index finger and thumb, he picked the fish up by its tail. It dangled limply from his hand, and Jerric peered at it with a frown. The fish began to twitch suddenly and Jerric yelped and dropped it in surprise. The fish grew and transformed, taking the shape of the merman once more. Pisces’s tail slapped Jerric in the face in the process.

“Will you stop manhandling me?” Pisces hissed at him.

Jerric sat on the ground, his back against his bed, and stared at Pisces, mouth gaping. After a moment, he got up from the bed and made his way to the door. He took his jacket from the hanger and threw it on quickly. “I’m getting out of here,” he said. “And when I come back, you’ll be gone.”

“What am I supposed to do here?”

Jerric glanced over his shoulder, then stepped out of his apartment. In the hallway, he hesitated, then opened the door again and peered inside. Pisces was still sitting on the floor, looking at him expectantly. 

“Dammit,” Jerric muttered.

“Can I come, too?”

Jerric stepped inside. “Excuse me?”

“Just throw me in your pocket,” Pisces said. “I’ll be fine. I don’t need water to survive.”

Jerric frowned. “Then why were you half dead on my floor?”

Pisces grinned. “Just screwing with you.”

Jerric sneered at Pisces, and the merman quickly took the form of a goldfish once more. Jerric picked up the fish, then shoved him into his jacket pocket.

I said quit man-handling me!

Jerric jumped at the voice in his head. “Dude! Seriously?”

How else am I supposed to talk to you?

“Don’t!” Jerric stormed out of his apartment, downstairs, and outside into the cool, early spring air.

Where are we going?

“Taking you back to the damn store.”

Pisces whined. That place smells funny.

Jerric ignored the voice in his head. He shoved his hands in his jacket pockets, jumping when his fingers touched the cool, slippery skin of the fish he carried with him. Pisces snickered in his head, and Jerric yanked his hand back, muttering to himself.

He took the alleyway shortcut he always took away from his apartment, strolling across the large, empty parking lot of a long abandoned warehouse. It was only a matter of time before the city would succumb and purchase it and tear it down for something new.

He hadn’t gotten more than halfway across the desolate lot, however, when he felt a hard force against the back of his knees and he dropped down immediately. A hand covered his mouth and his breath caught in his throat. Before he could react, he felt the fish wiggling in his pocket. It jumped out, changing shape to a human man who landed on his feet, just quick enough to round-house kick the man behind Jerric. The man’s hand dropped away from him and Jerric scrambled to his feet.

“What the fuck!”

“Now would be a good time to run,” Pisces hissed at him, standing between Jerric and his attacker.

Jerric didn’t question Pisces, immediately sprinting towards the cover of the abandoned warehouse. He pulled forcefully against a locked door before spotting a shattered window, and he climbed through it, pausing for a moment to look around. He jumped when Pisces appeared suddenly at his side.

“What the fuck?” Jerric breathed heavily.

“Don’t worry, I took care of that for you.”

“Took care of what?” Jerric barked.

“Gigantes,” Pisces said. “And more are coming. I hope you’re ready to fight.”