Playing Koi (5) (Patreon)

Jemma still remembered the way she entered Thetria—the long thin tunnel meant to take fish into the central junction and the gigantic mall aquarium.

Jemma neared the shimmering curtain of energy separating Thetria from the rest of the aquarium. Two goldfish sentries stood guard, each with a spear clasped in front of them. Thanks to the way they spoke, neither could wear armor. 

One, a striking red and orange, tilted his head. "You should not be here. It is not safe to be near the barrier. You could get sucked out."

"That's the idea." Jemma smiled. "I'm going through."

The other goldfish swam forward, blocking the way. She was bigger than Jemma, with taut muscles and a few scars on pale skin. "To go through is to be swept away. Terrible things wait outside. Fish fight and eat and do worse to each other." 

The first guard flicked his tail nervously. "It is a miracle you made it here. Thetria is the only peace in the ocean."

"Peace?" Jemma snorted. "For you, maybe. Not them." She flicked her tail at the barrier, and the wall of shimmering light into the rest of the aquarium. So many fish told her the awful dangers of it, and now Jemma would face them for real.

"Only the goldfish are civilized," the red and orange one repeated.

Jemma shook her head. "Can I borrow that spear? You really shouldn't be brandishing weapons if you don't plan on using them."

The guard hesitated, then detached the spear strapped to his side and offered it to her.

Jemma gripped the spear, feeling the weight of it in the water. Real metal, though she couldn't say where Kisten could've found it. The point was sharp enough to pierce scales, if she needed to.

Jemma swam past them both, facing the barrier. She took a few seconds to settle her nerves, but never to look away. If she did that, and saw Kisten floating there, she might not be able to keep going. 

Finally, she swam, accelerating as quickly as she could and smashing into the barrier. The magic buffeted her, a blast of light and motion that smacked her into the tunnel walls. 

Jemma emerged into the vast aquarium, and for a terrifying moment, everything seemed impossibly large. The rocks towered like skyscrapers, the plants like forests of kelp trees. She looked down at herself - she was barely two inches long now, a fraction of her former size.

Swallowing hard, she gripped the spear tighter. "Brady?" she called out tentatively. Her voice seemed to vanish into the endless blue. There was no response, just the distant flutter of fins.  

Panic rose in her throat, but Jemma forced it down. She had to find Brady and Nicole before someone else did. Keeping low, she propelled herself forward with powerful strokes of her tail, weaving through the dense vegetation.  

She passed through what had been a narrow tunnel between tanks, previously barely wide enough for her body. Now she slipped in easily. The tube stretched above her like the interior of a submerged subway tunnel. 

Jemma emerged into a cavern she recognized - it was where she'd last seen Brady and Nicole hiding. But now, the space seemed immense, the ceiling arching high overhead. Jagged stones jutted out in all directions, casting deep shadows in harsh mall light. Jemma swam cautiously, her eyes straining to pierce the gloom. The water here was cooler, tinged with the musty scent of ancient rock.

She navigated a maze of narrow crevices, previously so small even her fins could barely push through. Now there was nowhere in the cave she couldn't swim. The spear caught on the walls, scraping loudly on stone. She grunted, then wedged it through, beating her tail furiously until it finally bent.

"Brady!" Jemma yelled again, her voice echoing eerily. "It's me, Jemma! Where are you?"

Only silence answered. She emerged into a larger cavern; the floor littered with boulders. There were a few scraps of seaweed on the floor here—scraps of the cloth Brady used to weave clothes for herself. But of the fish herself, there was no sign.

Three massive fish swam into view from a shadowy crevice in the cavern beyond. Each was at least twice her size, their thick bodies and powerful tails marking them as apex predators. 

The largest was a male koi, with the same vivid patterns as Jemma's own body. Only this fish wasn't shrunk, so must be at least five times her size. His mottled orange and white scales were crisscrossed with scars.

To his right swam an eel. Yellow and black bands ringed her muscular body, and her jaws gaped open to reveal needle-like teeth.

The third was some kind of wrasse, wicked spines protruding from his face and along his back. One fin ended in a jagged stump.

The massive koi blocked the exit tunnel with his bulk, baring his teeth in a feral grin as he caught sight of Jemma. 

She swam backwards, putting more distance between them. There was an unmistakable hunger in their eyes that had nothing to do with food. 

The koi's smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. "I'm Goro. What's a pretty little thing like you doing in these caves all alone?"

Jemma's heart pounded in her chest. She tried to keep her voice steady. "I'm just looking for a friend. I didn't mean to get in your way… was just leaving."

“Well that’s interesting. Not a goldfish after all. Little thing knows how to talk.” Goro swam closer, spreading his fins to block as much of the tunnel as he could. "A friend? Maybe we can find them together." His eyes raked over her body, making her wish she'd stayed in Thetria long enough to weave replacement clothes. Too late for that now. 

"How's she grown up, boss?" asked the eel. "Smells the same as you, but she's such a little thing…"

Bile rose in Jemma's throat. She swallowed hard, fighting to keep the disgust off her face. 

The eel and the wrasse had moved to block two other openings to the cavern. At her size, she would struggle fighting one of these, even with the spear. Against three, she didn't stand a chance.

Goro's voice turned oily. "You're lucky I found you. If someone else spotted you first, they might have just gobbled you up. But with me, well..." He leered at her. "We're going to get along."

I never should've left Thetria. Every fish in the ocean told her how awful the outside world really was, and she insisted on swimming out here anyway! She wasn't strong enough for this! Maybe if her girlfriend hadn't shrunk her, she might've been able to fight. But not now.

Goro reached for her. 

She could see no way out, no hope of escape. Jemma screamed and lunged forward. She stabbed Goro with all her strength. The spear ripped out from her fingers, protruding from his tail.

The spear only grazed his scales, barely drawing blood. Goro recoiled, his eyes widening in surprise. "Kill her!" 

The eel and the wrasse surged forward towards her, crossing the huge cavern in seconds.

Jemma flicked her tail, spinning in the water until she faced downward. She darted for the smallest opening in the wall she could find, much too small for her old self. 

It was a tight fit, but she managed to slip through, crushed and contorted painfully through the opening.

Then she emerged into a smaller cave. Jemma swam away from the opening, water flowing rapidly over her gills. A hand emerged, reaching for her. But there was no chance of any of those three fish following her.

"I would've picked another cave," said a nearby voice. The eel swam through the tunnel, mouth open wide and thin teeth glittering. She appeared from another opening, her body undulating with deadly grace. "How'd you live so long, little fish? Don't know where you're swimming."

But they do, she realized, horrified. They know these caves. Brady did, but I don't. Jemma turned away again, eyes scanning for another tiny opening. She found one, then shot through it, so fast the rock tore into her bare skin, scratched her scales. 

The eel was right on her tail, her jaws snapping hungrily at the water where she had just been.

Jemma darted into another cave, zipping from one room to another. A thin red haze followed her in the water, so strong even she could smell it. These predators could follow her no matter how complex a path she chose.

She kept swimming, as fast as her little tail could go. If she could find an exit, she could make a break for Thetria, and the safety of the barrier. All she had to do was find an opening.

She darted around the corner, so fast she could barely see where she was going. Jemma smacked into something hard, grunting with the impact.

She recoiled, her eyes widening in terror as she recognized the pattern of orange and white scales. 

Goro loomed over her, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. "Hello again, little fish." His arms gripped hers, squeezing so hard he sent little spasms of pain up her body. "A cruel thing you did, trying to hurt me. I can be cruel too." He tightened his grip, pulling her in close. "Such a waste."

Jemma braced herself, gritting her teeth as Goro's grip tightened around her. She refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her fear. 

A sudden commotion from a nearby tunnel made Goro pause. A new fish emerged, clad in sturdy armor cobbled together from shells and coral. In his hand, he gripped a wicked-looking trident wrapped in elastic bands.

"Let her go!" the newcomer commanded.

Goro bared his teeth in a feral grin. "Or what?"

The armored fish didn't hesitate. He squeezed the makeshift spearfishing handle, and the trident lurched forward through the water. It struck Goro inches from Jemma, tearing through flesh and spilling red out into the water. 

Goro howled in pain and surprise, his grip on Jemma slackening. She twisted free, beating her tail furiously to escape. 

The massive koi thrashed wildly, spraying plumes of red into the water. He smacked into the cavern walls on either side, each blow strong enough to crush her tiny body. 

Her savior wasted no time. He swam over to her, extending a hand. "That won't kill him! We have to go!"

Jemma's breath caught in her throat, staring at the newcomer. He was lithe and muscular, his scales brilliant blue and green. It was his expression that made her breath catch, and momentarily stun her. This fish wasn't much bigger than she was, but he fought without fear.

"Come on!" He gripped her by the wrist, then swam, tail beating furiously. He only had to drag her a few inches before Jemma started swimming too, easily keeping up with him. He pulled her along, leading her through a narrow opening in the rock. 

They emerged into another connected tunnel, surrounded by the maze of caves and corridors stretching in all dimensions.  "I don't know the way out!" she whimpered. "Do you?"

The armored fish hesitated, tilting his head to one side. “Hold on. You’re not a goldfish? You dress like them.”

Jemma flushed. “Just came from there, but no. Not a goldfish. It’s a long story, can we talk about it later? Maybe when we get out alive.”

He nodded. "Alright, fine. It's not as confusing as it looks, just stay with me." He sped up, leading her carefully through the narrow tunnels.

Jemma still heard their pursuers, scratching and struggling through the oversized tunnels. This stranger was really doing what Jemma had failed to do, sticking only to the narrowest gaps and smallest caves. The longer they swam, the more distant Goro's shouts became.

Finally, they emerged from the rock into a long, plastic tube, almost entirely dark. The stranger kept swimming for almost a minute, before finally slowing to a stop and releasing her wrist.

"There. That should… be far enough. It's a straight shot to Algaegard from here."

The adrenaline from their narrow escape still coursed through Jemma, and she struggled to catch her breath. In the dim light, she could barely make out her rescuer's features, lit by a faint bioluminescence.

Then he reached into a satchel at his side, pulling out a handful of glowing moss.

He was strikingly handsome, with chiseled features and sharp blue eyes. His makeshift armor of coral and plastic only added to his rugged, muscular appearance. 

Jemma was suddenly aware of her own state; missing clothes, hair trailing through the water in a tangled mess. She crossed her arm over her breasts, heat rising to her cheeks.

If the stranger noticed her embarrassment, he was too much of a gentleman to mention it. Instead, he offered her a warm smile. "I'm Liam, by the way. Don't think I've seen you around Algaegard before. I would have remembered a fish as pretty as you."

Jemma's blush deepened. Boys shouldn't make her feel this way, shouldn't make her heart pound like she was still trying to escape from that awful koi. Only this time, the thrill was somehow intoxicating. She managed a shy smile. "Jemma. You're right, I'm not from… Algaegard. Never heard of it, I'm actually... from outside." She pressed one hand up against the plastic pipe, though its walls were entirely dark. There was no view of the deserted mall from here.

Liam's eyes widened. "The human world? Wow, that's... I've heard stories, but I never thought I'd actually meet someone from outside." He reached into his satchel again, this time pulling out a roll of seaweed stretched into thin bandage. "Here, this might help. Better than nothing."

Jemma accepted the roll gratefully, then turned her back on him. She barely even felt anxious as she wrapped the bandage around her breasts, careful not to pull too tight and tear it. The seaweed was soft and slightly slimy against her skin, but it was a welcome relief from the vulnerability of being exposed. 

With that done, she did the same with her injuries. They were shallow and had apparently already stopped bleeding on their own. But if she didn’t cover them properly, they might get infected. They still might—how did fish clean out their wounds?

They didn’t, obviously. Wild animals didn’t think about germ theory.

"Thank you," she murmured, spinning back around in the water and meeting Liam's gaze. "For the clothes. And for saving my life back there! That was…" She wrapped her arms around herself, looking down. Her fins shifted back and forth in the water. "One of the worst things that ever happened to me."

Liam smiled warmly back. "You're welcome. I'm just glad I heard you. Goro and the other predators like him… they're barbarians. Don't answer to any fish. No law, just force."

Jemma winced as the torn seaweed bandage brushed against her side, stinging one of the scrapes left by the narrow tunnel. She barely noticed the pain before. But now that she could finally catch her breath, it really started to sting. The bandage didn’t take away her pain.

Liam caught her grimace. "You're hurt," he said, resting one hand on her tail just above the injury. "That could get infected if we don't clean it. Can’t just wrap it and expect things to get better on their own.”

Jemma felt her pulse quicken at his touch, her skin tingling where his fingers brushed against her. His grip was firm, just enough to push her up against the plastic tunnel. "It's nothing, really," she murmured, fighting a blush. "I've been scratched before."

Liam shook his head. "Didn’t look like nothing to me. We should get you patched up properly." He released her, then flicked his tail, ascending up the tube. "I've got healing stuff in Algaegard."

She nodded quickly. "Lead the way."

He turned and they started swimming again. Liam swam with far less grace than Kisten—he wasn't dancing. Instead, he relied on strength, flicking purposefully forward, sending ripples through the water with each stroke.

"So," she muttered after a few minutes of comfortable silence. "This Algaegard place... is it nice?"

Liam grinned back at her. "A real home, with laws and everything." His expression turned wistful. "We don't tolerate barbarians. The aquarium isn't easy for anyone, but we make it work."

Jemma nodded. "I'll be safe?"

Liam took her wrist again. This was gentler—he wasn't dragging her through the water. "If anyone tries anything, I've got more spears at home. They won't get anywhere near you." He winked, then pulled her around the corner in a slow circle. His tail brushed past hers, his metallic scales somehow warm instead of cool. 

She struggled to find the right words, fumbling for a witty remark that might impress him. "You're... really good at the rescuing thing," she said, barely suppressing a cringe. 

Liam chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Thanks. But you should try something like..." He paused, pursing his lips in thought. "How about, 'I should get into trouble more often, if this is how you treat damsels?'"

He grinned toothily at her. "Too much? I know you're not a damselfish. Not… exactly sure what you are. Obviously not a goldfish. Those scales look koi, but you couldn't be. A koi wouldn't fit through this access-tunnel."

Jemma's face got warmer. "I don't know what I am either," she lied. "But if I was a koi, I wouldn't be like Goro. I'd be helping people, not eating them."

She still had to find Brady and Nicole—her mission was unfinished! But considering the danger in the caves, she would probably have to wait for things to settle down.

Liam shrugged. "Finding scraps, that's easy. Fighting… okay, that's hard. Life down here is hard enough without being afraid of other fish.”

She found herself leaning into him, arm wrapped around his. "I guess that's what you were doing out there. Salvage? Hunting scraps, not helpless little fish lost in the caves."

He nodded, patting the satchel with his other hand. "Looking for metal, mostly. You think the koi will give my spear back? We could go get it."

She shuddered, shaking her head violently. "If I never see anyone like him again… that would be better."

Liam chuckled, turning his hand out flat. "Just kidding. I don't go out any more than I have to. And not with someone so… delicate. We're almost home now, just a little further this way. I think you'll like Algaegard."