Chapter Text
Dream sat back on the rock where he’d been waiting and stared up at the moon. It was far on the other side of the sky, signaling that dawn would be approaching in a few hours. He sighed. It had been a long night without much luck. He dropped his head, gazing down into the dark depths of the ocean in front of him.
This spot had always been lucky for him. It was at least part of the reason he was considered one of the best glow squid hunters around. His little secret. Here, the water was naturally deep and sea caves were carved into the rocks far beneath the surface. It was a prime location for glow squids, who came to the cave to hunt, and he’d had many successes here over the years. It seemed likely, though, that tonight would not be one of them.
He searched the water, watching carefully for the telltale flashes of bioluminescence that would indicate a glow squid approaching or leaving the caves below. Nothing.
It had been a difficult few weeks for Dream. While he’d been lucky with his morning hauls, pulling in plenty of crabs and mussels, glow squids were where he made his money. Their rare ink sacs were highly prized for the glow-in-the-dark ink they contained. Because they were difficult to hunt, very few people tried. Dream had always been the exception.
He’d been the exception until this summer, at least, when the steady flow of glow squids had nearly vanished and he’d only managed to catch two squids in an entire month. That was barely enough to keep himself fed, and certainly not enough to send home to his mother. He had siblings, and they would go hungry if Dream couldn’t help provide.
He sighed and sat back on his heels, looking at the sky one more time. He would give it a few more minutes and then he would pack it in for the night. He could check his traps on the way home and then get a decent amount of sleep for once.
He shook the exhaustion from his eyes and glanced down into the depths one last time. Then he saw it. For just a moment, flashing by, he could see the glow. He tracked the movement with his eyes for a few seconds, ensuring he wasn’t just hallucinating, and then jumped to his feet. He grabbed his underwater breathing potion and swallowed it down before diving into the ocean.
He swam down, swift and sure, approaching the mouth of the sea cave where the glow squids often came to feed. There it was. A giant glow squid, possibly one of the largest Dream had ever seen. The amount of ink sacs he could collect… the ink that could be extracted… Dream tried not to dwell on it, not wanting the excitement to ruin his focus. He grabbed his trusty knife from his belt and swam at the squid.
There wasn’t exactly an art to hunting a glow squid. Once you got one cornered, it was simply a matter of killing it before its tentacles could do much damage to you. With that in mind, Dream swam in close, not keeping his distance, not hesitating. His bravery, daring, and speed were some of the other reasons he was the best glow squid hunter around.
He dashed into the squid’s space, darting beneath and between tentacles, slashing out with his knife. It didn’t work. This glow squid was clearly older and smarter than ones he had encountered before, and it dodged out of Dream’s reach before he could so much as graze its skin. Tentacles began wrapping around Dream’s legs and arms, attempting to hold him at bay.
Dream slashed at the tentacle holding his arms, leaving a large gash, and darted forward when it relaxed in response. He pushed against the tentacles twining around his legs and went for the glow squid, aiming his knife straight for its eye. If he took out its sight, the fight would be as good as over.
The squid managed to twist out of the way at the last second, and Dream only succeeded in lodging his knife deep into the squid’s side, losing his grip on his knife in the process. Dream tried to swim forward to grab the knife, but the squid held him back, using a tentacle to dislodge the knife into the water. As Dream watched the knife sink into the depths, another tentacle wrapped around his arm and wrenched him back, pulling a muscle in his shoulder. He shouted in pain and tried to wriggle from the squid’s grasp, but the squid held firm. This squid was amazingly strong.
A dark, murky liquid was seeping out of the squid’s side where Dream had stabbed it. It was wounded, but likely not enough to kill. Dream realized this squid was strong enough and smart enough that it would probably kill him long before it succumbed to such a small wound. He needed to get away, and fast. If the squid didn’t kill him, the potion would eventually wear out and drowning would do the job just as well.
He wriggled in the squid’s grasp, punching and biting the tentacles holding him until they released. With barely a glance back, he swam rapidly toward the surface, pulling himself out of the water and onto the rocks, away from the squid’s grasp. He peered back down, but the squid was on the move. Leaving the cave, it dove deep, moving further and further out of Dream’s reach.
Dream collapsed back on the rock and sighed, gasping for air as his water breathing potion ran out. He stared at the sky and shouted, “Fuck!!”
His first chance at a glow squid in a week, and it had been a disaster. Now his knife was gone and there was a sharp pain in his shoulder. He sat up and moved his shoulder around to assess the damage. Nothing was broken and his shoulder hadn’t been dislocated. It just hurt to move it—a lot. He sighed and got to his feet, gathering his supplies and heading towards home. He’d just have to try again tomorrow night.
~
Once home, Dream slept most of the day, exhausted from the long night, the battle, and the disappointment of another night without a good catch. When he woke the next afternoon, his shoulder was stiff and sore and he still didn’t have his knife. It was one of a kind, made specifically for carving easily through the tough squid hide. He couldn’t hunt tonight even if he wanted to. He showered and ate, emptied his traps, and made plans to go into town the next day. Hopefully he could get a replacement knife quickly.
The next morning, he prepared everything he wanted to bring with him into town, planning to head out early in the afternoon. It was more than an hour ride to the nearest village and the woods could be dangerous. His mother and siblings lived in the village, so he would be able to visit them and stay the night. That cheered him. It was lonely out here by the ocean, miles from anyone.
Before Dream could head out for the day, there was a knock on his door. He opened the door and stepped outside to find a stranger waiting in front of his cabin. The man was thin and pale, well-dressed with dark hair and striking features. He looked wealthy, as if he came from minor nobility. A far cry from Dream’s usual disheveled appearance. Dream didn’t think this visitor was good news. No one came out this far, and it was almost unheard of for Dream to get a surprise visit, especially from a stranger.
“Hello,” the man said. “My name is George and I come on behalf of Lord Julien of the Southern Plains. Are you the glow squid hunter we’ve heard of?”
Dream wasn’t surprised George had heard of him. He was the best of the best and his clients were primarily the wealthy who could afford such costly ink.
“Yeah,” Dream replied, furrowing his brow. “Dream. How can I help you?”
“Perfect. Hello, Dream,” George said. He reached into his bag and pulled out a sheath of paper. “Lord Julien has a commission for you and it’s of the utmost importance. He needs two hundred sacs of glow squid ink by the end of the week and he’s willing to pay well for it.”
Dream’s eyes widened at the number and his mouth dropped open.
“Two hundred?” He asked.
“Yes, two hundred,” George confirmed. “He will, of course, pay double market price due to the rush.”
Dream’s mind was spinning. He did some quick calculations in his head. The sum was unbelievable. Two hundred sacs at double the market price would set him up for years to come. He could pay off his mother’s home, ensure his siblings finished school, and even consider looking for a companion in life. He wouldn’t be rich, but he would be comfortable.
Just as quickly as the visions of money drifted through Dream’s mind, they fell out again. Reality hit him hard and he sighed.
“I would be lucky to collect two hundred sacs in a year. I couldn’t do it in just a few days. Glow squids are too rare in these parts.”
“No!” George protested, excitement clear on his face. “That’s where you’re wrong. We’ve located glow squid nesting grounds a few hours’ ride from here. There are hundreds of squids there. A few nights of hunting and you would easily be able to make your quota.”
Dream peered at George suspiciously. This all sounded too good to be true.
“If you know where they’re at, why do you need me?”
“I can’t hunt them,” George said, giving a slight shrug, words measured. “You’re the best hunter. Everyone says so. You are the best at preserving the integrity of the ink sacs. Lord Julien wants you as his hunter, and he’ll accept no one else.”
Dream grinned at the words, puffing his chest out a little. He was the best hunter, there was no question about it. And hearing this well-dressed, nice-looking guy tell him so was extra nice. And the money that would come at the end of this job? That would be extra nice too.
“Okay,” Dream agreed, nodding. “I’ll do it. Where is the nesting ground?”
George’s face lit up, like he was glowing from within. It made Dream flush with pride. George must really need his help.
“Wonderful!” George said. “The grounds are north from here, along the coast. It’s about four hours by horse. If we leave soon, we should arrive well before nightfall.”
Dream nodded. “Night time is the best hunting time.”
“I know,” George said, a strange sparkle in his eyes.
“Wait, do you have tools?” Dream asked, suddenly remembering his knife.
George stepped forward and opened his shoulder bag, showing Dream a variety of squid knives.
“When we get there, you can take your pick,” he said.
Dream nodded. “Okay, give me a minute to get some things and we can go.”
A trip to visit his family could wait for another day. If this venture was successful, he would be bringing good news to them when he came. He grabbed a bag with his usual hunting clothes, several water-breathing potions, the supplies he needed to gather and preserve the ink sacs, and some food to fortify himself for the long night ahead.
When he emerged from his house, George was waiting next to his gray dappled horse. Dream went to the small stable and brought out his own brown mare. They saddled up and George took the lead, directing Dream down the forest road.
~
The journey was long, and Dream was saddle-sore and weary before it was over. They passed the time by chatting. George was mysterious and quiet, but he answered when Dream spoke directly to him and that’s all Dream could ask for.
For the most part, George kept to the sunny side of the path as they rode. Dream couldn’t understand the choice. It was a hot and sunny day, and the shade of the trees offered much more comfort. George seemed to enjoy the sunlight, though, turning his head now and then to gaze in the direction of the sky.
On occasion, when the darkness of the forest closed in and they lost sight of the sun for a while, George almost seemed to glow. Even in the darkness, he was never fully in shadow. Dream was sure he was imagining it, that it was a trick of the light, or of George’s pale skin, but time and time again he was certain he’d seen it.
When they finally arrived at their destination, they dismounted their horses and George approached the cliff edge. Dream walked up next to him and peered over. He’d noticed stone stairs cut into the side of the cliff, leading down to the beach, when they’d approached. He glanced down at the rough water below them and mentally prepared himself for a long, cold, tiring night.
“Down there?” he asked, watching the water. “I don’t see anything, but it’s not dark yet.”
“Maybe you should take a closer look,” George said, his voice strange. Dream glanced over at him, but his face was serene, expressionless.
“Yeah,” Dream said, clearing his throat. “I’ll head down the steps and scout out the beach. You’ll tie the horses up?”
George turned to him and smiled, but it wasn’t the smile he’d seen all afternoon. It wasn’t pleasant or amiable or friendly. It wasn’t polite. The smile made Dream’s blood run cold.
“There’s a faster way down, you know,” George said calmly.
Dream realized what was about to happen only seconds in advance, not enough time to brace himself or prepare to fight. One minute George was standing next to him and the next his arms were wrapped around Dream’s biceps, maneuvering him back towards the edge of the cliff. Dream dug his heels in and tried to fight back, but George had surprising wells of strength and he’d taken Dream surprised. With a quick shove, Dream was falling backwards off the edge of the cliff, toward the sea far below. As he fell, he could see George above, smiling down at him, and he realized this had been the plan all along.
Dream hit the water with a hard smack, knocking the breath out of him, and then he was sinking deeper and deeper, tumbling head over heels. He tried to fight the waves, tried to right himself so he could swim up, but the water fought him. The lack of oxygen was beginning to get to him. He fumbled with his belt, hoping to find a spare water breathing potion, but they were all in the saddlebags on his horse.
As Dream struggled with the water, there was a splash above him, and George swam gracefully down, unbothered by the waves. Dream reached out, trying to grab onto him, but the water knocked his hand away. It was like the water was alive, aiding George.
Dream’s lungs were burning now, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to hold out much longer. His rational mind warred with his lungs’ desire to breathe, to take in the air that wouldn’t be there. He again tried reaching out to George, but froze in place at the last minute as George… transformed?
In a flash of light and a blur of motion, suddenly a glow squid floated in the place where George had been. Dream thrashed, trying to swim away, but the squid’s tentacles grabbed onto him, onto his arms and legs and torso, pulling him closer. The last thing Dream saw before he passed out was the face of a glow squid, staring at him with hard eyes as they began to dive deeper and deeper into the water.
~
When Dream woke, he felt strange. He blinked his eyes open and took time to adjust to the dim, glowing light of the room he was in. He stared down at the mat he was lying on. It appeared to be made of sea grass and kelp woven together and filled with sponge. It was strange. He spread his fingers apart and wiggled them, trying to remember where he was and how he’d got here.
It hit him all at once. When he wiggled his fingers, the water around them was disturbed and swirled around. At the same moment he remembered falling, being wrapped in the glow squid’s—in George’s—tentacles and then everything going dark. He shot up from where he was lying, hand flying to his throat as he gasped for air, convinced he was drowning.
After his moment of panic passed, he realized he wasn’t drowning. He wasn’t choking, he wasn’t dying. He could breathe just fine, as if he had taken a water breathing potion. He wondered how long he had until it wore out. As the panic washed away, he sat on the edge of his mat and looked around the room. The walls were high and made of prismarine, with a layer of sea lanterns set into the wall around the room providing a soft, glowing light. The walls were decorated with sea shells and coral, and the whole room glowed a soft aqua color. There was an archway to one side that looked as if it went into a small side chamber, but there was no door.
Dream threw his legs over the edge of the prismarine pedestal where he had been lying and stood up. Then he paused and stared at his legs. He was standing. On the ground. In water. He didn’t feel any buoyancy tugging him upward either. He took a cautious step forward, and then another. Nothing. He didn’t float away, but could walk just fine. It was as if he were wearing depth strider boots, but it was only his normal shoes on his feet. He hopped forward, testing the limits of gravity, but landed just as if he were on land. Very strange.
“Where am I?” Dream asked out loud. He turned in a circle examining the walls, but couldn’t see an easy way in or out. Looking up, he saw why—there was a large porthole opening high up on the wall so that something could swim in or out, but no door on the ground that a human could walk through.
“Only way out is up, I guess,” Dream said. He jumped again, intending to swim forward, but landed back on the ground. “What?” He tried again, and then a third time. He was in water, he was certain of it, but he couldn’t swim.
“What in the Nether?” he whispered to himself.
“Keep trying, it’s fun to watch.”
Dream’s head snapped up and he turned in circles, looking around the room. Where did that voice come from?
“Up here, idiot,” the voice said. Dream looked up and saw the head of a glow squid peeking through the porthole high up on the wall.
“Did you…?” Dream began. He blinked and shook his head. “Did you just talk?”
“Kind of,” the glow squid said, and that’s when Dream recognized the voice. George. It was George’s voice, but it wasn’t coming from above him. It was… in his mind?
The glow squid—George?—floated through the porthole and down into Dream’s room.
“George?” Dream asked. He couldn’t quite believe it, but he had the memory of George in the water, his body disappearing and a glow squid taking its place. Was George a glow squid? Dream’s head hurt. This was a lot of information to take in at once.
“Surprised?” George asked as he reached the bottom of the room and floated in front of Dream, tentacles waving.
“How am I hearing you?” Dream asked.
“We speak through our minds,” George said. He paused and gave a flick of his tentacles. “Obviously.” Dream would somehow find the one smartass glow squid. Wait—smartass glow squid? That didn’t even make sense.
“You’re a glow squid?” Dream asked. “Is this real?”
In his mind, he heard George sigh loudly. “I’m used to humans being a little on the slow side, but this is really a stretch. Yes, I’m a glow squid. Yes, this is real. And since you’ll probably ask where you are next: you’re in the palace of the glow squid king.”
“Glow squid… king?” Dream repeated. Part of him was annoyed by George’s condescending tone, but the rest of him was still confused to care. Instead, he just laughed. “Glow squids have a king? Glow squids can think? Glow squids can talk?”
“What?” George asked bitterly. “Were you convinced we were all just mindless beasts? Is that how you justified your campaign against us?”
“Well yeah,” Dream said, blinking. “You’re just animals. Well, sea creatures. But… campaign?”
“You’ve been slaughtering us for years,” George said. His tone betrayed anger, but on the outside he looked the same. Just a glow squid, floating in the water, tentacles flicking around. Tentacles.
George continued. “We’ve been looking for you for a long time, you know. Trying to find the great hunter who had killed so many of us. You finally messed up.”
Dream felt like he and George were having two different conversations. He was still trying to process the situation—where he was, who George was, this secret world of glow squids. Meanwhile George was talking about the surface world and how Dream made his living. Dream took a few steps back and sat hard on his bed. He rested his hands on his knees and looked at George. It was so strange. He knew now it was George before him, but it was just a glow squid. A normal, nondescript glow squid. Something he would hunt and kill if he saw it in the ocean by his home.
“Sorry,” he said. “I’m sorry, can we like pause or something. I’m just—I don’t understand. The thing is.” He swallowed and shook his head. “I’m a little confused.”
“What’s confusing?” George asked, giving an annoyed flick of his tentacles. Dream almost laughed at the thought. How could he tell that George was annoyed just from the way he moved his tentacles?
“Just please,” Dream said. “You’re a glow squid, but you were human earlier. How? Can all glow squids become human?”
George paused and looked at Dream for a long moment. Eventually he sighed. “I suppose it doesn’t hurt to tell you, since you’re trapped here anyway. No, not all glow squids. Not most of them. It’s magic passed through my mother’s family line. Only my brothers and I can do it.”
“Oh,” Dream said, nodding. He chewed on his lower lip, thinking. “You said I’m trapped here?”
“Yes,” George said. His voice sounded proud and his posture improved, holding his head up high. “I finally found you. I’ve been looking for you for years. We all have. You finally slipped up, though. One of us got away from you at last. Once we had your location and your knife, we were able to find you immediately.”
“My knife?” Dream asked, perking up. That’s where it had gone!
George shifted around and suddenly he held a knife in one of his tentacles. Dream’s knife. Dream wondered where it had come from, where George had been hiding it, but decided he didn’t want to know. He’d learned too much already. He reached out for the knife but George swam backwards, raising up too high for Dream to reach.
“This is your knife, isn’t it?” George asked.
“Yeah, of course. Can I have it back?”
The knife disappeared again. “No,” George said, his tone sounding final. He floated up higher, clearly intent on leaving.
“Wait, where are you going?” Dream asked. George paused and glanced down at him.
“I’m going to tell the king we have the right man,” George said.
“What then?” Dream asked, suddenly nervous. It occurred to him then for the first time that he was trapped. Some magic bound him to the ground and the only exit was up high. He could breathe in the water, but he didn’t know how. A potion would have worn off by now.
George stared down at him with what could only be described as a cold look. Even in the form of a squid, with body language that Dream couldn’t understand, it was clear that George didn’t like him. Maybe George hated him.
“Then you’ll wait here until the king decides what to do with you.”
The statement sounded ominous, like nothing the king decided would be good. Dream swallowed.
“I’m your prisoner?” he asked. He already knew the answer, but he wanted to hear it. He wanted it confirmed.
“You’re our prisoner,” George agreed. Then he turned and swam out of the porthole, leaving Dream alone in the room.
Dream looked around. The soft glow of the sea lanterns felt ominous now. The walls that had seemed wide and tall suddenly felt like they were closing in around him. He breathed, drew in oxygen, but his brain told him he was choking on seawater.
He was their prisoner. He was trapped.