From Deep Below

Hethir was barely managing to stay ahead of the tentacles and teeth that seemed to endlessly seek after him, but it seemed like he was getting better at avoiding them. It doesn't seem to be trying as hard...
Sparing a moment to glance behind him, he immediately saw why. Dozens of tentacles--and the blinded head--had become tangled up in the rigging, sails, and masts. This would be cause for celebration, except that it was now struggling to free itself, and would soon begin destroying the ship in its efforts.
Mary was casting again, though she was no longer dancing, and her spells were not having quite the obliterative effect of earlier, but the monster was clearly injured.  Garius and Michael had each grouped up a few sailors and set to keeping the tentacles away from the masts as much as possible.
Much as the man seemed like little better than a thug most of the time, Hethir had to admit that Garius had more than earned his pay on the voyage so far. Val had hidden herself in the cabin; a wise choice considering there was nothing she could do to assist in this fight. That left only Trace unaccounted for.



Where is the blasted knight? it isn't as though he's subtle. Despite that, he could not catch of glimpse of the man. Not that he was trying too hard. Even if much of it was entangled and distracted; the creature was still quite dedicated to his demise.
"Where is Trace!" Hethir broadcast out as best he could. The buzzing in his mind was back now that the creature was close again. Mary looked up and called out to him, barely audible over the combat, "I don't know!"
"Captain! I saw him go over the side! Just a few moments ago, forced over by a group of tentacles!"
Hells...
Reaching out to find the minds of those on board--though even that simple exercise of power was an effort--it took him only a moment to find Trace. He had indeed gone over the side, thankfully one of the sailors had been knocked over with him, and the man was doing his utmost to keep the armored warrior's head above water. It was clearly a losing battle however, and they were both rapidly tiring.
Dodging away from one set of tentacles, Hethir let his flight fade. The sudden precipitous drop seemed to confuse the creature for a moment. It was all Hethir needed. Grabbing a line as he fell, he bit down on it and let his mouth fill with acid. The thick rope melted away in an instant, leaving Hethir with a mouthful of vile-tasting remains. Funnelling power back to his feet, he began to fly again mere feet from the deck. With a cry, he threw the end of the line towards the two beleaguered men in the water, and let himself feel a moment's relief when Trace's arm shot out of the water to catch it.

The relief lasted only a brief moment however; as a tentacle suddenly snatched his ankle. Faster than he could react, Hethir was pulled from the air and slammed down onto the deck--hard. Stars burst in his eyes and pain shot through his left arm. He instinctively tried to force out some of his power into recovery, but the buzzing had escalated to a roar, and he found himself unable to gain the slightest focus. In desperation, he tried to fly, but even his soul magic was being suppressed now that the monster had seized him. Pushing himself up with his one good arm, he felt himself jerked again then slammed down into the deck flat on his back. Above him loomed one of the creature's heads, its uncanny maw opened wide.