Raiden stretched contentedly as his scales soaked up the warm rays of the sun, listening to the soothing sound of waves lapping against the beach. He felt the sound slowly lull him into a feeling of relaxtion. As he sunbathed, he cracked open one eye and surveyed the peaceful scene before him, the hidden cove and the gentle waves of the lake that connected to his and Audra’s cave.
How many years now how it been since he and Audra had first met in this very cove? Since they became mates? Sometimes he lost track, although he could clearly remember the joy and excitement they had experienced together, and all of the adventures they had gone on and the different people and monsters they had met. Things had certainly changed greatly from his years as a solitary Lagiacrus, which felt like something from another life, far removed from his current one. Back then, he had dealt with monsters seeking to encroach on his territory or hunters seeking to prove their worth on a regular basis, and while he had made some friends, his life had hardly been what could be called peaceful.
But in the years since he and Audra had met, the number of invading monsters had lessened, and the number of hunters sent to deal with the two of them had gradually lessened before eventually all but stopping entirely, no doubt the work of the people of Moga Village and his and Audra’s friends amongst the humans and hunters. Sure, he still had to deal with the occasional invading monster or upstart hunter seeking fame and glory, but in all honesty, he could not remember ever feeling more at peace.
The sound of splashing drew his attention, and he turned his head to find Audra surfacing in the lake. Her scales, like his, had grown darker and richer in hue with age, and her horns and dermal spikes had grown larger, but she still resembled the fiery and cunning Lady of the Sea that had outwitted him all those years ago.
“Come on, seaweed-brain!” she said impatiently. “Quit sunbathing and move those lazy bones of yours! I saw a group of Atlantis Crabs not too far from the shore, and I want to catch a few before they move on.”
Raiden laughed at her impatience as he uncurled his sinuous length and stood. Gathering his powerful muscles beneath him, he launched himself into the water, sending up a spray of water in his wake. He swam up next to Audra.
“Lead the way,” he told her. She nodded and quickly began swimming in the direction of the coastline, swiftly cutting through the water with ease, while Raiden followed close behind. Yes, he was happy with his current life, and would not change a single thing.
