Never Ending Story: Part 5 -- The Next Generation

He realized the old legend was true: one out of every million octopi have the potential to evolve into a kraken.  All have failed; until now. A kraken -- a mighty octopus as big as a sailing vessel.  The diver realizing what was happening, let go, and tried to swim away. The kraken threw the diver across the pier, and the diver crumpled to the ground. The kraken rose up over the remaining crowds, towering thirty, no, forty feet above them. He yanked on the tethered line and it broke freeing him from the spear.  He rushed up the pier scattering people, smashed the post and freed the mermaid. Gently, he cradled her in his tentacles, and dove into the channel, swimming quickly toward the sea.  

Arrows and spears rained down him, most missing with a few hitting their target, and deeply wounding him. He ignored the pain, and dove further into the dark seas leaving a trail of ink and blood. Finally, where no man could go, he stopped.  He looked down at the mermaid.  Her colors had returned and she glowed: indigo blue, teal, pink and red. She gently caressed him and began to dress his wounds. As she tended to him she sang a song explaining why the Marquesas’ Islanders revere the octopus -- the octopus represents freedom and regeneration. Freedom to move effortlessly through their environment and establish and reestablish new homes; regeneration because when they lose an appendage or kin, their limb is regrown and new family members are born.

The mermaid and the octopus continued their journey deep into the ocean. No one ever saw them again; no one knows where they went. And, even today, the legend of the kraken is believed to be a myth.

“Pop-O”, cried out one of the little children.  “Pop-O, what happened to the mermaid and the octopus? Where did they go? Are they safe? Will the octopus recover from his wounds?” the young child began to cry silently. Pop-O reached down and picked up his great – granddaughter, held her gently his arms, and began to rock her slowly. As he soothed her tears, he marveled at her long blonde hair and dark green eyes. 'Could she be the one?', he thought silently. He glanced at the woman he loved, and she nodded approvingly, her blond and grey hair swaying gently.

“Shush, shush, little one. We will never know the answers to all your questions.  However, we do know love is stronger than any other emotion, and has no bounds, no limits. It lasts through many lifetimes and blooms when the conditions are right.  Do not fear for the octopus and mermaid. Wherever they are, they are safe and are living peacefully together,” he gently whispered to her and the other children gathered at his feet.

Pop-O then handed the child to his granddaughter and turned to look at the woman he loved. She was wearing her favorite outfit -- blue indigo skirt, teal green sweater and a reddish pink shawl.  She had aged as he had; however, he only saw her aura of beauty, grace and serenity. Gently, with his arm bearing the scars of a violent struggle from a long time ago, he pulled her reddish pink shawl over her teal sweater clad shoulders. A chill was in the air. Taking her hand, they said goodbye to the children, turned and slowly walked down the lane. As night fell, and the stars shown brightly in the sky, they disappeared from sight.

To Be Continued