It was the Krakken!
Her massive body rested on the lake's surface, supporting Asher's exhausted form with her broad back. Her head emerged slightly from the water as she looked back at him with dark, intelligent eyes filled with genuine concern.
Her children had been rescued by Asher. In her ancient mind, the one who had helped her was now her friend!
"Whew!"
Asher wrapped his arms around the Krakken's thick hide, his previously tense expression relaxing as he breathed a deep sigh of relief. "Thank goodness you're here to help me."
His Aquatic Creature Communication ability was still active.
"Where do you wish to go?" the Krakken asked through their telepathic connection.
"Over there."
Asher pointed toward the distant boat, where he could barely make out a small dark speck on the horizon, Max and the others waiting in Captain Shaw's vessel!
"Hold on tight."
The Krakken left him with that brief warning. Asher's palms gripped her skin firmly as the next moment transformed into the most incredible ride of his life. Like traveling on a living speedboat, the surrounding scenery began racing past as the massive creature below began swimming at full power. Countless waves split on either side of her body, occasionally splashing water onto Asher as they cut through the lake!
There was no water sport more exhilarating than this!
On the boat...
"Asher still hasn't returned. It's been six full minutes according to my watch. His transformation time shouldn't last that long," Max kept checking his timepiece with a slightly anxious expression.
"Don't worry, Grandpa. Asher is probably swimming back!" Ben comforted his grandfather in return, his words filled with complete trust in his cousin's abilities.
"Look, what is that?"
Gwen, who had been sitting quietly on the boat while scanning the distant waters, suddenly stretched out her arm and pointed to an area ahead, exclaiming in amazement.
"What's wrong, Gwen?"
"You're making a fuss again, nerd."
Max looked curiously toward where Gwen was pointing. Although Ben was mocking his cousin, he was still curious enough to look in the same direction.
All three of their expressions became stunned!
The massive Krakken was swimming rapidly toward them, moving like a living warship across the lake's surface. She was unstoppable, and the rolling waves she created on both sides were comparable to ocean swells!
What was happening?!
Was the Krakken about to attack them??
"Quick, get the boat out of this area, or we'll be smashed!" Ben shouted anxiously, about to run to the driver's seat when something made him pause.
The Krakken had closed the distance to several dozen meters, and now all three of them could see clearly.
It was Asher riding on top of the massive creature!
He looked like he was surfing behind a giant shark, moving with the huge waves in what appeared to be an incredibly thrilling ride!
"It's Asher on that Krakken! Is he in danger?"
"No, it doesn't look like it. The Krakken seems to be carrying him here!"
"Look, she's not attacking him at all, she's definitely helping him!"
Max, Ben, and Gwen all reacted after a few seconds of processing, their jaws dropping in amazement.
The Krakken was actually giving Asher a ride?! What in the world had happened?
The situation had changed so quickly!
If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they never would have believed that the lake monster would voluntarily surf with a person on her back!
"This is so cool! I'm going to write about this in my summer homework! Let everyone know I have such an amazing cousin!" Ben raised his arms enthusiastically. He was the most adaptable to new situations, shouting loudly with excitement.
Looking at the scene, he even wanted to try surfing himself!
As the Krakken approached their boat, her speed began to decrease. She was no longer creating the massive disturbances from before, causing only gentle ripples across the water's surface.
"Grandpa! Ben! Gwen!" Asher released his hold, carefully stood on the Krakken's back, and waved to all three of them!
"Asher, what happened? How did she end up helping you..." Max watched the scene in amazement, asking with obvious curiosity. Not only him, but Ben and Gwen were equally eager to understand the story behind this incredible alliance!
"After I get over to you, I'll tell you everything!"
Asher showed a mysterious smile, clearly enjoying the suspense.
The distance between him and his family grew smaller and smaller, until the Krakken's massive body was almost touching their boat, and then she slowly came to a stop.
"Friend, here we are," the Krakken said kindly through their mental connection.
"Thank you, Krakken."
Asher's voice was filled with genuine gratitude. After hesitating for a moment, he slowly bent down, extended his palm, and gently touched the creature's back, patting her with affection.
The Krakken didn't resist, instead looking remarkably gentle despite her fearsome appearance.
Watching the harmonious scene between boy and beast, Ben and Gwen became even more eager to understand what had transpired.
"I'm coming over."
Asher retracted his hands, straightened up, and walked to the side of the boat. Using the Krakken's back as a launching point, he jumped over the vessel's railing with a powerful leap.
Max quickly moved forward and supported Asher's shoulders with both hands, ensuring he wouldn't accidentally fall as he made the transition.
"Grandpa."
Asher looked at Max and, without further delay, cast a grateful expression toward his grandfather.
"Tell us what happened," Max said with his characteristic kind expression. "We're all very curious."
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