{"sf1_id":652227,"sf2_id":"Rno43wx1","title":"Ruler of the Abyss","author":"ShingetsuMoon","words":370,"posted_at":"2014-01-19T19:59:00.000Z","tags":["Dragon","Kraken","Ocean","Poem","Poetry","Sea","Serpent","sea monster"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/652227-ruler-of-the-abyss","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/Rno43wx1","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/41/50/4150a758-25b5-4752-9d99-b809118033e4","description":"#7 of Poems\n\nA poem I wrote about a great serpent or sea monster that rules the waters at the edge of the world. Not based on any specific place or story. I was inspired by the pirate themed album Phantoms of the High Seas put out by the band Nox Arcana. Specifically the songs The High Seas and Edge of the World. Definitely worth looking up if you have the time.","content":"Ruler of the Abyss\n\n* * *\n\nWho dares sail these waters?   \nWho trespasses upon the dark abyss?  \nWho is it that risks the great serpent's wrath?  \nWho is the fool that disregards the ocean's warnings?\n\nSail on, sail on.  \nSail to the edge of the world.  \nSail to the land of myth and legend,  \nwhere only monsters and nightmares await.\n\nFor at the edge of the world lies a  \ndark ocean untouched by the light of the sun.  \nCome and see these waters.  \nWaters lit only by the light of the full moon.\n\nStare down from your ship.  \nStare down into the depths if you dare.  \nStare down into the abyss and watch  \nas it stares back into your soul.\n\nSail on, sail on,  \nSail to the edge of the world.  \nThose who sail must do so with caution.\n\nNever must you sail beneath the moon.  \nFollow the stars only and go,  \ngo wherever the wind may take you.  \nBut never beneath the moon.\n\nFor when the moon is lit and your  \nship illuminated for all of the abyss to see  \nthen you will know true fear.  \nThen you will stare into the face of death itself.\n\nSail on, brave sailor, sail on,  \nbut awaken not the ruler of the depths.  \nIt is the moon's glow that summons her.\n\nA monstrous serpent that makes  \nthe ocean itself tremble and shake.\n\nHer jaws are steel.  \nHer teeth spears of iron.  \nHer roar is the maelstrom that  \ndevours your ship banishing it to the depths.\n\nHer claws are like cannons that  \ntear and destroy all that lie before them.  \nHer tail the wave that smashes without remorse.\n\nSail not under the glow of the moon,  \nfor the serpent's eye will open then and  \nthere will be no escape.\n\nSail to the edge of the world  \nwhere mermaids dance and  \nmonsters play.\n\nBut move quickly brave sailor  \nfor the ruler of the depths lies  \nin wait for all those who stray.  \nSail on, brave sailor, sail on.\n\nRun like the wind over the dark waters.  \nThe ruler of the abyss has no patience for fools.  \nFor if she catches you there will  \nnot even be a moment left in which to pray.\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Poems","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/643060-smaug-the-magnificent.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/684575-wild-spirit.json"}}