Submission (#10381) Approved

A broken civilization. Empty corpses of skyscrapers now consumed by the waves, drowned out and wrapped in kelp and moss. The glass shattered and scuffed, sand scraping against them causing the glass to become dull and less see-through through the harsh currents. Still though, this seemed to be the perfect territory for a certain young Aristonectes. One who’s fervent interest in the unknown usually enjoys biting him on the back.

Midas was a solitary creature, his only companions the eerie silence of the deep and the occasional schools of fish that darted through the ruins. He had claimed a territory for himself amidst the crumbling structures of the deep ocean, where he ruled as a silent king over his underwater domain.

Life in the murky waters had always been a challenge for Midas, but as the seasons changed and the snow began to melt in the distant mountains, bringing torrents of icy water rushing down into the ocean, the challenges he faced grew even greater. The once-stable currents became treacherous, swirling and churning with dangerous undertows that threatened to drag him down into the abyss. The debris from the ruined buildings above shifted and tumbled, creating deadly obstacles that tested Midas's agility and strength.

But despite the growing dangers that surrounded him, Midas remained determined to survive. He hunted with a fierce intensity, using his keen senses and lightning-fast reflexes to catch his favorite prey-squid-before they could slip away into the shadows.

And as he feasted on the succulent flesh of his quarry, he also indulged in his other passion-hoarding shiny objects. From discarded jewelry to gleaming coins, Midas collected anything that caught his eye, storing his treasures in a hidden chamber deep within the ruins where he felt safe from prying eyes. But as the snow continued to melt and the ocean swelled with icy runoff, Midas's once-safe haven began to grow more dangerous by the day. The currents grew stronger, sweeping away anything that dared to stand in their path, and the ruins of the sunken city shifted and crumbled under the relentless force of the water.

One day, as Midas was swimming through the debris-strewn waters, he heard a desperate cry for help echoing through the darkness. At first, he thought it was just the distant wail of the wind, but then he saw it- a small figure struggling against the merciless currents, its sleek feathers plastered to its body as it fought to stay afloat.

It was a utahraptor, one of the few land-dwelling dinosaurs that had managed to survive in this harsh new world. And as Midas watched, he realized with a sinking heart that the creature was drowning, its strength waning with each passing moment. Without hesitation, Midas surged forward, his powerful tail propelling him through the water with astonishing speed. He reached the struggling utahraptor just in time, wrapping his strong jaws around its body and pulling it close to him as he swam against the current with all his might.

For what felt like an eternity, Midas battled against the relentless force of the water, his muscles burning with exertion as he fought to keep himself and the utahraptor from being swept away into the abyss. But finally, with one last burst of strength, he broke free from the grip of the current and surfaced in a calm pebble-ridden beach. Tired and shaky as he dragged the utahraptor to safety.

As the utahraptor coughed and spluttered, expelling water from its lungs, Midas looked down at the creature with a mixture of relief and concern. Despite their differences, he couldn't bear to see another living being suffer, especially not one as helpless as this.

"Are you alright?" Midas asked, his voice gruff but reassuring. "Can you stand?"

The utahraptor nodded weakly, its eyes wide with gratitude as it struggled to regain its footing on the slippery rocks below. "Thank you," it whispered hoarsely, its voice barely audible above the roar of the rushing water. "Thank you for saving me."

Midas smiled, his heart swelling with pride at the knowledge that he had been able to help another creature in need. "You're welcome," he replied, his voice filled with warmth. "Just be careful out here. The ocean can be a dangerous place, especially now with the snow melting and the currents growing stronger. It’s easy to be swept up in the rushing rapids or for ice to break out from under you and hurl you into the sea..”

The utahraptor nodded, its expression solemn as it glanced around at the swirling waters that surrounded them. "I'll keep that in mind," it said softly. "Thank you again, mister. I really owe you one.. I’ve never met a sea dweller who wouldn’t think twice before gobbling something like me up before."

With that, the utahraptor turned and nodded before disappeared into the shadows, leaving Midas alone once more to return to the dark depths of the ocean. And as he watched it go, a sense of satisfaction washed over him, knowing that he had made a difference in the life of another creature, even if only for a fleeting moment.

But as the days passed and the ocean continued to swell with icy runoff, Midas knew that he would need to remain vigilant if he hoped to survive in this ever-changing world. For the dangers that lurked beneath the surface were greater than ever before, and only the strongest and most determined would be able to weather the storm and emerge victorious on the other side.

After a long day of navigating the dangers of the expanded ocean and extending his kindness to a creature in need, Midas finally returned to the familiar comfort of his underwater lair. With a contented sigh, he settled into his cozy nest of shiny treasures, his golden markings shimmering softly in the dim light. And as the gentle currents rocked him to sleep, Midas drifted off into a well-deserved nap, his dreams filled with visions of the vast and wondrous world that awaited him in the depths of the ocean.

The world truly was ever-changing.

Word count: 1006. This submission is decided to be used for Midas.

Reward	Amount
Relic Bones	20
Down Feathers	1