"Crash, whoosh."
Somewhere in Europe's North Sea, dark clouds hung low over the water, fierce winds howled, and waves surged.
A steel-hulled freighter carrying a large cargo of meat and vegetables from Norway to England plowed through the rough seas.
England's demand for all kinds of ingredients had suddenly risen lately. Everyone abroad guessed that this culinary wasteland had finally decided to make an effort and was buying vast quantities of ingredients to experiment with.
Up in the lookout tower, Captain Jack chatted with his first mate.
"Damned weather. It's put me behind schedule, and those Brits will dock my pay again."
"Well, there's nothing we can do. This weather is strange, though. The forecast clearly said this stretch of sea would be clear."
"When has the forecast ever been right? I'd sooner believe a Sea Serpent was causing trouble than trust the forecast."
"Captain, that joke isn't funny at all."
"What's the harm? I'm an atheist. Still, there's a legend about a Sea-Eye Abyss in the North Sea that connects to great lakes all over the world. I'd really like to see it if I ever get the chance."
"Oh, really? Then good luck, Captain. Just make sure you wait until I've resigned before pursuing that dream."
"Ha! You really are a coward..."
Jack had barely finished speaking.
Suddenly, the entire ship began pitching violently. Then, beyond their control, it started moving sideways in a particular direction, as though some enormous creature were forcibly dragging it along.
The first mate nearly rushed over to tear the captain's mouth off. Shit! That's what you get for running your mouth!
Soon, the ship was lost in a fog-shrouded stretch of pitch-black sea.
On deck, a hundred or so sailors ran about in panic, shrieking that they had encountered a Sea Serpent.