A lizard stood on the edge of a short drop into the ocean, checking his map one last time. This was the place, for sure. He'd hit a dead end in research into something ancient, but who'd be better to help him than a friendly aboleth who may well remember that time? Setting his gear down, he prepared his lungs for some time before diving down, swimming deep and entering the cave it lived in.

Minutes ticked by, the lizard passing the point of no return in his swim. As his lungs began to burn, he started to doubt himself, having seen no sign of his target. Did it still live there? And even if it did, would he find it in time? With no other option, he continued onward, chest intensely heaving and face beginning to go purple.

Eventually, the lizard stopped, covering his mouth and desperately struggling... Then he heard a voice in his mind. "An air-breathing visitor? Impressive..." A large aquatic creature swam into view, the lizard recognizing the aboleth immediately. "Are you okay? It's quite the swim to get here... Here, catch your breath." It reached a tentacle over and rested its end on his head. He shuddered as he felt the creature's slime change something inside him, and knowing what that meant, he intentionally gasped.

Water rushed into his struggling lungs... And soothed them just as well as air, as he expected. His panting vented out the bubbles of air his body couldn't process for now, and soon he'd recovered. With that, he tried to remember the questions he had, and hoped the aboleth would be able - and willing - to answer them.


Aboleths are from D&D.