Nathaniel sensed urgency ripple through the pod. Vibrations deepened, each note resonating like a signal across the miles. He felt the shift—something coordinated, almost tactical. The whales were communicating, weaving sound into intention. He shivered, realizing he might be witnessing a strategy far beyond human comprehension.
The shark lunged suddenly, colliding against the whale’s flank with brutal force. Nathaniel was jostled hard, air hissing through his regulator. Muscles around him tightened instantly, the whale absorbing the blow like a living wall. He gasped in disbelief. The creature was taking damage not to kill—but to shield.