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Jessica couldn't sit still and neither could Edith, her little purple dragon friend.

They were both excited at the prospect of not only starting a new adventure, but also finally getting to look after a creature Jessica had always dreamt about.

Ever since she was a little girl, Jessica had loved all creatures, but the mythological ones just held a special place in her heart.

There was something so beautiful, so unique, and so endearing about them.

From unicorns all the way to bigfoot. Each and every one had been labelled and judged.

So, when she was only a baby witch of ten years old, she had made the decision then and there.

She was going to be a cryptozoologist.

Her parents had been both thankful and relieved when she had made this statement, knowing that when she set her mind to something, then she would do it.

But mainly because she was a failure as a witch and part of the Mistwalker Coven.

It had been expected that by the age of seven her powers would have come forth, and even at such a young age she would have dominated as a witch.

But alas, Jessica had produced no magic, instead she had only managed to converse with a local school of mermaids.

Her parents had been disappointed but supportive as always, hiding from her the harsh remarks of the magical community. Jessica hadn't cared, yet her parents worried for her.

A witch with no powers, they were usually the laughing stock of the magical community, even though she was from such an affluent family. Though, Jessica hadn't missed the quiet remarks behind her back or the lack of invitations to all events.

Jessica had shrugged each indifference off and focused on her true calling, her magical powers would have only been a distraction from what was her true dream.

She had worked hard in the following years, learning from the very best and, in turn, had become top in her field. So, when she had been contacted by the legendary Witches of the Moonchild Coven, she had almost passed out.

Not only did they seek her help, but they needed help with a creature that even she had never seen in the flesh. A creature so historic and mysterious it was like the holy grail of mythological creatures.

Who could turn down the chance to work with Krackens? Not just any, though. The absolute legends that were the Krackens of Kracken’s Hole.

Jessica couldn't help the side steps of excitement as the wind swept her hair in every direction.

“You are doing that thing again,” Edith, her draconian familiar, stated in a fairly judgemental way.

Edith was like that, but she was Jessica’s closest companion.

One she had found herself with after a scary adventure in the Scandinavian hills trying to find a Wyvern.

Edith had been captured by humans, so Jessica had relieved them of their charge and Edith had decided to follow her everywhere.

So even though she was a shit witch, she still got to have a companion. It was nice… when she wasn't being judgy. Which was hardly ever.

“I know, I’m just so excited, this is so exciting… isn’t it so exciting?” Jessica bounced again.

“Exciting, right?” Edith's voice kept the same tone. “I don't think you said that word enough.”

“Don't be a party pooper.” Jessica frowned at her companion before she looked back over the rail of the vessel.

That had been the first surprise for Jessica, a pirate ship had waited for her at the docks, and the crew as well.

Ghosts, all of them were ghosts. She had never feared ghosts, having grown up in a coven.

They usually had visitors of the ghostly persuasion, although none of them were as active as the ones steering the boat.

The wood creaked beneath her feet as she stood by the railing, watching the coast get smaller as they moved out to sea.

From the little she had gleaned from the chatter of the crew, they had to move into deeper waters so they could get to the town at the right angle, otherwise they would miss the doorway.

The town itself was hidden by a shield so no stray humans could venture in.

If one was lucky enough, then the witches there would deal with it.

The boat rocked side to side as the not-so-gentle swell hit, and Jessica found herself almost lulled into a calming state by the sound of water hitting the hull.

With the wind in her hair, she lifted her face up to the sun and revelled in the calm.

A calm she knew wouldn't last as soon as she reached Kracken’s Hole.

Jessica was excited for what was to come but also a little anxious.

This was her dream, after all, to work with not only one of the most elusive mythological creatures to ever exist, but also one of the largest. Her journal that documented every creature she had had the pleasure to work with was thick with information, hearsay, and gossip about Krackens, and she looked forward to finding out the truth.

Her future and reputation as a cryptozoologist would be cemented in history as the first to study and help care for, not just one, but multiple Krackens. Edith may very well laugh and take the piss, but she was very much ‘excited’ too.

The large vessel lurched to the side, making Jessica stumble and Edith flap her little wings to lift her chunky body off her shoulder less she fall off.

“Well, that’s poor driving,” Edith muttered as she gently set her bulk down back on Jessica’s shoulder.

“Kracken’s Hole in view, portal doorway imminent,” a bellow sounded from the crow’s nest, and the morning mist slowly dissipated as they passed through what could only be described as a shimmering wall.

Shivers stroked up her spine as the magic from the portal rippled through her.

Edith sneezed in response, a tiny fireball shooting from her nose.

“Bless you,” Jessica chuckled, luckily, nothing caught on fire. “Oh, would you look at that?” she breathed out as the small paranormal town came into view.

Set around a small cove, the town was nestled quaintly into the hillside.

She could see the town was already full of bustle, their daily routine already well underway.

The town itself was legendary within the magical world.

Home to all manner of paranormal creatures as well as the Krackens.

It was also the home of the Moonchild Coven, witches that were revered throughout the world.

Jessica knew, from the intense research she had undertaken the moment she had been offered and accepted the job, that there had been three Krackens.

Maximus, Brutas, and Dave. Unfortunately, Maximus had passed away, although only the guardians knew how.

So that left Brutas and Dave and a group of eggs.

That’s what had gotten her really excited about the job, no one ever had had the chance to study baby Krackens, never mind eggs and witness a hatching.

And didn’t that just make her feel warm and fuzzy on the inside.

Her family knew she loved all mythical beings, but not many knew she was obsessed with Krackens.

She had read everything there had ever been printed about them, she had books, posters, toys.

If it was Kracken themed, she probably owned it.

Her thoughts were so focused on her obsession she hadn't realised that the ship was moving into position to dock.

“Everyone off,” a deep voice called out in a friendly manner; the ghost crew were already hard at work unloading supplies as the other passengers disembarked.

“Shift that arse then,” Edith stated and fluttered her wings. “I am keen to get settled then try out the pub. The Ferret’s Mott is famous, don't you know? I’ve been told their Scrumpy is fabulous, and I could really do with a pint of Vicar’s Knutt .”

“A pint of what now?” Jessica frowned, the words of her familiar not computing.

“Vicar’s Knutt, it's a cider,” Edith stated as she flapped her little wings and took off towards the gangplank. “Best cider in the south of England, according to the para pub guide.”

“It best be with a name like that.” Jessica shuddered and made to follow her dragon, when one of the pirates stepped into her path.

She noticed him when they had first climbed aboard.

He was a ghost, well, that’s what she had surmised by the way he could walk through walls but when he wasn't doing that, he seemed more solid than the others.

But it was also his aura, the way he held himself that showed he was something more.

Well, apart from being the captain, which was bloody obvious from the orders he threw out.

And now he standing in front of her, she would admit he was a good-looking guy.

“Jessica, is it?” he asked

“Indeed, can I help you?”

“Maeve was supposed to meet you, she’s unable to come.”

“Oh, that’s a pity. I was looking forward to meeting her, how do you know her?” Jessica asked, a little disappointed that she wouldn't get to meet the famous Moonchild Witch.

“She’s my mate,” he said with a smile and a sparkle in his eyes. “My little ol’ ball and chain.”

“If she heard you describe her as BASTARD that, she would have your BELLEND balls,” a new voice chimed in. A small greyish-blue pigeon perched on the railings, wearing the biggest pair of thick rimmed glasses she had ever seen.

“Oh shush,” the pirate aimed towards the pigeon before turning to Jessica. “This is Binky, he’s Maeve’s familiar and a pain in the arse. Take everything he says with a pinch of salt because that bird has issues.” With a tip of his hat, the pirate vanished, leaving her alone with the sweary bird.

“Pinch of salt, he's such a salty git,’ Binky grumbled to himself before he clocked Jessica with his right eye… the left was doing its own thing.

“Welcome to Kracken’s Hole, any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask TWAT!”

With that he lifted his wings, flapped them, and glided down towards the dock, leaving Jessica to navigate the gangplank and the dock alone.

Edith had vanished but Jessica wasn't worried.

That dragon was more than capable of looking after herself and, to be honest, it gave Jessica a little break from the sarcasm.

“If you follow me, I will escort you to the Hollow where ARSEHOLE we can get you FUCK settled.” Binky nodded and pointed a wing towards a small path that led up the left side of the cliff that housed the town. Before she was able to take a step forward, a pirate walked past her and winked.

Jessica would have smiled but the fact the pirate was stark bollock naked threw her for a loop.

“Mate, would you please put some clothes on? You are scaring the WANKA tourists,” Binky shouted. “Come on, it's this way.”

Jessica already loved the town; she immediately felt at home and could not wait to get settled and start working.

Following the pigeon up the hill made her smile.

There was something so therapeutic about watching his feathered arse sway from side to side.

Every now and again he would skip on one foot before going to his stride, and if there was something he thought she would like to see, he would sweep a wing out to the side and point it out.

“I’m sorry, did you just say Blackbeard?” Jessica stopped and looked back at the town; the high vantage point of the cliff gave her a beautiful view. “As in, the actual famous pirate Blackbeard?” she stated

“Yes, of course, the naked dude you saw, what other Blackbeard is there?”

‘I err… good point, I just didn’t expect to see him here, that’s all… and alive,” Jessica admitted.

“You believe in mythical creatures, yet Blackbeard was strange to you?” Binky chuckled. “And he isn’t alive. He's one of the ghost pirates of Kracken’s Hole. He’s usually more dressed but he’s celebrating finally beating Bas in a poker game.”

“Ahh okay,” Jessica answered, as if that all made sense to her. She felt like she had been dropped into a Carry-on film and not been given the script.

She looked from the town, back to the pigeon, who watched her with his right eye, the jam jar glasses making that eye look downright creepy.

“Shall we continue?” Binky asked, Jessica nodded and waited for him to continue his waddle up the path.

Her excitement had died down and was replaced with a mixed bag of feelings.

Jessica was now questioning what she had gotten herself into.

Surely, a talking pigpen with Tourettes and naked ghost pirates would be the strangest things she would see?

Or was that just the beginning?