The old man pressed his massive hand firmly against the fish's slick body, pinning it down with practiced ease. The creature still flailed weakly, its enormous tail slapping the wood with dull, wet thuds. But Yograj wasn't restraining it out of strength alone. His old face grew strangely calm, his eyelids lowering as though he were preparing for something far deeper than simply holding down prey.
And then something unnatural happened.
The marlin's body jerked violently as though pierced by invisible needles. A ripple passed through its flesh, its muscles twitching in a wave that traveled from its tail to its head. Its sword-like bill quivered, and then, horrifyingly, the fish convulsed like it had been struck by lightning.
