talesofthedeep prompt: Your team was assigned to explore the iceberg that recently broke off the Atlantic. A horrifying discovery was waiting to happen.

Waves rose high, taunting in their viciousness as they crashed hard against the ship.

Evangeline's head rested against the window, occasionally bumping on the metal frame when the vessel swayed. The sound of pencil scratching on paper filled her room as her fingers moved in a daze while her gaze followed the floating iceberg they were heading towards, its jagged edges glistening under the pale sunlight.

She couldn't shrug off the itch that's been gnawing at her insides ever since her team received an urgent assignment from a government agency. A massive iceberg had recently broken off from the Atlantic and was drifting towards unknown waters. The same one she was sketching. Her team was assigned with exploring it, documenting its features, and uncovering potential threats.

However, why would they insist on having her, an archaeologist, on this trip? There was only one answer.

A knock at her cabin's door disrupted her thoughts.

Pulling her beanie further down, Evangeline was glad for her thermal gloves and face mask as she stepped out into the deck. It was bustling with life.

Jackson was leaning against the taffrail, his eyes glinting with excitement.

Evangeline grinned, "Are they done assessing the stability of the icy terrains?"

"Yup. Dr. Mei Ling Chen is a gift from God," Olivia said, slinging an arm over her shoulders.

"It's adventure time, baby," Jack cheered.

With their specialized gear and research equipment, Evangeline's team greeted Lieutenant Ramirez as they boarded her helicopter before heading toward the colossal iceberg.

"You reported sighting a hidden cave when patrolling?" Evangeline shouted.

Sofia nodded. "It's located in the area where the iceberg had broken off but it's hard to pinpoint the depth from up here."

It didn't take long before Evangeline was staring at the entry of the cave. As they approached it, an eerie silence enveloped the air, contrasting with the surrounding tumultuous sea.

Jackson checked their surroundings, ensuring it was safe to enter. Malik hoisted his weapons. Olivia and Evangeline secured their backpacks and insulated parkas before they ventured deep into the iceberg's core, navigating through narrow icy tunnels and chambers. A sense of foreboding weighed heavily upon their shoulders. It was as if the iceberg held its secrets close, waiting to reveal them at the right moment.

Evangeline's heart swelled with a mix of excitement and trepidation.

"Do you believe in ghosts?"

Everyone rolled their eyes, already accustomed to Jackson's antics.

A sudden bone-chilling gust of wind rushed through, carrying an unsettling presence. They'd stumbled upon a massive cavern hidden within the frozen depths. Evangeline's team exchanged nervous glances, their flashlights illuminating the icy walls adorned with ancient symbols and eerie carvings.

Evangeline got her answer as to why an archaeologist was sent to explore an iceberg in the middle of the ocean. She didn't waste a second before she and Olivia immediately started meticulously documenting everything, shooting pictures and writing notes.

As they pressed forward, the cavern unveiled a horrifying sight.

Encased within the ice, they discovered scattered bones of various shapes and sizes. It seemed the iceberg that fell off not only revealed a hidden cave full of cryptic ancient texts and carvings. There were also frozen bones of foreign creatures that looked like beings from an alien realm.

Jackson stepped closer. "Angie, do you believe in Aliens?"

"No." Her heart thudded harder. This was a chilling discovery. Horrifying, but not to Evangeline who've been obsessed with tales of beasts of fairytales and mythology. She willed her heartbeat to slow and her mind to focus. She was getting closer to uncovering something.

"Myths? Legends?" He tried again.

After motioning for Olivia to resume her tasks and for Malik to scout the area again, Evangeline smirked. "There's no such thing. I firmly believe they're a reality that we've failed to prove. They could also be hiding from us."

Jackson resumed his job of securing the ropes they set on their way in and checking for any other possible exits. "They?"

"Yeah. All those mythical beasts. I don't blame them. Humans are scary. You know the first thing they'd do if they ever catch a supernatural being?"

"Post about it on social media?" He shot her a crooked grin.

Evangeline laughed. "Dissect it."

After that, no one dared speak again, afraid they'd disturb the remains of these otherworldly creatures - frozen in time and preserved for untold millennia. It seemed that the iceberg had either served as a natural prison or a graveyard for these beings.

There was only one way to find out. Research.

"No wonder they made us swear secrecy and sign all those confidentiality paperwork BS," Olivia said before joining Evangeline in gathering bone samples.

They'll have to send more workers to extract the rest of the skeletons buried in there and then safely transport them somewhere safer with better tools so further study could be conducted. Afterward, they'll have to consult ancient texts, decipher the cryptic symbols, as well as consult with experts in various fields to connect the dots.

Evangeline's hand glided over large wings etched into the ice, dark ink contrasting with the snow. They were spread wide and open, attached to the body of a dragon that had its mouth wide open. Was it roaring? Breathing Fire? It could even be laughing for all they knew.

The carving under her touch was real as her great, great grandparents' diaries.

As they headed to the ship, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning which opened a gateway to a realm of possibilities and unknown wonders.

One she's been seeking for a while now. This was a step forward to learning more about her inhuman blood.

Her teammates might've taken her words from earlier as her usual comedic relief jabs aimed at the aloof Jackson. However, Evangeline was being serious. No one more than her understood the weight of the bone-chilling discovery they'd just stumbled upon.

The world, with all its hidden wonders and enigmatic secrets, beckoned her once more.

Word count: 1000.

Evangeline's team on this expedition:

Captain Marcus Sullivan is an experienced naval officer in maritime operations with a keen sense of leadership. Though not mentioned, he's the captain of the ship.

Jackson "Jack" Reynolds is a seasoned mountaineer and expert in vertical ascents. He's responsible for leading the team during challenging ice-climbing expeditions. His expertise in navigating icy cliffs and crevasses ensures the safety and success of the team. He's also one of Evangeline's dear friends.

Dr. Olivia Pierce is a brilliant archaeologist and historian. She's a renowned linguist and expert in ancient languages and cultures which proves invaluable in deciphering texts and uncovering hidden secrets within ancient artifacts.

Dr. Mei Ling Chen is a brilliant geologist and glaciologist. Her expertise is crucial in assessing the stability of icy terrains and providing insights into the iceberg's origins.

Lieutenant Sofia Ramirez is a skilled pilot and aerial reconnaissance expert. Her piloting skills and aerial observations aid in surveying the vast icy landscape and locating potential hazards or points of interest.

Malik Khan is a former military personnel with extensive combat training and experience. He's also an expert survivalist and outdoorsman. He's a skilled scout who brings a wealth of knowledge in wilderness exploration and survival techniques. He's also a close friend of Evangeline's, having bonded with him after he'd protected her way too many times on her endless reckless adventure sprees.