Realm Wars

Chapter 65: A Storm is Coming

At the first drop of rain, every crew scattered to prepare for the storm.

"Round-up the sails 'n secure the hold!" Skull was giving instructions as she navigated the wheels. "We got a storm comin'!"

Meanwhile, the mercenaries all hid in the comfort of their quarters while Ryu and Kai stayed on deck.

Ryu wanted to experience what a storm was like while Kai was sweating buckets.

"What are you doing? Kai asked. "We should get inside before the storm hits."

Ryu didn't spare Kai a glance. His eyes were on the beaming thunder in the sky and the darkness above that soon followed. 

Rain-like waterfalls poured so fast and intense that all Ryu saw were blurs. The ship rocked back and forth as the waves grew louder and bigger by the seconds.

"Orghp!" Kai held his mouth when he was about to puke. "This is bad. I need to find my darling Fifi!"

Kai sprinted inside the quarters while Ryu remained on deck, mesmerized by what nature could do. It was so powerful that nobody would dare go against it. 

"Ahoy, wha' ye doin' thar?!" A crew shouted at Ryu. "Go back t' yer cabin if ye don't wants t' fall into the ocean 'n swallowed by this waves!"

Ryu took one last look at the heavy rain and the colossal waves before his beast groaned. Apparently, his beast didn't like the big waves while his human self trembled before the giant waves. It felt like it was going to swallow the whole ship, and he became alarmed. 

Just as Ryu was about to go to Cecily, shadows appeared beneath the lightning.

----

Cathy and Nash were staying warm and cozy in their quarters as the storm hits. 

Cathy was drinking her favorite lemon, raspberry tea while Nash was serving her all sorts of delicacies that they stored in their traveler's ring.

The rocking didn't bother the two of them as Cathy bought an item that could make a room stay at normal position, whatever might happen outside. It was a Gravity Stone. It was a must have for those traveling by sea.

"How long will our supply last?" Cathy asked.

"Don't worry, my lay. We've brought enough to last us an entire cycle of moon."

"Hmm. . ." Cathy looked outside the window and wondered. "This storm is abnormal. Don't you think?"

"Storms like this are only natural if we're traversing the Nightmare seas. Don't worry. It will only last tonight."

Cathy's gloomy mood didn't listen. "One night, but frequent?"

Nash nodded. 

Cathy chuckled. "It's a good thing that we've come prepared, huh? Or else we'll be hurling upside down by now. Toss here and there from the violent rocking of this ship. The Captain certainly doesn't care what will happen to us, and she made it clear that we are on our own."

Cathy inhaled her tea and sighed. "What lousy service. I'll give them a negative rating!"

.. .

.. .

"Nash?" Cathy called when Nash didn't reply. He just kept his eyes on the door like someone was there.

"What's wrong?"

Before Cathy had the time to react, the door burst open.

----

Cecily, Lucian, and Rosa were inside Lucian's quarters to discuss what happened before, unmindful of the vigorous rocking of the ship. Because of Rosa's spell, the space inside Lucian's room was separated from the outside world.

"This ship is not safe. Who knows when we're going to encounter some pirates and be offered to ugly stinky bearded men like a piece of meat," Rosa said.

"The nightmare sea isn't safe," Cecily replied, "Even if we change ship now, it's too late."

"I say we highjack this ship," Rosa said with determination. "That's the only way will be safe."

Cecily sighed. "Even if we take control of this ship, the Nightmare sea is still dangerous. Not to mention that we should be alert at all times for mutiny."

Rosa rolled her eyes. "Then what do you suggest? We wait for another pirate ship that will rob us of our freedom?"

".. ."

".. ."

Both girls looked at Lucian, but he remained quiet. His head was low, eyelids dropping a little, appearing to be thinking of something.

"Lucian?" Cecily and Rosa called.

Lucian got up from his seat and said, "I'll go talk to the Captain. If this problem can be solved with gold, then that's the best outcome."

Rosa sighed, shoulders dropping. "Of course, you'll always save humans if you can," muttered Rosa under her breath.

Lucian ignored Rosa's comment. "I'll talk to her after this storm pass."

At the mention of the storm, Lucian and the others looked outside the window. There was nothing but a dark sea like they were submerged in the ocean. If not for the spell that Rosa cast, they'd be upside down from the sheer force of the rocking boat.

"How long will this storm last?" Cecily muttered.

"The whole night, I supposed," said Lucian.

"Will this ship going to be okay?" Cecily didn't know if this ship made of wood would last them the entire night of the storm. This was her first campaign in the sea, and she had no idea what to expect.

Rosa folded her arms. "It should be. This ship sailed the Nightmare sea before you were even born, so the Captain and her crew knew what they're doing."

Cecily grumbled in silence. Why does Rosa always have something against her? She chose to ignore it for Lucian's sake. They shouldn't be quarreling now. They have to be united at all times, even if she had to endure Rosa's mockery.

"Are your servants going to be okay?" Rosa asked Cecily with a sweet pretentious smile. "Lucky for me, I can store Fifi in a jar in my traveler's ring while Lucian's angel servant can disappear and reaper at will."

Rosa really loved to slap on Cecily's face how her servants were useless compared to them. Cecily had a sore spot about her savants. They were a reminder that Murok and Dozla lost their life for her to acquire them. But it turned that one of them was useless while the other was rebellious.

Cecily controlled her anger and said with a voice as calm as she could, "Ryu and Ferris can take care of themselves. They're both strong and able."

Cecily then tilted her head and asked with fake innocent, "Is your servant going to be okay? With her physical attack so low, she needed to recuperate her mana or else she won't be able to cast any thunder." In short, useless in a battle.

Rosa's veins bulged from her forehead, but the skewed smile on her lips remained pretentiously sweet as ever. "Fifi will have her mana back in no time. And all know that you don't need brute strength to kill, just a zap, and they'd be charcoal."

There was static between Cecily and Rosa, and a single spark would ignite the flames and explode the room. 

Lucian sighed, but he didn't stop the two. He didn't plan to interfere in their petty squabbling. Instead, he'd just make it worse if he came between them.

Knock!

Knock!

Lucian, Rosa, and Cecily all looked at the door when an urgent knock broke the heavy atmosphere in the room.

Rosa got up, but Lucian stopped her. 

"Who is it?" Lucan asked.

Rosa just waved a hand. "It's just a merc. I'll see what he wants."

Before Lucian and Cecily could ask further, Rosa opened the door, and the ghostly pale face Kai hung on to her.

Rosa was shocked, and she took a step back before she pushed Kai's vomit-covered face away from her.

"P-please. .. I-is my darling Fifi here?" Kai begged, not letting Rosa's waist go.

"Get away, you disgusting curd!" Rosa slapped Kai in the face and kicked him away from her. 

Kai was flung against the wooden wall and collapsed on the floor with stars swirling around his head.

Before Rosa decided to end him for laying his dirty hands on her, cries and screams broke in the entire ship.

----

A/N

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