Early Morning — Arsalon Harbor
The morning fog clung to the harbor like a ghost's breath. Seagulls screamed overhead, and the scent of saltwater and kelp drifted heavy in the air. Wooden hulls groaned. Ropes creaked.
Amid the scattered dockworkers shouting orders and hauling crates, one man stood calmly atop the mast of a modest, rented ship, a cup of jasmine tea steaming in his hand.
Old Man Qiu sipped in silence.
"You're late," he muttered, without looking down. His tone held all the warmth of cold iron.
Exactly thirty-two minutes later, a commotion broke through the morning hush.
Ezren stumbled down the docks, panting, dragging a half-conscious Kagetsu by the sleeve like a bag of laundry.
"See? I told you we'd make it in time!" Ezren grinned triumphantly, despite being very obviously late.
"You dragged me out of bed with bread still in my mouth," Kagetsu growled. "Didn't even let me toast it. You're lucky I didn't punch you."
"Oh please," Ezren said, leaping onto the deck with excessive flair. "You're secretly excited for this legendary journey. Admit it, dude."
"I'm excited to not hear your voice for five minutes."
"Too bad!" Ezren beamed. "You get front-row seats to my entire life story!"
Kagetsu looked at the ocean.
And considered, just for a second, if drowning would be more peaceful.
Several Hours Later…
The ship rocked gently as the sails caught a steady breeze. The sea was calm. Graceful. Serene.
Too serene.
"—and then I said, 'That's not a fish, that's my uncle!'" Ezren laughed.
Kagetsu didn't.
His forehead was glued to the ship's railing, a look of spiritual defeat on his face.
"Please, ocean," he whispered. "Take me."
Ezren hadn't stopped talking once since departure. Jokes, stories, opinions about soup consistency, nothing was off-limits.
Old Man Qiu stood at the helm, unmoving, having seemingly achieved the ancient art of tuning out nonsense entirely.
By sunset, land came into view: the sleepy trade town of Lorpeth, known for its quiet inns, average ale… and criminally overpriced apples.
That Night — At the Inn
"I call dibs on the bed!" Ezren announced the moment the door creaked open.
Kagetsu stared.
"What do you mean… the bed?"
There was only one.
Ezren turned slowly, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Well, well, well. One bed. Looks like we'll have to settle this like men."
"Oh heck no," Kagetsu said flatly. "You can sleep on the floor. Or the roof. Or in a dumpster full of broken glass."
"C'mon. Rock-paper-scissors?"
"Too late. I decided already."
"Who put you in charge?"
"Me."
With a heavy sigh, Kagetsu grabbed his coat.
"I'm going to the tavern. Heard they've got strong drinks and pretty waitresses."
Ezren leapt up. "Wait for me! I've got loads of experience with women!"
Kagetsu gave him a long look. Messy hair. Wrinkled shirt. Face that screamed "I haven't slept in 3 days."
"…Get a load of this guy."
At the Tavern
The place was loud and buzzing with energy. Mugs clinked. Laughter roared. Someone was singing (badly) in the corner. The waitresses?
Yeah. Kagetsu hadn't lied.
Ezren slicked back his hair, puffed out his chest, and strolled up to a pretty brunette like a man who once read about confidence in a fortune cookie.
"Greetings, m'lady," he said, bowing so low his back cracked. "Your beauty outshines the moonlit sea. Might I offer you a drink?"
The waitress looked like she had just sniffed spoiled fish.
"Ew. No. Never."
"…I'm sorry, what?"
"What's with your face? Looks like someone paid two copper for a back-alley Plastic surgery. Even your friend looks better."
Ezren staggered like he'd been hit by a spell.
"I didn't even say anything," Kagetsu muttered, sipping his drink.
They left five minutes later.
Outside — The Storm
Rain began to fall. First a sprinkle. Then a torrent. Thunder cracked in the clouds above.
"Gah! Why is it so loud?!" Ezren shrieked, skipping around puddles like a frightened squirrel.
"You're louder than the thunder," Kagetsu muttered, soaked and done with life.
Lightning lit up the path.
BOOOOOM.
The sky exploded. Ezren practically leapt into Kagetsu's arms.
"…Okay, that one sounded personal," he whimpered.
By the time they returned to the inn, they were dripping wet and shaking.
Kagetsu stood at the door, water dripping from his nose.
"I call dibs on the bed."
Ezren groaned. "Crap. Floor it is…"
Later That Night…
BOOOOOOM.
The thunder cracked again, louder than before. Windows rattled. Walls groaned.
Ezren yelped, yanking the blanket over his head.
"It's getting closer! I swear it's targeting us!"
"Yo, quiet down," Kagetsu whispered. "People are sleeping in the rooms next to us."
Despite their earlier bravado, by 2 a.m., both were shivering like wet cats during fireworks.
"You're such a scaredy cat," Kagetsu muttered from under his blanket.
"Don't act like you're not scared too," Ezren whispered from the floor.
They didn't speak again.
Just lay there, wide-eyed and quietly terrified, until sleep finally dragged them under.