Chapter 10: Someone in the Mist of Darkness
The ship, carved of reinforced blackwood and layered with weatherproof runes, glided across the shimmering ocean.
Its white sails caught the wind as it headed toward Elyasia, the land where new lives awaited.
The sun blazed above, the salt-filled air danced around the passengers, and the waves gently rocked the vessel.
Peace had finally arrived—if only for a short while.
Day One – The Calm Before
Shinra and Samy relaxed on the main deck, stretched out under the warm sun. The salty breeze carried the distant cry of seabirds. It was the kind of day stories end on—except their story was just beginning.
Around noon, Shinra's stomach broke the silence.
"I'm starving," he groaned.
"Let's go eat before you try chewing your boots," Samy chuckled.
They headed to the ship's dining hall, a wide space filled with round tables and a long buffet. Captain Ryken was already there, plate half-filled.
Shinra's eyes lit up at the size of the buffet, but his joy faded fast.
The selection looked vast—but most trays held the same few dishes: plain rice, vegetable curry, watery soup, and overcooked beans.
Samy grinned. "A buffet of illusions."
After lunch, they wandered the deck, gazing out at the endless blue sea.
The sun dipped low, painting the sky with gold and crimson.
That night, they lay beneath a canopy of stars, waves lapping softly against the hull.
A full day passed In peace.
Day Two – Shadows Rise
By the next evening, everything changed.
Dark clouds gathered without warning, the sun swallowed in an instant. Winds roared across the sea.
Waves rose and crashed against the ship's hull with growing force.
Then came the rain—violent, slashing sideways.
Crew members shouted, rushing to secure sails and guide passengers below deck.
Samy pulled Shinra close as the deck pitched sharply.
"This storm isn't natural…"
The ship rocked harder, metal and wood groaning under the pressure.
Lightning flashed.
Thunder cracked.
Panic spread.
Then—silence.
For a brief second, the sea went still.
From beneath the waves, something massive stirred.
With an ear-splitting roar, the sea parted—and from its depths emerged a monstrous sea creature.
A giant, mutated sea tiger—like a colossal prawn with armored limbs and glowing purple eyes—towered above the ship.
Standing atop the beast's armored head was a man—a silhouette cloaked in dark robes, soaked by rain, his eyes glowing the same eerie purple as the monster beneath him.
He radiated a strange energy. Evil.
Calm.
Passengers froze in fear. Shinra, Samy, and many others stood in silence, watching from the upper deck.
The air was heavy with tension.
Captain Ryken stepped forward, gripping his blade. Without hesitation,
he activated his fire magic,
his sword glowing hot with burning mana.
With a deep breath, he leapt forward to meet the beast.
Meanwhile, Alex emerged from the shadows of the rear mast, silent as death.
His eyes narrowed at the mysterious figure.
As Ryken battled the creature, slicing through armored legs with flaming strikes,
Alex moved like a ghost across the rain-slicked deck.
With one hand raised, Alex summoned his shadows.
Dark tendrils erupted from the floor, lashing toward the cloaked enemy.
The man deflected them with a strange, corrupted aura—but Alex pressed forward, faster, sharper.
Their powers clashed in a blur of shadow and light.
Finally, Alex cornered him.
"Who are you?" Alex demanded, voice like a blade.
The figure smiled, stepping backward into the mist. "You'll find out… when it's too late."
With that, he vanished—leaving behind nothing but mist and silence.
At the same moment, Captain Ryken, his blade now glowing white-hot, delivered a massive slash to the sea tiger's head.
The enchanted fire magic tore through the beast's armor.
It roared, then fell back into the sea with a crashing splash and disappeared beneath the waves.
The deck went silent.
The storm had passed.
The monster was gone.
And the figure… had escaped.
Alex stood still, eyes locked on the mist where the man had vanished.
Samy and Shinra exchanged a look—uneasy and uncertain.
Ryken landed beside them, catching his breath.
The battle was over, but the questions had only begun.
As the sun began to rise, the ship sailed on—cutting through calm waters once again, as if the chaos had never happened.