After drifting through the abnormally calm seas for a few hours, the captain started to see the shadow of land. He gulped, gripping the wheel tightly as they slowly approached. His eyes were bloodshot and had dark bags under them. Almost all the enforcers and researchers stepped onto the deck to witness the first sight of the forbidden continent. Arthur stood with his team; his hands tucked in his pockets. The lingering thought of the incident that happened a few hours earlier still disturbed him.
He lifted his head as the mist cleared, revealing a massive cliff that seemed to touch the clouds. Gasps flooded the deck and enforcers who hadn't gone to the forbidden continent began to chatter. Arthur's teammates were also surprised.
"Damn, that's massive." Kay's jaw dropped.
"Is this really what the forbidden continent looks like?" Amelia looked in awe.
"Is this really where you went for the forbidden continent, Arthur?" Maple asked, gazing towards the cliffs.
Arthur didn't respond. As they approached, they also saw the structure of the cliffs. It seemed as if a master craftsman had chiseled the cliff from lightning. Intricate vertical lines in wavy patterns similar to that of lightning were spread across. Between the cliffs, there was single, dark path that led to their destination. The captain carefully maneuvered the ship, guiding it towards the split. The ship successfully entered and began treading forward.
"Now…How long until we reach Fortress Bragg?" Harvey asked.
Arthur drew a sharp breath. "Half an hour."
***
After thirty minutes, they finally saw the day once again. The cliffs grew smaller as they drifted farther. Sunlight touched the ship after an entire day bringing joy to the UEOC's enforcers but the AEOC was…not so happy. They all shrieked in pain as painful sensation spread throughout their entire body. They all rushed to their quarters, pushing each other aside. The other enforcers heartily laughed at them.
"What's wrong with them?" Matthew blurted.
"Ashlandian folks hadn't see the day since birth. It's photosensitivity to touching sunlight for the first time in years." Josh gave his friend an answer.
"So, why are they running?"
"They're probably feeling an itching or burning sensation."
David laughed heartily in front of the two friends and asked Nyx.
"What should we do with these AEOC's enforcers? They're allergic to the sun."
Nyx shrugged. "They'll adapt in the time we're in the walls of Fortress Bragg."
"…I doubt it."
"When don't you?"
David dint' reply as they reached the port. Many men in various outfits were waiting for them at the dock. The captain slowly backed up and rotated. He reversed into the dock and his crew threw the anchor towards the men. As it fell, they rushed to hook it up. The captain groggily smiled and turned the engine off. He activated the ramp and knocked out. The respective drivers hurried to their cars and started to unload them.
The crewmembers fell one by one and were picked by the enforcers. The captain and his crew were dragged off the ship and the AEOC's enforcers used umbrellas to step into the sun. It was extremely blinding and painful for them.
"Why the hell is it so painful?!" Amelia complained.
"Because we haven't been in the sun for all our lives, Amelia." Harvey replied.
"Don't worry, this also happened to me when I got here for the first time." Arthur said.
"So, how long will it take to NOT feel pain?" Amelia hissed.
"…A few days."
"I can't survive that long."
"Calm down, Amelia. I'm sure it'll be not as hard as we think."
Amelia slowly turned towards Amelia. "Did you not feel the defecating, itching, burning, sensation that felt like lasers were being fired at my body?"
"Uh…yes? I guess?"
Amelia sighed in defeat. "Never mind."
"By the way, where's Kay?" Arthur looked around.
He finally found him at the very front of their march. He was erratically walking trying to find any shade.
"Hey, Kay! You oka-"
"YES, I AM!!! I AM!" Kay interrupted Arthur, saying in a high-pitched voice.
Arthur walked in shock under his umbrella, getting burned every few seconds as the UEOC enforcers happily walked in the sun.
***
Eventually, the cars got unloaded and they were able to take shade from the sun. His fellow enforcers looked as if they had escaped from hell. They breathing and panting heavily, some were laying on the floor of the vehicle which made Arthur feel disgusted. The cars passed multiple thick square buildings with workers going in and out of them. They were carrying foodstuffs and drinks with great effort. Then, their car abruptly stopped. Arthur knew where they were – how could he not?
'The inner wall…long time no see, buddy.'
Infront of them was a massive wall that stopped them from advancing. It stretched beyond their vision and blocked the sun. Nyx whistled in surprise. With the help from the men from the port, they passed the gates of the inner wall. Nyx leaned out, seeing multiple hotels with men and woman alike.
'They've got hotels? That's amazing! Why did Chris and Dante tell me about this when they went here?'
Nyx slumped into her chair. After a few minutes, they arrived at a large structure. The enforcers began to unload and were called over to the front entrance by Nyx. After they gathered, she coughed and drew a deep breath.
"Alright! Everyone! I'm going to have a little chat with the head of the guild. You guys get some rest. We'll be leaving in a few hours!"
The officers cheered and went their separate ways, soon to return on an adventure.
***
Arthur and company strolled through the empty streets of Bragg with umbrellas. It felt hollow like an abandoned building and had a silent, eerie melody for the departed souls playing through the streets.
'…It's quieter than last time…or is it my imagination?'
"Hey, is that a bladesmith?" Kay asked, pointing towards a burning forge.
Arthur sat down on a bench, holding his umbrella. "Bladesmith, blacksmith, gunsmith. Mainly those."
"This place seems so…empty." Maple commented, sitting beside Arthur.
"The adventures are in the outer wall, training or practicing. The monsters here aren't as dangerous as chaos beasts but fragments do spawn every so often."
Then, he paused and said in a neutral tone.
"I believe this is where the interrogation starts?"
"Oh, yes it does. Ar – I mean – captain." Kay rubbed his hands together.
"Be careful, kay." Arthur pointed at him. "And ask away."
"…Do bullets and normal blades work?" Harvey asked first.
"Absolutely."
"That's a first but… I bet there's something strange about the monsters here, isn't there?" Amelia guessed with a sneaky smile.
"…Correct. " Arthur nodded as he noticed his teammates shadows flicker. "They're not really monsters, Amelia."