The Cross Heart Adventurers had been sailing for a day and a half after leaving Musk Island, the crew relaxing on deck with Anisa and Cairo.
"It's not as hot as it was before," Aline said, lounging on a beach in sleeveless button up shirt and long skirt with shade on her eyes.
"The weather is really bad at the first half of Alba as well as the capital island, Hasab," Anisa explained, leaning on the side of the ship. "Although, there are still a lot heat waves so you have to be careful."
Paolo ruffled her hair. "You sure know a lot."
She beamed, head lifted high. "I've never left our castle before, but all the books I've read are for the day I plan to go on a grand adventure."
"Well you did a good job."
Prince Aziz walked on deck, stretching his limbs. "Don't underestimate the Alba Sea, the heat waves come at the most random of times. It is very important that we-"
"I've got cocktails!" Luna shouted, walking out with a wooden tray holding eight glass cups of an orange liquid dipped in ice. The Cross Heart Adventurers and Anisa cheered alongside Cairo's enthusiastic bleat.
Aziz turned to face Luna. "Are you sure we'll be okay?"
She took a sip of her cocktail. "We'll be fine. I'm a great navigator, so once we encounter a problem, I'll work their butts off."
Aziz turned to the Cross Heart Adventurers, the five playing around with Anisa and Cairo. "Will we really be okay?"
She grinned, handing him a cup. "Our ship is one where you throw your worries away, so don't have that sour look on your face."
He sighed before sporting a relaxed smile and taking the drink from her. "I guess it's not all that bad."
A roar pierced the air, putting a halt to their festivities. They all gaped as three giant monsters plunged out of the water, casting a shadow over their ship. They had snake like appearance, one blue, one green and the last one red.
Paolo grinned. "Luna, Octavius, make sure we don't get carried by the wave. Aline, Shinzo, we're stopping this thing."
"Roger that captain."
The royals watched in awe as Octavius steered the helm and Luna dealt with the mast. At the front of the ship, Aline pulled out her swords and both Shinzo and Paolo took a stance.
The monsters lounged at them, the ship rocking violently at the movement. Jumping in the air, Aline sliced the red monster multiple times, cutting it into bite sized pieces and Paolo and Shinzo kicked the other two back into the water with a huge splash.
The ship shook at the impact, the three landing back on the deck. The royals gaped as pieces of the sliced up monster fell on deck, Aline sheathing her sword with a grin. "Gather the pieces up and get me a grill because we're grilling this baby up."
.....
Aline frowned, coming out of the pantry. "Our food supplies are running low."
Paolo looked up from the book he was reading in the bar. "The food we have left is enough for how long."
"If it was only us, I estimate it would have lasted a few more days, but we have more people so it'll probably only last three days tops."
The door to the bar opened and Luna, Shinzo and Octavius stormed in.
"I need equipment, mine is rusty."
"My compass broke."
"My training weights have lost effectiveness."
Paolo frowned. "This is serious. Aline, do we at least have ingredients for sweets."
Aline shook her head. "It's unfortunate, but our favorite pastime of watching Octavius eat cake has to be put on hold."
"Please stop doing that, it's weird," Octavius commented.
The door to the bar opened and the prince stepped in. "Did something happen?"
"Our supplies are running low," Paolo said. "Is it okay if we stop somewhere?"
Prince Aziz smiled. "That's fine with me."
Luna pulled out a map from her black trousers and pointed at a little drawing of an island with Hama Island on it. "From where we are, this is the closest island. It's small, but I think we can get all we need."
Paolo smiled. "Then it's settled, we're going to Hama Island."
.....
Team four of the nine heads of the Ichi Army East Sea Division sat in a Café on Hama Island, drinking tea and eating Albanian snacks.
Abrielle, the sixth head, took a sip of her tea. "What a lovely day for tea."
Yulia, the eighth head, nodded. "Most definitely."
Hugo, the seventh head, rolled his eyes. "When will Commander Leon send us instructions?"
Alexandrite, the ninth head, took a bite of cake. "It should be here sometime today."
As soon as he spoke, a white dove landed on their table, a white envelop in its beak.
Hugo opened the letter. "It seems the first part of the plan failed so we're using plan B." he scoffed. "This is why I should be the commander's right hand man, I'm more tactical than that wench Ariel."
Yulia snatched the letter from him then grinned. "Looks like our prey are unripe adventurers." She licked her lips. "Let's show them what it means to get tangled up with an evil organization."