Gatherers were up at the first crack of dawn. They hurried through the port, unbothered by the extremely cold temperatures that clung to the air.
Krim got to work on convincing crews to allow them aboard, offering their services in exchange for a new experience. And they happily agreed, helping the small group get on.
Once everyone was situated and ready, a Thawed by the name of Atrif stood proudly over them. Casting his dim shadow over the still-drowsy group. His shoulders hung with pride as he admired the fine blacks and blues of their sets.
"Heard this was your first time on board a vessel, eh?" Atrif softly chuckled. "I don't know how you would fare as a resource, but we can make it work."
Tinzor held out his hand to properly greet the ship-master. "Hello, my name is Tinzor from the Infinus Legion. We arrived to Yarno looking for a new experience, and we found it right on this port."
Atrif chuckled again, but this time heavy rasp lingered in his throat. "That's the sweet melody we like to hear. Newcomers turning into potential navigators and sailors. What a rush it will be!"
Both parties exchanged greetings, showing their best manners as first impressions. Except for Krim, who pointed out the blind right eye on Atrif's face.
When asked about it, he said it was when he became 'of the sea.' He dove into the water to aid with a catch, and left with a bleeding eye after the fish drove a fin inside.
Time flew by in the blink of an eye, it was mid-morning already and the port was as lively as before. Marches danced to their songs, chanting along for a successful day.
Frozen waters broke apart as the ship effortlessly tore right through them, creating pathways for divers to reach fish. Once they were marked and ready, Atrif ordered the ship to stop.
And it did, right over a deep dark hole beneath the relatively calm waters. Something that drove a little concern into the hearts of the visitors.
"Okay, my fellas. Who is feeling hardy today?" Atrif's cheerful chuckle sprung to life. "Waters' are cold!"
Reveria looked over the side of the ship, coldly staring down at the abyss beneath them. She was immune to the worry the others were feeling. After all, her only purpose to live was lost.
She unlatched armor from her body, putting them beside some empty crates designed to hold their daily catches in. After she was ready, she stood proudly over the group.
Her fists closed, ready to embrace through the coldest of winters. The warrioresque determination in her gaze was clearer than the waters themselves.
"Strong lady," Atrif called her over. "Are you ready for your dive?"
"I have already dived headfirst into a world I was not ready to live in. How bad could this be?" she replied in a half-dead tone.
Atrif cocked his head towards a group of divers. "Heh, well if you decide to stick with us I wouldn't mind having you around. What is your name?"
Reveria clenched her fists tight. "Capt'n Hul-aqon. (Fuck off.)"
"Hardy one, are ya?" Atrif dryly responded. "Listen to my men if you want to survive your first trip."
Once he finished speaking, two of his men approached Reveria holding bandages in their hands. They wrapped two around her ankles, another around her wrists, and one around her stomach.
It was to ensure she was steady in the water, so she wouldn't drown. After they finished, they stepped back to let her forward.
"That abyss beneath us?" one of the men spoke to her in a calm voice. "It's a type of fish. They are called Blackbacks because of this exact reason. They are rare, too. But worth the catch."
He turned around to face the rails, a thrill unlike any other engulfed his chest. Encouraging him to jump right over them, straight into the freezing water beneath.
Many more followed, and so did Reveria. She leapt off the ship, diving headfirst into the salty water. Which struck her like a lightning strike, it was a cold unlike she had ever experienced.
She forced her eyes open to see the new world around her, and far below the surface was all the action. So she poked her head out, took in a deep breath, and dove right back down.
The ocean parted as she pierced through like a bolt to a body. Making it down to the divers with little oxygen wasted. She watched them wrap themselves around two Blackbacks each, then squeeze around their necks.
Which disabled them for good. Making it easy for them to bring the Blackbacks back to the surface, where each catch would be secured inside the crates.
Reveria mimicked them, or at least tried to. When she came in for a grip on a Blackback, it turned around and rammed its flat forehead into her chest. Knocking a lot of her air out of her lungs.
Forcing her to retreat back up to the surface, where she began coughing uncontrollably. To those on board the ship, they were worried, but Reveria was not. She was determined to get revenge.
She quickly descended to the same level as the Blackbacks, and tried again. Another Blackback attempted to ram their head into her body, which nearly worked.
Her sluggish movements in the water made it difficult to avoid anything coming over to attack her. However, she was quick to react this time.
Both of her arms wrapped around the Blackback, then she clamped down on them with destructive power. Disabling it within seconds after catching it.
Another came in, hoping to strike her. But she did the same thing with that one. With a swift move and a sudden clamp, Reveria secured two Blackbacks. All she needed to do was bring them back to the ship.
As time progressed, more warriors were interested in joining the catch. Which led to most of the Infinus forces diving for the remainder of the trip.