The rough waves gently carried the boat, while the wind blew against its sail. The sun was peeking through the horizon as the sky gleamed in the color of pink, purple, and black. A tiny ray of sunshine sips through the sky, marking the new day ahead.
Brennan chuckled, "To be honest that was easier than I was expecting." He said as they got somewhat further.
Darius looked at him surprised, "You're expecting more difficult?" He asked with furrowed brows.
"Well, with those sirens in the cave. I thought it will turn into a blood bath and I will die eventually." He explained.
"So… Thank you for saving me!" He smiled ever so brightly, his pearly white teeth reflecting the little light available as the sun shone through the horizon.
"No need to thank me really, I mean…" Darius stopped. Thinking about what could be the best thing to say.
"Oraculi will kill me if you didn't return."
Brennan laughed while thinking about their mentor and his empty threat whenever they set on, "I suppose so."
"But thank goodness we are finally safe."
As those words left Brennan's lips, a sudden shiver traveled down Darius's back.
A sudden chill that made him tremble ever so slightly, a terrible feeling, a twist in the gut – as if a curse has been cast upon him.
In a split second, a tidal wave came crashing into the boat sending him off of its safety.
"Darius!" Brennan shouted as he tried to reach for his companion.
His shook and helpless expression was the last thing Darius saw before the wave caved in, sending him to the depths of the water.
Bubbles and the seemingly endless depth were all Darius saw, the darkness of the sea that rivals the haunting depths of the abyss itself.
Yet somehow, he finds the depth somewhat calming due to the lack of noise.
That of course was quickly replaced by horror, due to the terrifying view of a school of sirens swimming directly towards him.
He quickly started struggling to swim back up.
But the sirens were quicker than him, one of them grabbed him by his ankle and dragged Darius deeper into the water.
"Gah!" He accidentally opened his mouth, letting all the air out of his mouth. His lung started feeling more empty.
In a desperate moment, Darius went to draw his sword. Stabbing the siren that holds his ankle.
'If own I could slice them one by one.' He thought as frustration clouded his mind.
As soon as the first siren died and slowly lose its grip, another siren grabbed him by the leg.
"PpFff!" He cursed causing him to lose more air.
As they get deeper, his head started aching, his lungs burned, and his consciousness started slipping off – eyes starting to close.
In that moment of despair, Darius could only think of one.
'If I'm going to die, I may as well take these monsters with me.'
Because he knows that if the sirens lived, his friend will not be safe even if he was aboard the boat, and after Brennan's death, more people will suffer the same fate.
Only because... he failed.
Holding the sword tighter, Darius channeled all of the magic power he could muster. Which wasn't as easy with the sirens clawing against his flesh and skin. His blood mixed with the salty water and the wound stung, but he's not about to stop now.
He gritted his teeth as he bore the pain.
The metallic material of the sword started glowing in the color of purple. Electricity started crackling and the water around him started boiling, forcing the sirens to swim away.
Before the sirens could get away, the magic he gathered exploded.
Creating a massive wave of fatal electricity.
Killing every single siren and unfortunate water creature in the area.
From the surface, the water started boiling. When a massive explosion broke the peace of the water, the boat shook.
Horrified Brennan could only stare at the water in fear and shock.
"Darius!" He shouted before diving into the water.
Darius couldn't feel or hear anything, he was numb.
The burning of his lungs, the stinging of his wounds, and the soring of his body are all gone. Even the crushing pressure on his head also vanished not leaving a single trace of existence.
It was as if he was in peace.
'I never thought that were the suicidal type,' Ravana mused but Darius chose not to reply. Because the feeling of tranquility was too good to be wasted.
Unfortunately, the feeling of a gentle touch woke his senses. Opening his eyes, Darius came face to face with a beautiful woman.
She has gleaming sea-green eyes, curly red hair just like the gentle waves on the shore, a pair of thin lips as pink as a peony in full bloom.
While she wears a sparkling navy blue dress that makes her stand out on the dull ocean floor.
"Darius," she uttered his name in the most gentle voice he had ever heard. A smile occupied her lips as she spoke his name.
"I'm glad you're safe," she added.
Now, normally kindness and gentle gestures are welcomed and thanked for. But to Darius it was different, being a person who depended on himself for a long time.
They were quite rare, making him warry whenever they came around. Because it was either a ploy, an illusion, or the person will ask a favor soon after.
"W-who are you?" Darius asked as he backed away.
The realization that he was breathing and speaking underwater took him by surprise.
His eyes widened with shock and disbelief.
The woman chuckled, "It's alright. I used my power to allow you to temporarily breathe underwater." She assured him.
That was another red flag because if the person around him has power. They are often monsters, witches, and most recently… gods.
"I'll ask again, who are you?" He said in a much sterner voice.
The woman chuckled at his behavior.
"I am Cliodhna..." She said, her eyes sparkling like the surface of the water.
"The goddess of the sea."
Darius scowled, he knew it… he just knew it.
"And let me guess… you saved me because of the world tree?"
Cliodhna chucked once again, "Why of course. While you did a noble sacrifice, my decision was greatly influenced by the world tree. I cannot allow the chosen hero of the world tree to die that easily now. Can I?"
"Besides you haven't fulfilled your duties to the realms, you can't just die, silly." She said with an enthusiastic voice.
"But then..." Her tone became more serious. "This will the first and last time I will help you because any more might be considered an act against the ancient laws."
Darius only sighed, looking at the goddess with annoyance.
"Well I already refused, I have more important things to do." He said as Darius started swimming up.
Her mood shifted from serious to jolly, just like the shifting of the tide."Like killing monsters to feed the sword? To become stronger and save your brother?"
Her words captured his attention like a fish of the net.
Now, he was focused on the goddess.
"They said you were smart but I'm starting to doubt that." She giggled making Darius scoff.
"Can't you see? Accepting the role will be your best chance of defeating your enemies. The gods will be in your favor…"
She tilted her head to the side, "Somewhat in your favor that is." He corrected herself.
"Well, the point is. The gods will give what they can if you pledge your service to the world tree. You will gain occasional favors if the ancient laws allow it. Even the people of the realms can help, especially the elves. They are great warriors you know." She added.
At this point, Darius started considering.
He will admit she's good at convincing people, like a scammer on the street.
Maybe… she's right. NO. She is right.
If it's true that the people of the realms will help him then… resources, manpower, weaponry – he can have it all.
It will make things way easier.
The goddess swam closer, their noses almost touching.
"Soon they will come for you, enemies and allies alike. And you will be forced to make a choice, and I do hope it will be the right one." Her voice once again became bone-chillingly serious.
Darius furrowed his brows, "From what Cernnunos told me, I don't really have that much of a choice."
The goddess drew herself back, "It's true." She nodded her head.
"The world tree will never choose another hero until after your death. So…" She wiggled a finger.
"You will be like a big rock on the paved path… needless to say… many will try to get rid of you so that the world tree can choose a new hero."
A chill went down his spine.
"For now, you still have a little freedom, but soon… they will come for you. So better make up your mind."
"Oh and on that note, a lot of creatures hate you because of your past. Mainly the fairies, but from what I've heard…"
"The elves don't like you too. It was something about a man… Elden? Adrian? Erick? I'm not really sure, but they wanted him to be the hero of the world tree. So you will need to be careful... because they might go for the kill soon. If you haven't pledged that is."
Her eyes sparkled once more, her cheery tone resurfacing, "Now, remember... it only takes a whisper in the wind to accept your new fate. No matter how low your voice is, if you take the oath, the world tree will hear you."
"Well, that's all I can say. I bid you the best of luck." She waves off and sent Darius to the surface.
"W-wait!" Darius exclaimed.
He already know but he wanted to confirm it.
"It's her isn't it?" He asked.
"The one gathering forces."
Cliodhna nodded, then spoke two distasteful words.
"White Crow."
The sun was already shining brightly, the sky was blue and clear. The seagulls are now flying among the clouds.
But the beautiful weather cannot wash away the dread in Brennan's heart.
The young man dived into the water once more, hoping the find his friend.
But in another helpless endeavor, he resurfaced with lesser hope than the last.
He couldn't see him anywhere and no matter how much he hates to admit it…the truth is, Darius could be dead.
For the nth time, Brennan went back into the water. His eyes stung upon contact with the salty water.
But that didn't matter, because his dread was replaced with pure joy when he saw Darius swimming up to the surface.
"Gah!" He exclaimed as he broke the surface. Breathing the fresh air so greedily.
"You're alive!" Brennan exclaimed, unable to stop himself from hugging Darius.
"Y-yeah" Darius said awkwardly as he patted Brennan's back. Such action was odd to him, but it made him smile nonetheless