They reached an area where lumps of mist flowed over the ocean swallowing them up.
'Ah, not this again.' Aaron said as the ship began struggling to move forward. Hilo gazed over the ship's railing at the raging waves.
'How's it going Jetta?' Aaron said.
The crew's eyes turned up to the platform on top of the mainmast.
'Working on it.' Jetta said.
A glow radiated from the seafloor.
'Runes.' Hilo mumbled.
Everyone's attention went to the ocean as they all ran to the railings.
'Runes? As in the stuff, minstrels use?' Leon said.
'Kalena said that Apela set them up around the island so that invaders wouldn't be able to enter.' Hilo said.
'So that's why they were so on guard.' Marco said.
Oran peered over the side of the ship trying to make out what the runes said. 'D-destroy… storm? I can't make out the rest. Must be some advanced form.' Oran said.
'Wait shouldn't we be dead then?' Leon said.
'Yes and no it depends. Runes use the world's mana to fulfill the caster's objective according to the language used.' Oran said.
'Wait aren't you a devotee how can you read ruins?' Leon said.
'I can't perform runes myself but if you must know I used something called a book. I doubt you even know how to read so why ask?' Oran said. Clint ran up Leon's back and hissed at Oran.
'Good monkey, now the real question is how are we not dead yet.' Oran said.
'Could it have something to do with the cargo?' Jules said.
'I don't know what you have on board this ship but whatever it is we're lucky it's here otherwise we'd be dead.' Oran said.
'What are ya even talking about? We made it and that's all that matters yeah?' Aaron said.
Rays of sunshine started peering through. They made it to clear skies with an endless ocean in front of them. As the warm sun and salty breeze hit their faces they all let out a sigh of relief. The ship began moving normally as the wind hit the sails and waves began crashing on the side of the boat again. So this is it Hilo thought as a large grin fell on his face as he listened to the hypnotic murmuring of the waves.
'So where are we headed, Captain?' Hilo asked.
'We're delivering some cargo to Port Kousa.' Captain Ben said.
Hilo stared at the ocean admiring the scene as his mind wondered what adventures this Port Kousa would bring.
'There are some Claimant groups in the city you could ask to help look for your grandfather' Captain Ben said.
'Claimants?' Hilo said.
'They're what you'd call specialists. If anyone can find your grandfather it's them. But aside from that you should try and figure out what you want to do after you find him. We're a few days away from Kousa so you should think it over.' Captain Ben said. Hilo's smile went away as he looked back at the ocean.
'Jetta! See if the Asher works.' Captain Ben said as he made his way to a box connected to the mainmast.
'Sure thing!'
-
'Sent it Cap!' Jetta said.
'Ting' the box went.
A piece of burning paper started forming inside of it. 'Finally, the damn thing's working.' Captain Ben said. He took the paper out and it said When's breakfast? 'Okay, that should mean everything else works as well.' Captain Ben said to himself.
Hilo amazed at what just happened started poking the Asher not sure what it was exactly.
'Cleo show Hilo to his cabin. He'll be bunking with Oran.'
'Gotchya boss' Cleo said. A green muscular woman with tusks protruding upward from her mouth. Hilo's eyes stuck on her not sure if asking what she was would be rude.
'What!? You can't do this to me old man. He's going to drive me insane.' Oran said.
'I don't remember you having a say in the matter. Appreciate we didn't throw you overboard with what you tried doing in Roan.' Captain Ben said. Oran's eyes darted at Hilo who was still staring at Cleo.
'Ting' the box went again.
This time a small stack of papers had appeared. 'Those impatient bastards.' Captain Ben said after reading what was written on the first page. 'Don't bother me unless it's important.' Captain Ben said as he passed the two doors in the center of the ship leading to the lower deck.
Cleo gestured for Hilo to follow her down the deck and Oran followed behind them. The sound of creaking floorboards and shouting of the crew on the upper deck filled the stuffy halls of the lower deck.
'She's an orc and no she's not sick. You can stop staring now.' Oran said.
'Wait how'd you know what I was thinking? Can you read minds?' Hilo said.
'What? No, it's just obvious. Your face said it all.' Oran said.
'So you can read faces? That's so cool.' Hilo said. Oran's eyes shot to the side avoiding eye contact as the side of his face started twitching.
'I don't know what you expected.' Oran said.
Cleo let out a chuckle before opening one of the doors. You could barely fit 5 people in the dim room. There were two beds on either side separated by a small drawer. They had no windows. 'This is it I'll leave the rest to the two of you.' Cleo said.
'Thank you, Cleo.' Hilo said.
'Why're you thanking her? She didn't do anything.' Oran said.
Cleo glared at Oran before slamming the door. The room's wooden walls began radiating a Lime-colored light. Hilo stared at the walls before touching them and grinning from ear to ear.
'Rude much?' Oran said snapping Hilo back to reality.
'You should try saying nice things sometimes.' Hilo said.
'Why? It's not like it matters. People will get pissed no matter what you say to them. So why stress yourself with being nice when you can just say what you're thinking.' Oran said jumping onto the bed on the left side of the room which was littered with books.
Hilo jumped on the unused bed. 'What did Captain Ben mean by Roan?' Hilo said. A smile fell on Oran's face.
'I snuck onto their ship when they left Hulm. Somehow I managed to stay hidden until they got to Roan. When they all left I tried stealing their ship.' Oran said.
'Wait you did what?'
'Yeah, and I would have gotten away if it wasn't for that monstrous woman.'
'Who?'
'Irene, I'm honestly convinced the woman's a demon. She's the one that found me and knocked me out. Then tied me to the mass waiting for me to wake up. Then she threw me overboard in the middle of the ocean. Lucky for me the old man stepped in otherwise I'd be dead.' Oran said.
'I'm sure she was just scaring you.' Hilo said.
'Ha, sure why not. I'd like you to still say that when you meet her.' Oran said.
'Where were you going?' Hilo said.
Khaldun.' Oran said.
'Why?' Hilo said.
Oran turned over to lie on his side. 'What's in the sack?' Oran said.
'Oh, just some stuff from home.' Hilo said as he pulled out his book, three water stones, and equipment placing all of them on the drawer between their beds. Hilo froze for a second as a grin grew on his face.
'Hey, you have something on your face.' Oran said.
He pulled out a set of clothes. A white shirt, baggy pants, boots, and a cloak made from grey feathers. His grandfather's clothes although he didn't recognize the cloak. After examining the cloak he remembered Kai's words then realized that it was probably made from his feathers. Hilo put them on although the shirt was slightly big he didn't mind. The cloak felt a bit heavy and was probably meant for colder days so Hilo put it back in the sack.
'How does it look?' Hilo said.
'I'm not a mirror.' Oran said.
'Yeah, I guess not. Well, I'm heading out hopefully they have breakfast ready.' Hilo said.
'Wait up I'm coming too.' Oran said. They then left and head up deck where they were greeted by the blinding sun and warm breeze. Leon and Marco's voices could be heard among a group that had gathered up near the nose of the ship. As they made their way the ship suddenly picked up speed as it rose over the ocean.
'Jetta what're ya doing?' Aaron said.
'It's not me. Someone else is doing this.' Jetta said as she peered over the platform on the mass. Revealing a woman with copper-brown skin, long braided black hair, and an eye patch on her left eye. The ship came to a sudden stop.
'It seems we've got company.' Jetta said as a bright red galleon with a giant sugar skull on its sail cast its shadow over the Pearl followed by the thudding sound of planks being placed between the two ships.
The screams and cheers of the hundreds of pirates echoed out. A woman with white hair and blue skin stood on the rail of the ship. Her eyes glowing and a tattoo stretched down her neck.
'Great job Nerine.' A big shirtless man with tattoos on his balled head said. '
'That flag, you're with the Vestas aren't ya?' Aaron said.
'Ha, don't act surprised you knew this was coming as soon you crossed Sir Dante. I should at least tell you the name of the man who'll be killing you. My name is Gordan the th-'
'Don't worry boys this is nothing we can't handle. Dante couldn't be bothered to come after us and his loyal dog Vane just sent one of his lackeys. They'll regret underestimating us' Leon said.
The crew began laughing as they drew their swords.
'You bastards! Men, extra silver goes to whoever brings me that man's head.' Gordan said.
The pirates carried on making a ruckus drowning Gordan's words. Irritated Gordan turned to the beastman behind him. The tall muscular beastman with orange and black fur stood staring down at Gordan. His glowing amber eyes stared straight through Gordan. The scar under his left eye only added to his dominating presence.
'Raphael tell your men to shut up when I'm talking.' Gordan said.
'You are a guest here thus your word means nothing.' Raphael said.
'By disrespecting me you're disrespecting Sir Dante.' Gordan said.
'I don't care. We only answer to Captain Vane.' Raphael said.
The two glared at each other.
'Enough of that now. We are guests here Gordan we should listen to the captain.' said a man with emerald eyes and a mask covering the bottom half of his face. Even though his face was covered it was clear the man had a sinister smirk on his face. Ignoring this Raphael turned to the pearl.
'Men board their ship!' Raphael said.
Jetta swung from the platform to the ship's rail where her eyes began to glow. A tattoo grew from her stomach up to her back shoulder. As the pirates try boarding the Pearl a giant snake made of water crashed into them breaking the planks and lunging some of them into the ocean. The sea serpent snaked its head upwards before crashing into the pirate's ship.
'Great job legless one!' Leon said.
The Pearl's crew chuckled before chains made of water rapped themselves around the beast. They then dragged it into the ocean. Jetta turned to Nerine who had a giant smirk on her face stuck her tongue out at her while running to the front of the ship.
'Jetta go deal with her we've got this.' Vince said.
The pirates replaced the planks and started boarding the ship. Hesitating for a minute Jetta decides to go confront Nerine.
'Ladies and gentlemen let's have this wrapped up by lunch please.' Leon said.
On the front of the ship. 'You the one that moved our ship?'
'Yeah, what of it.' Nerine said.
'No one steers this ship but me.' Jetta said as she surrounded herself with tentacles made of water. The arms rapidly snapped parts off of the pirate's ship as Nerine dodged the attacks with ease.
Nerine then brought up a dozen water bubbles and shot them all out like bullets. Jetta surrounded herself with a bubble almost losing balance as the ocean's waves started raging.