I was still lying in bed after the nap I took after our departure. Heeding to the sound of the enraged thunder, waves slamming at the side and the wind whirling outside made me at ease. At first, I thought to myself that going into a journey would make me feel at discomfort, but I was mistaken. I couldn't explain how excited I was at this moment.
I stood up and fixed myself before leaving my cabin. I wore my tunic, cloak and trousers as my usual attire. I wanted to communicate with my fellow travelers while we're still at this ship for a possible friendship. It wouldn't be that bad to have some companions alongside my long journey. Leaving my room, I went straight to the lobby where most of the crowd was staying at.
I arrived at the lobby; the crowd was conversing with each other, they were having a feast for some reason. I didn't know who to approach; everyone was busy with something or someone. I was lonesome, I had no one to be with that's why I joined the feast expecting someone to join me at least. I sat at the very end corner of the room where a single seat was vacant. I ate the food that I took from a table as I was wondering why a ship that has travelers served a feast. In my entire life, I believed that feasts were only held with the nobles. Maybe that was only my belief, since I've lived in an isolated island my whole life not knowing that much about the outside world.
The people were overjoyed at that time; on the other hand I was alone eating my food at the corner. A young sailor then came near me and started mopping the spilled rum away. Out of my curiosity, I asked the sailor why a feast was being held here despite the ship only containing travelers and adventurers on it that aren't even rich.
"Excuse me, my fellow. Do you have any idea why'd they held a feast here? Aren't feasts only held with the high nobles" I asked.
The sailor was confused; he looked at me in the eyes, observed me from head to toes as if I was a different creature.
He laughed; I was confused at that time too. I had no idea why he would laugh over a serious question.
"Sorry for my manners, fellow. I believe you have no concept why the captain held a feast for all of you. For 4 years, Assendract prohibited the arrival of outsiders around the world; it was all caused by a tragedy that happened in Assendract back then. I've only ever heard it from humors as I was never a citizen of Assendract to begin with. I only migrated there, for my family. After those years, the country decided to let newcomers come in our country. This feast is for welcoming all of you, considering that it has been a while since Assendract had travelers like you."
"Is that so, I had no idea that a tragedy occurred in Assendract." I replied.
"It's understandable, the tragedy is only kept within our country, and it isn't spread to other places that's why you never had an idea about it."
"Why would you share such thing with me? Someone you even barely know."
"I knew someone like you who isolates himself in a corner wouldn't talk that much, ha-ha!"
"You're a clever person…" I humbly replied.
"I should be going now, I have jobs to fulfill."
"Alright, I'll see you around then."
As he was about to leave, he talked to me again and asked,
"Before I leave, I never got your name. Mine is Seul Desoqeto, what's yours?"
"I am Aston, Aston Hollandse. It's a pleasure to meet you, Seul.
"If you have some time, come and visit me in my room, its room 2AD. I'll meet you later." Seul replied as he hurriedly leaves the lobby.
Time passed, the feast ended and the others went back to their cabin. I remained and drank some of the remaining rum. While I was casually drinking; an old slim muscular fellow joined me.
"Greetings, I am Uinypo, a blacksmith from Desturhth. I've noticed that you lacked company throughout the feast. Why is that?" he asked.
"Oh it was nothing; it's just that I have no one to approach."
"Is that it, you can join me tomorrow when it's time for the early meal then."
"I'm thankful you invited me. I am Aston; it's nice to meet you Uinypo."
"Shouldn't we be going now to back our cabins? It's getting late."
"You are right; we should continue this conversation next time." I stated.
We left the lobby after our conversation; reaching the room area, we went separate ways knowing we have different room locations. I went inside my cabin and was in joy. I never would have thought someone would approach me today; it was maybe I got used talking to Paraemon back on my country.
I wanted to sleep but I couldn't. I could still hear the thunder roaring and the wind whistling. The disaster outside hasn't stopped yet. I kept myself busy while time goes by. I decided to write a journal on what happened today. A feast occurred in the ship I was in tonight; I've enjoyed the noise surrounding me earlier, the crowd was jubilant. Two fellows approached me, a sailor named Seul and Uinypo, a blacksmith. I would like to settle my time tomorrow with them.
Hours had passed. Knowing that it was dawn already, I went outside for a walk. I thought of going to Seul and Uinypo's cabin but I didn't. They must've been tired from the feast last night. Walking through the corridors, I glanced outside. The ocean was somber and the storm has not stopped, as if someone within the ocean was mad. I went back to my room and wore my coat, preparing to go by the deck. I looked for where I could go outside and as I found it, I saw stairs going up the deck. I still went up despite it being quite slippery due to the rain.
I reached the deck and was in shock on what I was hearing; the sound was louder than as it is on the inside. The storm and the wind suddenly got stronger. The sea current changed; I sighted whirpools starting to form around the ark. I was terrified on what was happening. I held on to something knowing that my feet alone wouldn't handle the strong storm and wind. I was drenched, I screamed as loud as I could calling for help but it seemed like no one inside could hear me. Suddenly, I heard an eerie sound from a distance. It sounded like a large creature screaming. Unknown creatures underneath the surface of the ocean visibly started to swim away in a fast pace presumably because of the scream.
I started inching towards the door firmly grasping unto anything that could support me seeking for safety until another eerie scream occurred. I was paralyzed and queasy not knowing why, my body felt numb as if it was under the pressure of the deep sea. I collapsed to the ground in agony; and I slowly lost my consciousness.