Regaining my consciousness back, I was by the seashore. I was unaware what happened before I was lying here. I tried to recall what occurred the time before I passed out, but I couldn't. Looking around my surroundings, I find several wreckages scattered all around the shore. I also glanced at a shipwreck, remembering it was the ship I was on. I sprinted as fast as I could towards it looking forward to find any survivors. As soon as I reached the ark, I explored the inside. Only to find out that all that remains are decomposed corpses. I was devastated; I couldn't believe I was the only survivor.
I searched the ship thoroughly but found nothing aside from materials that are drenched. I also found Seul and Uinypo's corpses, I couldn't believe what I was seeing but I had to accept the truth, they're gone. I proceeded going outside to find loots as my body is in a hunger and thirsty state. I searched the wreckages to find water and food. I found two water canisters and drank the other one immediately. I was hydrated, now food is the important thing to find. If I don't find any, I'll starve to death. After some searching, I've come across several spoiled foods, but here I got my hands on bread covered with wraps. I hurriedly ate the bread. My body was then replenished.
I sat on a rock near the ark. All I remember is that I went up the desk and I suddenly found myself lying on a shore. I thought to myself that I was already on the border of Assendract but we got into a tragic accident. It didn't convince me enough though, I wanted the truth. I plan on exploring and finding out where I've gotten myself into. I went scavenging throughout the wreckages finding for clothing and any weaponry. After sometime, I got myself a full set of leather clothing; this should be enough to protect my body. I also got a rusty old mace, it's not much but I'll be able to get through.
Before I leave, I took out the bodies I could find inside the ship and gave them proper burials, so their souls can now rest in ease. I packed the things I scavenged from the wreckages. I didn't have any idea where I should start off. I went up the high grounds and search throughout the area. I sighted a city not far from here, so I got down. It was an afternoon; I needed to get to the city before the night falls. I wouldn't know what would happen when night comes on a forest I haven't been in before.
I walked as fast as I could towards the location of this large city. I've discovered different kinds of plants, mushrooms and flower along my walk; I went and pick them up in case I needed them. The breeze within this forest is different from what I've felt in my entire life.
I sighted a flame from a distance, it looked like a campfire. I secretly went to investigate if there were humans in that camp. I hid behind a large rock, observed quietly. I saw four people going out their tent, and they were wearing scouter uniforms. They were armed with bows, I assumed they were rangers. I carefully thought if I should approach them, what if I was mistaken that they were rangers but actually some mere mercenaries.
I no longer hesitated; I brought out my mace and approached them. They were on alert, quickly loaded their bows with arrows, aiming at me. I was startled; I didn't know they were hostile. Slowly lowering down my weapon, as I knew I was on a disadvantage. Those looking down on me asked me a question.
"Who are you? Where did you come from?" They asked.
"Before answering all of your questions, would you all mind lowering down your bow? It's intimidating as you are aiming it straight to me." I replied.
They lowered their bows down, and started sitting down separately from each other. A swordsman in an armor arrived, it seemed like he was the leader of this group. The rangers explained on how I suddenly appeared. He dispatched the rangers to patrol while the he stayed, adjured me to come inside a tent for a talk.
I followed him inside, I sat in front of him and he started interrogating me, starting on who am I and how'd I got here. I told him my name and about the tragic accident that occurred. In case he wouldn't believe me, I told him about the shipwreck I was in before located in a shore south from here.
He sighed in frustration and said, "So you and your folks were victims of that disaster."
"Do you know about what happened? Would you tell me?" I asked as soon I knew he knows about the incident that night.
"It's a long narration, and I still have works to do as a captain. Head outside and talk to our cook. Give this carved wood to her and she'll give you food, I know you haven't eaten in a while. Then continue to the largest tent you'll sight outside. Wait for me there, and we'll have a talk as soon as I finish my job,
I nodded and went outside. Approached the cook and gave her the carved wood. She provided me with a warm mushroom soup and bread, I gave my thanks and left. I went straight forward to the tent the captain mentioned, I entered and took a sit. It was a large tent, probably the captain's. My stomach grumbled indicating I was starving. I started digging in my soup and ate the bread given to me.
Waiting for hours, I was filled with boredom. The captain seems to be burdened by his work so I didn't bother coming to him. Rangers that were dismissed earlier arrived at the camp, I was anxious if any of them would enter this tent. Fortunately, they went by the side of their tents, having no idea why, I observed them.
The captain finally came out, the rangers were quiet. I thought it was a normal call for them to submit their patrol report, but I was intrigued it was not as the captain mentions about the fishmen. The information gave me curiosity about it, I never would have thought they would be involved in a problem this island has. I paid attention still; Most of the group didn't have any sightings on those fishmen but one group differentiate. They mentioned about a horde of fishmen roaming by the shore opposite where the shipwreck was, as if they were patrolling too. The rangers observed them than confronting them since they were outnumbered.
The captain immediately dismissed them, and to talked to his assistant. I couldn't hear what they're talking about, as they were whispering to each other. The assistant immediately went back to another tent, while the captain proceeds towards here.
I stopped watching from the inside and waited for him. He then entered and greeted me.
"Good evening, Aston. I'm sorry I made you wait for a long time" he said.
"It's fine. Now, would you mind telling me what is happening right now?" I replied.
"Before all of that, allow me to introduce myself. I am Dzil Joen, captain of the 2nd group of rangers entitled to this forest for patrol— I know you desperately want to know what happened, but do you mind if I asked what were you and your crews purposes here in Gadafin?"
"Gadafin, Aren't we on the land of Assendract?
"You must have been mistaken; you aren't on the place where you're destined to."
I lost my hope knowing I was in a different place. The captain then convinced me to listen as he was not done talking.
"So your destination is to Assendract, but you winded up here. Unfortunately, while you were all travelling, something within the ocean was wreaking havoc at that time; even affecting our country terribly. Fishmen raided us that night; army of them slaughtered our people. The night after, our village was a disaster—some of the residence were completely destroyed, and the corpses and injured was lying on the ground. The report I read from the other village has it that abducting of villagers was involved since most of their population went missing, same as our village. It was probably a sort of slavery. The village is in the state of being repaired right now, and we're on the patrol for another possible raid from them."
"Our village did experience the same, but in a different way. 27 years ago, our villagers angered the fishmen by torturing their babies. Our consequence has backfired to us, a horde of fishmen came. It was a massacre; Screams were loud and people were in agony. I was unable to do anything as I was just watching from a far that time. I heard the villagers being pulled to the sea; I assume they're for food but after hearing what you said, it might've been cases of abducting too—you know it's kind of ironic, considering I was the only one who survived the raid back then."
"Is that so? So in this village of yours, you didn't experience any creature screaming that time. The cause of it wasn't the same as ours. It is totally different, we haven't experienced this yet. Maybe it was caused by her, I'm not entirely sure."
"Her? Who are you referring to?" I asked.
"A creature named Noora. She was sealed in the depth of the caverns under our country, by a warlock. As I see the events happening, I assume she has been awaken from her sleep."
"Noora—is she a deity?"
"She isn't considered as a deity, but more like a malformed creature. Rumors has it she has the ability of controlling the fishmen as she will, and to manipulate the weather."
"That explains all the tragic that have been happening, this Noora is behind of it. Don't you have anyone to seal her again?"
"I do have someone in mind, she's an arcanist, but I doubt her power is equivalent to Noora. Even though she is a malformed organism, you shouldn't underestimate her magic."
"Dzil, I wish to meet this arcanist."
"You can meet her by tomorrow; I'll be leaving this camp as soon as the sun rises, leaving my assistant in charge."
"I will join you."
"Fine, I'll be waking you up as soon I am about to leave tomorrow. We should call it a day already and you head out to your tent, it's the green one outside. I made my assistant prepare it for you."
"Thank you, Dzil. I'll be going now."
I left, delighted as I am going to be meeting an arcanist tomorrow, someone who casts arcane magic, a volatile, pure power and channelled through the body to create arcane effects. I hurriedly went to my tent and there I spent my entire night.