Regaining consciousness, I found myself on a makeshift raft surrounded by a group of unfamiliar faces. I was in so much pain. Even the hairs on my body were feeling pain. The salty breeze stung my skin making the pain more unbearable, and the rhythmic rocking of the raft provided a stark contrast to the tumultuous events that had unfolded mere moments ago. The young girl, her features etched with concern, hovered nearby.
My eyes scanned the desolate horizon, miles of open sea stretching in every direction. The gravity of my predicament sank in as I realized the vastness of the ocean around us. Despite the urgency of the situation, I remained silent, grappling with the aftermath of the harrowing fall and the enigmatic rescue.
As the sunset on the horizon, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude and awe at the girl who had saved my life. I didn't even know her name, but she had risked everything to pull me from the sea and bring me to safety.
"What's your name?" she asked, breaking the silence.
"I'm Rommie, but my friends... my friends... my friends... call me Rome," I replied, extending my hand. "And you are?" I continued.
"I'm Laylah," she replied, smiling softly.
"Thank you, Laylah," I said. She simply nodded and smiled.
The others, except an older gentleman, eyed me with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. After the betrayal by my so-called friends, caution became my shield. I attempted friendliness. "Hey there, why were you falling from the sky?" One of the guys, named Durato, questioned. The old man, Grandpa Tensei, intervened sternly, advising him to let me rest. "Hey, I'm Yuweh, nice to meet you, dude," he offered me water, and though I hesitated, I eventually accepted. It didn't taste strange or anything. Then after sometime, and the pain led me back to sleep.
Upon awakening, their hushed conversation about me and my descent met my ears. Ignoring them, I lay there, contemplating the recent betrayal by my friends. Did they plan it? Were they waiting for the perfect moment to enact their betrayal, exploiting my perceived curse? Then again, maybe they saved me sincerely. Trust issues lingered from past betrayals; skepticism settled in.
Seemingly aware of my internal turmoil, Grandpa Tensei remarked, "Seems like you have a lot on your mind, son." Startled, I glanced at him and immediately stood up. "Let me ask you all something. Why did you save me?" I questioned, trying to understand their motives.
They gazed at me in silence until Grandpa Tensei spoke, "Don't need a reason to save anyone in this world. We just do it out of love. That's how I raised my granddaughter as well." My eyes met Laylah's, and she looked away, her actions more telling than words.
Durato interjected, "I'm not going to lie. I advised against it. There were three huge energy sources in the sky suddenly. One just disappeared, leaving only two, and you fell from the sky. That has weird and suspicious written all over it." I couldn't help but think, 'Nice, this guy already doesn't like me.'
"What happened up there anyway? Why were you up there?" inquired Yuweh as he got closer looking like a child trying to know something. I felt their collective gaze, but the weight of everything left me speechless.
Laylah quickly grabbed him by his ear and pulled him away.
"Ow ow ow, that hurts," he said as he rubbed his ear.
"Let him be. He'll speak when he's ready," Grandpa Tensei intervened. Durato added, "Alright, whatever. If you're going to be on this little boat with us, then you've got to pull your own weight. You've been asleep for two days!" The revelation shocked me; I hadn't noticed the passage of time. Suddenly, as if my brain was waiting on someone to tell me I hadn't eaten in days, a surge of hunger washed over me.
I became aware of the innovative boat we were on. As I observed Yuweh's steady efforts, it became apparent that this was no ordinary boat; it was a marvel of ingenuity. The absence of traditional sails did not hinder our progress; rather, it emphasized the vessel's reliance on the synergy between human effort and mechanical finesse. Each push of the pedal translated into a graceful forward glide, and the boat responded like a creature attuned to the pulse of its navigator.
My body no longer ached, and I surveyed our surroundings. The meager provisions on the boat hinted at the challenges ahead. Drinking water from a bottle crafted with remarkable skill, I marveled at their resourcefulness, akin to Ted's ingenuity. "Running out of food, I see," I remarked to Laylah.
"Yeah, we're going to start fishing now," she replied.
"Kool," I responded as each of them brandished a plant-made tool with a sharp hook, preparing for an attempt at replenishing our dwindling supplies.
Time passed, yet the sea yielded no fish. Staring into the depths, a peculiar vision overcame me. Colors shifted, revealing a spectral world beneath the waves. It was akin to viewing the scene through an enhanced infrared lens, but more surreal. The water glowed with a vibrant blue, while the sky and everyone on the boat emitted energy fields in hues of orange, red, dark blue, and light blue. Within the water, luminous red and dark red bodies appeared, with the light red figures being erased by an approaching dark red presence.
"Something is in the water," both Durato and I declared simultaneously, exchanging puzzled glances. Laylah, equally puzzled, questioned, "How'd you know that? Your eyes look... different." She fumbled with her words. "Sorry to just bring it up, but it's the first time I'm seeing weird eyes apart from my own. Your eyes are like staring into the galaxy."
"What do you mean?" I asked, perplexed.
"Look at your reflection in the water," she suggested.
Upon observing my reflection, I was confronted with an unexpected sight. My eyes, usually mundane, now resembled a celestial panorama, swirling with various shades of purple.
"Your eyes are beautiful," Laylah commented.
"Thank you. Honestly, it's the first time I've seen them like this. Three days ago, they definitely didn't look this way. If they had, someone around me would have noticed," I explained.
"You're quite a mystery," Laylah remarked with a smile.
Durato's stern interruption broke the moment. "Let's take out that thing there. Rome, time to pull your weight, or we'll toss you back overboard." His words, delivered with a harsh edge, echoed a sentiment of mistrust. As I contemplated my newfound place among these strangers, the shadow of uncertainty lingered, a stark reminder of the tenuous alliance forged in the wake of inexplicable events.
I plunged into the water, confronting a monstrous creature, it was twice the size of a great tiger shark, wreaking havoc among the fish. Armed with my diminutive sword, I swam towards the colossal foe, a shark-like menace with an aura of terror.
As the beast charged at me, jaws wide open, hungering for destruction, I held my ground. With calculated precision, I dodged its impending assault, narrowly avoiding the razor-sharp teeth. Seizing the moment, I thrust my sword into its malevolent eye, a desperate bid to subdue the aquatic menace.
Yet, the battle was far from over. Gripping the hilt of my embedded sword, I clung to the monster as it continued its frenzied swim. The knife remained lodged in its eye, a precarious anchor in the midst of the tempestuous underwater duel. Undeterred by the creature's thrashing. With my hand connected with the monstrous creature, and with unwavering determination, I harnessed every ounce of fiery energy within me. The point-blank fire attack ignited with an intensity surpassing my expectations, a blaze that eclipsed the remembered scale of my power.
The underwater world lit up with a fierce purple blaze as the fire attack erupted point-blank. The explosion was instantaneous, obliterating the creature's head in a burst of searing purple flames. Debris scattered in the water, and I propelled myself upward, emerging from the depths with the remnants of the defeated foe.
"He's over there!" Yuweh's shout echoed through the air.
"Nice one, dude. In less than a minute, you killed it," he continued, his impressed tone resonating with a mix of awe and appreciation.
The monstrous catch proved too colossal to fit on the boat, prompting us to embark on a culinary venture. With precision and expertise, I meticulously carved the giant creature into manageable portions. The boat became a makeshift kitchen as we prepared for a feast.
As the scent of the sea and the monster's succulent flesh wafted through the air, anticipation hung thick. Laylah, armed with her formidable Nova Force, typically wielded the power of plasma. However, this time, I took charge of the cooking, utilizing my Fire Nova Force to infuse the meal with a distinct smoky flavor.
The process was unconventional yet surprisingly effective. With just saltwater, fire, and the culinary prowess of the sea, the transformation of raw monster into a delectable dish began. The flames danced, licking the seasoned flesh, imparting a unique blend of flavors that mirrored the essence of our extraordinary journey.
The boat, now a sea-faring kitchen, hummed with the rhythmic sounds of preparation. The hiss of the cooking flames and the sizzle of the seafood filled the air, creating a sensory symphony that transcended the limitations of our makeshift galley.
As the aroma intensified, the crew gathered around, their eyes reflecting a mix of hunger and curiosity. Laylah, acknowledging the shift in culinary duties, grinned, "Looks like we have a chef among us."
I chuckled, a sense of pride warming me. "Just doing my part. Now, let's enjoy the fruits of our underwater adventure."
The sun dipped below the horizon as we savored the unconventional banquet, the boat transformed into a floating feast.
Durato was the only one not too impressed, he waited on me to eat first and he also watched my every move as I prepared the meal.
About 2 days later in the cold dead night we were having our meal. Rain had fell the day before so we filled up enough water to last us two more days. Grandpa could only create 7 stone bottles.
Everyone started telling one story about their life one by one. I started off by telling them my boring story of how I was sick and just did research. Their story was plain also. They were all college students. They were from the same place. Durato was Laylah's brother and Yuweh was a childhood friend. Grandpa Tensei was a sailor and new about boats. He's the one who created this make shift boat.
"Why are you all out here though?" I asked.
Laylah's voice trembled with the weight of memories as she began, "Rome, let me tell you, we used to live in a coastal village. It was a peaceful life until the supernova; after the event, everything changed, and we've been fending off monsters ever since. But one day, about a thousand monsters attacked, and we narrowly escaped."
"Yeah, and after the village got hit, it was chaos," Yuweh interjected, his tone carrying a mix of weariness and resilience. "We used whatever we could salvage to make this boat. Grandpa Tensei here, he's got some serious survival skills."
"Indeed," Grandpa Tensei added, his voice weathered but determined. "We managed to salvage what we could. Not everything was totally destroyed. And now, we've been fending off sea monsters and sailing on this makeshift boat ever since."
Yuweh continued, "Yeah, we're stuck out here for about a week now, running out of food and water. It was starting to look pretty bleak."
"That's when we saw you falling from the sky, and let me tell you, it was a sight. We thought we were seeing things at first," Grandpa Tensei explained, a touch of amazement still lingering in his words.
"Yes, I've had my fair share of surprises lately. But how did you manage to survive out here for so long?" I asked, a mix of curiosity and concern in my voice.
"Resourcefulness, Rome. We're a team. We used what we had, and we were just about to try some fishing when you showed up and, well, changed our plans," Durato chimed in, finally contributing to the conversation.
"You dropping in like that, it was a game-changer. We're lucky you fell from the sky when you did. Now, we have an extra pair of hands and feet to help us," Yuweh admitted, gratitude seeping through his words.
"Well, I'm glad I could be of assistance. So, what's the plan now?" I asked, my tone a blend of readiness and determination.
"Now, we're going to stick together, figure out how to navigate through these waters, and maybe, just maybe, find a place that's a bit less monster-infested," Grandpa Tensei declared, his smile audible in his voice.
"Sounds like a plan. I'm in," I replied, my voice carrying a newfound sense of camaraderie and purpose.
"Your boat is very creative by the way Grandpa." I said.
"Thank you." He replied.
"So Rome it's been almost a week man. Talk to us now. Tell us what happened." Asked Yuweh.
Everyone wanted to know they were beaming with curiosity. So I indulged them a bit. Started to tell them everything. They all listened for about five minutes without any interruptions. I didn't tell them about the betrayal though.
"I guess we were brought here together by destiny. We all faced a similar problem. " I said.
"Yours sound definitely worse than ours." Said Laylah.
"Oh so that's why you were so distant when we just found you." Said Laylah.
"Yes indeed." I didn't know who to trust because of that Eugene dude. But thanks again for saving me."
"Wait dude. You said a bird capable of wiping out a small town with one attack did that??! Asked Yuweh surprised.
"Yea. But there's something even more powerful right." Asked Durato.
"Yes. If it wasn't for that then maybe I would have died." I replied.
"You said your chain started to glow, right?? Let me see it" Asked Grandpa Tensei.
He examined my chain carefully then spoke.
"This chain absorbs energy or nova force as you call it." It seems to have absorbed enough energy so maybe those monsters thought you were a threat. They were defending their territory."
"Why say all this?" I asked.
"Well I can absorb and distribute energy as I please. So I can feel when my energy is being drained slightly. When I touched your chain I felt it stronger." He said.
"Wow, so I believe, I'm not cursed after all." I said.
"Well, I dont think so but it's too soon to tell" replied Grandma Tensei.
We came up with a plan to deal with the chain to stop it from absorbing energy. I didnt want to throw it away but something had to be done. Grandpa used his nova force and restricted the pendant from taking energy from anyone. It wasn't as fully effective hut it was much better then before.
"Well, this is it for me, I'll be out for a couple minutes or so." said GrandpaTensei, after helping with the pendant. He was out cold for almost a day. Durato seemed upset with me after this happened but after he woke up all was well.
As another relentless day unfolded, the winds grew fierce, and the sea transformed into a tempestuous dance of tumultuous waves. Our vessel, caught in the merciless grip of the storm, became a mere plaything, tossed about as if nature itself sought to test our resolve. Despite Yuweh's valiant efforts at the helm, the tempest proved an adversary too formidable.
For an additional day, we found ourselves adrift in the vast expanse of the sea, afloat in a world dominated by the haunting symphony of howling winds and crashing waves. The relentless assault of salt-laden air left my lips parched, a testament to the unforgiving nature of our maritime ordeal.
Amidst the disorienting chaos, a vision emerged on the horizon—a distant landmass, shrouded in mist and uncertainty. I hesitated to believe my own eyes, questioning the veracity of this apparition. "Look. Land!" exclaimed Laylah, her voice cutting through the disheartening drone of the storm.
"You're just seeing things; I'm seeing things too," I responded, my skepticism clinging to the air like the salt mist that enveloped us.
"No, I see it as well, so you guys aren't dreaming," affirmed Yuweh, injecting a note of hope into the weary fabric of our collective consciousness.
Excitement rippled through our beleaguered group, a surge of energy fueled by the prospect of relief from the relentless monotony of the sea. Fish had become our weary sustenance, and thirst had become an unrelenting companion. We pooled our remaining strength, a desperate alliance against the looming specter of exhaustion, and steered the boat toward the elusive promise on the horizon.
With each determined pedal stroke, we waged a silent war against the unbridled fury of the sea. The island, once dismissed as a mere mirage, slowly solidified on the horizon, a tantalizing promise that fueled our weary resolve. Navigating the treacherous waters, we deftly skirted the grasp of death itself, the boat becoming our vessel of defiance, pushing through the storm's tumult like a creature with a will of its own.
Yet, as the tempest raged on, the sea hurled rocks in our path, imposing additional challenges on our already perilous journey. It was then that I got to see a glimpse of Laylah's power. Her .plasma attacks, with a dazzling display of energy, erupted from the boat. The searing beams of plasma targeted the formidable rocks, melting them into molten cascades that sizzled and hissed, clearing our path with each precision strike.
Amidst this spectacle, Grandpa Tensei, his weathered features a mask of determination, extended his hands toward the remaining rocks looming ahead. A quiet but profound manipulation of unseen forces unfolded, as if he held sway over the very elements. The rocks responded, as if compelled by an ancient force, shifting and parting to open a safe passage for our beleaguered vessel.
The island, now more than a distant mirage, emerged as a sanctuary on the horizon—a testament to our collective resilience and the indomitable spirit that propelled us forward. The odyssey, fraught with peril and uncertainty, had not only tested our mettle but also revealed the latent powers within our group. As we cleared thet spot filled with rocks we pedaled into an area so calm that it was almost impossible to think we were just being tossed about.