After three days of traversing the unfamiliar terrain, the group of teenagers finally arrived at their destination. Before them lay a solitary ship, its presence a stark contrast to the bustling scene they anticipated. The eerie silence surrounded both the ship and its dock, giving an impression of prolonged abandonment.
Leo, taking the lead, instructed the others to stay concealed as he cautiously approached the ship. Stepping onto its weathered deck, Leo sensed an unusual cold energy coursing through his body, an almost magical sensation that left him in awe.
"Get off my ship before I blow your head off, human boy," a gruff voice echoed, and Leo looked up to find an old man brandishing a spear with a sharp, glowing stone at its tip.
"We mean no harm, we are just going somewhere and we wonder if you could give us a lift" Attempting to defuse the situation, Leo raised his hand and explained their peaceful intentions.
"Get the fuck off my ship. If you want to travel across the sea you can swim through the water." the old man remained hostile, vehemently refusing their request for passage across the sea.
Heidi, taking a brave step forward, "We are just young people trying to find our way back home and we also have money." revealed their desperation to return home and offered money in exchange for a ride. The old man's demeanor shifted upon seeing Heidi's face and, more notably, the bag of money around her waist.
"Throw the money over here... Everything!!!" the old man demanded, his eyes fixated solely on the precious cargo.
Heidi, exhibiting caution, challenged the old man on ensuring their safety after handing over the money.
"You think I will abandon my ship and run away with your money?!" The old man, seemingly unfazed, dismissed the concern and asserted his commitment to his ship.
Leo, trusting the situation, urged Heidi to comply. As the old man received the money, he signaled the opening of the ship's door to the stairwell. Leo and Heidi exchanged glances before leading the group up the ship.
Once aboard, they explored the vessel while awaiting the return of the mysterious old man. After a brief wait, a slight vibration under their feet caught their attention. The vibrations grew, accompanied by humming sounds emanating from the ship's engine.
"Haha, sorry about the sound. This beast has been asleep for too long," the old man explained, reappearing before them. However, the revelation that greeted them was not just about the ship but also about the peculiar anatomy of the old man. His lower body, to their shock, resembled that of a goat.
"What the heck! Satyrs exist!!!" Phil exclaimed, capturing the group's collective astonishment at this unexpected encounter with a mythical creature.
"What are you all looking at me for? You haven't seen a satyr before," the old man raised his nose angrily, glaring at them.
"We are sorry; it's a new thing for us," Leo quickly apologized, understanding the old man's reaction.
"Hmph! Bumpkins... Hey, you!" The old man abruptly shouted, pointing at Tilly, "Why are you looking at me with those pitiful eyes? You think being a satyr is a curse. You humans and your pride. You think yours is the only good race amongst us all."
"I think you should apologize," Moris tapped Tilly and whispered to her. She, hiding like a scared cat behind Moris, stammered, "I-I'm sorry."
"Hmph, watch your group. Don't touch anything on my ship," the satyr warned as he leapt off the ground, effortlessly reaching the ship's control room. "So where to? Of course, the human settlement!" he declared as he started the engine and set the ship in motion.
Meanwhile, at the rear end of the ship, Moris stood, gazing at the landscape they were leaving behind. "I hope you find us, Liam."
On another side of the ship, Leo stared at the water, murmuring, "It would have been great to have you here with us, Zaid. I wonder if you are really at peace like they said. You were the most curious one among us, always wanting to explore the universe and frustrated by the short human lifespan. The joy on your face when you discovered the wormhole was one I have never seen before. But it's still a good thing, eh? You always wanted to explore the universe; now your soul is out there in space, wandering around."
"But what if you get lonely in the dark? Sigh! Farewell, my friend!" Leo tried to hold back tears, but they fell like rushing water. He quickly wiped them away upon hearing footsteps behind him.
Moris patted his shoulder and murmured, "It's okay, Leo. It's okay to cry. He never dies; he will always be in our hearts."
"Thank you, brother!!"
In another part of the ship, Heidi, alone in her room, also had tears rolling down her face. "Sniff, I can't believe I'm crying because of that idiot." Amongst the group, she and Moris were the closest to Liam, so his death struck them the most.
Isabelle, previously shaken, was sleeping. Tilly, Sophia, and Eliza were also sleeping, while Phil and Ethan reflected on their journey. The only person without a clear purpose was Eloise, who wandered aimlessly until she found the old satyr in the control room, focused on steering the ship with a smile on his face.