Finally, Mr. Kinoya stood up and turned his attention to Elyndor, saying, "It's your time to work, missy." Elyndor stood up, glancing at everyone's faces and then toward the direction of the ocean. Suddenly, a complicated circle of silver color began to brighten under everybody's feet. "Magica!" somebody yelled before they were teleported. Sam didn't know what that meant, but he was sure that Elyndor's eyes never changed their colors.
As the brilliant burst of light emanating from the circular source gradually faded away, they discovered that they had arrived at the shoreline. In that moment, Sam's gaze was drawn to the vast expanse of the ocean, where a majestic white ship gradually materialized on the horizon. Swiftly responding to the ship's appearance, Ren forcefully thrust his sword into the earth, simultaneously uttering the incantation, "Water domain."
The magnificent vessel floated at a distance of approximately five miles, yet Sam's keen perception allowed him to witness the gradual unveiling of a delicate water cocoon enveloping the ship. a consequence of Ren's forceful action with his sword. Initially slender, the watery sheath swiftly evolved into a substantial layer, coalescing into the contours of an oval-shaped aquatic dome, obscuring the view within. With a hushed command, Ren beckoned, curling one finger enticingly around the hilt of his sword, prompting the water dome to heed his summons. Obediently, the dome initiated its drift towards them, as if compelled by an irresistible force.Top of Form
"Mercenaries!" bellowed Mr. Kinoya. Following his directive, each mercenary swiftly drew their weapons, charging fervently towards the enclosing water dome. Ren, with a subtle yet authoritative murmur, repeated his previous command, this time gracefully curling his finger in an upward motion. In response, as the mercenaries pressed forward, water ascended, coalescing into a robust bridge that materialized beneath their feet, creating a sturdy bridge that enabled them to run over the water without the risk of drowning.
"Open," Ren murmured once more, this time retaining only his thumb on the sword. Following his directive, a small aperture manifested within the water dome. Mr. Kinoya commended Ren, who, perspiring profusely, clung to the sword with all his might. "You did well; now strive to maintain it until the end. Elyndor, help us protect," Mr. Kinoya urged, acknowledging Ren's efforts.
"Hadrian, ensure the officers are taken care of. Young one, remain here for an additional five minutes before boarding the ship," he directed. Saying this, he knelt beside Ren, placing his hands on Ren's back. The hands emitted a radiant greenish-pink glow. Sam recalled from his academy training, 'It's a blessing; he's replenishing Ren's stamina.'
Meanwhile, Ser Hadrian diligently embarked on his assigned task. He briskly jogged towards the bridge, taking concise steps, his formidable greatsword secured on his back. Upon reaching his destination, he flexed his legs, propelling himself into a graceful leap. In mid-air, he unsheathed his imposing greatsword, forcefully puncturing through the water dome with a resounding impact. With precision, he executed a flawless downward slash, showcasing his mastery in combat.
Sam managed to catch a fleeting glimpse of the intense battles unfolding on the deck before the water dome swiftly repaired the damage inflicted by Ser Hadrian's formidable attack. In that brief moment, Sam witnessed the chaos: the deck ablaze, lifeless bodies piled up, and the pristine white hue of the ship transformed into a grim, blood-red spectacle in numerous spots.
For five long minutes, Sam remained standing, alternating his gaze between the now reddish-tinted dome and Mr. Kinoya, who mirrored Ren's intensity with copious beads of sweat. Just then, Elyndor broke the silence, "It's time, Sam. Come with me." Taking the lead, she assumed command and headed towards the water dome.
Sam trailed behind Elyndor. It wasn't the sight of lifeless bodies or the crimson-stained scenes that scared him; he had witnessed such grim realities numerous times before. What truly unsettled him was the profound uncertainty about the significance of whatever compelled so many to sacrifice their lives. His fear stemmed from the possibility of falling short, of not being able to seize whatever elusive prize motivated this bloodshed. He feared the burden of letting down those who placed their trust in him.
Nevertheless, Sam pressed on, accompanying Elyndor. This time, instead of employing her teleportation, they traversed the bridge that still stood. Progressing through the opening, they entered the interior where much of the strife had subsided, save for the ongoing battle involving Ser Hadrian.
In the midst of the clash, Ser Hadrian confronted a colossal giant wielding two greatswords, each massive blade easily surpassing ten feet in height. The sheer force with which the giant swung his weapons sent shockwaves, causing the deck's floor to crack and revealing sizable holes. Despite the apparent peril, Ser Hadrian exhibited an unparalleled prowess, engaging in the exchange of blows with the giant as effortlessly as he would spar with Sam or Jake, displaying remarkable skill without breaking a sweat.
As Sam observed the intense combat, Elyndor implored him to follow her. Navigating through the chaotic deck, she guided him to a door that opened into the ship's interior. Pausing before the door, she fixed her gaze on Sam and conveyed, "Listen, you have to proceed alone from here. The man who chose you has a purpose, and he intends for you to face this journey alone."
"Why? Can't someone else go in my stead, or can't you accompany me?" Sam questioned, perplexed. "Why pick a teenager who can't even contribute much in a fight?" He voiced the doubt that lingered within him, reluctant to confront Mr. Kinoya with the same query due to the ever-present intensity that surrounded him. The underlying question remained: Why him?
"Because you were chosen. Understand, the man we're discussing has been, is, and will always be a figure veiled in mystery. He assumes a new identity each time he selects someone, someone to carry out his work. And every time, the task he assigns has the power to save hundreds of thousands of lives. This has been going on for over 500 years now. In the past, some claimed he was a god, others thought he was a demon, and a few believed he was the ghost of the last emperor," Elyndor explained, shedding light on the enigmatic nature of the individual who had singled out Sam for a crucial mission.
"Everyone has their own theories. Presently, Mr. Kinoya is the sole survivor among all those chosen by him. Ren, Hadrian, and I come from families sworn to aid whenever he emerges and assigns a task. But we can only assist; it's the chosen one's responsibility to complete the mission. This time, the chosen one is you. Now, go and retrieve the box as swiftly as you can," she explained, gently nudging him towards the door. Sam found some answers, though not entirely satisfying, but he proceeded inside, under the assumption that all the danger lay outside and none within.