A month passed since the news of New Expedition spread to all corners of Avalon. Tifa and Arthur were busy handling all the requests they were getting about taking people to the Expeditions. Tifa busied herself with Once Human side and Arthur took care of the Nobles. While Aerith and Eve helped Cloud, resources needed for the trip, and today was the day they would depart.
Soon, they all said their goodbyes, climbing on the ship they booked. While the citizens were gathered on the harbour. It was a festive mood all around the Kingdom. Expedition meant new people joining the lands, that meant the land expanding, which led to more resources and more entertainment.
Even on the ship that was departing people, crew, expedition members were drinking, eating, celebrating until the Quartermaster walked to the stage.
"WELCOME! PRINCE OF AVALON!"
Cloud felt all the eyes turn towards him. One thing he didn't want to happen. He looked at the black man had a hook for an arm. He pushed his sunglasses in place, "This ships' sole purpose is for you to reach the destination you set! While you sleep! Eat! Shit! We will keep moving towards our destination!"
He walked down the stairs, his voice booming, "It doesn't rest! It doesn't care! THIS IS AVALANCE! THE SHIP THAT WILL ALWAYS REACH ITS DESTINATION!"
The enormous sign hanging over his head lit up with white, green, and red, reading 'AVALANCHE'.
Cloud looked Barret, then at the sign, "Cool."
"Huh."
He turned around to walk away from near the stage, going inside the ship. The crew was the one that had gone with before. They were familiar people. There were new ones too, like contractors.
At least those who constructed the ship were good. The smell of polished oak and freshly waxed floor greeted him as he went to the lower floor. The ship glittered with an old-world charm, each corner painstakingly crafted with precision and attention to detail.
The lobby itself was a sight to behold. A huge crystal chandelier hung from the gilded ceiling, casting a warm and inviting glow over the enormous room. Cloud tread over plush royal blue carpets that sprawled towards the grand staircase at the other end.
His eyes went to the map of the ship. The dining hall, library, games room, officer's quarters, canteen, bedrooms, swimming pool, weapons training rooms, physical training room...all meticulously laid out with functionality and luxury in mind. Some areas were restricted and reserved for researchers.
"Worried, Cloud?"
"Your Majesty."
"Met your mother?"
"Saw her," Cloud nodded, "I am not...good with the goodbyes..."
"Don't worry. I'll take care of them. She's getting used to being a Demon and all the time that comes with it."
"Thank you," Cloud nodded.
It was awkward talking the King, though the man only smiled and patted his shoulder before leaving. Cloud followed him with his eyes, 'now that I know what his personality is like...is he having fun troubling me? I have a feeling he is.'
Cloud made his way towards his room that he had been told about. The Captain would be the one to lead the command. He didn't have anything to do now. After a month of preparing for this. All he wanted to do was rest.
.
.
.
The Ship left the harbour, led by Captain Cid. The sea of fog was like the named said, it was the sea of fog. There were monsters everywhere, which stayed away because of the black box in the ship.
Dimensional Navigation System, they were able to leave behind Dimensional Flags to know if they were taking the right path.
The vastness of the sea was mesmerising yet terrifying, like an unending abyss of foamy white waves and endless blue expanse. Cloud spent most of the time training, unable to shake off the restlessness that gripped him.
Even without getting lost, it took them three months to reach the Warp Points in the Sea of Fog. Usually it took a year with the help of Guides.
The warp points served as gateways to other lands. Finding a warp point was like trying to find a needle in the haystack. Finding one was lucky, then finding the land on the other side was near impossible. It took a guide to find them.
As they saw the blue glow, they felt the pull from the crack. Their ship was moving faster than before, getting drawn towards the warp point.
"Prepare for warp!" Captain Cid's voice boomed over the roar of the sea and wind. The crew bustled around him, securing ropes, and readying themselves for the jump to another world. Cloud braced himself against the railing, his eyes transfixed on the glowing point ahead.
With a deafening crash, Avalanche plunged into the warp point, disappearing. The crowd at the harbour watched as their ship disappeared into thin air.
Meanwhile, inside Avalanche, Cloud felt as though he was being pulled apart piece by piece, his atoms scattering into the ether. He fought to keep his eyes open against the colossal force, only to be met with a sight no man had ever seen. The world around him was compressed to a single point of searing light, then exploded outward in a riot of color and sound.
His insides roiled with nausea as he fought against the force tearing at his body. His fingers clenched around the railing, knuckles white with strain. "Hold on!" he heard someone yell, but the words were lost in a void of sound that drowned reality itself.
And then, as quickly as it began, it ended. The ship lurched forward suddenly, and Cloud staggered under the sudden shift in gravity. He lifted his head slowly, terrified of what he might see.
They were no longer on the Sea of Fog. The landscape that spread out before him was drenched in vibrant colours unlike anything he'd ever seen. The sky was an unnatural cerulean. He turned around, "Tifa! Aerith! Eve!"
"We are fine," Tifa stumbled forward, falling into his arm. Aerith and Eve were huddled together. The crew was all over the place, but they were alright.
"We made it..." he breathed in relief, 'it wasn't like this last time. Is this because of the difference in World's Phase?'
Aerith looked around, "Wow. This world is different from ours. And the sky!"
Cloud raised his head to the sky, "I don't like it."
"But it looks pretty!"
"It's weird."
Tifa chuckled, resting her head against Cloud's shoulder, "Cloud...we are here..."
"Great. All we need is to find the land."
"Oh, I know that, I can feel it," Aerith pointed towards her right, "Right there! The land is in that direction!"
"That way..." Cloud turned around, "I'll go talk to Captain and tell him to set the new course."
Tifa turned to look at his back. She whispered to Aerith, "he's under a lot of pressure."
"I get it...we don't know what we are going to find on the Continent. He has to protect the Ship..." Aerith took Tifa's hand.
"Can you tell if it's dangerous?"
"Doesn't feel like it. It is stormy though. I think it's at war," Aerith worriedly spoke.
"I don't like wars," Tifa nibbled her lip, thinking about the future. If the land was truly at war, then the things would be different in so many ways.
Meanwhile, inside the captain's quarters, Cid Highwind was pouring over charts and instruments, trying to make sense of this new world they had just crash-landed into. His steely eyes flicked up as Cloud entered, "Strife," he grunted by way of greeting.
"We've found land," Cloud stated without preamble. He gestured towards the spot Aerith had pointed out. Cid walked over to the large glass window overlooking the ship's bow. His eyes followed Cloud's direction. He saw nothing but an expanse of cerulean sky meeting a nexus of ever-changing colours.
"Haha! I didn't believe when she said she'd be able to find the land once we are on the other side, to think it was true," Cid laughed.
"Uh," Cloud scratched his head. Cid laughed, patting his back, "Come."
He went to the microphone, announcing, "People! We have found the land! In celebration of Miss Gainsborough service, Prince Cloud, His Majesty, and To Finding Land!!!"
The crew burst into loud cheering. Their muffled voice audible even from the quarters. Cid shut the microphone, patting Cloud's back, "Relax boy. Everything is going to be fine."
Cloud breathed out, a relieved smile came upon his lips, "I'll go change before the party…"
.
.
.
Night descended on the ship like a security blanket, wrapping the crew and their vessel in cool, soothing darkness. The twinkling stars mirrored the excitement in the eyes of every member aboard. As the moon was nestled between two banks of clouds and hung low in the vast night sky, casting its light on the deck, the celebratory party began with fervour.
Cid took centre stage, a tankard of ale in his calloused hands. His infectious laughter echoed louder than the waves that crashed against their vessel's sturdy hull. He regaled the crowd with stories of past voyages, drawing hearty chuckles from seasoned seafarers and wide-eyed amazement from greenhorn crew members.
Aerith moved subtly amidst this joyful chaos, weaving through groups of chattering deckhands. With a glass of wine daintily balanced in one hand, she used her other to soothe tensions and encourage laughter. She was like sunlight, radiating warmth and comfort to everyone she encountered. Her soft voice mixed with the salty air and carried a gentle melody that calmed the nerves of the more anxious travellers.
Tifa, on the other hand, was engrossed in a dance Cloud, the twinkle in her eyes put even the most dazzling stars to shame. The way her body moved to the rhythm, like a leaf swaying with the wind, hypnotised the onlookers.
"Next dance is mine," Jessie grinned, holding a beer. She declared the moment she saw Aerith coming close. Aerith gave a light chuckle, the corners of her mouth lifted into a playful grin. "Only if you promise not to step on my feet, Jessie."
Jessie swirled her beer, the liquid sloshing around the rim of the mug, "I meant with Cloud, but I'll take the offer," she winked, taking a swig before setting her drink down.
Meanwhile, Cloud spun Tifa around one last time before pulling her close. Their bodies melded together, swaying in harmony with the music. Tifa giggled, her touch was something that Cloud had come to cherish.
Just as they were enjoying each others presence, the music changed from slow to party. Everyone cheered, Jessie pulled Aerith towards the stage, "Come on Aerith!"
"Ok! Ok! Wait!" Aerith giggled, going up with her. They sang to a song that was popular in Avalon. Tifa and Cloud watched them with a smile. The stage right below them became crowded with people dancing, pushing them in between.
Their lips were so close, the two of them looked into each other's eyes, nervous. Cloud leaned forward, their lips met in a sweet kiss. It was as if time had stood still. The two of them pulled away, breathless.
Tifa noticed how the others hand already started kissing. She felt a few familiar hands touch her ass, making her bit her lip. Cloud's lips met hers again, their tongues tangled in a heated battle that made her body ache with need. She felt his hardness rubbing against her belly, making her pussy throb with desire.
Cloud's hands cupped her breasts, his fingers twisting and pinching her nipples. She moaned into his mouth, her hips grinding against him. She could feel her juices leaking onto her thighs, her pussy aching with need.
The party's mood was changing, from laughter and dancing, there were moans and cries of pleasure. Cloud and Tifa were in the middle of it, their bodies entangled in a web of lust and desire.
"Tifa, don't hog him all to yourself," Jessie separated the both of them. She took Tifa's place, circling her arms around his neck, "Hello, Mister. Liked my song?"
"Yeah. It was great," he rested his palm on her back. Unlike the usual armour, she was wearing a sheer black dress with flower patterns. She looked gorgeous.
"Like me?" Jessie turned around, showing off her curves.
"Doable."
"Aww, you charmer," she kissed his lips, slipping her tongue past his teeth.
.
.
.
Three Months Later,
"Everyone! Land is within our reach!! But I am sensing high energy signature! It's Grade 2! It's coming straight at us!" Captain's voice rang out. The crew rushed to their posts, their faces full of determination.
Cloud grabbed his sword, Tifa standing beside him, ready for anything. The weather was unusually calm.
"ACTIVATE SHIELDS!"
"Where is it," Cloud was on the top floor. As far as his eyes could see, there wasn't anyone in sight, but there was a signature.
"AN ATTACK IS COMING!!"
"Below," Cloud planned to leap in the sea when the water shot up, the shields started vibrating as the attack hit them from below. The sea churned, waves splashing the ship.
It blasted from below, sending the ship flying in the air. They crashed into the barrier as the ship spun in the midair, falling on the ground.
There was an energy shockwave, everything around the area was blown to smithereens. He landed on the ground, seeing all the Demons fall around. There was a shadow in the water, like a massive turtle, and it was preparing another red orb.
"It's the BLACK BOX! SEAL IT!" Cloud's voice reached them through the comms.
"Give me a moment!"
Cloud tapped on the comm, lowering the voice. He grabbed the hilt of the sword, "Jenova. Limit Break."
He leaped high in the sky, circling in the air. The blue energy wrapped around the blade that he shot towards the red orb, "BRAVER!!!"
The blue blade of energy hit the red orb, shattering it. The shadow was gone, sinking into the depth. Cloud landed on the ground, seeing the crew on the ground, hit by the sudden ramming. The shield was buried into the ground sideways, "what the hell..."
The Black Box in the ship always worked. It kept anyone below Phase 3 away from the ship and if they were unlucky to meet something at Phase 3, then their chance of surviving was small.
"That thing was nowhere near Phase 3, why did it attack?"
"No idea," Saya's voice came from the other side, "Yeah. Let's prepare for Ceremony first. Before we get attacked again."
"Sure. Tifa, Aerith."
"Coming."
Cloud breathed out, glad that both of them were safe. He stood up, looking at the Knights jumping out of the ship. He walked over to them, "Prepare the Summoning Ritual."
"Yes, Your Highness."