Chapter 146: The Poison Mist Sea
Scene: Nearly a month into their journey, the heroes find themselves deep into their training and routine on the ship. Down in the training basement, Eren and Zarek are sparring, each avoiding the use of mana as Eren tries to teach Zarek the art of calm, controlled combat.
Eren: (blocking a punch) Stop going for power—think of control, Zarek. You don't have to let anger drive every move.
Zarek: (grumbling) Easy for you to say. I've always fought with it.
Eren: (dodging) Exactly why we're practicing this. Try thinking about your moves, not just throwing them!
Zarek clenches his jaw, taking a deep breath as he refocuses, trying again with a measured, precise strike that Eren just barely dodges.
Eren: (smiling) Better. See? Less rage, more accuracy.
Scene shifts: Upstairs, Rylan is in his room, meticulously shaving away a small beard that's grown during the journey. He chuckles to himself as he inspects his reflection in a small mirror.
Rylan: (muttering) And they say heroes are supposed to look rugged. Can't hurt to keep a bit of style.
Meanwhile, Commander Elara and Kirito stand at the bow, scanning the horizon, each lost in their thoughts as they keep a steady watch.
Commander Elara: (turning to Kirito) We're close, aren't we?
Kirito: (nodding) Just days away from Zisteria now. Hopefully, the seas stay calm until then. Though… (pausing) I can't shake a feeling.
Commander Elara: (raising an eyebrow) What kind of feeling?
Kirito: (thoughtfully) There's a territory near here—a dangerous one. I only know it by reputation, but… if we're close, we need to be extra cautious.
Commander Elara's eyes narrow slightly, but she nods in understanding.
Scene shifts again: Aria, Asher, and Ryu are busy in the small kitchen area, preparing a meal for everyone.
Aria: (grinning) Ryu, if you keep trying to add more seasoning, this stew's going to knock everyone out.
Ryu: (smirking) Just adding some flair. You'll thank me later.
Asher: (laughing) At least make it edible. Last time I couldn't tell if I was eating stew or fire.
Ryu: (mock hurt) Hey, my cooking is legendary!
Aria: (teasing) Legendary for how strong it is, maybe.
They all laugh, and Aria eventually calls everyone up to the middle of the ship for the meal. Eren and Zarek join, still sweaty from training, while Rylan appears freshly shaved, earning a few raised eyebrows.
Commander Elara: (grinning) Rylan, you look… almost respectable.
Rylan: (smirking) Can't be the only one here with a sense of style, right?
They all settle down, enjoying the meal and sharing stories, when Kirito's face suddenly grows serious. He looks at the surrounding sea and mutters something to himself.
Commander Elara: (noticing) Kirito, what's wrong?
Kirito: (hesitating) I just remembered… I think we're entering the Poison Mist Sea.
Everyone looks at him in surprise, glancing around at the darkening sky and noticing a faint green tint beginning to creep into the air.
Eren: (frowning) Poison Mist Sea? What's that supposed to mean?
Kirito: (grimly) It's said this part of the sea is covered in poisonous mist, dangerous to breathe. The mist is too thick to sail through normally—and it's caused by something… something lurking in these waters.
Commander Elara: (serious) So we're not alone out here.
Ryu: (half-jokingly) When are we ever?
Narrator: As they continue sailing, the air around them thickens, the mist turning a dark, sickly green. Breathing becomes labored, and the visibility drops until they can barely see the front of the ship.
Commander Elara notices the air quality worsening, and she glances sharply at Kirito.
Commander Elara: (commanding) Everyone, cover your faces with mana! Filter the poison if you can!
The group quickly focuses, channeling their mana around their mouths and noses to filter the toxic air. Rylan coughs, pulling his shirt over his face even as his mana flares slightly.
Rylan: (muffled) This is nasty. How can anything live here?
Kirito: (grimly) They don't just live here. They thrive.
They continue forward, moving cautiously through the dense fog, each one on high alert. The oppressive silence is punctuated by the creak of the ship and the occasional splash of something moving in the water.
Aria: (whispering to Elara) Do we know what creature is causing this?
Kirito: (shaking his head) No one really knows. Rumor has it, though, that the mist is made by a beast with control over poison itself. The closer we get, the stronger the mist becomes.
Commander Elara: (firmly) If we find it, we kill it. We're not letting anything stand between us and Zisteria.
They all nod, bracing themselves as they sail deeper into the Poison Mist Sea. The greenish fog presses in around them, each step forward filled with tension.
Narrator: The day wears on, the atmosphere becoming increasingly oppressive as the ship slowly inches forward. They push through, feeling the air grow heavier and their visibility shrink to almost nothing.
Suddenly, Eren, still scanning the water, catches a glimpse of something dark moving beneath the surface. His eyes widen, and he leans forward, trying to make out what it is.
Eren: (whispering) There's… something down there.
Zarek steps up beside him, his face tense as he peers into the water.
Zarek: (serious) Whatever it is, it's big. And it's definitely following us.
Just then, the water churns violently, and a massive shape rises partially above the surface, only to disappear again. The ship rocks, causing everyone to grab onto something for balance.
Ryu: (nervously) Great. So it's here with us.
Aria: (scanning the water) Everyone stay alert. It could strike any moment.
The group readies themselves, their weapons drawn as they keep their eyes on the water, but the creature remains hidden, lurking just below the surface.
Commander Elara: (whispering to Kirito) How do we fight something we can't even see?
Kirito: (tense) We may have no choice but to go through its territory. But we'll have to be quick and hope it doesn't notice us… too much.
As they continue forward, the tension only grows. Every splash, every ripple feels like a threat as they sail deeper into the mist, all senses heightened.
The chapter ends with the heroes bracing themselves, surrounded by poisonous mist and an unseen menace lurking beneath the water.