As the ship sailed through the calm waters, the crew watched the other ship pass them by at an alarming speed. Blue, sitting outside in the sun, furrowed his brow and said, "Huh, why did they pass us?"
Pluto, who was standing on the deck looking out at the sea, pointed towards the horizon. "Because they were running from that," he replied, his voice tense.
Blue turned to look where Pluto was pointing and his eyes widened. Emerging from the depths was a colossal sea beast, the size of a whale, with two eyes on each side of its enormous head. Its light blue skin glistened under the sun, and its mouth was filled with razor-sharp teeth that gleamed menacingly.
Blue's jaw dropped. "What the...?"
Pluto, his usual calm demeanor showing signs of concern, called out to Morin, who was steering the ship. "Hey Morin, I think now would be a good time to run, don't you think?"
Morin nodded in agreement and shouted back, "Blue, come and hold the steering wheel! I'll take care of this."
Blue hurriedly took the wheel, his hands trembling slightly. Morin, with a determined look, walked up to the front of the ship, his presence commanding. Pluto, ever the realist, called out, "I know you're strong, but you're not strong enough to take that thing on!"
Morin merely smiled and responded, "Just watch."
In an instant, Morin's body became enveloped in a vibrant, glowing purple Homenen. He extended his hand, and from the Homenen energy, a sword manifested, shimmering with the same intense light. The massive beast, undeterred, continued its charge towards the ship at full speed.
With a powerful leap, Morin soared into the sky, raising his sword high above his head. As he reached the peak of his jump, he shouted, "This is the end!" A brilliant purple light exploded from his sword, and with a single, swift motion, Morin slashed the beast in half. The force of the slash sent shockwaves across the sea, and the two halves of the beast's body floated lifelessly on the water's surface.
Morin gracefully landed on top of one of the halves, kneeling with one leg as he gazed into the beast's eye. He gently placed his sword on the beast's massive form and, with his hand, softly rubbed its now-still head. "Rest now... it's over," Morin whispered, watching as the creature's eye slowly closed, its life fading away peacefully.
Morin then hopped back onto the ship, his face calm and composed. "Let's get going," he said, as if the event had been nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
Pluto, still in shock, asked, "What was that?"
Morin walked past him and replied, "All beasts are living creatures, and since they live, they feel pain. That's what Dorothy told me... so I gave that beast peace."
Morin returned to the steering wheel, taking it from Blue, who was still trying to process what had just happened. Blue, shaking off his disbelief, asked, "Where are we even going?"
Without looking back, Morin answered, "We're heading to Bularn. A friend of Dorothy's lives there. He'll help us."
And with that, the ship continued its journey, leaving the remains of the beast behind as they sailed toward an uncertain future. The chapter ends with the crew's resolve growing stronger, knowing their mission was far from over.
END OF CHAPTER 63