"Shipwrecked!"
"St. Annie Cruise Attacked! No Survivors Found!"
"Ship burned before arrival in Aurosia!"
"Resurgence of the old terrorist organization!?"
Multiple reports started to circulate all across the internet about how St. Annie, which was supposed to arrive this morning was attacked yesterday night and no survivors were found.
The headlines were trending across every news site, the grim reports flooding the internet within hours of the tragedy.
The St. Annie, a luxury cruise ship scheduled to dock in Aurosia this morning, was attacked late last night. Authorities have confirmed that no survivors were found. The ship and its passengers and crew vanished into the sea, leaving only questions and fear behind. A resurgence of the terrorist group 'Renascitus' is suspected...
Professor Javier turned off the monitor with a sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose. The faint glow of his desk lamp illuminated his sharp, rough features: short black hair streaked with blonde, a trimmed beard, and dark circles under his tired eyes. A half-finished cup of coffee sat untouched beside stacks of medical files and equipment.
He leaned back in his chair, staring into the shadows of the dimly lit room.
"...No survivors. Well, isn't the kid Lana bought from the pier a survivor? He still seems to be in a deep shock....when he wakes up, I'll have to ask him a few questions."
...
That night, Artis found himself in a strange landscape.
The entire landscape was a peaceful and serene atmosphere that filled Artis's heart with calmness and tranquility.
Clear yellow sky, with strange pink clouds, filled the entire landscape as Artis came to his consciousness and observed where he was.
Everything about this place exuded peace, tranquility so pure that it lulled his troubled mind into silence.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Artis felt... calm.
He could see, a deep blue ocean surrounding the entire island he was at as there was no source of land other than the land he was currently standing on.
The land he was standing on was a small island, as he found himself sitting on a wooden stool, completely mesmerized by the view forgetting every pain he ever felt in his life.
The only thing present there was a large wooden house, 2 stories tall as golden lights came out from the second floor.
Drawn by an unexplainable urge, Artis stood up and walked towards the house as he gently knocked at the door, hoping for someone to answer it.
"Hehehehe!"
A strange laugh was heard from the inside of the room which caused Artis to flinch a little and fill his heart with sadness and grief for some reason.
That female voice was familiar to him. He had heard that serene tone a long time ago but couldn't seem to remember when he heard that laugh and why he was longing to meet the owner of the voice.
Just as he turned around, a huge light blinded him from an infinite distance making Artis wake up from that unusual dream and find himself in a hospital bed.
'Where....Where am I?' asked Artis as he tried to stand up groggily finding himself in pain as his left arm was connected by an IV drip and his body, from head to toe, was covered with bandages.
The faint shuffle of footsteps approached. A nurse, her uniform crisp and white, stepped into the room carrying a fresh IV pack. Her face lit up when she noticed him awake.
"Oh? You are awake?" she exclaimed. Turning on her heel, she called out into the hallway, "Doctor Lana! The patient is awake!"
Artis, still confused as to where he was observed himself properly to find himself feeling pain in his body whenever he tried to move.
"Ugk!" squeaked Artis.
At that moment, a female doctor wearing the doctor's coat entered the room.
The lady in front of him was light-skinned with soft facial features, brown hair tied in a bun, brown eyes which showed softness and her presence exuded a sense of beauty, a warm smile plastered over her face.
She approached him slowly, replacing the IV fluid and straightening him up.
"Where am I?" asked Artis, not minding the tone of his voice.
The doctor, taking no offense answered politely, "You are currently at East Ferrous Hospital. You fainted after I found you in Tranquill Haven Pier and have been in this hospital for the past 3 days now."
Artis, hearing that showed no reaction or surprise. He simply looked down at his hands, which were covered with bandages.
"Your injuries were serious." The lady continued, "It's a miracle you were able to wake up this quickly. There are still a few more days left before you can officially be discharged."
"How much...is all this going to cost me?" asked Artis in a low and hoarse voice.
"Pardon?"
"My treatment," he clarified, his voice hoarse but sharper now. "The potions, the care...everything. I know how this works. Intermediate healing potions aren't cheap... What's the bill? How much do I owe before I'm let out of here?"
Lana's lips curled into a soft smile as she chuckled lightly. "That's what you're worried about? Don't stress. I've already taken care of it. Consider it my way of helping you."
Immediately, Artis looked at Lana in shock and wariness, "...And why did you do that? Who are you?"
The doctor folded her arms, her smile unwavering. "Lana Brandit. I run a small resort chain out in the Tropical Islands of Aurosia. I was nearby when I picked up the distress signal from the St. Annie. I..." She hesitated, her smile fading as her gaze turned distant.
Lana went quiet at the mention of St. Annie with an expression of grief visible on her face.
"Oh right! Alice? Hey Miss, what happened to the ship? My sister? Are there any survivors left? Please, tell me! What happened?"
Artis pleaded, tears forming in his eyes as the desperation and despair in his voice were heard.
"..." Lana replied nothing turning her face away from Artis.
His heart immediately sank as he realized what it meant.
"...Yeah, I get it." He whispered, his voice breaking, "You don't have to tell me. I'm the...only survivor right? There were no signs of the attack anywhere else right?" he asked dejectedly as he managed to croak his words out.
"...Yeah, you are right. You were the only person I could find on that ship. The ship itself went missing from the ocean without any trace. As of now, the only clue we have related to the case....is you."
"..."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you but...I have no idea what went down there. All of that happened instantly. A bomb blast occurred at the Dining Hall, then the entire ship was burning, metallic beasts started to attack everyone and then a lady came in and said the entire attack was planned!
"And my...Any my...sh-she sacrificed herself t-to save someone like me...What else can I say anymore?"
Artis couldn't hold himself back as a stream of tears started dripping from his eyes as he managed to tell Lana his story.
Lana remained quiet as Artis vented his thoughts and said, "You need to rest now," she said, her voice calm and soothing. "I shouldn't have pushed you to relive the events so soon. I'm sorry for upsetting you. I'll come back later to check on you."
...
"So? How's the kid?" asked a man with short black hair and blond streaks.
Lana stared at the man and sighed, "Not good Javier. He's still in shock after the incident and it seems...it might take some time to recover from the shock."
Javier sighed as he scratched his head, "It seems I might not be able to meet him today. When do you recommend I can meet him?"
"On the earliest...tomorrow with me. After I'm done with his initial checkups, I'll call you and in my presence, you can talk with that kid."
"Sure." Javier smiled, "Thanks Lana, I knew I could always count on you."
"Don't mention it. Even though I can't stay here for long...I will always accept my friend's invitation..."
...
That night, Artis was awake, thinking about the time at the cruise bathing in the moonlight coming outside from the window.
The words Alice spoke were still ringing in his mind as memories of what happened on the cruise kept rewinding in his mind.
He clenched his fists as he remembered the conversation the lady and Alice had.
'That lady said that they came here only for Alice...and attacked everyone else because it only met their agenda.
'Can I assume that whoever attacked the ship will keep the hostages alive? Can I assume that whoever kidnapped Alice will keep her alive? They needed her for something right? What was it and why did they want Alice?
'Did she hide some more things from me? What did she do to catch the attention of this dangerous organization? Perhaps...I never knew my sister as well as I did...
Artis clenched his fists, the bandages pulling tight against his bruised knuckles. The cold moonlight cast long shadows across the sterile hospital room, but his gaze remained fixed on the sky.
"Alice," he whispered, his voice breaking, "if there's even the smallest chance you're alive... I'll find you. I swear I'll find you."
His heart pounded with a mix of grief and fury, each beat fueling the fire that now burned in his chest. 'They won't get away with this. Not while I'm still breathing.'