The sight of Lyra silently crying stayed in Eren's mind, making his chest ache. He clenched his fists, feeling a lump in his throat, then lifted his arm and shouted.
"I'll become a Seeker, and—and..."
His voice cracked, and he couldn't finish the sentence. Tears slid down his cheeks, and the salty wind brushed them away, but it couldn't take away the heaviness in his heart.
Eren held the parcel Lyra had given him tightly against his chest. Slowly, he opened it and put on the gloves she had made for him.
His fingers ran over the stitching. It wasn't perfect, but it was sturdy. He could tell how much effort Lyra had put into making them, every uneven thread a sign of her care.
He flexed his hands, the gloves fitting snugly, and felt a strange warmth. They weren't just gloves—they were a part of Lyra, it was her silent way of telling him to stay safe.
As he stood there, lost in thought about the village and Lyra. Then the sound of laughter pulled Eren out of his thoughts. Other passengers were boarding the ship, chatting and joking with each other. One of them, a tall man with a cocky smirk, pointed at Eren.
"Hey, kid! You shouting about becoming a Seeker just now?" the man called out, clearly amused. "You? A Seeker? From a backwater place like Dremora?"
Some of the others laughed along, shaking their heads.
"A Seeker from Dremora? That's a first," a woman muttered, her tone half-joking, half-incredulous.
"He won't last a day in the city," another chimed in, smirking.
Eren's face burned, but he clenched his fists, his nails digging into the leather of the gloves Lyra had made for him. He refused to back down.
"I will become a Seeker," he said firmly, his voice steady despite the humiliation bubbling inside. "Laugh all you want, but I'll prove it."
The tall man raised an eyebrow, surprised by Eren's boldness, but shrugged it off with a laugh.
"Suit yourself, kid. Good luck. You'll need it."
While some passengers snickered, others looked at Eren with curiosity.
"Dremora, huh?" an older man said, his tone more thoughtful. "Takes guts for someone from a village like that to aim so high. Don't let them get to you, boy."
Eren gave the older man a small nod, grateful for the support. His hands tightened around the gloves again, grounding himself as the ship's horn blared. The plank rose, cutting off any last thoughts of home.
The ship began moving, the creaking of the wood blending with the sound of the waves. Eren stayed quiet, finding a spot by the railing where he could be alone. He didn't want to deal with any more stares or comments.
After sometime he sensed something, a single leaf touched his face, his gaze shifted upward, watching as the lone leaf drifted down from above, carried by the breeze. It brushed against his cheek before falling into the sea below. He frowned, the uneasy feeling in his chest growing stronger.
The air around him felt heavier now, the kind of weight that came before a storm. The once calm waves seemed to shift, their rhythm breaking ever so slightly. Eren tightened his grip on the railing, his eyes scanning the horizon.
"A storm is coming," he murmured to himself, his voice low but certain.
Behind him, a few passengers had caught his words.
"What's the kid muttering about now?" the tall man scoffed, his smirk returning. "A storm? Don't scare yourself, Dremora boy. This route is as calm as they come."
But the older man, Garrick, wasn't so quick to dismiss Eren's words. He stepped closer, squinting at the sky. "Kid's not wrong," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "That cloudline... it's too low. And the wind's shifting."
The tall man waved him off. "You're as bad as the kid. We'd have been warned if there was trouble."
Eren ignored their exchange, his attention locked on the distant horizon. The golden morning light had started to fade, the sun slipping behind a wall of dark clouds that seemed to appear out of nowhere.
A cold gust of wind rushed past, making him shiver. The sea grew restless, small waves slapping against the hull.
"Hey! All passengers, below deck!" a voice bellowed from the crew. "Storm's rolling in fast! Move it!"
The passengers, previously skeptical, now scrambled to follow the orders. The tall man muttered something under his breath but was quick to head inside with the others. Garrick lingered for a moment, looking at Eren.
"You've got sharp instincts," Garrick said, his tone serious. "That'll serve you well if you can survive what's coming."
Eren didn't reply, but his jaw tightened. He looked out at the churning waters one last time before following Garrick below deck.
As the door slammed shut behind him, the first crack of thunder echoed across the sky, and the ship began to lurch with the growing waves.
The storm had arrived.
The storm hit harder than Eren had expected. The ship rocked violently, making it hard to stand. Below deck, the lanterns swayed, casting shaky light on the frightened passengers. Some were holding on to benches or each other, muttering prayers or just staying silent.
Eren sat on a bench near the wall, gripping the edge with white knuckles. His chest felt tight, but he kept his head down, focusing on steadying his breathing. The gloves Lyra had made him were still on his hands, the stitching pressing into his skin. Somehow, they helped him feel less scared.
Across from him, Garrick leaned back against the wall, his arms crossed. Despite the chaos, the older man's face was calm. "First time in a storm?" he asked.
"Yeah," Eren said quietly. His voice was shaky, and he cleared his throat. "First time at sea, too."
Garrick nodded. "Storms can be rough, but you'll live. Just keep your head straight. Panicking doesn't help."
The ship suddenly tilted sharply, and there was a loud crash from above. A few passengers screamed as barrels rolled across the deck, hitting the walls. Eren gripped the bench harder, his heart pounding.
"Focus," Garrick said firmly, his eyes on Eren. "This is nothing. You've got to stay calm if you want to get through it."
Eren nodded, though his hands still shook. He thought of Lyra and the way she had cried when he left. He thought of the gloves, her way of telling him to stay safe. He couldn't let fear win. Not now.
Suddenly, someone shouted from above deck. "We're taking on water! We need help!"
Eren's stomach twisted. He looked at the stairs leading up. Every part of him wanted to stay below where it was safer, but he couldn't sit still. He stood up, swallowing his fear.
"I'm going to help," he said, his voice quiet but firm.
Garrick looked at him, frowning. "You'll just get in the way, kid."
Eren shook his head. "If I'm going to be a Seeker, I can't sit here while others do all the work. I have to try."
Garrick stared at him for a moment, then sighed. "Your funeral, kid. Go on."
Eren climbed the stairs, holding onto the railing as the ship rocked. The rain hit him like icy needles as soon as he stepped outside. The wind howled, and the deck was a mess. Crew members were shouting, ropes were flailing, and water was pooling everywhere.
"Grab that rope!" a sailor yelled, pointing to a line whipping in the wind.
Eren ran toward it, slipping on the wet wood. He grabbed the rope with both hands, the force of it nearly pulling him off his feet. He dug his heels in and pulled as hard as he could. His arms burned, but he held on.
"Hold it steady!" the sailor shouted, running over to secure it.
Eren kept pulling until the rope was tied down. The sailor gave him a quick pat on the back. "Good job, kid."
Another wave crashed over the deck, soaking them both. Eren coughed, wiping water from his face, but he didn't move back. His hands were shaking, and his whole body ached, but he wasn't going to give up.
The storm raged on, each wave slamming against the ship with relentless force. Eren's body screamed in protest as he held onto whatever he could find, the gloves on his hands soaked and clinging to his skin. He gritted his teeth and pressed forward, helping wherever the crew needed him.
"Kid! Over here!" another sailor called, struggling to lift a crate that had broken loose and was threatening to slide into the sea. Eren stumbled over, his legs unsteady but determined.
Together, they heaved the crate back into position. Eren's muscles burned, and he thought his arms might give out, but the sailor's sharp nod of approval spurred him on. The small acts of acknowledgment reminded him why he couldn't stop. Every moment felt like a fight, but that fight kept him going.
As the ship tilted dangerously, Garrick emerged from below deck, bracing himself against the wall. His eyes found Eren immediately, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
"Still alive, kid?" he called out over the howling wind.
Eren only nodded, too focused on steadying himself to respond. Garrick approached, holding a coil of rope.
"Take this," Garrick said, handing the rope to Eren. "Tie yourself to the railing if you have to. You won't be much use if you're swept overboard."
Eren hesitated for a moment but did as Garrick said, securing himself to a nearby post. The older man gave him a brief nod before heading off to assist the crew.
Time blurred as the storm raged on. Every second felt like an hour, every task an uphill battle. The wind tore through the sails, and the relentless rain soaked everyone to the bone. But Eren didn't stop. His mind clung to Lyra's gloves, her unspoken words, and the promise he'd made—to become a Seeker, to prove himself.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the storm began to ease. The clouds still loomed, but the rain softened, and the waves grew less violent. The crew moved quickly to assess the damage, and the passengers who had dared venture out began to stagger back below deck.
Eren slumped against the railing, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His body was battered, his hands raw even beneath the gloves, but he'd made it. He looked out at the sea, the horizon now a muted gray as the first hints of dawn broke through the clouds.
"Not bad, kid." Garrick's voice startled him. The older man was leaning against the railing beside him, his expression unreadable. "You didn't run when it got tough. That's more than I can say for most."
Eren managed a weak smile, though his exhaustion left little room for pride. "I couldn't just sit there."
Garrick chuckled softly, a rare warmth in his voice. "Good. A Seeker's life is tougher than any storm. If you want to survive, you'll need that fire."
Eren's eyes flicked to Garrick, something in the man's tone catching his attention. "Were you a Seeker?"
Garrick didn't answer immediately. He stared out at the sea, his face shadowed by memories. "Once," he said finally, his voice quieter now. "A long time ago."
Before Eren could ask more, a shout from the crew drew their attention.
"Land ahead!"
Eren turned, squinting at the horizon. Sure enough, the faint outline of the city was visible, its towering spires cutting into the sky. His heart leaped, a mix of excitement and nerves surging through him. This was it—the beginning of the path he'd chosen.
As the ship neared the docks, Eren felt the weight of the journey ahead settle on his shoulders. The storm was over, but the real challenge was just beginning.
Garrick clapped a hand on his shoulder, breaking him from his thoughts. "You've got a long road ahead, kid. Stay sharp."
Eren nodded, his resolve hardening. He tightened the gloves on his hands, he looked ahead a small smile formed on his lips.