1222-02-11
As the crew packed the ship, filling it with more supplies than we could reasonably carry, a small smile crossed my face. Rory, drenched in sweat, was busy cleaning the ship in preparation for the voyage. Tafari himself had given him a Taji—a great honor, or so Rory claimed.
Sheila and John were already aboard, their faces solemn, mirroring my own. We would all miss Bridget, as much as I already did.
The Lion's Armor, often called the Lion's Inheritance, is a power bestowed upon a select few. Few knew the true requirements to unlock it. Some claimed anyone could learn it if they only had faith. But how do you train faith? The thought lingered in my mind.
The sound of footsteps broke my focus. It was Nala, her red eyes gleaming under the midday sun. Behind her stood a general I didn't recognize.
"I apologize for not seeing you off sooner," she said casually.
"You're leaving," Nala said, her voice soft but firm.
"We are," I replied. "There's a lot to do in Wara."
"It's a shame Tafari couldn't be here. He was challenged to a fight," she said with a small sigh.
"That sounds about right," I said with a chuckle.
"At the end of the day, it's always a win with him."
She smiled. "It usually is."
After a moment, she asked, "You've been to so many places. What's Wara like?"
"Wara feels ancient, like its traditions are etched into the land itself."
"And the United Islands?"
"It's chaotic but alive, like the sea."
"What about Shatar?"
"Hot and full of wonders—dragons like Horus fill the air."
Nala smiled faintly. "Tafari's father killed a dragon once."
"Seriously?" I asked, eyebrows raising in disbelief.
She nodded. "It's true. He never talked about it much, but Tafari told me the story. He brought it down with nothing but his sword and his resolve."
"I can see where Tafari gets it."
"Maybe," she said, a flicker of pride in her eyes. "He'd deny it, though. Says he's not his father."
She added thoughtfully. "And Maranona?"
"Maranona is proud and steadfast, a kingdom that knows its place in the world."
"Nor is similar, cold and quiet." I added
"Wait," she said, frowning slightly. "I thought Maranona and Nor were the same?"
"Not anymore," I said with a small smile. "Once, maybe, but that was a long time ago."
"Hmm." She tilted her head, letting that sink in."And Amelia? King Milton's daughter?"
"Yes, Amelia, the prize of Maranona, The Jewel of Balance," I said, a little surprised. "You've met her?"
"Once," Nala said.
"All pleasant, I hope?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Her lips twitched, but she didn't reply.
Bridget walked over, her warm smile drawing Sheila and John to follow. Sheila ran towards us from the boat. Throwing her arms around Bridget in a hug.
"I'll miss you!" Sheila exclaimed, her voice trembling slightly.
Bridget laughed softly and patted Sheila's back. "You don't have to miss me just yet. Why don't you stay for a while?"
Sheila pulled back, her face lighting up, but her gaze shifted to John. "Can I?"
John shrugged with a smile. "If you want to, go ahead. We'll be back in a few months anyway."
Sheila beamed and turned back to Bridget. "Alright, I'll stay!"
John stepped forward, and Sheila hugged him tightly, whispering something I couldn't hear. Then Bridget turned to me, her expression softening as she drew me into an embrace.
"Take care of yourself, Angy," she murmured, her voice teasing but affectionate.
I chuckled. "You know I hate that nickname."
She grinned, stepping back but keeping her hands on my shoulders. "I know. That's why it suits you."
Sheila and John exchanged smiles..
The ship groaned as it left the dock. The waves rippled beneath us. Loret grew smaller in the distance. The sea stretched out endlessly ahead.
Days passed as we crossed into the waters of the United Islands of Khiz. The sun hung high in the sky. The calm was almost unsettling, broken only by the faint calls of gulls overhead. For a while, it felt like the ocean itself held its breath, waiting.
A sudden, sharp screech pierced the air. My eyes looked upward, and there it was—a dragon. Its rider sat tall, wrapped in dark, flowing garments that moved like shadows. The dragon circled us, its predatory gaze locked on the ship.
A bright flare shot from the rider's hand, streaking yellow smoke into the sky. For a moment, everything seemed to pause. Then, far on the horizon, another yellow flare burst in response. My stomach dropped.
It dove. The rider gave a sharp command. Flames erupted from the creature's mouth. A torrent of fire engulfing the sails. Smoke rose in thick plumes. It stung the eyes and burned the skin.
"Abandon ship!" Rory and John yelled.
The hull cracked violently as the flames spread. The dragon swooped in again, its fire tearing through the deck and sending splinters flying. The heat was unbearable, but the sea offered no comfort—only icy darkness.
When the ship finally broke apart and plunged into the water, the cold hit like a wall. It wrapped around me, shocking the breath from my lungs and making every movement feel impossible. The chill burrowed into my bones, numbing me as I sank beneath the surface.
The world above faded into shadows. The muffled screams of the crew grew distant as the water pulled me deeper. My body felt heavy, and the cold darkness swallowed everything until all that remained was silence.