Another day began, and Eris awoke to the soft rays of the sun creeping through the cracks in the ship's hull. She stretched, blinking against the light, the warmth from the sun already starting to make her feel more awake.
The ship had been steady throughout the night, but she still felt the need to make sure it was heading in the right direction. She stumbled up from her resting spot and moved to the deck, squinting at the horizon to check their course.
The sails were still catching the wind just right.
It seemed like they were on track. Satisfied, she took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the salty sea air, before heading down below.
The hold was quiet—too quiet. Without the crew, it felt strange, like the ship itself was holding its breath. Eris moved between the crates, her boots thudding lightly against the wooden floor. She had to find something useful.
Food, water, anything. She didn't know how long it would take to reach Nasar, but she knew they couldn't afford to waste time.
She rifled through some crates, finding mostly old barrels of preserved food and random bits of ship supplies that wouldn't do them much good.
But then something caught her eye—tucked in the back, half-hidden by some scattered wood, was a chest. Her curiosity piqued, she walked over and carefully lifted the lid.
Inside was a mix of old navigational charts, a few tools, a collection of old maps, faded and cracked with age, and something that immediately stood out—a small, well-crafted dagger. She picked it up, running her fingers over the hilt, testing its weight. It felt solid. Perfect.
"Could come in handy," she muttered to herself, slipping the dagger into her belt.
She climbed onto the deck, her arms full of maps, compasses, and various tools. The early sun bathed the ship in a warm glow, and for a brief moment, the rocking of the vessel felt almost peaceful.
Eris squinted against the light, her gaze scanning the endless stretch of water before her.
The sun had risen, casting a golden hue over the sea, and Eris was focused on the maps and compasses sprawled across the deck.
As she checked the ship's course once more, her brow furrowed in confusion.
They had been at sea for two days, but the distance to Nasar Kingdom seemed… far too small now.
She leaned in closer, scanning the maps, but it didn't make sense.
No. This can't be right.
She flipped the maps over, checked the compass, and then her eyes widened. They were already incredibly close.
Too close.
Her mind raced as she tried to make sense of it. How had they gotten this close so quickly? It didn't add up.
"REYNAR!!!!!"
There was no immediate answer. She sighed, rolling her eyes. Of course, he'd be somewhere out of reach again.
She was used to this by now. After a moment, she spotted him at the top of the mast, barely conscious, his arms clutching the wood for dear life.
"Reynar!" she yelled again, louder this time.
"Get down here, we need to talk!"
There was a long pause before Reynar's voice came, strained and groggy. "I'm alive, just… barely.
"WHAT??!!"
"I AM SAYING I AM ALIVE..."
"Unfortunately…" She muttered.
"ANYWAYS, COME DOWN HERE!!!"
Reynar groaned, shifting slightly but making no real effort to move. "Ugh… Do I have to?"
"YES!" Eris snapped.
"Can't you just… shout whatever it is from down there?"
Eris clenched her fists. "Reynar, if you don't get your ass down here in the next ten seconds, I will personally climb up there and throw you off."
Reynar sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine… give me a second." He started his slow, painful descent, wincing with every movement. His whole body ached, his muscles stiff from clinging to the mast all night. When he finally reached the deck, he nearly collapsed.
Eris crossed her arms. "You look awful."
"Yeah, thanks," Reynar muttered, rubbing his sore limbs.
"Maybe that's because I spent the entire night fighting for my life against the WIND."
Eris frowned. "What wind?"
Reynar blinked. "What do you mean 'what wind'? The monstrous wind that was trying to murder me all night!"
Eris stared at him, unimpressed. "I slept just fine."
Reynar let out an exasperated laugh. "Oh, well, good for you, princess. Meanwhile, I was up there getting tossed around like a damn ragdoll!"
Eris smirked. "Maybe you just have bad sea legs."
Reynar glared at her. "Or maybe you just sleep like a rock."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. I swear, you could sleep through a hurricane."
Eris narrowed her eyes, then without warning, smacked him over the head.
"OW! What was that for?!" Reynar recoiled, rubbing his skull.
"For being an idiot."
Reynar groaned. "Right. My fault for expecting sympathy."
Eris rolled her eyes. "Enough whining. We have a bigger problem."
Reynar sighed. "What now?"
Eris pointed at the horizon. "We're way too close to Nasar. We shouldn't be here this fast."
Reynar blinked. "Why is that a problem? Isn't that what we wanted?"
Eris shook her head, still staring at the horizon. "Yeah, but not this fast. We should be at least a whole week away from Nasar, maybe more."
Reynar stretched his sore arms with a groan. "Well, maybe we just got lucky. Favorable currents, smooth sailing—"
Eris shot him a deadpan look. "You were literally dying up there because of the wind."
Reynar opened his mouth, then shut it. "Okay, fair point." He rubbed his temples. "So, what? You think the wind pushed us here?"
Eris exhaled, tapping her fingers against her arm. "It must have. There's no other way we could've gotten this close overnight."
"How close we… Ugh are?"
"About a day."
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!!!! That close??? We…. we basically skipped a whole week."
"Exactly."
Reynar ran both hands through his hair, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "That's insane! There's no way we traveled that far in one night!"
Eris crossed her arms. "Well, we did."
Reynar paced in circles, mumbling under his breath.
"No, no, no. That's not how sailing works. Even with good wind, even with perfect conditions—hell, even if we had a whole crew rowing like maniacs—we shouldn't have covered that much distance!"
Eris smirked. "Unless, of course, the gods decided to bless us with a divine tailwind."
Reynar shot her an incredulous look. "If that was a blessing, I'd rather take a curse. At least I could sleep!"
Eris snorted. "Oh, poor thing. Did the big bad wind scare you?"
Reynar scowled. "Scare me? I nearly DIED!" He threw his hands up. "Meanwhile, you? You were
snoozing like a damn rock!"
"YOUUUU—!!"
SMACK!
"OW! WHAT THE HELL?!"
Reynar clutched his head, glaring at Eris. "You hit me again!"
"You deserved it," she huffed, crossing her arms.
"For what? Stating facts?"
Eris leaned in, her sharp glare making him instinctively step back. "Call me a rock one more time, and I'll throw you overboard."
Reynar held up his hands in surrender, a smirk creeping onto his lips. "Fine, fine. No more 'rock' comments."
The day was beautiful. The sky was a perfect shade of blue, and the sea stretched endlessly before them. For once, the peaceful atmosphere seemed to lull them into a moment of calm. And then something came to Reynar's mind.
"Eris?"
"What??"
"Why don't we take a dive?"
Eris raised an eyebrow, her gaze flicking between him and the sea. "What's with the sudden suggestion?"
Reynar shrugged. "I mean, we've been on the move nonstop since we left Tevasa. We could use a break, right?"
Eris paused for a moment, considering. "You might be right. I've been working non-stop, taking care of everything while you've been… well, being useless."
Reynar sighed dramatically. "Oh, thanks for the reminder."
She shot him a look but smirked. "Fine, let's go for a swim then."
Reynar's grin stretched across his face. "Really? You're actually agreeing?"
"Yeah, I could use a break from all the chaos." Eris walked towards the cabin.
Reynar was so happy that she agreed because he wanted her to take a break…..Just kidding.
The real reason Rey suggested it, wasn't only for relaxation, he just… couldn't forget this feeling that day, two days ago:
["Boooooobs… So damn big."
"Just a small touch? No! I can't do that! …But? It's just a small touch. What's the worst that could happen?"
Soft.*
"I'M TOUCHING IT. I'M ACTUALLY TOUCHING A WOMAN'S BOOBS! HAHAHA—"_]
And now, there was another chance to relive that feeling again.
A perverted grin spread across Reynar's face as a low chuckle escaped his lips. "Hehehe…"
____
Almost a minute passed:
"Reynar!!"
Eris's voice snapped him out of his thoughts, and he quickly straightened up, attempting to hide his
grin.
"Yes!!" he replied, feigning innocence.
"Look here!"
Reynar turned at the sound of her voice, his eyes immediately drawn to her. And there she was—Eris, standing with an almost playful expression, her arms lifted in a mock pose.
"How do I look?" she asked, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.
Reynar's jaw dropped in shock, his eyes widening as he took her in. Her swimsuit was simple but fitting—dark blue with delicate patterns on the sides that complemented her toned figure. The soft fabric hugged her curves perfectly, the ocean breeze catching the edges of her hair. She had changed so effortlessly, her usual intensity replaced by an unexpected, carefree vibe.
For a moment, Reynar couldn't believe his eyes. His heart was racing. The image of her in that swimsuit—his thoughts momentarily spiraling—was too much to ignore.
"Whe… where did you get that?" he finally managed to ask, his voice barely above a whisper.
"What?"
"The swimsuit…"
Eris raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. "I found it in a closet. But I have no idea how it ended up there."
Reynar's mind went blank, everything around him fading into the background as he got lost in his thoughts.
Soooo big…
He couldn't tear his eyes away, his gaze fixated on her in a way he couldn't stop, even if he wanted to.
Eris snapped her fingers in front of his face, breaking the trance. "Hey! Can you hear me??"
Reynar blinked, still dazed. "Huh?"
"Hey, Rey!" She stepped closer, narrowing her eyes. "Where the hell are you looking?"
That's when it hit him. He blinked, realizing just how obvious he was being.
Eris's eyes widened as the realization struck her. "YOU PERVERT BASTARD!!"
SMACK!
Reynar stumbled back, rubbing his face where her fist had landed. He groaned in mock pain.
"Ow! What the hell was that for?!"
"For being a damn pervert!" she shouted, crossing her arms, her face red with frustration.
Reynar chuckled, though it was a nervous laugh. "Alright, alright, no need to hit me—"
But before he could finish, Eris grabbed him by the collar and yanked him closer, her eyes flashing with intensity.
"Listen up, Reynar," she said, her voice low and serious. "If you ever… ever do that again…"
Reynar gulped, suddenly aware that maybe he had crossed a line. "Y-Yeah, I got it. No more... wandering eyes."
Eris let go of his collar, stepping back with a huff. "Good. Now, we're here to relax, so let's go."
"Yeah, yeah," Reynar replied, rubbing the spot on his face where she'd punched him. "Let's go."
Eris turned to the edge of the ship, her eyes scanning the water. "Alright, let's go for a dive then. You better keep it together, or I swear—"
Reynar interrupted her by grinning and starting to strip off his clothes.
Eris raised an eyebrow as he casually pulled off his shirt and pants, revealing his well-built, muscular frame in just his underwear. He didn't seem embarrassed, at all, standing confidently on the deck.
Eris couldn't help but glance at him, her gaze lingering longer than she intended. She quickly turned away, her face flushing.
No! Stop it, Eris! What the hell am i thinking?
But it was hard not to. Reynar's body was practically a work of art, toned and well-defined from head to toe. All those hours spent cutting wood hadn't been for nothing—it had left a clear mark on his physique.
Eris shook her head, trying to push away the thoughts creeping into her mind.
This is Reynar. He's just a guy. You've seen plenty of guys before.
She clenched her fists, determined to focus on the dive and nothing else. But when she glanced back at him again, her eyes unconsciously traveled over his torso. She blushed fiercely and quickly looked away.
No, no, NO! Why is he so… distracting?
Trying to calm herself, Eris turned her back to Reynar, taking a deep breath to refocus. "Just… just get in the water already."
Reynar shot her a teasing grin, completely unaware of the effect he was having on her. "You coming?"
Eris clenched her teeth, fighting the urge to give in to the thoughts swirling in her mind. But at the same time, she could feel her heart racing, her cheeks burning, and an unfamiliar nervousness settling in.
"Y-Yeah," she muttered under her breath, moving toward the railing, trying to push all the weird feelings aside. "Let's just dive."
The sun was high in the sky now, the midday heat warming their skin as the hours drifted by unnoticed. Eris and Reynar were both content with the swim, the water cool and refreshing under the steady sun. And strange enough, Reynar had completely forgotten about his nausea.
For a while, there were no thoughts about the tension between them—just the simple act of being in the moment.
Eris floated lazily on the water, staring up at the sky. The soft ripples and distant sound of seagulls were like a balm, easing the chaos of her mind. It felt nice to breathe easy, with no distractions. No Reynar, making her heart beat faster.
"Let's head back," Reynar called from somewhere nearby. "It's almost lunchtime."
"What? Already?" Eris groaned, tilting her head. "I didn't even notice the time passing."
"Yeah, well, I did. I'm starving," he said, amused. "Come on, I'll make something."
They swam back toward the ship, grabbing onto the ropes and hauling themselves up onto the deck. Water dripped from their clothes, pooling on the sun-warmed wood. Reynar shook out his hair like a wet dog before heading straight for the galley, leaving a trail of damp footprints behind him.
The kitchen was small but functional, the wood aged and worn by years of service. Above a sturdy stone hearth, soot stained the beams, evidence of countless meals cooked over the years. Pots and pans of various sizes hung from hooks, their surfaces tarnished but well-maintained.
Shelves lined the walls, filled with jars of preserved herbs and dried meats, along with a few well-used bowls and utensils. The wooden counter, though scarred from years of chopping, was neatly organized with a knife block, a grinding stone, and a few fresh ingredients—everything in its place, ready for the next meal to be prepared. The floor creaked underfoot as the ship rocked, but the kitchen remained a steady, grounded place in the heart of the vessel.
Reynar grabbed a towel from the nearest bench, rubbing it over his face and arms before tossing it aside. He glanced around, tapping his fingers against the counter, running through what they had left.
"Alright," he muttered to himself, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see what I can throw together."
After a quick scanning of the shelves, Reynar grabbed what he needed—some dried herbs, a jar of preserved tomatoes, a loaf of slightly stale bread, and a small wedge of cheese. Not exactly a feast, but good enough.
He set everything on the counter and pulled out a knife, cutting the bread into thick slices. It was a bit firm, but nothing a little heat couldn't fix. He poured a thin layer of oil into a pan and placed it over the fire, letting it warm while he worked.
The scent of sizzling herbs filled the small kitchen as he tossed them into the pan, followed by the tomatoes, which he mashed down with the back of a spoon. The mixture thickened quickly, bubbling as it absorbed the flavors. He crumbled the cheese into the sauce, stirring until it melted into something creamy and rich. The bread went into the pan next, soaking up the flavors before crisping at the edges.
Satisfied, Reynar plated the food and grabbed both dishes. Without a word, he headed outside onto the deck, the salty breeze immediately washing over him. The sky was a brilliant blue, the ocean stretching endlessly in every direction, shimmering under the sun.
Eris sat on the ship's railing, gazing out at the horizon. He handed her a plate.
"Your food is ready, my princess," he said, giving a slight bow.
She grabbed the plate without saying a word. As she stared at the horizon, she took a bite.
"Mmmm!" Her eyes widened in surprise.
"How is it?" Reynar asked, eager for her opinion.
"It's aweso—" she caught herself, quickly adding, "I mean, I've eaten way better dishes."
Reynar raised an eyebrow, though a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Oh, whatever!"
Eris tried her best to hide a grin, failing miserably.
"What is this, anyway?" she asked, shifting the conversation.
Reynar leaned back against the mast, looking smug.
"It's called Sailor's Toast. It's toasted bread with a rich tomato and melted cheese mixture. I read about it in a book when I was younger."
Eris raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued despite her earlier teasing. "Not bad for something you read in a book," she admitted, taking another bite.
Reynar grinned, pleased with her approval. "See? Told you."
They continued to chat casually as they ate, the conversation flowing easily between them. The warmth of the sun, the gentle rocking of the ship, and the steady rhythm of their laughter made the moment feel peaceful, almost perfect.
As the last crumbs of food disappeared from their plates, Reynar pushed himself up from the railing, stretching his arms with a satisfied sigh.
"Well, that was a nice break. But we've got things to do."
Eris followed suit, standing up and casually tossing her plate aside, letting it clatter softly against the deck.
"Yeah, yeah. The ship's not going to sail itself."
Now fully dry, they began dressing, the salty breeze tugging at their clothes as they moved.
Reynar, dressed once more, made his way toward the bow. He grabbed hold of a rope securing the sails, his grip firm but absentminded as his gaze drifted toward the horizon.
The endless stretch of sea shimmered beneath the sun, but his thoughts were elsewhere, drifting like the tide, carrying questions he wasn't sure he had answers to.
Reynar was seeing the vast sea and the sunbeams breaking through the waves, untill…
His eyes, accidentally caught something in the distance.
At first, it was just a dark speck against the vast horizon, barely noticeable. But as the waves shifted, the silhouette grew clearer—a massive ship, gliding silently across the sea.
It loomed over the water like a silent predator, its dark wooden hull lined with scars from past battles. The sails were now frayed at the edges, their black fabric billowing like a beast taking slow, heavy breaths.
The masts stood tall, rigid like a spine, with thick ropes hanging down like veins, some swaying slightly in the wind. Along the sides, the open mouths of cannons stared outward, hollow and waiting, like unblinking eyes locked onto their next target.
At the bow, a carved figurehead jutted forward—something monstrous, its mouth twisted in a permanent snarl, as if daring the world to stand in its way. The deck, though well-maintained, carried the weight of countless footsteps, the kind that never hesitated. And at the highest point, a tattered flag waved, its edges torn, but its presence unwavering—like a ghost that refused to fade.
As he saw the massive ship sailing toward them, his breath caught in his throat.
Without thinking, he shouted—
"ERIS!!!"
A second passed before a sharp reply came from behind him.
"WHAT?!"
"GET OVER HERE! NOW!"
Eris walked toward the bow, her pace quickening when she caught the urgency in his voice.
"What is it this time?" she asked, half-annoyed.
She didn't get an answer.
Reynar stood frozen, staring at the horizon. Slowly, he raised a trembling hand and pointed straight ahead.
"What… the f*ck… is that?"
Eris followed his gaze, her eyes scanning the water—until they landed on the monstrous vessel.
Her expression shifted in an instant.
Unlike Reynar, she didn't need to ask. She knew exactly what they were looking at.
A heavy silence hung between them before she muttered under her breath—
"Oh, f*cking hell… we've officially run out of luck."
The ship was getting closer—too close. The groaning of its massive hull cutting through the waves sent a chill through Reynar's spine.
The towering sails loomed above them now, casting long shadows over their deck. The air grew thick, heavy with something unspoken, something dangerous.
And then, at the very edge of the enemy ship's railing, a figure emerged.
A man stood there, gazing down at them like a king surveying his land. His auburn hair was tousled by the wind, his single amber eye gleaming beneath the afternoon light. A black eyepatch covered the other, adding to his menacing presence.
His coat, dark and adorned with intricate designs, hung open, revealing a battle-worn chest marked with scars. A fresh wound ran along his skin, but if it caused him pain, he didn't show it.
The way he carried himself—calm, unshaken, almost amused—sent a wave of unease through Reynar. This wasn't just any pirate. This was someone who had seen blood, storms, and war… and walked away every time.
Silence.
The air felt wrong—unnaturally still. Reynar could hear his heart, each beat like a drum in his chest, loud and frantic. The seconds stretched, thick and heavy, each one more suffocating than the last. A cold sweat beaded on his forehead, his breath shallow and labored. Eris stood beside him, equally tense, her gaze flicking from the man to their surroundings. The world felt… different. Wrong.
The man's hand rose, slow, deliberate, as if every movement was measured to extract maximum pain. Reynar's throat tightened. Something was coming.
The air thickened, swirling with a pressure that made the space around them feel smaller, tighter. The weight of it bore down on him, pressing his lungs as if the very atmosphere was trying to crush him from all sides.
With a flick of his finger, the man pointed directly at their ship.
Time seemed to freeze.
His amber eye darkened, the color bleeding away into an almost lifeless black. Then, without warning, the amber ignited into a fierce, molten red—a fire that burned with a cold, unforgiving heat.
Reynar's stomach twisted. The world…
Changed.
The sky, once a reassuring expanse of blue, was swallowed whole by a blood-red glow. The sun vanished, erased from existence as if it had never been. A full moon—pale, haunting—took its place, casting an unnatural, chilling light over everything. The sea below them—once alive with the rhythm of waves—was still, frozen, a mirror to the unnatural sky. Its surface bled crimson, reflecting a world that had tilted into nightmare.
Reynar's breath caught in his throat.
A ripple of energy spread from the man's fingertip, twisting through the air like liquid fire. The aura curled, thick with menace, coiling around his nail before slithering into the void.
Then—
A spark.
It crackled at the edge of his fingertip—a blinding, violent flash that tore through the stillness.
And that was the last thing Reynar saw before—
CRASH!