(Volume 5, Awakening arc)
(1 year and 2 months after Klada Disaster)
[Kyrielle's POV]
"All hands on stations, we are approaching the port now! Passengers, please standby in your rooms."
The captain of the ship yelled out commands to all of us when the ship approached the land.... Alongside a few other passengers, I also walked down the decks and into my own room.
The ship starts to change its course and turn towards the port of the Bristol City. We are already in the coastline, just a few more minutes and we'll be able to get on land.
I sat down on my bed slowly waiting for the ship to dock....
"Hmm...." I started to reminisce about what happened during the voyage.
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During the start of the voyage, nothing actually happened at all.... It was just two weeks of boredom, as I don't have much else to do besides just watching the sceneries and reading books, which can get pretty boring after a while on an endless horizon of sea and annoying seagulls.
But then on the second week of the voyage, we stopped by at an extremely cold island where a port city was built on.... I have heard that the entire island is a free state, without any government or rulers ruling over it but is instead ran by people without licenses and also outlaws.
Apparently, the island is actually very large, almost as big as an entire country. But it is not habitable since it's just too cold, with nearly 80% of it being just ice sheets.... no one really lives there. The food is bad, and the weather is even colder than Ataraxia, my homeland. This is what you get for living up in the artic huh I guess?
The ship stopped there to refill on food and water, and it was here that I first learned to drink alcohol.....
_____________
(Atlantica Ocean, The Cold Region)
(4 weeks ago)
"Captain, I got us a new batch of 'water'. It's on quarter discount, almost a steal!" One of the crew said out as he climbed onto the ship with a crate of bottles.
"Good deal, keep it coming."
I was standing on the board, looking over at the small city built on a cold island..... Behind the small city is a big mountain which shines in bright color, almost as if someone is flashing a torch at us.
"Mister captain?" Out of curiosity of what that is, I asked out.
"What is it?"
"Why is there so much light on that mountain?"
"Oh, those are sunlights reflecting off of the ice sheets on that mountain."
"Ice? But wouldn't they melt in the sunlight?"
"Hahaha, you have no idea how cold it is up there! It is almost impossible for water to stay as liquid up on that mountain, you physically can't even climb it because you'll die in just hours."
"That is incredibly cold...."
"Of course. By the way, are you thirsty?"
"A little bit."
"And cold?"
"Yes, it's freezing obviously!"
"Here." He threw a bottle at me, it was from the crate that the sailor carried just now. I caught the glass bottle.
"Um I don't actually need it, I can just use magic to make water."
"Don't worry, just drink it."
"Oh..."
'Glung!' I pulled the wooden plug off of the bottle and took a chug out of it....
"Gulp... Bwue!!!" And then I immediately spit it out.
"What is this?! It burns like acid, it's not water!"
"Hey don't waste good rum like that!"
"R-rum?! You said it was water!"
"I didn't, you just assumed that I did."
"H-huh what?... Oh, you are right...."
"....What age are you, missy?"
"12."
"Eh, not too young to learn how to drink. Gulp.... hah! You should drink some as well, it'll keep your body warm." He said as he chugs on a bottle of rum.
"Keep me warm? I'll try some then... Gulp.... hah!"
"How does it feel?"
"...It tastes a bit bitter and it burns the mouth, but it is also somewhat sweet. It leaves a very pleasant wood-like aftertaste as well, almost like Maple Syrup... And I feel much warmer now."
"You sure know how to give elaborate descriptions, hahaha! Just don't drink too much or it'll get dangerous kid, we don't know anyone here who can use Detoxification Miracles afterall. Now then, I'll have to get back to work."
I feel slightly more sleepy and light headed after that.... So this is what alcohol does huh?
_______________
That island is called 'The Cold Region', you don't even need a brain to figure out why is it called that.
But regardless, after we resupplied at that island we set off on our voyage again. Two weeks later, we arrived at another island.
This time it is a warm, cozy and beautiful island with lots of hills, flowers and grasses, and actually has people living on it. It is also an actual country, not an island ran by outlaws.
It is here that I learned that there are sea monsters as well... Tentacle monster, Kraken.
I know what you are thinking, but this isn't your perverted Japanese erotic anime or manga so there won't be any tentacle xxxx or any other bullshits like that...
______________
(Atlantica Ocean, Stockholm Port City's Coastline)
(2 weeks ago)
Our ship was right on the coastline of the next city, and it was right then...
'Thung!'
I was right in my room inside the ship at the time, writing on a journal. The violent shake spilled my water onto the book, ruining the contents inside.
"No, my book!... Did our ship hit somethi-"
"Ree!!!!" A loud shriek was heard.
"W-what, a monster attack?!"
By instinct I reached out and grabbed the katana that was besides my bed....
'Thud!' Suddenly, the window in my room was smashed open from the outside, and what came inside was a giant tentacle with blisters, slimy liquid and a fishy smell.
"Kya!!! Eww!" Most of my things including the journal are put by the window... Some of the things fell through the hole into the ocean.
This thing is so disgusting! It's the stuff of nightmare for every girl ever....
"Ree!!!!" The tentacle crepts forward, aiming at me. I drawed out my katana sheathed to my waist....
"I don't know what you are but you are gonna have to pay for that window and my stuffs!"
'Thump!' The tentacle jabbed forward at me, I side stepped the attack. The tentacle slams into the door, breaking it open while I slashed my sword down at the tentacle.
'Slash!' (2x)
The first swing didn't cleave it, but the second swing slashed through it like butter.
"Ree!!!" The severed tentacle drops to the floor while the giant squid pulled away it's injured arm.
"Phew.... Now I am safe-"
What took me by surprise was when the severed tentacle suddenly starts slithering towards my leg and then wrapped around it.
As I was wearing a skirt, the tentacle wrapped around my bare leg... I can feel the sticky and cold mucus on my skin, which is disgusting.
"Eek!!! Stay away from me you creep!"
'Stab!' With my katana I impaled the severed tentacle into the floor and then pulled my leg away... It tried to slither towards me again but it couldn't because I stuck it to the floor using the sword.
"Urgh, this is so disgusting!.... Now stay where you are, creep. I'll deal with you later."
Do giant squids taste good? I'm up for some takoyaki... Wait, now is not the time to be thinking about food.
I headed out of my room with the sword still stabbed into the ground. Rushing out to the ship's deck, I find 9 more tentacles over the star board attacking the sailors that are defending the ship.
Some sailors were grabbed on by the tentacles, some of them are trying to hit the tentacles, and some of them just screamed in terror.
"Ahh!!! Help me, this thing got me!!!"
"Don't move, I'll chop it off!"
"How am I supposed to not move you stupid!!!"
"Come on, is there no one here who can fight?!"
The captain yell out in frustration over the deck... It was chaotic, but also kind of funny.
"Everyone get back, I'll handle this thing myself... Blaze Edges!"
'Fwuom!' (4x)
Four fire blades appeared behind my back... I sent them flying towards the tentacles with the intent to cut, as such the blades spun like buzz saws.
'Slash!' (4x) My fire blades sliced the tentacles off, freeing the sailors while also hurting the monster.
"Ree!!!"
I sent a second wave of swords towards the tentacles.... But this time, the tentacles dodged out of the way when my blades flew at them, making my attacks miss.
"It learns huh?... I'll go melee then!"
I got the fire blades to fly back to me and grabbed two of them with my hand while the other two floats behind my back.
'Thud!' I kicked off the ground and dashed towards one of the tentacles.
'Thump!' The tentacle slammed down at me as I dashed forward but I easily dodged to the sides and avoided it.
"!" The tentacle didn't stop and it swept on the ground towards me....
'Thud!' I was barely able to jump up and avoid the sweep, that was close.
Another tentacle from the sides swung at me trying to hit me while I was mid air, but....
'Slash!' With the two fire blades behind me, I controlled them to slice the tentacle, cutting it in half. And right as my body dropped down onto the tentacle below me....
'Slash!' With my two fire blades overhead, I swung down at it as I drop onto the floor, slicing the tentacle clean off.
Another tentacle from the sides swung at me.... I couldn't dodge in time.
"!"
'Thump!'
The tentacle hits my body while I tried to block with the sword and launched me to the sides....
'Thud!' I hit the ship's walls on the knock back.
"Ouch...." I hit my head on the wall...
"Little girl! Are you fine?!" The captain asked out as he grabbed my arm and pulled me up from the floor.
"I'm okay, little attacks like this doesn't hurt me much... But you should get back, this is about to get really messy."
Hmm... I can't keep dodging them forever. I wonder if I could just cut the tentacle before it cuts me? That way I don't have to dodge every single attack.... It might work, let's try it.
I got up from the floor, and readied myself again...
'Thud!'
"Ree!!!" One of the tentacle slams down towards me intending to crush me. But this time I didn't try to dodge it, I instead readied my two swords and wait until the tentacle is just about to hit me....
"Hah!"
'Slash!' With a swing, I sliced the tentacle clean off before it was able to hit me.
But before I was able to recover from the attack, I felt two cold and slimy thing grabbing my two legs...
"My leg?!" The final two tentacles grabbed onto my leg from the sides, not letting loose.
The tentacle then immediately tried to pull me down the water... This is bad, if I'm in the water I'll be in trouble. But I won't go down without a fight!
I dropped the swords and reached out for the two tentacles, grabbing them with my hand.
Super Speed Flight!
'Bwuom!!!' With four thrusters behind me, I grabbed onto the tentacle and flew directly upwards to the sky as the tentacle tried to bring me down to the water... Our strength stalemates, we weren't able to pull each other away.
"Tsk... If this isn't enough, then how is this?!"
Dragonic Burst!
With the sudden boost of power I was able to pull the giant squid out from the water, revealing it's ugly slimy body.
"Ree?!"
"Yah!!!" Flying even higher up to the sky, I pulled the giant squid up to the air.
'Fwuom!' With the help of my thrusters, I flung the Kraken up to the sky like a ragdoll.
This is the perfect moment to cast a spell!
I disabled all of my thrusters to free up casting slots and then quickly casted a small but fast magic to strike it before it falls down to the sea.
Forbidden Sun!
'Boom!!!' A medium sized explosion happened in the sky as my spell hits the ugly kraken and blew it up into pieces, sending multiple chunks of meat and a splash of blood falling down the ocean...
"...Uh oh...." I forgot that I'm falling as well... And it's too late to activate my thrusters.
'Splash!' I dropped into the ocean.... I can't swim.
"Argh!... Help me I can't swim!..."
"Someone get her out of the water!" Yelled one of the sailors on the ship.
______________
(5 minutes later....)
"Cough cough cough!...." With my entire body sticky and wet, I sat on the deck coughing out water that I accidentally inhaled while a sailor pats my back....
"What a joke, you are the baddest and strongest girl I've ever seen in the world, but then the next moment you are drowning like an idiot. Who boards a ship but don't know how to swim anyway? Even my 7 year old girl can do that!"
"Cough cough!.... Shut up!.... Cough cough!"
"Now now don't get so angry, we are saved because of you so I don't mean any offense. Take this as a hard-learned lesson that you should know how to swim. You could even save someone else's life after all." He said as he handed a clean towel to me.
"Cough!... You are right.... Cough!"
"But still, for a girl your age you are just too strong.... I don't know any adventurer parties that can kill a kraken, let alone by themselves. You must be an A or S ranked adventurer right?"
"No... I'm only D ranked."
"D ranked?!" (?x)
"A sleeping dragon huh? Hahaha, I like that!"
"Thank you.... Urgh, I hate slimy things...." Even my hair is sticky, how disgusting!
"Is that so?.... Since you saved us all, I suppose I should let you on this voyage for free."
"Huh?! I can't accept that, I didn't do this for a reward-"
"Don't worry about it, discounting you is the least I can do for your trouble. Losing one or two customer isn't going to affect much, don't worry about it!"
"Oh... Then I'll accept your offer, captain."
"Umm... Captain?"
"What is it, sailor?"
"I know you are very happily chatting and all but... Our ship is sinking."
"OUR SHIP IS WHAT?!" (?x)
What did you say?! This is like really bad isn't it?!
"The kraken punched a few holes into the ship and it's now leaking water-"
"Then hurry the fuck up everyone! We need to go to the port and repair the ship before it's truly gone!"
________________
In the end, the ship didn't sink and we were able to make it to the port in time.
We stayed in Stockholm city for almost a week because of the repairs the ship, and this made the voyage take a bit longer than usual. But regardless, once we are able to get the ship fixed, we resumed on the journey.
____________
(Present)
(Kingdom of Pretannia, Bristal City)
Not a lot happened besides these two incidents.... But they are still fun adventures.
'Ting ting ting!' The ship's bell rung loudly, this signify that the passengers can now come out.
I picked up my luggage and headed out of my room where a few other passengers are also seen leaving.
Heading up to the deck, a few sailors gathered at the ship's exit and took money from the passengers as they left the ship.
Waiting in line, it was soon my turn.
"Oh, it's Kyrielle. Are you gonna stay at this city?" The captain talked to me.
"No, I need to hurry back home to Klada."
"I see... Good luck on your journey then."
"Thank you, Captain Harry."
"....Where's your fees?"
"Huh?! You said I'd get to ride for free!"
"Hahaha, I was just messing with you! Of course, we have you to thank for saving our skin when that kraken attacked."
"That wasn't funny...."
"Alright then, good bye little missy. I wish you good luck on your journey."
"Mmm, you too Captain."
I walked down the bridge and down to the port, looking over the city. There are multiple brick buildings in beautiful colors, and the people all looked healthy and clean.
This is a normal human city huh?.... The last two cities that I've been to are full of run-down wooden buildings and unclean people. Those sailors don't exactly have good hygiene either.
"Good grief... Am I the only one who likes cleanliness in that ship?"
Well then, what do I do now? I guess I'll go pay a visit to the adventurer's guild first to find an inn.
I walked into the city alone, thinking about what to do next....
I'll stay here for a few days and plan my journey first. I'll need to buy some rations and supplies here, and see if I can accept a few quests to earn some money....
Well I have a whole lot of money, 6 gold coins, but I guess it couldn't hurt to earn some more. After all, I'm traveling alone....
Yep, that should do for now.
Walking on the cobblestone road, I asked around for directions to the Guild and soon found the place.
"So this is the guild huh? How big!"
There, I saw a big building with multiple floors... This is an adventurer's guild.
'Cha chank.'
I walked into the building and headed to the receptionist's counter.
"Hello there little girl. Do you need something?"
"I would like to ask for an inn recommendation.... Preferably one that is on the cheaper side and is safe for a girl live in."
"Safe and cheap huh...? There's one just right in front of this building, it's cheap and it's proximity to the guild means it's relatively safe. Also if you take your adventurer card and show it to the staff, you'll get a discount."
"Thank you for the recommendation. By the way, are there any quests which the location is towards the east side of here? I'd like to do some quests here and then claim the rewards at another city while I travel."
"East side huh?... There's one quest but it's too dangerous for you to do."
"How so?"
"It's a kill quest... The target is a headless."
"Headless?... What is that?"
"It's an apparition... B ranked ghost-type enemy. It's suicide to try to fight that thing if you don't know miracles since you can't hurt it, you can't cut air after all."
"Apparitions are not really my strong point.... I'm afraid I'll have to pass-"
"K-Kyrielle?!" Suddenly, a woman yelled out my name from behind... Her voice is too familiar...
"No way..." I turned around in shock.... Who I saw was a average height woman with long let down red hair, two hazel eyes and a well proportioned body.
Tears formed from her eyes and dripped down her cheek slowly. She dropped everything that she was holding and rushed forward as if she was trying to tackle me.
"Kyrielle!"
'Grab!' She pulled me into a tight hug... So tight that it might even choke me.
"It really is you! I can't believe it! I can't believe it... I've finally found you!"
"Mom...."
....Mom sounds extremely relieved but her voice is trembling.... she is crying.
I put my hand on her back and hugged her as well.... I feel my throat being pushed from the inside, and tears start to form on my eyes.
"Mom... Dad is...."
"....I know...."
It feels as if an entire year of buried emotions suddenly rushed out of my body... My tears start to drip down uncontrollably.
"Dad died trying to protect me.... I was so scared!... I was left all alone in a hostile continent with a complete stranger... Thrown into a territory full of monsters... In unknown countries and people with a language that I don't even understand! I was so scared and alone! I-I was just.... Sobs...."
"I know... I know...."
"Sobs.... Sorry, I lost control and the flood gates just opened right up.... hahaha...."
"....Its time to let go, you know?"
"....No.... Let me hug you a bit longer...."
Comfort and warmth... this is how it feels to be hugged by your mother. I had forgotten how this feels like, but it is still just as sweet as it once was before Klada Disaster happened.
I finally released her from my hug, and wiped off the tears on my eyes.
"Mom... It's so nice to see you again..."
"Yes.... I've finally found you after so long...."
"...Where is Marielle?"
"Marielle.... She disappeared.... Just like you."
Hearing the news, my heart sank.... Marielle was teleported away as well.
"I... I see...."
"....Let's go grab a seat by the table then shall we? We have a lot of catch up to do."
"Umm.... Katherine? We'll give you two some time...."
From behind her on the entrance to the guild, 3 person stood there... 2 man and a woman. They seems to be adventurers.
"....Thanks."
"...Who are they?"
"They are my party members.... Let's not care about them for now shall we?"
"Mmn."
Together we walked over to the guild's restaurant, where almost everyone was eyeing us after our little reunion.... It feels somewhat awkward with everyone staring at us.
"Do you want to eat something Kyrielle?"
"No, I ate already while I was on the ship."
"The ship? The one that you rode back here?"
"Yes.... It was a long voyage, but I have just arrived here about half an hour ago."
"I see... You did came all the way from the demon continent after all.... I was extremely troubled when I received Ghyse's letter saying that you were there. And I was even more scared when I heard that an invasion happened...."
"Yeah, the other worlder incident... But I'm so glad that Ghyse is still alive at least. Now, let me tell you exactly what happened all this time during my stay at the Bostnia Continent."
"Bostnia Continent?"
"It's the true name of the demon continent... calling it 'demon' is a bit rude over there, so I got used to calling it the Bostnia Continent. Anyway-"
________________
I told her everything that happened a year ago....
About how I grieved for the loss of dad.
About how I met and became good friends Lynn... Even helping each other out.
About how I can't speak the Bostnian language at first, but have since learned to speak it rather fluently.
About when I was almost killed by the eight drakes in the Valley of Drakes....
About the court magician and our one-month-long stay at King Hal's castle, the Blue Keep.
About the ambush of the Arch Demon Gemory and the five vampire beasts at Monproximus.
About what happened at Creimland, and how an other world "me" invaded the city with an entire army and a bunch of dragons...
About how I stopped the war and slained almost 10 dragons myself.
About how I helped rebuild the city by doing volunteer work.
About how Lizzie, my big lizard died in the attack.
About how I bid farewell with Lynn 6 months later...
And finally, about how I visited two islands and also killed the kraken during my voyage.
That was everything that had happened during all this time....
__________________
(10 minutes later....)
"You went through a lot huh? You are such a strong girl..."
"Haha, thanks... But what happened to Marie?"
"Marie is.... She was caught in the teleportation magic and was teleported away just like you did."
....It seems that in the dream where I heard dad telling me to go find my sister is real.... What was that anyway?
"....I see."
"I was walking around on the entire continent for almost a year now trying to find you and your sister.... I searched everywhere, but I was only able to search the West half of the Centralia continent. I was just preparing to sail towards the demon continent, good thing I didn't miss you on the way!"
"It seems that fate has reunited us..."
"Indeed. Even though it was just a year, you look a lot more grown up now.... And your body is no longer the slim and petite one that I know of, but is now a rather muscular one.... Just looking at your leg tells me that you've walked an extremely long distance."
"Mmm...."
"....." (2x)
A small period of awkward silence followed us.
"...What will you do next?" I asked out, trying to break the silence.
"....I'll go find your sister, after I brought you home."
"I see.... Can I follow yo-"
"No. You still have things that you want to do, I can't make you follow me on an errand that might never end.... You still have your boyfriend at home and the school right?"
"B-b-boyfriend?! No, Richard and I aren't like that! Or at least not yet...."
"Huhuhu... I wonder if I'll be able to see my grand kids by the time I return home?"
"Wh-what are you saying, come on! I'm still underaged!"
"Hahaha, at least you are still just as cute as ever."
"Mmm..."
"Now then... You should come to my room at the inn. I'll introduce you to the rest of the party members as well."
"Mmm."
Just as we stood up from the table...
"By the way, I've been meaning to ask...."
"Hmm?"
"Is that an alcohol bottle?! Did you drink?!"
She saw the rum bottle I had on my hand-held bag... Shit.
".....I-it's just water."
"Don't lie to me! You are still underaged so why did you drink?!"
"N-no mom, please listen! I only took a few sips occasionally because it's very cold in 'The Cold Region' and a bit of alcohol can warms the body!"
"....I'll accept your excuse this time, but you need to be extra cautious of drinking alright? It could be dangerous to your health, you are still a child."
"I understand..." Man... I was back not even a day and I was already lectured by mom...
"...Huhuhu."
"Why are you laughing?"
"No... It's just that I remembered how you used to lecture me all the time before all of this happened... It's somewhat nostalgic."
"Kyrie.... Hmm, you are right... I missed talking with you."
"I see."
"Anyway, let us go to the counter."
"The counter? Do you have business there?"
"I want to hear more about that quest... The one with that Headless ghost."
"Why are you so interested?"
"Well I can't stand aside and do nothing about that monster.... Not a lot of people can fight ghosts, let alone one as dangerous as a Headless. Besides, ghosts used to be humans as well... I want to at least grant them peace after death."
So it's about her religion huh?... While I was never a religious person, I can respect her faith.
"I see.... Let's go then!"
(Chapter end)