It has been half a day already since the group had set sail to travel to Transylvania and confront the Border-baron.
In the middle of the unknown ocean region, around 300 miles away from the east side of the Tsukikawa harbor, the group had found itself in the middle of a gigantic storm.
Storms like these had made it impossible to navigate and explore the eastern ocean mass, which led to explorers naming it the unknown ocean region, and somewhere in it lies the country of Transylvania, one of the few countries that are using the dangerous storms, gigantic sea monsters, and the lack of information that exists of the unknown ocean region to hide itself and their secrets from the world's powers.
By imperial laws, it is officially illegal to travel unauthorized in the unknown ocean region because of the extremely high chance of dying.
Emilia is holding onto the front deck part of the ship with her life.
Emilia: "I can't see anything; the storm is way too strong."
She says, while lightning strikes into the ship's mast, burning and breaking it.
Emilia: "Shit."
She slowly takes one step at a time, trying to reach the broken mast. Approaching her from behind, Henry holds onto her shoulder, pointing out land miles away from them.
Henry: "Look, there is land."
He shouts at Emilia with a big smile on his face.
Henry: "It must be Transylvania; we finally reached it."
Emilia: "We did it; we are finally there."
Emilia and Henry both hold onto the broken mast, hoping that the storm won't break more from the ship.
After a while, the storm had calmed down, and night had fallen over the ocean.
While rain is still falling down onto the ship, Henry and Emilia are warming themselves inside the ship with their duvets.
Around them, the rest of the group had gathered together to discuss further plans.
Manu: "We are around 2 miles away from Transylvania; we should use one of the ship's emergency boats to travel undetected onto land."
Ichiro: "And what happens with the ship? We can't leave it unguarded."
Manu: "One of us has to stay here then."
Lenny: "I can do that. I won't be a help anyways, and I still have the stone with me."
Jack: "Yes, it will be way too dangerous for you, but you can't stay here all by yourself; one of us should still stay here with you."
All of them start to think of a solution, but none of them can think of anything waterproof.
Jack: "I will stay here with Lenny to guard the ship."
Ichiro: "I must object. You will be needed, and since you have more destructive power, you should go on land, and I should be guarding the ship."
Jack: "Are you absolutely sure?"
Ichiro: "Yes, I will protect the ship, Stone, and Lenny with everything I have."
Jack, who is unsure about it, gives it a long thought before making up his mind, accepting Ichiro's decision. He reaches his hand to Ichiro, signaling him to finalize it with a handshake.
Ichiro responds with a big smile, reaching for Jack's hand and shaking it.
Ichiro: "You got this; kick their asses."
Jack: "And you, protect my brother."
Ichiro: "I will. You and your brother and everyone on this ship are my dear family."
Emilia: "Then it is set. Manu and I will use a boat to board the land from the harbor area, and Jack and Henry will enter from the beach while Lenny and Ichiro are protecting the ship."
Manu: "Everyone take one com so that we are able to communicate."
Manu opens a small box with six small earpieces. Everyone quickly takes one and puts it inside their ear.
Manu: "We don't know what awaits us, but one thing is for sure: a fight is inevitable.
Henry: "Then we are ready. Let's find this fucker and beat him up."
Manu: "Emilia and I will infiltrate the castle of the baron while you and Jack hold him off."
Ichiro: "Good luck, team. We got this. Every one of you has to make it back alive."
"Absolutely."
They all say, before leaving.
…
On the first boat, Emilia and Manu slowly approach an abandoned harbor with no ship in sight.
Dressed in black, they quickly get off the boat, approaching a nearby building.
With hand signs, Manu signals Emilia to fill the area with thin fog.
Emilia then uses the fog to detect if people are around.
Emilia: "There is not a single person here."
She quietly says,
Manu: "Good, then let us go."
Emilia jumps into Manu's arms so that Manu can use his speed to transport both of them to the castle of the Baron.
…
Henry and Jack have reached the beach. They also quickly leave their boat, quickly getting away from the beach.
Jack: "Not a single vampire in sight."
Henry: "It is night after all."
Jack: "Yeah? Then what is that thing in the distance shining brightly?"
Jack says, pointing out what seems to be an arena filled with people cheering in the stands in the distance.
Henry: "According to Manu, this is where the Baron's castle should be."
Jack: "I don't think that the arena is supposed to be there then."
Henry: "Me neither. Manu and Emilia are probably already going in its direction."
Jack: "Quick, we have to contact them."
Henry: "I-I can't; something is disturbing the coms."
Jack: "Oh no, it is a trap."
…
Emilia and Manu are quickly getting nearer to the castle. Manu then notices the bright light hiding behind the castle.
Emilia: "Any word from the others?"
Manu: "No? Didn't they contact you?"
Emilia: "Something isn't right then. Manu, stop quickly."
Emilia says before Manu instantly stops, making her suddenly fly into a wall.
Manu: "EMILIA!"
Manu shouts while standing still at one spot, being bonded by some kind of red energy field.
???: "You shouldn't be in such a hurry; you could have hurt someone badly."
A male voice with a strong accent said.
Manu: "What? How is this even possible? Who are you?"
Manu shouts in response.
…
Emilia slowly opens her eyes, finding herself inside of a cage. There she spots Manu, sitting there while his hands and his feet are cuffed together with some kind of dark and red handcuffs.
Emilia: "Manu? W-what happened?"
Manu: "Seems like we walked directly into a trap."
Emilia: "Alright, but where are we now?"
Manu: "See for yourself."
Emilia stands up, looking around her. She finds herself inside a large arena with a large and cheerful crowd and large screens, with each showing a different film. One shows Emilia and Manu currently inside the large cage in the middle of the arena, and the other screen shows a man wearing star-shaped sunglasses and holding a microphone in his hand.
Florin: "Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Florin Boswell, and I will be moderating our today's special, produced by me and our great baron Adelin Dravencourt."
Next to Lonut, a handsome man with red eyes and very long white hair revealed himself, wearing a long black cape and a traditional Transylvanian military uniform.
Adelin: "Let the games begin."
Emilia: "Games? What games?"
Manu: "Look, the screens."
Emilia turns her attention towards the screens; she shockingly notices that the other screens show the current location of Henry, Jack, and their ship, which is currently guarded by Ichiro and Lenny.
Emilia: "We have to get out of here NOW."