(Chapter 27)
The morning sun spilled golden light over Seiran's rooftops, burning away the lingering mist of the night before. Salt mingled with smoke from chimneys, while the scent of fresh bread and salted fish stew drifted from the inn. For a fleeting moment, the world seemed ordinary.
The Purge Knights walked toward the docks, boots echoing against cobblestones. Eldhar led, eyes scanning the streets, as Nilda followed, adjusting her pack. Rowan and Thalia walked side by side, speaking in hushed tones. Enix trailed behind, yawning and rubbing his eyes.
"Still half-asleep?" Nilda teased.
"Merely conserving energy," Enix muttered. "Someone has to handle the heavy lifting of staring at the horizon."
Azre's gaze swept the harbor. "Keep focused. The temple is just one danger. We don't know what waits on this journey."
Rowan smirked. "Focus, Azre. He's sleeping, not facing a wyvern."
Enix yawned again. "Exactly."
The city stirred around them; merchants called, children ran between stalls, and the occasional bell tolled from the harbor tower. Yet even amidst the normal bustle, the knights felt the lingering weight of war pressing on their shoulders.
As they neared the docks, a cloaked figure emerged from the shadows. He extended a scroll toward Eldhar.
"For your eyes only," he murmured, vanishing like smoke before Eldhar could respond.
Eldhar unrolled the scroll, the King's seal glinting in the morning sun. His eyes scanned the words, jaw tightening. The King's order was urgent: return immediately to Ragnafiore to reinforce the boundary at Revheek. The kingdom faced invasion, and the message had come from the King's personal guard—the Order of the Twilight.
The group froze.
"Return… now?" Nilda's voice trembled with urgency.
Rowan's jaw tightened. "Revheek… my home… my people. We cannot wait."
Thalia clenched her hands. "I'm with him. Someone must defend Alstar."
Eldhar's expression hardened. "Then it's decided. Nilda, Rowan, Thalia—return with me. Azre, Enix—you continue east to the temple. We cannot delay either path."
Enix yawned again, stretching. "I'd hoped for more adventure. Guess not."
Azre scanned the water, outwardly calm, but unease pressed at the edges of her composure.
---
Farewells at the Docks
The three returning knights lingered at the edge of the dock, eyes meeting Azre and Enix. Nilda's hands trembled slightly, but her voice was steady.
"Azre… Enix… stay safe," she said, gripping Azre's arm briefly. "I know you'll handle whatever's out there… but don't take more than you can carry."
Azre placed a hand on Nilda's shoulder, eyes meeting hers with a quiet intensity. "I will. And… good luck to all of you. Protect your home, and remember why you fight."
Rowan stepped forward, hand on his sword hilt, face tight with determination. He let out a small, rare smile. "Azre. Enix… watch each other's backs. The temple waits for you, but so does danger. Don't underestimate either."
Azre gave him a firm nod. "You too, Rowan. Defend Revheek. Keep your people safe."
Thalia's eyes glistened. "And… come back to us," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Both of you. No matter what, come back."
Azre's jaw softened imperceptibly, and for the first time, she allowed herself a fleeting, reassuring smile. "I'll see you again. Be strong… all of you."
Then she turned to Enix, who looked as though he might faint from anticipation—or seasickness.
"Enix," she said, voice careful, "good luck. Even if… this isn't really your thing."
Enix blinked at her, uncertain if she was serious. Then, with a weak grin, he waved feebly. "Thanks… I'll… do my best. Maybe."
Eldhar clasped each of their shoulders in turn, then nodded once sharply. "Go. The kingdom needs you. Both paths are dangerous, but both paths must be walked."
Azre and Enix turned toward the docks, their farewell still weighing on them, yet a sense of purpose propelling their steps. They walked in silence, the sound of the waves mingling with the distant bustle of Seiran's harbor.
---
The Walk to the Raventale
The dock stretched before them, bustling with sailors and merchants preparing their vessels. At the far end, the Raventale awaited, her dark hull gleaming in the morning sun, sails furled like folded wings. Brooke stood near the gangplank, hands on her hips, flanked by two tall, burly crewmembers—Bruce, a gruff veteran with a permanent scowl softened only by rare laughter, and Bob, the ship's engineer, tinkering with a coil of rope.
"About time you two arrived," Brooke called, her tone sharp but playful. "We've been keeping the ship warm for you."
Azre raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by the theatrics but curious, while Enix shuffled nervously, gripping his pack.
Brooke's lips curved in a grin. "Welcome aboard, my new fellow crew!" she exclaimed, gesturing grandly toward the Raventale. "Make yourselves at home—or at least try not to fall overboard."
Enix's face lit up faintly despite his nervousness. "Well… thanks? I'll try my best not to embarrass myself. Azre too, I guess."
Azre gave a faint smirk. "Let's just hope the ship can handle the both of us," she replied evenly.
Brooke chuckled, then gestured toward the vessel. "Observe, then, the Raventale. Built for speed, maneuverability, and endurance. Look at her sleek hull—reinforced mahogany that could take a pounding from waves or cannonballs alike. The deck? Spacious enough for twenty crew to move freely in battle or storm. See the rigging? Custom lines for lightning-fast sail adjustments, controlled entirely from the deck or masts. And the crow's nest," she said, pointing upward, "perfect vantage point for spotting threats before they even smell you coming."
Azre's eyes widened slightly, taking in the ship's size and elegance. "It… it's impressive."
Enix's jaw slackened, and he glanced between the sails and polished deck. "I… I didn't think a ship could look… this intimidating and beautiful at the same time."
Brooke smirked proudly. "Ah, that's why she's mine. Every plank, every sail, every cannon—all chosen by me, tested by my crew, proven by the sea. The Raventale doesn't just sail… she dominates the waves."
Bruce, leaning against the railing, added gruffly, "And if you two aren't careful, she'll have you running to the rail before lunch."
Bob chuckled, "But she'll take care of you too. Smoothest ride you'll find east of Seiran, I promise."
Enix's nervousness faded a little, replaced by awe. "Okay… I think I like her already."
Azre's hand lingered on the railing, studying the ship like a warrior sizing up her ally. "She's… more than a ship," she murmured. "She feels alive."
Brooke clapped her hands together. "Exactly! And now, you two get to see what it's like firsthand. Let's get you aboard properly before I start boasting even more."
Azre and Enix exchanged a glance, each silently acknowledging the journey ahead. With Brooke's guidance, they stepped onto the gangplank, leaving the dock—and their farewells—behind. The Raventale waited, majestic and formidable, ready to carry them into unknown waters.
---
Boarding the Raventale
The ship rocked gently at the dock. Brooke moved with sharp efficiency, giving orders to her crew. Her presence radiated confidence and controlled chaos.
"Faetalis!" she called. A tall, serene figure stepped forward, expression calm and unreadable. Faetalis was a girl, quiet and composed, her dark hair tied back neatly. Brooke's features softened momentarily as a memory flickered—a promise kept, a past entwined with this quiet, capable crewwoman.
Enix shuffled aboard, already looking queasy. "Great… ship rocking already," he muttered, gripping the rail. Faetalis followed, steady as stone.
The sea began gently, then waves rose higher, rocking the Raventale. Enix grew pale. Faetalis tilted her head, lips twitching in a faint smirk. "Not used to motion, are you?"
"Not… at all," Enix groaned. "How do you stay so steady?"
"I move with the waves, not against them," Faetalis said. "The sea punishes those who fight it."
Azre stood at the prow, arms folded, eyes scanning the horizon. Calm, but her jaw tightened with unease. The temple, the Trinity remnants, the shadows on the water…
Enix groaned again, clutching the railing. "I… might… be sick…"
Faetalis handed him a clay cup of water. "Focus on the horizon. The waves obey those who watch them."
"Focus? I'm barely staying upright," Enix muttered.
Azre's eyes narrowed. "Seasickness is one thing. Complacency is another. Keep alert."
Enix leaned over the railing again, groaning. "Why did I even volunteer?"
Faetalis's voice was calm, smooth. "Adventure rarely comes without discomfort. Unease is often the first sign of growth."
Azre's gaze lingered on the horizon, mind racing through possibilities. The open sea was calm, yet she sensed danger lurking, patient and invisible.
Brooke barked orders to the crew. "Move swiftly! The sea waits for no one!"
Azre turned to Brooke. "And your mysterious crewwoman?"
"Insurance," Brooke said. "Faetalis isn't just crew—she's the measure of the sea itself. You'll see soon enough."
Azre's gaze lingered on Faetalis, curiosity sparking. "Who is she… really?"
Brooke smirked, her eyes darkening with memory. "Before dawn one morning, one of my pirates knocked on my door while I was sleeping. Said someone wanted to work for the crew—an unusual request at that hour." Her lips curved faintly. "The crew described her as so strong, so capable, that even the hardest labor became effortless. And yet, she didn't have a coin to her name, no food, nothing."
Azre raised a brow. "And you…?"
"I called her a freeloader," Brooke said, laughter in her voice. "But I let her stay. Faetalis proved herself from that day forward. Quiet, capable, and she follows only because she chooses to. That's why I trust her implicitly."
Enix, trying to steady himself, muttered through gritted teeth. "So… she's just… scary strong and mysterious?"
Brooke's smile was sharp. "Exactly. Don't underestimate her. And don't ever get on her bad side."
---
Seasickness and Conversation
The ship pitched harder. Enix clutched the railing, white-knuckled, while Faetalis stood calm, a shadow of amusement in her eyes.
"I'm going to—ugh—throw up," Enix groaned, swinging over the side. Faetalis followed with measured steps, calmly guiding the ship.
Azre's stance was steady, but her eyes darted to the horizon, tracking every wave and current. She spoke softly, almost to herself, "This calm hides the currents beneath. There's more waiting for us than just the temple."
Brooke paced the deck, shouting commands. "Make ready the sails! Steady, Faetalis! We won't be delayed by a little wind!"
Enix groaned again. "Why do I even exist right now?"
Faetalis replied calmly, "Because you adapt, little one. Those who complain learn the most."
Azre's lips pressed into a thin line. "Or die trying," she murmured, scanning the water.
Enix shot her a weak grin. "Great… cheerful today, as always."
Faetalis glanced at him. "Better to be alive and uneasy than dead and certain."
The morning sun reflected off the water, glinting against the sails. Brooke's movements were a blur of precision and efficiency. Even amidst the chaos of motion sickness and the rocking sea, the knights couldn't deny a sense of anticipation—a journey that would test every skill, every bond, every ounce of courage they had left.
Brooke, as she adjusted the sails, muttered to herself, "Rumor from the dock… there's an island, east of the reef, inhabited by a tribe called the Incans. They know the hidden catacombs beneath the Eastern Reef. Could be useful… or dangerous."
Azre's eyes flicked toward the horizon. "Hidden knowledge, unknown dangers… seems our path only grows more complicated."
Enix groaned again, clutching the railing. "Great. Just what I needed—pirates, motion sickness, and mysterious catacombs."
Faetalis's lips curved faintly. "Adventure rarely comes without discomfort. Enjoy it while you can."
Azre, outwardly calm, still felt the tension prickling at her senses. Something about the sea, the temple, and the unknown tribe… she couldn't shake the unease that grew like a shadow along the waves.