Chapter Text
Upon the broad glistening sea, an aged yet sturdy ship sails along, located under the vast blue sky, promising an adventure full of boundless possibilities. The ship continues skimming across the ocean’s surface as it surges along, carrying its water-weary crew of excited travelers toward new unexplored horizons.
Among those vibrant adventuring souls is one suitably named the Warrior of Light. They were often found located at the front-most part of the ships deck, with their newly obtained trusty swords in hand, a result of them taking up the viper profession for this new trip to the new world. So far, they had found the salty sea winds blowing on their face to be a much-needed refreshing change of pace. Despite Alisaie’s constant playful jabs about them heroically posing like a glorified statue. The Warrior had frequently kept spending their time enjoying the bracing breeze, during their current sea voyage.
Alphinaud, unlike his sister, had been far keener on learning how to steer the ship, taking frequent lessons from an overenthusiastic Wuk Lamat. The duo was an amusing sight, the more studious reserved lad being taught by a very boisterous lady. It did create lots of background chatter that almost rivaled the noisy gulls that would flank the ship, looking for any unguarded tasty morsels of food to steal. Alisaie had been a victim of one bird’s hungry ire, losing one of her last stand sandwiches to a feisty gull, on day one of their voyage.
Krile had often been below deck practicing magical casting to refine her pictomancer craft further. Diligently hoping to be ready and of use for when their adventure required an inevitable battle with rowdy wildlife. When on the ship deck, she would often be chatting with Alisaie about spells and asking multiple in-depth questions about the finer details of red mage magic.
Alas, the far less sociable Erenville had chosen to keep his head in a book for most of their voyage, writing notes on what seemed to be an informational journal on flora and fauna. The man had been noticeably quiet, aside from occasionally speaking with the others or offering to answer the Warrior’s many questions on Tural. Even then the viera only gave information as requested, refusing to go into vast detail unprompted.
Thus, this stark contrast in behavior had surprised our dearest Warrior of Light, compared to the bright and sparky Viera man they first met in Labyrinthos, this current version was far more reserved. Well, aside from when he was arguing with Wuk Lamat like bickering siblings, or like the often-bickering twins. The Hrothgar woman seemed to be an expert at getting under the often-composed Viera’s skin.
The Warrior suspected the pointy-eared man had a lot on his intelligent mind. They had noticed that his sharp yellow eyes had been drifting towards the sea frequently as if looking for answers among the crashing waves. Of course, the Warrior had not noticed this because they had made a habit of staring at the handsome Viera. No, not at all.
The Warrior of Light’s current stealthy glance ends as they choose to pause and enjoy the brisk sea air again. Eyeing a flock of gulls who hurriedly fly by the boat, like a swarm of white arrows shooting by. Though on second glance the birds seem unusually flustered. This makes the Warrior tilt their head in confusion. Was harsh weather due tonight? Additionally, something sudden and strange happens a few minutes later. They take notice of an odd-looking blip on the horizon. As they squint their eyes, unfortunately lacking any binoculars they try to make out the blurry shape. Oddly enough it is as if that blip is creeping closer toward the boat.
From the helm, Wuk Lamat takes notice of the blip, the usually joyous women’s eyes widen, in an almost comedic manner. Which would be funny if the situation wasn't about to become so dire. Her mouth morphs into a nervous grin as she grips the ship wheel tighter, digging splinters into her claws.
"We are in for a rough ride, my friends."
Alphinaud and Alisaie who were just debating about sage's healing speed, compared to vercure’s quick dual cast efficiency, go quiet. They both turn around and swivel their heads to look in the direction of the sea.
Krile had retired earlier, citing a growing headache from the twin’s scholastic debate. Though she had slightly lied, the small lalafell did not have as strong sea legs as the rest of the motley crew on the ship. Too much time spent above deck had made her unwell a handful of times.
Erenville's ears pick up on both Wuk Lamat's sentence and the twin's sudden uncharacteristic silence, he raises his eyes from his journal to look upwards, and after tucking it away safely he stands and glances towards the horizon.
There a looming figure appears, a whirling waterspout of respectable size. Despite its unsuspecting name, this water tornado will cause total devastation if it hits a ship directly. Additionally, these waterspouts are ever so unpredictable and could turn course at any moment as it pleases. Destruction on the high seas, in a sense you could say it was nature's kraken of wind and water. And this waterspout looms close, threatening to at least touch the ship.
Springing into immediate action, Wuk Lamat grips the wheel and attempts to steer the ship of its destructive course.
"Hang on, I'll steer us as best as I can, but find something to grip on too!
The Warrior of Light is already moving, dashing across the deck with battle honed quickness. Memories from the time they fought Leviathan flash through their mind. The cold, the water threatening to drown them, filling up their lungs. The serpent’s ire and whirling rage, sending wave after wave at the party. The feeling of grief threatens to bubble up to the surface as the face of a long-lost adventuring companion who was forever lost in that fight, flashes in their minds eye. The Warrior grits their teeth and steels themself, right now their current companions need them.
They hastily gesture to Alphinaud sending him below deck to find and wake Krile. Alphinaud does so without a complaint, his mind focused on informing his cat-hooded friend and mentor. The Warrior does not mention they are only asking the favour to ensure the young elezen lads’ safety.
They turn to Alisaie with a hopeful pleading gesture, and clearly worried eyes.
She responds to it with a scathing glare and haughtily folded arms.
"If you think you can convince me to go below deck with my brother, you are far stupider than I thought."
She pauses and her eyes gleam with mischievous humour.
"Unless you've somehow forgotten, I have also received the Kojin’s blessing. I can still breathe underwater like you can. I'm staying here in case I am needed."
Mentally sighing at the young woman's stubbornness, the Warrior just nods in reluctant acceptance. They knew that they had precious little time to waste arguing with the fiery red mage.
Meanwhile, Erenville had hastily made his way over to Wuk Lamat, to help fix the ship's course. As the only other person, practiced steering ships among the current ship-bound adventuring crew.
After glancing in the pairs at the wheel’s direction, the Warrior notices the waterspout starting to veer more toward the edge of the ship. They grit their teeth and activate their link shell, calling Alphinaud. They hear him babbling over the line, assuring them he has found and woken Krile. Nervously chattering on with flowery and unnecessary speech.
The Warrior cuts the young lad off with one line.
"Stay there."
As they hear the blue wearing twins’ verbal agreement, they turn to a flustered Alisaie, who is trying her best to not look frightened. She would have been succeeding if her legs hadn't been visibly shaking. The Warrior is about to order Alisaie to get inside, despite the consequences of the girl’s wrath. But their breath is knocked out of their lungs as the boat violently rocks. Their battle honed instincts trigger, and they grab the elezen girl by the shoulder, making sure she is safely secured and gripping on to something solid. Luckily, the pair’s location is on the left side of this ship and is furthest away from the waterspout.
However, it veers grazing the right side if the ship with devastating intent. The wind pull is strong, relentlessly hitting both Wuk Lamat and Erenville at the wheel. Wuk Lamat has both hands gripping the wheel in a bruising grip, trying to veer the ship as left as it can go with all her strength, a fight she is gradually winning.
Relief starts to settle in the Warrior’s worn and aged heart as they see the waterspout letting go of the ship and turning course…Until…
Erenville loses his grip on a wooden plank, an audible yelp is heard, and in a blink of an instant he hurtles into the swirling vortex.
Wuk Lamat sobs as she desperately clutches at the wheel, knowing if she stops turning for a second, they all could meet their demise in the same manner.
Upon seeing the scene play out the Warrior of Lights instincts kick in and they shout something quickly toward Wuk Lamat to gain her attention. In that instant, a gravely serious trade is made. One person, for another. There was a slim chance, one they both understood and agreed to risk.
Not even a second ticks by as Wuk Lamat casts a sturdy chain that wraps securely around the wide teary-eyed and visibly shaking Alisaie.
The instant, the young elezen is secured by the chain, the Warrior of Light lets go. They then run without hesitation into the waterspout’s harsh winds, letting it take them. The last thing they hear is Alisaie’s bloodcurdling scream.