Chapter 1028: High Waves, Higher Stakes (1)
Chapter 1028: High Waves, Higher Stakes (1)
The narrow corridor between the two thaids was undoubtedly risky, since the monsters might stray from their areas and end up on their ship, but it could save them a lot of time, especially considering they had to waste some other just to avoid the monsters.
"It\'s a gamble," Erik said with furrowed brows. "But it might be our best shot. The currents will also make it harder for us, but they should be able to make it through."
June nodded. "I\'ll make sure we\'re prepared, Master. We\'ll have the crew on high alert and ready for anything."
Erik clasped June\'s shoulder. After the two exchanged determined glances, Erik stifled a yawn, the exhaustion of the day\'s events catching up with him.
"I need to go rest for a bit. Keep a steady course and notify me immediately if anything changes."
"Yes, Master," June said, turning his attention back to the navigation console. "Get some rest. We\'ll hold the fort."
Erik left the room. As he stepped out onto the deck, the salty sea breeze whipped through his hair, and the ocean appeared in front of him in all his endlessness.
He spotted Mira, Emily, and Amber leaning against the railing. They were looking at the sea with faces full of awe and fear. Erik approached them.
"Quite a sight, isn\'t it?" The man leaned on the railing and stood beside them. "I never thought I\'d see the ocean."
Mira nodded. "It\'s both beautiful and terrifying."
She paused, as she was recalling something from her past.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
"I\'ve heard stories about the sea thaids. My parents warned me about them. Dad said they weren\'t as strong as the flying thaids, but they were many more. The ocean is big, after all. Fighting on land is one thing, but out here... it feels like we\'re at the mercy of whatever creatures call the sea home."
"Wasn\'t your father a hunter?"
"He was," Mira said. "But he has friends; many of them were or still are mercenaries, so, you know how it is. We talk a lot."
"Listen," he said to the three women, knowing how they felt in a situation where the best thing one could feel was helpless.
He lived with that feeling for most of his life, so he knew how terrifying it might look to the three girls to be somewhere where everything could kill you like that.
"I know this is unfamiliar territory for all of us, but we have the Chimaeric Demons, and I\'m here, too."
Erik paused. "Besides, I\'m going to make more clones, just in case. We\'ll have a stronger force, more people who can fight if things take a turn for the worse. Don\'t worry, because I will make sure we reach Hin without problems."
"You really think that will help?" Emily asked.
"You should know this better than me. Aren\'t you the one who can see the future?"
That seemingly made Emily calm.
Amber managed a small smile. "Go take a look at the future," she said to her friend. "It will make all of us feel better."
"All right..."
"Do it later, and go get some rest now," Erik said. "It will clear your mind and give you some peace."
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--
...
The warship pitched and rolled, its metal hull groaning under the strain of the sea.
Even the Chimaeric Demons struggled to maintain their footing, gripping onto handrails and consoles as the ship was tossed about like a plaything.
"Curse this blasted weather!" The howling wind almost covered the clone\'s voice.
Another Chimaeric Demon nodded in agreement. "I\'ve never seen waves this high. Well, I\'ve never seen a wave to begin with."
"Stop complaining, guys! We should be able to handle anything this storm throws at us. We are fighting a war. What can the sea do to us?"
"It\'s not the sea that is making me anxious," the Chimaeric Demon said. The others nodded. Flying thaids, land thaids of all kinds. They killed them all. Sea thaids, though, were something completely new.
There was silence for some time, only broken by the sound of the waves hitting the ship and the winds howling.
"You know, as much as I hate this storm, I have to admit, it\'s kind of exhilarating," a Chimaeric Demon said.
The Chimaeric Demons kept the ship\'s weapons ready; the barrels of the cannons and the muzzles of the guns pointed towards the churning waves.
The storm raged on around them; the wind whipping the sea into a frenzy of white-capped swells and crashing waves.
However, one of the Chimaeric Demons spotted something moving in the water. As it drew closer to the ship, its form became clearer.
"There\'s something out there!" a Chimaeric Demon said. "Something big, and it\'s heading straight for us!"
Another one of Erik\'s clones rushed to the rail, his eyes straining to make out the approaching
shape.
"Sound the alarm! We\'ve got company, and it doesn\'t look friendly!"
The piercing wail of the alarm cut through the storm, alerting the rest of the crew to the approaching danger.
Erik came on deck and checked the surroundings. "What did you see?" he asked, his eyes scanning the waters for any sign of the monster.
"I didn\'t see it well, Master," The Chimaeric demon said. "But I\'m confident that something is approaching the ship. It\'s big, and it\'s moving fast. The waves and the storm made it hard
to get a good look, but I know it\'s out there."
Erik\'s face hardened. The sea was full of thaids; it was easy to be attacked in this place. Usually, Hin\'s ships crossed the sea in a fleet, so being alone here wasn\'t the best situation.
Though, while Hin had a fleet, they didn\'t have the Chimaeric Demons.
"Alright, everyone, listen up!" Erik said, his voice cutting through the howling wind.
"Man the weapons! Those who can\'t must prepare to use their brain crystal powers. We need
to be ready for whatever is coming our way. We don\'t know what we\'re dealing with yet, but we have to be prepared for the worst."
The Chimaeric Demons sprang into action, rushing to their positions. The barrels of the cannons and the muzzles of the guns were pointed towards the churning sea.
Erik moved to the edge of the deck. "Stay alert," he said.