MHA Fantasy Quest for the SOL

Part 20: Sirens and Sharks

They reached something like a basin in the channel that was around some rock fixtures, while they were still coming up the channel toward it, Sight seemed to get agitated by something behind the boat. 

Momo looked at it from the stern and saw something following them in the water. 

One of the sailors looked out after her. "Them's is sharks, milady," he said. "You can tell by those dark fins sticking out of the water." He sounded a bit condescending.

 Momo flushed. How was she supposed to know? "What do they mean?" She said.

 "Usually, that the boat is sinking and we're all doomed,' the sailor said coolly, "but given that this is the Dark Land they probably just want to feed on our flesh. That's why we ain't going down there. You'll have to figure out how to keep them off yourselves." 

"Oh, so...we're not doomed," Momo said. 

"Depends on how clever you are.'' The sailor didn't seem overly concerned about it. He walked away. 

Momo watched the fins apprehensively until Shoto startled her by coming to see what she was looking at. She jumped and elbowed him in the chest. "Sorry! Sorry! I didn't see you." 

"It's fine...what is that?" Shoto looked at the water. 

Momo explained, "but, we can probably handle it... I mean, they aren't coming out of the water." 

"No..." he said warily. Not a guarantee they wouldn't' do that.

Since they were getting close to shore, the others all came above deck. The sailors began to turn the coat to avoid the rocks. Mei was lecturing one on how her contraption could make turning the boat easier, and he seemed to be doing his best to ignore her. Hitoshi was watching the rocks. 

"You know, I've heard no one makes it past this point," he said to Bakugo, who was nearest. "That ships dash against those rocks all the time. The only person who ever made it past was a six armed man who closed his ears." 

"Who closed his ears?" Camie was leaning on the bulwark. "Why would he need six arms? Was he a troll?" 

"Six armed ones are fabled to be excellent builders," Hitoshi said casually. "One of the crew here has 6 arms, didn't you notice?" 

"What?" Camie said. "You don't seem to see through illusion magic very well considering," Hitoshi said. Moving away. 

"Did you tell him you use illusion magic?" Bakugo asked Camie. 

"Nah, I haven't even used it because of the wind," Camie was puzzled. "Is he a sprite?"

 "Could be..." Bakugo scowled after him.

 Camie took a look at the crew and a minute later she said. "Hey, there is a guy with 6 arms here!" She pointed. The man in question was handling the rigging, and wore a scarf over half his face. Now that they look, they could see he was using 5 arms to pull at stuff, and one to anchor himself.... It was a very odd sight.

 "How do you end up with that many?" Camie wondered. "Was his dad an octopus?" 

"Who cares, this ship is full of freaks," Bakugo muttered. "I can't wait to get off it." 

Mina flew overhead and landed on one of the masts. "Land ahoy!" She said, though there had been land in sight for the entire voyage. "Thick fog rolling in sir! Off starboard!" 

"How did she learn all that in one day?" Ei wondered. Sniffing the air. "It smells musty though."

 "Uh, am I blind or was it completely clear a second ago?" Camie asked.