Abyss

CHAPTER 2

- UNEXPECTED GUEST -

Darius could only look at his significant other with a frown plastered on his pale face. His lady could never survive in the seas, let alone wander in the night of Ravenbourne. 

So, why must he let her come with him? He does long for companionship and longing for Calista but he would never risk the life of his lover for a search of the Angelus.

Calista stood still in front of him, her eyes forming a thin line as she waited for his answer.

She was never the type of woman who would let anyone off her hook.

Once she latches on the chance, all you could do was to go with the flow. Well, that's what Darius had thought all of these years.

"That won't be possible, love," Darius commented over his lover's words before trying to walk away to help the others aboard the ship. 

Though, he couldn't help but notice that Calista was following him with no intention of changing her mind. "You know how dangerous the travel to Regimere is."

"That is why I need to go, Darius. I cannot bear waiting any longer just like these past few years," Calista answered back with her tone almost faltering every second that passes as Darius peeks over the Medusa. 

It was indeed a strong ship but having Calista with him would just surprise the other sailors.

"I know how hard it is, Calista—" she interrupted him by raising her finger to silence him.

"Let me go with you, Darius. With the sun rising over, I'm sure this trip to Regimere would not be a hassle."

If only he could tell her their actual plans. He couldn't help but think it over. Though, he happened to see Aloysius walking back over to their direction — both of them meeting glances.

"Aloysius," he called out before Calista sensed his ignorance. Darius never wanted to say it but he had to leave his lady behind. "Escort her away from the Medusa, please."

When Aloysius was about to approach her, Calista immediately pulled her arm away before giving a glare to her lover. After that, Darius was surprised to see her going up the Medusa as he tried to stop her from doing so.

Poor Darius, his fellow sailors only looked at both of them. None of them seem to bother telling the lady that she was in no position to bargain or enter the Medusa without the captain's order.

 Well, they knew very well that Calista was the captain's lover so there was no harm in letting her on. Though, Darius had other things in mind.

"Calista, you shouldn't be here in the Medusa. Ladies like you—" She didn't bother to listen to him as Calista had always thought that woman can do the same things as a man does. This time, her mind was set on traveling. 

She had always said that if Darius could do it, so can she. After all, she had already known Regimere from the talk of the town.

Regimere was the vast ocean in the middle of Everfrost and Arkenheilm. The land of Everfrost stores mostly the shipments of both Ravenbourne and Arkenheilm — serving as the middle ground for sailors who do not dare to venture out in the dark depths of Regimere.

In that place lies Devon's Cradle. The place where sunken ships and treasures are bestowed underneath the stormy sea. 

Legend says that the lone survivor had made it back to retell the story in Everfrost. However, after that major accident, it was said that the Devon's Cradle pulls over more ships than what was written in history.

It was already an old tale so that survivor must have passed away by now. Though the people of Everfrost would probably make a retelling and not the original one, Calista thought. 

Still, she wondered if Darius would only make shipments or if he would take one step further in this case.

Judging the books and the notes written all over the pages of his journal, Calista knew that he was still tied over the story of the sad journey of his brother's friend's past.

However, if he was to face this, Calista knew better. She was a supportive lover, indeed. She thought of taking care of others before herself was the most important. However, that was also Darius' mindset. 

In his eyes, he only wanted Calista to be safe in the city of Ravenbourne — where she should be able to enjoy her life without worries and troubles of traveling and doing commissions.

"Please, Calista," Darius tried to plead but his eyes widened like a globe when all of the other members of the Mediterranean asked him if the Medusa was ready to set sail. 

This was going to be difficult, Darius thought. Calista wasn't budging and surely, she'd do anything to come.

Aloysius had already gotten aboard, his eyes focused on Calista as he raised an eyebrow. He was expecting Darius to talk to the lady but it seemed like the captain had already got his arms tied — not wanting to have any sort of delays to the commissions and the goals of the group.

Darius' friend knew very well how Darius would react after settling everything that was on his hands. 

Aloysius thought that Darius would beg his lover to stay, even if the group was there. Knowing that Darius loved his wife more than his ship, he was ready to take chances.

Though, it surprised him when the only thing that Darius had done was to nod his head as Calista walked towards her lover and finally in Darius' embrace. It seems like this one was quite unexpected, Aloysius wonders.

Well, it didn't matter anyway, Aloysius said to himself.

He was sure that the captain would probably drop Calista off Everfrost for her to visit her sister before eventually leaving her in the sibling's care. 

After all, if ever they did continue to the path of the Regimere, there was a 50-50 percent chance that they'll come back, alive.

And Aloysius was sure that Darius would never risk that.