Seafarers

Chapter 20

Chapter 20- Poseidon Bay

Bishan and Randell were treading through mysterious waters on their mission sent by Damjan. Randell wasn't the biggest fan of having a stranger steer his own boat, the Dandy Bow. Captain Falk stood steering the boat as they were approaching the mines of Poseidon Bay. All three of them were hungry and the food stock in the ship had run out. Randell and Falk had agreed to remain in the boat while Bishan scouted the area, to make sure it was safe. The mines were under the bay and Bishan was the only of them who could hold his breath long enough to swim down there and not get killed in the process. Randell disliked staying alone with Falk even more. He didn't why, just that there was something off about Falk. Randell's mission was to receive undercover information about a Demon spy within the Revolutionaries' ranks, at Hizuka. In Hizuka, a race was being held for dirt racing, called the Darksun Race where he would meet the man with the confidential information. Bishan was swimming through the murky waters, as a school of fish waded away drifting off. Some people believe that fish was the lost spirits and souls of the ones who have passed, but their death has not been settled or avenged. Finally, Bishan reached the entrance of the mine. He walked through, and felt his head hurt. He fell to the ground, only to fall into a trance. Bishan woke up, smelling beautiful roses and tall, lush grass. It was his home. Tears welled his eyes. His homeland was just as beautiful as he wanted to leave it. He saw King Yrjana and the rest of his tribe. But everything changed within a second, Legions of Skeletons stormed as they fought against the Werewolves and Shadows with Master Oird. Then he remembered. The Purge. One simple spell had massacred his race. He watched as his King, Yrjana fell. Oird and Bishan were the few who survived the incident. The Shadows had taken everything from him. Bishan had been at a horrible place then. He joined with Randell on his perilous life as a pirate and then was brought here. He was a coward, he watched as his people were killed in cold-blood before him. He watched also in the back as Tepan fell to the ground. He was a useless little child. Then he woke up as a little girl woke him up. He found himself wet and with ripped clothes, half-naked and was slightly embarrassed. He coughed out blood and some water. He stood up, with scars on his chest, and many other miners looked at him with awe and curiosity. Bishan picked his ragged wear and walked away quietly. Then the miners proceeded with their task. I had been dreaming, Bishan in sorrow, I only wish it were real. Then, Bishan finally spoke, "I am traveling from afar lands as a trader, and I am looking for some food in exchange for some coins, do you know where I could find it?", one of the men pointed west, and then grunted, "Get your food, and then you carcass out'ya here". Bishan wondered what had happened, questioning his bitter welcome.

Outside, Randell and Falk were watching the horizon. "I've heard you're talking to people all the time, so why haven't you spoken a word since Bishan left?", Falk teased Randell. Randell was already pissed by Damjan and Ilta's orders and fired back, "I decide if I want to talk or kill". "Ok...?", Falk said, confused. Suddenly, three or so ships could be seen on the horizon. The giant banner of the Demons stood nigh nigh each of the boats.

The mine was damp, and rugged, not much different than what Bishan thought, as walked through the trough. Meanwhile, Falk, "We have to flee the area. They'll kill all of us!". Randell gritted, "No you coward, I won't leave Bishan here. This is all of your damn fault, you had to use it to do your dirty work". "Sure, it's definitely not you and Bishan who have a debt to the Shogun and are enemies of the Demons" Falk rolled his eyes. Falk always seemed aloof to Randell, and he could tell, Falk didn't exactly feel great about Randell either. "Zaccheus' fleet was supposed to be at Suna Reef. There is some sort of trick around here. If his fleet is here, what is at Suna Reef?", Randell said as he switched up the conversation. Then the cannons hit, the entire Dandy Bow shaked. Falk said, "There's only one option. We abandon the ship and exit from the underbelly". Randell was reluctant, but eventually agreed, and the two departed from the ship and swam as fast their legs could paddle to the bottom of the sea. Zaccheus approached the Dandy Bow cautiously, and then started scouting the entire ship, confused at why the ship was empty. The Shadows were sent out and commanded by Zaccheus. In the mines, Bishan had reached his destination. A small trader was perched and was selling some fish and salt, along with a variety of alcoholic drinks. Bishan traded a handful of gold coins after bargaining with the trader for enough meat for Falk, Randell and himself. Above, in the bay, Randell was half drowning, and then Falk grabbed his body and dragged to the mines and reached the entrance. This was Poseidon, rumored to be the end of the world, due to his rough features, no one had gone beyond the bay, and the seas to the extreme west were extremely harsh and stormy. Falk coughed out water as he arrived at the entrance of the mines and carried the unconscious Randell, who was barely beating. Bishan came walking in the same entrance and exclaimed, "What happened?!". "He's alive, no need to worry, but we had to abandon the Dandy Bow. The Demons are here, specifically Zaccheus, who was supposed to be stationed at Suna Reef". Above at Dandy Bow, Zaccheus commanded his Shadows to abandon the ship as they left off back into the east. "This is why we wanted you to leave", one of the miners spoke, the same one who had bitterly warned him. "What do you mean?" Falk asked. "They come to collect Kothian from here every year for their 'Devil Program'. Raiknos personally trains the Devils. We can only thank that Mage who came here a few years ago who scared the Demons off. Rumors of his death had spread, and then they returned. I knew I smelled a Werewolf. You people always bring good luck". Bishan smiled, and then thought to himself, There are 2 mages who survived the Purge, and one of them is dead. Who is he talking about? It couldn't have been Master Oird, he was too injured after his fight with the Demon King to ever fight again. Tepan was in hiding with Peleg. "What was the name of this Mage?", Bishan asked, while Falk stared in awe. The miner spoke back, "His name was Vernan, and was friends with General Berny, before he disappeared, when he left to confront the Demon King....".