The Hunt for Peace

Chapter 11

The roar of the dreamstorm remained unwavering. Rakni and Hiroka sat facing the wine-dark sea. It was most likely afternoon, and yet little was achieved.

"Are you-"

"Yes, I am sure, Rakni," Hiroka doesn't even look at him, "I think it is best that we wait out the storm. It's too strong, we'll get blown away, or get sick."

Rakni leans on a wooden post, "it will be a long wait then, at worst. Dreamstorms can last for weeks, last year it lasted till the end of spring, practically drowning out everything in the east. Sunhowl in particular, was said to have been stuck in its high-tide state for so long it became a prison once more."

"I'm no stranger to a typhoon season of any kind, being battered by winds and rain. It's merely the gods at war with something I presumed," says Hiroka, wrapped in her warm furs as the winds of the chilly afternoon blew alongside the rain which crashed into the freezing sea. "The storm god wields his sword, dueling with the red winged men with long noses and coal-black giants over the mountains."

"Mhmm, clashes in the heavens above. I'm familiar with those." Rakni looks at the gray heavens above. Him and Eliseo, as well as a bunch of other one-gears, flocked together in a giant murmuration charging against another group of one-gears. "That aside, Antonius and his azure strikers are likely trapped in Axelfront."

"If there's any Axelfront left"

"Hmm?"

Hiroka looks at Rakni, watching his hair flow in the wind. It was lighter than before. It was easier to see all of the brown shades. Hiroka adjusts her seat, holding onto the furs as lightning struck horizontally across the sky.

"While you were unconscious, there was a powerful burst of light. An explosion fire, like the sun had risen once more." says Hiroka, "it was my blade, no doubt about it. It exploded in the direction east, where you said Axelfront is. I was honestly surprised to see you still asleep after such a powerful burst."

"I doubt Axelfront is gone, it's a den. The continent has recognized it as part of itself, it'll repair."

"Like the deck? After the.. Mokay-something wrecking it?"

"Mkele mbembe, and yes. I'm sure" Rakni said confidently, "Stronger stuff meant for the everyday dangers of life. Nothing new." He gives her a small grin, and she responds with an awkward smile.

That smile quickly vanishes however as Hiroka's pointy ears perk up, and her head snaps into attention in the direction of a sound. Her eyes focus on the rainy flood. Like a hawk spying a rabbit, she stands up. Rakni looks at where she's looking, yet he sees nothing. Nothing but open water and an unstoppable downpour.

"Something catches your attention? Some sort of godly sign only you chosen ones can see?"

"Crying," says Hiroka, she takes a step forward, but stops abruptly as some raindrops hit her face. Taking a step back, it continued. It reminded her of a frightened child, like one lost in the woods, or in this case, the open sea. "A child, crying, can't you hear it?"

"My ears aren't pointy like yours, so no"

Hiroka points forward, "they're just up ahead, you have to save them!"

"It's probably some wolfsen pup that got left behind because he was too scrawny, leave him be."

"He'll die!"

"That's his problem"

Hiroka's hand struck out as if she was drawing her blade from its sheath. Its speed, more than enough to kill a fly mid-flight. A speeding blur headed towards Rakni's face.