Astral Flow

Chapter 23

Freedom.

That was all Ryder could think of as he gazed out at the bright blue skies and sparkling ocean.

A bright smile found its way on his face as he watched what appeared to be a whale of some kind emerge in the distance, a childlike wonder clear in his eyes.

In all honesty even though he could easily go to the sea he'd neve been out like this before, it was yet another new experience to him.

One that he couldn't stop being amazed by as he saw new creatures at each turn.

"Man, I'm surprised you can stand at all." Regis' voice came from behind him as she walked up to his side. "It's already hard enough to get your sea legs, it's even harder when you have someone like Teach manning the ship."

"Ah it's probably because I took some of his knowledge... probably." Ryder replies, an unsure tone lingering in his voice as he observes the ocean. "Honestly I still don't fully understand it, this whole thing with knowledge and memories."

"Well don't look at me, I'm not fully knowledgeable on how it works, I only know the basics thanks to my Lord." She shrugs a little and leans on the railing. "So, are you ready for the mainland? From what I hear it's going to be one hell of a fight once we dock."

"Right, I still need to ask Aranea about what we're fighting exactly, I only know it's worse than what was back on the island." Ryder stops and thinks for a moment. "Will we actually be able to beat it if it's that bad?"

"Oh come on, don't tell me you're getting cold feet now! You're the most qualified Lord Candidate out of everyone here, we don't have a chance without you!" Regis replies while now gazing out at the sea. "Just stay strong for now, I'm sure things will work out."

"Yeah, that's true... and to think all this happened because I just trusted my gut, I honestly didn't know what that guardian would think of my little speech." Ryder lets out a slightly nervous laugh at the memory. "I half expected to just be rejected then and there."

"You weren't though, what that says about your character? Only you can fully decide, after all only you and Lily were there." She nonchalantly says while looking at him. "Now, you should go talk with Aranea, don't want to be caught off guard by what's on the mainland, right?"

With a nod Ryder pushes off the railing, easily keeping his balance as he stretches a little. "You're right, I'll talk to you later Regis." He waves to Regis as he walks away, heading to the interior of the ship.

Ryder approaches the wooden door and opens it with ease, finding a small room with a staircase leading down in the middle, there were some supplies and some members of the crew here but no one he was familiar with.

It was exciting though, seeing real pirates in action... or as close to real pirates as he'd get anyway.

He moved quietly past the crew, trying not to disrupt them as he made his way downstairs to where his friends and the rest of the Outlanders were resting.

It was darker down here but he could clearly see the various people sitting on the floor, all people who'd been with them since the beginning.

Towards the back was a familiar head of red hair resting with a book in her hand.

As he tried to make his way over he heard someone quietly call out to him. "Please wait!"

Looking to his left Ryder spots the origin of the voice, it was one of the players that'd been there on the first night... but not someone he'd actually talked with.

Perhaps he really should've tried to make more friends.

With a shake of his head he walked over, getting a better look at her now as his eyes adjusted to the darkness.