Long Journey || ATEEZ

Answer

And so, the crew of the ATINY sailed onwards.

It wasn't long before they broke free of the opal-water, and serene blue greeted them once more. A sight for sore eyes; the whole pirate crew had missed the deep, thought-provoking navy of the sea – it was a comfort to them, as much as the familiar creaking of their ship and the endless stretches of sky, as much as Jurna's breeze gracing them, and Solae's sun smiling down on them. It was smooth-sailing from now on, they couldn't help but think, as they travelled onwards for Tilina.

Until the kraken appeared.

Nobody would've noticed its presence – for the sky was clear and the waters calm – until Wooyoung, who had gone up to Narcia to see what she was doing, started yelling in his high-pitched, high-panic-mode screech.

"NARCIA WHAT THE FUCK?! GET AWAY FROM THE KRAKEN THAT THING'S GONNA EAT YOU—"

"Wooyoung-oppa, it's fine," Narcia grinned cheekily, bumping her fist against Wooyoung's hip (because that was how high she could reach on him despite his shorter height – especially as she was half-bent over the railing stroking the giant kraken tentacle in the water below). "She's not going to hurt me – or you."

"BUT—"

"Shhhh," Narcia said, putting a finger to her lips, "you'll startle her."

Eventually, Narcia got the holin to calm, and by then, quite the crowd had gathered around where one of the kraken's smaller tentacles lazed about in the water. It was exactly as the crew remembered it (except it was significantly less aggressive and violent): a dullish sort of purple, thick even at its thinnest. It was about the size of the ATINY's mizzenmast, sleek, but with deadly crushing power – as San knew all too well. He shivered at the memory, the squeezing, cracking sensation of his ribs as he'd fought desperately to free himself. Even if it was one of the 'weaker' tentacles, no doubt it packed a lot of power. 

San found himself beginning to wonder what it would be like if he and the kraken faced off right now. He was much more powerful – even pre-awakening-San had been able to destroy an entire tentacle, so what about San now? He rather wanted a rematch against it – even despite the danger he and his crew might face – ever since that thought occurred to him, and here was his chance now.

But it wasn't attacking, seemed quite placid and relaxed. San couldn't just attack it now, especially when Narcia seemed so happy to be in its presence. If it were to suddenly start attacking, however, that would be another story entirely. San decided to keep his guard up, just in case.

"See? She's nothing to be afraid of," Narcia grinned meanwhile as she ran her hand over the smooth surface of the kraken's tentacle. It responded with a lazy flick and Narcia shrieked, bursting into fits of giggles as cold water sprayed into her face.

"How are you—" Yeosang said in disbelief.

"Do you not know the story?" Narcia said, raising her eyebrows in shock. "About how Thalassa created the kraken?"

Yeosang shook his head, whilst Jongho scoffed, smirking smugly as if he knew better (which, to be fair, he did in this situation).

Narcia's mouth dropped down further in shock. "I can't believe it," she said, shaking her head as she absent-mindedly stroked the tentacle. "Either way, she's my best friend," Narcia grinned. "Can't think of many people who's friends with sea monsters, right?"

"Well tell your best friend that it—"

"She," Narcia corrected sternly.

"She," Wooyoung said, rolling his eyes, "almost killed us."