The Sins of the God King

Chapter 10: Xan

As the days pass, the Navo'ri fleet inched closer to the treacherous wailing sea. Tidal waves surged higher with every passing second, casting an ominous shadow over the entire army. An air of visible fear saturated the atmosphere, weighing down the hearts of the soldiers. Some visibly trembled, while others succumbed to silent tears.

Maru, the Lady Captain of the wraiths, ascended to the upper deck, her gaze fixated on the tumultuous waters ahead. Her eyes widened as she beheld a sight that sent chills down her spine—multiple colossal whirlpools entwined, creating a swirling vortex right in the heart of their path. She turned to Xan, desperation evident in her voice, "Can any of your Therians transform into a creature that can fly?" Xan shook his head, "No, we do not. And even if we did, they would have already left."

Just then, the scarlet hood warlock ascended the deck, drawing the attention of those present. His commanding presence demanded silence as he spoke, "Now, my people, the God King beckons you. This is a test of faith for each and every one of us. For the God King shall save the faithful and condemn the wicked." His words mingling with the mounting tension.

With every ounce of will in his voice, Xan 's command reverberated through the air, "Unsheath the sails! Brace yourselves! We press forward!" The crew responded swiftly, pulling at ropes and adjusting sails as the ships surged forward, propelled by the fierce and unforgiving winds. The time had finally arrived—the moment they had dreaded for—their encounter with the dreaded wailing sea.

As the fleet ventured deeper into the treacherous waters, the atmosphere became charged with a sense of impending doom. Waves of monstrous proportions materialized from all directions, rising like ferocious giants ready to devour the fleet in a single gulp. The ships, once steadfast symbols of their collective strength, now seemed insignificant in the face of the overwhelming power of the sea.

In an instant, disaster struck. Four ships, their frames groaning under the strain, were catapulted into the sky, suspended for a fleeting moment before gravity claimed them, sending them crashing back down into the churning abyss below. The sight was both awe-inspiring and harrowing, a testament to the sheer force of nature that surrounded them.

The shrieks and cries of the crew members merged into a deafening symphony, drowning out any semblance of hope that had clung to their hearts. Desperation filled the air as men and women grappled with their impending fate, clinging to the remnants of their faith and courage.

Within the chaos, Xan stood resolute, his gaze fixed on the horizon. He bore witness to the destruction unfolding around him, the turbulent waters threatening to consume them all. Yet, he refused to yield to despair. With every fiber of his being, he rallied his comrades, reminding them of their purpose and their duty. His unwavering determination infused his voice as he bellowed words of encouragement amidst the chaos, their echoes piercing through the tumultuous symphony of crashing waves.

Despite the overwhelming odds stacked against them, the crew remained steadfast. They clung to the hope that, somehow, they would endure this tempestuous trial. They tightened their grips on the ship's rigging, bracing themselves against the violent lurches and unpredictable swells.

The wailing sea continued to unleash its fury upon the fleet, each wave crashing against the ships with a ferocity that threatened to shatter their resolve. But within the hearts of these brave sailors, a flicker of hope endured. They would not succumb to the watery depths without a fight. Their journey was far from over, and they were determined to emerge victorious, even if it meant defying the very forces that sought to consume them.

On the left flank, ships were ensnared by the powerful whirlpool, helpless men leaping into the waters in a futile attempt to escape. Maru and Xan stood witness to the harrowing sight, their hearts heavy with despair as their comrades perished before their eyes. And then, as if emerging from a nightmare, a towering shadow loomed on the horizon—a colossal thirty-foot wave poised to engulf their vessel.

With an instinctual leap, Xan and Maru dove into the unforgiving sea, their loyal soldiers following suit. In a matter of minutes, the once proud fleet of forty ships succumbed to the relentless grip of the wailing sea, claimed by its wrathful embrace.