ELEMENTALS: The Tales Of Water

Devil's Cruiser

The next morning, the group gathered at the docks of the Kingdom of Rain, known as Agni. As they approached the harbour, Princess Aisheya's eyes lit up at the sight of a beautiful ship, its sails billowing in the gentle breeze.

Aquis (grinning):
"Are we really going to travel through that treacherous river in this... princess ship?"

The princess's expression soured for a moment, her brow furrowing.
Princess Aisha:
"What's wrong with this ship? It's one of the best and fastest! It's practically a royal carriage on water!"

Aquis (raising an eyebrow):
"This? This is no ship! I know a real ship—a vessel that could glide effortlessly across the waves."

Princess Aisha (shocked):
"In the cell you were rotting in for five years, you somehow know about ships?"

Aquis (clutching his heart dramatically):
"It's true! It was the ship my father rode to the Ocean of the Dead."

The princess gasped, wide-eyed.
Princess Aisha:
"Your father rode that ship to the Ocean of the Dead? And it survived?"

Commander (sighing, already knowing where this was headed):
"Here we go again..."

Before Aquis could reveal the name of the ship, the commander interjected, his tone flat.
Commander:
"He's talking about the Devil's Cruiser."

Princess Aisha's face paled.
Princess Aisha:
"Are you saying that cursed ship?"

Aquis (with a dramatic flair):
"Yes! The cursed ship! But it's no curse, really. It was just so good that people were afraid of it! It is my father's ship. So I have every right to it. I might have lost the kingdom my father owned, but I still have rights to the ship!"

At that, Princess Aisha burst into laughter.
Princess Aisha:
"Okay, fine! We'll go on the Devil's Cruiser!"

The commander, looking resigned but somewhat amused, nodded in agreement.
Commander:
"Guess we're stuck with this decision."

As they approached a shady area of the dock, Aquis faced turned.
Aquis:
"Why did you keep my beauty in such a dark place ?"
Commander replied: 'We keep shady things in shabby places".

Aquis(with regaining composure): "Oh! So you live here.Don't worry commander I have seen worse."

The commander shot him a glare, trying to suppress his frustration.

Just then, a giant black ship emerged from the shadows, its imposing figure striking against the sky. It was marked with an elegance that was hard to ignore. Its massive black hull casting a deep shadow over the docks. Every plank of wood seemed to be carved from midnight itself, polished to a dark sheen that reflected the faintest light. The ship was an intimidating beauty, elegant yet formidable, like a creature from a forgotten legend. Its towering masts rose high into the sky, the sails rolled up and tethered, but when unfurled, they would reveal massive, jet-black canvas sheets that looked like wings ready to carry the ship across even the most furious storms.

Along the ship's sides, intricate carvings of serpents, waves, and other mythic symbols twisted and coiled, etched with care by the hands of master craftsmen. These carvings caught the light at odd angles, making the ship appear almost alive, as if it breathed with a silent, ancient power. The railings were wrapped in thick, dark ropes, sturdy and worn from countless voyages across uncharted waters. The figurehead at the prow was a fierce, menacing dragon, its eyes made of polished obsidian that gleamed like black fire, its jaws open as if it was ready to swallow the sea whole.

As they walked closer, the sound of the waves lapping against the hull echoed with a hollow, eerie resonance, giving the impression that the ship was whispering secrets of the deep. The deck, although well-worn, retained a sense of strength, with wide planks running the length of the ship, darkened by years of sea spray and battle. Chains and anchors hung heavily at the sides, each link thick and reinforced, suggesting a vessel that had seen—and survived—the worst the ocean had to offer.

Aquis (eyes wide):
"Ah! There she is—the Devil's Cruiser!"

Princess Aisha stared in awe.
Princess Aisha:
"What makes it so devilish?"

Aquis (grinning):
"No one knows for sure. Some say it crossed the Ocean of Devils without a scratch on its hull!and of the ship made from the devilish ocean (ocean of dead was also known as devilish ocean)can come of unscathed from the ocean of dead"

Princess Aisha could hardly contain her excitement.
Princess Aisha:
"It's the most magnificent ship I've ever seen!"

Commander (shaking his head, chuckling):
"Well, let's hope it doesn't live up to its name."

And with that, they prepared to board the legendary ship, their hearts filled with anticipation and hint of fear.

While the crew prepared to set sail on the Devil's Cruiser, another storm was brewing in the throne room of the Kingdom of Vista. The heavy wooden doors creaked open as a messenger hurried in, kneeling before Vistaraj, the king, who sat brooding on his high, ornate throne. The news had finally reached him, but far too late.As princess hid the news knowing her father's nature.

Vistaraj (voice low, dangerous):
"They've already departed?"

The messenger nodded frantically.
Messenger:
"Yes, Your Majesty. They've just set sail."

The king's face twisted with a mixture of shock and fury, his grip tightening on the armrests of his throne.
Vistaraj (through clenched teeth):
"And the Duke... he gave them permission? Without informing me?"

His advisors shifted nervously, glancing at one another. The air in the room felt thick, oppressive. Finally, one advisor, a middle-aged woman
Countess of Mart, with trembling hands, stepped forward.
Advisor:
"Yes, Your Majesty, the Duke granted them leave. But... but he did not accompany them on the voyage."

For a brief moment, relief flashed across the king's face thinking Duke accompanied them. But it was quickly overtaken by another wave of fury. His fist came down hard on the arm of his throne with a resounding bang.
Vistaraj (eyes blazing):
"And why not? Why did he stay behind? Does he think himself above my orders? Do they all?"

The advisor took a step back, her voice quivering.
Advisor:
"I-I'm not sure, Your Majesty. But there are... other matters, other threats. A figure—Magna Laprez—has been causing chaos in the region."

At the mention of the name "Laprez," the king's face went pale. His rage, so fiery just moments ago, drained away, replaced by something much colder.
Vistaraj (voice dropping to a whisper):
"Laprez? Magna Laprez?As in son of sir Vignesh Laprez,brother of Aquis Laprez?"

The advisor swallowed hard, nodding.
Advisor: "Yes, Your Majesty."

The king's hands fell limp at his sides, his anger evaporating, replaced by visible fear. He muttered to himself, barely audible:
Vistaraj:
"Damn it... Let them deal with that  monster's brother ."

For a brief moment, the throne room fell into an uneasy silence. The king sat, eyes distant, calculating his next move. Then he snapped back, his voice sharper, though still tinged with frustration.
Vistaraj:
"Who went with the princess? Tell me the full company."

The advisor scrambled through her papers, her voice shaky.
Advisor:
"Well... three or four of our elementals. Maybe five. The details are unclear... but one of the strongest, Your Majesty. The commander—Commander Charles Edwin —second in command in the Kingdom of Rein. He went, sir."

The king's brow furrowed.
Vistaraj:
"Edwin ... He's a good man. A capable one. I trust he can handle whatever beasts they face at sea."

The advisor forced a smile, attempting to reassure the king.
Advisor:
"Of course, Your Majesty. Commander Edwin see them through."

But Vistaraj was not convinced. His eyes darkened, and his voice dropped again.
Vistaraj:
"I'm not afraid of the monsters of the sea."

The advisor hesitated, confused.
Advisor:
"Then... what is it you fear, sire?"

The king leaned forward, his voice barely more than a whisper, filled with dread.
Vistaraj:
"I fear the monster sailing that ship with them... the one called Aquis Laprez."

The room fell into a tense, suffocating silence. No one dared breathe, no one dared ask more. Vistaraj's fear was palpable, and it was clear that whatever awaited the crew of the Devil's Cruiser, it was something far more dangerous than even the king could comprehend.Let not tell the king they travelled in the devil cruiser,Or the king might die from shock so shhhh...........