ACT 1: Apistefuan Sirenix

Onward. (END)

CHARACTERS IN THIS EPISODE:
Avangard-Miraille, Disembodied Fighter (Soldier)
Tiān Fēng, Human Ranger (Outlander)
Frida Auquene, Halfling Cleric of Eldath (Acolyte)
Zakariah Faunill, High Half-Elf Bard (Performer)
Roan, Changeling Rogue (Sailor)

NPCS:
Chief Zaya Elestree, Human Rogue (Noble)
Penillea Ditterea, Drow Cleric of Selûne (Acolyte)

CHAPTER: THALASSES DE MER
(3865 words)


After reading the letter, the travelers are all filled with questions, yet still speechless nonetheless. What could this mean? How did this letter get here in the first place? What war do they mean and why do these 'relics' have anything to do with it?

Rudmia was gone and they all hadn't noticed.

FĒNG: "Woah. That's crazy LONG!" Fēng shouted in awe as he laughed to himself about the length of the letter which has reached the ground. Thus, breaking the silence that shared between our companions' breaths.

FRIDA: "Well, it is another sign that this letter is quite important then.." Frida replied with one of her eyebrows raised. "I haven't gotten a letter in ages.." she continued, eyes looking away while her wrinkles furrowed once more, looking distressed as her lips came to a thin line.

MIRAILLE: "You look like you lived for a millennium. It's no surprise." Miraille says in response to the granny.

Frida only sighs to that as she is used to Miraille's comments about her. She slowly takes the letter from Penillea's hands to scan the words engraved on that wrinkly amber page.

FRIDA: "Wait.. Ah!" Frida gasped and shot her head up, eyes widening in realization as she looked at the others. "Yes, I remember! Do any of you recall having.. visions of certain items perhaps?"

MIRAILLE: "Some. Bleary. But the initials 'A. W. H' sounds familiar. I hear wailing from the tiny humans.." answered Miraille, giving her insight on the letter.

Zakariah pops her blonde head in and exclaimed,

ZAKARIAH: "Oh wow.. this must be of utmost importance. Do you reckon the Pearl Ring is involved with Erin?"

MIRAILLE: "It sounds magical enough for an idiocy embedded in the head of a wizard to find it." Miraille stated as Frida nods in agreement.

FRIDA: "I reckon so. I suppose Zaya over here has told you of him, Zakariah dear?"

Zakariah only hums as an answer.

The party began to gradually mutter. A letter so strange.. so odd. Either some old crook is lying or it's real. Frankly, if the latter were the case, than this journey would be more than just an adventure for thrills. Nereus meanwhile is just interested in snatching the staff. Unfortunately for him however, he suddenly fainted and drops to the ground, the necklaces tied around his neck beaming in a scarlet color.

FRIDA: "The flower from the spirit realm.. I'm quite familiar with it. Perhaps there is something more to this. More to us. Perhaps this letter warns us of dangers worse than we imagine.." said Frida.

MIRAILLE: "This maidenless piece of ash may be worth something to history as well." Miraille added before turning towards the chief.

MIRAILLE: "Elestree." Miraille called.

Zaya perks after hearing her last name.

ZAYA: "Ah, yes?"

MIRAILLE: "Will you tell us any more of your eccentric little friend and his connection to this ring?"

FRIDA: "Mhm! We wish deeply to know more. I fear this may have been the reason to the disappearance of our friend." Frida urged Zaya, only wanting to save a soul.

ZAYA: "Well, Erin is a good fellow, always loved adventuring. He's underwater-researching now. So, the ring probably has something to do with his research."

FRIDA: "Do you think that.. it was the ring he was after?" Frida's question only resulted in Zaya's eyes darkening as she looks away somberly.

Frida wanted to suggest the idea that perhaps the ring might have sucked his spirit in, but realized how that scenario would only be suitable for the spirit realm. Water contains secrets, not trap lives.

In the background of all of this, Miraille decides to head towards the posting boards. She ties the now unconscious Nereus to her leg and simply drags him along as she walks.

FRIDA: "..Now why have you gone and tied our friend to your leg.. that already looks like it's on the verge of crumbling.." Frida questioned Miraille's decisions exhaustedly, yet Miraille ignores her.

She truly did not understand what on earth she had gotten herself into, but she usually just brushes it off as something the youth nowadays would do.

Just when our party is stuck on what to do, Fēng comes up with a bright idea.

FĒNG: "Since the wizard is underwater, I think it's best we venture to the seas. Finding the wizard may lead to the artefact, so to the seas we must!" Fēng suggested as the travelers follow Miraille to the posting boards.

FRIDA: "Ah yes.. while that isn't a ridiculous theory, it only leads us to another question. What does this ring do to the point where it led Erin down the deep seas.." questioned Frida.

MIRAILLE: "Wizards will do anything for everything. This is not the last you will see of them." Miraille responded.

Truth be told, Miraille is curious as to what power the ring holds as well. Perhaps the magic this necklace wielded was only a glimpse of the ring's strength.

FRIDA: "Such admirable fools.."

When the group finally got to the posting boards, they start to recognize how the photos plastered across it resemble Zakariah. Strange how they didn't notice him before. Zakariah then turns to Fēng to ask him a question regarding his previous suggestion.

Him, Frida, and Rudmia have no magical pearl necklace like the rest did, meaning they wouldn't have the same immunity towards seas and frankly, the wielders of the necklaces fear in it's abilities too. Fear that what happened to Nereus was only the beginning of the necklace's side effects.

ZAKARIAH: "Fēng, you said we should venture off into the seas but with what? We don't have a boat.."

MIRAILLE: "How long do you think you'll be able to go without air?" Miraille asked Fēng with her arms now crossed against her rotten chest. One could see a chaotic glint in her eyes.

FĒNG: "Oh nah, we'll die in an instant, Miss Avangard! But I know a person who can help us. A waterbender." Fēng answered swiftly with haste. The glint in Miraille's eyes disperses.

The party snaps their head towards Fēng, looking directly into his eyes while they exclaimed, "Who?"

Fēng revealed the waterbender's name to be 'Ujim Olimpo.'

ZAYA: "I doubt a waterbender can help. Sure, they can BEND water but can they traverse the seas? Umberlee is known to wreak havoc. I say we got to a local sailor. Most sailors here are able to traverse safely without any casualties." Zaya stated, rejecting Fēng's idea of his waterbender friend.

FĒNG: "I know, Madam Zaya! I was just lying to make myself sound smart.." Fēng tried to sound casual, but failed due to his obvious embarrassed expression.

PENILLEA: "Sure..." Penillea giggled.

MIRAILLE: "I have to agree with Elestree. Relying solely on a human to manipulate the water is more foolish than a wizard." Miraille added to support Zaya's verdict.

FRIDA: "Wait.. you all have the same necklaces, correct? Perhaps it may be of use.." suggested Frida, recognizing how the necklace looks extremely familiar to a relic she knows.

When hearing the words of the granny however, all were hesitant to use it as they shared anxious glances at each other. Their necklaces seemed to merge with their collarbone, the pearl shining a vibrant red color that matched the blood around the place they were wrapped across.

MIRAILLE: "Perhaps. Why don't you try it, Aquene?" Miraille says with a darker undertone in her voice. Colder than the usual authoritarian.

FRIDA: "A person as old as I am should not be so careless when it comes to items like these. It might just lead me to a.. disastrous outcome." Frida replied. "Plus, it appears to be stuck to your neck." Frida tugs the necklace around Miraille.

MIRAILLE: "Oh. Unfortunate."

FRIDA: "Well, judging from the looks all of you necklace-bearers gave to my suggestion, one may assume you all wish to scrap the idea of using it's powers. Penillea?"

PENILLEA: "Why don't we just head near the docks? One of our sailors might be of assistance." suggested Penillea.

MIRAILLE: "Ditterea. Take us to the docks. Find this seafarer." Miraille demanded.

As the travelers broke camp and set out on the narrow trail leading away from the forest, the sound of crashing waves grew steadily louder. Avangard-Miraille is mostly silent, save for the noise of Nereus's body dragged as he's tied to her ankle.

FRIDA: "Are you sure Nereus is alright, dear.."

MIRAILLE: "He will be fine."

Frida exhales in relief.

MIRAILLE: "..If I had stopped a quarter of an hour ago."

Frida almost fainted.

The scent of salt filled the air, mingling with the earthy aromas of the woods, a clear sign that they were nearing the coast. The trees began to thin, revealing glimpses of a vast, shimmering ocean stretching out to the horizon.

Just as the forest finally gave way to a windswept cliffside, they spotted a figure standing near the edge, looking out to sea.

He was a young man, his pale skin and rough from years under the sun, his hair a wild tangle of turquoise that whipped about in the breeze. He wore a faded blue coat, its edges frayed, and a wide-brimmed hat that had seen better days. At his side hung a curved cutlass, its hilt worn smooth from countless journeys.

Penillea slowed her pace, signaling to him.

PENILLEA: "ROAN! Come here!"

FRIDA: "Roan? Penillea dear, you haven't introduced me to this friend of yours yet." Frida asked, but before she could get an answer from Penillea, 'Roan' jumps in with a wide smile across his face.

ROAN: "OH? My name's been called.. HELLO THERE!! New faces I see?"

FRIDA: "DEAR ELDATH!" Frida jumps. "Do keep your volume down, my ears are quite fragile..."

FĒNG: "OH! HEY! LOOK AT THAT FELLOW RIGHT THERE!" Fēng exclaims excitedly as he points at Roan.

ZAKARIAH: "Roan? Peculiar name! Sounds like the Bard Chapelle Roan.. beautiful name by the way!" Zakariah says.

ROAN: "Oh my.. you flatter me HAHA! Anyways, Penillea, who are these folks? I don't think I've seen them around before! Mind introducing them to me?"

MIRAILLE: "Lower your tone, blue boy. You're rather short for whatever you are." said Miraille.

ZAKARIAH: "Avangard! That is no way to talk to a handsome male that would help us to our RICH- I mean journey!" Zakariah exclaimed.

ROAN: "WOW. This lady's quite rough.." Roan began to whisper. "Is she always like this.."

Miraille pulls out her twin blades as she heard his whispers.

MIRAILLE: "I can hear you. Change your tone."

FRIDA: "Oh, I'm sure she means not to insult you! She's new to us after all."

PENILLEA: "Ah, yes... she's Avangard-Miraille! Cold around the edges but soft once you get to know her. Thought, I don't know her so maybe I'm lying." Penillea says as Miraille's twin blades are still stuck to Roan's neck.

MIRAILLE: "Words, Ditterea." Miraille says as the tip of her blades grazed Penillea's fingers. "Words."

Roan slowly pushes the swords away.

ROAN: "Haha, sorry lady! Now let's put those away shall we haha.. gulp."

...Did he just say gulp?

FĒNG: "ROAN, HI! My name is Tiān Fēng!!! YOU CAN CALL MEEEEE FĒNG!!! You look amazing!!!" Fēng exclaimed as he shook Roan's hand.

ROAN: "WAHHH HELLO FĒNG! I LIKE YOUR ENERGY HAHA! VERY FLAMBOYANT INDEED!" Roan shouts while swaying his body as if it were subconsciously moving to the hidden rhythm that shared between him and Fēng.

FRIDA: "Ah... dear, do keep the noise down.." Frida pleaded.

PENILLEA: "ANYWAYS, enough with the chit-chat! Could I ask you for a teensy favour, dear?" Penillea asked Roan.

ROAN: "SURE! What business?"

MIRAILLE: "Ditterea told us you can bring us all underwater. Is that true?"

Roan began sharing moments of silence as he tilted his head slowly and stares at the wooden deck with a slightly open smile.

FRIDA: "Well, is it?" Frida looks up at Roan.

ROAN: "..Indeed! But may I ask what for?"

Unfortunately, Fēng couldn't catch what Frida say earlier as he continued his overly positive outburst.

FĒNG: "YOU LOOK AWESOME!!! ARE YOU MIXED? Or inbred? DOESN'T MATTER! YOU'RE JUST SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Fēng said to Roan.

ROAN: "HAHAHAHH YOU HAVE QUITE THE ENERGY THERE!!! I'M NOT MIXED I AM PUREBRED HAHAA YOU LOOK SUPER COOL TOO!!!!!"

Even though Frida, Miraille, and Zaya had already disciplined Fēng, he still couldn't get the hint because he was too excited to finally meet a guy whose hair color is similar to his.

Zaya slaps Fēng's back.

ZAYA: "Forgive us, Roan. This young man is still new with us; met them all yesterday." Zaya apologizes to Roan with a slight chuckle that tried to hide the underlying threat beneath her voice. It didn't work as strongly as she expected it to however.

FRIDA: "Thank you, Zaya.." Frida whispers to her.

FĒNG: "Sorry, meemaws." Fēng says to Frida, Miraille, and Zaya.

MIRAILLE: "This is the last warning I will give you. You shall call me as Avangard."

FĒNG: "I said meemaw, not Miraille."

MIRAILLE: "Speak the wrong title again and off into the sea you go."

FĒNG: "Aye aye, Avangard!"

FRIDA: "Now why you have gone and played pirate.." Frida sighed.

FĒNG: "Avangard looks like one."

FRIDA: "..You best pray she didn't hear that. Otherwise, I'd have to waste one of my goods to treat your wounds."

PENILLEA: "My dearest Roan, me and my friends are in need for your assistance!" Penillea says with a bounce in her body and words. "You see, Erin went missing and we want to venture east of the sea to find his whereabouts and his findings.."

ROAN: "Oh, dear Erin? I see .. that does sound quite serious.." Roan responds as he shared sad glances with the crew and stroke his chin slightly. "Well, if our friend is asking for help then who are we to turn that down? Share the details with me and I'll inform the crew!"

FRIDA: "OH? Are you a captain of some kind?" Frida asks.

ROAN: "Indeed! I have my own crew and we've been in the sailing bizz for quite a while now. Dare I say that our crew is one of the best of the best when it comes to the sea!" Roan answered with confidence layered in the tone of his voice, but Frida still couldn't shake off the feeling that something horrible is lurking and will strike during their journey on the seas..

FRIDA: "I always thought pirates and sailors were myths only children believed; for the idea of escaping to the seas sounds like fantasy."

MIRAILLE: "Do you swim?" Miraille asks Roan.

Roan looks at the disembodied lady with a dumbfounded look.

MIRAILLE: "Or when the time comes, you sink?"

Penillea proceeds to give Roan the information needed to continue as the crew chat alongside each other before turning to Fēng and giving him a scolding. Nereus is surprisingly still passed out, hanging on to Miraille for dear life.

After Penillea was finished, Roan starts commanding his crew to prepare for voyage. Shouts and yells spread throughout the docks as the travelers watches with anticipation, slowly following Roan as their guide. Eventually, Roan's crew finished setting up the ship for their adventure and they, alongside our group of travelers, began to aboard the mighty ship that had several wood carvings on the sides of it.

The sails were soaked in baby blue, embroidered with bits of golden silks as their logo was stamped on the front and center of it all. There were crates filled with supplies, along with cannons and other weaponry to be used against the creatures of the sea, should there be any. Underneath the boat lies the rooms that shall act as their resting places, majority of it being bunk beds. As for bathrooms well, they're venturing out into the seas. Why would there be any need for a restroom?

Miraille can be seen giving glares at both Roan and Fēng. She's decided to keep quiet and simply look, her glare was a sharp twisting knife. Frida notices Miraille so being Frida, she decides to speak about it.

FRIDA: "..I do apologize, Avangard. I wished not to disturb you all this time.." Frida apologizes.

MIRAILLE: "No need for apologies, short one. It's them I believe not in." Miraille says as she points towards Roan and Fēng.

Roan moved with swift efficiency, untying the ropes that anchored the ship to the shore. The sails were unfurled, catching the breeze that swept in from the open sea. Their ship, the Sea Serpent, creaked and groaned until it began to glide forward, cutting through the water with ease.

The wind picked up, filling the sails and driving the Sea Serpent forward at a steady pace. Roan moved about the deck, adjusting the rigging and ensuring everything was in order. He worked with the quiet confidence of someone who had spent a lifetime at sea, his movements sure and deliberate. Frida could be seen wobbling and grabbing on to the stairs of the ship for support as she clenched her staff.

The party banters with endless conversations, talking to Roan about lots of things while on the road to Erin's destination. The calm breeze and atmosphere makes it feel like a cruise vacation, smooth and sailing. Roan looks at the crew as they converse with each other.

MIRAILLE: "Mind taking my spot, hm? I'd like to.." Miraille trails off and disperses. She'll be gone in the Ethereal Realm for quite some time, but rest assured that her disappearance is only temporary.

ROAN: "Wow, you guys sure do have a close bond with each other. I'm kinda jealous!" admits Roan.

FĒNG: "I like you, ROAN! You're cool! :D" Fēng exclaims.

FRIDA: "Mhm! You know, this reminds me of the old days. Before.." Frida says before trailing off, shutting herself up.

Before Roan and Fēng could even question Frida, stormy conditions suddenly came. Seriously, Umberlee? You haven't changed one bit. No wonder why you're called the BITCH QUEEN.

The party's adventure to the sea was cut short, when Umberlee's mighty tides came and rose ashore.

Roan's attempts to gain back momentum was futile, for Umberlee's oceans were far from docile.

FĒNG: "WOAH!" Fēng yells in surprise as he almost trips to the overly soaked boards.

FRIDA: "ROAN?! ARE YOU ALRIGHT UP THERE?" Frida shouts in despair as she clutches anything close to her for balance.

Roan tries his best to keep the conditions of the ship steady.

ROAN: "Sorry everyone but the weather's not looking very nice over here haha!" Roan chuckles nervously.

Zakariah and Nereus were the first travelers of our group to fall and succumb to the waters, alongside other members of Roan's crew. Shouts of terror roared throughout the ship.

"AHHHHHHHHHH"
"HELP ME!"
"WHAT THE-"

ROAN: "EVERYONE! HANDS, LEGS, AND WIGS ON THE SHIP AT ALL TIME! NO FLAILING AROUND, ALRIGHT?" Roan warns loudly so the remaining could hear as he desperately attempts to gain back control.

FRIDA: "WHAT'S GOING ON, DEAR??" Frida shouts as she becomes unstable.

ROAN: "I DON'T KNOW AUNTIE BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THE WEATHER IS NOT QUITE ON OUR SIDE HAHAHAHA HOLD ON TIGHTTT!"

FRIDA: "HOW DOES ONE FIND HUMOUR DURING THIS DISASTER??"

ROAN: "THIS IS EXCITING, IS IT NOT?"

FĒNG: "ROAN! I CAN USE MY AIRBENDING TO HELP YOU STEER US TO SAFETY!" Fēng shouts from below.

ROAN: "GREAT IDEA! GIVE ME A HAND!"

The sea was relentless. Another wave rose. One that was even larger than the first and slammed into the ship, drenching the deck with icy spray. The wind howled, whipping the sails into a frenzy as the sky darkened with unnatural speed. Lightning split the heavens, illuminating the roiling clouds that now swirled above them, forming a vortex of black and green.

FRIDA: "Oh.. heavens, do calm down.." Frida muttered underneath her breath as she prayed to the gods.

Her heart pounded as she clung to the railings, her eyes soon beginning to widen with anger. She had heard stories of such storms, tales whispered in taverns and around campfire of Umberlee's wrath. The Goddess of Sea who punished those who ventured into her waters without proper tribute.

FRIDA: "Umberlee.." she muttered her name as her voice went dark.

FĒNG: "I'LL HELP YA, CAPT!" Fēng said as he tried to use his airbending to help Roan steer the ship.

But.
It was too late.

The storm intensified with terrifying speed, as if the very wrath of the sea had been unleashed upon the Sea Serpent. The wind howled like a banshee, and the waves rose higher and higher, crashing over the deck with brutal force. The ship groaned under the assault, its timbers creaking ominously as it was tossed about like a toy in a child's bath.

The Sea Serpent shuddered under the impact, and Penillea was thrown to the deck, gasping as icy water engulfed her. She tried to stand, but the ship lurched violently, and she found herself sliding toward the edge, struggling to grasp onto anything solid. Roan appeared beside her, his hand catching hers just as she was about to be swept overboard.

PENILLEA: "MAKE IT STOP! I CAN'T BREAT-" was all she could say before getting engulfed by the water.

"PENILLEA?!!!" everyone shouted.

FĒNG: "LADY PENILLEA!" Fēng yelled pointlessly in shock.

He tried again to steer the boat using his airbending skills, but again. To no avail.

FRIDA: "PENILLEA!!!" Frida shouts as she tried to use her staff to summon magic as her aid, but much like Fēng's wind, they were unresponsive.

It was almost as if they had abandoned their wielders.

FRIDA: "UMBERLEE'S MINIONS!" Frida shouted, her face pale with dread. "WE'RE NOT JUST FACING A STORM, THIS IS THE SEA QUEEN'S FURY!"

And as if in response to her words, the ocean beneath the ship began to churn violently. Cannons and flamed arrows were fired as bombs were dropped all over, yet it didn't seem to hit any target, nor was there any target they could see in the first place. The water swirled with unnatural speed, forming a massive whirlpool that began to drag the Sea Serpent toward its center. The ship tilted dangerously, the stern rising high above the bow as it was pulled inexorably downward. Frida cursed the sea monster under her breath.

ROAN: "Hold on!" Roan bellowed, his voice filled with despair as he fought to maintain control of the wheel, but it was useless.

The whirlpool's pull was too strong, and the ship began to splinter, the deck cracking apart under the immense pressure.

FRIDA: "HOLD ON TIGHT, DEARS!"

FĒNG: "WHA-! THE SHIP!" Fēng stops trying to summon his wind as the ship deteriorates even more.

And then, with a final bone-shattering crack, their ship, the Sea Serpent was no more. It had broke apart completely, and Zaya was plunged into the ocean depths.

FĒNG: "LADY ZAYAAAAA!!!!!" Fēng tried to reach out to the woman but fails once more.

Why.
Why does this happen to me, Fēng thought.
First my father.. and now HER?

As Zaya sank, Penillea tried swimming to her aid but both of their bodies weakened and gave up on themselves. Her vision began to blur as she felt her consciousness slipping away. Just before that however, she saw something in the darkness other than Zaya. A massive, shadowy figure moving with the currents. It was enormous, with a serpentine body and eyes that glowed an eerie green.

The creature was unmistakable. It was Umberlee herself, the Bitch Queen of the Sea. Her malevolent gaze fixed upon the intruders who had dared to challenge her domain.

With a final, monstrous surge, the whirlpool closed in around them, and everything went black. The sea claimed the travelers, pulling them into its cold embrace, where the only light was the flicker of the goddess's cruel eyes in the dark.