Michrinor: The Fates of The Heirs

Chapter 25 - Kinginsel Vessel

Lake Mor held its own perils, and those dangers were about to make themselves known as Ava and the Momos neared the trading vessel. As they drew close enough to hail the ship, Meepat called out, hoping the travelers would welcome them rather than prove hostile. But the only response was silence.

Fearing that Meepat's voice hadn't carried far enough, Lundas, whose eyes were beginning to dim back to their normal color, shouted as well. Ava scanned the edge of the ship for any sign of life, her heart thudding in her chest, but all she heard was the relentless slap of water against the hull.

Their small boat bumped against the ship's side, and they quickly pulled themselves up the rope ladder mounted to the vessel. Meepat paused to tie their boat securely to a protruding nail, muttering, "That little boat might be our only way out if things go wrong." Then he scrambled up after the others.

Once on deck, they were met with an eerie stillness. The wide expanse of the ship was deserted—no guards, no sailors, no captain. Ava's breath caught in her throat. "Where is everyone?" she whispered, her voice tight with unease. "Do they all sleep at night?"

"No," Meepat replied, his eyes darting from shadow to shadow. "On ships like this, there are always men on watch, guarding against danger. When they dock near Kemnton, we see them awake at all hours." His gaze swept over the strewn ropes, overturned buckets, and abandoned swords. The ship looked as though it had been deserted in haste, and the unease that had been growing in Ava's chest twisted into fear.

Lundas' voice broke the tense silence. "We should check below deck," he suggested. "Maybe they're down there. Perhaps they need our help."

Ava nodded, and the three of them moved cautiously toward the rear of the ship, weaving through the scattered debris. Every step was accompanied by the creak of old wood, the sound echoing in the unsettling quiet. They reached the stairs leading down to two doors, and Ava hesitated for a moment, taking a steadying breath. Together, they descended into the bowels of the ship.

At the bottom, they found the doors barricaded with barrels and planks of wood, as if something—or someone—had tried to seal whatever lay beyond. They exchanged nervous glances but wasted no time in clearing the obstacles, their hands working rapidly despite the growing sense of dread.

Ava grasped the handle, her hand trembling as she turned it. The door creaked open, revealing only darkness within. She stepped forward, and the Momos flanked her on either side, ready for whatever might await them below deck.

The door swung open with a resounding crash, striking the wall of the stairway and causing all three to jump in alarm. The darkness beyond seemed to thicken, as if it could swallow them whole. As they hesitated on the threshold, faint noises echoed from deeper within—footsteps, whispers, the scrape of something dragging across the floor. Suddenly, a shadowed figure burst from the gloom, shoving them aside as it fled to the upper deck. Ava gasped as she struck her head against the wall, her vision blurring momentarily. Before she could recover, more shapes followed, surging past them in a panicked rush.

In the dim light, Ava caught glimpses of the fleeing men. Dark mists clung to them, shifting and swirling with a malevolent will of their own. The crew thrashed and swung at the shadows, some running in terror, others rooted to the spot, their faces contorted in silent screams. Ava's heart pounded in her chest as she heard Lundas whisper in a voice edged with fear, "Copheles."

Meepat stood frozen, his wide eyes reflecting the terror in Ava's own. She felt a wave of dread wash over her, unsure of what to do. The sight of the men being overwhelmed by the dark entities paralyzed her.

Suddenly, Lundas grabbed Meepat and Ava, pulling them back into the darkness below deck. They stumbled down the stairs, the oppressive silence of the lower levels almost a relief from the chaos above. "What were those things?" Ava whispered urgently, her voice trembling.