The Cobra King's Return

The fishing adventure end

As Demashi slumped from sheer exhaustion, the soldier stationed nearby caught him just before he hit the deck. The soldier carefully carried him to his bed, ensuring Demashi was comfortable before returning to the wheel. Taking command of the ship, he kept his focus on navigating through the storm brewing ahead.

Lightning split the night sky, illuminating the black clouds that billowed and churned above. The ocean roared with a ferocity that matched the heavens, massive whirlpools forming amidst towering waves. Tornadoes spiraled in the distance, threatening to close in. The soldier gritted his teeth, gripping the wheel with white knuckles as he maneuvered the ship through the chaos.

The violent noise roused the crew from their fitful rest. Elias and Yumine stumbled onto the deck, their bodies heavily bandaged but their determination unshaken. Elias took the wheel from the soldier, his eyes narrowing at the tumult ahead. "Get everyone ready. We're not dying here," he growled.

The soldier nodded, calling out, "Everyone! Your powers are back! We've crossed out of the Bermuda!"

Yumine, despite her fatigue and injuries, stepped to the edge of the ship and raised her arms. Channeling her water powers, she created barriers to shield the ship from the crushing waves and redirected the deadly whirlpools. Meanwhile, Peti and Hokori emerged from below deck, their faces set with resolve.

Hokori unleashed his powers, brightening the darkened sky and cutting through the dense mist with a radiant glow, giving the crew much-needed visibility. Peti, tapping into his reality-altering abilities, diverted the destructive lightning bolts, ensuring they struck harmlessly into the sea instead of the ship. The flashes of light painted the stormy sky with eerie beauty, but the battle for survival was far from over.

Demashi and the soldier worked tirelessly to secure the ship's sails, ensuring the vessel remained stable against the battering winds. The soldier barked out instructions, his experience shining through as he coordinated efforts with unwavering calm.

Hours passed in the relentless storm, each crew member pushing themselves to their limits. At the break of dawn, the raging elements finally began to subside. The first golden rays of sunlight pierced through the dissipating clouds, reflecting on the now-calm sea. The battered ship sailed forward, victorious but at a cost. One by one, the crew collapsed on the deck from sheer exhaustion, their injuries and efforts finally catching up to them.

Only the soldier remained standing, his resolve and training keeping him alert. He carefully carried each crewmember to their quarters, ensuring they were safely tucked away. Taking the wheel once more, he guided the ship into the port. When they arrived, he expertly docked the vessel, securing it in place before allowing himself a rare moment of relief.

When Peti woke, he immediately noticed the emptiness beside him. Poci wasn't there. He sighed heavily, missing her familiar presence—her tiny weight on his chest, the ticklish sensation of her licking his nose to wake him, or even the times she nearly choked him by sleeping on his neck. Feeling an ache in his chest, he got up and walked to the deck. As he stepped outside, the realization struck him—they were at the port. They'd made it.

A mix of relief and disbelief flooded Peti's mind. "We survived..." he murmured.

The soldier, who had been quietly observing him, approached. "You've got a good team," he said with a faint smile.

Peti shook his head, brushing off the compliment. "I've had better," he muttered, turning to walk away.

Before he could leave, the soldier called after him, "Don't you want to know about Poci?"

Peti froze and turned back sharply. "What about her?" he asked, his voice laced with urgency.

The soldier grinned slightly. "She's fine. The helicopter reached the hospital before we left the Bermuda. She got her powers back. And..." He paused for effect. "She managed to speak again. Even shifted into her catgirl form."