Into The Unown

The Fight

There was something peculiar about the night sky which made their stomach queasy with nausea. The three of them quietly crept on the deck of the Paiekend island cruise ship, vary of the guards on the duty, but surprisingly they found none.

Ash pointed toward a small rescue boat tied to the side of the ship. "That's our way out. Small, quiet, and no one will notice it missing until morning."

"Great, let's get moving before the guards make their rounds," Gary said, crouching to pick the lock securing the boat.

Ash glanced at Serena, who leaned heavily against the wall, her face pale, her breaths uneven. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, his voice low with concern.

"I'm fine," Serena replied, her words trembling. She forced a weak smile, but Ash wasn't convinced. "Hey, don't you think it's weird for a cruise ship to have just one boat?"

"Orre doesn't have any safety regulations. We're lucky we found one." Gary said, putting her mind at ease. He snapped open the lock in his hand. "Got it. Let's go."

As Gary began lowering the boat, Serena reached out to help, but Ash stepped in, gently pulling her hand away.

Together, Ash and Gary pushed the boat into the water and three climbed aboard along with their luggage. Ash pulled its string, spurting the engine sputtered to life, its violent movements breaking the tranquility of the serene sea.

Though the journey across the sea seemed quiet, there was a ranging storm inside their heads. Ash sat close to Serena, his eyes remained constantly etched on her, watching her every move. It wasn't until she leaned against the side of the boat, resting her head on her knees that he spoke up.

"You're really not okay," Ash said.

Serena opened her eyes, her voice weak but steady. "I'm just seasick. I'll be fine once we reach land."

Ash frowned but didn't argue. Instead, he reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "If it gets worse, just tell us, okay?"

Serena managed a faint smile. "You worry too much."

"I have to," Ash replied, his voice soft.

Gary cleared his throat from the front of the boat. "You two are acting like I'm not here."

Ash chuckled awkwardly, and Serena let out a weak laugh. For a brief moment, it felt like everything was going according to their plan, in an hour or two they would reach the island and from there on it was a steady track to the city of Okera. But their peace was short lived, soon broken by the sound of another engine humming to life.

Ash head snapped up, his eyes darkened as he picked up his binoculars, starting into the dear distance. "We've got company."

There were two motorboats speeding toward them, though their shapes barely visible.

"Gary," Ash said. His expression darkening, "Run."

Gary clicked his tongue, increasing the speed of the motor boat. "That attack was a ruse, it was their plan to drive us off the cruise," he muttered, throating three oars towards Ash and Serena. "We might need them."

Ash and Gary stood up, positioning themselves between Serena and the approaching boats. "Stay down," he told her firmly.

Gary tried his best to widen the gap between them, but they found themselves cornered when two motor boats approached from either directions, closing the gap between them.

Two assassins from one of the boats leapt aboard, making the boat rock in the silent sea. Blades gleaned in their hands has they made their first move. One raised their knife, directly aiming towards Serena. Ash swung his oar with a ferocious roar, knocking one of them in the water.

The second assassin lunged at Gary, who barely dodged the blade. In a frenzy he jabbed his elbow directly in his nose. In the moment that the man took to come back to his senses, Ash buried his foot in his chest, sending him sprawling in the sea.

Their relief was short lived for another motorboat circled around. With weapons in their hands the two of them braced themselves, but the assassins didn't make the mistake of jumping aboard. They readied their crossbows—before Ash could have said duck, arrows whizzed towards the two, narrowly missing the three, unfortunately, one of them punctured the boat.

"We have to do something!" Ash cried as air whizzed out of their boats, "we won't be able to make it to Baek islands!"

Gary grinned his teeth, "I've got an idea, but I'll need time!"

"What kind of idea?" Ash asked, changing the course of another arrow aimed at Serena.

"Just cover me!" Gary barked, crouching low as he placed his hands on the boat's edge.

Ash instantly stood up, moving his oar in a circular pattern in order to deflect the rain of arrows which was showering at them. The sound of wood splintering echoed around them as Ash moved his oar with precision, giving Gary his time to prepare. Eventually he stood up, taking shelter behind him.

Gary closed his eyes, and when he opened, a static of brown energy swirled around him, just then a burst of brown lightning erupted from his hands, illuminating the night. The surge of energy crossed the sea, hitting the assassins with precision.

They cried out as the lighting stuck them, sending them tumbling into the sea. Soon after, Gary collapsed on the boat, panting like an injured animal.

Serena looked up, her eyes wide open. "What the hell was that?"

Gary smirked, his hands still sparking faintly. "You know Ash is not the only one who learned new tricks."

The sea fell silent once more with the hum of the motor boat bringing back the noise to the Orrean sea.

"That was close," Gary said, still panting and groaning. "I... I think that I... God, I'm tired."

The raven haired understood very well what he must be going through. His mother had told him very well when they first channeled the Unkowns energy about the toll it would taken on them. Borrowed magic always came at a price, their physical health was the toll to be paid.

"I'll take it from here," Ash took off his jacket, draping it over Gary's battered body, "rest." The brunet fell into a deep sleep, his deep snores breaking the silence of the sea.

Ash turned to Serena, who was still curled up in the corner. "Are you okay?"

She nodded weakly, her face still pale. "Just... tired."

Ash took her word as he wrapped tapes around the parts of the boats which leaked air. "We're almost there."

Minutes passed and then hours, as Gary and Serena lay curled up in the corner, Ash was awake, watching the night sky like a hawk. In his vicinity were oars and weapons, anything which could be used to defend themselves against oncoming danger, but it never came.

Soon enough the outline of the Baek Mountains rose from the sea. It's dark body overtaking the night sky. Ash woke the two up as their boat scraped against the rocky shore.

Gary, now awake, jumped out to tie it down, and Ash helped Serena to her feet. But as soon as she stepped onto the ground, her knees buckled.

"Serena!" Ash caught her before she hit the ground, her head resting limply against his chest.

Gary rushed to her side. "You're running a fever," he said, touching his forehead. The two of them exchanged glances, "Something is wrong."

Ash gently nudged her awake, "Hey, don't sleep, stay awake."

She hummed, but her body lay listless against his chest.

"It's must be the wound," Ash said. "That blade must've been poisoned... she was right."

Gary sank on the floor. "We need to her to a hospital... you... you know this area more than anyone. Is there anyone in this area who can—"

Ash gently shook his head. "There is no hospital, Gary. But this area... there is a settlement around this area, maybe they can help us."

Gary grabbed his arm, giving it a tight squeeze. "Let's hurry."

Ash didn't wait. He scooped Serena into his arms, holding her close. "Come on, nothing will happen to you."