Random Rainimator Stories

Jump into the Water

An accidental part two to Mermaid Azura, but Mermaid Azura doesn't have to be read before this. Accidental as in 'I never planned for a part two but here it is!'. Usually, long stories like this one would be split into multiple parts but I think I'll stop doing that?
The original concept of this was taken from Ice Massacre by Tiana Warner. Have I actually read this book? Of course not. However, on the cover for the graphic novel adaptation, one of the main characters looked like Hilda, hence the creation of this story. Other inspirations include the Goosebumps book The Werewolf of Swamp Fever and probably some other media that I've forgotten.
The title comes from the song Level Blank by liue, aka the guy who made the song Suffer With Me. Before that, the title was taken from another song called Treacherous Waters by Antti Martikainen.

The sea rolled its waves across the bank of the stone walls. Hilda watched it from the ship she had just boarded, waiting for it to set sail. The salty wind brushed through her hair, tugging, pulling. Hilda grabbed at her hair and gently pulled it down to rest on her shoulders again. The wind and her were old friends, as she liked to interpret it. It was always tagging along, always teasing her before and after a perilous journey.

"I wish you didn't have to go."

Hilda turned to the voice, tilting her head at an angle as she studied the source. She didn't want to go either, but ever since Patrick disappeared and washed ashore, bloody and unmoving, Hilda had to step in as the Frostbourne Grandmaster. It had been an abrupt and difficult change, having to adjust to the workload Patrick had and take over as leader of the Frostbourne, but she managed with the support of the Frostbourne.
Hilda stepped closer to Agatha before resting her forehead against hers. Agatha took the cue, leaning her forehead as well. The two stayed like this for a minute before Hilda pulled away and adjusted her pauldrons.
"I promise you, Aggie, that I'll be back in one piece. I've succeeded in completing Patrick's previous jobs and responsibilities. This one won't be any different," Hilda responded as she flicked her hair behind her shoulder.

A letter had recently arrived, addressed to Lord Patrick Wynter. It was an invitation to a meeting from Thaddeus, another faction leader from another continent to discuss trade between them and the Frostbourne. Usually, Thaddeus would come to the Frostbourne. However, he claimed that the war the Frostbourne was facing made it dangerous for him and his faction to travel. Instead, it was Patrick who would either send an advisor–which would sometimes be Hilda–plus a few of the footsoliders or Patrick himself who would travel to the other continent via a ship that left every 30 hours. The new arrangement for meetings between this faction suited Thaddeus. However, with Patrick's demise, Hilda felt it was most appropriate that she go herself this time around. The other faction was well aware of what happened to Patrick, considering it was their shores he washed up on. However, because the letter was still addressed to Patrick, Hilda felt it was necessary to go, just to let the other faction become familiar with who the new Frostbourne Grandmaster was.

Agatha grunted suddenly, breaking Hilda out of her thoughts. Hilda didn't say anything, merely observing the younger woman. Agatha looked up at her, meeting her eyes for a moment. Then, she let out a shaky sigh and sniffed.
"My lady, there have been reports of a strange creature lurking near the waters between this continent and the continent you are intending to travel to. This creature has specifically been spotted in waters by the route of this ship you're about to board. They say the creature has a bright blue tail 9 metres long, claws as sharp as netherite and a voice as heavenly as the gods above. I don't mean to alarm you, but I don't think this is a journey you should take until this creature is either captured, killed or disappears through other means. We may be short on soldiers, but we can afford to lose some of them, not you," Agatha muttered hastily.
Hilda caught every word despite Agatha's tone. Slowly, her hand found Agatha's shoulder, squeezing it gently in reassurance. "My dear, you underestimate my experience with creatures of the sea. I will not come back harmed. If I do, I won't be as harmed as Lord Patrick was."
Agatha immediately reacted to Hilda's last sentence, shock pulsing on her face. Then, she withdrew into thought, processing the rest of Hilda's words. A minute passed in silence before Agatha finally nodded, albeit hesitantly.
"If you're so sure, Dame," Agatha responded. Then, she looked uncertainly at Hilda, her arms shaking slightly.
Hilda could tell what Agatha wanted to do, though she understood her hesitation. Slowly, Hilda stepped forward and her arms wrapped around Agatha tightly. She heard the younger woman stifle a gasp. She felt the younger woman's own arms wrap around her back. None of them pulled away for what felt like hours.