Eterna

~Chapter 22~ The Sea of Death: Road to the Underworld Part 2

The Sea of Death; Those words lodged themselves in the minds of Roxy and the others. Not only could they see the looming sea on the horizon, but they could feel the negative energy begin to engulf them. An overwhelming feeling of dread.

Below deck, the effects were the same.

"I can't sleep." Kalu groaned as she tossed and turned in her hammock.

"Just try. We'll be on dry land before you know it." Sera smiled as she sat at the end of her bunk.

Kalu scoffed. "I feel sick. Your sweet talk isn't helping either."

"Kalu!" Sera looked shocked. "Don't speak to me that way!"

Kalu slumped over in her hammock without a response.

"You told her." Cackled Harley. "You have a way with kids."

Sera glared at her and rolled her eyes.

"I didn't ask for this. No one did!" Sera snapped.

Payne, making her way down the stairs, heard the commotion.

"You asked for the unknown when you volunteered to join us on our journey." Payne cracked her neck and sat on the bottom bunk across from Sera. 

"I know, I just wish things could have run more smoothly."

"They could have, but what adventure worth the thrill runs smoothly?" Harley interjected. "It's not worth it without the thrills and excitement. It's not even worth being called an adventure."

Sera smiled. "Yes, I did always wish for an adventure. I should be thankful it was with a group of such dedicated companions."

"I hate to break it to you." Payne began. "But once we reach the Deadlands, things are going to get worse. There's not a soul in the Deadlands that will hesitate to kill any of us. So I'd suggest you all be on your guard."

Sera nodded. "Such a detestable place. I can feel the suffering already."

Roxy watched as Reuben gripped the wheel, steadily steering the ship into the even darker waters. 

"Be careful." She whispered.

He only offered a nod, his eyes glued to the sea. 

As the ship pushed forward, the smell of rot began to rise from the waters.

"What is that awful stench?" Devon covered his mouth and nose. "It smells of decay."

Reuben wrinkled his face. "Try having animal-like senses and having to breathe in this nasty stink."

Roxy grimaced. "It's the Sea of Death. Not only does it prove to be deadly, but it smells putrid as a rotting corpse. Congratulations ladies, we've made it to the Deadlands."

I covered my face with a black scarf as I made my way into Deadland territory. The smell of corpses and the feeling of doom increased as I approached my first landmark. A small, abandoned village that was said to store the spirits of the travelers who died within it. I was close to the seaside village of A'makar, the only village in the Deadlands that still ran smoothly. It was occupied by demons and dark beings that chose to follow the Darklord's reign. I decided to stop off in the ruined village and make a plan for myself. I couldn't just stroll through A'makar and demand a boat to take me to Dead Isle. I sat amidst the ruined homes and laid my sword across my lap. I would easily blend in with the dark beings of A'makar, but I still had to think of a way to get across the water.