The Ice Crystal (Published)

Chapter 37

At least Dogen listened to us instead of listening to Lucian. I really don't trust that guy. He's just off. There isn't anything right with him at all. Dogen raises the anchor and the ship backs out of the port. Even with the beast roaming the lake, merchant ships are still passing through the lake and into the harbor. It takes some guts to go through a beast this size. The way Dogen is describing it, it doesn't sound friendly whatsoever. Already, hundreds of people have fallen victim to it and hasn't stopped yet.

Debri begins to litter the lake as we leave the sight of the harbor. I hate going behind people's back, but if it's to save the world, I'll make an exception. It is a beautiful day. Too bad it's going to be ruined by fighting a giant monster. The wind smells nice and the ship is going at a decent pace despite its great size.

"The beast roams the pointed stones out there." Dogen points out towards the center of the lake, "That's where most of the ships pass through the lake. We'll make our stand there."

"How long will it take us?" I ask, "How dangerous is this monster?"

"Depends if we'll win." He gives out a hearty laugh, "Don't worry about us, the ship is the strongest ever built. The monster huh? I've only seen it once before. It's been roaming this here lake for years, but only now has decided to make an appearance and kill. It's been named the Kaiser. It's a powerful water dragon that can summon storms with its roar. It's supposed to protect the city from strong winds, storms, and evil, but lately it hasn't been doing that. Something is going on with it and we need to put a stop to it."

"Have you heard about it Myriani?" I turn to her, but her gaze is fixed on the deck of the ship and she doesn't look good, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Her voice is shaky as she grips the side of the ship, "Just not used to riding on a ship is all."

"Ahhh you'll used to it!" Dogen playfully punches Myriani in the shoulder and nearly hits her to the ground, "Sorry bout that missy."

"Do that again and you won't have a head!" She says coldly.

"I hear ya loud and clear." He backs away slowly, "I'll just go and check on the rest crew. You guys do what you want."

"You sure you're alright?" I scoot next to her, "We can go back to the room and rest. I'm sure that it'll be a while before we reach the monster."

"That sounds nice." she says as I take her hand, "You look like you're not used to the ship either."

I stop in my tracks. Seems she's right. I am a little dizzy and my stomach is queezy. If we're to fight the monster while on the ship, it's going to be a long fight.

"A little bit." I laugh, "Nothing gets past you does it?"

"N-" She stops suddenly and then looks out towards the lake, "It's here."

"Kaiser?" I scan the lake, "Are you sure?"

"My senses never fail me."

Before anything else can be said, the ship lurches to the side and a shadow appears below the ship. Wood flies into the air as Kaiser lunges through the ship. It instantly begins to take on water. I thought this ship is unbeatable? Out things and the Ice Crystal! I leave Myriani standing where she is and head down to the cabins. Already, the water is flooding the corridors and the rest of the crew is running around getting ready for battle. I reach our cabin and find that it's already underwater. I dive under the water and swim through the destroyed door. I search breathlessly for our bags. I don't find them, but I find the Ice Crystal hanging on the bed post. I swim over to it and put the Ice Crystal around my neck. Instantly, I could breath. It's protecting me. I search around the room for anymore of our stuff and manage to find Myriani's twin daggers.

I get back to the doorway and finally take a breath of air. I don't know what I'd do without the Ice Crystal. Well the world would turn to shit and chaos will take over leaving peace behind. Myriani manages to catch up to me and I hand her the daggers.

"So," Lucian appears from a corner, "the chosen one is here huh? Wait till Dogen hears this!"

"You little rat!" I unsheathe Artenagon, "I'll deal with you first and then take out Kaiser!"

"You're no match for me!" His voice changes, "I am Matorra user of the forbidden nature spells. I work under my master Nefal! Let's set aside our differences for now until this monster is defeated. I too want to live and save this city."

I thought something was off. Matorra huh? I've heard that name before. My father said it once before mother took me away. I've also read about his heinous crimes that he pulled off. He tried to overthrow the world's balance and created massive storms that nearly tore Argostia apart. He was captured by Clia before he could do any real damage.

"Fine," I sheathe Artenagon, "we'll finish this later. For now we're allies even though I hate to say it. I'll let you live for now."

"Sadly it will be you who will die!" He blasts the me and Myriani with a wave of magic and throws us through the ship's wall and out into the water. I grab Myriani and swim back to the surface and turn back to the ship, "Good luck monster food!" He repairs the holes in the ship and the ship continues on its merry way blasting it's cannons at the water.

I hear a deafening roar and turn around to see a giant fin racing towards me. It dives under the water and underneath us. I unsheathe Artenagon and dive underwater. The only way to kill this thing is underwater. I use whatever magic I have and pool it into the Ice Crystal. If it made me breathe underwater once, it can do it again. I struggle for a few moments as the magic takes effect. I take a deep breath and look around. Teeth clamp around my backside before I knew it. I scream out in agony as Kaiser's teeth dig into me. I take Artenagon and stab Kaiser in the face. His jaws unleash me and I turn and face the monster face to face. For a giant monster, it didn't try to kill me. It shakes it's bloody head and charges towards me. I hold my arms up as a shield and the bracelet begins to glow softly. I feel pain shoot up my left arm and into my head as Kaiser gets closer. It then stops suddenly in front of me. The bracelet must've drained its energy. It opens its eyes slowly and stares at me with a blank expression. I hold out my hand to it and it touches it with its nose.

Promise to stop killing these people?

It growls softly and slowly swims off. I smile at my victory and swim back to the surface. I emerge from the depths and a scared Myriani hugs me and kisses me on the lips.

"You were down there so long!" She says in between kisses, "I got so worried!"

"I'm fine." I close my eyes as we hug, "It won't kill anybody else ever again."

"What did you do?" Myriani asks.

"The bracelet tooks its energy and it just stopped." I tell her, "I didn't have to kill it. It'll continue to protect this area from dangers."

"Now we have-"

"Matorra to deal with." I look towards the ship with determination, "He'll fall just like all the others!"

"Right!" Myriani shares my determination, "We'll win and continue down our path!