𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 (𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞!𝐚𝐮) 𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐙

CH. 19 ~ An Acquaintance's Message

"The Royal Navy," Seonghwa sneers distastefully at the sight. Passing a silent message to Jongho through a single glance, the young battle master runs towards the Captain to deliver the message. Only Wooyoung scales down the mast leaving Yeosang up there by himself. "Go tell the others about what's going on," Woo nods at the order leaving in a hurry. Seonghwa's brow creases with worry as he peers out into the horizon when Captain bursts through his Cabin's doors.

"What in the hell is going on?" He angrily asks, stalking over to Seonghwa. When he notices the ominous feeling that's tainting the air around him, Eye-patch realizes the gravity of the situation. At this point, everyone has arrived on deck as if they had been expecting this to happen for some time already. The only one showing any real concern right now is Seonghwa as he steels worried glances in my direction. Eye-patch has taken charge of the situation shouting orders and keeping an eye of the vessel charging towards just an unbelievingly fast speed. The captain notices us standing around and he snaps for our attention. "Seonghwa, Take Sun-Mi to the sickbay and stay there. Don't leave her even for one minute. I have a feeling they know she's with us." I look at Seonghwa, panic filling every inch of my being. How did they find me this fast?

Seonghwa slides his hand in mine pulling me away from the exposed area of the main deck and to the safe cover of the sickbay. As we make our way over I can feel my heart pounding against my chest at the thought of the Royal Navy finding me. Of Sehun. My friends, risking their positions to help me. Of Taehyung as he gave his last breath all because he saved me from the death that was rightfully mine. The navy vessel is only a short way away from us when I notice the white flag being waved by a man at the front of the ship. I can't make out who it is but when I notice the man I also notice the different design of the boat along the sides and the realistic sculpture of a hippocampus on the bow. I know this boat. And it's not Eohithrian. I stop dead in my track twisting my hand out of Seonghwa's grip when I notice the large cannons being lined up at the bulwarks, waiting to be set off at the incoming ship.

"Ready your aim!" The captain shouts above the commotion onboard, still seemingly oblivious to the white flag or the sculpture at the front of the ship. I run over to Captain who's standing next to Wooyoung, whispering subtlety about the ship.

"Eye-patch! Woo!" I shout as I get near them. It stops the Captain from continuing his command for a brief moment but that's all I need. I can hear Seonghwa calling out to me to go back to him but I ignore it and press on. Both captain's head and Woo's snap in my direction as I call again.

"I would really appreciate it if you'd stop calling me that," Captain murmurs loud enough for me to hear once I arrive in front of them.

"You shouldn't be here. What's wrong?" Sincerity taints Woo's voice as he looks at me with anxious eyes. He looks over to the boat and then back at me.

"Ceasefire, please you have to listen to me, don't shoot!" I earnestly plea, looking at both Woo and Captain's befuddled reactions.

"They're Royal Navy, Sun-Mi, ROYAL NAVY. Why would we do that?" Eye-patch asks trying to reason out why I would be asking this absurd thing.

"No, they're not, look closely." I try to make him understand. "They're holding a white flag. Doesn't that mean to surrender? A-And look at the sculpture on the bow of the ship. It's not a standard Royal Navy boat. The Royal Navy carries a lion on its bow and you know that." Both men train their eyes on the approaching boat and Woo is the first to realize what I mean. When he does he becomes animated switching from foot to foot in elation.

"She's right. Hongjoong, I think right now we're facing the Bangtan soldiers!" He fumes excitedly, eyes widening like he's seen something magical just now. Captain is taken aback at Woo's statement scrutinizing the coming vessel when it dawns on him that I'm right.