Post by Hayate on Mar 30, 2009 20:07:26 GMT -5
Tales of the Epitaph
Chapter 7: The Twilight Sea
~ Breg Epona Marina, Kingdom of Lumina Cloth ~
~ Jinnday, Gorre-Lunae 21, AC2038 ~
*upon arriving at the marina, Kazuto, Ren, Shiro, and Saber are greeted by the sight of multiple docked ships*
Shiro: Ah, the marina. The only place in the world where Mac Anu fishermen and Lumina Cloth sea captains can come together and be as brothers.
Ren: I wonder if this friend of Professor Uzuki’s is here.
Kazuto: …Are you feeling alright, Ren?
Ren: *sigh* I told you, Kazu, I’m fine. I fully understand the position I’m in, and that we should make haste, but worrying over me nonstop is unproductive. Let’s just find Professor Uzuki’s captain friend and be on our way.
*as they explore the marina, Kazuto and company approach a burly deckhand*
Saber: Excuse me. Do you know where we might find the captain of the S.S. Merrows?
Deckhand: The “Merrows”, eh? You must be talkin’ about Cap’n Ciel then. *points towards the ship* He’s up on the deck. …Though I doubt he’s in much of a mood for visitors.
All: …?
*walking onto the deck of the ship, the group finds several more deckhands handling heavy naval supplies and making repairs*
Kazuto: This ship looks like it just passed straight through a hurricane…!
Shiro: …A very angry hurricane…
*over on the starboard side of the ship, the party notices a boy no older than 13; he had long brown hair and wore a large pirate hat; Kazuto and company approach the boy*
Shiro: Hey, kid. We’re looking for Captain Ciel -- you know where he is?
Kid: What do you want the captain for?
Ren: We require transport to the southeast.
Kid: Southeast? Nothin’ out that way ‘cept a big waterfall.
Saber: It’s…an urgent matter.
Kid: Yeah? Well, it don’t matter how urgent your business southeast is; the captain don’t just give out free trips across the sea.
Kazuto: But…if we could just tell Captain Ciel our story, maybe he’d…!
Kid: The captain don’t have time for the ramblings-on of a bunch o’ tadpoles… Now get lost.
Shiro: Hey! Who do you think you are, kid!?
Saber: That’s enough, Shiro. …Young man…is something troubling Captain Ciel?
Kid: Tch! If that ain’t the understatement of the year! ‘Cuz of all the storms and monster attacks at sea, the captain’s lost three ships AND the faith and loyalty of his crew! What kind of captain lets stuff like that get the better of him time after time!? He’s the “Shark of Lumina Cloth”, for cryin’ out loud!
Saber: …Even the best of captains are given obstacles that they must get over. But it’s their ability to face up to those obstacles and not run away from them that truly prove their mettle. And even when they’ve given up all hope, they should trust that their crew will not lose faith in the captain who leads them.
Kid: …Hmph. Pretty words, girl, but that’s all they are.
Ren: …
Kazuto: … *sigh* Forget it. Let’s just find Captain Ciel and talk to him personally.
Saber: No need.
Shiro: Hmm?
Saber: …He’s standing right in front of us.
All: …
Kazuto/Shiro: …WHAAAAAT?!?!?
Shiro: This pipsqueak’s the captain’s of the S.S. Merrows!?
Ciel: *eye twitches* Who are you callin’ a pipsqueak, whitey!? I’m one of the highest acclaimed sea captains in Lumina Cloth history, I’ll have you know! I’ve commandeered dozens of army ships for the sake of the Emperor and Empress!
Ren: Wow… That’s remarkable for one so young…
Ciel: *sigh* …A lot good it does me if I can’t get past a bunch of damn sea monsters and thunderstorms…
Kazuto: …Is it really that bad out there?
Ciel: *crosses arms* The south seas are usually so calm too. I dunno what’s causin’ it all. …So why are y’all trying to go out that way anyways?
All: …
*over the course of the next several minutes, Kazuto and company explains to Ciel the events that had transpired in Breg Epona the previous day: Hartz’ attack on the city, Ren’s affliction with AIDA Toxicosis, and their seeking out the Elves*
Ciel: …Wow. That’s quite a tale. Nice to hear Citan’s doin’ well though. But seeking out the Elves… I doubt they’ll be greetin’ us with open arms…
Kazuto: We still have to try…! If there’s even the slightest chance we’ll pull it off, I’ll take it…!
Ciel: Heh. I like your spunk, blondie. …But spunk only goes so far… Spunk alone ain’t gonna get us past the turmoil that awaits out at sea…
Shiro: We can do it. Not to brag or anything, but we’re pretty accomplished fighters. And besides, nothing’s too big for the “Shark of Lumina Cloth” to handle, right? *wink*
Ciel: …Hehehe… HAHAHAHA!!! Citan, ol’ boy, you’ve got the strangest taste in friends! …What the hell am I doin’ here, sulkin’ like a babe…? I ain’t the type to be sittin’ around feelin’ sorry for myself!
*walking over to the center of the ship, Ciel jumps up and plants his feet on the mainsail, looking down at his crew below*
Ciel: LISTEN UP, BOYS!!!
*at the sound of their captain’s booming voice, the members of the crew gaze up at Ciel*
Ciel: Your good ol’ Captain Ciel’s just gotten his second wind! I’m back with a vengeance!
Crew: *cheers loudly*
Ciel: Hope you’re ready for the final round, ‘cuz we set sail on the hour! And this time, we’ll show that hell-sent storm what for! For we are…
Crew: The Arc-en-Ciel!
Ciel: I can’t hear you!
Crew: THE ARC-EN-CIEL!!!
Ciel: Again! Make the gods themselves tremble with fear at the sound of our name!
Crew: THE ARC-EN-CIEL!!!!!
Ciel: HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Saber: Kinda gets your blood pumping, doesn’t it?
Kazuto: Heh. That’s for sure.
~ Atrum Neux Headquarters ~
*through the front door of the building enters a girl with short orange hair and a voluptuous figure*
: …I’m back…*inside, Beatrice and Kyuzo are seen looking at a map of the world; on the map, several pins indicate the movement of Kazuto and his friends*
Kyuzo: Huh? *looks back at orange-haired girl* Well, well, if it isn’t ‘ninja girl’. You sure took your sweet time getting back. Off visiting that poor-as-hell village of yours, I take it?
: Oh, shut up, Kyuzo! Don’t forget that I can roast you using only my fingertips!Kyuzo: *derisively* Ooh… Scary…
Beatrice: *rests hands on hips* Trouble with the Crystal Hill job, ‘Momo?
“Momo”: *sigh* Damn snow-loving freaks snuck up on me while I wasn’t looking. *glances around* …Where is everyone?
Beatrice: Hmph. Hell if I know. Hartz is off Aura-knows-where doing Aura-knows-what. Must still be ticked about that Gadelican girl. And Nao-Nao is out with Li’l Mitzi.
“Momo”: *shrugs shoulders* Whatever. Did the client’s payment for the Crystal Hill job come in yet?
*reaching into her pocket, Beatrice pulls out a bundle of paper money*
Beatrice: Got here just before you did.
*“Momo” reaches out to take the money, but Beatrice pulls her hand back at the last minute*
Beatrice: Not so fast there, sugar.
“Momo”: Hmm? What is it?
Beatrice: I need ya to do a little something for me first. … ‘Member our little friend Prince Kazuto?
“Momo”: …We’ve been over this, Beatrice.
Beatrice: Now, now, just hear me out--
“Momo”: No! I told you already, I’m not killing people! Monster extermination, item delivery – I only take on jobs like that!
Beatrice: I know, I know! But the situation’s changed! We got until the end of the month, and this guy keeps managing to slip through our fingers! I wouldn’t even be asking if I wasn’t so freakin’ pissed off!
“Momo”: …The answer’s still no, Beatrice. Now hand over my pay.
Beatrice: …Hmm… No.
“Momo”: Excuse me…!?
Beatrice: I’ll make ya a deal, ‘Momo. You do this one thing for me -- find Prince Kazu and kill him -- and not only will I give you your pay for the Crystal Hill job; I’ll triple it!
“Momo”: !!!
Beatrice: …But refuse…and I’m seizing this and all your future job pay for myself.
“Momo”: *gasp* Y-You can’t do that! You have no right! I’m taking all the jobs you and your homicidal followers don’t even bother to look at! I earned that 5 grand!
Beatrice: Three years it’s been, and you still have no idea what it means to be a mercenary, do you…?
“Momo”: …I… I’m not…
Beatrice: C’mon, it’s the easiest decision in the world. A single human life? Or an entire village? …What’s it gonna be, Sumomo?
Sumomo: …
Beatrice: …Before breaking communications, Hartz said the prince and his little marching band were heading southeast from Breg Epona, across the Crimson Sea. Don’t let me down now, ‘kay?
Sumomo: …Yes, ma’am…
*clasping her hands together to form a seal, Sumomo vanishes in a puff of smoke*
Kyuzo: Hehehe. That was pretty cold, even for you, old hag.
Beatrice: Heh. Don’t worry, she’ll come around to seeing things my way eventually. It’s just a matter of…nudging her in the right direction…
~ S.S. Twilight, on the Crimson Sea ~
*several minutes after the ship shoves off from the marina, it makes its way southeast; Kazuto, Shiro, Ren, and Saber emerge from below deck and walk out onto the main deck*
Shiro: *whistles* Sure is a fancy ship you got here, Captain Ciel.
Ciel: A real beauty, ain’t she? The S.S. Twilight’s the finest ship I got. My pride and joy. So when we reach the turbulent waters down south, I’ll be countin’ on ya to keep her together!
Saber: We won’t let you down, Captain.
Ciel: …
*gazing ahead, Ciel spots several rolling clouds of thunder in the distance*
Ciel: …I’ve lost three ships to them wretched rapids… I won’t be losin’ another…
*a little over a day passes by; Ciel continues to convey orders to his crew, and Shiro and Saber rest below deck; on the main deck, Ren gazes out towards the water from the bow of the ship; her hair sways gently in the breeze*
Ren: …
*moments later, Kazuto approaches from behind*
Kazuto: …Hey.
Ren: *looks back at Kazuto* …Oh. H-Hello, Kazu.
Kazuto: How are you holding up?
Ren: …I apologize for worrying you. If not for my condition--
Kazuto: Stop. It was ‘cuz of my stupid actions that you were…
Ren: …Kazu…
Kazuto: …I know you tell me not to worry, Ren, but I have to. Worrying is the only thing keeping me going right now. And I’ll keep on worrying…until you’re better…
Ren: … *blush* …Heh… Hehehe…
Kazuto: W-What? What’s so funny?
Ren: It’s nothing. *turns to face the sea* …Thank you, Kazu. Actually…now that you mention it, I am feeling…a little cold…
Kazuto: …
Citan: …an irregular body temperature…
*glancing at Ren’s hand, Kazuto moves closer and rests his hand on it*
Kazuto: How’s that?
Ren: …I’d like to say “much better”, but…
Kazuto: …!!!
Citan: …numbness -- even partial paralysis…
Kazuto: …You can’t…feel anything…?
Ren: …I’m sorry…
Kazuto: …
*just then, the ship starts to shake as it approaches the stormy parts of the sea*
Kazuto: W-What the!?
*in response to the violent shaking, Shiro and Saber emerge from below deck*
Shiro: What’s happening!?
Crewman: Thunderstorms dead ahead!
Ciel: Alright, this is it! All hands on deck! It’s “do or die” time!
*as the ship sails through the stormy waters, powerful waves and currents crash against it from all sides; Kazuto, Shiro, Ren, and Saber, Ciel, and the Arc-en-Ciel crew struggle to keep the ship together as it sails*
Ciel: Keep it together, men! No one commands this ship but me -- not even Mother Nature herself!
Kazuto: Grrrr…! Come on…!
Ciel: Mr. Shiro! Are the lifelines secured!?
Shiro: And…there! Lifelines secured, captain!
Ciel: Good man! Miss Saber, the sails!
Saber: Sails are still holding strong, captain!
*as another current crashes against the ship…*
All: WHOA…!!!
Ren: Aah!
*…Ren goes flying and collides with the wooden paneling of the ship’s port side edge*
Ren: Oof!
Shiro: Ren!
Ren: I-I’m alright! Don’t worry!
Ciel: C’mon, “Twilight”, ol’ gal…! You can do it…!
Crewman: C-Captain! They’ve come!
Ciel: What!?
*all of a sudden, strange grotesque creatures with fish-like characteristics are seen leaping from the water and onto the deck of the ship; their eyes give off a menacing purple glow*
Kazuto: W-What the hell are those things!?
Ciel: …Piscosapiens… Fish-man crossbreeds…
*the fish-man creatures begin to march menacingly towards the crew*
Saber: They approach! *draws broadsword*
Kazuto: But…the ship…!
Ciel: Go! Leave the Twilight to my crew!
Shiro: Captain…!?
Ciel: Ya said you were accomplished fighters, didn’t ya? Well, now’s the time to prove it! Get those abominations off o’ my ship!
Kazuto: …Right! Leave it to us!
*before the Piscosapiens could advance any further, Kazuto, Shiro, Ren, and Saber confront them; in the face of the party, the Piscosapiens let out a fierce warbling wail*
Shiro: *draws dual swords* Let’s handle this quickly before I get any MORE seasick!
*there on the shaky S.S. Twilight, Kazuto’s party and the enemy fish-men do battle; the Piscosapiens weren’t necessarily a threat, but what they lacked in power they made up in numbers; as the battle progresses, more and more Piscosapiens emerge from the water and jump onto the deck*
Saber: They just keep coming!
Ren: Zan Rom!
*with a strong gust of wind, Ren blows several of the fish-men clear off the ship*
Ren: We can’t keep this up for much-- *deep gasp*
*just then, Ren has another violent cough attack and collapses to her knees; the AIDA Toxicosis’ black splotches had now progressed to her arms*
Kazuto: Ren!!!
Ren: * rasping* I… I can’t… *cough harshly*
Kazuto: (Dammit…! We’re running out of time…!)
*suddenly, the ship starts to teeter back and forth*
Shiro: Now what!?
*over the side of the ship, the party notices the Piscosapiens continuously shoving their body weight against the ship’s side*
Saber: They’re trying to capsize us!
*just then, the Piscosapiens flee underwater as they’re barraged by Fire-based magic; a few feet away, Ren is seen grasping her staff*
Ren: *panting heavily*
*however, the Piscosapiens return shortly and continue shaking the ship from side to side*
Kazuto: W-Whoa!
*the shaking becomes so great that Kazuto is thrown over the edge of the ship and into the water*
All: KAZU!!!
Ciel: MAN OVERBOARD!!!
*under the surface of the water, Kazuto’s body slowly drifts towards the seafloor*
Kazuto: …
*moments later, he’s stirred conscious by a bright light*
Kazuto: (…Huh…?)
*opening his eyes, Kazuto looks towards a purplish light emanating from near the seafloor; swimming towards it, Kazuto determines the light to be coming from a large glowing orb*
Kazuto: (What is this thing…? …!!!)
*the sound of swishing water causes Kazuto to go on the defensive; turning around, he notices dozens of Piscosapiens surrounding him*
Kazuto: (Oh, crap!)
*as the fish-men converge upon Kazuto, he draws his sword and defends himself, but the creatures -- with their sheer number -- push him back towards the purple orb*
Kazuto: (Dammit! I can’t take these guys on my own, especially underwater!)
*the fish-men take a momentary pause before charging in towards Kazuto again, but they immediately stop once Kazuto holds the orb in front of him as a shield*
Piscosapiens: …
Kazuto: (…They’re not attacking… Just what is this orb…?)
*upon closer inspection of the Piscosapiens, Kazuto discovers that their eyes glowed the same color as the orb in his hand*
Kazuto: (It’s…controlling them…!)
*with a fierce wail, the Piscosapiens converge upon Kazuto once more; thinking quickly, Kazuto lifts the orb above his head, draws his sword, and…*
Kazuto: HYAAAAAH!!!!!
*…shatters the orb into thousands of fragments*
Piscosapiens: !!!
*the clash of energies resulting from Kazuto’s action generates a powerful outgoing shockwave that blows everything surrounding it away*
Kazuto: AAAAHHHH!!!!
*the immense power of the blast causes Kazuto to lose consciousness yet again, a short time later…*
Kazu!
Kazuto: …
Wake up, Kazu!
Kazuto: …
KAZU!!!
*awakened by the sound of a nearby voice, Kazuto slowly opens his eyes*
Kazuto: …Ugh…
: *gasp* Look! He’s coming to!*upon completely opening his eyes, Kazuto finds Ren, Shiro, Saber, Ciel, and several members of the Arc-en-Ciel crew gathered around him*
Saber: Sir Kazuto!
Ciel: Welcome back to the world of the living, boyo!
Kazuto: …Everyone… Wha…What happened?
Shiro: It was the most bizarre thing. Not too long after you fell overboard, the storms stopped and the Piscosapiens all left.
Kazuto: (…So that weird orb I found in the water was controlling the Piscosapiens…)
Ren: …Thank Aura…
Kazuto: Ren?
Ren: I was…so worried about you, Kazu… I was afraid that you…t-that you were…
Kazuto: …Ren… *blush*
Ciel: Well, this is a sight, isn’t it? The storms have passed, and my ship’s still in one piece! All’s well that ends well, eh? Hahaha!
Crewman: Captain Ciel! Something on the horizon!
*running up to the bow of the ship, Ciel glances at the distance through a spyglass; his vision rests upon a circular waterfall that sloped downward*
Ciel: Hah! There it is! We’re almost to the Elven city!
*as the S.S. Twilight sails in the direction of the falls, a small wooden boat is seen tailing it; Sumomo can be seen standing in the boat*
Sumomo: …
Beatrice: A single human life…? Or an entire village…? Don’t let me down now, ‘kay…?
Sumomo: …More people are…gonna hate me…aren’t they…?
TO BE CONTINUED…
