"Elder Brother, have you heard about the new rumors surrounding Sullivan Camp?" she asked in a hushed voice.
"The camp on the island near Dragon's Peak, built by Sullivan himself?" he asked, seeking confirmation. Then he continued, "No, I haven't. What are these new rumors about?"
The girl hesitated before speaking once more. "Our teacher spoke about it. He said the forest surrounding the camp is haunted by phantoms. Those who venture out without the heads are found three days later, unrecognizable and covered in blood that isn't their own," she said, her voice wavering. "It's horrifying."
The boy listened carefully, his expression unreadable, then frowned slightly. "Phantoms? Those creatures from the underworld? How would they end up in that forest? Even they would get lost in such a maze," he mused before adding, "The deaths could be caused by a member of the wolf clan losing their santacha."
She nodded, gripping her sleeves. "I would love to believe that. Yet it is still terrifying. Plus, we are going to that camp soon, Elder Brother," she reminded him, her voice steadier now. "Mother said it's a chance to rank up, even though you don't need to, Asmodeus."
The boy, Asmodeus, smiled, the expression both serene and unsettling.
_________________________________________________________
A village came into view. Near the village gate stood a child with long white hair and deep red eyes, dressed in a black robe tied at the waist with a golden ribbon. A bag hung at their side.
I have a feeling my ride didn't make it here. I'll be late if I don't find another soon.
Just as the thought crossed their mind, a carriage stopped in front of them.
"Thank you, sir," they said, stepping in without hesitation.
"No problem, young miss. I saw you waiting and couldn't just leave you here," the man said with a hearty laugh. "So, where to, young miss?"
"Fuiyn ship," they replied curtly, their tone flat and unconcerned.
The man, unfazed, grinned. "That's quite a journey. How about we introduce ourselves on the way? My name's Han. I'm just a 20-year-old guy, ranked Bet. I enjoy the happy things in life. Just call me Han."
Sekka gave a slow nod, though Han couldn't see it. "My name is Sekka. I'm a 14-year-old boy, also ranked Bet. I enjoy gems. You may call me Sekka. It's a pleasure, Han."
Han fell silent for a moment before laughing awkwardly. "It seems I've made a mistake, Sekka. Your appearance could fool anyone."
Sekka smiled faintly, though Han remained unaware. "I'm used to it, so it's no bother, Han. It was never my intention to deceive."
Sensing the shift in mood, Han quickly changed the subject. "So, you like gems? Do you have a collection?"
Sekka's eyes lit up, their voice lifting with genuine excitement. "I have many. Would you like one? I recently found a lovely ruby—I could give it to you."
Caught off guard by the sudden change in tone, Han let out a surprised laugh. "Is that so, young Sekka? Then I'd be happy to take the gem as payment for the ride."
~~~~~~~~~~~ Time Skip ~~~~~~~~~~~~
A mansion stood amidst the snow, adorned with menacing white snake statues. Their bodies coiled tightly around four towering pillars, and despite the howling wind, the statues remained eerily untouched. Their carved eyes seemed to watch over the entrance with cold vigilance.
A tall, stern-looking man stepped into view. His long white hair cascaded down his back, and his golden eyes, frigid and unreadable, glimmered against the pale backdrop. His skin was clear and unblemished—a stark contrast to the heavy, dark fur coat of his commander's uniform. Around his neck hung a snake-shaped pendant, polished and gleaming like his eyes. In his arms rested a pristine white book.
The mansion never changes—always buried in snow. But the snakes... they've moved again.
As he entered, his thoughts were interrupted by the soft voice of a young servant.
"Welcome, Narain's Blessing, Master Lopeh Voaj Severus. Everyone is waiting in the meeting room. Please follow me."
Lopeh followed the servant, his gaze briefly scanning the new decorations lining the hallway.
"Preparing for the Feast of Misfortune?"
The servant nodded. "Yes, Master Adin will be hosting the feast here."
Lopeh merely nodded, his expression unreadable, and continued on.
The meeting room was dimly lit, the scent of aged wood and parchment lingering in the air. Lopeh took his seat at the head of the table, his sharp gaze sweeping over the figures before him:
A pair of siblings—both in their twenties—with short red hair and deep yellow eyes. The brother, Nikola, had slightly darker hair and a presence that was strong yet restless.
An older man in his forties—black hair, green eyes. Ulrich. Ever watchful, ever calculating.
And lastly, a man in his sixties—gray hair, eyes like burning embers. Arthur. His presence was as unwavering as the snowstorm outside.
Lopeh spoke without hesitation.
"Narain's Blessing, everyone. Since you've all received my letter, let us begin."
His tone was calm yet commanding.
"We will be leaving for Serity Island. Amidst the rumors of phantoms, one of my men reported finding a cave before I lost contact with him. He claimed to have seen a dragon."
A heavy silence filled the room. Then Uta, the younger sibling, spoke—her voice calm, yet tinged with curiosity.
"A dragon? And then you lost contact with him? On Serity Island? First phantoms, now dragons. How interesting, Severus."
Her brother, Nikola, crossed his arms. "Uta is right. The phantom rumor and now a claim of a dragon—a dragon. Dragons never leave Dragon's Peak, and they certainly won't show themselves to just anyone. As for the phantoms, they come from the underworld. If that rumor holds truth, someone has opened the gate."
A tense silence followed. Then Ulrich spoke, his voice low and cautious.
"Nikola, the only one capable of opening that gate is Adin—and right now, he's preparing for the yearly feast, as the pope of the God of Misfortune."
Nikola slammed his palm against the table and stood abruptly. "That makes it even worse, Ulrich!"
Before tension could escalate further, Uta placed a calming hand on her brother's shoulder, her grip steady.
Lopeh raised his hand, commanding silence. His gaze shifted toward Arthur.
"Arthur, what are your thoughts on this?"
Arthur looked out the window, watching snow gather across the frozen ground. His voice, rough yet steady, broke the quiet.
"There are other ways to summon phantoms into the living world—ways that should never be used. But the phantoms are not our priority. It is the dragon we must focus on. Sir Lopeh, how do you suggest we proceed?"
Lopeh's golden eyes gleamed. He had anticipated the question.
"Dragons are powerful beings. If one is truly on Serity Island, it poses a significant threat. Uta, Nikola—you will search for the lair and for my missing subordinate. Arthur, speak with the locals. Ask about their myths and legends. See if any stories mention a dragon hidden within the Maze. Ulrich—once the siblings confirm the dragon's presence, or at the very least find my subordinate—prepare the necessary sacrifices to appease it."
Uta tilted her head, her gaze sharp. "What of the phantoms? Should we be concerned?"
Lopeh shook his head. "They are a secondary concern. Focus on the dragon. If any phantoms are encountered, eliminate them swiftly. We cannot afford distractions from our goal."
His voice carried finality.
Then, Lopeh rose from his seat.
"We leave for Fuiyn's ship at Saulė's waking."
~~~~~~~~~~~End of Time Skip~~~~~~~~~
"Master Sekka, we have arrived at your destination."
Sekka gazed out the carriage window as Han spoke, then let out a soft sigh.
"I told you not to be so formal… but thank you. The second gem is for your kindness. I hope to see you again at the end of summer, Han."
As he stepped out, Sekka handed Han two large rubies.
Han's eyes widened in shock.
"You are the kind one, Master Sekka. I will use them well. Enjoy your time at the camp."
Sekka nodded in response before turning away, stepping toward the ship.
Once inside, he wandered the corridors, familiarizing himself with the vessel's layout.
This ship is enormous… Impossible to build without magic. Let alone by him alone. But there's no information about Fuiyn knowing magic
As his mind wandered, his gaze landed on two siblings with striking blue eyes and silver-gray hair. The older one's hair cascaded to his shoulders. They both wore black robes cinched at the waist with soft pink ribbons.
The Alter siblings came as well… Meaning there's a high chance that guy will be here.
With a slightly annoyed thought lingering, Sekka approached them and offered a polite bow.
"Excuse me, young masters, would you happen to know when the captain will be arriving?"
The siblings turned toward him.
"Very sorry, m'lady," the younger one began.
"But we are as clueless as you," the older one finished.
Sekka blinked in slight confusion before remembering—
Right, they're called tricksters… I must get used to that, then.
Sekka nodded.
"I see. That is a shame. Thank you." He turned to leave.
"Oh, m'lady, might you tell us your name?" the older one asked.
"In turn, we should be friends," the younger added with a grin.
Sekka hesitated.
Friends? What would they gain from that?
Glancing back, he bowed once more. "My name is Sekka. A pleasure to meet you both."
The younger sibling's eyes lit up.
"My name is Damian, and—"
"My name is Athanase," the older continued.
Then, in perfect unison, they both said, "Pleasure to meet you, Sekka."
They laughed together, and Sekka now understood what they truly wanted: entertainment.
Nobles are scary.
Damian tilted his head. "Sekka, hm? That name sounds familiar."
Athanase suddenly brightened.
"Ah! It seems we've misgendered our new friend, little brother—for Sekka is the kid who bested the Uriun household genius in the Alorative Games!"
Damian's grin widened. "Oh, so we have a smart new friend! Sorry about that, new friend."
Sekka sighed, though there was no real frustration behind it.
"I see no problem with it. It happens often."
The brothers chuckled, their identical smiles making it hard to tell them apart.
Top Deck
On the top deck, a broad-shouldered man stood tall, clad in a dark navy-blue commander's suit. His jet-black hair was tousled by the wind, and his deep blue eyes mirrored the vast, restless sea.
"It seems Lord Oizys will awaken this year, Master Sullivan," he murmured to the man behind him.
The one he addressed—Sullivan—had brown hair, and a short veil concealed his eyes. He responded with a measured tone.
"Indeed, Merlin. Adin must be dancing with glee. But to think I would witness the resurrection in my lifetime… Something that hasn't occurred in millions of years."
He exhaled, a smile curving his lips.
"Ever since I was a young lord, I dreamed of seeing this moment. Thousands of years have passed, and at last… the lord whom King Yugo put to rest shall rise once more."
The commander's expression darkened, his frown deepening.
"Merlin is a name of the past, Master Sullivan."
Sullivan let out a hearty laugh before nodding.
"You always disliked that name, Fuiyn."
For a moment, neither spoke.
The ship rocked with the restless waves, the sky thick with the promise of an oncoming storm.
Then Sullivan's smile faded as he turned his face toward the horizon.
"The sea is rougher today. Gilmore's burden is approaching."
Deck
A girl with ash-blonde hair and dull green eyes approached the siblings, her steps poised with confidence and grace. She appeared to be of a similar age to the boys, her demeanor polished yet carrying an air of superiority.
"Excuse me, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Aliena Dawn of the esteemed Dawn household, Rank Alef. I never expected to meet the renowned Alter siblings here—"
Before she could finish, Damien's eyes snapped to her, a smirk stuck on his face.
"M'lady," he interrupted smoothly, his voice tinged with polite disapproval as he wagged a finger playfully, "is it not rather rude to ignore our friend and cut into our conversation so abruptly?"
Athanase nodded in agreement, his tone shifting into the refined speech of nobility. "Treating one of our Rome as if they were Chernobog would anger even Elpis."
Sekka remained silent, observing the exchange with a resigned sigh.
I don't mind if she ignores me… rather, I'd prefer she never noticed me at all.
Aliena's eye twitched ever so slightly at the rebuke. Then, with a well-practiced elegance, she bowed lightly, her gaze finally shifting to Sekka.
"Penthos engulfs me, for I have placed Atius upon you," she murmured in the formal language of apologies. "I deeply regret my oversight, miss. I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me."
Sekka held back another sigh.
Speaking informally out of spite? I've already earned an enemy, and the camp hasn't even begun. One point.'
Still, he maintained a composed expression, offering Aliena a polite bow in return.
"It is truly an honor to meet someone of such high status, Lady Dawn." A warm but distant smile graced his lips. "My name is Sekka."
Top Deck
"I believe it's time to set sail," Fuiyn declared as he descended from the quarterdeck, his commanding presence immediately drawing the attention of everyone on board.
"Thalassa's great waves greet you all. I am Captain Fuiyn, and I'll be your guide across the waters to your destination."
His voice was firm and clear, slicing through the murmurs of the gathered students as he swept his gaze across them.
"Now, let me make one thing clear—Gilmore's Burden is expected to arrive within the next two hours, and it will last for three days. The sea will be rough, and the wind will be unforgiving. If any of you doubt your ability to withstand the hardships ahead, this is your only chance to leave."
He scanned the crowd, eyes lingering on each face. Silence hung heavy in the air, stretched longer than necessary. The tension gripped even the most confident of students.
Then, a subtle smile ghosted across Fuiyn's lips as he saw no one move.
"Your chance to leave has passed. May Narain bless you all on this journey."
With that, he turned sharply, voice rising as he barked out orders to the crew. The ship lurched softly as preparations began—the wind shifting, sails unfurling, and the first calls of the sea echoing in reply.
Deck
"Sekka, we should head to the lower chambers to find a room for all three of us," Damian said brightly, his voice bubbling with excitement.
A startled yelp escaped from Lady Dawn.
"E-Excuse me? What about me—"
She was promptly cut off by Athanase.
"Yes, Sekka. Best we find a room now—there are far too many people on this ship. We wouldn't want to end up in a cramped space."
Sekka sighed once more, resigned.
They're ignoring her on purpose.
"I saw a room that fits four. It should still be available," he said simply.
He began walking, the Alter siblings trailing behind, and—albeit reluctantly—so did The Dawn.
"So, Miss Sekka, was it?" she asked, forcing civility back into her voice. "What household or noble state are you from?"
"None, M'lady. I'm what nobles call Col—a commoner. It's truly a blessing to speak with nobles such as yourselves."
His voice remained calm, but the sarcasm curled at the edges like smoke.
The Alter siblings burst into laughter.
"A Chooha beat Helios? That's gotta sting!" Athanase wheezed, wiping tears from the corners of his eyes.
"If that's the case, we'll protect you, Sekka," Damian added, grinning wide.
Lady Dawn's smile curdled. Her lip curled in disgust.
"A Col?" she spat. "Speaking to nobles as if you belong among them? How revolting. Creatures who've never even heard the names of the gods… How did you make it into the Academy?"
The air grew sharp. The siblings' smiles vanished in an instant, like a candle snuffed out by frost.
"Sekka, I think we'll find another roommate," Damian said coldly. "Lady Dawn has Pandimus hanging over her."
Without another word, he seized Sekka's hand, tugging him forward. Athanase followed without hesitation.
Lady Dawn was left alone in the corridor, her footsteps swallowed by the hum of the ship and the whisper of rejection.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ With Lopeh ~~~~~~~~~
"Merlin's beard, Lopeh—he's hiding something," Ulrich said, his brow creased deep in thought.
"Mister Merlin is always hiding something," Uta replied, exasperated. "No one even knows why he changed his name, why he built this ship, or why he left the throne. He's just a walking riddle wrapped in silk and smoke."
Her brother chuckled under his breath.
"I don't think that's what Ulrich meant, Uta," Lopeh murmured, his calm voice barely lifting from the page of his book.
Uta huffed, undeterred. "Well, I'm just saying—everyone hides something. Take that book of yours, for instance—it's empty. What are you even reading, Lopeh? We'll never find out." She shook her head knowingly, and Nikola's gaze flicked to the pale pages in Lopeh's hands.
"Severus," Nikola asked, eyes narrowing slightly, "what's in that book?"
Lopeh looked up and smiled, something unreadable gleaming behind his eyes.
"As Uta said… you'll never find out." He winked and returned to his "reading," the teasing lilt in his voice leaving the others slightly more curious than amused.
"But yes," he continued, tone shifting like dusk to nightfall, "Ulrich is right. Merlin is hiding something. And we'll figure it out—tonight."
His voice dropped low, the playful edge fading, replaced by something colder.
Arthur, who had been silent by the window, spoke at last—barely above a whisper. "Poor Merlin must have met Aipotu. The phantoms have been summoned... but by who?"
The room froze.
Even the ship's creaking seemed to pause.
Lopeh closed his book with a sharp snap, his eyes scanning the others.
"The snakes have moved again," he said. "Loki is active once more."
His words struck like lightning—sudden, jolting, final.
Uta's expression darkened. "Three gods and a dragon… This mission's going to be more of a hassle than I thought."
Ulrich crossed his arms, muttering under his breath, "May Irene bless us."
Nikola broke the heaviness with a snort. "Don't add another god, Ulrich!" he laughed. "We'll need a bigger ship at this rate!"
His laughter rippled through the room, and one by one, the others joined in—tension cracking just enough to let in a bit of warmth.
Outside, the storm eased slightly, as if in response to the flicker of humor inside.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Two Hours Later ~~~~~~~~~~~~
A boy with raven hair and hazel eyes wandered through the long wooden halls of the ship, his steps soft and uncertain, echoing faintly against the creaking floorboards.
"I'm lost again... He was right. I'm pathetic," he sulked to himself, frustration knotting in his chest.
Just as he was about to give up and turn around, three figures appeared at the end of the hall. One of them—shorter than the others but by far the scariest-looking—stepped forward, her voice surprisingly gentle.
"What's wrong, kid?"
The boy's eyes widened, and tears welled up. His voice trembled.
"I–I'm lost... I couldn't find a-an empty room, and the rooms with space didn't want me there, and now I can't even find the dining room. I'm... scared."
"You should follow us," said the one who looked the oldest, offering a warm smile. "We're heading there anyway. Plus, we've got an empty spot."
The boy hesitated, glancing between them. But he didn't have many options. With a quiet nod, he fell into step behind them. Not like I can find it on my own, he thought grimly.
"Would an introduction make you feel safer?" the short one asked, her earlier sharp presence softened.
"Can't stay strangers forever," the oldest one added with a chuckle.
"I'm Damian," the younger one said brightly.
"And I'm Athanase," the older one followed.
"Nice to meet you, kid!" they said in unison.
The scary one, the one who had first spoken, finally introduced herself. "I'm Sekka. Nice to meet you."
Her voice was calm and oddly comforting to Ash, like a lull in a storm.
"I-I'm Ash," the boy stuttered. "Nice to meet you too. Uh... thank you for helping me."
He gave a shy, grateful smile.
"How about we be friends, Little Ash?" Damian beamed.
"'Little Ash' sounds funny. How about 'Ashy'?" Athanase teased with a smirk.
"Amau," Sekka interrupted softly, her tone firm and certain.
The siblings blinked, then smiled in agreement.
"Amau? We like it. It sounds adorable," they said together.
Ash blinked, puzzled. Amau? he repeated in his mind.
Where did Miss Sekka get that from?
He looked up, curiosity tugging at his voice.
"Miss Sekka, where did you get 'Amau' from?"
The siblings began snickering at the title. Ash's brows drew together. Is... is she not a Miss? he wondered, now unsure. He shifted slightly, glancing between them.
"It's your name in the Lost Continent's language," Sekka explained, their frown barely noticeable. "Do you not like it?"
Ash shook his head quickly. "No, I love it—Mi—uhn... Sungai."
He stumbled over the new word, cheeks warming in embarrassment. The siblings blinked, surprised.
"Sungai?" Sekka echoed, a hint of curiosity threading their voice.
"Y-yeah," Ash murmured, fiddling with the hem of his sleeve. "You... you look scary like a river, but you sound calm like one too."
For a moment, Sekka was silent. Then they gave a soft laugh, light and sincere.
"Thank you, Amau."
Ash felt warmth bloom in his chest at the gentle way they said it.
As the four of them entered the dining hall, Ash's eyes widened. The room was full—buzzing with voices, silverware clinking, and laughter. Even the captain sat among them.
Who are they? Ash wondered, his gaze drifting to a small group seated off to the side. They don't look like students. One of them even has the same snowy white hair as Sungai... Were they related?
He tugged on Sekka's robe. "Sungai... who are they? They don't look like students. Um, one of them... kind of looks like you."
Sekka followed his gaze, their expression unreadable.
"Maybe they're with the captain," they replied evenly.
"This food is amazing! Hey, Sekka!" Damian called, waving a spoon. "Come on, let's eat!"
"Amau, you have to try it," Athanase added enthusiastically.
Before Ash could reply, his plate was already piled high with steaming food. He stared at it for a moment, overwhelmed—but then smiled, touched by the unexpected kindness.
He picked up a fork, the noise of the room washing over him.
This is nice he thought.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Outside, the storm raged. Rain fell in heavy sheets, thunder booming in the distance. A sudden flash of lightning split the sky, striking the ship's sails. Blue flames erupted on impact, crackling unnaturally against the soaked fabric.
The crew, startled by the blaze, rushed onto the deck in a frenzy. But before anyone could act, the captain raised a hand, his sharp voice cutting through the chaos.
"Stand down."
The fire did not spread. It writhed and curled as if alive, refusing to consume anything beyond the point of impact. Slowly, it began to shift.
A dragon took form—serpentine, fierce, its fiery wings stretched wide against the stormy backdrop. The crew stood frozen, eyes wide with fear and awe. But before they could process what they were seeing, the dragon twisted, its form warping into something far more sinister.
A hollow-eyed creature emerged from the flames, its mouth an endless void that devoured the very light around it. The fire darkened into a deep, suffocating purple. Most of the crew staggered back, instincts screaming at them to flee.
Only eleven remained.
The flames pulsed again—then shifted. This time, the fire turned red, shaping into a mare. Massive. Towering. Her eyes were pure black. She knelt, her gaze fixed upon the captain. Her massive eye hovered inches from his face—but it didn't burn him. Slowly, she rose to her full height.
Then, she spoke.
"Haaa-tred g̴̡̧͉͕̠̖͎̹͎̱̝̳̠̩͉̏̀̋r̶͖̩̱͔̞͔͕̭̟̙̻̙͎͆̂͛̀͑̃͛̃̉̍͑̈́̾͗͒̃͜o̴̡̭̘̝̦̝̩̫̎̒͑̽͂͌̆̆͑̇̈́̕͝͠ͅw̶̨̠̺͓̱̝̖͙̋̑̈̂̏͂͆̆́́͆̍͘͠s̵̨̛̜̭̩͕̟͓̼̗̥̺͈̎̈̊͊͌̅͂͑ in the deeepths ô̸̧͙̞̤̳̹̲̼͗̌͋͌̈͂̈́̉̕f̸̦̙̹̺̮̥̖̟͉͇̉̾͛̆̈́̃̓̊͝͠ ̶̖͖̫̥̩͙̪̗̱̔̄͛͑́̿́͂͒̑̅͘͠ y̸͔̩̱̯̘̓͆̂̾͆̀̐o̴̧̧̟̯͚͎̰̥͕͎̠͚̗̻̞̥̅̀́̿̄̇̍̓̆͘u̵̖̯̰̝̭̽̒͒̈́̆̒́́r̸̨͕͈̖̙̣͔̲͇̰̞̜̖̿̔͆̀̎̌̾̕ people… and Phantoms appear. Deeeath w̷̧͆̓̅̂i̷̧̦͍͕̻͎̺̣͙̞̝̊̐̇͊̈́͐͜͠ļ̷̧͕̼̖̰͉̦̰͚̦̱̗͉͖̈́̌͜ͅl̷̢̢̲͚̺̠͎͆̆̀̈́ riiise once Oni emerge. Puuut an ē̸̩̮̳̃̽̋̅̽͗̇͘n̸̼̳̾̿̕d̶̢̮̥̣̩̻͕̼̲̃̐̉̏̂̈́̉͜͝ to it, Mer-lin... or currrse t̸̡̤͐͋h̴̛̛̛̘͑̓̑̽̋̈̊̓̃̚e̷̢̝̙̦̤̩̺̔͆͘ Thaames w̸̭͙̫̰̱̖͈̣̦̗̄̾i̸̛̠̥̥̱̝̣̺̗̳̳͕̮͉͈̽̋̚͜͝͠t̸̡̛̼̩̰͕̜̒̈̓̅̀͌̄̉̕h̴̢̡̨̦̮͍̞̼͚̤̻̜̔̏̐͛̀̓̅̓͝ it."
The voice slithered through the air, as chilling as the wind howling through the masts. Then—silence.
The fire-mare vanished.
All that remained was rain, and the stunned faces of those who had borne witness.
"S-Sungai, what was that?" Ash whimpered, clinging to the edge of Sekka's robe, half-hidden behind him.
"Aipotu," Sekka murmured, tone unreadable.
Lopeh's eyes gleamed. "The God of Nightmares," he mused. "Seems our dear captain has some explaining to do."
Fuiyn frowned. "I never thought you'd answer a child's question, Severus."
Ash peeked out from behind Sekka, confusion in his eyes. "Sungai… I don't think the guy who looks like you is with the captain…"
Sekka nodded. "His name is Commander Severus. He's the commander of the Dead Continent Kingdoms."
The Captain stiffened. Slowly, he turned his gaze toward Sekka.
The Mad Commander smirk sharpened. "To know my name, and be a commoner... Who are you?"
Before Sekka could answer, Fuiyn spoke quietly—firmly.
"A Thames."
The reaction was immediate.
The Mad Commander smirk faltered—just for a moment—then returned. "Nice try," he said. "Thames have eyes like crystallized lilacs and hair black as the night sky."
To Ash's surprise, even Damian and Athanase beside Sekka nodded. The captain offered no denial.
Who are the Thames? Why is the captain acting so strange? And why did Aipotu speak to him?
The questions spun in Ash's mind, dizzying and cold. A warm hand rested gently on his head. Sekka.
"Amau," Sekka said softly. "The captain has invited us to his quarters."
Ash hesitated, then nodded. "Mhm… C-coming, Sungai."
As they followed Fuiyn into the depths of the ship, the storm raged on.
___________________________________________________________________________________
"Now that everyone is seated, I imagine you all have questions," Merlin said, his voice carrying a hint of exhaustion.
"We'd like that, yeah, Fuiyn," the pretty redhead huffed, arms crossed.
"Mister Captain," Ash began, his tone unsure, "Why did Aipotu come to you and call you Merlin? Isn't he dead?" He paused, then added, "And who are the Thames? And… why did you say Sungai was one of them? The Mad—uh, the Commander said the Thames look nothing like him, and you even agreed. So… uhm, why?"
A shocked laugh escaped the black-haired man. "This kid basically asked all our questions. But I do have a few mor—"
The siblings cut him off firmly.
"Answer our Amau's questions first, Captain," they said in unison.
Ash turned back toward the captain. The Mad Commander, frowning, remained silent.
"Aipotu—the God of Nightmares," Merlin explained, tone sharpening. "His true role is not to terrorize, but to warn of disaster. I still don't fully understand the dragon he showed me, but the phantoms? Those are clear."
The old man by the window glanced outside. His face darkened.
"Lopeh… it's best to trust Merlin on this."
A heavy silence settled over the room as the Mad Commander finally sighed.
"I'll tell him everything—after he answers our questions."
Merlin nodded.
"The Thames of De Fon Thanatos Redaiu are the strongest noble household in our world. They reside in the Royan Kingdom. As Lopeh mentioned, they are known to have only two children—a boy and a girl. And yes… Miss Sekka doesn't resemble either of them."
His gaze shifted to Sungai. He hesitated.
"Still… my reason for calling Miss Sekka a Thames will not be explained today."
The captain took a breath.
"Miss—no, I deeply apologize—Sir Sekka." He bowed his head. "Forgive my mistake."
Sungai merely nodded in response, his expression unreadable. Merlin took the gesture as permission to continue.
He turned to the black-haired man.
"Now, Ulrich, what was your question?"
Ulrich grinned slyly. "What are you hiding, Merlin?"
Ash blinked.
Merlin…? The god called him that too. Wait, isn't Merlin the King of Magic? The one who vanished years ago?
Ash tugged gently at Sekka's robe.
"Merlin?" Sungai and the siblings asked together.
"I thought he died," Damian gasped.
Athanase nodded gravely.
"Then what magic or skill did you use to build this ship?" Sungai asked. His eyes shimmered with curiosity—a sight that made the captain falter.
Sungai believes he is Merlin… Then… he is.
Ash nodded faintly to himself.
The flustered captain finally answered,
"I used both, Sir Sekka. Levitation magic… and the skill 'Invisible Hands.'"
Sungai's eyes lit up, and he pulled out his notebook, quickly scribbling notes. At the same moment, the Mad Commander opened his white book, staring at Sungai with an intensity that chilled the room.
His gaze was terrifying.
Why is he looking at my Sungai like that? Ash thought, shrinking in fear beneath that withering stare.
"Thank you, Mister Fuiyn," Sungai said calmly, not looking up from his notebook.
The Mad Commander muttered something under his breath.
"You're not calling me by that name… even though you know who I am?" Merlin asked, laughing weakly.
Sungai shook his head.
"There must be a reason you left that name behind, so I have no reason to use it."
For a moment, the ship tilted. Barely. Just enough to make Ash blink.
The lanterns flickered unnaturally, casting long, crooked shadows. A high-pitched ringing echoed in his ears.
Merlin laughed aloud again, but the pretty redhead frowned sharply.
"You never answered the question," she pressed.
Merlin smiled faintly.
"Aipotu told— I list— That is—"
He stopped. His tone grew firm and distant.
"Now—bedtime—room is one—"
Before Ash could speak, his body moved on its own.
Why am I leaving? I didn't get to ask more. Why can't I stop moving? Mister Fuiyn never answered. Did I hear him right? I-I—
His thoughts tangled like threads in a storm.
Until—
—He woke up in his room.
Sungai lay beside him, peaceful. The siblings rested across the other bed. Rain pattered softly against the window.
"Breakfast will be in three hours. We slept through the night," Athanase said from somewhere in the shadows.
He's already up? Ash tried to respond, but—
Nothing.
No sound. Not even a whisper.
Why can't I talk? What's going on?
Tears streamed down his cheeks.
Faces flickered in his mind. Sungai. The siblings.
My friends. Friends…? Since when do I have friends?
The faces twisted and darkened.
Suddenly, the room burned. Flames licked the walls. The sound of rain became distorted, warped—turning into screams.
What is this? I'm scared. Sungai, help me!
…Sungai?
Who's Sungai?
I—I don't know anyone named that—
A screech tore through the nightmare.
Ash's eyes snapped open.
The creature from the fire—the one the god had shown him—was writhing and dying right in front of him.
"Amau."
That voice—his Sungai—pulled him close.
"You fainted. But we found the reason."
Ash clung to him, trembling.
Sungai looked to the Mad Commander, who stood silently over the creature's remains.
"A phantom this far out…" the Commander said, disturbingly calm. "Then the summoner is aboard this ship."
His tone was colder than before. Sharper. Controlled rage.
In the background, the siblings worked quickly, tending to other fainted passengers.
This is the infirmary, Ash realized. Not the captain's room. What happened?
He leaned into Sungai's warmth.
"Wh-what happened, Sungai?"
A new voice answered before Sungai could speak.
It was the handsome redhead—brother of the pretty redhead.
"You fainted, so we brought you here," he explained. "But when we arrived, we found others had collapsed too. Unlike you though, they were… vomiting."
He hesitated before continuing.
"Lopeh said it was Obolem. The mana's unstable, and when they threw it up, it—turned into smaller versions of that phantom. Real ones."
Ash's eyes widened.
"Then we found the actual phantom. It rushed here the moment we spotted it and… tried to eat you. I—I think. But Sekka protected you, and Lopeh killed it. Then you woke up."
He gave Ash a reassuring smile.
"That's it."
Obolem. Mother spoke of it before. The substance that remembers death. To touch it is to feel the pain of every soul trapped inside it. Scary… but Sungai protected me, Ash thought. So scary. So confusing. I don't like this.
He looked up.
"Sungai?"
His Sungai patted his head gently and began to hum a soft melody.
Ash smiled faintly and drifted off to sleep.