27 Monster of the Sea (4)

A weird quiet settled in right after Lumiere spilled the beans. Then, like a bunch of echoes bouncing off the walls, doubts and gasps started playing tag around the ship.

"Seriously, they think I'm nuts?" Morvain scowled, as if offended by the mere suggestion.

The warriors did this whole skeptical eye dance, zeroing in on the cabin Morvain had bolted to. Too bad for Morvain, he wasn't ninja-quick like these Awakened folks. His head and a few fingers peeked out from behind the cabin's walls, a failed attempt at hiding.

Morvain let out a chuckle, scratching his head and turning a bit redder than a lobster. He honestly didn't expect anyone to give a hoot.

With a casual wave, he gestured toward the big bad they all just wrestled with.

"Mad? Me? Oh, those cheeky bastards!" he muttered to himself, sporting a smirk as if he just pulled off the prank of the century.

Just when the warriors were snapping out of their disbelief and doubt, another earth-shaking howl erupted from the Kraken. The beast went berserk, thrashing its tentacles against the ship like it was auditioning for a sea monster dance-off.

All this commotion was its desperate attempt to shake off the spear that was now an unwelcome tenant inside its tentacle. However, it seemed the Kraken skipped the memo that this only added a new level of pain, like a really terrible acupuncture session.

Morvain spotted Lumiere giving a nod, and suddenly, everyone was sprinting toward the Kraken like they'd just discovered the ship had an all-you-can-eat buffet.

"Finally!" Morvain cheered.

The whole scene turned into a chaotic blur. Warriors zipped around like caffeinated hummingbirds, taking positions like they were gearing up for the grand finale of a fireworks show. Something big was about to go down, and Morvain couldn't help but get caught up in the excitement.

Lumiere strategically planted herself near the railing, maintaining a safe yet prime spot to keep an eye on the Kraken. Her vantage point granted her a crystal-clear view of the brilliant blue spear sticking out from the Kraken's back.

With a deep breath, she raised her arms. Morvain squinted to see a subtle blue hue seeping from her palms.

"That must be the Ice magic she was using," he thought.

As expected, a chilly blue wave began to cascade through her hands, and Morvain suddenly felt a shiver run down his spine. The coldness started to wrap around him like an invisible frosty blanket.

Had Morvain been facing her, he would've caught a glimpse of the vivid blue glow emanating from Lumiere's eyes.

A thin trail of blood ran down from her nose and eyes, a testament to the sheer force of the power she wielded. This was the pinnacle of her strength, and with unwavering concentration, she began to shape the coldness into solid ice.

Engrossed in removing the spear, the Kraken remained oblivious to the humans plotting against it. For a moment, it seemed like nothing was unfolding except for the spear guy inching closer to Lumiere, watching her with rapt attention.

Gasps escaped from some onlookers, but a collective breath-holding anticipation lingered in the air for the impending attack.

Morvain found himself in a state of confusion. Lumiere's actions were a mystery to him, obscured by his limited view. Yet, what he could see clearly was the expression on the spear guy's face.

It wasn't one of love or concern, as Morvain had erroneously assumed earlier. Instead, the spear guy observed Lumiere with a serious and indifferent gaze. It was as if he was simply a spectator, watching her powers unfold, devoid of any personal worry or involvement.

"Ah, I thought they had a thing going on, but it looks like he was just observing a future opponent's power," Morvain mused to himself.

The realization struck him like a thunderbolt—this wasn't a romantic affair; it was a strategic analysis. As Morvain pondered, it dawned on him that a war was on the horizon. Everyone seemed to sense it—the commoners, the nobility, and maybe, just maybe, even the Kraken.

It was a never-ending cycle. The High Lords, always on the brink of tearing each other apart, waiting for the next pretext to plunge into conflict. When power exceeds the limits of understanding, it tends to be wielded recklessly.

Everyone seemed to harbor a desire to ascend to the throne, craving the opportunity to exploit their authority just as they were doing at present but from a grander seat of power.

Morvain resisted the urge to snort, unwilling to disrupt the prevailing calm atmosphere.

"They are all the same," he thought, a cynical realization settling in.

Suddenly, something extraordinary unfolded. The radiant blue emanating from Lumiere's hands underwent a mesmerizing transformation. Initially crystal-like, it shimmered in the air before coalescing into a cohesive form. In a graceful dance, the crystalline structures gathered together, forming a spectacular slate of ice that extended outwards, reaching towards the vast sea.

Within moments, Morvain witnessed the blue slate crafting a pathway, a road-like structure that stretched all the way to the Kraken's colossal body. It was aimed with precision, leading directly behind the monstrous creature, specifically toward the brilliant blue spear embedded in its formidable form.

In the wake of the newly formed ice path, Lumiere abruptly knelt, panting heavily as she wiped away the blood trickling down her face. The spear guy moved to support her, but she gestured him away, locking eyes with him, her gaze filled with a determined tremor.

"Go on. The structure won't hold for too long. Seize the moment while it's distracted," she urged with urgency in her voice.

The spear guy held Lumiere's gaze for a fleeting moment before nodding in understanding. Turning away, he shifted his focus to the icy path, resembling a hero poised to slay the dragon.

Morvain observed as the spear guy leaped onto the railing and gracefully descended onto the icy path with finesse, showcasing an almost poetic sense of grace.