The Rally

The Sea Lords are abysmal creatures and critters from the deepest ocean. They are scattered throughout the entire Vast Expanse and usually lurk in open areas and stalk their prey to attack upon scenting living hearts.

Timothy and his companions encountered one of the Sea Lords at the beginning of their journey and scared it off.

But now, the second beast emerged and thwarted their course.

Yumiko carried her blade in her right hand, inspecting the Sea Lord's body structure, and allowed Kyora to determine an answer and information required for the assistance. "The Sea Lord's marvel scales are armored and tough to cut through. Punches and kicks won't be competent enough to break through them."

Yumiko grinned, twisted her sword inward behind her, and spoke to them, "Leave the scales to me. I can cut through them, no problem. You concentrate on attacking its weak spot once I slice its armor."

Timothy tossed his glance onto Yumiko, succeeding in sensing her courageous, fearless heart and confidence in combat. He seemed surprised by her transformation. "Awesome! I don't recall you being *this* confident, Yumiko." She smirked, preparing to launch an attack, "I can do more than that. Just watch."

Yumiko bounced on the forecastle's railing and utilized it to catapult in the air with her foot and soar into the sky at high velocity. She held her blade firmly and swayed it rearward, a blue trail following its razor-sharp point, "Moon Slash!" she reversed her blade, flashing with bright, azure colors, turning the edge outwards like a dagger, and slashed it forward, obliquely, firing out a blue crescent blade that zipped at incredible speed and augmented force.

The blade phased through the Sea Lord's risen body and shattered its abdomen to lose its defenses. It pushed it to suffer and roar in pain, blowing the wind from its jaws.

"Oi! Ralphie! I'm gonna get us some meat! Back me up, will you?" Timothy clenched his fist while a sonorous sound resounded and enchanted Timothy's right arm with a sturdy, raven-black metal-like essence.

He squatted, grinned with courage, and launched into the air. He moved at incredible speed, and the intenseness he released compelled the water on the ship's side to form into tides. It bounced, bobbed, knocked the vessel around, and made others look for the nearest wall to keep their footing.

The Sea Lord raised and locked its view onto Timothy above him. He held his arms behind his shoulders, prepared to descend onto the Sea Lord's head. "Blistering..." The flaring fire enveloped Timothy's right arm as he noticed the serpent open its broad and enormous jaws.

Ralphie strode forward, used the brand-new technique to jump over the air, and readied himself to hastily deliver a devastating attack on the serpent's boneless body. "Torsion Hammer Shot!" He curved his right leg and rammed it into its body, causing the Sea Lord to squeal louder and open its jaws wider.

Timothy dove into the serpent's mouth. It instantly closed it, making it seem he got crushed by its fangs. It terrified others and drove Kyora to shout his name out of fear and nervousness.

However, the serpent's expression became disturbed, and within the next second, its mouth got forced to open one last time. It breathed out fire, and its body abruptly burst into an inferno. Timothy angrily yelled while between the decimated body, "You didn't let me finish! I was gonna give that one a good name!" Timothy became ticked off as he realized there was another problem.

He noticed the ocean water not far beneath his feet, knowing it would make him struggle. He cried in the air, waving his arms and legs, preparing to dive, but fortunately, Ralphie caught him behind the ankles, making Timothy hang upside down.

"Still scared of water, huh?" Ralphie inquired, seeing as Timothy smiled, relieved he got rescued, "Thanks! You gonna say I'm cute too?" Ralphie became aggravated and nearly chucked Timothy into the Sanguine Rose's direction, "You're not a beautiful lady!" He declared and brought the cheerful and lively Timothy back to the ship.

-

One week passed since Timothy and his friends departed from Winterpeak Island, and everyone on the deck seemed stunned and mesmerized by the eastern atmosphere.

Kou, Yumiko, and Kyora had never experienced the eastern's islands, nor did they expect such a tremendous difference from the western waters. "You were here before? It's amazing! This is nothing compared to what I've seen in the west."

Timothy folded his arms, standing beside Ralphie, and responded to Yumiko's query. He happily answered and showed his proudness with his short journey through the eastern waters, "I know, right? It's awesome. Their technology is the same one I encountered before arriving at the Vast Expanse. It might be even better." Kou leaned over the fence and pointed in the distance, "Look, guys! It's Ayuka and.... is that Chiaki?!"

Ralphie danced next to Kou and bumped him to the side, surrounded by pink hearts, "I get to frolic with Ayuka-swan again!" His view suddenly locked onto Chiaki, and before he could do anything, his heartbeat hastened, and his eyes bulged out like screws, "A princess?! A goddess?! Is that a celestial queen from another world coming to embrace me in her cordial and gentle arms?!" Chiaki waved at them, calling out to them, "Hey, everyone! Good to see you again!"

Timothy looked startled, "Is that Chiaki?" As Timothy mentioned, Ralphie raised his arms in the air, and blood poured from his nose, rolling backward, "Chiaki-rose!"

She wore a black hoodie with pink streaks on the edges. She rocketed black leggings with white sneakers. She looked taller, and her mauve hair grew somewhat longer. Her bust seemed well-endowed, and her curvaceous shape attracted many's eyes.

Ralphie's sanity filled with fantasy as he saw Chiaki's stunning body glistening in his head, "She grew... Chiaki-rose, let me rest on your lap." Ralphie's heart continued beating fast as Timothy looked at him, confused. "I'm not usually the one to agree with Ralphie, but... Chiaki changed more than I foresaw. If you showed me a picture of her from the before and now, I wouldn't say she's the same person." Yumiko claimed, while Timothy, bewildered, scratched his cheek. "I would say she's the one who changed altogether. I hope she's still the same person."

To be continued...