64 Control

The former assassin rolled his eyes even as he chuckled at the two women arguing in front of him. He would admit that such a sight would probably be amazing to behold, but he was still a professional. He wouldn't allow his companions to be in mortal danger for too long if he could help it. And besides, the prospect of making giant calamari of the kraken in question was an even more tempting option at the moment than just watching Shizu get molested by tentacles.

"You're only saying that because you know you won't die," Shizu pouted, her grip on her fishing rod tightening from the memory of her experience. "I was going to die at any-"

"Wait."

Nyx suddenly sat up straight, her posture quickly transforming into that of her competent persona as she stared blankly out onto the waters. Knowing what exactly was about to happen next, Riku quickly withdrew his fishing rod, with Shizu doing the same as she quickly caught a gist of the potential dangers that they could potentially face.

"Two- No... Three Champions are in close proximity," Nyx relayed to them with a serious tone. "They're far away, but our current trajectory will have us meet them in about an hour or two."

Riku blinked at that. Three Champions being this close to one another? Adding himself and Shizu to the equation, that would mean that five Champions were in a single Depth at the moment. That didn't sound right... "Nyx, what are the standings?"

The goddess blinked at him before she replied. "You and Shizu are currently... seventh and eighth respectively... Wait, what?"

The goddess's response didn't sit well with the former assassin as he quickly turned his sights onto the dark horizon beyond. Likewise, Shizu stood beside him, her right hand already hovering over her deck of cards as she frowned.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Our standings..." he stated. "It's way too high based on our progress."

If he recalled correctly, the last update Nyx gave them before they left the first Realm told them that they were ninth and tenth. Taking into account that they didn't really recall getting through Themis's trials ahead of others, their standing should at least be the same with a margin of error of one ranking. He recalled them passing just one Champion in the form of Alastor, and that was pretty much it.

"What do you want to do, My Champion?"

Nyx's question hung in the air as he put his head into the game once more. Facing three Champions didn't sound like a fun idea at all. Did they even know who they were? What could they do in such a place where their only mode of transportation was through sailing? Looking at their current capabilities, the only one that could even attack at ranged was Shizu, and he was pretty sure she didn't have enough firepower to sink a boat of decent size. Or at least, that was what he assumed.

"Shizu, do you think you can sink a boat that's the same size as ours?"

His fellow Champion blinked at his question before he closed her eyes in deep thought. "I... Maybe? Depends on my draw, if I'm being honest," she hummed. "I'm not even sure if some of the cards I have would be powerful enough. I haven't drawn them yet."

Riku inwardly clicked his tongue. Because of course he'd get the one other Champion whose ability also relied on luck. He couldn't rely on his Trump to give him a ranged ability like last time too. Getting into battle hoping that the [Chaotic Reroll] would swing to his favor would just be asking for them to die.

"We're getting closer," Nyx reminded them, her godly persona starting to seep in with how detached she was sounding. "I can't do anything without instruction."

Riku gritted his teeth in thought. "Just steer clear for now."

Wordlessly nodding, Nyx turned around and exerted her power on their ship, the tentacle-powered engine driving them forward undulating backwards before setting them on course on a completely different direction.

"We're going to be moving away from the portal at this rate," Nyx told him, the faintest strain being apparent on her tone as she spoke. "I'm... trying to give you as much information as I can here."

"And we appreciate it, Nyx," he nodded back. "Just give me a few minutes to think."

Crossing his arms, he tapped his fingers in deep thought as he thought about their options at the moment. He was pretty sure that they would be sitting duck the moment they got caught out in the open without any form of ranged options. Shizu would have to do everything on her own while he had to pray to Nyx that his Trump would give him something he could work with. Although... "Nyx, you can't give us weapons, right?"

"That's right," the goddess replied. "Doing so would be tantamount to helping you win."

The former assassin narrowed his eyes as he replied, "What about outfitting your ship with some cannons or something? As decoration, of course."

"My Champion, that's not how things work," Nyx arrogantly replied, her full goddess persona now in full swing for some reason. "I'm... ugh... What is wrong with me..."

To his surprise, the glow around Nyx began fluctuating, their boat suddenly starting and stopping at random as the goddess powering it seemingly began losing control of her power. But before Riku could start asking questions, it all seemingly stabilized with Nyx being none worse for wear.

"Are you alright, Nyx?" Shizu worriedly asked.

"U-Ugh... That was... weird..." Nyx breathed out while shaking her head, her tone reverting back to her usual fare as she spoke. "I usually have better control over myself than that..."

"Will you be alright?" Riku asked, more worried about their ship suddenly losing propulsion than the literally immortal goddess. "Can you still do your job?"

"Huh? Of course I can," Nyx pouted at him. "Still, at least sound worried about me for once, my Champion."

"Oh I am, but it's just hard to be deeply worried for someone that's literally immortal," he shrugged. "I'm pretty sure you're fine."

"That's... not wrong... Damn... I can't even be mad at you for thinking that," Nyx awkwardly conceded. "Still, what do you want us to do? The other Champions are all crowded around the portal this time."