Chapter 18 - Kathuk

Chapter 18 - Kathuk

A short while passed after the Reve had reached that particular realization. It was more like two days actually.

Every day, he would sit on his bed and meditate, focusing on the particular sensation of Ether throughout the entirety of the day. His connection with Ether progressed at a rapid pace.

To his surprise, Ren had decided to emulate his meditation training, even going as far as to request he trains her on how to fight, something that wasn't quite like her. She had seen him fight against Ravriel so she knew he mastered a strange way of combat.

To be honest, she wasn't wrong.

His way was the Amethyst Series.

It was no ordinary path, encompassing more than the aspects of fighting, which he made sure to tell her.

The Amethyst Series was created and developed by him and his friend Nikan, representing a unique system of skills that emphasized one theme: Nos–the concept of awareness. The state of conscious manifestation. The attainment of the metaphysical through the development of the mind.

It focused on harnessing the physical forces of the world through various unique ways.

There was the Morai Branch, the branch under which [Morai] was developed for. The Moria branch focused on unveiling the inner powers of telekinesis and inner physiology in relation to the mind. It was delicate and intricate at the same time.

Through telekinesis, Reve manipulated his body far better than most beings. He used [Morai] to elevate his bodily attributes and control, and even grant him possible limited flight as he never really walks on the ground, but hovers above it.

He also used [Singularity Force] and [Flow] to harness his latent physical strength and to manifest momentum manipulation by comprehending the systematic tempo of the target, respectively.

Nikan on the other hand focused on the brutality of the Amethyst Series. His branch enveloped the concept of directly and indirectly harnessing physical momentum and other physical forces like inertia, gravity, etc.

Everything about the Amethyst Series was complicated. And it required a developed mindset to study. Ren might not be the best for it.

However, he was willing to believe in her capabilities.

He began training her in the way of both branches, beginning with the [Singular Force] training which started with mere physical exercises to unveil the latent bodily strength.

Being the determined woman she was, Ren trained in the morning and night every day. Then, she took the afternoon to meditate with Reve. After all, she also took the prima. It would benefit her if she built a connection with Ether early on.

Another day went by, and it was finally the third day on the water.

Reve was cooped up in his room throughout the entirety of the three days.

He wasn't really a lover of the ocean, and occasionally got sea sickness. In his defence, the ocean was bad mojo. Many bad things happened there.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is Captain Havoc speaking. We have momentarily halted our voyage for an urgent announcement. I kindly request all passengers to gather in the main lobby in the next thirty minutes. I repeat, this is of utmost importance, and I strongly advise you to be present. Thank you for your attention."

Reve stopped his meditation and glanced at the speaker at the top corner of the room.

'What is it this time?' He thought.

Ren jumped out of her bed, heaving a heavy sigh. She quickly changed her attire to something more formal.

Meanwhile, Calen was nowhere to be found. He always seemed to be wandering around. He could never really stay in one place for too long.

Reve put his hand on his chin and pondered, 'Did Calen do something bad?'

He wouldn't put it past the cambion. But he should think, in a public setting, Calen wouldn't want to expose himself.

'Whatever, if it really comes to it, I will deny our relationship. He is too much of a wild card and his usefulness has expired.'

He changed from his light attire to a pair of pants and a shirt with a jacket to protect himself from the cold, not that he actually felt cold, but blending in was crucial.

Reve sighed after he saw the expression on Ren's face. It was nothing short of ugly.

He asked, "Do you really think it's him?"

"I don't care. If he is really the subject of the announcement, I will happily kill him myself." Ren hissed.

Reve chuckled, "Highly impossible. It is more likely you will die while trying."

Ren furrowed her brows and frowned. "What the hell? He can't fight. He said it himself. And the ability he has is a very specific one. Do you really underestimate me?"

"No, I do not. But people like Calen, they lie at every whim. It will be your downfall if you believe every word he says. Think of it, Calen possibly grew up in Morach."

Reve said, "What did he do to end up in Morach at a young age? Just what crime did he commit? And let's not forget, Calen is a cambion through and through. He is the damned son of a devil. Do not underestimate him."

To think that Calen wasn't privy to the art of fighting was an immense misconception. Calen had no problem attacking him or Ravriel when he felt the need to.

After Reve reminded Ren, the two set out for the main lobby. They soon discovered they had no idea where it was.

However, it was no problem as they found others roaming about and simply followed them to the main lobby.

The lobby was humongous, about a hundred feet wide. It was decorated with statues depicting the sea and five bright chandeliers dangling on the ceiling.

There was one particular statue that caught his attention.

As he approached the statue, his heart began to race and a shiver ran down his spine.

The statue was unlike anything he had ever seen before, with the twisted and grotesque features of an anthropomorphic sea creature. It had the legs of a human, the body of a fish, and the head of an octopus. The tentacles that hung down from its face seemed to writhe and twist in the darkness, and its eyes bore into him.

Suddenly, a deep grunt emanated from the statue, making him tense.

Reve took a step back solemnly. As he looked around, he noticed no one saw what he saw, even Ren. They were all joyfully chattering around.

Ren informed, whispering, "The statue of the sea god, Kathuk. He is worshipped around the sea region by most modern-day sailors. It is said that his statue grants good luck and protection on the sea."

She said with a smile. "Perhaps that is why Tryphon is so successful. Father doesn't believe in it though. He said Kathuk is merely a figment of people's imagination, just like every old myth."

Reve thoughtlessly nodded but said nothing else. He didn't know what to make of it. Were they all blind to call this creature a god?

Sadly, now was not the time to let his mind roam.

Captain Havoc appeared on the elevated podium of the main lobby. He was hard to miss as he wore the full sailor blue attire from head to toe, adorned with various medals.

The elderly man with brown hair took a deep breath before addressing the hushed audience in a husky tone, "Thank you for coming here on short notice. However, I'm afraid we are not here for a celebratory cause."

His eyes scanned the room, taking in the uneasy expression of the audience.

"It has come to my attention that ten of our original one hundred and fifty passengers disappeared two nights before. I arranged a search party to find them but to no avail."

The passengers gasped in horror and the elderly man could feel the growing tension.

"But that's not all, "he continued. "Last night, five more people vanished. We have no idea how or exactly when. There is no indication of a kidnapping or murder. The only proof of their disappearance is their existence in my record."