Chapter 18: Vivian's Resolution

Vivian had not gone far in her bat form when she heard Jack's voice below her. She was surprised to see Jack riding on a shark. She flew down and transformed into her human body. She collapsed on the shark's back. Maintaining her bat form took a toll on her.

Jack pulled Vivian and positioned her properly on Fiona's back. The blue shark was female and she called herself Fiona.

Jack tapped Fiona's back, "Let's make a stop at the Bruchi Island."

Fiona spoke in a feminine voice, "Why are we going to that place?"

Jack tried to keep Vivian's head above water, "This lady can't survive the long journey to Aleppo."

Fiona started swimming against the current, "Then you'll have to increase my pay. I'm about to breakthrough to level 4. I only need to swallow one more level 2 fish we meet on the way."

Jack said with a grunt, "What do you want?"

Fion responded with a smile, "It's nothing difficult. When I acquire my human form at level 4, I want you to give me an identity in Aleppo."

Jack was relieved. He thought she was going to ask for something difficult, "Are you planning on living on the land? Aren't you going to miss the sea?"

Fiona tried to articulate a human expression but could not, "I've been swimming in the sea since I've been born. I could use a change of environment."

About an hour later, Fiona clicked her teeth, "That's a level 2 fish. It looks like I'm in luck today. Help me use your powers to stop it from escaping."

Jack spread his hands towards the unlucky fish, "Abyssal chains."

Dark chains appeared around the fish tying it's head and tail. The other ends of the chains were in Jack's hand. He yanked the chain towards himself.

The unlucky fish froze the chain and broke them into pieces. Unfortunately for it, it was too late. The fish was already in the path of Fiona's wide open mouth.

Fiona clamped down and bit the head of the fish off. She swallowed the head discarding the other body parts.

Jack quickly said to her, "Don't refine it until we get to Bruchi Island. I don't want trapped in the middle of the ocean with a level 1 if something goes wrong."

Fiona burped with annoyance, "Nothing is going to go wrong with my advancement. When are you going to advance?"

Jack relaxed on her back, "When we reach the island. I hope the potion I kept with you is still safe?"

Fiona grunted, "Relax it's safe in my belly. I dare not swallow something that can kill me."

Jack looked at Vivian, "I know you're awake. There's no need for any pretense."

Vivian sat upright on Fiona's back and felt her rough back, "Where am I?"

Jack responded, "We're on Fiona's back. She's a blue shark and she's my friend. We're currently safe. What happened to your brother?"

Vivian stared at the sea for a few seconds, "I left him in the hands of one woman. She said she'll give me a chance to escape if I leave my brother with her." She struggled to keep tears from flowing down her eyes, "I didn't want to leave him but I had no choice. It's either one of us lives or both of us dies."

Jack gave her time to control her emotions, "It wasn't your fault what happened. If your brother is still alive, the best thing you can do for him is to get powerful and save him."

Vivian wiped her tears, "Will you please accept me as your student and teach me?"

Jack was taken aback. He was surprised she was able to keep her emotions in check so easily. This was a good trait a lot of people lack. Still he wasn't interested in accepting a student but he thought it was best not to refuse in the current situation, "I will give you a test when we get to Bruchi Island. If you pass it, I'll accept you as my student."

Vivian nodded her head. She would do everything in her power to pass the test. She made up her mind to get very strong and go back to Nicaorh for her brother. If he was still alive, she would rescue him. If he was dead, she would bathe the whole of Nicaorh in blood.