Volume 4

Chapter 7: Instructor Mattheus

My spine shivers at unimaginable volumes. Every fibre, every hair, every cell, every microorganism within me are shouting at the top of their non-existent lungs. The two words "Get ready" by the man I fear the most is enough to activate a surge of adrenaline. Without giving me time to collect my thoughts, he raises his spear into the air and thrusts it downwards unto me. My reaction time has improved over the past month and i barely close the hatch in time. What do i do? Where do i go? What can i do? I'm an unarmed hobo that can barely speak a word in the current state I'm in. Mattheus opens the hatch and starts scouting the lower deck of the schooner. Hiding behind one of the pillars, I can hear him try to speak to me. "You shouldn't be here, freshie. Erisia is too much for a small-fry like you. You can't even beat me, how do you expect to go against the bandits over there, let alone a couple of mudskippers."

My spirit doesn't let someone shit talk me and get away with it. Especially this man. He thinks he's all that cuz he beat me in a spar a few times. But if i wanna go to Erisia and not die within a minute, then he's right, i need to prove my strength and beat him. As soon as i hear his boots come ever so closer to my pillar I'm hiding behind, i run in the other direction, towards the hatch leading towards the outside. I dare not look back, i'm not running in fear. I'm running away as part of my plan. As i guessed, Mattheus follows in pursuit. Up on the deck, i find something to weigh down the hatch as i get ready. This barrel will do. I can hear him banging on the door. Maybe i should put another barrel just because he pisses me off. As he's trying to open the hatch, i climb onto one of the ropes meant to release the sails. I can do it rather quickly, which feels like muscle memory, just the same as when i first snuck onto the ship.

Not long after, Mattheus manages to break out of the lower deck, but it's too late. Holding tightly onto the rope, i kick off the post and swing my way down. He sees me swing at him from above and readies into a blocking stance but my force is too strong and I dropkicked Matt, unarming him in the process. I was hoping to push him into the water but it's better than nothing. I nab his spear off the floor and point at him. "Let me leave to Erisia, or...or you like big oily men feeling your body". Matt, looking unsatisfied, says to me "You haven't been to the driftlands, have you? That place came from the Voidsea, and is filled with beings and artefacts we, today, are still researching. Everyone has the same idea, to go and look for the forgotten treasure. Bandits, pathfinders, those who found their paths, and anyone in between. If you really think you can go to Erisia and stay alive, so be it. You're no longer under our care." I take that as a victory. Maybe because he doesn't have a weapon, but nevertheless, i think i get to leave for Erisia.

"Dyou let give him the approval?"

"Yeah, somewhat of a shame. I wanted to see what the person who survived the death of Beloved Zofia was like. Too bad he was no more than a recruit."

"Weren't you kinda close to his captain?"

"I wouldn't say that."

"Why not?"

"Because"

"Because why?"

"Maestro, i get that you're good with the blade, but for the love of Navae, shut up"

"This guy isn't even a Gremor, what the hell is he praising Navae for?"

Chapter 8: The Sea and Me

As i set sail towards Erisia, i take one look back to the Isle of Vigils. Now that i think of it, it's not that bad. If what Mr Innkeeper said about that place being better than Etris, then maybe i shouldn't affiliate myself with the kingdom of Etrea. Though, what is a problem however is that i still don't know where the fuck Erisia is. I take it as it wouldn't be too far from here, so might as well sail straight forward till i come across a problem. I'll poke around the schooner since I'll be here for a while, and that's when I come across some newspaper and a map. Plot armour really helps in situations like these. The map shows a couple of islands, which I do not know of. Such as 'Minitrysa' and 'Geoduck Cove'. I find 'Isle of Vigils' and straight to the north is Erisia. I think i'm going the right way. Seeing in which direction the moon is rising or falling, I should be able to see where I'm going.

The moon is mesmerising. It mimics the shape of an Eye. The moon is strong, it moves the waves and shapes the seas. Some believe it's the reason for the Great Drowning. Others believe it's their saviour. I believe, that it will help me reach Erisia.

Chapter 9: Etrean Luminant Times

That newspaper i found along with the map looks like it's a slightly outdated one, only one or two weeks old.

Etrean Luminant Times

-Famous Influencer and Author, Supaa, has yet to release his "Mario goes ganking" novel. Today marks the third year anniversary since its announcement.

-More whirlpools seem to be forming in the Aratel Sea, specifically near Songseeker and a few meters offshore from Fort Merit.

-Researchers are testing a new product 'Megalodaunt Bait'. It is said that it will be released to the public around the winter of 1291, which is just two years from now.

-Famous pirate ship, Beloved Zofia, hasn't been spotted for a while since it was last seen by fishermen and sailors two weeks ago. It is speculated that it has been sunk and already lost in the Voidsea.

I remember the name, Beloved Zofia. It sparked a memory deep in the back of my head. I try to hold onto that memory but it just fades away. No use trying to remember the past, I've got to focus on getting to Erisia. The moon is descending over to the west, meaning i should be going in the right direction. According to my calculations 🤓 I should arrive in Erisia by dawn. Meanwhile, it's best i get some rest. Mattheus told me that Erisia is filled to the brim with wacky things. I hope theres Felinor bandits over there.