*I LIVE IN ISEKKAI* ARC 13 : TALE OF THE OCEAN ARC
Chapter 61: "Azais The Port City"
Michi, Appolo, Thelma, and Henu arrived in Azais city, exhausted from their long journey. They had been traveling for weeks, and the thought of a warm meal and a soft bed was all that kept them going.
As they entered the restaurant, they were greeted by the aroma of delicious food and the sound of sizzling meat. Their stomachs growled in anticipation as they took a table and perused the menu.
After ordering, Michi asked the waiter, "Hey, can you tell us where to get the ship that will take us to Dalgodia city?" He had heard rumors of a secret ship that only sailed under the light of the full moon.
But to their surprise, the waiter's expression changed from friendly to shocked. He stared at them, his eyes wide with fear, and said nothing. It was as if they had mentioned a forbidden word.
The whole restaurant fell silent, with all the patrons staring at Michi and his group. It was as if they had walked into a secret meeting and disrupted the proceedings.
Michi and his group looked at each other, confused. "What's going on?" Appolo whispered. "Did we say something wrong?"
The waiter finally spoke up, his voice trembling. "Please, eat fast and leave. Don't mention Dalgodia city again." He glanced around the room nervously, as if afraid of being overheard.
Michi, Appolo, Thelma, and Henu were shocked, but they didn't want to cause any more trouble. They quickly finished their meal and left the restaurant, wondering what they had stumbled into.
They decided to split up and search for information about Dalgodia city separately. Maybe someone would be willing to talk to them.
An hour later, they met up again, looking frustrated. "I couldn't find any information," Thelma said. "It's like the city doesn't exist."
"I had the same problem," Henu said. "I even tried bribing someone, but they just shook their head and walked away."
Just then, a young boy approached them. "You guys want to go to Dalgodia city, right? Follow me." He looked around nervously, as if afraid of being seen.
Michi and his group exchanged skeptical glances, but something about the boy's confidence put them at ease. They decided to follow him.
Chapter 62: "Voyage"
Michi, Appolo, Thelma, and Henu followed the boy to the end of the harbor, where a small ship was waiting. As they approached, a young boy with a messy mop of hair and a wide grin waved at them.
"Hey, you must be the ones wanting to go to Dalgodia city!" he exclaimed. "I'm Rayan, Captain Ruag's sailor! I've been waiting for you guys. We don't get many passengers wanting to go to Dalgodia."
A tall boy, aged like Michi with a twinkle in his eye stepped forward. "And I'm Captain Ruag. Welcome aboard the Crazy Lore! She's an old girl, but she's got it where it counts."
Michi and his group exchanged nervous glances. "Thanks for agreeing to take us," Michi said. "We're willing to pay for the voyage. We've heard it's not an easy trip."
Captain Ruag chuckled. "You have no idea. But I'm doing this for the adventure. I've always wanted to sail to every city, but Dalgodia's the one that's always eluded me. There's something about the stories that draws me in."
Rayan nodded enthusiastically. "And if we make it back, Captain Ruag can retire and we can go live on a farm! We've always dreamed of having a quiet life, away from the sea."
The first day of their journey was calm and peaceful. The sun shone brightly, and the sea sparkled like diamonds. Michi and his group sat on the deck, watching as the harbor disappeared into the distance.
On the second day, they encountered a school of playful dolphins. The crew laughed and cheered as the dolphins swam alongside the ship, leaping and splashing in the waves.
On the third day, they sailed through a thick fog bank. The crew grew quiet, navigating by the sound of the waves and the feel of the wind. Michi and his group huddled together, wondering what lay ahead.
On the fourth day, they encountered a group of rowdy sailors. The sailors challenged Captain Ruag to a drinking contest, and the crew cheered as the captain emerged victorious.
But on the fifth day, the mood changed. The crew grew quiet and withdrawn, scanning the horizon for any sign of danger. And then, they saw it – a black ship sailing straight for them, its sails billowing in the wind.
"Ship ahead!" Rayan cried, pointing to the horizon.
Captain Ruag's expression turned grim. "Get ready, crew. We don't know what we're up against."
The crew scrambled to prepare for battle, their hearts racing with anticipation. Michi and his group stood at the rail, watching as the black ship drew closer…
Chapter 63: "Clash With Pirates"
Michi, Appolo, Thelma, Henu, Captain Ruag, Rayan, and the rest of the crew were shocked to see the black ship suddenly start firing from its cannons. The loud boom of the cannons echoed across the water, and the crew rushed to take cover.
"It's a pirate ship, everyone!" Captain Ruag screamed. "We have to battle or they will kill us all!"
The black ship drew closer, its crew looking more disturbing by the minute. They were not normal humans – their eyes glowed with an otherworldly energy, and their skin was deathly pale.
The pirates started to jump onto Ruag's ship, swords drawn. Michi, Appolo, Thelma, Henu, Captain Ruag, Rayan, and the rest of the crew stood ready to fight.
Ruag seemed tense, his eyes fixed on something in the distance. "Be careful, crew," he muttered. "These pirates are not to be underestimated."
The fight began, swords clashing and punches flying. Michi and Appolo fought side by side, taking down pirate after pirate. Thelma used her agility to dodge attacks, striking from unexpected angles. Henu wielded his massive strength to take down multiple pirates at once.
But the pirates seemed endless, and the crew was starting to tire. Just when it seemed like they were gaining the upper hand, the pirates suddenly started to laugh maniacally.
"What's going on?" Michi shouted to Ruag. "Why are they laughing?"
Ruag's face was pale. "I don't know, but I don't like it."
The pirates started to blast the ship with some kind of dark energy, but it didn't seem to be causing any damage. Captain Ruag's eyes went wide with fear.
"What are they doing?" Rayan cried.
"I don't know, but we need to stop them!" Ruag shouted.
The crew fought on, but they were starting to tire. The pirates seemed to be absorbing their attacks, growing stronger with each passing moment.
Just when it seemed like all was lost, Michi came up with a plan. "Appolo, can you use your magic to blast them off the ship?"
Appolo nodded, gathering his energy. "I'll try!"
With a burst of magic, Appolo sent the pirates flying off the ship. The crew cheered, but Ruag's expression remained grim.
"We're not out of this yet," he muttered.
Chapter 64: "Dark Tale"
Suddenly, Captain Ruag pushed Michi, Appolo, Thelma, Henu, and Rayan into the basement, his eyes wild with fear. "Get in, now!" he shouted, locking the door behind them. The sound of the lock clicking into place echoed through the small room.
Michi screamed, pounding on the door. "This is suicide, let us help you! We can fight them together!" She kicked the door, but it wouldn't budge.
Ruag's voice came from the other side of the door, low and urgent. "Listen carefully, Michi. What I'm about to say is crucial. They're not pirates. They're just following the curse virus of Dalgodia."
Michi and the others exchanged shocked glances. "What do you mean?" Michi demanded. "How can a virus make them attack us?"
Ruag's voice was laced with despair. "They were normal sailors like us, but they got tainted by the virus. We still don't know the proper source of how it started, but it can't be stopped now. It's too late. The virus spreads through the blasts, and once you're marked, you're doomed."
Michi's eyes narrowed. "But what about you, Captain? Why are you locking us down here?"
Ruag's voice cracked. "The blasts you all see, they're spreading the virus by blasting, saving their souls by marking others… and yes, we all are marked by them, except you all. I'm trying to save you, Michi. You're the only ones who can escape this curse."
Michi's face went white. "But being marked means what?"
Ruag's voice was barely audible. "You can't leave the sea. If you land, you will die… So just wait here until we reach shore, and we will take you all down. And Michi, please… save Rayan for me. He's like my little brother."
Rayan's voice came from the corner, tears streaming down his face. "You're being a bad guy, Captain! I'll never forgive you!"
Ruag's voice was laced with pain. "I'm sorry, Rayan. I'm so sorry… I never wanted it to come to this."
Thelma spoke up, her voice soft. "Captain, why are you doing this? Why are you sacrificing yourself?"
Ruag's voice was filled with regret. "I made a mistake, Thelma. I should be more careful . But now, it's too late. The only way to save you is to lock you down here and sail to shore."
Henu spoke up, his voice firm. "We won't let you do it, Captain. We'll find a way to stop the virus."
Ruag's voice was firm. "No, Henu. You won't. You'll just get yourselves killed. I'm doing this to save you. Please, just trust me."
The sound of the door closing was followed by the creaking of the ship's wooden hull. The pirates had done their work, and the ship was now sailing towards its doom.
In the basement, Michi and the others seemed sad, hoping for the best. Thelma cuddled Rayan, who was still crying, trying to comfort him.
"We'll get through this," Michi whispered. "We have to."
Chapter 65: "Shore Terror"
The ship finally reached the shores of Dalgodia city, and Michi and the others looked out from the basement window in horror. The city was dead, with no signs of life anywhere. The buildings stood empty, the streets were littered with debris, and the only sound was the wind rustling through the desolation.
By Ruag's sudden orders, the basement door burst open, and Michi, Appolo, Thelma, Henu, and Rayan were blasted out of the ship and onto the sand of the shore. They struggled to their feet, looking back at the ship in shock.
Ruag stood on the deck, a smile on his face. "I have seen the place finally, and I have no regrets," he said, his voice carrying across the water. "Thanks, Michi and others, for giving me the opportunity to see the city. And thanks, Rayan, for being my sailor for these past years."
Michi and the others were stunned. "What are you doing, Captain?" Michi shouted.
Ruag's smile grew wider. "We will not become like these pirates. We already have the virus, so we will go to the mid-ocean and blast our own ship. It's better to die than to live like this, cursing others."
Michi, Appolo, Thelma, Henu, and Rayan stood up, tears streaming down their faces. They saluted Ruag and his ship, their hearts heavy with sorrow.
Ruag returned their salute, his eyes shining with tears. "Bring the new era, my friends!" he screamed, before turning the ship back out to sea.
The ship vanished into the distance, and Michi and the others heard a loud explosion sound coming from the sea. They all seemed sad, mourning the loss of their captain.
Rayan stood up, his eyes red from crying. "Don't worry, Captain Ruag is always right," he said, his voice shaking. "We need to move on, and I am with you all."
Michi and Thelma cherished Rayan's words, smiling through their tears. Rayan walked towards the sea, his eyes fixed on the horizon.
Suddenly, Rayan's body started to shake. Michi and the others looked at him in shock as his head started to spin 360 degrees, his eyes rolling back in his head. A creepy smile spread across his face, and his hands and legs started to fall off his body.
Rayan's head detached from his body, still smiling and muttering something. His body parts started to rot, leaving only bloody, broken skeleton pieces behind.
Michi, Appolo, Thelma, and Henu were horrified and saw black virus stains on those skeletons. They checked themselves, but they were okay. They buried Rayan's skeletons carefully in the sand, mourning the loss of their friend.
Michi looked out at the sea, his face sad. "Sorry, Captain. I couldn't keep the promise."
They started to move into the dead city…