Aaron, who was standing on the beach, stared at the spot where the coin had flown off.
It went to the ghost ship? What connection does it have with that strange coin?
Without warning, the ship he was observing ignited its illusionary sails with great haste while also raising the sails. From the top of the mast, a violet light was activated, turning at an angle, and it aimed directly at the black goo in front of Aaron.
The black goo, which had been blocking his path, suddenly began to sizzle before vanishing completely!
Taking the chance without hesitation, he ran to the opening in the waves before jumping into the sea.
The currents around him were vicious and unrelenting, attempting to drag him into the depths to meet whatever was creating this anomaly.
Meanwhile, aboard the turquoise-sailed ship, the helm began to spin quickly towards the island, bringing the boat closer to the beach.
Aaron, who was fighting the rough currents, attempted to grab the ladder of the boat; however, the waves ripped at him, preventing him from making contact.
As he was about to grab the ladder, he was sucked underwater with such force that he released all the air in his lungs.
His mouth quickly filled with the salty sea water, making his consciousness wane. He attempted to fight his way to the surface, but he seemed to be dragged deeper and deeper into the abyss below him.
Sinking in the depths, the boy wondered if this was his end.
So this is how I'll go out… I couldn't even travel to the places I wanted to go before being transported to this mysterious boat in the middle of a monstrous sea.
Why did this happen to me?
Why
Why
Why
Why
The boy continually asked himself why he was the one who had been forced to be uprooted from his life and dragged into the Sea of Chains aboard an ancient ghost ship.
I never wanted this. I just wanted to live an ordinary life while travelling around occasionally…
As the boy drifted deeper and deeper into the dark and mysterious sea, his vision began to fade.
…
Above the waves, the vessel that a small crab was steering stopped moving, with the crab scurrying across the deck before grabbing a small rope that Aaron had previously tied to the mast.
He cut the rope from the mast with his claws and threw it into the waves, allowing it to sink into the sea before using his small peg legs to jump into the waves.
…
The boy's sight slowly faded away; however, before it could completely vanish, he saw a small tether approaching him from above, pulled by a small crab with three peg legs.
He reached out with his remaining strength, grabbing the tether lightly, and he felt a force as the rope was pulled by some invisible force towards the surface.
Aaron's eyes gently closed as he approached the light shining from above the waves.
His head popped above the waves, with him taking the largest breath of air he had ever taken in his life.
"Cough, cough," Aaron belched up the water that had entered his lungs while holding onto the side of the ghost ship with his almost depleted strength.
He climbed the ladder and collapsed onto the deck, gasping heavily, thankful to be alive.
After lying on the deck long enough for him to catch his breath, he stood up slowly while holding onto the side of the ship for support.
Walking towards the stern, he saw the island behind him, which was covered with thick storm clouds, with a whirlpool forming around it.
Arching lightning cracked across the sky, illuminating a frightening figure near the island.
Floating above the waves was a snake with oozing black fangs, with eyes so revolting that Aaron nearly vomited when he took a glance.
Inside the eye sockets were red pupils; however, they weren't as simple as that. The eyes dripped a black fluid similar to the fangs, yet when observed closer, the eyes were made up of rotting human skulls with a bit of flesh still attached.
Aaron, who was severely repulsed by such a scene, looked away from the eyes and observed the island once more.
The whirlpool intensified, slowly dissolving the beaches, sinking them below the waves.
The large sea serpent that matched the description of the Devourer of Waves from the diary he had read made its way closer towards the island, nearly beaching itself on it.
Its mouth abruptly began to expand at a rapid rate, growing to an even larger size than the island it was floating near.
Before Aaron had the time to think, it opened its maw and dived towards the island, taking one massive bite.
Without so much as a sound, half of the abandoned island had been torn apart by the monster.
What…
Aaron was at a loss for words as he witnessed the complete annihilation of the island he had previously been on.
If I had stayed for even a moment longer…
Watching the serpent swallow the chunks of the island, he realized that the small ghostship might become its next meal if they didn't get away faster.
"Set sail at the maximum speed," Aaron ordered the small crab who was standing atop the wheel, observing him with a spark of curiosity in its eyes.
The crab sank into the helm, and the boat began to move at even faster speeds, surpassing that of a normal boat.
So this is the power of a ghostship…
He still silently stared at the ever-disappearing island until it vanished from the horizon, leaving the only trace of its existence with those who had walked upon it.
Aaron stood up from the spot where he was observing the island and began to study the ship.
Obvious changes had occurred after the coin had been fused with the boat.
The once rusted iron cannons were in pristine condition with a turquoise glow emanating from them. At the top of the mast lay a small crow's nest with a fog light that was currently turned off but still pulsating with purple light.
Returning his gaze to the rest of the ship, he noticed no other differences except for the fact that the once doorless cabin had gained a new door.
Walking over to the cabin, he gently pushed the wooden structure, allowing him to enter the previously lackluster room.
Inside the wooden cubby now lay something new, a desk laid against the back wall with a freshly installed stained glass window above it.
The tinted window was the color of the sails, turquoise, with hints of cyan and purple mixed in, giving it the appearance of the deep sea.
Placed on the desk was a roll of parchment which, when unrolled, formed a small map.
This map, unlike the common ones seen throughout the world, was changing in real time, with instead of a worldwide view like usual, it was only his general vicinity.
To the East of the icon marking his present location lay a small black snake that was following him from a distance.
That must be the serpent from earlier.
He assumed that due to the aura of the ghostship, the snake had sensed danger and instead opted to conceal its presence and observe from the depths.
This is good for me; however, if it decides that it doesn't care about the possible risk, then I'm finished…
Observing the map further, he noticed a red dotted line that connected across the sea towards a large city that was protected by a large sea wall.
The City of Sea Fallen…
The island that the boat was heading towards was the capital of the Sea of Dreams and the largest city in the world, Sea Fallen.
It was protected by the largest manmade structure ever created, a sea wall that was taller than any sea beast in recorded history, measuring in at nearly 700 meters!
Rumors across the sea speak of its construction that took over one hundred years and the combined effort of over one million workers.
The construction was faced with problem after problem; however, once a mysterious magician appeared in the city, it was miraculously completed within the decade!
Aaron stared at the map and deduced that the red dotted line indicated the destination that the ship was taking him to.
I didn't even say anything. This ship is too good at its job…
As he stepped out of the cabin and faced the bow of the ship, he noticed storm clouds forming in the distance with strange crimson lightning crackling inside.
Another mystical beast? Do I ever get a break…
He sighed and walked towards the helm, sitting down and watching the ever-impending storm approach.