"It’s finally... over. Elsie breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any lingering dangers. With unwavering focus, she fortified the boat using her intricate crystal weaving techniques, ensuring our safety amidst the chaotic battle.
"Please attend to Kei," I quietly requested, my voice reflecting the weariness of the arduous fight. Perched atop the lifeless carcass of the monstrous beast, slowly descending into the depths of the sea, I awaited Elsie’s assessment.
Soon, the last vestiges of the colossal beast vanished beneath the ocean’s surface. With a swift leap, I propelled myself back onto the safety of the boat, narrowly evading the watery abyss.
Gazing towards our intended destination, my mind calculated the remaining time until arrival. "It seems we still have another hour of travel ahead. As of now, I do not detect any immediate threats. Let us take this opportunity to restore order and tidy up this aftermath," I declared.
**
"We have finally arrived," Kei remarked, his gaze fixed on the distant shore. After consuming a vial administered by Elsie, he had regained consciousness, the elixir propelling the flow of sol within his body to unprecedented speeds.
I, too, took part in the restorative potion, feeling a surge of energy as weariness dissipated and my numerous wounds began to mend. Activating my Zen state once more, I hastened the healing process.
"Let us proceed," Elsie declared, the last of our meagre belongings packed and ready for the next leg of our journey.
With heartfelt farewells, we bid adieu to the silent boatman, who remained stoic and motionless, solely dedicated to steering the vessel. Without any expectation of response, we disembarked, the boatman already preparing to make his return as we stepped ashore, an inert figure in this enigmatic realm.
Night still enshrouded our surroundings, with caution remaining our steadfast companion. We observed that the sand, typically a serene blue hue, now bore a crimson tint, mirroring the true nature of this realm.
A radiant, luminous white light emanated from the base of a rugged hill situated near the shore. It was undoubtedly the gateway to the next realm, the path we had been seeking.
"That must be the passa—" I began to speak, but my words trailed off as I noticed a peculiar shift in my companion’s attention. Their eyes were fixed in a specific direction, opposite the entrance of the passage.
"Look over there!" Kei exclaimed in a low whisper, pointing towards a large ship with indistinct shadows clustered around it. Echoes of clashing weapons and occasional roars reached our ears.
"Let us investigate discreetly," I suggested, aware of the need for subtlety. Together, we made our way towards the source of the commotion, soon discovering its nature.
A group of Venturers, having just disembarked their ship, valiantly battled against a horde of skeletal creatures. Their bodies bore grievous wounds, teetering on the precipice of death. One of them was missing a limb, while another suffered the loss of an eye.
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"Fools! We finally managed to cross the accursed sea, only to be pursued relentlessly!" one of the Venturers lamented, his voice more akin to a desperate plea. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he spoke.
"Because of you wretched imps, our team of ten has been reduced to a mere three, and we are on the verge of defeat. It is inconceivable!" Another Venturer bellowed, weighed down by despair.
As I readied myself to intervene, Kei grabbed hold of my hand, pulling me back with a look of urgency in his eyes. "There is no salvation for them. Death has already claimed them, and the number of creatures they face is beyond our capacity. Let us depart," he implored.
Silent contemplation enveloped me momentarily, but as I turned to leave, a thunderous rumble resounded, freezing us in our tracks.
As we cast our gaze back, the valiant Venturers who had valiantly fought against the creatures were now taking their final gasps, succumbing to their fated demise. Within seconds, their life force would be extinguished, and they would join the ranks of the fallen. The creatures, having completed their grisly task, slithered back into the depths of the sea.
However, what seized our attention most was the origin of the resounding noise. Our eyes beheld an astonishing sight—three distinct pieces of wood emerging from the sea’s depths. Gradually, their true nature unveiled itself, revealing pristine white wooden boats identical to the ones we had utilised for our own passage to this realm. Rising steadily, the boats effortlessly docked themselves on the shore, as if guided by an unseen force.
Simultaneously, a remarkable transformation commenced within the bodies of the gravely wounded Venturers. Their legs contorted and divided into multiple appendages, while their skin gradually darkened, and their eyes, noses, hands, and other extremities disintegrated before our eyes.
We bore witness as the Venturers underwent a metamorphosis, transmuting into strange and otherworldly creatures instead of succumbing to death.
With the transformation complete, I voiced my conclusion, "There is nothing else to be witnessed here. Let us leave."
**
As we settled down to rest near the entrance to the next realm, a sense of unease hung in the air, prompting Elsie to break the silence.
"Aren’t we going to talk about it?" She asked, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. The arrival of dawn had brought safety, with the sand reverting to its familiar blue shade. Seizing this opportunity, we decided to rest and rejuvenate ourselves.
"I know it’s difficult to contemplate, but we must confront the truth," I responded, acknowledging the weight of the situation.
Kei’s voice joined the conversation, his tone hushed yet resolute. "The scene we witnessed aligns with Lvonette’s cryptic statement upon our arrival. She never provided a direct answer to my question regarding it."
Elsie’s words hung heavy in the air as she voiced her realization. "If we meet our end in this realm, we will be forever trapped, never able to escape.
"You’ve likely already deduced it. The Venturers we encountered didn’t perish but underwent a transformation, becoming the very ‘boatmen’ we witnessed. The boats they now command are their eternal vessels. They are condemned to lead future Venturers to the next realm, a place they themselves will never reach. It’s a tragic punishment, for they are encased in those strange creature bodies, stripped of their voice and the freedom to die," I explained, a tinge of sadness in my voice.
Elsie added, her voice solemn, "So those countless boats and boatmen we initially encountered were once brave Venturers who met their fate in this realm."
Kei, his gaze fixed on the surrounding expanse, commented with a touch of bitterness, "This is the reality of the ‘Sea of the Devils.’ A fitting name indeed."
"This is just the beginning of our journey along Route 64. No matter what lies ahead, we make it out alive," I declared, determination gleaming in my eyes.