Xane and his friends were now sailing across Car’yan’s Straight. The bit of water cutting Tortoga from Zakor. They decided to sail down the straight and follow the coastline to reach Crescent City.

Crescent City was the third empire on this continent. They were much smaller in size but were seen as one of the most powerful. They were all moon people. Moon people was any race but went through a baptism of sorts and gained powers from doing so. As well as changing their race and looks. They pretty much looked like they were the night sky with stars and shined.

Crescent City was obviously built on a crescent shaped outcropping of Tortoga. It was massive with many many islands acting as stars. There were so many islands that from what Xane was told and read most weren’t even explored yet.

One could visit Crescent City but to live there you had to be baptized by the moon. The moon meant the god of the moon. Vir. “They are all religious fanatics if you ask me.” Calrin said as he was telling them about Crescent City. I’ve only been there twice and don’t relish going back. I’d much rather start from Mukbend, a cesspool of crime, than the shining city.”

The shining city was the only ones who weren’t directly in the war. If their god didn’t tell them to do something they wouldn’t do it. Free will is something that was shunned there.

The reason Sierra’s Song had set course there was because it could hold something to help them. They didn’t know what but the city was filled with magical creations. Its was were Calrin got most of his more interesting consumable magical objects. They should be able to get something useful.

The first day went smoothly. Xane had been casting the smooth sailing spell. As well as being closer to land they weren’t in danger of huge ocean monstrosities. The worst thing that happened was that Xane sighted seagulls. A part of him still wary of the little buggers. They were normal average gulls though. Xane still didn’t take his eyes off them.

The second day was more interesting. They were relaxing just letting the wind pull them. Then a lurch rocked the ship. Xane was trying to have a bowl of cereal pretending he was back home and not on a crazy world with even crazier stuff. The ship out of nowhere leaning far to the portside and spilling his bowl broke the dissolution. Xane wasn’t even mad as he slunk his way out.

What he saw didn’t even surprise him at this point. He saw sharks were on his ship. They looked like average sized sharks. Had the big mouth with a toothy maw. The average fins and tail to propel them in water. The difference was A they were on his ship and B they had four legs like they were a dog. As well as they were on his ship.

LandShark

Level: 34

Stats:

Strength: 64

Agility: 60

Endurance: 56

Constitution: 55

Information: It's a shark! It's on land! This bad boy can do it all. LandSharks are a cross species of sharks and some ungodly deep deep ocean creature called Guryiunizae try saying that 5 times fast. This gives them legs. As well as the ability to control water.

Goody Xane thought as he started firing. He thought about a charged shot but didn’t want to damage his deck. The heavy clawed sharks were already marring wood. Xane took carefully measured shots.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

There were a total of 5 of them. Swarming from all sides. Calrin was fighting two at once holding ground but the fast strikes and water sharp as a blade attacking him at once was putting him on the backpedal. Huntress was doing better with her much longer spear being able to keep them at bay.

Xane’s arrive skewed the battle towards the 3. He quickly started filling the first one with bullet holes. He dodged an attack completely and then kicked out slamming into it as the shark went overboard Xane’s strength much higher. As it flew overboard he filled it with even more holes. He didn’t feel the rush of a kill but didn’t care.

Turning back he ran towards a third that was ganging up on Calrin. He fired 6 shots in rapid succession, throwing it off course just enough. He also noticed that the one Huntress was fighting had the spear sticking out of its head not moving. Xane bulled forward, striking out at the one he injured. The strike instantly killed it.

Calrin was to not be outdone as he used a perk of his striking out rapidly 6 times. This killed one. It left his defense lowered as one tried to attack with both a spear of water and a bite. A second blade met the upcoming bite letting the lance of water strike him. The second blad went under the throat and stabbed straight up and out the top of the shark's head.

“Well that was easy.” Carlin complained.“ Not enough of them for a fair fight.

Xane wanted to agree but didn’t want to test fate. “Sadly one got away. But these have to be worth something.” Xane said this, picking up the corpses and storing them away. His corpse corner was starting to become a bit overflowing as he rarely ever took them out but always put stuff in. He even still had the giant bear in there with only the core harvested. He also still had a boar from his early days. He only kept it for ‘sentimental’ reasons.

Xane had also gained two levels from that fight. Lyenn as well as Calrin told him that the early levels of having a class was similar to the lower levels where they were easy to gain for the first 10. That meant he got points to spend. He put the 4 extra into agility. The only attribute he wanted more points in.

“You ever been on a ship before” Calrin acted like he was nervous on board. Just ever so slightly.

Calrin didn’t even look at Xane as he watched the horizon. “Not for long. I thought about going to the new land far out south. But our ship was boarded by pirates not a day into the journey. Decided that it was bad luck and never tried again.”

“Really? Are they that bad of a problem?” Xane was truly curious. He also wanted to ask about the new land but decided that was for later.

Calrin turned to Xane leaning against the ledge. “Well… Years ago when I was just a bit older than you the land was found. An entire continent filled with ancient ruins and fresh land. I was young and foolish. I boarded a boat to seek my fortune dragging my teacher with me. He thought it a bad idea but acquiesced with my persistence. We were going to strike it rich.”

Calrin pulled out one of the blades Xane only saw him use for training Xane. “We were attacked in the dead of night. Not even the moon for light. I was awake with wonder. I heard the crashing up top and went to check it out.” He paused running his hands against the blade and its many chips and dull areas. “It was a massacre. 3 ships attacked our much larger vessel. I ran to tell my teacher. He was already getting ready and told me to stay put. I didn't listen.”

“I should have listened. I followed, sneaking from behind. When I noticed my teacher was fighting and winning I decided to help. I was young. Spry. I was good with the blade. The pirates were numerous. I had killed 2 before an arrow pierced my leg. My teacher had bodies and arrow shafts piling around him. Even injured, I didn't give up. That was my mistake. I fought on killing another 4 before a blade pierced my stomach. I tried helping my teacher and in the end got them killed.”

Xane spoke softly but asked his question anyway, “So you weren’t killed, I'd assume they wouldn’t be happy with you killing their men.”

“There's the thing. There wasn’t anyone left to kill me. There is something I hope you will never use. It’s called a battle elixir. Boosts all your stats by large amounts and removes the feeling of pain. My teacher always had one on hand for emergencies. They took it and slaughtered the 3 ships. Even killed the second in command for the Lord of Iron. Our ship turned around missing most of its crew. I have never been on a ship ever since.”

Xane took a moment of silence before he asked his next question. “Is this why you are so willing to help me kill the lord of iron?”

“I’ve given up on revenge a long time ago. I recommend you never fall into that trap.”