“Hey…! Isn’t it bad if that thing hit us?!”
He suddenly dashes at an incredible speed even though he is carrying so large and heavy. He strides at the surface of the water like it is a paved ground and it’s unstoppable. The ship that he uses as a hammer violently sways left and right that creates strong ripples in the water.
Meanwhile, our ship’s speed increases drastically as he gets closer but to no avail, we can’t outrun him. It is just like what they told us earlier, he is a madman and he runs straight to his enemy like he cannot see anything else.
Above all else, that monstrous strength that seems like he is carrying the whole ship made out of metal like a normal hammer. What’s more surreal is that the said boy, Hois, is what they called another first generation dwarf and looks like a young boy.
“Captain, he’s catching up!!”
“What?! Ferd, speed up! More speed!”
“We can’t! Our Ether Point Core is at its limit already too! If we further exhaust it, it will shut down and we will lose our ability to sail for the next twelve hours!”
“Shoot him down then!”
“Our main turrets, sub-turrets, and plasma cannons are cooling down from the battle earlier. Even torpedoes won’t hit him too!”
“Crap! What’s with my luck today?! Did I pick up something bad?!”
Okay…
Don’t look at me, please…
Even I get suspicious of my own fortune of drawing trouble to myself but I swear that I don’t have anything to do with your predicament…no…I definitely am involved!
All those thoughts are blown away as I saw the boy, Hois, leaps towards the ship. Upon seeing him up close, his face is distorted with a disturbing smile and deranged eyes which ruin his good appearance.
The ship in his embrace is about to be swung sideward from the left…
“[Barrier!]”
A transparent blue shield envelopes the whole ship. The spherical barrier covers from top to bottom and from both sides. I strengthen the barrier to its utmost diameter and its defense to at least absorb the shock but blocking the whole attack is ideal.
When they saw the barrier, Captain and the whole crew had their mouth gaping as the spectacle of the abnormally large protection that I cast covered the whole ship. It reflects the setting sun from the horizon brilliantly like crystal clear spring.
But Hois is unfazed and his attack comes like a meteor.
BAM!!!
.
.
.
I place my hand on the railing of this ship and stare at the moons that shine brightly unhindered and boldly radiates its light that reflects on the surface of the sea. The chill of the night wind brushes my skin and the temperature penetrates the clothes I am wearing and sends I sense of comfort to me.
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After Hois slams his ship to ours, because the barrier managed to hold out, we were sent flying and rolling that makes a huge gap between us and him. He sent us miles away with a single attack and that was a big relief for us.
Hois didn’t pursue us and we fled as it is.
The ship didn’t receive any damage from Hois’ attack but the rolling and bouncing of the ship had left messy. The cabins, the storage and even here on the main deck, everything is messy so the plan is to finish cleaning up before the night ends.
I tried to help but everyone including captain refuses my offer to assist in the cleanup.
“We can’t let you do that! You’ve already done so much for us Gao! You’re going to shatter our pride if you still help since you saved everyone twice in a day!”
And so, I am gazing at the sea since I don’t have anything better to do and everyone will stop me from doing anything to help.
I checked up on Hibiscus earlier in her cabin to find that she is fine since Casablanca and Emby are there to protect her. She now quietly sleeps at the cabin we are assigned to.
As my mind floats into the sea of thoughts as I think of what happened today, a soft warm cheek touches mine that it startle me for a bit as I wordlessly gasp. As I turn my head, I Casablanca’s face enters my sight. Her face is too close to me so I felt her breath and warmth.
“Casablanca? What are you doing here?”
“Hibiscus is sleeping soundly now that the ship moves normally again. Also, Emby is guarding her and Emby will alert us if something happens.”
“I see.”
Casablanca stands beside and places her arms on the railing the same as me. She also stares at the moons and listens to the gentle tone of the calm sea. Her eyes are sparkling but there’s a tint of something else to it.
What is it? Sadness? Pain? or…Discontent?
At least I know that there is something burdening her but for some reason, I can’t muster the courage to ask her. At best, I want her to tell me what is on her mind herself and I will give her the kindest and most helpful words.
I don’t know but…maybe because of me, the twin’s fates have started moving in a direction unforeseen for the both of them. Like what I did to Higan…to Alstroe, and to everyone I meet.
I remember the day I met Shun at the Dragon Capital Mujinn where the houses are burning down to ashes. He said that…I have already centralized this battle on me. I can only think that I am bound to drag anyone with me and to attract misfortunes.
“Hey…Asagao…”
“Hmm…?”
“What does it feels…to be powerless?”
“Powerless, huh…”
“…Yes…”
“It’s painful.”
“Painful? How do you know?”
“It’s vexing to be powerless. Even now, I feel like I am still lacking. There are so many powerful people out there, friends and enemies alike. There are astounding people that will always beat you.”
“I don’t understand…”
“Why do you ask?”
“Because…Hibiscus…recently she…she smiles more and she became more assertive than ever. I knew that she is changing into a better someone. I like that, I like the way she changes and it is like I am learning more about her. I know her well but, this time, it feels like there are more to know about her personality, to what she wants to do and what she wants to achieve.”
“She is certainly changing.”
“She is strong because of Emby but, there are more to it. I can’t comprehend her anymore so I thought that if I get stronger, I may have something she has and understand her more. The frontier personality that she is slowly developing, I want to know it better. But she is like a sun for me and like the sun itself, I can’t look at her because she shines brightly”
“And so…?”
“I don’t know. I’m sorry…”
“You can’t force yourself to cough up some answers. Like me and everyone else, we are just going to keep learning until we find an answer to our questions just to be followed by another question. That’s how the endless pursuit of power and knowledge cycles.”
“Is it one of your master’s teaching”
“Partly… Most of it comes from experience.”
“I see…”
After that, she fell quiet and silence envelopes us. The sound of people working from a distance as the crew fixes what scattered in the ship is still heard, the deafening stillness of the atmosphere painted everything around us.
She must be going through what I have been but for an entirely different reason. Casablanca started yearning for power to understand Hibiscus more but, that’s not all.
There must something else…
How should I describe it…?
I feel like she can’t figure out what is hurting her or what she needs to do. She can’t think of anything to ease the pain that’s burdening her. Her mind is muddled and she cannot think of anything to still her mind.
Hibiscus found her answer and was able to use Divine Ascension. But at this point, I don’t care if they can’t use it or not. I just wanted for them to be free of worries and pain.
I can’t bother to think of myself anymore. It also pains me to see them suffer like this. I don’t want them to get hurt like this.
Thinking about it, what If one of them get hurt badly, how does the other one will react?
They are twins, there may be changes in their views and personalities but it is clear and true that they dearly love each other. And despite their sisterly love, they still find the time to care for other people as if it’s their own problem.
How will Casablanca fill in the void in her heart?