Chapter 30: Voyage

Yami

20 years ago

“Well…how lang will you be gan?” Asked Yami’s mother anxiously. Yami continued to fill his leather sack with rations and other necessities for the long trip.

“Dinnae ken…a few days, maybe a week,” he said with his back turned to her, packing the last of his supplies. “Elden is pretty far oot from Dangai, the trip alang the water will take aboot a day on its aine.” His mother fidgeted nervously and held her hands close to her chest. She stood still and narrow on the wooden floor of their home.

“I’m nae sure if this is a good idea Yami, You’ve heard aboot the conflict in Elden, the kingdoms are at each other's throats,” she stated. She spoke protectively to him, she always had. Even since inheriting their Devil Relic, she had always worried when he would take on any job that would involve danger. Yami understood he was her son, but it didn't make it any less annoying for him. He needed this coin. The house would collapse in on itself soon, these types of jobs were necessary if he was going to pull his weight.

“I know,” said Yami as he slung his sack over his shoulder and turned to his mother. “But with this job, we can pay for they repairs for the hoose. We dinae need to worry aboot the roof falling on tap of us,” he said looking up and pointing towards their roof. It was dangerous, to say the least. The supports for the slates had been torn part and a large hole was left on the right side of the house. What was left of the supports made horrible creaking sounds every now and then. The kind that made you tense up, as if the roof would collapse right there and then.

“I…I know…and I'm grateful…I just worry aboot you.” She admitted as her voice began to waver. “Ever since yer father died…I've worried more aboot losing you…I’m nae sure I could live on my aine.” Yami approached his mother and leaned down to give her a warm hug. She rested her head on his shoulder as he embraced her gently.

“I’m nae going to leave you Maw, I winnie leave you alang. I’m gaing tae make things right, then the twa of us can live stress and worry free.” she wept gently into his arms as knowledge of him leaving - even for just a week - sank in.

“I know you won't…but, as a mother, I'm always gaing to worry aboot you…even when I shouldnae…just understand it's me being daft that's all,” she said as tried to laugh through the tears. Yami released his mother and carefully wiped the tears from her face.

“You winnie even realize I've left, I'll be back that quick,” he said with a genuine smile. One devoid of its usual snark. The kind he would only ever show his mother.

Yami took in the gentle seaside breeze as he waited by the port atleast the weather’s no gonnae be bad he thought to himself as he sat on a large wooden crate, waiting on his passenger. No matter the situation or who was involved, he always tried to see the positives. However, that only pertained to himself. His positive mindset would only ever carry over to him and those he cared about. Yami leaned back on the wooden crate with hands stretched out behind his back. He began to tap his boot as he waited impatiently. Where is this lassy? She’s going to miss the ship. He turned to the ship and took in its presence. It wasn’t large by Elden's standards. It would probably only carry one hundred or so passengers at a time, including the crew. It was enough for Dangai however. With the small size of the island, there wasn't a need for a larger vessel. One medium-sized ship was all Dangai needed for trips between their homeland and the mainland.

“Oi mate! You getting on?” Yami turned sharply to the sound of the voice. One of the ship's crew was standing on the edge of the port waving him over. Guess she’s a no-show…

“Nah mate, I’m alright,” he said with a wave of his hand. The crew member nodded and went back to the ship, taking the portable bridge back up with him. Yami stood up and shoved his hands in his pockets to walk off. Bloody waste of my time…got Mum's hopes up and everything.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“Hey! Where are you going!” Yami turned quickly back to the ship where he heard the young voice. What now he thought as his agitation grew. From the stern of the ship, he saw a young girl waving to him with both of her hands to get his attention.

“Is that her?” he said to himself as he squinted his eyes to get a better look. From what he remembered of his neighbor's daughter…yeah…that’s her

“Yami! Get on!” She yelled back. As she did, the ships bell rang and the boat slowly began to depart from the port. Yami’s posture groaned and he sighed deeply.

“Fucking hell,” he muttered to himself. He then clapped his hands together and corrected his posture by straightening his back. Returning motivation and energy to his body. Yami instantly broke into a sprint towards the port. The boat slowly began to pick up speed as the sailcloth of the ship spread out. Yami quickly reached the boardwalk of the port but shortly began to lose speed against the ship. The sleeveless man lept off the boardwalk towards the ship with all his might, it felt as if time moved slower as he threw himself over the shallow ocean. He then caught the ship, only barely catching the edge of the stern with his hand. Yami swiftly pulled himself up and threw himself over the stern’s banister. As he caught his breath, he turned his gaze down to the young girl who had called out to him before, giving her a disparaging look. She was short with dainty features and wore her black hair in a long ponytail. It matched the description he was given of her. “Woulda been nice tae let us know you were on the ship” The young woman only folded her arms and turned her face away from his.

“It sounds to me like you're just a poor bodyguard,” she said with a snark in her voice. Yami’s face broke into a wide grin. “I was told I was guarding a girl, no a brat. I’ll have you know I charge extra for surprise tasks like that.” She leaned over the banister and slouched, sighing deeply and closing her eyes as she did.

“I can’t believe I need to give someone as rude as you coin after this…why did I have to get saddled with you?” she groaned. Yami joined her with his back leaned against the banister and faced the rest of the ship.

“Because I’m the best,” He said with a smile.

The sound of waves began to increase as the ship ventured further out into the ocean. Yami looked around idly at the stern as he leaned against the banister. There were a few other passengers beside them on the surface. It was good weather for being out on the top. Many crew members were pacing around the ship as they were still packing away from being docked at the port. He turned his gaze down to the young girl who was still staring out at the sea with a bored expression.

“You got a name?” He asked.

“Obviously” she replied sarcastically “It’s Zena,”

“You need to watch yer tone their waine. Your elders winnie take well tae it up in your school,” he said with a grin.

“Dinnae call me a waine! How ald are you!?” She asked

“17…you?” he asked slightly curious.

“17!?” she replied insulted “You're only a year alder than me, why are you acting like an elder.” she said turning to him,

“That’s cus I’m more learned. One year makes all the difference Zena,” She only scoffed at his remark.

“I doubt that, I dinnae see you gaing to a medical school,” she said snidely

“You speak tae everyone like that?”

“Naw…just you,” Zena said with a cheeky tone. Yami turned to her and met her brown eyes with a cold gaze.

“And why’s that?” he asked. Zena became slightly intimidated by his sudden serious expression, which matched with larger stature made her slightly nervous.

“I…I’ve heard aboot you Yami…You kill…you murder and so lang as it pays you dinnae care who you kill. Now you’ve turned tae my family…tae strip us of all we have.” she said with some fear and sincerity in her voice. Yami bored into her eyes with a stern expression, an expression that gave a killer intent. Instead, he turned and walked away back to the banister.

“Killing is all I’m good at…I have my reasons for stripping you as you say” he said in a surprisingly somber way. Zena’s face looked confused and sympathetic but then quickly turned to a sterner, more angered expression.

“No excuse is good enough for your way of life. Think aboot how you're affecting others by what you dae.”

She then stormed off into the hull of the ship and shut the door behind her. Yami only stayed still and listened to what she had said as he continued to stare out of the ocean. Another way of life? No…my mothers the only thing that pushes me forward…I winnie see her struggle…Ill dae whatever I need to see her comfortable and happy.