The flotilla of Blade Voyagers advanced steadily across the vast waters of Mirror Lake. The crew observed from the deck as the blood-red glow of the coveted Blood Saps glowed in the distance with eerie red light. Strange distortions rippled in the air above, and mirrored permutations swirled ominously - a direct reflection of the chaotic Inverse realm.
Captain Depp shouted orders to the crew to adjust course and keep a steady pace. His constant back and forth with the know-it-all Polly kept things lively aboard the Dragon's Dowry.
"Steady as she goes, lads! Trim the thrusters’ speed and batten down the cargo. These waters be calmer than expected but that fortune may not last long," Depp cautioned. His weathered face depicted hard-won experience.
"Bah, any beastie worth its scales would have attacked by now," Polly squawked dismissively. "You worry too much, Captain. At this rate, we'll reach the Blood Saps with nary a scratch."
Depp glowered at the carved parrot. "Best hold your tongue lest you jinx us, you daft bird."
Hao listened to their banter with amusement while leaning on the rail. He focused his Vibe Sense into the depths but could detect no creatures lurking beneath the vessel, only gently undulating currents.
"How much farther to the Blood Saps, Captain?" called Lanor. She and Ciara had emerged from the galley after stowing the remains of their lavish breakfast.
Before Depp could respond, Polly piped up, "At our current heading and speed, approximately 4 hours remaining. That's if no detours are required, so knock on wood!"
The obnoxious Blade Edge emphasized 'wood' while pecking Depp's head, eliciting curses from the captain. Lanor rolled her eyes but chuckled under her breath, already growing fond of Polly's wit despite initial reservations.
Looking ahead, Hao could sense the vanguard ships branching outward, widening the gaps between vessels. Specially crafted Sword-Gliders zipped overhead communicating updated coordinates to guide the convoy's movements.
"They're spreading out to reduce risks of collision or chain-reaction attacks," Vicky explained, ever knowledgeable about standard precautions. "We'll follow suit soon. No sense staying bunched together like baitfish for predators."
Her words stirred unease in the group and reminded them of the lurking dangers somewhere beneath the deceptively calm surface. Yet so far their journey had been smooth, passing scattered coral formations and schools of miniscule glowing creatures disturbed by their passage. Hao found the bioluminescent streaks mesmerizing, like liquid starlight swirling in their wake.
Time passed uneventfully until Polly announced they were approaching the outer perimeter of the Blood Sap clusters, still hours from their intended destination but close enough to glimpse that alien region.
Anticipation mounted as the ominous red glow on the horizon intensified ahead of them. The waters grew choked with bizarre plants and tubular growths that appeared symbiotically fused with the glittering Blood Sap tendrils snaking up from the unseen floor far below.
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Spindly branch-like formations covered in oozing pustules emerged with internal light. Concentric rings rippled outward from swaying crimson and violet stalks taller than the masts. The unearthly flora thinned as the lake bottom sloped deeper until only the Blood Sap tips broke the surface with their freakish illumination reflecting off the dark water.
"Blood jungle straight ahead!" Depp announced. "All passengers are to remain on board once we enter those cursed vines. Many brave fools have vanished trying to harvest samples."
Mentos gulped nervously. "No arguments here, captain. Me and Acadian are happy to stick with the ship, ain't that right boy?"
The lumbering beast rumbled in agreement, it was unsettled by the alien environment. The Sword Fishes huddled closer to Hao, who gently stroked their translucent skin. Like him, the intuitive creatures seemed to sense something indescribably wrong about this place, an almost palpable miasma of corruption was leaking from the Inverse reflection.
Yet Captain Depp showed no hesitation, he continued to steer them directly into the glowing thickets. Plant-like tendrils dragged across the Aegis Bubble encircling the ship, leaving sticky residue before receding. Strange noises echoed around them - unearthly cries intermingled with bestial roars, their sources impossible to pinpoint in the all-pervading red haze.
"So far, so good. No crazy beast in sight yet," Depp remarked, clearly relishing the thrill of venturing into the hazardous Blood jungle.
"Excellent manoeuvring, Captain! Now adjust 2 degrees starboard to avoid that nasty-looking patch," Polly instructed. The Blade Edge's directives aided navigation past the worst obstacles. "And do watch for Reef Lurkers up ahead."
At Polly's warning, Depp and the crew grew vigilant, weapons and powers ready. Yet their passage remained strangely unimpeded, allowing Hao's companions to gawk openly at the fantastical scenery enveloping them.
"This place is so bizarre!" Ciara exclaimed nose scrunched up. "It smells funny too, like rotting eggs and hot metal."
Lanor agreed, looking around warily. "The S-Catalogue never mentioned such an awful stench. Is that normal?"
Overhearing their comments, Captain Depp spoke over his shoulder while guiding them between swaying tendrils. "Aye lass, the scent only gets more potent the deeper we venture. To me it's the sweet perfume of adventure!" He grinned widely.
"Adventure... or insanity," Raven remarked under her breath, though she hid her own unease.
They sailed further into the ominously still jungle, the Domain's inherent wrongness almost suffocating now. Hao focused on the familiar pulsing link with Vibe Edge to steady himself, and to find a degree of calm in their rhythmic connection.
To everyone's relief, the oppressive vegetation soon thinned as Depp manoeuvred them back towards open waters. Glowing particles swirled in their wake until dissipated as the Blood Jungle shrank behind them.
"Whew, glad that's over," Mentos remarked, mopping sweat from his brow. "This place takes creepy to a whole new level."
Their respite was short-lived however, as a thunderous splash off the port bow signalled they were not alone after all. A sinuous dark shape momentarily broke the surface before vanishing into the depths.
"Azure Serpent, most likely," Polly declared. "Quickly Captain, evasive manoeuvres!"
Depp reacted swiftly, veering the ship hard to starboard. Another eruption followed as their unseen pursuer gave chase. The crew readied their swords just in case the creature attacked.
Yet after several tense minutes with no further signs of pursuit, it seemed the threat had passed. Depp sagged against the wheel in relief. "That was a close one! Good call on the evasive tactics, Polly me parrot."
Hao peered intently over the rail using his Vibe Sense, but could no longer detect anything large moving beneath them. Perhaps the Azure Serpent had given up after finding swifter targets among the slower vessels following behind.
With no further encounters or obstacles, the Dragon's Dowry eventually passed beyond the sprawling Blood jungle safely. By the time the twin suns sank towards the horizon, Captain Depp announced they were nearing their intended Blood Sap cluster.