The metallic chorus of clashing swords echoed across the deck, where Immanuel and Zach reveled in their game. Agile as cats, they leapt onto the railing, deftly swinging from the ship's ropes like seasoned acrobats. After learning Zach basic sword stances, they started sparring, where the game swiftly escalated into a frenzied game of tag.

Zach's strength and agility were astonishing; it was such a mindfuck for Immanuel having to parry these brutal swings from such a small boy. Gradually, they established the rules of their game: a fusion of tag and fencing, where each successful parry scored a point, and Immanuel restrained his use of flash, a direct hit on the body meant you’re it.

As 'it,' Zach lunged towards Immanuel in a soaring arc. Immanuel, with a nimble roll, evaded and swiftly countered Zach's thrust. He executed a somersault, landing on the railing to sprint away. Zach, strategically positioned on the deck, anticipated and intercepted, expertly blocking a potential lethal swipe. As Zach feigned and thrust, Syl burst from below deck.

With a smile turning to a grimace of pain, Immanuel looked up just as Zach delivered a sharp jab to his abdomen.

"Tag!" Zach exclaimed, as he bounded away towards the ship's prow.

"Damn," Immanuel muttered, hands pressed against his belly. He winced, feeling the wound's sting fade under his healing powers, while his robes absorbed the blood. Syl approached, concern etched on her face, adorned in the chimera’ ornamental robes that transformed her into a gorgeous beauty. The robes, slightly oversized, trailed along the ground, giving the illusion of gliding above it.

"You resemble a Demi-God from ancient myths, destined to save humanity from their self-imposed tyrants," he joked, his voice still wheezing from the pain.

Syl halted before him. "Zach! What-"

"No, no! It was just a game, and I was momentarily captivated by what Plato might have deemed the perfect form of a woman." He could feel the wound had already healed; Zach's strike was precise, enough to mark but not to maim.

"I heard a sword fight," she said, her gaze shifting to Zach who was flaunting his minimalist attire on the railing.

Regaining his composure, Immanuel moved towards the bridge. "Well fought, Zach. You're at stage 3 now, aren't you?" Zach's silence lingered in the air. "Please keep a lookout," Immanuel requested as he stepped onto the bridge, adding, "Close your eyes for a moment." Without waiting to see if she complied, he swiftly exchanged his bloodstained robe for a fresh one. Taking a seat in the captain's chair, he watched Syl glyde past him, settling herself on a couch near the window.

The vast expanse of the sea stretched before them.

"You're teaching Zacharastra the Great to wield a sword?" Syl inquired.

Immanuel nodded. "I believe he prefers to be prepared for any confrontation. We can't predict where our journey will take us. Imagine someone’s reaction to a boy transforming into a beast in the middle of a busy square. Plus, his ability to consistently surprise his opponents, to always be the underdog. Looking like a little kid smashing like the Hulk.

He retrieved his pipe, methodically filling it with aromatic herbs. "And how did your tasks go today?" he asked, glancing her way.

Syl's gaze shifted from the ocean's horizon back to him. "The sea is bigger than I imagined," she remarked.

"Yes, and the world is even more immense, way beyond what you could imagine. And this is merely one planet among countless others, perhaps even an infinite number," he replied with a light-hearted smile, igniting his pipe, the smoke curling into the air.

She locked eyes with him briefly, then returned her attention to the endless sea. "Infinite," she echoed, as if the concept was a novel flavor on her tongue. "Have you traveled much?" she asked, her eyes still fixed on the horizon.

"I come from a place so incredibly distant, it defies the very notion of measurement. I really don’t understand where it is, in relation to where we are now." he said. She nodded, her gaze unbroken from the water.

"Fishing isn’t working out at our current speed, or perhaps luck wasn't on our side today," he mused, materializing a special fruit from his storage. He bit down savoring its taste, before summoning another. "Syl," he called, tossing it to her.

She deftly caught it and inspected it. A tentative lick, followed by a tentative bite, was endearingly sweet. She took a small bite and, tasting it, she paused, her eyes closing as if in a trance.

"This is high-grade spirit fruit," she whispered reverently. "I can’t even determine its stage, it's divine."

"Happy to hear you enjoy it," he replied with a hint of satisfaction.

"Enjoy it? Immanuel, this isn't just enjoyable—it's a natural treasure. It holds immense benefits for purifying one's energy channels, accelerating cultivation, and enhancing physical and mental faculties," she explained, her voice trailing off.

She stood still like a statue for a few moments before abruptly dashing from the couch, her robes billowing behind her, she pulled them over her head in full sprint, revealing only her simple underwear. With a leap, she plunged into the sea. Immanuel, taken aback, ran after her and peered over the railing at the spot where she had disappeared. He watched in bewilderment as she expelled something dark into the water, the ominous substance swirling with the sea's currents. She was vomiting and when she came near the speedboat still being pulled by the ship she grabbed it with one arm.

Zach, who had been perched on the railing, was quietly observing Syl, "Zach, would you mind keeping an eye on the bridge?" Without a word, Zach rose and headed towards the bridge. Immanuel looked worriedly over the railing.

“You alright?” He called.

“Give me…” She was puking something out. Immanuel decided to wait.

As the suns began their descent, casting a warm glow over the ship, Syl finally emerged from the water pulling herself in the speedboat. Immanuel took out two towels he stole from the spa in the blue dome and dropped them in front of her. She sat in the speedboat, her hands covering her face.

After a while, she took a towel, drying herself off before climbing out of the boat using the robe. The towels draped over her shoulders like a makeshift shawl.

"I'm sorry," Immanuel began, his words tinged with regret. "I've been consuming them for so long, and I've even shared them before without issue." But Syl, approaching him, pressed her cheek gently against his, cutting through his apologies. He wrapped his arms around her in a comforting embrace, and after a moment, she reciprocated the hug.

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"Those were impurities leaving my body. I feel rejuvenated, lighter than ever, like a white cloud sailing before the onset of a grand storm," she whispered into his ear, her voice a soothing murmur. "Would you mind taking the first watch? I need to rest." With a final, reassuring squeeze, Immanuel released her. "Rest as long as you need," he assured her as she walked away, gathering her robes before descending below deck.

Left alone, Immanuel stood there, enveloped in the tranquility of the evening. He savored the sounds of the wind billowing the sails and the warmth of the fading day. As the suns dipped below the horizon, he reeled in the speedboat, considering it a drag in the water, and then made his way to the bridge.

Finding Zach asleep on his couch he thought, 'That guy sleeps a lot. And even though we're at sea, shouldn't someone keep an eye on our course?' Deciding not to disturb the slumbering Zach, he settled into the captain's chair. Feeling a mix of boredom and fatigue, he decided to delve into his special storage.

Immanuel took out the silver crown. Its intricate design, adorned with tiny symbols, looked simple but well crafted. Knowing now that every item from the chimera held a special purpose, he couldn't help but wonder about the crown.

Placing the crown upon his head once more, he waited expectantly for a moment. Yet, nothing happened. It remained just a crown, at least for now. Resigned but still hopeful, he decided to leave it on, ‘maybe it needs some time.’ He thought.

Settling back into the captain's chair, Immanuel braced himself for the long night ahead. The quietude of the ship, coupled with the rhythmic sounds of the sea, provided a serene backdrop to his vigil. As he sat there, the crown resting atop his head, he remained alert, a silent guardian watching over the vessel and its slumbering occupants.

---

As dawn approached, Syl entered, gently tapping Immanuel's shoulder to signal it was time for him to rest. He stood, his body feeling the weight of the long watch, and approached Zach. "Zach," he said softly, stirring the boy from his sleep. "Your turn to keep watch. Make sure to check our back for any followers, okay?"

Zach sleepily nodded and took position behind the wheel.

Immanuel pondered for a moment, debating internally. 'Should I give him a warning, or trust him? Neglecting the front is one thing, but overlooking potential attackers is another matter entirely.' He decided against saying anything.

He motioned for Syl to follow him. "You should get some more rest, but first, come with me," he suggested, leading her to the study. There, he revealed the chest they had stolen alongside the sword while making their escape, as well as the assortment of seeds and bottles given by the chimera.

"My mentor, the one who provided the spirit fruits, also gave me these. Perhaps you can help identify them. I'm confident they're all valuable, but for now, let's sleep"

Syl asked with a teasing smile, "Did you crown yourself king while I was sleeping?"

Caught off guard, Immanuel stammered, "What? No, I just thought... uh, you'd have the insight to—"

"You're wearing a crown," she pointed out, laughter brightening her tone.

“Oh! I forgot” Immanuel chuckled softly, a mix of embarrassment and amusement in his gesture. He removed the crown and placed it carefully on the desk.

He opened the door of the study and crossed the hallway opening his bedroom door, with his heart pounding in his throat, he left the door wide open, as an invitation. Syl followed.

Taking off his robes, a departure from his usual habit of sleeping above the sheets, Immanuel slipped under them, maintaining a respectful distance on his side of the bed. He heard Syl's robes softly rustling as she too lay down.

In the stillness, Immanuel's senses heightened, attuning to her every movement. Syl lay motionless, the soft rhythm of her breaths like a gentle lullaby. Gradually, lulled by the tranquil sound, Immanuel drifted into a peaceful sleep.

---

As morning light filtered through the window, Immanuel lay still for a moment, relishing the bed's comfort. He watched dust motes dance in the beams of light, their delicate ballet bringing a smile to his face. Turning to where Syl had slept, a wave of disappointment washed over him upon finding her gone.

Rising, he draped his robe over himself and made his way to the deck. There, he found Zach busily dismantling the last of the sails.

After completing the task, Zach headed towards the bridge while Syl approached Immanuel. "We're planning to fish. Zach's hungry," she informed him. Zach returned, carrying two crossbows and wearing nothing, his youthful physique on full display.

Handing Zach the rope, Immanuel watched as the boy securely tied himself. Then, with a deliberate motion, Immanuel threw a summoned Lycan arm into the water. Zach took a crossbow, nicking himself with an arrow to add blood to the water.

The ocean's blue hue sparkled under the sun's touch, a warm breeze playing over the deck. Immanuel's eyes drifted to Syl, noting the dark green of her eyes, previously thought to be black. His thoughts were interrupted by her voice.

"I haven't had the chance to examine the seeds and bottles yet, but I'm eager to discover their properties," Syl said, her eyes meeting his with a hint of anticipation.

"I also have this little device, but I'm not sure what it does," Immanuel mentioned, materializing the small black gadget he checked only once on the great green.

Syl, setting down her crossbow, took the device with a gentle touch, examining it with interest. The delicate nature of the item was evident. Engrossed in its intricacies, her brow furrowed in concentration, an adorable expression of focus and curiosity.

Immanuel, turning his attention to the water, saw absolutely no fish.

"Zach, I have a transformation ability, but I struggle to use it," he said, breaking the silence.

Zach glanced at him briefly, his focus still on the ocean.

"Can you offer any guidance? I activate it, but the transformation halts before it fully completes," Immanuel continued.

After a moment of contemplation, Zach responded, his eyes still fixed on the drifting Lycan remains. "You must fully embrace the new form. The more it differs from your current state, the more challenging the transformation," he said sagely.

"That sounds—" Immanuel began.

"You have to embody the new form before the transformation can occur," he elaborated.

"I don’t know what that means. Can you break that down into a five-step program?" He asked with a smile.

"Describe the form you're trying to achieve." He said softly.

"Large wings, four scaled paws ending in sharp talons, a tail, and a beak." He said and waited.

"Start by moving on all fours. Embrace the essence of that creature. Feel, in your very core, that you are that beast," Zach instructed, his gaze piercingly direct. "Because you are that beast," he affirmed, then turned his attention back to the sea.

'That was strikingly profound.’ Thought Immanuel, ‘I am that beast. But do I truly believe that? Therein lies the challenge, doesn't it? Yet, how can I walk around on all fours all day? What would Syl think? And what would she think if I took her soaring through the clouds?' A smile crept across his face at the thought.

----

The tranquil sea offered nothing. At some point they decided to stop and hoist the sails.

Turning to Zach, Immanuel offered him a piece of the spirit fruit, "this is spirit fruit, and it might cause some discomfort," he warned.

Zach accepted the fruit, and upon biting into it, his stoic demeanor shifted dramatically. He started to moan. After consuming more and starting to feel its effects, he fought against the urge to vomit.

Black gunk began to ooze from his pores. "Give me the fruit," Immanuel said, noticing Zach's mixture of pain and shock. "You'll get the rest back. Jump into the water and you can finish it once you feel better." Retching, Zach leapt into the sea, taking a strong unpleasant odor with him.

Syl, engrossed in the mysterious device, seemed oblivious to her surroundings. "Syl, could you unfurl the sails? It seems we won't catch anything today," Immanuel called out, but she didn't respond. Raising his voice, he repeated, "Syl."

She finally looked up, registering his words. "Zach is in the water, he ate the fruit. Can you hoist the sails? There are no fish here."

Syl, storing the device in a hidden pocket of her robe, got to work on the sails, her movements efficient and practiced.