Thwack!
Ushern is sent hurtling into the sea as the Tide Smasher manages to connect its tail and whip Ushern off. The Tide Smasher turns its attention to Ushern, still enraged by the harpoon in its eye, but before it can turn away, a volley of cannonballs strikes its head.
Boom!
–"ALL OF YOU ON DECK! LOAD THE CANNONS FASTER!"
A man shouts out, his voice ringing across the deck. The deckhands hasten their loading and fire more shots at the sea beast, while Ushern, now in the water, has lost consciousness, slowly sinking.
–"BUY TIME FOR THE CAPTAIN TO RECOVER! KEEP IT OCCUPIED!"
Mirasu quickly lets go of the taffrail and falls back into the middle of the deck. Chaos reigns; deckhands scream and shout, running around to load more cannonballs. Each shot rings out, filling the area with smoke and obscuring the view.
Mirasu turns her attention to the man shouting, looking at him. It was Mammon, the crew’s navigator and vice-captain. His hazel hair flows in the wind as he stands bravely at the quarterdeck, his gray coat draped over his shoulders like a cape as it flows in the wind.
Each shot shatters the Tide Smasher's tough hide, sending its emerald green scales flying like hail, some landing on the ship and cutting a few deckhands with their sharp edges.
But before they can harm more crew members, Mammon swiftly swings his hand, what follows after is a strong gust of wind that deflects the falling scales.
–"KEEP SHOOTING! DO ALL OF YOU WANT TO DIE HERE?!"
He shouts with gusto before turning his attention to Mirasu, who is standing idly by. He rushes forward and grabs her just as a large scale lands deep into the wooden floor where she is standing.
Mirasu remains in a daze, still held in Mammon’s arms. She looks back at where she stood, still in shock. Before she can think further, Mammon's shout pierces her eardrums, making it feel like they are about to burst.
–“What the hell are you doing standing around like a damn scarecrow?!” Mammon shook Mirasu aggressively, his face a mix of rage and underlying worry. “We’re hunting a sea beast, and all you’re doing is being a liability?! I don’t understand why Ushern even took a brat like you—”
Mammon saw the shadow of the Tide Smasher cover the ship. Its imposing figure pierced through the thick smoke as it rose above. Looking up, Mammon’s eyes widened as the creature thrust itself into the air. The Tide Smasher began to arch, preparing to dive.
Mammon steeled themselves as they held onto Mirasu tightly, raising his hand to conjure a large barrier made of the wind that covered a majority of the ship.
Mirasu let out a yelp and covered her head, her breath straining and her heart pounding so wildly that even Mammon was being shaken.
The Tide Smasher let out a screech as its sudden leap into the sky cleared the smoke. Submerging into the water with a powerful dive, creating large waves as it swam its way to Ushern.
One particular wave, massive and threatening, headed straight for the ship, its size dangerously close to capsizing it.
Ushern, still submerged in the water, regained consciousness. She saw the Tide Smasher with its mouth agape. Having just woken up, Ushern swung her arm with all the power she could muster.
The water in front of her compressed as air bubbles multiplied and grew. A shockwave rippled through the water as it connected with the Tide Smasher, halting its movement and sending Ushern flying above the sea.
As soon as she broke the water’s surface, she gasped for air, still in the air free falling, trying to fix her position and find where the ship was, whilst hurdling back onto the sea’s surface, she finally saw the large wave headed for the ship.
–”Wha-?! DAMN IT!”
In a frantic try, Ushern swings her arms with all her force, shooting herself to the ship, trying to intercept the wave, but before she does, the Tide Smasher breaches the water’s surface and snags her in between its jaws.
Clash! Splatter!
Blood sprays between the Tide Smasher’s jaws as it lets out a low rumble, Ushern remaining in between the Tide Smasher’s teeth, blood trickling down from its teeth where Ushern was caught. Ushern, however, couldn't care less.
Her heart was pounding in her ears, her mind drifting to her crew’s demise. As their captain, she was filled with utter rage; she couldn’t allow her entire crew to be felled by some Sea Monster; she could feel the heat running through her veins, the adrenaline; then-Crack!
Ushern's fingers dug into the Tide Smasher’s teeth, cracking them further and prying its jaws apart. showing she had never been pierced by the beast's teeth; she had managed to halt the monster’s attack just in time.
She then gritted her teeth, her veins bulging out, letting out a bloodcurdling scream as she tried to pry its jaws open with sheer strength.
The sound of her fingers digging in reminisced of metal claws piercing through marble as it popped with each crack.
Her fingers had dug deep into the bone of the teeth, revealing herself unscathed, blood trickling down the Tide Smasher’s teeth through the holes Ushern had pierced through.
–”EAGER FOR A MEAL RIGHT?!” She grunts, struggling to push its jaws apart, “LET’S MAKE SURE YOU..!” Ushern pried herself out of its jaw and simultaneously broke it’s jaw, causing the Tide Smasher to cry out in pain, now free and her body remaining unscathed. She whirls around, winding up a kick, “WON’T BE SO DESPERATE FOR ANOTHER!”
Her voice was loud and clear, rippling with haste and with complete utter rage, clearing her throat with a shout as she focused her anger into one strike, one strike that would clear her mind entirely.
In a swift downward strike, her kick shatters the Tide Smasher’s upper front teeth into pieces, it screeches in agony as it writhes erratically in the water, splashing more waves, as it submerges back into the sea.
Ushern in that moment of clearance remembered the current situation her crew was in, snapping her head back to the ship-
–”The crew!—“
Then a loud piercing sound cuts through the air itself, the wave dispersing having been cut in half by an invisible force, Ushern looks on with a smile on her face as she begins descending back into the water.
The ship rocked violently due to the waves, Mirasu holding tightly onto Mammon, she sees the waves approaching as she’s filled with fear, gripping onto him with all her might.
–”It’s gonna hit us! Vice-Captain! The waves are gonna cap-size us-!”Mirasu spoke in a panic, her heart pounding in her ears as everything began to fade. She looked up to see a green glow emanating from Mammon's eyes and a wide smirk on his face as he cut through the massive wave with nothing more than air.
A small sense of safety emerged from Mammon's presence; there was an odd warmth as she watched him wield his mysterious power.
–“He’s strong! Just like Ushern! Just like Ushern...” Her thoughts echoed in her mind. This man shared the same monstrous abilities as the captain, and she wondered if there was even a normal person on this ship. She lifted her head to look at Mammon.
–“A small wave taking out the White Sparrows? As if I’ll allow that to happen!” He let out a maniacal cackle. Mirasu looked up at him with utter fear as she slipped out of his grasp. He pointed at himself, “Don’t you understand?! Foul sea beast! You expect these waves to take us down?! Ho—”
He suddenly stopped speaking as another shadow cast itself over the ship. The large waves caused by the Tide Smasher’s submergence began heading toward the ship. Mammon’s smirk faded as he wound his arms back.
–“Keep this engraved in your mind! This is what it means to be a White Sparrow! The vi—” He glanced down while speaking and saw Mirasu backing away in fear. “H-Hey! Get back here! You do know being next to me is the sa—”
–“You don’t feel safe!” Mirasu chimed back, leaving Mammon speechless. He gritted his teeth, letting out a low grumble, a small vein popping out on his head as he turned back to face the approaching waves.
“Fine! Stay back if you want to! Besides, Ushern won’t forgive me if I allow anyone to be killed here!” His eyes sparked with green magic as he swung his arms forward. “Hurricane… BLITZ!” he shouted out with a wide grin etched across his face as strong winds shot out.
The winds sliced through the water, cutting down wave after wave. Mammon soon collapsed to the ground, catching his breath as he landed on one knee. Mirasu quickly approached him, kneeling beside him to offer her support.
She winced slightly, her previous injuries still unhealed, but she fought through, shifting her worry onto Mammon instead.
–“Mam— I mean, Vice-Captain, ar—” Mammon’s hand found its way to Mirasu’s face, promptly silencing her. “Mmph?!”
–“Brat! You’re battered, beaten, and bruised! I suggest you find somewhere to hold on.” His previously threatening tone had softened to a more tame one. “You hear me? Go! Grab onto something!” He pushed her away without warning.
–“Why doesn’t Kosen join us on these hunts when we need her most damn it...” Mammon grumbled under his breath.
Mirasu quickly regained her composure and ran to the stairs of the quarterdeck, grabbing onto the railing and hugging it tightly, hanging on for dear life.
Ushern, who had finally crashed into the water, saw the silhouette of the Tide Smasher approaching the ship. She threw herself up once again, landing on the water with her right foot and locking onto the Tide Smasher.
Skipping across the water with her right foot, she picked up her pace, approaching the ship. As she closed in, the Tide Smasher breached the surface once more, raising its head high as it tried again to split the ship in two.
Mirasu, still holding onto the railings of the ship, saw the shadow cast by the beast. A sense of dread and hopelessness filled her mind as a loud bellow was heard, and the beast began to fall onto the ship.
Crack!
She was pushed away from the railing by a powerful shockwave that once again shook the ship to its core, causing the wood to crack. Mirasu looked up to see Ushern having landed on the Tide Smasher’s side, now holding the harpoon lodged in the Tide Smasher’s eye.
– “Ushern?!” Mirasu exclaimed with hope. She hurriedly got back to her feet, but her knees suddenly gave out. Her body no longer had the strength to stand; it felt as if her muscles were being pulled down by chains, locking her to the ground.
Sssshhck-!
Ushern had pulled the Harpoon out, and blood sprayed from the creature’s eye as it landed down on the ship like rainfall, Ushern jumped off not before spinning around like a corkscrew as she winded up another kick.
As Ushern landed the devastating strike, it sent out another shockwave, momentarily deafening Mirasu and the rest onboard the ship as it propelled the Tide Smasher backward, throwing it back into the water.
Mirasu clutched her ears tightly, watching Ushern land back on the ship, drenched in blood and water. She walked over to Mammon and helped him up.
–“Tired already? What the hell did I make you Vice-Captain for, Mammon?” Ushern teased with a playful tone. Mammon quickly took her hand, wiped the sweat from his forehead with his free hand, and sneered back.
–“Oh, for crying out loud. If it weren’t for me, this ship would’ve been capsized,” Mammon replied with an exhausted sigh. “It’s a Serpent-type. Luckily, I’ve got just enough energy left for the Vortex maneuver. What about you, Captain? Got anything left to make this work?”
Ushern smirked, the wind blowing against her face and brushing aside the hair that obscured the right side of her face, revealing a scar that shaved off her entire cheek.
–“Got anything left? Look at yourself, Mammon. To me, it seems like you’re running on empty fumes.” She placed the harpoon back onto her shoulder, looking at her crew primed at the cannons, and took a deep breath. With a powerful voice, she shouted!
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–”ALL OF YOU TO THE HULL! PREPARE THE HARPOON CANNONS! WE’RE DOING THE VORTEX MANEUVER! GO!”, her voice rang across the deck.
Mirasu covered her ears, grunting in pain.
–“H-How many times are they going to burst my eardrums?!” she grumbled under her breath as Ushern’s voice rang through her ears like gongs being hit right beside her.
The entire crew rushed in unison, leaving the deck and descending into the hull. Ushern then turned her head back to Mammon.
–“Ah, right. While I’m out there, babysit the kid. As a new member, she needs to see things up close.” Ushern turned around, stretching her neck, when Mammon suddenly reached out and grabbed her shoulder.
–“Babysit?! You want me to watch over that runt while I’m out here on deck?!” Mammon protested, his voice tinged with frustration.
Mammon tried to complain further, but he quickly backed down when Ushern gave him a steely glare. One look was enough to silence him.
–“Understood, Captain,” he replied, his voice, once loud and prideful, now subdued and weak, his eyes narrowing with reluctant submission.
Mirasu couldn’t believe her eyes. Someone like Mammon was so easily silenced—not by a strike or a word, but by a simple glare.
Mirasu watched as Mammon approached them while Ushern rushed off the deck. The ship rocked once more as she leaped into the air.
The Tide Smasher, regaining consciousness, lifted its head only to have Ushern’s foot intercept its massive jaw. She bounced off and fell back into the water.
In a frenzy, the Tide Smasher raised its tail, ready to whip it around in a last desperate attempt. Suddenly, a harpoon pierced its abdomen. It screeched in agony, looking down, it saw the harpoon being connected to a rope, leading back to the ship.
It tried to dive down to escape, but Ushern kicked it back up. The creature could only wail in desperation as more harpoons were shot into its body, each one preventing it from escaping into the deep sea.
The harpoons were attached to the ship, which was spinning at rapid speeds. On deck, Mammon was conjuring strong winds to keep this spiral going but he seemed to be running out of steam. The ship’s speed was noticeably decreasing with each revolution.
The ropes tightened around the Tide Smasher, restraining it and crushing its body under the strain, the ropes wrapping around like a spider’s web.
Mirasu clung tightly to Mammon, her body lifted off the ground as if caught in a tornado. Tears streamed down her face, carried away by the fierce winds.
–“VICE-CAPTAIN!!!! I THINK I’M GONNA SLIP OFF!” Mirasu screamed in fear as her grip slowly weakened. Just as she was about to let go, Mammon grabbed her hand, holding her tightly.
–“You’re such a damn nuisance! Even if Ushern told you to stay on deck, you should’ve at least ignored her and gone into the cabins!” Mammon shouted with irritation, his exhaustion evident as his breath hastened and his body shivering.
The winds subsided, and the Tide Smasher, still restrained and struggling to break free, continued to thrash. Ushern skipped across the water’s surface, gaining distance. A few hundred meters back, she bounced up and down on the water, gritting her teeth.
–“You’re the most feisty hunt we’ve ever been on. Even so, I barely had any fun…” She slammed her right foot into the water, propelling herself forward with great speed. “But that doesn’t excuse the great fight you put up! So, as a memento!” Ushern smiled wildly, the air crackling behind her.
Mammon’s eyes widened as he clutched Mirasu tightly, pulling her into a protective ball, the water behind Ushern flying off behind her.
–“Hold your breath, girl!” With his remaining strength, Mammon conjured a small wind barrier to shield both himself and Mirasu.
In the hull of the ship, the crew quickly curled into balls after hearing the sharp, air-piercing sound, and then Ushern spun in her trajectory, pulling the water around her into a swirling coil.
–“I’LL USE SOMETHING JUST FOR YOU!” she shouted. In a blink, the Tide Smasher’s head was blown clean off by a concentrated shot of water. But before making contact, she called out, “TIDE QUELLER!”
Mirasu watched in awe and confusion. She didn’t understand why she had to hold her breath or be protected—
Then, a powerful shockwave and a bright flash followed, pushing the ship backward and nearly causing it to capsize as it turned to a great degree, pulling herself and Mammon to the Taffrails.
She was left in a state of confusion, the literal air in her lungs somehow being knocked out, the barrier breaking apart as the ship regained balance, she felt Mammon’s hold on her weaken as they uncurled.
Mirasu was left awestruck in the aftermath slowly regaining her breath, she looked on and saw the Sea Beast’s head blown clean off.
Soon she felt wet drops land on her, it was blood, and a rain came down upon the ship belonging to the Tide Smasher.
Mammon let out a relieved sigh as he looked at the corpse.
– “So it pushed the Captain that badly huh? She had to pull out a move like that. Dear Nomad, she’s a monster,” Mammon chuckled softly.
Suddenly, a strong crash was heard, rocking the ship once again as Ushern landed on the deck, causing the wood to cave in slightly.
Ushern’s pristine appearance was now marred by blood coating her coat, the smell of dead fish emanating from her body, and her gritty, battle-worn look was a sight to behold.
–“There, the hunt’s done,” Ushern didn’t seem winded, but her breath was a bit strained. She looked down at Mammon, who was holding Mirasu tightly.
All Mirasu could do was stare at Ushern, utterly speechless. The silence was broken when Ushern let out a sigh, looking at Mirasu.
–“Rest up. We’ll be docking at the port later, got it?” Ushern walked off, turning her back as she took slow, slightly wobbly steps, her peg leg clicking on the wooden deck, she was tired despite not showing it.
Soon, the rest of the crew flooded onto the deck. Mammon pushed Mirasu off as they got on their feet. But Mirasu remained on her knees, trying to gather her thoughts.
–“If you’re going to rest, head back to the cabins. We’re going back to port anyway. Kosen can patch you up once we get there,” Mammon walked past her. Even exhausted, he kept his resolve, ordering the deckhands to begin repairs.
Mirasu slowly stood up, her heartbeat slowing as her breath steadied. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
–“What did I get myself into?” Mirasu clasped her hands together with a small smile on her face, before running to the taffrail and vomiting her insides out into the sea.
…
…
–“Soon after you passed out, luckily one of the crew members managed to catch you before you could, well, fall into the sea below,” a mysterious voice spoke, it had a more gentle tone to it, not like the voices she’s heard on the ship.
Mirasu’s eyes fluttered open, surveying her surroundings in a panic, she saw that she was lying in a bed inside a building, then turned her head to find that voice.
There she saw them, a kind and beautiful woman sat beside her on the bed, with long lime-green hair cascading down to her waist, a pair of gray horns sprouting from her head, wrapped with vines, The woman wore a pair of glasses, and a gray coat similar to Mammon’s, her attire similar to Ushern’s.
Her eyes shone like Amethyst, an odd soothing aura emanating from this woman, a sense of warmth despite not knowing her at all.
The woman placed her hands on Mirasu’s abdomen, and a soothing sensation spread throughout Mirasu’s body. Her limbs finally felt like they were singing in harmony, laughing instead of being in a perpetual state of torture.
–“So… I passed out?” Mirasu tilted her head in confusion. Her bruises and wounds had healed to some degree but were not fully recovered. She watched the kind lady wrap bandages around her arms and head. “W-Who are you, anyway?” Mirasu asked in a state of confusion, still composing herself.
The woman let out a soft chuckle at Mirasu’s demeanor, finishing the last bits of bandaging and giving her gentle pats on the head, gazing at her tenderly with her Silver eyes.
–“Kosen, Kosen Tanaka, the doctor of the White Sparrows,” she introduced herself, her gentle tone dancing as it left her lips. Mirasu was baffled at how someone like this could be associated with the crew she had been with a few hours ago.
–“I’m curious, though. I haven’t seen you before. Let me guess, you’re a castaway? Besides, I doubt anyone would be stupid enough to board our ship on purpose,” Kosen giggled gently.
She caressed Mirasu’s cheeks, their eyes roaming across their body for any more injuries, acting like a caring mother.
–“Mmm.. Yes.. you got it right,” Mirasu responded in a secretive tone, opening up just a bit due to her kindness. Kosen noticed this but decided not to press further.
–“I see. Well, you’re patched up, but I suggest you rest.” Kosen smirked as she shrugged her shoulders “Or you could just go down and see the others, after all this is an inn, so you’ll be staying here for a while,” Kosen quickly stood up, giving Mirasu a light wave.
–“Toodles~” she says whilst she leaves the room.
Mirasu was now alone.
…
How did I get here? Seriously, could things have gotten any worse?
I grimaced, my face contorting with discomfort as I reminded myself of one key detail: Ushern.
Now that I’m somewhat healed, was there anything stopping her from pulling me out of bed and putting me through training? Probably not.
I let out an exasperated sigh, pondering once again.
What did I get myself into?
…
Mirasu got off the bed and spotted a mirror. She walked over to it and examined herself. Her head was well bandaged, and as she lifted her shirt, she saw bandages covering her abdomen, arms, and legs.
Her expression winced as she realized the severity of the beating Ushern had given her during ’training.’ Pulling her shirt back down, she walked to the door and exited, hearing laughter coming from downstairs.
Mirasu saw Mammon and Kosen talking. She approached slowly, trying to remain unnoticed, and hid behind a flower pot to listen in.
–“So you’re telling me that little girl is a part of the White Sparrows? You’re kidding, right? A kid? Of all the people Ushern decided to take in, it HAD to be a child?!” Kosen pinched the bridge of her nose, clearly baffled by Ushern’s choice to bring a child-like Mirasu into the crew, especially a crew known for Sea Beast hunting.
–“Well, that was the original plan—take her in and then bring her to town. But she insisted on staying. Besides, the old captain raised Ushern on the ship, right? Who knows, maybe Ushern’s just following the same path,” Mammon replied with a carefree tone.
Kosen regained her composure, though her face remained blank, her eyebrows narrowed in clear disappointment. Still, it made sense.
–“That makes sense, even though it doesn’t.” she said, though still puzzled. “But did she have to beat the kid like that? I swear, if I hadn’t been here to heal her, she’d probably be dead by next week…”
Kosen pondered for a moment, a bit perplexed. Her eyes widened as she questioned further.
–“Wait, wait… Let me get this straight. Ushern beat— I mean, trained the kid the second day she was on board? And you’re telling me she had enough strength to stay conscious for five days?!” Kosen was left utterly flabbergasted. An eleven-year-old had taken that kind of beating and was somehow still standing?!
–“Yeah, she kept going strong for five whole days until she passed out after the hunt. I can’t blame her; it was her first time—” Mammon started to explain, but Kosen interrupted by covering his mouth.
–“Hold on! No wonder Ushern took such an interest in her! Ushern beat her to a pulp, and she’s still holding on like nothing happened?! What kind of eleven-year-old is she?” Mammon pulled Kosen’s hands away, his frustration clear.
–“Hey! It’s not like the Captain is crazy enough to kill a kid, you know? What do you take her for, a psychopath?” Mammon quickly defended their Captain Ushern.
Kosen fiddled with her fingers, her expression thoughtful. “Well… yeah?”
Mammon fell silent, his expression dropping as he acknowledged the point. “Fair point…”
Their conversation was abruptly cut short when Mirasu took a step closer. Mammon was the first to notice, a smirk spreading across his face as he saw her peeking from behind the flowerpot. “Speak of the devil, it’s the star of our little chat. Eavesdropping, too.”
Kosen turned her head to Mirasu, letting out a soft sigh upon seeing the girl curiously listening in.
–“How much did you hear? Forget it. Come on, Mammon, there’s a party going on downstairs. Being a lone wolf isn’t exactly making you look like a vice-captain. And Mirasu, you can join us if you want.”
Mammon tried to retort, but Kosen swiftly grabbed his hair and began dragging him down the stairs.
–“HEY! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?! LET GO OF ME, KOSEN! I DON’T CARE IF YOU’RE THE DOCTOR! I’LL BREAK YOUR—” Mammon’s protests were cut short as Kosen threw him down the stairs and dusted her hands with a satisfied smile.
–“Oh, are you now? Let’s see how Ushern reacts to your words,” Kosen would let out a low cackle as she descended the stairs, their arguing fading as they reached the first floor.
Mirasu watched the scene unfold with confusion. Were the two friends, rivals, or something else entirely? Shaking her head, she decided to head downstairs herself. The bright lights briefly blinded her.
Her eyes soon lit up with enthusiasm and joy as she took in the lively scene. The tavern was filled with singing and laughter, and the crew dancing hand in hand. There Ushern was nowhere in sight… Odd, shouldn’t the captain be the one leading the party?
Despite the unusual scene, Mirasu didn’t mind. She smiled, feeling a rush of excitement and ready to join in the fun. Maybe joining the White Sparrows wasn’t so bad after all.
Mirasu rushed down the stairs to join the festivities, but she was quickly sidelined, finding herself sitting next to Kosen in a corner.
–“Too young to drink and you won’t understand anything they’re saying anyway,” Kosen said with a dry laugh, sipping from her mug of beer. “Hah… Same here, bud. Same here.”
…
Sitting next to Kosen, I tried to make the best of my situation. The warmth of the tavern was a stark contrast to the cold, harsh winds of the sea.
Despite the lively atmosphere, with the crew’s cheers and laughter filling the room, I still felt a bit out of place, stuck in the corner with Kosen.
It was starting to feel somewhat comfortable sitting in the corner—well, as comfortable as it could get amid so much noise and chaos. I was beginning to accept my place, trying to find solace in the relative calm of the corner. But then—
Splash!
A sudden jolt of cold liquid hit my face, soaking me with alcohol. My eyes widened in shock as the beer dripped from my hair and down my cheeks. I sputtered, wiping my face frantically, trying to clear the sticky residue from my eyes.
The crewmate who had accidentally splashed me was apologizing profusely, their face red with embarrassment or perhaps it was because they were drunk? I wasn’t sure.
Kosen, clearly agitated, had already launched into a full-blown scolding, her voice sharp and commanding as she laid into the unfortunate soul with a flurry of insults.
Despite the scolding, the damage was done. I felt the damp, cold alcohol seeping through my clothes and under the bandages, then into my skin.
I looked around at the revelry with renewed irritation. This was supposed to be a celebration, but all I was feeling..? It was just an annoyance.
Never mind, I hate this place.
CHAPTER-1 END