Act I: One Step Forward

Part II: Bouts of Chaos

Chapter 6: Lion Hood

It took barely any time before the Royal Knights from the Kingdom of Rhinehelm arrived at the scene. The aggressive docking of the Odyssey managed to make enough noise to reach the ears of those working to repair the kingdom. A small team of disaster relief specialists came with the knights, assuming that the ship crashed as a result of the tremors that have been plaguing their ocean. It was common for ships to end up wrecked before they came to the Castlebury port, but this was the first time the knights and specialists have seen a ship completely beach itself. It certainly began to stir quite the fuss.

The hull of the Odyssey had been mangled and damaged to a point where the ship's contents were spilling from the broken holes and were scattered around the beach. The bow and front half of the ship had been crushed by the tree it slammed into. The tree was snapped in two, having already fallen into the bow by the time anyone had arrived. The rest of the ship looked fine enough, having only suffered minimal damage from the impact of the crash. However, a lot of what was on the ship had been tipped over. Although, most of that damage came from the violent rocking of the waves from the tremors prior to the Kraken encounter.

From her place upon the stern, Reverie could hear the cries and shouts of the knights below followed by the voices of the specialists. Reverie kept as still as possible, her body still feeling incredibly motion sick. She could hear them yelling about finding survivors and any corpses. She worried for Ann and Turk, but judging by how Ann called out to check if she was okay, Reverie could safely assume that they were fine. Reverie took deep breaths, doing whatever she could to not make any sudden movements. Inch by inch, she slowly crawled her way to the ship's steering wheel, hoping to check on Ann and Turk and show them that she was okay. She wanted to call out, but she found that she had barely a voice to call out with. Reverie had only just crawled away from her original position before she heard more voices.

"Up here!" One cried, "I have eyes on three!"

"Alive?" Cried another.

"Yes!"

Reverie assumed that the voices came from the group of people who came to the ship. She saw them clamour up the stairs and around her.

"Are you alright? Can you move?" One asked.

Reverie noticed they were wearing a medical uniform. Actually, she noticed that almost all of them were wearing medical uniforms.

Reverie groaned in response, still unable to find any words. She felt the medical specialists, she assumed they were such, attempt to move her and she groaned in protest. Her body felt too sick.

"What happened?" Reverie could hear the voice of someone below the stern, most likely talking to Ann and Turk. She heard Ann speaking in reply.

"Boat crash. It was pretty wild." Ann gave a weak response.

"Did you see the Kraken?"

"Well," Ann's voice shook slightly, "Why don't you take a guess there, bud?" She sounded a bit annoyed.

"How's your friend?" Ann's response was ignored as another voice asked.

"Shaken and tired, but otherwise fine."

As that conversation was going on, the specialists around Reverie were trying to figure out how to get her somewhere safe. They wanted to move her, but Reverie felt so sick that her last meal would show itself if she were to be moved. In the end, the specialists resorted to giving Reverie some kind of treatment for her nauseousness. Reverie lay still for a while, waiting as all her surroundings started to blur in sound and her vision began dimming. Her eyelids grew increasingly heavy and her body felt weak. It took some time before Reverie finally fell unconscious.

Ann was the first to recover, then Turk, and then Reverie. By the time Reverie had awoken in Castlebury's makeshift infirmary building, Ann and Turk had been out and about for a while, helping the Knights and disaster relief specialists try to fix up the kingdom. The Odyssey was also in the midst of repairs as well.

Reverie woke up to a slightly tattered, white ceiling in a room by herself. She was laying down in a somewhat soft cot and was covered in a thin sheet for a blanket. The glaring light from the morning sun shone through one of the windows and into Reverie's eyes, causing her to squint and instinctively cover her eyes with the blanket. Reverie was finally awake after a few days of drifting between sleep and consciousness, and she wasn't particularly happy about how bright the sun was.

She turned over to her side in an attempt to bury herself in the cot she was laying on. She spent the past few days either sleeping and having nightmares, or being awake and processing everything that has been happening since she left the Heavedy Tribe. Reverie peeked out from under the blanket towards the small bedside table in front of her. It was a simple, cheap looking table with little drawers. On top of the table were her bracelets, Regalia's device, and Regalia's bronze-coloured necklace.

Regalia.

Reverie gingerly held her hand out to grasp the necklace, finally noticing the little stain of blood on the chain. She hadn't noticed it before when she first saw the necklace. There was a lot of information that she was processing at the time. She gently ran a thumb across the shiny pearl pendant, finding herself calming down somewhat.

She had been trying to avoid dealing with the reality of everything that had happened by trying to sleep it off, but Reverie was beginning to understand that she was going to have to look at the facts eventually. With a hefty sigh, she slowly sat up in her cot, holding Regalia's necklace in her hand. She was surprised that she was able to hold it so carefully, she had always been wearing bracelets that held back her strength since she first discovered her power. Reverie supposed how she was feeling made it easier for her to hold the necklace tenderly. Regardless, Reverie clasped her bracelets back onto each wrist before examining the necklace.

Her thoughts reeled as she decided to go through the information that was proven true. She had to figure out if Regalia was okay or if he actually, well, died. Of course, Reverie was not prepared for the latter, but she had to think things through.

Regalia left to investigate some disturbances by the ocean down south from the Heavedy Tribe. He had left about a week or so before Valour's Ceremony of Life. When Regalia did not return, Reverie took a few days before she left the tribe by herself to find him. After about two days, Reverie arrived in Brightriver where she met Ann and Turk and took a few more days before she left with them for Castlebury by ship. Regalia had long since left Brightriver for Castlebury, as the latter had been the most affected by the disturbances: tremors that have been happening around the Gulf of Esqua.

The journey from Brightriver to Castlebury took months, with Regalia still ahead of Reverie by over a week. The route taken was sure to be the same route that Regalia took, as it was the most straightforward route. Eventually, Reverie came to a seafolk settlement near Castlebury where a large tremor occurred, and a Kraken appeared. Based on the damage done to the seafolk settlement in that area, Reverie assumed that it was likely the Kraken had destroyed that settlement. With Regalia's necklace at the scene, Reverie knew that it was likely for Regalia to have been at the settlement during the time of the Kraken's attack.

That was all the information Reverie had.

Reverie had calmed down knowing that there was no real proof that Regalia didn't make it. If there was nothing to show to prove that Regalia had died, he might as well be alive somewhere. She clutched the necklace tightly to herself before clasping it around her neck and tucking the pendant under her shirt to hide it. She was still upset knowing that Regalia might be hurt somewhere, but if he was still alive, then she still had a chance in finding him.

She was still feeling fatigued despite all the sleeping, but Reverie found that she could not stand lying in the cot and being inside a room for much longer. Besides, she needed to find Ann and Turk to make sure they were alright. They had visited her several times while Reverie was recovering. Ann was rather cheerful during her visits, telling Reverie about all kinds of things and being positive with her resolve to help the people in Castlebury. Turk was also positive about helping out, but she also sounded incredibly apologetic during her visits. She would always apologise for making Reverie's nauseousness worse. There were nurses and such who visited her too, but only on occasion and just to check that Reverie was doing okay.

Reverie slowly dragged her limbs so that her legs hung over the side of the cot before she carefully stood up. It had been awhile since Reverie's feet touched solid ground that Reverie felt like the world was spinning at first. She had to stretch her body and move her legs before her body remembered that she was used to the solid floor beneath her feet. Plus, the stretches Reverie did make her body feel less fatigued. It was nice.

She quickly gathered her things before leaving her room in the infirmary building, finding herself in a bustling hallway of nurses and doctors ready to help victims and others affected by the recent tremors in Castlebury. During her days of rest, Reverie discovered that Castlebury itself was also affected by the tremor that occurred during her encounter with the Kraken and heard about how terrifying the Kraken was. Many who encounter the Kraken did not leave unscathed, so there were several medical specialists who thought it was a miracle her encounter with the Kraken ended up with the only real damage being towards the ship instead of those on board.

Reverie hastily maneuvered her way through more crowds of people before she was finally able to find the door leading towards the streets of Castlebury. It was not at all how Reverie imagined it. Then again, Castlebury had been recently experiencing tremors. She carefully placed her footing on the gravel pavement, which had been cleared for debris, and began to scan her surroundings.

Castlebury seemed to be a very green place. Reverie could see plenty of broken pots and soil along the ground, covered by wrecked plants and broken flowers. Leaves and vines and petals were scattered around, and what was left of certain structures were covered by dampened moss. Along the streets of Castlebury were piles and piles of rubble, a mess of stones, cement, various metals, and even wood had to be contained within their piles lest they slid and fell on an unsuspecting victim.

"It's a bit dilapidated right now, but I promise, Castlebury was much more lovely before the tremors." A voice was suddenly heard next to Reverie and she jumped, suddenly moving into a combat-ready stance.

"Oh my goodness, I'm sorry. Careful now." That same voice belonged to a stranger clad in a mossy green cloak with the hood covering his head. He had a deep, velvet red, button-down shirt and a pair of slightly faded black pants underneath the cloak with dark, earthy brown coloured shoes on his feet, "I saw you while I was making my rounds, so I just wanted to be sure you were alright."

"Making your rounds?" Reverie asked, "Thank you for the help, but..." She paused and relaxed her stance. The stranger laughed.

"My apologies," He smiled, "I am just your average everyday Lion Hood, you know?" He gave an expectant grin like he was waiting for something. When he didn't get the reaction he wanted he sighed, "You know, like Robin Hood but I'm a- nevermind."

"No, I fully understood." Reverie replied.

"Lion Hood" scratched the side of his mane, carefully so as to not knock his hood off of his head, "Bad joke, huh?" He asked with a sheepish smile, "Alright, you caught me. I've never really been the regal type if I'm going to be honest here. My father, though, he was certainly rather elegant. Had a whole aura of royalty like a stereotypical king. I guess that would make me a stereotypical rebel prince? Wait, I'm a king now."

As he was rambling about himself, it dawned on Reverie that she was face to face with none other than King Addian Stone Rhinehelm XXIII, the current ruler of Rhinehelm in which Castlebury was the capital of. She had never really met him before, but judging by the topic of his rambles, she could only assume he was the very king she had heard people talk about back in Brightriver.

She blinked in surprise and confusion, he really didn't seem like the royal king he was supposed to be. Then again, Reverie understood that she did not look at all like a priestess, nor did she look as if she could lift several tons heavier than any normal Aquis. Yet, there she was, a physically strong priestess.

"I didn't realise your identity, Your Majesty." Reverie was about to curtsey, but King Addian waved a hand.

"Please, for now, refer to me as," He paused, "Graham. I'm undercover for the sole purpose of, well, avoiding raising a fuss. You know how it is, people might scramble if they see the king walking around. As much as possible, I don't want to slow down the relief process."

Reverie nodded, "That's why you're using a fake name?"

"Indeed," Addian grinned, "So, from what I've heard you came crashing in with your friends, huh?" Addian gave an apologetic smile, "Usually, we welcome visitors, but right now we have a bit of a Kraken problem if you haven't noticed already."

Reverie smiled with a small laugh in response, "Shouldn't you be taking care of that then? You are well, you know."

"Listen," Addian had his hands up, "If I could sail out there with a suit of armour and a sword I would, but as you can see," He showed his arm and pushed up his sleeve, "I'm not exactly the muscled hunk people think I am."

Reverie tilted her head hesitantly. King Addian wasn't exactly muscular, but even she could tell that he had some lean muscles under his sandy fur. Her eyes glanced upward to peek at Addian's face, seeing that his hood hid a teasing expression. He had a wide smile and twinkling grey eyes. Reverie could tell he was joking about people calling him a "muscled hunk."

"Anyway," Addian continued, "Before I go about trying to fight the Kraken out in the ocean, I need to deal with a bit of a problem within Rhinehelm itself." He sighed.

For a brief moment, Reverie wondered if all important leaders were this open about whatever was on their mind. After all, the only leaders she had proper interactions with were her father and Valour. Then again, she remembered that she was in a different country and that she came from and spent all her life in a very small tribe. Reverie thought that it was safe to assume that everything was different from what she was taught in regards to the world.

"Um," Reverie started, "What's this problem you have?"

"Ah, you see-" Addian was cut off by Turk's voice calling out to her.

"Reverie! Oh, Revi you're up!" Turk dashed over and enveloped Reverie into a gentle hug, "I'm so sorry about what happened, I panicked! Suddenly before you know, we were speeding away like a skipping stone! I really am sorry," Her voice lowered, "I didn't foresee how sick you'd end up being."

"No worries, Turk," Muttered Reverie, "I don't blame you for it. The Kraken really took us by surprise."

Turk gave Reverie a small squeeze before turning to Addian, "Who's this?" She asked, "I hope I don't have to give you a lesson on talking with strangers."

"I assure you, I'm merely a simple soldier under the command of his majesty, King Addian Stone Rhinehelm XXIII." Addian bowed with a smile on his face.

"Are you sure? You look like an incredibly shifty, hooded figure to me." Suddenly Ann appeared, having followed Turk shortly after she ran to Reverie.

"I can see why," Addian laughed, "But, I have my reasons. I'm sure you'd like to enlighten your friends later, right? Uh…" He paused.

"Reverie Luna," Replied Reverie, realising that she had not properly introduced herself, "Reverie Luna of the Heavedy Tribe."

"You're from the Heavedy Tribe?!" Exclaimed Turk, who finally found out how Reverie would recognise a Heavedy design on a necklace.

"The Heavedy Tribe?" Addian looked as if he were in thought, "Interesting," He laughed once more, "Well, I bid you farewell for now," He said before leaning to whisper in Reverie's ear, "We'll talk later by the docks if you want." Addian then gave the girls a wave before walking off, cheerfully greeting a few of the people he passed as he did.

"Reverie, you really should know better," Ann scolded, "He looked so incredibly suspicious."

"There was something about him, though," Reverie's eyes fell upon the direction Addian went when he left, "I can't quite put my finger on it, but Graham isn't the sort you think he is."

"Graham?" Turk raised a brow, "I think we have a lot to talk about, Reverie."

"I think so too." Reverie replied.

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A/N: Finally done with chapter 6! With this, the first arc of ACT I begins. Or is this the second? Would Part 1 count as an arc? Maybe this section of Part 2 is a miniarc. Who knows? Still, we're done!

With King Addian being introduced as an important NPC, I wonder where the girls will be headed next? I know what will happen, of course. No spoilers, though.