Thump

Thump

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Thump

Thump

The petite girl let out a groan and rubbed her dark blue eyes before sitting up when a hard thumping noise woke her from her soft slumber, her body swayed with the ground, as if she weren't on ground. She glanced over, seeing a skeleton in dark blue and gold armor thumping the tip of his sword on the wooden floor. She jumped some when she saw him, her eyes widening. "Oh, my!"

"Keh heh heh! The look on your face! I was only ribbing you, my child!" The skeleton roared with laughter at the look of shock on the girls face. "You're no hero! I know that much. You're one of them builders, right?"

" Me? Oh… I dunno about that…" She put a finger to her chin as if she had to think about the fact.

The skeleton gave her a confused look before bouncing on his toes. "Keh heh! You're telling fibulas now, I've got it on good authority that you're a builder, so you can drop the act! Still, at least you're not a master builder. You might only be an apprentice, but that'll do. I've actually got just the job for a las like you. Once you've wiped the sleep from your sockets, come and meet me up on deck." The skeleton turned and left her alone in the small cell she was in.

She watched through the bars of the cell as the skeleton trotted up the stairs before she carefully used to red ribbons to tie her long white-blonde hair up in two tails on either side of her head. Once she was satisfied her hair was in place, she got up and slipped out the cell door. She looked to the beast watching guard over her cell, giving his ghastly form a curious look.

"Buildeeer… BUILDEEER! I have something to ask yoooou!" The ghastly being watching over the other cell turned to the girl, his dark eyes seemed to almost plead with her. "Could you ask that girl in the brig to pipe down? She won't stop screeeeaming!" He pounded the butt of his scythe on the floor, his wicked grin turning down into a frown. "How does she expect me to rest in peace when she's being so noooooisy?"

As the ghast growled about the pink haired girl, she let out a wail, attempting to rattle the bars she was behind. "Oh, hello. I couldn't help but overhear you hobnobbing with that dreadful deadnaut. So you're an apprentice builder, huh?" She crossed her arms and let out a 'humph' as she turned away from the small builder. "I was going to ask if you'd come up with a plan to get us off this ship, but you're far too much of a rank amateur to figure something like that out!"

A man cowered behind the pink haired girl cried out, his arms wrapped around his head as he tried to make himself as small as possible. "Oh, why in the Goddess's name did I ever become a builder?! If I'd have been a farmer or a miner instead, I'd never have been left to rot in this stinking cell!"

The girl with the blonde hair leaned over, seeing a younger man hiding behind the girl with the pink hair as he sobbed quietly. "We thought the Children of Hargon were all but vanquished, that they were running scared… How did they ever turn the tables on us like this?"

The blonde looked over at the lock that held the cell door closed, it was huge and heavy. She didn't have any tools to break it and she didn't know the inner workings enough to make a fake key. She snapped her fingers, her eyes lighting up as she turned to the other girl. "The skeleton wanted me to do something for him! Maybe I can have him let you guys out in exchange!" She whirled on her toes, running off before the pink haired girl could say anything again.

"The stairs are no match for you, I see. You just can't keep a good girl down! Keh heh heh! Now, as you'll no doubt have spotted, we're sailing on the open ocean. You've got no chance of escaping, so don't even bother trying." The skeleton hooted at the girl when she came up the stairs, his black and red eyes shrinking as he watched her. "Not that you'd get very far, anyway – you're nothing but skin and bones!"

"Here, get this down your gullet. It's fresh from the captain's table – which is were I sit, by the way!" The Captain handed her a few leaves of kale, laughter coming from him at the twisted look on her face. "You land lovers aren't a big fan of kale? I guess I can't taste it, really! Keh heh heh!"

The girl frowned at the leaves, they looked edible but, they didn't look the best if she was being honest with herself. Though, when her stomach started growling, she bit into the leaves, quickly munching them down. "Thanks, Captain…" She winced as she swallowed the lump of slimy leaves down.

"Down in one! That kelp's pretty tasty, isn't it? The pungent aroma and slimy texture make for a spine-tingling combination! You should thank your lucky stars you got to scoff such a scrumptious snack… because it'll be the last meal you ever eat." The Captain thumped a gloved hand against his chest proudly. "Yep, you heard me right! You'll be dead soon enough! But don't worry, you won't be shuffling off this mortal coil just yet. I've got plenty of hard graft for you to be getting on with first!"

The girl's jaw dropped in shock at the Captain, then her lips went from making an 'o' to a bubbly smile while her ocean blue eyes sparkled in glee.

"Oh, wipe that lily-livered look off your face. I'm not going to send you to the cemetery any time soon. So long as you've got some life left in you, I'll give you a chance to keep hold of it – but you'll have to follow my orders to the letter!"

"That's my name! Lily! You can call me Lily! And I will! To the letter!" Lily bounced on her toes; her cheeks dusted in pink at the thought of doing something to get her mind off the swaying of the boat around her. A curious look came to her bright eyes as she tilted her head, putting a finger to her lips. "But… Captain, just who are you guys? And what are you going to do with us builders?"

The Captain watched her awkwardly for a moment, she just seemed to perk right up at the thought of doing something around this place. He rubbed his boney jaw and looked away from Lily and to his crew. "If you're that desperate to find out how far up the creek you are – without a paddle, I might add – go and talk to those five monsters over there." The skeleton pointed across the ship to a dark colored flag with a handful of monsters bouncing around beneath it.

"Aye, aye Captain!" Lily saluted the skeleton and took off, nearly tripping over herself when a small wave crashed into the boat. She caught herself on the railing around the stairs going down, though she stood there for a moment while she tried to tell herself not to get seasick. But the boat swayed, left to right… right to left… front to back… Her knees wobbled beneath her as she closed her eyes. "Happy… happy thoughts, Lily… Think… happy thoughts."

One monster came up to her, poking at her with his staff. "Are you going to be alright, little builder?"

"Oh… I… I uhm…"

The monster flinched and jumped back when Lily turned and threw up in one of the barrels nearby. "Oh, my. You'll get used to it, child. It takes some time." The monster cackled and went back to his spot at the edge, just watching the ocean as they moved through it.

Lily looked up at him with teary eyes before going to the other monsters. At a much more careful pace. She slowly sat next to a small blue slime. "Hello, little slime."

"Hello, little gooman!" The slime turned to her, wiggling around until it was perched on her knee.

"I asked the captain who you guys were, he said to come talk to you guys."

The slime smiled at Lily, wiggling around on her knee. "We're the last surviving members of the Children of Hargoon. The ones who didn't get squished anyways, we're going to bring the world to its knees. In the name of the gooreat and goolorious High Priest!"

"Look at Little Mith Builder over here!" One of the little flying devils nearby growled as he flapped over to Lily and the Slime. He was purple with blue horns and wings. His tongue hung out, making it hard for him to enunciate certain words. "You're only an apprentithe, but you're pranthing around like you own the plathe! One day, I'll eliminate all you pethky builderth one by one!"

Lily tipped her head, frowning at the small monster before giving him a warm smile. "Maybe I'll get you to like me before that time comes!" She reached out, patting the top of his head as she set the Slime back down and got up.

"Oh, Builder!"

Lily looked over in the direction of the voice that called out to her, seeing the captain waving to her. She made her way over to him, making sure to avoid the hole in the deck. As she walked over to him though, a small blue monster flew over to her, landing on her shoulder. "Are you alright, little monster?"

"Urrgh… no… thisss ship keepsss ssswaying ssside to ssside… I feel a bit ssseasssick." The tiny monster wrapped his thin tail around one of her pigtails to keep himself perched on her shoulder as she walked.

Lily reached up and patted his head, frowning at him. "You can rest on my shoulder for now." She looked up at the captain, smiling at him. "Yes, captain?!"

"So, you talked to the rest of the crew, eh? Obedient little blighter, aren't you?" When Lily nodded, the Captain lifted his chin, a smirk in those deep red eyes of his. "Good! We're the loyal servants of the mighty Master of Destruction Himself. That means you builders are our sworn enemies! We're to sail the ocean blue, rounding up pesky vermin like you, along with anyone else who gets in our way."

"What will you do with all of the builders once you round us all up?" Lily bounced on her toes and crossed her arms behind her back, frowning at the captain.

"Eh? Only the higher-ups know that for sure, but I'll make no bones about it, I reckon you lot are up for the chop. Still, that doesn't mean we can't make the most of what little time you've got left. Just be thankful you can be of some benefit as your final moment draws ever closer." The Captain crossed his hands behind his back, pacing away from the young builder, his chin held high. "Listen up, Builder. Unless you want to spend the rest of your life behind bars – or worse – you'll do as I say!"

Lily straightened up and saluted the Captain when he turned quickly on his heel, giving her a sharp stare. "Here's the deal! Last nights storm messed up my ship good and proper. I want you to make things shipshape around here again. Some of my crew gathered up driftwood that was thrown aboard, I want you to go around and patch up the holes you find and make us some new torches. The Priest back there should have some oil, talk to him to get it. And then talk to our other priest and see if he needs help moving the barrels back in place!"

Lily did what she could to patch up the holes the Captain told her about, the little monster on her shoulder giving her motivation to get her new tasks done. The second priest gave her magic infused gloves that let her pick up the heavy barrels, a gift for the day. She wiped the sweat from her forehead as she set the last barrel down, a wide grin on her face. "Phew! All done!"

"Shall we go sssee what elssse the Captain wantsss you to do?" The tiny monster gave a gentle tug on her ponytail, smiling at her.

"I guess so! No rest for the wicked, am I right?" The two laughed as she trotted over to the Captain, her stomach didn't feel as queasy as it had earlier thanks to the Captain giving her tasks that kept her mind busy.

"Well, well! My deck looks in much better shape now! Still, I suppose being given the chance to save your sorry skin will tend to give you a kick up the coccyx!"

"Captain, if I might ask… Why are you giving me the chance to save me skin?"

"Huh? You want to know why? Well… truth of it is… as a sworn servant to the Master of Destruction, I'm not supposed to fraternize with your kind – but considering the state of my ship, I've got no other choice. Though, it's not like you're a proper builder. You're only an apprentice at the end of the day, so I'm sure it's fine! He wouldn't forsake me for a little thing like this… right? Anyways, you've worked hard for most of the day. Why don't you go sit for a moment while we think of something else for you to do, hm?"

The Captain watched her for a moment, puzzlement flashing in his eyes as he watched her give the tiny flying monster that ran around with her a squeeze. "You're an odd one, builder. Since the moment I let you out of that cell you've been scurrying around my deck and chatting with my crew without a care in the world. If anything, I'd wager you were actually enjoying this. There must be something wrong with you. I can't explain it any other way." He gave a shrug before looking off in the distance. "I mean, why else would you wear that dopey grin on your dopey mush? Faced with the same fate, most prisoners would be scared witless, but not you…"

"I always look like this when someone has a job for me, Cap! I enjoy working hard!" Lily let out a giggle, giving him a big grin.

"Hmmm… it seems like you aren't scared of us at all. Some of boys are training up top, go rest for a minute then go talk to them, hm?"

Lily dipped her head and trotted away from the captain, whistling happily to herself as she went up the stairs.

"You're not going to ressst firssst?"

"No way! I'm not even really that tired!" As Lily came up the stairs, she saw two skeletons lazily whacking at each other with their swords. "Captain sent me up here to train with you!"

Both skeletons jumped when she came up. The taller one gave a tilt of his head and put his hands on his hips. "You know what, alright. I've always wondered if builders can fight." He looked to the other skeleton, his lower jaw bouncing as he cackled. "Fancy taking a swing at this kid? Just try not to kill her! Keh heh heh! Go get 'em, kid!"

Lily gasped and turned to the other skeleton whose head twisted from side to side while he swung his sword. "So… he gets a sword and I get… what?"

"Your fists!" The first skeleton gave her a shove towards the other.

Lily gasped and ducked under the sword when it was swung at her, she turned on her heel and punched the skeleton in his spine as quick as she could. She watched the skeleton turn and swing at her again, though this time she wasn't fast enough, and the tip of the sword slid across her arm. She let out a hiss and grabbed her arm where the sword caught her. She dropped down and kicked out, sweeping the skeletons feet out from under him.

The skeleton let out a yelp and tried to roll away but got hit in the forehead by a well-placed fist. "Youch!" He dropped his sword and grabbed his forehead, rolling around some.

Lily quickly picked up the sword, pointing it at the skeleton with both hands on the hilt. "I win!"

The taller skeletons bottom jaw fell, hitting the deck of the ship. After he stared for a moment, he quickly grabbed his lower jaw and slammed it back into place. "How?!"

"I can fight better with a stick; it would be a more even fight that way." She giggled when the skeleton she fought jumped up, snagging his sword away from her. "I know you guys won't let me have an actual sword, too scared I'll do something with it!"

"A stick?! No way!" The skeleton she fought gaped at her; his red eyes wide as he stared at her. "Go get you a stick then, kid! There ain't no way!"

Lily let out a laugh and went down to the main deck where they had a small table for her to build at. The small monster on her shoulder watched as she whittled herself a stick made from the driftwood she cleaned up earlier. "You're sssuper quick at making thingsss, aren't you?"

Lily held up the small club like stick, smiling at the monster on her shoulder. "I love building! What can I say?!" She jumped up from her small stool and ran up the stairs, playfully swinging at her sparring partner. "Ready?!"

The skeleton gasped and jumped away from her, his sword at the ready now. "You bet!"

The two parried back and forth for a few swings, but then Lily got in a few good hits. She stumbled back when he crumbled into a pile of bones, her bottom lick sticking out and trembling as she turned to the other skeleton. "I was too hard! What do I do!?"

"He'll be fine!" The skeleton spectator laughed from where he sat on the edge of the ship. "Give him some time and he'll bounce back up! Go find the Captain, I'm sure he's found something for you to do!" The skeleton gave her a curious look, a smirk in his eyes. "But that's a new one, builder. I don't think I've ever seen a human shed a tear for a monster like us before. But don't think you can butter me up by tickling my funny bone, got it?"

Lily gave him a small smile before reaching down and patting the broken up skeleton on the head. "Sorry, maybe next time I'll let you win, huh?" The skeleton let out 'humph' as she walked away, going down towards the Captain.

"Not bad! Not bad! My ship is cleaned up, my crew is entertained. It's nice to see a human working her fingers to the bone for us monsters, and without a word of complaint, neither. If I doubted it before, I'm certain now – you actually like this sort of thing! You're a proper weirdo, you know that? Still, I won't be satisfied until I hear it from the horse's mouth, so to speak – you really do enjoy building things?"

"Of course I do! I told you that, silly!"

"Huh… must not have had my ears cleaned out when you said that. It must be what gets you out of bed in the mornings – I can tell from the look on your fleshy face. You've got all the makings of a master crafter… and that's why we can't let you live. But don't look so scared, kid. After all, I wouldn't want to lose a willing worker like you. I reckon you've got what it takes to be a cracking little cabin girl. What do you say, Lassie? Will you join my skeleton crew?"

The monster on Lily's shoulder watched as the sparkle in her eyes grew and the grin on her face exploded with excitement. "I think thatsss a yesss bosssss!"

"Alright! Welcome aboard, little lass!" The Captain thumped her back, glancing back at the bag there. "There's something I've been meaning to ask you. What's with that big book you've been lugging around? I've never seen anything like it before."

Rain started to fall around them, accompanied by lightning and thunder crashing around them. Lily jumped and grabbed the tiny monster on her shoulder, squeezing him to her chest as she looked around, her eyes wide. "Where did this rain come from? I didn't notice any storm clouds!"

"Looks like you'll have to tell me later, lassie! Looks like the storm is rolling in quick!" The Captain took off, running to check on his crew.

Ah, an apprentice builder…

You will do nicely…

This is your world to create…

And yours to destroy…

Now, come to me…

My Child…

"Oi! Cloth ears! What're you gawking at?! Didn't you hear me! I told you to get your fleshy rump below decks into the hold! It's far too dangerous up here for a landlubber like you!" The Captain gave her shoulder a shove, pushing her towards the stairs. "On my honor as the Captain of this ship, I'll never see my crewmates sent to the bottom of the briny – even if it costs me my life! And as my new cabin girl, that includes you, builder! I won't let you die – not here, not this night! Now get your boney behind below decks! Captain's orders!"

Lily nodded quickly and turned to run down the stairs, the flying devil that had been snooty with her earlier flew quickly next to her, trembling as he flapped his wings. "I-I-I'm not thcared of a th-th-thilly little thtorm like thith… honethtly, I'm not! Thith ship won't think… right builder?! Pleathe tell me we'll thurvive thith thtorm!"

Lily reached out, petting the monsters head when they got to the bottom of the stairs. Once she rounded the corner, the ship shook and knocked her off balance, slamming her into the wall next to her. She conked her head hard, stumbling to her knees as she carried her small friend. "Captain!" She heard a voice coming from the door in front of her. "Come to the hold, quickly! We're in deep goo-goo down here!"

The Captain came running around the corner, nearly running over Lily and the small monster. "Builder! You alright?! Come on! Get up! We gotta go see what's wrong in the hold!" He turned and disappeared through the door, gasping loudly. "Hargon preserve us all! This is bad! This is really bad! Builder! Get in here, please!"

Lily climbed to her feet and slipped by the door, gasping when she saw a hole in the back of the ship. "Cap!"

"Help me get one of these crates in that hole! We gotta patch the ship up! We hit a reef and it caused that!"

Lily nodded and looked down at her hands; she still had the gloves from the priest. She balled her hands into fists before grabbing a crate, it felt like it weighed nothing thanks to the magicked gloves. She and the captain easily pushed it into place, once she got it over to the hole. But as soon as she did, another wave hit the ship and slammed it into the reef again.

More holes.

More water.

Lily and the captain worked together to patch up the holes in the side of the ship. The water was splashing around Lily's shins now as they ran from one side to the other to try and keep up with the leaking ship. The slime that had called them in was sitting on her head, trying to hold on while her flyer friend clung to her pigtail. "I think we finally got it, Cap!"

"You saved our skins, builder! I owe you big time!" The Captain sighed and squeezed her shoulder, his eyes soft as he looked down at her. "Let's go get some rest, alright? Try to ease through the rest of this storm-" Before the captain could even finish, another wave hit the ship, slamming it into more rocks. A giant hole broke through the back that they already patched. "Holey moly! We don't have anything that can fix that! This is it builder! It was nice knowing you! Don't forget me… LILYYYYY!"

Lily clung to the Slime and Flyer, squeezing her eyes shut as the water swept them away, pulling them from the ship and out into the darkness of the bone chilling waters. 'You said my name… Captain…'