Charles
The Emerald Hell, as he was called, stared out into the infinite darkness of the deep ocean through the oversized windows of his massive, two-floored quarters. He drummed his fingers against his leather chair impatiently, breathing slowly and steadily, wondering what his next move was going to be.
He was so close. The Stars of the Ocean. The Nazaleem. It was right there. But somehow, it got into the hands of someone who could use it and realize its ability to manipulate the ocean. Because of its near-infinite power, half his navy was sunk to the bottom of the sea. He lost 4000 men in the blink of an eye.
"Incredible," he said. "But now where has it disappeared to?"
A spiral doorway opened. Slith skulked in, his two hearts pumping loudly against his thick chest. "Capn'," he said. "I have grave newsss to report. A hurricane struck us. We didn't expect..."
Charles held up his arm to silence him. He didn't even turn the chair to look at him. His gaze was focused on the ocean in front of him. He cleared his throat and said: "I already know what happened. And that was no hurricane. It was the Nazaleem. Someone used it to conjure the storm that destroyed most of my fleet. Who was it? Someone has to know."
"A few survivors managed to give us some news about it. They were attacked by Prince Venaquas and a girl with incredible skills in aquamancy. It had to be one of those two."
"Hmm. I was told that self-righteous fool Commodore Sidney had it. He took it from Captain Skullet after he defeated him in battle."
"He couldn't have. He wassssn't at the beach. It wassss jussst Ven and the girl. Apparently, she's the baron's daughter."
"Junko?" Charles said with a deep and menacing chuckle.
"I'm sorry, sir?"
"Her name is Junko, but the Baron of Port Peace called her Jasmine after he took her as his prize. She was originally the daughter of the Crimson Captain. Hmm." He stroked his beard. "You say she was gifted with Aquamancy?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then it seems she was the one who called the storm. Only a person who is truly one with the ocean and loyal to Aafi can wield the power of the Nazaleem. I assure you Commodore Sidney is neither of those things. He says he fights for peace and justice, but he spills so much blood and reaps any of the spoils from his victories. He's a pirate just like us except with the colors of an officer. And his only allegiance is to the Empress of Light. He's weak. I can sense it. He is not worthy of the stone's power. Junko has it. I know it. But where could she have gone to?"
"I don't know, Cap'n. But ssshe might be traveling with Prince Ven. He sssshould be an easy one to find."
"Ven, huh? Good. I have a score to settle with him. And I'd love to bag me a Termnnian Prince."
"You'll piss off the Alliance, sir. King Forrest beheaded Prince Talion up north, and look what happened to him. His entire army got burned down by a girl who can summon dragons. And he started losing battles all over the continent. Those princes are powerful when they work together."
"Once I have the Nazaleem, we won't have to worry about them. The power of the ocean in my hands. With that stone, I could conjure up a monster that could flood the world just as the Great Leviathan almost did. But...I need the Crimson Captain's treasure first."
"How is that gonna help?"
"Stop asking questions and do as you are told." Charles stood up and cracked his back. "Send the word out, Slith. Put a bounty on Junko and Ven so high that every pirate from here to the Arctic Naralian Ocean is on the lookout for her. I want that stone."
Jasmine
The Lady of Port Peace felt herself coming around. She was bathed by the warmth of a bright afternoon sun. She heard tropical birds singing by the thousands in trees. The soothing melody of soft waves splashing next to her forced her to get up. Her eyelids felt like they weighed a ton, but she finally managed to get them open. Sprinkles of discharge got into her eye. She moaned and rubbed it off. After she blinked rapidly, she found that she had woken up on something soft.
A blanket. A brown-colored blanket with tribal-looking designs. It was soothing to the touch. Jasmine found herself cuddling with it. She had this feeling. A feeling that she wanted to be enveloped by the blanket forever.
She stretched and examined her surroundings. She was on a beach at the edge of the jungle. Long palms reached out over her, shielding her from the sun. Some branches extended into the water, flooding the sand beside her into a little pool that reflected the sky and palms almost perfectly.
The snapping of a fire alerted her to a campfire burning a few feet away from her spot. Six fish were skewered with sticks and frying over the flames. There was a clothesline hanging next to the fire. On one side was a soaked white shirt and belts and holsters.
On the other was...her nightgown, torn and moist. Jasmine's face went red. She felt her chest then peered into the blanket to see herself. Except for the Nazaleem still hanging around her neck, she didn't have a stitch of clothing. She gasped loudly and buried herself under the thick blanket until it covered her head.
"Where am I?"
Jasmine saw a waterfall pouring into a lagoon beside the camp. Low and behold, Ven was showering underneath it. "Thank Aafi his pants stayed on," she muttered. "Hey!"
Ven finished dousing his hair and looked over his shoulder. "Heeey. I was wondering when you were going to wake up."'
"Why did you take my clothes off? Augh! You jerk!"
"Look at that thing." Ven pointed at her nightgown hanging on the clothesline. "It's torn to shreds. It's soaking wet. And it's covered with blood. Do you have any idea how many sea creatures you're going to attract with that smell? Plus you also needed to get warm. I had my eyes closed the entire time. I swear to Aafi."
Jasmine settled down, breathing heavily out her nose. She didn't know why but she found herself believing him. "How long have I been out?"
"Three days."
"THREE DAYS!"
Ven flinched at the sudden yell she let out. "Easy! Damn, did I speak Orcish?"
Jasmine groaned and sunk deeper into the blanket. "I can't believe it's been that long. What happened?"
Ven grabbed a towel from a vine hanging over the pool. He dried his arms then hung the towel over his neck. "The Nazaleem. It's too powerful for you to use. Nevertheless, you can use it, which is a surprise to me. Any other fool unworthy enough to use a Gem of Horakhty would have been killed."
Jasmine sunk deeper into the blanket until only her eyes and nose could be seen. "Don't tell me that. Please don't tell me that."
She looked at the sky and spoke to the Goddesses. "Look. I know I said I wanted to go on adventures and stuff. But nothing like this. What have you done to me?"
Jasmine crawled towards a rock, dragging the blanket with her. She started banging her head on it. "Wake up, Jasmine. Wake up, girl. This is a dream. This is a dream."
"Hey! Hey! Hey! Knock it off. Damn, you're giving me a headache."
Jasmine scratched her back and shoulders. "A Gem of Horakhty? Is that what the Nazaleem is? Really?"
"Yup. The merfolk were good but, c'mon, they weren't that good. They don't have magic powerful enough to make that stone bless you with the kind of power you now have. That gem they used to craft the Nazaleem was called the Tear of Aafi."
"Hey, I've heard of that!" Jasmine bit her lip and scratched her thighs. "Is it anything like that Heart of Helios thing that thug Aldric had when he battled Zane?"
"Yes. It was a beautiful blue gemstone that she gifted to us mortals as a promise to never again desire to flood the world. And to never again summon the Great Leviathan that almost completed her mission. In this stone is a divine link that channels a portion of Aafi's power to the wielder. That explains how your water magic was so potent when we fought the pirates. Anyway, the Tear was lost when the Atlanteans fought against the Brotherhood of the Fire Fist in a long and bloody war. The merfolk found the stone eons later and forged the jewel that's around your neck. It has found many masters and likewise has been lost and found over the ages. Not because it was misplaced or forgotten in battle. No. The Nazaleem was displeased with who was wearing it."
"Displeased?" Jasmine scratched her shoulders.
"The gemstone chooses who can harness the power of the Goddess of the Ocean. And it has chosen you."
"How do you know?"
"Because I tried doing this." Ven walked out of the pool. He held out his hand asking Jasmine for the stone. Jasmine was hesitant at first but she was curious to see what he was trying to do. She took off the Nazaleem and handed it to him. Ven then threw it at the ocean with all his might.'
"HEY!" Jasmine shouted.
"I tried to get rid of it. It's just too powerful a weapon to be used by someone like you. However, it begs to disagree."
Bubbles formed around Jasmine's neck. The Nazaleem reappeared around her neck. "Wha-wha-what?"
Ven grinned and softly chuckled. He set both his knuckles on his hips. "No matter how many times I see it, I still can't believe it. Looks like you and that stone are stuck with each other now. It seems like it was no coincidence that Commodore Sidney brought it to you. It must have been woven on Leysanta's Tapestry of Fate."
"No, no, no! Urrrgh!" Jasmine scratched the back of her head like a dog. "I didn't want this. I didn't want any of this. I...I prayed to the Goddesses last night. I asked them if I could live a life of adventure like High Queen Evangelia did. Maybe have a star formed into a ring like that knight did when he fell in love with her. But I didn't want this!"
Ven let out a warm laugh, finding the crack in her voice and her expression to be quite hilarious. "Well, be careful what you pray for, Ladyship. The Goddesses always answer. This is an age when heroes are needed. And it seems to me that you are this world's newest one."
"Are you kidding? Just because I can knock back a few pirates and turn water into dragons doesn't mean I'm a hero. Besides, I can't use this thing; you said so yourself. I almost got us killed because of this. It drained me of more than just my mana. I feel...I feel like total shit right now."
"Do you?"
"Yeah. It sucked me dry. What if it happens again? Damn, three days! No wonder I'm so hungry, thirsty and, oof, I gotta pee."
"You also need a bath." Ven noticed all her scratching and realized he hadn't cleansed her of the salty ocean water she got soaked with. "All that seawater stuck to your skin after it dried."
He pointed towards the waterfall. "There's a cave behind the falls. Inside there's a grotto with a pool and a smaller waterfall. It should give you some privacy. I left some clothes in there for you. In the meantime, I'll go get you something to eat."
He picked up his harpoon and examined it before heading towards the surf to hunt for fish.
Jasmine cleared her throat to get his attention. "Hey, Ven."
He stopped.
Jasmine smiled at him. "Thanks. You know, you're alright."
"Hm," Ven smiled back at her. "You're very welcome, Ladyship. Before I go, I've been meaning to ask you something. You weren't really going to marry that guy, were you?"
"Commodore Sidney? Well...he is a rather charming and very...beautiful guy. He's a bit quick and overzealous when it comes to women, but I secretly find that endearing. Not to mention his plans could help the Thousand Island Estates and the Tropical Kingdoms. Pirates are a big problem, Ven. Prince Yuri is coming back and I doubt he needs piracy added to his plate of responsibilities. Master Yugi said these past couple of years have been called 'The Great Clean Up' or 'The Renaissance of Heroes'."
She scratched her shoulder before caressing the Nazaleem in her palms. "I tend to agree with both of those."
"Haha. Do you really?"
"Of course. Heroes have been popping up left and right and cleaning Termnnia of corruption and war. Even my friend Alexis got caught up with this when she was destined to be the Light Goddesses' champion. Huh. Now that I've been blessed with this stone, I guess I'm part of this. And I can tell Commodore Sidney wishes to do his part down here. After seeing The Emerald Hell attack my home, I want to help him."
"As you should. But if you ask me, I don't think you need to marry Commodore Sidney to do that. You've got enough power in that stone to make you a one-woman army, Jasmine. I've heard a lot of things about that stone. If what they say is true, hurricane winds, water cyclones, and giant waves aren't even a portion of the things you can do."
"Ooooo! Sounds awesome."
"Careful, Ladyship. That's not a toy you're wielding. That's Divine Magic right there. Remember what happened last time. You could destroy both the pirates and us at the same time."
"I understand." She started scratching again.
"You better get yourself cleaned up. See you in a bit."
"Okay."
Jasmine waited until he jumped into the water to get up. She clutched the blanket over her chest before walking toward her nightgown. As kind as the gesture was, she couldn't find it in herself to wear anything Ven gave her. It was mostly out of pride. She wanted to show him she could take care of herself.
She touched the nightgown and snorted in displeasure. It was still damp and small dots of salt could be seen on the fabric. Plus, it was torn to shreds, especially over the areas that covered her breasts and private parts. She also noticed the bloodstains on it. It was going to be hard to clean that off and there really were dangerous creatures in the ocean who could smell blood a mile away.
Well. There was no other way to go about it. She had to wear the clothes he gave her. She followed a small dirt path around the pool into the falls. Jasmine gasped in wonder at the hidden world she found inside. There was a round opening on the ceiling, letting in just enough sunlight to let a few palm trees and glowing tropical flowers grow within the cave. Along the walls were statues of the Goddess of Water built into little niches.
Right in front of the pool where she would bathe was the waterfall, flowing gently into the water. On the top of the waterfall was a rocky island with an ancient shrine built on top of it. The statue of Andaluz, Goddess of the Waves stood on top of it. She looked so mighty with her towering shield, which was made of water enchanted to take solid form, and a long pike tipped with gold and covered with ivy blooming with glowing flowers. The waves of the beach resonated inside the cave, adding more wonder to the sight of the statue.
Large water droplets dripped from the rocky ceiling, leaking from the big lake that was right over the cave. They fell into the water with loud, rich, rhythmic drops. The sound they made was so crisp and refreshing, beckoning Jasmine to come in for a dip.
She let the blanket drop to her ankles in a crumpled heap and stepped out of it one foot at a time. Even though her skin was dry and itchy, she wanted to test the water first. She tipped her toe into the water and found it refreshingly cool. She couldn't help but laugh. It was her own little sanctuary, and she felt like a nymph calling it her domain.
She took a few deep breaths and dove into the water. A veil of bubbles surrounded her as she sunk to the bottom. She opened her eyes. She saw fallen statues covered in coral and aquatic trees glowing neon purple. There were even a few fish swimming around a sunken pantheon shrine.
She couldn't believe it. There was a small little world down here in the pool. She swam towards it to have a better look. Marvelous! The tiles on the floor still had their blue color and the frescos on the ceiling were standing strong. Jasmine swam around one of the columns. A few colorful fish followed her.
Suddenly she stopped. Wait a minute. She had been underwater for five minutes. Her lungs felt just fine. She wasn't overcome by that burning desire to paddle up to the surface for a breath. She felt fine. She had this feeling that she could stay down here forever. Then she knew. She tapped the Nazaleem then looked down at it. It was glowing brightly. There was no doubt about it. It was allowing her to breathe underwater. She laughed, bubbles flowed out of her mouth.
I CAN BREATHE UNDERWATER! She thought.
Once she rose out of the water she swam to the waterfall. There, the water was a level where she could walk. She saw the parcel with her new clothes resting on a rock next to the edge of the pool. Jasmine washed for a very long time then opened the parcel to dress. It wasn't anything too complicated. A quilted doublet and a long tan linen skirt. It would have to do for now.
Once she put her boots on, she looked up. There was a young lady laying on her belly at the edge of the pool. She wore a small white toga and gold gladiator sandals that went up to her knees. Her biceps were ornamented with gold rings, and large gold bangles jingled over her forearms. Rings with sapphires, aquamarines, and blue diamonds shined on each of her fingers. Her hair flowed down the side of her face and was periwinkle in color. It glimmered when the light touched it.
"How long have you been there?" Jasmine asked.
"I just came as you put your shoes on, relax," the girl said. She waved her legs back and forth. "So, you're the one Mother Aafi chose to wear the Nazaleem. Hmm. Well, there is a cowardly girl out there who can summon True Dragons, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised you'd be the one to save the seas from the great scourge."
"Who the hell are you? What are you talking about."
"Oh. Where are my manners? I am Sarinx. Goddess of the Pools. I am delighted to meet you, wielder of the Nazaleem."
"Goddess! You...you…" Jasmine felt her legs giving way. As her knees hit the ground she drooped forward in a messy bow. "My Lady."
"Please don't. You're the hero here not me."
Jasmine looked up, still in awe that she was beholding a Termnnian Goddess. "What do you want from me?"
"Nothing. I'm just here to fill you in on a little something. The Nazaleem. You've got a lot of work to do before you can fully harness its power. You know that hurricane you accidentally created destroyed the ports of your city, right?"
"Oh, geez."
"Yeah. Not a pretty sight. Also, the stone is incomplete."
"What do you mean incomplete?"
"Turn it around and you'll see. I can't believe you didn't take notice before. Are you blind or just fucking stupid?"
Jasmine resented that remark, even though there was a bit of humor in Sarinx's voice. She held the stone in her hand and turned it over. "Oh!" The back of the stone was missing. She had only half the stone this whole time.
"I...I don't know what to say."
Sarinx laughed at her. "Man, did you really think you'd go out there 'fulfilling your destiny' or saving the world and all that bullshit with only half a stone? Babe, you would have caused the next apocalypse running around like that. Whoosh! The whole world would have sunk to the bottom of the sea. As humorous as it would have been seeing that — and trust me, I wanted to see it happen — Aafi has instructed me to be your little guide along the way. If you really want to get this little journey of yours started, you'll have to fix that gemstone."
"All right. If that's what I have to do, then that's what I'll do."
"Hold it right there. You can't just take that stone to a jeweler and have him put it together again. That's a Gem of Horakhty. Luckily for you, there is a creature around here who knows where to find the stone and fix it."
"Great! That's wonderful news. Where can I…" Before Jasmien could finish. Sarinx snapped her fingers and turned into bubbles. They popped out of existence one by one. She was gone.
"Hey! Sarinx! Sarinx! Hey!"
"Look at the Trident tonight!" the Goddesses's voice rang out from nowhere. "It will lead you on the right path."
"Riddles!" Jasmine stomped her foot on the ground. "Are you kidding me! I thought you were supposed to help me."
"If I keep helping you, you'll never help yourself. Grow up a little."
"Sarinx! Sarinx!"
She was gone for good this time.
"Damn it!"
Lord Balthazar
"Where is she? Oh, where is she?" The Baron of Port Peace paced back and forth in his office, eager for some news about his daughter. Every time the door opened, he would expect someone with a bit of good news. But it was just the maids coming in with his medicine and tea. Eventually, he told them to stop coming in, and that he would get it himself. He was so furious.
Someone knocked on the door, forcing him to stop. "Baron? It is I, Sidney."
"Sidney! My boy, come in, come in."
The young commodore stepped in and bowed respectfully. He tucked his feathered tricorn hat underneath his arm. "We've looked everywhere, My Lord. But there's no sign of her. Or him."
"Ven! I should have known that boy was going to be trouble! You are sure it was him."
"I saw it with my own eyes. Once the water twisters formed, he grabbed her and they disappeared into the night."
"Bastard!"
Sidney held up both his hands to calm the Baron. He went to a table by the window to prepare him some tea with honey to go with his pills, which he still didn't take.
"Easy, sir," the commodore said. "Your condition. What if we find Jasmine and she comes home to see you sick or dead?"
Lord Balthazar leaned on his desk and nodded at him. "I can't believe I let him kiss my daughter's hand. Augh, blast! The way he kissed it. Who knows what he might be doing to her now."
A feeling of dread overcame him. Images of Jasmine getting defiled on an island far away flashed through his mind. He kicked the table and howled in sorrow. "No! No! My girl! My girl! My little Jasmine! Oh, Goddesses, I pray her purity is intact."
Sidney came by with the tea. "He will do no such thing, My Lord. I assure you we're doing our best to find him. Once we do, we'll arrest him on sight."
Lord Balthazar swallowed his pills and drank his tea before he spoke. He cleared his throat and said: "I want him dead!"
"We cannot do that. We'll risk going to war with the Atlanteans. We can't have that."
"To hell with the Atlanteans! We have the Empress behind us. Her Navy is the best fighting force in all the oceans."
"And they have sea serpents with sorcery beyond our understanding. We cannot risk such a thing, My Lord. Be calm. Besides, once we have the prince arrested, we could use it to our advantage."
"How?"
"The Atlanteans know all the secrets of the ocean. Even the location of the great treasure. The one Jasmine's father hid."
"Really? They know about it."
"They know everything about the ocean, My Lord. I've tried my best to bargain with them, but they refuse to tell anyone about Captain Makiyata's near-infinite fortune. Ven thought he got the best of us for committing the crime of kidnapping Lady Jasmine. Ha! The fool. He merely turned himself into the bargaining chip I need to acquire the treasure."
"Truly?"
"Yes. If Poseidra wants his son's freedom, he will have to comply with our demands. His son for the location."
"But you said so yourself. They know sorcery. And Poseidra. He could sink my city to the bottom of the sea with just a sneeze. He will never bargain for his son."
"The Atlanteans will not risk attacking you if they do not wish to test the might of the Alliance. Remember, My Lord, you are allied with the Empress. From what I gather, she's already in talks with High Chancellor Pegasus about a possible friendship with her Empire. She too wishes to join the war and wipe the Naralians — and possibly even the Dragonhearts off the face of the earth. And you are a part of her alliance through trade, yes? Prince Yuri is coming back. He will have the might of the continent and the God Cards. The Atlanteans would be foolish to want to go to war with him."
Finally, for the first time in days, Lord Balthazar smiled. "Yes. Yes, you're right. If anything happens to the lords of the Thousand Island Estates, she will rally her allies to come down here and help us. And if Prince Yuri is among them, he will join her and destroy the Atlanteans with Slifer, Obelisk, and Ra. Those stupid serpents won't risk being enemies with him. Not even for that dog, Prince Ven."
"Of course not, My Lord. They will have no choice but to bargain with you for Ven's life. You'll get your daughter back and then you'll be the richest, most powerful man in the ocean. I'll take my cut of the treasure, of course. Ah, as well as your daughter's hand in marriage. That is all I ask."
"It's a done deal. Sidney, my boy, you are truly a blessing. Who would have thought you could take a situation so dire and turn it into one that will greatly favor my family. The Empress is truly lucky to have a hero like yourself in her service. And I am lucky to have you as a friend. Ha. Soon a son."
They shook hands strongly.
Sidney patted Lord Balthazar on the shoulder twice. "My Lord, Port Peace has always been my favorite island of power in the Estates. I only wish to see it grow into the superpower it should rightfully be."
"Then set sail. Go find Jasmine, my son. Save her from that rogue. You have my permission to do whatever it takes. And I mean whatever it takes. Let nothing stand in your way."
"Thank you, My Lord. I will begin my work at once."