Chapter 3: Trouble Under the Sea

The boat ride to Byalan was going smoothly, well...except for Shoichi, the surprisingly seasick swordsman, apparently he was not suited for sailing so he couldn't help but throw up every so often.

Misako was patting Shoichi on the back to help calm him down, but it was doing little good.

Shoichi slowly mumbled, "Thanks for your concern...urp! But I'll...get over this...eventually...ulk!" as he threw up again.

Misako looked away and then suggested, "Why don't you try lying down?"

Shoichi shook his head in response and he said, "No...that would make it worse for me..." He rubbed his stomach a bit, before he added, "I just need to get my sea legs...that's all." He then gave Misako a small grin for reassurance.

She looked at him with doubt, and told him, "I'm really worried about you, and you know you might not be in a good condition when we arrive..."

A burly sailor, with green hair and a thick beard, then walked up to Shoichi, and pat him on the back rather hard and asked, "Aye lad, are ya' feelin' all right?"

Shoichi glared at him and replied sarcastically, "Yeah...I'm fine...just peachy." He then threw up again.

The sailor gave a hearty laugh and said, "Ah...I see lad, seasickness get the best of ya'?" The sailor then got something from his pocket, it was a bottle filled with a strange green liquid. He handed it to Shoichi and said, "Here, take this lad, it'll help cure what ails ya'"

Shoichi then took the bottle and opened it, taking a sip. His eyes promptly widened and e spit it out, yelling, "Blech...this stuff tastes nasty!"

The sailor laughed again and said, "Oi...medicine was never meant to taste good." He then looked to Misako and said, "Listen lassie, make sure he drinks all of it...unless you want him throwing up some more." He then left the two and continued to check on the ship.

Misako looked at Shoichi and chuckled as he winced, swallowing the strange concoction. She asked teasingly, "Enjoying your drink?"

Shoichi swallowed another bit and made a sick looking face, saying, "Hell no! But...at least it's working..." He drank the remains and tossed the bottle into a nearby trash barrel. He wiped his mouth with his glove and said, "I hope I don't have to drink any more of this stuff..."

Misako laughed and said, "Come on...take it like a man Shoichi-kun..." She then playfully punched him on the arm and continued, "At least you won't be throwing up for the remainder of this trip."

Shoichi put a fake hurt look on his face and pouted, "I thought acolytes were supposed to help people." As he held the place where he was "hit".

Misako stuck her tongue out at him and said, "And I thought you were stronger than that Shoichi-kun!"

He gave her an evil smile and said, "I guess I'll have to prove that Misako-chan!" He then tackled her and started tickling her sides.

Misako was now laughing uncontrollably. She was now trying to push him off, but to no avail. She only managed to choke out in between laughs, "O-Ok...you...win."

Shoichi stood up triumphantly and made a couple poses, saying, "Man I'm good!" He then helped Misako up and smiled.

She was panting, out of breath from laughing, she had a slight blush on her face, but she didn't say anything.

The sailor from before came back and was laughing pretty loudly, he then said, "Hey...you two look pretty cute together!"

Misako and Shoichi looked at each other, and then looked away blushing. They then both exclaimed, "I-It's not like that!"

The sailor stepped back and said, "Hohoho...I didn't mean it like that youngins', I'm just here to tell ye' that we'll be dockin' soon." He looked to Shoichi and asked, "Now lad, how ya' feeling?"

Shoichi replied, "Much better, thank you for your help...mister?"

The sailor laughed and said, "I be Cirdan, cap'n of this here vessel, now how about ya'?"

Shoichi put his hand out and said, "I'm Shoichi...nice to meet you."

Cirdan shook his hand and said, "Nice to meet ya' to." He looked at Misako and bowed politely, asking, "How about your name lassie?"

Misako smiled and said, "My name is Misako Yokoue, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

The sailor in the crow's nest then yelled out, "Land ho!"

Cirdan waved at the two before leaving, he said, "I better get back to me post, take care ya' guys." He left them and went to the bridge.

The shores of Byalan could now be seen in the distance, the ship kept sailing straight ahead, then slowing down and docking on the pier.

The passengers left the boat one by one and some new people boarded, but before Shoichi could get off, Cirdan yelled at him, "Hey boy! Come 'ere! I got somethin' that you might need!"

Shoichi walked up to Cirdan and asked, "And what would that be?"

Cirdan handed Shoichi a Butterfly Wing and said, "Here laddie, use this when you and the lass get in trouble...personally...I think you two look cute together."

Shoichi blushed and took the wing from him, saying, "It's nothing like that! We just met!" He turned around and started walking away, he quickly told Cirdan, "Thanks for this anyway!"

Cirdan yelled at him as he walked away, "Good luck down there laddie!" He then chuckled to himself as he looked at his crew, he then ordered, "Listen up ya' lazy dogs! Get ready to set sail again!"

His crew immediately replied, "Aye Cap'n Cirdan!"

Misako was waiting for Shoichi at the Kafra's post near the pier. When she saw him get off the boat, she waved at him.

Shoichi walked up to her, waving as he moved, he then said, "Come on...our adventure awaits." He then walked to the entrance to the Undersea Tunnel.

Misako followed him and asked, "So...what did Cirdan want?"

Shoichi replied, "Nothing really...He just wished me good luck."

Misako smiled and said, "That's nice..." They both stopped in front of the gate to the underwater dungeon, she looked at her partner and asked, "Are you ready?"

Shoichi smirked and replied, "Ready as I'll ever be." He then unsheathed his broadsword, while Misako took out her staff; they both nodded at each other and ran in.

The inside of the cave was dark and wet; puddles were all over the place, while water was dripping from the stalactite.

Shoichi walked on ahead with Misako following behind him...he looked around to see if there is anything dangerous.

Just then, a lobster like monster crawled up to him, and started pinching Shoichi's legs with its claws.

Shoichi jumped up in pain and yelled, "Yipes a Vadon!" He landed and assumed a battle stance. He then ran up to it and slashed, but the Vadon used his large claws like a shield.

Misako aimed her staff at Shoichi and began chanting, "Lord Odin...bless him with your divine power!"

Some small angels floated around Shoichi's head and he felt some power swell within him, he said to Misako, "Thanks!" He then made another slash at the Vadon, this time when he hit it, his blade knocked his claws away and cut through its shell, but the Vadon merely flinched and staggered back, blood dripping from the exposed flesh.

The Vadon lunged at Shoichi and hit him with its claws, Shoichi was knocked back, but he quickly recovered and he made one final slash, cutting through the exposed part and slashing the lobster hybrid in half.

Shoichi smirked as he picked up a claw that was still in a good condition, and placed it in his bag.

Misako gave him a thumbs up and said, "That was easy."

Shoichi nodded and they continued on. They encountered another Vadon, which Shoichi took care of easily. Then, they found a group of five Hydras rooted in a pool of water.

Shoichi told Misako, "Stay back...these things are more dangerous in groups...Eh?" He felt a tentacle grab his leg and drag him closer to the others. The Hydras then proceeded to whip at Shoichi with their tentacles.

Misako yelled out, "Shoichi-kun!" She then focused and chanted, "Odin...Heal your followers wounds..." A light surround Shoichi and he felt revitalized.

Shoichi tried to slash the Hydras but they had a tight grip on him, they then flung the poor swordsman into the wall. He landed on his back pretty hard.

Misako ran to his side and kneeled beside him, asking, "Are you all right?"

Shoichi sat up and exclaimed, "It's only a flesh wound!" He got up to his feet and ran to the Hydras...but they flung him back at the wall.

Misako sweat-dropped and cast another healing spell on him, she suggested, "Why don't we just avoid them?"

He got up again, yelled, "NO! I will get rid of these things!" He then rolled up his sleeves and ran at the Hydras, yelling,"So you guyz think you're so tough huh?!" He Held out his sword infront of him, slashing at the tentacles that lashed out, before jumping up in the air, and as he slashed downwards, he exclaimed, "Sword of Destruction! Magnum Break!" When the attack hit, a huge ball of flame surrounded him and the Hydras.

Misako yelled at him, "Baka! Fire doesn't work well with water!"

When the smoke cleared, Shoichi was standing triumphantly, saying, "It doesn't? Are you sure?" The Hydras appeared wilted; the pool of water they were in was gone. He then explained, "Fire also evaporates water due to the heat...and these are still plants...and they don't fair well without water." He then sheathed his sword, and proceeded to place some of the tentacles in his bag.

Misako looked at him in awe, saying, "Wow...you actually had a plan! And here I thought you were just another dumb fighter."

Shoichi yelled back, "HEY!" He then looked down as he saw that one of the Hydra's spirit's left its body and started morphing into a small piece of paper. He picked it up and exclaimed, "Wow...it's a card!"

Misako ran up and looked carefully at the piece of paper, and said, "I always wondered how these things came to be..."

Shoichi pocketed it and said, "When I sell this, we'll split the cost ok?"

Misako nodded in approval and she pinched his ear, pulling him closer, saying while glaring at him, "You better...If you don't...I'll smash them..."

Shoichi replied with a scared look on his face, "Ow! I will, I will! Trust me OK?!" He pulled away and he said, "For an acolyte...you have a short temper..." He then ran away, smirking.

Misako frowned and yelled at him, "Hey!" She gave chase and was holding out her staff, ready to hit Shoichi with it on his head.

What awaits them deeper into the tunnel? And will Shoichi really split the cost of the Hydra Card with Misako? Find out next time!

To be continued...