The water capital
Ever since they fell from the sky, it has been both confusing and weird for the loki familia. At first they thought it was just another deep floor but would soon find out it's much more than that. The world of the unknown is much more vast and the things unmatched in both scale and beauty. The group felt it's extraordinary sphere as they entered its domain.
Now with everything that has occured, the loki familia has stumbled upon the land where they did not even think such civilizations could exist. But here are they now confronted with many problems and a new reality settled in.
It was just a minute since Thomas left the room and the three executives of the loki familia are in taters.
"So... We are not in the dungeon?"
Gareth asked.
"Possibly.." finn replied.
"This does not make any sense no matter how much i think about it." Riveria commented.
"Finn, we got a problem then. We can't return home if we don't know where to get back." Gareth said.
'*sigh* gareth, that's been a problem since we fell here. But really though. How can we return? Should we stay in here and face the unexpected or move forward and find a way?' finn processed the possibilities.'
"So, according to this map, it seems mostly words rather than the entire mapped geography. Except for the detailed island paths and routes taken by the ships." Riveria commented.
"Well our own surface isn't well mapped either, most of the maps are mostly cities, towns and routes like this." Finn replied.
"So the closest city or town is called water seven. What do you think it looks like?" Gareth asked.
"It's very weird to hear you talk normally." Riveria commented.
"Heh.. I'm kinda nervous." Gareth replied.
With things unknown to these three, it would have to be shared with the rest of the group. What the danger lies here is.. fear. Fear of not being able to return and the fear of being stuck under this world. Now that is something finn is worried about. Sure, he may have been with the rest for longer and have come into understanding on what they are and their dreams. but never before had they ever encountered such a phenomenon where a brand new world lies beneath here all this time. And thus when fear comes fort, would they be able to remain steadfast and push on? or worse case scenario, give up on trying and possibly, settle down in this world.
Would he and the rest have to stick here? Absolutely not. Finn thought.
Now finn is under the spell of dilemma. Riveria on the other hand is analyzing every detail of the map points. Each island is distanced away from each pass through, indicating that something about the points are interconnected even if they are far from each other. All of the islands that are marked along the way are each stepping stone towards something.
"The grand line.." riveria commented.
"Is a line that spanned across the world." According to the text that riveria read.
"But there are no drawings of one. So, basically all the details are words and definitions rather than drawings. This will be difficult to navigate through."
"Gareth, did you analyze that piece of equipment below the decks?" Finn asked.
"Aye, seems like some sort of tube with 4 small wheels. I'm not sure how it works."
'interesting, a type of technology that can explode and launch a ball, truly essential on the battlefield. It's like a more advanced trebuchet.' finn thought.
"Finn, there are 6 of them at the deck including the one on the brig. What are you supposed to do with them?"
Riveria asked.
'ah. I almost forgot about what to do with them. We need to get important members who know what to do in navigation and where to go That's best for us.'
now finn is about to be confronted that he always feared. Should he move forward and leave the place? Or should he stay and wait for unexpected possibilities. And as captain of the loki familia, he has the responsibility to bring everyone back alive and well in front of loki herself. Brush all the theories of how they even arrived here in the first place, what's more pressing now is to make the decision. And finn, chose to move forward and better their odds.
"Riveria, and gareth... we will go beyond this place. I know i said this again and again. We need to gather detail about this underworld and find a way back up."
The other two executives looked at finn, both moods instantly lifted and as usual ever since he does his thing which keeps them up at crucial times.
Riveria smiled and Gareth laughed.
"Now that's what I'm talking about." Gareth replied.
"Hmm.. i guess a little exploring wouldn't be so bad. I just hope Loki won't do anything rash up there while we are away." Riveria said.
"Yeah.. i wonder what loki is up to?" Finn commented.
*Meanwhile back at orario.*
"Gah! Syr! It's a bit unfair that even in that form, you still have those bazongas!" Loki said out loud.
"Hey! Stop messing with my Waitress or else i'll flung you back up on the heavens." Mia warned.
*Back at the Unknown world*
"Umm maybe i shouldn't worry too much .." finn in doubt.
Then out of the ordinary, the trio is greeted by a sound that's too loud for anyone to ignore.
gareths sudden rumbling noise is heard throughout the room.
"Er.. sorry bout that." Gareth said.
"Ahh.." realization hit finn. Ever since they woke up, sudden things have come and the first thing they did was hijacked a pirate ship. Forgetting the most important part of the morning is to eat a meal.
Everyone needs strength and power. without a meal, one would be weakened.
"Grumpy dwarf with no manners.."
Riveria commented.
"Stupid elf leaf and diet!" Gareth replied.
"I guess we need a good meal in the morning." Finn commented.
"Orders came up! We need to gather meat and fruits on the island!" Tione commanded.
"What about we do some fishing?"
Raul replied.
the rest of the 2nd stringers are ordered to hunt for food while the vice executives guard and remove the ice around the ship.
"Why not on the island?" Cruz asked.
"Ermm... Theres no fruit or beast there! We uh- went there earlier with bete and found nothing, not even plants of fruits or anything."
"Right... Fish then..." Cruz replied.
Cruz went towards the bag and grabbed a bow and arrow to hunt for fish beside the ice. As he went below raul took a moment before doing his thing.
"Hoo! That was close!" Raul said.
"Why raul?" Anakitty asked.
"Did you forget that creature ana?"
"Why is that?"
Deep inside raul, he couldn't bring himself to hunt let alone kill one of those bears. The moment he laid eyes on one. swaying and walking like a person, he just couldn't. It was too cute.
"Well... I can't bring myself to eat one. It's too friendly and cute." Raul answered.
"Ah sh- hehehee" anakitty laughed.
"What?"
Raul is embarrassed and surprised at her reaction. Despite the hood, she couldn't contain the laugh and simply tried to shh to lower her voice. But everyone soon heard her and was confused by it.
"Oh raul, that's what i like about you. You're nice, you know that." Anakitty replied.
"Hmm hehe. I guess so.. lets go fishing, shall we?"
Both went together down the ramp and into the ice to try to catch a few fishes.
*Meanwhile at the ships mast*
"That's another female voice don't you think?"
"Greg, you're really weird you know that?"
"What?"
"You never met a woman?"
"I did. but i never had one where one would hijack us!"
"Just shut up greg."
"You are lame glenn."
At the top deck of the ship's steering wheel, Ais Wallenstein kept eyeing the sky above. Deep in her mind, she kept thinking of her mother and her father during the days of old. She remembered it vividly, the days of peacefulness and happiness and the days of difficulties and fighting. But those days were suddenly changed with the arrival of that thing. Mauling her father to shreds and snatching her mother away. All she could do was watch. after the event, she was carried by an Elf of her fathers company. green haired, tall and strict. she was placed inside the cave and forever remained there until her awakening by the same green haired elf of similar looks.
Intently facing the sky, her neck got strained for a bit and lowered her shoulders to match the ramp. She now eyed the seas below her and beyond the horizon. The sun is now up above at mid day. Shining brightly as ever just like the surface. She never experienced such warmth or air from all the years of diving down beneath the surface. Until she and the rest of the familia fell from the sky all of the sudden.
Now her eyes are glued over the deep blue waters around her. Her fears continued to grow due to a memory of before between her and the elf woman related to swimming. She tried to think differently, moving forward with time and soon her memories are that of her journey and growing up with the loki familia. But one thing is still strong deep inside her mind. How to get stronger. To get stronger and powerful. Is there a way to not be scared of the water? She tried unleashing small blurts of her power. The wind temporarily engulfed her. She tried redirecting the wind as a form of offence but could never do so. From the memory she had, she remembered the words of her mother. "It is a strong shield to protect you and to those you care about. Master it, it'll protect you against those who wish harm unto you."
Then footsteps came and the blonde woman looked behind to see a hooded figure with two holes on the head. An elf and it is none other than Lefiya viridis.
"How are you Miss ais.?"
Ais, looked back at the water and thought deeply of everything that has occurred, she replied back to the elf girl who is waiting.
"I'm.. fine lefiya."
"I have some fish, barbequed. Would you like some."
Suddenly she spoke. But not through her tongue, but below the corners of her stomach.
"I guess thats a yes, hmm?"
Lefiya commented.
Sitting down at the deck, lefiya and ais enjoyed the seafood meal in the new world they are in. Both soon are filled.. but... They lack water.
"Argh! Im sorry miss ais, I'll go break riverias ice. Be right back!"
At the deck raul and the 2nd stringers are handing out meals towards the pirates who are tied at the mast. Some thanked them, while others aggressively took the meal and munched on it. Thomas meanwhile was below the deck on his own room. A bit tiny but good enough for him. He is currently searching for the log pose which is used for traveling in the waters of his world. The log pose is a compass that points in the direction of the next nearest island. It only works due to the magnetic pulse of the island.
'strange folk these group. I wonder where they're from.'
"Ah! there you are."
"Hey cruz! What do you think of them?" Raul asked.
"Pirates? I never met one from above. I just couldn't believe there's people here!" He replied.
"Me either, how come there is civilization down here?" Alicia asked.
"Maybe the dungeon created them? What if they're actually monsters and they are masking themselves like humans?" Anakitty commented.
"Yeesh thats too much, dont you think?" Said by cruz.
"What about those 4 objects? What do you think of those?" Cruz asked.
The question that cruz asked is about the 4 black tubes at the deck of the ship, 2 on the port and 2 on the starboard. Theres even more below so that makes the total 10.
"I don't know, but wasn't it used against the captain and it throws those black balls?" Raul answered.
"Frankly i found them noisy and scary. Imagine if that was you. Could you dodge that?" Alicia said.
"Im not sure but what are those balls made of?" Anakitty asked.
"Iron and metal. Its not that heavy but if you are with no falna, it would be too much." Raul replied.
"to create that many would require various mineral ores." Alicia asked.
While they are busy questioning and trying to understand everything based on their in depth knowledge of the world. Suddenly a door opened to reveal the three high executives.
"Oh, they're here."
Finn positioned himself at the center of the deck between him and the pirates tied on ships mast. He laid out the following details of their plan and where they will go from here.
"We bring unfortunate news that your vice captain, doggo. has passed away."
Murmuring on the pirates begins after hearing the news. And then followed by more words from finn.
"Pirates! We will find the nearest city here and drop you off to be imprisoned for being a pirate.!"
"What?"
"You little bastard!"
"Is this for real?"
Noises and murmuring engulfed the tied men and some in fear and others in revolt. But finn is not done with the speech and continued.
"You will be dropped off and be imprisoned once we find the authorities.. unless."
suddenly the anger and murmuring stopped. Now listening intently at the sudden request, the pirates calmed down for a moment and listened to the following.
"…unless you will tell us everything you know of."
"Are you done?" bete asked.
"yes. I found it." Thomas replied.
"get your ass upstairs and go to the captain."
"ok.."
"Tell you what? The grand line or the south blue where I'm from?" some of the pirates asked.
"yes, everything that you may know or any secrets that a few know." Said Finn in serious tone.
Goosebumps could be felt by the group and the fear doubled ever since they were ambushed.
"how would we know you won't betray us?"
"I won't… unless you tell."
"Why would you believe that kid? He's lying!"
"What should we do? He's giving us a choice at least!"
Suddenly, the pirates felt every stare of the hooded figures from the decks. Intently watching them to see what their reaction and answer towards the small child in front of them.
Some began to sweat while others looked at each other for help. But one man decided to answer for the group and it was Hans.
"We will tell you, once we near the next island."
Finn looked at the man in front of him. Calm but suspicious, he could see in his eyes the intent and the emotions behind that man. For whatever it is, Finn decided to agree. He has Thomas who he can still asked from.
"Alright then, what's your name?"
"… Hans."
"very well hans, we will talk face to face when we get there."
Now with that issue gone, Finn moved on towards the next phase.
"removed that banner from the top, replaced it with ours."
Suddenly two hooded figures launched rapidly to the top in incredible speed on the pirates view. Both went opposite while using the ropes that's connected to the mast. Their footsteps as light as a feather. one carried a banner while the other carried a knife.
The other managed to reach the top and sliced the pirate banner in half, while the other tied the flag pole on the wood to replace the black sails. Now it's a clown in a jester of white and grey color.
"Finn why agree to his terms.?" Gareth asked.
"Simple, they may be criminals, but we don't know anything much while we're here. We need them." Finn answered.
"You looked quite far into the future haven't you?" Gareth replied.
"gareth, keep an eye out of him."
"aye aye, captain."
"how fitting for you to be a pirate." Riveria commented.
"You mean "us" We practically stole this ship." Gareth replied.
Finn again looked at hans and the rest of the pirates. Thinking deeply about the intent behind his eyes, finn looked below his thumb and got no reaction. 'I guess taking a little risk wont be too bad as long as we learn more about this new world.'
Now with that out of the way, finn remembered what occurred deep inside the chambers of the late captains office. A wounded vice captain doggo was pierced by finn at the moment his intent is shown.
'doggo was intent on killing us just after waking up. Not even trying to learn of what had just occurred.' Finn thought.
"hey! Thomas!"
Suddenly a voice rang below deck. The voice kept rumbling and a cringing sound is made by the constant hitting of iron to iron. Thomas looked over the direction of the brig and saw the man inside, staring at him.
"you traitorous little sh*t! I will f*ck you up if I have the chance!"
"tsk!" immediately after that threat, bete moved as quickly as he could beside the brig. Surprising the man who received a kicked.. but bete stopped the attack and instead the burst of shockwave was release from the speed of which it moved, sending the prisoner back towards the corner, almost breaking his spine.
"shut your mouth you worthless trash!" bete said.
Thomas was immediately shocked at such speed and simply continued the walk towards the top deck followed by bete who is closely monitoring him. At the top deck, stares of people sighted him especially the pirates.
"lucky bastard."
"Man, Thomas could you convince them?"
"Hey bro! Help us!"
"we will remember this, thomas."
Thomas looked nervous at the stares that his own crewmates are giving him. Trying to ignore them, he looked towards where the current leader is and walk towards that direction while facing down.
Finn noticed him and nodded, the pallum then went inside first followed by the Hooded elf. The dwarf on the other hand, stayed behind and guard the door.
"Just go inside young man."
"ok."
Entering the same door to meet with the same people, thomas showed the log compass and placed the object at the table.
Compared to before, there are more lights now. Lamps of 4 illuminating the room and shining brightly. Thomas then proceed to explain the following.
"this is the compass, you need this to travel to reach the island chains in the grand line. Without the compass, you will be lost in the unknown waters around here."
"I see." Riveria commented.
"Thomas, you have heard my words below the decks before. Let me ask you this, what is the grand line?"
Thomas thought deeply about the grand line, ever since he was a child from the west blue, all he heard about it during the childhood days was the terrifying things about it. But that all changed when a man called Roger successful conquered it. And after 20 years, the grand line feels populated and many more pirates roamed on the waters which added more challenge to a new comer. Roger made this current era of piracy and its not even about his conquering the grand line, its about his supposed Legendary treasure. The One Piece.
Thomas doubted that such a thing even exist and dismissed that as too childish and a simple bait to lure those with dreams who thrived for Gold and treasure. For him, he simply want to..
"thomas?"
"oh.. sorry." Straightening his back and coughing a bit to signify his tongue and throat. He prepared for the dive into the things he know. he told the following.
"The grand line is a dangerous place, filled with the unknown and random natural phenomenon. Sometimes you will encounter a normal weather, bright sunny day and then suddenly you are thrust into a storm that came from nowhere. The waters around here are unpredictable. Anything could occur while you're in it. The best way to remain safe is to follow the log pose compass."
Thomas explained the following details that afternoon. And while they're at it, the vice executives have achieved their objectives of removing every ice in the bow towards the stern.
"what a day!"
"are you alright tione?"
"never been better!" she replied.
"why do I need to wear this hood and cape to cover myself? You're not even wearing one."
"you need to until they make enough room below the brig. And besides! Captain finns orders."
Below the decks, raul and cruz continued to hammer the nails and the left over planks that they found from before as a makeshift prison for the rest of the pirates.
The brig currently house that trash talker guy who somehow is as quiet as a mute. Blankly staring at the iron bars while blinking a few times. Although this brig was originally an animal cage and is big for one, its quite small to house a few people inside the bars let alone putting the 6 of them.
"is that guy alright?" cruz asked.
"im not sure. wasn't he quite lively before?" raul asked.
"beats me" cruz replied.
Back at the captains quarters, the room is only filled with thomas voice about the grand line. but one detail was left out by him that has piqued interest on riveria.
"The calm belt, what is that?"
Hearing her voice, he looked at her direction still covered in a hood and face behind the shadow. He replied the following.
"An area that is infested with sea monsters. It is called calm because there is no wind there."
"hmmm. No wind? Terrifying place for ships." Riveria commented.
"hmm. You got the sea monsters waiting for you like a fish in a barrel." Finn added.
"I have a question for you." Asked by thomas.
Finn nodded and thomas laid out his curiosity.
"How come you guys seemed to not know about.. anything in here.?"
Now the question that finn had desperately tried to avoid had come. Sure he can stall thomas by pretending he knows about this world but time would only tell that he needed information more than ever. And this is the thing to do now.
"We never intended to be here in the first place. We somehow.. fell in here."
"fell?" thomas curious.
"yes."
'well.. falling from somewhere is definitely how the grand line functions.. but with people? That's very peculiar.' He thought.
Suddenly a knock is heard from the door, then it opened to see a hooded figure. The cape below is completely wet and droplets of water can be seen.
"Captain, the Ship is clear and ready."
"I see." Finn replied.
"Thomas, thank you for your time once again."
"No worries." He replied.
As thomas left the room and the door shuts. The hooded figure removed the caped and the wear and it was tione of the amazon sisters.
"Thank you for the save Tione. I knew I could count on you." With a smile and a wink the amazon reacted as usual with easy charms of tactics. Pierced by her amazon instinct, she went in joyous mode and thanked the captain.
"Thank you, Cap-tain!. Im glad I could be of help."
"haha.. ha… um anyways, I think we need to set sail. Please check on raul if the new cell is done."
"man, this place sucks."
"Beggars can't be choosers gregg."
"When did they make this and that fast?"
"Quiet down sh*t heads!" Bete warned.
On the sides, they noticed their fellow mate completely idle and mute.
"Um what happened to him?"
"If you keep your mouth shut. It wouldn't happen the same to you." Bete warned.
Above the clouds, rays of light begins to fade. orange light from afar is drifting much closely down as minutes ticked by. Two figures approached the ship's stern section of the deck and viewed the scenery in its delight.
"So... Beautiful."
"Like you."
"Hmm, like you too."
"Yes. Maybe falling down here is not such a bad idea."
Taking their hoods off now that no pirates are at the deck, the two closely hugged and warmed each other while observing the beautiful setting sun descending further and further.
"What do you want to do here ana?"
"Explore the unknown as we have always been."
"Gotcha!"
"Man.. They are lucky."
"Is there an elf man out there that could do the same to me?" Alicia asked.
*Sigh* "i'll just tie some ropes." Cruz commented.
"Hey cruz! Have you eaten anything?"
"only a few, gareth!"
"well… come here lass! have some."
Cruz approached Gareth curious of the matter he sat beside the dwarf at the stairs at the ships stern.
"Its not much but it could fill your belly even if it's a few."
Cruz took a bite and was immediately charmed by its taste. He kept on munching and munching until he bit his lip.
*Gah!*
"hahahaha that hurt eh? Don't rush lad, if its good just take it slow."
"this is good! What is it?"
"found it below decks while punching a few pirates earlier."
"do you know whats in it?"
"probably cocoa and grain. It taste like one, very sweet aint it?"
Both men munch on it while enjoying the scenery of the setting sun. Gareth then showed cruz something of his secrecy.
"hey cruz, don't tell anyone bout this you hear? Not even finn knows about it, haha!"
Curious on the matter, cruz nodded. The eyes he displayed showed integrity and allegiance to never reveal about such matter.
Then as gareth pulled something from his armour, a small pouch is revealed.
"Remember floor 78? Take a look."
Cruz took a look inside of the pouch and found loads and bits of gem like mineral from the monster rex rare item stash.
"nice, how much valis do you think this will get?"
"ah.. no clue. but I took a few so I could send it to my brothers at the mines."
"Im sure they'll be rich."
"haha! We dwarves you see, loved mining and digging. So I took a closer look after we defeated it and dug some before anyone could noticed."
"not even finn?"
"I think so."
"hey, why are you doubting it now?"
"finn is sharpe, he probably knows…. or not."
"I bet on the latter."
"Ah betting now eh?
"Alright, if he does not, I'll give a few to you."
"alright, haha. Gain or no gain."
At the ships bow, two figures closely watched the darkness ahead looming over the horizon. Slowly replacing the sun parallel to it and with the light gone from behind, the night replaced the skies with its dark and cold atmosphere.
Slowly as minutes passed by, the winds begin to mount pressure as the ship moves north west leaving the island where they have stayed for the night.
"Do you think, we can get back up.?"
"We will miss ais. we have others and our leaders and friends to trust."
Feeling comfortable for the first time since she fell down here, the sword princess walked forward at the ships nose, looking below the waters being sucked as the ship moves. Seeing the reflection of the stars she looked back up and enjoyed the scenery of the beautiful night. Her hair now waved like the current below her. The wind is as strong as the skies and for her, it was nothing but comfort. Lefiya behind her was holding down her dress from being flung high by the strong winds. Her hair began to wave just as the rest with long hairs who were exposed in the open. Unbeknownst to them, they didn't even notice riveria who reached the same platform while they were busy being drowned by the air of the night.
On her mind, she kept thinking and memorizing the details based from thomas words.
She kept thinking of her friend above the surface. Her illness and health has gotten worse since a decade ago. She began to remember memories of her past, days in the deep forest of Alfs. Her escape with the strange folk who is now finn and her goddess, and how she and they with her friend aina travelled the world in ships and lands and arriving at the Center of the world: orario. Then her friend was struck by an unknown illness and hoped to commit to adventuring to find a way on how to cure such one. Is this the opportunity that she had hoped? The unknown world as vast as theirs with many possibilities and perhaps, cure for her friend.?
Riveria begins to hope for one, decades of searching and adventuring have led her to this region. She slowly closed her eyes as she feels the comfort of the air and night. Slowly, her eyelids closed and went into rest while her back is against the wood. The two women who were drowned by the night now saw riverias presence. They simply stayed and rested besides her as they journey beyond the unknown.
As early past midnight came, something unusual occurred. It was dark, and thunder is heard far into the distance. Everyone is suddenly awoken by such a tremendous sound that brings elves and animal people in cringing pain. The waters around the ship began to change. The dark blue waves grew larger and larger. Now heavy rain began to pour on the ship and the people on deck were showered by the cold temperature of the seas. The terrifying depths of current and waves altogether can go as high as the ships on every pass causing the lights from lamps to die out as rain and water poured into the glass. The waves made the ship creak and caused sounds which put the vessel in stress and pressure. And the worst has arrived at the ship. An entity appeared and its victim, the loki familias ship.
Strong waves began to rock the ship side by side. Crews and people experiencing nausea from the constant smashing, stressing the ship and in particular, its mast. The wind is so strong that the windows begin to rock and shatter.
This is no mere ordinary storm.
Everyone was doing their part by desperately preparing their supplies and weapons to be stored safely above the captains room.
Water began pouring into the ship from wave after wave of crash. The ship began a steep dive and then rose once more, only to repeat again at the very next wave to hit.
At the next view came the most terrifying experience of the loki familia. A wave of darkness rose up all of the sudden while the ship entered the dived below such monstrosity. Everyone felt fear at the moment, even high tier adventurers in level 8 or 7s were humbled by Natures might.
"Hold ooonnnn!" Gareth screamed
The next wave struck and the ship dived deep into the waves. Everything above the decks was washed. Canons, iron balls, ropes, crates and equipment all gone in that dive. Canons crashed into the deck and were simply lifted out into the seas. Whats left on the decks are people who braced hard at such monstrosity. Even finn himself was left to hope for luck to save them. But the next wave will determine if they ever had one in the first place.
Eyeing the next mountainous body of water, finn ordered the following.
"Hold on with each other!"
At that moment, he felt his thumb ache and knew their fates could be determined by that wave. As the ship descended below the wave bodies of water came pouring once more, flooding below the decks and the pirates left to scream for help.
Now as the ship slowly rises up, it is met with the high intensity of air. Waves are not as big as before but a new danger arose. The wind.
Slowly the wind picked the ship and redirected its course northward throwing the intended route away from them, which caused the log pose to spun multiple times. Winds so strong that the mast itself began to break. The wood and the pillars begin to creak, a terrifying sound had occured. Finn ordered the remaining abled body to add more ropes in hopes of making it stable and stronger.
"Pull! Pull!"
Despite the darknessa round, everyone thanked the falna for such blessing to raise status and thus, increase eye vision compared to a normal human.
Winds grew stronger and deadlier as burst of winds made slashes on the banner. A few noticed this and ordered to hide for cover, leaving the pillar left on its own which succumbed to its fate. The mast soon fell with the pillar breaking and yanking the wood which fell portside. Smashing down which damaged the decks below but luckily, no damage below the waterline.
And as the worst continued its onslaught, finn ordered all the crew above decks to prepare in case the ship rolls and plunges into the sea.
With each passing minute continuing and the calamity of wind on the attack, suddenly a light shone far ahead over the horizon.
Finn was the only one to notice as he is at the top of the deck which can peer far ahead. The light of yellow shone brightly in one direction its pointing at and what followed next was a sound so loud that it feels like a Dragon has passed over them.
On what looks like a machine, so dark and heavy it looks like some sort of long wagon of windows with lights inside.
Finn is absolutely dumbstrucked at what he's seeing. He peered his eyes much farther and saw smoke rising from the machine of pitch black at the front while there seemed to be people inside moving and doing something?. And as it passed by, it made a noise which sounded that of high pitched trumpet sound.
a few seconds afterward that thing disappeared into the darkness.
Finn shook his head at the sudden appearance of one and wondered how was it possible to move in such conditions on these rough seas.
What followed next was the very same machine. But this time it's light shone much greater than before, at Finn's port, he could see another one of it. Colored gray and with two wagons behind. But this one is where things get interesting, he saw two individuals at the top of the Machine, one man appears to wield swords and the other with a straw hat?. For them to stand at these rough conditions only confused Finn further and with the machine bursting past his eye, it made its appearance so short yet so impactful. Whatever those two things are called completely disappeared into the darkness.
"FINN DID YOU HEARD THAT!?"
Gareth screamed.
"I DID. ITS THUNDER!"
Finn replied.
"DO YOU SEE LAND?" Gareth screamed.
"NOT YET!" he replied.
Finn is now back at his own thoughts. Trying to forget what he'd just saw, his main focus now is to find land whatever means necessary.
And it seems seeing those two machines would have made a huge difference to their fates.
He steered the wheel into port and the ship slowly drifted towards that path. Finn tried to follow the path of where those two machines may have from and despite the rough seas and with the lost of the ships mast. The ship luckily still moved towards that direction with limited mast to push the ship. After grueling hours of voyage, they began to see what looks like to be a figure far into the distance.
"I SEE SOMETHING!" Finn screamed.
"WHAT IS IT?" gareth replied.
"LETS HAVE A CLOSER LOOK" He replied.
The shadow is enormous and gigantic. So large in fact the more they approached it the more it continues to grow. One problem is its pitched black with no lights until he saw one, finn used the best of his eyesight and peered into the darkness. His eyelids began to stress and as he peered more he began to see a small light of what looked like to be a fire.
and before they knew it, the ship ran aground on the waters. A large noise creaked below the ship, damaging It which tore the lower decks and soon water came rushing in.
"Water! WATER!" Cruz screamed.
With roaring waves and rain pouring, it wouldn't take long before the ship submerged below the waters.
Finn ordered the crew to jump into the water and reach the surface of what looks like an island in the distance. It would take one to swim with all its might to reach the shores.
"Finn! What about the prisoners?"
"Release them!"
"What?"
"Just release them! Take them on shore so they can be detained."
Below the decks, hans was painstakingly trying to remove the nail to free himself from the cage. But all his efforts would be for nothing when the giant dwarf arrived.
The cage was smashed with his fist and the prisoners with it were instantly knocked out, including hans himself. Gareth had to add more power to his fist when he broke the cage of the mute. He then carried all behind his back and jumped below the cold waters.
"Riveria! Go!" Finn commanded.
Riveria with both ais and lefiya at her arms are scared of the stormy seas, now she will have to baby sit the two women while at this dangerous moment.
Soon she and the two, dived into the waters. And with the help of Alicia and anakitty, they swam and carried them towards the shore.
As gareth reached the shore first, he was greeted by a band of people rushing in who noticed them before.
"Damn you are crazy for sailing on the rough seas! Aqua laguna is a death sentence!"
"Quick! Carry them back for warm cloths!"
While assessing the unconscious pirates, gareth stopped and told them the following.
"They are pirates.!" Gareth commented.
"Woah! Ok off to the brig with warm clothes then!"
"Hey! What about you?"
"I have to go get my mates."
"Careful!"
Gareth then swam back, passing over riveria. He reached the ship and noticed bete. Looking below into the seas.
"Jump!" Gareth screamed.
"Tsk! Sh*t this is bad.!"
Bete jumped into the water and was grabbed by gareth, the dwarf surfaced with the wolf who at the moment is splashing the water left and right. The next to jump was cruz and next, Thomas. Thomas the moment he touched the waters is completely paralysed. He kept plunging below the depths and he could see the multiple buildings now underwater. His eyes began to red and his lungs slowly loses its oxygen but luckily he was snatched by an amazon woman who grabbed his leg while his body followed suit. Surfacing on the water, he is completely weakened and with no strength to move. Tone who grabbed him and now behind her back is concerned at the ship sinking.
"Captain? How about you?"
"You go on ahead, ill catch up!" He replied.
Finn began to search for the map and the log pose, essentials tools to navigate the seas and after finding both he immediately jumped below the waters as the ship is now deep below sinking.
As he dived down, he can see buildings lined up from the bottom to the tom, like a pyramid but in circular form. Finn swam back to the surface and continued to paddle until he reached the shore and was grabbed by gareth from the waters.
"My thanks!"
"No problem" gareth.
Now with everything danger now passed all they could do was sit down and observe the view of waves crashing into the stone built structure below them.
"Thank you guys." Thomas said.
Finn looked back at his familia, peering at everyone to see no one got left behind and managed to relax himself at the edges of Water seven.
"Oh hey! He's awake!"
Finn opened his eyelids and found himself on a bed. Sheets of white and comfortable too but what ruined that was the sudden voice that rang a few meters away.
Finn peered out and blinked a few times and the blurness disappeared. he could see a few beds besides him that were empty and some filled with raul, cruz and anakitty sleeping soundly.
"Hey finn! You good?"
Finn nodded at gareth and began to rise, his figure is that of a child which most of the people would mistake him for.
"Ah! you little one. We were worried yesterday since you went unconscious when you were just taking a nap! Damn you!"
"Take a chill bro, don't scare our patients like that!"
"Tsk! Well all you need to worry about is paying the bills. Oh fair warning! That's not the only one!"
"That's a child! Why are you telling him to pay!"
"You and your stupid morals need to know children are not that so innocent! They are demon spawn!"
"Alright! alright! just go smoke somewhere and not here!"
"Hmph!"
Riveria and gareth were absolutely bewildered by what just happened. Staying quiet instead of arguing is the best way to avoid more issues.
"sorry about that. She's a bit weird at times. Anyhow, here are the bills for the clinic. Its not too bad compared to what you guys hit last night."
Reading the bills, finn is not able to comprehend the currency of this world and so believing the amount to be many, he simply inhaled deeply to calm himself.
What's concerning like the guy said was the Building, it cost roughly 1 million berries.
'berries' finn thought.
"alright, now that is done. You can try to relax and explore the city if you want. But! Make sure to return here to pay before the day is dark."
The man in clinical wear dusted off the room, leaving the executives and the soon to be awakened 2nd stringers.
"Not too great of a start don't ya think?" Gareth said.
"He.. hmm, I guess.?" He replied.
"Finn."
"what is it?"
"thomas, disappeared. "
"ah."
'ah he escaped. So we lost a navigator, luckily I managed to get ahold of the equipment.' Reaching for his pocket, he didn't feel anything nor the maps or log compass. Finn looks alarmed for a moment but luckily he was calmed by riveria herself.
"are you perhaps looking for this?"
"ah, thank you riveria."
"I already checked to see if you have injuries and healed you with everyone just in case. but they insisted that they take you to the hospital, we argued and settled to place us on the clinic.
"Well, all that matters is we're alive! Hahaha!"
"Quiet down you silly oaf!"
Riveria commented.
"Ah.. kill joy as usual." Gareth replied.
The early morning sun shines brightly. Noise from below can be heard and spanned many sections and turns over the city and different individuals across the streets walking to their destinations, jobs or socialize with one another. Various types are found within the city strange costumes and even masks to cover oneself. But the main attraction is the city's bigger pillars above almost as if the sky was reached by its height. One of the most beautiful parts of the city has to offer is the sight of the gigantic fountain at the very top, sitting high above its size larger than Babel! The fountain pillars are two floors of plates that blurt tremendous amounts of water which flows down in the built-in canals, passing through the buildings and towns connected by the streams. The water then exits below each canal to the sea that spans almost the entirety of the horizon. No island or anything in sight! Just this city and the sea.
The structure itself alone is Other-worldly to the loki familia members. This beauty and architect surpassed even that of the best ancient cities of their own world.
Such scale and size puts doubt if this were even reality to a few.
Finn couldn't believe what he was seeing and most remained silent and admire the beauty of such wonder.
Compared to last night, the waters already receded. The scale of the storm last night cannot of understated.
"Ah! Surprised of the view up here?"
A voice interrupted the crew and it was a staff personnel by the looks of it.
"It is unfortunate that such events have led you to this moment, we hope you can enjoy your visit to our city despite the conditions. Welcome to Water seven"
She wears a dress thats similar to the guild employees. Almost made the adventurers asked if there is a headquarters for one.
"Hello Ladies and gentlemen, I am Anamel, the City's Tourist guide for Water seven. I apologized that your visit to this place is brought with interruption and discomfort from the storm."
"No worries. Glad that your city saved us. Being alive is what matters." Finn replied.
"Hmm... i see. Currently, the Mayor is away and would not have any participation on this day, so if you have questions feel free to ask for me."
"The city... Who built this?" Riveria asked.
"Ah! Well if you kindly follow me, a walk to the city's history could be refreshing."
Soon the rest followed suit, slowly descending the many stairs that the city has and the loki familia seems to be at the very top.
"I did not think the water could rise that high last night!" Tiona commented.
"Ahh the Aqua laguna. It is a Storm that happens every year, tides and water rises which forces us to climb to seek shelter. This is where the city was built. As the water rises, the city continues to construct higher and higher for generations until you see where we are now."
Now the loki familia reached the shipbuilding island, they can see enormous walls and.. repairs being fixed on what seemed to be a battlefield.
"What happened here?" Tiona asked.
"Ah young lady! a few problems with the clients yesterday. but not to worry. it has been resolved."
Finn noticed a burned mansion across the shipbuilding area. He can see people working to gather what's left of the wooden materials and things that are still salvageable.
No doubt, this is what finn saw last night and what led him to drive his ship towards it.
"What happened over there?"
Anamel seemed saddened when finn asked her about the mansion. Despite her looks, she replied professionally as best as she could.
"Its the Galley La headquarters. Mansion of the Mayor himself, Iceburg."
"Oh i see, is he alright?"
"He is fine, he had to leave early this morning for something, I'm afraid."
Passing by dock one, anamel proceeds to give more details
"There are 7 docks in total and all formed the galley la company. All of them are the same size, but Dock One has some of Galley-La's finest.".
'Interesting, i wonder how much it would cost since our ship was sunk by the storm. Now, about the cost. What type of currency is this.. berries, I wonder..' finn thought
they are now on what seems to be the city's downhill view.
"Woah."
"Amazing!"
"It's.. just sooo, Peak."
The guide then proceeds to take them below on what seems to be some sort of Mini ports for the boats.
"Right here is where we employ the creatures of the sea called sea horses or bulls. It can carry boats behind its back up to 2 people at most. Or a larger boat with two more of them on the leash. It's like wagons on the ground for horses.
"Ah.!"
"Such a cutie. Awww"
"Tiona don't disturb them!"
There are three boats at the port. The loki familia rode two separate boats.
The large one with 3 sea horses that carried the high and vice executives.
The other is for the 2nd stringers.
"This looks fun!"
"Calm down raul. Hehe"
"I'm quite nervous about this"
"These are for tourists specifically, they are free and for tourist use only. If you wanna take an independent boat, you can go to the Bull rental shop sector. You can rent one that can carry 2 people for one bull in just 40 berries."
"Fruits?"
"Excuse me?"
"Just shush instead of asking." Tione whispered.
"Nothing, my sister is just a bit hungry."
"There are markets and cuisines on the side if you want to have a meal."
"thank you, but we will finish this first so it'll be in one go."
Above the buildings, there are strange folk monitoring the tourists.
"What do you think of them?"
"They look suspicious and weird. Do you think they are hired by the Government?"
"Probably, let's just observe for now."
"Most of the city was built by the Legendary Shipwrights! Builders of ships and our city became one of the best in the world when it comes to shipbuilding.".
"How many countries or nations are there?" Finn asked.
"Oh? Unrelated to the history but approximately 180 of them and almost all are under the World government's authority and protection."
"!"
"Whats the worl-"
"Anamel!"
"Oh!? That scared me!"
"Sorry but were you originally here or from somewhere?"
Meanwhile tione immediately covered her sister's mouth.
"Shush you thick headed brute."
"Ah personal staff questions are quite creepy to ask and borderline sexual harassment. feel free to check the Tourism office if you are that Interested."
"Ah-hah i apologized, continue the history details from where we left off." Finn replied.
'sexual harassment?'
Thoughts by finn and everyone.
"Now here we are at one of the main functions of the city. water gate!"
As they continued to sail, they approached a dead end sector where suddenly the gates opened, flushing them inside with a few boats huddled in the dark. Then after all the boats are inside, the door is closed.
"When the door closes, the tubes will add more water to the closed section and thus, flooding it until we reach the top.
Next that occurred is exactly what she said, the boats slowly rise up and then the sunlight creeps back until a new path is opened for them.
"The same can be applied if you want to go below. Simply wait for the water to recede inside the sections and the door will release you below and merry your way towards your destination."
"Not only is it beautifully looking, but Functions practically well, Impressive." Riveria commented.
"Thank you for the compliment Miss."
"Now then, for the fun part of the ride. Please brace yourself if you don't wanna fall."
Suddenly everyone at the same time said the same word.
"Huh?"
Just after they finished, the downward slope becomes apparent. the bulls up front keep grinning its teeth. It is very excited to ride downhill.
"Hold on..." Is the last words they heard before experiencing a water coaster ride.
The view and angle soon plunges, the air grew stronger and the speed much faster. Then the slide began. All that was heard was intense screaming. Even the three executives were shocked and full on agape faces as they experience a sudden fall just like as they first fell in here.
The tight turns and twist added more shock value to the familia. Whilst anamel was simply enjoying the ride, smiling as wide as she could with the bull at the same manner. Eventually all the fun had to end, and they soon reached the backstreets of Water seven.
Faces of high adventurers could be mistaken as a bunch of children who first went through a Depth shock.
Adrenaline was high and even though they recovered they will forever remember that experience. And for the survivors of aqua laguna, it seemed this one ride did more shock than that one particular mountainous wave before. Maybe except for finn since he'd seen the entirety of it.
"How's the slide?"
"Guh.."
"Can we- not. Do that again?" Riveria in taters.
"Hopefully its a fun experience for you all." Anamel replied.
"Oh! Heres our last destination."
"!"
Many crowds and ships roam across them, different masks, customers and even types of people. An area with various shops, livestock's, and restaurants. Many types of people engaged in a place that sells, buys, and do trades. It is none other than the market place.
"This is the shopping district. You can buy variety of goods, meals, clothing and tools such as weapons, accessories and even entertainment!
Its all complete in here, just roam around and you can find whatever you're looking for!"
As they roam pass them, a few people admired the way they look and how diverse of group they are compared to the rest.
One woman in particular voiced out her thoughts besides them.
"Where did you buy those ears? They looked so fashionable and classy!"
"Woah a cat and a wolf? Where did you buy those clothing?"
Suddenly all attention is directed into them, making them feel uncomfortable and worried.
"Um anamel, could we move somewhere else?" Finn asked.
"Um sure." She replied.
They managed to move from the shopping district to the local area where it's the dame but to a much lesser extent.
Suddenly they heard a noise of what to be footsteps and noise from the corners of the local area.
"hey! Stop right there!"
Rest of the loki familia looked at the direction. They saw a blue shirt man with a hat whilst wearing long dark pants and black shoes on what seems to be a chase of some individuals.
Suddenly gone, the two boats directed on the other direction to continue the guide by anamel.
"Why would they think of our ears as fashion?" Lefiya complained.
"Are humans the only race in this city?" Riveria asked.
"Frankly no, there is a few and different types of people. But they are rare and i haven't seen one thats non humanoid looking." Anamel answered.
"I see." Riveria replied.
"Now that our trip is over, where should i drop you off?"
"Umm somewhere thats close to a bank or something?" Finn answered.
"Ahh the cashing! Its located above and at the shipbuilding island. Hold on tight! We will go through that slide once again.!"
Everyone collectively uttered the same words when they heard the slide once more.
"Oh no..."
"oh i forgot to mention, the most famous invention of water 7 was the Water train transport.
It can travel on water and is mostly used to travel to neighboring islands and most notably to the government facility sector! You can find this on the Blue station at the surface below. Sadly, it wont be much used when a surge of storm overflows the station."
"Guh..."
"Oh we're here!"
Feeling nausea at the ride to the top, the loki familia had never experienced this type of ride before, the closest ever was yesterday.
"Hey gareth, is this what its like being toyed with by that monster rex?" Tiona asked.
"Nah this is much worse." He replied.
"Understandable -guh.."
"Hey bull! Did you ride them well enough at that slide?"
*He he!*
"Hehehe they definitely enjoyed, just take a look at them."
Everyone was staring at the loki familia at the cashing building. The blonde boy was trying to walk properly, the big man is stumbling like a drunk. A green haired female with long ears is using her staff as support while the rest behind them was puking loads of watery fluids.
"Hey! Ya'll polluting the waters here!"
"Thank y-you Anamel, for the ride."
"I'm glad i could be of service to newcomers here. Kindly share this city to your friends and family!"
"Haha, we will... Heh"
"Gah! Is she playing with us?"
"She seems genuine." Finn replied.
"That was the worst, ride, ever.. of all time." Raul complained.
In front of them is the cashing building that Anamel has told them about. A bank or trade and all sorts of conversions and equipment change is possible here.
Building looks to be a three story high, gold plating's on its name at the center top, and windows beautifully designed with walls looking as smooth as the softest texture like butter.
"Finn, do you have any materials?"
"No"
"What are you gonna exchange in there?" Riveria asked.
"Worse comes to worse i can exchange the log compass."
"Eh finn, i think i have some valuable material here."
"You have some gareth?"
"Remember the floor boss of 78?"
"What of it?"
"We left it there behind because of its size, so i chipped away a few bits and placed some there."
Gareth threw a small pouch and inside, contains small bits of material from the beast after it was slain.
"You owe me one."
"You can have my ale, gareth."
"Ah thats more like it!"
"Ahem"
"Ah.. kill joy at it again."
Gareth then suddenly whistled at cruz. Cruz who is still nausea at the moment forced himself up and approached gareth.
Whispering at cruz, gareth told the following.
"You were right. Good one lad."
"Right?"
"Finn doesn't know."
"Ah!"
"Here"
"Keep some for ya."
"Thank you, sir."
"Hahaha!"
Both fist bumped at the bet they made since the voyage to water seven.
"Thats very gareth of you." Finn remarked.
"Hahaha!"
Riveria on the sidelines was simply smiling at the whole ordeal.
But with time running, she reminded the two of what they're objective was.
"Ahem. How do you supposed know you won't be scammed?"
Finn and gareth looked at each other, this moment was very reminiscent of their old days when they were simply level 2 adventurers in orario.
"Give me the pouch, i'll take care of it."
"Lets leave it at Miss financer here."
"Hahahaha!" Gareth laughed.
*Sigh* I hope we'll at least get enough." Riveria replied.
Somewhere at the backstreets of water seven lies various shops and local business such as Bread and coffee being sold early in the morning. But that morning, a random chase is occuring.
"Hey! Get back here!"
Running from the man is Gregg and glenn. Escapees from the loki familias captive. Stealing a few breads and butter as hunger plagued them ever since last night.
"This is wrong!"
"we're pirates idiot!"
"Where are they?"
"Just follow me!"
messy hair, clothes soaked, and groaning bellies. the two are trying desperately to lose the cop but there are even more chasers now than before.
"What the?"
"Dont look behind! Just run!"
Far to the back, a medium sized man is chasing the two. He's a bit chubby, bad form and lastly average height.
"Hey! I'll circle around to cut them off!"
The other relative who is driving a bull rotated around to try to find a way to catch up.
"Excuse me! Excuse me! Coming through!"
Along the way, the crowd was pushed aside by glenn and Gregg's bumpy run and on the other, the cop tried his best to make way by shouting.
"Stop him! Stop him!"
As the man screamed many bystanders tried intervening but one who tried to trip glenn by laying his foot on the way but was hit by a rock on the head, knocking the man down who hit the ground hard on the canal street.
Gregg and glenn almost tripped whilst passing by and the unlucky man failed to noticed the bystanders body as he closes in trying to grab greggs clothing. The man accidentally trips and fell into the water canal.
Both men laughed at the poor vendor who chased them that fell into the water.
But despite losing their prey, another one from the canal appeared.
"Stop!"
"This way gregg!"
The two men turned right. Forcing the other vendor to climb above clumsily and almost slipped his foot at the canal, brushing that off he continued the pursuit despite losing the two in his sight. The escapees chose the area well, there are no canals and its mostly at the backstreets where more ground chase is to be done.
"DAMN THOSE PUNKS!" The vendor screamed.
Suddenly a whistle is heard by the two.
"Over here!"
The two escapee turned left towards the backstreet, following the voice of the other runner in front of them, they then turned right in hopes of losing track of the cops. And lastly they climb at the corner dead end with aid from the opened window of the building.
"Your hand!"
Lifting gregg first and glenn the three men are overjoyed to see breads and butter and immediately munched the meal.
"Can we not do that again glenn?"
"We got some bread, just shut up and eat it!"
"Do you have water thomas?"
"Here."
"You know, i was losing hope that you wouldn't help us up back then"
"I can't do much, they keep track of me until I blended in the shadows and escaped!."
"So what should we do now?" Gregg asked.
"Hitch a ride out of here." Glenn proposes.
"Where?" Gregg asked.
"Anywhere that is safe and livable."
Thomas answered.
The three men planned their next move to escape water seven authorities.
"Welcome miss! And Sir's! Thank you for choosing Cashing exchange!"
Riveria nodded, beside her is finn and gareth. Both observing the accessories inside the room. The room is filled to the brim, ships in paintings and a man with blue hair, orange stripes of long sleeve with a mice on its palm.
"Now then, we analyzed some of your gems and found them quite remarkable!"
Riveria observed and listened attentively while finn and gareth sweats nervously of the possibility of it being much lower than they know of.
"Quite tiny but very valuable! One of these tiny gem alone is approximately 1 million berries!"
Wide eyes is that of both finn and gareth while riveria remained cautious with her eyes closed. Trying to process or think about the amount.
"You have 12 of them and thats 12 million berries! I'll be right back to get the funds for converting."
After the man went inside and the door shut, Finn grab both riveria and gareth for a quick whisper.
"So.. 12.000.000 million. That sounds a lot. but is that a lot?"
"Finn, i only gave them a few. The pouch is still here." Riveria replied.
"Alright. don't give the rest! lets go with 50 to 100 million first."
"Alright. But I'll do something first when I'm called."
"Called?" Both asked.
"They said, signing of papers or some sort. I'll negotiate inside if that works."
"Handle the goods elf, you hear?"
"Try not to worry too much silly dwarf."
Then the man returned much quickly than they intended, the door almost breaking at the speed of which he exerted and while a bit over hype about the exchange, he slowly controlled his breathing and asked for riveria to sign the documents on the inside.
"Goodluck!" Whispered by finn.
"You know i still don't understand all of this."
"What's that raul?" Anakitty asked.
"If all of these existed down here, what would happen if we tell everyone on the surface about the world down here?"
"I..."
"Im not sure, but if they did know raul. Would this floor and ours be forever connected? Beginning with us here establishing a connection?"
Suddenly cruz chimed in.
"Aren't you guys worried about it?" Cruz commented
"About what?" Raul asked.
"What if.. we can't leave this place?" He asked.
Even bete and the amazon sisters heard of such conversation and tried to ask themselves of the same question, but bete is a bit of a thick headed and simply brushed the matter by being annoyed. "Tsk!"
While the two sisters who tried to think about it, tione whos less slim of the two simply said the following.
"I have trust on our captain, im sure we will find a way even if it'll take longer."
"Did you think about it, could we live down here if we can't return home?" Cruz continued.
Cruz continued to press for such possibilities of them being here. While the rest continued to listen and process his words until alicia intervened.
"Dont say things like that!"
"I know im being negative Alicia, but what if we really can't go back? What would happen to us no matter how much we tried?"
"..."
Feeling trapped by everyone's silence cruz looked towards the most unsocial of them all and found the sword princess curiously listening in from the sides.
"What about you ais, what would you do if you get stuck here?"
The girl on the sidelines who was last to finished the watery fluid responded immediately, shocking the rest with such answer.
"I wont."
Surprised by the answer, cruz was shocked, he himself feels persuaded by her words despite the simplicity behind it. Deep in thoughts though, he still had a small doubt in his mind if he or they could ever escape this "world" that they are in.
"Cruz! We have everyone! Are you losing trust on us?" Anakitty asked.
"No, its just… im thinking of the worse case possibility. Sorry if im a bit pessimistic."
Lefiya who is listening at the 2nd stringers with ais, asked herself the same question.
'what if they're really stuck down here? Is there even a path back up?'
While they are busy asking such questions, a few in their minds are trying to dismiss such one to avoid wavering trust between them. It was a good timing for the high executives to arrive.
"Oh there they are!" Alicia pointed.
Lefiya shook her head to forget such questions and focus on the exchange for their very survival down here.
"I wonder if the exchange was good enough for us." Lefiya commented.
The three executives was very peculiar for the rest of the members. Some of the rare qualities of their leaders are recently showing up ever since they fell down here.
Now they see Riveria the vice captain smirking, while finn and gareth are smiling.
"Uh.. is the old hag alright?"
Bete asked.
"Ahh! betes finally showing care for others!"
"Shut your mouth, i never cared about that hag or any weaklings."
"Is that how you talk to your amazoness?"
"why you! ugh.."
"Hahahhaa got you!" Tiona said.
"Heh tsundere wolf." Tione commented.
"Why is Lady riveria smirking?" Lefiya wondered.
"Lady riveria? Hows the exchange?" Alicia asked
"Well.. the negotiations were short." She replied.
"Gehahahha She threatened the poor man for lying!" Gareth burst into laughter
"Quiet down dwarf! I simply negotiated well and it worked."
"Using a lie to trick the honest for lying? Well played." Finn commended.
"If it raises the sums, it works." Riveria added.
Suddenly, a swarm of people, mostly people with tools and equipment are passing by the canals. It appears they looked like shipwright workers from the docks.
"What the?"
The loki familia was confused and caught off guard by the people passing by in bull boats, almost crashing each other at the speed of which they drove.
"The mayor! He's back!"
One can be heard screaming.
"they're back! The strawhats are back!"
"Move! Get out of the way!"
Soon many more joined the fray and drove their bulls curious on the matter.
"Ugh, so how much of their currency did you get Miss Riveria?" Lefiya asked.
"168.000.000 million berries." She replied.
"That sounds a lot, is it?" Finn commented.
"42 gems. 1.000.000 million for each but i negotiated well and it went to 4.000.000 million. thus 168.000.000 million."
"it sounds a lot I think" raul commented.
"Lets go find a place to stay for the night!" Finn commented.
Hearing this, raul looked for a random person passing by for instructions.
"Hey mister! do you know any inns around?"
"Eh an inn? Right over there at the left corner called the rat street.
"Thank you very much sir."
"Nicely done raul!. everyone, lets go!"
Soon the rest of the familia walked a few paces from cashing towards rat street.
While passing on the street they noticed a building on the opposite side of the canal just across a few distance from the Cashing building.
"What is that?"
"Ah, its a foreign embassy."
The building in concrete made with four pillars at the entrance is the city's relations with nations abroad..
Eyeing the building, what piqued their interest are the papers outside sticking or stamped papers on the pillars.
Approaching the building, they view on what seems to be WANTED POSTERS.
"What the?"
"Wanted posters?"
There are many wanted posters on the wall and most that are hanged are the recent rising stars of wrecking havocs and causing chaos on the seas.
Observing the papers, riveria noted a bunch of dangerous individuals with bounties much greater than their own money.
"Who is that?" Gareth asked.
"Young man in reddish hair.. Eu- Eustass Kidd?"
"He has over 290.000.000 Million berries." Finn read out loud.
"Quite a lot if we can capture him." Riveria replied.
"What about that one?" Gareth pointed.
"He has tattoo on his fingers and wears a hat, his name is.. Trafalgar Law with 220.000.000 million berries."
"Jewelry Bonney with 140.000.000 million berries"
'I wonder what type of food is she munching?' Ais asked.
"Another one with a strawhat, smiling as wide as he can. 120.000.000 million berries, Monkey D. Luffy."
"Theres a few of them!"
Hopefully i can pronounce this right. Mad monk, Capone...
'Interesting, so all of these youngsters with quite destructive ambitions is caused by the King of the pirates from 20 years ago? Thomas wasn't kidding when he said he shaped the current era.'
Suddenly Finn remembered the straw hat. He heard it just a few moments ago from the shipwrights. What he saw last night was a man thats wearing A straw hat. and Finn tried connecting the dots and the poster shows the person he just saw briefly last night.
"whats a marine?" Tiona asked.
Checking the description below the poster, riveria read the following for everyone to hear.
"This is Issued by the Navy Marine Organization. If you sighted the wanted individual please head to the nearest marine base for assistance."
"its a good thing to have an organization that combat the pirates so we have wanted posters to be aware of who's who." Riveria commented.
With the groups curiosity on the rise, finn uttered the following.
"Lets go find an inn and rest there, then plan things when we're settled."
While leisurely walking on the street, some began to question the state they are in and wondered more about it. One of the 2nd stringers asked the captains input on the matter.
"Um captain?"
"What is it anakitty?"
"a few of us including cruz and raul are having difficulties about the possibility of.. being stuck in here. Some began to question if we could ever return home. Is it possible for us?"
Immediately without thinking too long, finn responded quickly and confidently.
"We will, anakitty. I will make sure we will return."
Feeling comfortable at the captains words, anakitty felt at ease. But Finn is doubtful of such situation. He needs to fasten things or else the group would slowly implode from the inside.
Arriving at the street called rat, a sign can be seen of a red headed rat in the top.
"Quite an odd name for a street." Gareth commented
"Ah a newcomers! Most of rats lived here if you want to know, the cheapest inns can also be found here!."
Suddenly surprised by an old mans voice who appeared from the shadows, Finn analyze the old man. He wears ragged shirt , shorts and a beard that stretches below his neck. No hair, and has a few moles on his nose.
"Ah thank you, sir." Raul replied.
"Beware of snitching! rats are good at it."
"Um. Ok."
The old man disappeared into the shadows behind him, confusing the loki familia of such acts.
"What was that?" Lefiya asked.
"ignore that folk. Lets carry on!"
"is that it?"
"Yeah thats a good spot to hitch a ride."
"We have one chance for this to ever be successful. We'll tie a rope up here and swung down and land to whoever's ship is exiting the harbor."
"Is that safe?" Gregg asked.
"There's no other way. it is safe if i tie the rope tightly" Glenn replied.
"And yet, we found none."
"Don't rush things. We need to steal one from the docks which is much more stronger and wouldn't snap under our combined weight." Glenn replied.
"Most ships at the port there are merchants and pirate ships. We'll land on a merchant ship so our odds are better than our own kind." Thomas commented.
Currently the three of them are located at the end of the waterway canal. Gigantic doors with number 7 on front is the section of canal where most ships pass when they leave.
A perfect spot for the three if they are to hitch a ride. Most importantly the giant pillars have iron bars as another safe measure to stop anyone from falling down into the sea. They can use the bars and tie the rope around it.
Then over the horizon at the corner of their eyes, is a giant ship thats sailing towards water seven. Full of crew and types of people but most notably is the Mayor and Vice mayor themselves.
"Hey look! Someone's up there!"
"Call the authorities!"
A voice rang at the streets below. Someone saw them.
"Crap! Lets go!"
"Careful glenn!"
"Just follow my steps idiot."
Renting an inn the familia gathered inside for a meeting or some sort finn laid down the details on what to do.
"Everyone! As you all know, we are currently at the city of water seven. Yesterday, Thomas gave me some information about this.. floor. It appears the scale and the size of this is much, much more than we anticipated."
Finn showed the map to the familia members, now every detail is known to each members. Then while a silence prolonged discussion, a few curious minds managed to break the silence.
"If the floor is this big, then wouldn't that make the search for the entrance back to the top much harder?"
Finn recognized the severity of the question, immediately he answered to try to dispell any doubts on the group.
"Indeed. But according to the Map and from thomas, the world is not completely explored and the other side of the Grand line is where we should try to look for cruz." Finn replied.
Cruz felt a heavy weight from his chest has been lifted. He felt that at least the captain knows where to go and the direction they would take to return home. He just hopes that their journey would not be impeded by problems and circumstances along the way.
Not only cruz was lifted but almost all with doubts of their current situation. Finn, their captain, truly knows how to handle such situation wherever he is. Deep under the dungeon, an ambush, or whatever the place. Even back then at the Daedalus street, he can handle himself despite numerous close calls and because of that, we triumphed against such odds. who knows what would've happened to them if there was no Finn here.
"Our priority is to get there as soon as possible. That doesn't mean we should rush, thomas also said that the Grand line is a dangerous place, we must tread with caution if we are to survive."
"Now thats out of the way, our current objective in this day is to have a wonderful meal in the morning."
"Hehehe! Remember the ale finn. Gareth commented.
"No worries my friend." He replied.
With their spirits back up again, finn then ordered the following.
"Here's the plan, i will visit the many docks of water seven to see if we can purchase a ship and the amount needed for one. While the rest of you will buy the supplies and tools needed."
"Ais, raul, bete and anakitty! You will be in charge of the meat, vegetables and drinks."
"The elves will take care of our equipment's."
"Gareth take tiona, and cruz with you for the building damage cost."
"And tione? Come with me to the docks."
With the morning ending and entering noon, the loki familia separately moved towards each assigned objectives and scattered in the water canals of the city.
END OF CHAPTER