"So NONE of you know how to sail?!" Ragnus asked.
"It can't be that hard," Arle said, nonchalantly.
"Usually, crews are bigger than this. A vessel like this needs at least two people operating it at all times. So two of you should head below deck. Maybe try to get some sleep? Then you'll be rested enough to take over once night hits," Ragnus said.
"I don't wanna go to bed! I'm staying here!" Draco said.
"Neither will I! This is my vessel, so I'll operate it!" Rulue said.
"But you'd still operate it if-nevermind. Arle, Schezo, looks like you two have night shift." Ragnus said.
"Hmpf. Fine. I prefer the dark anyway." Schezo said, heading below deck alongside Arle. Their little companions followed.
Below deck, they made their way to the sleeping quarters. As Arle got into bed, she saw Schezo open a box and get inside.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
"This is the closest there is to a treasure chest." Is all he said as Tenori Zoh jumped in.
"Uh- ok…" she said, not willing to question it right now. She cast Hiidon on him and he cast Sleep on her. And thus the duo slept…
Back on deck, Ragnus was instructing Rulue and Draco on what to do.
"Am I doing this right?" Draco asked.
"Yes. You're doing great!" Ragnus said with a smile.
"Ohohoho~ I must be doing the best, right?" Rulue said.
"Well-" Ragnus was cut off
"Hey! This isn't a competition!" Draco yelled.
"Of course not, but if it was, you'd lose." Rulue said.
"N-now wait a moment-" Once more Ragnus failed to get a word in.
"GAO! You're on! Whoever does these boat things better wins!" Draco yelled.
"I don't intend to lose!" Rulue retorted.
"Er…Rulue…I don't mean to intrude but, you're doing it wrong." Ragnus said.
"What?!" Rulue yelled.
"Ha! Guess that makes me the winner!" Draco cheered.
"Not so fast! Ragnus, get over here and teach better! This contest isn't over yet!" Rulue yelled.
"Y-yes ma'am!" Ragnus said, running to her side.
The two continued to compete over who could manage the ship better. Eventually, it did escalate to a full on brawl.
"Guys! Please stop fighting! I need you both to run this ship!" Ragnus pleaded as Rulue held Draco in a headlock. She released Draco, who took a deep breath.
"Now, can't you two work together? Please?" Ragnus pleaded.
"I suppose." Rulue replied
"Yeah! We'll beat Arle and Schezo in this competition!" Draco said, fired up and ready for action.
"Wait no-" Ragnus was once more cut off
"OHOHOHOHO~ I like the way you think," Rulue said.
"Really? Thanks gao!" Draco said
"Oh boy," Ragnus thought. As the waves got stronger, so did their teamwork.
"Large wave, starboard!" Ragnus called.
"Got it! Wait, which way is starboard?" Draco asked.
"Right!" Rulue yelled back.
"Oh ok!" Draco said. And together they steered past it.
It became time to eat. Ragnus handed out boat food.
"Gao! This is so gross!" Draco yelled.
"I agree! Where's all the good food?" Rulue demanded.
"L-look that's the only food that'll keep for as long as this journey is," Ragnus said, backing away from the angry girls.
"You mean to tell me that all you packed was THIS?!" Rulue yelled. Ragnus winced. Draco and Rulue looked at one another.
Ragnus was covered in bruises and burns. Somehow though, these two were succeeding in keeping the vessel afloat. Night began to fall.
"Perhaps you two should get some sleep?" Ragnus suggested.
"Good idea! We need our beauty sleep!" Draco said.
"That we do." Rulue added.
"Then head below deck and wake up Arle and Schezo." Ragnus said.
The girls went below deck. Rulue shook Arle awake.
"Mmm…what…?" Arle said.
"It's your turn." Rulue replied.
"Where's Schezo?" Draco asked.
"Box." Arle said as she got up. Rulue opened the box and Draco pulled him out.
"Wake up, sleepy head! Time to do boat stuff!" Draco yelled.
"Gah! I'm awake I'm awake!" He yelled, freeing himself from her. The duo collected their small companions and left as Rulue and Draco got into the two beds and settled in for the night.
"Man, the Ocean air is so nice, even at night." Arle said.
"Speak for yourself. I prefer the air in caves." Schezo said.
"Yeah, you spend so much time there, you probably have mold growing on you!" Arle said.
"What?! I do not have mold growing on me!" Schezo yelled.
"You're right. You probably have mushrooms." Arle said smugly, which irritated Schezo. He growled.
"G-guys, please don't fight." Ragnus said.
"We're not fighting. It's playful banter! In fact I told him something similar when The Dark Prince enlarged the sun!" Arle said.
"How do you remember that far back?" Schezo asked, slightly surprised. Ragnus just hoped she didn't remember their encounter during those events. That was humiliating.
"I've got a great memory! I can even remember as far back as when the faeries first gave me my power!" Arle said.
"And yet you cannot access it all…" Schezo said.
"Yeah. I actually did inherit magic genetically, but I never learned how to use it. Well, that's not true. Bayoen comes from that." Arle explained.
"Change the sails, waves are coming!" Ragnus yelled, prompting the duo to do as told.
As they kept up their tasks, Ragnus looked tired. He assured them he was fine, but they didn't know if they believed him. He'd been awake for so long by now, it was a wonder he was still standing.
"Arle. Care to explain more about how you have two types of magic inside you, merged as one?" Schezo asked.
"Yeah. My dad was powerful. Bayoen was even a spell passed down through generations. But it takes effort to unlock all the powers within. Could you imagine an infant with all that power?" Arle said.
"That would be dreadful. So your father taught you to unlock some of your power, then why did you receive fae magic?" Schezo asked.
"Well, my dad didn't teach me magic. He vanished when I was a baby. He was just playing Puyo and then poof! I can't remember anything about him. All I know is what mom and grandma told me." Arle said, looking sadly into the waves. Schezo was unsure how to respond. He couldn't remember much of his life before becoming The Dark Mage, so in a way, he could relate.
"Oh, sorry for dumping all that on you." Arle said.
"Pay it no mind." Schezo said. Arle smiled a bit. Ragnus came and gave them more instructions.
Carbuncle and Tenori Zoh lay asleep.
"Carby! You already slept so long!" Arle said, picking up her companion. Schezo placed his small sleeping elephant on his shoulder. Ragnus looked even more tired yet he still gave detailed instructions.
"Uh, Ragnus?" Arle asked
"…Yes..?" He said tiredly.
"Maybe you should get some sleep?" Arle asked.
"No I'm…the only one…who knows what to do." Ragnus said. And he wasn't exactly wrong.
"Ooookay…" Arle said.
The remaining few hours held little conversation. However, Schezo and Arle still did pretty well. Ragnus continued to instruct them. Maybe they would make it until morning.
Ragnus passed out.
"Ragnus!" Arle yelled, running over to the now 10 year old, as the waves crashed into the boat, moving it every which way without someone steering. A giant wave was headed their way, so Schezo ran to the wheel to steer the boat out of the way. However he steered too far as the boat leaned too far left and the waves knocked it over. Arle, Schezo, and Ragnus soon found themselves in the raging waters, struggling to stay afloat.
"What did you two do?!" Ragnus yelled, now awake.
Inside the boat, Draco and Rulue were awoken by it tipping over.
"Wowowow! Whats going on?!" Draco yelled.
"I don't know, but we should probably get out of here!" Rulue said as water flowed in. With the door now on the ceiling, Draco grabbed Rulue and flew out, destroying what was in her path until they arrived outside.
"Where's everyone else?!" Draco yelled, the crashing waves drowning out most sound.
"THERE!" Rulue yelled, pointing, as the mast hit Draco and sent the girls plummeting into the waves.
Arle struggled to stay above water. Everytime she got out of the water, a wave pushed her back in. She held Carbuncle, trying to at least ensure that he was able to breath as things went dark. Though, before she closed her eyes she could see something swimming towards her. Something with…a blue tail and hair…