Aquatopia

Chapter 4: Blades of Sea and Death

"NO WAY IN HELL I'M JUST GOING TO STAND BY AND WATCH YOU ENSLAVE MY FRIEND YOU EGOTICSITC JERK," Max yelled while pointing his sword at the ship with a determined expression.

Alucardus arched an eyebrow at this young man, and said, "Ooh!? And I suppose you'll fight us all by yourself?"

Max knew that Alucardus had a good point. Max was on his own while Raliya was off fighting Ash's father. Not only did Max have to fight Alucardus and his team, but protect Ash as well. With only his swords, he was outmatched, but he wasn't about to let Alucardus do whatever he wanted just because he believed himself smart enough to own the island.

He then held his blade out in an unfamiliar stance to Alucardus; both hands on the hilt while he had the sword in front, and looked to him hardened in determination, "If I have to, then yes."

Alucardus's face scrunched up as he groaned, "Ugh, I hate defiance when victory is in my grasp."

"Guess you don't lose that much," Max asked. "Not so much anymore as one get wiser in age and experience," Alucardus said calmly but sighed, "Though it still drawls in annoyance when there are those who do not confidently heir betters." Max then shrugged, "Well, then I'm just stubborn."

"I'll be sure to mark that on your grave should anyone mourn your loss," Alucardus said as he pointed his weapon at Max, "Not that there will be anyone to mourn your loss."

Meanwhile

UnderWater

The massive indent made by the ball was still there, but slowly and surely, the two Mechas were rising out. Both dinged up but still in good shape and battle ready, the two knights were slowly starting to come around. Aribus groaned, as the Octopus slithered away, finding a spot to squeeze through and out. He rubbed his forehead, as he sighed, "Ugh, what hit me?"

"The sphere that fell from the sky," Raliya replied as she rubbed a sore spot on her head while still inside her mecha, "We should be thankful to still be alive and in one piece. But we have little time to recovery. We're needed above." (edited)

Though Aribus, still on the role as the Bone Shark Knight, shot out, "This duel is far from over, Knight. But for now, let's deal with those interlopers on that odd island I was visiting." And propelled upward to break the surface, using the back and foot boosters.

Raliya felt conflicted leaving Max alone to face the leader, but she reluctantly followed Aribus towards the surface as well. 'I'll just have to do this mission in haste and then return to help Max,' Railya thought to herself, 'I just hope he can hole his own long enough.'

Aribus though paled, 'If they are here for what I think they are here for... then there is not much time.'

Back on the Surface

The two were still under a debate on who owned the island, while Astika was asleep by Max's feet, and Alucardus was still on his platform on the debate. Though Krow was slowly falling asleep as he was leaning on the lighthouse lense railing.

Alucardis then continued, as he said, "All I'm saying is.. if one wishes to ensure the property is theirs. They need a symbol to show, like a flag. This land. Has. No. FLAG!"

"And I'm saying a flag is meant to establish a nation! As this island is only home to one family, there's no need for a flag," Max argued back, "That's like someone shopping district in the middle of the desert and having everyone live on the edge of the desert!"

Alucardis would have argued a bit more, but then shrugged it off, as he said, "Fair enough. I won't be staying long here."

"Then you don't need the island if you don't plan to stay here," Max shouted back.

'Could this conversation get any dumber,' Krow thought in annoyance, 'A good rousing round of killing things would make this a lot better.'

Though he turned to the lighthouse, and spotted the orb. He smirked, as he looked ot his master and called out, "SIR! I FOUND THE ORB!"

Alucardis turned to his minion, and saw to where it was where Krow pointed to. He smirked, as his eyes sparkled, "At last! One of the Treasures of the Sea. The Great Pearl!"

Max blinked, as Ashtika was slowly getting up, as he asked, "The Great Pearl?"

"Quickly, get it," Alucardis called out.

"Anything to get out of this stupid convesation," Krow said as he reached for the orb of leader's desires.

Suddenly, the Bone Knight Mecha shot out, as it rammed the ship, causing eveyrone inside, including Alucardis to get thrown around, just as he grabbed the railing from falling over. Aribus looked around, and saw Krow go for the Orb, as he paled, "NO! MY WIFE!" And then shot towards Krow... only for a gigantic gray muscled arm and had grab him. The arm extending from the bottom of teh ship, as a giant groaning roar was heard from it.

Alucardis managed to get back on his platform, as he smiled at the beast within teh ship, "Good show, Gorkie!"

Max looked confused, as he asked, "Gorkie?"

"My Golem. The powersource and muscle of my ship," Alucardis said, puffing his chest out proudly as he blushed, smirking, "I designed him myself."

"And you called him the sound a frog makes," Max asked, "You must be really bad with naming things."

Aribus attempted to escape the golem's gasp but it proved too strong even for his mecha to break free from. Krow reached inside, as he gently and carefully plucked out the bowling ball-sized crystal in his hands. He ran out holding hte orb out, "I got it, sir!"

"Good work, Krow," Alucardis declared triumphantly, "We have what we need! It's my victory today, boy! All forces, RETREAT!"

"NOOOOOO," Aribus roared out, as on the back of the mech, one of the tubes on the right side folded foward, and suddenly fired a shot at the ship. It hit dead on but didnt' sink it, as it began to veer course due to the force of the shot.

"HOW DARE YOU ATTACK MY SHIP, YOU SORE LOSER," Alucardis shouted in anger, "ADMIT DEFEAT LIKE THE FOOLS YOU ARE!"

"Sounds to me like someone knows they can't win in a fair fight, so they're running away," Max replied in a taunting tone hoping the villain would be affected by his words.

Though he spotted Krow trying to head to his master. And while Ashtika was slowly and groggily standing up, Max bolted for him, as he shouted, "Hey! You're not taking that!"

"Just watch me, fool," Krow replied while firing at Max with his pistol. (edited)

Max quickly dodged it, as he reached for his sword, while easily dodging the bolt shots of teh strange flintlock gun. Krow realized the boy was closing the distance, and dropped his pistol to pull out his short sword. Raliya's mech arose from the water, just in time to see a lanky man in black about to slash at Max. But when he tried to... Max quickly made a fast slash upper strike, cutting across Krow's shirt, startling the man. But before Krow could make sense of it, Max quickly spun around, and delivered a round-house kick to the chest, making him drop the orb. But luckily, Max caught it in time, just long enough for Ashtika to see it and be in awe of Max's moves.

'Max fights so well, as though he has been training all his life,' Ashtika thought in amazement, 'If only I could fight like that!'

As Krow recovered, Max began to retreat with the stolen pearl back to the others. "Get back here with my PEARL," Ashtika shouted in anger. "It wasn't yours to begin with," Max replied, "Just go find your own if you want one so badly!"

"KROW! THE STICKY PALM," Alucardus shouted.

Krow, having to recover quickly, licked his palm and stuck it right on the parl, as he quickly sped off and leapt for the ship.

Raliya spotted the scene, and quickly tried to make herself go faster after Krow in her mech.

"HEY, GET BACK HERE WITH THAT," Max shouted as he ran after it while being joined by Raliya.

Krow leapt out with the agility and balance of a monkey... which was weird.. as he managed to get close to Alucardus. Though Raliya shot forth in her mecha, boosting almost close to grabbing him.

However, Krow dodged out of the way of the hand of Raliya's mech as he leapt back onto his leader's ship.

Though she grabbed onto the extended platform, as both men blinked to see Raliya reach for them. However, that ended as her mech was shot by a lightning bolt which caused the Titan Mech to short out, as it began to spasm. Raliya screamed out as she felt the charge all around her. But the suit shorted out as it fell to the sea bed again. Though it wasn't the shock bolt that surprised Max. It was who fired it. Up on the starboard side of the upper deck... stood Lukas, wielding a flintlock rifle with some kind of shock bulb on it.

Max blinked in shock, "Lukas?"

Lukas looked down to see the confused Max. "Max," Lukas asked in equal shock seeing Max in a place like this.

Lukas smiled as he lowered the rifle, as he said, "HOly... You're alive?"

"Yeah, you too," Max blinked.

Ashtika asked, looking to Max, "You know that blonde boy?"

"Know him? Ash, he's one of the friends that was with me that day," Max looked to teh boy. But then blinked, as something struck him, "Wait." He looked to Lukas and asked, "Did the others get sent with you along with me when that Light went off?!"

"Possibly, if you're here too," Lukas said. But he smiled, "But it's no difference. You can come along. Alucardus says that Pearl Krow's got is one of a few many legendary artifacts we need to make a portal home."

Max blinked, "Wha...?"

Max looked at the pearl for a moment in surprise as the thought of going home was a pleasant thought, but he also felt guilt about the idea of stealing it from someone. Especially if said person was the one that helped him earlier.

"It's true, Max. That pearl is our ticket home," Lukas said in excitement.

"Even if it means stealing it from someone," Max sternly asked Lukas, "Especially an old man who was just minding is own business?"

"Even that. This isn't our world, Max," Lukas said. "And apparently, it's one of several other artifacts. We need to go all over to find them. It's said if we find them all, they'll have the power to do anything. Even open a portal to our world."

Alucardus nodded, "It's true. If you help us... I promise to send you back to your world."

"A promise from the guy who stole from someone minding their own business and not bothering anyone," Max asked skeptically, "I doubt it. Are you just going to keep stealing them rather than just asking to burrow these artifacts? So far, you haven't been proving yourself trust worthy."

"This isn't our world, Max," Lukas said, frowning at Max, not liking his attitude, "This world, and those in it.. Do. Not. Matter!"

"So you're saying it's fine if someone from this world ends up in our world and steals from us because it's not their world because we don't matter to them," Max asked his friend not liking the words that were coming from Lukas' mouth, "I never thought you would resort to that kind of thinking, Lukas."

"I just want to go home. I want to find the others if they're here, and go home, Max," Lukas said, and looked to him, rather sympathetic, as he asked, "Doesn't that mean anything to you? Going home?"

"It means a lot, same goes for finding the others, but that doesn't mean I want to hurt the people here either," Max answered showing he cared for his friends and home planet, but that didn't mean he wanted to hurt the people of this world simply for getting in his way.

Lukas sighed, as he carefully adjusted teh rifle, and sighed, "Pity." And then quickly shot a round at Max. His body jolted, as he stood straight as a board, as he fell to his side, as Lukas sighed, "You're lucky that was a stun shot. Least you can change your mind while we bring you along the ride."

Max struggled to move, but the stun blast made his entire body tense up. It was as though his body was blasted by electricity that formed a force field that prevented him from moving.

However, Aribus managed to get his Titan to move, as he forcefully pushed the fingers back, "NO!" And then proceeded to bend back the giant's thumb, as it roared out in agony. Not like an animal, but a person. And then powerfully threw him, mech and all, into the infrastructure of the lighthouse, causing it to slowly shatter into pieces.

The top with Max and Ashtika began to fall over, as Ash grabbed the blue-haired stunned teen. But gravity pulled them both down, as he was sent down with Max, screaming. The tower fell and crumbled, as it was evident that the tower and all... were no more. Alucardus sighed, as he looked to Lukas on deck, adn said, "I'm sorry for your friend, Lukas."

"I wouldn't count him dead yet," Lukas said, as he pointed to the rubble. All looked to see as the dust settled... Raliya's Titan stood, holding both Ash and Max in hands. She had quickly recovered enough and in the nick of time, had rushed in to grab Max and Ash.

"We have what we came for," Krow said as he presented to pearl to Alucardus.

"Excellent," Alucardus said with a grin, "Good work, Krow." Then he looked at Lukas who was still looking at Max from a distance, "Based on how stubborn he was today, we'll most likely cross paths with your friend again. Hopefully, he'll realize that you're right, Lukas."

But then grimaced and frowned, as he observed the orb in his hands. Lukas slid down, and asked, "What? What is it?" He looked at the orb, and sighed, "It's a fake, isn't it?"

"No, I just forgot Krow put his licked palm on this articulate piece of perfection," Alucardus grimaced, and whined, "WHY ARE YOU SO GROSS?!"

Krow shrugged, hanging his head in shame, "I don't know."

And with that, the ship turned away, as it was on its way, leaving the mess of the lighthouse and the inhabitance.

In the palm of Raliya's titan, Max was still unable to move while Ash helped him as best as he could, and Aribus was screaming in pain as the destruction of his home along with the theft of his 'wife.'

Raliya opened the cockpit, as she stepped out, seeing Max still twitching and unable to move, but he groaned, "Ugh..."

"Max, are you alright," Raliya asked him as he continued to twitch from the stun blast, "What happened to him?"

"Some guy blast Max with a blast that made him freeze," Ash answered, "And the three of them took away the pearl!"

"They took my mom," Ash looked frantic.

"How many times... can you get tazed... before you can't have Kids," Max twitched and spasmed, trying to get over the temp paralysis.

Raliya looked at Max who was unable to move and Ash who looked heartbroken from his mother figure being taken by invaders. A heavy feeling of guilt began to go through her as she felt the weight of failing to uphold her duties as a knight. 'I wasn't able to do anything,' Raliya thought to herself while struggling with the feeling of guilt in her, 'I'm a failure of a knight!'

"THOR," Max shot up in a sitting position, scaring Raliya, and making Ash jump back to normal. He shivered, as he blinked, "Oy... I do not wanna go through that again."

"Who is Thor," Ash asked Raliya in confusion.

"Maybe it's the stun blast affecting his brain," Raliya said thinking that might be the cause of Max's strange outburst.

Max felt back to normal, as he groaned, "No, um... " he looked to the two, and sighed, "it's a long story."

Though they all heard groans. But groans in pain, as they climbed up the top of the Titan Mech to see the tower. The Bone Knight Mech was opened, with Aribus... in a mangled pretzel of a mess. Max gulped, as he went wide eye, "How is he still alive?"

"This is nothing," Ash said not looking surprised by his father's mangled position, "One time, he twisted himself to the point where looked like a ball and bounced down the stairs of the lighthouse. It took a week to get him back to normal."

'I don't even want to think of how long it will take for him to get over this,' Max thought to himself as he looked at Aribus looking in pain from his 'wife' being stolen.

But then noticed bruising and injuries on him, "We need to patch him up." He then noticed Ash running for a little hill. "What are you doing or going?"

"I'm going to dance for the Gods," Ash said as he jumped and flipped around, "Beckoning them for help or not to take his soul too soon!" And the little island boy proceeded to dance.

Max then looked to Raliya as he asked, "Can we help him?"

Snapping out of it, Raliya nodded, "Y-Yes. One thing I was Training as a knight was first aid and resetting joints and bones."

Few Hours

And Much Chiropractic Details Later…

The two worked hard to reset and right him again. Once that was done, and Aribus looking normal again, Raliya prceeded to bandage him, as it took all day to reset his body. Max looked over to see Ash dancing up a storm on a small rockside not far from them. Max had to admire the kid's persistance in what was going on. But even Max kinda set in to what was gonna happen.

'I don't know how I'm going to break it to him or how the kid is going to take it,' Max thought as he stared at Aribus' wounds, 'For that matter, what he'll do after...'

Thinking about it, Max was reminded of his own parents' passing from that horrible night out at sea... Just the mear thought of remembering it brought back all the fear and sadness like a storm through his whole body. She held himself as some sort of comfort as he tried to stop the memories from coming back. Now a feeling of uselessness came over him feeling unable to help Ash. 'I was lucky to have Aunt Cass back then,' Max thought while remembering how his aunt raised him after that horrible night, 'But Ash...'

"It's done," Raliya said, as she walked towards him, sitting down, as the two looked to see the almost mummified Aribus.

Max blinked, as he almost laughed, but managed to hold it as he said, "Did you mummify him?"

"No but..." Raliya sighed, as she looked to him, and whispered, "I found shrapnel in his side. I managed to pull it out, but he was starting to bleed. I patched it up, but aside from the broken bones, I'm not sure he'll make it."

Max looked down with a stern look. He felt so hopeless right now seeing a man who lost his precious treasure while his son tried in vain to appeal to the gods through dance to save him. But he knew that there was nothing he and Raliya could do with the recources they had. He didn't even know how far along medical sciences had advanced and if that was even enough to save Aribus.

"Do you think there's anyway to contact your fellow knights to bring a trained medic to help him," Max asked Raliya as he tried to find a solution for the terrible situation before him.

"No, not really," Raliya answered, looking defeated. "We're too far from any Atoll ports with message systems. We're all by ourselves out here and..."

Max stopped her, feeling she was feeling hopeless, and said, "Why don't you get some water. I'll keep an eye out on Aribus."

Raliya looked at Max with a saddened expression before nodding. She stood up and went to get some water as requested.

As she reached the doorway, she looked back at Max who looked as though he was losing a piece of himself as Aribus laid there on his deathbed, despite only meeting him just a few days ago.

As Ash danced on the hilltop, Max and Raliya were doing their best to help the King. The shrapnel in his side was dug in rather deep, as Max was being extremely gentle to get it out. All while he was trying to forget that Charles had helped this Alucardis steal the Orb. He wasn't sure if he did the right thing and not go with them, but at this moment, it was a good call to do so, despite the fact that Charles saying that the Orb might help make a portal back. Raliya was getting fresh water for them at the moment, so that let the weakened king and blue-haired one have a moment to speak.

"Having second thoughts, young Max," Aribus asked him, getting his attention.

Max sighed as he confessed, "I'm... just a bit conflicted if whether or not if what he said was true. About the or... your wife... having the power to do that." Max was gently pulling out another piece, as he kept the blood from pouring out by applying pressure.

Though the King groaned, "Not... on her own."

The blue-haired boy stopped for a moment, and asked, "What?"

Raliya rushed up with fresh water, as she gently placed it next to him, "How is it?"

"It doesn't look good," Max said looking at the shrapnel in the King's body, "We have to be careful or pieces of shrapnel could enter his bloodstream and go to his heart!"

"But surely, we.." Raliya politely argued, looking back at the still dancing Ash.

Max sighed as he shook his head, "You were able to get the bigger pieces out, but the smaller bits are harder to get out. Not sure if..."

But suddenly, they heard rumbling from the distant, and saw a black cloud over on the horizon. It seemed a storm was coming in, and they would have to move Andrias into the lighthouse. Though it would prove difficult as his heavy muscles might slow them down a bit, and the wound might get agitated or infected due to the water. However, it didn't seem that they would have long, as the storm cloud suddenly engulfed the entire skies, blotting out light and the sun itself. It was as if there was a living shadow blotting out all light.

"Now... I'm still a local from another world," Max said looking intimidated by the approaching storm, "But I'm guessing that's not an ordinary storm heading towards us."

"If you have storms with wind powerful enough to tear the very skin from one's body and rain that can kill a person in minutes," Raliya explained as she grew worried, "Then yes, that is an ordinary storm that can kill someone is minutes of being out in it!"

With that, the two began to hurry as best as they could to bring King Aribus into the light house without making his injury worse than it already was.

However, before they could, red lightning shook the skies, even as Ash still did his dancing. "RED LIGHTNING," Max exclaimed in shock, "We don't have that back home! And that kid is DANCING IN IT!?"

The king looked up and stopped them, "No!" He said making them stop, as he said, slowly getting up, holding his bleeding out side, "This storm... is here for me."

Then before anything else could be answered, the two heard the sounds of groaning mantras, like an army hoo-rah'ing in parade. As Aribus was making his way to the shoreline, the beings came close, as they approached the island. As they stepped towards them, walking on the water, their footsteps made white lights illuminate under the water. And as they got closer, both Max and Raliya paled, mostly Raliya, as they saw who it was... walking on water. They were the undead. Sailors, soldiers, women, men, either ghouls or skeletons, it didn't matter. They walked towards the shoreline, being led by a being on a mighty but pale steed looking to be a mix of horse and sea horse. The being was tall and powerful looking, clad in black robes and armor, looking almost skeletal in design. The figure though, had his hands exposed to be clawed and boney hands and fingers, while his face was hidden in a blackened hood, until he stopped 10 feet from the shore, to expose his face in the light. His face was a complete skeleton, with claws dug around his eyes, and with two red dots acting as his eyes.

Aribus, still weakened, looked to him as he let a soft smile spread on his face, "Ainz Ghool. Knight of the Dead." He then smiled for real, as he said, "It's good to see you again."

"As is I to see you. Though I had wished the timing would have been longer than now," Ainz spoke up, his jaw never moving though.

Suddenly, they heard hysterical laughter, as they looked to see Raliya, losing him almost, while Max held her, "Raliya! This is not a good time to start losing it!"

Aribus chuckled, "It seems Lady Raliya isn't able to comprehend all this."

"Mortals who fear death usually do," Ainz sweatdropped.

"The undead... Talking," Raliya said her eyes filled with madness from the sight before her, "The stories are true! The undead rule the ocean! The end of times are here!"

"Snap out of it, Raliya," Max said as he shook her to bring her back to her senses, "I'm just as shocked by the sight the walking and talking dead. But Aribus isn't freaking out. So these might not be the violent or flesh eating undead! Come on, Raliya! Don't make me have to slap you back to your senses!"

Ainz then looked to Aribus as he asked, "Still though.. even without the Lighthouse Eye.. you can still.."

Aribus shook his head as he smiled, "Nah. I think 300 years is long enough. My time has finally come."

The skeleton knight hopped off the horse, as his armored feet touched the water. Not splashing or sinking in, he gently walked to his friend, and stretched out his hand, "Then it is time then."

Aribus nodded as he stood up despite all the pain from his injuries and the shrapnel tearing through his body. The keeper of the lighthouse strong strong before the undead knight and the horde behind him as he limped towards the shore and the Lich.

Max saw this while still trying to snap the laughing Raliya out of it. "Whoa, hang on," Max called out, "What about your son?! Aren't you at least going to say goodbye to him?!"

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Everyone sweatdropped as they heard that battle cry, and even more so when Ashika shot out and prepared to harpoon Ainz, as he cried out, "LEAVE MY FATHER ALONE!" As he went down on him, the skeleton grabbed the harpoon, as the boy was still holding on.

He thrusted and kicked around, trying to at least hurt the knight, but he stood there like a stone, and looked to Aribus, as he commented, "Quite spirited, isn't he?"

Aribus chuckled, "He takes after his mother."

"Good," Ainz said, as he separated Ash from the harpoon and walked over to Max and Raliya as he gently set the boy down and replied, "You'll need spirit for what is to come."

And then walked back to Aribus... only to get charged again by Ash and Raliya together, as she cried out, "WE'LL VANQUISH YOU!"

Only for him to step out of the way and fall into the water. Max sighed, "Oh brother." And then jumped in after them.

The trio were in the water, as Max was helping them up... until a dangerous-scythe blade shot down. But it didn't tear at them, but merely hooked them up as it pulled them out of the water.

The one who did so was Ainz as he looked at them, nonthreateningly, as Raliya coughed out, "We don't need your help!"

Though around them the undead were laughing at this. Not in evil, but in genuine hilarity. Apparently, they thought a female knight losing her footing was hilarious like that. Ainz smirked his skeleton grin as he chuckled, "It would seem you make a better clown than Knight, Lady Raliya of Perle." Raliya became shocked as Ainz knew her full name when she had never met the skeleton before. "It seems she will also need guidance, Max Seadune," Ainz added looking at the teen from another dimension, "Just as you will too… seeing as you're from another dimension unfamiliar to this one."

Max became flabbergasted at Ainz's comment. "You- You know I'm from another universe," he asked him, "Does that mean you know of a way back?"

"You will find a way back," Ainz replied in a sagely voice, "But you will need to learn new things from your new friends just as they must learn from you during your search for a way home." He then stated, "But know this, you three, I am not your enemy. You may think of me as your friend." The three looked worried and confused on that. He gently set them back in the water, with Raliya holding onto Max, and Ash on Max's back, as Ainz explained, "I will forgive the rudeness due to this being unexpected as well as your lack of worldly knowledge. I know not what fate lies with you or the allies you will make in this journey. Nor can I say what stars you were each born unto. But I can say not who, but what, has placed you on this path." He looked and took a gander at the blue blade on Max's possession, as he said, "though it would seem Jule has ordained you on this quest."

Max blinked, "Jule?"

"It was said that he was a King that governed all the seas until his time ended," Raliya explained.

"Indeed," Ainz stated, and looked to Ash, as he explained, "Listen well, young Ashika. Living Beings, good or evil, all fear Death. But Life cannot exist without it. Even for Immortals unless they taste it once in a while."

Andrias smirked, "He's right. I've tasted death more than once in my 300 lifespan."

Though Ainz looked comically as his jaw opened slackjawed, as he shouted, "DON'T MAKE IT SOUND THAT PERVERTED!"

'He makes it sound like Death is a girl,' Max thought to himself, 'Wait is Death a girl or genderless due to usually being depicted as a cloak and skeleton?'

Ash looked at his father with a sad expression. He ran over to his father and hugged his leg. "But dad! I- I don't want you to go," Ash said as tears formed in his eyes, "I- I don't know what I would do without you!"

"I'm sorry, my son. My dear Ashika. But I have lived for 300 years," Andrias gently smiled at him, as he was walking to a saddled skeleton horse, "Far longer than any man should."

Ainz then said, "And without the Lighthouse Eye, the Orb, he can no longer stay my hands now," Ainz explained politely, not wanting this result as well.

"But-But what if we get it back," Ash asked grasping for any solution, "If you can wait just a bit, Big Bro Max, Lady Raliya, and I can get it back and-"

"Sadly, even if it was returned, his time would still be passed," Ainz said. And then he gently knelt down as he gently placed his skeletal hand on the boy's head, as he gently spoke, "Life itself is a wave that beats among the shoreline. When it does, it cannot go back. To do so, would mean to steal the other waves that wished to crash, or to freeze the ocean. Would you stay the tide and oceans for a single wave?"

Ash looked at Ainz with confusion on his face. "I... I don't understand sir," Ash said with tears in his eyes as he was still just a child.

Raliya knelt down and placed a supportive hand on Ash's shoulder, "He means that life can only go in one direction. It's not meant to go in the other. No matter how much we wish it could," Raliya said trying to be supportive of Ash.

"It's just... A part of life we need to accept," Max said trying to help the heartbroken boy, "Even if it's a hard pill to swallow. Believe me, I know."

More tears formed as Ash looked as though he was ready to cry even more from hearing that. He didn't want to lose his father, the one person the boy had all his life. He wasn't and didn't want to say goodbye. Not like this when thieves came and stole what belonged to his father thus condeming him to this. He felt sadness for his father having to go and a growing anger to the invaders who caused this. Max placed a hand on Ash's shoulder and Raliya did the same on his other shoulder doing their best to support him. Whatever they could to relieve the pain the child was feeling now.

Ainz then stood up as he explained, "Life and Death are two sides of the same coin. This is the Shape of our world, as the Gods decreed it. I am merely a Knight serving his purpose. A King makes his laws in the World of the Living, and so it must be in the World of the Dead. The Sphere of Light that the citizen of Zygote stole from this Lighthouse. That is one of the 13 Treasures shared between the Living and the Dead."

"13? There are others," Max asked, a bit stunned by this.

Ainz nodded, "Yes, Max. And one of them... " then slowly pointed to the blade on his back, "... is safely tied to your back."

Max and the two blinked as they looked to the sword, as he pulled it off, and showed in display, "this? I just..."

"Stole it from a pawn shop? Yes, I know," Ainz said, but then acted like a parent, "Btw, young man, stealing is wrong. Don't do it unless it's for the right reasons and not against the law." He then cleared his throat and explained, "The Blade of Trident is what it's called."

"Wouldn't it be a trident then? I mean, when one thinks of the gods of the ocean, most think of a trident rather than a sword," Raliya asked not understanding why a sword would be used by a god of the oceans. Max nodded in agreement with Raliya's logic.

"Look, I don't know why, it's just shaped like that," Ainz groaned, but then grew serious. "These treasures each possess a unique magic. In the Blade's example, it has the power to govern the Seas... and possibly, open a gateway between realms. Which is why it brought you here."

"Yeah, but it stopped working when I wanted to test that theory again," Max explained.

"Because for now it is slumbering. Though it as accepted you, it will still test you to see if you are worthy," Ainz explained, "If you wish to return home, you must stop the citizen of Zygoe from collecting the other relics. I fear that outside forces are seeking to control the Seas. And with it... a Darkness will soon awaken. One that will swallow all realms, but to do so, it needs the thirteen." He then pointed to the three, "You three and the Others that will soon come must not let this happen."

It was Raliya then that shot out angrily, "Then why don't you do something about it?! Why don't you hunt that Zygote citizen down and slay him?!"

Ainz and everyone were a bit silent on that, until Andrias, who waited on the skeleton horse, sighed, as he said, "Lady Raliya... those are hardly the words of a knight." Raliya calmed down, and looked to Andrias, as he explained, "Ainz is a Knight and sworn to uphold justice and the Law. How can he take the life of one who has no reason to die?"

Raliya looked at this in realization, and bowed her head in shape as she fell on her knees in the water, realizing what she had said. "My apologies," Raliya said in a shameful tone of voice, "I have over spoken."

"So basically, I have to prove I'm worthy to go back home," Max said understanding the responsibility he had brought onto himself, "And if I fail?"

"You'll be stuck here forever and turned into a sea cucumber," Ainz said in a serious tone of voice causing Max and Raliya to look in shock at the thought of him being turned into a sea cucumber. Ainx however simply laughed, "I'm joking about that last part of becoming a sea cucumber. You two need to learn how to lighten up. But seriously, you'll be here forever."

Max sighed as he sweatdropped, "I see."

Ainz then looked to Raliya, as he said, "I may not be able to help you in this battle. But I can offer you something to help." He then pulled out that something from his cloak. It was a sword-like dagger, blackened at the hilt, split in the center, as there were lines going in to make it look like teeth, while the hilt looked like the front of a skull with three jagged rib-like pointed structures, "The Blade of Reaper. the Iron Claw of the Dead."

Raliya paled, as she graciously took the sword, "Not much of a choice is there."

"I take it that's one of the thirteen," Max asked.

Ainz nodded, but Ash asked, "Could I have the scythe?"

Both teens, Andrias, and Ains looked to him and said, No." which made the boy pout in disappointment.

But Ainz then explained, "The Reaper Blade can cut through any metal forged in the Living Realm. And if you drive the blade into the ground and call my name. I and my army shall come to be there. However, that gate can only be opened once every week."

"A weapon of last resort," Raliya said as she looked at the scythe, "Although I fear I will be labeled a necromancer for commanding the undead."

"Oh yeah, that would look great on a resume," Max said with sarcasm in his voice.

"As both of you now wield two otherworldly weapons, you also wield two powers, Lady Raliya. As a Woman, you have the Power of Life, and with the Blade, the Power of Death. And a Young Man who is a Male to help implant the See of Life, you also have the power of the World of Life and Death of the Seas," Ainz explained. "How you wield them is up to you both." He then turned to his steed, ready to leave, as he turned around and said, "Looking at you both... you are beautiful together."

Raliya was a bit surprised on that, but then frowned, "Not sure how I like taking that compliment from a skeleton."

Ainz chuckled, "Sorry, nothing sexual. I meant the manner in which the powers you both now weird is beautiful." He then got back on his horse as he said, "And besides, you have far too much meat and flesh for me to court you, Lady Raliya." but then smiled, "But you both... make a lovely couple."

Max and Raliya both blushed at that comment and shied away. "Come on, this is a lot to take in," Max said nervously, "Thanks for the info but the last thing we need is the Grim Reaper playing match maker!"

Raliya didn't say anything as she held her blushing cheeks in embarrassment. The army of the Dead then followed Ainz as he turned back to the horizon, as he said, "May luck be on your side, Heroes. I pray we will meet again, but as allies and alive in battle." Aribus then looked to Ashika as he smiled, "Goobye, Son. I shall watch over you in the Next Realm." He then looked to Max and Raliya as he smiled, "Max. Raliya. Please watch over Ashika. And Max, all I own is yours now. Wield it to help my son."

"Father wait, please," Ashika said, as his father was leaving, "If you go, I'll be all alone!"

Aribus stopped as he turned to see his son, as he smiled, "You're not alone. I will always be there in spirit." He then pointed to Max and Raliya, as he said, "And… it seems you have family still with you." And like that, they disappeared in the darkness, with the skies returning back to light. As if the shadow that Ainz had casted left with him, leaving the three to watch and take in what they had just been told.

Ash just stood there with a devastated expression, "Goodbye... Father," Ash said in a sad tone of voice.

Max and Raliya walked up and stood next to Ash. Max looked at Ash as he sat down next to him, "You can cry if you want," Max told the boy.

"Real men... don't cry," Ash said still fighting back the tears.

"You should cry while you're able to," Max told him, "It means you're still alive and can feel."

Ash looked at Max only to become shocked to see Max was also crying along with Raliya. They might not have known Andrias for long, but seeing a death of a friend still hurt. Ash's head shook before he finally latched onto Max and cried his eyes out in pain. Tears ran down his face and onto Max's shoulder as the teen held the orphaned boy allowing him to let it all out.

Later that Night

The three had returned to the Lighthouse to collect themselves from all that happen and to continue to morn the passing of Aribus. Max and Raliya sat on the couch while Ash who had cried himself to sleep slept on Max's lap. Despite being asleep, some tears were still falling from his eyes. 'Poor kid,' Max thought to himself as he looked at the sleeping boy, 'But at least he got to say goodbye... Unlike me...'

Though he turned to look at Raliya who had set the gift that Ainz had given her, and looked either exhausted or dejected. He figured he would have to break the ice eventually, and asked, "You okay, Ray?"

Rayila sighed as she continued to stare at the knife, "I suppose I am compared to you and Ashika," she said as she turned to look at Max, "Aside from seeing a horde of the undead take Ash's father, I'm still in my home world. While you're still a stranger in this new one, your friend seems to have become an enemy, and this boy just lose his father. If anyone should be asking if someone is okay, it should be me."

Max looked to her, wondering what he could do for her at this point. But all he could do... was this. He gently brought his arm around her, and pulled her startled to him, in a hug.

Raliya's face went red from Max's warm embrace as her heartrate increased. She could feel a warm feeling inside herself as she felt the embrace of Max's arms around. Despite her confusion as to why he was hugging her suddenly, she starngely felt safe and happy in his arms. "Max, what are you doing," Raliya asked in surprise as Max held her tightly.

"I'm just... hoping this helps you feel better," Max said honestly, blushing a bit himself. "My Aunt Cass did this for me when I felt down. It helps at times. Her warmth, feeling that someone holding you, kinda makes it feel you don't have to face this all by yourself."

Raliya did feel as though the weight of the words that Ain had passed feel lighter now that Max was holding her. A part of her didn't want this feeling of warmth to ever end. "Your Aunt sounds like a very wise woman," Raliya said as she rested her head against Max's shoulder, 'Was she a medic who supported those after battle?'

"Nah, she runs a beachside hotel and restaurant," Max explained to her. "But she was... is, like a second mother to me."

"It sounds like she was a kind person based on how you are," Raliya said as she pulled away, "So... what should we do now?"

Max still held her close, as he said, "Well, we can try and repair sir Aribus's mech, and get ready to find the other treasures. Maybe find someone who can help."

"I might know some of the knights from my order might be willing to help," Raliya said to him, "They can be trusted. As for repairing the mech, we can repair it enough to fly, but it will need more repairs to be fully functional at a Mech workshop. But I'm more worried about..."

Max followed Raliya's gaze at Ash who was sleeping on Max's lap. Max understood what Raliya meant. What were they to do with Ash. This quest would be most dangerous, too dangerous for a young child. Especially one who was in an emotional state after losing his father. But they knew they couldn't leave him alone either and that he would go after the ones who stole his father's orb out of disire to reclaim his father's treasure and revenge for his death.

Max assured her though, as he said, "Well... we'll watch out for him. And we'll help him out when and how we can."

"And ensure he doesn't go down a dark path," Raliya added as she stroked hair of the sleeping child.

Max nodded, but then yawned, "It's been one hell of a day. We should get some rest too."

"Yes, we should," Raliya said as she stood up, "I'll get us some pillows and blankets."

"Cool," Max said as he stood up to stretch...

Moments Later though...

Both realized there was only enough for one bed. Max sighed, as he said, "I'll keep a lookout. You should bundle up and sleep."

"No, I'll take the first watch," Raliya said, "You should rest for tomorrow's journey. I'll wake you up to take watch in a little while."

"Look, I'm not trying to be sexist about this, Raliya," Max defended, as he explained, "But you may be a knight, but you're still a lady. And as such, you need the rest more than me."

Raliya glared at Max from his comment. "Don't underestimate a knight's training," Raliya replied, "We're are prepared all the time to forgo sleep when needed. As I said, I'll wake you up after a few hours to take over watch, and then I'll sleep for a while."

"I don't just see you as a Knight, Raliya," Max started, as he said, "I also see you as a woman." But then blushed, as he went wide eye in realization of what he thought of her. "I mean... oh... " he fumbled trying to understand what he said.

Raliya's own face went red from his words as he was seeing her as a woman rather than a knight that was to defend others. "You're words will not change my mind," Raliya declared as she turned away to hid her blushing face, "I order you to sleep while I take the first watch!"

"You order me? Wha..." Max asked, confused on this subject.

"I said sleep, so sleep," Raliya declared as her face became even more red, "Before you wake up Ash with your defiance!"

Max sighed, as he sat down, and waved her off, "Okay, go watch. I'll sleep... if I can knowing full well I'm taking advantage of you." And laid down, taking a blanket, "night."

"Good night," Raliya said as she went to look outside.

An Hour Later

Raliya sat out in the living room watching outside the windows for signs of attack. However, the night was peaceful. Any trace of the storm with red lightning had disappeared as though it had never happened, and only the signs of the battle from that day remained. She remained vigilant though for fear that others might come seeking the orb unaware that it was already taken.

Though a cold breeze suddenly came in, as her body shivered from it, adn more winds blowing in as well. her hair flew out, while she shivered, her arms wrapped around her, as she tried to rub the cold out of herself. Now she was starting to regret on not taking Max's offer. Though suddenly, she felt warmth, as she felt two arms wrapped around her along with a blanket. And felt a warm body behind her, as he looked to see Max. Still awake, but now wrapping himself and a blanket around her body now.

Raliya blushed from the warm feeling going through her again as she felt Max's strong embrace fill her entire being. It was the kind of warmth that would make even the fiercest wind from a winter's night feel more like a summer breeze. "Max? What are you doing," Raliya asked in a surprised tone, "I ordered you to get some sleep! An hours worth is no where near enough."

"I couldn't really sleep," Max sighed, as he confessed, resting his chin on her right shoulder, "It wasn't really sleep-inducing to just up and let you be cold by yourself."

"You should've kept trying," Raliya declared while hiding her blushing, "So far, there has been no danger. All is quiet outside. The kind of night where one should be resting."

"Then let's rest right here," Max insisted calmly, but wanting her to sleep. While also trying to hide the fact her warmth was lulling him to sleep.

"No... Someone must stand guard," Raliya said as the warmth from Max's body began to relax her body and soothe her to sleep as well despite her will attempting to fight it, 'One never knows when something might happen next...'

But she felt a weight to her, as she looked to see Max... fast asleep. She blushed as she was in a frantic as a boy was sleeping on or with her. His arms wrapped around her, and her sandwiched with his body. In all her life she never had this done to her. At all.

For a moment, Raliya imagined herself and Max, without clothes, her hair undone, just laying or embracing one another, smiling and asleep. A feeling of warmth and in a Pink Place of the two enjoying this embrace. The tragedy and loss from before leaving with nothing but only comfort in one another.

Then, his face approaching hers and hers to his... As the distance decreased more and more between then... 'No, NO,' Raliya thought in alarm, 'A knight must remained chaste! A knight cannot be swayed by the wilds of romance! I must uphold the duties to the knight to protect the kingdom and its people!'

Though she felt a tightening hold on her, a small squeezed around the waist, as she snapped out of her thoughts, and saw Max still asleep, as he mumbld, "Ralyia... I'll help..."

Raliya looked behind her in surprise from Max's words. 'Help'? Help with what,' Raliya thought to herself, 'Does he mean help being in bed?!'

Suddenly, she pictured the two of them in bed together with the moonlight pouring through the window around them. The only thing providing covering for them was the blanket as they laid close to one another keeping each other warm. While Max slept, Raliya began to approach his face and then- 'STOP! I can't be thinking about that right now,' Raliya thought in alarm as she snapped herself out of the daydream.

"I'll help... you... I'll help.. Ash... I'll keep my promise..." Max mumbled, dreaming of something, possibly a memory of what was going on. "I'll stop Charles... I'll...mmm, I'll help..."

Raliya's face glowed more red as her heart felt even warmer hearing his words. Here he was, trapped in a strange world, his friend seemingly now an enemy, and he was thinking of Ash and her over finding a way home. Despite his faults, deep down, Raliya could tell that Max was a kind person with the heart of a knight.

But then felt something grab her right side... and looked to see Ashika sleep-walking, and nuzzled next to her with his blanket, goofishly smiling as he dreamed, "I'm a Knight. I'll face the Demons now. See, Dad?"

Raliya looked at Ash in surprise before smiling warmly at Ash. The boy was dreaming of his dad. Despite his recent passing, the boy held on to fond memories of him rather than become angry at his passing. She had seen some knights who grew resentful at their parents for dying regardless of the reason. 'I won't let Ash hate his father just for dying,' Raliya swore to herself, 'I won't let hatred rule his or Max's hearts.'

"I'm a Knight... and I'll help Max protect Lady Raliya now..." Ash smiled, as he dreamt.

Raliya smiled warmly at the boy dreaming of being a knight. Something she would help him do now. She would also make those that hurt him and his father face justice for their actions. 'I won't allow them to continue hurting others like they did today,' Raliya thought to herself.

But slowly, and surely... she fell asleep, with her squire to comfort her. And the young man from another world.. of whom she fantasized in her dreams all night long.

The Next Morning

The sunlight poured through the windows of the living room of the lighthouse. On the floor were Raliya and Max sharing one blanket, and Ash wrapped up in his own nearby the two teens. All three were sleeping peacefully while the sunlight poured all around them.

Though Raliya had her hand underneath Max's shirt; her hand gently on the spot to where his heart was, feeling his heartbeat. Max though... was oblivious as he was fast asleep.

Ash was sleeping cozily near the two of them as though they were his older siblings as he slept looking as though all the trauma, pain, and loss from yesterday never happened to him.

Raliya's eyes began to flutter open as the feeling of sleep began to fade from her eyes. 'Morning already,' Railya thought to herself, 'A knight should be up before dawn, not after.' As her vision cleared, she saw Max's face very close to her own. He was so close that she could feel his warm breath against her face. The moment her mind processed this image, her eyes went wide, and her face went red in embarrassment.

Max though was completely oblivious to it, as was Ash as he rolled a bit in his sleep, pushing Max further to Raliya. The redhead female blushed further as Max smooshed into her, making her shake and tremble.

'How my gosh! Last night wasn't a dream,' Raliya thought to herself as she recalled Max falling asleep on her, 'I did fall asleep with Max last night! Wait! Does that mean?!' Slowly, Raliya looked under the covers to see if they were still dressed. Thankfully, the two of them were still dressed the way they were last night. Raliya sighed in relief. 'Thank goodness,' Raliya thought, 'For a moment, I thought I-' All rational thoughts ceased the moment Raliya's eyes caught sight. Something so shocking to her, that her eyes went as wide as they could go, and her face started to became all shades of red when she saw her hand was over Max's heart.

And he was six inches from her, to which it was like she wanted to kiss him, or he would kiss her. This would get worse if things... And then Ash in his sleep, kicked Max close to her... and both locked lips by accident.

Raliya's heart skipped a beat the moment their lips met and her eyes were filled with shock. Yet the feeling of Max's warm lips against hers filled her with joy even though she didn't know why.

'I don't just see you as a Knight, Raliya, I also see you as a woman'

'But you both... make a lovely couple.'

The words of Max and Ainz from last night replayed in her mind as her mind and heart raced from being so close to Max the way she was.

But the fact remained that she couldn't go through with this, as she gently pulled away, and gently scooted out of the floor bed. Once that was done, she stood up, and quickly walked out of the remains of the light house. Though once she was far from sight...

GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Max shot out of bed fully awake, as he flabberghasted, "Eh what..?! What's going on?!"

Though Ashika groaned, as he slowly got up, rubbing his eyes, as he yawned, "Is it morning, already?"

Max looked around while still half asleep as his vision began to clear and the memories of last night began to return. 'Oh yeah, I couldn't sleep, so I went to relieve Raliya,' Max thought as he remembered last night, 'After that... I was on the floor. I guess my body finally decided to hit the snooze button.' Then, Max looked around and noticed that Raliya wasn't anywhere in the room. "Now where did she go," Max asked himself as he stood up looking around for Raliya.

Ash groggily got up, as he wobbled out of sight, groaning, "Gotta go to the bathroom."

Max went off to find Raliya. He stumbled through the hallways of the lighthouse looking for her, but was having no luck so far. 'That scream had to have some from somewhere,' Max thought to himself, 'I just need to figure out where.' Max eventually came across an door that was slightly opened with a small light appearing under the door. 'Maybe she's in here,' Max thought as she looked through the crack in the door.

When he opened it, it stumbled in the ruins as a bit of debris fell out of place. He recognized it as Aribus's former room. Mostly due to some of the weapons and bones littered about. He stumbled in, as he noticed something on the floor.

Later On

Ashika was walking back, as he saw Max setting something on the floor, neatly and put in place.

"What's that," Ash asked as he looked at what Max had discovered.

"Apparently they're suits similar to Raliya's," Max said, as he pointed out to the gear as well, "As well as some Jump and Dive gear that goes with it. I think they might have been your dad's before he settled here."

Ash stared at the suits that Max said could belong to his father. Ash reached out and touched one of the suits feeling another form of connection to his father. And yet Ash wondered why his father kept so much of his past from him? Especially the part about the orb keeping him alive for so long.

Max sat down, and looked to him, "Well, since you are an apprentice to Raliya... wanna try it on?"

Moments Later

Raliya was showering off to cool herself off after what had transpired. Never in her seventeen years had a man kissed her. Sure her father kissed her on the forehead affectionately, but no male ever kissed her on the lips. And she was saving that first kiss for the man she would wed and be his wife to.

'It may have been in his sleep and he may not know of it, but the kiss did happen,' Raliya thought to herself as she washed her hair, 'I must make him take responsibility, but I can't make him take said responsibility without proof of it! I let my guard down when he fell asleep on me! I mistake I won't make again!'

But unconsciously, she traced her lips with her free right hand's fingers, still feeling the tingle and warmth from it.

'And yet... his lips felt so warm,' Raliya thought to herself remembering the feeling of his lips against hers, 'I want to feel them again...'

"Lady Raliya!" Ash called out, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Where are you?! Max and I have something to show you!"

Raliya covered herself on instinct as heard Max and Ash were coming closer. 'Reality check, Raliya,' she thought to herself as she quickly began drying herself off, 'Last thing I need are either of them seeing me naked right now!'

"Raliya, we'll wait for you to get done with your morning cleanup," Max called out. "I still need to get something done with it."

Raliya blushed from hearing that last part. 'Get something done with it,' Raliya thought to herself, 'What does he mean by that?!' Just as she was beginning to imagine him wanting to continue where they left off from last night, she stopped herself. 'Snap out if it, Raliya,' she thought to herself quickly as she began to get dressed, "He doesn't even know about the kiss! Just get a straight answer before you jump to conclusions!"

She sighed, as she finished washing, and proceeded to dry off. Once she got cleaned up and dressed, she walked out with her cleaning gear back to the ruins of the lighthosue. Wondering what the two wanted to show her. Though when she did, she was a bit surprised to see Ashika present. Ashika was wearing something similar, except it was brown, white and black. He wore a full-body brown wet suit, with the biceps and forearms freed, as he wore white and black gloves with black straps on them, and brown and black elbow guards, with black shoulder guards. He had a white collar opened like Raliya's and a front V Neckline that was black, with two armor pieces on his waist and hips, with white thigh guards and holsters on his thighs, with dark brown kneepads, brown and black toed and heeled wet shoes and brown ankle guards. He had a white hip shawl that went down to his calves, and he took had the jet booster gear on his calves, hips, and back. But oddly, his long wild hair had been braided into a ponytail that went down to his butt.

Ash smiled, as he said, "I, Ashika, am now ready to be your squire, Lady Raliya."

Raliya looked in surprise to see Ashika wearing a Knight uniform similar to her own. "Ashika," she asked him, "Where did you find this uniform?"

"Max found it," Ash answered while continuing to smile, "He found one for himself as well."

He also held his braid tail up, and smiled, "Like the tail? Max did this too." Though cringed a bit as he said, "He was gonna cut it all short until I pleaded him not to do so."

She smiled warmly like an older sister would while caring for their younger sibling. "It looks very good," Raliya answered, "I didn't realize that Max also knew how to do someone's hair."

"Well, I do have two female cousins back home," Max's voice said, as he stepped out, "They forced me to do their hair until they decided to cut it short."

Max was wearing a full body knight wet suit colored black, blue and dark blue. Only his right forearm was exposed with his flesh, with his gloves having black fingers, blue backsides and dark blue wristbands, the right sleeve was fully blue with a blue shield generator in the right forearm, the two biceps were blue on the inside with black on the outside, with the shoulders were black, and the chest having a black V neckline going down to his bellybutton, while the upper torso and pelvis were blue and the hips and thighs having gray armor pieces with the booster technology on his hips and backside, as well as behind his calves. He wore blue tight pants with the knee area having dark blue designs and kneepads, with his feet covered in blue and black toed and heeled footing with dark blue ankle guards, while on his right greave was a black prying knife strapped there. On the Thigh guards were sword holsters much like hers. On his back was the same jet booster equipment as hers, while around his neck was a scooba diver's breathing apparatus that looked like a hood. And around the back of his right side and back was a blue knight shawl.

Raliya blushed the moment he saw Max in his new attire. He looked a heroic knight who had completed his long training and was ready to fight for his kingdom and inspire others. Raliya gulped and composed herself. "You... You look great, Max," Raliya said having forgotten his comment about his cousins, "Both of you do."

"Thanks," Max smiled, as he turned to show the shawl, "Took me a while to etch these on me and Ash's coat tails."

The shawl showed a strange insignia of a shark's side mouth opening

Raliya noticed this and stared at it in surprise. 'That emblem... I feel like I've seen it before,' Raliya thought to herself, 'But where?'

"Raliya, are you okay," Ash asked her noticing her puzzled expression.

"Yes... I'm alright," Raliya replied.

But Max explained, "It's the best attempt at the Shadow Leviathan." He pointed to Raliya's insignia on her shoulder cape, "Your's is that shell that looks like a sunrise. I figured since Ash and I are using the gear from his dad, we could be a clan of two working alongside the House of Perle." He then looked bashful as he said, "It ah... would be kinda weird if you had two squires."

"I see," Raliya replied, "I think the emblem turned out great. I suppose it would be weird, but I can train two squires at once. Did you find anything that could help fix the mechs?"

Both sighed, as they looked in defeat, which Raliya sweatdropped, as she said, "I see."

"The mech that Ash's dad has can still move and walk, but it got dinged up pretty good," Max sighed. He looked to Raliya, and asked, "I don't suppose there are Titan Blacksmiths out there?"

"There are in the mainland," Raliya answered, "However, getting the mechs there in the state that they're in is impossible. So we'll have to bring the blacksmiths to the mechs or find a ship large enough to transport the mechs to the mainland. But a ship that large would require a larger crew to manage it, and there are only three of us."

She then thought, "Although... atolls would probably have a Mech Blacksmith." She then lit up, as she smiled to them both, "I was actually trying to head to it when that storm pulled me here."

Max smirked, "Alright, then we can take that one," Max agreed in suggestion.

"Alright then," Raliya said with a smile, "Our next stop is Atolls!" "YEAH!" Max and Ash shot their fits up in the air enthusiastically.

An Hour Later

Raliya was getting Spot ready to go, along with her Titan Armor. She looked back at the Lighthouse to wonder if the boys were okay. Ashika and Max had spent a while now, saying they had one last thing to get things done. But it had already been an hour, and she did worry for them both. She turned to go back, but then stopped as she heard rumbling. Footsteps making impact tremors. And then coming from over the horizon of the Lighthouse... was Aribus's Titan. It stopped and knelt down to Raliya, as the cockpit opened, with Max piloting it and Ash was sitting on his lap, as he slid down, and landed on his feet, with Max still in the mech.

"Squires of the Shadow Leviathan Clan, ready for departer," Ash said with a smile showing he was motivated and ready to go.

"Understood, Fledging Knight of the House of Perle," Max said, half-smirking as he was teasing her.

Raliya smiled at the boy her heart was slowing drifting towards and the younger brother she never had. She never imagined crashing on an unknown island would lead to all of this. "Very well, squires," Raliya said while sounding like a master knight, "Let us depart! To Atolls!"

Max nodded as he climbed back into his armor. Ashika looked back at the lighthouse which had been the home he had shared with his father for years. All that was left now were the memories of his time with his dad. Ashika took a deep breath before smiling. 'Goodbye father. I'll miss you but I'll make sure you never have to worry about me wherever you are now,' Ashika thought as he climbed onto Spot as well.

The two Titans and the Glow Whales sought out then, to go among the seas to journey to find the Treasures, and to wherever destiny or the seas would take them.

Next Chapter: Young Inventor and Jungle Girl Unite