CHAPTER 37
Ari is on the Move! Pheonix and Ari's Reunion!
Ari's boat is lowered into the water and Ari gives Zoro one last look before he release the rope completely. Ari starts paddling like all hell towards the burning ship and her muscles burn from the exertion despite her being in excellent shape.
Pheonix… hold on… She can see the ship in distance burning from the explosion. Ari prays that Pheonix is still alive. She paddles faster and faster, ignoring her fatigue. I haven't played my flute in so long… She looks down to the beautiful flute that she tucked inside her sash as she keeps rowing. Just based on this rowing, I know that my lung capacity isn't what it used to be. She laments this to herself, hoping her lungs will be good enough for the task at hand. She tackles wave after wave on the ocean as she gets closer and closer to the burning ship.
Finally, she's so close that she can clearly see the gaping hole burning on the side of the ship. Ship pieces fall into the water, burning until they reach the water below. Suddenly, she feels a shift in the water, making her boat rock, so she turns her head to investigate. He mouth gapes as she takes in the sight before her. Starting from the marine vessel is a fine line in the ocean that races toward her. Waves on either side of the line crash up and rise to extreme heights. Blood from the newly dead marine life sprays up the walls of water, creating a collage of color. She's momentarily frozen by the beauty and terror of the painted waves in front of her. She snaps out of her stupor, panicked, and paddles faster. The ocean is all too fast as the line speeds faster and faster towards her and her little raft. She doesn't even feel the burning as she attempts to race the waves. She doesn't bother looking behind her at this point as she focuses solely on getting to the ship in front of her. She keeps rowing even as she hears the ocean roaring behind her and feels the ocean spray against her back. She hears a distinct slice of rubber and before she can fully process what it is, she's toppling out of her raft and into the terrifying abyss of ocean below. As she's falling through the air, she shuts her eyes and gasps for one last breath before the walls of ocean fall atop her and pull her under. She can't help but gasp a burst of bubbles out at the force of the water crashing down on her and she claps both of her hands over her mouth to keep the rest in. What the hell even was that… is Zoro okay? Am I going to be okay? My lung capacity isn't what it used to be and half of my air is already let out from the force of that wave. I wasn't even able to save Pheo… for all I know she's sinking somewhere around here too. Ari turns her head this way and that, looking at the wreckage surrounding her. She feels the burning increasing in her lungs and knows that soon, she'll have to let out some more air. The wreckage of the ship is left behind as she continues sinking. She let's out a small stream of bubbles to tide her over. I don't know how much longer I can hold out. I don't even know if Zoro saw me fall. Or if anyone did. Just as Ari's about to lose hope and consciousness, there's a large bout of movement in the water. She looks to the source, and up above her by the wreckage is a giant sea king. It's headed straight for her.
The sea king comes closer and closer. I'm sorry, Pheo… The sea king is just a few feet from her now. I'm so sorry… The sea king still charges at her. …your sacrifice was for nothing. Right when it gets face-to-face with her, it ducks its head and scoops her up into its giant mane. Ari is tangled in its fur while it picks up speed, traveling up to the surface. Ari's vision blurs, but she fights to stay awake. What… Ari's confusion is interrupted with an even more confusing scenario. As she looks to the top of the mane, right on the sea king's head is Pheonix. And she's driving the damn thing. Now I know I must be dreaming.