The ship cut through the waters of Remnant, the rhythmic splash of waves against the hull a soothing backdrop to Blake's turbulent thoughts. She stood at the bow, the salty breeze tugging at her hair and carrying away the worries of the past few months. Her hand reached up, and with a determined pull, she removed her bow, letting it slip through her fingers and drift away. Her cat ears, freed from their hiding place, twitched in the wind. It was a small but powerful gesture—one that symbolized her acceptance of her Faunus heritage and the new path she had chosen.
Blake leaned against the railing, her amber eyes scanning the horizon. The sea stretched endlessly, a vast expanse of blue that mirrored the uncertainty of her future. As the coastline of Menagerie drew nearer, Blake's mind wandered back to Beacon. She remembered the bustling hallways, the laughter shared with friends, and the moments of quiet reflection in the library. Each memory was tinged with the ache of loss and the weight of her decisions.
The faces of her teammates swam before her eyes—Yang, with her fiery spirit and unwavering loyalty; Ruby, whose boundless optimism had been a beacon of hope; and Weiss, whose strength and determination had inspired Blake in ways she never fully acknowledged. Leaving them had been the hardest choice she'd ever made, but it was one she felt was necessary. The guilt of abandoning them gnawed at her, yet there was also a glimmer of hope. Here, in Menagerie, she had a chance to reconnect with her family and heal old wounds.
The ship's captain, a burly Faunus with a weathered face, approached her. "We'll be docking in Menagerie soon," he said, his voice gruff yet kind. "You'll be home before you know it."
Blake nodded, offering a small smile. "Thank you," she replied, her voice soft. She turned her gaze back to the sea, taking a deep breath as she steeled herself for the reunion. The journey had been long and fraught with challenges, but it had also been a journey of self-discovery. She was no longer the same girl who had fled from her past; she was ready to face it head-on.
A flicker of movement caught her eye. Blake turned sharply, her instincts honed from years of vigilance. There, peeking from behind a barrel, was a familiar monkey tail. Her eyes narrowed as she followed it, leading her to Sun Wukong, who wore an innocent smile that did little to mask his guilt.
"What are you doing here?" Blake's voice was sharp, laced with anger and frustration. "I told you to stay behind!"
Sun's smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of earnest concern. "I followed you because I care about you, Blake. I didn't want you to be alone, especially with the White Fang still out there."
Blake's anger softened, replaced by a weariness that settled deep in her bones. "I'm not going after the White Fang, Sun. I'm going home. I need to see my family."
Sun nodded, his expression serious. "Then I'll help you with that too. Whatever it takes."
Blake folded her arms, her eyes searching Sun's face for any sign of insincerity. "You don't understand, Sun. This isn't just about me needing to see my family. I need to find myself again, away from all the chaos and danger. It's something I have to do alone."
Sun stepped closer, his voice gentle but firm. "Blake, I know you're used to handling things on your own. But you don't have to. You've been through so much, and it's okay to lean on someone else for support. I promise I'll give you space when you need it, but I also want to be there for you. You're not alone in this."
Blake sighed, her resolve wavering. She had always prided herself on her independence, but Sun's sincerity was hard to dismiss. His presence was a reminder that she wasn't the only one who cared about the outcome of her journey. "Fine," she relented, her tone softening. "But you have to promise to follow my lead. No more reckless stunts."
Sun grinned, his usual playful demeanor returning. "Deal. I'll be on my best behavior, scout's honor."
Blake couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm, a small bubble of warmth rising in her chest. Despite her initial irritation, having Sun by her side felt reassuring. She turned back to the horizon, the shores of Menagerie now visible in the distance. "Thank you, Sun," she said quietly. "For everything."
Their conversation was abruptly cut short by a violent lurch of the ship. A massive shadow passed beneath the waves, followed by a deafening roar. Blake and Sun rushed to the deck, where crew members were already scrambling to fend off a Sea Feilong Grimm.
The creature was a monstrous serpentine dragon, its scales glistening with malevolent energy as it circled the ship. The water churned violently as the Feilong's massive body breached the surface, sending waves crashing onto the deck. The crew shouted orders, trying to steady the ship and prepare for battle.
Blake and Sun sprang into action, their weapons ready. Blake's Gambol Shroud gleamed in the sunlight as she dashed across the deck, her eyes locked on the Grimm. Sun's Ruyi Bang and Jingu Bang extended to their full length, crackling with energy as he prepared to strike.
The Sea Feilong roared again, its serpentine form twisting through the air. It lashed out with its tail, smashing into the side of the ship and sending splinters flying. Blake narrowly dodged the attack, rolling to her feet and launching a volley of precise slashes at the creature's exposed flank. Her blades struck true, but the Grimm's thick hide absorbed most of the impact.
Sun leaped into the fray, his staff spinning in a blur of motion. He aimed for the creature's head, hoping to disorient it and buy them some time. The Feilong hissed in fury, snapping its jaws at him. Sun twisted in mid-air, narrowly avoiding the razor-sharp teeth, and landed gracefully on the deck.
"Blake, we need to drive it away from the ship!" Sun shouted, his voice barely audible over the chaos.
Blake nodded, her mind racing. She dashed towards the creature's tail, aiming to distract it and create an opening for a more decisive strike. The Feilong twisted, its eyes glowing with rage as it lunged at her. Blake's movements were a blur as she dodged and countered, her agility keeping her just out of the monster's reach.
Despite their best efforts, the Grimm remained relentless. It dived beneath the waves, only to reemerge moments later, launching another furious assault. The ship rocked violently, the crew struggling to maintain control.
Blake and Sun exchanged a determined glance. They knew they had to end this quickly, or the ship and everyone on it would be lost.
Far away, on the docks of Menagerie, Shirou Emiya stood with a fishing rod in hand, enjoying a moment of peace. The sun cast a warm glow on the water, and the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore was almost hypnotic. He had been looking forward to a quiet day, away from the chaos that seemed to follow him everywhere.
But that peace was shattered when he sensed something amiss. Reinforcing his vision, he saw the distant ship under attack. The sight of the Sea Feilong Grimm wreaking havoc stirred something deep within him—a sense of duty and the need to protect.
Calmly, he set down his fishing rod and summoned his weapons. A longbow materialized in his hands, crafted from a memory of a heroic spirit. Along with the bow, a sword appeared, which he altered into an arrow. He assumed the Kyudo stance, each motion precise and deliberate. Nocking the arrow, he drew back the string, his eyes narrowing as he focused on his target.
The world seemed to slow down around him. He could hear the frantic cries from the ship, the roar of the Grimm, and the crash of the waves. Yet, in that moment, everything was clear. He took a deep breath, his heartbeat steady. He visualized the arrow's path, calculating the distance, the wind, and the movement of the Grimm.
With a deep breath, he released. The arrow flew true, slicing through the air with incredible speed. It struck the Sea Feilong directly in its heart, a shot so precise and powerful that the Grimm let out a high-pitched screech before disintegrating into a cloud of black smoke.
The impact of the arrow sent shockwaves through the water, momentarily calming the churning sea. The ship, which had been on the verge of capsizing, steadied itself. Crew members and passengers alike looked around in stunned silence, trying to comprehend what had just happened.
Blake and Sun froze as the Grimm let out its death cry, their heads turning to see the beam of light that had felled it. "What was that?" Sun wondered aloud, his eyes scanning the horizon.
Blake shook her head, equally puzzled but grateful. "I don't know, but it saved us." As the ship continued its journey, they decided to leave the mystery for another time, focusing instead on the approaching shores of Menagerie.
The aftermath of the battle left the crew in a state of dazed relief. The immediate danger had passed, but the memory of the sudden and miraculous intervention lingered. Blake and Sun, still processing the turn of events, exchanged a look of mutual understanding and gratitude.
"Whoever did that saved all our lives," Blake said quietly, her voice filled with awe and relief.
Sun nodded, his expression serious. "Yeah. We got lucky. Really lucky."
As the ship approached the docks of Menagerie, the familiar sights and sounds of the island came into view. The crew began to move about, assessing the damage and ensuring the ship was ready for docking. Conversations buzzed with speculation about the mysterious arrow that had saved them.
One of the crew members, a grizzled old sailor with a fox tail, approached Blake and Sun. "I've been sailing these waters for years, and I've never seen anything like that," he said, his voice tinged with both fear and awe. "Whatever it was, we owe our lives to it."
Blake nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. "We should report this to the authorities in Menagerie," she suggested. "They need to know about the Grimm and the mysterious intervention."
Sun agreed. "And maybe we can find out who or what helped us. Someone with that kind of skill and power could be a valuable ally."
As the ship docked, Blake and Sun helped the crew secure the vessel. The bustling port of Menagerie was alive with activity, the sounds of merchants hawking their wares and children playing filling the air. The contrast between the chaos of the sea battle and the peacefulness of the port was stark.
Blake felt a rush of emotions as she stepped onto the dock—relief, anticipation, and a lingering sense of awe at their miraculous rescue. She turned to Sun, a determined look in her eyes. "Let's reconnect with my family first. After that, we can find out who saved us."
Sun nodded, his usual playful demeanor replaced by a rare moment of seriousness. "Lead the way, Blake. I'm with you."
On the docks, Shirou watched the ship come into view, a small smile of satisfaction playing on his lips. He had acted on instinct, guided by his desire to protect and serve. His intervention had made all the difference, and that was enough for him.
He picked up his fishing rod and cast his line once more, content to remain in the background. The adrenaline from the intervention was starting to fade, replaced by a calm sense of fulfillment. The familiar weight of his bow had felt reassuring in his hands, a reminder of his purpose.
As he settled back into his fishing spot, Shirou allowed himself a moment of reflection. The events of the day had reaffirmed his belief in the importance of being prepared, of staying vigilant even in times of peace. His actions had saved lives, and though the people on the ship might never know who he was, that anonymity was a comfort to him.
He watched the waves gently lap against the shore, the sun casting a golden glow on the water. Each ripple seemed to carry away the remnants of the battle, leaving behind a sense of tranquility. Shirou found solace in the simplicity of fishing, the quiet rhythm of casting and reeling in the line. It was a stark contrast to the chaos he had just witnessed, and yet it was all part of the same world—a world worth protecting.
The tranquil rhythm of fishing resumed, the earlier chaos now a distant memory. Shirou found solace in the simplicity of the moment, knowing that even in the quietest of times, his presence could bring about profound change. The small, everyday acts of heroism, like the steadying hand of a fisherman, were just as important as the grand gestures. And for now, that was enough.