The next morning, aboard the Drowned Goddess…

  The waters are calm, gentle waves nudging us slowly towards Sharmarli, the Holy City. The sun hangs high, a little too bright for my liking… and there’s a sharp chill in the air.

  And are those… snowflakes?

  Huh, that’s odd. The summer Seeds of the year are nearly upon us… yet instead of warmth, the air grows colder by the day. I can’t help but think of Arcadia – the frozen hellscape of snow and ice that it is… and a small knot of unease curls in my stomach.

  Only a small one, though! I’ll live.

  It’s an ill omen, though. I oughta keep an eye on this. But for now… it’s just a two-day voyage alongside fellow adventurers and travellers heading for the Holy City. Most are holed up below deck, nursing a cocktail of seasickness, glaring sunshine, and sharp cold air.

  But not Anna and me! We’re made of sterner stuff. That’s why we’re standing watch with an orb of Candlelight illuminating the waters beneath the ship’s hull. You never know what’s lurking beneath the surface. It could be monsters like the Mer-men – eldritch horrors like the ones swarming the corpse city of Dagon. They love ambushing ships, dragging unlucky souls down into the briny dark. That’s why every vessel crossing the Silent Sea sails with an armed escort, adventurers included. Better safe than gutted and drowned.

  There’s a leader among the Mer-men of the Silent Sea – a Pelagic Warlord the sailors whose name they whisper with a shiver and a prayer. His name was… it was Xarak’ahn, Scourge of Silence. He’s a bloated, hulking brute with scales like rusted iron and lidless, milky eyes that never blink. Stare at him too long… and you’ll throw up.

  I remember the last time we crossed paths. Back in the previous timeline, Anna and I sailed this exact route on this very ship, and Xarak’ahn came calling with his merry little band of Mer-men raiders. It was one hell of a fight, with adventurers and sailors alike battling side by side. We sent them packing, but it was close. Real close.

  Hmph. If old Xarak wants to attack us in this timeline… I’m ready for round two! I’m stronger and sharper than I was back then, and Anna’s no slouch either! I reckon this time, we’d wreck him and his crew without breaking a sweat.

  For now, though? Nothing. Not a ripple out of place. No twisted fins slicing the surface, no ominous gurgling from the depths. Just the gentle sway of the sea and that weird winter air.

  Maybe we’re too early. Or maybe, just maybe… they’ve heard of me. And this time, they’re the ones who are scared!

  Or maybe I’m just talking myself up to keep the seasickness at bay.

  Heh. It’s almost hypnotic, the way the rolling waves fold into each other, endlessly shifting… their dance drawing me in. The sea and I just don’t get along – in this world of Nisha or mine, in either timeline. I swear, I’d do much better in a nice bikini on a nice sunny beach, fruity cocktail in hand… sun warming my skin. Ahh…

  Hey, a girl can dream! Hopes and dreams… sometimes, they’re all we’ve got.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Arisa! I’m back!”

  I turn my head lazily, tilting just enough to flash Anna a cheeky grin. She’s immune to the sea’s sway – I’m not sure how. Earlier, she saw me turning greener than seaweed and vanished below deck, promising to find something to help. And now, she’s back!

  “Ooh, is that for me?” I ask, my eyes locking on the steaming mug in her hands. “That smells… incredible.”

  “Sure is! Freshly boiled water, just for you! So, drink up!” Anna exclaims, beaming from ear to ear as she hands me the mug. “But go slow – it’s really, really hot!”

  “Gotcha.”

  I sip cautiously. Yep. Scalding! But the warmth’s a blessing, thawing my fingers and chasing the chill from my bones. With it… I’m starting to feel alive again.

  “Better?” Anna asks, leaning close. “Mom says a hot drink helps ward off nausea!”

  I take another careful sip, slowly savouring the heat. “Yep. This is exactly what I needed. But hey – you didn’t grab one for yourself?”

  “I’m fine! It’s my first time on a boat… but I kinda like it!” Anna exclaims enthusiastically, her smile bright and innocent. “In fact, I feel like I could get used to this…”

  “Really? You’re kidding, right?”

  “I’m serious! The rocking of the waves… the salty air… it’s all so… comfortable.”

  “Holy fucking Rinnah…” I groan, glaring at the sea like it personally offended me. “That sounds... horrifying! Ugh…”

  Anna’s hand flies to her cheek, her expression full of guilt. “Oh no! Umm… I didn’t mean to make you feel worse! I’m so sorry!”

  “Eh, it’s alright…” I say, waving off her concern with a good-natured smile. “It’s alright. I’m just not cut out for the sailor’s life, y’know? I’m a city girl, through and through!”

  “Have you always lived in a city, back in your world?” Anna asks, tilting her head with curiosity. “You know… like Sharmarli?”

  “Yeah. But not always. My hometown’s a little village by the mountains.”

  “Really? What was it like?”

  “Quiet. Peaceful. It’s everything the big city isn’t. Fewer travellers, fewer shops. Mostly farms, dirt roads… and one tiny Branch School with a floor full of holes!”

  Anna giggles. “That sounds rather… quaint. Charming too, I’m sure!”

  “It had its moments,” I say, grinning at the memories. “It was a good place to grow up.”

  “And what about your parents?”

  “My Mom and Dad? They ran the local clinic – doubled as a vet’s office for sick farm animals. Dad’s the doctor, Mom’s the nurse… that’s actually how they met!”

  “Oh my! That’s so adorable!” Anna exclaims, her eyes sparkling with excitement and warmth. “Rinnah willing, I’d love to visit someday… along with the rest of your world!”

  “I did promise ya I’d give the grand tour when that day comes!” I declare, my smile bright like the sun. “And I bet my folks would love to meet ya! You’re exactly the daughter they wanted me to be – kind, gentle, elegant, brave… a proper lady…”

  Anna tilts her head curiously. “You don’t think you are any of those things?”

  “Not quite the proper lady yet,” I admit, rubbing the back of my neck. “I’m just… me.”

  I glance her way, catching her gaze for a heartbeat before retreating into the comfort of the ceaseless whisper of the waves.

  “You’re Arisa Ishii,” Anna says softly, her hand finding mine. “Wise beyond your years, with a big heart full of courage! And with that heart… braver than anyone I know!”

  “Even you, my Paladin?”

  “Sometimes. It’s close!”

  “Heh!”

  “Oh! But what about the big city of your world?” Anna adds, her eyes sparkling with fresh excitement. “Is it packed with wonders similar to everything you’ve said about the Holy City?!”

  “In some ways, yeah. But a lot less holy!” I answer with a laugh, the kind that bubbles up before I can stop it, full of fondness and a touch of exasperation. “It’s big, bright, loud… and never stops moving. Day and night… it’s always alive and busy!”

  Anna nods eagerly, her hands clasped together in front of her. “Wow… that sounds incredible!”

  “I know, right? It was the opportunity of a lifetime…” I recount wistfully, my gaze drifting upward as if seeing it all again. “Moving to the big city, going to a school with proper floors and everything .”

  “That’s where you got that fancy school uniform, right?” Anna asks, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. “You know… that pretty outfit you wore before the gown and gloves – with the neat necktie and those cute thigh-high black socks?”

  I nod affirmatively. “Yep. St Elicia’s Academy! In there, I was…”