The ocean stretched out calmly as far as the eye could see. Gentle waves rolled in, creating a soothing rhythm that accompanied the journey of Bastien and his crew. After the brutal battle on the previous island, these peaceful days felt like a rare blessing.
The morning sun was still reluctant to rise from the horizon when Bastien was already drenched in sweat on the ship's deck. His shirt hung on the mast while he moved through a strict series of physical exercises: punches, kicks, push-ups, burpees, then into the hand-to-hand combat techniques he had learned from Lazhar.
Before long, the sound of eager footsteps approached. Arthur appeared, carrying two wooden sticks.
"Captain Bastien, I challenge you to a morning duel!" he declared, imitating the tone of a noble knight.
Bastien turned with a raised brow. "Now? You haven't even brushed your teeth."
Arthur shrugged. "Victory doesn't care about bad breath."
Bastien chuckled and took one of the sticks. "Alright then, oh early morning knight. Show me your strength."
They took their stances. Juno, who had just stepped out from the helm, sat on the ship's rail munching on dried apple, curious about the sudden duel.
Arthur struck first — a quick swing from the left, then a direct thrust forward. Bastien blocked easily, spun his stick, and hooked Arthur's. With a single movement, Arthur's stick flew out of his hand, and a shove to the chest sent the boy sprawling across the deck.
"ARGHH! I slipped!" Arthur shouted, rolling around dramatically.
"Using that excuse again?" Bastien asked, trying not to laugh.
"Sea wind made it slippery! Not my fault!" Arthur replied, still lying down with arms stretched to the sky. "Or maybe... this stick is cursed!"
"Yeah, definitely the stick," Juno muttered sarcastically.
As Bastien helped Arthur to his feet, a delicious smell began drifting from the kitchen. But before anyone could get a taste, a loud scream echoed.
"ARTHUR! THAT WAS FOR LUNCH!!"
Everyone turned.
At the kitchen doorway stood Nara, her face red, one hand holding a chopping board, the other pointing at Arthur, who was stammering with a mouth full of raw meat slices.
"Uh... this isn't your meat. It's mine," Arthur said while trying to chew quickly.
"THAT'S CHICKEN FOR THE MENTAI RICE!" Nara shouted.
Arthur glanced at Bastien and immediately bolted behind the mast.
"HELP ME, CAPTAIN! SHE'S GOING TO KILL ME WITH A SPOON!" he cried.
"How dare you defile my kitchen!" Nara gave chase with a metal spatula in hand.
The ship turned into a chaotic game of tag. Ravi laughed from his chair, Mia raised an eyebrow without looking up from her notes, and Juno muttered, "We really need an adult vice-captain someday."
Eventually, Nara pinned Arthur beneath her foot and forced him to wash all the dishes, restoring peace once more.
---
Toward the afternoon, the wind softened. Ravi and Nara busied themselves preparing dinner, assisted by a very remorseful Arthur peeling onions while sneezing constantly.
"If something tastes off later," he sniffled, "it's not my fault. It's karma for my suffering."
"If there are tears in the soup, I'll know the source," Ravi said flatly.
Meanwhile, Mia and Juno were still at the helm, locked in their usual debate.
"This route is faster," Mia said, pointing at a red line on the map.
"And more likely to pass through a whirlpool," Juno countered. "You know, the kind that could turn our ship into a sandwich for sea monsters."
"Eh, a life without danger is bland."
"If we all die, we won't live long enough to taste the blandness."
---
Night fell, and dinner was served on the main deck. They sat in a circle, passing plates around. Spicy fried rice by Nara, seafood soup from Ravi's catch, and a fruit drink Juno had cobbled together from whatever they had on board.
"Tasty," Bastien said.
"That's the first time you've said that without a 'but' in front of it, Captain," Nara teased.
"In that case, I take my compliment back," Bastien replied flatly.
Laughter erupted.
Arthur gulped down Mia's watermelon juice and immediately choked. "Why is this... bitter?"
"Because you stole raw ingredients this morning," Mia replied casually. "I flavored it with chili powder and spoiled lemon peels."
"YOU TRIED TO POISON ME!"
"A bit slow to notice, aren't you?"
Their conversation flowed light-heartedly — they spoke of places they wanted to visit, childhood dreams, and silly riddles thrown out by Mia.
---
As the night deepened, the crew began heading to their cabins one by one. Bastien chose to stay on the deck, gazing at the sky.
"Captain," Arthur said before going in. "If you die…"
"Don't start again," Bastien cut him off.
"Seriously. If you die... can I be captain?"
Bastien turned slowly, staring at him sharply. "Arthur, if I die, the ship will probably be sunk too. And even if not, the death probably came from one of our dumb decisions. So no, I'm not letting you be captain. Nara would kill us both before we even set sail."
"So... Ravi?"
"Good night, Arthur."
---
Bastien fell asleep on the deck, his body wrapped in the night air and the soft clinking of the swaying sails.
In his dream, he stood on an endless black plain. There was no sky — only emptiness. Then suddenly, a glowing symbol appeared above. It looked like an ancient sigil, pulsing like a heartbeat.
Something about it felt... aware.
And for some reason, Bastien felt like it was calling to him.
When he woke, the night sky was still the same. But there was a strange feeling he couldn't explain.
Something was changing.