Streaks of fire splashed into the water burning grotesque abominations within.
It was rain of fire as if hell had personally descended to punish those creatures.
Streaks of blazing hot steam erupted from the ocean, competing against the cold mist that permeated the air above.
Amongst the chaos, A lonely motor boat traversed those boiling waters.
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Nephis stood at the helm of their ship.
It had been one hell of a journey traversing here.
The ocean was plagued by Nightmares Gates that opened underwater cutting flat the connection they had to the Dreal Realm. But that was not enough to deter their journey.
She did not how many Nightmares had drowned themselves coming out from those gates them and whether the ocean surface was littered with carcasses of such creatures.
But surely there was no drought of Nightmares creatures here. Myriad abominations lunged on their ship every day, every night. Sometimes even corrupted ones showed up as if to show some ancient grudge.
Weaker ones attacked in swarms, while the real strong ones came alone.
Her eyes wandered to the sea of flames she had summoned above the ocean water.
There was a horde of Awakened abominations with fallen champions that were attacking them.
These grotesque creatures were in shape what one would call mermaids or seamen but in looks were too grotesque to describe.
As for why hailing down fire to kill abominations underwater was a good soultion. It was because Nephis wielded no ordinary fire, but divine fire manifested by her ascended soul essence. Mundane waters of the war realm could not extinguish it..
So water was as good of a medium as air for her flames.
Kai was on the deck shooting arrows at the fallen champions while Effie hurdled her spears.
What surprised her most was Master Naeve who danced in the water like a fish, slaughtering those abominations like a madman.
Seeing him like this made her remember that one fictional character that originated from before the dark times....what was it? Yeah Aquaman.
Cassie stood at the oars, if she could pilot an acient flying ship in the dangerous terrain of the Chained isles. Surely this motorboat wouldn't drown itself.
The real problem was not the strengths of the abomination that came to attack them but actually protecting the boat , the nightmare crearures were innumerous and atleast awakened after all.
And this was a mundane boat, even a awakened abomination will break it with a lucky strike. And there were plenty of those to come around here.
And so was their struggle.
However their destination had now come close.
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Through the mist of the cold ocean a distant silhouette showed its face.
It was land..
The Shore was finally visible to them now.
They had reached Antarctica.
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Footsteps echoed in a desolate street.
Nephis was strolling in that empty street observing her surroundings.
Behind her were her cohort. They stood on guard as well.
They had reached the city of Falcon Scott.
What met them however was only desolation.
Of course this should be the case since no human resided here anymore.
There were still beings here of course , the beings of corruption roamed its streets, as if they had made a new kingdom on the ruins of the old one.
Cold still permeated the air as if a live recognition of the massacre that had taken place here in the past..
Roaming uninvited in a city of nightmare creatures was not a good call after all.
Multiple nightmare had attacked them by this point , they were clearly a rare feast for those creatures..
They had come here looking for Sunny but what met them was only nightmare creatures and human remains. Of course only bones, the flesh had already been scraped by these creatures.
Nephis prepared her stance as a grotesque abominations in the shape of a horse lunged at her. It was a Corrupted beast , she could of course kill it and had killed many of its rank .
But as a creature of the higher rank , one wrong mistake would cause grevious wounds to her, she could heal those but a lucky strike might take just take her life , her healing prowess wouldn't be of use in that.
So no amount of leisure was accepted when fighting them.
Fire erupted from her instantly scorching the incoming abominations , then her sword dawned on them, taking multiple lives .
Effie became the meele vanguard while Kai took to the air as the supporter. Naeve was positioned at the back along with Cassie.
One by one; creatures fell to her blade. The battle was not over that easily as more and more abominations came from the noise of the the sudden brawl.
One might think that just running away would be a good option. But the city was teeming with creatures. Running away with abominations on the chase would not be a good option.
Flames consumed her surroundings as she thought.
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Tired footsteps occurred in a narrow street.
Nephis and her cohort had roamed the abandoned city for what 2 days now?
Other than nightmare creatures and human remains there was only desolation.
They had surveyed every important hub in the city as recorded in the manual provided to them by the government. Finding no fruit for their effort.
However one thing did became the fruit for their hardwork. In a random street they had found the corpse of a nightmare creature.
This city was governed by the law of the land between creatures of corruption so surely there had no lack of corpses.
But this one was special , as veterans of fighting they surely knew that the abomination had been killed by blades. Blades of size that would be wielded by humans.
And it's meat was harvested in a systematic manner devoid of how a nightmare creature would eat , they were the obvious signs of human presence . This almost fictional sign gave them hope.
Of course it could be a intelligent nightmare creature but the coincidences seemed to match to their hopes.
As they crossed over another street of the ruined city. Echoes of a distant fight broke their demeanor.
They had encountered many fights between nightmare creatures, so this was an obvious sign of one.
It was in best interest that they avoid it and make their way around it.
However lately Nephis had herself a hope, a hope that it maybe was Sunny fighting nightmare creatures.
She knew herself enough now that she was slowly going mad, coming up with any nonsense she could think to find sunny. As if she was feeling too lost these days. Acting in instinct and too rashly.
Throughout these two days they had practicing these wierd concepts she came up with. Often resulting in a biesegement by nightmare creatures.
So they made their way to it.
Distant silhouettes came in their. A human like figure danced among a group of abominations one by one killing them.
Nephis's heartbeat seemed to pause, her goal, her resolve seemed to come true at this moment, her lost self seemed to come to life however the sudden ignite of emotion only brought ruin.
It was not Sunny.
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They approached the sight of the ongoing brawl.
The one fighting those creatures was a women with raven black hair and pale skin.
She wore a Cloak that was somewhat tattered.
She froze upon their arrival and taking a defensive stance spoke" Who are you people? "
Nephis knew that It was a normal reaction for their interaction, meeting humans in desolate lands. It could most likely be a abhorrent nightmare creature.
She of course knew who this person was.. She was Master Jet. Someone in the government definitely cared enough to help them in favor of looking out her in their journey and and only an idiot would do misery in giving themselves details and photos of her.
The other Master of course probably knew who she was as well. The greeting a formality in this world of violence.
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Clangs of steel broke the silence of a desolate street.
Jet had stumbled upon her new prey.
It had been a hell all this time. She had survived the winter beast. She was dead after all. The semblance of life was maintained by her essence, So the dreaded cold couldn't kill her.
It was a curse as well a blessing. She had really hoped that she would truly die there. But it seemed that she was alive and not well.
There was practically no essence in her anymore. Her shattered soul Core nearing emptiness.
Forced in a state of near death where your brain encouraged to survive in the worst circumstances was a real dreadful hell of its own.
But she survived nonetheless. At first there was simply no prey for her , the winter beast had taken every life , both nightmare creatures and humans alike.
But the Nightmare creatures from the ever increasing number of gates soon found their way here. A blessing for her just when she was about to die.
Of course no fool would ever think of staying in this wasteland.
But the desperate people of Falcon Scott had used every means they could use to escape into the sea. Leaving no means of travel.
So she had to make a boat however Jet knew the dangers that lurked in the ocean.
So she hesitated.
The hesitation came true as she in a blod attempt made a crude boat of her own to sail the seas, the foolishness gave its fruit as a nightmare creature sank the thing a few hours in on its course and she spent several dreadful hours swimming back to Falcon Scott.
From then she had stayed here , with hesitation and trying to build a new , better boat . Making futile attempts at contacting the government.
Her ship building was in progress , as she now used monster parts as better alternative to mundane wood.
This day , she thought to be another day of isolation , proved something else as she saw a group of humans approaching her.
A sudden group of humans at this place only either that her messages had somehow reached the government and coincidently old man Cor seemed to pang of extreme kindness and sent a team to rescue her
Or either the usual, some horrific abomination had decided to pay her a visit.
Jet shivered..
Though suprise came when she made out their faces .
Nephis of the immortal flame clan or should she say the new shining blade of valor. Behind her were Raised by wolves , that singer Nightangld that became a master , song of the fallen.
What a party? I didn't except such accomplished individuals just for me.
Then her gaze fell on Naeve . Wait didn't idiot just left on the last of ships , why did he come back?
She was smart enough to realize that their purpose must not really be her.
As they came closer she greeted the usual greetings.
" Who are you people ?"
The silver haired girl spoke.
" I am Nephis of the Immortal Clan , me and my cohort have come here to rescue our friend , you must be Master Jet right, the government told us look out for you too ."
"And Whom exactly are you looking for here ?" She asked them though the guess was already in her mind.
Nephis seemed to fall silent for a second
" We're looking for our cohort member and friend " Sunless"
Do you know him ?"
The underlying message was simple. They were asking about his condition and whereabouts .
"Sunless huh....Damn they just had to start with that"
Her face seemed to fall flat qt the mention.
Though with delay she replied.
"He was under my command in the first irregular company "
Nephis seemed to ask again.
"Do you know his whereabouts?"
Jet asked in return
" You all have come all the way in hopes of finding him right, and traversed the ocean alone right?"
"Yes" The reply came in unison.
Damn Damn Damn Damnnnnnn !! What do I even do ? Why does it have to me ?
I Don't know how to tell them.
Jet's face seemed to darken at the miserable visions and thoughts that had almost made her cry.
" Follow Me " Those two shallow words were all she could manage in the end. The thoughts had already plagued her enough all this time.
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Nephis was to the outskirts of the city by Master Jet.
Hidden between several massive piles of rubble was a place of silence..
Stones were arranged in column over lounds of dirt..
Nephis though unwilling recognized the place.
It was a grave yard, a new one built just recently..
The Graves were crude, myriad names adorned the unshaped stones.
Nephis of course did not know any of those names.
Jet led her to a specific one.
It was marked by a black stone.
On it the letters were carved crudely, but she could still make out the name it spelled.
"Sunless"
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How was the chapter ? I did not want to make it into two chapters so it took too long to post this. I had to fit like too much content , so like it must seem somewhat broken or stuff.