Chapter 24 Sea

Miya's point of view

My body was shaking from embarrassment as we headed back towards camp. The scene that we came back to was nothing but chaos.

V is laying flat on his back with smoke coming from his forehead. He can easily be mistaken for being dead. Amber and Rose are just staring quietly in the distance. They had the look of complete shock. I guess I kind of have the same look right now.

Chrys, meanwhile, is fighting a tug of war with Hela. The rope that they are fighting over is the creature named Loki.

Hela is on all fours biting onto Loki's tail. Chrys, on the other hand, is grabbing Loki by the head as he struggles to even compete in this battle.

"Hela! Let go! " Chrys shouted.

Hela didn't listen and continued to pull, even growling towards Chrys. Suddenly, Loki's head turned and bit down on Chrys' hand. Luckily, his shield aura protected him.

"Hey! Don't bite me when I'm trying to save you! " Chrys shouted in response to the bite.

Noticing our presence, Chrys said to us as he continued to play tug of war with Hela. "Oh. You guys are back. Quickly, prepare the food since these two are already turning feral. "

"Yep, the pot should be done. Miya, grab some plates in the truck for me, will you? " Miss Lilly asked.

"Yes!" I said with a voice full of determination.

I ran towards the back of the truck, and quickly tried to find the plates. It took me only a couple of seconds to find some plates and utensils. As soon as I got the things I needed, I bolted back.

As soon as I got back, the situation had somehow turned even worse than before. V still hasn't moved an inch, and Rose and Amber's expression from before has turned into a look of disbelief.

Miss Lilly let out a sigh, as Hela flicked her neck and sent both Loki and Chrys towards the rock face. Their landing caused a massive crack to form in the rock.

There was a small bit of yellow sparkle that came from Chrys' body, but he seemed uninjured. Loki doesn't even seem like he got hit, and got up immediately from the crash.

Chrys' eyes suddenly glowed with a dangerous glow that sent shivers down my entire body.

Ah, Miya, you're back. Hela, Loki, eating time! " Miss Lilly frantically called out. I guess she was also affected by Chrys' glare.

Both Hela and Loki immediately sat down by the fire with a look of anticipation. Chrys also sat down without saying a single word, but he still emitted this intimidating aura.

"Rose, Amber, come sit down. What are you waiting for? Can you hand out the plates?" Miss Lilly asked politely.

Rose and Amber sat down quietly while wearing a look of wariness. I could guess the reason for that.

I casually distributed the plates to them. V was still knocked out, so I just placed it beside him. After I had done this, I sat down with Rose and Amber.

"Alright, now that the preparations are over. Let's eat! " "Miss Lilly," she said as she opened the lid of the pot.

The scent of the meal had a strong smell, but I was too hungry to care. The vegetables and meat all floated in a clear, white soup.

"Alright, hand me your plates." I will serve you your share, "said Miss Lilly.

I was the first one to get my plate, so I naturally had the privilege of tasting the meal first. On my plate, Miss Lilly placed a good amount of an assortment of toppings. She then handed the tasty looking plate to me. I couldn't hold myself to waiting, and began chowing down on the meal.

The meal was simply delicious. It has an exotic feel to it with a hit of home-style cooking. I would even go so far as to say that this is better than what I ate back at the village. Sorry, Mom. Please don't kill me when we meet.

"Here you go, Rose." Miss Lilly handed Rose her plate, as she had when I was savoring the meal.

I looked down at my own plate, which was essentially empty. I still felt hungry, but I felt kind of scared to ask for more, since Rose was the only other person who got her share.

"Oh, you're finished already? Uh, you're going to have to wait until everyone gets their share. " "Miss Lilly," she said after seeing my distress.

"T-thank you," I said in a low voice since I felt embarrassed.

Suddenly, I remembered the time I yelled "confidence" out loud. I felt my current embarrassment go away, only to be replaced by a more embarrassing one. I hate to say it, but Miss Lilly's technique works.

"Well, normally when someone eats a hot pot it's a free for all, but... I don't think you girls can fight those two." "Miss Lilly," she said as she shot a glance towards Loki and Hela, who were waiting energetically.

"Alright, Amber. Plate, please." Miss Lilly turned her attention towards Amber.

As Miss Lilly continued to hand out the meals, Rose walked closer to me and whispered in my ear. "Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah?" I replied, unsure of what she wanted.

I'm just worried. When you came back with Lady Lilly, you had red eyes. So I was just wondering. Rose asked, still in a low voice.

"No, I'm fine. "Miss Lilly just helped me with something, or at least I think she helped." I answered.

"Oh, okay, just making sure you're okay." Rose said as she got back to eating.

I tried to divert my attention away from the food by looking at the stars, but my stargazing was abruptly cut off by a certain Miss Lilly.

"Hey! Loki, calm down! " Miss Lilly shouted at Loki, who was jumping all around the place.

Hela looked ready to join in, but was stopped by Miss Lilly. "Hela, if you don't sit down, you're not getting your normal share." That goes for you too, Loki! " Miss Lilly warned.

Hela seemed to calm down, but Loki replied with a growl. Loki got down lower on the ground, seemingly getting ready to jump.

Don't you dare, Loki! Hey, Goldie! A little help would be nice. You know, you're the only person Loki listens to! "

"I don't know. Am I the only person Loki listens to? " "Sarcastically," Chrys said, as he placed his hand on his chin, seemingly pondering.

Don't you do this to me now, you sarcastic jerk! I'm hungry as well! " "Miss Lilly!" she exclaimed.

"Fine, fine, no need to get personal." You heard her, Loki. Calm down or we'll give your share to Hela. " Chrys said this in a relaxed and calm voice, making me doubt the fact that he seemed angry earlier.

Loki growled for a moment before sitting down beside Hela, who was already busy eating her food.

Miss Lilly stuck out her tongue towards Loki as she grabbed Loki's plate. Loki replied by also sticking out its tongue and hissing towards her.

When she was done placing Loki's share onto its plate, She placed the plate onto the ground with so much negative emotion that it made me question whether she was the same kind-hearted Miss Lilly I was talking to earlier.

"Hmph! Okay, Goldie, your turn. Plate! " Miss Lilly growled.

"I have a name." Chrys said as he gave her his plate.

Miss Lilly turned away without saying a word. After a couple of moments, she handed him his plate in silence. I could feel the anger in her movements.

Is she only nice to us three and rude to the others? What happened to them to cause their relationship to turn out like this? Why is she even with them if she hates them? All these questions filled my head.

Just as Chrys was about to take his first sip, Hela and Loki finished their food and began to cause another ruckus. This time they not only hit Chrys' spoon away, they also spilled the content of his plate onto the ground.

Chrys remained in the same position, seemingly processing what just happened. He then suddenly stood up, which forced Loki and Hela to stop as their gaze turned towards Chrys.

Chrys' eyes emitted yet another dangerous glow that sent shivers down my spine. Hela and Loki seemed affected too, since they froze in place as Chrys walked towards them.

He then proceeded to grab both of them by the heads and carried their frozen bodies a few steps back away from the fire. Then, two holes appeared on the ground before them.

Chrys placed them both in their own holes. As soon as their entire body except the head was in the hole, it closed up. Trapping them in the ground

"Huh? What is happening? " V suddenly asked as he got up from his unconscious state.

"Nothing..." "Crys," he said in a calm tone as he sat back down.

Noticing the opportunity, V asked mockingly. "Did you get angry, Goldie?"

"Did you get knocked out in one hit, Bush head?" Chrys shot back in the same mocking tone. They then both stared each other down.

"Hey, quit it. Here, I've already refilled your plate. V, hand me yours so I can eat. " Miss Lilly interrupted, while still being extremely grumpy.

"Huh? Food's already done. How long have I been asleep? Ten years? " V mocked him as he handed the plate over.

"Oh, shut it, grass head!" Miss Lilly responded in a hostile manner.

"Hehe!" Rose laughed beside me. I guess she couldn't hold it in.

After handing back V's plate, Miss Lilly turned to me and said, "Hmph, okay, Miya. Hand me your plate. "

Ah, no, thank you. I could serve myself. You can eat first. I said as I made my suggestion.

"Thank you, Miya." She thanked her as she filled her plate and sat down.

"You're welcome."

I then filled my plate and sat back down. Rose followed my lead and served her own food.

"Oh, almost forgot. "Miya, you were about to tell a story weren't you? " Rose suddenly said

"Huh? Oh, yeah, but I think the mood is over." I responded.

"Nonsense, you can continue if you want. No one will stop you." Miss Lilly said.

"Okay, then," I said as I set my plate aside.

"This is a story from my village."

"Once there was a little boy."

"He hid in his father's boat during a storm, since he could not find his parents in the heavy rain."

"The storm swept the boat offshore and into the sea."

"After the storm, the boy got up to only find the never-ending sea around him."

"The boy cried because he was lost, drifting along the tides, all alone."

But soon enough, he was no longer alone.

"A horde of sea monsters emerged from the sea."

"They easily towered over the boat with their massive, slimy bodies."

"They looked down on the poor boy, frozen in place on his little boat."

"Suddenly, they all opened their mouths, showing the boy the rows of teeth that live inside their mouths."

"And then, they swallowed the boat and the boy in a single gulp. The end."

"Moral of the story, don't go out to sea, it's dangerous." I concluded.

"Huh?" Rose asked with a confused face.

"Huh?! You didn't like it? " I asked, feeling my face getting hotter, only for it to cool down after a certain 'CONFIDENCE'-filled memory entered my mind.

"Wha-No, it's just that I'm confused." Rose replied.

"Huh?" I tilted my head. What is she confused about?

"What's this'sea' you're talking about?" V said as he took another bite of his food.

"Huh? I-I, uh, you know the sea. Where fish live, and the place where the adults ride boats. " I said, confused at his question.

"You mean a lake?" Miss Lilly asked.

"No, not a lake. The sea is a much bigger lake that's also salty. You know, where does the salt come from? " I said.

"A salty lake?" Miss Lilly asked, tilting her head.

"Yes, umm, Chr-Chrys! He mentioned something about taking everything with a grain of salt. "Salt comes from the sea." I explained, getting a little frustrated and somewhat desperate.

"Salt comes from the rocks that Viridis mines and sells." It's their greatest monopoly. " Chrys said as he chewed his food, but his hair is blocking his vision, which is irrelevant.

"Huh? No, salt comes from the sea. "You dry the sea water, and it leaves the salt." I said.

"I don't think we are on the same plane of existence, little girl." V said.

Don't shame her, Bush head. Maybe it's just her childish imagination. " "Miss Lilly," she said, trying to defend me.

"Salt tastes good!" Hela said as she appeared behind Chrys.

I guess she got out. Wait, how did she get out? Her entire body was buried underground. This is too much information for me to handle. I feel dizzy.

"Alright, I guess that's enough for tonight. It's time to sleep. Loki, Hela, sleep. " Chrys said. Loki, who was suddenly on Hela's shoulder, hissed.

Okay, I'll set up the sleeping bags. Oh, I don't think we have enough for all of us... "Yup, we are one short. "Miss Lilly," she said, after counting heads.

"Don't bother. I'll keep a night watch. "You guys get a good sleep and dream about a lake filled with salt. " V said as he got on top of one of the trucks.

"I am not making it up!" I shouted. Now I kind of get why Miss Lilly acts in such a way.

"Yeah, she's not making it up. The sea is real, yeah!" Rose said, with her voice wavering near the end.

I know she is trying to make me feel better, but I somehow feel worse. Why won't anyone believe me? Have they never seen the sea before? Can I go outside and touch the grass, or go to the beach? Someone believe me!

"Alright, everyone, the sleeping bags are set, time to sleep. I hope you see the sea in your sleep, Miya. Good night!" Miss Lilly said.

Miss Lilly, not you, either!

I felt like crying. I guess maybe I will feel better tomorrow. Maybe they'll remember that the sea exists tomorrow. I can't be making it up, right?

These thoughts flowed through my mind as I fell asleep on the bed that Miss Lilly had set up.

Good night, me.