The Ocean of Death part 2

Knowing the road, it took him a short time to reach the marina.

That old drunkard was still there, sitting on the deck with his feet wet from the icy waters, and the stench of wine, vomit, and rotten fish was just as intense as before.

From the words of the Village Chief, Atlas understood that this old drunkard was a very eccentric character, so he opened one of the four bottles and brought it as close as possible to his nose.

"Mhm..."

Atlas had shaken it well. In fact, the fragrant scent of the wine awakened that scoundrel very quickly.

"Mhm... boy, surely you are not such skilled thief as to rip off such a good wine from old Futuk... So, speaks!... why do you have such a precious thing in your hands?"

Suddenly, the bottle in Atlas's hand disappeared and reappeared a moment later in the filthy hands of the old man.

"Mmm... what an intoxicating smell, really a great wine..."

That old man did not even open his eyes and swallowed a good portion of the wine in one breath.

"The village chief said you can help me..."

"Mmm..." The first sip had been very intense, but the second was much lighter: "So, it is all the work of that old slipper. You earned a few points bringing out such a fine wine, but don't think this meager bottle is enough to obtain my help..."

Atlas was not surprised and showed him the other three bottles but made them disappear immediately to make things clear since the other was way more shameless than he had anticipated.

"Wow... it seems that those four have given bottom to all their belongings ... Boy, did you catch them lounging somewhere or what?"

"Not really..." Atlas quickly explained what had happened.

"I understand... " the old man nodded slowly but then turned to look at the side with an annoyed expression, "How boring... So, what do you need?"

The old man used to sit on that port all day and avoid the village's problems, but the four bottles of wine were really too inviting, so he strove to listen to the young man's request.

"I need a guide for those waters..."

Gulp! Gulp!

The old man swallowed more wine and then looked at where the boy's index finger was pointing: "Hehehe... A tiny little boy like you? If you're curious about what's beyond this miserable life, just smash your head on that pole. Trust me, it's better this way..."

The old man's answer made him speechless: "I understand that I am weak, but I can do it with your help!"

Gulp! Gulp!

"Those crazy old men put strange ideas in your head. I'm not a god, and I certainly can't do miracles. Those evil spirits are not the only dangers of those waters. Think about it again..."

"One way or another, I will go there..." Atlas did not back down and urged.

Gulp! Gulp!

"You want to die... Boy? I'm not afraid to die, but you? You are so young and still have many years ahead of you. Why don't you go back through your strange portal and let that crazy idea sink into this damn sea?"

"Even if I wanted to, I can't go back... Don't you think it's all the work of destiny? Think about it, how many possibilities were there for me to appear right by your side? Even if you look like a useless old drunkard, I believe nothing is impossible with you by my side."

Insults disguised as compliments were the best way to win the respect of that madman, so Atlas freed his tongue.

"Hmm... another crazy man longing for adventure. Ouch... You remind me so much of myself when I was young and ignorant. What are you looking for in those dark waters? There is both death and life... In particular, death is everywhere and is insatiable. The cursed one moves far and wide aboard the bones of the damned. But if you are looking for life, it will be an empty journey because death wrapped and crushed it many years ago."

"Neither... I'm looking for a girl."

"A girl? Boy... I would not like to break your passionate and young heart, but... if it is a girl you are looking for, I advise you to return to the continent because there is nothing beyond that stormy sea."

Atlas pulled out an object and asked: "Do you see the light inside this Soul Compass?"

The old man turned his gaze to the object and mumbled: "Hmm, what an interesting object... it seems to contain a shred of vital energy... ah, I understand. It's a Soul Compass... "

Suddenly, the artifact disappeared from his hand and reappeared a moment later in the old man's filthy hands: "So... this is the reason for your insistence... I bet this object is connected to the life force of your beloved. Let's see where it points..."

It seemed that the old man knew that object very well.

In fact, with a simple touch of his index finger, an intense red light sprang out from the center of the compass, which, in a few moments, condensed on a specific point of the edge, precisely in the direction of that dark sea.

"Damn... then it is true. What a silly girl. How can she throw away her young life in such a senseless way."

The old man shook his head several times, mumbling one sentence after another, but Atlas did not interrupt him.

"Little Boy... you have to be sure of it. Are you sure you want to go to that damn place? Even an old man like me fears those waters and the nefarious creatures that live inside. Are you sure your love for her is worth it??"

'My beloved? Love for her? This is ridiculous... Risking my life for love is pure madness... if I weren't forced by my Nihilir's request, I would gladly stay away from that place. But although it may be selfish on my part... he seems so touched by his unhealthy fantasy that it's better to play the fool for a bit if I want to get his help.' Atlas reasoned briefly about his following words and then spoke resolutely: "Of course... I promised her father that I would bring her home safe and sound. I will never back down..."

The old man briefly stared at Atlas's face and then swallowed a good part of the wine again.