MUTINY?! Part 1

It is once again nighttime aboard the KMV Gift Giver. Everyone seemingly asleep, swinging back and forth to the rocking of the ship. All except the people currently on night watch, they all slowly and sneakily move around lamps in hand, making sure everyone is asleep. The boss, an older looking man with grey hair and stubble, nodded to the other members on night watch and the others nodded back.

Almost in unison they all took out their weapons, a mixture of firearms, sabres, clubs and daggers. They spread out 3 stood by the door to the captain's quarters, including the boss, and the 3 went below deck to inform the other members of their mutiny. The boss ,holding what looks like a blunderbuss with crystalline material completely covering the inside of the barrel, channeled mana into his gun causing a dark brown hue to be emitted from the barrel.

BOOM

In an instant a small projectile was shot into the door ring breaking and causing the door itself to open slightly with a hole the size of a football appearing where the door ring and lock was. But just as the other 2 mutineers charged through the door.

BWOOSH

A large amount of water came crashing against all men, causing them all to bump into the various objects placed around the deck. This knocked the 2 other mutineers but the boss was still conscious, sitting by the main mast he slowly looks up to see the figure of the captain in her navy blue uniform and hat with her blue eyes glowing. "You were always quite tough Trent.", she says as the glow in her eyes fade away but the raging fury behind them still remain.

"H-h-how?", the boss asks, "Even if the blast woke you up, you shouldn't have known what was going on.", he continues. Captain Mer flashes a smug smile

(Last night)

Ryu could barely sleep since he got on the ship, he was constantly worried about being attacked. Davin might not have believed him but Ryu was determined to prove him wrong. Ever since both he and Davin got on the ship he has always noticed a couple of the crew members poorly hidden stares that were directed towards the both of them. So every night he has been secretly sneaking around the ship in a black ninja outfit, watching the crewmen on night duty and the ones that were sleeping.

On this particular night he noticed that more hammocks were empty than usual, so he began looking around for them. They could not be on the deck since most of the night watch was up there and they were not in the current level or on the level above, which would leave only the cargo hold left. So Ryu made his way down towards it, moving between the shadows and hugging the wall and ceiling to avoid being seen.

Going down a set of ladders, Ryu noticed shadows and light from a lamp in a far corner of the cargo hold. After fully making his way down the ladders, he crouched and slowly crept his way close to the shadows. "-Personally signed off by a member of the Five Suns.", he heard someone say. 'Five Suns?', Ryu repeated in his head.

A gravelly voice then said, "Quiet down you fools, we'll never see the great rebirth if you lot give us away before we can do anything. We'll mutiny tomorrow night, most of us would be on watch duty then and the captain's supporters would all be asleep.".

With each new bit of information he overheard, the scowl on Ryu's face grew fiercer and fiercer. He gripped his tanto, a single-bladed dagger from his homeland, tightly. 'I should warn the captain and Davin about this.', he noted to himself. He pondered leaving then and there but threw that thought away, 'I might be able to learn more about them if I stay.'.

"What about the passengers boss?", Ryu's ears immediately perked up at the reference to both him and Davin. Quickly regaining focus, he focused on the gravelly voices response, "The Scientia lad is unexpected boon, we'll be rewarded if we capture 'im. We'll just dump the orient alongside the first mate and the loyalists. You boys can have your fun with the cap'n but dump her with the rest when your done. After that we head to Lu'um Bek'ech, some militia folk should be there wait'n for us.".

Ryu's head recoiled in disgust at the man's words, it was as if the man could care not care at all that they were going to take the lives of people and when he heard the excitement of the men, his rage only grew. 'Calm down.', he thought to himself, 'They will receive heaven's wrath for their callousness.'.

"The phoenix will rise again.", Ryu snapped his head towards the gravelly. He realised they were about to leave, he immediately got ready to hide himself. Looking around he saw there was a small room not far from where he was and he made his way towards it as quick as he could, watching through the gap as all of them climbed the ladder. Ryu made his way out after making sure, looking through the large square holes on the ceiling which they used to transport cargo in and out of the hold, he thought to himself, 'I hope the gods will forgive me for the blood I must spill.'. He closed his eyes, almost looking like he is thought, then he opened them again determination written within his eyes and he made his way up the ladder. 'I should continue staying on guard throughout the night'.

(Later that morning)

The ship and the orange are covered in an orangish hue from the rising sun, the crew are wrapping up breakfast and some have already gone to work. In the captain's quarters, Ryu, Davin, Captain Mer and first mate Fernando are sharing breakfast and oat porridge with some fruits and some water to wash it all down.

"You seem awfully tired there Ryu. Still having trouble sleeping?", Davin asked. Fernando hearing this also looked at Davin. Fernando was a 25 year old man, about 5 years older than Davin and 9 older than Ryu. He had grown quite close to both Davin and Ryu over the last few days due to them bunking together and helped with Ryu's studies when he could.

From everyone's point of view Ryu had very dark circles under his eyes, they knew he had not slept as much as he should have since coming on the ship but usually he was able to at least somewhat function properly. However this time he was just nodding off and barely even able to hold the spoon he was given.

Ryu looked at both of them and then at the captain. He then let out a sigh and proceeded to say, " I saw something last night in the cargo hold.", Captain Mer paused and looked at him, he clearly had her attention. Ryu then proceeded to explain everything he heard and saw last night at the cargo hold.

Silence permeated the table for a moment. "It seems I was right after all. They were staring cause of my family, I just did not expect that it would be in such a negative way.", Davin was the first to break the silence. Captain Mer looked at him in shock, "You little snob.", she said anger seeping from her tone, "Are you only ever able to think about yourself?". Davin looked upset at her, "I was simply trying to make a joke. To alleviate the mood a little.", said Davin. He then continued, "I mean for goodness sake look at how Fernando, he is shaking.".

Fernando's face was twisted into a snarl, his hands shaped into a fist and shaking almost violently. "How could they.", he said, "After everything Captain Mer has done for them.", he continues in a shocked tone. The captain puts her hand on his shoulder, "Calm yourself Fernando, you should not lose yourself to your emotions. Instead let's focus on trying to deal with this.", the captain says in a warm, motherly tone. Fernando snaps out of his fury, he looks down causing his demeanor to change into what resembles more like an embarrassed child, nodding slightly. An amusing sight for a second in command to display.

"Leaving aside the parts we don't fully understand such as the phoenix and the Five Suns. We should act on what we do know.", Captain Mer suggested.

"I believe the best course of action is to let them initiate the mutiny and catch them in the act.", said Davin.

"It seems you do have a functioning mind after all snob. Your family name is not for nothing I suppose.", Captain Mer remarked sarcastically

"Even in this situation woman you still find it appropriate to insult me.", Davin complained. He then lets out a long sigh and looks to Ryu who had fallen asleep and was nodding off. He then looks back at both Captain Mer and Fernando, "I shall head back to the officer's quarters and prepare for tonight.", he said. Fernando nods and Captain Mer shoos him away. Davin holds himself back from arguing with the captain anymore and walks away.