A Camouflage

--Twelve years ago--

The River of Fallen Titans....

People knew this river as one of the largest the world could proclaim. And a kind that they could never forget either. It's the main medium of transportation from one kingdom or another to Eldengrove.

Yet, a few have the boldness to take such a feat. Because of the danger lying in the depths of the marine space.

Twelve years ago, a large ship moved at its own pace on the surface of the River of Fallen Titans.

A chilly warmth filled the air, contrasting Eldengrove's hot climate. Water whooshed beneath. The storage unit of the ship held chests, large leather bags, and other transport items.

People stood or sat on the quarterdeck as the ship sailed forwards.

A few moments ago, the crews told them that they were very close to Eldengrove. Indeed, it was getting more and more obvious with every passing moment.

Towering structures ranged in the distance. A hint of bustling life seemed to smile at everyone like a long-forgotten friend.

Yet, the passengers seemed somehow off. They either sat on the floor with crossed arms and stressed countenances.

And sighed with a steady rhythm. Or they stood, gripping the curved wooden frames that guarded the quarterdeck. They cast a long glance into the air.

It was undeniable - something was wrong with them. The stress of the journey couldn't have mixed uneasiness with anxiety in them, after all.

And they were about to get to their dream kingdom as traders. More staying in Eldengrove as traders equals greater sales.

Among those standing at the frame was a man with jet-grey hair and a black glove worn around his hand. The flickering hint of light in the dark night reflected his pale face.

He glanced back at the others. Then he turned his gaze forward at the distant, towering structures. His chest tightened. He sighed.

Beside him, a woman with golden hair in braids, though roughened, glanced. She looked at him for a few seconds, then moved closer. She patted his shoulder.

Persuasion lit up in her eyes.

"... We are less than two kilometres from Eldengrove, honey. Don't worry; everything will be alright," she said in a soft tone. Though a faint hammering in her chest caused her to sigh.

The man replied, his gaze lingering on the rising and falling tides, "We will make it through, indeed. Besides, we already made sure no one noticed anything unusual in the river before sailing on..."

The woman moved closer. She looked around for a moment, then whispered, "Nero complained of a cold. A crew member nearby volunteered to take him inside. Do you think that's all right? Maybe..."

Mister Norman chuckled, glancing down at her. He held his smile for a few seconds, as if wanting to prompt a laugh from his wife...

And yes, she did. Some men and women behind them shook their heads at hearing them laugh.

"I already know what you're going to say," Miss Norman said, the last bit of smile fading from her face. She shrugged. "Well, you can't blame me. You can't compare a father's love for the child to a mother's, not even when they've only one child."

"Know not only you gave birth to him..."

Meanwhile, in the ship's interior...

Hammocks strung between wooden beams separated the sleeping quarters. And there were simple bunks in each quarter; dim candles illuminated the place.

It showed the storage unit door was like four metres away from the quarters.

Only children occupied the bunks. It was expectable, though. What kind of adult would sleep when he or she is on the disastrous River of Fallen Titans?

This is the thing. Despite the public's attempts to calm everyone, anxiety remained. They referenced other ships that had sailed with success.

Indeed, it wasn't every time that ships went missing on the river or people lost their lives. But... it was normal for people to think that... what if the next outbreak involved them?

This is why most travellers travel by land - either with a group of others and carriages, horses, or by trekking alone.

Traders would only decide to sail if a festival was coming soon. It would attract more sales.

Not everyone would have the same level of intelligence. So, the quick-witted ones would have set off by land months ago for the festival.

The captain on the ship was in his cabin. It had a small desk with maps and compasses. And a shelves holding books flanked his sides.

He sat back in his chair. He stared at the chart before him—a nautical map.

He glanced with a blank expression for a few more seconds. Even he himself didn't realise he wasn't thinking of anything until he finally did. Then he grabbed the chart and headed towards the exit of the cabin.

His breathing became irregular.

'I have sailed many times on this river. But today... something seems off. The ship seems to be shifting away from the heading... which is very unusual. I should gather the crew immediately...'

He had reached the door to exit the living quarters before knowing it. But, at that moment, a dull gleam caught his attention as he saw it from the corner of his eye.

He first didn't feel any particular emotion - only knew that all but anything equipped by the crew could emit such.

He glanced left.

His brows creased...

"Mm?" he mumbled. He turned, his attention completely grabbed. "I must inspect that first."

It was like he was in a dream or something, seeing such in a kid. But he didn't get paralysed by utter wonder to not take action.

Besides, he had seen worse things for being an exorcist before settling down as a captain on a ship. He thought he needed a peaceful life.

He then moved closer to the lower bunk where a kid - a very frail type - squatted. The most unnerving thing about the young boy was the purple fumes burning all over his body. This was no other than...

'Magic,' the man thought as he finally neared the boy. He said, "Hey, kid..." As soon as the boy's glowing purple eyes rose to him, he sat beside him on the bed.

Something still unnerved him. 'Such innocence…'

The kid stared at him with a look of helplessness and innocence. It was as if he didn't even realise the glow in his eyes nor grapple with this situation.

The man held his cold little hands.

He smiled. "I don't understand whatever is happening to you. Because you're a kid, yet magic already moves in you.

You're definitely the first human to have achieved that at a very young age, and many could see it as dangerous.

Kindly wait inside my cabin over there, and when we get to Eldengrove... Wait, your parents are on board too, aren't they?"

The boy turned his head as if he didn't grapple with anything, which others could also see as daft.

Just at that moment...

"Why should I do as you said? In the end, I will become a threat in your eyes!" A deep, masculine voice screamed in the captain's ears.

His eyes shut wide. He immediately moved away from the bed. He swallowed, looking at the boy.

'What in the world!'

The voice came somewhat from the boy. But... but the crazy thing about it was that he didn't see his mouth move at all!

Other kids began to linger towards them. But, at the corner where the boy was sleeping, it was impossible to see him without being where the captain was.

The boy rose from the bed with great care. The captain stepped backwards.

"What... are you?" he asked, his tone a little bit edgy. "You're not a boy, are you? What's your business on this ship?..."

Still, the boy stood, shoulders slumped, his head turned down. His raven hair dropped towards his face, the purple fumes never ceasing to exist on him.

His shadow stretched in a jagged shape on the wooden wall of the quarters.

A few kids, confused, tried to walk closer. The captain stopped them with a flick of his palm. People would see it as crazy if he used all his strength against a kid.

But he knew this wasn't a kid. Only civilians aged twenty years and older could get awakened! And even... the force field of the boy's magic didn't suggest anything like what he had learned as an exorcist.

He stretched his hand beside him...

"I'm something..." the deep voice voiced out, still coming from the kid, causing the captain to halt in his actions, "... that hasn't yet come into existence."

The captain tilted his head. "What?"

"Humans create things they have seen before by remembering them. That's why I call myself the supreme. That..."

The captain yelled out, cutting in. "Shut your trap! The ship is mine, and you must leave!" He widened his hand. Yellow fumes gathered there...

Slash!

"Uh...?" the captain gaped.

The boy's index finger moved back to his side with a soft motion.

One of the kids screamed.

A wide grin broke through the corners of the boy's lips.

The captain felt weightless atop. It was as if something was... shifting. He moved his hands upwards, only to realise what had just happened.

Though he didn't live the next second to marvel over it, as his body crashed into the ground. His head rolled under a bunk, leaving a trail of blood.

"Ah!" the other kids screamed. Some ran out of the quarters, and others curled up in one corner.

All the boy did was laugh with excitement while looking at the captain's dead body.

At that moment, the door opened with a loud thud.

Miss Norman jumped inside with anxiety. "Nero...!" She froze mid-sentence and motion. Her eyes had fallen on what remained of the captain. Many more people stared in agony behind her.

She turned her glance to....

She exclaimed, her body dropping backwards, hand pinned to her mouth. "Huh...!"

This couldn't be true—was this her son?

Mister Norman ran inside. His eyes grew wide on seeing purple fumes burning all over his body. And the excited grin on his face while looking at the dead corpse.

His breath froze. 'Don't tell me... he...?'

At that moment, someone behind the couple screamed out, "A monster is on board! Run away or kill it!"

Miss Norman glanced backwards, her mouth gaping and tears lining her eye bags. She glanced back at Nero...

'Nero...'

In contrast to everyone's agonised reaction, Nero said out loud, the excited words biting through his mouth like serpents, "He was playing smart with me... as if anyone could fool me! Whosoever attempts the same..."

He shifted his glance, locking with Mr Norman's.

"... I will kill them!"