Relic's Haven

The Captain had entered the battle.

His cold face remained stoic, as if nothing had happened. His narrowed, stern eyes darted across the battlefield, analyzing every detail with calculated precision. He lifted his hand slightly, just enough to activate the Telecommunication Device wrapped around his wrist. The moment his fingers grazed the device, a neon glow pulsed to life.

"Have you reached?" Dominus spoke into the device, his tone calm yet carrying a weight of expectation.

Silence answered him. He waited, his expression unchanging. Then, he asked again.

"Have yo—"

"Not yet..."

Jack's voice crackled through the device. He was running, pushing himself to the limit, his breaths heavy and labored. Sweat dripped down his forehead, his body still recovering from the intense training session he had undergone just before the monster attack. 

The added pressure of the situation made each step feel heavier, yet he pushed forward. He clicked his tongue in frustration.

"Tsk... No other option left then." he muttered under his breath. 

His jaw tightened, reluctance flickering in his eyes, betraying his hesitation. Yet, with no other choice, he exhaled sharply and, in a hushed whisper, spoke a single word—

"Swift."

In an instant, neon circles flared to life around Jack's legs, their edges inscribed with glowing arcane runes. Then—

BOOM !

A shockwave burst beneath him as he launched forward, a streak of light slicing through the dimly lit corridor. The wooden floor groaned under the sudden force, and the rows of quarters blurred into indistinct shapes as he tore through with inhuman speed.

.

.

.

.

A rustling sound broke the stillness as Dominus picked up a large brown leather bag. Judging by its size, it was heavy, but he carried it effortlessly. With a flick of his finger, he gestured toward Sol. 

The boy hesitated, his eyes shifting between Dominus and the bag. After a moment's pause, he stepped forward.

As Sol approached, Dominus reached into the bag and pulled out a sword. It was a finely crafted steel blade, perfectly balanced, its edges sharp enough to slice through the air with ease.

This wasn't an ordinary training weapon. This was a warrior's sword.

The sword had been designed specifically for Sol, suited to his small frame but still deadly in the hands of a skilled fighter.

"From now on, it's yours. Always keep it with you."

Sol's first proper, smithed steel sword.

He stared, transfixed. His fingers trembled as he reached for the hilt, grasping it carefully. The blade's reflection shimmered in his wide, watery eyes, but his grip was firm. This was his first real sword.

"Re—Reached...Huff... I... re-reached, Captain."

Jack's strained voice crackled from the device, shattering the moment.

Dominus exhaled, placing the bag down. He reached for another sword—a beautifully decorated blade with silver strings running along the black hard scabbard. Its luster shimmered under the dim light as he effortlessly tossed it toward Alex.

"Stop playing around, Alex."

Alex caught the sword with ease, a smirk playing on his lips. "Does it look like I'm playing?"

"...." A sarcastic silence followed.

Alex shrugged, his smirk widening. "Thought so."

Suddenly, Dominus' expression hardened. "It's coming."

All humor vanished. The tension in the air thickened. A deep rumbling sound resonated from beneath the ocean, the very ship trembling under the sheer force of the approaching entity. Sol staggered, struggling to maintain his balance as the ship rocked violently.

On the lowest floor, Jack stood ready, whistling softly in boredom. His earlier exhaustion forgotten. Then, the command came through the device.

"Do it."

A slow grin spread across Jack's face. He reached into his pocket and retrieved a small glass orb. Carefully, he placed it in the center of a pre-drawn concentric circle, etched with glowing runes. 

Resting a hand against his chest, he inhaled deeply, steadying himself. Then, in a low whisper, he spoke the chant—calling forth the relic's power.

**

Relics—man-made devices engineered to resonate with or replicate the power of true Artifacts. Unlike Artifacts, which were forged by gods and held immeasurable strength, relics were artificial extensions, allowing mortals to wield a fragment of that might.

To activate a relic, one needed to recite its chant, forging a link between user and relic. But power alone wasn't enough—conviction, will, and determination were essential.

A weak-hearted user would barely tap into a relic's strength, while a strong-willed warrior could push its limits, unlocking its full potential.

**

Jack inhaled deeply before reciting:

"With ancient power and might, Shield our path with your sacred light, Now activate, with all your might."

The moment the chant left his lips, the circle pulsed. Neon light surged from the markings, wrapping around the orb. It lifted from the ground, spinning rapidly in mid-air. Jack dropped to his knees, slamming his palm against the floor.

"Haven Orb!"

A wave of power burst outward. Instantly, a transparent barrier materialized, enveloping the entire ship. A faint hum resonated through the air as the shimmering dome settled into place. Sol's eyes widened in astonishment.

Then, the impact came.

BOOM!

A monstrous force slammed into the ship. The sheer power of the collision sent the vessel flying into the air. The barrier rippled under the pressure, absorbing the brunt of the attack. Inside, however, everything remained eerily undisturbed.

Despite being upside down in mid-air, no one was affected by gravity. It was as if they existed outside the laws of reality itself.

Sol's heart pounded. His gaze darted around, trying to comprehend what was happening. The ship, the barrier, the suspension of gravity—it was all beyond logic. His mind raced with questions, unable to grasp the sheer impossibility of it all.

Jack's voice echoed across the deck. "I'm releasing the barrier. You'll only have a moment to act...so don't falter."

Everyone tensed, readying themselves. Even Sol gripped his new sword tightly, his body poised for action.

Then, the water erupted.

Enormous tentacles erupted from the ocean, their slick, writhing masses surging toward them. But something was off.

"What--" Jaz muttered, her eyes narrowing.

Alex, Jaz, and Sol had expected eight tentacles—perhaps ten at most—but there were far more. Too many to count. An endless swarm of writhing appendages, each one thick enough to crush a ship with ease.

"Haha... What a surprise!" Alex laughed, the thrill of battle gleaming in his eyes.

Jack's voice came through the device once more, filled with exhilaration. "Ev—Everyone, get ready. Your path has been opened..."

The barrier flickered out.

In perfect synchronization, Jaz, Alex, and Sol bent their legs, lowering their bodies. Then, with a burst of aura, they launched themselves from the ship, soaring straight toward the approaching tentacles.