Chapter 40: Beneath the skin pt.1

[North of O'l Serman island region] 

"We'll arrive in the city within 3 hours!"

The huge vessel sailing across the sparkling open sea was visible from miles away. Its reinforced hull seemingly impregnable of any force or attacks that were to come, a huge mast carrying three bigger sails with the sigil of the marines which was made off a shield and two swords behind signifying the defense of Soldat and the greater power within symbolizing the government.

"The waters are calm today"

"Yeah and its beautiful today too"

Two of the sky division soldiers stood at the front deck, watching the sun ahead of them reflecting the waters beneath them back at the metal hull. 

"Hey! why do you guys even try to act like you guys ain't hurting right now?!" 

Another fellow came running from deck, his expression displaying anger and displeasure.

"We were supposed to watch the grand tournament! I even had good seats too yet we were dragged on a mission again!?".

The two men hadn't moved from their position, watching the horizon in front of them still, holding a expression of acceptance and regret.

"That's what our boss wanted us to do, there's nothing we can do about it"

"The hell!? our boss didn't even want to come either, it was that Solan bastard's fault!"

"Just accept it dude"

The man Infront said, a droplet sliding down his eyes slightly. 

"Are you crying!?!"

"...I really wanted to watch the tournament". 

further by the bridge a few members stood in a group, noticing the commotion at the front deck of whatever was going on. Everyone was in a bad and disappointed mood — Being dragged on mission during the festival was the worst thing that could happen to them at the very moment.

"I'm really disappointed to be honest" Said one of the taller guys among them.

"Its our duty, we're the sky division and we have to work no matter what kind of events are around the corner"

"At least we have Sir.Solan with us". The taller man said, all their eyes slowly gazing towards the back of the bridge where Solan was speaking with admiral Benedict privately, not loud enough for anyone to hear.

"The battle he had with Samira a month ago sure was something, we wont have trouble if we encounter a Leviathan because of him".

"You guys! what are you doing, get back to work!"

Kandel arrived, his bald head flashing their eyes of any sight. 

"...Yes sir" They said and saluted in unison before dispersing to their duties. 

***

"I'll put it in summary, our task in hand is to take care of a rumored criminal organization residing within the city of Komod, apparently women and children have been going missing lately".

Benedict's expression was grim, he seemed displeased yet a hint of genuine worry was carried on his mind. 

Admiral Benedict is no doubt a former executioner and now currently the admiral in role to handle criminal activates across the seas, unlike most past executioners who had killed themselves because they couldn't handle doing their work admiral Benedict still remained his sanity somehow.

And as for the city of Komod, it's located north-east for O'l Serman islands. Having a staggering population of 4,900 people its a city half on land and half on water. 

Its big population is similar to the size of Soldat, the only difference is that Komod is a more independent city, not relying on the government such as Soldat or the Anax guild whatsoever.

"But we're aware that there's some bigger group behind the kidnappings".

"And we are supposed to confront them and...".

"Most likely we'll have to execute them?"

I said knowing that was his own words. That was the only thing that made sense, the marines are strict when it comes to punishments, mercy didn't exist in the vocabulary of the marine and they'd kill anyone who'd deserve it. 

"In worst part scenario we'll even have to kill them during our mission in case they try attack us in self defense"

"I understand".

Despite my understanding of the future situation that we'd come across eventually Benedict's face remained solemn.

"I'll let you know this Solan, killing leviathans and humans are two different things".

"...I know of your dedication to the hunt, so please remain behind if such situation where we have to kill anyone occurs".

"Yes, I understand"

I replied again, understanding of his concern. It was for my own good nonetheless but, I'm already a bit familiar with killing my own kind. Wade's end where he went berserk and killed anyone in sight, the ones who pierced a blade through Glava's chest, I'm familiar.

***

Shortly we had conversed with each other Benedict returned to his almighty captain's cabin, hours had already gone by and I could see our destination just across the horizon — Half the city was made above the waters and the rest remained on the smaller part of the island — there were thousands of wooden pillars supporting the city above water, barely holding them from plunging into the waters.

Nonetheless it was beautiful. 

Once we docked at the wooden platform and made our arrival present the locals already started to make their remark, hiding their children or walk away with haste like we were some kind of monsters come to their home away.

We marched in groups through the main street making our way towards our destination. It was easy to tell that those who lived above the water were the ones who were of the lower class, the buildings through the 'street' were more run down and torn — the stench of rotting fish filling my nose. 

There was a visible displeasure in the sky-member's face most of them too coming from the mainland, yet there were a few who didn't bother looking their way and were focused on the upcoming mission. 

Once we arrived at the land the establishment seemed well maintained. Beautiful wooden houses and stone buildings which seemed to serve as a religious place for believers. 

Walking for another while we arrived Infront of what seemed to be the quarters of the officials, local guards coming out and in from the bigger establishment. 

"...Commander Kandel and me will head inside to meet the major, the rest can take a tour here"

Turning back to the other members he spoke with a stern voice.

"Scout for anything suspicious and and be careful to ask the locals, word of mouth can reach our targets fast in a place like this, our arrival has already caused panic within the city, its best we stay low".

"Understood sir" the big group said in unison saluting before walking away, scattering away. 

It was just when the admiral turned to me, remaining the same expression but asked me with curiosity, not knowing what I would do now that we're here.

"What about you Solan, what's your plan?"

"I'll just do the same as the others, I'll take a look around".

"Alright, meet us back at the sky fleet at sunset, we'll be gathering to share our findings".

"I see".

Not hesitant I walked off immediately towards one of the streets, following one of the sky members that had split into groups of 2. Being a division that hunt mostly criminals and wanted people would have to be effective to a great extent.

just by looking around the sky members were already doing their part, their complaining and groaning from before gone — they were focused on the mission, human life was on the line and their job is to make sure that nobody gets hurt. 

***

Walking for a while I'd arrive in what seemed to be a busier part of Komod. Vendors standing by the towering wooden buildings selling whatever possible, food, equipment and clothes, but mostly was food — fish to be exact.

The stench of fish of all kinds, rotting that had maybe been on the market for several days only for flies to invade their bodies creating a disgusting look to it. 

"Come buy our fish!"

"We have the freshest fish here on the market"

The continued yelling of the salesmen was almost amusing, no matter where I went it was always the same, trying to make a living for themselves despite the poverty that was displayed everywhere, it was about survival.

Above the streets were boat nets used to carry on sails yet it hanged horizontally, locals walking on them to get from buildings to another building — it served as a faster pathway if you wanted to dodge the more crowded street beneath.

"Excuse me sir would you like to know your fate?"

A voice spoke up, as I looked to the right for me there was a purple tent schemed with gold lacing as outlines sitting barely enough between two of the towering buildings. 

A man clad in a purple robe stood Infront of the tent, staring right at me like he wanted to drag me into whatever business. 

"...What the hell?"

I didn't know what to make of the guy, he was obviously a sketchy guy to get involved with. He had a wide smile, sweat drops running down by his cheek and it told me he was nervous though there was a interesting appearance to him — Darker skin tone with curlier which slid out of his purple hat, he's from the southern continent.

"...What are you?"

"I am Suran! the fortune teller who can unfold the mystery of your future and fate!"

Just by looking at him I noticed not a hint of any aura at all, this man was neither a vessel user or a Leviathan slayer so what would he know about my future. Though I wouldn't lie that i was slightly intrigued, trying whatever he had in store couldn't hurt right?