Chapter 43: The blessings
[Soldat's arena, 12th day of the Festival]
"The winner has been decided! Darren Verdanski has won his second match"
Down by the arena platform Sarah stood with a raised arm aimed at the sky, standing by the backlines serving as the judge eyeing and analyzing each of the opponents moves during the match.
Darren who stands proudly in the center of the arena as the audience was cheering and chanting his name echoing throughout the tribune. He was panting and was slightly fatigued from his recent match against Einar who was lying unconscious on the ground, yet he felt proud winning.
"Congratulations Verdanski"
Sarah spoke stoically, her respect for sportsmanship was genuine.
"Thank you Admiral" Darren spoke professionally despite the attention being thrown at him.
With forced smile that was obvious to tell part from a fake Sarah gestured him towards the exit.
"Head to the nursery, you've taken heavy attacks today... Now that you've won you should prepare in 2 days, when the final opponent has been set".
"Yes I will do" Darren said as he waved her off headed towards the exit.
Arrived at the corridor he was met with two familiar people waiting for him.
"Hehe! Look at him! the one who will the entire tournament!"
The loud man to the right was a older man with a bulky body wearing what can be considered a white pale sailor's shirt, he was huge nonetheless and with a white subtle beard and a mustache connected he looked like a true sailor, his bald head playing a crucial role in his appearance.
[Helmsman of the Sentinels: Rocky]
Rocky got a hold of Darren once he got close enough, his huge arms wrapping around Darren's head before he started messing with his hair in a friendly manner.
"You did amazing there Darren!" Rocky said before laughing hysterically like a true sailor who had seen everything.
"T-Thanks old man Rocky, but I'm not done yet" Darren said as he didn't fight back as the older man was rubbing his fist into his hair.
"Your in the finals now, that's what matters!" A more womanly voice said having a rougher edge to it.
On the left Darren faced a taller woman in her mid thirties, wearing the sentinel's signature attire which was made with a long mercenary coat with the sentinel's insignia located on her arm. Her hair dark similar to coal that complimented her brown skin. a face that had slight wrinkles yet held a youthful appearance, she had a proud and a strong presence to her — the long scar across her face told stories that could be connected to her powerful presence.
[Second in command of the sentinels: Lady Suria]
"I didn't expect you to be here lady Suria"
"Of course I had to be here?! I'm witnessing my best friend's son competing in one of the biggest events in the 4 seas!"
'Lady Surina, she's the right hand of my grandfather and served my grandfather when he used to be part of the marines during his prime, but once he decided to leave she joined him and was one of the first sentinel members after it establishment... She's a powerful woman that even I have trouble fighting against...'
"So what about it? should we head back to the ship to celebrate?" Surina said, smacking her hand onto Darren's back.
"We must do that! the other members were also watching" Rocky said still laughing like his lungs were about to explode.
Darren felt good in the moment, the previous battle against Einar proved to be difficult and harsh but despite the odds he stood at the victor's side.
With a slight sigh Darren relaxed his shoulder before being released off Rocky's grip.
"As much as I'd love to I need to continue training...".
"Huh!?" Rocky shouted with a sense of surprise.
"Now that I'm in the finals I will either go against the next winner of tomorrow's match".
Suria listened to Darren's remark with a understanding expression.
"Your right, but letting off some steam wont hurt, don't forget we're here too also relax from the hunts".
Just as Darren was about to speak his mind another rougher voice approached from the dark corridor on the other side.
It was Cain.
"My grandson's right, the final match will be daunting".
"Captain?" Both Suria and Rocky exclaimed with a surprised tone seeing their captain's present.
"Tomorrow's match will be between captain Desmond and admiral Katama".
Old man Cain still had that serious and stoic expression to him, in some way he was more concerned and worried.
"I've known Desmond for a while... but I've known admiral Katama for even longer".
"Back when I was part of the marines, Katama was a mere rookie... and his skills with the sword is more absurd then impressive, and that's without his vessel".
The two older members watched with a troubled look hearing their captain speak of someone like that.
Suria considered Cain's description of the man before speaking out.
"I did hear about him too during my time in the marines, though I've never met him he was called a genius in the arts of combat and strategy, he was destined to become a admiral at the very start".
"But still, Darren should rest... the battle today was already took a great toll on the boy's body".
Cain huffed before crossing his arms.
"Of course, he'll rest for today, and tomorrow we'll be analyzing Katama's match to take a closer look at his abilities to get a understanding of how it works and operates, what do you think Darren?" Cain said, his head turned to his grandson.
"Yes, we can do that".
***
A few hours after todays match was settled Darren along with the others returned to their ship docked by the stretching harbor of Soldat that almost had no end to it.
The sun was already making its way down creating a pinkish and orange color throughout the sky hinting at the night that was soon to make an apperance.
"Congratulations!"
"Your match was amazing today kid!"
"Great match!"
On their way they were met with a mix of locals and travelers on the street who had spectated todays match and all congratulated Darren once they recognized him.
"Hah! look! your already making a name for yourself!" Rocky shouted.
Darren's self esteem was at the very top despite the aching in his shoulder and body but walked proudly as he thanked the passers. The warmth that was lingering slightly within his body was showing a bit.
"Just wait until we arrive at the ship" Suria snickered already amused by the several compliments Darren was receiving.
Walking for another while they arrived by the sentinel fleet, her majestic presence comparable to the warmth of a home.
"Hey there he is!"
Before he could even board the sentinel the entire crew consisting of 40 members came rushing from the deck and got a hold of Darren. It was an inevitable.
"Congratulations Darren!"
"Hell yeah! you showed that piece of arrogance the true power of the sentinels!"
Cain, Suria and Rocky watched with amused and proud expression. Getting in-between the members to save him from the grasp of the crew is the same as fighting against a hoard of hogs that wont let you through.
"Be careful guys, try not to kill my grandson while your at it". Cain spoke.
"Look! we must throw a huge party tonight!"
The battle wasn't over yet, the next match would no doubt be even more troublesome, but it wouldn't stop the crew to celebrate tonight with alcohol and activities.
Darren realized there were no use in fighting back and let it happen being dragged back to the ship by the others.
"Lets get going too" Suria said to Rocky and Cain following the crew right behind.
***
Once Darren was dragged to the ship they'd start to drink like there were no tomorrow. waitresses from the nearby tavern came rushing onto deck with silver plates holding several glasses of alcohol that was enough to destroy the self control of the men. The last party they held onboard was almost years ago after the establishment of the sentinels.
From one to another — several of the guys threw themselves off the ship to swim in the dark waters beneath for no reason whatsoever. The alcohol had already taken them by the throat and would stay within their body for the hours to come. Cain stood by the bridge by Darren's side, overlooking the lunatics that were doing all kind of things.
"It's nice to see everyone in a good mood today" Cain spoke a sense of ease coursing through his wrinkles who were usually pretty tight.
"They are doing quite a lot for a measly second victory".
"They've already forgotten that they are supposed to re-supply the sentinel tomorrow".
"Hah! In their current state I bet their hangover will last for days" Giggling under his breath Darren could just imagine the state they would find themselves tomorrow. Having a terrible hangover but still will be forced to work — they knew better then disobey their captain no matter the circumstances.
Cain remained silent. Taking note of it Darren noticed that it was rather unusual for him to stay quiet. Normally he would be a party pooper and start shouting at the crew for their barbaric behavior but there seemed to be something heavy lingering in his mind. Curious Darren decided to speak up wanting to know what was up.
"Your awfully quiet grandpa, what can a old like you possible be thinking about?"
Cain turned his head slightly towards him, there was a slight hesitation on his face almost like he didn't really want to speak about it but had decided to do it anyways.
"...I think I'll retire soon".
"....".
There was an weight of silence between the two. Darren's eyes were visibly shook and was taken with surprise, he hadn't expected those words to come out from his grandfather who could at least go another decade as a hunter. Cain was already in his late 60's and had been working almost all his life for a better world for both his family and friends.
"Why do you say that?" Darren asked undisturbed despite the revelation.
"...The reason I've still been working despite my age is because I always have had hopes in finding Marianne, You — who are Zurina's daughter already knows".
Darren didn't say much, he could understand how the old man felt. He had lost his daughter in a unfair way, having to look for her himself without the help of the marines all his life. Despite the years that had passed he still had a hope in finding her... but in just this moment it felt like that same hope that had kept him going was already fading.
"Mom also still believes that Marianna is still alive somewhere...".
"I know that, the entire family have had hopes ever since that day... But its been almost 2 decades since she disappeared... In my heart, I believe she's somewhere safe — living with a family that she loves... A loving husband.. and maybe she even has children now. What I'm saying is that not once did I ever believe in her death".
The words hung in the air, Darren was empty of words. He himself had never met Marianne as he was born a few years after her disappearance. Seeing his grandfather speaking like that changed his perspective just slightly. The man really loved his family.
"And once I'm retired you'll take over the fleet right?" The man quipped with wink at Darren.
He remained a bit quiet but let the thoughts run off before chuckling to match his bantering.
"Yeah, of course... and I'll become even a mightier captain then you grandpa".
"hah! in your dreams!".
***