A Sea of Troubles

Midnight:

Eris: "Go pack your things and let's go."

Reynar: "Nope."

Eris: "What??"

Reynar: "I'm exhausted after that fight… Hoooaaah! I just want to sleep. There's no way I'm going out into the forest with all those monsters lurking around. Just wait until sunrise. Anyway, you can sleep on the couch if you want. GOOD NIIIGHT!"

Reynar went inside, trudging up the stairs before finally collapsing onto his velvet bed. As for Eris, after a while, she also decided to sleep.

The Next Morning:

A new day dawned. As always, Reynar woke up at 5:00 AM.

Hoooaaah!! Oof! Not the best sleep of my life, but decent enough.

He walked down the stairs, stretching his arms, and made his way to the kitchen. On the way, he glanced toward the couch.

She actually slept there?

Eris was still curled up on the couch, half-covered by a blanket. Her beautiful, unkempt white hair draped over her face, illuminated by the soft morning sunlight filtering through the window.

Reynar blinked.

"Huh… she's actually really beautiful. And she has a nice body too—"

His cheeks flushed red as a single thought escaped his lips.

"Boooooobs… So damn big."

A beat of silence followed before his brain finally caught up with his mouth.

"WHAT THE FCK AM I THINKING?!"*

Shaking his head violently, he slapped his own face.

"Just calm down. Calm down!" He took deep breaths, but it didn't help.

Damn it! I have almost zero experience with women...

A dangerous thought crept into his mind.

"Just a small touch? No! I can't do that! ...But? It's just a small touch. What's the worst that could happen?"

Slowly, cautiously, he inched closer. His hand hovered over her chest… closer… closer…

And then—

Soft.*

His eyes widened in pure, euphoric realization.

"I'M TOUCHING IT. I'M ACTUALLY TOUCHING A WOMAN'S BOOBS! HAHAHA—"

Before he could even finish reveling in his victory, a cold voice shattered his joy.

Eris: "Where do you think you're touching?"

His soul practically left his body.

"Oh sh—WAIT, I CAN EXPL—"

SLAAAAP!!!

Pain exploded across his face as he was sent tumbling to the floor.

Eris: "You fcking PERVERT!!!"

Reynar: "It was an accident!"

Eris: "Oh really!? AND HOW THE FCK WAS THAT AN ACCIDENT?!"*

Reynar: "Look, it wa— it— uh… Eeeee?? … I don't know."

SLAAAAP!!!

Reynar: "CAN YOU STOP SLAPPING ME?!!"

Eris: "Shut up, you pervert."

14 Minutes Later

Both of them sat at the kitchen table, quietly eating the mushroom soup Reynar had made.

Reynar stared into his bowl, internally screaming.

(I'm so fcked. Stupid Reynar, I knew I shouldn't have done that. Just stay calm, act normal… after all, I'm a man…)*

His thoughts suddenly betrayed him.

(They were really soft… Hehehe…)

A perverted grin slowly spread across his face.

WHAM!

Reynar: "AAAHHH!! WHY DID YOU KICK ME?!"

Eris: "I just KNOW you were thinking something disgusting."

Reynar: "Okay, okay… I know it was my fault. I'm sorry. Can we just forget about that?" He winced, shaking out his foot from the pain.

Eris: "Oh, I will never forget that."

Reynar: "Great… Oof!" He winced, rubbing his side before sighing. "Anyway, can we talk about where we're actually going?"

Eris: She raised an eyebrow. "What? Don't tell me you don't know."

Reynar: "Of course I don't! I've never left my village before! I don't even know what the outside world looks like!"

Eris: She stared at him, incredulous. "You're joking."

Reynar: "Nope," he groaned, shifting his weight before narrowing his eyes at her. "Actually… where were you going?"

Eris: "Huh?"

Reynar: "I said, where were you going? What was your plan before you ran into me? And while we're at it…" He crossed his arms. "You still haven't explained how you ended up half-drowned in that river."

Eris: Her expression darkened for a moment before she muttered, "They were hunting me."

Reynar: His brow furrowed. "Who? Those guys from yesterday? We already took care of them."

Eris: Her fingers curled around the hilt of her dagger. "It's not just them. If it were only those idiots, I wouldn't have ended up half-dead in a river."

Reynar: He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Oh, fantastic. So now you're telling me there are even worse people after you? Great. My luck just keeps getting better and better."

Eris: She rolled her eyes. "Oh, stop whining."

Without another word, she reached into the torn fabric of her clothes and yanked out a crumpled piece of parchment, tossing it onto the table between them.

Reynar: He eyed it warily. "What's that?"

Eris: "It's a map, you idiot." Eris jabbed her finger at a spot on the worn parchment. "We're here—Barhl Island."

Reynar nodded, pretending to follow along.

"Don't tell me you don't even know where the f*ck you live!?"

"I obviously know… But…" I smirked. "I wouldn't say no if you wanted to explain so badly."

She let out a long sigh. "I can't believe this. You might actually be the dumbest person I've ever met."

"Shut up."

The truth was, I had never left this village. Not once. My grandparents never talked about the world beyond, and after they died, I just… stayed. I worked as a lumberjack, ate the same food, saw the same faces, lived the same life, day in and day out. I knew the world was bigger than this place—knew that magic existed, that powerful humans and monstrous creatures roamed free, that great kingdoms ruled beyond the sea. But that knowledge was just scraps—stories overheard in the marketplace, half-truths shared by drunk old men.

After a whole couple of hours Eris finally managed to teach me about the world (Pandora). 

To be honest, I couldn't remember half of what Eris had told me, and I was too scared to ask her again. But there was one thing that stuck with me:

Pandora consists of seven continents—Etharia, Sylfheim, Dragnir, Elderra, Gingar, Chaos, and... the last one? I couldn't quite recall.

Eris spoke of each land like they were more than just places—they were entire worlds on their own, so different from each other.

Etharia, where we were now, was in the south. I remember it's beautiful, with forests and rivers everywhere. Sylfheim is in the north, a cold place, always frozen. Elderra, to the west, is where most of Pandora's magic comes from. Gingar, in the center, is made up of islands, surrounded by seas—the Landam Sea to the south and the Red Sea to the north.

Dragnir, the biggest continent, is in the east, home to dragons and wild tribes. Chaos, to the northwest, is a forbidden place, full of strange creatures and monsters that no one dares to approach.

Each continent is ruled by kingdoms, but the way Eris explained it, it was a bit different. Elderra, Sylfheim, and Gingar each have a single kingdom, while Dragnir has three kingdoms. Etharia isn't really a kingdom at all—it's run by a union of cities, working together in a loose coalition.

This was all I could hold in my mind.

"So, did you understand? Is it more clear in your empty head?" Eris asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Shut up," I muttered, not in the mood for her teasing.

"Very well…" She smirked, her finger pointing toward the southernmost part of Elderra. "And now, we are heading there."

I squinted at her, still confused. "And where the hell is this??"

"This place is called Oshor Town. There's someone there who might help us figure out what that shadow-like thing was."

I let out a frustrated sigh. "So, we're traveling all this way just to meet someone who might know what that damn shadow was?"

"Got any better ideas?" she shot back, her expression unreadable.

"Emm… no."

"Then it's settled. We're heading there!" A grin crept onto her face. "Go pack your things—we're leaving."

I blinked. "But… it's only 7:00 p.m."

"The earlier we leave, the better." Her tone left no room for argument.

Reynar sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he stood up. "Fine, fine. I'll pack."

He grabbed a worn leather satchel from the corner, dusting it off before stuffing in the essentials: a spare shirt, a cloak in case of bad weather, a waterskin, and whatever food he could scavenge from his near-empty pantry. A half-loaf of bread, some dried meat, and an apple. Not much, but it would do. His hand hovered over a small wooden carving—something his grandfather had made for him when he was a child. After a moment of hesitation, he slipped it into the bag as well.

Eris, leaning against the doorway, watched him with a raised eyebrow. "That all?"

"Not like I own much else." He slung the satchel over his shoulder. "Alright, I'm ready."

"Good. Now, how do you wanna do this?" Eris folded her arms, tilting her head. "We can take a ship and get there faster, or we can go on foot. It'll take longer, but at least we won't have to deal with pirates or whatever else is lurking around the ports."

Reynar frowned, scratching his head as he weighed the options. Either way, they were leaving everything familiar behind.

"Oof… kinda tough to decide. Let's flip a coin!"

"WHAT?!" Eris gawked at him. "You're seriously gonna leave this up to chance?"

"Uhh… yeah? Why not?" He grinned. "Gimme the map."

Rolling her eyes, she handed it over. "Fine. Here you go, genius."

Reynar studied the map for a moment, his finger tracing over the routes. Then, his brows lifted.

"Wait a second… if we go on foot, we'd have to cross this sea. So basically, we're taking a ship no matter what." He smirked, folding the map. "Looks like I'm choosing the ship after all."

Eris groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Unbelievable. You could've just said that from the start!"

[Eris] "Come on. Pack your things. We need to head to the port and catch the first ship to Nasar Kingdom."

"Nasar??"

"Wasn't you paying attention when I was teaching you" she snapped.

He nodded, slightly sheepish.

"Aah! Well, Nasar is the kingdom that rules Elderra. Don't forget it."

He raised his thumb in acknowledgment.

They stepped out of the house, but just as they were about to leave, Reynar paused, grabbing his axe and sword.

Eris gave him a confused look. "I understand the sword, but… WHY the axe?"

"It's not just an axe. It's a part of me," he said, holding it close. "I can't leave it behind. It's been with me since my first time as a lumberjack."

Eris raised an eyebrow, sarcasm dripping from her words. "Ooooh, how romantic."

Reynar shot her a flat look. "It's not funny."

Eris rolled her eyes, but couldn't help the faint smile tugging at her lips. "Romantic or not, we don't have time for a sentimental reunion with your axe. We're on a deadline here."

Reynar slung the axe over his back, his expression serious. "I know, I know…"

Eris's lips pressed into a thin line, her gaze flickering to the weapon before meeting his eyes. "Well, if you're gonna bring it, don't slow us down."

Reynar gave a slight grin, a spark of his usual humor returning. "Don't worry. I won't let it."

They made their way down the winding path toward the port, the sun beginning to dip behind the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest. The air felt thick, heavy with the tension of their mission.

For a long stretch, there was only silence. But eventually, Reynar broke it.

"So, how exactly are we getting on the ship?" he asked, his tone casual but curious.

Eris glanced at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," he shrugged, "are we just going to ask someone to let us on?"

Eris smirked. "Of course not. We're paying."

Reynar blinked, his brow furrowing. "Aaaah, okay… so you've got money, right?"

Eris shot him a pointed look. "No, you're paying."

Reynar chuckled softly. "Don't be so sure," he muttered, almost to himself.

Eris stopped, narrowing her eyes. "Wait, don't tell me… you don't have any either?"

Reynar hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, you could say… I forgot to bring any with me."

Eris stopped in her tracks, throwing her hands up in frustration. "HOW MORE USELESS CAN YOU BE?!"

Reynar offered a sheepish grin. "Hey, I'll make it work, don't worry."

Eris just sighed and shook her head in disbelief. "Unbelievable."

They continued down the winding path toward the city, and after a while, the sounds of the bustling city grew louder. Finally, the road opened up, revealing the city in all its grandeur.

The city of Valeris lay before them, perched beside a vast river. The towering stone walls rose high, gleaming golden in the setting sun. The streets were alive with activity—merchants calling out their wares, children running in and out of the crowds, and travelers coming from all corners of the world. The air was thick with the scent of fresh bread, roasted meats, and the salty breeze from the river.

"We're here," Reynar said, taking in the sight of the lively city. "What's this place called again?"

Eris glanced at him. "Valeris," she replied casually, continuing to walk toward the heart of the city.

Reynar looked around, clearly impressed by the city's vibrancy. The noise, the energy—it all felt new to him. They moved through narrow alleys and crowded market streets, eventually making their way toward the port district.

The port was a frenzy of activity. Large ships with their sails unfurled loomed in the distance, while smaller boats bobbed lazily in the water. The air was thick with the smell of saltwater, mixed with the pungent scent of oil and pitch used to maintain the ships. Sailors shouted orders as dockworkers rushed to load crates onto the ships, the creaking wood and fluttering sails filling the air with a chorus of sound.

Eris and Reynar finally arrived at the port. Reynar was truly impressed by the view—rows of massive ships lined the coast, their sails fluttering in the wind, with smaller boats bobbing gently beside them. It was a sight he hadn't expected. But before he could say anything about the beauty of the place—

"What the hell do we do now that we don't have any money? You genius," Eris snapped, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Reynar grinned, trying to brush it off. "Leave it to me. I'll just go ask if we can board without paying." He started to head toward one of the nearby sailors.

But before he could take a step, a firm hand yanked him back.

"Are YOU out of your mind?" Eris growled, eyes narrowing in disbelief.

"What?!" Reynar frowned, confused by her sudden outburst.

"Look, you might think people will just help us out, but that's not how things work here. Nothing comes for free," Eris said, her voice sharp with frustration. "If you actually ask, they'll probably throw you in the brig, or worse."

Reynar paused, his expression shifting as he considered the consequences. "Alright, alright. Point taken. And what are we gonna do then?"

Eris took a deep breath, thinking for a moment. Then, a sly grin crept onto her face. "We're going to be stowaways."

Reynar's eyes widened. "WHAT?! Isn't that illegal?"

"Well, you were the one who forgot the money," she shot back, arms crossed.

Reynar had nothing to say in response. He couldn't argue with that logic. He let out a sigh, resigning himself to the situation. The hardest part would be figuring out how they were going to sneak onto a ship without getting caught.

Reynar and Eris moved cautiously through the crowded docks, scanning the ships for any signs of an imminent departure. Reynar was the first to spot a sailor passing by, his arms full of cargo.

"Hey!" Reynar called, stepping forward with a confident grin. "Which ship's heading to Nasar?"

The sailor paused, eyeing them for a moment, then pointed towards a large vessel in the distance. "That one," he said gruffly. "The Windbreaker. It's setting sail soon."

Eris nodded, whispering to Reynar, "That's our target."

Reynar gave her a brief nod, but a sinking feeling grew in his stomach. "How do we get on without paying?"

Eris scanned the busy docks and then spotted a pile of barrels being loaded onto the ship. Her eyes gleamed with an idea. "Follow my lead."

They made their way through the crowd, staying low to avoid attracting attention. Reynar's stomach churned as they got closer to the barrels. He had a bad feeling about this,.

"Wait, hold on," Reynar muttered, rubbing his stomach as the ship's movements became more apparent. "Are you sure about this? I don't… I don't do well on ships. You know, the rocking and the waves… It messes with my head."

Eris shot him an impatient look. "If you don't get in that barrel, I'll push you in."

Reynar's eyes widened. "Wait, you're serious?"

"Yes," she replied bluntly. "Get in before we get caught."

Reluctantly, Reynar climbed into one of the barrels. His stomach turned, and he squeezed his eyes shut. "I'm gonna regret this. I know it."

Eris followed suit, hiding in another barrel just as the dock workers continued to unload and roll the barrels onto the ship. The sound of crates being lifted and the chatter of sailors masked their movements.

"Just stay calm," Eris whispered from the other barrel. "It's going to be fine."

Reynar swallowed hard, trying to ignore the queasy feeling growing in his gut. "Fine… Just… Don't make this a habit."

The barrels were rolled up the gangplank, and Reynar felt the ship sway beneath him. As they were stacked and unloaded, the ship began to set sail. Reynar could already feel his stomach ready to churn. He groaned, clutching the sides of the barrel.

"Ugh… This is horrible," Reynar muttered, his voice strained.

"Just breathe through it," Eris advised. "It'll pass once we're out on open water."

Reynar squeezed his eyes shut again, trying to focus on anything other than the rising nausea. "I don't think so! Next time, we're paying. And I'm getting a cabin. No more barrels."

Eris chuckled softly. "Next time, don't forget the money."

As the ship finally settled into a steady rhythm, the swaying of the sea became more pronounced. Reynar fought to keep his stomach in check, but every wave felt like it threatened to topple him over. He could hear Eris' muffled chuckles from the other barrel, probably enjoying his discomfort more than she should.

"This is the worst decision I've ever made," Reynar muttered to himself, pressing his hand against the barrel's side as if it could steady him.

Eris's voice came from the darkness. "Hey, at least we're on our way. You just have to survive the ride."

Reynar groaned, leaning back and closing his eyes. "If I survive this, I'm never getting on a ship again."

The ship was sailing further into the open waters. And their journey had only just begun, but Reynar couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get much more complicated. The dangers ahead in Nasar were unknown, but for now, at least they were one step closer to finding the help they needed.

The wind picked up, carrying the salty scent of the sea. Reynar exhaled shakily, trying to keep himself calm, while Eris, ever the optimist, was already planning the next steps of their mission. Whatever awaited them in Nasar, they would face it .