146 To Hestia Empire-Sea Journey.



As I ascended to the deck, the sound of crashing waves and howling winds assaulted my senses. The ship's crew was in a frenzy, trying to maintain control as the storm raged on. The long-bearded man, possibly the ship's captain, yelled at me to get off the deck, his voice barely audible over the howling gale.

"What the fuck is happening here?" I wondered, trying to make sense of the chaotic scene around me. 

Thup*

"!!"

-But before I could ponder further, a sudden thud startled me, and I instinctively stepped back. To my left, a small fish flew right across my face, carried by the force of the violent storm. It was a surreal sight, as if even the sea creatures were being tossed about by the tempestuous weather.

It had been a day since I left the port of the Grav Kingdom, en route to the Hestia Empire. The night had descended upon us, cloaking the ship in darkness, and the storm showed no signs of abating. The waves crashed against the sides of the ship, threatening to swallow it whole. The ship's sturdy frame groaned under the strain, and the sails strained against the powerful winds.

The journey from the Grav Kingdom to the Hestia Empire was known for its convenience and affordability, making it a popular choice among travelers. However, as luck would have it, things had taken a turn for the worse, and the calm seas had transformed into a tumultuous and treacherous battleground.

'Well who gives a damn if the ship sinks,I can carry you to the shore like I did before,' Blaze, found his way down to the ship's lower compartments, seemingly unaffected by the chaos above. If the ship were to sink, we could easily make our way to the shore, just as we had done before.

I left the deck to let the ship's crew focus on their duties. They were skilled sailors, doing everything in their power to navigate the ship safely through the relentless storm. 

The size of the ship was considerably large and it held like sixty or so passengers along the already loaded shipment besides me, all had their small sleeping compartment which was small but at least there was something where we could sleep.

Walking down the short stairs of the ship's deck, I had to carefully balance myself against the ship's swaying movements. As I descended into the compartment below, I couldn't help but notice the worried expressions on the faces of the other travelers. Some were accompanied by their families, while others were merchants, all sharing the same concern due to the relentless storm.

"Umm... Mr... how are things up there?" asked a lady, holding a small girl on her waist. Her voice was tinged with anxiety, and I could understand why she was seeking reassurance.

"It's alright. Looks like the storm is going to die soon," I replied, trying to ease their worries. I didn't want the little girl to be frightened any more than she already was.

'At least you still have some humanity left in you, huh,' Blaze scoffed in my mind, his sarcasm evident.

"Cat!" The little girl suddenly pointed towards Blaze with wide eyes full of awe.

I chuckled at her excitement, finding her innocent wonder endearing. "Yes, that's my friend Blaze," I confirmed, amused by her fascination with my companion.

Leaving the travelers to their thoughts, I made my way towards my room. The ship's rocking had a lulling effect, and I felt the need for some rest. My thoughts, however, drifted back to the storm and the safety of the people on board. I couldn't help but hope that they all made it through unscathed, especially the children.

'You have a soft spot for kids?' Blaze asked, curious about my empathetic feelings.

"I don't know, I just don't feel like kids should suffer," I replied honestly, contemplating my emotions. It was true; despite my hardened exterior, I still held a belief that children shouldn't be subjected to the cruelties of the world, at least not intentionally. It was a small glimmer of compassion that remained within me, even amidst the harsh reality of my existence.

"Hmm?" I stopped in my tracks as I spotted someone standing outside my room's door. It was a woman, and her presence seemed rather unexpected in this part of the ship.

Curiosity getting the better of me, I approached her and asked politely, "Do you need any help, Mrs?"

The woman jumped back a little, clearly startled by my sudden appearance. She seemed taken aback for a moment, and I patiently waited for her to speak.

She had brown hair and a slightly tanned complexion, with doe-like eyes and a heavy layer of foundation on her face. Her caramel-colored gown revealed a significant amount of her cleavage, as she seemed to be emphasizing her bust. The strong perfume she was wearing added to her bold presence.

Running a finger through her hair to fix her bangs, she looked up at me with an alluring gaze. "Umm... Sir, would you like to sleep with me?" she asked, taking a step closer and placing a hand on my right shoulder. The scent of her perfume filled my senses, and I couldn't help but notice her ample chest, which was easily a G-cup.

As I had suspected, she was a prostitute. These women were allowed to travel for free on the ship, as they provided entertainment for both the travelers and the crew members during the journey.

Maybe I'll say yes...

I haven't had sex in a while, and I suppose I don't have anything better to do than that. It could be fun...

'What are you saying to your deceased girlfriend if she met you again? She'd surely be disappointed in you.' Blaze mentioned, opting not to enter the room and waiting for my response.

'She wouldn't,' I replied in my mind. I was certain that she never cared about this type of thing.

After Jasmine and I broke up...

'You broke up? Now that's new.' Blaze mused, and the prostitute's expression tensed slightly as my response was delayed.

Jasmine and I weren't the perfect couple in any way, and there were a lot of things that happened in my past life that I don't want to remember. But at the end of the day, we both loved each other... the circumstances were what kept us apart, I'd have to say.

'Then I guess you can fuck-' Blaze began, leaving the decision up to me.

"Thank you for the offer, but I'll have to decline," I replied calmly, trying not to offend her.

She pouted slightly, looking a little disappointed by my response. "Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me," she said, giving me a wink before walking away.

I shook my head and continued on my way, not paying any more attention to the woman. The storm was still raging outside, and there was enough on my mind without adding any distractions to the mix.

'Swing*' The cabin door creaked open, and Blaze peered out.

'Why did you decline?' Blaze's curious voice echoed in my mind, though he already knew the answer.

He mentioned Jasmine, and suddenly, all interest in that woman vanished. Memories of my past life with Jasmine flooded my mind, and I felt a mixture of emotions, from love to heartache.

'You did have quite an interesting past life, I must say...' Blaze remarked, sneaking under the small single bed.

"Yeah, I do," I replied with a hint of nostalgia in my voice. "If I were to write a book about it, I'm sure it would sell a lot. But some memories are better left in the past."

I chuckled at the thought of chronicling my adventurous and tumultuous past life. It was a life filled with action, romance, and mysteries—a story that many would find captivating.

With the sound of crashing waves outside, I sat on the bed, contemplating the events of my past. Despite the hardships and regrets, I wouldn't change a thing because those experiences shaped who I am now.

The room swayed slightly with the ship's movements, but the storm outside seemed distant now. The ship's creaks and groans merged with the soothing sound of waves, creating a strangely comforting ambiance.

Blaze settled under the bed, making himself comfortable as I closed my eyes, seeking a peaceful night's rest amidst the tumultuous sea. The memories of my past life, both good and bad, swirled in my mind like ethereal ghosts dancing through the night.

As I drifted off to sleep, I could almost hear the echo of Jasmine's voice, a faint whisper in the wind, reminding me of the love we once shared. The nostalgic dreams of the past welcomed me, blending with the present as I journeyed through the realms of sleep.

The ship's gentle sway continued as I slipped into a peaceful slumber, my mind briefly escaping the current reality.

Until...

"""Anghh."""

I jerked awake, my senses alert as I listened intently to the noise.

"!!" My heart raced as I tried to identify the source of the sound.

""""Sir mmmm...""""

I let out a sigh of relief as I recognized the voice of the woman from the room next to mine. It seemed that the prostitute had found a customer.

I was going to sleep back until I heard.

"""Call me tiga, bitch!"""

Looks like I have to go there and look for it myself.