Ian's POV-----

Today was the day!

The Axe Lions were busy at work as they prepared the ship to leave on their journey. The ocean was shining beautifully because of the radiant sun in the sky.

The perfect day for an adventure!

I ran down the dock where our ship was anchored at, hopping onto the deck with one tremendous leap. My body seemed to be getting stronger by the day because of my awakened power. However, my thoughts started to seem a bit unusual as well. It started feeling as if someone else was in my head.

"Useless.....I would have already..."

"Huh...?"I heard another voice inside my head, and before I could ponder on it, I could hear Liam shouting.

"Gahahahah! Put your backs into it! I want this ship ready to go soon!"

I shook my head as I returned to my usual demeanor, "Alright let's get this over with!" I rolled up the sleeves of my shirt and started to help the other crew members with their grunt work.

Despite the work, not one of the crew members had a frown on their face. They were all bonafide adventures before pirates, and the smell of an extraordinary adventure was strong in the air.

Soon the anchor was pulled up from the sea, and Liam could be heard again, "Alright! Hoist the sails!" The crew members rushed to pull the sails up, and within an instant the sails picked up the wind, propelling the ship forward. At long last, we were off!

While everyone enthusiastically cheered as we left the dock I could only feel melancholy as I watched Aldine gradually receding into the distance. Ellie was indeed the sole friend my age, everyone else I knew was older than me.

"We will be back before you know it boy," Liam said as he came behind me, placing his hand on top my shoulder.

"Yeah, so I don't want to hear any sort of crying from you!" Derek strolled beside me as he ruffled my hair.

"Ugh..Get off of me!" I could only groan in mild annoyance, but I indeed cheered up a little.

"Gahahaha! Alright, go do your job lookout!" Liam casually slapped my back which naturally caused me to groan in pain before I started the vertical climb up into the crow's nest. It always felt a bit cold up there, but the warming rays of the sun always counteracted it out unless it was cloudy.

"Ian!" Fay had flown up to the crow's nest and landed on top of my head to sit down.

"What is now Fay?" I took out my telescope to look farther into the distance. (Ocean...more ocean...Nothing really to see at the moment.)

"Oh, nothing I just came to see how my most favorite person in the entire world is doing!" Fay smiled as she kicked her feet up into the air while I felt her small hand pat my head.

"Captain told you to stick with me again didn't he?"I asked as I put my telescope away as I leaned my back against the crow's nest.

"Well, of course not! You are my dear friend! How could you think so lowly of me? Hmph!" Fay promptly turned her nose upwards as she pouted.

(Why is she lying again?)

I cleared my throat before speaking with my most proper voice, "How silly of me. I didn't mean to offend the most adorable ship fairy, Fay. I humbly apologize for what I said to you. I realize that you are an important friend of mine and should treat you as such."

"Ah?!...N-no it's OK...I accept your apology..."

"Hahaha...." I shook my head as I decided to jump out of the crow's nest with Fay grabbing hold of my hair. (She is really taking this sticking to me thing seriously...) I sighed as I looked back towards the direction of Aldine.

"....We are going to be back before you know it just like the captain said."Fay thoughtfully said as she flew to the side of my head, hugging my cheek.

I simply nodded as I walked to Liam's private cabin to give him a report. The room was purely made to be an office where Liam talks with Derek about their plans. The place didn't really have anything interesting in it besides the Map of the entire planet of Delfar posted on the wall. I walked into the room where Liam and Derek were discussing the specific details of our journey.

"I don't know Captain. At this rate, I think we may come across Zelran Ocean during the feeding frenzy. Do we absolutely need to commence his journey now?"Derek said as he sat on the sturdy table with Delfar's calendar in his hand.

"I wanted to give him more time, but "they" aren't giving me any time. We have to cross it to get to our destination, and time is simply against us."Liam gently sighed as he leaned back in his chair. The chair definitely had to be made out of material from his homeland to take all that weight without breaking.

"Captain," I said as I stepped forward toward the desk.

"Ah, boy was there anything interesting at the moment?"Liam slightly grinned as he stood up from his chair.

"Nope. It was just more ocean, but is it really time for that season again?" I asked as I pondered for a moment.

"Yeah, it is. We had local sailors come in a couple of months ago to Aldine and informed us about the waters in Zelran becoming colder. The time is a bit late than usual which may make the Qualze more hostile."Derek groaned in annoyance as he placed the calendar down.

"If those dirty fish even think about sinking their teeth into this ship...then I'll pulverize them!"Fay instantly flew into the air as she clenched her little fists. Despite the threat, we all naturally thought it was pretty adorable coming from the 1-foot tall fairy.

The Zelran Ocean was only the 3rd biggest out of the four, and it served as the gateway to the more grandeur oceans. The place is home to one of the notorious species known on this planet. The Qualze, a unique species of enormous blue-skinned fish that is territorial and typically hunts in the packs.

Several times a year the topmost layer of the ocean is known to become extremely cold. The Qualze can only endure the extreme cold of the mighty deep, but once the top layer becomes colder. The vicious fish is known to instantly rush to top to feed on the creatures living above hence the feeding frenzy. The most dangerous thing about the Qualze is they are naturally able to use water magic without the incantations humans typically have to use.

"Oh! I just forgot we received a recruit who will be joining us on this journey."Liam suddenly said as he walked out from behind his table.

"New recruit? How come I didn't see anyone new at all?"I stared wonderingly at Liam as we walked to the cabin across from Liam's private cabin. Liam would knock on the door of that cabin.

"Come in!"

"Ellie?!..." I shouted at the top of my lungs. My heart was pounding in my chest as I opened the door instantly. The familiar person behind the door was indeed the person I was missing the most.

Ellie simply smiled at me as she wheeled herself out of the cabin and into the hallway.

"Ellie Anvindr reporting for duty Captain!" Ellie as she saluted Liam before looking at me with a delighted grin. I could feel the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

"I may be unable to use my legs, but I promise I won't let you down!" Ellie continued.

I immediately looked to Liam who instantly avoided my gaze. I then turned my head back to the girl who has known me almost my whole life. The girl who also couldn't walk.

That same girl who is precisely on a ship, where we are sailing into one of the most hazardous areas on the planet!!

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!"