Thump!

Syndra shivered in her spot. She could hear all the tinoos rushing in and out of the boat, cooing and cawing from all directions.

‘Battle still ensuing on the top deck.’

‘Western forces under attack.’

‘More aquatic bestial types climbing our sides.’

‘Reinforcements coming.’

‘How long?’

‘We have lost contact with several ships.’

‘Enemy started to retreat.’

‘Enemy may be breaking into the side.’

‘Enemy –’

Syndra rolled her eyes and turned to the closest translator. She wanted a coherent summary. After all, while she understood every iota of their language, she didn’t want a chance to misunderstand those tinoos.

‘We are receiving conflicting reports of the enemy’s actions,’ the translator started.

‘I can see that,’ Syndra kept to herself. ‘Give all the details.’

‘The enemy aquatic bestials appear to have split into three. One: Those that are climbing aboard our ships. Two: There appears to be internal damage and sabotage of sorts, leading to several boats to our west going AWOL. We have not heard anything from them. Three –’

‘Does this include C-Charisma?’ Syndra interrupted.

‘Yes, ma’am.’

Syndra’s heart leapt at the confirmation. Brim…her thoughts wondered as she started biting her thumbnail. ‘I see. Carry on. And the third group?’

‘With us thinning their numbers down at our vanguard, the rest are retreating and are now heading eastwards.’

‘They’re leaving their allies behind?’ the battalion leader blinked.

‘They’re trapped now that our wall is complete. They can’t leave nor gain further reinforcements,’ more tinoos rushed in to give further updates. However, they didn’t add to what Syndra already knew.

Thump!

‘What’s the update on deck?’ Syndra’s heart fluttered. ‘Is that where that thumping noise is coming from?’

The translator cooed to his tinoo.

‘Jake is taking temporary command and leading the forces. It’s an even fight. We can hold out until reinforcements come. However, a couple are trying to get to our level,’ the bird informed.

‘It’s an even fight up on deck. Jake is taking command of the fight. They will manage until our reinforcements arrive. However, a couple of the enemy are attempting to drill through to our level. Your orders?’ the translator reiterated.

‘They’re giving their lives away in a last-ditch effort to hinder us,’ Syndra analysed. Her eye drifted to the side as she eyed the gauntlets resting on her hammock. ‘Inform Jake of the potential breakthrough but there’s no need for major backup down here until reinforcements arrive. Send for at most two. If we reduce our forces up top, it may lead to their loss.’

‘Understood!’

If need be, I can fight, a glimpse of a smile formed on the familiar type as she strode towards her arms and slotted them over her hands. She tested them out before returning to the centre of the room.

Thump!

The noise came from the Northern side of the ship. Syndra instructed the others to step away from the noise while she took a more frontal position. A few moments later, as requested, a couple of fire elementals joined her.

Thump! The noise grew louder and more frequent.

It’s only two, Syndra double-checked the numbers.

Thump!

Be ready. Get in your stance, she raised her hands.

Thump!

Thump! her heart beat just as loud.

Thump!

Thump!

Thump!

Thump!

Thump!

Thump! Thump!

Silence.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

More silence.

Thump! Calm down. Thump!

Still not a sound. Beads of sweat formed. The room shrank with every passing second. Syndra’s breathing became erratic. Her arms wavered from their stance and her legs began to tremble. She turned back to her allies who watched in confusion. Where are they? This isn’t normal. She wondered. The only one who would know would be the ship itself.

‘Call for the ship’s core,’ she instructed her second-in-command. ‘Have him pinpoint the location of the enemy. We will also require more reinforcements down here.’

‘On i-’

All of a sudden, the roof collapsed. The northern wall crumbled. Two mages dropped down to their level while two more clambered from the sides.

What? Four enemies? What’s the plan then? Two one versus ones and a one versus two? If so, who needs to fight two? What about three one versus ones? But that would lead the fourth enemy to run riot. Stall with the three against four until reinforcements arrive? No chance the enemy would allow that. Then how about –

However, an aquatic bestial already towered over her and stared right down at her very being. Her body froze in place. Her mind went blank. From the corner of her eyes, she could see her allies fighting. But her? Motionless. The enemy took the opportunity, sending a heavy right swing.

Syndra didn’t dodge. Before she knew it, she found herself smacked right against the wall. Dazed. Hyperventilating. Blood rushed to her head only for it to leak out. Neither her legs nor her arms wanted to listen. Cowering behind her stance, she watched as the enemy stomped towards her, every step resonating through her body.

Someone. Help me, tears mixed with blood.

And yet, no one can hear her snivels. No one came to her aid. The enemy grabbed hold of her trembling arm and lifted her up. He crushed the limb, gauntlet and all, until she could no longer stand the pain and her consciousness faded away.

***

‘What happened?’ Syndra woke up from what felt like a deep slumber.

She found pieces of her gauntlet scattered across the ground. When she tried to pick herself up, her arm collapsed beneath her and a sharp pain coursed through it. That’s when she noticed the pool of blood. That’s when she saw the charred head of a mage that rested beside her.

‘No!’ she shrieked as her body jumped backwards into the wall. She clutched her neck and shook her head in disbelief at the mountain of dead bodies in front of her. She couldn’t bear to watch as her lungs gave way to an uncontrollable breathing fit. ‘No. No. No. Not Again.’

‘Syndra!’ a voice rang out.

She looked up to see Jake rushing towards her.

‘Good. You’re safe at least,’ he scratched his braids in frustration. ‘Man, you should have asked for more help earlier.’

‘It’s my fault again,’ Syndra whimpered. ‘Everyone is…’

‘What’s wrong with you? You’re meant to know what’s going on. Look, while it’s still tragic, we only lost the one you see and – ack! Forget it. I’m going back. The battle’s nearly over. Gin wants to connect to our ship and speak to you about something by the way. He’ll be here in a couple of minutes,’ Jake kept to his word and left.

Only one casualty?

Syndra blinked twice before looking back up. The mountain of bodies vanished and her battalion, although roughed up, came back to life right in front of her. A sense of relief washed over her as slurping sounds drew her attention.

‘What er you doing here, Eqmi?’ she whistled.

‘Eating? What else do you think I’m doing?’ the bird stopped its feast to retort.

‘Iz dis really the time?’

‘Oh, let me be at peace. If it weren’t for me, you were done for,’ Aqmi rolled his eyes. ‘You were pathetic, y’know? I swooped in cuz Gin wanted me to and I just find you like a flimsy flower about to be cut to pieces. Luckily, I managed to blind him in time so that that fire dude could come in to finish the job. At least the other fighters were competent enough.’

‘Eh? What? Iz dat really what happened?’

‘Yes!’

‘You saved me?’

‘Yes! Now, shut up before I tell Gin what happened.’

‘Rude,’ Syndra responded. However, she added a grateful, ‘Fank you anyways.’

Aqmi carried on drinking the blood and delving into the carcass of the dead invader. As requested, Syndra let him be and forced herself to stand, clutching her broken arm and hobbling over to her hammock. She ignored the offers of help and warnings to get immediate medical attention. All she wanted to do was sulk. Once again, she froze. Once again, someone needed to save her. What was the point of her training if, in the end, she couldn’t do anything?

‘Syndra? Syndra!’

‘Hm?’ she woke from her self-pity. What now?

‘Your arm – No, there’s something more important right now. Have you heard any news about Sam?!’ Gin’s voice echoed but she dared not look up.

‘Hm?’

‘Syndra! This is a matter that affects all of squadron O and W. Please! If you know anything - if you heard anything, I have to know. So?’

‘Gin, I apologise. You and Brim were correct. Because of me...I…I…’ Syndra froze up again.

‘At least tell me the status of the battle,’ Gin’s words dampened into a pleading tone.

‘I don’t know.’

‘Then tell me who would,’ he raised his voice again. Almost commanding her. However, she didn’t respond. ‘Fine.’

‘Gin!’ this time Jake’s voice returned.

‘Yes?’

‘I just talked with the others. Looks like our western side has been breached. But the enemy is still retreating eastwards. We’ve dealt with most of the ship invaders anyway and shouldn’t expect any enemy reinforcements. Apparently, we’ve already sent Gargarensis and others to deal with the enemy in the west so that’s covered,’ Jake explained.

‘No, something still doesn’t add up,’ Gin murmured.

Silence from the manush ensued. So much so, that Syndra looked up to find his face crinkled in deep thought. Then his eyes widened at a sudden realisation.

‘Oh. Oh no,’ he gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.

‘What?’ Jake didn’t follow.

‘We need to send people back to shore. Fast! Those there are in deep danger. The enemies in the west are just distracting us while they ambush us via the oasis. The whole attack on us was a distraction. It all makes sense. Of course, it does if they have Sam in their midst! Syndra, stop moping about. We need to inform High-Command as soon as possible and – ’

A hand on Gin’s shoulder stopped him. He turned round to a grinning Astral who gave a simple shake of his head.

‘Astral, this isn’t the time to be messing about. Our allies are in danger!’ Gin rushed his words.

‘We know,’ Astral spoke gentle words.

‘Then?’

‘We have defences set up already. In fact, we anticipated this from the beginning and they’re falling right into our trap. Like an angler fish luring its prey. You don’t need to worry.’

‘Really?’ Gin alternated between relief and confusion. ‘But I saw our battle plan. Who do we even have back there?’

‘Well, people you already know,’ Astral grin grew even larger. ‘Two very capable personnel.’

‘Two?! You’ve got to be kidding me,’ Gin’s shout silenced the room. ‘They’re probably sending hundreds back to attack us!’

Astral laughed before leaning in. ‘What’s a school of fish to the mighty great white shark?’