“Report Number: 2341-AD-62F

Author: Cmdr. Aegemian Doltir - Eight Monitor Corps

Report: Despite the current status of the Gratian civil expanding in scope and factions. Our scouts have confirmed that most of the conflict remains confined to their borders and that the [Tranoire Incident] is still the only recent incident occurring within international borders. Monitor Station-22 will continue to keep vigilance over the northern waterways.

Monitor Station-15 reports that… ”

- Cmdr. Aegemian Doltir, Potomian Monitor Corps, “Report On Activites Beyond Northern Potomian”

Though Alodie was overly excitable and nervous at first, over the course of the week, Sophie noticed how the girl grew more used to their presence and her role as the host. She dared to guess that Alodie considered the newer trio of the party to be something akin to good acquaintances or even friends. Sophia at least, seemed to reciprocate, while Elaria and Raylani were more intrigued but willing to get to know her more. They seem to have taken onto her presence well at least.

That said, it would seem that Sophie’s own worries could never really end. With the next problem on the horizon being how she would enroll the trio into the Academy. Financially, thanks to her dwarven adventures, their rewards would cover any admissions fees. The main issue would be getting them to take the admissions exams like she and Ary had. Passing them and studying too, that might be a problem. Though maybe I could get Raylani some sort of exemption.

The rest of their trip through Ostia went relatively smoothly, with little issues as they continued exploring the city with Alodie’s guidance. They experienced more of the calm lifestyle that this city provided and thanks to Alodie, also sampled some of the more exotic foods present within the region. During that time, they also visited a cultural museum that was neat, if offering nothing too substantial for Sophie’s investigation. As well as a visit to a local bakery owned by Alodie’s family, to which both Sophie and Ary affirmed, produced some exceptional loaves of bread.

Perhaps the only major crisis the group experienced was when a group of Ostian gardes accosted Raylani for being a potential spy. Likely due to both her outsider status as an elf and then as a dark elf, automatically raising suspicions. Only when Alodie confirmed her to be a guest of her family did the gardes loosen up a bit. Throwing in Elaria’s dangerously silver tongue, they let Raylani go. But it did show off how getting people to accept Raylani might be difficult. Hells, most of them don’t even acknowledge me. Guess the east does have it a little easier when it comes to elvenkind.

Minor problems aside, if Sophie had to rate this Ostian excursion, excluding the brief detour into the deeps, she would give it nearly full marks. Ary seemed back to full spirits and happy, which meant she was also happy. It also proved to be a rather enjoyable time spent with new siblings that for Sophie, legitimately sprouted out of nowhere. Stars, who the hells will ever actually believe me? A twin? Then a sister? Just like that? She chuckled, magic is weird as hell.

Ary tugged her sleeve and Sophie snapped out of her thoughts, falling into line behind the redhead. Today was the departure date and she felt almost melancholic at having to leave this peace behind. Many of the others felt the same way but kept it to themselves, most of them also feeling just as intrigued about life in Arteria. Out of the bunch, Alodie seemed to enjoy herself the most, and Sophie had found the girl smiling to herself more often. They’d spent the last night in Ostia having dinner with the Elteria family and were treated to yet another feast that left them stuffed. This time, despite being embarrassed, Alodie managed to persevere and appear, if anything, a tad more confident. It did however, make Sophie feel a small pang of jealousy, knowing that she wouldn’t be able to have such parental warmth.

The group boarded their pre-arranged Southshore corvette, this time making the smart choice to liaise with the captain before boarding, ensuring they had adequate space for the additional guests. The rooms were fairly spacious if modest, certainly not as comfortable as Alodie’s original return to Ostia. For the rest of them though, it was leagues above the first ship they took to arrive in, a fact Sophie was most grateful for.

Sophie roomed with Ary and Alodie, the two girls happily chatting away as Sophie organised their belongings. Once she stowed their things away, the trio made their way down the tight corridors to the mess hall. There, they found Elaria and Raylani already performing some little ditties that entertained the crew and kept their portion of the fare free. Sophia waved the trio over and they settled down in the mess for a quick lunch that consisted of porridge and salted meats, a far cry from the meals just a night ago.

“Feels weird now that it’s over, doesn’t it?” Sophia stated.

“It went by so fast! Thanks for coming too!” Alodie beamed.

“Heh, of course, of course. We had fun too.” Sophie smiled back.

“Felt like we did a month's worth of things in a week.” Ary piped up.

“Yeah, who knew Ostia had so many gardens?” Sophia joked.

"Hey!” Alodie pouted.

“Never said I didn’t enjoy them, because I did. Just saying how it's a little comical that every aristocrat wants to sponsor a greenhouse of their own. Right, Aryana?”

“Mmm. And they all had different flowers, that was really neat.” Ary affirmed.

"Ohh did you have a favourite?” Alodie inquired, her eyes brimming with curiosity.

“Hmm.” Ary stuck her tongue atop her lip to think, the redhead frowning a little before nodding to herself, “Lilies.” She smiled.

With a small nudge, Sophie leaned over and kissed her nose, “You called?”

The table broke out into a small chuckle at the absurd display, but Sophie felt the other two’s supportive looks and felt an immense sense of calm. Taking advantage of the brief lull, they turned their attention to Elaria who was singing a song about the sea and stars.

“Look to the bright heavens and deepest of seas,

Embrace the call of the oceans free.

It’s far beyond us now, the horizon doth goes

When the stars call, the seas will answer…”

Elaria’s voice intermingled with the small crowd of sailors chanting along. This time, instead of seductive dancing, Raylani was only clapping and stomping along with the beat, encouraging the crowd to continue. Noticing their gazes, she gently tilted her head in a greeting and they waved back.

Amongst the noise there was a singular creek. Sophie reacted instinctively and wrapped herself around Ary. Then, the music stopped.

Pain. A sharp burning pain took over her as she blinked rapidly to reorientate herself. Her head had slammed up against the mess’s walls. One moment they were fine, then she felt the shockwave and the pain. Ary didn't even have time to squeak when Sophie jumped to her defence. Dazed and confused, she looked to her friends.

Alodie had gripped the table and managed to hold on, though Sophia’s bowl of porridge had partially splattered across her. Her counterpart was also nursing a head wound, having been violently dashed against the table itself. Thankfully, she appeared mostly fine on the surface. Ary shivered within Sophie’s embrace; frightened, concerned, and alarmed in equal measure. But safe.

Sophie’s neck ached as she turned towards where her other companions had been. Rumors of Raylani having been a skilled and agile fighter were not misplaced, the dark elf had remained standing and now took up a combat ready pose, immediately positioned to jump at any threats. Elaria was less lucky but blessed to have such a competent follower. For she landed on her backside but avoided further damage when Raylani managed to catch hold of her mistress by the scruff of her collar, holding her up and preventing her from fully slamming into the ground.

A few of the sailors were less fortunate and bled from some fresh wounds, but the consensus was clear. Judging by their equally confused expressions, no one knew what had happened.

“Everyone okay?!” A gruff sailor shouted.

“Safe here.” Another replied.

“Got wounded.”

“Lancel’s been hurt too.”

A few others chimed.

“Civilians are fine.” Sophie answered for the group, after having taken a look at all their bearings.

Yana flew out of her hiding space, looking bewildered as the rest of them as the faerie was thankfully spared from everything. Her presence however, caused quite a stir in the sailors until the gruff voice chimed in again.

“Whoever dun that, keep the light up. Everyone else, get the wounded to the infirmary or get to your posts!” The gruff sailor commanded.

At once, the crew jumped onto their feet, rushing off to their stations or hauling those with some wounds to the infirmary. In the chaos and not receiving much attention, the party simply reconvened, closing ranks as they assessed each other for injuries.

“Did you all feel the shock, which made this boat rock?” Yana broke the silence.

A few exasperated grunts followed but it confirmed that they had all just experienced something.

“What the hells was that?” Sophie followed up, only to find confused faces staring back at her.

Their expressions then turned to curiosity as shouts came from above deck, loud enough that the faintest of noises could be heard from in here. Which means they’re being pretty fucking loud.

Taking control of the situation, she delivered her orders. “Ela, get your flute packed up and safe. Alodie, you doing okay?”

Her sister seemed surprised but did not protest, taking Raylani with her as they hurried back to their cabins. Alodie meanwhile, just nodded, a little shaken and clearly somewhat distressed, but uninjured.

“Let’s get back to our cabins, secure everything. Then… let’s find out what the hells just happened.”

Everyone else wordlessly nodded and got up to move. Sophie then turned to Ary, the redhead looking back at her with an indecipherable expression.

“Ary, you alright?” Sophie asked.

“Sophie… you…” Ary whispered.

“Are you alright?” Sophie repeated.

“Yeah.” Ary muttered, “Thanks.”

“Good, then let’s head back.”

“What the hells was that?!”

“It was a kraken, I swear!”

“No fucking kraken lives this deep in the Tranoire!”

“It was big! Like a house! It smashed our sides and just fucked off!”

“That’s it?”

“Aye!”

“Bullshit.”

Two sailors chattered as they rushed past the party, barely taking in their presence as they rushed to their posts. A kraken?!

Sophie’s alarmed expression was mirrored by those who knew. Elaria and Raylani didn’t but understood that this was probably a bad thing. They huddled around a spare table in the mess hall, making sure no one was hurt before venturing upwards. Alodie had also joined them despite the girl’s frightened state. When they had returned to the room, Alodie refused to be left in the room, taking more comfort in the company of friends. Yana was also back in her position atop Ary’s head, the group now simply brushing off any comments of the weird magic light that was above the redhead.

Sharing a wordless acknowledgement between each other, the party made their way to the deck. Most of the sailors who were running around were too busy to notice them, those that did seemingly just didn’t care.

“Oi, what are you lot doing here?” The captain yelled from the helm.

“What’s happening?” Sophie answered with a question.

“No clue. One moment we were sailing, the next something slammed into our sides.” The captain growled.

“It was a monster, I swear.” One of the crew chimed in.

“Quiet you, I’ll not have idle rumors spread.” The captain barked at him.

“But it’s not a rumor sir. I saw it, thick a tree, the shadow just below the ship before it rocked up. I swear.”

“True or not, there’s no monster here right now. So we keep going, and you keep focusing on your post. You got that?!”

“I… but… yes captain!” The man reluctantly agreed.

“And you lot, what are you still standing there for! Get yer asses below decks! We’ll let you know if something comes up.” The captain faced them.

Much like the sailor, the party reluctantly complied, retreating back to the mess hall to take a breather from the chaos on the top deck.

Below deck, there was little room for joy or jokes as they all had their own worries and suspicions of things that had happened. Eyes turning worried glances towards the ship’s hull, perhaps questioning if its integrity would hold. In a spot of good news, Sophie did at least draw a quick conclusion from everything she had witnessed.

“Guys, listen up. I think I can at least piece together something.” Sophie declared.

“Mmhmm, me too.” Sophia added.

“Go on.” Elaria gestured.

“First, no one knows what happened. So it’s unlikely this is some elaborate set up or a trap for us. That’s good to know.” Sophie spoke.

“I guess.” Raylani scoffed, “But the blade might still strike, for even if we see one, there might be more.”

“Possibly, but that would happen regardless.” Sophie grunted, “Still, I guess it's worth being vigilant about.”

“Anyways, continue.” Elaria motioned, a little less patiently this time.

“Right. So the second thing is that a monster struck the ship. Whatever the case, we didn’t see any other ships nearby or even just now. So whatever it is, it’s gone now.”

“Great. Just when we thought we were done dealing with monsters for a while.” Sophia grumbled.

“At least we’re alive.” Sophie said, “Besides, it could also just be something else entirely. We've also not been boarded, so not pirates.”

“At least we can fight pirates.”

“Whatever it is, no use worrying about it now.” Sophie added.

At that, the discussion tapered off, a sense of uneasy acceptance filled the air as a few of them grunted.

“Halt, and behold the powers of my might. Through the veil I see with un…unparalleled foresight.” Yana interrupted, fluttering in-between everyone.

“Yana?” Ary asked.

“You are all lost in delusion, for that was but a simple illusion.” Yana declared.

“Huh?”

“A great big wave, the ship did brave. But there was no wretched creature, that stains this sea with its filthy feature For a spell was cast, and we suffered the blast.” The faerie triumphantly posed.

“A spell’s after effects? Is there something that could do this?” Elaria asked.

“Not that I know of.” Alodie finally managed to speak.

“Me neither.” Sophie agreed.

“No, no, no! For something bent the sea below asunder, Which I suspect were demons seeking plunder.” Yana continued.

“Huh? Demons seeking plunder? That makes no sense. I mean, how are demons even underwater? I thought they prefer their blasted hellscapes for a reason.” Sophie questioned.

“The cursed sea exists to stop them too.” Alodie added before nervously trying to distance herself, “Or what I’ve heard and read says so, at least.”

“No, no! Fools! It was a spell gone awry, I could tell that without scry.” Yana tapped her head.

“A spell gone… so what exactly was it?” Sophie prodded.

“It’s-”

“A teleportation spell.” Elaria cut the faerie off.

Yana seemed angry but pleased at the same time, nodding at Elaria’s conclusions.

“Demons were trying to teleport somewhere nearby. Or… someone was trying to teleport demons nearby.” Elaria theorised, "And whatever shadow they saw was likely just a reflection of the other side."

“Could it be like the spell that brought us together, mistress?” Raylani said, her face remaining unchanging with her ever present stoic expression.

“That’s what I’m thinking too. You all remember how I said Raylani and I met after a magic spell gone wrong, right?”

The rest of them nodded.

“If the little winged creature’s assumption is true, then someone tried a summoning spell. It failed, leading to the aftershocks.” Elaria frowned, “But that doesn’t seem right. Back then, it was more or less organised and clear. Wasn’t it?”

“A spell circle and wards, yes mistress.”

“Then… what?”

“What if they’re not trying to break, but instead trying to take?” Yana chirped menacingly.

“Trying to…” Elaria froze and turned to look at Sophie and her counterpart. “I see.”

“Ela? What is it?” Sophie shared a concerned glance with Sophia who shrugged.

Elaria sighed, “It seems someone just tried to magically abduct you. Thankfully, the Master’s powers triumph over little trifles such as those. But…” She snarled in annoyance, “It would seem more than just that Goddess has finally noticed your, or our, presence here in this world.”

“Oh…”

“Oh indeed. It adds unnecessary complications. But I suspect they wouldn’t try that anytime soon. The… what do you call it again?”

“Mana?”

“The mana on their end must be disrupted even more than what happened here. And that’s considering that you just made a spell implode simply by existing.” Elaria turned to the faerie, “Do I have that right, little fae?”

“That’s why she’s an abomination, though you’re also just a different denomination.” Yana narrowed her eyes.

“Close enough.” Elaria leaned back in her chair and sighed, letting the tension out of her body.

“Wait, wait. Demons? If demons are coming, then doesn’t that mean this could be the beginning of something far worse?” Alodie spoke in a panic.

No one answered. Elaria and Raylani probably didn’t know. Neither did Alodie. But Sophie and Sophia shared the same horrifying thought. Did we accidentally speed up the coming Dark Tide?

"So what do we do?" Sophie finally asked.

"As for now? Nothing. Nothing we do can change the fact that you've been noticed, I suspect." Elaria groaned, "Though this might be because we're in the range for some demonic corruption too. So it's unlikely they can just strike like this without us wandering into a place of power."

"So we'll be fine as long as we're not next to a corruption source?"

"I sure hope so. Considering we're not stopping the ship, I suspect this is a... one time occurrence."

With that, even Sophie let the conversation drop. For she knew what words Elaria left out, for now. Leaning back to consider the implications of Elaria's deductions. Let's just hope they don't all prove correct. I have enough problems already. She clutched Ary's hands tighter, and Ary squeezed back. Things just got a whole lot worse.