"Lies! How do you know that?" Lixs whispered, his voice thick with disbelief.
Arshal's eyes widened at the accusation.
But Arshal was a researcher of the mysterious world, a specialist in creatures vastly different from humans.
It was impossible for him to offer information without proof. But instead, he just smiled and replied playfully.
"Yes… yes… I must be lying," he said, winking and smiling.
"Tch."
Lixs' gaze sharpened, his eyes fixed on Arshal, demanding an explanation.
…
Just yesterday at midday, while searching for something, he had accidentally passed through the Numero Gate—the exact place where Lixs' body had been discovered.
He was about to pass through the gate when he was startled by a dark shadow moving incredibly fast past his legs.
The shadow zipped past with uncanny speed. Startled, Arshal glanced down. As soon as he caught a glimpse of it, the dark shape froze—as if it knew it had been spotted.
It then headed towards the sea.
Then, a single word escaped him, drawn by the memory.
"The sea?"
The terse statement only deepened their confusion; what connection could there possibly be to the sea?
"What! The sea, you say?" Zuxsin breathed, his mouth agape.
After a moment of thought, Lixs seemed to grasp the meaning of 'sea'.
His eyes snapped open, and he turned to them both.
"I want to go there." A hand landed on his head.
"Tch, I thought you understood," Zuxsin said, his right hand resting on Lixs' head.
Arshal stood, suggesting they head to the sea to investigate.
They called Zaresha, still in her room, to join them. The house was locked up, ready for their journey.
Hours later, the Nordic Port came into view. The waves were calm today, perfect for sailing.
Arshal and the others went to the boarding area to check the requirements. A massive ship loomed before them; they boarded the vessel, which soon set sail.
A gentle breeze swept across the calm, sparkling sea under the sun. The ship glided smoothly through the clear, almost ripple-less blue water. The soft hum of the engine was almost soothing, a distant drone. The ship felt steady, unwavering, as if gliding on glass.
Passengers relaxed comfortably; some sat in lounge chairs enjoying the expansive horizon, others strolled the deck without needing to hold on.
There was no seasickness, no jarring waves. The tranquil sea provided a sense of safety and peace, making the journey not just a change of location, but a calming experience for the soul.
Lixs leaned against the railing, gazing at the beautiful seascape. From a distance, the other three approached.
"What are you doing?" Zaresha murmured, arms crossed.
"Just bored," he replied listlessly.
He turned his gaze back to the sea, seeking solace.
Arshal shook his head, gesturing towards something. The other two nodded, understanding the unspoken signal.
Their eyes fixed on Lixs, inviting him to join them.
"Want to come? It's quite a journey," Arshal murmured, patting his shoulder.
"Yeah, sure," he muttered, weary of the endless sea view.
They moved towards the calm-wave room.
Tucked behind a narrow corridor was a small, warmly lit room—like a quiet embrace amid the waves. The old wooden floor was well-maintained, polished as if holding stories of every step that had crossed it.
A thick, dark carpet lay in the center of the room, and sea-blue cushions were neatly arranged around a low, round table.
Soft light from a blue sea lantern hung low from the ceiling, reflecting a gentle sheen on the wooden walls and creating softly dancing shadows.
A faint scent of sea salt mingled with the aroma of old wood, bringing a deep sense of calm. From the round window in the wall, the gentle lapping of waves could be heard—as if the ocean was whispering, not roaring.
This room felt separate from the outside world. Here, secrets could be whispered without fear of being carried away by the wind, and heavy words could flow slowly without causing pain.
"It's pretty spacious, huh," Zuxsin murmured, his first time on a ship and entering such a special room.
In the center of the room was a round table surrounded by four chairs. A blue lamp on the table added to the inviting atmosphere.
Arshal placed his bag on a shelf in the far right corner. Then they sat down to discuss their next move.
"Is there anything you want to talk about?" He was captivated by the chair he was sitting in. He found the design truly comfortable and soft.
"Just a sec… I— what was I going to say?" Arshal had forgotten what he wanted to discuss. He closed his eyes, trying to recall.
Ten minutes passed. Lixs' chair was so comfortable he fell asleep.
The other two watched Arshal, who sat with his eyes closed, his index finger resting on his forehead.
"Huh, what is it that you want to talk about?" Zaresha grumbled, curious about his thoughts.
Arshal's deep exhaustion overwhelmed him. He slumped in the worn chair, his head bowed, his body limp. Sleep came uninvited, enveloping him in its comfortable yet heavy embrace.
Around him, the sound of the sea enveloped him, accompanied by the gentle ticking of a longcase clock.
He didn't dream, only felt an empty peace, between unending fatigue and a persistent burden. His sleep was an escape, but also a memory and a testament to his body's weakness.
"Seriously? He's out cold?" Zaresha blinked, clearly surprised.
"Let him be, Lixs is asleep too," she said, standing from her chair, smoothing her clothes and walking towards her bag.
Zuxsin lay down using his bag as a pillow. Zaresha looked on in slight bewilderment.
"These men are so strange."
She eventually fell asleep too, lulled by the quiet atmosphere.
Her head rested on the table; drowsiness crept over her. Minutes later, she was asleep.
After half a day at sea, the ship finally reached a port.
Before the ship docked, they had already awakened and prepared to disembark.
Once ashore, the air was cool and refreshing, the atmosphere calm and welcoming.
Eventually, they stopped by a small tavern for dinner