Awakening I
Awakening II
Awakening III
Chapter 2 - Doom
Lucien’s eyes were sparkling with astonishment as he gazed upon the endless blue wonder that reached out to the horizon. He struggled to grasp the concept of so much water everywhere. He has so many questions to ask, like why the presence of all this water would make swaying sounds. Could it be that having enough water in one place, it starts to move on its own and make this sound? Not only the sound but how frequent it was. Simultaneous swishes of the water. Swish, Swish.
How could there be so much water? He thought.
“Lucien.”
Marianna’s voice broke the trance Lucien had found himself in. She was on a small complex construct of wood that had space to fit three people, floating along the water. Marianna held on to two sticks that seemed to bulge and flatten at the ends “Are you okay?”
“Y-Yeah…” Lucien strode along the edge of the island and observed the wood contraption cautiously “So this is what you use to travel along the waters?”
“Mhm,” Marianna nodded. “It’s called a rowboat.”
“…” Lucien tilted his head, further studying the boat “Are you sure this can hold out against the water?”
“Well, It’s stable enough to travel through calm waters, and the First Sea is relatively calm. It’s just recently the giant tornado that subsided here has caused several whirlpools…but we should be alright if we steer clear of those.”
“…”
“Come on! Get on!” Marianna gestures with her head.
Lucien hesitantly stepped onto the boat and struggled to maintain his balance. He fully got on and sat down, feeling the subtle swaying. He looked at the waters and realized he was floating. The feeling felt like he had just made a great breakthrough.
“Ready?” Marianna uses the long sticks holstered to the ship by these wide circles, dips the wide parts into the water, and pulls. To Lucien’s stupefaction, the rowboat moved. The shift made the young man grab onto the rowboat for safety. Marianna lightly giggled from how flustered he was. After she pulled the rowboat forward, she lowered her arms, which raised the wide part of the stick above the water. She then twisted her arms, moving the wide part of the stick back into the water, and repeated the process.
The rowboat had left Newground Island, being a few meters away. Lucien kept darting his head around the whole situation he was in. “Uh, What are those sticks you use to…propel the boat?”
“They’re paddles.”
“Paddles…” Lucien repeats with a wispy voice “Also, if we’re moving forward, why are you facing me?”
“Mmm, I’m not sure myself,” Marianna said, raising her pupils up. She then looked at Lucien, who looked like a worried kid going on a scary ride. “You really have never seen the sea before,” she said concerningly
“Yeah…I don’t have any memories.”
“So you don’t remember anything? Not a single memory?”
Lucien nods “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you…”
Marianna looks at him puzzled. “Well…maybe as we travel, you’ll recover some past memories.”
“Perhaps…” Lucien said gloomily “Marianna…where do you come from? And why did you leave?”
“Like I said, I come from Eve Island, a small island with an even smaller village. My village is very poor…and they barely survive from the resources from the island. They can’t even trade with other richer islands…like Mavist Island, or even Savaria…”
“…” Even though Lucien had no clue about those locations, he still let her continue
“…I was the first mage born there after a while, so I want to venture out into the world…Make a name for myself, and help my village with riches.”
“That’s…” Lucien pauses “…such a noble reason…doing good for others.”
“And what’s your goal, Lucien?”
“Uh-Mine? When I met Theos, he told me I could make a change in the world, for the better.” he looked at the magic dagger “That’s something I want to do. Help others. So I figured I’d just learn about the world while helping people.”
“W-ow, that’s noble of you too. If I woke up without any memories, I’d just be caring about myself, and no one else.”
“Speaking of noble things, those wizards on Newground Island we defeated, won’t they just wake up and keep wreaking havoc there?”
“…I guess the Arcane Government ought to deal with them.”
“Arcane Government?”
“They’re the main, well it’s in their name, governing force of the seven seas. They protect and instill peace across the Islands, and they have bases in every sea. I’m sure they’ll take care of the crazy wizard issue.”
“So that’s what they do…so, Marianna, if the Arcane Government protects everyone…why won’t they just tend to your Island?”
“…If only it was that easy…”
“What do you mean?”
“You see, Lucien, they’re corrupt. They use their power to stomp on their inferiors. Not all of them are…but it still shows. Sure, they’ll take care of the crazy wizards, but when it comes to long-term problems regarding economically supporting islands…”
“Then what’s the point of having the government?” Lucien asked with a hint of anger
“They protect us…that’s enough for most people.”
“…”
“That’s why it’s up to us to help the people, even in the tiniest ways. If the AG won’t help my Island, then I will.”
“You’re right…”
After an hour on the rowboat, the horizon had ended, and the darkness fully covered the skies above. Moving along the peaceful waters in the dusk of night made Lucien comfortable as if this was a tranquil dream. He felt like snoozing off, and returned to the state he had found himself with no memory…until he noticed Marianna still paddling “…Are your arms getting tired?”
“Yes, they are…!” She said with a cracked grin “You know, you can try rowing, or are you still not used to it?”
“No, no. I could. It’s more about endurance than skill…” Speaking to Marianna, Lucien sees an island in the distance. It looked like a tall semi-circular wall, and large stormclouds loomed over it. “I think that’s it.”
Marianna turns her head “…Yep…that’s it. Doom Island.”