Chapter 62: Comforting & Confronting
As Ika arrives at the harbor, he's met with a mess of tangled ropes, the now rough swishing of the boats as the storm worsens. Yuma, Cani, and Boombox stand on the deck, securing the sails and any loose items, their eyes fixed on the young boy who claims to know the location of the manufacturing island. Ika approaches the group, his determination and conviction evident in his stride. Yuma takes the initiative and exhales.
"So, Ika, you're sure you can take us to the manufacturing island?" Yuma asks, his eyes scrutinizing Ika's every move. Yuma's eyes blazing with in-check rage. Ika nods, his green eyes flashing with determination.
"Yes, I'm positive. I've been there before. I know the way." Cani steps forward, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"How did you manage to get there in the first place? And what's the layout of the island like? And… How old ARE you?" Ika takes a deep breath, his chest rising with the effort.
"I snuck onto a cargo ship when I was 10… I wanted to see the rumored island for myself, to know what was happening to our people… It's...it's a nightmare… The island is heavily guarded, and the air is thick with the smell of smoke and sweat… But, I know the path to the main factory. I can take you there… oh… uh… I'm 19" Boombox, who has been quiet until now, speaks up. The waves are getting more rough.
"What about the guards, Ika? How do we plan to get past them?" Ika's face sets in a resolute expression.
"Unsure… I never actually made it on the island…" Yuma nods, his eyes narrowing in thought.
"Alright, Ika. take us to the island… but, you're staying on the boat once we get there… Let's get moving." Ika nods as the sails unfurl. A dark purple storm cloud on the horizon. The lightning is no longer purple, but a mix of strange colors.
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Moon sat against the wall of the cabin. The circular windows look out on a dark and stormy horizon. Moon exhales and clenches his fist, a pendant caught in his grasp. His fist shook with regret and anger. 'Why… WHY DID I KILL MY OWN DAUGHTER!?...' Moon looks at the ceiling.
"I can no longer say that it was Government orders… especially after what I did to Nyct… is that really what I wanted when I joined the World Government?" The boat calmly swished as Moon's thoughts swirled with vengeance. The door swings open as Ika steps in, locking eyes with Moon.
"I- Uh… Did I walk in on something?" Moon releases a deep exhale and repositions himself in the rocking boat.
"No… come in… take a seat… it'll be hard to stand with these waves" Ika awkwardly nods and silently takes a seat. The sound of swishing rough waves fills the tense air. Ika silently gulps.
"So… is something wrong? You feel kinda tense?" Moon looks away from the young Ika.
"It's nothing… just… trying to figure out how my life turned out this way…" Ika innocently blinks.
"Why?... D-Did a family member pass away?" Moon looks out the window, dark storm clouds rage in the distance.
"A job I worked my whole life… Dedicated my lineage, genetics, and my life for that career… until they started giving me jobs… that…" there was a pause. "I left them and joined Yuma here" Ika looks away.
"Oh… sorry if it's a touchy subject… but… I lost my Dad after he learned too much about the disease… They publicly executed him to make an example-" Moon reaches over and grabs Ika's shoulder, pulling him into a loose hug.
"Losing a family member is hard… don't hold in your emotions and let it out… I'm here for you to cry on while you're with us" Ika's eyes water up as he sniffles, trying to hold it back, but it flows out, tightly hugging Moon and silently crying.
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Yuma slowly steps across the wooden deck, circling Boombox. The wind ominously blows as the waves rock the boat. Cani lifts her hand.
"And… begin!" Yuma jumps forward and punches Boombox in the gut. Boombox grabs Yuma's fist and throws him. Quickly spinning around to kick Yuma across the head. Yuma blocks the kick and swings his palm as the air around it distorts 'Reality Mantra: Shockwave pulse!' Yuma thrusts his palm as Boombox barely dodges. A shockwave of solid air echoes from yuma's palm, knocking over some barrels and blowing the sails violently.
"That worked out really well-" Boombox takes his chance and gut punches Yuma. Reeling his fist back and uppercutting Yuma. Finally spinning around to tornado kick him across the head. Yuma puts his hand down to catch himself and reels his fist back. Full strength punching Boombox in the gut. The wind violently picks up. The sails struggle in the wind, almost ripping. Thunder violently booms as the waves start crashing against the boat. The sky turned almost black.
"There's no way my punch changed the weather…?" Cani struggles to stay on the boat as everything begins sliding across the deck. Yuma grabs the mast and catches Boombox from going overboard. The boat tossed over a wave and lost weight momentarily before violently slamming back into the water. Cani shouting.
"Guys? Look!" Yuma looks up as they crescendo another wave. In the distance was a massive wall that stretched straight down into the water. A solid wall of storm. The clouds were near black and erupted with orange, green, and purple lightning and trumpet sounding thunder. They were a few miles from the storm but the waves were rampaging and the boat was barely surviving in the strong waves.
"There it is! The island where the curse is manufactured!" Cani looks back as Moon holds tightly onto Ika who stands in the doorway. Cani's eyes widened.
"We have to go THROUGH that storm to get to the island!?" Ika quietly nods. Yuma shouts.
"Moon! You take Ika into the main room! Cani, Iteyi, you two help me furl the sails so they don't tear… we need to move any object that isn't tied down off deck so we don't lose food or materials! GO! GO!" Moon pulls Ika back into the room as the boat floats straight towards the massive wall of storm.
Boombox rushes across the deck and pulls tight on the ropes to furl the sails. Yuma grabbed several barrels and threw them in a storage room. Cani jumps down the steps as a massive wave crashes. Cani grabs the rope to furl the front sails and holds on tight. 'I wonder… How's Kinsha doing…?'
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone