Kapitel 10: Chapter 10 - A sudden situation
Islands after islands, sceneries only exclusive to this world are something Haji appreciated during their time adrift. Under the starry night, and above the deep blue sea, a mellow sound of the flute drifted through the ears of everyone inside the ship, pulling them into a dream-like state, and the sea looked very calm and tranquil, appeared to be listening enjoyably. One would wonder who could play such a song with so much passion. Footsteps can be heard from behind Haji, who stood at the bow of the ship.
"This is unexpected from what I've heard about you," Said Zhen, a high-ranking soldier directly under Bujing. "A ruthless boy renowned for crippling his opponents in an Agni Kai plays the flute with a soft tune, isn't this something rare. I expected you'd be busy practicing your skills or courting the little princess."
Haji stopped playing the flute and wiped the blowing hole with his sleeve. He turned around and looked at Zhen, a bit curious as to why the man approached him now. It's been two days since they departed from the Royal Capital, and never had he seen the man in front of him speak nor leave his grandfather's side. He'd heard some information regarding the man through the mouths of some bored officers, they said Zhen serves as a captain of an elite group which Bujing uses in covert operations in the front line. It was the only information that was public to officers, even Haji wouldn't be qualified to know this simple thing if he weren't Bujing's grandson, other than that, the group's size or its members are only known to Bujing and the Fire Lord.
Haji found it suspicious for someone so mysterious to approach him, either the man is scheming something or just plain curious about his general's grandson. Still, it wouldn't hurt him to casually chat with the man, and so he said. "What brings a renowned captain here?"
A faint sad expression flickered on Zhen's face when he heard the word 'renowned', he mumbled in self-deprecation. "Renowned, huh…" However, he took no offense from Haji's careless words, the culprit himself is a descendant of Lord Bujing, whom he swore his undying loyalty to. He answered. "Of course it's to meet my disciple."
Confused, Haji asked. "What do you mean?"
"I will train you by the order of Lord Bujing, and if you doubt my skills, we can have a match after arriving in the barracks." A straightforward man he is and his words deeply intrigued Haji, even Haji's will to fight was lit by this muscular, middle-aged man, making him wonder how strong a captain of an elite group is. A show of strength, huh, Haji thought. Accepting this fight will bring him more benefit; the soldiers will be able to see his strength, making some annoying pests disinterested from messing with him, and if he were to perform remarkably, then he'd be able to garner prestige. With this in mind, Haji accepted. "Sure, sir, I look forward to our fight."
A smile of success appeared on Zhen's face, and with a cheery attitude, he corrected. "It's Zhen, just call me by my name. Stick with that even if you're training under me."
Haji nodded, and Zhen bade goodnight right after, he watched as Zhen entered inside the ship, whistling delightedly at the outcome of their conversation. He mumbled in interest. "What a strange guy," Truly, an unexpected encounter for him...
The same night. Haji laid on his bed with eyes opened wide, his clothes had already been soaked with sweat, unease filled his thoughts and a strange sense of danger permeated him. The calmness of the sea turned opposite when he entered his cabin, rain poured suddenly, and waves smashed angrily at the ship. However, he didn't think anything out of it, deeming it a coincidence since man cannot control the winds and clouds to this extent himself. When his nerves eased, frantic shouts came from the deck.
"Prepare the lifeboats!"
"We're going to crash!"
"Help!"
Some soldiers that remained on the deck were swept by the waves, their bodies left for food in the deep, and their presence in the world will be thoroughly forgotten in time. A large tugging sound resounded on the door of his cabin. "Haji! Wake up, we'll be leaving by lifeboat with General Bujing!" The fear in Zhen's voice contained the magnitude of danger this represents. Haji hurriedly ran towards the door and opened it. "Isn't it too dangerous if we go!?" He shouted,
"The ship's going to sink! It's our only way, let's go!" Zhen answered, and grabbed Haji's hand, dragging him upstairs. On the deck, there were panic-stricken men that lined themselves up to ride the lifeboats. Some were still screaming, yet a single presence controlled the entire situation, making those fraught in fear reluctant to disobey orders. There beside a lifeboat, stood an old man with clear bright eyes, his back unbending from the swaying boat. They approached him, and Bujing ordered. "Get him in now!"
Haji was tossed towards the lifeboat by Zhen, the boat was already crammed with soldiers, shivering from the cold, but still, they made space for their general's grandson. "What about you, grandfather?"
"We'll use the next one," Bujing answered, however, there was no additional lifeboat, his words were only meant to ease Haji's worries. Wanting for the boy to not take a hint, Bujing roared. "Cut the rope!" A look of despair from the soldiers that remained was the last thing Haji saw.
Everyone inside the boat sighed in relief, they were ready to brace the wave just for the tiny bit of hope they'd survive. Unfortunately, nature is cruel and unfeeling. The ship was already far, and Haji kept staring in that direction. He hoped, for that stone-faced, rarely-smiling, grandfather of his to live. "Just take my life, and let my grandfather live, you miserable god!" He cursed, standing up and pointed at the sky, unbothered by the stares of the soldiers beside him. Everything was too sudden, and he couldn't accept this situation where his life was at the edge of death. "Don't stand! Take him down!" A soldier shouted. The boat might turn upside down, he thought, and with his remaining strength, he tackled Haji, and the others helped him to hold the boy down. "F*ck my life…" Haji mumbled, and tears drizzled down on his cheeks.
"Have you calmed down?" A soldier asked.
Haji answered. "I am, I didn't even struggle so let go of me." With that, everyone returned sitting on their spots, and Haji sat holding both his knees. The cold air, along with his dampened clothes seeped through his bones, he shivered along with the soldiers. "Try breathing on your hands, it might provide you some heat." The soldier, who shouted earlier, instructed him. Haji did as he was instructed and it provided him momentary relief. He tilted his head to the side and said. "Thank you, what's your name?"
"I'm Jugeun, you're called Haji, right? It must be nice to be the grandson of Lord Bujing." Jugeun enthusiastically said a slight smile appeared on his fatigued face. "I'm sorry about earlier. You can punch me all you want once we arrive at the base."
Haji understood the consequences of his actions if he wasn't stopped. "It's fine, I wasn't in my right mind." He laughed. "Are you sure? You could die if I punch you directly."
"Many had said that but they all lost to me, tell that to me when you've grown taller," Jugeun spoke arrogantly, and he mocked Haji's height with his gestures. Though, Haji was unaffected by the insult on his heights, that conceited tone and arrogant look annoyed him. This guy's about twenty but his mental age is like a kid, he thought.
They laughed. The two may be annoyed at each other, but it was only that. Jokes and insults that weren't malicious are not to be taken seriously, especially in this kind of situation. Some soldiers laughed alongside them, not even knowing why they were laughing. The cheery laughter relieved their anxiety, and they became unaware of their impending doom that was about to come.
"I'll treat you all to drinks if we survive this, even you, kid, not even general Bujing will stop me from doing so!" An old soldier laughed, and his words made everyone laugh once more. "I'll even drag grandfather to drink with us if you manage to convince him!" At the same time Haji looked at the old man, a towering wave reached his sights. "Shit…" He could only curse before everything turned dark.
AUTORENGEDANKEN 
Mooncloud
Mooncloud Hello! Thank you so much for reading, and now the fun part starts! To be honest, I might just kill off Haji but who in their right mind kill their main character.
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