บท 315: Chapter 315: Asuka Village
HQ came out of the Bridge. "Master, I can stay and protect the Miss Love Duck," HQ said.
"Okay HQ, thank you," Ben replied. He added, "Everyone, let's go." They all nodded.
Ben transformed into his hybrid form. Raki turned into her beast form. "So cute," Robin said.
Saphir divided into the lake. Ben, HQ as well as Raki took a few trips however got everyone onto land. HQ flew back. Ben and Raki transformed back into their human forms. "Okay let's go," Ben said.
They pressed onward through the dense jungle. The canopy overhead filtered the sunlight into dappled patterns on the forest floor.
"We're back in the jungle," Mikita commented, swatting at a mosquito.
"We never seem to leave, do we?" Zala joked, as she brushed aside a low-hanging vine.
"It's not that bad, really," Vivi chimed in. She seemed at ease amidst the lush greenery. She thought it was a change from the desert.
"Well, we should be experts now when it comes to jungles by now," Ben added with a smirk.
"Captain, I see her," Robin said, pointing ahead. They all turned to see Maya darting through the jungle, clutching the pink orbs tightly to her chest.
"There she is. Let's go!" Ben urged. They quickened their pace, weaving through the thick foliage in pursuit.
"The jungle on the sea is different," Conis remarked.
Raki, running alongside her, nodded thoughtfully. "Some things are different, but some things feel very familiar," she replied.
In the distance, they saw a village appear. The roofs were spiraled, upwards that gave them the appearance of giant ice cream cones. Each house was circular in shape. As they drew closer, they could see small, arched windows dotting the sides of the houses.
Ben and the girls ran past a small puddle and across a slow stream. They got to the centre of the village and saw a large shrine. They could see people worshipping or paying respect to a statue. It was the same statue they saw Maya worshipping. "Grandma Izaya," Maya shouted.
Ben thought they got here quickly. They saw an elderly woman with pink hair tied in side-locks with blue bands. She had many wrinkles on her face. Izaya had a hunchbacked, and used a long and crooked walking staff. "Oh Gods who reside in the seven stars of Aska, please answer our prayer," Izaya said. "With great love, please protect us from disaster," she added.
"Grandma, everyone," Maya shouted.
"What is happening?" a man replied. He was a tall, muscular man with dark brown hair and a band across his forehead. He wore a white and red shirt and had pale skin.
"Pirates Lacos," Maya said.
"They could not have come at a worse time," Lacos replied. He thought about the last time pirates came and the horrible crimes they committed.
Izaya and the villagers started to gather weapons and prepare.
Maya approached her Grandma. "Grandma go hide quickly with everyone," Maya urged.
"No, I will protect this place," Izaya replied.
"We're not here to cause trouble," Vivi said gently, her voice carrying a reassuring tone as she stepped forward, her hands raised in a gesture of peace.
A tall man with a commanding presence stepped out from the group, his sword and shield at the ready. His eyes were sharp and distrustful. "They're here!" Lacos announced.
"You pirates have no business here!" another villager shouted, clutching his sword.
Conis moved closer, her wings fluttering slightly. "We mean you no harm," she said.
Saphir nodded in agreement, her gaze steady. "We don't hurt people. We're here as friends," she added, trying to diffuse the tension.
The villagers remained wary, their grips tightening on makeshift weapons. Their eyes darted from one crew member to another.
"You're lying!" Lacos shouted, his voice filled with a mix of fear and defiance. His grip on his sword tightened, ready for a fight.
"We are not," Nojiko pleaded her case. She did not want things to get ugly here.
Ben stepped forward, his posture relaxed yet commanding. He raised his hands, palms open, to show he was unarmed. "Everyone, please calm down," he said in a steady voice.
Robin looked around and saw statues and ancient text. "This is an interesting place which has something worth investigating," Robin commented.
"We will never yield to pirates," Maya shouted.
"We are pirates but we will not harm you or anyone," Ben said as he smiled at Maya. Maya looked back at her.
"In fact I want you to join my crew," Ben stated. He thought was it too early to mention that. He thought no, better to do earlier.
"What?" Maya questioned. She thought what a strange man.
Izaya looked puzzled but intrigued. She saw this crew but they were mainly female but they all looked happy.
"I know you're up to no good," Lacos declared, his voice cutting through the air with unyielding suspicion. His eyes narrowed as he glared at the newcomers, his grip on his sword tightening in mistrust.
Robin, knelt beside a weathered stone carving partially hidden beneath a tangle of vines. Her fingers traced along the carving. "This relic," she murmured.
Zala stepped closer, peering over Robin's shoulder. "Anything interesting?" she asked. Zala saw the statue of the women which Maya and these villagers were worshipping.
Before Robin could respond, Lacos took a step forward, his stance protective and aggressive. "Keep your hands off it!" he barked.
Mikita, standing nearby, raised her hands. "We're just looking," she said calmly, trying to soothe the escalating tension.
Raki, observing the exchange with a hint of frustration, muttered under her breath. "These villagers are incredibly rude," she noted.
Ben tried to diffuse the situation. He needed to get into Maya`s good books so fighting these villagers won't be a good idea. "Robin is just an archaeologist. She has a deep respect for artefacts and history," Ben remarked.
He walked up to Izaya. "Grandma Izaya, I want Maya to join us. I will take care of her and protect her," Ben stated.
Maya was speechless. Is this unknown man, a pirate asking for her hand.
Before she could respond a villager shouted, "The Marine Dojo is here."
"Not them," Lacos replied as he rushed off.
"There are some fish people here," another villager cries.
"Alvida, don't let that Altar be destroyed," Ben ordered.
"Sure my love," Alvida replied as she smiled.
Ben looked at Maya. Maya still looked scared by Ben.
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