CH13

A steel ship sails through the sea.

The sky is dark. Destination, Aquaria

Furi looks upon the horizon, many memories of the last couple of days float up.

What is this feeling? Why does water fall from my eyes? Why does my body feel heavy?

Why do I still think of her?

Oh, Rose. Where have you gone? Is that place better than here? Is it a field of laughter and gossip? Is it a barn of food and chatter?

I’m sure you’re still here, pushing me on. Just like Mark said. So, I’ll grab your hand and lead you forward

Watch me.

“Miss, are you ok?” A crewman approaches her

Furi turned, the wind brushing past her as tears continued flowing down her cheeks.

“Yes, I’m good” she said, wiping her tears.

“The ship is about to arrive to Aquaria; can I check your identification one more time?” He said, reaching out his hand

“Yes, here” She handed him her card.

The crewman glance at the card “Furi Vandalia?”

“Yes, that is my name”

“All set” The crewman gave back her card, tapping her on the shoulder then leaving.

Furi turns toward the horizon, The city is coming into view.

Unlike the tall walls of Caprico, these walls are short, a handful of cannons situated on top. The walls are decorated with paint, banners and even a gemstone. The walls seem brand new, like nothing ever touched or graze on its surface.

Like violence has forgotten this place.

“Warning!” An announcer shouted at the intercom. “4-5 Scourge scouts approaching the vessel!”

Furi spun around. She could see black, chitinous figures darting toward the ship. But what shocked her most was the calm on deck. No panic. No weapons were drawn. Just quiet murmurs.

Furi runs towards a nearby crewman. And shouted, “Are we not going to kill them?”

The crewman glance at her and chuckled “Miss, just watch”

Furi’s eye widened, as she stared at the approaching scourges, slowly coming closer

And closer…

Suddenly, the scourges collided in thin air, their body immediately combusting. In a flash, they were all burnt to ashes, their corpse fell down to the sea below.

“Woah! What is that” Furi asked.

“I suppose you haven’t been to Aquaria” The crewman said smugly “This is the renowned Lesta Mana Shield, a massive barrier that can incinerates anything it deems hostile, with enough power of course.”

“Ohhh, wait why don’t they put it everywhere then?”

“Well…After Lesta’s death, A thief ransacked her home and stole it’s blueprints, also it drinks mana crystals like water. Aquaria is the only place that can take care of it”

“So, Aquila has a lot of mana crystals?”

“Exactly”

Furi turned back to the city, awe written across her face.

A shield that can incinerate any threat? Walls that’s beautiful and pristine? This place really does feel like a miracle.

A small boat approaches the NRS Dunkirk. Guiding it to a port.

A bridge was lowered; the crew started to disembark. Furi following them.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

But someone called out to her

“Hey! Miss, are you the one who applied to move to Aquaria?”

Furi blinked and looked around. The voice was directed at her. She hadn’t realized the identity card she’d used was meant for someone relocating here. But… sometimes it’s better to go with the flow.

“Yes?” She replied hesitantly

“Nice to meet you! I’m Daniel Falkera, I’m from the High Command. I’ll be your guide!” The man said with a smile

“N…Nice to meet you!” Furi said, unsure of what to do.

Daniel turns and walks into the city, waving his hand for her to follow.

Furi enters the city and is even more amazed by it than the walls.

A sprawling city, homes made from white stone and wood. Magic crystal lights up the streets in blue, waving in the gentle wind. Empty stalls dotted the roads.

A massive city center loom ahead, a fountain in the middle, even more stalls and shops can be seen. All are beautifully decorated with flowers and colorful banners. The city is alive and well.

“While we’re walking, I’ll tell you about Aquaria.” Daniel said calmly “Some beginner knowledge”

Furi nodded still observing the houses and shops.

“Aquaria was once the main naval base of the Newtona Kingdom, naturally with a lot of soldiers, comes a lot of family. A city was created to house them. After the scourge surface, even more people flocked here. So, the city is even more lively than before”

As they walked, Furi couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Although she was excited to explore. It seems like the city was chasing her away. She would feel like someone was following them, but there would be no one. She would feel the gaze of hundreds, but none ever gazes back.

“Alright!” Daniel said, stopping, “We’re here, this house is your resident. All on Aquaria”

“For free?” Furi replied,

“It’s for equality, we want everyone to have a roof over their heads. No exceptions”

Furi looked up at the home. It’s made from white stones, accompanied by wooden beams and a red-tiled roof. The door looks recently painted. A small flowerpot sat by the steps.

It’s quite cozy.

Furi opened the door and entered the home, it’s lightly furnished. A worn-out couch, small table with a mirror and a small baggie, a fireplace, ceiling lit by a mana crystal and a bed under the window. Not a lot, but in these rough times, what can you ask for?

Furi turned to the wall, a painting of fields of wheat on a sunny sky was hanging on it. A note was attached

‘A gift for our friendship! Happy birthday Sera! -Lisa’

Furi turns to asked Daniel “Who’s…Sera?”

“She was the previous owner of this resident. Sadly, she disappeared some time ago” He replied “Don’t be guilty. I’m sure she’s happy knowing her home is helping someone”

Daniel points to the small baggie on the table “Also there’s some silver coins on the table, should fuel you for a couple days”

Daniel turns to leave “Well I’ll get going now, if you need anything just contact me at HQ” and left

Furi closes the door, and collapses onto the bed. Not the most comfortable but it’s enough.

As she stared at the wooden ceiling, she thought of everything that happened recently.

‘Mark and Paul. I wonder what they’re doing. Also, this place is weird’ She thought ‘I’ll go explore this place tomorrow’

Furi closed her eyes and went to sleep

The Next Day

Furi opened her eyes, the sun’s rays crashing into the home through the window. It’s warm light basking the room in gold.

She groaned softly and rolled over. Her body refuses to stand. She pushed herself upright, nearly losing her balance.

The wonders of waking up.

She looks towards the mirror. Her hair was disheveled, and her clothes were messy.

‘Maybe I’ll wash up a bit’ She thought, as she walked around thinking of how to do that, she catches something with the corner of her eye.

A bag under the bed.

“I guess I miss this last night” She opened it up and pour its content onto the bed. It’s a bunch of clothes. They’re not new but clean. Another note was also inside the bag.

‘To the person reading. You’re probably new here. Do not trust them, I repeat Do not trust them. Please, do not trust them. I’ll be going now. Pray for me’ Was written in shaky handwriting

Furi swiped the note aside, not thinking much of it right now. Her mind is not fit for high level thinking right now, she just woke up.

Furi changed her clothes. They fit almost perfectly, quite the luck.

Today, she’ll explore the city for all its worth.

She grabbed the baggie and opened the door, letting the sound of bustling city enter the home.

People walking around, chattering about.

Furi blends into the hustle, closing the door behind her. She walked with the crowds.

A restaurant to the right, decorated with flowers, many are sitting eating inside. Furi looked through the glass window, her face almost pressing into the glass, mouth drooling, startling the people inside

“Hey! If you want to eat that much, then come in! You’re scaring my customer!” A man shouted at her pointing a spatula at her.

Furi entered the restaurant and sat at a table. The man approaches her again

“What do you want?” He asked, his tone menacing

Furi looked around, then her eyes locked to something “I’ll have that” she said, pointing at it

“Is that all?”

“That too” she said, pointing to another table. As she points to another table “And that”

“Is that all?” The man asked again.

“Yes”

“Wait a moment” The man disappeared behind the door in the back.

Later, he came back with three plates. He slowly places them in front of her “Porkchop with honey sauce, Fried Rotfish with salad, and Taborberry cake. All for 1 silver coin” He reach out his hand, waiting for payment

“Oh, here” Furi replied, grabbing a coin from her pocket.

The man took it and left. But that doesn’t matter.

Her mouth’s drooling, her excitement far beyond words as she dug in, consuming the food like it was her last meal. More of a ‘inhaling’ than eating.

In no time the three plates of food disappeared. Like they weren’t even there in the first place.

Furi smiles in joy. ‘Now I have strength to explore!’ She thought.

Furi stepped out of the restaurant with a bright smile.

For a moment, the city felt warm.

She didn’t notice the glances. The whispers. The people turning away just a bit too quickly.

Not yet.