- THE SEA AWAITS -

The Medusa laid still on the calm waters, looking right ahead on the horizon.

The sea had already reflected the light of the sun as noises around the harbor had echoed all about the news of setting sail to the Regimere.

Darius always thought that his trips with the Medusa were the most memorable. To him, it always felt like the ship has brought him a lot of luck during the trips with his crew.

The Mediterranean was always there with him and it was rare for him to take on new recruits, knowing that setting sail would require training them first before doing so.

The ship's wooden structure was in perfect condition to set sail in the sunny or even in the stormy weather. So, Darius decided that in a few days, they'll finally stride and look for new treasures in the sea.

Sailors had always wanted to go on an adventure with the ship due to its design and space for the group to stay in for the long trip.

But only a few could actually convince Darius to bring them with him. Two of them being the sons of his dad's friend.

Of course, he knew better than to take people with the lack of adventure pumping in their blood. So, he made sure that the two were fitting for the role.

Fortunately, they were.

The ship had finally been repaired by the people in Ravenbourne. The Mediterranean was finally preparing for their long journey ahead. 

Group of males and females had already put their belongings in their brown leather shoulder bags and some in the wooden chest. Darius could already see his crewmates even packing up food to last them for weeks.

He could only sigh as he walks back to one of his old friends, who was looking at the ship in awe.

Darius could only curve a smile when his friend turned back to him and crossed his arms before chuckling.

"Such a beauty, ain't she?" Aloysius opened up to Darius, his eyes never leaving the ship. The younger man pats his companion's shoulder, nodding right on the side.

The ship was indeed marvelous, Darius thought to himself. It's more likely a sailor's dream to find some treasures with the Medusa striding on the waves.

Most sailors would fight over it over their lives, just to experience being on it for a lifetime.

Darius thanked the heavens, however, since he was the lucky one who had ownership of the medusa.

As Darius stayed silent, Aloysius faced him and noticed his friend deep in thought.

He figured that Darius was only thinking of what journey lies ahead of them at this point.

"What seems to be in your mind?" Aloysius thought that Darius would only ignore him and give him the silent treatment.

Though, his smile and his head shaking told him otherwise.

"The Medusa had always been there for years and yet, here she is again on an adventure."

Darius could never imagine what life he would've had now if the Medusa hadn't saved his tail.

Aloysius quickly agreed with him before looking at their other crewmates who were carrying a wooden chest altogether to put it in the cargo hold in the ship's compartment.

"Well, you better hope that your lady approves of you being in your humble abode as we set sail to the Regimere." Aloysius saw Darius suddenly looking dazed in a distance.

But this time, he wasn't looking at the ship. He was staring right behind him and Aloysius had to turn around to see what got the captain's attention.

There stood in the distance was a lady in a flower crown hairstyle. Her curly brown hair flows smoothly from side to side as she approached Darius' location.

Aloysius got the hint and tapped his friend's back, saying good luck before leaving them both to talk.

Darius' eyes widened at how his lady had crossed her arms in front of him — acting as if she had known about the little adventure he had planned with his crewmates.

He knew that it would take him a long time to come back and Calista was not going to make him leave if she finds out that it could take weeks or months before the Medusa returns.

Beads of sweat came into Darius' forehead as soon as Calista voiced out her concerns.

"I overheard that you're going to the Regimere." Calista was a strict woman, no doubt. Darius could never argue about her being like that, however.

He knew the risks of leading the Mediterranean into a sea of nowhere - not even knowing if the myth was indeed real and if the treasure of the Regimere was somehow buried in an island or right underwater.

He only heard the people talk about them once and it had also been in the documents he had stashed up. Surely, it caught the group's attention as well so the adventure sets afoot.

So, having Calista worry about such a trip was surely one of the things he had to handle. He could already tell that she was not in a good mood so Darius made sure to keep his answer simple.

"I'll be back before the full moon, my love."

Darius never really knew how to tell Calista about the plan.

The Mediterranean didn't only plan to take treasures or even find out if the Duke of Stormy seas exists.

They were there to see if there were remains of the old ship, the Angelus.

It was the first ship that set sail on the Regimere and years had passed, news came crashing down on the town that it was broken into pieces by the terror that awaits at the middle of the sea.

Darius couldn't even bear the thought, considering that one of his brother's friends was on that ship.

He was already thankful enough that he had been the one to convince his brother not to set sail that day.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have a brother to look up to now.

"Why must you leave me wandering in this town, Darius? I am perfectly capable of handling myself in your care." This broke Darius' thoughts and made him turn to her with wide eyes.

Surely, his lover doesn't seem to mind his past expeditions. So, why must she react like this now?

"What are you trying to imply, Calista?" He had to at least know the reason why behind her reaction.

However, even if he tried to put his hands on Calista's shoulders, she softly pushed it away - her lips curling into a frown.

And there she goes, the four words that Darius didn't expect her to say.

"Take me with you."