"So in the end we we're going back empty handed.. Is Euthy even sure that they are here? You know, that hooded person?" Mira casually asked. The week had passed in a blur. They had overlooked every part of the major port city. The tip off Euthykritos had provided them seemed to be nothing but an empty chase.
"Those two really seem to have rubbed off on you. I mean, since when did you start calling Euthy, Euthy." Galadriel paused. Both her and Mira exchanged long glances at all. Mira was the first one to break, a small snort leaving her. Which, that in return earned her a jab to her side. "Oh shut up! Don't even say anything!"
"I haven't!" Mira retorted.
Their voices died down as they saw Koro rushing towards them with what seemed to be panic. "Ugh.." He barely let out as he stopped before them, gazing at the two and then he gestured for them to pick up the pace. "Seems you two aren't going back for a while." Koro muttered out, he seemed to be a bit breathless. "Your ship got roughed up by someone who really holds a grudge against you and your crew. Or perhaps.. Someone in particular. Nothing was taken, but most of the stern is submerged. The mast torn apart and the inner workings, you know, the wiring and the back up systems for rotors in case of the said mast being damaged. Absolutely torn apart. Key parts, rare parts, missing. At least that is what Lysander told us." Mira and Galadriel began picking up in pace as more and more of the explanation hit them. 'Someone particular' the words latched onto Mira's mind, like a leech unwilling to let up.
"What about other ships?"
"None of them are willing nor are equipped well enough to set out across the vast ocean. Most would consider that a certain death wish. No one wishes to meet the horrors of the ocean that lurk out there. These ships are meant for short distance travel, say between islands, where most threats are the occasional weak creature. The ships that could do so are out as you can see." The view of the dock was coming into view. The dilapidated streets were the least of the worries. Lysander was at the docks, crouched near the edge where the half sunken ship sat. He seemed in ruins, like had aged by another decade. "The estimated time of the replacement materials and parts.. About a month. It will take a while for them to arrive from the capital. Some of these components are hard to obtain." Mira was about to open her mouth, ask if there was anything they could do, but Kuro cut her off before she could even open let a word escape her lips. "Just focus on the mission given to you by Euthy."
Lysander barely lifted his eyes as the footsteps came to a stop behind him. His eyes were purely focused on the ship before him. "My poor baby.." He lifted the back of his hand to wipe a tear that rolled down his cheek. He stood up with a low grunt, straightening out. "I am going to make sure to feed whoever did this to Hulhrak (An ancient sea beast that had appeared after the world had been swallowed by the endless ocean.) Cause, how dare they hurt my baby!?"
"You are not going anywhere." A voice came from behind the group. Tonto had arrived, she sounded just as tired as ever.
"If you got hurt, who would sail the ship back? Would you really let someone take control of your 'baby'?"
Lysander remained silent, swallowing any retort he was about to throw at Tonto. Instead just giving a small grumble from his throat as he headed towards the dock.
"It seems to be done by an organisation or some sort of group, the very one the that person is apart of. There are a few links and a few witnesses that only point to the same thing. That's strange in a way, cause wouldn't they want you off and away from here? Unless.. They plan to get rid of you once and for all. Or at least.. One of you in particular." Tonto spoke out with a casualness that betrayed the current situation.
Mira only shrunk at her words, taking cover behind Galadriel. It was clear that the person had a clear hatred towards her or at least the the group they were apart of did.
"Mira, this would be a good time to cough up anything you know, perhaps, the reason they're after you, though, as much as none of us have ever said it, we have a feeling we know as to why." Koro and Tonto exchanged a small look between each other, lasting just a fraction, a moment of them considering if they should really say it. "You-"
"Can we discuss this privately?" Mira suddenly cut in, a faint sigh leaving her lips, a tremor as she stepped back out.
Mira stood pressed up against one of the rundown buildings, back flat against the wall, narrow alley. Tonto stood right in front of her, one hand pressing into the worn wall next to Mira's head. "You have a feeling, don't you? Galadriel doesn't notice it simply due to the fact that you both came from the surface. You've noticed it, haven't you? The gazes that everyone gives you. The people around don't say it, but you've heard it before, that hatred, that disgust.. Everyone feels some amount of it, not that we know the particular cause." Tonto leaned in closer, that cool, low voice brushing against Mira's ear. "Are you the reason that-"
A loud bang, followed by what seemed like buildings crumbling echoed from deeper within the city, near the barrier separating the two parts of the city. Tonto didn't finish her sentence, Mira and her shared a quiet exchange, eyes locked onto each other. The next moment Tonto grabbed Mira's wrist and pulled her towards the noise.