Volume 2, Chapter 13: Across the Unstable Depths
Location: Lake of Yuruvan
Part 1
A small wooden boat drifted across the shifting, glowing surface of the Lake of Yuruvan. The waves churned gently at first, but an unnatural tension laced the air.
Ruby leaned over the edge, her eyes scanning the water. "There are too many sea beasts moving under the lake. They're fast. Too fast."
Ursus narrowed his eyes. "If it's fine with you all, I'll go underwater and scout the route from below."
Nile adjusted his stance. "I'll manipulate the wind and water currents to guide us more easily. Should give us smoother passage."
Arnox stepped forward, hand on his sword. "Then I'll stay on the attack line."
"No, you won't," Nile said, deadpan.
Arnox blinked. "What?"
Ruby chimed in, "I'll handle the attacking."
Arnox looked confused. "Why not me?"
Nile sighed. "Because if you use fire, you'll burn the boat. And if you use thunder, the recoil through the water could kill us."
Ruby turned her head slightly. "Arnox... are you not trusting me?"
Arnox frowned. "It's not that. It's just... in the desert, you had to protect me. In the forest, I barely contributed."
Ursus rumbled, "Great leadership comes from guiding others, not taking every path yourself, Arnox Arakan."
Ruby smiled softly. "Yes. Ursus Martimus is right."
Nile grinned. "Don't worry, Commander. We've got your back. And Ruby will protect you."
Ruby gave a confident nod. "You bet."
They drifted forward as the current deepened.
"Everyone, alert!" Ruby called. "Sea beasts approaching!"
Arnox drew both swords. "Ursus, protect the boat! Nile, shift focus to water control. Ruby—go for Boulder Barrage!"
Dozens of crabs began crawling up the sides of the boat.
"Zero Freeze!" Ursus roared.
A chilling wave surged outward, freezing two crabs mid-climb. He crushed them with a single strike of his clawed gauntlets.
"Whirlpool!" Nile shouted. A spinning vortex formed and trapped five crabs in its center.
"Ruby! Now!" Nile commanded.
"Earth Rage!" she shouted.
A massive boulder materialized in the air and crashed down like a meteor, wiping out the trapped crabs instantly.
Then, from beneath the surface, a massive squid emerged.
Arnox jumped from the boat.
His Baskin surged—an aura of overwhelming pressure. The squid recoiled, trying to flee. But Arnox pursued.
"Duel Sword Flash Cut!"
He unleashed a dual-bladed slash, carving through the beast with speed and precision.
As he landed back on the boat, another crab lunged at his unguarded back.
"Baskin Release!" Nile cried out, his aura knocking the crab back into the water.
Part 2
Elsewhere on the lake, Klein's group pushed forward.
"How much longer to the Frozen Desert?" Klein demanded.
Michael answered, "Usually eight to nine hours. This lake doesn't behave normally."
"Whatever," Klein scoffed. "You two," he pointed at the elf girl and mage girl, "You've rested enough?"
They hesitated, then nodded.
Michael muttered, "We should've rested more before leaving the forest."
"Shut up! That would slow us down," Klein barked.
Michael sighed, "Whatever you say..."
Meanwhile, far ahead—Lenslot Morningstar's group had already crossed.
The lake surface shimmered behind them.
"This was easier than I expected," Lenslot said. "Almost like walking a straight path."
Lyrenya nodded. "I expected that. Being in the Angel Prince's group, things tend to go smoothly."
Above, the angel girl in their group hovered. "I can see it. 'That' thing."
Lenslot's gaze sharpened. "Go there."
Lyrenya turned to her elven teammates. "You two have the item, right?"
They nodded.
At the edge of the forest, the vampire-angel-demon-elf group sat frustrated.
Their boat was destroyed. Supplies ruined.
The elf girl healed the others quietly.
"So how far can we make it like this?" the angel asked.
"I have an idea," said Nathan, the vampire.
"We need to move quickly," said Loit, the angel boy. "Time's running out."
Part 3
Back aboard Arnox's boat.
They neared the icy horizon.
Ruby turned, scolding. "Arnox! You dropped your guard again! You're careless, selfless... and selfish. Is that how you plan to lead?"
Arnox lowered his head.
Ursus stared at the distance. The Frozen Desert loomed.
Nile stepped beside him. "Is your instinct telling you something?"
Ursus replied slowly, "I feel... nothing.Like that place has a frozen heart."
Nile nodded. "So that's what it feels like."
Ursus turned. "You're one of those nobles, right?"
"Yeah," Nile said calmly.
"Are you aware of the Order of Drazeth?"Ursus said curiously
Nile's eyes sharpened. "That's why I came."
Ursus blinked. "So you want to become one of the Drazeth Warriors?"
"Those who know them say they change the world's balance... and fate."
Ursus exhaled. "I always thought if I joined the Trial of Vaga, I'd win. But my instincts... they falter here."
Nile smiled faintly. "You don't need to force it. 'He' doesn't seem to be aware of himself yet."
"So your instincts say."
"Pretty much."
Narrator:
Our heroes now sail toward the final trial of Round 3—the Frozen Desert. But this is no longer just a battle of warriors striving for glory. Unknown destinies swirl beneath their feet. And soon, each of them will have to face not just opponents, but truths waiting in the cold.
To Be Continued...