The Rise of the Black Plain - Chapter 2670: Leaving for Uzira

A few weeks after receiving their majestic vessel from the local shipyard, Minos and his party completed their preparations for the great voyage.

The ship was loaded with supplies carefully selected by the crew, who had worked to ensure that everything was in order. The moment of departure had arrived, and the port of Marrin, with its busy docks and calm waters, would soon be a distant memory.

The golden morning sun reflected off the calm waters, casting shimmering sparkles that seemed to dance around the boat as it drifted away from the quay. Standing at the stern of the ship, Minos closed his eyes, allowing himself to feel the gentle caress of the sea breeze against his skin.

The wind carried the salty smell of the sea and the promise of adventures to come. A thought appeared in his mind like a whisper of destiny. ‘Time to face our destiny.’

“Direct, speed up the ship,” Minos ordered, his firm voice carried on the breeze to the attentive ears of his companions. Around them, 35 people prepared to face the unknown, each with a mixture of fear and excitement coursing through their veins.

Diret, a veteran of the waters, nodded solemnly before shouting orders to his men, who immediately moved as a well-rehearsed unit. The sails swelled as they caught the wind, and the ship gained speed, slicing through the clear water with the precision of a blade.

Minos watched with an alert eye as his crew spread out to their posts, each taking on their duties.

Of the four Supremes on board, two were already in position, standing guard at the bow and stern of the ship. Knowing that the safety of the ship depended on their readiness, their eyes scanned the horizon for any sign of danger.

The other half of the group stood ready to act as the first line of defense, while the rest were temporarily free to take advantage of the last moments of calm before the torment.

Throughout the long journey ahead of them, they would have to alternate between periods of cultivation, rest, and constant vigilance, and this routine began from the very first moments of departure.

After a few moments in the stern, Minos walked toward the bow, his firm steps echoing on the polished wooden deck. He didn’t care about the sight of the city of Oqia disappearing over the horizon; his thoughts were focused on the future, on the challenges that awaited them in the treacherous waters of the Violent Sea.

Following Leger’s instructions, Diret steered the boat northwest, toward the unknown vastness. This first leg of the journey was theoretically the calmest, and the crew showed no immediate concern. However, a subtle tension permeated the air, like a taut rope that could snap at any moment. Everyone knew that the real dangers lay ahead, perhaps in a month’s time, perhaps in the years to come. Yet the weight of what was to come was already felt in their hearts.

At the bow of the ship, Ruth and Gloria watched the sea ahead, the crystal blue of the deep water gradually darkening as they left the safety of the mainland behind and entered the mysterious high seas. The waves whispered ancient secrets, and the wind carried the omen of uncontrollable challenges.

As Minos approached them, stopping a short distance away, the two women sighed. The red-haired woman, her eyes lost on the horizon, murmured: “And here we begin.”

“From now on, the dangers will increase to a level we cannot control. Be prepared,” Minos replied, his voice deep, his gray eyes fixed on the dark clouds forming in the distance. “This is the most powerful sea in the entire universe.”

As the two women stared into the impending darkness, an old sailor from the Diret’s group, a man with curved horns and a goat-like head, approached them. His expression was hard, but his eyes shone with a light that mixed with respect and warning.

“Be prepared, ladies,” old Izan said, his gruff voice echoing the warning. “The sea ahead is not only the most dangerous because of its natural and man-made phenomena and the native tribes. It is also the most infested with pirates and renegade crews from Uzira.

The islands of the Violent Sea hide unfathomable secrets, with monsters that many believe only exist in horror stories. Mysterious phenomena capable of afflicting even the Supremes await us.”

Ruth, arching an eyebrow, gave the old sailor a skeptical look. “Are you trying to scare us, old Izan?”

Izan let out a hoarse laugh that sounded more like a grunt, his eyes twinkling with humor. “Not at all,” he replied with an enigmatic glint in his eyes. “Can the Violent Sea take our lives? Indeed, it’s an actual possibility. But while it’s dangerous, it’s also beautiful and full of mysterious possibilities.

For four thousand years, I have been sailing around the continent, getting closer and closer to the depths of the sea. I have seen things that would traumatize many, but which have also taught me to value life. Today, I’m ready to embark on the most important journey of my life, and I can’t help but get emotional.”

As he spoke, his fists clenched, his eyes shining with excitement. Watching him, Minos couldn’t help but notice the almost morbid passion that burned in the heart of this level 113 navigator.

“You are anxious, I can see that. I hope I can see a little of what makes you so interested in this dangerous sea region, old Izan,” Minos said, his tone showing a mixture of curiosity and attention.

“Senior Minos,” Izan said, turning to the leader of the group with a respectful look, aware that this man was no ordinary person. “Someone of your caliber will see truly fantastic things. Just wait six months and you’ll be able to experience some of my stories for yourself. But you will have experiences that even I have not yet had.”

As Oqia’s ship pulled away, the various groups on board talked about the future, about what might lie ahead. Minos’ companions remained stiff, with a palpable apprehension in their movements, while Diret’s men, more experienced in these waters, were more at ease, familiar with the ‘terrain’ they were about to face.

Under a clear sky, the ship set out into the unknown, carrying dreams, fears, and unique goals. The ship moved steadily northwest, the shores of Marrin slowly disappearing into the horizon as the crew adjusted to their new routines and positions.

Minos and his wives would soon move to their respective posts, some to rest and prepare for the shifts ahead, others to assume immediate responsibilities.

The journey would be long, and the thrills promised by Izan were yet to come. They knew that the dangers, however distant they seemed, would approach quickly, like storms that come without warning.

In addition to the familiar challenges, they knew they would soon pass near the territories of wild beasts, implacable creatures that would defend their lands with unparalleled ferocity.

Fortunately, the party had Leger’s map, which would surely help them navigate the dangers ahead.

And so, sailing under the watchful eye of fate, they set out into the vastness of the Violent Sea, their hearts firm but aware of the challenges they would face.