Seraphina, sitting on a crate near the ship's bow, scribbling furiously in a leather-bound manual.

The soft creaking of the wooden vessel and the rhythmic splashes of the waves against its hull form a soothing background hum. 

Seraphina, though, is anything but calm. 

Her fingers fly over the pages, her handwriting a hasty scrawl as she jots down notes.

"New cure for coughs and colds," she mutters excitedly to herself, her voice carrying a bubbly enthusiasm. 

"Hmm, maybe a pinch of fenugreek... no, no! Lavender root extract! Yes, yes, that's it!" 

She taps her quill against her chin, leaving a smudge of ink, but she doesn't seem to notice. 

Her focus is entirely on her concoction.

Seraphina

"And if I add a dash of elderberry... Ooh, that'll boost the immunity! I'm a genius!" she exclaims, giggling to herself as she writes. 

"This potion will knock out any cold faster than Andhur can yap about his latest escapade!"

She pauses for a moment, glancing up from her manual to watch the sun glinting off the rippling waves. 

The air is fresh, filled with the tang of saltwater. 

She takes a deep breath, enjoying the breeze, then snaps her head back down to her manual.

"Alright, let's see... ingredients... we've got some peppermint leaves, dried ginger—oh wait, I used that for Andhur's tea yesterday, didn't I?" she pouts for a moment, her lips forming a small pout. 

"And of course, he loved it so much he drank it all! But no worries! I'll find more."

Seraphina shifts her position, pulling her knees up and balancing the manual on her thighs. 

She starts to write again, but then notices a small, dark ink spot splattered on her sleeve. 

She gasps, her eyes widening.

"Oh no! My favorite shirt!" she cries, though her tone is more amused than genuinely upset. 

"Ah, well. It's the price of brilliance!" She brushes it off and flips to a fresh page, scribbling the title: Potion to Kick the Cough.

Suddenly, the ship rocks a bit, and she nearly topples over. 

She laughs, a loud, joyous sound that catches the attention of a few crew members.

"Hey, Seraphina, you alright?" one of them calls out, smirking.

"I'm better than alright! I'm concocting the best remedy this side of Aetheria has ever seen!" she boasts, waving her manual in the air.

Andhur, sitting a few feet away with his usual playful grin, leans over. 

"You concocting something again, Sera? What's the big idea this time?"

Seraphina shoots him a wide grin. 

"Oh, just a little potion that'll cure coughs and colds in a flash! Wanna be my first test subject?"

Andhur chuckles, his shoulders shaking with laughter. 

"I'd rather not end up like last time when you had me hopping around like a frog for an hour!"

Seraphina bursts into laughter, clutching her sides. 

"You can't hold that against me forever, Andhur! Besides, you loved it!"

Andhur winks. 

"Maybe I did. Maybe I didn't. But you're still a menace with those potions of yours."

"Menace?" Seraphina gasps with mock offense. 

"I prefer the term miracle worker."

From nearby, Jiighual and Nert exchange amused glances, overhearing the lively banter.

Nert calls over, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"What miracle are you brewing now, Seraphina?"

"Oh, Nert, it's my latest and greatest!" she announces, standing up on the crate to make herself taller. 

She spreads her arms wide, nearly tipping over again but catches her balance. 

"It's a cure for the common cold! I'll have everyone sniffle-free in no time. You included, Jiighual!"

Jiighual raises an eyebrow, his expression as neutral as ever. 

"I wasn't aware I had a cold."

"You don't—yet!" Seraphina wags a finger at him. "But with the weather changing, you never know. Better to be prepared!"

Nert chuckles, shaking his head. 

"You never change, do you?"

"Nope!" Seraphina says proudly, hopping off the crate and landing with a small thud. "And I don't plan to! Now, if you excuse me, I need to find more peppermint. And maybe I'll try to persuade Andhur to give up his ginger stash."

She darts off, bouncing her way to the other side of the boat—

Her vibrant energy leaving a wake of chuckles behind her.

As she rummages through her herb pouch, she hums a tune, completely lost in her own world. 

Despite the occasional rolling waves that rock the boat, her spirits remain high, her joy infectious to those around her.

This is Seraphina—

Ever the alchemist—

Ever the optimist—

And ever the bundle of chaotic energy that makes even a simple boat ride an adventure.

△▼△▼△▼△

Aina, with her small, quick footsteps, is seen darting across the deck, her laughter a melodic, carefree sound that echoes in the crisp morning air. 

She's chasing after Seraphina, who's playfully dodging and weaving around the ropes and crates, her long, flowing hair flying behind her like a wild banner.

"Aha! Got you now!" Aina calls out with a gleeful grin, her eyes sparkling with childlike determination.

"Not so fast, little one!" Seraphina teases, skidding to a stop before suddenly pivoting on her heels and darting away. 

Aina squeals in delight and runs after her, her small arms outstretched as if she could catch Seraphina with just a bit more speed.

"Eeek!"

From the other side of the deck, Haerak watches the scene unfold. 

He squints against the bright morning sun, a soft smile playing on his lips. 

But as Aina nears the edge of the ship in her pursuit, his smile falters, and he quickly steps forward, his fatherly instincts kicking in.

"Whoa there, Aina!" Haerak calls out, jogging after her, his voice carrying a mix of amusement and concern. 

"Careful now, don't go running too close to the edge!"

Aina glances back, her cheeks puffing out in a pout. 

"But I almost had her, Papa!"

Seraphina laughs as she turns around, waving her hands in mock surrender. 

"Alright, alright, you win, Aina! I surrender!" 

She kneels down and opens her arms, and Aina leaps into them, giggling.

Haerak slows his pace as he reaches them, his worried expression melting into a fond grin. 

"You two are going to give me a heart attack one of these days," he chuckles, ruffling Aina's hair gently.

Aina beams up at her father, her eyes sparkling with mischief. 

"But it's fun, Papa!"

"Oh, I can see that," Haerak sighs, though his smile never fades. 

He looks up at Seraphina, who's still holding Aina in a playful embrace. 

"You've got your hands full with this one."

Seraphina nods, her own grin wide and bright. 

"She's a little ball of energy, that's for sure! But I love it. Keeps me on my toes!"

From the other side of the deck, Yzavynne and Leeani are standing together, arms folded as they watch the playful chase with amused expressions. 

Qarek is leaning against the mast, smirking as he observes the trio.

Yzavynne chuckles, her voice light. 

She says, nudging Leeani gently with her elbow.

"Looks like Haerak has found himself another child to take care of."

Leeani laughs, covering her mouth as she watches Seraphina spin Aina around. 

"It's sweet, though. They seem to be getting along really well."

Qarek chimes in, his deep voice carrying over the noise of the boat. 

"Reminds me of you two when you were younger."

He gestures towards the small group of EmberWind villagers standing nearby, who are also watching the scene with warm smiles.

One of the villagers, a woman with a scarf tied around her hair, giggles and says.

"You know, it's been a long time since I've seen such carefree joy like this. It's... refreshing."

Another villager, an older man with a weathered face, nods in agreement. 

"Indeed. It's a nice change from all the tension we've had back in the village."

Leeani turns to Yzavynne with a smirk. 

"Bet you ten coins that Haerak's going to end up running after them in less than a minute."

Yzavynne raises an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips. 

"You're on."

Just as the bet is sealed, Aina breaks free from Seraphina's hold and takes off running again, this time straight towards the bow of the ship. Seraphina bursts into laughter and follows after her.

Seraphina shouts, sprinting after the little girl.

"Aina! Wait up!"

Haerak's eyes widen, and he lets out a dramatic sigh. 

"Here we go again," he mutters, but there's no mistaking the amusement in his voice as he starts jogging after them.

Leeani bursts into laughter, turning to Yzavynne. 

"Told you! Pay up!"

Yzavynne rolls her eyes good-naturedly and digs into her pocket, handing over the coins. 

"Alright, alright. You win this time."

As Haerak catches up to Aina and scoops her up into his arms, the crew around them breaks into a round of applause and cheers, making the little girl squeal with delight.

"Papa, we won!" Aina exclaims, throwing her arms around her father's neck and planting a kiss on his cheek.

"Yes, yes, you two won," Haerak chuckles, turning to face Seraphina. 

"And you, troublemaker, are you satisfied now?"

Seraphina stands there, hands on her hips, feigning offense. 

"Troublemaker? Me? I was just helping her get some exercise!"

Qarek lets out a loud laugh, shaking his head. 

"Helping her get exercise or giving you a chance to stretch your legs, Seraphina?"

Yzavynne chimes in, grinning widely. 

"Seems like you both needed a bit of a workout."

Haerak sets Aina down, who immediately runs over to Leeani and Yzavynne, hugging them tightly.

Aina looks up at the two women with bright eyes. 

"Did you see, Yzavynne? Did you see, Leeani? I almost caught her!"

Yzavynne kneels down, pulling Aina into a hug. 

"You did great, Aina. You're so fast!"

Leeani ruffles Aina's hair, her smile tender. 

"And so clever, too! You had Seraphina running all over the place."

Seraphina, slightly out of breath, comes over and flops down next to Qarek, leaning her back against the mast. 

"You all need to try that sometime," she says, grinning. 

"It's a great way to wake up!"

Haerak stands above her, shaking his head with a chuckle. 

"I think I've had enough of a workout for one morning, thanks to you."

The villagers from EmberWind continue to watch the lively scene with smiles, murmuring amongst themselves about the spirited newcomers. 

The ship is filled with laughter.

A beautiful start to their day on the journey to the EmberWind Village—

With a sense of hope and lightness in the air that hadn't been felt for a long time.

△▼△▼△▼△

Ruby and Zach sit together near the edge, their feet dangling off the side as the waves crash rhythmically against the hull. 

The salty breeze rustles Ruby's hair, making it dance lightly in the wind. 

She watches Aina, Seraphina, and Haerak with a fond smile on her lips as the trio run around, filled with infectious energy and laughter. 

Aina's gleeful squeals echo across the deck, the sound of pure joy cutting through the morning air.

"Eeeek!"

Ruby chuckles softly. 

"Look at them, Zach. Aina's got Haerak and Seraphina completely wrapped around her finger," she says, her voice warm with amusement.

Zach, however, is silent beside her. 

His gaze is fixed somewhere distant, beyond the horizon where the sky meets the endless expanse of water. 

His brow is furrowed, and there's a quiet intensity in his eyes that Ruby recognizes all too well — 

The look he gets when he's deep in thought— 

Caught up in the storm of his own mind.

Ruby's smile fades as she notices his silence. 

She turns her body slightly towards him, studying his profile. 

"Hey," she calls out softly, her voice gentle and coaxing. 

"Where'd you go just now? You look like you're miles away."

Zach blinks, snapping back to the present. 

He glances at her, almost surprised to find her there, and then gives a small, tight smile. 

"Oh... sorry. Just... thinking," he mutters, 

He rubs the back of his neck in a way that tells Ruby his thoughts aren't particularly light or easy.

Ruby scoots a little closer, her knee brushing against his. 

"Want to talk about it?" she asks. 

There's no pressure in her voice, just a quiet offer of comfort. 

She knows better than to pry when he's like this—

Sometimes, he needs a gentle nudge rather than a push.

He hesitates for a moment, staring at the shifting waters below. 

"It's just... I keep wondering if we're making the right choices," he admits finally, his voice barely above a whisper. 

"We've been at sea for ten days now. Heading to EmberWind Village, hoping it's a safe place for us. But what if..." 

He trails off, the words dying on his lips.

Ruby tilts her head, her gaze softening as she watches him. 

"What if what?"

Zach takes a deep breath, his shoulders rising and falling as he exhales. 

"What if we bring trouble to them, Ruby? Haerak's people have been peaceful for so long. And now we're just... barging into their lives. With everything that's happened, with the kingdoms after us, with the bandits..." 

His voice fades, the weight of his worries pressing down on him like a heavy shroud.

Ruby listens quietly, letting him get it all out. 

She knows how much he carries on his shoulders — 

The responsibility of leading their group, the burden of every decision made. 

She reaches out, placing a hand on his arm, a small gesture meant to ground him, to let him know she's there.

"I understand why you're worried," she says softly. 

"But look at them, Zach. Look at everyone on this ship." 

She gestures towards the others — Aina giggling as she tries to dodge Haerak's tickles, Seraphina laughing so hard she's clutching her stomach, Andhur teasing Kazaks with exaggerated imitations, and the villagers of EmberWind sharing stories with Yzavynne and Leeani. 

"They're happy right now. All of them. They're safe here with us."

Zach's eyes follow her hand, taking in the scene she's pointed out. 

The worry in his gaze flickers, softening just a little. 

"Yeah," he says quietly. 

"I guess you're right."

Ruby smiles, her fingers giving his arm a reassuring squeeze. 

"You're a good leader, Zach. And a good person. You always put everyone else before yourself. But you need to remember that you don't have to carry everything alone. We're all in this together, and we're all willing to face whatever comes our way."

He turns his head to look at her, really look at her, for the first time since they sat down. 

There's a deep gratitude in his eyes, mingled with a hint of something softer, something vulnerable that he doesn't often let show. 

"You're always good at saying the right thing, Ruby," he murmurs.

Ruby chuckles, a light, airy sound. 

"I just speak from the heart," she says. 

Then, she tilts her head playfully. 

"Besides, it's not every day I get to see you so lost in thought. It's like you're finally letting yourself take a break."

Zach huffs a laugh, a genuine one this time, and nods. 

"It has been ten days of traveling at sea," he says, a faint smile playing at his lips. 

"And everyone's getting along with Seraphina now. That just... amazes me. I never thought us warriors would be good at making friends, especially with villagers like her."

Ruby grins, nudging him lightly with her shoulder. 

"You underestimate us, Zach. We're not just fighters. We're people, too. And people need friends. We've been through a lot together, but that doesn't mean we've forgotten how to laugh, how to connect."

Zach's smile grows a bit wider, his gaze softening as he watches their companions. 

"Yeah. It's strange, isn't it? Seeing everyone so relaxed, so at ease. It's like... for the first time in a long while, we're just living. Not fighting, not running. Just... living."

Ruby nods, her eyes glinting with a quiet joy. 

"And isn't that the whole point of all this? To find a place where we can just be? A place where we don't have to constantly look over our shoulders?"

Zach lets out a deep breath, as if releasing some of the tension that's been coiled inside him. 

He leans back on his hands, tilting his head up to the sky. 

"Maybe you're right," he says, his voice low and contemplative. 

"Maybe this is the start of something different for us. Something better."

Ruby watches him for a moment, her smile softening. 

She scoots closer, resting her head lightly against his shoulder. 

"It is," she whispers. 

"We just have to believe in it. And in ourselves."

They sit there in comfortable silence for a while, the morning sun warming their faces, the sound of the waves a soothing lullaby in the background. 

For the first time in a long while—

Zach feels a tiny spark of hope light up inside him—

A promise of something brighter on the horizon.

He glances down at Ruby, who's still resting her head against his shoulder, her eyes half-closed in contentment. 

He wraps an arm around her, pulling her just a little closer, and she smiles, her fingers lightly tracing patterns on his arm.

"Thank you," he murmurs, his voice barely audible over the sound of the sea.

Ruby opens her eyes, looking up at him. 

"For what?"

Zach replies, his voice soft but full of emotion.

"For being here. For reminding me what we're fighting for."

Ruby's smile widens, and she gives a small nod, squeezing his hand. 

"Always," she says simply. 

"Always."

Zach and Ruby, after sharing that comforting moment together, decide to stand up, brushing the salty sea breeze from their faces. 

Zach looks down at Ruby, who gives him a reassuring smile, as if to say everything's going to be okay. 

He nods back, his own smile more genuine now.

They start walking together towards the bustling scene on the deck where Haerak, Aina, and Seraphina are playing a lighthearted game of chase. 

Aina's laughter rings out as Seraphina tries to catch her, the older woman dramatically stumbling around like she's been hexed, her hands outstretched like a monster's claws.

"Aha! I've got you now, little one!" Seraphina declares with a grin, but Aina ducks out of her reach with a gleeful giggle.

Haerak watches them with a fond, protective smile, staying close to ensure Aina doesn't trip or get too close to the edge. 

When he spots Zach and Ruby approaching, he waves them over with a cheerful call.

Haerak's voice is warm.

"Morning, Zach! Ruby! How are you two holding up?" 

"Morning, Haerak," Ruby greets, her eyes crinkling in a smile. 

"We're doing alright. How about you? Any word on when we'll reach EmberWind Village?"

Haerak rubs his chin, glancing at the sky, as if judging the wind and the waves. 

"If the sea stays as kind as it's been these past few days, we'll reach EmberWind by tomorrow morning. It's not far now." 

He looks back at Zach with a reassuring grin. 

"Just one more night on the water."

Zach lets out a small sigh of relief, nodding. 

"Good to hear. The crew seems to be in good spirits."

"Of course, they are!" Seraphina suddenly pops up between them, making Ruby jump slightly. 

The shaman's wide grin is almost contagious, her bright eyes sparkling with mischief. 

"We've got Aina keeping everyone entertained, and I'm making sure no one gets seasick with my special concoctions!" 

She reaches into her pouch and pulls out a small vial filled with a strange, swirling green liquid.

Ruby asks, eyeing the vial warily.

"What is that?" 

"Oh, just a little something I whipped up," Seraphina says with a nonchalant wave of her hand. 

"It cures nausea, seasickness, headaches, and... it also might make you see double for a few minutes, but I'm working on that part."

Haerak chuckles at her antics. 

"You're a menace, Seraphina. But a lovable one."

Seraphina gasps dramatically, putting a hand over her chest. 

"Menace? Moi? I'm just here to bring a little excitement to your dull, predictable lives!" 

She winks at Ruby, who laughs in response.

Zach notices Qarek standing nearby, leaning against the railing and minding his own business as his war axe. 

Seraphina, as if sensing a new target for her playful mischief, sidles up to him with a grin.

"Qarek!" she calls out, her voice sing-song. 

"You've been awfully quiet this whole trip. What's the matter? Seasick? Or are you just in a brooding mood again?"

Qarek glances at her out of the corner of his eye, raising an eyebrow but otherwise not reacting much. 

"Neither," he replies shortly, focusing on his knife. 

"Just sharpening my axe."

"Sharpening your axe?" Seraphina echoes, leaning closer with a teasing smile. 

"What are you preparing for? An attack from a rogue seagull?"

Qarek gives her a sidelong look, his lips twitching into a faint smirk despite himself. 

"You never know," he says dryly. 

"These waters are dangerous. Could be a flock of killer seagulls just waiting for the right moment."

Seraphina bursts out laughing, the sound so genuine that it catches the attention of a few of the villagers nearby. 

"Oh, you're good, Qarek! I knew there was a sense of humor under all that grumpiness."

Qarek just shakes his head, going back to his work, but there's a hint of amusement in his eyes that wasn't there before.

Not satisfied yet—

Seraphina then turns her attention to Gargeal, who stands at the far end of the deck, leaning against the railing. 

He's staring out at the open sea, seemingly lost in the serene view. 

The sunlight catches the waves, casting shimmering reflections in his eyes, and there's a rare peacefulness in his normally stoic expression.

"Hey, Gargeal!" Seraphina calls out, skipping over to him. 

"Enjoying the view?"

Gargeal doesn't respond immediately. 

His gaze remains fixed on the horizon, the breeze rustling his hair. 

For a moment, Seraphina almost thinks he hasn't heard her, but then he gives a small, barely perceptible nod.

"Are you contemplating the meaning of life, or just enjoying the scenery?" 

Seraphina jokes, leaning against the railing beside him.

Still, there's no verbal response. 

Gargeal's lips quirk up slightly at the corners, but he remains silent, his attention unwavering from the vast ocean.

Seraphina pouts, pretending to be offended. 

"You're no fun, Gargeal! Not even a single word for your favorite shaman?" 

She nudges him playfully, but he remains as unflappable as ever.

Zach chuckles, watching the exchange. 

"You're not going to get much out of him, Seraphina," he says, walking over with Ruby by his side. 

"Gargeal's more of a listener than a talker."

Gargeal finally turns his head, giving Zach a brief look before offering a simple, calm reply. 

"Sometimes, it's better to just enjoy the moment in silence."

Seraphina throws her hands up in mock defeat. 

"You're impossible, you know that?"

He merely smirks and turns back to the sea, ignoring her playful jabs. 

Ruby giggles, linking her arm with Seraphina's. 

"Come on, let's leave the quiet types to their brooding. We can go bother Haerak instead."

Seraphina grins, letting Ruby pull her away. 

"Alright, but I'm not done with you yet, Gargeal!" 

She calls over her shoulder, laughing as she follows Ruby back towards the others.

As they walk back, Zach leans in towards Ruby. 

He murmurs with a smile.

"She's... quite the character, isn't she?" 

Ruby nods, her eyes sparkling. 

"Yeah. It's nice, though. Having someone like her around lightens the mood. We all need that, especially now."

Zach smiles at her words, feeling a sense of calm wash over him. 

He looks ahead at Haerak, Aina, and the rest of the group laughing and enjoying the morning together. 

It's a rare moment of peace, a fleeting slice of normalcy that they've all been craving.

"Tomorrow morning," he repeats quietly, thinking of Haerak's words. 

"We'll be at EmberWind Village by then."

Ruby squeezes his arm gently, her touch a comforting reminder that they're on this journey together, not just as warriors, but as friends finding solace in each other's company.

Suddenly—

The sun dips behind a blanket of dark clouds. 

The once calm sea begins to churn, the wind picking up speed, whipping their hair and pulling at their clothes. 

The laughter fades as everyone looks up, noticing the sky turning an ominous shade of gray.

Zach narrows his eyes, scanning the horizon. 

The peaceful morning has vanished, replaced by the sudden onset of an approaching storm. 

Waves start crashing against the side of the ship, the boat rocking harder with each swell.

Ruby grips his arm, her smile fading. 

"Zach... this doesn't look good."

Haerak steps forward, his face serious as he takes the wheel. 

"All hands on deck! Prepare for a storm!"

The first crack of thunder roars across the sky, and the rain begins to pour.

Zach's gaze locks onto the horizon, tension rippling through him. 

"Brace yourselves, everyone. This is going to be rough."

And just like that—

The tranquil morning dissolves into chaos as the storm swallows their ship whole.

═════ ◆ TO BE CONTINUED ◆ ═════

◆ ◆ ◆ Author's Notes ◆ ◆ ◆

Brace yourselves everyone!!