Realm Wars

Rumble!

Rumble!

The door glowed brighter and brighter before it opened with a popping sound, but none dared to enter its dangers.

"Can we just swam our way out of here?" Kai was weighing the risks in his hands. Too bad for the treasures, but he'd rather stay alive and try his luck in the Scavenger areas.

"I'm afraid we're already in Tethyt's domain the moment our boats fell from that gaping hole." Seraphina looked at the others who were already recruiting members for their groups. "I think we should look for others who would join in our group."

There were hundreds of mercenaries, and Ryu didn't even know if they were other races who got sucked in too. With these numbers of different descent, it was hard to focus his eyes.

When they were still floating above waters, something was masking the scent of everyone, and Ryu couldn't detect who was who. Even now, he couldn't use his nose to find Cecily and Rosa.

He no longer had the seal, so he couldn't pinpoint if Cecily was far or near.

Could they be on a separate Islet? 

The number of experts that were sucked in the hole might have been divided into different Islets. Hope fluttered in Ryu's heart. Maybe their paths would merge in one of the Islet?

Since there is only one throne room, their paths would eventually meet.

"How do we even chose our group?" Kai was getting dizzy with everyone buzzing about and running to and there. And the noises they made were irksome while some already went ahead into the doors.

"Unless we compete with everyone here, I'd rather not team up with baggage," said Kai.

Most of the mercenaries formed groups already, and Kai thought that none approached them because of Ryu. There were also Halfbreeds who were left to their own who formed groups with each other while the mortals preferred their fellow mortals.

Come to think of it. Their number grew compared to when they were above waters. There were even other races like elves, sprites, dwarves, beasts, and even demons from different realms. However, their numbers were among the few. 

Since the Nighttime Sea was neutral territory, anyone could venture on its waters. They must have been sucked by the hole too.

The only reason that war didn't break between them was the fact that all of them were stuck and facing the same predicament.

Kai sighed. "At least we don't have angels here." They were too troublesome to deal with. And since Angels hardly went out from their realm, it was to be expected.

"Excuse me."

A mellow voice stole Ryu, Kai, and Seraphina's attention. They found a woman and a young boy beside them.

"Have you seen this man?" A woman of jade beauty and green hair said, and Kai's eyes sparkled with desire.

He pushed Ryu aside and swept his hair, and flashed his dazzling smile. "Hello, my name's Kai. Twenty years old. Male. Single. I don't have a house and property, but I promised to take care of you for the rest of your life."

"Ugh. . ." Seraphina's face remained amicable.

Ryu was searching his memories. The woman's face looked oddly familiar to him. .. that's right! He saw her in the auction house!

"My name is Jane, and this is my little brother Theodore." Jane then zoomed a sketch of a man on Kai's face. "This is my fiancé. His name is Marcus. We are looking for him. Any chance you have seen him?'

Kai's shoulder slumped, and his face went from handsome to ugly in mere seconds. "Nope, I haven't seen him."

Kai crossed his hands and looked away with his lower lips outstretched. "Haven't seen that man for the rest of my life.

Jane and Theodore looked at each other in worry. 

"What do we do now, big sis?" Theodore said. The glasses on his nose were falling as he looked into the ground while his eye watered.

Jane forced a smile and raffled Theodore's green hair. "Don't worry. Marcus is strong. He could definitely take care of himself. He's got to be on another islet."

That's what Ryu thought too! Cecily and the others might be on the other Islet.

"Uhm. .. ," Seraphina chimed in and said, "If you don't have a group yet, mind if we join you?"

"Egh?" Kai's chin crumpled. He didn't want to partner with committed women. He had a dignity and a pride to uphold.

Jane swept Seraphina and Kai a look. "Sure, but. . ." she then lingered on Ryu. Seraphina was a woman and looked amiable and kind, and she felt at ease with her presence. While Kai seemed a simpleton but as long he was strong, she didn't have any complaint.

The only problem was. .. the halfbreed.

The distrust and disgust in Jane's eyes were apparent, but Ryu didn't have the time or energy to waste on her.

"Don't worry." Seraphina shielded Ryu from Jane, and Theodore's scrutinizing gazes. "Though Ryu is a halfbreed, he is strong and . .. he just wanted to find his master."

The seal on Ryu's forehead stole Jane's attention. If he had a master then. .. "Alright."

"Okay, look." Kai walked forward and scratched the back of his neck. "If we wanted this group thing to work, I think it's safe to ask everyone's fighting style and name."

Jane nodded. "Fair enough." She then materialized a staff. "My name's Jane Éclair of house Éclair. I'm a Mage with a strong affinity to Wind."

Theodore squeezed near his sister like he wanted his presence to disappear when all eyes went on him. "I-I'm. .. Theodore. .. a healer. .. with. .. light magic."

"Oh." Kai was impressed. It was a rare ability, and it certainly would come in handy.

Seraphina smiled. "My name is Seraphina, and I'm–"

Kai raised his hand. "No need!" He then winked and pointed at his inflated chest. "My darling Seraphina could be whatever! It doesn't matter. I'll protect you no matter what."

"Ugh. . ." Seraphina didn't let Kai's enthusiastic and forceful personality overshadowed hers. She beamed and said, "I'm a mage with an affinity to water and plants."

".. ."

".. ."

"Plants?"