The days following the storm were a mix of tense vigilance and routine work aboard The Northern Gale. Captain Jorvik's warning about being on high alert was something his crew took seriously.
However, it wasn't even 3 hours after the first storm that they understood why.
For about a week straight, they were hit by a storm almost every three hours, with oceanic beasts constantly attacking them.
Most of the time, they'd only have about an hour of rest in between each 'attack' before the next one came.
Fortunately, the boat was strong and well-protected. With Mira and Elenei keeping some of the more powerful beasts at bay, they only had to worry about the smaller stuff along with the storms.
Still, the crew couldn't help but think that maybe their Captain was right. There really was something wrong with their client.
Mira spent her time on deck, often gazing out at the endless expanse of the sea. She seemed to be deep in thought, occasionally conversing with Elenei or Rhydian but usually either meditating or sightseeing.
Dominique and Hana, meanwhile, took to exploring the ship under the watchful eye of Linnea. They were fascinated by the workings of the vessel and the lives of the sailors.
The crew was initially wary of the young girls but soon warmed up to their curiosity and began to share stories of their voyages and adventures.
As the ship sailed further north, the temperature began to drop noticeably. Icebergs floated on the ocean's surface, but they were still a relatively rare sight. The crew navigated carefully through these icy waters, avoiding the larger ice formations.
It wasn't long before they started to approach the narrow channel that connected the Gulf of the Western Continent to the World Sea, the ocean that spanned the entire world.
That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Captain Jorvik called Mira and her group to the deck.
He pointed to a distant shape on the horizon. "There," he said. "That's the Silver Straits."
From where they stood, Mira couldn't quite see or understand what he was pointing at, so instead, she closed her eyes and spread her Soul Sense.
Immediately, she saw the edge of the so-called 'Silver Straits' and her eyebrows raised.
A few dozen kilometers away, she saw a thin channel that looked like liquid metal, completely different from the water around her. Around it were massive, jagged ice formations that shot up to the sky with dark clouds hanging overhead.
"The waters there," Jorvik continued, pointing to the distant silver shimmer on the horizon, "are treacherous. The tides are unpredictable, and whirlpools can form out of nowhere. If we get caught in one, it's nearly impossible to escape. Our only chance is to go through fast and in one go."
Mira nodded, her gaze fixed on the straits. "What about those ice formations?" she asked, noticing the jagged ice structures surrounding the straits.
"Those are natural formations," Jorvik explained. "They're like thousands of icebergs compacted into one. It's a maze of ice, and one wrong turn could entrap you in it forever. That's why we need to stick to the main passage."
"Couldn't we just go around it?" Dominique asked, but Jorvik shook his head.
"You're too naive, little missy. Those ice formations carry on as far as the eye can see. We could take the strait to the Central Continent, but that only adds more time and danger to an already perilous journey. I don't think we need that with this lass here." He said as he pointed to Mira.
The person in question could only nod in agreement. Although she didn't care much about the added time, the increased danger, combined with her bad luck, might actually kill her.
"However, no need'ta worry, little lass. I've been through this passage more times than I can count. I'll get you through, all safe and sound." He said, wanting to give Dominique a few pats on the head, only to receive a glare from Mira.
Coughing awkwardly, he turned away from them and spoke to his crew. "Alright, men! Prepare for the Strait! I have a feeling it's not going to be an easy ride!"
"Aye, Captain!"
The crew set to work, reinforcing the ship's defenses and preparing for high-speed navigation. Mira and Elenei offered their assistance, readying themselves for any unforeseen dangers.
Soon, they entered the Silver Straits, and the ship began to pick up speed. The waters glimmered like flowing silver under the moonlight, creating a surreal and almost otherworldly scene.
Jorvik stood at the helm, his eyes laser-focused on the path ahead. "Hold on tight!" he shouted. "This is going to get rough!"
The ship surged forward, cutting through the metallic waters at an astonishing speed. The crew held onto whatever they could, their faces tense with concentration as they used the internal mechanisms of the ship to keep their balance.
Mira stood at the bow, her eyes scanning the waters for any signs of whirlpools or unexpected obstacles. Her Qi was circulating within her, prepared to react at a moment's notice.
The ship weaved through the ice maze, narrowly avoiding collisions with the jagged formations. The tension on deck was palpable, and every crew member was silent, their focus solely on their tasks.
Suddenly, a massive whirlpool formed directly in their path. Jorvik cursed, steering the ship to avoid it, but the pull of the whirlpool was too strong.
"We're getting sucked in!" one of the crewmen yelled.
Mira stepped forward, her hands raised. A surge of Qi flowed from her, forming a barrier around the ship. She pushed against the pull of the whirlpool, her power straining against the force of nature.
"Keep her steady!" The Captain yelled over the roar of the water.
Jorvik steered the ship, using Mira's Qi barrier as a shield against the whirlpool's pull. The ship groaned and creaked under the strain, but slowly, they began to pull away from the whirlpool.
The crew cheered as they escaped the grasp of the whirlpool, but their relief was short-lived. Another challenge awaited them - a sudden, violent storm.
Lightning flashed, and thunder boomed as rain poured down in sheets. The winds howled, tossing the ship around like a toy.
Mira and Elenei floated just above the ship, battling the elements as they worked to redirect the incoming attacks to keep the boat on course.
Below them, the crew worked tirelessly, following Jorvik's commands to navigate through the storm. Despite the chaos, there was a sense of unity and purpose among them.
However, this wasn't any normal storm.
Within seconds, the storm intensified, morphing into a violent tempest that seemed hell-bent on swallowing the ship whole. The sky had turned black and gray, with lightning bolts slicing through it like bright, deadly spears.
Captain Jorvik, eyes narrowed against the driving rain, shouted commands that barely cut through the howling wind. "Tighten the sails! Secure the deck! Don't let her capsize!"
The crew, though drenched and battered by the elements, moved quickly and did as they were told. They were fighting not just for the ship but for their very lives at the moment.
Meanwhile, Mira and Elenei were like two goddesses of the storm. They manipulated the elements with their Qi, diverting lightning strikes and reducing the wind's fury, but the power of the tempest was overwhelming.
Suddenly, a massive wave, towering like a mountain, rose from the depths, its crest looming over The Northern Gale. Jorvik's face went pale. "Brace for impact!" he screamed, gripping the wheel with all his might.
The wave crashed down upon them with a deafening roar, engulfing the ship in a torrent of water. For a moment, it seemed as if The Northern Gale would be dragged into the depths of the sea.
But Mira extended her hands, her Qi surging out in waves. A massive barrier of ice formed above the ship, taking the brunt of the wave's force.
Water cascaded off the sides, and the ship, though battered, remained afloat. The crew let out ragged cheers, but Jorvik still remained grim-faced. They were just getting started.
The storm raged on, but the worst had passed. The crew, spurred on by their narrow escape, worked to steer the ship clear of the Straits.
Mira and Elenei, exhausted from their efforts, descended back onto the deck. The crewmen looked at them with gratitude but also a hint of skepticism. Still, since they technically saved their lives, the hard feelings they once had were starting to dissipate.
Dominique and Hana, who had been sheltered below deck, now emerged, their eyes wide at the sight of the chaos around them. Linnea followed right behind them.
As they finally sailed clear of the Silver Straits and into the World Sea, the storm began to subside, the winds dying down and the waves becoming less aggressive.
Jorvik stood at the helm, looking out at the calmer waters of the World Sea with a mix of relief and exhaustion etched on his face.
"We made it," he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else. "We made it through the damn straits."
As the crew began the task of repairing and tending to the ship, Mira turned to Dominique and Hana. "Let's go below deck. You both need rest," she said softly.
Dominique nodded, taking Hana's hand. "That was... intense," she murmured.
Mira smiled slightly. "It's all part of the journey. You'll get used to it."
As they descended below deck, the crew of The Northern Gale continued their work, the ship steadily cutting through the waters of the World Sea.
