Sanctuary: Safe Haven-Chapter 386: Time To Fish!

Kaelor stood on the deck, staring out into the endless stretch of ocean, his face set in a rare frown. Days had passed since they’d set out for Giant’s Island, and not a single creature had dared to approach the ship. No hostile monsters, no curious aquatic beasts—nothing. It was strange, too strange, and it left him with a nagging sense of unease.

"Weird," he muttered under his breath, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the handle of his golden harpoon. As the head of defenses on this voyage, he had been prepared for attacks, knowing that a journey through these seas usually meant at least a few encounters with creatures of the deep. But the utter silence on the water unnerved him more than any monster attack ever could.

Deciding he needed answers, Kaelor strode across the deck, his footsteps purposeful as he approached Captain Drennard, who was carefully stirring the ship’s wheel with practiced ease. The old captain glanced at Kaelor, his brows lifting in silent question.

"Drennard," Kaelor began, his voice low but carrying the weight of his concern. "The sea’s too quiet. Have you noticed?"

Drennard nodded, his eyes still fixed on the horizon. "Aye, Kaelor, I’ve noticed. Been on these waters a lifetime, and it’s never been this calm. Unnatural, if you ask me."

Kaelor crossed his arms, his gaze narrowed as he scanned the waves. "Unnatural doesn’t even begin to cover it. There should’ve been at least two or three attacks by now. Hell, we should’ve even seen a few friendly creatures passing by. But there’s nothing. It’s like the whole ocean is… avoiding us."

Drennard called out, "Finnick! Get over here!" His voice was sharp, cutting through the quiet.

Moments later, Finnick appeared, moving with his usual easygoing swagger, his eyes scanning the horizon even as he approached. "Aye, Cap’n?" Stay connected via novelbuddy

Drennard jerked his head toward the waves. "Tell me, Finnick, have you seen anything out there?"

Finnick let out a short laugh, scratching his chin as he looked out over the water. "Seen plenty, Cap’n. Monsters here and there, just beyond the hundred-meter mark. But it’s like they’re... dodging us." He frowned, his playful smirk fading as he explained. "I spot ’em one minute, but soon as we get within a hundred meters, they’re gone. Boltin’ the other way, like they’ve seen a ghost."

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Kaelor’s frown deepened. "Dodging us? In all my years defending ships, I’ve never heard of such a thing. I’d expect one or two smart ones to steer clear, but a whole stretch of the sea? They usually attack anything they see."

Drennard shook his head, his expression grim. "Aye, and we’ve not exactly been quiet either. Sails up, cannons loaded—these beasts should be drawn to the noise like flies to honey. Instead, they’re scatterin’ like someone’s cleared the path."

Finnick gave a nonchalant shrug but couldn’t hide the edge of curiosity in his voice. "It’s a mystery, alright. Feels strange, but I suppose I’m not complainin’. Means less work for me."

Kaelor grunted. "Maybe, but something’s off. I’m keeping my harpoon close."

With that, he turned back to his watch, his grip tightening on his golden weapon. He had a feeling this eerie calm wouldn’t last.

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Meanwhile, inside his cabin, Canna sat by the window with a bored expression, tapping his fingers idly on the windowsill as he stared out at the calm sea. "This is supposed to be an exploration," he muttered to himself, his gaze drifting over the horizon. "Where’s all the excitement?"

After a moment, he stood up, stretching before making his way outside. Once on deck, he strolled over to the railings, breathing in the cool sea air as he let his eyes scan the waters. "Is the sea always this peaceful?" he wondered aloud.

A familiar voice answered from behind him, smooth and respectful. "Um, master…"

Canna turned slightly, recognizing the voice of Abaddon coming from the shadows. The demon hesitated, as though weighing his words carefully. "I’ve been using a skill this whole time, one that makes monsters steer clear of us. That’s why the sea’s been so quiet."

Canna’s eyes narrowed, then he let out a heavy sigh, his palm slapping against his forehead loud enough that it echoed across the deck. "Abaddon, that completely defeats the purpose of a sea exploration! Can you turn it off? I’m getting bored here."

"Of course, master," Abaddon replied. "As you wish."

As soon as Abaddon lifted the skill, the atmosphere seemed to shift, an almost electric tension filling the air. Minutes passed, and Canna could feel the subtle difference, a heaviness that suggested the monsters of the deep were no longer holding back.

On the upper deck, Kaelor was leaning against the railing, his eyes closed as he rested. But suddenly, a chill ran down his spine, and his grip tightened instinctively around his harpoon. His eyes snapped open, darting to the horizon, his voice booming across the ship.

"INCOMING!"

The crew sprang into action, each member taking up their positions, their expressions grim but determined. Just beyond the edge of the ship, dark shapes began to rise from the water, cutting through the waves with alarming speed. The sea, once calm, had transformed into a battlefield.

Kaelor leapt into action, his harpoon gleaming as he prepared to face whatever creatures were approaching. His face was set in determination as he swung the weapon expertly, driving it into the first monster that lunged from the water—a massive, scaled serpent with rows of razor-sharp teeth. The creature screeched, but Kaelor twisted the harpoon, sending it reeling back into the depths.

Meanwhile, Linna was at her station by the cannons, her fingers flying as she loaded and aimed. With practiced ease, she lit the fuse, firing round after round into the waves as sea monsters charged. Each blast sent plumes of water skyward, and each impact seemed to deter but not defeat the oncoming swarm.

"Here they come!" she shouted, a fierce smile on her face. "One for every cannonball!"

Beside her, Drennard took up a position, wielding his cutlass with a deadly gleam in his eye. With a loud yell, he leaped forward, cutting down a creature that had managed to clamber halfway onto the ship. It was a monstrous crab-like being, its claws snapping viciously as Drennard slashed through its armor, sending it tumbling back into the sea. The captain was a true-transcendent, his body moving with the agility and speed of a seasoned warrior as he joined his crew in the fray.

Amidst the chaos, Finnick called out from his perch, his keen eyes spotting new threats before anyone else. "More from the port side! Three more—big ones, and they don’t look like they’re giving up easy!"

Kaelor didn’t waste a second. He turned and hurled his harpoon with precision, the weapon slicing through the air and embedding itself into one of the larger creatures—a leviathan with massive, coiling tentacles that thrashed wildly. Kaelor pulled the harpoon back with a powerful yank, reeling in the creature just enough for Linna to fire another cannon shot, blasting it into the depths.

Canna, leaning casually against the railing, watched the scene unfold with a mixture of amusement and boredom. As cannons roared and the ship rocked under the weight of the battle, he let out a yawn. "Mortem, any guesses on which of these sea monsters Alma used to make that dried fish from last time?"

Mortem’s voice sounded from the shadows beside him, as composed as ever. "I wouldn’t know, master. But just to be thorough, I’d suggest capturing one of each. That way, we won’t miss it."

Canna’s eyes lit up with a mischievous glint. "Good idea, Mortem." A crackle of dark energy sparked in his hands, black lightning swirling as he prepared to join the battle.

Kaelor, Drennard, Linna, and Finnick continued their coordinated efforts, each member of the crew working in unison to fend off the seemingly endless tide of monsters. Every swing of Kaelor’s harpoon, every cannon blast from Linna, every cutlass strike from Drennard—it all became a symphony of defense, a fierce testament to their skill and determination.

The monsters, relentless in their assault, came in waves. Some were creatures of the deep, their eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger; others were smaller, quick-moving beasts, darting in and out of the water with alarming speed. But the crew held their ground, refusing to let a single creature breach the deck.

Finally, Canna stepped forward, black lightning crackling in his hands as he raised his voice above the din. "Time to fish!"