Just beneath the surface

The untamed perils

They sailed on for a week, still, no sign of any land. Just a massive stretch of infinite sea water.

"We're not even close to the said location", Fernando said.

"Well in around a week or so we might somehow reach there", Pedro replied. Miraculously, the sea had been rather kind to them, calm and steady.

"How's it with the food and water?" Fernando asked.

"It will last us for a month or so if we ration properly, but, let's just not hope a storm comes in our way", Jahmil replied. He tried to figure out just what they were looking for. Both he and Andres went over the books again to search for clues, but no trace at all. On one of the pages, there were some letters that were actually easy to understand, yet they were probably from a different language.

"Latin", Andres said.

"There's no way this is Latin. These words are clearly out of the dictionary", Jahmil replied.

"They're not totally different", Andres said, looking over a Latin dictionary.

"Look!" Andres exclaimed, pointing out some of the words.

"Letter E is I in this book, and O is U", he explained.

"Oh yeah", Jahmil replied.

"So that means all we have to do is translate it and we might just have the clue we were looking for all along", he continued.

"Souverngoule huh. So the color of the gem must correspond to the location of the barrier it is supposed to decode", Andres said. From the central mast, Miguel, the lookout stood with his eyes widely peeled. Being on the mast for about half a decade had his eyes trained like that of a falcon. However, nearly everyday was just another boring one. All he did was look at how the horizon would just never end. However, he had a strong feeling that today was going to be an exhilarating one. On the horizon, a figure loomed. It flickered in and out of sight, as if it was moving back and forth. Thinking it was just his imagination, he let his guard slide. Until suddenly a rush of fear took him by surprise. Ominous aura resonated from the figure, it felt like staring death in the face. Still, he couldn't make out what the figure in the distance was. He took out his spyglass to take a closer look.

"All right, I think that's about all that", Andres said.

"Do you think Fernando is supposed to be the one who reads this?" Jahmil asked.

"Well, it is his book. I'm actually surprised there was text from his book that we could read", Andres replied. They called Fernando down to the cabin, so that he could recite the enchantment.

"From what I've heard Souverngoule is the book of the books, in other words it's the universal book, because it resembles how the ocean encompasses everything. Now then", Fernando said, clearing his throat.

"As the letters of this page shall glow", he said. Suddenly the page began to glow.

"To illuminate the stars as they guide down the path like a beacon", he continued. Clouds began to gather in the distance, and soon, they became storm clouds.

"The gateway that transcends from this world to the other", he continued, a storm starting to brew in the far distance.

"That's exactly where the marking is on the map", Pedro remarked.

"To a world where all glows in all its splendidness!" Fernando exclaimed.

"Was that how I'm supposed to say it?" He asked. Suddenly thunder roared from the sky in the distance.

"Ship! Eight o' clock!" Miguel shouted.

"What excellent timing!" Fernando exclaimed as he ran out to the deck.

"Do you think we caused that storm?" Andres asked.

"Most likely", Jahmil replied.

On the deck, men rushed to the gunpowder stations, and distributed them throughout the ship. Men prepare the cannons, ready to fire.

"What's with the nervousness? What flag does it bear?" Fernando asked.

"A Jolly Roger sir", Miguel replied. Fernando took a closer look with his spyglass. Though it may have been a long time ago, he was sure he saw a ship that resembled the one his eyes were trained at.

"Man the guns! Prepare for a broadside!" Fernando shouted.

"What's going on?" Jahmil asked.

"Your probably first and last engagement with pirates. Now get Andres back down there, then come back up here quickly because I'm going to need you", Fernando replied. Soon the ship was clearly visible to the n***d eye. Their Frigate wasn't built for a muzzle to muzzle combat, but so was their enemy. The enemy ship was also sailing straight into a broadside of Fernando's guns, which would pose a serious disadvantage for the pirates. Confident, Fernando waited for the ship to fully swing. He knew that the only ship with more than six chaser guns had long been sunk.

"Unless", Fernando thought. There was a brief moment of silence, until a barrage was set loose from the pirate ship's twin triple chaser cannons, and four bow cannons.

"Ten shots? There's only one ship I know of that could accomplish such a feat!" Fernando thought. Rattled, the gunners opened fire without receiving any orders. Then, Fernando remembered. The ship was his brother's, no doubt. Andres hid under his bunk while the firefight ensued, but even from below, he could hear the screams of the sailors from above, and the sound of the cannons roaring from both ships. He splashes around the ship pounded it's sides, as the cannonballs barely missed. One came so close, scraping wood from the port bow. Fernando noticed something. It was as if the enemy ship wasn't even trying to hit them. Fernando steered the ship to the side to avoid contact with the enemy vessel. He knew that his brother's frigate, though just as lightly armed, was far better in terms of boarding. It had a boarding bridge of over 16 feet, which could be slammed on its enemies to get their troops caught off guard, exactly what Fernando wanted to avoid. The ships were so close, that Fernando could see some of the crew. They were no longer human however, arms broken, eyes gouged out, and flesh torn. He trembled in fear, it seemed like a nightmare! Fear destroyed his sense of reason, and in an attempt to break free from the menace chasing them, Fernando steered the ship right into the storm.

"Are you crazy? That storm is exactly what we were avoiding all along!" Jahmil exclaimed. His words however, did not reach Fernando at all. Still petrified by the fear of seeing such gnarly beings, he couldn't move or do a thing on his own accord. The ship was just meters away from the storm, and already the wind began to bite. The enemy ship veered off in the other direction, away from the storm, much to the sailor's relief. They cheered, but their troubles were far from over. The wind was too strong, so once again they had to pull their sails up so that the mast wouldn't be blown away. The waves overpowered the ship, flinging heaps of water aboard the ship. The rain did not help either, pounding the ship like water on rock. Using barrels, the men scooped the water and threw it overboard. Thunder raged all around, and streaks of lightning raced to reach the water first. Jahmil could easily tell that this storm was far greater than the one they faced before. If it continued, they would lose precious time and resources.

"Now you see it, child. This is the imperial wrath of an ocean!" A voice exclaimed. Jahmil looked around, yet there was nobody else who's composure would match that of the voice's. They sailed through the storm, and just as hope was about to be lost, a faint glow appeared in the far horizon. The crew was exhausted, but as the light in the distance became brighter and brighter, they slowly regained their strength.

"It's not that far! We can make it! Row harder!" Pedro shouted, initiating as Fernando was still trembling in fear. As soon as they escaped the veil of clouds, they sang and cheered. All things considered, the enemy vessel was no longer in sight, and the storm was well behind them.

"Captain, what are your orders?" Pedro asked, but Fernando did not reply.

"Captain?" He asked again. Finally Fernando got a grasp of what was happening. He checked his compass to see where they were.

"The compass, it's, it's spinning out of control!" Fernando said.

"There's no way the wind destroyed it", Pedro replied.

"Sir, look at the water!" A sailor exclaimed. What they saw was like nothing they had ever seen before. The sea glowed with flickering colours of white, yellow, pink, and orange. It was like a masterpiece. The sky above wasn't blue either, but a mixture of pastel colors. On the horizon, there were two suns, both steadily setting behind an island far ahead.

"At Least we found land", Jahmil remarked.

As the light faded, darkness crept in. However the sea remained illuminated by the glowing lights that flickered beneath.

"What is this place?" Fernando asked.

"This must be what the enchantment said. 'May the gate way that transcends between this world to the other, to the world where all glows in all its splendidness'. So the Terracetaceans must be here", Andres replied.

"So that storm sent us to this uncharted location? What kind of sorcery is this?" Jahmil asked.

In the distance, the island was clearly in sight. It wasn't one's everyday island, and It shone beautifully. It's coast was lined with glowing vegetation, and they shined so bright that the coast looked like it was illuminated by a thousand torches. The crew began to prepare to scout the island.

"Fifteen men, together with Jahmil, Andres, and I, will head inland to see what's in store for us. The rest of you unload slowly but surely, and if we don't come back by dawn, send the rest of the crew and bring the big guns", Fernando instructed.

"Yes captain", Pedro replied. The crew proceeded to unloading two dingies, so that the scout unit could go and do their thing. The island was mesmerising, as even the fish glowed. It was the coral that caused the water to light up with a myriad of colors. The thick vegetation on the coast was pretty much like mangroves, but adorned with beautiful glowing flowers. Andres picked off one, and found out that even when not attached, the flower would still glow. It felt rather warm in his palm. As they anchored the boats to the shore, Fernando waved back at the crew back at the boat signalling that they were fine.

"So now what?" Randall asked. Pedro looked to the flowers on the coast and smiled.

The scouting unit moved further in, yet aside from glowing plants and insects, there was nothing in sight. After a while, the men heard strange grunts coming from a distance. Fernando took his spyglass, and checked. He then signalled everyone to silence their steps.

"We're not alone", he whispered. In the distance, Fernando saw what seemed to be a settlement, judging by the wooden walls that surrounded it. On top of them, roved strange looking creatures. Though humane in stature, they had rather fishlike heads, with jaws filled with gnarly teeth, and a fin protruding from their foreheads.

"I've seen too many horrid creatures today!" Fernando exclaimed in thought.

Their arms and legs were also fishlike, having scales and fins of their own. Their chest glowed, a trait apparently similar to nearly every other creature they have seen.

"We have to investigate, but we will have to do this very quietly", Fernando whispered. They crouched and snuck through the glowing vegetation, inch by inch getting closer to the settlement. The gatehouse was open, and Fernando checked what was inside with his spyglass. In the settlement, were regular people. They were fair skinned, and lean. It didn't seem as though they were running the place however. It was more obvious that they were the ones in captivity.

"We need to figure out what this place is about, and what these weird creatures are", Fernando said. Suddenly one of the creatures began to whip one of the people, and soon, after the person collapsed, they tied her up in chains and carried her off.

"That didn't look too good, I guess we must regroup", Jahmil said. As they crawled out of the underbrush, an arrow streamed through the air and landed just right in front of them. Suddenly one of the scouts screamed in agonising pain, as one of the creatures stabbed him with a glowing harpoon.

"Scram!" Fernando shouted. More and more arrows came flying in, each having a heavy tip made of glowing stone. The creatures came jumping from the walls carrying weapons of all sorts. Over six to seven feet in height, they dwarfed Fernando's men, and towered over them like bears next to wolves. Andres tried to run away, but was soon caught and knocked unconscious. Fernando, Jahmil, and the rest of the scouts, fought for their lives. However, even muskets couldn't help them, there wasn't enough time for them to load, and their bayonets couldn't even reach due to the creatures' inhuman arm length. It was hopeless, and soon they were overrun. Jahmil got hit in the head, but even though he remained conscious, he played dead with one eye partially opened, a skill he acquired from his father when he was still alive. Fernando, though now the only one standing, fought ferociously. Using his rapier, he struck one of the creatures by the neck, killing it. His size proved to be of an advantage at first, but it didn't take long before he was knocked unconscious from behind. His vision, blacked out, but with his last ounce of strength, he pierced his rapier into the belly of one of the creatures that tried to approach him.