Rough waves toss the Azure Zephyr like a toy boat. High winds threaten to rip through the main mast, prompting Axel to jump into action, securing them. At the ship’s wheel, Ryo digs his feet into the deck, diverting his strength to his feet and arms to maintain control of the wheel. Pressure from the rough surf constantly pushes against him. In front of Ryo’s eyes, the main deck distorts briefly with human silhouettes racing in every direction. Muffled voices fill his ears, but the wind drowns out any words. Rain pelts the wood in periodic heavy bands, creating a slippery surface. Creeping dread sinks into the pit of his stomach.

“Damn it!”

A shout snaps him back to reality for him to see Axel slammed up against the side railing. His grip weakens from the support rope. Ryo reaches behind and snags a rope from one of the close sails. While keeping the wheel straight, he tightens the rope around it. With the wheel secure, Ryo tightens a second rope around his waist and jumps over the front rail to the deck below. At that point, a large wave crashes over the ship’s surface, throwing all unsecure items to the left or overboard. The amount of force weakens Axel’s rope further, snapping each thick rope weave one by one. In front of him, Axel watches the last weave untwirl then snap in two. He falls backwards over the rail.

He braces for the inevitable water impact, but it never comes. Instead, all the blood rushes to his head, and a thick smell of sea salt fills his nostrils. Axel opens his eyes to an upside-down world, his arms dangling next to his head. Confused, he struggles to right himself up but can’t. A rope tightens around his ankle. Up on deck, while still secured, Ryo holds the other end to keep Axel from falling. Above the severe storm dissipates as quickly as it hits them.

“Hey help! All the blood’s rushing to my head.” Axel shouts at him.

“Help yourself. I stopped you from falling. Get back up here.” Ryo yells back at him.

After a few swings, Axel swings up into a curled position to grab the upper rails. “Damn you.” He struggles to get a good grip but then slips from the wet rails. Bang! He falls backwards hitting his head against the side of the ship. “Ow.” Pain shoots from the back of his head down his spine.

“Stop playing around or else I’m dropping you.” Ryo’s voice comes from above.

Axel tries a few times to get back up but stops to take a breather. He dangles, swaying back and forth caused by the rough ocean surf. He glances out at the ocean’s surface and catches the sight of a weird silhouette on the water. Squinting, Axel makes out a large wooden board with a figure laying on top of it.

“What?” Getting a second wind, he swings himself upwards and catches onto the upper rail.

“Hey! Do you-“ Before he can finish, Ryo appears in front of him with a rope in his hands. “How did you?”

Two days later, Bruce Lyrgg regains consciousness but remains unable to get out of bed. A few poorly wrapped bandages dangle off his bed. Half-eaten stale bread and cold lumpy soup sit on the nightstand next to him.  Each rock of the ship churns his stomach with nauseated uneasiness. Fighting against the urge to throw up, he shuts his eyes to calm himself. A light knock at the door interrupts his silence. Axel peeks his head in.

“Hey, are you still asleep?” His straightforwardness annoys Bruce.

“Ugh…no” Bruce grunts. “Between your first aid skills and this food, I don’t know how you two survived this long.”

Axel shrugs his shoulders. “I’m no doctor or cook, and I know nothing about Ryo’s skills so, it is what it is.” His carefree lighthearted answer instills fear in Bruce.

Bruce covers his eyes with his left hand. “I’m going to die. I survived the water, just to die on a ship.” He mutters.

“It’s not that bad. You can see a doctor when we dock at Milonite City.” Axel crosses his arms.

“What?’ Bruce sits up. The nausea disappears replaced with dread.

“That’s our destination, Milonite City.” Axel repeats himself.

“No! We can’t! That’s!” Ryo enters from behind Axel, interrupting Bruce.

“We have a problem.” He whispers next to Axel’s head. Confused, Axel leaves Bruce and Ryo inside the cabin.  

Above deck, Axel glances out at the water, a handful of ships drift between the Azure Zephyr and Milonite’s Port. Axel recognizes the feathered dragon symbol on the wood declaring they are part of Royal Family of Lunestra. One of the ships breaks from his ranks and sails towards their ship. Axel rushes over to the side rails.

“What’s going on? We can’t enter the port!” Axel says.

“Looks like a checkpoint.” Ryo joins him.

“Where were you?” Axel snaps at him. Ryo doesn’t respond.  

“So, all we do is present the ship’s papers and be on our way. Sounds easy enough.” His sense of ease disappears when he turns to see Ryo’s blank expression. “We do have papers...right?”

“No. I checked already. This ship was never registered.”

Dread replaces all other emotions and Axel ruffles his hair with both of his hands. “How is this possible! That son of a-! If we don’t do something, never mind being arrested! The ship will be confiscated!” Full blown panic sets it. He paces back and forth on the deck. A few minutes later the Royal Naval ship aligns with Axel’s, snapping him out of his own thoughts. 

 From behind him a soldier holds up a piece of paper and projects his voice towards the ship. ‘Travelers! You have approached a Royal Blockage! Prepare to be boarded for inspection!” He shouts.

From the side of the ship, a bridge-like plank expands outwards, connecting to the rails in front of Axel. Soldiers in two rows match across it and board the Azure Zephyr, swords at their sides and rifles across their shoulders. From behind, the haughty Gunther Warrin dressed in his three-star commander uniform follows behind them. He steps onto the deck to glance at his surroundings, hands placed behind his back. Without a second though, he sneers with disgust.

“Such a poorly crafted ship. How is it even still afloat.” His insults tumble out of his mouth with ease.

“Why you.” Axel balls his hands into fists but Ryo places a hand on his shoulder, shaking his head.

Gunther clears his throat. “I am here today to perform an inspection of your ship. Present your papers and stand aside.” He glances down at Axel, placing himself in a higher position. Axel cast a defiant look back at Gunther. 

“Well, no matter, the papers can wait. Search the ship anyways!” He raises his hand forward. “Alright men, look from top to bottom. You find even one suspicious person or item and this whole ship is confined. All the soldiers spread out, to begin their search. One of them approaches Axel.

“Is there anyone else on the ship besides you two?” He holds a clipboard to write the report.

“No, it’s only us…” He cuts himself off when he sees Gunther head below deck. “Hey wait a minute!” He follows him.

After catching up in the hallway, Axel moves past him and blocks his path.

“Just what are you doing?! There is no proper cause to search this ship.” He raises his voice.

Gunther puts his hand on his sword. “Out of the way. We will find what you are trying to hide.” He shoves Axel to the side with his big hand. Without a care, the wooden doors slam open from his rough force. Regaining his footing, Axel rushes to his back.

“Who do you think you are?!” The angry Axel’s tried to hold back threatens to surface. Gunther stops in his tracks, casting a piercing stare over his left shoulder.

“If we find out you are harboring a pirate on his ship, you will be arrested and tried with the highest punishment imaginable.” His words carry a heavy presence. “One escaped the city. We will find him one way or another.”

“A pirate? There are no pirates here…” He trails off, this sudden thought focuses on Bruce, his gaze on the door behind Gunther. His silence gives Gunther a hint of satisfaction.

“Ah, so there is something here.” Gunther smile widens, then he tuns around.

“Wait? No there isn’t anything!” Axel tries to cover himself.

Catching Axel’s glimpse at the door, he kicks it open. “Aright! Royal Naval Officer here, come out or prepare for being arrested!” Axel panics and rushes into the room behind him but stops in his tracks. Bruce is nowhere to be found, the bed sheets scatter across the floor, a few empty food dishes pile up on the beside table. Pieces of clothing hang from the window and the dresser mirror. The room’s appearance shocks them both.

“What the hell is this?!” Gunther shouts.

“Uh…my room. Do you mind?” Ryo enters behind them. “It wasn’t in the best condition, but I don’t appreciate someone breaking down my door.” Axel remains speechless.

“What’s going on?” Gunther demands.

“We were attacked by a ship on our way here, suffered minor injuries. Most of our supplies and papers were stolen by them. We need to go to the city to resupply.” Ryo explains, he lifts his long sleeve, most of his arm wrapped in bandages.

“Were they the pirates? Huh?!” Gunther pursues Ryo for answers.

“Their mast was covered.” Ryo adds.

“Dammit! They plan to use those papers to sneak into the city!” Gunther exits the room, quickly.  “They might still be nearby!” Gunther’s one-track mind became their saving grace.

Back on the main deck, Gunther issues an order of retreat to all soldiers. Leaving a lot of the search places in disarray, they file back over the bridge and retract it. From below deck, Axel peers out the cabin window to see the Royal ship sail off in the direction they came from. Confused he looks over at Ryo, who unwraps all the bandages from his arm.

“What is going on?” Axel interrogates Ryo.

“It’s call improvising, you know this whole thing was suspicious.” Ryo answers.

“The only thing suspicious here is your knowledge and acting skills.” Axel casts a doubtful look at him.

One of the closets shutters. “It seems that our guest is in trouble.” He walks over, opening the second closet in the room. Bruce limps out, fear completely covers his face.

“We…we need to get to Milonite. There…there….going to…KILL MY SON!” He shouts to Axel and Ryo.