Chapter 16 – Raijin Lee, the Fisherman

HAMMER WAS HAVING A HARD TIME to land a blow on Torai. Not only was Torai quick, but he could also fly for a short time and distances.

When Torai was up in the air, Torai would use his thundercloud power to strike him with lightning. Hammer manages to dodge and block the lightning, though, with his battle hammers.

“Damn brat! Stop flying and fight like a man!” he taunted, trying to make Torai fight on the ground.

“Why don’t you fly over here and fight like an ability user?” Torai mocked.

“Hammer!” shouted Shiruce, “I could use a hand here!”

Shiruce was still fighting Daisuke with his special shark's fin blade. His fin blade was sharp enough to cut through concrete, but he was still unable to land a fatal blow on Daisuke. Thanks to Daisuke’s wooden arm, any attack that Shiruce released only landed on Daisuke’s wooden arms.

“I will not be defeated by some elves again!”

Hammer charged Daisuke. Torai was striking him with lightning, but Hammer was able to block them with his battle hammer like an umbrella for bolts of lightning. When Hammer was already at striking distance, he tried to smash Daisuke from behind. But Daisuke caught the hammer with his right wooden hand.

Shiruce tried to slash Daisuke while he was occupied with Hammer's battle hammer, but Daisuke caught the blade with his left wooden hand.

With his abnormal strength, Daisuke managed to break the blade of Shiruce and crushed the battle hammer of Hammer.

“Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!” Shiruce and Hammer were astonished.

“What does even an elf doing here?!” said Shiruce.

“It doesn’t concern you. Now, just surrender quietly,” urged Daisuke.

“Like I will!” Shiruce took two runestones that became two fin daggers. He attacked Daisuke, but Daisuke simply sidestepped and tripped Shiruce, bumping to Hammer's remaining hammer.

Daisuke then punched the ground, and from where Hammer and Shiruce were standing, a cherry blossom tree emerged, wrapping around the two.

Shiruce kept on struggling while the tree continued to entangle him. “Damn it! Damn it!”

From the distance, Shiruce and Hammer saw the other Fishbone Hunter ships blow up. Shiruce tried to struggle even more, but Torai had enough of him.

Torai created a massive thundercloud above them and released a bolt of lightning with a roaring thunder that hit the tree and the two brothers, frying them and scattering the cherry blossoms all over the harbor.

* * * * *

The battle at Port Royale was now over. United Alliance took all the Great White Sharks and Fishbone Hunters in custody. The fishermen tried to save the remaining fishing boats that were not burning.

Daisuke walked towards Raijin and Riku who were sitting at the harbor looking at what remained in Raijin’s boat.

“Hey, Raijin.” Daisuke greeted as he sat beside Raijin.

Raijin looked up. “Oh. Daisuke.”

“I’m sorry about your boat. We know how much it means to you.”

“Yeah. This is my fault. I should have not attacked that Sera in the first place,” said Riku with a frown.

Raijin sighed. “Well, at least I have no debt to pay anymore. It’s not like I would still pay those loan sharks now that they are in custody.”

“Heeeey!” Jack shouted, paddling his lifeboat towards the three.

“Jack! Where have you’ve been?” shouted Riku.

“Well, funny story.”

Jack went out of his lifeboat to join the three and told them about going near the headquarters then decided to join the U.A. fight the Fishbone Hunters on the sea.

“Really? It’s great that they’ve let you join them on their warship,” said Daisuke.

“Well, I told them I’m a power user so I could help them.”

Torai went towards them and sat with them. “What’s up, guys?”

“Just, sitting,” said Daisuke. “By the way, these are Riku, Jack, and Raijin. Guys, that’s Torai, captain of the United Alliance here in Port Royale.”

They exchanged greetings as Daisuke introduced them. Jack and Torai nodded at each other.

“Thanks to you guys, we were able to defeat those loan sharks and hunters quickly,” said Torai in gratitude. “But, I never thought that elves could do so much damage.”

All of them simultaneously looked around and saw the trees and plants scattered all over the place.

“Hey, that’s Riku’s and Daisuke’s doing. I was fighting at the sea,” Jack immediately pointed to his elven friends.

“Hahahaha! That’s okay. But we could use a hand fixing the streets and making fishing boats for the fishermen.”

Everyone agreed.

* * * * *

A week later, the harbor of Port Royale was fixed. Daisuke provided more woods to be used for the fishing boats of those who had their boats destroyed because of the explosion.

Although just a temporary replacement, the shipwrights, with the help of Boris’ knowledge in imbuing ordinary objects with magic, managed to make good fishing boats that could withstand stormy seas and were even fireproof, somehow.

Larger warships of the United Alliance came to pick up the hunters and loan sharks to be sent to the Union Gates, an island prison and the main headquarters of the United Alliance - Aria Division.

Daisuke, Riku, and Jack were at Maelstrom Tavern, celebrating with the fishermen for the victory a week ago. Since they've got no place to stay, Boris was kind enough to let them stay for free while they helped in fixing up the harbor and providing quality woods that were used for the fishing boats.

“I never thought that our stay here will be extended,” said Riku as she sipped her ale.

“Yeah. But at least we get to drink good ales again!” Jack said as he chugged down his mug of ale.

“So, what are your plans now that you’re free from the debt?” Daisuke asked Raijin who was staring at his mug.

“I’m not really sure. I guess I’ll just become an ordinary fisherman.”

Riku finished her mug of ale. “I was thinking. If you don’t mind, we could have someone who is knowledgeable here in Aria.”

“Of course! Why not just join us? Besides, it was Riku’s fault why your boat got destroyed—”

“Hey! That’s uncalled for!” Riku protested.

“—so, Raijin could join us to help reach the Elysian Republic, then we could also pay him for his boat.”

“Good call. He could use the money as well to get new electric weapons,” Jack added.

“Well, I could use the money. I enjoy my life as a fisherman. Maybe I could even get better tools to catch different kinds of sea monsters. To catch different sea monsters around the world, that’s a fine goal after all.”

“Then it’s settled! Raijin, welcome to the party!” Daisuke yelled as he raised his mug.

The four of them cheered and celebrated the new addition to their (mis)adventures.

* * * * *

The three larger warships that came from Union Gates were led by a powerful, veteran U.A. high-ranking officer named Bolton.

After Torai contacted the Union Gates, Union Gates decided to send Bolton, who was previously assigned to monitor the activities of Fishbone Hunters. Bolton and his men were escorted to the meeting room personally by Torai.

“Captain Torai. Thank you for having us.”

“Please, don’t mention it, Rear Admiral.”

“Well then, let’s get down to business. Oh, but first, congratulations only finally catching the Fishbone Hunters. They are very notorious here in Aria.”

“Thank you, Rear Admiral. If it's not for the elves and fishermen of this port, we wouldn't be able to catch them.”

“And speaking of the elves, I believe there is more than just handing us the Fishbone Hunters.”

“Yes. A colleague of mine who is a member of the elite group Chasers told me that an avatar is here in Port Royale.”

The crew was astonished, even Bolton, to the words of Torai.

“Wait, are you positive about this intel?”

“Yes. There’s no reason for my source to lie regarding an avatar. The avatar is an elf named Daisuke, and he is the avatar of the Ishvara of Wood, Ariyani.”

“Have you seen him use his avatar powers?”

“No. He simply used normal elven powers to create trees when I fought with him a week ago.”

“Sorry, but I’m a bit skeptical. May I know the name of your source?”

“You may look him up on our database. His name is Jack, Jack Thornwood.”

Bolton tried to recall the name Torai mentioned. He then remembered something oddly familiar.

“Thornwood? Don’t tell me he is related to Jill Thornwood?”

“That’s correct. Jill is Jack's elder sister. Jack joined the Chasers to find his sister whose status is MIA after a battle against the Eclipse Hunters two years ago at Yamakabe’s outer wall.”

“Tell me, why would this Jack give us valuable information regarding an avatar? His own kind even.”

“I am not sure about that, sir. But like I said, there's no reason for him to lie.”

Bolton mulled over it. It was an opportunity for them to catch another avatar. But causing another incident in Port Royale might tarnish the image of the United Alliance.

“We cannot act without more information. If what you are saying is true, then kindly tell this Jack to keep in touch with us and keep an eye on this Daisuke. When the right time comes, that's when we will act.”

“Duly noted, Rear Admiral.”

The meeting continued to evaluate if Torai will be given more manpower and warships in Port Royale. They talked about other topics, and after the meeting, Bolton and his crew left Port Royale to take the Fishbone Hunters and Great White Sharks to Union Gates.

* * * * *

The next day, Daisuke, Riku, Jack, and Raijin finally bid farewell to Boris. The fishermen and even Mr. Manta also gathered in Maelstrom Tavern to give thanks and say goodbye to the elves.

As the four of them walked out of the alley to the town center, Torai, with a couple of U.A. footmen greeted the quartet.

“Hey, guys! I heard you are all leaving today, so I decided to bid farewell,” said Torai.

“Torai! Thanks for coming! And thank you for letting us stay here,” said Daisuke.

“Here, take this. It’s just some rations of United Alliance, designed to last for years. I’m not sure where you guys are heading, but having emergency foods when there’s nothing to buy or hunt could help.”

“Thanks, we’ll use this wisely.” Jack received the food from Torai. He looked at Torai and nodded.

“Very well, we still got to patrol the harbor and keep our fishermen safe. Have a safe trip, guys.” Torai waved as he left the quartet.

After saying goodbye to Torai, the quartet began their journey.

* * * * *

Daisuke opened his book to see the map of Aria. “Well, we can’t walk straight through it. There are mountains and uncharted forests. And a wide river over here. What do you say, Raijin?”

Raijin took the book and pointed out the best course. “Well, since I'm your guide, my suggestion is to pass through the Colosseum Empire, go through the Arcanas Kingdom, then travel to this forest called Shiromori near the Emergent Kingdom.”

“Are you sure about that? I mean we could manage even if we go straight,” said Jack who initially proposed the route they should take.

“We should also consider Raijin's safety. Besides, he knows Aria better than we do,” said Riku.

“What will it be, Daisuke?” asked Jack.

Daisuke did not think twice. He knew that going to Aria is not just about retrieving the statue but also about making his dream come true: going on an adventure. “We go to Colosseum Empire!”

End of Port Royale Arc

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On an island called Prologia.

“Attention everyone, the leader of United Alliance Aviation has arrived,” sounded the P.A.

From the large airship came down a man with salt and pepper hair and a braided long beard. He was wearing white long sleeves with a golden necktie, a white coat, white slim pants, and white shoes. He was also wearing gold-colored sunglasses.

The man was greeted by United Alliance footmen and three Chasers.

“Sir Zeus, we welcome you here in Prologia,” said a woman who has long red hair and was wearing a red blazer on a white shirt, red pants, and low-cut sneakers. She and the other Chasers bowed to Zeus.

“Oh, please, no need for formalities, Raya,” said Zeus smilingly. “Please everyone, at ease.”

“Sir Zeus, what made you come here personally in Prologia?” asked one of the Chasers. He has a large build, dark skin, and was wearing a green tank top, camo pants, and military boots.

“I heard you finally managed to control them, Bivon.”

Bivon and Raya exchanged looks. “Ah. Yes, sir. The avatars of Vakura, Indaya, and Yahima are finally under control.”

“Did we lose any men during the apprehension?”

“Lucky sir, we didn’t. Luna managed to cast her powerful healing spells that healed most of our men, even those with fatal wounds,” Raya replied.

“Good thinking, Luna.”

“I am just doing my job, Sir Zeus,” said Luna who bowed her head again. She has long black hair with a hint of blue and violet. She was wearing a magical blue and violet linen robe dotted with twinkling dots.

“So, shall we see the avatars you’ve got?”

The four of them walked towards the building. They continued down on a certain floor where the strongest hunters that were caught by United Alliance are imprisoned.

At the end of the hall, two guards opened the gate. As they entered a wide chamber, they saw three people suspended inside a crystal-like object.

“So these are the avatars. You guys must have struggled to control them.”

“It wasn’t easy,” Bivon admitted. “They all transformed into their full Ishvara form.”

“Melody did most of the job on breaking them actually,” Luna informed. “I guess the avatars, even in their Ishvara form, struggles with people who have reached enlightenment.”

“Enlightenment. Quite rare for anyone. Are you enlightened, Raya?”

“Yes. But I haven’t mastered it yet,” replied Raya. “Melody has been enlightened ever since she was young. She really is a powerful Chaser.”

“Good thing she's on our side,” Bivon added.

“Very well. Continue to experiment on properly controlling these three. I don’t want any incident to happen that will backfire against us when we use them against the Hunters' Horde.”

“Yes sir. We’ll make sure that these avatars will be at your disposal,” promised Bivon.

“You guys did a great job. I am sure that he will be proud of you three once he learns about your progress. Anyway, I have to go. I still have to meet Hades and Poseidon back at Fuegonia.”

Raya, Luna, and Bivon saluted to Zeus as turned into lightning and quickly disappeared back to his airship—the Olympia.