Captain Aero and Graith sat at Graith’s table, eating, drinking, and laughing. It was the type of friendship that was built on trust and honor. The two men talked for quite some time, reminiscing on the good ole days of their youth, until Graith got a certain look in his eyes. He peered at the captain, who was taking his last sip of Hydronian Ale. “Aero, I think it’s time to converse about more important matters,” said Graith. “Alright, alright, but ye better stay sitten for what I’m bout to say.” replied the captain. Aero proceeded to relive the last few days and expound every detail to his long-time friend. His whole adventure was routine until Rayne and the captain came ashore on the green seafoam isle. “ Graith…we may have found the one. The one the prophecy be talkin' about,” said Captain Aero. Graith’s eyebrows raised so high they disappeared under the curly blonde mop that he called hair. He pushed his chair back and stood up with so much force that his chair was knocked right over! Graith paced back and forth, stroking his beard. “The one you say…are you sure? What evidence do you have?” said Graith. Captain Aero began to tell him of Torrent, the hopeless boy who was born to spread hope. The captain told Graith of Torrent’s past, the shipwreck, and his encounter with Levianar. He spoke of Torrent’s survival for five long years and perhaps the greatest mystery of the boy…the shark tooth he possesses. As the captain spoke of Torrent, Graith never stopped pacing, his fists we clinched. Sweat was starting to bead on Graith’s forehead, he was deep in thought, trying to process what he had just heard. “Follow me Aero,” said Graith, as he walked through the door that was in the back of the room. For as extravagant as the exterior was, the interior of Graith’s home seemed plain. Most of the objects were made of wood and only the outer walls had coral on them. But all of that changed when they walked through the back door.

  “Tell me more about this shark tooth,” Graith said, as he pulled on a large rope and tied it off on the wall next to him. The rope traveled upward towards the ceiling, ran through a few pulleys, and attached itself to a large piece of wood. When Graith pulled the rope the wood slid back revealing the sky and letting sunlight illuminate the dark room. “I’ll be honest with ya Graith, I think it being the lost key of the aquamorph king,” said Captain Aero as he looked around the newly illuminated room. “I was wondering if you were gonna say that. I would need to see it to know for sure,” replied Graith. “I haven’t seen ye new shop yet. I bet ye can make anything in here.” said the captain who was admiring Graith's new aquasmith shop. Graith's shop, now bright from the sun, was a stunning site to behold. The back wall had some sort of mechanism that drew water from the ocean and poured it into the shop, an endless supply of water. The water came rushing down like a waterfall into a giant pool that stretched across the back of the room. There were racks on the side walls filled with weapons. Except these weapons were made of water. Axes, swords, spears, and daggers of all kinds. In the center of the room was a giant anvil made of red-hot steel, flames constantly flickering around it. Two pillars of water were on either side of the anvil, they seemed to be connected to the giant pool on the back.

  “Ye makin' anything as good as the dagger ye gave me, all those years ago?” Aero asked, unsheathing the water blade from his hip. “ HA HA HUM HUM HAR, I’m making blades even better. Give it to me and watch.” Replied Graith as he reached for the captain's dagger. Captain Aero handed Graith his dagger and watched as the aquasmith did his work. Graith walked to the pool in the back, bent down, and stuck the dagger in the water. The water fizzed and foamed around the blade and when Graith lifted it out, there was nothing but the hilt. The blade of water was gone. He then walked to the center where the scorching anvil was. Graith placed the hilt in the pillar of water to the right and left it there. It floated in the pillar, a peculiar thing since most hilts would sink when placed in water. “This is the good part,” Graith said, grabbing two gloves that appear to be made of water themselves. Aero’s eyes were fixed on the master, as he upgraded his blade. The large gloved hands of Graith reached into the pillar and began to bend and shape the water around the hilt. Tiny sparks rose from around the hilt as Graith squeezed the water into shape. Next, he removed his gloved hands from the pillar of water and picked up a pair of long steel tongs. He reached in, grabbed it, and carefully removed it from the water. There was now water attached to the hilt! Graith held the tongs in one hand and reached for his hammer with the other. The hammer was also made of water and from the look of it appeared very heavy. As he laid the new blade on the molten anvil, steam billowed up and out the space on the roof. The sound of sizzling and crackling filled the room.

  Captain Aero watched Graith lift the large hammer and with a mighty swing, it crashed into the blade, pinning it between water and fire. More and more steam rose and it engulfed the aquasmith. The captain couldn’t see Graith anymore, because of the cloud of steam filling the room, but he heard him. Grunt after grunt and clash after clash the aquasmith labored away, forming the new dagger. Suddenly Graith emerged from the cloud and walked toward the back pool. “This will do,” he said, studying every inch of the new blade. He submerged the newly formed dagger into the water and pulled it out as quickly as he dipped it in. “What do you think my friend?” said Graith, walking toward the captain. “It be quite magnificent, just what I expected,” replied Aero. Graith walked over to a workbench and laid the dagger down. “Just some minor changes and you will be all set.” said the aquasmith. He removed the gold outline of the hilt and replaced it with pearl. The process seemed almost magical with how fast he did it. “It will be much stronger this way,” Graith said as he handed the dagger back to Aero. The captain held up his newly forged weapon. The blade was not only longer but also curved. It appeared to have something in the water. There was light dancing through it in a chaotic way. “I infused it with lightning. Now you will have an advantage over other aquablades,” said Graith. “I be likin' the sound of that,” said Aero with a smirk. Graith walked over to the pillars of water and swirled his hand in it. “You know Aero, if this boy really does have the key, it will change everything. Just as the prophecy says.

  Ohhhhhh in the ocean, down below the surface

  Is a mighty darkness, ready to destroy us.

  Light will come from the shore

  Bringing victory to us once more

  What a day that will be

  Keepin' us sailing on the sea

  When king is joined with he who’s bright

  All will know his justice and might

  On this day you will see

  Peace returned through the key”

  Graith sang. “Ye know, I be likin' it better when Rayne sings it,” said Captain Aero as he began to laugh. Graith shrugged his shoulders and chuckled as he walked back toward the very ordinary main room. “How about you bring Rayne and the boy over for supper tonight? The misses would be pleased to see you both,” asked Graith. “The bein a fine idea Graith. As long as Hali be cookin' her famous crab cakes,” replied Aero already watering at the mouth. “HAHAHAHA HOHOHOHO I think I can arrange that. Be here at dusk and I’ll take a look at the would-be key,” said Graith. “ A plan it is, now I must be findin' those youngsters,” said Captain Aero as he walked away, his back toward Graith. The captain stopped a little ways off, spit in the sand, looked back, and said, “Remember Graith…crab cakes”. Then the captain continues to walk away, his tattered coat blowing in the breeze behind the most mysterious man in Hammerfin.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  As he walked back into his home the magnitude of what could unfold the next few days hit him like a wave on the shore. Graith sat down at his table, deep in thought. Memories of the captain and his past adventures flooded his mind. The days, months, and even years of the past seemed to all flash before him. Their failures, their triumphs, and everything in between. The most vivid memory that Graith was reliving was the time that he and the captain found the aquamorph, Pagos. He remembered the adventure to acquire the key and how difficult it was, then the process of locating where Pagos’ resting place was. A very similar adventure could take place again very soon, he thought. Graith started to feel excitement well up inside him! And at that very moment, Hali walked in. “Honey, you are not going to believe what took place here,” Graith said as he ran his fingers through his blonde curly hair. Hali was the wife of

  Tidoneus Graith Anvilwave and had been since he stopped his adventuring. She was smaller in stature with an olive complexion. Her hair was a dark brown and it rested gently on her shoulders. She had hazel eyes that drew you in the more you stared at them. Or at least that is what Graith says when he talks about her. Hali sat down at the table with Graith and said, “You can tell me all about it while you help me cook supper. I hear Aero is back, I assume you invited him to join us tonight?” Graith laughed and said, “How did you know?” She rolled her eyes and replied, ” Hmm let's see, Aero is back in town and you have something to tell me that I won’t believe. Sounds to me like the start of another adventure. I know you too well Tidoneus Graith Anvilwave!” Graith shrugged his shoulders and said, “That’s why I love you!” The two got up from their table and began preparing for a potentially life-changing evening.

  While Graith and Hali prepared for their guests, Captain Aero headed straight for Rayne’s house on the south side of town. The walk through Hammerfin was one that he enjoyed, but some people didn’t enjoy him walking through. People always stared at him as he walked by, judging him based on the rumors they heard. He could hear them whispering about him when he sleeps and if he really is tied to a monster. The captain would chuckle to himself and pretend to fall asleep standing up, hoping the townsfolk would get frightened and wonder when the monster would strike. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t, but one thing never failed. He always wanted to take a real nap after partaking in a fake one. Aero made it to the south side of Hammerfin and he could smell Ms. Sandy’s pastries filling the air. The smell made him even more excited for the crab cakes he would have later. He made his way through the marketplace and toward the southern wall, where Rayne’s house was.

  While Aero was still a ways off from the house he heard shouts behind him yelling his name. “Captain Aero! Wait for us!” said the voices. He turned behind him and Torrent and Rayne were sprinting right at him. The captain grinned and waited for the two of them to catch up. Torrent was the first to make it to the captain. As soon as he got to Aero, he put his hands behind his head to catch his breath. When Rayne arrived he said, “See I told you I was faster!” Rayne and Aero laughed as they were seeing more and more of Torrent’s competitive spirit. “How was Graith?” Rayne said, turning to the captain. Torrent looked up in anticipation wondering what the captain would say about this mysterious friend he had. Captain Aero looked at Torrent and Rayne, knowing that they were hanging on every word that he spoke. “It wasn’t good at all,” he said in a somber voice. Then he yelled, “It was great! He be inviting us for supper tonight!” Torrent went from disappointment to shock to happiness all in the span of 10 seconds and the captain is just laughing. “That wasn’t very nice!” said Rayne as she stomped in the sand. But Torrent couldn't help but laugh with the captain. It had been so long since he had been with people that he missed jokes and even laughing for that matter. It felt good and seemed to bring a warmth over his whole body. Rayne still didn’t think it was funny, but seemed to lighten up a bit, because they would soon see her parents. “OK, time to meet my parents Torrent and Captain I’m sure they will be so glad to see you again,” said Rayne as she down the sandy road.

  Captain Aero liked Rayne’s folks, they were always kind to him and didn’t believe the rumors that said he was tied to a monster somewhere. He put his hands in his torn-up coat, grinned, and followed the girl. Torrent started to get a little nervous. He was about to meet parents. He hadn’t seen parents since his own, on that awful night years ago. He wondered if they would be anything like his, kind and loving. Torrent hoped they would be and his nervousness started to turn to excitement as he ran after Rayne and the Captain. They didn’t walk far along the southern wall until Rayne and Aero stopped at a normal-sized seashell door. It was one of the spiral-looking shells and it made Torrent wonder how they found a shell as large as that to be a door. But that didn’t really matter, he was about to meet more people! “Here we go!” said Rayne as she pushed open the door and walked in. As soon as she stepped inside her home, she let out a piercing scream! “Momma! Papa! ARE YOU HERE? MOMMA! PAPA!” Panic set in and as fast as he heard Rayne scream he saw a blur of the captain’s tattered coat swoosh by him and grab Rayne. Torrent looked around the home and everything was destroyed. Tables, chairs, furniture, belongings, and anything else inside the home were broken and all over the floor. Giant scratches were on the walls and fear began to fill Torrent’s mind. The next thing he knew he was being lifted in the air and walked briskly outside. His ears were ringing and all he could see were those red eyes from all those years ago. The more he stared the more he seemed to be pulled toward the alluring red glow. It was like a magnet pulling him against his will and making all reality cease to exist.

  He heard a voice yelling his name, “Torrent! Torrent!”. It was Captain Aero. The red eyes faded and he saw a concerned captain and a distraught Rayne standing above him. “Why am I on the ground?” Torrent asked. “Well, I thought ye be feintin, the way your face went pale, so I picked ye up with Rayne and got ye some fresh air.” replied the captain. Rayne was grasping at Aero’s coat, trying to find any form of comfort that she could.

  Torrent was weighing the pros and cons of telling his friends what he saw. What would they think? Does it mean anything? Whatever has those red eyes, is that what is responsible for the destruction at Rayne’s home? He had so many questions and didn’t know the right way to get the answers. “Who could have done this!” said Rayne, trying to fight back her tears. “I don’t be knowin' Rayne. But we will find out what happened here,” said Captain Aero. The conflict in Torrent’s mind about whether to tell them what he saw, was unbearable and before he knew it he blurted out, “It was the red eyes!” Captain Aero and Rayne looked at him in bewilderment. “What red eyes?” said Rayne. Torrent began to remind them of the eyes he saw on the day of the shipwreck and how those same eyes just appeared in his head and tried to pull him in. Captain Aero immediately ran back inside the house looking for more answers. Torrent and Rayne got up out of the sand and followed the captain. “Captain, what are you looking for?” asked Rayne. “Anything.” answered the captain as he focused on the ground beneath their feet. Torrent watched as the captain studied the sand. The patterns, the grains, he was acting as if it all told a story. A story of a struggle. “Do you be havin' another exit here?” asked the captain. “Well, there is another, but it is hidden and Momma and Papa said to only use it in an emergency. It leads underground to the outside of the southern wall,” said Rayne. “Show me,” said Captain Aero, eagerly watching as Rayne walked to the back corner of the home. She moved a large plant and when she did, the plant revealed a glowing blue mark on the wall. Torrent watched as Rayne pulled out her dagger and touched the mark on the wall. Immediately a passage appeared in the corner, with stairs going into the ground. “Here it is, it goes right outside the wall,” said Rayne.

  “You two best be stayin' here. I’ll be right back,” said Captain Aero, as he walked down the stairs with one hand grasping the hilt of his newly crafted dagger. The tunnel was dark and musty. Aero could tell it was not used often and only in the case of an emergency. Water was trickling in on the sides and creating small puddles on the tunnel floor. The further he got the louder the sound of the ocean became. The motion of the sea and the crashing of the waves could be felt and heard throughout the tunnel. At last, he arrived at an old wooden ladder about ten feet tall. When he reached the top there was an old wooden door, he pushed it open and immediately sunlight entered the dark tunnel. The salty sea air rushed in and the sound of the sea was peaceful and calming, unlike the situation at hand. When he exited the tunnel he saw nothing except the ocean. He was standing on a sandbar quite a ways out from the south gate. “This be how they did it.” Captain Aero said. He gave one last look around and entered the tunnel once again to head back to Torrent and Rayne.

  Rayne and Torrent had been waiting patiently inside of Rayne’s home. Torrent tried to help clean up, but was unsure of where anything went. At least he felt helpful as Rayne just sat there worried and distraught. They heard footsteps from the tunnel and for a brief moment, they were unsure if their captain was returning or some sort of enemy. To their relief, they saw the captain walking up those stairs. “Well what did you find out?” asked Torrent. “Not much, but we be needin' to see Graith tonight.” said the captain as he walked over to Rayne and bent down. Captain Aero lifted her chin with his hand and with the kindest eyes said, “Don’t be worryin' Rayne, we be finding yer folks. I suspect it be Levianar or one of his men. Ye know the tales, they can only take a life on a full moon. That be given us seven days to find 'em.” Hope filled Rayne’s eyes. She leaped up and hugged the captain, who quickly embraced her back. “I’ll be needin that smile back for this quest though,” he said with a chuckle. Rayne grinned at the captain wiped away her tears and said, “Yes Captain.”

  Captain Aero stood up, took his dagger out, and resealed the passage. “Time to see Graith you two,” he said. All three of them walked out of Rayne’s house and headed to the Northern gate. Now with more purpose than ever.