The ship was at least thirty ters tall and more than double that in length. A rough-looking hull of blackish brown, visibly reinforced by so extraordinary ans, encased the exterior, showing none of the usual armants that sprang open portions of regular vessels of the sa type.
The vessel had no sail, or even mast of any kind. All that could be seen above its large body, was a stream of disjointed golden lights in an umbrella shape, reaching down in an arc to cover the whole deck – hiding and shielding it at the sa ti.
At the front end of the ship, a figureless bowsprit stood erect, pointing yonder, looking more like a stabbing lance than a re pole awaiting decoration. At the back end, what looked like long, brown thorns jutted out, their ends tinged with a dim orange light that hissed faintly.
When Replicus had first seen this, he had identified a heavy elent from that glow, sothing like fire, but much greater.
The strangest thing about this vessel though, was the fact that dozens of odd, dark creatures were attached to its keel, most of them subrged in the waters of the sea.
They were too mashed together to give a definite description as to what they were, but at the very least, anyone could see the aquamarine features they had, from fins, gills and webbed limbs.
At the mont, they all stood still, but Replicus knew their purpose, and they would be moving soon.
Grim was addressing the other Faction mbers when Replicus finally arrived in their midst.
"Oh boss," he said when he saw the Penetrator. "Shall we get going?"
Replicus looked around.
"Where's Baddan?" he asked.
"Already on board."
The Penetrator nodded.
Yuyui by his side had grown ek since they left the Honing Fortress. Her odd behavior only grew worse when she saw Grim expressing an undaunted desire to leave already.
Replicus walked ahead, turned and addressed his Faction mbers.
"The fact that I am taking three of my Unlimited with is not only a testant to my faith in our defences, but also to you, and what you are capable of. A Fortress can be rebuilt, but such a luxury doesn't apply to living, breathing individuals. You all have learnt sothing during your ti with . You will be tested on what exactly you learned, believe . It will be up to you to decide how you proceed," he said.
The many combatants were evidently paying rapt attention. From those that had already been with Replicus from the start, to those that joined after, there was barely any difference.
They had all endured the sa.
All of them recognised that the boss spoke to all of them only when there was sothing very important to tell.
This was one such instance.
"I have no real interest in seeing this place thriving as always when I get back. Rather, let say, seeing such a thing or not doesn't move . I'd rather return to see Deign burning, but all or so of you standing on it, renewed and polished from what is to co. Keep that in mind."
Replicus concluded and turned. He then began walking towards the ship.
His subordinates bellowed in agreent while watching his figure draw away.
Allora rushed to follow with a big smile and waved goodbye to the others. Pherdanta also followed, unnoticed.
Grim walked up to Yuyui and patted her shoulder.
"I'll be seeing you soon then, Yu," he said, his red eyes gleaming with positive light.
"...Yeah," she said ekly, hollowly.
Grim scoffed.
"Don't be like that. If you start moping around now, I don't think you'll be any different by the ti we co back," he said.
Yuyui looked at him.
"I won't," she said with a frown.
Grim was pleasantly surprised.
"I hope so," he said before drawing away from her. "Make sure to eat for five."
Yuyui blushed before scooping so wet dirt and throwing it at Grim who laughed and dodged.
As the group, with Replicus in the lead approached the sea, a ring of white light was drawn on the shore. It remained luminous even when waves drowned it.
Replicus took the first steps into it, followed by the others.
A mont later, the ring of light disappeared along with them, and they appeared on the desk of the ship.
With the shower of gold light above, visibility was barely a concern on the ship. So kind of neat blackish wood with an unreal smooth texture, was what made the deck.
Except for a small cabin that stood on the quarter deck, there was nothing else on this layer of the ship. It seed visibility was the emphasised the, for even the light spraying in an arc above, sohow vanished from view when either of the four made even a lax attempt at looking past it.
Replicus and the others had checked everything about the ship before this, ensuring that it was safe and learning all its functions and compartnts.
All of it was easy enough to understand.
The ship could only be boarded using a spatial light rift that appeared when anyone got close to the ship.
The umbrella above it was an absolute barrier that protected the whole ship against attacks from outside, and even smoothened the experience for everyone aboard should the ride beca chaotic – as it undoubtedly would.
Allora bead and rushed to the end of the deck to look down with a smile.
"This is incredible! This ship has to be Mythical grade at least!" she cried. Unlike everyone else, she hadn't boarded the ship yet before this.
Most of her ti was spent begging Replicus to take her with him, and talking to her friends, most of whom were now lower ranked than her.
"Of course it's Mythical. I doubt it could be beyond that though. There aren't any offensive functions. That's left to us, I guess..." Grim said while looking ahead.
"Let's go. I'd rather get the tension around as soon as possible," Replicus said as he summoned a chair and sat on it.
Pherdanta nodded, and looked ahead.
To make the ship set off, only a simple vocal command was needed.
"Non-Sail," Pherdanta called.
At that mont, the ship shook lightly.
The dozens of creatures woven together on the keel suddenly ca to life. Their limbs spread out at once, and the sea water fled inches from them.
Behind the ship, the thorns attached to it glowed furiously, each attaining an orange rune at its tip that cast a blazing heat outward.
The Faction mbers drew back just in ti before a rattling boom ensued with a scorching heat!
The great ship sped forth in a straight, smooth line, unshaken by the large waves that blocked its path.
They all dissipated before it as it streaked past at an unimaginable speed towards an uncanny destination.
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