[I can handle it, ringmaster,] Spring Brawler volunteered, [I always out seen walking about the ship anyways. Besides, I think this is good for my developnt...I think.]
’Oh...okay then. In that case, I will leave you to it, Spring Brawler. Make sure to stick to simple lies though.’
[I know.]
’Also, please note that if you try to ask for help at this mont, I don’t think I can muster much in terms of...brain...power...’
[I understand, ring master. Go and sleep and recover.]
’Yeah...good night...’
As soon as Spring Brawler, Hurricroak and Razorstella sensed their lord was asleep via their connection, they imdiately started talking about him.
[Okay, I’m fairly certain you guys practice doing that Harmonize move a lot back in the quarry,] Spring Brawler noted, [so why does he seem so tired after using it properly once?]
[I think it’s because the maestro has a tendency to go a bit...overboard, in actual fight scenarios,] Hurricroak comnted, [he acts like a worried ball of stress, hell we’re connected to his soul, it’s not even really an act. But every ti he gets into a fight for real, he seems more...]
[Reckless?,] Razorstella finished.
[Yeah, that.]
[Okay, but...why?]
[I...am not sure.]
[Hmmm.]
As the remaining active kaijin, pondered upon this inquiry of theirs, the rest of the ship was in the middle of damage control.
Granted, it would be more accurate to call it first-aid.
[Wait...did the ringmaster give any instructions on what to do if I run into Mistress Jin Fang or Mistress Rianna?]
[I...don’t think so?]
[Oh....okay, guess I’ll wing it...]
________________________________________________
The Raid from the Reef.
A battle between otherworldly forces from the darkest depths of the ocean and land dwelling mortals.
A battle with, surprisingly, zero deaths but a whole ss of injuries.
A battle that nobody except the crew of the PS Nemona and her passengers, who were the main participants of this battle, would ever believe actually happened.
Why?
Two reasons.
First, many of the defeated corals didn’t leave any corpses behind.
For reasons beyond everyone’s understanding, the monsters would shatter into mundane pieces of coral, with all of the weird energy associated with them disappearing upon death.
Second, and most importantly, there aren’t supposed to be any monsters in exist that can negate aether, at all.
"Ow...I never thought being unable to use aether to punch made such a difference," a sailor comnted as he applied bandages to his hands.
"At least you didn’t try and kick one of them, ack! My leg...," another sailor followed up while his leg was placed into a brace.
"Seriously though, there were fucking monsters out there that could negate aether protection? Just outright?"
"Fucking apparently."
It needs to be noted that every single person, from the day they could rub two braincells together, are taught how to use aether in order to enhance their offense, defense and overall physical capabilities. That’s because even though there were other energies in the world like anima and dragon force, all of those could be countered by aether, provided the quantity and quality was enough.
Hence why it was downright horrifying for the fighters onboard the PS Nemona to see their strongest weapon and shield be rendered useless in the face of those weird coral monsters.
Let it be understood, that while there were a myriad of aether beasts that could absorb certain types of aether being used against them or reflect aether arts back to their originators, there were no such beasts that could outright negate all types of aether upon contact. Which is why many of the injuries being treated could best be described with the term "self-inflicted".
Well, technically there was one group of individuals who’s injuries weren’t self-inflicted but still suffered from the issues pertaining to aether nullification. The most grievous injuries though we’re to their pride, in more ways than one.
"I’m just gonna say it...this is hot horse shit. Ow," Zhen Yan flinched.
"You’re telling . Ugh. At least none of those scales hit our eyes-ah, careful with my arms please," Zhen Lao pleaded.
"I will not lie to either of you, my little brothers, I kinda wish it did instead of where they actually impaled-*the high pitched squeal of a sensitive area having sothing sharp removed*," Zhen Long managed to eek out before squealing in pain.
"Fair..."
Tonight happened to be the official battle debut of Zhen Long, Zhen Lao and Zhen Yan in regards to their aether armor.
The three of them perford quite admirably in the face of the invading coral monsters, sending wave after wave of them to the bottom of the sea or shattering them into pieces on deck.
However, the mont Grand Fisher showed up and attack their father, their good ti soon beca a bad one.
Perhaps it was due to arrogance, or maybe just plain foolhardiness, but the three of them assud that by joining hands with their father that they could easily take out this weirdo swordfish monster man and be on their rry way, maybe take the harpoon it was wielding as a trophy of sorts.
Absolutely none of them expected to get knocked out in the first few seconds of the fight by a weird area of effect attack art that consisted of scales bypassing their aether armor and blasting them in the face and most of their body.
Making matters worst, the scales still carried trace amounts of that weird energy to them, so when the they got embedded in the flesh of the three elders, none of them could push out the scales with their aether.
Additionally, the presence of these funky scales made it almost impossible for the three of them to make use of any aether arts, let alone aether armor, without facing absurd amounts of resistance.
The scales would have to be removed manually and from the outside, thankfully though, the three of them had people willing to help them remove these scales.
For Zhen Long, it was his dear wife, Zhen-Mao i.
"Next ti you go rushing in like that, at least bring a weapon or shield," she scolded her husband while plucking several sharp scales from his groin. "Honestly, I’ve been trying to figure out why our son is always so headstrong, but I see he gets it from you."
"Yes, dear."
"Please try not to get into anymore dangerous situations until after we see our first grandchild."
"Of course, dear."
For Zhen Lao, it was his darling wife Zhen-Ren Fa.
"Oh no, darling! It looks like so of these scales are going to leave so scars," Zhen-Ren Fa lanted in a playful manner.
"That so? Alas! I always knew my fate would be to a scarred and grizzled veteran like my second brother!," Zhen Lao replied in kind.
"But not to worry, I have a special homade cream ready for that. It’s the sa I use to keep my skin bouncy and flawless."
"Oh darling! You’re always so good to ."
And of course, for Zhen Yan, it was Daria Nerisa-Zhen, his beloved(yet also scary) wife.
"Aish, quit your gripping and hold still. You still have about two dozen or so scales embedded in your arm at least," Daria chided her husband, "honestly, you’re still as reckless as the day I t you."
"Isn’t my recklessness the reason why you fell in love with in the first place."
"...shut up," Daria retorted with a blushing face and a plucking of several more scales.
While a matter like the removal of sharpnel from wounds was normally the ship doctor’s purview, right now the aforentioned doctor was busy trying to treat and coordinate efforts in regards to the more serious injuries.
Therefore, the three respective spouses of the three elders got themselves so tweezers and got to work in relieving their injured husbands of their pain.
It was long and tedious, but sotis love consists of doing the long and tedious things together.
Besides, it was better than the alternative outco.
"You know, these scales are very weird," Zhen Mao-i comnted as she held one between he tweezers, "their owner has long been defeated by now and yet they still hold whatever weird energy that he was using earlier."
"You know, we really should co up with a better term than ’weird energy’, it doesn’t really roll off the tongue," Zhen-Ren Fa added.
"What would you call it?"
"I don’t know..."
"Exactly."
"Oh! Speaking of weird energy," Zhen Lao interjected, "what happened to that Grand Fisher guy after we got knocked out? From the looks of all the activity, we won, but like...how? Did father turn that guy into an ice sculpture like the Wolfe Grand Elder?"
The three wives looked at each other for a mont, deciding who would inform their husbands for a mont before settling on Daria, since she tended to be the most forthright about things.
"Actually... we’re not entirely sure either."
"Really? Why not?"
"Well..."
And so, Daria Nerisa-Zhen regaled the three elders about what had occured while they were rendered unconcious, albeit, from a not-so close-up perspective.
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