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Chapter Text

  For many days Riftan and his crew only saw three things throughout their voyage back to Anatol. The sun, the moon and of course the blue water of the sea. The Remdragon Knights have just started to head back home from a small campaign in Livadon. Since, taking the route to Livadon to Anatol on land seemed too tedious they decided to take the short route, by ship. Made sense since, Riftan Calypse had finished construction on the new port on Anatol and wanted to test it out. As Riftan was staring at the endless amount of seawater concentrated with his thoughts of what to do once he got back to his land. A loud booming familiar voice snapped him out of his thoughts. 

“Ugh! I am so sick of seeing water all day! That’s not even the worst part, no ale!”, Hebaron complained as he placed his head on the hilt of his sword. 

“I wonder why there is no ale…”, Gabel, who was focused on his craftsmanship, responded, clearly annoyed. This was the fifth time Hebaron has complained today. “You are the one who finished it all, stop complaining man.” 

“Stop you bickering, we still have a few days left. I don’t want to spend it hearing the both of you complaining about useless things!” A blond knight, Uslin, was polishing his sword before stepping in the conversation before it escalated. 

“Oh yes, yes, yes, yes. Did everyone hear that? Everyone has to listen to Sir Uslin, since he thinks he is suddenly in charge! I’m the vice commander you know. Hey Captain! How many days until we reach home, I am this close to throwing that blond rat overboard!” Hebaron asked, sending an annoyed glare at Uslin who was doing the same. 

“Not much, we just need to get through siren territory.” Riftan answered unbothered. 

“Ah! Great, we have to sing those wretched songs all night long.” 

“You are right about that Sir Hebaron, we are all dreading hearing your terrible singing.” Ruth added to the conversation, which erupted laughter from the knights. 

~~~~~~~~~~

The once clear sky was now covered with grey clouds. Riftan groaned at the thought of a storm, What a drag. Siren territory and a storm? This is hell. He thought as he ordered his men to prepare for what was coming. They secured all loose items throughout the large ship and prepared their weapons just in case. All suited up in armor they aligned along the deck to sing those awful sea shanties. 

“God, I hate singing these cursed chants. Makes me feel like a pirate.” Uslin complains as he has aligned himself next to Elliot. 

“You know, when I was a young lad I wanted to be a pirate. Of course, this was before I became a mercanary-”

“No one asked, Hebaron.”

“Just trying to ease the mood, we are facing sirens, you know.” 

“You know… I have encountered a siren once…” Everyone turned to look at Gabel who was staring out into the dark sea. Hebaron laughed, not believing Gabel’s remark. 

“Ha! Yeah right, you are now going to tell us how you seduced her or something.”

Sirens are said to have the most beautiful voices, but not so pretty faces. Dark creatures that roam the sea, luring sailors to their death. In the fairy tales, Sirens are portrayed as seductive and beautiful creatures. In reality, they are humanoid creatures with sharp teeth, slime like skin and piercing black eyes. No one has ever captured a siren, reason being because the siren always kills you first. Survivors would tell horrific tales of their appearance but enchanting songs. 

Tales of men being taken away from their ships to who knows where by sirens haunts every sailor that passes by their territory. Their tales are said to be very powerful and strong. With different kinds of scales that glisten with color in the sea. Which is why some try to haunt them down, to capture and steal their tales. 

Some say that is the reason they lure sailors to their death. As revenge for trying to take their lower body. However, no one has ever lived to take one, only witnesses.

“Hey man it is no jest! I was with my uncle on a fishing trip along with most of his sons. The wind got too strong and we ended up in siren territory…” This was when everyone realized that this was an actual true story. “We were unaware that we were in such a place until we heard them…honestly, I have never heard a voice as breathtaking as the siren who was singing.” 

“My cousin foolishly leaned over to try to see the person whose voice was so alluring. I can’t even blame him for wanting to know the voice. I myself was willing to jump into the sea. But luckily I didn’t, moments after my cousin leaned over… he was torn away from the boat and plunged into the sea.” 

For a moment everyone was silent. No one dared to interrupt, all eagerly wanting to know more. 

“He screamed and screamed until he couldn’t hear him anymore. We tried to pull him back onto the boat but the one lantern we took wasn’t enough. The dark sea and all the violent shaking, we had no chance of saving him. Once his screams faded, so did the singing. We were too late to realize we were in siren territory. I lost a cousin that day.” 

All you could hear was the waves crashing along the ship and the thunder in the sky.  None of them realized how dangerous being out at sea truly was. After a moment of silence, they began singing. 

For a while everything seems to be going smoothly. That until heavy rainfall started to downpour, causing the waves to be as powerful as ever. Everyone had the situation under control as they immediately went to emergency protocol. Still trying their best to sing those chants to protect themselves but the waves causing the boat to move them around like crazy it was too challenging to keep up. 

The ship went up and down with heavy loads of water sneaking onto the ship. Lighting and thunder striking down from the sky made the winds too strong for them to control the sails. 

“Commander! We can’t keep up for much longer! The waves are too strong!” 

“Secure all the loose items! Adjust the sails to keep up steady, stand your ground!” Everyone obeys his orders at the speed of light. “RUTH PUT A DAMN SHIELD ON THIS SHI-”

BOOM!!!!

Lightning struck the middle of the ship. Strong lightning, too strong that it knocked most of the knights off their feet. Riftan stayed standing tall, but his sword somehow managed to detach itself from his belt. To make matters even worse a huge wave hit the side of the ship, making it tilt to the side way too close to the sea. Water gushed onto the deck sweeping what it can into the ocean.

Shit! Riftan couldn’t help but go after his sword which was now going to be thrown overboard. “Careful, you idiot!” He hears Ruth yell from across the ship and he retrieves his sword. Unfortunately, a stronger wave hits the other side of the ship causing Riftan to slip and fall, losing his chance to save his sword from the sea. Leaving Riftan next to the railing seeing it float and eventually sink away.

“Damn it-” Another wave crashed into the sea ship…

Throwing Riftan overboard.

“Commander!!!” The knights yell out in shock seeing their leader out in the middle of the sea in a storm. “Try staying above the water! We are going after you!” They saw as they worked to get a wooden row boat to save their commander.

“Don’t be stupid!” Riftan warns, “These waves will crush the boat…and yourself with it! Come after… me after the waves have calmed down…!” He struggles a bit through the rough waves and rain from the storm. Riftan was an excellent swimmer but also had the burden of having all his armor on, making it difficult to stay up with all the extra weight. Still, everyone and himself knew he would survive this. 

Having faith in their commander, they all followed his orders devotedly. Instead, they focused on keeping the ship afloat. Riftan only had the light from the moon and lighting to help looking for signs of his sword, instead he saw something…unusual.

Is that red? No… I must finally be going insane.

The various lighting strikes, the harsh rain crashing down, waves messing up his vision with salt water and the shouts from his knights makes it difficult for Riftan to concentrate on what he was seeing. 

He knew he wasn’t going crazy when he was a sparkly, long scale like creature through the distance. He saw flashes of red through the waves, he pushed through the ways to clear his vision. He saw dark sparkly scales and shimmered in the moonlight. 

Is that a siren? No… I don’t hear any singing.

Putting himself off guard, a wave almost the size of a hill knocks him out his thoughts. “Commander! Watch out!” It was too late, Riftan was dragged under the water. Trying to reach the surface, the weight of his armor was way too heavy. 

This is my end isn’t it, my damn armor is weighing me down. Is it my time? As he was starting to close his eyes, he felt a pair of hands push him up to the surface. Slowly but surely. His eyes widen in shock, he jerks his head to see who was doing this. The dark sea water did no justice. 

Ruth noticed that the waves calmed down enough that they could go after their commander. They wasted no time. It was Ruth, Hebaron, Gabel and Elliot who went off on the rowboat. The rest stayed behind to keep their ship steady. It was still pouring rain but they had to find their leader before it was too late. 

“Can’t you row any faster? Do you realize what is at stake here?!” Gabel curses Hebaron as they pass through waves of water that rock the boat. 

“One fast move and we all go down too! Don’t you understand this is as fast as I can go!”

“ENOUGH! I think I see him!” Ruth points at a figure in the ocean that appears to be part of Riftan’s Remdragon cloak floating around the sea. As they get closer they realize he was deep in the water. 

“Elliot! Try pulling him back up! I can’t since I'm too heavy, I might make the boat flip over! And I doubt that neither of these too are strong enough to bring him up. It’s going to be hard!” Hebaron orders as he’s avoiding the glares from Gabel and Ruth. 

Elliot without missing a beat leaps into the water in hopes of finding their commander. The only light that was of any use to him was the one Gabel was holding above. Even so, he could see Riftan somehow coming towards him. Elliot swam to both confusion and relief, his commander was safe but why did he look so shocked? Did he see something? As soon as he got close enough, he grabbed Riftan by the holders and tried his hardest to pull him up. Hebaron was right, this was hard. Riftan Calypse was heavy. Elliot wrapped one of his arms to him and raised the other so the rest of the knights could pull them back up. Fortunately, Elliot felt a push and they were finally above water. 

Wait? What was that? Elliot thought to himself when he realized it wasn't the knights that helped him get back up. His arm was still in the air. Something is below us. Is it a siren?

“HEY! HURRY AND GET US OUT OF HERE!” Elliot yells. The knights and Ruth see them from afar and hurry to their rescue. Elliot feels himself getting closer to the boat, he looks around and sees what or who could possibly be helping him rescue Riftan. His heart drops, he seems a green shinny scaled figure in the sea. It’s a fucking siren!

“There is something in here, Charon.” Riftan manages to get out. Still in shock of what he saw. “Get those idiots to hurry.” 

“Yes, sir. HEY- ” Just in time Gabel, Ruth and Hebaron arrive. They immediately pulled both of their comrades to safety. “Careful! You might flip the boat over and then we are all fucked!” Hebaron says as he tries to balance the boat, after all the shaking that was done getting Elliot and Riftan back onto the boat. 

“Glad you are safe, commander! You really gave us a fright-” Gabel's cheerful remark gets cut off as Riftan suddenly looks over the edge of the rowboat, almost knocking it over sideways. 

“Don’t worry about your sword, Riftan. It isn’t worth your life.” Ruth tried to reassure as he could tell Riftan’s expression was unusual. 

“I mean it kinda is don’t you think? It was the sword of Sir Miguel no? One of Darian’s Twelve Knights? It’s worth a lot-”

“Shut your mouth, Nirtha. That isn’t what I’m worried about.” Riftan says and he looks over the water. An unfamiliar expression staining his face. Could that have been…no. How could it even be.

“You saw it too, didn't you.” Everyone turns to Elliot who spoke with fear in his voice. “Saw what?” Gabel looked between the both of them in fear. “What the hell did you guys see?!” They all turn to look at Riftan who just stares into the water, unfazed by all their questions.

As he stares into the water, no sign of the creature. Losing his hope he turns his back on the water, and just stares at his comrades. 

“I saw it too, but it’s gone now-” The sounds of water gurgling behind him cut him off. They all turn around at the speed of light. They all just stand there, eyes wide open both fear and wonder consuming them. None of them dared to say a word. All eyes were on the angel-like creature, whose eyes and the tip of her nose were only showing. 

This can’t be a siren! Can it?

“Commander! Don’t get too close to that thing!” Gabel suddenly spoke up. Pulling out his bow and arrow getting ready to aim at the woman. These sudden moves caused the boat to shake and fear consumed the creature. As she quickly retrieved back into the water. 

“Why would you get close to that thing…! Woman…or whatever it was! It could have been a siren. You could have died!” Gabel, who lowered his weapon at the sight of the creature leaving, starts lashing out. 

“Woah Gabel calm down, I doubt that was a siren. Aren’t they supposed to be ugly? Whatever that thing was, it was beautiful. Don’t you think, Commander? You seemed intrigued.” Hebaron comments with a slight smile. Riftan ignored his comment and looked out into the sea, he sighed and turned his head. As he was about to give orders to head back to the ship, he heard the water again. 

He turned his head along with his Knights and there she was again. She wasn’t alone though, she was holding a familiar object. She was holding Riftan’s sword, one that he thought was long gone deep in the ocean. 

Did you get this for me?

His question was answered when she rose and her face wasn’t covered by the water. Riftan felt his whole world stop, she was heavenly. Pale white skin that glistened in the moonlight. Big round grey eyes like the color of winter consumed him. Her dark maroon hair that resembles dark red wine almost camouflaged with the dark sea water. Riftan leaned closer, as he did and noticed the freckles that were spread around her cheeks and upon her nose. Her eyebrows were thin but perfectly aligned with her round face, pink rosy lips that were wet from the water. Riftan almost forgot how to breathe at the sight of this beauty. So familiar…He couldn’t help but notice her bare shoulders, just as pale as her face. He looked down at his sword that she was holding with both hands that were also conveniently covering her chest. 

“I-…Is this…yours…?” A voice so soft spoke, no one else dared to say anything. The woman didn’t look at anybody else on the rowboat. Her eyes were locked in with Riftan’s. Everyone on the boat kept looking back and forth between the Riftan, the mystery woman and themselves. Has the Commander fallen in love? 

“…Yes… Did you go looking for it…?” Riftan thought he sounded like he was babbling, as the woman nodded she handed the sword, which looked to be bigger than her back to its owner. She lowered herself so they couldn’t see her chest, just the front part. They were big and round, glistening in the water like her skin. Riftan felt his mouth go dry. 

“Did you save me?” 

“Y- Yes…” 

“Thank… Thank you for saving me…You can speak?” 

“…Yes…” A low shy response.

“What’s your name? I want to thank my savior the right way.” 

A small smile appeared on the woman’s face, for a moment he didn’t think she was smiling. Never seen such a little smile. Without answering she retrieves back into the water, her tail sticking out as she dives in head first. Her dark green scaled tail answered everyone’s question on the boat. That was a siren. Not only did she reveal a tail, she also splashed some water on them with the help of the tail. Riftan held back a laugh. Once she was gone it seemed like he learned how to breathe again. Not just him, everyone around him.

“T-That… was a siren. No way I was told they were hideous! I have seen such beauty.” Hebaron remarks and everyone else looks at Riftan in shock. 

“Sirens are supposed to kill men. So that woman is not a siren.” Ruth puts his hand over his mouth to try and think of what that woman could have been.

As they argued on what they just encountered, Riftan zoned out with the only thing on his mind was her. The way she looked at him, the way it was only him that those winter eyes were staring gleaming at. Those pure rosy lips that quivered when she answered him. Those damn eyes-

“Well we can all agree on one thing. That woman certainly captivated the Commandor, am I right? Just look at him! I’ve never seen him this red in the face ever! Never thought it would be over a woman-” Hebaron’s boyish remarks were cut off by Riftan suddenly standing up. Sword now placed tightly on his belt, he looks back to his normal self standing straighter than ever.

“Let’s head back to the ship, we have kept them waiting long enough.” 

“Whatever you say, Captain!” As they start rowing back to the ship with Riftan standing in the front as always. He couldn’t help but feel his face turn red. He placed his hand over his cheeks, they were burning hot. Am I blushing- No.

I have to find her.

Chapter Text

   “Are you sure? This isn’t funny you know, WE ALL ARE ON WATER THIS IS NO JOKE.” Riftan overheard Uslin bickering with Hebaron. Paying no attention to them, he returns to gazing at the water. He hoped that he was dreaming that night. One of those dreams that he had encountered those grey winter-like eyes again. Seeing her or what looked like her, brought back that familiar sense of dread and longing. An icy gust of wind snapped him back to reality. It was the next day, and they all seemed to recover from the eventful night. 

After returning to the ship last night, it all seemed like a blur to Riftan. They were asked a major load of questions. Of course, Riftan didn’t bother to answer them and just gave out orders to move forward and head straight to Anatol. No casualties happened that night thankfully, no one went overboard other than Riftan. Hebaron had a lot of trouble letting go.

“Let me tell you, I wish I could relive last night. Not for the siren, well maybe but I would just to see the Calypse go overboard!” A boisterous laugh was heard throughout the ship. Riftan rolled his eyes, ignoring him as he made his way to his seat on the council table. 

“Are we just going to ignore the fact you all encountered a siren?!” Uslin who has had enough of Hebaron's stupid teasing cuts him off. 

“Oh you should ask the Commander about her. He seemed to get the best look at her.” Riftan rolled his eyes as he ignored any questions about the situation, he fears he has to talk about it soon.

“Was it as terrifying as the stories say?” 

“No, honestly she was quite attractive mhm no…cute actually.” Riftan never wanted to punch Hebaron as much as he wanted to at this very moment . “Hell! I’ve never heard such a story that a siren had huge melons-”

“I did see them a bit too-” Gabel who was starting to agree suddenly gets cut off by the sound of Riftan’s fist hitting the table. They all turn to look at their Commander to see his face terrifyingly dark, thick veins crawling up his neck. Not only that but his teeth clenched so hard Ruth thought he would have permanent tooth damage.

“Enough! This siren talk will all end now!” 

“But Commander, this is dangerous! The siren could be following this ship as we speak, who knows if she decides to take this ship down. Maybe this time she brought some more sirens this time-”

“I would want to see her friends-”

“Sir Nirtha! Can you for once not think with your stupid groin!” Uslin who has had enough of his dirty remarks.

“I’m telling you everyone was intrigued by her! That’s why I'm saying to ask the Commander! He looked like he was about to jump into the sea for her! Isn’t that right, Charon?” 

“I’m afraid Nirtha is right. What we saw last night couldn’t have been a siren. Yes she was captivating but she didn’t sing…she helped us. She saved the Commander.” Everyone looked at Elliot with a curious expression. “I felt her pushing us to the surface, she could have killed us but she didn’t. She even went back to get the Commander's sword. She was not evil.”

“So that thing we saw was not a siren.” Ruth declared as he pulled out an old book that talks about Siren and other magical sea creatures. “It says here that they do sing, you know you have encountered a siren once you hear their enchanting sounds. Last night, none of us heard anything!” 

“But we saw a tail, Dammit!” 

“Yeah whatever that thing was it definitely has a sense of humor too! She splashed all of us!” 

“Maybe the thunder was too loud for us to hear the singing?” 

“I have an idea, give me her description and I'll see if any more books have a similar description.” Ruth pulls out a quill and a couple sheets of paper. 

“She had white skin.” Elliot recalls. “Green tail, very sparkly.” Adds Gabel. “Dark red hair, matched with the ocean. Huge melons and I didn’t recall her eye color; they kinda looked blue-ish grey. Hey Commander, since you get the best look at her-”

“I said Enough! We will be returning to Anatol tomorrow. We need to stop wasting our time with useless chatter!” Riftan stands up from his chair and walks away towards the door. Words can’t describe how terrifying he looked. Everyone in the room got the hint and shut up. 

“And Nirtha…” Everyone looks back and fourth between the two giants. Hebaron who seemed to have finally got a serious look on answered. “Yes, Commander?” With a hint of fear in his response.

“Stop talking about her fucking chest.” and the door slams on all their faces. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All Riftan could do was stare at the wooden ceiling from his bunk for a while. He’s never been like this before, only a couple of times when he was a teenager. Looking back at those days, it feels like he lived a completely different life. He hasn’t felt like this in a while. The constant war conflicts, the stupid dragon and ruling Anatol helped push the thought of her away. Deep down though, she was always there, in the back of his mind. Seeing her unique, dark red hair when he was able to see her at those banquets. Those big grey eyes when he saved her all those years ago. He saved her. Could she have saved him? No, that thing isn’t her, it can’t be. He turns to the side of his bunk that faces the nearest window that shows a clear view of the blue sea. All he wanted to do now was get off the ship, to forget this all never happened and continue his meaningless life in Anatol. 

He felt the familiar sensation of stupidity rush through him. Why her? She’s afraid of you and you still cling back onto her! The memories of her frightened face when he would get near, how she wouldn’t even look at him. What is wrong with me, I’m a fool. 

Maximilian Croix, we all know the name, but not the person. She's said to be too fragile, too sick, for the public eye. Small frame, the same hair as her father, dark-wine red. Riftan has never seen hair as beautiful as hers. Don’t even get him started on her eyes, how could he forget them? No one knew much of her, only the negative. A sick noblewoman, hidden away from the world due to her protective father. Riftan will never see anything she does as a flaw. Only bad thing was The Duke Of Croix, not her. Nothing was wrong with her in his eyes, she’s perfect. 

Unfortunately, the only news about her was her tragic death last Etherias. Duke of Croix, said that his beloved daughter died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her loved ones. She was only 17.  The day Riftan found out he never felt more empty inside. That was the moment when he realized he should’ve never asked Ruth for those sleeping spells all those years ago. Making her death harder for him to come to terms with reality. 

He remembers two days after receiving the news she was gone. Him standing in front of Ruth as he sleeps on the library floor. Staring at his sleeping body, ready to ask for that spell again. He couldn’t help it, he didn’t want to accept the fact she was gone. He had to see her again. As he reached to shake Ruth’s shoulder to wake him up, he stopped. 

Let her rest, Dammit! Stop trying to see her like a creep! She deserves to rest in peace.

Feeling like an idiot, he drew his hand back and sullenly made his way back to his room. Alone. After that night, Riftan dedicated himself solemnly to rebuilding Anatol. He still left hollow inside, he always worked like this though. From dusk till dawn, working like a dog. Hoping one day, she’ll see all this hard work, to see the beauty of Anatol, to hear all hear her all day, watch her eat the most delicious foods, to see her at peace, to just be with her. He knew she wasn’t happy at Croix Castle, he wanted to make her happy. Now and then he knew that all his dreams were a fool’s paradise. He was that fool.

He stands from his bunk, making his way to the window. It was night and all you could see were the stars. He stared up at the sky as it was the only light they had left. The sky was beautiful, it brought him much comfort that the one and only Maximilian Croix has also seen the same stars as him. They both have seen the same moon, both breathed the same air but still felt like they were both on two completely different worlds. He didn’t deserve to be in the same room as her. He recalls the time after her death when he sent flowers to Croix Castle to honor her. To his disappointment, they were sent back. With a note from the Duke of Croix.

Stop trying to win my affection, Calypse. Enough of you sending my deceased daughter flowers, you dirty-blooded fool.

He never felt more hatred for the Duke, How dare he? He never once wanted his affection. He wanted to honor her one last time and this is what he gets. He didn’t care what he thought, Riftan just wanted to show respect for her. Getting his mood ruined by his sour thoughts of the duke, he sighed deeply and turned his head back inside his cabin. He stopped midway when he noticed a familiar sparkle in the distance. Yes yes, even he knows he said he was going to forget her again, but can a man hope? He turns around at the speed of light. 

Is it you?

“Who is there?”

No response.

“I won’t hurt you… I know it’s you.”

“…H-Hello…?”

He felt goosebumps all over his body upon hearing that soft voice. He wished he could hear it all the time. 

“Is it you? Who saved me?”

“Y-Yes… I…I c-came to ask s-something from…y-you…” She sounded hesitant, a little scared even. 

“O-Of course! You can ask me anything.” Riftan regretted answering so quickly, he realized he sounded way too eager and might have weirded her out. Instead, he saw a small smile on her lips. She looked relieved.

“I…saved y-you…”

“For that, I will forever be in your debt, so if you need anything please let me know.” The smile on her face grew a bit, he felt something warm in his heart. “Y-You are a-a knight?” He nods respectfully.

“P-Please S-Sir… Don’t let a-anyone k-know that you and y-your m-men saw me…Please.” She pleaded, her eyes seemed to get bigger making her cuter. Riftan honestly thought he was dreaming, this whole situation didn’t feel real. 

How could he say no? 

“As you wish. I already told my men to stop with this whole siren talk.” He reassured, her shoulders sinking down from relief.

“T-Thank you…Sir.” 

“Riftan. My name is Riftan Calypse.” She turned her head with a confused expression, pouting her lips. “If you don’t mind me asking…what are you? Sirens kill but you helped me?” There was a bit of silence before she answered, not knowing what to say. 

“I j-just…wanted t-to help…y-you.” She seemed embarrassed. Her eyes were not looking at him anymore, but down into the water. Riftan on the other hand just chuckled to himself.

“Well thank you again… Ms…?” He wanted her name, he didn’t even know why. For confirmation? For hope? She giggled to herself, Riftan honestly now felt like he was on cloud nine. She looks just like her. Unfortunately, he didn’t get an answer. Right after she laughed to herself, she disappeared into the water. 

He couldn’t believe his luck that he saw her again. He wishes as he drifts off the sleep that he could relive that conversation over and over again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She has never felt so nervous as much as she does now. Is she stupid? She’s following a ship, full of men, one of who pulled out a weapon on her! She was scared. Scared that they would send more men to go searching for her, who knows maybe they will hunt the rest of her friends. What if they realize who she really is and send her back to that place? She didn’t want that man finding her. She had to fix this, that man she helped that night… he seemed nice? She remembered last night when she saved him, that he was the only one that didn’t look at her in a horrified way. In fact, she liked how he looked at her. He was the one she needed to talk to.

She followed the ship until it was dark enough and seemed safe to approach. Did she even think this through? A lot of thoughts were racing through her head. What if they take her and do the unthinkable, what if they touch her, what if they realize who she really was. 

She shook her head trying to get rid of those horrible thoughts, she needs to be brave. He didn’t seem like he would hurt her, right? He said she was his savior, he seemed so genuine. She thinks to herself the number of different outcomes that this could be the result too. If he was a Knight he surely had to listen, they are all about Chivalry. 

The knights that she came across all those years ago were everything but chivalrous. That man from last night seemed familiar. She couldn’t pinpoint when or where she could have seen him. Probably back in that evil place, she doesn’t even want to consider it her home, truly it never was. She wants nothing to do with her past. When she thinks about her time over there, it feels like a lifetime ago, that couldn’t have been her. She has felt better this past year than she has ever felt in her life back there. Still, She couldn’t seem get that knight out of her head-

Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud sigh heard from a nearby window. She dunked under the water just enough to get a look of the man without being caught. She sees the man that called her his savior. As she started to get closer, she realized he was…handsome. She notices his sharp features, he had golden skin which complimented his thick eyebrows and black shaggy hair. Not to mention, his onyx eyes that made him look incredibly intimidating. For some reason, he looked so sad. Why would a man like that sulking? Was he lonely?

Why are you so familiar, where have I seen you? 

Looking around she realized that he was alone, this was the perfect time. She seemed to be too concentrated in her thoughts when she realized that he’s starting to move away from the window. Panicking she did the fastest thing she could have thought of to get his attention.

Splash… Splash..!!!!

“Riftan. My name is Riftan Calypse.”

Riftan…ahhh, Riftan Calypse now I remember you. 

“Well thank you again… Ms…?”

I can’t tell him my name!!! He might realize who I am… Who am I kidding, of course he won’t… He didn’t even like me.

As she giggled her way back into the sea, she recalls seeing him around Croix Castle. Overhearing talks about his great adventures and feats throughout the castle. Not to mention her hearing the maids talk about him. His handsomeness and his physique, she knew all those things of course. She remembers sneaking glances at him some time to time whenever she was able to attend a banquet, the times her father let her. She didn’t even enjoy them honestly. Most times she didn’t even care about going, finding them too overwhelming. He didn’t seem to enjoy them either from what she remembers, he looked so angry all the time. 

Then why did he look so sad at that moment? Did he recognize her? He looked lonely. Seriously? A man like him could never be lonely. He was too handsome, too chivalrous, and way too masculine to be alone. He’s probably on his way home, to rooms full of loved ones and women probably waiting for him. Hell, he might even be married by now. How long has it been since she last saw him? 

Ha, she laughed to herself. Home. What a joke, of course he wasn’t lonely. 

Maximilian, swam away feeling like the world's biggest fool.