Master Of None

Walker could wish all her wanted that the ride on the leviathan through the water was smooth. Ut it just wasn't. The water that pushed against their faces was brutal and forced him to use his mana to force it to move around them more. This made it much more tiring of a journey. However, he could not lie and say that it was not fast and efficient. 

There were many times that Scylla swam up behind them to help one of them hold on. Midnight had fully learned the difference between her and the leviathan swimming in the water. But what really made the party impressed was that the demi-human soldiers were able to remain close to them. They were still a ways back but the distance was much closer than the party would have guessed.

By the time they had slowed and stopped, Scylla was all smiles looking at the party. She knew well that she had tested Walker's mental endurance. "That was some good resistance training. My other half needed to get out and stretch after being caged up for so long. We are all going to train a little." There seemed to be a profound joy around Scylla that they couldn't argue with. 

Since he didn't want to bring down the mood, Walker just went with it. "I had some decent training holding off the water pressure. Any faster and I would have been knocked off and in to the currents." 

"Well, I was knocked off and so was everyone else. So next time you should increase your magic a little." Gil was teasing more than anything but Walker could still see that everyone was fairly tired again. For some reason though, Alice looked very accomplished. Walker could only think that it was because she had used this to train her own mental strength. She was a songstress. It was not often that she would use her physical strength and have to keep herself focused on it. 

"It just means you should train more. I can't wait to see what you do while I am away reporting to my king." Scylla felt that the world was about to change. It was mostly the fact that she was now whole but that simple fact had made her much more open and expectant of the future. 

"Oh, we will be. Just be ready. Maybe next time I can punch through a mountain. Or I will have a potion that boosts agility." Remey had her own wild ideas that would drag her down a rabbit hole of constant rambling if Su wasn't fast to interject. 

"Thank you for the help getting to the river mouth. We will follow the roundabout trail back to genesis this time. I believe we do not have any reason to rush through the swamp lands." Su's thoughts were the same. They now had the time to slowly head back through the trails that most merchants would take. This would expand their minds when it came to the places they had traveled and also let them relax a little. She was also planning on stopping Walker from accepting any quests. This was a good time for Alice to take the time and learn a few things without any pressure. Her words also ended the conversation between Remey and Scylla before it became too energetic. 

"I will see you all soon." Scylla swam backwards toward the demi-human forces trailing them. Walker swore he could hear her yelling about whipping them on to shape and how they were going to be ten times stronger by the time they returned home. All he could do was pray to the world that they would all survive this challenge. 

"We still have time on those spells that let us stay underwater, right? Why don't we explore the shores a little?" The entire party knew that Remey just wanted to search for more herbs before they left the beach. She was certain that she had properly stored the herbs and seeds she already had so if she spent more time it didn't matter too much. 

"Actually, I heard there is a beach up a little ways. One that is closer to underwater lava plumes. It lets out some gross smelling smoke but it also heats the water. The merfolk that told me about it said that the monsters are calmed by the fumes and nothing ever fights there. Many people go to see monsters resting peacefully and to relax." The beach that Su brought up sounded too perfect. However, there were many ways to make monsters calm under the right situations. If they were able to go to this place then it would be a nice place to take a breather. 

"Then we have to go! What if there are rare monster materials that we can use for potions, and Gil's arrows, and who knows what!?" Remey was sold on it instantly. 

"If it is warm maybe it promotes healing." Alice was too adorable when she spoke up with her reasoning. But Walker knew well that she was more interested in the relaxation that would come with it. This kind of adventure story was much more her speed since she had been thrown in to a harsh battle right away.

Before Gil and Midnight could speak, Onyx had left his tattoo form and slithered down to Midnight. The pair just stared at Walker waiting for his answer. "Since I seem to be outvoted, then we have to go. But just for one day." 

"You gave in to the look pretty easily. I'm not saying I can resist those eyes, but still. That was fast. You need to pretend to struggle with it next time." Gil's teasing didn't go far with Walker who made the water push Gil up toward the shore. This prompted the two to chase each other about back on to the sand while the other just laughed about their victory. They had earned a one day vacation somewhere they would not have even heard of without a merfolk giving them the secret insider information. 

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