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Stealth Water - Taleweaver Series - Book 1
by D.N. LEO
Chapter 1
“Your request to return to Ireland, Earth in the year 4500 has been denied.”
Sylara squinted at the garbled gibberish taunting her from the computer screen.
She cocked her head, half-convinced that this was just a cruel joke played by her sleep-starved brain. A swift blink and a shake of her head should do the trick, she figured.
Nope.
The nonsensical text remained, grinning back at her with digital defiance.
She jabbed a finger at the display, her voice echoing in the solitude.
"First off, you can't turn me down if I didn't throw my hat in the ring. Secondly, that's light years upon light years away. How on earth could you judge whether I'd be fit to come back? Or are you playing soothsayer now, predicting my future transgressions, assuming I'll stick around that long?"
A snort of laughter escaped her lips at the absurdity of her solitary conversation.
She cast a fleeting glance over the shadowy expanse of the Crossworld sea from her perch on Golden Storm's upper deck before refocusing on the screen.
The ship was a vivid tapestry of adventure and adversity, each creaking plank and flickering energy line a testament to a life lived without restraint. The once vibrant energy sails, designed to harness the winds of the cosmos, now stuttered with the inconsistency of a ship long overdue for care
The holographic navigation console, the ship's guiding brain, was dimmed and sporadic, its once reliable glow now as uncertain as their future. The plasma cannons, symbols of their defiance against all forms of cosmic threats, were now tinged with the orange hue of neglect, their readiness more a matter of luck than assurance.
The protective energy shield, a barrier between them and the void, flickered like a candle in the wind, a constant gamble against the vacuum of space.
It was a glaring reminder of their vulnerability, a thorn in Sylara's side that pricked with every view of the realms they sailed amongst.
Hearing the soft sound of tiny claws on the hard floor behind her, she turned and looked at a cabinet next to her console.
She waited.
A small creature hesitantly stepped into the light, a Glixan, barely reaching her waist. It was a mixture of a puppy and a baby dragon. The creature's skin shimmered with iridescent scales, and its large, doe-like eyes were filled with a mix of fear and apology.
The Glixan, Jix, stuttered as he attempted to speak to Sylara. She couldn't help but soften at the sight of her loyal friend. Many cycles ago, she had rescued him from a terrible fate and he had remained by her side ever since.
"Let me guess, Jix," Sylara said with a small smile, "you thought surprising me with a trip to Earth would be a nice gesture?"
Jix winced, his small hands wringing together as he nodded, avoiding her gaze. "I thought...maybe you'd like to see your home again. I didn't mean to apply for the trip in your name. I was just inquiring about it. And the human I spoke to didn't sound anything like you. I couldn't understand what they were saying."
Sylara knelt down to Jix's level, her energy cutlass hanging loosely at her side. "Jix, look at me," she said gently. When he finally met her eyes, she continued, "You did nothing wrong. Earth hasn't been my home for a long time. This ship, this crew, you - you're my home now. But thank you for trying. Next time, make sure to switch on the translation function when using the holocomm."
Jix's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I did."
Sylara chuckled softly. "And it's broken, isn't it?"
Jix let out a sigh and nodded sadly.
Sylara ruffled the top of his head gently. "Let's forget about Earth and focus on our next adventure. What do you say? Come, get me the old compass, and we'll decide where to go next."
Jix scurried away, his small form disappearing into the lower decks of The Golden Storm, leaving Sylara alone with her thoughts.
As she watched, the screen dimmed and the last traces of her supposed application to return to Earth vanished, a shadow of sorrow jabbing at her heart like a sharp blade.
Earth—once a vibrant planet she called home, now just another distant realm in the vast multiverse she roamed.
She shook her head to clear it of memories, forcing herself to focus on the present moment.
With a tap on the console, she brought up the ship's multiverse credit balance.
Numbers flickered on the screen, a stark reminder of the harsh reality they faced. The report was clear: their funds were sufficient to support The Golden Storm for another month, but only if they successfully navigated the treacherous and unpredictable Crossworld seas.
They needed to land soon, but there were no universes or realms currently open to let them dock at their port. It was a desperate situation that left them with limited options.
The silence of the ship was abruptly shattered by the sound of an intruder on the side deck.
Sylara's instincts kicked in instantly; her hand went to her energy cutlass as she moved swiftly toward the source.
As she rounded the corner, her eyes fell upon an intruder.
He stood tall and imposing, clad in an advanced tactical suit that seemed to absorb the light around him, rendering him almost a shadow against the backdrop of the cosmos. A sleek mask obscured his face, but the intensity of his gaze was palpable, even through the visor.
His stance was defensive, yet there was no mistaking the readiness in his posture, a warrior prepared for whatever came his way.
Sylara launched into an attack.
Her energy cutlass slicing through the air toward him.
To her surprise, the stranger moved with a fluid grace, deflecting her strike with an energy blade of his own that glowed menacingly in the dim light of the deck.
As their blades clashed, a jolt run through her body. She didn't like to admit, but it had been a long time since she encountered anyone with this level of combat skill. The force behind his movements, the precision with which he countered her attacks, spoke of years of training and battles fought in arenas she could only imagine.
They moved in a dance of sparks and energy, each strike met with a counter, neither gaining the upper hand.
Sylara could feel the heat of the battle, the exhilaration of facing a worthy opponent. It was a sensation she had missed, a challenge that ignited a fire within her.
For a moment, their eyes met through the visor and mask, a silent acknowledgment of respect passing between them.
This was no ordinary foe; this was someone who, like her, had seen worlds beyond the ordinary, who fought not just for the sake of battle but for something greater.
The realization did not lessen her resolve but sharpened it.
She pressed on. This mysterious fighter matched her blow for blow.
After a moment, they broke apart, both struggling for breath.
He raised a hand to signal a temporary truce in their intense combat.
"I didn't come here to fight you, Sylara," he panted.
"Oh, so you've done your research on me and I don't even know who you are? How fair!" Sylara retorted. "And it's Captain Sylara Black, by the way."
He nodded in acknowledgement. "I'm Kael Thorne. Captain Sylara..."
She waved him off. "You can call me Sylara. But I have no interest in talking to someone who hides behind a mask."
Sylara stood ready for attack, her energy cutlass humming with anticipation. A tense silence hung in the air as Kael slowly reached up to touch a sensor on his mask, causing it to dissolve before them. Sylara's breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of his face revealed in the dim light of the ship's deck.
In front of her was not some monstrous creature, but a handsome human man. His features were strong and masculine, marked by the lines of past battles and the weight of worlds on his shoulders. One eye was a piercing blue while the other was a soft gray, a rare trait that hinted at his origins and journey. It was the unmistakable mark of someone who had once been human, but now, something more.
His voice was thick and deep as he spoke. "I've come seeking help. The multiverse is in danger, and I believe that together we can-"
His words were abruptly cut off as Sylara gestured for silence and grabbed a handheld scanner before moving toward him.
"We must be cautious these days," she muttered, activating the device to scan him. But just as quickly, it sputtered and died, leaving her frustrated.
Kael nodded understandingly. "I can see why caution is necessary. I'm here because I'm assembling a team in response to the Taleweaver's call. It's a mission that requires individuals with unique talents and strengths."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the cluttered deck and broken devices. "I'm surprised you didn't receive the call. But then again, if a basic scanner fails you, I can't imagine your advanced tablet for connecting to higher caliber jobs has fared any better."
There was no hint of mockery in his tone, only a frank assessment that struck a chord within Sylara. For a brief moment, she felt a small thread of connection between them, enough to soften her distrust, if only slightly.
Sylara leaned forward, intrigued by the Taleweaver's summons yet again. "Okay, Kael Thorne, let's hear it. What is this mission all about?"
"Apparently, Cinderella has been taken from her home, captured and hidden among humans."
"So we get to extract Cinderella from Earth?"
Just the name alone evokes memories of beloved fairy tales and childhood stories. Sylara's love for these tales only added to her excitement for this mission.
"How intriguing," she smiled.
As they began to discuss the intricate details of the dangerous mission ahead, a sudden blur of movement caught their attention. Jix launched himself from the shadows with lightning speed, his four-fingered paws extended and his sharp claws ready to strike at Kael.
Caught off guard, Kael instinctively stepped back to avoid the frenzied attack. But instead of retaliating, he stood in a defensive stance, trying to protect both himself and the tiny yet ferocious creature.
"Jix, stand down!" Sylara's command rang out.
With a swift motion, she scooped up Jix and held him close to her chest, despite his squirming and hissing protests.
"He doesn't trust strangers," she explained, running a comforting hand over Jix's head as he continued to struggle in her arms. "And after what he's been through, I don't blame him."
Kael nodded solemnly. "Understood. I will do everything in my power to gain your trust and become a valued member of your crew."
Sylara's gaze softened as she looked at Jix in her arms. "He's more than just a crew member. He's part of our family."
As Sylara gently set Jix back onto the deck, he scampered towards the scanner. His tiny limbs working furiously to breathe life into the previously inoperative device. With a flicker and a spark, the scanner whirred to life, its screen illuminating the dim surroundings of The Golden Storm's deck.
Then Jix thrust the device towards Kael, the screen flashing momentarily before settling on a clear display of Kael's identity: Crossworld Guardian, Daimon Gate Clearance Level 6.
Rage surged, crashing like relentless waves over her.
The haunting memory of the perilous rescue mission across the unforgiving Crossworld seas gripped Sylara. She fought to protect a defenseless creature from a savage predator. Destiny twisted cruelly; the predator she thwarted belonged to royalty. Her deed became an egregious offense.
The realm wasted no time in placing a hefty bounty on her head, attracting a motley crew of mercenaries, bounty hunters, and ruthless guardians all vying for the lucrative prize. Among them were individuals with questionable ethics, drawn by the promise of wealth.
Tragically, the creature she had valiantly saved met an untimely end, leaving behind Jix, its vulnerable offspring who now relied on her for protection. As if fate delighted in testing them further, Jix and she found themselves adrift in the perilous expanse of the Crossworld seas.
Sylara seized her energy cutlass, its blade humming with power as she pointed it at Kael's throat.
"You're one of them," she growled, the blade delicately tracing a line on his skin, a crimson bead welling up in its wake.
It wasn't the dark or silver blood she expected; it was the vivid hue of humanity.
Kael's face remained an enigma.
"Square off with me, Crossworld Guardian. Prove your worth. Failure carries a dear price, it does."
"I'm not here to engage in combat with you, Sylara. I've made that clear."
Her forearm pressed against his chest, the layers of armor and protective gear unable to conceal the thrum of life beneath - the heat of his blood pulsing steadily, controlled waves of adrenaline coursing through him.
His unyielding composure only stoked her ire further.
She applied more pressure with the blade, seeking a reaction from him, any crack in his stoicism.
Her mind consumed by the scars and memories of her past.
She couldn't afford any more sacrifices on her ship - she would do whatever it took to protect what was hers, even if it meant taking down a powerful Crossworld Guardian.
* * *
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