Void Spawn - A litrpg adventure fantasy

A loud thud tore through the chaos in the ship as two figures smashed against the steel deck, bending it in the process.

Ajax's boots forced the two to halt, in his arms Samael, battered and bleeding. His eyes were unfocused.

"Bloody fuck!" the captain roared. "Get them down the rooms, you maggots!"

The sailors rushed to aid Samael, but a wave of his hand dismissed them.

With a grunt, he pushed himself up, using Ajax as a stabiliser as he spat blood on the side.

It ached. Severely. It felt as though he was being pricked by a sharp bolt of pain, yet a deep burn torments him all the same.

This was the first time he remained awake after an injury this severe to his soul. He had to forcefully shut down Elyria's cries, for his duty was not done.

Shifting his gaze ahead, Samael watched the violent turn of the environment. From the dead, calm sea to a now chaotic current of waves banging over the side of the Wailing Maria.

Ahead he could see jagged stones protruding from the raging sea, sharp and large enough to tear their vessel should a direct hit occur.

The second hurdle.

Samael's jaw clenched, a sharp pain slicing his head as a sigh escaped his lips.

"You're severely injured. This is unwise," Ajax spoke, the man standing still beside him.

"I'm no child anymore, Ajax," Samael retorted, hand gripping the metal railings, bending them. "I'll live."

"I know." Ajax's visor tilted towards the trail ahead. "But we might not if we get hit by those."

"I know," Samael nodded. "We'll have to aid them."

Black tendrils left Ajax's back, weaving and floating behind him like a shadow.

Samael took a deep breath as he let go of the metal railings, his knees trembling for a moment as he found the strength to keep going.

His arms had been severely burnt. They were practically blackened and smoking. Violent purple lines etched half an inch down his skin, creating this river-like design on his very flesh.

Contrary to what some may believe, the pain did not numb. Even now, Samael could feel the mind-breaking pain that radiated off his arms.

The cracking sound similar to that of stone echoed off the ship, Samael's hands now balled into a fist.

"We are entering the fangs of the sea! Brace! Brace!" The captain roared, the ship's steer swivelling back and forth.

The sailors grabbed on to what they could. Ropes, railings, and even the artillery they possessed. Some paled, while some cursed. Yet, all had one thing in common.

Fear.

As the Wailing Maria entered the jagged territory, a faint tremble was felt across the vessel. As though the ship itself were shuddering in fear.

But the captain remained steadfast as he put his weight on every step.

Gigantic waves hammered the corners of the ship, splashing water and even drowning the men who struggled to wipe the water hitting their faces.

Yet, the captain remained unfazed as the water around him seemed to almost stop before striking him.

His element is water, and Samael's gaze snapped back ahead.

"Spikes!" The captain roared as the men braced.

The Wailing Maria took a sharp turn, narrowly avoiding the first large stone. Boxes and crates slid to the left, hitting the railing with some shattering to splinters.

Yet, before they could take a breather, the ship rocked to the right, throwing some men that Ajax caught before strapping down the deck.

Samael remained balanced, his eyes locked onto another large stone.

Unfortunately, the ship could not push properly as another large wave hammered it, stopping the momentum of its turn.

"Fuck!" the captain hissed as he felt the pressure on the wheel nearly throw his hands back.

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Springing into action, Samael's figure blurred as he burst forth, his hand shooting forward as a violent jet of water blasted outwards, severing his fingers further but also knocking the ship.

The screeching of metal ripped through the air as the jagged ends of the spike drew a line on the steel plating of the Wailing Maria, causing the men to scream in fear.

Samael's jaw tightened as he sustained the burst, keeping it steady as they passed the spike.

However, another came into view.

Ajax burst forth this time, his tendrils allowing him to navigate the sides of the ship with ease as he struck the boulder with shadow, tearing a hole and fracturing the structure so that the ship itself rammed it clean.

However, not all was over.

Samael's eyes widened as he felt his instincts scream, an impending danger hovering just ahead.

Dashing forth from the front deck of the Wailing Maria, his gaze snapped back and forth in search of the danger.

And there it was.

He watched as the water slowly sank, circling and creating a whirlpool in the middle of their path. One growing larger by the second.

"Whirlpool!" Samael roared, warning the captain, who in turn rang the bells.

Driving the ship's steer with all his might, he pushed the ship to evade. But the whirlpool had grown far too strong too fast.

Left with no choice, Samael positioned himself near the edge as he put his palms close, a small orb of pure Void energy forming.

He had to weaken the whirlpool. To do so, he'll need firepower strong enough to upset its currents.

He has none.

But he needs to make one.

Gritting his teeth, a groan escaped his lips. The burn on his arm strengthened as the Void matter ejected off his scorched skin, joining the orb forming on his hand.

"Fuck!" the captain roared. "We're getting dragged!"

Samael cast a brief glance at the tilting ship as he raised his hand and poured into it all of himself.

"ARGHHHHH!!!"

The orb rapidly grew, gathering like a small storm the size of a huge boulder. The Void matter, barely contained, surged inside the sphere like black smoke.

With bloodshot eyes, Samael speared a look before the whirlpool as he catapulted the sphere dead ahead.

Samael fell to his knees as he watched the orb descend rapidly at the eye of the whirlpool, vanishing from everyone's gaze for nothing but a mere moment.

Then an earthquake shook the oceans.

Before their eyes, they watched as the blue ocean water blasted upwards, creating rain and slowing the whirlpool significantly.

Seizing the chance, the captain dragged the wheel to its maximum torque, the steel and wood of the ship creaking a deep groan as it rode at the edge of the whirlpool, allowing it enough speed to escape it.

Leaving the whirlpool, a defiant scream of victory thundered from everyone's lips, the sailors and even the captain himself.

A small smile formed on Samael's lips, but his happiness was short-lived.

For it was not over yet.

The true final hurdle.

Ahead lay a fall. The water before them led to a massive waterfall.

The sailors swallowed in unison. Even the captain himself paled. Ajax himself shifted, feet digging deeper and hands clasping the steel frames beside him. Slowly, his tendrils grasped the men, ensuring they won't fly.

Samael himself couldn't help but curse internally. It was one problem after the other.

Raising his feet, Samael buried it deep with a thundering boom. His hand followed soon, ensuring the metal kept him in place as he felt his muscles weaken.

The seconds ticked by in silence with only the crashing of waves.

Then...

Then they fell.

The screams of the sailors left hushed whispers in the wind as the Wailing Maria came to a drop.

Sudden, sharp, but expected.

Yet terrifying all the same.

Samael himself felt his heart skip a beat as the ship free-fell, speeds increasing per second as they neared the blue ocean below.

And as the ship crashed against the water, Samael lost consciousness.

***

"He's waking up! Call the doctors!"

Samael's eyelids quivered as they slowly unfolded, narrowing down as the bright lights of the lantern hanging on the ceiling blinded him for a moment.

"How unique! Red eyes? I've never seen one before!" A soft voice echoed.

Samael's brows furrowed as he slowly raised himself, earning the gasps and worries of the people inside the room.

A faint groan left his lips as he felt the dull sear on his arms and the deep ache on his vessel.

Looking at his arms, Samael's brows knitted further. They were wrapped in layers of bandages. His whole body was basically encased.

Looking around him, he seemed to be in a wooden room. Humble but has everything one would need. But his gaze lingered on the women sitting by the side of his bed.

They wore long white gowns.

Apothecaries?

Soon enough, the door burst open as a man around his 50s came rushing in along with two more nurses.

"Could you follow my fingers, please?" The man asked as he raised two fingers, shifting them left to right.

"I'm fine," Samael said as he brushed the hand aside.

"Please, this is procedure," the man insisted.

A sigh escaped Samael's lips as he ripped the cloth on his hand, causing the women to flinch as they tried to stop him but to no avail.

Raising his arm, Samael showed the extent of his regeneration. His once charred arms had regained new skin and were starting to erase the traces of his burns.

All the men and women inside his room watched in awed silence. Though they've met their fair share of echoes, not one with such capabilities.

"Fascinating," the doctor muttered.

"Where are the others?" Samael asked.

"Ah! Yes! They're in the other rooms beside this one. They've awoken, but some of the sailors are still confined. Your friend, however, left fast," the doctor explained.

Ajax, Samael concluded.

"I'm leaving too," Samael declared as he rose from his bed.

"But sir—"

"No," Samael cut the man as he approached the drawer at the side of his room. "Where's my gear?"

"They're in the lobby, sir." The doctor fixed his coat, tucking away his tools.

"Thanks." Samael left the room without another word.

With nothing but his patient coat, he walked down the hall, arriving before the lobby.

"Nice gown," Ajax spoke from behind the man.

"Yeah, real funny." Samael wore his cloak and jackets as he looked at the man. "Your armour is different."

"They're getting fixed," Ajax shrugged.

"Then I assume we made it," Samael sighed in relief.

"Yes, yes, we did," Ajax nodded as he shifted his gaze outside the open door where the cool ocean breeze swept inside.

They were now one step closer.