Unchosen Champion

As they sailed toward Ghost Reef, leaving the mainland behind, the passengers fell into an uneasy silence. It was the second time many of them were effectively riding off into the sunset as they left Empress City, but the outlooks of where they were going and where they were coming from had flipped between trips. Coop reassured himself that it was easily within his own power to influence their futures before they deteriorated into the realm of unacceptability.

Coop slid his hand against the damp bow railing, splashed by sea water as the ship carried them forward, and calmed his own thoughts while he gazed toward the horizon. Coop surprised himself as he reflected on his own lack of hesitance when it came to defending the settlement, even with the knowledge that he would need to continue taking lives. In the back of his mind, he was slightly perturbed by how comfortable he was growing with the new order of things, but if there was anyone that could benefit from a bit more callousness, he expected he would be one of the top contenders. It was a fact, at least on Earth, that survival was often a life or death competition. As humans, they simply weren’t removed from the struggle any longer.

Observing his companions, he watched Charlie lean against Camila as they sat on the worn wooden deck, finding a comfortable spot that also wasn’t in the way of the sailors. They had their backs against the railing, adjacent to the ship’s wheel, where Charon was silently steering. The fact that they were charging into another struggle so soon was obviously weighing heavily on Charlie’s mind. That she wielded more power than so many others meant that she was feeling the burden of responsibility as well, much like Coop did. It was written across her face. She was quietly working through her emotions as she resolved to not let anything happen to her own family while remaining accountable to her own morals. Coop knew it would be a difficult balancing act. It was one that he constantly felt lingering in the back of his mind.

Whatever progress they had made with Coop’s distraction tactic of grinding a Slayer title had gone out the window when they learned that Ghost Reef was under attack. Charlie was struggling with the morality of killing, anticipating more situations where it became necessary for her to become an arbiter over others’ lives, and she didn’t have the time to come to her own terms like Coop had hoped. He related to the pressure she was feeling, as he had been thrust into the same state all the way back on the oil rig. He was determined to relieve as much of the pressure from her as he could. That was another important facet of his role as Champion, but also as her friend.

Sea Burial had made rapid progress across the sea, leaving Empress City’s port and approaching Ghost Reef as the day wound down. Admiral Kayla had them reduce their speed so that they wouldn’t stumble into any Sapphire Armada sentries as they drew closer. They would time their arrival so that they could take advantage of approaching under the cloak of darkness. The pirate ship’s black sails would be effective camouflage for a stealthy approach in the night. Without the need for Charlie’s masterfully wielded gusts, she was left as a mere passenger along with Coop and the others who weren’t a part of the crew.

“What’s up with them?” Carlos poked Coop, gesturing toward Charlie and Camila. The pair had effectively claimed a quiet spot in the middle of the ship for themselves. Even the least socially aware would avoid interrupting their sober seclusion as Camila silently supported Charlie.

Coop raised an eyebrow. “They just found out the home they’ve been working to help create is under attack and they’re coming to terms with the fact that they’ll likely have to kill people to defend it.” He idly explained.

“Hm.” Carlos murmured. “What’s the big deal? It’s kill or be killed now that the factions came to town.” He revealed his simplistic world view. “No one’s gonna threaten me or mine.” He declared his own willingness to fight.

Coop frowned as he exhaled, finding himself agreeing up to a point. From a practical point of view, the problem was that killing would ultimately hurt their own chances of survival. “It’s not really that simple.” He started.

“Sure it is.” Carlos firmly interrupted. “Don’t worry, friends of Camila’s count.” He added, with a reassuring slap on Coop’s back. “Dunno how she ended up so soft, though.” He mumbled.

“I mean, it’s more than just the factions.” Coop began, realizing that he would need to figure out a way to explain the situation with mana and the system to others in a concise way, especially if he was going to recruit for their own faction. He decided to try summarizing what he learned from the Avatar, deferring to her experience in revealing the information to others. “Mana isn’t magic, it’s a weapon that searches for, and cripples, technology to prevent future threats from developing across the universe. If it determines there could be a potential threat if left alone, it raises armies to eradicate the offending species. Apparently, humans are next up for eradication.”

Carlos just stared at Coop with a blank look before he blinked and slowly scratched the stubble on his chin as if he was trying to decide if Coop was full of it or if there was something else wrong with him.