___Somewhere____
Time passed, and that ship was still sailing through that raging ocean; it seemed that no matter how much they advanced, they would never arrive! There was no sign that land was near.
Captain Grin felt puzzled. They were supposed to arrive an hour ago, but… nothing. And they had taken the correct route too! …So why? Why hadn't they arrived yet!? Was there a malfunction in the compass again? Or was it something else!?
Grin sat in his chair inside the control room. He had already checked everything… there was no malfunction. He sighed and took out a cigarette to smoke it. Just as he was about to light it, he heard a knock on the door.
___Narohime____
Captain! It's me… Narohime.
____Grin____
…Come in.
Narohime entered the room, panting. Her expression was anxious, as if she had been running and desperately wanted to say something to Grin.
____Grin____
…What's wrong now!? (Already irritated by the fact that they hadn't arrived on time.)
She sighed and hesitated before speaking. Her face was clearly pale.
____Narohime_____
…Actually… there's something strange! …It's as if there's a curtain surrounding us! …Like we're in a maze! (Confused)
____POV Narohime____
This is really strange… I feel exhausted… as if my energy is being drained away and consumed…
___Grin___
A curtain?… A maze?… What are you talking about!?
____Narohime____
…(Panting) …There's… a strange barrier of mana… a magical force… it's draining the energy of everyone here, and for some reason it's obstructing the movement and course of the ship!
____Grin____
(Surprised) Then… there really wasn't a malfunction after all!
____Narohime_____
A malfunction… what are you talking about!?
____Grin_____
Yes. (Stands up with a sigh) …In fact, I noticed that we didn't arrive on time, so… I thought something was wrong…
____Narohime_____
(Confused) Damn it! How do we deal with this now!?
____Meanwhile_____
Lara was sitting where the pirate leader was, preventing him from doing anything. He was still unconscious, tightly bound to one of the ship's pillars inside one of the rooms.
Suddenly, the man opened his eyes. Lara stood up from where she was sitting, walked toward him, and sat in front of him.
____Lara____
(Splashing water on his face while staring at him with contempt) …You! Wake up! …You finally opened your eyes, you filthy bastard!
He raised his head with difficulty to look at her and found her smiling at him. He was surprised but then... laughed strangely, as if on the brink of death.
____Pirate Leader_____
…Kill me… there's no point in keeping me alive I'm telling you! …(Coughs blood)
Lara didn't say a word. She just kept staring at him with those deadly eyes and that devilish smile, on that angelic extremely beautiful face. Time passed like this until the silence was broken by the sound of the door being slammed open, It was Narohime.
_____Lara_____
(Quickly standing up, putting on her warm smile and turning to face Narohime) …Sister Narohime!
____Narohime____
Lara! …Are you okay!?
Lara was shocked by Narohime's pale face. She felt fear and concern and rushed toward her to find out what was wrong.
____Lara_____
…Sister… Sister Narohime! …Are you okay!? What's going on!? Why is your face so pale!?
_____Narohime_____
(Smiling while looking into Lara's eyes) …Don't worry, I'm fine… I'm just a little tired… what matters is you… are you okay?
___Lara___
(Looking at Narohime with teary eyes) …I… I'm fine… but I'm worried about you, Sister Narohime… you should rest!
Narohime nodded to Lara and was on her way out of the room to find somewhere to rest, when she suddenly heard the laughter of the man who was bound there.
___Pirate Leader___
Hahahaha! …It seems you've fallen into the "Dark Circle" after all… (Cough) …Looks like I won't die alone! Hahaha! (Coughs blood)
Lara felt anger and fear. She looked at Narohime, who had stopped on her way out, ran to her, and grabbed her hand.
___Lara___
Sister! …What is this idiot talking about!? …Do you know something!? …Is this related to what's happening to you!?
Narohime turned to Lara with a smile and gently removed the hand that was gripping her tightly.
___Narohime___
Don't worry… I'm fine… really!
Lara let go. Narohime then walked toward the bound pirate leader, stood in front of him, grabbed his jaw, lifted his head, saw his disfigured face covered in blood, and stared directly into his eyes.
___Narohime___
You! …You're awake already, huh!? …Looks like you want a few more punches to that ugly face of yours!
The man looked at her with a mocking smile, as if he had gained something.
___Pirate Leader___
Hahaha! (Cough) …That doesn't matter! …Hit me as much as you want! …We're all going to die anyway! (A hysterical laugh followed by violent coughing as he vomited blood)
Lara and Narohime felt uneasy. Narohime punched him in the face… but he kept laughing. Angered, she grabbed him by the collar and pulled his smiling face closer to hers.
___Narohime___
You… you! …What are you talking about!? …We're all going to die!?, …Are you insane!? It's only YOU ! You will die alone!
Time passed… but it was useless. The man didn't speak at all—he just kept smiling, as if he knew something.
Narohime let go of him, shoved him so he slammed hard against the pillar he was tied to, then stood up with a sigh and turned to face Lara, who had been standing behind her the whole time worried. She walked toward her to reassure her.
___Lara___
Sister Naro! …What's happening!?
___Narohime___
(Smiling, holding Lara's hands) …Nothing, really. It seems he's just delirious, so don't worry… everything is fine (Cough)
___Lara___
(Concerned and shocked) …Sister Naro!! …Just as I thought! …You're really not fine! …Tell me what's going on!?
____Narohime____
(Sighs) …Don't worry… I… I'm really fine… just… a little tired…
Narohime released Lara's hands and headed toward the door with an unsteady body. Lara tried to stop her out of concern, but Narohime pushed her away and continued toward her room to rest.
Lara felt worried and sad. She turned back to the bound man, rushed toward him and grabbed him by the collar, then stared at his face with anger and hatred.
____Lara____
You! …What do you know!? Tell me everything!
The man refused to speak, and Lara's attempts to make him talk failed, so she punched him several times… yes, that gentle Lara turned into a terrifying beast for Narohime's safety.
____Lara____
It seems you really like getting beaten that much!
Lara continued hitting him for several hours, and night had already fallen.
____Lara____
So you won't talk, huh!? (Punch)
____Pirate Leader___
...…
It continued like this… Lara realized there was no point, so… she thought of another solution… but… she looked at him… she hesitated… yet she had to do it… it was her last resort… because she knew something was wrong with Narohime.
She sighed and hesitated many times… but remembered Narohime's poor condition… and finally, with great difficulty… Lara faced that despicable man. She knelt on the ground.
___Lara___
…Please!
For the first time in her life, Lara begged someone. The man was surprised, but didn't say a word and ignored her . Still... Lara continued… and knelt… yes, she knelt and bowed her head to that despicable man.
___Lara___
Please… save my sister Narohime! Tell me what's happening! …Please, I'm begging you…
____Pirate Leader____
...
____Lara____
Anything! …Ask for anything! …I'll do anything! …Just save my sister!
Time passed. The man still didn't speak, and Lara remained kneeling, determined to know what was happening.
____Pirate Leader_____
Anything… huh? …You said it! Don't go back on your words now! (Mocking smile)
Life returned to Lara. She raised her head slightly and saw him looking at her mockingly. She felt humiliated and angry, but she had to continue for Narohime's sake.
____Lara____
Don't worry… I always keep my promises!
____Pirate Leader____
(Victorious laugh) …Very well then! I'll tell you!
Lara raised her head, looking at him with hope in her eyes. All she wanted was to help Narohime. She stood up and sat in front of him on the ground.
___Lara___
(Sigh) …Alright then… what do you want!?
____Pirate Leader____
I'll tell you… but why don't we introduce ourselves first , my beautiful? (Mocking laugh)
____Lara____
(Angry) …Alright then… (Sigh) …I'm Lara, that's all you need to know!
_____Pirate Leader_____
Hmm… Lara… what a beautiful name, fitting for a beautiful girl like you! Hahaha!
____Lara____
(Angry) …
____Pirate Leader____
(Sigh) …Alright, alright! …Call me Silva. I'm 35 years old by the way—if you're interested(Flirtatious smile)
____Lara____
(Sigh) …Alright… that's enough… we've introduced ourselves… now what do you want Silva!?
____Silva_____
(Smiling) …Alright… my demand… my demand is that you release me… oh, and give me this ship as well!
Lara slammed her hand hard against the wooden floor, feeling anger and humiliation.
_____Lara_____
You! …What are you talking about!? Have you lost your mind!? …If it's just releasing you, that's possible! …But the ship!?
____Silva____
Hmm~ …What a shame! …Looks like we'll all die here then!
____Lara_____
Damn you!
____Silva____
Oh~ who said I'd keep my promise? …Or wait! …Maybe you don't want to save… what was her name again… Haro… Naro… Hime… ah yes—Narohime… that one, huh!?
Lara felt furious at Silva's provocation. She stood up immediately, hesitating to make her decision.
____Lara____
Damn it! …(Sigh) …Alright then! …Whatever! …I'll give you the ship! …Just tell me… tell me everything!
____Silva____
(Mockingly smiling) …Alright then… untie me first, I'll tell you afterward!
Despite her lack of trust, she had no choice. She untied him and he was now free.
____Lara____
Just so you know… don't you dare try anything that goes against our deal! …I can kill you easily, do you understand!?
____Silva____
(Sigh) …Alright, alright! No need to worry—I keep my promises too!
____Lara____
Alright then… now tell me everything!
____Silva____
Alright… actually… we're now in an area called the "Dark Circle". This area appears once every year for three months, and its location changes each year. It seems you happened to be where it appears this year , and today is the first day of its appearance!
___Lara___
Alright—and what does all this have to do with Narohime!?
____Silva____
If a ship enters the Dark Circle , a barrier is formed that prevents it from leaving no matter what we do. And that's not all—the passengers are affected too… their life energy (mana) is drained one by one until they all die! …And it seems Narohime is the first victim of this phenomenon's greed!
____Lara____
(Panicked) What are you saying!? My sister Naro… the first victim!? …No… I won't let her die! …You… Silva! Tell me! Tell me how to stop this! Tell me how to save my sister! I don't want her to die!
____Silva____
…Hmm… judging by your sister's earlier condition, it seems she has already lost a lot of mana. It's an advanced state… I don't know if she can be saved now!
Lara panicked, stood up and grabbed Silva by the collar, lifted him toward her staring at him with murderous eyes.
____Lara____
I'll kill you! …You bastard! …You lied to me! I thought you could do something!
___Silva___
(Scared) …Alright, alright, calm down! I didn't lie! …There is a solution!
____Lara____
Say it, or I'll kill you!
____Silva____
Actually… I can get you out of here!
____Lara____
Get us out!? …Didn't you say leaving was impossible!?
___Silva___
That's only for ordinary people! …You're talking to an expert in dealing with Dark Circles! I've been in them several times before—and I survived every single one!
____Lara____
So you're saying we can get out!?
____Silva____
Yes… I am Silva, after all!
Lara let go of Silva, letting him fall to the ground, then sat beside him.
____Lara____
Alright… tell me… how do we get out? …We must hurry… we don't have much time… my sister… (worried)
____Silva____
Don't worry. I'll get you out as fast as I can!
More than an hour passed as Silva explained the escape process to Lara , and she finally understood how it worked. Then they immediately headed to the control room, where they found the captain worried about the situation.
Lara explained everything to the captain—what was happening, that Silva would help them, and about their deal too . The captain hesitated at first but eventually agreed.
The method to escape was to follow a specific pattern and route with the ship and repeat it ten times.
Silva grabbed the steering wheel and followed the route… again… again and again… it was the tenth time… but… nothing happened.
Lara grew angry and walked toward Silva furiously—how could nothing happen!?
____Lara____
You! …You were a fraud after all! …I shouldn't have trusted you!
____Silva____
(Nervous) Believe me! …I didn't lie! …This is strange—it should have worked by now! But why!?
____Lara____
Damn you… I don't care anymore! Just die!
Lara pulled out her weapon—two guns—and aimed one at Silva, and just as she was about to fire the ship shook violently, as if it were about to sink. Everyone panicke , even Narohime who had been resting due to exhaustion, woke up and rushed to the deck to see what was happening.
The shaking continued without stopping, forcing Lara to go outside despite her desire to kill Silva.
Everyone went out onto the deck except the captain and Silva, who stayed behind trying to control the ship so it wouldn't sink.
But then, just before Lara reaching the deck…she saw blood dropping up the stairs...