The Monkey Book

[Gold]

Having finally found time to sit back and write, the young primate figured it was no problem that he'd been a little late. His responsibilities were growing slowly and he found himself with less time to actually reflect on what was going on. Things seemed to be moving fairly quickly, after all war was on the horizon.

"Hope everyone's alright.." He says sighing before cracking open the journal and jotting down his thoughts.

Raging Currents

This last year was a rapid succession of things.. I took an oath to the navy when I first enlisted and I can't break that. My friends know a bit of my morals, I don't lie, I can't take money I haven't earned, I'll dive into the abyss if my friends are in danger. Simple things that I can somewhat recall my clan had instilled in me. Although my memory is hazy, these things have held firm, the same stands for my Oath with the navy.. so long as Captain Auxis leads, if he does not order it I cannot help my friends in their new endeavor.

Knowing that I simply kept up with my own tasks, as I'd been pretty busy. Learning to cook minor meals, I'm vegan but the mast majority of the crew is not. So I learned to cook jerky and fish, I don't mind the smells, but I'd rather not take part. I get all of my nutrients from the vegetation this land has to offer, I wonder what seaweed tastes like. I've also began learning how to moor the ships on my own, it helps with my forearm strength, it's pretty dastardly to do on my own but my metal magic helps me reel them in. I can repair minor holes and my magic is perfect to repairing anything critical and ensuring it'll hold until we reach a place where we can refit and repair such things. Now all I've got to do is learn to become a medic and I should be pretty valuable to the crew.

I grew a bit lonesome, even surrounded by that entire fleet I couldn't quite see my friends. I was diving head first into work to forget about it but, after hearing there was some meeting going on I went to go and check on them in the desert. It was refreshing to leave the walls. Going out for a stroll I'd seen plenty of monsters engaging others. It'd come to an end quickly but, It was the first time I'd seen any out since Rufus had gone in and ripped their home to bits. They'd suffered many losses, perhaps they are building their strength quietly inside in order to resurface. I wonder what the future holds for them. Hopefully they set their sights on Asphodel, I would rather avoid needless confrontation with our newer recruits against those beasts until they are battle ready.

After quite the journey I arrived where the Vanir stay and to my surprise all of my friends were there. Engaged in serious conversation of the war and where they stood, others laughing cheerfully while they let those more suited to lead take charge. I was overwhelmed seeing Bao Ming, she's almost ready to open up her shop. Hopefully they get some stalls for her to sell her creations. Among the crowd I'd noticed Vekel, a man whose healed many so I've seen, he's even healed me quite the number of times. Proves to me how weak I still am if that's the most reoccurring reason for me to see him. He was training quite a bit, working up a sweat with Rufus and Bang, the three seemed nigh unbeatable. In order to converse just a bit through combat instead of words, we sparred just a bit.

Vekel's strong.. very strong. I have a harder time with him than I do with anyone, I can see why masses flock to challenge him. There was one particular crowd that struck me deep to my core. Grand super powers, title bearers of the west and east. Triple AAA.. The furious three I'd call them.. Araceli the Queen of Asphodel, Alexei the red headed demon of the docro family, and Ambrose..the nightmare of the underdark. I can't stand his presence, It's more so that eerie collective mass of spirits..? ghouls? whatever that thing is that floats behind him so closely.. something in my blood tells me I need to put him down. But I know very well that I can't.. after all he defeated my captain oh so easily. It was hard to watch, my blood boiled thinking about the ship going up in flames that day, leaving us in shambles, but not down forever. There were others there, but I didn't know them. The most I knew was that I could be in danger, until I realized they were here for Vekel.

Words were exchanged, Ambrose threatened that I shouldn't partake in the war, that I was just some runt running around with no loyalties. I didn't have to explain to him, but I did anyway, just so he'd shut his trap. An oath, once you take it, you cannot break it you must see it through. I wouldn't be showing up at the war unless ordered, after we'd squashed that? He bickered back and forth about summoning Vekel, while I asked Alexei if it would be better to just send a letter of this challenge they wanted with Vekel. After some time they decided to write to him, and I hand delivered it. I didn't need to read what was on there, it wasn't intended for me. I simply delivered it to Vekel who then mentioned.. a challenge to the death.. after that I knew exactly what was on that paper without even taking a glimpse.

The rest is blurry, I got out of there after handing the paper back over and went on home to Osrona to get back to my duties. While I was there I asked the captain if there was anything for me to do. In turn he told me that I was going to be promoted soon.. that was a shocker. I didn't see that coming for me nor did I ever see myself rising in ranks so soon, hopefully I keep it up, but the task he had given me?

It was to find a crew of my own to lead.. so.. I guess I have to get a bit more involved and see who has the heart to serve in this line of duty. Hopefully I can find more allies to build eternal bonds with in the journey called life as we sail the seas. I only wish that the captain had told me more about the meeting that the higher ups had, I'd seen that some Knights were preparing for war, but not us. Auxis was pretty blunt about his lack of desire to help any Vanir, although they are my friends he is my captain. So I can't help them even if I wanted.. hopefully those Knights can aide against the dual front the Vampires and the Mob have coming for them. It almost sounds like something from a fairy tale, Knights, Vikings, Tribesmen, Dragons.. fighting against technologically advanced soldiers, cruel and wicked drug dealing cut throats, and immortal vampires..

It'll be a story for the ages, I'm certain of it.

Things are picking up quickly.. and when that war breaks out I wonder how the tides will turn for either side in the end.

- Son K.

Closing his journal he tucks it back inside of his coat. He'd had more to write about, but he simply couldn't get the war off of his mind. He needed to be ready, he thought, he needed his own crew. He had heard about the knights going to aide the Vanir, but he wasn't ordered to do so. For the time being, he'd have to be on standby and watch from afar, building his own crew for the future that awaited them.

Trotting off outside of the walls he goes to collect more lumber for the ships.

Next issue, the Son K fleet?!