UnbrokenChainENG

Foggy afternoon at Vallhala City Pier

A thin mist enveloped the abandoned old pier, giving it a gloomy but also memorable impression. The waves slowly hit the weathered wood on the edge of the pier, bringing a roar that mingled with the laughter and chatter of five friends who were preparing for their journey.

Among them, Lirien Vael, the unofficial leader, was busy making sure supplies were properly transported on the small boat they were using. His eyes were full of passion, but his hands trembled slightly from the cold air that began to pierce.

"Prepare yourselves, my friends. It will be a long journey," he said with full authority.

Erik Jashin only smiled obliquely, leaning his body against one of the empty barrels on the dock, enjoying how seriously Lirien took the role of Captain.

"You've always been the leader, Lirien. Aren't you tired of being so excited?"the temptation is that the small folds at the ends of her lips are increasingly visible.

Lirien who was raising a chest could only take a long sigh before glancing sharply at Erik. "You always make fun of me, Eric. Aren't you tired of making fun of me like that?"

Laughter burst from another corner of the pier. Sylvaine Tsubaki, the owner of this place as well as the only one who knows how to properly operate the ship, patted her thigh with satisfaction.

"Hahahahaha! You guys have always been like this! It's all about the obvious and the trivial!"he said seductively.

Lirien snorted irritably. "Nag!"he shouted, which actually made everyone laugh even more.

Duncan Varo, who had been busy checking weapons and clean water supplies, only shook his head slowly. He was used to seeing Erik and Lirien fighting like children. However, behind all that, he knew that their friendship was stronger than just a Light Fight.

Reiner Falken, the calmest among them, leaned against the mast of the ship while observing the sky that began to change color to golden orange. "We will leave when the sun really sets. Make sure no one is left behind," he said in a flat tone, but enough to get everyone back in focus.

Lirien stared at the seemingly calm sea in the distance. "Do you remember our first trip here?"he asked suddenly.

Sylvaine grinned. "Of course. You almost fell overboard trying to jump into the boat before the rope was pulled."

Erik laughed. "And what's worse, he screamed like a frightened child!"

"Hey! It wasn't because I was scared, but because the water was too cold!"lirien protests with slightly flushed cheeks.

Duncan patted Lirien's shoulder with a smile. "Yes, yes, we believe," he said, Obviously not seriously.

The atmosphere was filled with laughter. Although they often quarrel and flirt with each other, these five friends know that they can always count on each other.

When at last all the preparations were completed, Reiner pulled the ropes of the sails, and the ship began to move slowly leaving the pier.

Lirien stood at the front of the ship, looking forward with determination. "We'll find Shazmeen," he said, more to himself.

As the ship slowly moved away from the dock, the sea breeze hit the faces of the five friends. The night air began to bite, but their spirits remained burning. Calm waves gently wave, as if welcoming them in a new adventure.

Lirien stood at the end of the ship, facing the open sea with eyes full of confidence. However, behind his serious face, his stomach began to beep softly.

"Grroookkkk..."

Sylvaine, who was examining the ship's sails, immediately turned her head with raised eyebrows. "Lirien, is that your stomach?"he asked with a restrained laugh.

Erik who had just sat down relaxed immediately burst out in laughter. "Hahahaha! Our captain is apparently hungrier than he is brave!"

Lirien immediately widened and covered his stomach with his hands. "W-No! That's the sound of the waves!"he denied, although obviously everyone heard.

Duncan shook his head while preparing a fishing rod. "Well, before you eat the ropes, let's find something to eat," he said.

Reiner, who had just been observing the stars in the sky, nodded in agreement. "We will sail all night. We better eat now before hunger makes us all fight.

The night is getting dark, calm waves swing the ship slowly. Duncan, who had been busy fishing, finally felt a hard pull on his hook.

"Heh? It doesn't seem like this is an ordinary fish..." he muttered as he pulled the rod with more force.

Sylvaine who was sitting leisurely heard the voice and immediately approached. "Oi, oi, if you get a big fish, share two with me!"

Duncan frowned. "If I manage to pull it off, of course!"

However, suddenly the rod was attracted so strongly that it almost knocked Duncan down. "Oh my god! It's not a fish, it's a monster!"

Reiner, who was enjoying his warm tea, glanced over. "Pull harder, Duncan. Don't let the fish win against your pride as a man."

"WHY DO YOU DRINK TEA WHEN PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING?!"Duncan growled, his hands began to tremble resisting the pull.

Erik, who had just finished examining the ship's sails, approached with a curious face. "Are you sure it's a fish? Maybe it's a legendary creature who wants revenge because you captured his brother?"

"Please don't make this worse, Erik!"Sylvaine hissed.

Duncan and Sylvaine finally pulled with all their might. Lirien, who didn't care at first, became interested and joined in helping. "One... two... Pull!!!"

BYURRR!!!

Instantly, something jumped from within the sea and hit the three of them with splashes of salt water.

And what appeared on the surface was... a giant tuna.

Not a legendary fish, not a sea monster. Just a tuna of absurd size.

Silence.

The three of them, drenched, could only stare at the fish with faces full of suffering.

Lirien snorted. "So this is what's making it hard for us?! I thought it was a treasure!"

"This Tuna is bigger than a foal..." Sylvaine muttered, incredulous.

Erik who saw the incident finally couldn't help but laugh. "PFFFFTTT... HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Look at your faces! Hahahaha!!"

Duncan who was still sitting on the floor of the ship could only sigh. "I almost lost my arm ... for the sake of a fish..."

Reiner sipped his tea slowly. "At least we won't go hungry tonight."

Lirien, who was still annoyed, finally kicked the fish softly. "You ignorant fish ... Why Are you this big, huh?! Want to be Pope?!"

Sylvaine rubbed her wet face. "Just ... consider it a blessing. Let's burn this fish right now!"

Without waiting long, they all began to prepare the equipment to cook the giant fish.

A few hours later, the smell of grilled fish filled the air. The five of them sat around a small wooden table in the middle of the boat, enjoying the incredible catch.

Duncan held up the piece of fish proudly. "I risked my life for this fish, so I have the right to eat the lion's share!"

"You just pulled the fishing rod, we got splashed with salt water!"lirien protests.

"We all almost drowned because of this fish," Sylvaine added.

"But in the end, I got it!"Duncan grinned.

Erik laughed a little. "You should be proud, Duncan. From now on, you are the Conqueror of giant Tuna."

Duncan lifted his chin haughtily. "True, I will be remembered in history!"

Reiner, who remained calm, simply fed the fish into his mouth. "Just eat it before I finish it," he said flatly. They all laughed.

Okay, I will give you a fresher, more absurd story, and it will definitely make you laugh!

A night of laughter in the ocean

Under a sky full of stars, lirien's five best friends Erik, Duncan, Sylvaine and Reiner sit in a circle on the deck of the ship after a magnificent dinner. Empty plates were scattered, and the bones of the giant fish they had caught earlier lay as proof of their victory over the sea creature.

Lirien leaned back relaxed. "The cave is full, like a python eating a goat."

Duncan sighed contentedly. "Seriously, that fish was probably the tastiest fish we've ever eaten."

Erik nodded. "Yes, but unfortunately there is no..."

Sylvaine rolled her eyes. "We're at sea, Erik. Do you think there is a pool?"

They laughed. The atmosphere of the evening was warm, peaceful, and... of course, times like this always end in absurd stories.

Epic story: "the legendary fight Erik vs. Swans Mafia"

Lirien sneered slyly. "The cave has a cool story. Did you know that Erik has a mortal enemy who is not human?"

Erik immediately panicked. "LIRIEN, DON'T!"

But too late. Lirien has already begun to tell stories.

"So back then, we were in a small village by the river. Erik, with his snobbish style, went for a walk to the Village Park while snacking on bread. There's a goose there. It's normal, right?"

"But for some reason, this Goose immediately looked like a market thug who had just seen strangers in his area."

Duncan nodded at once. "So... this goose is some kind of gangster?"

Sylvain is on the move. "Like mafia bosses in the movies?"

Lirien nodded dramatically. "That's right! And Erik ... even stares back!"

Erik covered his face with his hands. "WHAT WRONG CAVE TRY?"

Lirien continued, his eyes twinkling.

"Suddenly, the Goose began to approach. Erik retreated. The goose is getting closer. Erik is retreating. Until finally, Erik was cornered in the wall!"

"The goose stopped. His gaze was cold. It's like a cowboy duel."

"Then suddenly..."

"THE GOOSE IS ATTACKING!"

Duncan immediately laughed loudly. "OH MY GOD, SERIOUSLY?"

Sylvia grabbed her sister's arm. "Think of Erik duel as a goose!"

Lirien nodded excitedly. "Do you know what Eric did? HE'S RUNNING LIKE A MAN IN A TRANCE!"

Everyone immediately burst into laughter.

Duncan fell to the deck. "THE CAVE CAN'T STAND IT!!!"

Sylvaine while holding back a laugh. "So... did you lose the fight?"

Erik raised his hand. "The cave is not lost! Cave ... just a tactical retreat!"

Reiner, who was usually silent, finally commented with a flat face. "So basically, you're afraid of geese."

Erik looked at Reiner sharply. "Not afraid. Just ... I respect that. The Swan is not just any swan. That's a mob goose."

Duncan shook his head. "No, Erik. You've officially lost a fight."

Erik gave up. "Whatever. But if one day you see geese, you will know how scary they are."

They all laughed again.

Moments of warmth and friendship

After their laughter subsided, they again enjoyed the calm atmosphere of the sea.

Sylvaine smiled. "Seriously, this is the kind of place you like to hang out. It's funny, it's funny, it feels like family."

Lirien nodded. "Yes. As weird as we are, this is what makes us strong."

Reiner, in an even tone, added, " And we have to sleep. Long trip tomorrow."

Duncan stood up while stretching. "True. Before Lirien started a horror story and made me unable to sleep."

Lirien giggled. "Tomorrow, the horror story."

It's getting late. Calm waves gently rustle around the ship, creating a soothing natural symphony. In the cabin, Erik was already snoring quietly, Duncan curled up in a corner with a peaceful face, and Lirien slept in a strange position that somehow remained comfortable.

However, on the deck of the ship, two figures are still preserved.

Sylvaine sat on a wooden barrel, looking at the starry sky, while Reiner stood leaning against the ship's railing, silent as usual.

"So, you haven't been able to sleep either?"Sylvaine asked while glancing at Reiner.

Reiner just sighed. "My mind is too full."

Sylvaine smiled faintly. "About this trip or... something else?"

Reiner was silent for a moment before finally answering. "About Shazmeen."

Sylvaine was surprised, but did not show excessive expression. "Oh?"

Reiner was still staring at the ocean. "I think about how he is now. He has always been the strongest among us... but I wonder, Is he Okay where he is now?"

Sylvaine took a deep breath. "Yes... sometimes I think too. Shazmeen always looks tough, always has the answer to all our problems. But maybe, all this time he also wanted someone to listen to him."

Reiner nodded slowly. "He carries too much weight alone."

Silence hung between them. The ocean feels wider than usual.

Then Sylvaine glanced at Reiner, grinning a little. "By the way, you rarely talk about your feelings, Reiner. I have to record this moment."

Reiner glanced at him sharply. "Don't."

Sylvaine laughed quietly. "Relax. I'm not going to spread this to Erik, although it would definitely be a lot of fun."

Reiner snorted. "If Erik had known, I wouldn't have heard the end of this."

"You know," Sylvaine said softly, her voice softer than usual. "I've always felt like we've been this way forever ... sailing the seas together, adventuring, fighting with Erik, laughing at Duncan, and calming Lirien down when he's angry."

Reiner turned his head, his eyebrows slightly raised. "And you think that's bad?"

Sylvaine laughed a little. "No. I was just thinking ... What if one day we stopped? What if everything changes?"

Reiner was silent for a moment before answering. "Then we will face that change together."

Sylvaine looked at him, slightly surprised by that simple answer. But there was something in his tone—something that made his chest pound a little.

"It's always been that simple for you, huh?"he said slowly, half mumbling.

Reiner looked back, his sharp eyes trapping Sylvaine in silence for a moment. Then he said in a deeper voice.

"I don't need long plans or complicated answers. I just know... I won't let you deal with change alone."

Sylvaine was silent. Instantly, the sound of the waves seemed to disappear, the air felt warmer, although the sea breeze was still blowing slowly.

His heart beats a little faster.

Then, he chuckled a little, diverting the feelings that began to arise in him. "Then you have to be responsible if I get bored later."

Reiner looked at him for a long time before finally—for the first time—he smiled a little. "I'll take care of it."

Sylvaine swung her legs in the air, staring at the stars above them. "You know, I always wonder... how can you be so calm all the time? I mean, we all blow up sometimes, but you're always calm, always rational."

Reiner turned to him. "And I've always wondered... how can you stay cheerful even in difficult times?"

Sylvaine smiled. "Because if I'm not cheerful, who will make you laugh?"

Reiner fell silent, then shook his head slowly. "That's a very typical answer from you."

Sylvaine looked at him with a joking Look. "And you, Reiner, you also have other secrets that you don't share, right?"

Reiner raised an eyebrow. "What secret?"

Sylvaine grinned. "You like me."

Reiner looked at him expressionless. "Huh?"

Sylvaine laughed quietly. "I don't need an answer, Reiner. I just wanted to see your reaction."

Reiner sighed, then finally smiled a little—it happens very rarely. "And you? You like me?"

Sylvaine pretended to think. "Maybe. Maybe not. I like to see you confused."

Reiner looked at her, then without warning, ruffled her hair with his hands.

"Hey!"Sylvaine immediately shook her hand while laughing.

"You're overconfident," Reiner said briefly.

Sylvaine snorted. "You are too mysterious."

A morning that feels different

Dawn began to break, creating a golden-orange tinge on the horizon. The sea seemed calm,with small ripples shimmering in the sun. The morning wind brought a chill, caressing the faces of those who were still asleep on the deck of the ship.

Lirien was the first to awaken. He stretched his body, yawned for a long time, then looked around. Erik slept in a strange position, Duncan snored softly, Sylvaine leaned her head against Reiner's still asleep shoulder. Lirien smiled a little at the sight.

He stood up and walked to the side of the ship, staring at the endless sea. "Today is going to be a long day..." he muttered.

Shortly after, a sound of footsteps sounded behind him. Reiner, who was already awake, approached and stood beside him. His eyes still looked a little sleepy, but there was something different in his gaze—a rare calm.

"You didn't sleep well?"asked Lirien.

Reiner just shrugged. "I think a lot."

Lily nodded slowly. He knew everyone felt the same way—about Shazmeen, about this journey, and about the possibility that their lives would never be the same again after this.

One by one, the others began to wake up. Duncan stretched himself while grumbling, Erik ruffled his hair lazily, and Sylvaine yawned while looking around, her eyes meeting Reiner's for a while before she hurriedly averted her eyes.

Silence.

Then, Erik suddenly spoke in his hoarse voice that had just woken up, "Why does it feel like we're just going to die?"

Duncan patted him on the back. "Don't be dramatic. We're just a little ... more aware of things."

Lirien took a deep breath and turned to his friends. "We've been through a lot together. And we know, after this, everything will be different. But, I want you to know..."

He paused for a moment, his voice trembling slightly.

"I'm grateful we did this together."

Sylvaine lowered her head, Erik put on a slanting smile to hide his emotions, and Duncan rubbed his nape awkwardly.

Reiner, who usually doesn't talk much, finally said, "no matter what happens, we will stay together."

Silence enveloped them for a moment. Then, suddenly Erik clapped his hands. "Okay, okay, enough melodrama in the morning. I haven't eaten yet, and I'm sure Duncan agrees with me too."

Duncan immediately nodded. "One hundred percent agree."

They laughed, although some of them still hid slightly teary eyes.

The sun began to rise, illuminating their ship sailing towards something uncertain. But one thing they know for sure—they will deal with it together.