After calming down, he looked toward Amelia.
"I'm okay. It was just a nightmare, I guess," Artemis said, wiping his eyes.
I can't say anything about what I know or how it all happens. What a terrible downside to this power.
Not that anyone would believe me if I told them, anyway.
Amelia let out a sigh of relief.
"Just don't go scaring me like that again, please," she replied, turning back toward the door.
RUMBLE!
CRASH!
The ship suddenly rocked hard to the left, then the right. A deafening impact echoed from the top deck—something had smashed into it.
This is how it started last time… but something's already changed. Amelia wasn't supposed to rush into my room.
I still don't know how to use my magic—not really. But I remember what happened in the abyss. That girl… she told me to use her. That's what I need to do if I want to survive this fight.
Artemis grabbed his sword and dashed past Amelia. It didn't take long to reach the top deck—where it was already waiting.
Those same yellow eyes. That same gaze. The same thing that had killed him before.
In an instant, the creature vanished—only to reappear inches in front of him.
"How kind of you to show up uninvited," it hissed, voice soaked in malice.
My heart pounded in my chest. This thing had already killed me once. I won't let it happen again.
A whisper brushed past his ear.
"My knowledge is yours."
Her voice—soft, familiar—sent a shiver down his spine.
A dark mist began to flow from Artemis's hand, crawling up the blade of his sword like smoke come to life. Then—pain. Sharp and searing—flaring in his right eye.
It wasn't as intense as the pain I felt before waking up in bed, but it was close.
He clutched his eye with his left hand, trying to steady himself.
"Something wrong?" the being sneered. "I guess I shouldn't waste any more time."
As it drew its dagger, the creature paused. Something had changed—an aura surrounded Artemis that hadn't been there before.
"Yes. We shouldn't waste time," Artemis growled, raising his blade.
He struck fast—bringing his sword down in a clean arc. The creature barely dodged, twisting away and raising its dagger in defense.
Still covering his eye, Artemis pressed forward, trying to ignore the agony.
"You'll only be at a disadvantage with that eye covered, child," the being taunted, before lunging forward, blade aimed for his chest.
Then it froze.
Thick, inky arms erupted from the shadows and wrapped tightly around its limbs, locking it in place.
"It doesn't matter," Artemis replied coldly. He brought his sword down across its chest in a brutal slash.
I don't know what stopped it this time. Last time, I was dead before I even had a chance to fight back.
But this time... I won't sit around and die again.
The blade tore through the fabric of the being's cloak, slicing into its rough skin. Blood splattered across the deck as it thrashed against the shadowy restraints.
Artemis pulled back and struck again. And again. Relentlessly. His blade became soaked with blood as the creature shrieked and struggled.
Finally—its arms broke free.
SPLAT.
It collapsed into a pool of its own blood, trembling, trying to rise.
"Did you find what you needed, you asshole?" Artemis muttered, wiping his blade clean.
Thump. Thump.
His heart pounded for a few final beats before finally calming. The pain in his eye faded. He lowered his hand.
I know this is going to weigh on me later—but I couldn't let that thing kill me again.
Coming back with knowledge is great, sure. But I don't want to die every time.
I'll save that as a last resort.
If I even get to decide.
He looked up—and noticed the silence. Everyone was staring at him, unmoving. Their eyes weren't on the creature. They were on him.
"Something on my face?" Artemis asked with a weak grin.
No one laughed.
Okay... fair. They did just watch me carve that thing up like a man possessed.
Then Shimada stepped forward from behind one of the other sailors.
"So I was right," he said. "You really are special."
Artemis blinked.
"What?"
Shimada came closer and held up a small mirror. As Artemis looked into it, his breath caught in his throat.
His right eye—engulfed in swirling black mist. His usual blue eye was gone.
Don't panic. Don't panic.
This is probably what she meant. Back in the Abyss. This is part of her helping me.
But also—MY EYE IS GONE?!
"An effect of using shadow magic," Shimada said, sounding impressed. "I didn't think you had it in you until I saw that fight."
I thought this would be a power... not magic.
Or maybe it's both?
It's not really something I know everything about just yet. I will take the chance to ask the goddess more questions when I see her again.
With how much I've already seen her lately— I know it won't be that long till we are reunited again. She has a habit of keeping an eye on me since I was given this power.
I'm hoping she'll have an answer about the girl from the abyss as well since she wasn't something I expected.
Shimada watched as Artemis stood there silently, waiting to see if he'll say anything back or if he'll just remain quiet. "You okay?" He asks with a bit of concern in his voice.
Quickly he turns his focus back to Shimada, leaving his thoughts for later. "I'm fine, just taken back by what just happened during that fight." Artemis responds before turning around to head back down below deck.
I'll have to figure out a way to explain this better later so for now I need to get some rest. I'm sure we are still quite a bit away from the land of Heartfeld.
Artemis went back to his room after cleaning up, there was a lot that he needed to figure out.