Trapped In Elysium: A Virtual Reality Nightmare-Chapter 76: I’ll keep her safe

The twelfth day of sailing arrived not with the roar of cannons or the howl of the wind, but with a calm breeze and a golden sun rising over the horizon. The silhouette of land had first appeared as a faint, jagged shadow against the sky, but as the Sea Phantom glided steadily forward, the shadow grew, revealing cliffs and palm trees and the distant sprawl of a bustling harbor town.

"Land! Land ahead!" came the cry from the crow’s nest, and with it, a wave of cheers erupted across the deck.

Liam leaned over the railing, squinting toward the shore. "Finally," he muttered with a tired grin, the salty wind brushing back his hair. "I was starting to forget what solid ground looked like."

"Forget solid ground," Marcus groaned as he stood up from where he’d been lying, pale and queasy. "I just want to stop waking up to the smell of fish and vomit."

Jason chuckled as he shouldered his bag. "And you said you were built for sea life."

"I am built for killing, not sailing," Marcus shot back. "Big difference."

The rest of the group gathered on deck, their expressions a mixture of relief and exhaustion. Eleanor stretched her arms, her sharp eyes taking in the shoreline as if scanning for threats. Sophia stood beside Liam, silent but smiling faintly, her eyes flicking toward the horizon like she was dreaming of running barefoot across the sand. Even Von, the giant, leaned forward with a soft grunt, clearly content to see land again.

As the Sea Phantom docked at the harbor, a bustling port town unfolded before them — modest but lively. Ships were moored in neat rows, crates being carried by sweaty laborers, and the hum of commerce was everywhere. The scent of spices, roasted meats, and sweet fruit filled the air, mixing with the ocean salt.

"Alright," Captain Ander said, clapping his hands together. Though his shoulder was still bandaged and his face bore fading bruises, his spirit had clearly returned. "This is where we part ways... for now."

Liam stepped toward him. "You’re not coming with us?"

Ander shook his head. "The Sea Phantom took a beating. We’ll need time to patch her up before we’re fit for another journey across the sea. Besides..." he glanced toward his crew, "my people deserve rest, and I’ve got a head to preserve."

Jason snorted. "You still carrying that thing around?"

Ander smirked. "I didn’t endure Droskyn’s stench and spit just to toss his head into the sea. That trophy is going on my wall." He patted Liam on the shoulder. "We’ll be right here when you’re ready to return. Until then, be careful."

The Dwarf, who had grown oddly quiet since their escape, suddenly stepped forward and rubbed his hands. "Right, now that we’re off that cursed boat, leave it to me. I’ll find us a fine inn. Nothing too fancy — just something with strong ale, soft beds, and no rats the size of dogs."

"You’re going to pick the place?" Marcus asked, raising an eyebrow. "Weren’t you the same one that hid in a crate during the pirate raid?"

"Strategic concealment," the Dwarf huffed. "Someone had to survive to tell the tale!"

As the group laughed and bickered lightly, they began disembarking from the ship, their boots hitting the wooden planks of the dock with a satisfying thud. The sensation of stable ground underfoot felt foreign and wonderful. Some of the crew stretched out on the dock itself, their faces turned toward the sun, while others kissed the ground in mock worship.

Sophia looked at the dusty street ahead, then back at Liam. "So this is where another adventure begins, huh?"

He nodded, adjusting the strap of his sword. "Yeah. New land. New dangers. And hopefully... new answers."

Eleanor was already a few paces ahead, scanning the surroundings. "We shouldn’t linger too long. The sooner we settle, the sooner we can plan our next move."

The town buzzed with life, unaware of the fire and blood these newcomers had left behind them on the waves. As they made their way toward the heart of the harbor, Liam glanced back one last time at the Sea Phantom, her sails half-torn but still proud. Ander stood by the mast, watching them go, Droskyn’s head sealed in a glass container at his feet, already preserved for legend.

The road ahead was uncertain, but they had survived.

For now.

The sun was already halfway into its descent, casting golden light across the harbor town as the group made their way down the stone-paved street. Merchants called out from their stalls, children darted between crowds, and distant music drifted from the inn district. Yet Liam walked with his mind elsewhere — not quite relaxed, not quite alert, just caught in the haze of transition. It felt strange to finally be on land after everything. The sea still swayed in his bones.

But just as he was about to pass through the iron-wrought gates of the harbor proper, he heard it — a voice, breathless and desperate.

"Liam! Wait! Liam!"

He paused and turned. There, stumbling out from between a group of sailors, was Mariel. She was dragging a small satchel behind her, half the contents spilling out — clothes, tools, and a handful of hastily-packed books. She dropped it once, then scooped it up again, her boots clapping hard against the dock as she rushed toward him. Her braid was half undone and a bit of ink smudged the side of her cheek.

"Mariel?" Liam blinked, brows furrowed. "What are you doing?"

"I’m coming with you," she huffed, setting the satchel down and trying to cram everything back in. "I’ve made up my mind."

Behind her, the stern voice of Captain Ander barked her name. "Mariel!"

He came striding across the dock, his limp more pronounced, his expression dark with disbelief. "I told you to stay here. This isn’t a joke."

"It’s not," Mariel replied, standing straight now, eyes gleaming with emotion. "I don’t want to stay behind anymore. I want to go. I need to go."

Ander looked at her — really looked. His lips parted as if to protest, but the fire in her eyes, the same fire he himself had once carried when he was young and unbroken, froze him in place. She wasn’t the same girl he had protected all these years. Something had changed since that battle on the Sea Phantom. Since Droskyn. She had seen too much now to return to the quiet life.

"You know what kind of world they’re walking into, Mariel," Ander said, softer now, yet firm. "Monsters, assassins, ancient relics, mercenaries. That’s not for you."

"Then let me prove it is," she said, voice shaking but strong. "You taught me to be strong, to defend what I love." Her voice cracked, but she pushed on, "And I love this. This life. This adventure. I don’t want to waste it staring at the sea every day, wondering what might’ve been."

Ander’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. He didn’t speak for a long time. The rest of the group had stopped, silently watching the moment unfold. Sophia looked away, arms crossed, unreadable. Jason gave a small whistle under his breath. Marcus muttered something like "Damn, she’s got more spine than I expected."

Finally, Ander turned his gaze to Liam.

"Boy," he said gruffly, "Come here."

Liam approached slowly, his boots heavy against the planks, unsure of what to expect.

Ander looked him dead in the eyes. "You’re the one she listens to. The one she—" He hesitated. "—trusts. And so do I."

Liam blinked. "Captain, I... I didn’t ask her to come."

"I know that," Ander said. "But she’s set her heart on this. And I’d rather she be with someone I know will bleed to keep her safe than some stranger with a smile and a dagger behind his back." He gripped Liam’s shoulder tightly, hard enough to bruise. "I’m trusting you, Liam. I’m entrusting her to you."

Liam glanced at Mariel, who stood just behind her father, hands gripping the strap of her satchel like it was a lifeline. Her eyes locked on his — there was fear there, but more than that, there was hope. A desperate, burning hope.

He swallowed hard. "I swear it," he said. "I’ll keep her safe. No matter what."

Ander’s jaw tightened. Then, without another word, he released Liam’s shoulder and stepped aside.

Mariel didn’t hesitate. She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around her father, burying her face in his chest. "I’ll come back," she whispered. "I promise. I’ll come back, stronger than ever."

Ander didn’t answer at first, but he wrapped one arm around her tightly, pressing his cheek against her hair. "You’d better, girl," he murmured. "Or I’ll sail the seas myself just to drag your stubborn behind home."

They broke apart at last, and Mariel turned to join the group, her satchel slung over her shoulder, her expression lit with fire and freedom. Liam nodded once at Ander before turning back with her.