Note: Unedited

Days turned into weeks, and Darius felt as if they were ready to venture out into the ocean once more. This time, headed to Malum Trench - the place where the Angelus sank. His gut feeling told him he would be able to find some clues about the long-lost vessel that had vanished years ago before the Mediterranean had ventured out into the seas.

His frigid grey eyes stared at the scrolls in his hands, most of them borrowed directly from the ministry. The records of sailors' entries were written in cursive by Arkenheilm researchers. Fortunately, they had retrieved some incidental reports and entries from the sailors.

Darius' eyes scanned the paper as one of them caught his eye. It was an entry a few years ago, right after the Angelus' wreck. It seems like they too were curious about the place.

I pray this message reaches you and I must record what I have witnessed for the sake of all sailors who venture into these treacherous waters. Malum Trench.

The stories they told us were no exaggeration. As we sailed deeper, the first thing that greeted us was a graveyard of ships. Once proud and mighty, these ships now lay broken and forgotten, their stories lost to the depths. I am uncertain as to which nation had owned these ships.  

The water here is dark and cold, like the heart of the abyss itself. It chills me to the bone, and I cannot shake the feeling that we are being watched, that something ancient and malevolent lurks beneath the waves.

Something was whispering in my ear.

We pressed on, hoping to find some trace of my brother. As we moved deeper into the trench, the water grew even colder, and I could now see multiple eyes watching over us.

We never decided to seek what or to whom those watchful eyes belonged. It pursued us for a time, but we managed to outmaneuver it, and eventually, it disappeared back into the darkness.

We are now far from that cursed place, but the memory of what we witnessed still haunts my dreams. I pray that my brother and his crew did not meet the same fate as those sunken ships, and I hope that this warning reaches all who would dare to sail into the heart of Malum Trench.

It is a place of death and despair, and no treasure is worth the price of venturing into its depths.

May the seas protect you, and may you heed this warning.

Krieger Alcinder
Captain of Válka Agro

As Darius delved into the aged scrolls, the heavy door creaked open, and the stoic figure of Arsen entered the bustling inn. Her icy blue eyes, as sharp as the ocean's edge, scanned the room before it had landed on Darius, who had been so engrossed in his reading that he hadn't noticed her arrival.

"Captain Thorren," she began in her usual composed tone, "I heard from the other researchers that you borrowed some of the scrolls. A sudden interest in Malum Trench, they say. May I inquire as to what draws you to know about it?"

Darius looked up, his eyes meeting Arsen's unwavering gaze. His hands now closed the scroll he had been reading, carefully placing it on the table before responding. "Had I borrowed it at a bad time?"

Arsen disagreed and told Darius that she was just questioning why he wanted the scrolls. They weren't completed and were stacked until the researchers had finished the record but judging how he hadn't minded, Arsen felt as if there was something amiss.

"General Arsen, it's the fate of the Angelus that kept lingering in my thoughts. I couldn't almost sleep." 

"That ship and its crew never returned, and it had always haunted me since then. My brother's friend was part of its crew, and I've always wondered what truly happened to them," he continued before a sigh left his mouth. 

"My brother was lucky enough that I stopped him from sailing. If I hadn't persuaded him, I would've lost him as well."

Arsen's expression softened slightly as she considered Darius's words. She had known about his connection to the Angelus but hadn't realized the depth of his stake in their expedition. She approached him and sat across him, nodding. 

"I see," she replied thoughtfully. "You seek answers not only for yourself but also for your brother and his comrades."

Darius nodded solemnly. "Yes, General. I owe it to him at least. To uncover the truth, whatever was left for us to find that is."

Arsen's gaze remained fixed on Darius for a moment longer before she finally stood back up, fixing her coat. "Very well, Captain Thorren. We shall support you in any way we can. Remember to tread these waters carefully, for even the bravest sailors have been lost to its depths."

Darius appreciated Arsen's understanding and support. "We appreciate the help."

With that, Arsen gave a curt nod and exited the inn, leaving Darius to his thoughts and preparations for the journey that lay ahead of them.

As preparations for the expedition to Malum Trench continued, there was a moment when Darius found himself in conversation with General Arsen once again. Her eyes pierced the Medusa as they were on the docks of Arkenheilm, overlooking the vast waters of the Regimere before them.

"Captain Thorren," Arsen began, her voice carrying a sense of determination, "I've given it some thought, and I believe our presence on this expedition would be quite beneficial. I intend to accompany you and your crew to Malum Trench."

Darius blinked in surprise at this unexpected announcement. "General Arsen, I appreciate your offer, but I must admit I didn't expect you to join us. Is there any reason why you've decided to come?"

Arsen's gaze turned to Elysaria. The captain only smiled at this and decided to be the one to answer his question, "It's not just for your quest, Captain. It's also for Alcinder."

Darius's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Alcinder? The retired captain?"

Arsen nodded. "Yes, Captain Alcinder. He had begun the record you held back in that inn, and I wish to finish the record in his honor. His knowledge of the Trench was unparalleled, and I believe that by continuing his work, we can better understand the dangers before going on further expeditions."

Darius was taken aback by Arsen's dedication to completing Captain Alcinder's work. He had known the retired captain to be a respected figure, but he hadn't realized the extent of Arsen's respect and admiration for him.

"I understand, General," Darius replied. "By that means, it's nice to have you with us on this."

With the matter settled, preparations continued, and the day of the expedition arrived. The Medusa set sail with the Válka tailing behind them, Darius's sailors and Elysaria's filled with nervousness yet quite determined to sail the waters. The atmosphere on the ship had held such anticipation as they approached the center of the Regimere and on its way to Malum Trench.

As they ventured deeper into the ocean, the tension onboard grew. The sailors' eyes became alert as they felt the sudden change of aura in the place. The waters of the Regimere stretched out like an endless abyss, both alluring and treacherous.

And a loud shackling strike tore their attention away from the water.

The sailors could see the fierce storm ahead. The dark clouds roiled overhead as the calming waves soon grew a bit powerful, rocking the ship. The ocean's currents stirred, and a sudden malevolent presence began to rise. The sky darkened, and the air turned heavy with tension.

Aloysius' keen instincts alerted him to the sudden shift, and he turned quickly to Darius. His eyes pierced through his grey ones. "Captain, something's wrong. The waters are growing restless."

Darius surveyed the horizon, his brow furrowing as he sensed the impending danger. "Prepare to hold the sails. Make sure—"

His words were drowned by a furious roar that echoed through the air. The sailors of both the Medusa and Válka had widened their eyes on their expressions as the waves seemed to suddenly become still, and before they could react, the ship was thrown violently back.

Waves rose like towering titans, crashing against the ship relentlessly. The crew clung to the rails, thunder roared and lightning cracked the sky. The storm was overwhelming, a sudden reflection of the ocean's rage.

Amid the chaos, a cry pierced through the winds. Calista, who had been at the helm, was suddenly pulled from her stand and was almost swept overboard. Darius's heart pounded in his chest as he did not even hesitate to tie a rope in his hips and rushed to grab her hand.

"Calista!" he yelled out, his voice swallowed by the storm. Aloysius saw how Darius had run and grabbed Calista, swinging and balancing himself before the rope tightened and held both of them back from going overboard.

When the waters had finally calmed down a bit, Darius's thoughts were consumed by the fear of losing Calista. He quickly pulled her to him his hands were now around her waist, his head on top of her as he engulfed her in an embrace. "I got you. Don't worry, I got you."

But as the storm began to stop, a sinister silence settled over the waters of the Regimere - the quiet before the storm indeed. 

A huge figure emerged from the depths, shrouded in the mist. The once blue ocean waters turned dark as the Duke had been awakened, his ominous presence sending chills down the spines of those who dared to look upon him. His ruby eyes almost like a raging flame, attention fixated on the ship, showed his intention clear to the Mediterranean.

"You have trespassed in my domain," his voice like the rumble of distant thunder. "And for that, the price must be paid."

A specter of death, a grim reaper of the ocean, the mere mention of the Duke sent shivers down even the bravest of sailors' spines.

It didn't take long for the ship to buck and twist as Darius felt hands trying to pull Calista away from him. The hands of the deceased made marks on his arm, burning and raging as he held Calista with no intention of letting go so soon. Calista could see the ghostly prints on his arm as she held onto his embrace. 

But the waves were merciless. The storm raged around her, blinding rain and churning waves formed around the ship.

In no longer than a minute, a sudden push on the ship and a massive wave quickly separated the lovers, Calista suddenly being dragged back over the open waters forcefully. Darius's heart clenched in fear as he saw her go overboard. 

"Calista!" he shouted, his voice drowned out by the roaring storm. He rushed to the ship's railing, desperate to see any sign of her.

The crew tried to hold their captain as  the ship was about to lose its balance from the strong waves, almost tipping over.

Meanwhile, the Duke's never lingered away from the vessel, his towering figure wreathed in mist and shadow. His gaze, as cold as the abyss, fell upon the ships. With a mere gesture, he conjured another wave that swept through the waters, pushing the vessels away and hurtling them towards a dreaded destination Malum Trench.

The Trench lay like a yawning chasm, a graveyard of ships that had fallen victim to its treacherous embrace. Its dark waters whispered of lost souls, a place where no sailor want to revisit.

Aloysius managed to control the sails along with the crew, his other hand staying to grip the captain, who was still in pure devastation.

Aloysius shouted orders, desperately trying to guide the ship away.

But alas, it failed as the ship continuously got steered towards the Malum Trench.