The silence was so loud, Arsen couldn't help but cock the gun.

There was something ominous with the tall man that had approached them. He looked like he was in his mid-30's, wearing a long burgundy coat and black leather knee-high boots. His eyes weren't as much visible as his hair was outgrown. The crew never judged. They assumed it was possibly a survivor.

But the four didn't seem to drop their guard. Normally survivors who encounter other people wouldn't hesitate to say something, greet them, or tell them they weren't a threat. Even raising their arms in surrender or even wave hello.

But no, the man only walked a few steps towards them before stopping to stare in a distance. No other movements. Just an eerie silence. Arsen narrowed her eyes at the man as Elysaria gripped the sword tightly.

With the gun held firmly in her hands, Arsen took a few cautious steps forward.

"Are you lost, comrade?" she called out, her voice cutting through the stillness. "What ship are you assigned to? Nation?"

No response. The mysterious man remained motionless, still as a statue. His unfocused gaze seemed fixed on a point beyond the horizon. It sent shivers down the spines of the crew, who shared uncertain glances amongst themselves.

Elysaria took a step forward, her sword sharply touching and creating marks on the ground. "Look, we're not here to look for trouble, but we won't hesitate to defend ourselves. Speak up or step back."

As Arsen continued to assess the situation, she noticed a subtle detail—the man's hands were hidden within the folds of his long coat. That detail set off alarms in her mind, urging her to be even more vigilant. She gestured discreetly to her crew, signaling them to be ready for anything.

But what she didn't expect was one of her crew members approaching slowly behind them. A hint of recognition seen on his face. He slowly walked towards them and mumbled under his breath.

"I know that man," the man muttered, his eyes narrowing as he squinted at the mysterious figure. "Or at least, I knew someone who looked just like him before we never saw him again."

Arsen and Elysaria exchanged quick, alarmed glances. Recognition dawned on them simultaneously, and a chill ran down their spines.

"No, it can't be," Elysaria whispered, her grip on the sword tightening. "What ship was he in? Crew? Captain?"

"He was with Captain Apheros..." the man trailed off as they all widened their eyes at this. Arsen's breath hitched as she stared at the old man once again.

"Impossible, they're all dead."

Arsen's mind raced as she then looked back at the man in the distance. This time, he was grinning. She then remembered the letter that Captain Apheros had left. Shadows, mysterious entities that could mimic human forms. The Obsidian had encountered them before before their fate was sealed.

In an alarmed rate, Arsen quickly shouted at her crew and pointed the gun at the entity. "Stay back!"

And it didn't take long before the three realized it too. 

"He's not human," Darius mumbled under his breath as Aloysius glared at the man also. They both pulled out their swords in order to protect themselves. "It's trying to trick us!"

The imposter's form began to shift and contort, revealing its true form. Distorted body, almost glitching and spazzing out erratically. The crew noticed that now it didn't look as much human, but a grotesque, shadowy entity with an ominous grin. 

The imposter laughed in a haunting echo, the sound that could never be forgotten by the crew itself. "You can't escape us."

It almost sounded human. Except for how loud and distorted it was. 

Arsen huffed before stepping back. Her voice then called out the others, loud and clear. "Everyone, back to the ship, now!"

The crew, still on high alert, didn't question Arsen's command. They swiftly gathered their weapons, cast wary glances around, and began making their way back to the shore where their ship was anchored.

Elysaria, her sword still in hand, approached Arsen. "What's going on?"

Arsen scanned the horizon, a troubled expression on her face. "This...This is an Errantes. There's something unsettling about this. If he's here, there's no doubt there are more. We need to regroup and figure out our next move."

"Set sail! We're leaving," Arsen commanded, her voice firm. The crew rushed back to their places, unfurling the sails and quickly raises the anchor. The crew got back to their ships, including Darius' as they left the man standing, still smiling as they gained enough distance. 

As the ship sailed over the dark waters, Arsen gathered her crew on the deck. "We can't let our guard down. These shadows are different, more cunning. We need to find a safe haven, regroup, and come up with a plan. Keep a watchful eye, and report anything unusual."

The crew nodded, their faces still showing great concern. The ship sailed further away from the haunting landscape, leaving the shadows behind, at least for now.

Elysaria joined Arsen at the helm, her eyes reflecting the same concern. "What are we dealing with, Arsen? That man...it's almost as if he wasn't human."

Arsen sighed, her gaze fixed on the waters of the Regimere. "Errantes. Just like what Captain Apheros said in those letters."

Arsen stood at the helm, her lips curled into a thin line. "We'll wait for dawn," she declared. "The cover of darkness won't serve us well in that eerie place. We need the light to expose any lurking threats."

The crew found places to sit or lean against the ship's railing, their eyes reflecting a mix of exhaustion and anticipation. Elysaria stood beside Arsen, her sword resting against her shoulder, silent.

They both looked at the Medusa and the two noticed that even Darius and Aloysius had the same thoughts as their ship sail steadily on the waters with its crew sitting on deck and some are going inside. 

As the minutes ticked away, the night seemed to stretch endlessly. The crew exchanged hushed conversations, sharing their thoughts about what happened. Darius' gaze went over the shore of Malum Trench before a sigh left his lips. "I hope we find some answers, and not just more questions."

Aloysius nodded beside him. "We all do. But we can't afford to rush in blindly. These shadows... they play tricks on us. It's much better if the sun is here. Their forms change at night."

Darius' crew, the Mediterranean, then went back inside to regain back their energy. The eastern horizon began to hint at a gradual lightening, a soft glow emitting from the moon. 

Arsen took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the shore once more. "Get some rest, everyone. As soon as the sun rises, we move in together. Stay close, and watch each other's backs."

The crew rose from seats, stretching and preparing once again. The ship gently rocked on the calm waters as the waves softly echoed through the darkness.