CHAPTER 1: MEETING AN ANCIENT

Today is the day I step out of my country "Lucios". Lucios is a country on the south eastern part of Garsula continent. It is a big island with a lot of forest and high falls. The Lucios is a country composed of barangays which led by a Datu and Dayang.

My name is Ydeo and I came from the Barangay of DatuMaru.

Today is a wonderful day with blue skies, clear Ocean and fresh air. It is a beautiful day to greet the World. "Hello to the World, it's me Ydeo!" as I greet the world.

I'm currently 16 years old, I am a young man from the country of Lucios. I always wanted to travel since I was 9 years old however DatuMaru never allowed me to travel because of my age, but now that I am an official young man, I can travel and go anywhere I want.

I am currently on the boat of Head Sailor Je-Mi, a veteran sailor on his forties. He is a big man with a black beard, and his face always looked grumpy.

Yikes! He looked at me.

"Ydeo, come and help us! We take you with us without passenger’s fee, so you should help on rowing the boat." He said with his grumpy face.

The boat is big enough to carry 100 men. It is used to discover and explore new islands before but on this age, other countries like Ar-pi become more civilized. They have big ships and giant palaces, as what Lady Anabelle describe, however, it is unlike our small country in where we only have Nipa Huts as house, and Torogan as barangay halls.

This country is my first destination."Ar-pi" I muttered.

Lady Anabelle mentioned that it is a rich country with thousands of Islands. It is an Archipelagic Kingdom ruled by a Rajah. I think the name of the Rajah is Jaroleo, rumored that this Rajah is wise and gives unpredictable decision.

I want to go there as soon as possible I'm just hoping that the Sea Monsters won't attack this boat. It is normal to see Sea Monsters on this area, they are the rulers of the ocean, mostly of Gisap Ocean, which is the largest one in the seven oceans of the world.

Why wonder it is divided in seven? Isn’t the world is surrounded by one big ocean?

It is told in stories and songs but no one really knows the looks of the world. Is the world round or flat? Maybe the shape is like that giant Banana or that giant Grape, I wonder or hungry rather.

We've been rowing for 7 hours already but Head Sailor Je-Mi said that it will only took a day of sail to the nearest shore of Ar-pi. But I am so tired and hungry... I want to eat.

How can these men be this strong without food?

"Head Sailor Je-Mi, let's eat! It's been six hours since we ate." I complained.

Thankfully, he agreed on to my request. We eat our lunch on the boat and everyone has their own share of foods.

"Eat, Eat, Eat, Drink, Eat, Eat, Eat and Drink." I said as I enjoy eating my share.

The foods are so delicious! I can't move anymore, my body is so heavy and I am so full.

"Ouch!" I exclaimed after Head Sailor Je-Mi hitting me on my head.

"It's your share for the entire day!" He said madly.

"What? But-but it's my normal size of meal! Would I starve this whole day, Head Sailor Je-Mi?" I asked dejectedly.

And so, here I was, assigned to catch some fishes which excites me. I never tried fishing in the ocean. I wonder if they taste different?

Be a sacrifice for me little fishy! It feels like I am a monster from a horror story and song

But after an hour of fishing I still haven't able to catch one fish.

"Head sailor, why is that I haven't caught any fish yet?" I wonder.

“Why ask me? Sailor Lam is more skilled in that area." He answered as he navigates the Tiller.

Sailor Lam is a skilled sailor on his thirties and he is the right hand man of Head Sailor Je-Mi. He trotted to us with thick ropes in his hands.

"There's no fishes in the area just yet because it's only been an hour since the ocean wave’s calm." He simply explained.

"Huh? What do you mean calm?" I confusedly asked.

Head sailor Je-Mi referred to me after listening to Sailor Lam, "Ydeo, Sea Monsters have ability to calm the water."

"Really? That's amazing!"

"Fool! That is not something to be amaze about because it only means that there is a Sea Monster around and it is better to encounter a storm than a Sea Monster." He explained dreadfully.

"In storm we can still navigate the boat but with Sea Monsters we can only wish for luck. If they ask for sacrifice we will gladly give it to them." Head Sailor Je-Mi continues.

"Sea Monsters are more intelligent and powerful than humans. We have to be weary." He continues to warn us but instead of getting scared I was more amazed on how great Sea Monsters are. I want to fight them; I wonder where they are...?

"Head Sailor Je-Mi , how can we identify Sea Monsters compared to other sea creatures?" I asked since I honestly want to encounter one—or maybe more?

"These monsters differ from one another, Ydeo. Sea Monster are giant creatures, they could look like giant plants, fruits, vegetables, or any other animals. They have hard scales and tail of a fish. You can say cow with a scale and tail of a fish. That's how Sea Monster would look like." He prickly but patiently explained.

Giant vegetables, fruits, animals? I wonder if they are delicious.

I want to catch one and eat it.

Speaking of giants, I remember sharing my experience of throwing a Javelin on a giant earthworm before. Though after sharing, the crew got mad at my unimaginable story, Head Sailor Je-Mi even mentioned that if the Sea Monsters asked for a sacrifice, they will give me to them.

I felt funny hearing that, they shouldn't worry. I know I can beat these Sea Monsters.

From what I remember, Father told me something about Rulers of the Ocean and if I am right I can beat these Sea Monsters.

In the middle of our conversation, ten little Sea Monsters emerged from the ocean, probably mad because of the noises we made. Head Sailor Je-Mi mentioned that Sea Monsters' normal length is 10 Galleon ships, what we see right now are much smaller.

I quickly jump on the ocean as reassured them to not worry.

Everyone is scraping to escape, crews from the upper platform coming down to rowing faster for escape. Head Sailor Je-Mi and the others agreed on escaping from the scene as well.

I heard Head Sailor Je-Mi said, "Don't blame me for this, Ydeo.", before they sail away.

I do not blame them as they are scared of the Sea Monsters. They just have no choice.

Unlike me, I can beat hundreds of armed men.

Father told me these creatures' weak spot is their belly which is like that of a bear's. If that is the case, I can beat these Sea Monsters!

"WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO HUMAN?"

I heard a monstrous voice.

"ATTACKING SEA MONSTERS IN THE OCEAN, DO YOU THINK YOU CAN BEAT US?" I heard it mock me.

"Even on land I can beat you." Unknown voice said to my mind.

What? A voice in my mind?

"Arrogant human! You know nothing of this world yet you want to discover its vast land." He continued.

"Who are you?!" I asked.

"Enough with your arrogance and stay quiet on your land." He answered.

"I asked who you are, tell me!" I asked again.

Shit I don't care anymore, I'm going to beat all of you! "Here I come!" I said as I punch the Banana like Sea Monster.

The Sea Monsters looks delicious, it is as if I am seeing giant ingredients in the ocean. I might be able to cook a giant meal with them. Thinking about it makes me drool. I want to eat them.

Before I could even reach the Monster something reached me. A blinding energy extended in my eyes.

Wait what is this? Light? Reflection? Where this came from? The boat?

They might be trying to help by distracting the Sea Monsters as they blind the Sea Monsters eyes with the sun reflection.

It might not be that effective and a damn thing to do, their effort and will boost my strength! If that's the case I can still fight!

“This is the power of friendship! No one can beat the power of friendship!” I shout as I attack the Sea Monster, then I jump from one to another.

"WHO ARE YOU?" the cow like Sea Monster asked me.

"I am Ydeo!" I answered as I punch its face.

"LORD OKEANUS WON'T FORGIVE YOU FOR THIS, HUMAN!" The Sea Monster said in despair, swimming away.

I won!

but,

I can't move….. and then, I fell into the ocean.

I see....

I am going to die.

What's going on? Where am I? Is this the boat?

"Looks like you are awake, you are sleeping for five hours already, Ydeo."

"Head Sailor Je-Mi? I see, you save me." I said as I try to cope up with the situation.

Head Sailor Je-Mi explain to me what happened and as how I beat six Sea Monsters and how the Sea Monsters swam away. I'm just sad I couldn't catch one. I wonder if the Banana like Sea Monster tastes like Banana. I should have tried to bite at least one

Head Sailor Je-Mi and the others talked about how great I was in fighting the Sea Monsters. As he was reenacting what happen just a while ago, he remembered me beating a bear on my own when I was nine years old.

"Ydeo, I think you are better suited to be a Galleon Captain.”, after that Head Sailor Je-Mi asked me if I am interested to be a Galleon Captain, we can find sail the seas in order to find Treasure, Land and Glory!”

"What is the use of that, Head Sailor Je-Mi? I am not interested. Rather I just want to see the world." I declined.

"Don't be too arrogant with your strength! Don't you worry; I will write a letter to introduce you to the Rajah of Ar-pi to sponsor your voyages!"

I just let him be, I am not really interested in that. What occupies my mind is that unknown voice who spoke to me.

"You're a brave young man, he is right, you can be one of those barbarian." unknown voice said in my mind again.

"You again!" I said, surprised. This is the voice from earlier.

"Who are you talking to, Ydeo?" One of the crew members asked me.

"You didn't hear any unfamiliar voice just a now?" Don't tell me, they couldn't hear the voice?

"No, we hear nothing." Sailor Lam assured.

"But I hear a voice just now..." I told them.

"You say you heard a voice just now? I heard a familiar story about this, it's about myths and legend in the country of Ar-pi, about the Rulers of the Sea." Sailor Iska, one of the crew butted in.

"What happen?" I quickly responded.

"They say that some seafarers can hear the voice and it is called the voice of the ocean, it is a belief since ancient times." Sailor Iska answered.

"Do they know who this voice is?" I further inquire.

"I'm afraid they don't."

Who was it? Is it Okeanus? The one that the Sea Monsters mentioned to me?

"Do you know any of the name Okeanus?" I tried my luck.

Head sailor Je-Mi frowned as he answered, "Okeanus is an ancient god who lives 2000 years ago."

A god? I do not know any of the name Okeanus, I do know of this legend.

Sailor Lam said to me, "In the country of Lucios we call him Gisap."

Ah!

Legend of Gisap Ocean came into my mind, I remembered it! It is the creation of the Gisap Ocean, and it is where Okeanus's place of respite. Was it really Okeanus, that unknown voice?

"Now you know me, Boy." Okeanus said.

"What do you want from me?!" I shouted.

Head Sailor Je-Mi and the others are confused as I shout and talk to someone that they clearly cannot see.

Suddenly, a buzzling sound was heard that rendered us all still. A giant wave is coming across us. Some of the crew members panicked and tried to get away as fast as possible. But most—like me, was waiting, the wave does not seem forceful and magically and surprisingly stopped and stayed high.

"Is that a tsunami?" Sailor Iska asked.

We looked at the giant wave, we saw eyes in it but I couldn't see any signs of Okeanus himself.

"Good Evening, boy." Okeanus said in my mind.

"Why are you here?!" I shouted again.

"There's something I want to ask from you." Okeanus answered.

"What does he say?" Head Sailor Je-Mi butted in and asked.

"What is it you want to ask?" I answered back to Okeanus

"What do you think of this World?" He answered in my mind.

"I don't know, I haven't seen it yet." I answered honestly.

"HAHAHA! I see, you're right." He replied in my mind.

"I don't know what you want, but don't try to stop me, ancient or not, I'll beat you!" I warned him.

"Let's meet again, Boy." Okeanus faintly replied.

"It's Ydeo! Not Boy!" I screamed.

CHAPTER 1 END…