Sanctuary: Safe Haven-Chapter 387: Big Fish

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the sea, but the crew of the ship had little energy left to admire it. Kaelor, Finnick, and Linna leaned against the railing, panting heavily, sweat dripping from their brows. They had faced countless battles on the ocean, but today’s ordeal was like nothing they’d ever experienced. The sudden onslaught of sea monsters had pushed them to their limits, and only Canna seemed unfazed.

With a heavy thud, another massive fish monster landed on the deck, dropped effortlessly by Canna as though it weighed nothing. The creature flopped weakly, its scales gleaming in the fading sunlight. Canna looked over the array of sea creatures he’d collected, appearing completely at ease, even as the others struggled to catch their breath.

"Um, Canna," Linna ventured, her voice gentle but filled with concern, "I don’t think the ship can hold all these." She cast a wary glance at the piled-up creatures, her practical mind already calculating the ship’s weight capacity.

Canna just chuckled, unfazed by her concern. The crew had seen powerful fighters before, but Canna was on a different level. His lightning magic alone was rare enough, but the black lightning he wielded was something altogether otherworldly. Even more surprising was the casual way he fought; while they had been defending the ship with everything they had, Canna had seemed almost playful, his voice ringing out cheerfully with each new catch.

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"Too tough."

"Nasty-smelling."

The ones he found unsatisfactory were tossed back into the sea, while the ones he approved ended up on deck, a growing collection of enormous sea monsters ready for inspection. Linna shook her head with a smile, amused by Canna’s strange sorting process.

"Well then," Canna said, flashing Linna a grin. "Help me out. Let’s cook some of these up."

At this, Finnick’s face lit up with excitement. He quickly joined Canna, his usual smirk wide with anticipation. "Finally, some proper food! I’ve been dreaming of seafood like this." He rubbed his hands together, looking over the monstrous catches with the gleam of a child presented with a treasure trove.

Linna, feeling a surge of excitement herself, eagerly helped Canna pick out some of the best-looking creatures. She quickly fetched cooking supplies from the ship’s stores, her movements quick and purposeful. Cooking wasn’t her main duty on the ship, but she had a knack for it and loved the chance to prepare something fresh, especially seafood. With Finnick assisting her, she set up a makeshift cooking station, her eyes gleaming with the challenge of preparing dishes from the wild, exotic catches they had collected.

Meanwhile, Kaelor watched from his post, his harpoon at the ready as he kept a close eye on the waves. Though the immediate danger seemed to have passed, he remained vigilant, his mind unsettled by the events. The abrupt shift from calm seas to a relentless wave of sea monsters didn’t sit well with him. Glancing over at Canna, he couldn’t shake the suspicion that the man somehow had a hand in the strange events.

But with a quiet sigh, Kaelor pushed his concerns aside. His duty was to protect the ship, and for that, he needed rest. The sea was unpredictable, and he’d have to be ready for whatever it threw at them next.

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Later that night, as the ship sailed peacefully once more, the scent of freshly cooked seafood filled the air, a welcome change from the earlier chaos. Linna, proving her culinary skill, had worked wonders with the strange creatures Canna had caught. She presented an array of dishes on the deck, each one more impressive than the last. Crab-like dishes with a spicy glaze, plump prawns grilled to perfection, and even lobster adorned with fragrant herbs. Each plate was a masterpiece, stimulating both the eyes and the senses.

Canna’s eyes widened with joy as he took in the spread, a grin breaking across his face. "Linna, this… this is incredible!" He took a generous bite of one of the dishes, his face lighting up as he tasted the seafood. "You’ve outdone yourself. I didn’t think anyone could make it this good."

Linna’s cheeks flushed slightly, caught off guard by the sincerity in Canna’s praise. She wasn’t used to such genuine compliments, and seeing Canna’s clear enjoyment of her cooking touched her. "Th-Thank you, Canna. It’s really nothing special, just something I whipped up."

Finnick was busy devouring a plate of prawns, nodding in agreement as he chewed. "Don’t sell yourself short, Linna! This is the best meal we’ve had in ages. I’m usually stuck with dried rations, but this—" he held up a perfectly grilled lobster tail, grinning from ear to ear "—this is next level!"

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Kaelor, who had joined them for a quick meal before returning to his post, also offered a rare nod of approval. "Good work, Linna," he said quietly, savoring each bite with the appreciation of a man who knew the value of a hearty meal on the sea.

Linna beamed, her earlier fatigue forgotten as the crew devoured her dishes, their laughter and compliments filling her with pride. She stole a quick glance at Canna, who was already reaching for seconds, his enthusiasm infectious. For a brief moment, it was as if they were a family, sharing a joyful meal after a long day.

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Later that night, as the crew turned in and silence blanketed the ship, Canna lay in his cabin, drifting between sleep and wakefulness. The gentle rocking of the ship lulled him into relaxation, his mind finally free from the day’s excitement. He was just on the verge of sleep when a voice, low and urgent, echoed from the shadows.

"Master."

It was Abaddon.

Canna’s eyes snapped open, his senses immediately alert. "What is it?"

"There’s an incoming threat," Abaddon reported, his tone calm but serious. "A Catastrophe-class sea monster. This one’s undeterred by my skill."

A spark of interest ignited in Canna’s gaze. "A Catastrophe-class, you say?" He sat up, stretching out his shoulders as a faint smile crept across his face.

"Yes, master," Abaddon confirmed. "It’s moving swiftly, and it seems intent on reaching the ship. What are your orders?"

Without missing a beat, Canna’s voice rang out with quiet command. "Mortem," he called, addressing his firstborn in the shadows. "Alert the crew. We’ll need everyone ready."

From the darkness, Mortem’s voice answered, calm and steady. "Understood, master. I’ll make sure they’re prepared."

Canna stood, his anticipation building as he imagined the encounter awaiting them. "Abaddon, let’s lure it into the skies. I want a better view."

Abaddon’s dark, ethereal form manifested beside him, his presence like a shadow come to life. He nodded, his eyes gleaming with fierce loyalty. "As you wish, master."

Together, they stepped out onto the deck, the cool night air sharpening their senses as they prepared for the coming battle. Above them, the stars seemed to flicker in silent anticipation, and the faint outline of the monstrous threat loomed in the distance, its size casting a shadow over the waves as it drew ever closer. The quiet of the night had transformed, taking on a tense, expectant quality as the crew readied themselves for the fight of their lives.