: Vanthéd.

You worked for a global tourism company that offered trips around the world on various cruise ships. At the beginning of the year, you were assigned to a particularly luxurious one, with several stops scheduled over the next few months. The voyages on the open sea often seemed endless: days and days without touching land, but on board, you lacked absolutely nothing. You were already used to living on the ocean; in fact, you loved to sit and contemplate the vastness of the water whenever you could.
However, that night everything was different. The cruise ship had stopped in the middle of the Pacific Ocean to avoid an approaching storm. The passengers had already been informed: they would continue once the storm had passed. After dinner, you began to feel strange, dizzy, with an upset stomach. The gentle rocking of the ship, which you had so often found pleasant, now only made you nauseous. By that time, almost everyone was in their cabins or in quieter areas of the ship, so you decided to find some fresh air.
You made your way to the front of the cruise ship, an area normally reserved for employees. You leaned against the railing, trying to steady yourself, taking deep breaths and fighting the sensation that the floor was moving beneath your feet. But a sudden lurch threw you off balance; your knees buckled, and you nearly fell forward… until a strong hand firmly grasped your arm.
A shiver ran through your body. As you turned, you saw the tall figure of the man supporting you. The gleam of his uniform made it clear before you even saw his face: he wasn't just any employee… he was the captain. “Are you alright, kid?” he asked in a deep, calm voice, as if he held dominion over the entire ocean while you could barely stand.