“Just a little bit! Everyone!” Malaya screamed as this time they rowed their way. The other half of the storm was unexpectedly more ravaging than the first one. That was why their external force was needed if they wanted to pass it through. And now they were rowing the ship once again with the exception of Rein this time.

The waves were much stronger than ever and everything was shaking terribly. Malaya and the others even tied themselves to their seats with a rope in order to not stumble upon the severity of the waves. 

Rhyme was even tied his hands in the steering wheel while this time it was Rein who was helping him to maneuver through the monstrous and towering waves.

“Everyone!” Rhyme screamed. “Just a bit more! Please hold on! I can finally see the end of the storm!” 

After a few more hours…

“Yes!” Everyone screamed as they paddled through. They exerted more force than ever before.

“We are almost near!” Rhyme screamed. “Just a little bit more!”

“You have been telling us that we are getting near!” Iris said with full of qualms as she rowed the paddles. “But we are still not there!”

“Iris shut it!” Malaya screamed back. “And just row! Though my arms are already numb from pain, I will still continue to row!” She looked directly at Iris” Everyone was also struggling, not just you! Don’t be selfish and act like you are the only one who suffers from this situation.” Malaya pauses a bit.” Your complaining will not help the group.”

Everyone was quiet and just listened to both Malaya and Iris.

“Selfish? Me? Selfish? Did you hear what you said? Have you ever tried to see my own situation? Look, your hand is just numbing! My hand is really bleeding!” Iris screamed back.

“My hands are almost going off from my arms!” Malaya screamed back. “But I will persevere!”

“My hands are already severed, but I’m using my mouth to even row the boat now!” Iris screamed back.

“Why are you just keeping complaining? Can you just keep doing what you are doing? This will not forever and that blood in your hands will never lead you to die.” Malaya screamed back “Look at my hands it was in a worse situation than yours but I will not complain.”

Dorris and Lila who were listening to their screaming just sighed in their mind. ‘Just why are they being so competitive with each other, whose hands are already the worst?’

“Iris, Malaya, that doesn’t sound good!” Hyun Jae screamed with worry. “You should be treated right away, especially you, Iris who has no hands now!”

Both Malaya and Iris remained silent from their bickering. 

‘Ah thank goodness, someone handled them.’ Dorris said in her mind. But then Malaya suddenly laughed out loud. “Hahaha, you hear that Iris, you should get treated right away!”

And another bickering began. Everyone just sighed as they continued to row the ship.

Rhyme who was on the upper deck widened his eyes. A humongous wave bigger than they were ever seen was now going in their way.  Rhyme’s eyes widened. ‘This is the final spurt!’

“Everyone!  This is a warning you need to be prepared and alert from this one! I saw a  very huge wave! It is the biggest wave I have ever seen! And it is approaching us!”

Everyone remained silent with what Rhyme had said. And Rhyme deeply took a deep breath. ‘If that hit us, the Bituins might not make it.’

{“Yes, you. I believe with your keen eyesight and from what I heard with Sir Nicholas, is that you have quite an experience in navigating ships, so you will be the perfect navigator for us. Please help us navigate all the way through the whirlpools.”

Rhyme couldn’t refute when Malaya continued to barrage her with words of expectation.

“I will try my best.” Rhyme said.

“Better be, if you make one wrong move, it will be the death of all of us.” Malaya laughed light-heartedly.}

“Rhyme? What will we do?” Rein asked. 

The biggest wave was now approaching them. ‘This is not just a matter of trying my best. This is for my survival and the survival of my friends! It’s a matter of life and death.’

Though he could feel the trembling of his body, a grin formed on Rhyme’s lips. ‘They entrusted me with this and they believe in my own capabilities. Even sometimes I’m doubting my capabilities. There is still someone out there who can see what I can offer. And I think this is the right time to embody that.’

“We will go head-on to the wave! Everyone row with all your might!” Rhyme screamed.

“Yes!” Everyone screamed. 

Booming thunder sounds. The rain was like pricking through their skin and the huge waves.

*Boogsh.” It completely hit the Bituins. There was nothing that could be heard anymore other than the sounds of the ravaging waves. Everyone was trying their best to find the balance from their perspective seats. But in that still moment of silence as soon as the waves crashed down. Something flew above the air!

“Everyone! We made it!” Rhyme screamed with joy as the Bituins flew past the biggest waves. He chose to be swept by another wave, though a smaller one and was able to move past the biggest wave he had ever seen. It was like the Bituins had grown beautiful pairs of white wings in his imagination, as the Bituins emerged and flew out of the wave.

With the last hurdle passed, everyone continued to row with all their might until they could finally feel the stability of the entire ship.

Though it still had the crimson color of the sea.  But everyone immediately let go of the paddles. And there was only silence that filled the air. No more destructive sounds of waves, the booming thunder, and the piercing rain.

“We made it.” Rhyme who was still in utter disbelief glanced at them once the red sea came back to a calm state. But then as if reality hit him, Rhyme finally screamed, waking everyone from their stupor.

” Everyone! We made it!” Rhyme screamed. And one by one cheer was now heard. 

“Finally!” Iris screamed in delight.

“We crossed the storm!” Malaya screamed. 

“Thank the goddess of light!” Dorris cried out loud. 

“My wine?” Iris raised her right eyebrow looking at Malaya.” 

“Haha, don’t worry I’ll prepare it soon.” Malaya chuckled. ‘When it comes to wine she is really nuts.’

On the other hand, Kayden just remained quiet but there was a small grin on his face.

“Good job, Rhyme.” Rein said as he patted Rhyme’s back.

“Thank you, you guys did well too,” Rhyme said with shyness in his voice.

And Oliver, who remained inside Kayden’s room, stood up with both his hands in his pocket. He glanced at the once again calm red sea. ‘So they made it, as expected of them.’

Malaya just after resting for a few moments, rushed to the upper deck, to look at the scenery outside. There was one thing in her mind now.. ‘The third and last stage. We finally reached the last stage of the Red Current!’