The Night Rose

“Captain Arwin, the hull is damaged, and the shield is almost down! It will take at least half a day to charge back to maximum!” One of the Night Rose crew reported. “Everyone repairs the ship immediately! We are leaving now before we receive more hits! Load the motors at maximum and hold on!” Arwin, the Night Rose Captain, ordered while trying to rescue what’s left off her airship. However, before she could do anything, they were already surrounded by small and medium-sized airship wyvern patrols that are backed-up with knights’ airship from the kingdom.  Some of the small airships suddenly crashed on their side, causing an explosion, which further damaged their hull and shield even more.  “Night Rose, this is your last warning! Surrender now, and we can promise quick and painless death for you! For those who can give the Captain and the information about the Bloodied Fang Bandit Group will be spared and will be given a chance to live as sl

“Argh!” Arwin groaned after someone, splashing cold water on her, suddenly woke her up. She felt intense throbbing pain in her head. Half asleep, she slowly tried to stand up but immediately stumbled down and realized that it was because she was shackled on the wall. Arwin was chained, both her arms and feet, with a normal and rusty metal. She protested,  “What the―” Before Arwin could see what else is wrong with her, someone suddenly hit her on the head, and the pain woke her up completely. She then finally realized that she wasn’t alone inside that reeking place. She started to look around and saw that there were at least twenty others, shackled, in the same manner as her in the dim room. The place looked like a cave with nothing but stones and metals binding them, but why couldn’t she get out? By now, her crewmate must’ve rescued- Her thoughts were cut off and soon turned to worries, where’s the rest of her crew? Their ship? She tried

Some of the prisoners left. They thought that they could survive without hearing any advice and guidance while some were trying to find local contacts that could benefit them in their survival in the continent. "I see. The five of you are the only lucky ones who decided to stay and listen to the poor old me. Congratulations! You will be keeping your life for a little longer!" he said with fake happiness while clapping his hands. He then continued, "As I said, I'm Sam, and now when those who wanted to leave are gone, we can start our exploration from the bottom of this city.", Sam said and started to explain the city's history from the beginning to the current day. He explained how the first people came to the continent and how there was a history of numerous massive fights for the ownership of the continent. Then he started from the natives and local fauna around them and how the kingdoms were stuck in the dilemma of choosing between the people and royalties

"I'm done now with answering the papers," Arwin announced, and Tom looked at the time. "You still have over twenty-five minutes left. Are you really sure that you are done? Are you sure you don't want to recheck the papers?" Tom asked while in his mind he was thinking. 'She's just an arrogant fool that doesn't know what the best for her is. How could she be done with the test this soon? I even gave her less time than the usual, and more questions to diligently answer. Still, she thinks she's done. "Yes, I'm done, mister supervisor. I even checked my papers and looked at the questions that I had thoroughly answered twice." Arwin honestly replied and gave the papers to Tom, who just silently snickered and took them. "If you say so. I will then check these papers through," Tom said, but he already had made his mind that he won't let Arwin pass and pretended to read the papers. After a while and after flipping through the last paper, he announced. "You fa