It was truly calm that night aboard the
Sea Jewel.
Lucas Madden had thus far enjoyed the trip, it would probably be the only time ever he'd be in places like Himeyama and Ui Cenneslaig. His various jobs at Lisbane fast food chains would never be able to afford him such luxuries. His trip was accosted by his rich uncle Sam, the millionaire owner of the Lisbane City Zoo. He thought it weird how his uncle could pay for such a trip, yet never thought about offering him a job. He let the thought flow by however, the trip was amazing thus far, even if he didn't have a plan. He was especially fond of the couple of days he spent in Ui Cenneslaig. He was definitely a sore thumb in that place, but the sites and taking in the culture were all worth it.
At that time of evening when it happened, Lucas could be found in his room playing chess against an app on his tablet. After losing an innumerable amount of times to the bot on
easy mode', Lucas frustratingly decided to head out onto the vibrant evening deck. Still in his pyjama suit, unfitting for the setting, he found a spot to sit and read his monthly edition of White Dwarf, a monthly miniatures magazine he had a subscription to back home.
He dove into articles upon articles, a lot better than the chess AI he left in his room. He got back on the road of enjoyment he'd had for the majority of the trip. But things don't last. The ship started to shake. First, it was barely noticeable, masked by his fidgety legs. Then it started to rattle the chair he sat on, even make it move. He put down the magazine in fear and looked directly frontwards. Fire. Before he even had time to react it shook once more, with enough force to send him over the ship's railing and into the cold water.
He couldn't remember what happened next. All he knew then was that he'd survived, and he woke up somehow miraculously floating on a piece of rubble with his legs limp in the water. He kneeled on the rubble, trying his best to keep balance as he drifted in the ocean. He waited on that rubble for hours. He became hungry. Thirsty. Depressed.
But he saw something. In the distance an island. It lit a spark in Lucas. He paddled as far as his arms would take him, and when that wouldn't do he kicked with all the might of a man on a mission. By what felt like midday he made it to the island, tired from all the free exercise. As he made it to the shore he fell on his back, and went to sleep again. He needed all the rest he could get, he'd plan his survival when he woke up.