In To Get Out

Captain Forge descended below deck, finding her seated by the ethereal crystal that powered the ship. Her wild hair needed taming, and a bath and fresh clothes would do wonders. He mentally noted to find some suitable attire for her.

Yet, despite her disheveled appearance, her face was peaceful, focused. She seemed engrossed in her own world, brows furrowed in deep concentration. Forge knew better than to disturb a Kristl during their introspective states.

Just a week prior, she had been his prisoner. Now, her essence was intertwined with his ship—his ship, bound together by an unbreakable bond. Neither could part from it.

The Emperor had demanded a live Kristl, which Forge had secured. But separating her from the ship without disastrous consequences was impossible. Would the Emperor appreciate his efforts, or see them as treachery? Forge had dedicated his life to the Empire. He pondered, was this his reward? And the ship's binding with her was an accident! If those pirates hadn’t attacked...

“I can hear you thinking, Captain Forge,” she interrupted his thoughts.

Shaking his head, Forge cleared his mind. Around a Kristl, he knew better than to overthink. Their powers were unknown, and he wouldn’t rule out mind-reading.

Drawing closer, he asked, “How’s the ship holding up?”

Eyes still shut, she replied, “She's doing her best. The pirates did quite the number on her.”

His frustration flared. “Yes, we were all there, no need for reminders.”

Her eyes opened, glowing subtly like the ship's core crystal. “Is there something else, Captain?”

Swallowing his pride, Forge admitted, “We’ve been blown off course. We’re now in Azar territory.”

Her blink was the only hint of surprise she showed. “I don’t know much about this place, but you’re the expert,” he added.

She sighed, rising to her feet. “If I were a cow in a butcher's shop, I wouldn’t want to linger.”

Though young by Kristl standards, her cryptic mannerisms spoke of her power and knowledge. The Azar territory held its own mysteries, and he needed her guidance.

He treaded carefully. “The Azar isn’t ordinary, you know?”

She countered, “What is normal?”

Slightly exasperated, Forge said, “There are things I don’t understand—”

“Maybe you should try,” she interrupted.

“Things you comprehend, which can guide us,” he finished.

“You’re lost, Captain Forge,” she observed.

“Exactly, I’m lost! I need you to guide us out!”

Her laughter was light, almost teasing. “Was that so hard?”

Suppressing his annoyance, Forge followed her to the deck. The night air was crisp, carrying unfamiliar scents. The Azar night sky was a mesmerizing blend of deep blues and blacks, with stars swirling like a cosmic painting.

Kristl gazed at the stars, then murmured, “It seems the wind is upside down.”

Confused, Forge asked, “What does that mean?”

She instructed, “Flip the sails and sail backward. It’ll take us forward.”

“We need to go out, not further in!”

“We get out by going in,” she replied cryptically.

He begrudgingly followed her advice. As they flipped the sails, the ship lurched, the sky swirling wildly. The Kristl stabilized the gravity, ensuring no one fell. With her guidance, they sailed forward.

“How long until we’re out?” he asked.

“We'll be out when we are,” she said, steering the ship.

A howl echoed, closer this time. “The Abyss Whale,” she warned. “Don’t let fear draw it closer.”

Forge had no wish to encounter an Abyss Whale in Azar territory. The ship’s core was damaged, and he didn’t want to risk using its power. Taking a moment to calm his nerves, he closed his eyes briefly.

When he opened them, they were sailing free, away from the mesmerizing Azar sky. How had they righted themselves?

Kristl smiled knowingly, “In to get out.”

Forge realized he’d never escape the unpredictability of having her aboard.