Journey Evermore - Zeon: Chapter 2

Note: I didn't write any of these stories. I've just archived them for easy access.

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“You know for a Werecat, you’re pretty fast!” Zeon exclaims leaping into the air over the pouncing Werecat from before. Beneath him; the Werecat keeps her gaze on Zeon, watching him land a few feet from her position. Standing straight with his arms at his side he dashes about the plains once more while at times, looking behind him to see if he was being followed. Turning his attention before him after a few minutes, he leaps into the air once again; flipping over the pouncing Werecat as she lands in the spot he once stood in.

“And you don’t give up! That’s a good thing! But I already told you I don’t have time to play!” He exclaims looking back at the Werecat seeing her lick along her left paw gently, watching him before her. “I don’t care what you have to say human. I’m enjoying myself.” She replies with a sly smile along her lips while her eyes remain completely on his frame. “It’s not human. My name is Zeon. And I want to get to the harbor before sundown.” He spoke turning around dashing about the plains as the Werecat gives chase after him.

Every few moments, Zeon leaps into the air, avoiding the continuing pounces of the smiling Werecat as he moves about the plains as quickly as he was able. During one of his jumps, four honeybee girls fly about the treetops, but stop noticing his constant leaps into the air. Each wear a yellow strap top that hugs onto their small chest along with a matching panty like bottom of the same color. A small white fluff was wrapped around their ankles, wrist, and waist with each wearing a pair of black and yellow stockings that started at their thighs and stop at their ankles. The antennas in their short differently styled brown hairs move slightly watching the spectacle while they each keep their small stingers within their thoraxes.

Two of the girls smile impressed at Zeon’s feat and fly towards him. As he lands among the soft grass, Zeon takes notice of the approaching honeybees to his right and grins to them. The honeybees’ smiles grow only to fade, watching Zeon dash off from them quickly. Their smiles return as they quickly fly after Zeon, but fly high into the air in shock, seeing the Werecat pounce before them. She growls at them slightly with a look of anger as her tail and some of her fur stands on end before them. She swats at them with her paws as the two honeybees watch perplexed.

“Back off!” She shouts, keeping a cold gaze on the two. The two remaining honeybees fly back to their friends looking down at the Werecat with the same perplexed look on their faces. One of the honeybees gasp and point into the distance as the remaining three took notice. In the distance, Zeon has a wide gap between himself and the monsters which causes the honeybees to pout in defeat. They fly back to the treetops, returning to their business from before while the Werecat gives chase after Zeon, trying her best to keep up with the trail of dust he leaves behind.

After some time, the sun begins to set, giving a warm feel to all who saw the sky overhead. Zeon stops before the entrance to the harbor with a wide smile on his face. The harbor was just as busy as the town before with numerous humans and monsters working side by side or speaking with one another peacefully and happily. He takes notice of a long line of people and monsters holding various items, bags, or suitcases all in line before a single white ticket booth.

He calmly moves to the back of the line and waits his turn patiently. A few minutes pass before he makes his way to the front of the line. Once at the front, he is greeted by a shaggy looking sailor with a long brown beard wearing white sailor attire. Atop his head rests a sailor’s hat of the same coloring keeping whatever hair he had hidden. “Yes son? How can I help you?” He asks with a welcoming hearty smile.

“One to Zipangu, please!” Zeon replies reaching into his gi with his left hand, pulling the brown sack from within, he opens it with ease waiting on the sailor to say the amount. “That’ll be one thousand gold pieces please.” Zeon nods placing the amount on the counter before them both. The sailor whistles impressed at the size of the sack, then shifts his gaze to Zeon’s face with an intrigued smile.

“So, how did you get this kind of capital son? Rich family perhaps?” Zeon shakes his head still smiling. “No, just a big bounty I got.” “And why on earth would you want to go to Zipangu? Wouldn’t you want to venture to one of the other continents?” The sailor inquires as Zeon shakes his head back and forth once again. “No. I want to go there and see it for myself. My master said that I should go somewhere that I’ve never been to before for my training.”

“Ah, a fighter eh? Well it’ll be good to have you on the ship. Even with the magic coating the hull and bilge of the ship we still get attacked by some of maidens of the sea. But it’s very rare.” The sailor drags the gold into a large silver bowl and after sitting the bowl to his right, another sailor takes the bowl behind him and he gives Zeon a small white slip of paper. “Enjoy your voyage on the Poseidon.” He nods with a proud grin.

“Like the god of the sea?” Zeon asks as the sailor nods again still showing off his proud grin. Zeon's smile turns to a wide grin as he turns around hearing the large crashing of waves in the distance. Moving out of the next traveler’s way, he gets a good glimpse of the massive ship now anchored by the harbor. Others wait and watch in awe at the size of the ship and its beauty.

The ship’s size was double that of a whale with its outer sides, front, and back crafted out of the finest materials. Detailed ocean blue symbols of the sea line the ships white outer walls with a realistic Mermaid figurehead resting at its bow. Numerous windows, doors, nets, small boats of wooden colors, and a large metal chain was visible to all with the fine white sails tucked away while the ship remains in port.

Zeon walks closer towards the ship taking in all that he could see. As he sees the Mermaid figurehead he takes a second look from how realistic it looks. He snickers to himself as he feels a gentle ocean breeze blowing. He approaches one of the long planks to board, seeing the other passengers doing the same. He gives his ticket to a different sailor who was taking them, but notices a man emerging from the upper decks.

He stands tall with a long white captain’s jacket among his frame. His face was clean cut compared to the other sailors with his short brown hair resting slightly untamed a top his head. His sharp light blue eyes lock onto the people below while he stands in his well pressed white slacks with a matching white vest with ocean blue outlines along the vest along with a pair of captain white boots on his feet. A pair of gold cuff links was seen on his wrists with a single sheathed rapier on his left side. His very presence had many eyes locking onto his being as he stands in wait.

“It’s an honor to meet you all and I welcome you all to this proud vessel. I promise that this voyage will be a pleasant one and those venturing towards Zipangu, you will all arrive there by the morning. As captain of this ship I promise it.” He spoke proudly with a nod to them all as he watches each person board. Zeon’s grin grows as he enters into the ship taking in all that he could see with the other passengers following.

As the sun sets within the distant sky, the Poseidon weighs anchor with the sails falling open before all. Zeon stands along the upper deck of the ship, gazing at the sails above then turns his gaze to the ocean witnessing the ship moving through the vast blue. His grin turns into a smile of excitement and wonder as his eyes shine brightly at the sea before him. “Finally… I can begin my new training.” He thinks feeling a gentle sea breeze against his face.

He stands still feeling the wind against his frame while gazing at the shifting waters and waves that splash against the ship’s bottom, the wind blowing against his clothes as he smiles a bit more. “Hey buddy, don’t you want to go inside and get a meal? We have a wide variety and generous amounts.” A sailor calls to Zeon who he turns facing him, but shakes his head happily. “I want to stay here just a little longer…But I am getting hungry.” He rubs his stomach with his right hand in a childish hungry manner which makes some of the other sailors laugh at his actions.

“What the fuck are you doing here!?” A different sailor exclaims, causing the others around Zeon to run towards the source. Zeon watches for a moment a little confused then follows with curiosity in his eyes. As he reaches the others, he stands at the back of the group as they surround someone. His eyes widen with worry, seeing the Werecat from before in the center of the surrounding sailors and other passengers.

“Where is your ticket miss? You need one to travel on this ship.” The first sailor spoke sternly as the Werecat looks towards him coldly. “Is there a problem here men?” The captain asks approaching the Werecat from her front as the passengers and other sailors move out of his way. They all watch his advance as another sailor explains, “Captain Michael sir! We found this Werecat among the decks. She doesn’t seem to have a ticket or any papers allowing her aboard sir!”

“In short: a stowaway.” Michael’s stern gaze remains on the Werecat as he stops before her with the others moving away from the two, the Werecat looks back at him with a look of hostility. Her claws extending from her paws as she keeps her eyes on Michael as he in turn reaches for the hilt of his rapier. “I don’t take kindly to stowaways. Nor do I take kindly to those who think they can best me on my ship. There will be consequences for your actions.”

The sailors grow excited at the scene before them, all seeing Michael drawing his blade. Pointing the tip towards the Werecat, he remains still with the Werecat taking a defensive step back from Michael, looking at him with a slight look of fear until Zeon shouts, “Wait!” Everyone’s attention turns to him as he steps forward through the crowd until he stands beside the Werecat The Werecat's attention shifts to Zeon confused as he continues, “How much is it for her to stay on the ship?”

Michael watches Zeon for the moment, then shuts his eyes; sheathing his blade with ease. Crossing his arms over his chest, he answers, “For monsters of any kind without the proper clearance must pay three thousand gold pieces, but because she stowed away on my ship it will be five thousand.” Zeon nods then reaches into his gi; tossing the sack at Michael’s chest. The captain catches it with his right hand, raising an eyebrow as Zeon spoke, “Take what you want from that. That should cover her ticket right?”

Michael nods turning away from Zeon, “I will make preparations for her room and I will return the rest of your money to you. You have my word young…” “Zeon. That’s my name.” He interrupts as Michael nods to him out of respect looking over his left shoulder at him. As he takes his leave from the crowd, his men does the same. The crowd dies down just as quickly as it had formed with the Werecat looking towards Zeon crouching on the deck with her claw retracted and her paws on the floorboard.

“Why…?” Zeon turns around to face her, but sees her gaze averted to the floorboard on her left. “Why did you do that for me? Why do you care about me human?” Zeon smiles and laughs lightly. “I couldn’t let them throw you overboard or keep you locked up. That’s not right. Besides I don’t mind. Having gold isn’t what makes me happy. And you look like you could use a room and some rest if you're going to keep following me.”

“Shut up! I don’t need your help nor do I want it!” She snaps at him. Two sailors from before watch from behind the two on the deck where Zeon once stood; leaning against the railing. “Why would that boy take that abuse from that cat?” “You don’t know anything, do you son?” The elder sailor speaks holding a mop in his right hand. “What do you mean?” The younger sailor looks back at his elder confused. “Werecats are known for being moody things. Even though she’s snapping at him right now, she’s fallen head over heels for him.”

“You’re kidding right?” The younger sailor asks skeptically as the elder sailor shakes his head. “Look at her.” He points with his free left hand towards the Werecat “Her gaze is away from his and her tail is straight. She must have fallen for him some time ago and wanted to be with him. But the boy might not even know that. He seems innocent enough to me.” “No kidding, he gave the captain that money without a second thought. Who is he?” The younger questions looking toward Zeon.

A small growl could be heard coming from Zeon’s stomach and he laughs loudly as he begins walking from the Werecat, “Now I’m really hungry. I’m going to get something to eat.” He smiles advancing further from her. “Annabelle…” She whispers under her breath as Zeon stops looking back at her. “Did you say something?” “I didn’t say a thing!” She snaps and then runs away from his view among the deck.

Zeon smiles slightly watching her run away as he makes his way towards the stairs leading to the lower decks, but, in the distance, Annabelle was watching him closely from around the corner. After walking through the ship’s halls, Zeon enters a large dining hall taking in all that he could see. The walls were painted a lovely royal red color with matching support columns spaced about the entire hall. Crystal chandeliers glisten above everyone’s head as they gently rock back and forth from the movements of the ship. Every passenger dining on their various meals, enjoying each others company. While three human females, each dressed in shining evening dresses, sing for the diners on a large theater stage with a few male diners and sailors admiring the three.

Zeon sits for a few minutes taking in the music that the trio sang while watching them from a large circular table covered with a white elegant table cloth, a single plate of china, and the basic of silverware. “Your order, sir.” A waiter with short light black hair in a black sleeveless vest, a long white sleeve dress shirt, black slacks, white waist apron, red bow tie, and black slacks sits a large silver platter before Zeon. Zeon shifts his attention to the platter and smiles in want.

The waiter lifts the covering revealing a steaming plate of well-cooked cut carrots and potatoes surrounding a large thick cut steak garnished with small pieces of parsley. “And to drink you requested the sweetest juice we have to offer.” Zeon slides forward a wine glass as the waiter turns to his left pulling a large white bottle from an ice bucket as it gives off light amounts of white mist. Uncorking the bottle, he pours a light violet juice into the glass.

“Thank you sir. I'd give you something, but…” The waiter lifts his right hand with a warm smile, “There’s no need sir. I heard what you did for that Werecat Anyone who shows kindness to monsters is a man in my eyes. By the way, my wife is a Scylla on this ship.” He grins walking away from Zeon’s table as Zeon smiles in return watching him leave. Taking his fork and knife in hand, he digs into his food eagerly.

At times, he lets out small amounts of laughter savoring the food he dines on until his attention shifts to the sound of a chair being pulled out from across the table. Annabelle was trying her best to pull the chair out until she leaps into it; swaying her tail back and forth behind her, taking notice of the food on Zeon’s platter. Her eyes remain locked on the food on his platter with want as Zeon examines the hall quickly for a waiter.

“Sir!” He calls out gaining the attention of the waiter that served him from before as he approaches from Zeon’s right. “Yes sir? Is there anything else you need?” Zeon looks towards Annabelle with a warm smile asking, “What do you want to eat?” Her ears perk up in joy for a moment as she stares at his face with a light shade of blush on her cheeks, until she averts her gaze to her right looking at the red carpeted floor. “I want a big fish…” She replies sternly.

Zeon nods to the waiter as he smiles in return and bows slightly to them both. The waiter takes his leave towards the kitchen far from the stage to place the order. “I don’t need your help to feed myself!” She exclaims still keeping her gaze averted from Zeon’s. He simply smiles and returns to his meal. A few minutes later, Zeon was still enjoying his meal with half of his steak devoured and most of the vegetables missing from his plate.

The waiter returns to their table holding another silver platter in his right hand. Sitting it before Annabelle, he unveils a large raw swordfish steak. Annabelle’s eyes lock onto the steak as if mesmerized by sight of it, then with great speed, grasps the sides of the steak with her paws and bites large chunks out of it. Both the waiter and Zeon watch the display before them then look at each other with understanding smiles as Zeon returns to his meal and the waiter leaves to tend to anyone who needs his help.

“That was the best fish I ever ate…” Annabelle murmurs, resting her head atop the table like a house cat on its favorite piece of furniture as Zeon chuckles low from the sight. “What’s so funny?” She looks at him cross shifting her head slightly so her chin rests on her paws. “Sorry, but you look so cute when you sit like that.” She blushes a dark shade of red averting her gaze to carpet to her right, shouting, “I don’t care what you say! I’m just relaxing!” Some of the other diners take notice of this briefly, but return to their meals.

“Well they have beds for that and I’m going to mine.” He gets up and heads for the stairs. She watches him and after a moment, gets up from her chair and follows quietly. As Zeon walks through the halls of the ship, he sees Michael in the distance a few yards ahead of him. Michael was speaking with one of his sailors until he notices Zeon advancing closer. He finishes his talk with sailor then turns to Zeon with a warm smile approaching him the moment he was close.

“It’s rare to see a man do such an honorable thing for a monster who treats others less…kindly.” He glances at the approaching Annabelle as she gives him a cold hard stare in return; stopping a bit behind Zeon. “Her room is seven rooms down. Yours is right here sir. And here.” He takes the sack from the holster around his waist and gives it back to Zeon as he takes the sack in his hands and bows respectively to Michael.

“Thank you very much for your honesty.” “No sir…it is I who should thank you for your honor.” Michael interrupts with a respectful bow of his own then walks to Zeon’s right. Looking towards Annabelle he gives her a courteous nod and goes about the halls. Annabelle watches sharply until she hears the large door before Zeon opening. She turns her attention to him as he stands in the doorway with a smile.

“Well…good night miss…Um…You never told me your name. Oh well. Just don’t pounce on me in my sleep. I tend to strike things that attack me when I’m in bed.” He looks towards her with his warm smile then enters his room; pulling the door shut behind him. Annabelle looks towards the door then down the hall where her room was waiting. Her gaze returns to Zeon’s bedroom door as her ears lower atop her head.

The Poseidon continues to sail through the seas giving off a mystical green glow from its hull. The numerous passengers resting within the quarters or mingled among their peers along the many decks of the ship. Zeon was sleeping comfortably under a set of large white sheets atop a full bed mounted against the wall across from the door with a large bathroom, an empty bookshelf, coffee table, and a small closed closet with his slip in shoes sitting before the closed door.

Slowly, the door to his room begins to open with a small rustling noise filling the room. As the door shuts on its own, Annabelle pounces onto Zeon’s stomach causing him to wake from his sleep defensively; looking around half asleep. He looks towards her, his vision slightly blurry as Annabelle looks towards his face with her normal gaze. “What are you doing in here?” He sounds tired as he blinks quickly to regain the focus in his eyes.

She looks towards the door then shuts her eyes quickly, “My bed is too hard. I want yours!” She exclaims loudly enough only for him to hear. Zeon smiles a little and nods with a yawn, shifting out of his bed. “It’s all yours then. I can sleep on the floor. I don’t mind, but what about your room?” She keeps her gaze away from his hearing his question without saying a word in response. Zeon's small smile doesn't fade as he approaches the closet to the left of the door; moving his shoes out of the way of the door.

He goes into the closet and pulls out some spare white sheets in his arms. Approaching the coffee table, he sets the sheets to his left then slides the table towards the wall before his sleepy eyes. He uses the sheets to make a make-shift futon and pillow as he smiles proudly at his work. “Just like at master’s dojo….” He speaks to himself with a louder yawn. With a wider smile, he lays along the sheets chest first, letting out a longer yawn as he slowly begins to fade back to sleep.

“…Annabelle…” Zeon blinks a little confused as he sits up looking towards her as Annabelle keeps her gaze on the wall before her, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Annabelle…That’s a pretty name… Well…Good night Annabelle…” He yawns laying back on the futon on his left side as she looks over her left shoulder; watching him closely. When she knew he was fully asleep, she moves from the bed and approaches his front; looking at his face tenderly. “Good night…Zeon…” She whispers softly.

As the morning sun rises in the sky, Zeon wakes to the warmth and brightness of the sunlight invading his room from the two windows his room had to offer. He sits up looking towards the window to the right of the door then to the one in the upper center of the door. He stretches his arms over his head with a smile then turns his attention towards his bed seeing Annabelle sleeping deeply like a typical house cat in the center of his bed.

He gets up and makes his way out of the room, making sure to stay as quiet as possible as he opens and closes the door; leaving from the room. He runs to the upper most deck and goes to the railing near the Mermaid figurehead; gazing into the distance seeing the port. He smiles happily feeling the ocean air hit his entire being as he smiles widely. “Almost there…” He speaks as his smile widens watching the large ship advances towards the port town.

Once docked, all of the passengers departing for Zipangu make their way down the planks to the waiting sailors. Each sailor checks each of the passengers as Zeon does the same, walking into the port area taking all that he could see in with a wide smile on his face. He sees fewer monsters working the few shops while certain human men, couples, and monsters spoke among the merchants, and port workers.

“I can’t believe it! I’m finally here in Zipangu!” He exclaims happily; throwing his arms into the air. “Must you be so loud?” Annabelle sits behind him, with an annoyed look on her face, her gaze averted to the soft ground around them. He begins to chuckle looking back at her. “This is probably the first time you’ve been off the main land. Don’t you think its fun?” She pouts keeping her gaze on the ground making sure not to meet Zeon’s.

He shakes his head and smiles running into the distance. Annabelle takes notice and quickly follows behind him as quickly as she could. Some of the people within the port watch them both while some shake their heads in concern. Moving into a large forest, Zeon stops among the trees, looking towards the high branches then at his stomach with a slightly disappointed look. “Damn…I forgot to eat this morning…” He sighs a bit moving about the trees; examining them one at a time.

“If you’re that hungry then we need to go back to the ship!” Annabelle shouts from one of the tree branches laying along a thick branch in a lazy manner, looking towards Zeon with a Cheshire like grin. Zeon stops turning his attention towards her then shakes his head with his eyes shut. He opens them and answers, “You can, I can’t. I spoke with Michael before I got off the ship so that your ticket would be a round trip. Mine’s one way.” She looks stunned at his words as he walks among the trees again.

“There must be something here to eat.” He leaps up into one of the nearby trees, searching through it carefully as Annabelle watches him, but then notices peach shaped fruit in the branches above her head. Leaning up, she plucks one from its branch. She examines it calmly, then bites into it gently only to shiver in disgust from the taste in her mouth. She throws the fruit to the ground then runs her tongue frantically on the top of her right paw.

Zeon in a tree further across from hers watches her display and laughs a little. In his left hand was the same fruit only a darker shade as he throws at her gently, “Here, try this one!” She catches it with both paws as best as she could and bites into it swiftly. Chewing and savoring the taste cautiously, she smiles happily looking towards Zeon, her expression showing she approves of the taste. Zeon plucks another fruit and bites into it happily looking towards her as Annabelle averts her gaze to her right; blushing slightly.

“There might be more around here, so we should find some more.” He places the fruit in his teeth and leaps to the ground. He runs about the thin grass to find more fruit in the trees until he stops in his tracks seeing something in the distant trees before him. “Just one more and that should be enough.” A sweet calming voice spoke in the distance as a pure white Shirohebi coils her long white tail around a high tree branch.

Her pure white kimono was a bit short with her obi tied in a unique bow around her slender waist where her slender human half connected with her long white snake tail. Her scales seem to shine much like her long white hair that rests along her backside close to her scales. The sleeves of her kimono had a light blue serpent among its outer appearance with her shoulders exposed. Her skin wasn’t as pale as her tail or hair, giving more color and warmth compared to either as she reaches for a red apple like fruit above her with her left hand.

She feels a slight shift in the branch she was coiled around as well as hearing a snap from underneath her body. Witnessing the branch beginning to sag under her weight, she begins to uncoil her tail from the branch, but yells in shock, feeling the entire branch break from the tree. She lets out a loud scream as she falls, clenching her arms to her chest, her tail coiling tightly around the broken branch. She shivers in fear with her eyes shut until she feels her rapid decent come to a sudden end.

It only takes her a moment to realize that she is perfectly fine and unharmed, but is being held in someone’s arms with her long tail suspended in the air. As she slowly opens her ruby red eyes, she gazes up at the smiling Zeon who in turn looks towards her face. “That was close. You might have been hurt if I hadn’t caught you. Are you alright?” He spoke softly to her as her gaze remains locked onto Zeon’s face.

“This…Angel saved me… He’s so…” She thought with a light shade of red forming on her pale cheeks while gazing deeply towards Zeon.