No More Riddles - Part 2

There were times a small detail you forgot wouldn’t make a difference in the outcome, it wasn’t that unusual for small things to not matter. And there were times when forgetting about something would mean being stranded in the middle of the sea.

Anna understood the situation very well. She was on top of a ship when all blew up, and she healed around the same area since it was where her body, or what remained of it, fell. Which then meant that she got healed exactly where she was before even though the ship kept on moving after.

Now, she had to somehow reach the damn thing or whatever other ship somehow. Not the best activity for someone with an abysmal top speed like Anna and no idea of where exactly she had to go too.

If she had a good amount of energy, she could at least magic her way through the problem as usual, but it was hard to do so right now. All she had at the moment were her cursed musket and dagger, which couldn’t go too far from her body, and enough spiritual energy to keep her body going for now. Her seals were back in place though, except for her right arm.

And she could see every single one of them due to the fact she lacked even the shreds of clothing she still had before.

Good thing was, she was moving without having to swim, which meant that something was in play at this place. And as luck would tell her after spending an hour or two swimming with this weirdly fast current, she was somehow taken where she had to. Bette even, the whole base didn’t seem to be moving, although the redhead was unsure if it was because it couldn’t or because it stopped for some reason.

Of course, it was obvious that this much wasn’t anything natural though. Having this much luck would be way too convenient even if Annabeth wasn’t someone naturally, and unnaturally, cursed in this area. It also availed a little ‘thank you’ for the entity that, against all rules, was likely interfering with her.

“Thank ya, big boss… I may even give ya some prayers later.” She spoke in hopes that the bodyless entity she considered as the will of the Circle of Rebirth would hear. “Now I’ve gotta get some clothes, so it’ll be fer later, ‘kay?”

Knowing what exactly was her mentor wasn’t something she could be sure of right now, but it was better safe than sorry. Imagine it was actually God and she wouldn’t show enough gratitude to it? Giving some prayers out even if it was all some weird hallucination caused by forcing herself too much wouldn’t lose her much.

Worst-case scenario, she was dealing with some devil directly and even her exchange for power was with an evil entity and not some higher one. But that was something for the future Anna to deal with.

All the present Anna wanted was to find some clothes and hunt her traitor brother.

“Lemme see if I can find somewhere empty to board then… Ain’t fond of flashin’ mahself… Oh? Now that’s interestin’, ay? Even better than sneakin’ ‘round I say…”

The original plan was to avoid all eyes and steal some clothes before appearing to her close allies at some point, and snooping around while at it.

Even if she could hide though, it would be a good while of moving around with people that could see more than they should. They wouldn’t notice it exactly unless she lost focus, but Anna would, and that was bad enough.

It would also be a little dangerous and would mean moving around too much in a weakened state, so it was lucky that a better option appeared. Having a single person ogling her was better than having many, too... Not that it made her any happier.

It also seemed that one of the people she was keeping an eye on at the moment was already moving closer, with the others coming from farther away. It seemed they either felt her coming or knew she would come, which actually meant it was both. Still, feeling her approaching was somewhat of a feat considering she was yet quite far from the Leviathan and only had a single seal open right now.

So, with a small smirk and a last glance around the area, Anna went back to swimming. Not paying much attention to the mindless tiring labor of reaching the massive ship until she was almost there.

“You’re looking very nice, Anna!” The black-haired fox supporting herself on the Leviathan’s handrail and holding a bundle of rope shouted to the approaching girl at the sea. “Can I lift you with magic or should I use some rope? I recommend the magic for we could use the rope later, by the way.”

“I ain’t in shape to react to ya anymore and I’m sure yer not in condition to do whatever ya wanna, ay?” The inquisitor answered with a bothered expression since she could see how weak the kitsune’s soul was at the moment and how tired she seemed to be. “Now move me up, ay? We’ve gotta talk.”

“I would try another joke, but I’m almost sure you would shoot me if I did, wouldn’t you?”

“Have you ‘seen’ it happen already?” Anna asked in the most cynical tone she could muster, getting her only a smile in answer, even if a somewhat pained one.

“Seen it? Maybe… I’ve seen a lot during my life…”

“I see... Up then, ay? Time to check this slyness of yers… And our li’l friends’ll be ‘ere soon too.”

“Got it. It’ll be a fun heart-to-heart…” Minako answered as she focused her little remaining energy and started to float Anna back to the ship. “And I brought you some clothes here, although I prefer you as is.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever…” The redhead went on while her body was moved up and left by the side of a pile of disgustingly colored clothes. “And I hate ya fer these stupid clothes.”

“But this one isn’t my fault! It was all I could find… I believe you’re better with bitchy clothing than with these or without any at all.”

“Those’re more convenient and that’s all, but who cares… Call mah’ clothes ‘bitchy’ again and I’m gonna pop yer ass though. That’s somethin’ only I can say.”

And then, with another threat given and the rest of their team approaching, the red-haired inquisitor ignored her wet body and went to cover herself.

At least this stupid dress was the kind to be easy to dress up. Not that she had any idea where in the hells Minako got a psychedelic-colored once-piece inside a dammed naval base.