Storm part 2

"Phew, we made it," Gorge says drowsily.

We managed to wait out the night, and the monsters left. However, we didn't get much sleep tonight either.
I'm so tired. I wish I could sleep now. It's pretty cozy here in this closet.

"Hey, do you think we should stay here and sleep for a bit?"

A small amount of water begins to pour on them.

"Again? They should be gone during the day."

Thunder roars loudly. The wind picks up significantly, the waves increase, and the ship rocks back and forth.

"Wow, this is just amazing. One problem after another, are we cursed or something?"

"Of course not; storms at this time of the year are pretty common." Assures him Periphirilia

"Right after the monsters? Im not convinc..."

Thunder hits so loudly that both of them jump up.

"I think we should get off the water." Worries Gorge

"And go where? The forest is as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than the water."

"Do we simply wait for the lighting to strike us while waiting for the weather to improve? We are sitting ducks in here. What are we going to do if the monsters return to the ship at night?"

"So, do you propose that we abandon the adventure and flee somewhere safe?" Asks Periphirilia

"That or we rush forward at full speed through the storm, hoping we reach the golden carp before the night or storm intensifies."

"I think we went too far to turn back; let's go full speed ahead."

She's right; there's no way we can turn back now. But what should we do?  This isn't very easy.

"You know what, fine. Let's raise the sail and go full speed ahead. I don't even care what happens anymore."

Periphirilia grins, "I believe that this is what adventures are supposed to be all about. We enjoy every aspect of it, right? That proves that we are doing it properly."

I never really thought about it that way. Gorge is getting more relaxed.

"Well, then, let's head to the main deck. The sail needs to be raised."

"So it's decided?" asks Periphirilia.

"Yeah"

Things don't appear to be going well as they ascend to the main deck. Even though it is the middle of the day, the sky is almost as dark as night. The winds and waves get stronger by the minute."

We would have drowned long ago if we were still using that boat. Is it really okay to push forward? Maybe we should leave the ship on the shore and wait it out...

"Gorge, help me out with the sail!"

"I'm coming."

They somehow manage to raise the sail, and the ship initially bolts forward.

"Grab the steering wheel!" Screams Gorge
"Hurry, we are going to crash!"

Periphirilia somehow manages to get a hold of the wheel.

"Push it to the right!" Gorge screams again.

We should have definitely waited it out.

The ship has finally stabilized. They are now traveling through the waves like a knife slicing through butter. It feels as though nothing can stop them.

"Let's go straight to the Golden carp! No stopping until we find it."

Periphirilia shouts back something, but Gorge cannot hear it. The sound of waves crashing on the ship and the wind rampaging through the entire forest overwhelm all other sounds.

This is also weirdly beautiful. I think one can find beauty in pretty much anything as long as they look for it. Gorge thinks to himself as he gets further immersed in his own thoughts while getting isolated from the rest of the world by the raging storm.

Periphirilia grabs him and shouts something, but Gorge is fully immersed in the storm and completely oblivious to his surroundings. But this time, it's different; he isn't afraid, and for once, Gorge fully enjoys the solitude. His head is getting dizzy from the ship getting rocked by the waves, and his hearing and all other senses have been completely overwhelmed.

This is so satisfying. I want this to go on forever. I no longer desire beautiful things. Now, all I want is for it to feel good.

Periphirilia starts hitting Gorge, and he finally returns to his senses.

"Wha-what is happening?" Gorge is confused as he passes out and throws up due to seasickness.

Gorge opens his eyes yet again. He can't believe what he's seeing; it's the middle of the night, and a huge monster is in front of him.

That monster has already destroyed most of the main deck, including the mast and the sail. It looks just like the skeleton of a fish-like snake that they found near the boat, but much bigger. It has coiled around the front of the ship.

Gorge looks to the side and sees Periphirilia lying on the ground, unconscious.

What in the world is going on here?

Suddenly, the fish-snake monster begins to move in Periphirilia's direction.

Move. Come on, do something. I have to help her. Gorge musters all the courage he has and runs straight toward the monster. Everything turns dark. He has been swallowed.

That's just great. All alone in complete darkness yet again. I swear, at this point, it happens to me every few days.

"Ahhh!" Screams Gorge as he suddenly slips even farther into the snake.

Does this also count as an adventure? I have never been inside a sinking fish monster before. Maybe I should explore; I might even find something cool down here.

No, wait, Periphirilia! She's in danger. I must do something to help her. But what can I even do by myself in here?

If only I had something sharp, I could stab from inside. Gorge checks his pockets: I found something. Oh, never mind; it's just a lollipop.

Sigh. Gorge checks his pockets yet again. He can touch some compact and metallic object. He pulls it out, and suddenly everything lights up. The darkness is gone. It's a lighter!

Where the f*** did this even come from? I never had this. Wait, is it from that time I started a fire? Gorge remembers burning down a park after getting upset by something.

I forgot to get rid of the evidence yet again.

"Oh my god, I can start another fire." HAHA!"' Gorge laughs as he runs around the inside of the snake, setting everything on fire.

"Haha, you are going to burn, and I'm not going to die because I'm a ghost," Laughs Gorge as he stands in the middle of the fire. "Ahhhhh, it hurts!" Screams Gorge.

The sky collapses on top of him, and he can see something dark in the distance. It's a starry sky. "It's so much more beautiful when I'm surrounded by flames!"

Gorge forgets all the pain and looks at the beautiful night sky.

"Gorge! You are on fire!" Screams Periphirilia

"Haha, I know. We are safe now. Let's head straight for the golden carp. There is no stopping us now."

"The ship is catching on fire too!"

Gorge hugs Periphirilia.

"Don't worry about it; let's just keep going forward."

And they do; both are on a flaming ship swimming through dark waters reflecting the night sky. Looking almost like a fireball traveling through the cosmos.

"What is that?" Suddenly shouts Periphirilia

A strange formation of extremely tall trees growing in the middle of the water, resembling a gate, can be seen off in the distance.

"I can't believe we've made it at last. The water city is here !!!"

Gorge shouts in excitement.