Will of a Prince

Chapter 189: Shaking off the Rust

Bear and Claw were put in charge of a small training program for all of the strugglers. There were special workouts assigned to those who were missing limbs or had some other disability that limited them in some way. They were all lined up on the shore of the beach with the water splashing over their toes every now and then. A cool breeze flowed around them as it skipped off the water.

"My people, my Nobodies, you have all been given a chance at becoming something greater than yourselves. This former king promises us a place in this cruel world. No longer do we need to worry about the judgement of others. No longer do we need to worry about being thrown away or cast aside. We will become respected in this world. However, I must selfishly ask all of you to follow my orders to a tea. Your training will not be easy, but it will be rewarding beyond anything you’ll ever imagine. Any complaints?"

All of the Strugglers grunted in unison.

"Good! Now, get to work!"

Everyone started their workout as instructed. Hundreds of people were lined up, doing push-ups with their hands in the water. Others were doing squats in a big circle next to the dirt houses. Luckily, the weather was beginning to cool, so they didn’t have to worry about overheating. Leo himself felt a cool breeze wash over him while he pushed himself in the water, creating a large swirling circle around himself.

"This is good timing. Fall will be upon us soon. Hopefully we can get this done before the water freezes over the ocean."

Claw called over to him as he began pushing more water away from himself.

"Hey, Leo. How exactly are we going to move underwater as a group? We have a lot of numbers with us."

"That’s exactly why I’m getting back in shape. I think it will be easier to show you."

Suddenly, Leo began walking deeper in the ocean. His entire body had submerged within moments. However, Claw could see a very small pocket of air surrounding his figure under the water. After only a few moments, the bubble collapsed and Leo swam to the surface. He spat out some water and rubbed his face.

"Obviously I need more practice, but that’s pretty much the idea."

Claw looked at Leo dubiously.

"That’s your plan?! What the hell will happen if we’re at the bottom of the ocean and you fall asleep or get knocked out?!"

"Then you’ll all die... probably. Don’t worry though, an extension of my ability is to permanently hold back the water in a certain place of my choosing. However, I need a certain energy reserve to deploy it. Would you believe me if I told you I used to live underwater?"

Claw scratched her face.

"At this point, I’m unsure what words to believe coming from your mouth."

"Good enough! Now, back to training!"

Leo swam back to shore and dried himself before continuing.

The training lasted for about a week. Leo had turned most of his fat around his body into large muscles. His strength had exploded compared to when he was ruling the kingdom. It was a wonder how fast human bodies were capable of returning to a state they once held. It felt like he never let himself go in the first place.

As for the Strugglers, all of them showed more growth than him. Even with only a week of training, all of them possessed toned muscles and lean faces. They all looked more like soldiers than ordinary people. Leo nodded his head in approval seeing them.

"You all look strong. That’s very good to see. The next step we will have to take is teaching you how to fight, but that can wait for a later time. I am growing a bit impatient searching for this treasure under the water. Is everyone ready to start moving?"

Everyone remained silent and looked towards Bear for an answer. Bear had changed too in the last week. His beard was trimmed and his eye path was covered with salt that he couldn’t seem to get out. His skin was also slightly darker from being in the sun all day with his people. He held out his hand towards Leo.

"I hope you know what you’re doing. We’re all relying on you."

Leo grabbed his hand and shook firmly.

"You can count on me. I’ll lead the search. There’s no telling how long it’s going to take searching for this thing... if it even exists."

Bear hesitated and pulled his hand away.

"Are you staking my peoples life on an assumption?!"

"An assumption with a lot of proof and rumors, yes. You do not have to follow me, but I will not come back and help you if you do not help me."

Bear clenched his teeth for a moment then eased his shoulders.

"Fine. Lead the way and we will be close behind."

A few hundred people gathered behind Leo on the shore of the ocean. Claw and Bear stood at the very front of the group. After ensuring everyone was behind him, Leo effortlessly split the water in front of him and slowly started walking down the slope of wet sand and rock. Once they were all deep enough, Leo slowly allowed more water to surround them until they were completely submerged.

Leo had officially created a small, mobile bubble of air that he and the Strugglers could explore in. many of the people looked into the ocean with amazement, gazing at the small school of fish that passed and the occasional plant life that littered the ocean floor.

"I probably should have told you all to say your goodbyes to the stars last night. You probably won’t see them for a little while!"

Leo was joking around, but he was serious. There was no telling how long this journey would take him, but he was ready to explore the ocean for the first time in his life. It was both exciting and nerve-wracking.

Three hours into the trip was when a Struggler started to panic. Being under the water for an extended period of time was messing with them mentally and they started to break down.

"Just take me back! I don’t think I can handle this after all!"

"But we’re already too deep. There is no way we can go back."

"I’m fine with being a nobody! Just get me out of here!"

Hearing the commotion, Leo turned around and walked towards the man sternly.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you choosing to break down now of all times?"

"The shadows in the water... seeing them circle by us... I can’t take it. Just bring me back."

Leo grabbed the man by his shirt and pulled him close to his face, menacingly glaring into his eyes.

"The way I see it, you have two choices: One, you could continue with us and become much stronger than this crybaby I see in front of me now. Or two, you can die, because there’s no chance you can swim to the surface in time before you run out of air, assuming you even know how to swim."

The cowardly man swallowed heavily and shook his head.

"Please... I just-"

Leo slapped him across the face and threw him away.

"Then die for all I care. Just don’t hold back the strong people who choose to continue moving with me."

Everyone watched the scene quietly but continued following Leo as he walked. The timid man held his cheek and stifled some cries before standing up and sticking close to the end of the group.

As Leo was about the reach the front, Bear stopped him with his large shoulder. Leo looked up at him.

"What?"

"Listen, I appreciate what you’re doing for us, but leave my people’s problems to me next time. Understand?"

Leo scoffed and walked past him.

"Was there something wrong I did? I simply gave him a choice. If you seriously think someone weak can change the world, you are sadly mistaken. If you can’t find the courage in your followers, you make it yourself. Look back at him and tell me that’s the same man who was cowering on the ground a moment ago."

Bear looked back at the man. Astonishment filled his pupils. The man had a much more determined expression, as if he was suppressing his fear much better than he was before. After seeing how capable Leo was as a leader, he found himself lost in thought.

’How could a man with such natural leadership instincts be such a terrible ruler? Perhaps a commander position would have fit him much better in this empire he worked for...’

As Leo continued walking deeper into the ocean, the water around them became darker and darker. He stopped the group with the wave of his hand and glanced around him. No one could see the fish swimming around them anymore, just their shadows. It looked like a bunch of dark creatures were swimming past instead of normal marine life.

"This is where we stop for today. I’ll make a permanent bubble."

Leo held up his hands and whispered under his breath.

"Release."

Immediately, something seemed to change about their air pocket. It appeared to be much stronger and didn’t have as many ripples across its surface. Bear looked at the scene with awe.

"Fascinating. I don’t think I’ll ever get bored travelling with you."

"Don’t get too comfortable just yet. We still need people to keep watch. Also, have your people plug their ears when they go to sleep."

"Plug our ears? Keep watch? What are you talking about?"

Leo looked at Bear confused then remembered Bear hardly has any knowledge of the outside world.

"Oh, that’s right. I forgot to mention something important. There are horros out here in this world. Horrors beyond your wildest imagination. To be honest, even the weakest of them can probably take out this entire group by themselves. I could have sworn I mentioned that before, no?"

Bear looked like he was going to be sick.

"They’re here in the ocean too?"

"I know there’s at least one. There were stories of people trying to cross this ocean before and disappearing randomly. But the strangest thing was that their boat would always remain completely intact when found. Well, it took about a few dozen more souls before they realized that covering your ears would guarantee you wouldn’t be taken away by the creature. That must mean it’s a spirit of some kind. Anyway, do you mind taking the first watch? I’m exhausted!"

Leo walked past Bear and laid down on the wet sand, trying to get himself comfortable. He took out small pieces of cloth and stuffed them in each of his ears. People around him started doing the same overhearing their conversation.

"Wake me up if you see anything. Remember to plug your ears!"

Bear simply looked out into the ocean fearfully.

"What the hell is a boat?!"