Part 2: South Sea

Upon arrival to the South Sea, Yasuki noticed that they are already preparing for their New Year’s festivities, though substantially with more grandeur than his sea’s (to be expected with the South’s abilities). The Gobbler disguised their ship above clouds of volcano and the crew venture into the capital, also disguised as merfish.

Yasuki would find multiple opportunities to inform someone of his capture, but Hunter was able to whisk him away on time, though not at all being cruel to the emperor. Of the few merfish who are able to listen at all, they did not want anything to do with the East Sea emperor. He made trade easier at the borders, but his problems were too much of an omen.

The more time Yasuki spended with Hunter, the more he realized that there was something odd about the demon’s behavior- he was all too nice, all too friendly. He inquired about the Hunter’s past but questions were dismissed. To make Yasuki’s time as a hostage easier, Hunter entertained the emperor with gifts stolen in the capital, though the emperor refused them.

The Mugger gets too excited and destroys a vital stage display, causing the crew to disperse and regroup later. During this time, Yasuki is taken by Gobbler, and the two bicker venomously while Yasuki thinks of a plan to slow them down.

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Umiko and the others arrived at the South Sea. Along their travels to the capital, they met others who were impacted by the neighboring storms and the dark energy of the demons. Such dark energy had triggered some of the volcanoes in the chain, and rumors of demons resurfacing to join that higher power ran rampant. Thus, Umiko must assist where she can with her magic before reaching the main city.

Once they do, the trio was greeted with chaos. While the city is being searched for demons, there were still parties and events going about that make it hard to travel through. Umiko and Lek have some fun helping rebuild a stage before realising that they are not allowed entry into the Red Celestial Palace. The trio disguised themselves as musicisions- with Umiko being given a single drum she still couldn't use properly- and they were all able to sneak in.

Meanwhile, Yasuki has had enough and fights off with the Gobbler, but is easily subdued. However he is remarkably not killed by Gobbler’s choice, and the pirates are able to sneak into the palace due to the South Sea emperor’s obliviousness. Most soldiers are in the city or guarding precious materials for the festivities, therefore Emperor Bo-Seon was unaware of the potential for an attack.

During a rehearsal, Umiko, Lek, and Hisae have an opportunity to warn Bo-Seon, however his daughters complained about the interruption. Bo-Seon is dismissive, explaining that he is confident that he can handle sea pirates- even if they defeated the East Sea, it’s only because they were the weaker ocean, right? Infuriated, Umiko blows up on the emperor, but is thrown out of the throne room.

A hidden firework Yasuki stashed away- a gift from Hunter- is activated, and the sea emperor is alerted of intruders. However, it is all too late, as the ambush was able to get too close to the sea emperor. Having been disguised as costumed actors, the demons are able to use the South Sea princesses as leverage to force Bo-Seon to hand over his pearl.

Upon the immediate surrender, a great power surged through the Gobbler. Now with two pearls, his power grows mightier, the dark energy of the demons were palpable. Undersea tremors grew, and the ring of volcanoes begin to erupt, causing destruction in the seafloor. The South Sea immediately must tend to their ocean and evacuate as many as possible as to not let its waters boil them over. The sea pirates escape, the waters cooling around them through Yasuki’s magic.

Umiko was able to help the royals flee, giving a royal decree herself to allow others to find refuge in the East. Their own New Year's had been delayed, so there were ideas of combining the two events in smaller proportions. Umiko, Lek, and Hisae were given permission to pass through a special gate into the West Sea territory by Bo-seon's gratitude, and hopefully the trio could make good time.