Echoes of The Deep

21

Back on the Going Merry, the ship swayed gently with the rhythm of the waves. Reyna lay motionless in the cabin, her breathing shallow but steady. The faint light streaming through the window cast a soft glow over her face as she rested.

Then, suddenly, her body tensed. Her sharp blue eyes shot open, a jolt of energy coursing through her despite the exhaustion that clung to her. Her senses flared wildly, an overwhelming feeling of wrongness hitting her like a tidal wave. It wasn't just instinct—it was something deeper, a bond she couldn't ignore.

"Luffy..." she whispered, her voice barely audible but laced with urgency.

Her body, still weak from her injuries, protested as she tried to sit up. Pain shot through her, but she gritted her teeth, pushing past it. Slowly, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, her movements shaky but deliberate. She couldn't explain it, but she knew something was wrong. Luffy needed her.

Reyna steadied herself against the wall, taking a deep breath before forcing herself to stand. Her legs wobbled beneath her, but she refused to let them give out. With one hand clutching her side, she staggered toward the door, her determination burning brighter than the pain in her body.

As she reached the main deck, the salty sea air hit her face, grounding her slightly. She could feel the tension in the air, the weight of an impending storm even though the sky was clear. Her sharp blue eyes scanned the distant horizon, locking onto the faint silhouette of Arlong Park in the distance.

"Usopp!" she called weakly, her voice hoarse but insistent.

Usopp, who had been nervously pacing near the helm, froze at the sound of her voice. He spun around, his eyes widening in shock. "Reyna! You're awake? What are you doing out of bed? You're supposed to be resting!"

Reyna ignored his protests, her gaze fixed on the distant island. "Something's wrong..." she murmured, her hand gripping the railing tightly. "Luffy... he's in danger."

Usopp's face fell, his usual bravado replaced with genuine worry. "Luffy's always charging into danger," he muttered, his voice shaky. "But Zoro and Sanji are with him. They'll handle it."

Reyna shook her head, her red hair falling into her face. "No... this is different. I can feel it."

Her words sent a chill through Usopp, who had always been skeptical of her sharp instincts but couldn't deny their accuracy. He stepped closer, his expression a mix of fear and determination. "Okay," he said quietly. "But you can't just rush in there. You're barely standing."

"I don't care," Reyna said firmly, her voice gaining strength despite the strain. "I'm not sitting here while they're out there."

Reyna gripped the railing tightly as she forced herself to stand upright, her sharp blue eyes fixed on the distant island. Each breath came shallow and uneven, but her resolve only grew stronger. She had to get to Luffy, no matter what.

Behind her, Usopp tried to stop her, his hands flailing in desperation. "Reyna, wait! You're in no condition to go charging into anything! What are you even planning to do?"

Before she could answer, the sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention. Nojiko, who had stayed near the dock to watch over the ship, climbed aboard. She froze mid-step, her gaze locking onto Reyna with wide eyes.

"What the...? Who is this?" Nojiko asked, her voice filled with confusion as she pointed at Reyna.

Usopp scratched the back of his head nervously. "Uh, well, this is Reyna. She's... uh... part of the crew," he said quickly. "She's been resting this whole time because—well, because she got pretty banged up."