Diablo traveled through time and became a necromancer

A morning mist, like a veil, gently enveloped the bustling port of Lugaoin. The salty sea breeze, with its unique energy, whipped up tiny waves that lashed against the heavy, sturdy teak hull of the Far Star. The three-masted cargo ship resembled a giant beast crouching on the water, its newly painted indigo paint gleaming with a cool, steady luster in the rising sun.

The thick ropes were deftly wound around the brass capstans by the sailors, making a dull, rhythmic sound. The air was filled with the salty smell of seawater, the scent of tung oil, and the tension and anticipation that characterizes a long voyage.

Wu Ye brought Leah, Vera, and the silent Skeleton Brother, through the slightly noisy crowds in the early morning harbor and arrived at the dock where the "Far Star" was docked.

Leia curiously surveyed the massive vessel that would soon carry them on their voyage, her eyes gleaming with excitement. Vera habitually assessed the ship's structure and condition, her Amazonian instincts making her scrutinize any vehicle.

Skeleton Brother's tall skeleton cast a long shadow in the morning light, and the dark blue soul fire burned calmly, attracting the attention of several laborers who were carrying goods nearby.

"Look at this old girl's muscles!" A loud voice with the rough texture of the sea breeze rang out. Captain Meshif stood at the bow with his hands on his hips, and his bronze, muscular arms slapped the side of the boat hard, making a dull "bang bang" sound, as if testing the toughness of his beloved ship.

"We just replaced it with a high-quality ironwood keel from Kajistan last year! It's very stable! Even if the Gemini Sea goes crazy, we can still withstand it!"

He turned around, and the gold teeth embedded in his beard flashed in the sunlight. He took the parchment pass handed to him by Wu Ye, which was stamped with the dual seals of the Lugaoin Port Authority and the Adventurer's Guild.

He twisted the edge of the paper with his rough fingers and nodded with satisfaction. "It's the real deal! When I carried Prince Jerhain across the Twin Seas—"

"Alright, Captain," Wu Ye interrupted with a familiar, teasing tone. "You brag about this glorious story every time you meet new passengers. I'm almost getting calluses from hearing it. We're only concerned with whether this trip to Kurast goes smoothly and how long it takes to get there."

Meshif choked, then chuckled, unconcerned. Clearly pleased by Wu Ye's bluntness, he glanced at Leah and Vera, lingering for a moment on the Amazon's iconic spear and javelin slung across Vera's back. A subtle flicker of approval crossed his eyes. He leaned over and pointed at a stocky, rock-skinned, middle-aged man nearby, his gaze sharp as a hawk's.

"This is my first mate, Grace," Meshif introduced, his tone full of trust in his old friend. "Don't be fooled by his plain appearance. When he was making a living on the Gemini Sea, you little guys were still breastfeeding! This old man has been through wind and waves, and his experience is more than the fish in the sea! With him around, you can rest assured!"

Grace nodded slightly, his face expressionless, like a weathered reef. His sharp eyes quickly swept over Wu Ye and the other two, lingering a moment longer on Brother Skeleton before moving away. His voice was low and hoarse, carrying a sailor's characteristic pragmatism and a subtle hint of caution: "Welcome aboard, everyone. The deck is slippery, so watch your step. The tail end of the storm season isn't over yet, so hopefully we'll have some luck and avoid any major damage." He spoke concisely, without unnecessary small talk, yet exuded a reassuring calmness.

Wu Ye nodded, leading Leah and Vera onto the gangplank connecting the dock to the ship's side. The teakwood deck beneath their feet felt firm and cool, damp with the seawater. Leah glanced curiously around, while Vera habitually observed the masts, ropes, and the skilled movements of the sailors, assessing the ship's condition. Skeleton Brother's tall frame silently followed Wu Ye, its blue soul fire burning calmly, drawing the glances and whispers of several young sailors scrubbing the deck.

"Weigh anchor! Hoist the mainsail! Prepare to leave port!" Grace's voice was low, but it pierced through the clamor of the harbor with undeniable authority. The sailors immediately sprang into action like clockwork.

The heavy iron anchor was slowly collected with the creaking sound of the capstan and the splashing sound of water; the thick cable was untied, and the huge white mainsail was pulled by the pulley block and slowly rose along the towering mainmast, making a "clattering" sound, like a giant bird spreading its wings in the morning light.

"Woo--!" A low and long whistle sounded, announcing a long journey.

With the assistance of a tugboat, the Far Star slowly sailed away from the bustling Lugain docks. The magnificent city walls, towering lighthouse, and numerous harbor buildings gradually receded and shrank from view, eventually becoming a blurry outline against the sea and horizon. The sea breeze suddenly grew strong and pure, carrying a salty, freeing scent, ruffling everyone's hair and clothes, as if eagerly inviting them to embrace the sea.

Leah leaned against the side of the boat, gazing at the receding silhouette of her homeland, her eyes gleaming with excitement, tinged with a hint of sadness at parting. Vera took a deep breath, feeling the gentle rise and fall of the boat beneath her as the waves drifted by. The familiar rhythm transported her back to the Amazon coastline, and her tense nerves relaxed slightly.

Wu Ye stood among them, his gaze calmly and resolutely toward the east, where the sea and sky merged. There lay Kurast, a port filled with unknowns, challenges, and new opportunities.

During the first few days of sailing, the Twin Seas revealed their gentle side. The turquoise waters resembled a vast expanse of silk, shimmering in the sunlight. Seagulls, like white elves, joyfully chased the waves stirred up by the stern, their clear, melodious cries echoing through their wake.

During the day, Wu Ye and the other two would either stroll on the deck, enjoying the sea breeze; or rest in the cabin, reading the books given by Kane; occasionally, they would ask the experienced old sailors who were full of stories about their sailing experiences and the customs and practices of Kurast.

Leah was brimming with curiosity about marine life, often leaning over the side of the boat, excitedly pointing out the occasional flying fish leaping out of the sea or the distant spouting whales. Vera, on the other hand, engaged in a lively conversation with Captain Meshif, their topics centered around the habits of fish in different waters, whaling techniques, and even the similarities and differences between the Amazon Islands and the Kurast rainforest.

Her professional insights made even the old Sea Wolf, Mashif, nod his head frequently. Skeleton Brother spent most of his time quietly in the corner designated by Wu Ye, like a silent guardian statue, only the faint blue soul flame swaying slightly in the wind.

During the first few days of sailing, the Twin Seas revealed their gentle side. The turquoise surface, like a vast expanse of silk, shimmered in the sunlight. Seagulls, like white elves, joyfully chased the waves whipped up by the ship's stern, their clear, melodious cries. During the day, Wu Ye, Liya, and Vera savored this rare moment of tranquility.

They often stayed together on the deck. Leah would point to the occasional flying fish leaping out of the sea or the whales spouting water in the distance, and excitedly pull Wu Ye's arm, "Brother Wu, look! What kind of fish is that? It's flying so high!" Her bright eyes were filled with curiosity about the unknown ocean.

Vera seemed calmer, but a relaxed smile played on her lips. Sometimes she would lean against the side of the boat, gazing at the boundless sea, and say to Leah, "Flying fish like these are very common in our Amazon Islands. When we go out to sea in the early morning, they'll dart past the bow like silver arrows. It's not easy to pierce them with a spear; they're so fast." Her words were tinged with nostalgia for home.

"Sister Vera's hometown must be beautiful, right?" Leah asked curiously. "Besides flying fish, is there anything else special?"

Vera nodded, her eyes far away: "It's beautiful. The rainforest extends all the way to the seaside. When the mist is thick in the early morning, it's like a fairyland. But there are indeed a lot of mosquitoes, much more serious than those in Lu Gaoyin. One bite can make a big swelling." As she spoke, she subconsciously touched her arm, as if she could still feel the itch.

Wu Ye listened from the side and couldn't help but laugh. "Hearing what you said, I'm both excited and a little apprehensive about the Kurast rainforest. The illustrations Cain gave me say that the 'blood mosquito devils' there are said to be as big as eagles. A bite from them is more than just a bump."

Leah imagined it for a moment, her face wrinkled. "Ah? That big? Then...then we need to prepare more insect repellent!"

"Don't worry," Wu Ye patted her head soothingly. "I've prepared a full range of potions in advance, and once we get to Kurast, the Mages Guild and the local alchemists will surely have a solution. If all else fails..." He winked mischievously, looking at the tall skeleton standing quietly not far away. "Let Brother Skeleton follow you with a fan to shoo away the mosquitoes."

"Pfft!" Leah laughed, her previous worries vanishing as she imagined the comical scene of the skeleton waving his bony claws to shoo away mosquitoes. Vera couldn't help but laugh, her lips curling up beautifully.

Skeleton Brother stood quietly a few steps away, his dark blue soul fire flickering slightly. He seemed unresponsive to his brothers' jokes, maintaining the demeanor of a silent guardian. His tall frame shone warmly in the sunlight, like the most loyal sentinel, silently guarding this tranquility.

Sometimes, they would spend leisurely afternoons in the cabin. Wu Ye would take out Kane's Kurast Atlas, and the three of them would look through it together. When they saw the vividly depicted, colorful yet venomous rainforest frogs, or the enormous pythons coiled atop towering ancient trees, Leah would let out a small exclamation of surprise, and Vera, drawing on her Amazon experience, would point out details or habits that might have been missed in the atlas.

"We call this snake the 'Shadow Killer,'" Vera said, pointing to a giant python with metallic scales. "They like to ambush in the tree canopy and move as fast as lightning. When walking in the rainforest, always pay attention to what's above your head."

"There's also this kind of flower," Leah pointed at a flower emitting an eerie purple light. "The illustrated guide says its pollen can cause hallucinations? How scary! Brother Wu, we must stay away from it!"

Wu Ye listened carefully and kept these valuable experiences in mind.

"Okay, I've noted it all. With you guys here, I feel more confident about going to Kurast." He smiled gently, his eyes sweeping over his two companions, and finally landing on the silent figure in the shadow of the hatch.

Skeleton Brother blended into the background like a rock, his soul fire calm, bringing silent peace of mind. The cabin was filled with the faint scent of ink, the salty smell of seawater, and a peaceful and warm atmosphere.

Captain Meshif would occasionally join in their chat, telling stories of his youth in Kurast Harbor, describing the bustling docks, the unique architectural style, and the delicious seafood cooked with a variety of spices, which made both Leah and Vera yearn for it.

"The girls there, hey, they dress so boldly!" Captain Mashif took a sip of rum and chuckled, "It's hot, so they save a lot of fabric! The guys don't know where to put their eyes!" His words made Leah blush, and Vera raised her eyebrows in a noncommittal manner. Wu Ye could only shake his head helplessly.

Skeleton Brother would occasionally become the center of conversation. A courageous young sailor, after obtaining Wu Ye's permission, cautiously approached to observe him. He even bravely tapped Skeleton Brother's arm bones, making a crisp "knock knock" sound that drew a good-natured laugh from the crowd.

Skeleton Brother simply turned his skull slightly, and Soul Fire looked at the sailor calmly, frightening him so much that he quickly retracted his hand, causing another round of laughter. Wu Ye watched this scene, his lips curled slightly, as if he saw the helplessness of his taciturn brother being disturbed by a naughty child.

This brief voyage felt like the last peaceful harbor before the storm. The relationship between the three, amidst this daily companionship and shared visions of the future, quietly grew closer and more harmonious. Wu Ye observed Leah's joyful expression, Vera's relaxed profile, and the silent yet reliable figure of the Skeleton Brother, a force that stabilized the sea. A sense of peace and contentment filled his heart. While Kurast presented its challenges, he cherished his time with them even more at this moment.