One Piece; Full Counter!

Chapter 32: A Starry Voyage

The night was a masterpiece painted across the heavens. A sea of stars shimmered against the velvety black expanse, their brilliance mirrored faintly in the calm ocean waves. The moon hung low, full and luminous, casting a silver glow over the wooden deck of the ship. Its light danced upon the surface of the gently swaying water and illuminated the shadows of the crew's vessel, creating a serene yet otherworldly atmosphere.

Elizabeth stood at the edge of the deck, her hands delicately resting on the smooth wooden railing. Her silver hair, radiant under the moonlight, cascaded down her back in soft waves, almost blending with the pale glow of the night. Her azure eyes sparkled like twin jewels, reflecting the brilliance of the stars above. She wore a light blue dress that clung gracefully to her frame, its fabric catching the occasional breeze. A white satchel hung from one shoulder, its pristine color untouched by the salty air of the sea.

She gazed at the night sky, her expression distant yet peaceful, as though seeking solace in the celestial beauty. The wind toyed with her hair and dress, carrying with it the faint scent of salt and wood.

Behind her, soft footsteps echoed on the wooden deck. Meliodas, clad in his usual white shirt with its long sleeves rolled up slightly and green trousers, moved toward the stairs leading below deck. His blonde hair shone faintly under the moonlight, and his green eyes seemed even more vibrant against the silver illumination of the night. There was a calmness about him, though his movements carried an edge of exhaustion.

Elizabeth turned her head slightly as he passed. "It's been such a long day," she murmured, her voice soft, almost blending with the sound of the waves. "I didn't even notice when the sky became so full of stars."

Meliodas paused, one hand resting on the wooden handle of the door leading below. He glanced over his shoulder, his expression light but resolute. "I'll leave the navigation to you. Our next stop is Alabasta."

Elizabeth's gaze lingered on the stars for a moment longer before she turned fully toward him. The wind caught her hair again, sending silver strands fluttering around her face. Her soft features were momentarily framed by the gentle moonlight, her blue eyes shadowed with doubt. "Alabasta… Are we really heading there? I can't shake the feeling that the man we spoke to wasn't entirely honest."

Meliodas opened the door, his expression calm yet unwavering. "We don't have much of a choice. Besides, no matter where we're going, I swore to protect you." He glanced at her, his tone carrying an unspoken promise. "Whatever comes next, I'll handle it."

Elizabeth clenched her hands into fists, pressing them against her chest as though holding back words she couldn't quite say. After a brief pause, she sighed. "Very well. I'll take care of steering the ship."

Meliodas offered her a small smile, one that seemed to ease the tension in the air. "I'm counting on you, Elizabeth."

She blinked, caught off guard by his words, and a faint blush colored her cheeks. She turned away quickly, embarrassed, as Meliodas disappeared down the stairs, closing the door behind him with a quiet thud.

The dim lighting of the ship's interior painted the staircase in a warm yellow hue, the wooden steps glowing faintly under the soft lanterns hanging above. Meliodas descended slowly, his boots tapping lightly against the wood, his thoughts drifting as he made his way to his room.

"Marshall D. Teach," he muttered under his breath, his green eyes narrowing slightly. "I told myself I didn't care about him… but something feels wrong. Letting him walk away might have been a mistake." His expression darkened, and a faint scowl crossed his lips. "I hope I didn't overlook something important."

As he reached the door to Elizabeth's room, he paused. His hand rested on the handle, and he pushed it open cautiously. The room was dim, illuminated only by the faint moonlight spilling in through a small circular window.

Sitting in the center of the room was… himself. Or rather, a perfect copy of him, created by Lostvayne. The duplicate's green eyes met his, identical in every way, their intensity mirroring Meliodas's own. For a moment, they stared at each other in silence before the clone flickered and dissipated like a ripple in the air.

Meliodas sighed, stepping fully into the room. The copy's purpose had been clear: to guard the ship during the repairs carried out earlier that morning by the crew of Don Jasmine's pirates. The strain of maintaining the clone for so long weighed heavily on him now.

Exhaustion etched itself onto his face as he closed the door, leaning against it for a brief moment. His legs felt heavier with each step as he made his way to his own quarters. When he finally reached his room, he collapsed onto the bed without bothering to remove his boots.

"This is the first time I've kept a clone active for an entire day," he thought, staring up at the wooden beams of the ceiling. His arms felt leaden, and a deep ache settled in his chest. "I didn't think Lostvayne would drain me this much."

The ship rocked gently, the sound of waves lulling him toward sleep. Above deck, Elizabeth stood near the helm, her silver hair catching the faint light of the stars as the crew of Don Jasmine's ship bid their farewells.

"Thank you, everyone!" she called out, her voice warm and sincere. She waved enthusiastically, her smile radiant. "I'll never forget your help!"

On the large ship departing in the opposite direction, several of the pirates wiped tears from their eyes, their voices raised in emotional goodbyes.

"Take care, Elizabeth-chan!" one of them shouted, his voice cracking.

"How can such a sweet girl travel with someone like that cursed brat?" muttered their captain, Don Yasmine, watching her from afar. His large frame was silhouetted against the lanterns of his ship as he sighed. "It's a dangerous life she's chosen. Poor girl…"

The waves gradually carried the two ships apart, the smaller vessel now leaving the pirate haven of Jaya behind.

Elizabeth turned her attention back to the task at hand, climbing the short set of stairs to the helm. Her movements were deliberate, her expression serious as she reached into her white satchel. From it, she pulled a set of rolled-up maps, a mariner's guidebook, a compass, and a pen.

Unfolding the maps on the small table beside the wheel, she studied them carefully, her blue eyes scanning the intricate markings with determination. The faint breeze toyed with her hair, but she paid it no mind, her focus entirely on plotting the course to Alabasta.

"I can help too," she whispered to herself, a quiet resolve in her tone. Her fingers trailed across the map, stopping at the outline of an island she recognized. "Diane-san… I can't believe I might meet her again. Is this fate?"

The ship's lanterns swayed gently with the motion of the sea, casting fleeting shadows over her determined face. Despite the uncertainty of their journey, Elizabeth's heart was steady. Somewhere beyond the horizon, their next adventure awaited.

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[ A/N ]

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❗Next three chapters❗

- Chapter 33: The Breaking Dawn

- Chapter 34; Clash at Dawn

- Chapter 35: The Frozen Chase