The gale howled like the roar of gods in the sky. The sea surged like giants rising from the surface. Beneath the dark, heavy curtain of heaven, the seven Longships of the kingdom's expedition were like straws swept away by rapids, struggling in the heaving, fathomless ocean. The fleet drifted with the waves, spinning in circles, unable to break free. Only when the flagship signaled with flags and the long sails at bow and stern were raised did the shrieking wind stretch out both hands, draw back the sea's surface like a bow, and shoot the tiny Longships forth!
"Main God! Ah!..."
Grey Earth Puapu clung to the lashed-down mast, feeling the ship's lightning-fast speed, and cried out in terror. The gale had blown away his eagle helm, and the tide had soaked through his leather armor. Even his feet, carried by the racing Longship, were nearly flying off the deck.
"Ah! Divine Eagle! This is the lingering curse of the Divine Eagle! It wants me to fly like an eagle, then fall into the sea..."
As Grey Earth shouted wildly, the raised sail swelled full and struck something. A few breaths later, a sea swallow stunned by the sail fell from high up on the mast and smashed straight onto Grey Earth's head.
Thud!
"God..."
Grey Earth's vision went black, his head turned muddled, but his hands still clung to the mast and refused to let go. Wind and rain swept in wave after wave, and the sea also drove the Longship askew from time to time. Main God Priest Tomatl was tied to the gunwale, yet he still held his head high, fearlessly shouting into the storm and inspiring all the crew.
"The Main God protects us! He protects us and holds back the evil god's obstruction! We