Douluo Dalu: The Abandoned Child

The days aboard The Black Queen stretched into weeks, the endless ocean becoming both a struggle and a teacher for Dugu Bei, Liu Erlong, and Dugu Xin. At first, life at sea was as alien to them as the distant stars above, but slowly, they began to adapt.

The mornings aboard the ship started before sunrise. The sailors, accustomed to the rhythm of the sea, were already bustling about, tightening ropes, checking the sails, and scrubbing the deck. For Bei and his companions, it was an entirely new experience.

"Up and at 'em, you lazy landlubbers!" bellowed a sailor named Old Tom, whose raspy voice became their unwelcome alarm clock. Despite his gruff exterior, Old Tom had a soft spot for the newcomers and often gave them tips about life at sea.

"If you don't secure that knot properly, you'll be swimmin' with the fishes before long," he said one morning, shaking his head at Bei's awkward attempt to tie a sailor's knot. Bei's pride made him determined to perfect the technique, even as Liu Erlong smirked from her corner of the deck.

"What? You think you could do better?" Bei asked, tossing the rope in her direction.

"Absolutely," Liu Erlong replied confidently, only to fumble worse than Bei had. Dugu Xin's laugh boomed across the deck, his usually serious demeanor melting away in the camaraderie of the moment.

Over time, the trio grew closer to the sailors, their shared experiences forging bonds that transcended their initial awkwardness. The crew, a mix of grizzled veterans and eager youths, had a deep respect for the sea and a surprising sense of humor.

One afternoon, after the day's work was done, the sailors invited Bei, Liu Erlong, and Dugu Xin to join them in their favorite pastime: a game they called "Do 5-Men." The game involved five sailors standing in a circle, each taking turns to balance a knife on their fingers, toss it into the air, and catch it in increasingly daring ways. Points were awarded based on difficulty and flair, with the ultimate goal being to impress the other players without injury.

"It's simple," explained a burly sailor named Big Hans. "You 'Do 5-Men' by going through five rounds without losing your nerve or your fingers. Want to give it a shot?"

Before Bei could decline, Liu Erlong's eyes lit up with excitement. "Yes, I want to 'Do 5-Men," she declared enthusiastically.

Bei's smirk was immediate, his devilish grin spreading across his face. "But they don't want to do you," he said under his breath, just loud enough for those nearby to hear.

Liu Erlong turned to him sharply. "What did you just say?"

"Nothing," Bei replied innocently, though his eyes sparkled with mischief.

The sailors erupted into laughter, and even Dugu Xin couldn't suppress a chuckle. Liu Erlong glared at Bei. "You're lucky we're on a ship," she muttered, grabbing the knife from Big Hans and focusing on the game.

Naturally, she won the game and earned the respect of all the sailors in the process. When the round finished, Bei thought to himself, never mess with Liu Erlong when she has a knife in her hands, noted.

One afternoon, as Dugu Xin practiced basic movements with a sailor, preparing for the future battle, Bei leaned casually against the mast.

"Careful, Uncle Xin. Wouldn't want you to throw your back out," Bei quipped.

Dugu Xin raised an eyebrow, delivering a particularly sharp thrust of his practice spear. "Worry about yourself, nephew. At least I don't get seasick every other day."

Bei's grin faltered slightly, but he recovered quickly. "Hey, the sea and I are just getting acquainted. We'll be best friends soon enough."

Liu Erlong, walking by with a bucket of water, chimed in. "By then, the sea will have already dumped you overboard."

Despite the lighthearted banter, the reality of their journey loomed heavy over them. The crew's stories of past encounters with sea soul beasts, particularly their last encounter with the dreaded hundred-thousand-year spirit beast they were sailing toward, served as a reminder of the dangers ahead. They mentioned how they could barely escape and how many crew members died that day.

One quiet night, as the ship rocked gently under a canopy of stars, Bei found himself on deck with the Madam. She stood at the helm, her gaze fixed on the horizon.

"You're settling in well," she said without turning.

"Thanks to your crew," Bei replied. "They've been… surprisingly welcoming."

The Madam chuckled. "Sailors are like family. We bicker, tease, and sometimes fight, but when it comes down to it, we'd die for each other."

Bei nodded, the weight of her words sinking in. "I just hope we're strong enough for what's coming."

She glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "Strength isn't just about power, kid. It's about resolve. Remember that."

As the weeks turned into a routine, the trio became an integral part of the crew. Dugu Xin's tactical mind proved invaluable during training drills, Liu Erlong's fiery determination inspired even the laziest sailors, and Bei's quick wit and unyielding spirit earned him the grudging respect of even the toughest crew members.

They worked, laughed, and occasionally argued, but through it all, they began to understand the rhythm of life at sea. The Black Queen was more than a ship; it was a home, a fortress, and a beacon of hope on the treacherous waters. For Bei, Liu Erlong, and Dugu Xin, it became a place where they not only adapted but thrived, preparing themselves for the battle yet to come.