---

Eve descending on Phoenix Beach, Rico’s flame was far from blazing. His shoulders slumped, he meandered down the streets that bustled without him, folk buzzing too and fro attractions, hopping from one to the next. “Look fun…” Rico moped, hands clutching the small wad of money, thus far only spent on food. Glancing up at the sky slowly growing darker, then to all the signs on the street advertising places of rest, Rico gritted his teeth, disgust plain, before moving along, path aimless as he went through a few side streets and alleys. The once lively boy was more like the walking dead, shuffling to a stop at a slightly sheltered area, a fence partly broken on one side, an old crate on the other. Curling up between the two, Rico slouched over, eyes closing. As the dim came, the young man tossing and turning, whether he was asleep or awake was uncertain.

After the moon was high and Rico’s groans of discomfort a shade quieter, a pair of bare feet happened to patter down the cobblestone walkway. Nose sniffing at the air, a man in a baggy coat with red cargo shorts passed by. Scraggles of blonde and gray hair stuck from under his bucket hat, his face coated in a gray stubble. “Oya oya oya,” he murmured, stopping to see Rico curled up out of the way. Ears perked up, he looked back and forth down the road, then to some of the nearby windows. Leaning down, he whispered, “He, kid, you don’t got a better place to sleep?”

Rico let out a low whine. Without opening his eyes, he muttered in a scratchy voice, “This spot is mine...”

“Sure is. I can’t say I want it. But if you’re looking for a nice piece of turf to cozy up in you can do way better.”

Rico cracked an eye open, the viewfinder narrow. “I don’t buy what you’re sellin’ gentlesir.”

“What am I sellin’ exactly?”

“You’re just gonna trick me!” Rico pouted, rolling over so his back faced the older man.

The fellow watched for a moment before taking a seat, legs crossed. “You’re not some Sunstrider runaway, huh? Off island?” A nod. “Yeah, culture shock will do that. The one who fails to legally defend themselves is in the wrong.”

“It’s stupid!” the two chanted in unison. Rico rolled back over, eyeing the old man, who added, “So much book smarts and jargon to squeeze a few extra cents out of people. A lot of pain in the ass for just another ‘tool to live’.”

Rico tilted his head. “I like your funny words, magic man. Say more of them.”

The man let his teeth shine their pale yellow shine. “Name's Wicc Fiforo, nice to meetcha.”

“Sorry that was like three too many.” Wicc’s face fell. “Aw I’m just fucking with you.” Wicc smiled again.

---

It was early morning when the island came into view. Like the briefing said, it was a small island, the most dominant features being the large forest that gave it its name, as well as the tall lighthouse that dominated the center of the island. The light was out, though whether that was the work of the pirates or simply because the sun had started to rise, Sol wasn’t sure.

“The island was deserted when we claimed it,” Lieutenant Nelson said. She and Sol stood at the bow of the ship and watched the island, silhouetted by the early morning fog, as they approached. “It became a small observation post, manned by a handful of Marines and their families. Their job is to report on the comings and goings of all sorts of vessels, civilian and pirate alike. If need be, the lighthouse is fitted with cannons on each level, all the way around, so they could fire on threats from all sides.”

”According to the report, the pirates made their approach early yesterday morning, when the fog was at its thickest, just like we are,” Sol said. ”It explains how they were able to sneak up on them, given that our men would have a full 360 degree view from that lighthouse. I just hope we aren’t too late.”

Suddenly, his ear twitched as a low rumbling reached him just before something splashed into the sea to their portside. “Cannon fire!” a crewman yelled.

”Evasive action!” Sol yelled as he stepped closer to the railing. He glanced at the rising sun behind them, getting his bearings, and added, ”It’ll be hard for them to get a bead on us with this fog, but stay sharp,” he told Nelson. ”You’re in charge. I’ll go on ahead and try to draw their fire. Tell the helmsman to keep heading due west and you should find the port pretty easily.”

Before Nelson could argue, Sol kicked off of the air and, using “moonwalk,” he quickly ascended above the fog. He drew his sword, the very same one that the young man from the day before dueled him for, and felt the weight in his hand. It wasn’t a heavy sword by any means, but it never felt right for him to wield it. The rapport of a cannon rolled along the sea, drawing his attention back to his job. He kicked off of the air and shot forward as a cannonball hurtled toward him. With ease, he swung his weapon and cut cleanly through the cannonball.

Sol passed between the two halves and continued his approach on the island as more cannons roared to life. Each cannonball met the same fate as the one before it, cut cleanly in half while Sol practically waltzed through the cannonfire. On one hand, he was protecting himself, but his own ship and crew were never far from his mind, often going out of his way to cut through a cannonball that may have hit his ship, otherwise. Before long, when Sol had reached the halfway point between his ship and the island, he let out a breath. ”Shave,” he said.

One moment he was there, but the next, he was gone, a soft boom left behind in his wake. As the defenders in the lighthouse peered through their viewports, trying to see where he went, Sol moved with incredible speed toward the lighthouse, combining his moonwalk with the speed of his “shave” ability. Combining the two techniques made his legs cry out in protest, but Sol ignored it for the few seconds it took him to reach the lighthouse. ”Symphonic Blade: Prestissimo!”

He lashed out with his sword, slicing through the stone wall of the lighthouse as easily as if it were paper just as he crashed through. The pirates on the other side cried out in surprise, suddenly face-to-face with a Marine captain. Sol slowly scanned the pirates gathered around him, noting the shock and fear on their faces. ”My name is Captain Maxwell Rackham. Take me to the one who commands you and I promise we’ll be lenient,” he warned.

Those words seemed to shock some sense back into the pirates, many of whom reached for their weapons, though the look of fear never left their faces. Interesting. They’re more afraid of their own captain than they are of me, he thought as he readied himself. I’ll find out why soon enough, I suppose.

---

”So, getting shelter from the wind was a smart move, but on stone? And without anything to cushion you? You’d be feeling that in the morning!” Wicc explained as the two meandered down the path, buildings raised all about and framing the sky above.

“Yeah, when I slept in the woods the other day the breeze was nasty, and I couldn’t make a fire or anything either. Not that I could find food anyway.”

“The woods?”

“Oh, it was on Gunwhale Island. I met a prince!”

“Heh, well I’ll be. And where are you headed now again?”

“Shuffle Island! I’m meeting a friend.” Wicc smiled. “So, are you gonna help me out Mr. Sir?”

Wicc chortled. “I don’t have the money myself, but even if I didn’t I wouldn’t give it to you. I don’t like having money, honestly. I try to spend it as soon as I get enough for what I need.”

Rico replied, “You said it was a tool to live?”

“Yeah. Sure, it makes the world go round, and the livelihoods of many depend on it. But I don’t really want to depend on it, so I live my life like this. I’m free, don’t you know it! But I’ll show you my ways: how I get food, where I take shelter, and how I get money when I do need it. That way you can avoid those cheat hotels and get where you’re going as soon as you want. Teach you how to fish instead of just giving you the fish.”

“I don’t see how fish will help me get to Shuffle Island but I really appreciate it!” Grin fading a tad, he wondered, “Why are you helping me though?”

Wicc smiled. “Knowledge should be free. If there’s no cost in me helping out a fellow human than there’s no real reason not to do it.”

“Even if he’s a devilish outlaw?”

Wicc raised an eyebrow. “Even if he were, if our paths have crossed and we find ourselves mutually walking together, well, I’m not one to judge.”

Puffing out his chest, Rico offered, “Well, at least you get to gloat about mentoring the future Pirate King?”

“I’m not much of a bragga-did you say what now?” The air seemed to be still under the night sky. “Why do you want to be Pirate King?”

“Why not?” Rico shrugged.

Wicc gave a low chortle. “Those are some flippant words, but I just don’t feel like they’re coming from a place of ignorance.” The older man scratched his head. “You want the fame? The money?”

Rico’s face went blank. “What’s Pirate King gotta do with those?” Wicc was flabergasted. Lowering his head a bit, Rico slipped his hand in his pockets. “It’s more like, If you only live once, and you wanna do something big, why not do the biggest thing there is?”

Wicc thought for a moment, observing the moon. “You gotta?”

“I gotta.”

Wicc sighed low as the moon fell behind the clouds. “It is what is is, huh?”

---

---

By the time Annabelle finally stirred from her sleep it seemed Jazz had already been out and back again. She wasn’t too worried, she doubted any of the Marines from the night had even seen the bird, and judging by the fact that she didn’t have anyone pounding on her door seemed to be a decent indicator of this. There was, however, a small note tied to the bird’s leg. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes she pulled it off the bird and read it.

Deadeye,
Got some jobs for you while you are in town. Meet me at The Happy Snail Bar tonight. I will be wearing raven cufflinks. Get a side booth.
~K.I~

Annabelle quickly threw the note into the fireplace and stretched, forgetting about her recently acquired wound. She winced as pain shot through her arm. Jobs weren’t going to be all that fun for the next few days while her arm healed. Sitting in place for hours was generally not good for these kinds of wounds. She couldn’t complain though, she was getting paid, that’s all she could really ask for. She still had some time before she needed to meet her newest client, at least she could get some lunch and relax beforehand.



The evening came faster than Annabelle would have liked, but she made her way to the bar she was instructed to go to. She was half expecting it to be some hole in the wall place but it seemed to be a decently well traveled bar, indicated by the number of people milling about. She entered the bar and scanned the side booths for anyone wearing Raven cufflinks. From where she was she couldn’t quite tell but nobody seemed to be alone, or waiting for anybody. She walked up to the bar, purchased herself a drink and secured one of the side corner booths that seemed far enough away from other people. It was here that she sat, for what felt like ages, miming drinking the drink she ordered and scanning the people who entered the bar.

After about an hour of people watching Annabelle spotted him, a well dressed man with salt and pepper hair and beard, sporting the raven cufflinks. The hired gun raised her glass to the man who nodded before heading to the bar briefly to get his own drink, eventually joining her at the table.

“Interesting choices.” Annabelle said as the man sat down across from her.

“Yes well I frequent this place so me turning up here to meet, frankly, a rather beautiful young lady wouldn’t be too out of the ordinary now would it.” He smiled at her and relaxed into the booth, taking a drink out of his cup. “Honestly never would have guessed the great Deadeye would be such a dainty young woman.” The man added after putting his cup back on the table. Annabelle had to stop herself from visibly cringing at that statement.

“Flattery won’t get you a discount if that is what you are after.” Annabelle finally said after staring this man down for a solid thirty seconds. “If you’ve heard of me you must know my rates. I take half upfront. Rates are non-negotiable and are subject to change based on the…merchandise one requires to be moved.” She hated doing business in crowded areas, all it took was one nosey Nancy for everything to go up in flames. Better to not directly state anything than risk being discovered.

Luckily for her the man in front of her didn’t seem too dumb. “Of course, here is the merchandise list.” He said sliding a piece of paper across the table. A list usually meant multiple jobs and upon looking at the paper it seemed the client was looking for three separate jobs. Looking at the names she didn’t immediately recognize them but she wasn’t sure she would recognize any important names on this island. She looked up at him and raised an eyebrow. The man leaned in closer. “All rival tradesmen. Nothing too crazy but they are getting a little too…big, for my liking and infringing on my business. I assure you this is one job, they will all be gathering to plot my downfall two days from now.”

Annabelle hated taking out multiple targets at once, she would have preferred three separate jobs. “One-thousand five-hundred berri upfront per product.” She stated dryly. “And another One-thousand five-hundred per upon completion.” The man opened his mouth to protest but quickly shut it. He wouldn’t be able to argue, not in such a public area, this was the only thing working in her favor about the meeting spot. They both knew she had jacked up her price tremendously. It was his own fault. He walked in dressed to the nines and purchased the most expensive drink the bar had. Annabelle knew he could afford it and it would only put a small dent in his coin purse. But it would be a decent bit for the various things she needed while here. Not to mention a three man hit all at once was difficult. By the time the first two fell the third would be on the run and it would become a moving target situation. And that was if she could get a clean line of sight.

She asked the man a few questions about the meeting spot and eventually agreed to the job. He reluctantly slid the money to her and took his leave. After he was gone she actually started to drink the alcohol she had ordered when she first entered the bar. It was time to get to work, but first she was going to finish her drink.

As soon as she was finished with her drink she exited the bar. Nobody seemed to pay her any mind as she did so. With her gear in hand she headed toward the first site detailed on the paper. It seemed the trio had a few places they liked to hang out and talk business. Likely all places close to each person’s place of operation. She had no clue if they suspected her client put a hit on them so getting the lay of the land in each spot was a must. The first spot was a rooftop bar, it was convenient but would likely have too many bystanders, not an ideal situation for her. She would likely have to employ more…underhanded tactics to pull off the job here. She wasn’t fond of needing to get up close and personal, it wasn’t her strong suit but sometimes the jobs called for it. Regardless she carefully scooped out a decent sniper’s area. She could likely come back the following day to see if any reservation had been made in any of the men’s names. Since she had those it would be easy enough to do. Put on the right clothes and play professional enough she could pull off being a new secretary. The place was fancy enough that if the three were planning on meeting there a reservation would likely be made.

She had enough time before it got too late so she decided to have a look and the second location. This one was closer to the docks, near where the carnage of the night before had taken place. It is unlikely they would pick this spot to meet. Though there didn’t seem to be too much in terms of an active crime scene people still seemed to be actively avoiding the area. She couldn’t completely rule the spot out but so far it didn’t seem like the likely candidate. Deciding not to poke around too much after the excitement of the night before she headed back to her hotel room. Intent on getting a bath and some actually decent sleep this time. Her sleep the night before had been restless as her arm throbbed in pain all night. It was still throbbing but less so than it had been.

After cleaning herself she returned to the bedroom to see Jazz had returned from whatever it is the bird had been doing. He cawed at her as she lay on the bed and flew over dropping something off beside her head. His feathers bristled and she reached for it and he flew away. It was a small shiny chain. It wasn’t uncommon for him to bring her gifts though it was all mostly trash Anna did keep the more useful items he brought her. This chain could probably come in handy so she stashed it in a small bag containing other gifts and laid back down on the bed. The bird seemed rather proud of himself.

“Why don’t you leave? You could go anywhere and yet you chose to hang around me?” The redhead questioned the bird though she knew she would never get an answer. As expected silence answered her question Jazz sat on a table preening his feathers. With a sigh she closed her eyes and drifted off to another restless sleep.

Annabelle woke the next morning as she usually did. Tired, knowing her dreams were what caused her sleep to be restless, but unable to recall them. She rubbed her eyes and got ready for the day. Dressing in the only more “formal” outfit she had in an attempt to make herself look more secretary-like. She would have to head back to the first predicted meet up spot later to see if any reservations were made, first however she needed to head to the third location.

A short walk from her hotel and she couldn't help but feel conflicted. The third location was a more private gazebo near the ocean. It would be the perfect spot…if it wasn’t so close to where she was staying it’s not like she had a cleanup crew, the bodies would likely end up being left for the Marines to find. She was, after all, a single person. Other than the proximity to her hotel this would be the ideal location. It was private so not many bystanders. There were still plenty of decent spots for her to set up, and if she didn’t manage to get all three in quick succession there was very little cover for them to hide. Not to mention if they were trying to discuss more shady dealings, which she was sure they were, this would be the spot. The rooftop bar would have too many prying ears and the second location was too close to where a decent number of Marines were still milling about. If she had to hedge her bets, this would be the place. Still, after finding the perfect spot to set up she decided to double check the rooftop bar.

Heading back toward the bar she entered the building portion and was greeted by a hostess. “Good afternoon, how may I help you.” Came the cheery voice of the woman.

“Hello, I am so terribly sorry to bother you but I just wanted to confirm my boss’s reservation for tomorrow night. It would be under a Mister Caldwell?” Annabelle replied in her best business voice.

The hostess shuffled through some papers. “I am sorry we don’t have a reservation under that name. Would it be under anything else?”

Annabelle made like she was thinking. “Perhaps Mister Woods or Lawson?” Annabelle asked after a moment.

More shuffling of papers and a shake of the head later. “No nothing under those names either. Are you sure they reserved a table with us? We do still have walk-in options. It is first come first serve of course.

“Of course of course. No, I am certain a reservation was made but I will just go double check with my boss. Thank you so much for your time.” Annabelle turned quickly on her heel before the woman could respond and exited the building more confident that the third location was the one to watch. She was banking on her hunch being correct. Until then she would simply have to do more scouting of each location and maybe spend some time tailing the targets. Or at least one of them. She didn’t have time to tail all three. She should have charged more for the short notice…too late now.



After spending the previous day doing all the recon and information gathering she could she was mostly positive the gazebo was the spot the men would be meeting. Her hunches were never wrong so she hoped she wouldn’t be wrong this time. Not with her first job on this island. Her reputation rode on her doing this right.

Low and behold and Deadeye waited in her sniper’s nest for her targets to arrive they did so. The knot in her stomach that had been building released a little bit. She still had to complete the job and exit the area. The hard part, at least for her, was over. She didn’t really know when exactly she became so okay with killing people. It had been a long time now. Perhaps she had always thought this way. Haster Island had a way of twisting one’s perceptions.

Her mind wondered for a bit as the men settled themselves into their seats. It seemed they had come, mostly alone. Each man had brought two bodyguards but that was it. The guards were on edge at first but as the assassin let the meeting play out they relaxed, not a lot, but enough that Deadeye decided now was the time to act. She lined up the first shot calmly and slowly, the next two would need to be the quick shots. She took a deep breath and exhaled as she squeezed the trigger. Her muscles coiled like springes and the second shot fired off, she hadn’t even confirmed if the first hit there was next to no way it hadn’t. The second shot hit its target and much as she expected the third target panicked and attempted to make a run for his bodyguards who had also started to move toward him. She had to hit this last shot before he made it.

Time seemed to move in slow motion for the hired gun. This third shot had to hit, she didn’t want to have to kill more people than she needed to. She was used to it but she didn’t like making more bodies than she was paid to make. By the time she lined up her last shot the man was nearly covered by his guards. They were too slow though, the bullet connected before they could cover their boss. Deadeye lingered for only a moment to confirm she had hit vital spots before time began to move, much faster than it seemed like it was supposed to. She had only moments to remove herself from the area before the other guards were swarming her location.

Quickly she cleared her location leaving nothing but the carving of her signature six eyed mask as evidence that she was there. It was the only trace of Deadeye anyone had ever found after a job was complete. She got great joy seeing newsheadlines with her “calling card”, the only public recognition of her work she ever got, and was it damn good work.

She barely managed to dart off before the other guards converged. No doubt they would fan out to try to find her so she needed to disappear. A task that would prove easy enough as she slipped into an ally, removed her mask and pulled a cloak out of her bag to hide her rifle. After which she managed to find a busy street to get lost in, and that was that. Job finished, the only thing left was to get paid, something she would go to collect until the following day. She needed to lay low for a moment.

---

“Feels better, don’t it?”

Rico looked about the lower section of city, still quiet in the early morning. They were out of the more industrial zones of Sunstrider, where buildings were somewhat sparser.

“Yeah, it’s less crowded, I like it!”

Wicc nodded. “And the air is more free of the smoke you get from this island’s furnaces. If you only live in bad places you only get bad thoughts. The world around you has so much to offer.” Rico stopped, looking around a bit. “You’re looking far ahead and moving fast with the Pirate King thing at all, but that can’t be everything, right?”

Rico smiled, but his face fell. “How are we gonna get money this way though?”

Wicc laughed. “We’ve been walking and talking all night: you need some food and sleep! You’ve gotta take care of yourself first before you can do anything big or grand.”

“That’s a good point’a’roonie.”

The two arrived at an abandoned abode, shuffling to the side where an apple tree reigned above a few wooden planks. Shuffling through the curtain, Rico joined Wicc in his abode. Reaching up, he took down an apple hanging from a branch that stuck it’s way in. “This should tide you over for a little while, we’ll figure the rest out after some rest. It’ll be nice and cool here until afternoon. Tha’s when we’ll get to work.”

“Hell yeah!” Rico cried out, eating the apple whole before plopping down. He started snoring immediately.

Wicc gawked, before shaking his head. “You don’t quite know how to take it slow, huh boyo?” he chortled, before heading out, work to be done yet.

---

“This sucks.” Rico and Wicc sat on the side of a road with a fair number of pedestrians going by. Each of them had a sign, Wicc’s reading ‘Anything helps’, where Rico’s said “I’m hungry” (the third iteration of his sign, a halfway point of compromise).

“Well you could have made a better sign, people who give are gonna have some sympathy,” Wicc offered his upturned hat more bountiful than Rico’s tin can.

“I just don’t like begging at all! I feel like I’m doing something wrong.”

Wicc sighed. “You’re normally so shameless…”

“Yeah but I want to be the guy who does something! I wanna be active! Pirates don’t ask they take what they want!”

“You’re gonna steal?”

“Well, no, but if I beat an enemy pirate and he has a bunch of gold I wouldn’t not take it.”

“Any pirates around?”

Rico’s head swiveled from side to side. “That guy kinda looks like a pirate!” The two watched as a man in a bandanna picked some litter off the ground and threw it away, before turning the corner out of sight.

“Well?”

“Don’t feel like it right this second.”

“Sounds like you’re just picking between which thing you’re dependent on.” Rico pouted.

A voice called. “You’re hungry?” Rico looked up to see a guy with some Spicy Firebird Popcorn Chicken in hand. Sparkles of hope came to his eyes. “Bitch, me too!” the man popped some chicken into his mouth and cackled as he headed off, leaving Rico sour.

He snapped his head in Wicc’s direction “Don’t you laugh.”

“It was kinda funny.”

“I mean you’re right but also don’t.”

There was a rush of movement as a man in a leather jacket ran by, scooping up Wicc’s money filled cap and dashing off. “Hey!” Rico shot to his feet. Whistles of heat ad fire erupted as he bounced off, the street going silent from the noise. Rico honed in on the thief, one arm grabbing for the hat after the other latched around the guy’s neck.

“What the hell!? Get offa me!”

“Not before you give that back, that wasn’t given to you!” Rico crumpled that hat into his hand, keeping most of the money intact. Once he wrested it free, be planted a foot against the man’s back and leapt off with another burst of firework flame, the mugger crashing to the stone ground. Glancing around, he started scooping up some of the dropped bills and coins. A number of people around had begun to applaud, apparently impressed.

The mugger scrambled to his feet, blood running down his face. But he laughed. “Whew, what a rush, the pain just makes me feel alive!” He slapped the sides of his face, smile forced and frantic. “All good, always another chance. Morale’s all good here?” Rico didn’t spare him much second thought as he ran off, only muttering, “Friggin’ weirdo.”

Glancing over, he saw the Popcorn Chicken heckler, his jaw dropped. He handed his remaining food over to Rico. “Oh sweet, thanks buddy!” With one hand he poured all the chicken into his face, horfing it down like a beast as he went back to Wicc. Rico put the hat back down as he took a seat. “I should rethink my sign.”

“Not hungry anymore?” Wicc asked, struck.

“I mean, I could eat but...” Wicc had been laughing a lot since he met this silly guy.

Haku quickly led the way as he descended first, ropes being thrown towards him as he quickly wrapped it around the pier as the Kirin settled itself in the docks.

Gesturing a thumbs up to the crew, it was quickly followed as the Firstmate descended alongside the first party as they carried hammers, bags and nails before looking around for the one in-charge.

“Attention, citizens! We’re the 373th Marine of G-1 base! Due to the storm, our ship has suffered damages and requires supplies!” The Firstmate hollered and announced their intention as Haku looked around and fell behind them.

Looks like the storm also hit the area. Haku noted as he brought his cap lower to hide his face out of habit as he looked from the sides and studied the village. It didn’t seem there was plenty of damage, beyond the windows, unbolted furniture or smaller buildings, everything seemed fine enough.

Means they don’t have to stay here as long.

A shame. He wanted to see this so-called music specialty.

“We don’t expect you to provide it for free, so for the time being, we’ll render services in exchange for materials!” The Firstmate stepped aside and gestured to them, the ones that was chosen to go out were one in charge of maintenance and repair of the Kirin.

“If you need manpower, then simply ask for it and we’ll provide it!”

“Within reason.”

That had every marines stand straighter as Captain Cadog of the Kirin finally came down, wearing the white flowing coat of the marines and the word Justice emblazoned on its back. The smoky pipe in his mouth and thick beard showed the stony gaze of the man as each step he took rung loudly before leveling his look at his Marines first then the crowd

“Sir!” Each of them returned with a perfect salute and slammed a foot down at his arrival. Haku also did the same, as it was now in front of the civilians.

However, undercutting that image of most Marine captains looked like in the East Blue was the far more casual blue turtleneck sweater and a black jacket. Even the usual ship captain hat was black color instead of the traditional white.

In fact, some sharp eyes would find it hilarious when they noted he was wearing a black jacket underneath the white jacket of the Marines. Alongside a bandolier of metal flask all around his belt, and its content being obvious with the scent of alcohol wafting.

It wasn’t long after the landing that two folk of clear import stepped out, Haku spotting the shorter of the two elders waving his hand in front of his face, likely having got too strong a whiff of the captains ‘aroma’. His bald head shone under the dawnlight, his back arched and a cane in his hand

“All this formality is making me a bit nervous…” The village leader remarked. Adjusting his spectacles, he admitted, “We don’t exactly get a lot of company out here.”

Behind him was a surlier sort. Haku could sense an aura: far from killing intent, but certainly a rough, uncommon sensation in his time in the East. A quarterstaff was slung over the back of his long tan overcoat. It looked worn and well used.

“Just a fair warning: this isn’t lawless land. We pay out taxes to the Conch Kingdom.” His arms were crossed over his chest, defensively.

Haku's eyes went to the Village Leader first, looking quite normal but not out of the ordinary.

The second one caught his eyes immediately.

It was subtle but flowing. Confident and able to go into a fight, as he extended his senses and eyes studying the latter.

This one fought, and fought well. He narrowed his eyes, an unexpected find. Though then again, perhaps it’s sensible. After all, you either get protection from one of the Emperors, Marines, or strong enough to handle threats yourselves.

“Of course, only bottom feeders wouldn’t do their investigation nor abide by the law set out.” Cadog tilted his hat at that, the former already acknowledging the words before looking to the Village Leader again.

Cadog gestured his head to the crow’s nest of the Kirin. “We won’t be long, just some repairs and it’ll be done. We’ll handle our own food and water supplies, trade you some even if we get a big enough catch.”

Though something about the other person tickled Cadog’s memories, had he seen him before?

He hadn’t been stationed in the East Blue for a long time, ever since he had been promoted and transferred to the Grand Line before heading to the Devil Seas.

But it tickled him, nevertheless.

Staring for a moment longer, Cadog then reached for a flask, uncorked and took a quick swig of it. Heedless of how many actual procedures, lectures and disciplinary warnings he would’ve received if it was done by any other East Blue Captain.

Something for him to look into.

Letting out a sigh after his drink, Cadog gestured to the crew for them to get to work.

“We’ll need to clear the area first, most of my crew will handle that. Assign our carpenters and shipwrights alongside yours.” Cadog ordered as he looked at the area and was much more focused now. “Pile them up, those that can be reused, put them aside, sort the others out and see if the villagers want them.”

“Anyone missing or injured? How’s the supplies on your end-?”

Haku quickly went to his task alongside the other crewmates that started descending from the ship as Cadog was now discussing and ironing out the details with the Village Leader.

So many things to keep in mind, but still, he focused on his work and cleared the area.

Without much thinking, he cleared a particularly large tree branch sheared off from the wind. He was about to start breaking it for easier transportation until a twitch of his eyes glanced towards a particular direction out of instinct.

Someone’s watching? While the Captain was preoccupied, most of the townsfolk either moving off or engaging with the Marines, he recognized the touch of eyes on him and kept them in the corner of his own. Three sets half hidden behind a nearby building: the tallest blue, then a green one and a pink one, both much shorter. There was some shifting, a few hushed words.

Haku pondered for a moment even as he dragged the tree branch and continued pulling at the fallen branch easily before breaking it into smaller pieces with his bare hands, a work that usually requires small machetes

Then moving onwards, he placed the things that looked like it still can be used like chairs, parts of the wooden window shutters, tiles that are still in one piece, and scrap metals that had been sheared off. Minusing the occasional bricks that were torn from chimneys due to age.

He zipped around in the blink of an eye despite the leisurely body language.

It took a brief moment, but he was done. Most of the items that were to be disposed stacked in one big pile, next to the contrasting pile of neatly stacked items that can be reused again with a little cleaning.

Haku barely broke any sweat at all as he adjusted his navy cap, looking satisfied with his work even as the other marines from the Kirin had moved deeper in the village to see what else they could do to help.

With that done, he looked to where he felt the stares come from.

Oh, the locals. He spied, only seeing a bare glimpse of them from their position. One looked to be his age, dressed as a nun, while the other two were younger.

“Hello.” He bowed and greeted them politely, a habit from his days in Wano. “Is there anything else I can do to help?”

The nun held up her hands. “Oh, no! You’re working hard enough already.” The other two girls were clinging to the skirt of her habit. Tapping her fingers together, she wondered, “Er, actually…would it be a problem if we…helped you? Or at least shadowed you while you worked. Not that we’ll get in the way!”

“Sure, can you show the way to the next area hit by the storm? I’m pretty much done here anyways.” Haku nodded along and stepped back before giving a small smile.

The young nun lit up. “Of course!”

As they led the way, Haku's head tilted to the sides as he looked at the two younger girls following the nun.

“Are they your siblings?” He started off wrong intentionally, since he didn’t see much familial resemblance and that the eldest one wore those clothing related to faith, similar to shrine maidens and priest, but he recalled it also dealt with those orphans.

That, or they could be from different parents.

Still, it helps to break the ice. He then addressed the two little girls. “I’m not that scary, so don’t worry.”

The green-haired girl shirked away, while the youngest bluntly commented, “Are you a girl or a boy?”

She promptly received a bonk on the head. “Rue, you can’t just ask that!” The older girl gave a prompt correction. “I feel like a big sister but we’re not related. I’m Catherine Coriander. This is Angelica Rue and Asafoetida Peppermint.” Leaning in, she whispered, “Peppermint’s just being shy, she really likes the Marines.”

“It’s alright. Nice to meet you, Catherine.” Haku waved before he smiled at Catherine first then lowered his knees slightly to meet the two kids at their level. “Same for the two of you, Angelica, Asafoetida.”

“As to your question, it’s a secret.” He placed a finger on his lips and winked Rue. It was amusing to have a little fun now and then.

“But the marines? That’s unexpected, nowadays, I hear more people wanting to be pirates than anything.” Haku joked but that sentiment wasn’t exactly misplaced.

After all, fate might have been very different to him if he had boarded onto a pirate ship instead of the marines instead.

“Anything you’d like to know about?”

Rue whispered, “Who’s Assfooetida?”

Coriander insisted, “You can use our given names, it feels weird otherwise, uh…” She stopped, wondering, “Wh-what was your name?”

“Ah, understood. My mistake, Rue.” Haku sniggered inwardly at that as he stood straighter and placed a hand on his chest when he introduced himself. “I’m Haku, 373th Marine, G-1 base.”

Peppermint jumped in, “And where are you from? How long have you been a Marine? How did you join? Is it hard? Is your commander strong?”

“Oh! I’m from East Blue as well. It wasn’t that long, I just started a few months ago.” He answered without missing any beat at Peppermint questions. “I applied at the Marine base, trained, and then graduated.”

“But yes, being a marine is hard. Between patrol, lost ships, and pirates.”

At that last question, Haku glanced to the sides for a moment in thought before answering. “Well, he’s better than the average Captain.”

Cadog knows Ryuo, the three basics, and was given a devil fruit long before that.

Indeed, he was above average.

By Devil Seas standards at least.

“He does have a lot of experience however. So rest easy, there isn’t much the East Blue has that we can’t handle.”

Peppermint gaped. “W-what can’t you guys handle? Isn’t the East where the pirates are weakest?”

“Hold up!” Coriander butt in. Looking around, she wondered, ”Did the boys go home? I’ll bet they’ll want to-” There was a growl from her stomach, the young woman clutching her torso as she turned pink. ”Er, w-would you like to join us for breakfast?”

“Well, strong as the captain is, even he can’t do anything if the weather or sea wave becomes hard.” Haku knelt a little as he addressed Peppermint outburst, inwardly kicking himself for his poor choice of words. “Like our ship when it got struck by lightning.”

He then looked at their current area briefly before agreeing to her offer. “I’ll be glad to, please lead the way.”

The place was pretty much done, and it was in good hands anyway. It was time for the other mission to proceed.

Information gathering on the geography.

---

“Now now, don’t think you’re going to be able to get away that easily,” said the Village Elder as he, the old fighter, and Cadog moved on, the elder finding a place to sit, taking a bench still firmly in the ground. “We don’t get many visitors here, and you certainly seem like you have stories to tell! I’m sure most of us would rather our town be a little messy for the rest of the day than pass up the chance to meet some new folk.”

Cadog moved the tobacco pipe in his mouth from one end to the other and resisted the urge to sigh.

He let the elder sit first before moving to his own.

“Well, what stories do you want to hear first? If it’s the world, then the seas are still full of pirates as usual. East excluded. Same with the Grand Line and Devil Seas, but we’ll take those back one day.”

“But for us, not much of a story. We were passing when the storm hit,” Cadog gestured to the mast and started out a little vague at first. “Then that lightning struck, and here we are.”

From his bandolier, he took out another flask, uncorked it and offered it to the Village Elder first. The scent of a strong and oak came, signifying its origin as whisky rather than rum.

“That can’t be all the stories you have…” the elder mourned.

From behind him, the other older man said, “For the best. I’m sure the Captain would much rather get the repairs done and move on than spend a day appeasing a bunch of bumpkins.”

“If you insist, The Grand Line and Devil Seas are as troublesome as ever, however, our Admirals are doing work. Though the third seat is still empty.”

A moment came as he’s reminded of his mentor and grumblings.

“But I’m getting ahead of myself.”

“The reason they’re posting me here mainly is that I’m overdue for rotation.” Cadog continued as he adjusted himself. “We’ve been inspecting Marines bases too. Make sure everything are in tip top condition. Good chance to show the recruits the ropes as well.”

Though mostly, just Haku. Cadog kept that to himself, most of his Marine crew were all veterans and came either from the Grand Line or the Devil’s Seas.

Granted, perhaps he can find a diamond in the rough here?

“It’s been awhile since I was last here. I’m from the East Blue originally,” Cadog intentionally left out which village he came from for obvious reason. “Helps to remind myself of why I keep doing this.”

“Oh, you’re from the East? I wonder-” the elder began, the man behind him widening his eyes in what Cadog recognized as a brief moment of alarm, “-if you ever crossed paths with the Commodore here?”

The other man grimaced. “Might’ve, might not have.” He rubbed his temple, clearly preferring this wasn’t brought up. “Commodore Ryu Burnet, 13th Patrol Division was where I operated as commanding officer, but I also spent a lot of time on the 16th, and at E-42 before the base was decommissioned.”

A former commodore? That changes things. Cadog lifted his hat, stood up and saluted more out of habit than anything. “I see, my mistake, sir.”

“But as to crossing paths, I don’t believe so. The 13th’s Commodore when I first served here was a different one,” He put back his hat and then sat back down, adjusting his shoulders to let the coat of his hang a bit. “And afterwards, I was transferred to the Grand Line.”

He’ll have to do some digging and a call later to find out more. This also meant parts of his original plan had to be altered as well.

“But what made you settle here? Your home village too?” Cadog asked as he looked at Ryu, he knew that’s what he’d do if he ever retires from the marines. Perhaps some gardening and fishing too.

Not alone of course. A kid appeared in his mind but he pushed it off.

“Hmm? Nah, I’ve only been here on Melody for a few years,” Ryu admitted. “I was looking for some peace and quiet.”

“Well, I hope we don’t disappoint,” Cicely said as he stood, cane digging into the dirt. He coughed for a moment before saying, “Well, I should let you get to your business. If you want quicker repairs done, we can spare some of our tradesmen. And if you ever feel like giving your men some downtime we can arrange something.”

“That’ll be good, thank you for your cooperation. Once everything is done, I’ll see if HQ is willing to part some down time with them.”

“Commo-Ryu Burnet.” He quickly corrected himself when addressing the former Commodore. “Can you walk with me a bit? I’m still unfamiliar with the area, and there might be places I need a guide.” The man looked to Cicely for a moment before giving a reticent nod.

It wasn’t an utter lie, he didn’t know the island well enough despite him knowing these water ways.

The latter being a former marine made things a lot simpler as well, since he could share some details.

Also, I can kill two birds with one stone if there was a leak. Cadog coldly thought, a bitter experience learned from his time on the Devil Seas.

Well, he’ll proceed with that in mind.

---

Wide tipped inkpen pressed between his nose and stiff upper lip, Rico sat cross legged as he glared at a piece of canvas [Begging Sign, 4th Iteration].

“Like I said, sympathy, sympathy!” Wicc coached.

Words strained as he spoke through his upturned lip, Rico explained, “Well, I don’t wanna lie, and I don’t wanna copy you, but it’s like...I just don’t know!”

Wicc sighed. “Well, why did you stop the mugger?”

“You’re my friend! Of course I’ll help you!”

“Yeah, people want to help others, sometimes even complete strangers. Has no one helped you before?”

Rico’s face relaxed, the pen dropping into his hand. “More than I can ever pay back...” Shaking his head, he added, “And that’s exactly why I don’t wanna!”

Wicc paused, letting out a low sigh. “Guess that’s fair. Come on, let’s take a break, bum around town a bit.”

Finding a spot to sit bench around the corner of a cafe they got some drinks at (Wicc’s treat), the man suggested, “You want to leave, right? Go to Zenith with some signs that say ‘Anywhere but here’. Might even get a free ride! Or some people trying to beat you up, but you can take ‘em. See, it’s not really mugging if they initiate.”

“Holy shit you’re a fucking genius.”

Wicc blushed. “Well, just doin’ my best.” A shadow cast over him.

“Yup, that’s them captain.” The mugger from before was no longer alone, joined by more men in similar dark leathers, varying body types and colors between them. At the forefront, a whip lashed at his side, his beard bristled like thorns from a rosebush, a round leather cap on his head with straps hanging down. He looked over Rico and Wicc, before his face cracked into a smile with browning teeth not quite fitting to their browner gums. [“Painmaker” Desprit, 8 million beri, Captain of the Good Vibes Pirates]

“You the Fruit user? We could use you on our crew,” said Desprit.

“Wait, you’re not seek revenge for me?” said the mugger, his face fallen. The men near him backed up, strained smiles coming to their faces as a vein popped out on Despirt’s forehead. Glancing around, the mugger quickly straightened his posture, a smile of his own coming to his face, but Desprit had already loosened his whip. With a fast hand, he struck the man again and again, blood letting through torn skin. “Augh, god, thank you sir! I can never thank you enough! You’re the best captain ever!”

“Yes, exactly! Good Vibes only with the Good Vibes Pirates! If I want a new member we’re getting one, no matter what they did to any of you!”

“Augh! I’m looking forward to trying to sleep in pools of my own blood, I was getting too much lately anyway!”

Wicc elbowed Rico. “See, some people can enjoy life no matter what, we should be more like them.”

“I really don’t want to.” Waving his hand, he said, “Sorry, I’m a pirate myself so no can do!”

Desprit pulled his whip back, grimacing. “Grrr, your vibes are good but they make me feel bad!” Looking to Wicc, he asked, “What about you?”

Wicc laughed. “Sorry, I’m more interested in doing my own thing. Not interested in being tied down, you see.” He wiggled his fingers. “Like the commitment though. Good vibes~”

Desprit wailed. “No no no no no good vibes are my thing only mine only I need to feel good vibes!” He shot his whip out, the tip cracking through the air. Wicc covered his body, only for the lash to strike Rico’s arm, covering the older guy, his face twisted to anger. “Ah hah! There are your bad vibes!” Blood dripped from Rico’s torn sleeve. Desprit moved behind his men, who all started pulling out cutlasses and clubs.

“Do you guys actually not like me, or are you just more afraid of him than you are me?” Rico said.

---

---

Bursting through the door to her home, Coriander caught her breath. Hyssop looked up from yesterday’s newspaper, today’s not having arrived yet for the weather. “Where are the girls?” he wondered.

“Sorry! Is it okay if we have company? Coriander’s fists gyrated. “We ran into a Marine, my age kinda, and he was nice so we were talking to him and I thought it would be good for Peppermint and stuff but we gotta eat so I invited him but I didn’t ask first!”

Hyssop blinked. “Sh-should be-”

“Of course it’s fine! I’m not about to turn away a hungry soldier!” called Marjoram from the kitchen.

Coriander pumped her fist, turning back. “Thanks mom!” Scrambling from the house, she ran back to Haku, Peppermint, and Rue with good news to share.

The smile on Hyssop’s face was stuck still, and once he was sure Corainder was gone, it shifted to a look of light panic. “H-honey!”

As he limped through the door from the dining area to the kitchen, she snapped, “You just said you were fine with syrup!”

Finding a chair, he insisted, “No, it’s not that. She’s bringing a sailor home.”

“You don’t have to say it like that.”

“Of course I do! She...she’s never met a boy her age and puberty was years ago! She’s bound to be a late bloomer and...ah, I don’t think I’m ready.”

Marjoram turned on him. “You’re not ready? I’ve been feeling sorry enough for her lately. Any girl longs for love, we’re just lucky she hasn’t turned nasty for it.” Hyssop gawked. “Yet.”

“Wh-what’s that supposed to mean!?”

“She’s gotta get married eventually! Is a religious obligation for starters.” Hyssop’s eyes threatened to pop from their sockets. “Didn’t you read the bible? Half the time I think of her as a child but I forget how much you’re still holding on to.”

Hyssop slumped onto the bare counter. “But...a sailor? A soldier?”

“Steady work. Might mean she’s relocating a lot, which she’d love I’ll bet. Some wives join up as cooks or other less sensitive positions.”

“SHE JUST MET HIM TWENTY MINUTES AGO!” Slumping back, Hyssop moaned, “What if she gets taken advantage of?”

Brandishing a knife, Marjoram said, “Well, if he gives off a bad odor we can chase him off.”

“...Why do you have a knife, you’re making waffles.”

She admitted, “It just found its way into my hand. Does that sometimes.”

The rocking of the ship jostled the young man awake from his cot, as he slowly came too he could feel an immense amount of pain across his chest. The bandages that liked his chest were lightly stained in Scarlet. Valery winced a bit from the pain inspecting his surroundings, he seems to be in the lower decks of some ship.

His memory was a bit foggy but the pain from his body got him right up to speed. He noticed that despite losing the fight he wasn’t restrained, perhaps they no longer saw him as a threat? Surely the marines would incarcerate him for such a crime. He attempted to get onto his feet, finding success but only temporarily as his body was rather weak from blood loss. Quickly, Valery stuck to the walls of the ship. Propping himself up with the wall as he shuffled over to the cabin door. As he reached for the door he took notice of the knob shifting on its own, Indicating someone was about to enter.

“Ahh I see you’re finally awake” captain Rockaport smirked before giving Val a good strike on the top of his head

“OUCH WHADDYA DO THAT FOR!” Val replied as he clutched his head and kneeled to the ground. He could physically feel the afflicted area begin to swell up.

“YOU STUPID BRAT, DON'T EVER DREAM OF EMBARASS ME LIKE THAT AGAIN OR ILL PROPERLY CUT YOU DOWN MYSELF” the captain shouted, spit particles assaulted Valery. He was so mad it was almost as though you could see steam seeping from his ears as he shouted.

After a little bit, captain Rockaport cooled off. Seeing not much use beating the kid up more than he already is.

“By the way that Marine guy left a message for ya, he said he can’t give you that sword bsck right now because he needs it for something. But if you want you are more than welcome to try and challenge him once more but he won’t hold back next time.”

“I see…” Valery replied, letting the room fall in silence. You could visibly see his annoyance as he zoned out in thought. The guilt of failure as not only did he fail to retrieve the sword but his opponent took pity on him, it was shameful to say the least. Memories of the fight played in his head, he was unable to land a hit of any type on the man. He wasn’t even fighting at full strength yet he managed to still run circles around Val. He was far too weak and naive.

“Thank you for all your help, Captain. I’m sorry for an-“ he was stopped by the captain holding up his hand before lighting up a cigarette.

“Don’t start getting all sentimental on me now, clearly this was something important to you.” Rockaport puffed out a cloud of smoke. “There comes a time in every man’s life where they’ve got to fight for something they believe in and I saw it loud and clear that marines resolve was just stronger than yours and it showed, call It what you want but you’re lucky that he let you off with a wound instead of taking your life or letting you rot in a cell.”

Valery clenched his fist, what he was saying was true. Even while fighting it seemed as though he was always looking past him, as though something far greater was important. “Why are you telling me these, you barely know me and I caused a lot of trouble for you as well”

“So that you understand before you kick the bucket before me. I've seen a couple of fights in my day and I could tell you were clearly fighting for a cause. That resolve will get you far in this world. Don’t worry about why I am giving you advice, Us older guys are here to guide you youngsters so don’t think too hard about it.” Rockaport exclaimed before taking another puff. “We’re about to dock shortly. I’ll have one of the crew members bring you a parting meal before we go our separate ways. You can also have some of my old clothes that don’t fit anymore in that crate in the corner.” The captain replied before heading off.

What was brung to the room was more like scraps than a meal, a cold chicken leg with some rice that seemed to have gone bad. Valery sighed as his stomach growled, he begrudgingly ate food. With each bite he missed Ocean song Village more and more.

He then rummaged through the crate of clothes managing to find a plain white t-shirt and some tan trousers which happened to match the boots he had. By the time he was all set the ship was docking at the gangplank. Valery surfaced from the innards of the ship, breathing in fresh air as he laid his eyes on Kappa island.

“This is yours” Captain Rockaport replied as he handed over Valerys sword.

“Thanks for everything, captain,” Valery said before bowing his head. “Next time I see you, there’s going to be another sword attached to my hip” he exclaimed as he waved goodbye to the rest of the crew.

Now making contact with Kappa island, Valery recalled a large tavern that peaked his interest from the doc. The meal he had in the ship was a bit underwhelming, he’d need proper nutrition if he was to regain full strength.

---

”Ooooh this ain’t lookin’ good,” Wicc moaned.

“I’m not worried, so just keep back!” Rushing in first, Rico gave a high kick, smashing one guy in the jaw before he’d even moved. Rico paused, wondering, “Hey Wicc, buddy, how do you feel about all this violence?”

“Uh, well, while violence is ultimately unsustainable, body (individual) and bodies (societal) having their limits, the cycle of violence and hatred eternal, when it comes to self defense-”

Rico stopped from punching, the Good Vibes Pirates now having to step over the fallen bodies of their comrades. “Less words, magic man!”

“Get their asses!”

Rico grinned. Once again he kicked upward, but this time a firework shot up, dragging eyes along with it. Grabbing the nearest man by the collar, he twisted about, slamming him into the next group while they were distracted. Way between him and Desprit clear, he raised his arm, the wrist morphing into a round opening. Mortar firing off, round fireworks sizzled out, crackling through the air and bursting in balls of sparks and smoke. “Tranquil Dilong!” The pirates ducked for cover, Desprit rolling to the ground to quash a few small flames.

“The heck’s tranquil about that!?” Wicc cried, the man covering his ears as he backed off.

Despirt started to clamor to his feet, but Rico was upon him, grabbing him by the collar and headbutting him, the man’s nose running red. “We done here?” he shouted to the stunned captain.

“My nnnosh wat dit you do to my nosssh!” he whined. Rico released him, letting him fall. The pirates pulled their attention away from Rico. Adjusting his coat, he grabbed his sign. “Let’s get, Wicc.”

As the two left, Rico could hear the remaining crew. “Hey captain, stop crying, it’s bringing the vibe down!”

“Good vibes, good vibes!” his crew shouted as they kicked at their fallen captain. “The beating will continue until your morale improves!”

“No noooOOOO AHHHHHHHHHH!”

Rico and Wicc didn’t care for the rest, moving out of the way before any authorities came knocking. One of the men went to follow, but Wicc barked at him until he retreated.

“Were you really cool with those guys and their vibes? They gave me the creeps, honestly,” Rico said.

Wicc scratched at his cheek. “Honestly, I dig good vibes, and I dig with putting a smile on when it’s bad. But on a closer look...they were all bad vibes, right?”

“Yeah, yeah, exactly!”

“Honestly, they’re the kinda folk I thought all pirates were. But kid, I like you, you’re a good one.” Rico turned to see Wicc’s grin. “Your heart is free, and you don’t want to trample on the hearts of others. I can respect that.” Taking Rico’s cardboard sign, he offered, “This isn’t your style, is it? We’ll have to figure out something else.”

Rico said, “I can try again, it’ll be fine!”

Wicc stopped for a moment, looking to the sky, remarkably clear of smoke. “I like to think there’s a place in this world for everyone. Sunstrider’s not yours. Honestly, some days I think it isn’t even mine. But you’re on the path to making it your own.” Wicc planted his finger on Rico’s chest. “You just gotta keep that fire going.”

Rico looked down at the hand Wicc offered, face placid. When Wicc retracted it, he moved his hand to the spot, perhaps holding onto something even still.

“You’re a loud kid. Good thing too, I was trying to find you. Rico, isn’t it?” The two looked up to see a man in a vest with an orange pinstripe shirt, a long braid of dark hair sticking out the side of his head. Eyes darting to the cardboard sign from behind his narrow sunglasses, he remarked, “I’m looking for a bodyguard. My boss can explain the deetz. It’ll pay. You interested?”

Rico’s jaw dropped. He turned to Wicc, who’s jaw was similarly open. Rico pointed. “Magic man!”

“Well I’ll fuckin’ be!” Clapping Rico on the shoulder, he said, “If you get smacked with a contract, hit me up. You know my haunts. I’ll punch any charlatan right in the legalities.”

“Really?”

Wicc started off. “Of course, we’re friends aren’t we?”

Realizing something, the man with the braid gaped. “Wait, Wicc Fiforo?” He was already gone, still in sight but well in his own mind.

“Huh? You know him?”

“I’m surprised I recognized him. For a long time he was the nastiest business tycoon on Midsummer Island. Real estate speculation, tax loopholes, venture capital loan scams: he changed the game, and not in a good way. Then about a decade ago he got betrayed by his protegee. Lost it all. Wife and kids went off island, debt collectors were chasing after him to wring him for all he was worth. I’ve seen less wealthy men off themselves even when they still had something left to their name. Honestly I kinda thought he’d have done the same. How do you know him?”

Rico looked off, watching as Wicc hopped up, clacking his bare heels together. “He’s the coolest guy I’ve ever met.” Their shoulders light and hearts free, the two men parted ways.

Cadog moved along with Ryu Burnet, being shown around the place as he started to light up his smoke pipe.

A brief concentration of his power, vapor of alcohol filled the smoke pipe before it quickly caught fire. Leading to a brief burst of blue flame burning as the tobacco was thoroughly burnt in a flash.

Inhaling, the smoke produced gave a different tinge. One that he occasionally used when he needed a change of taste.

Blowing outwards, Cadog got right into the point.

“It wasn’t just rain that brought us here.” He took another puff and continued. “We’re hunting pirates.”

“We planned to continue the chase, but just in case, I’ll station a few of our men here if they come to kidnap anyone.”

Burnet’s shoulders drooped, the man releasing a weary sigh. “Ah hell.” Running a hand across his head, he admitted, “Guess I appreciate the warning.”

Hrnng. Cadog puffed once before gesturing to their surroundings. “That’s why I need your help in knowing the geography, once I have that. I’ll put Haku there.”

When asked who Haku was, Cadog waved his hands. “The cabin boy, fresh out of the academy. He’ll be able to handle it.”

As they made their rounds, Cadog looked upwards and sniffed the air. It was changing and lighter.

Again, this fast? Looks like even the predictable winds of East Blue were a bit erratic than usual. “Looks like it’ll be another thunderstorm.”

“Pardon me, but we’ll need to move faster.” Cadog urged. It seemed that he couldn’t be as thorough as possible.

—

Haku followed Coriander alongside the girls, talking and answering their questions as best as he can. Though when asked about some parts of the Grand Line, Haku decided to clarify them.

“Yes, there are flying bubbles in the Sabaody Archipelago. It’s their livelihood in fact.” Haku said to the pair of children. “Ships would be coated in the same material as the bubbles to allow transport as they dive into the sea.”

He added after a moment of thought. “I’m not too sure why it happens, the shipwrights or scholars would know better.”

Personally, he thinks that God must have been having fun when they did that. After all, he himself made plenty of bubbles when he was young.

While he didn’t know why it occurred, he wasn’t ignorant of its composition and its numerous applications.

Nor the ways to burst it, literally.

“I’ll tell you more later, we’ve arrived and I’m sure you’re hungry as well.” Haku said, opening the door for them to go in first before he removed his shoes and then only entered.

“Greetings, I’m Haku, 373th of G-1 base. Sorry for intruding on your hospitality.” He nodded towards the two adults, parents? Perhaps he had the wrong idea of Coriander: he thought she was an orphan.

Wiping her hands with a rag, a woman with a platinum blonde ponytail and pink apron remarked, “Don’t be like that: I appreciate our men in uniform.” Nodding her head to the larger room in the home, Haku noted the front of a bakery, the scent of bread permating the home. With a wink, she added, “Tell your division we’ve got some discounts for Marines!”

A man behind her, hair and goatee blonde, leaning against the door frame, paused his careful observation of Haku to add, “Since when?”

“Since now.”

Coriander jumped in. “These are my parents, Marjoram and Hyssop.” Haku was waved into a dining area, the table set, a sweet smell coming from the platter at the table, piled with the grid patterned quickbread. A pair of pitchers with sweet smelling viscous liquids sat nearby. Peppermint jumped over to the table, while Rue only did so after kicking off her shoes.

“...Rue what are you doing?” Hyssop wondered, taking up the rear.

Rue looked up, before pointing at Haku. “He did it too.”

Those present took note of Haku’s feet, amusement or intrigue coming to the local faces. Coriander offered, “Wh-whatever’s comfortable for you is fine!”

“Ah, force of habit.” Haku said after a moment of contemplation and realization that not everyone does that. An odd behavior for sure, do people not take off their shoes in their homes?

He supposed he was lucky that in his cadet days, others didn’t really question that behavior. Then again, he’d seen numerous other oddities amongst the marine cadets and their own superstition, perhaps he was inured to it?

Oh well.

“I’ll be sure to inform my fellow marines, they’ll certainly appreciate some tasty bread over hard tacks.” He walked over and gestured for Rue and Coriander to take their seat first before he took his own.

“Oh, I’ve never seen this type of bread before. What is it?” He leaned forward inquisitively as he looked at the luxurious and freshly made bread. That offer of the discounted bread seemed a lot tempting now if this was the quality to be expected.

“And this sauce, two types of honey? No, one’s honey but I’m not too familiar with the other-” Haku gazed at the syrup, he had never seen this before. Was this something only available to the locals?

Rue’s jaw dropped. ”You don’t know about WAFFLES!?”

Peppermint seemed a little shaken. “Marines don’t get to eat waffles?”

Hyssop shook with giggles of amusement at the two girls, while Coriander explained, “It’s not like it’s normal rations or anything!” Taking a breath, she explained, “Waffles are a sweet bread cooked with an iron shaped to press them down. See how they’re all crispy? But they’re soft on the inside!” To demonstrate, her fork crunched through the waffle and she took a bite.

“Oh!” she gasped out, grabbed the pitcher of syrup, pouring some onto her plate, filling many of the squares of her snack. “Syrup is really good, it’s like a sweeter honey that…comes from.” Her face went blank. “Where does syrup come from?”

“It’s sap from the maple tree, boiled to remove the water,” Hyssop explained.

“Oh, from trees huh? Tree sap as sweet as candy…seems like it’d be from the Grand Line!”

“Oh, stop it,” Marjoram responded with a chortle as the family started into their breakfast.

“No, is it that important?” Haku raised a brow at that apologetically before answering Peppermint's question. “We get bread, but most of the time, it’s hardtack biscuit. The little mites inside of it add character apparently.”

At least, according to Cadog who was often eating them dry or mixed with alcohol.

Peppermint was horrified.

Looking at Coriander's demonstration as she cut the waffle, Haku followed suit and mimed her actions. True enough, it parted easily to reveal a soft texture underneath, most similarly like those bread, at least, when they are hot out of the oven.

Curiously, he continued on and added the syrup on top. Gingerly, he took a small piece and bit onto it.

Hmm. Haku savored the taste before smiling and brightening before he eagerly dug into it. Politely of course, he was no savage.

“Well, there’s a lot of places in the Grand Line that have something similar. Sugarcane is one of them.” He added to the conversation in between bites, recalling the local sugarcanes of Wano. Kids used to love chewing them when they’re in season.

“So, there’s never been any pirate activity here before?” He asked Coriander's parents during one of the few small talks. “Also, why is it called Melody Island? Is there good music here?”

Marjoram explained, “We hear about pirate attacks all the time in the newspaper, but we don’t really get many outsiders here at all. Burnet and Basil ended up living here, but when it comes to mercantile we have our own merchants who go out and trade our lumber or flour for goods.”

“I think we had some folk from the kingdom here three years ago or so?” Hyssop mentioned without certainty. “The Chowder Kingdom gets trouble of course. We’re too out of the way and lacking in valuables or goods to turn for quick profit, but it’s not like…” he flashed a quick glance to Peppermint, who’s fork swirled around the syrup on her plate. “It’s not like it never happens.”

So there’s a chance of it happening. Haku nodded in between bites as he digested the information, this complicated things severely as this place had very little experience dealing with pirates.

He ignored the look given to Peppermint despite how brief it was, enabling Haku to guess parts of it at least.

Seeming to change the subject, Coriander wondered, “Why are we ‘Tune Town’ on ‘Melody Island’? I sing for choir but Mother Basil hasn’t been living here forever.”

Hyssop explained, “Well, apparently when the island was settled, it was known but not named. The folk who came here were impressed by the natural environment, it was like it was singing. An invitational hymn of sorts. Then they found another city on the far side, centuries old, but the original name idea stuck.”

“Aw, I had thought the Island sings music.” Haku felt a little disappointed at that but nevertheless kept his chin up and turned to Coriander. “But it’s a nice story, regardless. Maybe one day, the choir music here will be why Melody Island and Tune Town are named such?” Coriander gave a curious look.

Marjoram offered, “The island really is beautiful. Maybe you and Coriander should take a long walk after you eat? There’s plenty to see.” Hyssop’s eyes went a bit wide as he gave his wife a firm look.

Coriander lit up, “That sounds great!”

“Well…” Haku initially wanted to object since he was tasked to help out the village but Cadog’s mission was still the more important task.

Weighing between the two, Haku mentally apologized to Cadog and the Kirin’s crew before he took initiative. “I would like that.”

“Are there any famous sites or places that you have in mind?” He turned to Coriander.

Shoveling the rest of her food into her mouth, Coriander offered, “Uh, I’ll surprise you!”

“Where are we going?” Rue wondered.

Marjoram asked, “Actually, with Coriander gone, would you two be able to help me around here? I’ll have some yummy bread for you. And if you want you can grab the boys.”

Hyssop murmured, “You’re sending Cori off alone?”

“She’s not alone, she’ll be with Haku!” Hyssop didn’t seem to be eased by his wife’s insistence.

“I’ll be in your care then.” He smiled and bowed slightly to Coriander as he stood up, plate cleaned and finished. “Shall we?”

He gestured for her to lead the way before hearing on whether she’ll be safe.

“Don’t worry, sir. I won’t let anything happen to her.” Haku assured Hyssop. “I’m a marine after all.”

---

Luna followed the man down a set of stairs, past a sentry posted just inside the door, who seemed unable to pull his eyes away from Luna as she passed. Before long, the pair entered a wide-open room, the basement of the building above, joining the dozen or so people already inside, all of whom were busy, either with maintaining weapons, treating others with injuries, or pouring over papers. Upon seeing the new arrivals, almost everyone’s gazes turned to look at them. Luna’s sharp ears easily picked up what they were saying. ”Guess the cat’s out of the bag, huh?” Luna commented.

“Not many half-Minks around, especially with stark-white hair like yours,” the man replied. He led Luna toward the center of the basement and gestured with his arm. “Name’s Josiah and welcome to our little rebellion. Not much to look at, but what can you do? Especially with a man like Low running things.”

”I take it those creatures were his?” Luna asked as she took a seat on a nearby crate. ”What were those things, anyway? Felt like I was punching mud.”

“Clay, actually.” Josiah picked up a rifle and ran his eyes over it while he spoke. “That’s Low’s power, the Clay-Clay Fruit. Those golems he makes are the reason why he was able to take over this island. You can hack, slash, bludgeon them all you want, but they’ll just reform. And I don’t know how, but it seems like whatever they can see, he sees, too. Otherwise, I doubt he’d be able to control them so well without leaving the governor’s villa.” He set the rifle down and pulled out a small, glass jar from a pack around his waist. He tossed it to Luna, who caught it, only for her nose to immediately wrinkle as an acrid scent wafted from the liquid inside, despite how well-sealed the jar was. “That’s a gypsum mixture,” Josiah explained. “Vineyards use that stuff all the time to keep their grapes healthy. Turns out, it does a good job of breaking down clay, too. Sorry about the smell, by the way. Ever since Low and his pirates set up shop here, it’s been tough getting a hold of purer stuff.”

Luna thought back to when Josiah saved her, how the golem’s arm crumbled when he threw that jar at it. ”If this stuff’s so good, why can’t you just fight back with it?” she asked as she handed the jar back. ”That’d take care of those golem things.”

“Two reasons. Number one: we don’t have much left. The vineyards have been doing what they can, sneaking as much as they can to us, but they can’t neglect their crops or else Low’s men will retaliate. Number two: it’s not permanent. The gypsum does make the golems take longer to regenerate, but they’ll be right back at it quicker than you’d expect.”

After a moment, he turned to Luna and asked, “You came here with a crew, right?”

”Yeah, why?”

Josiah sighed and rose to his feet. “If he hasn’t, yet, Low’s gonna send some men and golems to your ship, probably to kill everyone on board and take whatever’s not nailed down.”

He grabbed a few more jars from a nearby crate and slipped them into his pack before he turned to Luna, only to see that she had already started toward the exit. She looked over her shoulder at him and shot at him, ”The hell’re you waiting for, let’s go! I’m not gonna let some lumps of mud hurt my crew!”

---

Twelve pirates, Sol thought to himself, quickly taking a mental headcount as the pirates began to rush toward him. Time seemed to slow for him as he prepared to “dance.” The first to reach him raised his club and brought it down, but Sol had no intention of staying still. With blinding speed, he cut through the pirate’s club as easily as if it wasn’t even there, then began his dance.

His first target was the one closest, the one with the club. Sol dashed past him and brought the edge of his blade across his side. From there, he wove between the pirates, moving as easily as water through the cracks and crevices of the side of a cliff. His movements could be described as graceful, even almost gentle, if he hadn’t been moving too fast for the pirates to keep track of him. Each time his sword met flesh, however, it was never to kill, only to incapacitate, to make sure they couldn’t fight back.

By the time the end of the first pirate’s club clattered to the ground, it was over. One by one, the pirates fell to the ground, the ones who were still conscious groaning as they clutched their injuries. ”I’ll make sure you all get medical attention as soon as possible,” he quietly told them before he made his way to the stairs nearby.

He steadily climbed his way up the tower, easily fending off the pirates that challenged him. As he walked and climbed, he kept seeing the same symbol over and over again, whether it be on a banner or tattoo: a set of scales in front of a ship’s wheel. As he was musing over the symbol as he approached the floor just below the roof, a large pirate, nearly twice Sol’s size, suddenly rounded the corner as he swung a hammer with both hands.

The pirate didn’t see Sol swing his sword, only that the head of his hammer had disappeared. While the pirate was confused, Sol kicked his opponent’s legs out from under him and pressed the tip of his sword against the pirate’s throat. ”Why this island?” he asked. ”You had your pick of easier targets. Why this one?”

“Screw you, Navy dog,” the pirate growled. “I don’t owe you nothing”

Sol shrugged. ”Fair enough,” he replied as he moved his sword away from the pirate’s throat. Before the pirate could get up, Sol swung his sword again, slamming the butt of the hilt against the pirate’s forehead, knocking him out.

Turning his attention to the last set of stairs, Sol added, ”I suppose I’ll have to ask your captain, then.”

Passing out of the hills that Tune Town occupied, a long road streaking into the island stretched out under a sky of rolling clouds in shades of white and gray. Shadows came and went as the sun slipped from cloud cover. Leading the way in between the golden fields of wheat, Coriander’s eyes were on that horizon, a treeline visible out in the distance.

“Sorry, when I was with everyone else I was full of things I wanted to talk about, but once I got outside, my head went blank,” Coriander explained with a weak giggle.

"It's alright." Haku waved it away as he looked towards the surroundings.

The calm, serene weather, idyllic scenery and fields of golden wheat, combined with the salty air from the ocean.

To top it off, Coriander stood out among such a thing. Complemented it even.

It was a blessing, truly a blessing to see such a thing.

"“Beautiful.” He murmured out loud before realizing his mistake and cleared his throat.

"“I meant the scenery, tis beautiful.” He said as Haku slipped in a Wano accent unintentionally.

"“Are there any other towns or villages? Or is it only one located here?” Switching topics for Coriander, he moved to mapping the actual place.

“Nowhere that anyone else lives,” Coriander mused. Looking down the path, she turned to Haku, her arms clasped behind her back. “But there is another city: it’s really old!” Rocker her head back and forth, she muttered, “I’m not sure if we’re really allowed to be there but…it’s cool! You should see it! While you’re here! Feet tramping against the ground, she ran in place before darting at a pace Haku easily matched. “Let’s hurry, so we can get back before lunch!”

Haku and Coriander went from fields of wheat, sturdy enough to resist the storm, to deep green forests, the path narrowing and widening again. As they moved, Haku easily kept up with Coriander, doing his best to ensure that she got enough rest in between. Even offering a break and to carry her if needed. Coriander’s pace became a bit sluggish about halfway through, but eventually they reached a large gate. Or rather, what remained: the 50 foot tall portal fallen inward between two sides of the stone walls. Doubled over, Coriander heaved as she caught her breath. “We…made it!”

Haku stared in awe as he looked at the architecture. Never in his mind would he expect such a thing to be here in such a remote island.

It must’ve been imposing once, and it very much still was despite its dilapidated state.

“...What’s the story behind this place?” Haku said as he studied the place with huge interest, though another scary realization came when he touched a part of the stone with his hand

This place was a perfect place for hiding things.

He committed his mind to fully memorize this place, and maybe come back later. “I never expected something like this here.”

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” Coriander said as she moved into the city, years of weather having worn it down. Stepping over cobblestone roads with grass poking out of the cracks, she admitted, “We don’t really know much about it. Sorrel’s dad…er, Mr. Chervil, is an archeologist. I think they dated the city to around a millenia ago, but its destruction was a century or two closer. We call it ‘Tacet City’, but it’s not like that was its actual name.” Glancing at her own reflection, severed in half on a broken window, she added, “It’s here, but it’s like it came from a void. A city without an identity. It’s so strange, isn’t it? But I like it here.”

“A missing history huh?” Haku muttered, looking at the city's sad state.

“But it’s…sad.” Haku sighed, this kind of scenery struck a chord. “Such a prosperous place, falling into such a state and without history left. Hopefully its people survived.”

“Otherwise, they’ll really be all gone.” He concluded with a sigh and staring off at the distance.

After all, it took barely a generation for his own clan to fall from its glory. He doesn’t even know if his other cousins are alive.

”Hmm, I wonder about that.” The pair wandered into a courtyard, faced by windows from a number of abodes. ”One day Tune Town is going to be gone too. Old man Burnet is always worrying about pirates and all. We’ve never really had to deal with them though, but we hear about it in the news all the time. Just a bit of bad luck and we might not be here tomorrow. It is sad, but I try not to let that get to me too much. I want to be happy that I’m still here. That’s why I want to enjoy every day.” Leaning to Haku, Coriander offered, ”We have the Marines to thank for that, don’t we? I can’t imagine what it must be like, having to be on the frontlines, facing down the threat of death.” Suddenly growing self conscious, she threw up her hands, ”Er, sorry if bringing it up is…inappropriate.” Her cheeks turned slightly pink.

“Dying isn’t scary.” Haku gazed upwards to the skies briefly. “Failing is far scarier.”

After all, if the marines don’t arrive to deal with the pirates, who will?

“But thank you for your compliments. We’re just doing our jobs.” He replied. “While risking our lives, I’ll admit, I love traveling the seas. Now where else would’ve I thought an Island that exists on clouds, where lightning falls like its rain, and sea kings that’s wide as the horizon.”

“I never realized just how small Wano was until then.” Haku said with a childish smile, letting slip his original island from his lips.

Coriander’s eyes went wide, the young girl bounding up to Haku, eyes sparkling, “Wano? Is that where you’re from? What’s it like!?”

“Oh, yes. Land of the Samurai and once called the land of gold!” Haku waved his hand much more theatrically at that, able to tell tales of his homeland much freely. “Due to that, Wano was forced to fend off many invaders, until one day, we were strong enough to stand on our own.”

“That is due to the Samurai, warriors without peers. Why, our greatest swordsman, Shimotsuki Ryuma, is a legend, called the Sword God for his skills and feat of slaying a dragon!” Haku excitedly regale Coriander on Ryuma story, and his many, many feats.

After all, there wasn’t a samurai family alive that hadn’t aspired to be like Ryuma.

Eyes full of sparkle, Coriander smiled, but it faded to a more somber look. “Defending their home from invaders…it must have been hard. Is that why you left?”

“Partially.” That question had Haku answered slightly slower but continued on to another topic. “Admittedly, I always wanted to tour Wano. One day perhaps, but seeing the wide world is also great.”

“From where I was, my province, Hakumai.” Haku leaned against the rubbles. “Was a land filled with swamps and rivers. Travelers from other provinces were frequent, fish abound, and famous inns popped around large lakes for its beautiful scenery.”

The Daimyo of Ringo is the one in charge of it now, aren’t they? Haku pondered, recalling that his family territory was now being under their administration.

“My ances-I mean, Kurozumi Yamata, is said to have cleaved the numerous swamps of Hakumai into eight separate rivers.” He waved his hands and mimed a slashing action once. “With one swing as well!”

“Oh! Wow!”

“The Shogun promoted him to be the Daimyo of Hakumai for allowing more ease of travel for its people.” Haku explained more about his own family, feeling quite…liberated.

That story was never told ever again in Wano, nor would anyone even take it seriously without heavy embellishment. Things like it was simply eight tiny rivers, that it wasn’t even Yamata that did it but the people and other samurais.

Had any of those people even seen those rivers? Would a river be so neatly cleaved and carved?

“...But getting back to the original topic, my homeland itself was already strong long before I left.” He looked back towards the direction of the village. “Something that could be replicated, if the villagers are trained.”

Haku purposefully left out whether it be by their kingdom or marines hand. Then again, that person Cadog was talking to seemed like he fought before.

Coriander had been watching him speak, a light smile on her face, likely taking in all of Haku’s words. Raising her arms, she stretched into the sky, eyes looking to the sun. “Training, huh? I guess that’s what it means to be ready for a fight.” With a giggle, she admitted, “Maybe more people could handle Peppermint that way?” Raising her fists, she added, “You guys should see Peppermint at it before you go, she’s really strong!” Pausing for a moment, she looked back up to the sky, before realizing, “Ack! We should probably get back soon, before it gets too late. I’m, uh, actually not allowed to be here, so if we’re gone too long, you know…”

“Peppermint? Very well, though I’m not sure if Cado-Captain Cadog would agree to it.” Haku said, recalling the girl. She didn’t look that extraordinary from his view. Granted, she was the only one that seemed interested in joining the Marines.

Then it’ll be up to the captain to decide but she’ll likely be recommended or transferred to Central for training similar to what he went through.

Not unless she has some massive talent or potential, or did something so reckless it becomes bravery. Haku giggled inwardly at that, looking back at what he did then, it was absolutely foolish.

Well, that’s up to Peppermint's performance. Haku ended his train of thoughts as Coriander quickly pointed out that they should go back.

“Understood, lead the way.” Haku nodded, following Coriander as he surveyed the area one last time and compiled the information later for Cadog. Entering a light jog, Coriander started the long road back to Tune Town, as gray clouds droned on the horizon.

---

Clouds rolling overhead, Coriander and Haku returned to Tune Town, their lengthy walk concluding with the wind returning in full force. Shivering, Coriander said, “Th-thanks for joining me! I’ll make sure you guys see Peppermint before we go, bye!” Waving her hand, she ran off, returning home, the warmth in her face staving off the chill.

Busting in through her front door, she called, “I’m home!” No response. Poking around, there was neither hide nor hair of her parents or the kids. With a casual shrug, she whipped up some lunch, pan frying a leftover fish fillet alongside some greens, enjoying both with a nice amount of butter. Once the dishes were clean, she ended up nodding off on the living room sofa for...she wasn’t sure how long. It was darker when she awoke, the wind rattling the windows. Sucking her lips in, she was starting to understand something was not right. The storm had blown back in, or another one to take its place. Throwing on a heavy coat, she went outside, the gusts immediately chilling her. Starting for the town hall, she didn’t make it far before she heard a voice coming from the other direction

_{I can’t get out, I can’t call for help, the storm’s getting worse, I’m doomed I’m doomed I’m doomed...}

There was only a moment of time Coriander spent processing, before she sprinted off in the direction of the voice, heading into the slightly denser spot of trees closer to the edge of town. The wind roaring through the branches made it seem like the whole forest was writhing in anticipation, but that didn’t keep Coriander back for a second. Someone needed help. It didn’t even cross her mind that she’d gone across such a distance that she shouldn’t have been able to hear anything, much less a voice.

She found a fallen tree, the trunk having crushed a man’s legs to the ground. They met eyes, Coriander panting heavily. It was only now that she started to doubt herself, for the man, visibly covered in a grime that rain or seawater couldn’t wash away, his clothing that of a seafarer, his jaw covered in unshaven facial hair, his face unrecognizable to Coriander, who’d know the people of this town for her whole life. And he was certainly no sailor, not of Captain Cadog’s ship, that was for sure.

“Is your leg broken?” Coriander called.

“H-how did you find me?”

“I heard you!” The man seemed visibly confused, but dropped it.

“I can’t get out.” He readjusted his posture. Something seemed to be underneath him. Coriander moved closer, the man shirking away. She tried to push the log, but to no avail. Collapsing back, she looked back to the man, seeing a collapsed bag of food: fruit, vegetables, bread… The man continued trying to hide it.

“Are you...stealing?” No response. “Where are you from?” Still nothing. “I can’t move this. I’m going to get help.” The man shuddered, grimacing, but he had no cards to play. There was a clicking sound, like a branch being snapped, but to Coriander it didn’t register. Turning about the head back to town, she saw another man standing about 3 meters away. He was taller, but no less unkempt and filthy. And while she hadn’t recognized the sound, she did recognized the flintlock pistol aimed her way, a chill running through her far deeper than the cold of the wind could ever cut.

Sounds of hammering came as the mast of Kirin was finally repaired and made sail-worthy. They’ll have to request for a proper change during their maintenance in East Blue HQ but for now, the patch job their carpenters did will have to do.

Idly, Cadog left eye twitched before quickly heading back inside the captains quarter, where charts and tools laid in the centre.

“Report.” He said, seemingly to no one as he kept his gaze on the map, making and plotting a course mentally.

Then without warning, a shadow landed next to his sides. One knee against the floor as the latter face was covered in a mask.

“Multiple locations have been spotted for an infiltration, so far, none of them have traces of being used.” Haku, cadet Marine and also Cadog’s scout, returned as he briefed the latter on the geography. “One noteworthy place is the ruined city, located deep in Melody island.”

“A ruined city you say?” Cadog looked at the map and adjusted one of the pieces, a block of wood representing the area.

“Indeed. I, however, didn’t manage to fully scout the place but if there’s one sure place to hide, it’ll be there.”

“Hmm.” Cadog shook his head as he opened a flask for a quick sip. “You need to be faster, there are times where you need to read and learn the lay of the land in an instant.”

“Understood.”

“We’re not wasting time, you’ll be tasked to defend this place should any of them come as planned. Work with former commodore Ryu Burnet- He’s the bodyguard of the mayor.” Cadog quickly had Haku catch up to speed, smacked his lips at the canteen.

“He’s a marine?”

“Former, and probably the only person worth his salt on this island.”

“The rest of us are to sail to their base of operation. Blasted storm couldn’t picked a better time, I swear-” Cadog rapped the table with the flask, signalling the start and offered Haku before withdrawing it when the latter shook his head.

“Very well, also, Captain, if I may?”

Cadog stopped to listen, inches away from the door.

“There’s a child here looking interested in joining the marine. Peppermint, I believe, Coriander says she has potential and I’ll evaluate her worth.”

“Hmph,” Cadog only grunted in agreement, giving Haku full authority and trusting his judgement on it.

“Thank you, captain.” Haku replied as Cadog left the room and he in turn, disappeared in a flash as he snuck through the small open window port.

From afar, the marines begun their preparation to leave as the ropes were untied, anchors lifted and the sails being unfurled.

Cadog look at the wind before taking a long inhalation of the salted air and bellowed loudly to his crew. “Cast off you mangy dog!”

“You heard the cap, cast off!”

While everyone was focused on the marines departure, one figure moved away and headed deeper into the island. Managing to blend themselves by looking as one of the villagers with none the wiser.

Hmm, former commodore, I wonder why he left the marines? Haku thought as he made his way closer to the mayor’s place.

---

The rain had picked up with the wind, water hailing against the side of the Crumble Pirates vessel, the ship falling apart much like the fractured skull symbol they represented themselves with. Tensions were high as the crew spent their time eating plain, hastily cooked rice, making shoddy repairs, or arguing about their course of action. They had tucked away in a small harbor, just out of sight from much of the sea, but a cursory patrol would no doubt unveil them. Fear and anxiety were turning to anger, leading to a storm both inside and out.

Coriander had gathered at least some of that before she was shoved into a corner of the storage, hemp rope roughly tied around her, pinning her arms to her sides. Turning about, she kept a hard eye on the men, one of whom kept his gun trained on her, the other of which went away on his still damaged leg to find the captain. The tall one remained asked, “You’ve got a tough look on your face for a kid in over her head.”

Coriander huffed. “You’re the one who’s so afraid of a kid you need to keep a gun on her at all times.” The pirate bared his teeth, finger flexing towards the trigger. Coriander flinched, but he only lowered it, changing his grip so as to not risk firing it.

Some minutes later of complete silence, the captain arrive, his face gashed and covered in old scars, like small crevasses running across his face. Despite herself, Coriander felt her front fade away, fear coming to her eyes. Captain “Rustler” Lordian [7 million beri] opened his mouth. “Whos diss?” His lips made it a bit more difficult to talk, which diffused some of Coriander’s fear as he struggled through his own speech.

“Local. Bendy was scouting and she found him before I did. We know where the town is but it’s a walk away.”

“Shtroms comin’, we can take whhat we need while it’s goin’, then eshcape when it’s done.”

“What do we do with her then?”

Lordian looked into Coriander’s eyes, the girl tensing up. He shook his head, “Rathher not hurtt a woman of God, but she makes fer good a barganin’ schip.”

Coriander felt her brow furrow and unfurrowed. Her voice was soft. “What does God mean to you? Isn’t this storm a sign that things aren’t going your way?”

Eyes staring into Coriander’s, Lordian took a long, hard look. Turning away, he muttered, “Thas between me an Him.” The pirates moving a bit away from her, there was only one sentry posted. Otherwise, Coriander was left alone with only the sound of wind and rain beating down the hull of the ship.

The dark clouds rolled in, and throughout the town, Haku kept to the quiet areas as he looked through the place.

Once he spotted his quarry, he quickly approached the man quietly before flinging his arms once from out of sight.

—

Ryu Burnet, wherever he was, would soon receive a letter. One that flew towards him and stuck into a table, attached to an iron needle that would’ve easily be used for knitting rather than sewing.

Reading it, a simple message stated its intention and location.

Will be helping for the night but stay alert sir.

-H. Marine of the Kirin

—

In the dark depths of the forest, a blurred figure flitted past the trees almost like a wight as they blurred from one tree to another.

Haku eyes looked around as the storm was now beginning to pick up and winds interfered with his ears, barely able to pick up finer details as the entire forest shuddered.

Patrolling around the area outside of the village and expected zones, Haku landed in one of the shorter trees. Stout but wide enough for him to hide amongst it, and in this dark, he might as well be invisible.

Studying the path, it felt odd, they’ve should’ve been traces of something if the pirates planned to do something.

Then he noticed something, a fruit, alone a fallen tree log. It wouldn’t have barred a second look but Haku mind wondered idly as he looked around the forest.

Why is there a fruit out of nowhere, one that was far away from its trees?

Suspicion came and he moved closer with a leap, observing the area from above before his keen eyes noticed something.

There were a lot of tracks, and odder, it was the imprint of a person's lower body.

Someone was trapped here.

Using the branch as a foothold, he wrapped his legs and hung upside down like a bat sleeping as he took a closer gander.

He looked at the fallen log and to a set of lighter tracks, which came from the direction of the village.

Another one came.

This was where a third set of footprints came, with none of them going back to the village direction and instead headed in the opposite direction.

That struck his suspicion immensely as he trailed the tracks quickly. The rain would’ve erased everything so forgoing perfect stealth, he opted for speed instead.

Minutes passed as his surroundings blurred, his immense focus tunnel vision on the tracks as it felt like hours before he reached what looked to be a small harbor, an area that he had missed due to time constraint.

In the ever-darkening skies and light, it took a moment to recognized the tracks leads further and it didn’t take him long to realize what was going.

Moving to a higher ground, he finally caught sight of a familiar shape against the water. Being hidden almost perfectly in the dark, it would’ve missed his notice if Cadog hadn’t drilled him sufficiently.

Pirates.

His thoughts slowed as he took multiple deep breaths to steady himself for a moment of clarity. Only, then did he made his plan as he looked at the surroundings and back to the suspected area.

If there was a village that was kidnapped, then it’ll be imperative that he rescue them first.

But if he does that, then the pirates will no doubt range forward to the town for easy pickings and there’s a chance others might get hurt.

A choice came, and time was of the essence.

Haku steeled himself as he quickly moved away from the high ground

Using his outdoor skills, he quickly moved around and crafted simple traps. Logs and trees that stood normally but small vines at a level just above the feet, leading to people that simply walked into it having a rude surprise.

Small little holes that are meant more to suck people’s foot in, delaying them. Haku contemplated adding little wooden spikes into for further damage but that wasn’t his intention. It was a delaying action.

Just in time too, as the rain now begun to fell harshly. Now those little traps, hard to be seen on a moon light night was now invisible to all but the most competent ones.

Observing the first few pirates moving away as time crept on, Haku decided to make his move.

Cut off their way of escape, rescue the hostage and engage in a hunt.

---

The last dregs of light fading with dark clouds, elder Cicely struck down the names from his list of civilians as they shuffled into town hall. Inside, under lantern light, everyone shared from their bundles of food ensuring none were left hungry. Ryu Burnet kept watch, eyes and ears out for the more troublesome locals, and any navy men not where they were supposed to be. The first oddity of the night had already come, but Burnet was keeping it to himself. The second came when Hyssop voiced a concern to Cicely, about Coriander’s lack of presence.

“I’ll check it out,” Burnet promised, expecting her to be passed out at their house. Or less expected, and perhaps hoped. She had a penchant for getting into trouble, and the note he received was nudging him to keep on guard.

---

The general rumble on the boat began to quiet down as a dozen of the pirates has been sent off to Tune Town to pilfer. Those that remained struggled their way through the ramshackle repairs. Coriander, face pressed against the wall, meditated on the sounds of wind and rain, otherwise bored out of her mind in the nearly vacant cargo hold. The tall pirate Horace sat and busied himself with his armaments, ensuring each of them were worthy.

“You got a lot of heroes in that little town there?” Horace wondered. Coriander sat up, giving him a hard look, but didn’t answer. “Hey now, spilling blood randomly won’t get anyone anywhere. You’d rather lose a bit of food then a bit of life, no?”

Entertaining the thought, Coriander noted, “I know a 9 year old that could sink this ship with a punch of her little fist-”

Horace bust into a chortle. “You’ve got a cute sense of humor there. Shouldn’t you be more worried that no one’s coming to save you?”

Ignoring the crushing feeling in her chest, Coriander proclaimed, “...Then so be it.”

Horace let a dark grin take his face. “So, you’re fine with everyone here growing old, having kids, dying, without you being there to see any of it? Nah, that’d never happen. If not us then someone else. The East is full of lawless land: some pirate will do the job eventually. I guess what matters the most to you is if you get to see it or not.”

“It won’t happen!” Coriander said indignantly. But even as she argued, she felt a mist of tears edging her eyes.

---

By the time they reached the ship, the fighting had already broken out. Bodies of enemy pirates lay scattered along the harbor on the way to the ship and large, clay footprints dotted the ground here and there. Luna rounded the last corner and saw that Aquila stood at the stern of the ship, rifle against her shoulder as she fired shot after shot at the encroaching pirates and golems, putting each one of the former down with a well-placed shot, though her attempts were fruitless against the latter. Rufus ran up and down the line of fighters, restocking their ammunition while he gave orders, and though she couldn’t see him, Luna knew Galen was below deck, tending to the wounded. Meanwhile, as the rest of the crew fired into the approaching enemies, the ship had drifted away from where it had been docked, making it more difficult to be boarded. However, Luna could see that the golems had begun merging at the edge of the dock, their bodies combining to create a bridge reaching out toward the ship.

Luna moved to rush in, but stopped when she felt Josiah’s hand on her shoulder. She looked back and saw that not only did Josiah follow her, but at least six other rebels had joined her. “We’ve got enough gypsum between us to keep a handle on most of those golems. We’ll distract them while you get to your ship and get out of here. Don’t worry about us, don’t worry about the island, we’ll–”

“Oh, come on,” Luna grumbled. ”You guys aren’t gonna throw your lives away so I can run off. I’m done hiding and since they’ve already got wanted posters of me out there, there’s no point in it, anyway.” She took the jar Josiah had in his hand and crushed it between her hands, soaking them in the mixture. Her nose wrinkled at the scent, but she ignored it as she added, ”Besides, there’s no way in hell I’ll let someone like this Sam Clay guy keep ruining this place. I can tell this used to be a beautiful island and I want it to be one, again.”

Josiah looked at Luna for a long few moments, then let out a sigh. “By the look in your eyes, I guess there’s no talking you out of it, huh?” He then gave her a smile and added, “Alright, then. I’ll be honored to fight by your side, my Princess.”

With that, the small band charged at the pirates and golems. Caught between the gunfire from the ship on one side and the approaching enemies from the other, the Clayfist pirates were slow to react, but the golems didn’t have that problem. One swung its arm at Luna, who ducked out of the way and countered with a straight punch to the golem’s knee. The gypsum-covered fist sank into the golem, causing it to fall over as its leg crumbled, but Luna didn’t stick around to make sure it stayed down, knowing she would only be wasting time.

A few of Clay’s pirates turned to face her, a pair of rifles leveled at her. The guns went off with a roar and Luna, letting instinct and reflex take over, sidestepped the shots at the last moment. Before they could get another shot off, Luna’s hands closed over their faces as she leapt at them. Using her momentum and body weight, she drove the pair to the ground, the back of their heads cracking against the hard ground. Continuing to use her momentum to her advantage, she brought her legs over her head, using the pirates’ faces as a foundation, and launched into a dive kick. The man felt something in his chest crack as Luna’s feet crashed into him before he was sent flying into the railing that ran along the port.

The princess took a moment to breathe and glanced around. Josiah and his men were holding their own, but the golems were gradually advancing toward them as their stock of gypsum started to run low. She turned her attention back toward her crew and felt her eyes widen as a golem trudged along the bridge, now within arm’s reach, its soft body effortlessly eating the rounds shot at it. She was moving before she knew it, the familiar tingling sensation of her electro springing to life, almost unbidden.

Luna closed the distance quickly, weaving between enemies as she pushed herself to move faster, her desperation to get to her crew urging her to ignore the pirates and golems she ran past. She felt a splash of pain every time a sword or bullet grazed past her, but all that mattered to her was to make sure no one else died because of her.

The golem had just stepped onto the deck of her ship by the time she reached the bridge. She watched as it raised a misshapen fist, but not at any of her friends. Instead, it was aiming straight down, as if it intended to punch straight through the deck. ”Oh, no you don’t, you lumpy bastard!” she yelled as she sprinted, then leapt, at the golem.

She lashed out with a devastating right cross, but to no effect. Her fist, the gypsum mixture having dried, sank harmlessly into the golem, nearly up to her elbow. She grabbed her forearm and tried to pull herself free, but she was stuck fast, her feet sinking into the golem’s back as she tried to leverage herself out. Luna watched as the golem’s fist swelled and tried again, then again to get free. Are you kidding me? she thought as time seemed to slow. This is how it ends? Everything I’ve been through, everything I’ve lost, everyone I’ve lost, and I’m about to drown, stuck to a gods damned mudclod?!

Sol’s face as she remembered him flashed through her mind and she felt her fuse reignite as the golem’s fist came down.

She grit her teeth as a spark of electricity jumped from her shoulder. She felt her desperation, her irritation, her rage build. ”Fuck that!” she roared. Her electro roared to life with her defiance, her body sparking like an active thunderhead. She let go of her forearm and slammed her left fist into the golem’s body. ”Marcus didn’t sacrifice himself so I could die here and I sure as hell couldn’t look my parents in the eye if I went out like this! Not before I’ve found Sol! Not before I could stop him from marching to his death!!”

The golem’s fist suddenly slowed, then stopped altogether, inches shy from the deck of the ship. Its mushy body began to harden and crack as its color dulled. With another defiant roar, Luna spread her arms and legs, blasting the golem apart from the inside, rendering it to little more than dust and clay rubble. She stood in place, catching her breath as her electro calmed down, though it continued to spark around her arms and shoulders. She then turned, facing the battle which had stopped when they noticed Luna’s lightshow. She cracked her knuckles and growled, ”Who’s next?”

---

Meanwhile, in the previous governor’s mansion, Sam Clay stood in the study, peering at the sea from one of the floor-to-ceiling windows that adorned the wall. He was a man of average height, with shoulder-length, dull red hair, similar in color to the clay he controls, small, dark brown eyes and a rather thin build. A red cloak with gold trim, taken from the old governor’s closet, rested on his shoulders, covering his otherwise bare torso. Though he couldn’t physically see what was going on at the dock, he chuckled and crossed his arms. “Well, well,” he mused in his raspy voice. “How interesting. I guess it really is that half-Mink on those wanted posters, huh?”

He placed his hand against the window, steadying himself as a wave of weariness washed over him, accompanied by a dull headache. He thought for a few moments, then smirked. “Alright,” he muttered. “Let’s make things a bit easier on myself, then…”

---

The remaining golems turned around and began to trudge away from the docks. The Clay pirates watched them, shocked and confused, then glanced back at Luna, still wreathed in electricity, before following suit, most of them grateful for the excuse to run away. It was only when the last pirate was out of sight did Luna relax. No longer fueled by her anger and adrenaline, Luna swayed on her feet, only to be caught by Rufus. “Easy there, Captain,” he muttered as he helped her sit down.

”Thanks,” she muttered. With a chuckle, she added, ”I haven’t had to use Electro like that in a long time. Wore me out more than I expected.”

Rufus chuckled, then regarded Josiah and his men as they picked themselves back up. “We’ll let your new friends on board, then we’ll talk about what to do next after you’ve rested up and had your wounds looked after.” He waited for Luna’s reply, but when none was forthcoming, he looked down to find her fast asleep. With a chuckle, he walked down the clay bridge to greet their new allies.

---

Sol climbed the last of the steps and found himself on the top floor of the lighthouse, just beneath the beacon. The floor lacked walls, affording whoever was stationed at the top an unobstructed, 360-degree view. The beacon above was supported by four legs attached to the outer wall of the lighthouse, accessible by a single ladder. There was a smattering of pirates on the top floor, all of whom had turned to look at Sol, whose gaze was locked on a single man, in particular.

He was shorter than Sol, quite a bit older, and thin, as if he hadn’t had regular meals in ages. A white beard, thick and unkempt, reached down his torso, stopping just short of his stomach. Other than his beard, the only hair he had was around the sides of his balding head, equally disheveled. As he turned, Sol saw that the old man’s eyes were gray and, while they looked tired, Sol could see that a defiant fire still burned in them. What truly drew his gaze, however, was the armor the old man wore. It was worn, rusted and had its fair share of dents and cracks, but despite that and the crudely-drawn scales drawn on the breastplate, Sol recognized not only the armor, but the tarnished medal pinned to the tattered crimson cloak around the old man’s shoulders: a bronze sun pinned to the cloak by a purple ribbon. That explains the scales I keep seeing everywhere, he thought.

The man squinted his eyes, which then widened in shock. “I don’t believe it…” he muttered in disbelief. He looked around as his men readied their weapons and quickly said, “Stand down, men! And leave us. You know not who this man is.”

“Oh, we know very well, captain,” one of the pirates growled. “He’s a Navy bastard who’s here to bring us all in! Sorry, cap, but there’s no way we’re gonna just roll over and let him bring us in!”

Before the old man could stop them, his men charged at a suspiciously relaxed Sol, who slowly walked toward them. With flashing steel, the battle was over faster than it began. To his assailants, it hardly looked like Sol moved, yet in a blink, they were on the ground, wounded and unconscious, but alive. Unbothered, Sol continued walking until he and the old man were standing within ten feet of each other. The Navy captain looked down at the old man and said, ”I never would have imagined I would find a Praetor of all people throwing in with pirates.”

Narrowing his eyes, he added, ”Especially one with your straight-as-an-arrow reputation, Praetor Servius.”

During the height of Nychthemeron rule, praetors would sometimes oversee cohorts of Legion soldiers, acting as interim prefects in times when said prefect was otherwise unable to perform their duties. Most of the time, however, prefects were civil servants, usually presiding over courtroom proceedings as a judge. It was a rank given to older Legion officers who still wished to serve the Empire rather than retire.

“I’m honored that you remember me, after so much time has passed. To explain, desperate circumstances make for strange bedfellows…Your Highness,” Servius replied, meeting Sol’s inscrutable gaze, despite breaking out in a cold sweat. “For instance, while I am overjoyed that our prince still lives, I never would have thought you’d join the very people that brought our Empire to ruin. I had thought Astrum’s son would have more pride than–”

Sol’s eyes briefly flashed orange, but it was enough for Servius to bite his tongue. ”Desperate circumstances,” Sol echoed.

The praetor cleared his throat and said, “A-anyway, Your Highness…Truly, I’m beyond relieved you still live and that you still have your health. In fact, you’ve come at a perfect time!” Servius grinned and stepped toward Sol as he continued, “We could use your help, Your Excellence. You see, everyone here has been wronged by the World Government in some way, shape, or form. We’ve gathered together to exact revenge and Green Isle is just the start! We won’t let anyone stop us until we’ve received justice! And if you joined us, the Empire could even be reborn! We’ve even joined forces with someone who would lend us his forces for when we finally march on Marie Geoise! I have to pay him monthly to retain his crew, but with his power, a new Nychthemeron is just on the horizon!”

Sol was quiet for a moment. In theory, Sol should be overjoyed that he had found someone else that had survived that night, that he should be eager to help rebuild his old home. He took a deep breath…then replied, ”No.”

“Y-Your Highness…?”

”I’ve never had any intention of rebuilding the Empire,” he quietly said, steadily meeting Servius’ shocked gaze. ”The Government targeted us because we had grown too powerful and we weren’t under their control. If the Empire should be rebuilt, we would be crushed before we could even get the palace restored. Thoroughly. A newborn Empire would never be safe until the Government is gone.”

He walked past the shocked praetor and looked out to the sea. ”The only thing I desire is revenge, so your offer is admittedly appealing. But not against the Marines or even the World Government as a whole. Even I, one who has just as much, if not more, reason to hate them as you, understand that there are good people in both groups, people I would rather not have to fight and kill if I can help it.”

His lieutenant’s face flashed in his mind before he continued, ”Instead, I have eyes only for the heads of this hydra: the Five Elder Stars, themselves. And I have no intention of involving anyone else. Unlike you.” He turned to face Servius and asked, ”From the sound of it, you intend on killing all who stand in your way. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that would include those who would undoubtedly rise against you in defense of their homes.”

Servius was silent for a long time. Long enough for Sol to know he had hit the nail on the head. He sighed and turned to face his former countryman. ”Surrender quietly, Praetor Servius,” he quietly suggested. ”It pains me to have to do this, especially since my father would often tell me about how well you served the Empire, but I can’t afford to risk anyone asking questions. If you come quietly, and with the dignity of a Legion officer, I can promise you lenient treatment.”

Servius looked to the ceiling and sighed, long and deep. ”I appreciate this kindness, Your Highness,” he quietly said, his voice tight with emotion. He then met Sol’s eyes once more and continued, ”But I can’t do that. I was once a high-ranking government official of a dead empire, one who would love nothing more than to see Marie Geoise burn. Should they find that out, your commanders would never risk the chance of me building a resistance from behind bars.” He gestured to his unconscious men and added, ”I was able to gather these men just by sailing from island to island. Could you imagine what I could do with an entire prison, full of people just like these?”

With a chuckle, he added, “Besides. I am an old man. I have no intention of spending my last, precious few years in a prison.” He slowly drew his sword and held it at the ready, facing Sol. “I spent my youth on the battlefield. Despite how I look now, I was once a proud legionnaire. ‘Come quietly’ and ‘surrender’ are not in my vocabulary.” He slowly exhaled and steadied his shaking grip. “I admit…In my desire for vengeance, I had lost sight of myself. I was willing to sacrifice innocent lives, so long as I could achieve my goals…Not only that, but I joined forces with a pirate far more ruthless than I, one that would not let me simply run away while I owed him money.”

He met Sol’s gaze, his own unwavering. “I have faith in your plan. If anyone can bring our home justice, with the least amount of bloodshed, it is you. So, please…do me this kindness, Sol Luminos, Crown Prince of the Nychthemeron Empire, last of his line…and let this old soldier end his story in service of the empire he loves from the bottom of his heart, just as his father and grandfather did before him.”

Sol felt a lump form in his throat. He was more than willing to let the old man escape, but he could tell from the look in the praetor’s eyes that he would truly rather die than spend the last of his days in hiding, that there was no way Sol could convince him otherwise. ”Very well,” Sol said after clearing his throat. He lowered his stance, the tip of his sword aimed at the old man’s chest. ”In honor of your loyal service to the Nychthemeron Empire, Praetor Servius, I will grant your wish with the power of our homeland.”

Servius smiled, tears brimming in his eyes. “Thank you, my prince,” he quietly replied. He breathed deeply to center himself, then charged.

The old praetor moved with speed uncommon for a man his age. His form was perfect, his eyes clear and focused, just like the soldier he claimed to be. However, while he may have been a force to be reckoned with back in his prime, he could not fight the ravages of age. He watched as Sol moved, so much faster than Servius could even when he was young. The young prince sidestepped the old soldier’s vertical strike and drove his sword through the praetor’s chest, the old armor doing nothing to protect him. ”Way of Lumen: Somber Twilight.”

Servius let out a quiet sigh. Even throughout his long years, he had rarely ever seen this technique employed and never thought he would be on the receiving end. Just as the rumors he remembered had said, he felt no pain, just an encroaching sense of tiredness. Servius dropped his sword and pulled Sol close, embracing him. “Thank you…Your Highness…” he wheezed as Sol returned the embrace with his free arm. Several moments passed before he said, “B…B-Bacchus…Island…”

The prince’s brow furrowed. He remembered how much his father loved the wine from there, but that was all he could recall about the island. ”What about it?” he asked.

It took Servius several moments to reply as his breathing slowed and it became harder to speak. “That…pirate I mentioned…He’s there…You…h-have to…stop…him…Help those…peo…ple…” As his vision faded, he couldn’t help but smile. Standing before him were not only the family he had lost to time and the Navy’s invasion, but two others stood amongst them: A tall man with short, blonde hair, amber-colored eyes, and an easy smile stood next to a shorter woman, her black hair cascading down her back and over her shoulders, her deep blue eyes glittering as she smiled welcomingly at Servius. “E…Emperor…Aurum…Lady Dawn…Your son…grew up…well…..”

---

Twenty minutes later, Lieutenant Nelson rushed to the top floor, breathing heavily. “Of course…You’re up here…Couldn’t have been…the ground floor…Oh, nooo…” she panted, doubled over as Marines began to rush onto the floor. She looked up at Sol to find him staring out at the sea, missing his officer’s coat. She looked around and found it on the ground, stained in blood and covering someone’s body. “Who’s–”

”Tell the men we’re leaving as soon as reinforcements come,” Sol interrupted. He turned toward his Lieutenant and added, ”Call ahead to the ship and have them make preparations. We’re sailing to Bacchus Island.”