[h2]Goodbye[/h2]	
[i]It was time. [/i]

Evander was propped on a rock as he looked out at the ocean. Listening to the battering of waves against the shore. His heart calm, mind at peace, with a cigar pursed between his lips as embers charred off the tip. Smoke rose along his hardened face and stubble beard. The sun painted gold over the rocky earth, sand, and waves, leading to Evander’s eyes peering out to sea. He didn’t mind this being the last view of the world he helped save, a bittersweet symphony playing in his heart as a sirrahi, of whom he’d grow close to, approached. 

[color=00C5CD]“Are you ready?”[/color] The question hung in the air, laced with hesitation, mirroring the weight of the moment. Evander met the sirrahi’s, one pair glistening with unshed tears, the other steady yet sorrowful. The silence stretched. An unspoken understanding of both their sadness and the quiet acceptance of inevitability.

[color=CC5500]“Yes.”[/color] The words were barely above a whisper, gentle and firm, each letter carrying the burden of their emotions. It wasn’t just an answer; it was a final act of acknowledgment, a gentle nod to the end of chapter, one that would likely never be revisited again. Sadness; a heavy presence they both felt deeply. 

Evander kicked off the rock. Approached the sirrahi and placed his hand on their shoulder, [color=CC5500]“I’ll never forget our friendship and what we did here.”[/color] The sirrahi felt Evander’s sincerity, a notion to the enduring bond that will carry on between them through time. 

[color=00C5CD]“Me neither.”[/color] In that moment, despite their sadness, they embraced their understanding  together, they’d take their next steps apart but not without the other.

[color=CC5500]“Goodbye, Disca.”[/color] Evander walked past her. All that’d remain in that place after the sun went down would be the footprints left in the sand until the waves raised high enough to wash them away. 

[i]Time, it was.[/i]

[h2]Emergence[/h2]
[i]The silence of a river; time, 
Endlessly flowing, 
Bubbling up the truth between 
What is fleeting,
And eternal.[/i]

[color=808000]“Don’t let go old man!”[/color] Benny shouted as he took Evander’s hand. The portal through time opened and the two cut in. The speed at which they traveled was unrecognizable and indescribable. Those who experienced it knew, the rest wouldn’t understand. In a blink, the two arrived at just outside Fuscari Synesti’s estate.

[color=808000]“Here you are, home sweet home,”[/color] Benny smirked, [color=808000]“like you left it, except, they won’t recognize you, you’re old, I’d toss some fresh paint on your face and hide your wrinkled forehead.”[/color] Evander placed his hand on his head after Benny’s remarks, [i]have I aged that much? [/i]

[color=CC5500]“Benny, what year is it here?”[/color] Benny laughed, “the same as when you left but you aren’t.” It dawned on Evander that he aged 10 years while living thousands of years in the past only to come back to the present as a 29 year old who everyone expects him to be 19. Evander felt a spin in his world. A real, what the fuck moment. 

[color=CC5500]“Ok, thank you for your help.”[/color] Benny nodded, [color=808000]“yeah, if I were you go see your father, he’s been quite active in his network trying to find you.”[/color] Benny then turned, opened a portal, and jumped through before Evander could respond. 
Walking up to the gate, Evander waved his hand to release a soft kinetic push to sway the doors open. His stride was one of hesitation, a creeping nervousness clawed away at his gut, how would he explain his absence? As he approached the door, Evander magnetically manipulated the inner locking mechanisms based on the Synesti code, [i]click[/i]. 

The 29 year old Evander nearly stepped in before guising himself younger. He instead used his arcane magic to transform his aged face to that fitting of a 19 year old, almost 20. Stepping through he was met with his father’s presence and roaring voice, [color=FF0000]“Who do you think you are!”[/color]

Evander paused, [color=CC5500]“It’s me, your son.”[/color]
[color=FF0000]“My son?”[/color]
[color=CC5500]“Yes.”[/color]
[color=FF0000]“Where have you been?!”[/color]
[color=CC5500]“It’s a long story.”[/color]
[color=FF0000]“I don’t care how long it is, you disappeared, and I couldn’t find you…”[/color] Evander caught a hint of shame in his father’s tone and gesture before he finished, [color=FF0000]“I always find what I am looking for,” the shame turning into frustration. 
“Now where were you?”[/color] Fuscari repeated.
[color=CC5500]“May I come in to explain?”[/color]
[color=FF0000]“Can I trust you?”[/color]
[color=CC5500]“What!?”[/color]
[color=FF0000]“Do not, you’ve been gone and while you’ve been gone, our enemies grow bolder, stronger, and are looking for more reasons to spark war before we’re ready! You disappear at one of the most important times of our age and just show up at my doorstep expecting me not to question your loyalty!”[/color]
Evander felt his father shift from frustration to anger… no, it wasn’t either. He is scared. 
[color=CC5500]“You’re right, I’ll explain.”[/color]
 	
[h2]Assignment[/h2]
Evander and Fuscari stepped-in-toe, side by side, in the estate’s garden. Fuscari traded current events with Evander’s experience with the sirrahi. An exchange Fuscari had trouble wrapping his head around: time travel, ancient snake-people, and knowers. Short of concluding his son gone mad, Fuscari asked, [color=FF0000]“if you were there for so long, why do you still look your age?”[/color]

Evander stopped, turned, and stated in realization, [color=CC5500]“hmm, it seems my magic has improved since we last met,”[/color] he raised his hands cupping his face to hide it from Fuscari, when Evander dropped them, he appeared his actual age, 29. Fuscari stepped back in shock, “y-you-“ Evander finished his sentenced, [color=CC5500]“I’m 29, 10 years older than you remember.”[/color] 

Fuscari couldn’t believe his eyes, [color=FF0000]“how?”[/color] Evander referenced his story again. Fuscari didn’t know how to see his son, conflicted, he turned away to process.

[color=CC5500]“I know this is a lot, but, it is happening, now what do we need to do to move forward?”[/color] Fuscari was surprised at the level of composure and focus his son presented, he was obviously no longer a kid. 
“Ok, follow me.” Fuscari led the two back into the estate. They walked by walls covered in art, historical portraits of their Synesti legacy, and finally into a room where a large map was rolled out on a large red cherry wood table, “this is Mezegol.” Evander followed to look over the map, [color=CC5500]“And?”]/color]

[color=FF0000]“One of our flagship vessels, Sant'Agata della Compagnia Rossa, was attacked by threshers off the coast of Zengali.”[/color] Fuscari pointed down on the map at where the first attack was and tracing his index finger to where the second was reported, [color=FF0000]“threshers attacks are not unusual in these waters but the consistency and timing of these are.”[/color] Evander’s face scrunched as he focused, [color=CC5500]“are you suggesting foul play?”[/color]

Fuscari nodded, [color=FF0000]“that is what I am asking you to find out.”[/color]
[color=CC5500]“Why me, why not one of your spies?”[/color]
“Because if I were to tell someone who crosses us and it falls into Perrench hands - Revidia is over!” His fist crashed against the table. Evander stepped back, [color=CC5500]“what could be so world altering in the ship?” [/color]
[color=FF0000]“What did I just say? I cannot tell anyone.”[/color]
[color=CC5500]“How do I find something when I don’t know what it is?”[/color]
[color=FF0000]“You will know when you find it, it’s a weapon and a chest, you must find it!”[/color]
Evander stepped back, he eyed his father, taking the reality of what once was and what now is. He couldn’t remember how exactly he viewed his father before his absence but it was of reverence, to be like him one day, to make him proud, to carry on the legacy and dream of the Synesti family. Now, he saw a man who was breaking in front of him because of fear. 

Evander walked over to his father placing his hand on his shoulder, [color=CC5500]“I’ll find it.”[/color] Fuscari looked into Evander’s eyes and began to tear up, “I thought I lost you.” Evander wasn’t sure how to respond, there was a part of him that felt sympathetic and another that was distant to the whole world he was currently inhabiting. He was another piece on the board of a bigger war and yet he was a man who was expressing the pain he endured thinking his only son was dead.

[color=CC5500]“Well, you didn’t, now let’s get me to Zengali,”[/color] Evander said firmly to cut through the air and kill the emotions brewing out of his father’s soul. Fuscari felt the edge of Evander’s cut, [color=FF0000]“Right, there is a contact in Zengali by the name of Alberta, find her, and she’ll fill you in on the rest.”[/color]
[color=CC5500]“Ok, I’ll let you know what I find out.”[/color]
[color=FF0000]“There is a ship wai-“[/color]
[color=CC5500]“No need.”[/color]

Evander turned to exit and used temporal to portal to Zengali.

	
[h2]City of Zengali[/h2]
A temporal portal opened outside the city of Zengali. Evander emerged and, with a wave of his hand, closed the portal. Walking across the city limits and through the streets, his nostrils filled with the scents of fufu, fried dough, corn, and freshly brewed stew with earthy spices, floral notes from blooming jacaranda trees, and the rich aromas of exotic fruits from bustling markets. The chatter of vendors and traditional music filled the air. It was a place celebrating the hunt.

Juxtaposed to these celebrations was the truth these people felt fear about the White Thresher. Evander pulled his hood down as he engaged with a vendor in the market. He appeared 57 with white hair mixed with traces of black. His facial features were soft, his skin tight but appeared as if drying out. Purchasing one of Zengali’s exotic fruits to bite into, he overheard two people sharing their concerns about the city. Evander had a slight understanding of the Zengali tongue due to their importance as a trading hub, but not enough if the conversation became complex.

The two Zengali’s greeted,

[color=BC3823]"Salam, Leilara! How are you today?"[/color]
[color=CC5500]"Salam, Tsara! I’m good, thank you. And you?"[/color]
[color=BC3823]"Not sure, are you keeping track of all the people coming into our city all of the sudden?"[/color]
[color=CC5500]"Yes, I heard they’re here because of the White Thresher."[/color]
[color=BC3823]"That’s what I heard too, but it isn’t time yet for it to be coming around these waters."[/color]
[color=CC5500]"It is odd, but what is predictable about a wild beast that has free reign of the sea?"[/color]
[color=BC3823]"I don’t know, something is just strange, first the Revidians, then the Perrench, now pirates are even at our docks!"[/color]
[color=CC5500]"Shh![/color]" Leilara raised her hand to Tsara’s mouth.
[color=CC5500]"There isn’t changing anything that’s already happened and as far as I see it, let them hunt the beast for us, the creature haunts my dreams. My family and I have all lost friends to it, you too."[/color]
[color=BC3823]"It’s just terrifying, what if we don’t succeed or what if we do and these armies turn on each other in the middle of our city?"[/color]
[color=CC5500]"Then we deal with that then, but for now, we put faith in the Marquis."[/color]
[color=BC3823]"Inshallah, Leilara. For the sake of our families and our city, I hope our faith is right, we need to find peace again."[/color]

The two shared an exchange of goodbyes customary to their culture before parting ways. Evander finished peeling and eating his fruit before peeling off toward the docks as mentioned.

[h2]Zengali Docks[/h2]
Evander Fino Synesti leaned against the sun-warmed stone wall wrapped in jungle vines, his sharp blue eyes observing the bustling activity at the docks. He paid attention to three ships anchored at port presenting a tableau of contrasting worlds, each rendering its own tale of adventure, misfortune, and duty.

Closest to him, the legendary pirate ship, St. Elmo’s Fire, sat quietly. The stern and rear hull were cut deeply by something with claws making a black devil look like a child. The ship’s once vibrant sails now faded and tattered, echoing the tales of its recent defeat as the wind whipped what was left of the sails back and forth. The pirates aboard seemed to be a shadow of their former selves, bored and malnourished. Lounging about on the deck and dock, listlessly staring out as if watching their hopes and dreams sink back into the drink.
Next, the Perrench ship stood in stark contrast to the lethargy of the pirates. 

The Perrench crew moved with an energy not born of motivation but of impatience. Sailors barked orders and hustled across the deck, their movements sharp and curt. They were here on a mission, a different reason than the rest. While on the same dock, the Revidians were gathering their crew to disembark the ship of the recovering crew. It was a proud vessel standing tall with the remnants of ornate sails. The crew were spirited but clumsy, as if recently motivated but still recovering after a harsh daze. They moved with the sort of confidence found after staring death in the face and emerging victorious.

Evander discovered the cause of his people's restored will in the stories of Leon spreading around the city. People were using several names to title and articulate the events around Leon’s playing of the lyre that dispelled the disease of the Revidian crew. These names and titles would become legends and referred to by the people as; the ballads of hope, the miracle of Zengali, and the chords of mercy. Some were even referencing Leon as the Sun Bard of the Golden Strings. Evander noted, Leon, as quite the Revidian celebrity.

Through his time collecting information about the state of Zengali and its guests, Evander discovered Alberta was commanding the Revidians. He would need to connect with her first, figure out what the Revidians' plans are and adjust his own accordingly. Pushing off the wall, Evander made his way down the dock, his appearance masked by that of a 50-year-old man with a hood and cape weaving through the crowds. He approached the Revidian ship, his mind already strategizing ways to harness this opportunity in Zengali to bring together pieces to a larger puzzle.

[h2]Meeting Alberta[/h2]
The moon hung high over the bustling port of Zengali, casting its silver light upon the restless waves. Onboard the Revidian ship, two guards patrolled the deck as the rest of the crew was helping each other off, their eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of trouble.
[color=CC5500]"What are the Perrench doing here?[/color] A young Revidian asked the older.

[color=BC3823]"The same reason we’re here, I’m sure.[/color]

Unbeknownst to them as they chattered, a figure moved with calculated precision in the darkness, cloaked in the subtle weave of temporal magic.

Evander Fino Synesti, his form nearly invisible in the dim light, leaned against the mast, carefully observing the guards’ movements. Inhaling deeply, he activated his temporal cloak, a shimmering aura enveloping him as time itself seemed to ripple around his body. To any observer, he would appear as a faint, ghostly image, lagging just a few seconds behind his actual movements.

The first guard, a burly old man with a thick beard, walked toward the bow, his boots thudding against the wooden planks. The second guard, a wiry youth with sharp eyes, lingered near the ship’s stern, his gaze darting suspiciously at every creak and groan of the vessel.
Evander timed his approach perfectly, moving with the grace of a cat stalking its prey. His silent steps from a soft use of his magnetic magic to keep his feet mere inches off the ground helped his presence go unnoticed. One guard turned as the afterimage of Evander vanished in mid-sequence. A subtle distortion, a trick of the light. The guard paused for a moment, frowning as he sensed something amiss, but he concluded his mind was playing tricks on him, rubbing his eyes and looking again, there was nothing but the empty deck.

Evander moved swiftly, his movements synchronized with the ebb and flow of time. Reaching the midpoint of the ship, he was nearing the captain's quarters. Timing was everything; a single misstep could shatter the illusion and reveal his presence. He pressed himself against the side of the ship, the temporal cloak shimmering like a mirage, blending seamlessly with the shadows as he moved across the deck.
Evander reached the door to the quarters. He could feel the strain of maintaining the temporal cloak, his magic tugging at the edges of his consciousness. With a swift, silent motion, he waved his hand to manipulate the metallic hatch with his magnetic magic to unlock the captain’s door. Using his kinetic ability, the door opened as if blown by the wind. He walked through, spotting Alberta eying the door without identifying Evander had entered.

Alberta rose from her seat, where she may have been planning, maybe waiting for a visit, maybe contemplating the last 24 hours of her life before the hunt. Now, she was peering outside, pressing the door closed, and as she turned, Evander stepped out from the shadowy corner of the room.

She was away from her defensive tools, vulnerable and surprised. Evander quickly noticing her reaction to fight, spoke softly,
[color=CC5500]"Do not be afraid, Alberta."[/color]
Alberta slowly crept back to the door to open and run,
[color=BC3823]"Who are you?"[/color] Her voice slightly pitched as her guttural response to an assassin was warranted.
[color=CC5500]"Evander Fino Synesti, on the order of Duke Foscari, Revidian national business. Do not open that door.[/color]" Evander lifted the hood off his face as it revealed a young 19-year-old Evander."[color=BC3823]"What? What are you doing here and why are you sneaking on a Revidian ship?"[/color]
[color=CC5500]"Fair question. Right now it is best no one knows I’ve arrived, not until we fully understand the situation in Zengali."[/color] Evander had a sincere look on his face, [color=CC5500]"Alberta, my father said you could be trusted, what happened here?"[/color]