Jack rubbed his neck with the one gloved hand and flinched. He had a feeling he pulled something doing those stunts with Runali. Leaning against the wall, he watched another performance take place as Cedric behind him struck up a tune on a violin. Jack hopefully assumed it was borrowed as he relaxed. He found himself smiling as he listened, the song familiar. It was one of Sid's favorites, taken from a play Jack took him to see when they lived in Trovale.
Politely, Jack waited until he was done before saying, "You know, you should play that next. This crowd is due for a performance that strikes at the heart over adrenaline."
"Should I?I need a dancer or two to bring even more joy to the audience? It's a pity you love denying that you're good at dancing. You never failed to mesmerize on the Trovalian dance floor, fére."
Sid pulled the violin away from his chin and sacrificed a light card. As he tucked the instrument back under his chin, an ethereal image of Adelaide appeared. Dressed in a flowing white, bridal gown, she grabbed Jack's hands and pulled him onto the stage. Her locks fanned out behind her as she twirled around her gaping lover. Sid smirked as he started playing opening bars of "l'Mariée Perdue e'Mer" ("The Bride Lost to the Sea"). Jack's clothes morphed into a set of white and gold trimmed tunic and cream harem pants, the traditional groom's outfit in the Gueule region.
Waters swirled gently around Jack's ankles as he was pulled along by his illusory bride. They danced in the shallows with the sun soaked sands sinking beneath their bare feet. Colourful water flowers harvested from the ocean earlier decorated the shore, announcing their happiness to the world. Adelaide whispered teasingly into his ear before stealing his lips for a deep kiss. Given how close Flâner was to Oubila, the two towns were from the same region, illusion and memory became a heady mix.
What...is happening? It was like he entered a trance. He felt himself being onto the stage, once again, before he could stop it. His eyes had zeroed onto Adelaide's face. He knew it wasn't real. Her scars were gone, her skin smoothed of all imperfections. Her eyes were a little too wide and a little too mischievous. Jack frowned at her, then tried to locate his brother, but he couldn't see where the charmer playing his strings in the darkness. Distantly, he was aware of the whoops and soft muttered intrigue from the crowd. This is not what I wanted!
Alas, he did catch sight of Sor. Jack grounded his teeth together. Reluctantly, his hands rested on the illusion and allowed her to whisk them into the spotlight.
The song tickled Jack's memories. It was a melody inspired by a popular Trovalian fable. A talented musician falls in love with a beautiful sailor, who tragically dies at sea. Lost in torment, the musician plays his grief to the gods. So beautiful and so tragic, the gods wept and took pity on him. Pestanuer, the pantheon king, appears before Monet the musician and offers a chance to bring back his lover.
Tides swelled at the dancers' feet. Greedily, they latched onto Adelaide and tried to pull her away. Her face flickered surprise and she grabbed onto Jack with a vice. He gripped her wrists straining. The cool and detached part of his brain noted how he couldn't feel her fingers on his flesh and, if she was real, she wouldn't have gone within 300 feet of open sea unless a ship rested securely between her and its deadly waters.
He fell to his knees, desperately holding on to the image in front of him. It was a losing battle. Riptides wrenched Adelaide away and pulled her into their depths-- just as a faithful wave swallowed Monet's lover whole.
No. Adelaide was pulled beneath the water even though it was only ankle deep. She reached for him as she vanished, her lips frozen in a silent scream. Cedric's music keened mournful notes as Jack bowed in grief. It was as much of a show as swallowing back unpleasant memories. The crowd was completely silent. Whatever they expected, this tragedy wasn't it.
The last eerie note washed away in the nippy breeze. Silence enveloped them as tides of emotion surged to the crowd. Many women dried their eyes with their handkerchiefs before leaning over to whisper to their husbands. Young girls stared admiringly at Jack, imagining themselves consoling him. Tragedy coupled with a handsome face seemed to have heightened his appeal immensely.
Cedric swallowed. He had done this on whim, hoping the shock would pull the mask from his brother's face. His ploy worked in the beginning but he noticed his brother trying to resist the illusion. He thought his performance would end with Adelaide's death but Jack seemed to be humouring him. He breathed a sigh of relief and changed the music sheets on the stand in front of him. His purple eyes flicked to the fiddle nearby. He hoped he could pull off the switch smoothly.
Jack dropped to his knees as the illusion faded away. Whispery notes finally registered in the audience's ears and their low voices died away. Watery ripples spiraled from Jack while gentle starlight bathed him and the sleeping Adelaide. Her hands pressed against a tiny bouquet of flowers laid over her unmoving chest. Tiny candles added warmth to the silvery hues, turning Jack's tears into shimmering pearls. A lovingly polished old fiddle was clasped in his hands.
A hooded priest addressed a faceless crowd, everyone mourning the deceased. Three coffins ran right and left from where Adelaide laid while the remains of a smashed up shipping boat clung desperately to the jagged rocks in the distance. The ceremony ended too soon and hands, old and young, pulled the grieving man from his lost love. Jack's hand reached out desperately as she floated away to the edges of the horizon. With tears falling thickly down his cheeks, he pulled the fiddle to his chin and started playing.
An angry melody filled the air as tanned fingers conveyed his pain to the world. Red and orange cinders leaped into the air as bonfires setup in the sands crackled and snapped. The faint footsteps around him showed he was truly alone. Slowly, the air changed to a misty lavender. Dawn was about to break when stars fell from the sky. They wove together forming a silhouette standing before the raging Jack.
The glorious boom of 'Salut l'Rois des Deux" by a hidden orchestra fought with the fiddle for attention. The competition kept at a fierce pace but Jack refused to surrender. He played on seemingly oblivious to the presence of the God. The King raised his hand and the heavenly chorus hushed. Jack finished his song uninterrupted.
Jack lowered the illusionary instrument and turned as the Trovalian King of Gods revealed himself. He flinched when he witnessed a face appear in another shimmering delusion of Sid's version of an ethereal person. The King of Gods wore Rohan's face-- the Trovalian king. Fists clenched. Forcefully, Jack got onto his knees.
And then the beautiful musician, who made the Gods, weep begged their aid. "Please, my Gods! She was the strings of my heart. Without her, I may never play again. I will wither an empty husk without melody or music to heal my broken soul."
Pestanuer's voice boomed out: "Stand, Monet, for tonight you have made us kneel before you with the rage in your strings, and the grief in your heart. The world will be far less without your divined music in it. Therefore I shall grant your wish so that when you are reunited, you may play for us again."
Hesitant but determined, the musician stood, and listened intently to the God's instruction. At the mouth of a river laid the sea god's domain, that whom now owned Monet's lover's soul. Enter and play for him. Only by moving him to tears, will he allow the couple to return to the living.
Opening his mouth, Jack recited the story verbatim, just has he once had to Sid by his bedside. His voice changed for each character spoke and his words moved the crowd. People huddled and sniffled on the benches, and even the announcers were silenced, though Jack thought he heard a pitched sob hovering over the audience. He restrained an eyeroll. He acted out Monet and Pestanuer as easily as Ria donned her magical masks, stepping into the skin of new people like he was made for it. But as the play lengthened, he repeatedly looked to Sor, reminding himself why he bothered with this charade.
Zilia. I entertain them for her. No one else
Spirits, I will kill Sid once this is over, so help me…
Jack's arduous journey into the water underworld was filled with orchestral music, jaw-dropping parkour stunts and the occasional jump scare. The latter elicit shrieks of fright from the more faint hearted. Finally, the bereaved musician stood before a man looking eerily like Davy Jones. The cold throne room was surrounded by walls of angry, drowned souls. They clawed determinedly at the unseen barrier but none could pass through. Their moans and wails were so realistic that many fingers dug into the edges of their seats.
"What brings you to my realm, Son of the Living?" whispered the amused man on the gilded throne. The amusement in his eyes and voice indicated he knew exactly why Monet stood before him.
Behind them, the lovely Adelaide floated in eternal slumber. Her hair flaring out beneath her making her look like a mermaid at rest. Her white gown fluttered around her legs like translucent fins. The souls she passed backed away from the new arrival as if dreading her rousing. The king of the seas turned and plucked her from the behind the walls. He kept her hovering in the palm of his enormous hand.
"What a lovely lass we have here. A fitting bride for a lonely man such as myself."
"She's of no suitor to you, great God," Monet implored with a gracious bow as flaring red crept up Jack's neck, "She's but mortal; what made her shine like the sun and brave like the sea died with her. And she's mine-- our bond is everlasting, beyond death. Please, I ask for you to return her to me."
"Why would I do that?"
"Please. Let me play you a song. If my strings and my harmony move you to tears, you a God, beyond mortal woes, will you give her back to me?"
The god looked amused. No achievement had ever been made, and he looked forward to seeing what the mortal could do. With a wave of his hand, he offered Monet to perform. His fiddle rose once more and Cedric's sorrowful sounds rose to grip the audience once more.
Keeping and gnashing teeth filled the hollow chamber as the souls joined Monet in his mourning. He for his love and they for their life. Warmth pulled like unraveling golden thread from the determined young man. His love burning brighter than the sun enveloped the floating corpse, shocking colour back into her skin. Mahogany eyes flew open as wet coughing shook her slender frame. The sleeping beauty sat wide-eyed in the sea king's hand before turning to face her husband.
"Monet …" she cried.
"Sybil!"
They reached for each other desperately, an act that seemed to have won over the icy heart. Smirking, Papiloner lowered his hand and Adelaide fled to Jack. She threw herself at him and he allowed his instrument to slip from his grasp as he caught her in his arms. They spun around on stage as the crowd whooped and cheered. The people stood up and clapped thinking the story was at the end.
They continued clapping although confusion threaded their brows as they watched the bridal pair climb back into the small boat that ferried Monet into the realm of the dead. They sank down, watching as the couple remained in each other's embrace. Jack's honeyed baritone crooning his love for Sybil and breaking more hearts. Many eligible maidens longed for their own Monet.
They were at the entrance again. Jack smiled in Monet's happiness and his own relief that this embarrassment was coming to an end. A force yanked his arm. He gasped, turned, and saw all the ghosts that'd haunted their ascent laid out on the river's banks. They clawed and moaned, sickly translucent bodies clamoring up Adelaide's ankles, begging them to take them too. To be alive again. They tried to pry her free and take her place.
Jack dug his heels and struggled. He shut his eyes. Pain flashed in his hands and he reopened them to see Adelaide looking up. And for a moment-- a single breath between heartbeats-- her expression shifted. She smiled, and his blood ran icy with fear. He'd seen that look before and it didn't belong to her
Cedric's illusion quickly took over again. Adelaide made a heartbreaking, bittersweet expression as she clung to Jack's hand, preparing to make her final sacrifice per the fable's script. Her lips moved; the crowd leaned in; their oppressive stares and tears focused on this gripping tale. Everyone held their breath just as she was about to say good-bye….
Jack let go.
Adelaide's final words finished off clear in Jack's ears-- too audible, in fact, as he watched her body falling away from him. The illusion was by a few seconds as it adjusted to him doing the unexpected thing. To the crowd, it didn't matter. They saw Monet lose his love again, forever this time, and wailed their histrionic grief between applauses as the play came to an end.
Stiffly, Jack got to his feet. He walked off stage, not caring to bow to the audience. Cedric waited for him in the wings. He reached out hesitatingly to touch Jack's upper arm. "Fére? Would you like some of Luro's rum?"
Jack stopped, mentally willing himself not to pull away from Cedric's touch. He sighed and placed his own hand over Sid's, then gave a too-bright smile. "Some performance you wrangled me into. Probably your best yet." He ruffled Sid's hair, showing he meant it, chuckling a little. It dipped somewhat when he glanced back at the stage and found it empty. "It's just… I'd appreciate it, if you never did that again. Used her likeness. When I saw her face again, you know, I'd hoped it'd be the real one. I haven't seen her since..." His voice trailed off as his fingers raised to touch the scarring around his eyes.
Another sigh, then the chef shook himself. He buried whatever emotions welled up and shoved them to the side. There'd be another time to deal with them, when their doctor wasn't in danger.
Jack stepped forward and grabbed Sor's shoulder, forcing him to turn around. One of the disguises had been plucked from Runali's grasp and slung over his shoulder. A single eyebrow peaked at the businessman. "This employer of the Scarlet Lions… you never said who they were."
From the amphitheatre to their current location, Jack subdued behind the group, his outward attention steadily trained on Sor but to the crew who knew him, they could tell his mind was somewhere else. He broke out a fresh cigarillo and regularly altered between twisting it between his lips, and rubbing his left shoulder, until their query came into view. The former spy stamped out the smoke so it's telltale glow wouldn't be spotted and folded his arms as Sor laid out his information. He nodded to Runali at her directions, offering nothing but a half smile, until this moment.
Jack released Sor when he had the man's attention. "Considering we're going after their prize, I would think that's important information to know."
Sor turned to look at Jack making no effort to move away when he was grabbed and spun to face the man, he had a sheet thrown over his other shoulder which he calmly adjusted as it had slipped slightly. The man had kept an eye on him throughout a majority of their walk, he paid it no particular mind but he anticipated at some point they would end up having some manner of conversation.
He smiled a bit at the question and pulled a small piece of candy out of his pocket. Jack made a valid point, knowing who they were inevitably going to go up against was an important thing to consider, he had been waiting for this question to be asked.
"That is true I suppose I only filled in some blanks," Sor said shrugging. "No one asked me directly so I didn't bother explaining, unless I missed it I have had quite the long day." Sor said simply.
Tossing the piece of candy in his mouth he slipped a pair of gloves onto his hand before speaking again.
"My assistance was in information on your friends state, whereabouts and aid in retrieving her, I've fulfilled my end and then some on that."
He held a hand up in case Jack had a rebuttal on his particular attitude before turning it over and holding his palm towards him.
"I'm happy to tell you what I know about…let's call them 'Stranger' but by now I'm sure you understand how I handle things."
Nodding in agreement, Jack reached into a belt pouch and pulled out a small burlap sack. He dropped it into Sor's hand. The weight of it felt like a small brick. "Will that do?"
Sor weighed the pouch on his hand for a moment, peeked inside, ran a finger over the coin within before nodding and putting it away. He took a moment to look into the shadows, then turned his head to look in the other direction before nodding and crossing his arms. He spoke though his voice was much quieter than before.
"I couldn't tell you as much as I like. This person came to me and hid their appearance, even their face behind a mask, one that resembled a wolf," Sor said starting. "They had their people speak for them so I couldn't tell you if they were male or female."
Sor said this with a small nod before crossing his arms.
"Still I looked into what I could and this person has some correlation with another mercenary outfit in this area, not in association with the Scarlet Lions or any of the others."
Sor reached up and ran a hand through his hair at this before speaking again.
"Those people are pretty bad news, they're pretty fine killing Devil Fruit Users…so it's strange that this Stranger who wants Zilia is so particular about her remaining unharmed. I've seen their handiwork they don't mind roughing up their hostages."
Sor looked back in the direction of the docks.
"Whoever this person is, owns their own mercenary unit, is a part of a larger one and is very particular about obtaining the Tainted Saint unharmed."
Sor tapped his chin for a moment wondering if there was something else he could remember, nothing else really stood out that could be helpful.
"I believe that's it, oh and this Stranger had a…very particular way about them. Putting aside they left their people in my town they showed no malice towards me…but being around them still put me on edge. Almost like standing near a predatory animal if I had to compare."
At the mention of "wolf", Jack's face darkened. It was a fleeting shadow that raced under his eyes, disappearing faster than Sor could blink, but perhaps a familiar ghost chased it. He created a breath in their conversation by donning his mercenary cloak. He fiddled with the hood over his dreads and didn't meet Sor's eyes.
"Just two more questions, then we'll go," Jack said finally, growing still under his disguise, "Do you know if this Stranger is a Fruit User, too, and do you know the name of hi-- their mercenary band?"
Sor remained silent a part of him wanting to press something he swore he saw, but seeing no current change in the man he decided to just chalk it up to his imagination and shifted slightly. He unwrapped a piece of candy in the tiny moment between them only to look up as he asked more questions.
Sor closed his eyes for a moment tossing the candy in his mouth and took out a small notebook. He scribbled in it before answering his first question.
"Couldn't tell ya, you've dealt with Fruits Users right? Sometimes you don't know until it's too late. Only ones that stand out are Zoan's and even then depends on the fruit," Sor said. "If he is one then he's got courage willingly standing in the lion's den. I only remember one Fruit user around here and he's currently flexing in his mirror right now."
Sor gave a small nod at this before handing Jack the note.
"I don't know how far their reach really is but this is their name. I can't offer much more than that, their leader could wipe Treya off the map if he wanted too. I certainly don't intend on speaking their name aloud."
Sor wanted to help them but he couldn't allow the people of Treya to be executed over curiosity.
"That 'Stranger' came out of seemingly nowhere. There's nothing on them, not a spec of information on Stranger as a person. I only found out their correlation thanks to a…'conversation' with one of the lions. For someone to be that hidden walking around with basically a squadron…that's not a good thing. They're either good at hiding secrets…or they're really good at making sure there are no witnesses."
Sor looked back in the direction of the docks.
"You guys apparently have a penchant for trouble…I hope you don't go towards it in this case."
"We probably will. It's just a question if it's by choice." Jack glanced at the note then pocketed it with his letter from Vai. He nodded his thanks to Sor before glancing at the ship behind him. "I appreciate what you could give me. I might be in your debt after this. But we should hurry now. That next rotation will be here before long."
"Haha fair enough, well either way I wish you all the best," Sor said. "I'd prefer you all come back alive after all."
Catching what Jack said Sor grinned a bit and offered him a small shrug.
"Just tell your Captain if it was helpful in comparison to the current exchange, we'll figure out an even trade later as per our agreement."
Sor tossed the clothing on before pulling the hood up and adjusting it slightly, placing a lollipop in his mouth he grinned staring down at the docks.
"Time for a nice 'natural' conversation."
*******
Jack watched his little brother's silhouette sail through the night like a sparrow against the stars, straight for the crow's nest to enact the lookout's demise. Meanwhile a thick fog sprung into existence. It curled around the Lions' ship, thickening with each breath. In the distance Jack swore he heard the dull crack of ice forming; spontaneous cold meeting tropic heat to add to the naturalism of the very unnatural fog. And while all of this was happening, Jack stood in front of two imbeciles arguing over the cost of a dairy goat. They didn't even notice the temperature drop.
When I said Mill's Bakery's starting a cheese tax, didn't think it'd be this sensitive of an issue. Fucking idiots. Could've killed their guards by now. Come back and find them debating if brown goats make cocoa milk. Maybe I should demand a raise…
Over their shoulder, he saw Cedric's figurine drop to the deck through the fog. His exhale of relief exploded from his chest.
"Gentlemen. Gentlemen!" Jack snapped. They quieted. "Really, I just don't care."
They both turned on him, each ready to profess their righteous stance, when Jack reached up with black-coated hands and bashed their heads together. They crumpled, unconscious.
Once the bodies were pushed to the side, Jack and Cedric headed for the lower deck. I hope this fight isn't a mistake… he gnawed his lip, worry creeping up as it did on this type of mission. Once wrong action, one unforeseen consequence, and they'd all be in trouble… or dead. I hope I really do learn from my mistakes.
"Hide in the shadows," Jack whispered to Cedric over his shoulder as they reached the bottom of the stairs. The orlop deck was filled with guards, minding their own business. Jack made a quick mental count. A dozen give or take. More than I'd like for the crew to fight but...manageable. For the briefest second, he regretted their plan. He wished there was a way to evacuate the ship without fighting, and potentially drawing reinforcements. But there just wasn't time. He had to get these men away so Cedric could find Zilia unencumbered. And judging the hold's trap door placement… there was no way to get to it without drawing every guard's attention.
Pushing the doubts aside, Jack walked to the middle of the room. "Hey. Hey!" Rolling his eyes, Jack took the nearest gun off a mercenary's belt and fired it into the ceiling.
All eyes went to him. He hesitated, grasping for the best excuse. He decided to go with the obvious. "Stardusk is attacking."
It took a moment for the words to resonate, but once they did, the mercenaries roared and stormed upward. Soon enough battle sounds would admit as Alicia headed off most of them. Runali, Kadi and Luro would manage the rest.
Just as the last four reached the stairs, he grabbed the foremost's arm and smiled under the cloak. "Cedric," he said without looking away at the mercenary who cocked his head quizzically, "let's kill these ones to lighten the load, hm?"
The mercenary's eyes widened. He didn't get time to reach for his weapon before Jack wrenched his arm backwards. A sickening pop announced shoulder dislocation and the man howled. Jack smashed his head into the steps and the screaming ceased. Body left on the stairs, the pirate brothers rounded on those left and made short work of them.
By then, however, the knowledge of time passing grew prominent in Jack's mind. He was certain they'd miss the window; the next group of scouts would be here, or reinforcements would arrive, Alicia's magical fog unable to completely dampen the fight above. A sense of urgency crept tension into Jack's shoulders. Quickly, he went to the trap door leading to the hold and ripped it open with Armament haki. It revealed a dark and narrow gap between stacks of cargo.
Jack accepted the newest and littlest familiar, pocketing her into his waistcoat, with hopes she could alert him to any potential danger his brother fell into. He turned to Sid, his face serious and worried and businesslike.
"Go get our doctor but be careful. This could be a trap… or a decoy. Sor said their strengths are escaping and decoy tactics. If you can, get her out quietly. If anything goes wrong yell for me. You hear?" Jack stared at Sid, waiting for his confirmation before letting him go, his fear for his brother's safety making him hesitate.
Cedric shivered as the waters iced over. His sleeveless black shirt failed to keep the biting winds from washing over his body and numbing his skin. For a moment, he considered grabbing Sor's disguise for some much needed warmth but he stopped himself. Such a bulky outfit would slow him down when he snuck around the enemy ship.
"Moment, capitaine. Let Alicia and I scout ahead. She will attack from the waters and I from the air."
He pulled his hand away from Runali's shoulder and turned to her first mate. Removing the pouch containing his summoning tools from his belt, he pressed it into her hands. He leaned in hesitantly then whispered. "Take care of these. I can't afford to let them get wet."
He lingered in that position before successfully banishing the stray thought in his mind, a brief illusion of what he desired. One which he felt was far too soon. He lowered his eyelids and pulled away. "I trust you," he whispered.
He smiled at the two women one last time and vaulted over the edge. Faint bubbles rose to the surface as dark waters pulled him under. He floated certainly for a moment before he regained his senses. He fought against the pull and finally broke through the surface. He floated in the water, watching Alicia step onto the rock in the middle of the choppy seas. Her silvery hair and pale skin made her a moon-kissed goddess in faint light. He smiled to himself and swam in her direction.
"I'm ready when you are," he greeted as he climbed up beside the Feian woman. She wasted no time in returning his tools and he attached the pouch back onto his belt. He slipped out one rune card at the very end and presented it to her. "Just in case," he whispered. "Burn this to release the spell. It will give you and the crew enough cover to escape."
The air dragged white strands out to her side as she stood upon the rock, silver eyes focused ahead to the ship anchored in the bay. Moving through the nearby thicket to emerge at their side offered them an opportunity to approach from a less direct angle, though their plan of approach had much which could potentially go wrong if everything didn't come together.
Her furrowed brows softened as her gaze moved from the ship onto Cedric, offering a small smile as he climbed up before nodding. "I'll do my best." she replied, reaching to grip Shusui's hilt before unsheathing the blade to her side. She raised it to settle in both her hands just as she had done with Runali, awaiting Cedric to leap onto the flat side of the dark blade before inhaling a large controlled breath.
Her left eye flared with the aura of her power as she focused back towards the ship, tightening her grip before empowering her swing to launch Cedric forth in one fluid motion. As he left her side she could only hope she'd gaged the trajectory correctly, too short and his splash would alert them to their presence, too far and she'd overshoot and likely harm Cedric in the process.
Almost as soon as she threw him, her blade flicked and struck the surface of the water to burn it with charged heat, creating a billowing fog which was sent after him with another small flick from her wrist.
Cedric dug his fingers into the side of the crow's nest. He hung there, waiting with anticipatory silence. Chaos, knowing her role, clambered passed her master's shoulders and winked into oblivion. Black wisps filtered through the gathering fog. Like a scene out of a horror novel, the black cat's eyes pierced the gloom and grabbed the lookout's attention. She let out a keening yowl as the smoke thickened to form a discernible body.
The lion's scout gargled in horror. Strangle cries of 'demone' broke the sound of his shuffling gait. His heart leaped to this throat when his back finally hit the side. He whirled around but his instincts made him fixate on that ghostly cat. His knees weakened and he melted against the wall. Fear crested but his scream was swiftly silenced by the cold limbs. The man's eyes bulged as a sourish smell filled the air.
Cedric's slim arms kept the man's neck locked in place. With a hand firmly across the straining mouth, Sid drew out his hunting knife and slit the man's throat. The tailor tore off the man's disguise, folded the sheet a few times and used it to stem the bleeding. It wasn't essential but he preferred not having blood rain down onto the Stardusks' heads; dried blood was hard to remove from hair and used up a lot of their bathing water. Thinking about it made him determined to steal more of Jack's bathwater ration after this mission. He sighed, appreciating the brief release of tension from his mind.
By the time Cedric was finished, Alicia had touched down onto the deck of the ship beneath the mast, her pale complexion and monotone colours enabling her to easily blend into the fabricated fog she'd created. "Well done Cedric." she praised softly upon his return, turning her attention to observe their surroundings before looking back towards the summoner. "Let us be about it, we shouldn't linger any longer than we must." she added.
"I'll follow Jack inside. Please keep Chester with you. He will let you know if I need any assistance down below." He whispered after landing beside Alicia. Their hands brushed accidentally as
Bracing himself against the ever penetrating cold, Sid ducked into the shadows and walked beside his older brother. Bright red ash hit the floor as shadows swallowed Cedric. Cold air filtered in the gap left in his wake.
Chester's ears flickered. He heard thundering footsteps thundering from below not long after his masters disappeared from view. He stretched, flexing his well-groomed claws. Shaking his magnificent head, he nuzzled Alicia's ankle one last time before winking away. He rematerialized above the doorway leading to the Orlop deck. His green gaze met Alicia's golden eyes and he gave her a mischievous cat-grin. He crouched lower and disappeared into ever thickening fog.
"Stardusk, there!" one of the soldiers shouted while pointing at Alicia.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Silence greeted Jack's worry. Cedric remained hidden as he moved forward. His knife flashing occasionally to take down any stragglers before they were even aware of his presence. He wicked away the blood from his knife and emerged from the black depths.
He drew two rune cards from his pouch and ran his finger across their back. Sparks sprang to life, gobbling the cards in seconds. Shadows gathered as a dense mass that wobbled and rippled like black water. Cedric dipped his fingers into the pool, sending thin tendrils shooting through the cracks of the hatch.
They merged with the shadows in the room, imbibing them with the energy draining from the summoner. Writhing and hissing filled the air as sticky snakes pulled from the walls and shot out from the walls. Their dripping bodies around Hein's, Garis's and Zilia's limbs.
Sid pulled away after sensing he managed to bind the people inside. He might have bound Madame Doctor as well but he decided it was better to be overly cautious. He drew up and placed his hand against the door. He was about to kick it down when Jack's voice nagged inside his head.
Sighing, the younger brother bolted the door from the outside instead. Then, melting into the shadows again, he slipped through the cracks into the hatch. He continued lurking in the murky pool, waiting for a good time to strike.
"...this is a really weird story," Hein said arching his brow at the paper. "Why did she write this?"
"Keep reading I want to see what happens next," Garis said.
"...uh okay, let's see here."
The days seem to pass by quickly since she had eaten the fruit, and the woman found that every person in the village knew her name. They called out to her in the streets, the kids would yell from the front of her home to play, one who her heart pined for would speak it bashfully in her presence.
She found such comfort in the simple gesture of being called, being remembered. Even her neighbor knew her name, the one name she knew in the whole village. The woman found her days full of wonder, and the weight on her chest all but abated.
Those days did not last long however.
One morning she awoke to absolute silence, no birds singing, no voices in the streets.
The woman left her home and found no one to greet her, her neighbor who always awoke before her, sweeping the front of her home was nowhere to be seen, her broom lying on the ground in front of her house abandoned.
She called and no one answered, she ran to the square and received no answer, she ran to the market and received no answer. Panic started to set in as she found she was alone in the village, she called out once more screaming as loud as she could and received a single answer.
"Yes?"
The woman spun at the voice, a smile resting upon her face only for confusion to replace her happiness seeing the cloaked stranger standing in the town. The cloaked woman reached up and removed her cloak revealing her face to the woman for the first time. The smile left the woman's face and all color drained from her as she noticed the stranger had her own visage.
Her legs growing weak she took a small step back as the woman spoke with her voice properly introducing herself, the name that left her own lips nearly brought her to her knees.
Ya'iral.
The woman knew that name, cautionary tales from her homeland, a warning issued as a child to never talk to strangers.
The closest thing to a title in common tongue was the Goddess of Fools.
She was a trickster, a god hated by all other gods, and by all people. She hated her position and played tricks on all she encountered to relieve herself of her burdens. She would trick many hoping to have them take her position, to become a name uttered only in hatred and fear.
To speak her name was to invite misfortune, it allowed one to summon her and she brought only tragedy when she came. She provided only pain and death as was her duty.
The woman stared at Ya'iral and realized what she had done, the Goddess seemed pleased as her lips curved upwards at the horrified expression on her face.
"It seems you understand...I borrowed your name when you ate from my fruit. The people here called me so many times I had no choice but to take them away."
The woman felt all strength leave her body as she fell to her knees, she gripped her skull lowering her gaze to the cobblestone streets. She got what she wanted, exactly what she wanted and all it cost her was another home, her own narcissism doomed a village filled only with kind hearts.
She was forced to look up at Ya'iral as the woman tipped her chin up with her finger.
"However….I'd be happy to bring them back...if we trade places in this world."
The young woman stared into the goddesses dark soulless eyes, at her own reflection. Ya'iral wanted to walk in her skin, to keep the visage she had stolen from her. The woman's hands trembled at how cold the god's touch was, and how deep the abyss of her eyes truly were.
She could see the villagers within them, wandering in perpetual darkness, trapped in a prison they didn't belong in.
She could release them if she just gave up her freedom, that was it. One life of suffering and the town would return, generations would continue and all would return to normal, as if she had never come.
Yet the young woman shook her head causing the smile to leave Ya'iral's face. Disgust welled up inside her as the goddess stepped away, she wanted to be a better person, she wanted to sacrifice herself but fear overtook conscience, her thoughts only wanted her to get away, to run. She didn't want to accept responsibility, she wasn't that good of a person and it tore her apart knowing it.
"A shame...still I'm not completely heartless. I only took these people out of loneliness. If you...replace them I'll free them."
The woman's eyes moved up to Ya'iral only to see she had covered her face once again.
"You can be my cohort...you need only speak your name and you will damn whoever hears it into eternal servitude under me….since you're heartless enough to abandon those who took you in...I'm sure you can do a little more evil. Do your best."
Ya'iral raised her hand and black smoke covered her body before she dissipated into nothing.
Every now and again there are rumors of a woman who wanders, a hood constantly covering her face. She keeps to herself and speaks not a word to any who come across her.
However it's rumored that should people of ill repute encounter her, those who seek to harm her or others in some fashion, those with hearts coated in darkness. They and only they will hear the name of the Fool's Vassal.
"Zilia Vilimar."
Garis blinked a few times as they reached the last page and stopped reading.
Hein arched a brow flipping a few pages over to make sure the story was truly over before scoffing and slamming the book shut.
"What kind of story is this and why did you-"
Hein's voice caught in his throat as his eyes met Zilia's; something radiated from the woman's narrowed stare that put him on edge, the hair's stood up on his skin and he could feel something tickling the back of his neck, as if a hand brushed against it, delicate fingers tracing along the nape of his neck.
His eyes moved to Garis only to see his companion's hand had moved to the sword on his waist, unlike him however his whole body was trembling, he kept a straight face but it was hard to hide his fear when his legs looked like a newborn doe's.
Hein swallowed hard and took a long deep breath, he wanted to move, to place a hand on Garis' shoulder but what experience he had learned in all these years told him, that if he averted his eyes from the small woman in front of him again, if he glanced back at the presence behind him….he'd cease to exist.
Hein froze as something immediately took hold of him, Garis grabbed his sword and tried to cut the shadows but ultimately suffered the same fate as Hein gritting his teeth as he confined by the strange shadows.
The two quickly looked around the room trying to find the source of their attacker only to stop as a low guttural laugh filled the room. Loud footsteps resonated through the room as a large figure emerged from the nearby shadow.
Hein's eyes widened as a large creature stepped into the open, a hulking figure that almost touched the ceiling of the room, grey full ran along most of its body.
A snout like mouth was turned into a smirk, blue teeth poking out of the folds of the mouth.
Beady red eyes peered at the two bound mercenaries ahead as they shook in fear, partially because a third eye on the side of the creature's head was peering into the shadows, in Cedric's direction. "What an interesting ability," The creature said its voice low, frozen between a man and beast's voice echoing through the room.
His very voice shook the room, dispelling a bit of the shadow only for it to reform.
Strange enough for how much room the creature was taking up the shadows did not touch it, its curled fingers with bright red claws remained at the side glinting slightly. "It was worth remaining nearby."
"Y-you're-"
The creature eyes narrowed causing Hein to go silent.
Whatever this thing was it wasn't human by any means, the very aura around it dispelled any notion that it belonged to this plane of existence, and the creature made no attempt to mask it's ill intent.
"The Lions know how my tricks work...what my eyes can't see….but you….you didn't play dress up Cedric."
The creature's grinned at this revealing the rest of his sharp fangs. "Sor's interference has hindered my plans...but I at the very least got to see something interesting....as for the girl you came to save...I removed her from here when I noticed your approach."
The creature reached forward and grabbed Hein by his face paying no attention to the shadows. "I'll be taking him...you can keep the other. You'd better hurry...you were a second too late to stop it."
A large boom resonated from a few ships over, splintered wood flying every direction as a part of the ship was blown apart by an unknown explosion. The creature smirked a little looking over at the stairs. "Ah it's already begun," the creature muttered as Hein tried to pull his hand away to no avail. "You may want to run back to your friends with the one hiding over there…my master has already set things in motion. Ah for entertaining me child of man I shall give you the name Slayis."
A burst of blue flames erupted around the two before they vanished out of the rooms as the noises outside only grew louder, panicked voices filling the air.
Up top
Luro stood on one of the far ships and lowered his still smoking rifle as he noticed multiple Lions flying through the air before crashing into the water, his eyes narrowed as he stared into the darkness ahead. A figure in the dark ran towards them jumping from ship to ship until they made it to the one most of Stardusk was on. The man tumbled onto the deck with a low groan before quickly climbing to his feet.
Hein stood breathing heavily staring back in the direction he had escaped, Zilia's oldest notebook in his right hand, the man stared ahead eyes wide and mouth agape as something emerged from the lower decks.
Luro looked over at the man but ended up focusing his attention on the ship a few boats away, eyes widened seeing a familiar shape step onto the deck. He could see Zilia in the distance, her hood pulled over her head but he'd know the doctor's small stature anywhere.
"Look Z's over there!" Luro yelled pointing in her direction.
Multiple mercenaries quickly ran up to Zilia drawing their weapons, the doctor looked in the direction of the men before raising her hand and pointing at them, then promptly pointing at the ground.
"Don't hesitate! Attack!" Hein yelled. "Screw the don't kill rule!"
Zilia's hidden gaze seemed to move towards Hein hearing his yelling causing him to flinch slightly. The men quickly rushed Zilia as her attention was pulled away, they swung their weapons at her with loud cries.
The attacks never connected.
Something crashed into the men, an invisible force throwing each of them away from the doctor and into the sea as if some invisible hands had shoved them away.
Turning Zilia made her way towards Hein, a casual gait as she calmly adjusted the gloves on her hands.
"Not again...shoot her! Fire!"
Gunman quickly raised their guns causing Luro to raise his own but he was a second too late, the gunshots rang out causing Zilia to look in the direction of the shooters. Something flashed in front of the woman and the bullets stopped inches from her face before falling, clattering harmlessly against the deck of the ship.
The men froze for a moment but wasted little time to reload the guns, a small shooing motion from the doctor sent the men flying off the opposing ship, skipping against the water below before fully crashing into the sea.
"I got her!" A man yelled raising his gun to Zilia
Another gunshot ran out and Zilia made a quick flicking motion with her fingers the bullet immediately changing direction, returning to the man and piercing his shoulder sending him to the floor.
Zilia continued her approach uninterrupted, as she grew closer something flared around the woman's body, what looked like red sparks flitted around her before she opened and closed her hand, a red glow encompassing her right arm, a crackling noise escaping from the strange manifestation as the energy sparked, the bright red energy flared with each step the woman took.
A glowing red eye peered out from the hood illuminating the small scowl on the woman's lips.
"Move the ships apart! Quickly!" Hein yelled pointing at his men.
Two mercenaries quickly spun the ships and started moving them away from each other removing the path Zilia was walking along. The woman made no attempt to stop however and raised two fingers before making a small motion with them; the ships quickly pulled back towards each other colliding into the other.
The men were hurled off the ship, splinters of wood flying every which way as the boats attempted to become one. Zilia hopped onto the still reeling ships and crossed over to the other side. A group of mercenaries leaped out with weapons drawn as she set foot on the deck, drawing her attention. Zilia's eye narrowed slightly as something ran through the air, like a line drawn by invisible fingers before the swords fell into two pieces. The men barely having time to register the now jagged weapons before their bodies were shoved away from the still walking Zilia hitting the streets past the docks.
Zilia stepped onto the ship with Stardusk paying no mind to her crew as she stared at Hein who had backed up to the far side of the ship, his gaze glancing back at the edge as he considered his options. His gaze moved to the buildings on the far side of the shore, a few of his men sticking out of the windows halfway causing him to quickly abandon the idea.
"H-here."
Hein held the notebook out to Zilia who took it, taking a moment to flip through it's pages before returning it to her pocket.
Zilia made a beckoning motion with her finger and the old mercenary was quickly pulled forward crashing into the deck of the ship face first.
"She-She's going to kill me! Do something! She's going to tell me her name and spirit me away!"
Hein yelled towards the others but stopped as he saw their faces.
"Wait...you're not my men!"
"...Nah we're the Captain's men." Luro responded.
Hearing another voice Zilia's gaze raised to the source, when her eye landed on Luro it immediatly widened and she turned her head noticing everyone else, judging by the surprise on her face for the first time.
The glow immediately left her arm and eye and she reached up grabbing the tip of her hood, pulling it down slightly, red tinting her cheeks as she shrunk in on herself. The act was ultimately meaningless however, even if she hid what happened the devastation behind her was on clear display.
"...Z...what-"
"Ah!"
Hein's voice cut Luro off as the man quickly climbed to his feet, his eyes moving to the horizon as a fleet of ships appeared from over the horizon, approaching the docks at a reasonably fast pace.
"Our reinforcements! Thank Scarlet we were ready to deal with Worst Generation pirates! I might get out of this al-"
Smoke exploded from the ships as cannonfire echoed, Hein's eyes widened as the ships started firing at them.
"Why are they firing at us?!"
Blue rectangular walls quickly rose out of the side of the ship the cannonballs crashing into the makeshift barrier before falling into the sea, Luro turned to see Zilia holding her hand up a blue glow surrounding it.
The Doctor's eyes moved to the deck for a moment, her mouth twisting sideways for a moment as she silently fought with something. Her eyes raised to the others again, moving from person to person before she shook her head and took a step forward, moving past everyone as she pulled her hood down a bit more preferring not to allow the expression on her face be seen.
"You're always at the center of trouble...just once I'd like you stay away from it."
An unfamiliar voice called out to Stardusk from a familiar shape, the sound was soft with a trace of sternness, the sorrow in the silvery voice like the song of a caged bird was kept unhidden.
The owner turned to look at everyone, heavy eyes meeting their own.
"Please listen carefully and hear me. I Zilia have no trouble speaking normally and I possess a power I dislike greatly...also please hold onto something if you do not wish to die."
Zilia turned forward again and took hold of something in the air, a tiny red light formed between her finger tips before she released it. The light traveled forward, roughly the size of a firefly it reached its destination quickly and Zilia made a motion with her hand lowering the walls to the bottom of the ship.
With a snap of her fingers the light quickly shrunk in on itself before immediately expanding outwards growing in size at an alarming speed as a wave of pressure fell over the area, raw energy exploding from the light. A colossal globe quickly took over the docks, almost stretching from end to end, a miniature moon that twisted counter-clockwise drawing everything around it into its embrace. The ships near and in front of the crew were pulled from the sea, flying through the air and crashing into the rotating sphere, the ships breaking apart upon contact until there was little than nothing left over.
The only thing keeping their own ship from joining them, was the makeshift dam Zilia had created, but it did little to stop the ship from leaning to one side, most of the items not nailed down joining the other ships.
The ships in the distance tried to turn away but were ultimately ripped from the ocean and pulled into the ever growing orb, the few clouds above were pulled inwards forming a spiral above and the sea itself was drawn into the destructive light.
Zilia raised her hand again only when all the ships on the horizon were no more and upon closing her hand the light immediately vanished, dissipating as quickly as it came. Chunks of ships fell into the large whirlpool below them being pulled below the surface.
With a small audible sigh she and flicked at Hein whose head slammed against the deck, a low cry escaping from him before his eyes shut.
"I apologize for being the one to cause trouble this time," Zilia said turning fully towards everyone. "Thank you for coming to get me."
"Z you-"
Zilia quickly hugged herself causing Luro to cut himself off, she shivered for a bit as she wobbled a bit, her eyelids lowering slightly.
"Forgot this moment….forget this...shameful display of mine….please."
Zilia to the side as her eyes shut, her hood falling off her head as she lay still on the deck.
"Z!"
Luro ran over to Zilia and moved his arm under her lifting her up slightly, he stared at her face.
He started to say something but froze seeing her chest was rising and falling softly, soft snoring escaping from her as her body relaxed.
"She's sleeping…"
Luro mumbled this before lifting Zilia into his arms and looking at the others.
"...I got a lot of questions but maybe we should head back. Can someone carry Z, I'm pretty sure she'll be mad if she wakes up and I'm doing it."
I check in pretty much all times of the day, either from my phone or from my home computer. So it's likely I'll see messages shortly after I've received them.
Alicia turned towards the advancing guards and soldiers as they arrived on deck, pulling her sword to her side in one smooth motion. She exhaled a breath as she prepared for a fight, albeit not one she expected to have too much difficulty with given the intelligence provided by Sor. Nevertheless she didn't appear to be taking chances today, having learned long ago that underestimating an opponent yielded severe consequences. "I'll make this offer only once, walk away now and there need not be any further violence." she spoke softly, providing the offer she gave to most opponents she came up against during their adventures. She was answered with the sound of swords leaving their sheaths and the click of guns readying to fire upon her.
With a small sigh her eyes closed before opening a moment later, her left eye burning with her usual display of power with a glowering red iris peering out from beyond the blue aura. Their guns opened fire over the shoulders of their comrades who charged towards her with swords raised, but they would barely make it more than a few steps before a blinding flash swept across them in a single arch which tore through the air with a deep hollow 'VOOM!'
The arch passed across them filling the space with a blinding light, fading shortly after to reveal their unconscious bodies which would lay sprawled across the deck as the Feian swordswoman slid the black blade back into it's saya. She turned away from them, deciding it'd be best to catch up with the others in case they needed her help, not that she expected they would given how easily she'd managed to take care of the previous attackers. But if experience had taught her anything it was that they should always expect a surprise, and not the good kind either.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Watching the chaos that began to unfold around her brought confusion along with it, prompting Alicia's brows to furrow as she'd make her way to regroup with the others. By the time she'd arrived she shared a part in witnessing the destruction caused to the attacking ships, remaining silent through the demonstration of power before her eyebrows raised as Zilia spoke. She didn't know what to think or even what to say, so many questions reaching the forefront of her mind before she quickly blinked and sank her blade into the deck to use it as an anchor point as Zilia mentioned holding onto something. The following destruction as she summoned a small sun into existence caused her to watch in stunned silence, unsure how to process what she was seeing as the sun consumed the attacking ships, sending them to the depths of the ocean if not outright disintegrating them.
When the doctor collapsed in Luro's arms she looked to the others to see if anyone had words to put towards what they'd just witnessed, but when it seemed they mostly shared in her confusion she decided to instead focus back in on the situation. "Withdrawing seems to be the best move, we have Zilia. No need to stay any longer than we have to... we can reconvene and discuss what just happened when we're back to somewhere safe." she added, aiming her words mostly at Ru as she inclined her head towards their captain, awaiting her orders before she'd moved to follow them. Before that however she looked towards Jack and Cedric, "Perhaps one of you two should carry Zilia... Luro is right, besides his marksmanship may be needed if we're followed during our leave from this place." she added, casting her gaze back towards the direction they had came from. This was turning out to be one hell of a day.
Location: Scarlet Ship, Coming to Collect.
Time: To get the doctor
Like a moth to a flame, trouble was there alright. It was never too far from the Stardusk Crew.
But the captain wasted no time clearing her own path onto the ship's deck. It seemed their sneaky tactic had a mixed success- Runali expected as such- as the mercenaries caught wind of their appearance.
Right after the explosion Luro created, Runali's voice followed it, addressing those that didn't get sent overboard. "Outta the way! We're here for one thing and one thing only!" She stormed across the deck of the ship, mostly ignoring those who tried to stop her. Kadi and Luro were close. They handled a majority. And not too long after, the rest of the Stardusk filed into the chaos as well. She flexed her gloved hand, impatiently searching for a way below deck that didn't require her blowing a hole in the ship nor did it require her facing waves of attackers. Zilia was first priority. Fighting wasn't her first interest.
Just as she decided that further destruction of the ship would be fine, she heard Luro yell Zilia's name. Runali paused and looked up, bright and hopeful, as if her carpenter had some reason to lie. But, no, there she stood in a path of destruction, untouched and calm. Runali wanted to run towards her, grab her and check to see if she was okay and let her know that calvary was there. She wanted to berate her for getting swept up in such a mess without them.
But her mood shifted when she heard someone yell to shoot her. Weapons were raised and a fire lit around Runali's fist as she readied to bare her metaphorical fangs. But what followed made her stop in her tracks.
Runali knew Zilia could handle her own- she knew the doctor could fight. Zilia wouldn't have lasted very long if she couldn't. But Ru was witnessing wasn't a fight. She was witnessing an effortless display of destructive force… from the very person that complained about when her own crew did it! And yet, despite being awe-stricken, something about how Zilia carried herself in the moment made Runali bite her tongue- deciding it wasn't the right time to barrel towards her with a barrage of questions, despite the urge to.
Runali hadn't particularly been paying attention to her surroundings. The moment she heard a voice come from that silent doctor, she froze. The shock of hearing someone she had known for years after being so sure that she was mute felt a little too unreal. And that was in light of whatever Alicia had turned into earlier and whatever Zilia was creating now.
Speaking of, the request went on deaf ears. It wasn't until Runali had started to get pulled towards the destruction did she realize she needed to grab onto something. Kadi grabbed her wrist. He was holding onto a tied rope. They shared a silent look, something that read as 'thanks' and 'this is bad'.
And then it was over almost as quick as it began.
"I'll take her," Jack answered to Luro and Alicia. He bent and scooped the Doctor up in his arms, looking at her face, recalling her words. She felt so light and small and vulnerable. The complete opposite of her display a moment ago.
In the end, am I even surprised? He didn't know. The turning thoughts were kept hidden under a blank mask as he turned to the captain.
"Back to the ship?"
Luro and Jack got to Zilia first. Runali would have rushed over too, but she was too busy assessing the damage. She counted her crew, looked around at the destruction to see who… or what was left. There wasn't anything she could think to say- that wasn't directly to Zilia but she was asleep.
Her brow furrowed, visibly in thought while she assessed the damage done. And when Jack spoke up, she turned to look at him. "...Yeah. Let's hurry up and get back to the ship." Towards the others, she added. "Keep an eye out and make sure no one else is following."
Jack stuck close to the captain as they made their way back to Lady Luck, knowing her Armament was the best shield if more people attacked. He kept his eyes wide and alert-- and briefly drifting to Runali.
"Are you okay?" he whispered.
"Yeah, no damage done." It was an instinctive reply, making it a little too obvious that Runali wasn't truly paying attention when he asked. Though, when she said it, she looked down at herself to double check. When she was sure she hadn't gotten any injuries she missed, save for maybe a scratch or two, she nodded in reassurance. A quick glance in Jack's direction made her focused gaze soften a bit. A sigh followed and she looked down at Zilia. "Ah, yeah.. I just… have a feeling this is gonna get a lot worse before it gets better. Zil's got… a lot of explaining to do that's for sure."
As they neared the ship, the captain let out a sharp, quick whistle. It didn't take long for Coral to appear, flying down and meeting them. "Coral's still here so the ship's fine." She nudged the bird towards Kadi, signalling for him to prepare to leave as soon as possible.
Jack went into the hold, placing the sleeping doctor in her bunk. When he came back, his hand was in his waistcoat. He gestured for Runali to come away from the others, to the helm, as he pulled out a note and handed it to her.
Jack even in a letter I can't share too much. I'm positive Stranger has someone watching what's unfolding here so my hands are tied. I'm going to spread a rumor at what this letter actually says so if you show this to your Captain inform her to burn it, or at the very least do it yourself and pass it through word of mouth. The people Stranger works with are called the Guides of the Abyss. They're...a bit of a pain to deal with. The good news is they're further along and don't roam this area generally, the bad news is you guys seem to have an eye for trouble so be careful. If I was to offer a comparison, they would be the 'Worst Generation' of that area, most mercenary's either bend or knee or step out of their way. They're very strong, be cautious."
-Mr. Businessman
"This is what Sor gave to me. It's not much… but it's a start. A name to whomever we're dealing with." He paused, at first as if to give her time to read. But when she saw his face, it was tight, and his throat constricted. "There's, uh, something else. When I followed Sid down into the hold of that ship, I saw something…"
He recounted what he saw of the talking wolf creature, in surprising detail for such a brief glimpse. His eyes kept flicking to Cedric as he did. The younger brother seemed to be in an emotional state since they left, though neither of them acknowledged it.
"That's… That can't be good." Runali fumbled with the paper, folding it and unfolding it between her fingers. "Doesn't sound like someone that wants to have a friendly conversation." She gave a small, hollow laugh. "Might actually prefer talking to Jones wildly enough… somehow that made more sense than this." With the fiery glove still on her hand, she effortlessly burned the note to cinders. "But hey, Worst for Worst. We're in the big leagues- bound to have the challenges of one." It seemed more like reassurance for her rather than Jack, but she nodded anyway, letting the flame disappear with the ashes. She peeled the glove off, planning to return it, pausing to add, "Just, be prepared for anything. We've dealt with enough monster-y wolves, I think."
"You and me both," scoffed Jack. He fiddled with the chipped wood grain of the banister for a moment. "Captain…do you ever wonder what will be the death of this crew?"
The short laugh that followed was a little more lively. She started to turn, wanting to check in with her crew, but she paused and looked at Jack to smile. "Whatever it is, it'll certainly be a story to tell for generations."
Jack looked her in the eye. "Not if it's secrets. Come on, Runali, I can't be the only one who's seeing this trend. Me, Luro, Kadi… now Zilia. I know you have your own too. I'm not saying it'll never be a threat-- by the Gods, I know that-- but… this crew's, in particular, everytime one finds the light, it gets more and more deadly. Eventually it will be the death of us."
"You aren't wrong, Jack." Her brow raised. "There seems to be hell to pay with every secret that follows." She stepped over towards him, light on her toes mimicking the calculating footsteps of some cat-like predator. "You'd think that after so long, even Z would realize the trend. Either way it goes, whether we're facing a nation, stealing a soul back, or fighting off groups of… ghosts with vendettas, the trend may start the same but it also ends the same."
"We end up on the winning side." Runali gave a shrug. "And frankly, that's all I need to know. So, what's one more secret told too late? Though, I'll admit, it'd have been much nicer to really get to know you all without the threat of danger that followed." There was a moment's pause before Runali playfully scoffed. "I, chef, am an open book. Secrets are for those that have regrets."
He scoffed again, leaning against the banister. "You're mostly right… but not every secret's the same, and some are meant to be kept…"
He started rolling a cigarillo, then stopped. HIs mouth twisted and he flicked it overboard into the sea. "We've gotten only lucky. It's a streak that'll run out some day. Maybe tomorrow, even. That display Zilia pulled? I've only seen Alicia reach that level. And the blue mist...I swear it was the same that surrounded that creature. Whatever we're dealing with, it may be out of our depth. Let's not forget Vai's prophecy. We'll need to stick close to our doctor."
"You've said that before and it only seemed to lead to an inevitable secret to tell." She commented, tracing her thumb over the glove's fiery design. "At some point, it just stops being our call to make." At the mention of luck, her gaze flickered first up at the sails as they were set and then to the ocean. "Y'know, with how many of the crew I've lost…? Sometimes luck feels like it already did." She shrugged again, holding her arms behind her back. "Lot of things have been out of our depth Jackie. We'll figure it out as we go. That's really all we can do. That or run, but I think it's a little too late for that."
The chef laughed at that. "Yeah. Yeah, probably. Once Zilia wakes up, she'll tell us more, give us a defense...I hope…" He fell silent, and began biting at his thumbnail. "Have you read your letter from Vai yet?" Jack asked out of the blue.
"See? A trend." Runali commented, only to nod right after. "Oh, yeah." She smiled again. "That's why Sor's around. Vai said he'd help and can't say Mr. Business didn't deliver. He's going to be a fun ally to have."
"I hope so." He replied, but his eyes were distant, as if the question he'd ask was already half-forgotten.
Releasing a heavy sigh, Jack vaulted into an upright position and stretched, wincing as a cascade of pops erupted from his joints. "I'm going to go sit with Zilia for the time being. I'll bring her up once she's awake. You'll be alright?" His head tilted, subdued concern written in his face. It covered the underlying quiver that never quite left while they talked.
There was a lingering, hard to read look that Runali gave Jack. It wasn't something she hadn't done before with her crew. Her staring was usually her way of assessing the crew, making sure she didn't overlook any injuries or signs of fatigue. It lasted for a few short moments, up until she hooked her thumb under her eyepatch and pulled it off her eye. "Get some rest Jack. You need it… I'll be fine."
He smiled tiredly and patted her arm. Then headed down for the crew's quarters. Before he did, he stopped next to Cedric, bending close, and placing comforting hands on the younger man's shoulders. Mute words were exchanged and Sid was pulled into a rough hug followed by a kiss on the hair. Then he disappeared below the deck.
"Ce que l'enfer ..." Cedric took a half step back but gathered his wits enough not to rear into the wall. His brow furrowed as he tried processing what he saw.
Black pupils surrounded by glowing red turned on him. That harsh guttural snarl caused a prickling sensation in his gut. He sucked in his breath, trying his best to deny what was fast becoming apparent. Jack said he took care of him, his mind whispered. The differences between the two men should have been obvious but he couldn't see it. His mind kept imposing his memories onto the white fur. The red eyes started turning an angry yellow.
Sid's body shook as the chill spread across his back. He gulped silently, barely paying attention to what was said. The only word that stuck was 'Slayis'. It didn't make any sense to him. Who or what was Slayis? He didn't recognize that name and it confused him even more. He knew this man ... didn't he? He pursued him down the streets of East Norja and they ended up in the quietest part of the Guildtown.
Sciaretta, his mind supplied, reminding him of vague details of the mission. Cedric's hands floundered when his fingers contacted something solid. He whipped his head to the side, grazing his cheek against the rough boards. He blinked slowly as his mind slowly separated from reality. He smacked the wall repeatedly then clawed it. He felt trapped.
Zilia, the Stardusk, nothing made sense anymore. He closed his eyes and tried to clear his head. All he saw was darkness. His mark knew about him somehow and managed to bait him into a confined space. He balled his fists, trying his best to calm down. He, Adenin, where was his partner? Sid's mind wondered. He thought about Jack and ...
He dropped down to his knees and clutched his head. His hands found themselves lowering pass his shoulders; his fingers scraping the bare skin. Where was he exactly? He ... wait, no! He raked his skin enough to start drawing blood. The pain shocked him, reminding him of the worst to come. He staggered about blindly. His ears picking up snarls that weren't there. He was going to die, wasn't he?
Swallowing hard, Cedric reached for his pouch. He stopped suddenly as a voice whispered into his ear. His face relaxed into a mask of confusion. What? He questioned the instruction. He hesitated, flicking the edge of his summoning cards. Blood magic? He questioned again. This voice sounded curiously like Madame's, so reassuring and so decisive. He guessed he had no other choice.
The Stardusk summoner reached for the stained hunting knife in his boot and brought the blade to his hand. Chaos' warnings completely ignored. Blood splattered the ground as the wet blade slipped from Sid's fingers. Mechanically, he dipped towards the floor and started sketching out the strange marking on the underside of his wrist in his own blood. He was following Charlotte's voice step by step. He only needed to trigger this to bring forth a spell strong enough to stand a chance against the Wolf.
Sid's black cat nudged her summoner's leg. She leaped onto his knee and tapped his face, but the result was the same. He seemed to be in some sort of trance. She yowled loudly, calling to her siblings and hoping someone would come to their aid.
Up on deck, Jackie, the smallest of the familiar trio, poked her head out of Jack's pocket. Her pink nose wrinkling as she tried puzzling out what it was she needed to convey to this other Master. Unable to decide, she passed on the message wholesale, every emotion, every thought and every physical detail she had gleaned from her agitated sister. She mewed softly, tapping the warm hand with her paw. She continued bombarding Jack, her namesake, hoping he would respond soon.
It was enough to drop the chef to his knees. "Stop it. Stop!" He tried to shout at the kitten but it came out as a croak. Cedric's emotions, running through his familiars, somehow translating to Jack, were enough to make feel sick to the stomach. His distress was enough to subside the agitated kitten. He shook his head. Stumbled up to his feet. His mind tried to make sense of what he saw even as he staggered towards the hold.
What was that-- a wolf?-- the Wolf!? No, I killed him. Blasted him to pieces.
The Wolf, a notorious Devil Fruit User, someone who'd nearly killed Cedric and tipped Jack into a bloody pursuit for vengeance. It felt it'd been decades ago, that particular stain in the chef's past, but couldn't have been more than a handful of years. Not recent enough to plague his dreams. Fresh enough to slam the memories into his present mind. Gritting his teeth, Jack made it to the steps and raised his knife.
Blue mist filled the cramped space; his targets beginning to vanish. Neither Zilia or Sid were in sight. He froze for a horrified moment when his eyes saw Slayis. The creature was larger, more alien than what Jackie showed Jack. Three eyes landed on him just as he threw the knife but it was too late. The throwing sailed through the beast as it vanished. Its Armament blade pierced the cargo behind, ruptured a barrel of rum, and continued until it hit the sea below the ship's hull.
In that same amount of time, Jack found Cedric. He knelt beside his brother and threw the knife that Cedric used away from them. Fingers enclosed the marked fist, smearing the blood drawing, as Jack used his other hand to gently tilt his brother's face to him, forcing Cedric to look at him.
"Sid? Sid? Can you hear me? You're safe... you have to snap out of it, please. Please." The last word came out as a whisper, soft and begging.
Cedric lashed out, clawing his brother in the face and arms. A sleek stickiness began coating the elder until both of them appeared to be bleeding. Sid's dazed eyes strained even more as garbled Trovalian tumbled from his lips, giving light to the mess in his mind.
"Fére, pardonne-moi. N'allez pas, Madame. Ne n'pas," he repeated over and over. His mind bouncing between memories of him bleeding out in the alley, dying, and him waking up to find Jack gone. The words tumbling from Charlotte's lips clattering like stones into his stomach.
Desperation, hallucination, maybe both, caused the younger brother to grip Jack's wrist with alarming strength. He keened loudly, apologising and begging even more. Stay, he beseeched. Don't get involve with her. You won't survive.
Blood trailed down the marked wrist and the symbols glowed. Sid rasped in pain, curling forward. His hands tore from Jack's as he clutched his burning wrist. "Oú es-tu," he gritted. (Where are you?)
Grey wisps outline a familiar silouhette. A ethereal Charlotte stood before the brothers, looking on impressively. She was Charlotte and yet she wasn't. Like the illusion of Adelaide, there was something off about her face. Something sinister. When Jack took a closer look, she was gone.
Chaos hissed in the spectre's aftermath while Jackie retreated behind Jack. The tinier kitten covered her eyes with her paws, mewing nervously. That thing was still around though not quite whole, both familiars could sense it. She knew now what Chaos didn't want Master summoning.
Jack let go, realizing almost at once his brother's predicament. There was no spell or illusion that influenced— he was living another memory. A flashback, Adelaide described them. For all Sid knew, Jack was just another enemy of the past. He refused to move farther away but let Cedric have his space.
"Fere, listen to me." Jack switched to Trovalian. He talked in a slow and methodical tone. "You're experiencing a flashback. Okay? It's not real— nothing you are seeing or feeling is real. So I need you to take deep breaths. Deep breaths... in and out... okay? Listen to me. It's not real. But can you feel the ship's movement? The wet wood? It's cramped in here..."
Jack alternated between describing their surroundings and reminding Sid to breathe— doing just best to ground his brother back into reality. His voice rose or fell or gave away anything but the calm and assured presence he exuded. Even when the fighting intensifies above them, Jack ignored it. He couldn't abandon Sid. He had to trust that his crew would be safe.
Cedric breathed unevenly like a child quietening their tears. This voice, his brother's, soothed the turmoil inside. He clung to every word, feeling like the frightened boy he used to be. He recalled those stormy nights when he would hide in Jack's arms when thunder clapped outside the Bloody Aurora. His fére would soothe him with songs he didn't recognise. All that warmth lulled him into a comfortable slumber, one where his nightmares couldn't hurt him.
Tears lined his cheeks and Sid curled towards Jack's beating heart. He fisted the shirt, wanting to believe it was real. The spicy, cedar coming from the mingling of his brother's aftershave and sweat pulled him back. Slowly, it washed away the stench of his own blood mingling with the muddy waters. He choked softly as Charlotte's disappointment pinged in his consciousness.
He nuzzled Jack's neck, allowing his big brother to pull him into a hug. His body barely flinching at the touch though he stiffen for a few seconds. With his focus finally broken, the symbols of on his wrist dulled and the pain disappeared.
"J'ai vu un ange cette nuit-là. Elle était belle avec des ailes blanches." He murmured tiredly. "I thought I had died and I worried about you. I didn't know what will happen when you find out. Would you be ok ..."
Sid reflected on his own words. He had never seen this blonde woman before. She had the whitest wings he had ever seen almost like an angel. Or, one from the battered bible he found onboard the Bloody Aurora. She was the last thing he saw before passing out. He remembered a single white feather falling from her wings and catching the silvery moonlight as it drowned in his blood. He shook his head slowly not wanting Jack to worry.
"J'vais bien," he told his older brother as the man began treating his injured palm. (I'm fine)
The familiars remained on edge. Chaos prowled back and forth proactively. Her teeth were bared in a rare show of aggression. As Jack was helping Sid to his feet, she crouched low with her claws flashing.
"Too weak," Charlotte's disembodied voice tutted.
The atmosphere shifted as the words faded away. Scant heat returned to the room, warming Sid's icy skin. The summoner rubbed the goose pimples running down his skin and regretting not dressing up warmly. He recalled a new cloak being added to his wardrobe recently. The design certainly not to his taste but the colour was discreet and the material warm. He thought he caught a whiff of Z's familiar scent, an almost medicinal one, lingering in the folds.
"Fére," he whispered. "We should go."
The black cat looked confused. Her tension returning when she felt the hums of a different energy filling the air, one she didn't associate with Alicia. She yowled loudly, beckoning the Masters to hurry. She didn't like what was about to happen.
Jackie opted to retreat back into Jack's pocket. Her body curling up into a protective shell. All this energy confused her. She shivered continuously against the warmth radiating from the skin side of the pocket.
Jack soothed and let his brother cling to him, sensing the worst of the living memory was over. It was a short-lived relief. Above the battle was escalating. They needed to get back to the crew but...
"I'm here, and you are too," Jack said, sticking to Trovalian as a comforting gesture to Sid. "And there's no weakness in admitting when something's wrong." He knelt and stared until Cedric looked at him. The smile he gave was tired and wane, but understanding. It dissipated when they heard screaming from above.
"But you're not wrong either. We're going to talk about this later, yeah?" He gripped Sid's shoulder even as the opposite reached for weapons.
Cedric gripped Jack's hand with his uninjured one. Gently, with the other arm around his waist, his brother hauled him up. He nodded in silent thanks as the man returned his knife. They remained link rib to rib, walking as rapidly as Sid could manage. All around them, the tides of battle was clear. Cedric's face turned stonier the further they went. Looking into those lifeless eyes would always make him uneasy.
He sucked in his breath and felt a familiar tickling down the back of his throat. He choked it down discreetly, hoping Jack remained focused on the stillness that descended upon them. Sid's fingers dug into Jack's shirt as he felt waves of power pulling towards someone or something. The sensation a lot more surreal than his itching throat. He froze.
"Ja -, fére, we need to get cover. Now!" Cedric ordered. His voice heavy with urgency as his eyes dazed with growing horror. A realisation of the damage this amount of energy could wreck.
Without thinking, he tackled Jack towards the nearest recess and used his body to anchor them. He bit his own thumb, smearing the blood onto the sides of the door. Black threads spun around them, forming a protective web. It was just enough to keep them standing as a shockwave ran through the otherwise still ship. Their ears close to bleeding from the massive boom of exploding ships around them.
Sid buried his face into Jack's neck, feeling even more ill. His stomach churned violently as he reacted to the flood of energy washing back into the world. He heaved a couple of times before he let go of his brother and vomited all over the floor. The first in a very long time since he had gotten adept at putting up the walls Alicia taught him to. He hated himself even more for being caught unprepared. His fists balled tightly against cool planks as he emptied his stomach.
Up top, Jack's butterfly knife sang from its sheath as they approached the carnage, his face a mirror of Cedric's and his body tense. Eyes flickered here and there— checking for familiar shapes among the unconscious or dead. His eyes widened as they suddenly staggered, a breath of power blasting them, and he turned in time to see the cause before Sid pushed him down.
"Zilia," he gasped.
The subsequent shockwave had him huddling half over Cedric, waiting for the tumultuous tides to subside and then after rubbing his brother's back as he was sick over the rails. "Easy now," Jack murmured, "I don't think any of us could expect this..."
His voice trailed off. He looked over his shoulder, watching his crew slowly regather. He couldn't stop staring at Zilia. At last, he sighed, weary and wariness creating weights in his voice. "Here we go again."
Jack sat in a chair in Zilia's quarters, back on Lady Luck. His head lulled on his chest. Soft breathing indicated a level of sleep. The exhaustion hadn't truly hit until Runali mentioned it during chat, and he really felt it once he sat down, content on waiting for Zilia to awaken. He promised he'd bring her to the deck once she had.
In his hands, resting on his lap, was her notebook.
Zilia eyes slowly opened a small groan escaping from her, she brought a hand to her head and slowly sat up trying to quell the throbbing pain resonating in her skull. She took a moment to calm down and weather through the pain before taking a moment to look around. Recognizing books that stacked up to the ceiling she quickly realized she was back in her room, she looked over to see Jack sitting in the only 'open' area and blinked a few times.
She stared a long time at Jack before turning and putting her face in her hands. Her memories were all too clear about what just happened. Even if it wasn't the sensation still hovering around her hands was enough to fill in the blanks. Taking a long deep breath she pulled herself back together and moved her hands from her face. She reached over to take her notebook back from Jack before she intended on going to rejoin the others, who unfortunately were probably going to have questions…even though she had no desire to answer them.
She gripped the notebook but it did not budge. Jack's hands tightened around it and his eyes snapped open, fully alert; relieved and wary when he saw Zilia awake. He looked down at the notebook for a long moment and before relinquishing it.
"Sorry. It dropped when I-- well…" Jack blushed and smoothed back his hair, vividly remembering the moment when he'd stumbled over Zilia's book towers and nearly dropped the doctor in the process. He'd done his best to fix the books but doubtless she'd find a few out of place later. He coughed and continued, "I uh, didn't read it. I thought about it. You did kill the person who returned it to you."
The soft smile undercut his words, delivering no judgement on her actions.
Zilia's eyes shot up to Jack as she felt resistance her hand almost pulling away until he released it. She stared at him listening before she lowered her gaze, quickly flipping through the pages, her eyes scanning over each one before she closed it, her shoulders relaxing a bit.
Her eyes moved back to Jack wondering what had him flustered but left the matter alone, given what just happened it'd probably be strange if there was no reaction.
At his words Zilia said nothing, only watched him in silence. Her gaze was generally gentle, almost like a mother hen on some days but today there was something behind her eyes, searching for something from the man in front of her. Eventually she closed her eyes seeming to answer an internal question before opening them again, returning herself to normal.
She took out her notebook as always and quickly scribbled a note, paying no mind to anything else as she wrote.
"He shouldn't be dead...I made sure not to hit him that hard...but then again in my emotional state who knows what happend. I also appreciate you not looking. There are many things I'd forgive of you and the others, reading this notebook is not one of them."
Her eyes moved to the notebook, fingers brushing over the Stardusk Symbol adorning the front of it, her eyes narrowed slightly and her face twisted a bit, she seemed to fight with something before getting up forcing the calm back to her face.
Her eyes moved to her books noticing there were a few out of place causing her to tilt her head, but she put the notion aside, instead just moving a few to another stack.
"I'm guessing you carried me back, thank you. I suppose I should rejoin the others now that I'm awake. I owe them a formal apology for getting myself kidnapped."
"That's not what they'll ask for," Jack told her bluntly. "And you know it. They don't need an apology-- they need answers."
He turned to face her, something he hadn't done when she originally got up. Instead he'd been composing the resignation that danced across his face when she commented about the notebook. You'll have to give them something. Even if it's not the whole truth. The thought rang clearly in his head and translated to his serious face, painfully blatant.
"There's something I'd like to know, too. You don't have to tell me now-- only if you promise to tell the crew as a whole." His hand lifted, going to twist a cigarillo between his lips that wasn't there. The quiver came back and he tried to suppress it.
"What do you plan to do next, Zilia? What do you want?"
Zilia stopped mid step at Jack's words, she kept her back to him but it was clear his words had reached her. She put her foot down but made no attempt to look at him, her eyes focused on the door ahead of her. She turned only to meet his gaze feeling it on her back, her eyes narrowing slightly but her averted gaze was enough to show she didn't have a proper retaliation to his words, what he said was true and she grit her teeth not pleased to have it spoken aloud. Of course they'd want answers, it didn't mean she liked the idea.
"...I've already said what I wanted. For that display of mine to be buried in Treya...permanently," Zilia held a note up trying to compose herself.
She knew being upset changed nothing but she kept recalling that scene, seeing the others standing there and the very thought of it lit a strange fire in her chest.
"If that requires answers then I'll provide them but I won't like it. The sooner we move past it the better. The sooner it's forgotten the happier I'll be. If being honest is what it takes to achieve that then I have no qualms about it...what's the point in keeping it secret at this point anyway...
Her face tensed as a pained expression formed on it and she brought a hand to her mouth turning her back to Jack again, she took a few breaths to try and calm herself.
She questioned how this subject always pulled the worse out of her, the red glow flashed around her arm and she quickly gripped her wrist.
"Stop."
She actually spoke the words this time and the glow left her arm fading away, her whole body remained tense for a moment as if she was waiting for it to reappear before she relaxed and held a note up to Jack.
"What I plan to do is fix this issue I've caused due to allowing my emotions to get the better of me. Then returning to my usual state."
Eyes drooping, Jack watched intently without seeming to, never moving from the chair until she was done. Then he got and stepped around to the door. He knew they couldn't wait much longer— but he couldn't stop himself either. Vai's warning rang in his head, along with his talk to Runali, and the image of Slayis, and his brother's episode. His lips trembled and he put a hand over to stop it.
"Zilia, there was a time I'd care about your powers, and tattoos, and why you prefer pen and paper to that musical voice you have. There was a time I did. Right now, though... I just need your promise on something. Promise me that whatever's going to happen next— whatever you plan to do— don't do it alone. Not without us. Our crew carries deadly secrets and I'm— I am...."
Jack's voice failed him for a moment; the quiver returned. He put his head against the door to steady himself.
"I care about you. I'm sorry we witnessed something you didn't want us to see. Don't use it as an excuse to push us away. Don't make my mistakes. Please." Then he admitted, much more quietly, "I don't want to lose another crew member."
Zilia opened her mouth to respond to Jack but something about his expression disarmed what she wanted to say. Her hands twitched and her shoulders dropped a bit at his words, she remembered when she spoke to Jack upon his return from the incidents in Trovale. About secrets, about trusting in them and it put a heavy weight on her chest. Even if it wasn't intentional she didn't like that she put that expression on Jack's face.
"...I don't want this either."
Zilia mumbled the words hugging herself as she tried to calm herself down.
Jack's face softened and he almost reached to hug her, but checked the motion. She didn't like unwelcomed touching anymore than Cedric. Instead, he stood a little closer, projecting as much comfort as possible.
She wasn't thinking straight, she was acting like a child she needed to stop this, allowing her emotions to get the better of her wasn't going to fix this problem. She took in a long breath, let it out and calmed herself before pulling out her notebook.
"I...don't want to push anyone away...and it's not your or anyone's fault. I lost control...you all only came to help me. Being mad about that is childish...I'll make sure to remember that should my thoughts go in dangerous directions."
Zilia wanted to smile but she didn't want to give Jack a fake one, not like this. She was visibly more calmer though and squeezing the bridge of her nose she let out another long sigh before writing down again.
"The Captain has enough on me as it is...I'll work to make sure she doesn't gain more. Now come on the others are probably waiting on an explanation"
"On that, I can only wish you the best of luck."
They'd wasted enough time. Consenting to Zilia, he opened the door and bowed her out of the room. As she passed, he said, "But, you know… sometimes it's better to trust emotion over logic."
Zilia walked onto the main deck, her mouth moving a bit as she stepped outside her eyes narrowed as she mumbled silently to herself. Upon stepping fully out into the light she raised her head stopping whatever conversation she was having with herself. She found the eyes or rather eye she was looking for her gaze falling onto the Captain, then to the redhead that stood next to her, the same bright grin on his face as always.
Though as he turned to see her it shrunk ever so slightly, not generally noticeable if one didn't pay attention to his general mannerisms, it faded as quickly as it came however, whatever emotion that showed itself shoved aside as quickly as it came.
She regretted knowing the man enough to recognize when he was surprised.
Zilia reached for her notebook and pen before a voice reached her.
"I think we're past that Z."
Zilia stopped her pen lingering inches from the paper and raised her eyes back to Luro.
"You have a nice voice, just talk to us normally. Don't get why you were silent all this time anyway."
Zilia stared at Luro for a long moment, her eyes narrowing at him before she sighed and put the items away.
"...I'm to take that as you're not just going to let this go," Zilia said with her voice. "I'll be blunt, personally I don't want to discuss what happened back in Treya...but I owe you answers at this point so if you feel a need to know I'll willingly share."
"I'm curious Z," Luro said raising his hand.
"I don't care about curiosity," Zilia said, shaking her head slightly. "I said if you 'need' to know. Do you need to know what happened back there Captain? I'm part of your crew...so I'll answer if you want me to...otherwise I'd have returned to my normal ways by now."
She respected everyone on the ship but Runali was her boss first and foremost, even if it did bring chaos she followed her orders. She wanted it made clear she wasn't answering this willingly, if it wasn't an order she wasn't going to talk about it.
"By answering I may accidentally kill everyone here...so please consider the answer carefully."
"Now I'm even more curious," Luro said grinning and rubbing the side of his head.
Zilia didn't bother responding only keeping her mouth shut waiting for a response from the Captain.
When Zilia finally woke, Runali looked just a little more relieved compared to how contemplative she had been with Jack. While everyone took to keeping busy, she was idly standing by petting Coral talking to whoever was nearby- which, was mostly Luro at the time. Runali straightened up, nudging the bird off her and walked over to the doctor as Luro talked to her. Similar to when they were in Jaipur, much like Runali's dad did to her, the captain gently tilted Zilia's face one way and then the other to inspect if there was any visible damage. Once she was satisfied, she let Zilia go and stepped back with a shrug.
"Of course I agree with Luro. But, you are right. You do owe that much."
It went quiet for a moment after Zilia directed the question to her. She thought it over, knowing her own philosophy of secrets shared was… different from most. Secrets were shared when they were ready, but it didn't seem like the doctor was very ready to talk… But on the other hand, after a display like that, sometimes a few answers were needed. Runali's fingers tapped against her hip to a nonexistent rhythm, only for her to hold up four fingers. "Four. But this doesn't mean you're off the hook for being a hypocrite." It was said in a light joking manner, but her tone shifted to something a little more serious.
"You're up and walking, but are you okay?" Her crew's safety was her first priority as per usual. "...Because you do realize when those people come back, you're gonna have to be ready to make a lot of tough choices." She raised a brow but continued with her four questions. If she was going to choose her questions carefully, she'd at least lay them out for her to answer just as carefully. "This… Scarlet whatever, or Guides of the Abyss- whoever these friendly people are, what trouble do you have with them? I do like to have reasons for being thrown into fights. Don't get me wrong, protecting the doctor is a pretty good reason, but I'd love to know what hell you've raised for them to be so angry." She cracked a small grin for a moment. Had it not been 'serious conversation' time, she'd definitely have been prodding Zilia about her yelling at them all the time to 'not get into trouble'.
Two fingers were still up. "How would answering kill us?" And when Runali had one finger left, she pointed at Zilia. "We've fought… hundreds of battles and gotten out of hundreds of troubles for years… Did you not think they would come back… Or did you not trust us enough to help you?" Runali sounded, almost offended, hurt even by the idea of her not trusting them after so long, but she sighed it away and nodded. "That's four you have to answer. You can write if you want but, I'm sure talking would be a lot faster. But," She couldn't help but chuckle. "Kudos to you for being able to keep quiet despite how many times you could have yelled at us for doing something dangerous. You're obviously dedicated."
Zilia seemed to shift a bit at the questions but remained silent listening to the Captain, her eyes averted at the mention of how it could kill them but refocused back on her as she spoke again. Her eyes narrowed slightly at her last question and Zilia reached up fiddling with her bang trying to figure out where exactly to start with that particular question.
"You have no idea Captain," Zilia said in response to her dedication. "You misunderstand though. I don't go around making enemies if I don't have too."
Zilia lowered her hand and raised her gaze back to Runali.
"I don't know who those people are. The person that hired them knew me. I've never met them," Zilia said. "I almost died to two people's secrets on this crew...it should go without saying I wouldn't be keeping any if I didn't have too."
She had given up the idea of trying to write all this down, she had a feeling Luro would just stop her again anyway. It would also speed up the conversation considering the subject.
"I'm not okay...well physically I'm fine…speaking of which thank you for rescuing me. I really do appreciate it. I wouldn't have been able to get away without your assistance. So thank you...everyone. I apologize for getting in that mess in the first place."
"You're welcome Z but I'm confused about the secret thing. You can talk and stuff...why didn't you say anything if you apparently wanted to?" Luro said.
"Well...that ties into the last question. Do you remember what I told you on the ship when I asked you to listen?"
Luro brought a hand to his chin and looked around at the others thinking back to it, after a moment he snapped his fingers.
"Oh you told us that you have powers and you can talk," Luro said before hopping onto a barrel.
"That I did," Zilia said nodding. "Secrets in my case do more damage when shared then kept to oneself."
Zilia held her hand out palm up and a red orb suddenly appeared, hovering over her hand letting out a small glow.
"I'm the owner of the Chat-Chat-Fruit."
Zilia closed her hand causing the red energy to fade away.
"If the name didn't give it away it allows me to use words as weapons. Depending on the intimacy and weight of the words it can have different effects. You saw first hand what happens when I reveal secrets. Especially two of them."
Zilia crossed her arms and a long sigh escaped from her just thinking about the scene.
"Every word I speak puts you all in needless danger. Words are naturally invisible but because of my devil fruit I can 'see' them. Where they are and what they'll do to you if they activate."
Zilia made a motion with her hand causing Luro to step to the side and she made a downward motion with her fingers, a long red vertical line appeared where Luro was sitting on and cut the nearby Barrel clean in half.
"I detest this power and the fact I possess it..I've worked hard so I never have to rely on it...but I broke that streak today...so no...I am not okay. After this day ends I'll retake my vow and return to my normal self...and I refuse to answer any further questions about my power after that...so get what you need to say out now."
Runali hummed in thought and stared over at the newly destroyed barrel. "Hmmm, liar." She held up one finger. "You're a Stardusk. Making enemies even if we don't have too comes with the job. It's part of the fun." She held up a second, but paused. She didn't immediately remember Zilia mentioning she could talk, but even if she did, Runali carried on. "Could've said 'hey, I can talk but it might blow up a ship if I say the wrong thing.' Which would be really cool and I'd kill to test how sharp it is- but that's besides the point. Wouldn't have questioned the giant explosions you could create. Which, by the way, is absolutely insane. And I'm not just saying that because Tashigi can do… whatever the heck that was earlier today." The captain sighed, keeping her excitement in check.
She put her hands on her hips and looked at Zilia. "Look, I can't tell you how to live your life. Nor do I know why you've got so much resentment towards a really cool power but… it's a part of you whether you like it or not. You'd be better off learning how to make it something you can accept… rather than scourn. That's how you grow from things." She idly waved her hand in front of her face as if dismissing it. "But, what do I know. I'm not the one with powers."
With a final smug look, she lightly placed a knuckle on Zilia's cheek. "And you lied about caring. You just asked if we had more questions." She chuckled and placed her hands behind her back and stepped out of arms distance, letting Coral perch on her again. "But, I keep to my word. Four questions was my limit." She leaned against a barrel. "Anyone else have questions they'd like to ask the doctor before she's forced into bed rest?"
Zilia only seemed to grow more tense with each passing second, how long was this conversation going to last? She brought a hand to her face not sure what to say to the Captain right now, she didn't want more enemies, there was no fun in making enemies. They had enough of them as it was, Luro nodding in agreement didn't help matters either. At the mention of testing it Zilia brought a hand to her head shutting her eyes.
"That's part of the reason I didn't say anything in the first place…" she mumbled. "Also it doesn't matter what I say it's...never mind."
Her eyebrows lowered at the very idea of accepting her devil fruit, she could only shake her head at the Captain's advice, there would be no day where she would consider this power a gift, everything about it ate at her.
She looked up at the Captain as she was touched and lowered her hand from her head.
"I'm only humoring this so we never have to speak of it again," Zilia said looking back at the others. "Say what needs to be said now, I will ignore any further discussion after this."
"…can I ask a question?" Luro said smiling and raising a hand.
"If you must Red."
"…Z my name is Luro."
"I can't say names either. They carry as much weight as secrets. If I care about someone then the word will respond to that."
Luro blinked a few times before a bright grin found its way on his face and he leaned forward again crossing his arms over his chest.
"Awww…Z cares about me."
"Hatred and anger are emotions too Luro," Zilia added glaring at him.
"…I don't get how that applies to me."
"Really you don't-"
Zilia cut herself off as a purple glow formed at the side of the ship before detonating destroying a chunk of the rail, Luro looked over at the mess watching as the remaining wood fell into the ocean causing Zilia to promptly cover her mouth.
"….I'm sorry….the other reason I didn't say anything is…even with my control over it my power can still manifest due to my emotional state against my will. Should my emotions not be stable or I feel stressed it'll do…that."
Luro looked over at the hole and moved his hands to his hips.
"Good thing you're never stressed than huh Z."
"if you seriously think-"
Another explosion followed destroying a barrel directly next to Alicia, rum bottles breaking apart before staining the deck. Zilia brought a hand to her mouth again.
"…..I hate this stupid ability."
"It has a certain beauty to it though."
Another new voice responded to Zilia's voice drawing her attention to the owner of it.
A man stood nearby on the deck of the ship, against the edge away from the others.
Luro blinked a bit as he was pretty sure there was no one there just a moment again, seeing he was standing near the now broken part of the ship.
The man was dressed in dress clothes and stood a little bit away from the crew, mainly out of swinging range. He was garbed in a pair of striped dress pants accompanied by a striped vest over a red shirt. His tie was slightly undone giving his formal look a bit of casualness, and large hoop earrings hung in both ears.
There was a small smile on the man's face which was the only thing that could be seen on his face as he wore the mask of a wolf over it. Black scruffy hair poked out of the top of it and he offered a small nod to the group.
"Sergei? Wait no you're not him," Luro said rubbing the side of his head.
"Forgive my sudden appearance and for boarding your ship Captain Lev. I had little time to catch up to you in town," the man said. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is-"
"MAKA!!!"
Luro glanced over as Zilia sprinted past him, her rope dart falling into her hand as she rushed the gentleman. Luro's eyebrows arched at the amount of malice flowing from the tiny doctor. Eyes full of fury and her mouth twisted into a scowl she swung at the man who calmly stepped out of the way.
"Zilia…I don't want to fight you."
"Shut up!"
Luro grabbed his rifle when a red line formed in front of him.
"Don't you dare interfere! He's mine!" Zilia yelled rushing back at the masked man.
Zilia swung at the man attacking him with clearly visible fury, she attacked him repeatedly, Maka stepping backwards, making no attempt to respond to attack Zilia as she kept a close distance to him. He clearly had no intention of fighting, though it was hard to call what was happening a fight.
Zilia was attacking but Maka easily dodged her strikes, gently pushing away anything that got too close.
Zilia was clearly in no danger but her power was activating due to her heightened emotions destroying barrels, chunks of the deck, and anything unfortunate enough to be in the path of the glowing orbs.
"Zilia."
Maka flicked Zilia in her chest sending her sliding backwards along most of the deck, she stopped as she bumped into Luro who grabbed her by her shoulders to stop her.
"I'm not your enemy as I say countless times," Maka said lowering his arm.
"I'll kill you filth! Release me Red!"
"Z calm down."
"Why?!"
Luro motioned to the broken barrels and bits of the destroyed ship, Zilia's eyes widening a bit seeing what she was doing to the ship. It seemed to be enough to calm her down but she still pulled herself free from Luro focusing her attention back on the man known as Maka.
"I don't want to be enemies…I just want to talk."
"I have nothing to say to you," Zilia said reading her dart again.
"First can you put the weapon down," Maka said holding his hands up. "Given the situation I believe proper introductions are in order."
"Everyone this is a dead man, dead man everyone."
"Haha your sense of humor is as sharp as always Zilia."
"I'm going to enjoy watching you bleed out."
"…uh Captain…what's your thoughts here. I can fix all this but Z's slowly destroying the ship," Luro said.
"I'm going to feed what pieces remain of you to the fish, at the very least you'll be useful as part of the natural cycle," Zilia said taking a step towards him.
"I'm not sure if I should feel threatened or thankful at that comment, would the former be more proper?"
Maka seemed to keep his hands up in defense trying to put aside the animosity flowing from Zilia who seemed inches away from swinging at him again.
"Bah, we'll end up speaking about it again. And that's the part you're really dreading." At the name 'Red', Runali grimaced. "It is very cute that you care, very much so. But calling him that just makes me think of Nikos… or worse, the Red pirates." She stuck her tongue out in disgust, only to lean back a little when another barrel was destroyed. "Oi, calm yourself doctor, ship damage comes outta pay."
The new voice made her stand to her feet and made Coral take an aerial position, circling the intruder. "Sergei? Nah, the Court's jester had a bone mask. This one's… a dog."
"Listen, apologies don't get accepted until you-" Zilia was suddenly at the man's throat with an anger somehow not very fitting for her. At least, not something the captain was used to. It only made her wonder how much emotion the doctor was really keeping bottled up… But that was a thought process for another time.
Her head tilted to the side a little as she finished her sentence, "...explain yourself?" There wasn't much room to when Zilia wouldn't relent. Had she not been doing damage to the ship, Runali wouldn't have intervened either. Thankfully, Luro got to her.
"Alright, that's enough." She placed a hand on Zilia's shoulder, firmly pulling her out of arm's reach of the stranger. "Enough, doctor." Runali gave the stern command, before turning and looking at Maka. "Let him talk first… and then you can kill him." She gestured towards him. "Unless of course, you can make a good enough case that won't get you killed by the doctor or the rest of this crew."
Zilia was a step away from pulling free again when she heard Runali's voice, she stepped forward but she resisted the urge to charge Maka again. Her body trembled as she moved from foot to foot, using all of her willpower not to leap at the man in front of her, but she made no effort to hide her clear intent to attack again. Luro had a feeling she wouldn't heed the Captain's orders for very long which Maka seemed to pick up on and slowly lowered his hands.
"Of course I appreciate your patience," Maka said offering a small nod. "Again my name is Maka I am a friend of Zilia's."
"Two minutes to speak Maka, it was three until you lied to their faces."
"…we were friends once Zilia."
"One minute fifty-six seconds."
Maka sighed and reached up, adjusting his mask a bit before speaking again.
"Isari has been taken."
The glare left Zilia's face as the familiar name reached her and she slowly straightened her body, the rope dart returning to her sleeve. Maka remained still noticing Zilia was calming down all the aggression immediately leaving her form, Zilia's eyes moved to the deck and she gripped her clothes with both hands, her eyelids lowering a bit as she bit her lip. She fought with something silently and Maka mentally counted the minutes before she raised her head again.
"…if you touched her Maka."
"I would do no such thing to someone so dear to you Zilia. She was taken by the Guides of the Abyss not long ago."
Zilia looked away from Maka bringing a hand to her mouth, her eyes narrowed a bit before she lowered her hand and looked back in Maka's direction.
"...The Captain brought them up earlier…I suppose you're not lying. Hurry up and say what you came here to say."
"I want to help you get her back. I know how dear she is to you...I am also aware of your strange disdain for me so I'm fine merely giving you the coordinates."
Zilia stared at Maka for a moment, her hand opening and closing as she considered her options before she turned to Runali.
"Captain I have to ask for temporary leave. I need to go deal with this."
"It does sound important, we should get going," Luro said nodding his head.
"...we?" Zilia turning to Luro. "Oh no there is no we. I appreciate the help but this is my business."
"So when are we heading out?" Luro said looking over at Runali.
"Walking tower are you listening to me? I'm not pulling you all into my problems. Isari is my responsibility."
"You know I'm just going to follow you anyway Z," Luro said rubbing the side of his head. "Besides getting involved in other people's business is kind of our thing."
"I don't-"
"We're not leaving you to go alone. You haven't answered our questions either...you said you won't answer any after today. I'm coming with you so I can ask them, that's not a problem right?"
Luro cut Zilia off closing his eyes, he opened one eye at her and grinned in her direction after saying his peace. Zilia stared at him but knew she was fighting a losing battle and spoke again, defeat in her voice.
"...I'm aware I can't stop you from following me...but let me make it clear I'm not forcing or asking anyone to come with me. If you want to stay on the ship then please do so."
"If you'll permit my company I would like to provide what information I have," Maka said offering a small bow.
The moment Zilia "requested" temporary leave, Runali let out a loud 'Ha!'. Luro answered the doctor for her, but she decided to chime in. "You had your temporary leave when you got kidnapped. Shoulda used it better. Besides, what're we gonna do while you're gone? Cause trouble and not have you around while you bandage us up? Absolutely not." She started to turn her attention back to Maka, only to freeze and start to chuckle. With hands on her hips, she leaned forward a little "Ah doctor, that's cute. Power or not, you couldn't force me to do anything. I'm the captain, remember?" Runali grinned and then glanced back at the others. "Crew's going whether you like it or not… We don't have anything better to do besides help a crewmate so that's what we'll do." She spoke a little softer to Zilia as she added, "That's what we're here for."
Standing straight and turning back to Maka, she gestured over to the navigator. "Give the coordinates to him. I'd let you stay so you can give more info- y'know, like who you are and why you make our doctor so angry… But I'll be nice and let Zilia decide your fate. She seems avid on your death though, so if you see Jones, tell him we said hello."
Zilia looked away from the Captain and just leaned against the side of the ship, she hung her head knowing where this conversation was going. She anticipated as much but she had held onto a tiny bit of hope she might be able to deal with this matter at least somewhat personally.
"Can we let go of the fact I got kidnapped…" Zilia said standing straight up again. "thank you for the help."
The words seemed sincere but she was clearly not wholly comfortable having the crew along, she didn't have the power to stop them so she just resolved to accept the help.
She didn't say anything to the Captain at her words, just gripped her sleeve and turned away, not able to meet the eyes of the crew.
Maka happily complied and handed a piece of paper to Kadi.
"It's in a place known as the Devil's Circle known as a hotbed for Devil Fruit users," Maka said. "It doesn't have a formal name on the map but it's the circle of islands you'll find at those coordinates, she's on one of them."
Maka turned to Zilia at the Captain's comment, the woman already drawing her rope-dart providing an answer to whether or not the man got to stay.
"Ya not going to beat him anyway Z," Luro said looking over at her. "He may as well stick around."
"What makes you say-"
Zilia looked at Luro to call him out on his words when she noticed him raise his rifle and shoot Maka. She started to yell at him for taking her kill only to stop as Maka made a quick swiping motion in front of him.
The shot never reached the man, the bullet fired still rotating between armament coated fingers, Maka's attention remained focused on Luro who smiled and lowered his rifle. He had made sure to step a little closer almost shooting the man at point blank range to get the point across.
"I can feel that from here," Luro said grinning. "You're pretty strong aren't ya?"
Maka smiled and tossed the bullet back to Luro who caught it.
"You have a good nose," Maka said smiling at him. "Zilia won't beat me without her Devil Fruit, we've fought enough times to make that point made."
Maka looked over at Zilia.
"Yet she refuses to use them against me. Perhaps that's proof we can resolve our disagreements."
Zilia glanced sideways at Luro, her eyes narrowing at the smile he gave her before she shook her head and walked away from the scene.
"Give your information and get the hell off the ship," she said walking to the other side of Lady Luck. "I have my eye on you."
Maka nodded at Zilia before turning to the rest of Stardusk, he offered a small bow, bringing a hand over his chest in the process.
"A pleasure to make your formal acquaintance Stardusk Pirates. I am Maka, an old friend of Zilia's and leader of the fifth cycle within the Guides of the Abyss. A pleasure."
"Are you saying the destruction you caused back there was because of your Devil's Fruit?... what happens, exactly, if you say someone's name?" It was the first thing out of Jack's mouth after he rejoined the crew with Zilia. He'd settled himself next to Cedric, arms folded, eye half-closed. From a certain distance, he could have been sleeping. But he listened and watched with rapt attention. There wasn't much he needed to contribute now. What he needed to say was already spoken, and the only thing that was left were questions to clear up any forthcoming confusion.
The first and foremost came after Zilia's revelation of the Chat-Chat Fruit. Jack's eyebrows rose up with his head as he devoted his entire attention to the doctor. He felt... skeptical... that a Devil's Fruit caused that level of catastrophe. He let that go, however, when she demonstrated it on her own. He didn't say anything-- just clicked his tongue as the barrels exploded. I was going to use what was in that tonight....
Jack sat up straight the moment he spotted Maka, half a second before the mystery man spoke and Zilia saw him too. Hands were on his weapons the moment she attacked but Jack stood aside, waiting to see if he was needed at all. It turned out he wasn't. He observed the two as he fixed his glasses, listening, taking mental notes-- until a woman named Isari was mentioned. Or, more accurately, when Zilia asked for leave of the ship.
His eyes shut painfully as a wave of disappointment hit him. I looked at her, and I asked her not to leave or go off on her own.... I guess she never promised me. Just made me believe that's what she wanted too.
He didn't speak again until Maka introduced himself and it became apparent they were setting sail. Even then, it took him an extra second to propel off the barrels he'd been leaning against, excuse himself from Sid's side, and make his way to Zilia and Maka. He stopped in front of the pair and stared at Zilia for one long, hard second. His expression was blank but they'd sailed together long enough that she'd know he was unhappy. At last, he took a deep breath and released it. The tension didn't leave but it relaxed somewhat.
"Sorry to intrude, but I still have some more questions. And I'd prefer to have straight full answers starting with him." Jack pointed at Maka. "What is your relationship with him? Should we throw him in the brig? You, Maka, don't talk...."
He stopped and blinked. "Wait... Maka? Vai? Weren't those names of..." he looked over his shoulder at Luro, "whoever came from his head in the Dreamscape?" Although it was Lai, not Vai.
The answer, whatever it was, received a second of thoughtfulness and then a grunt as Jack decided to shelve it for later. "Alright then. Don't leave just yet. I got two more questions for both of you. First off: who or what is Slayis? What can you tell me about him? and two: You, Zilia, said you never met the man who hired the Lions, but clearly you know the organization he's a part of. Tell me everything you know about the Guides of the Abyss. Especially since you seem to be friends with one, but not the other. And who's Isari?"
The soft crunch of the leaves underfoot, the song of the birds ringing in one's ears, the gentle spring breeze which caused the leaves to speak silently within the forest. Sunlight filtering through the greenery above creating spots of light within the shadows. There were but a few things that brought Maka joy when he came to visit the forest.
If he took a moment to listen he could feel the forest speaking to him, he shut his eyes to listen to her words, the gentle rustling of the bush nearby from the squirrel dashing through it, the whistle of the wind as it passed through holes in the tree's, sniffling and whines a few feet away.
Maka opened his eyes blinking a few times as that last noise wasn't a familiar one.
Turning he made his way towards the new sound, not sure what to make of it.
When he drew closer to the noise he found it's source sitting on a stump, a girl in a long green tunic covered in mud and dirt, a basket resting on the ground next to her. He couldn't make out the girl's face as she had it in her hands but he still recognized her. She was new to the village, she lived with the strange woman on the hill a bit away from the town.
Maka made his way over to her after waiting a few moments trying to figure out what to say. He couldn't just abandon someone crying after all but he didn't talk to girls all that much.
"Hello?"
Maka spoke causing the girl to raise her head.
"My name's _____ What's yours?"
The girl remained silent just sniffling again which caused Maka to rub the side of his head.
"Ah uh most people just call me Maka."
"....Zilia."
The girl's voice was quiet, even standing so close to her he could barely pick up on it. She was tense and refused to look him in the eye for too long, but her occasional glances showed she was at least listening.
"Hello Zilia...why are you crying?"
"....I'm lost. Mentor's going to be mad at me for being late."
Tears started to flow down the girl's cheeks again and Maka quickly raised his hands.
"Ah don't cry it's easy to get lost in here….I know this forest like the back of my hand though. I'll help you out of here and I'll even come with you to talk to the weird lady. I'm sure if we explain it'll be okay."
"....she's not weird."
"She seems pretty weird to me but okay sure...so...do you want me to lead you out of here?"
"...please."
"Okay."
Maka held his hand out out causing Zilia to stare at it, she didn't move for a long moment but reached forward, hesitating for a moment before taking hold of his hand. Maka grinned and grabbed her basket before walking in a direction.
"The way's out this way."
"....thank you Maka."
"Don't worry about it. We gotta help each other right?"
Present
Maka made a request to move away from the deck, not exactly keen on discussing the details in the open. Though they were at sea there were apparently eyes and ears everywhere, he went to explain he would fill in what blanks he could once they were inside.
When Jack spoke up posing questions towards the two Maka's gaze moved over to Zilia. She kept her attention focused on Jack, noticing his silent message. She made sure to pay attention for most of his questions but looked away when he brought up Maka again. She looked over at Luro recalling one particular question before turning and making her way inside.
"...let's talk more inside. I'll answer what I can. Let me make one thing clear now...I don't know who the Guides or Lions are. I'm friends with neither."
"I'll share what I know as well of course," Maka said. " I'll let Zilia explain our relationship as we have different views on it."
True to his word once they were inside he requested the map be laid on the table in front of them, taking a pen he made a large circle on it trapping a series of islands within it.
"This is what's known as the Devil's Circle. I mentioned it before but it's a place inhabited by many Devil Fruit Users of varying types and strengths. It's also where bands of mercenaries reside. The strongest one among them and the top dog is the Guides of the Abyss."
Maka reached and pointed to numerous islands with the pen, marking them before stepping away.
"They have a lot of territory here and people almost everywhere. The only reason they haven't fully taken the place over is because they don't want to waste resources. The other mercenaries pay no mind to the Guides, they even work together on some missions, one in particular can't stand them but they're on the other side of the Circle so they don't encounter each other often."
"Get to the point Maka…getting tired of hearing your voice," Zilia said leaning against the wall.
"Right," Maka said circling an island. "I snuck into the Guides and have been keeping an eye on them. They are fiercely adamant about hunting Devil Fruit Users. I've been using their info to warn Users before they reach them…but Isari didn't heed my warning and got captured."
Maka stopped for a moment, his mouth forming into a thin line but he gently shook his head before continuing.
"She escaped because of her Devil Fruit…but now they're done with capturing. They're on a kill on sight order. I can't directly get involved since I'm not even supposed to be in this area…but you can."
Maka raised his eyes to Stardusk and tapped the spot on the map.
"I have a partner on the island, she's staying out of sight but she's informed me she can manage to move things around to get you through their watch without complication. She can disguise you as new recruits, she's already handled the paperwork and in-between work, she just needs my signal. That's the most I can do for you. Actually getting to Isari and getting her off the island will be up to you."
Maka offered a nod at this before looking back at the map.
"I'm not sure if there are any other Users with you but I've heard rumors some of you have powers of some sort," Maka said. "I'm not sure what they are but I would advise not using them on the island. If they see something unnatural, something that's not Armament they'll think you possess a Devil Fruit and will respond accordingly."
Maka held up a finger.
"They will attack with full force, with everything they have. They're trained well, if they sense a threat they'll mobilize immediately just like they've been trained too."
Zilia stared at the map for a long moment, her eyes narrowing a bit at the island, she didn't like trusting Maka of all people but if this info was right this could be a problem.
"Hmmm guess using the gloves would be bad then," Luro said bringing a hand to his chin. "I'll bring em just in case though."
"I won't fault you if you decide to just fight them…but they have many ships nearby and forces on adjacent islands. Given enough time they'll surround the island and entrap you, I would advise not drawing attention. If that happens neither me nor my partner can assist. We've done what we can to minimize resistance but we can't move the whole unit away."
"Say I believe you," Zilia said raising her gaze to Maka. "What do you get out of this Maka?"
"Isari is someone dear to you, I wish her safe because I don't want to see you sad. That's the extent of it. I'd prefer as little lives as possible lost," Maka said with a small nod. "I want to protect innocent people from the Guides. This is the most I can do for now."
"Caring about something else requires having a conscience and humanity Maka, just a reminder."
"Haha your hatred of me is almost comforting in a way."
"So this Isaki."
"Isari," Zilia said glancing at Luro.
"Isani is on the island and Z wants her not dead."
"Not dead is how I would like Isari to be yes," Zilia said moving away from the wall. "Which is why it brings me comfort knowing Maka won't be coming, but any associated with him is no better."
"You're associated with me currently Zilia," Maka said smiling at her.
"Against my will and I intend on thoroughly scrubbing myself clean once we've separated...granted I'll never truly be clean again, but I'll suffer this much for Isa."
"So an island of people with powers trying to stop people with powers? Sounds like a buncha hypocrites to me." Runali was leaning against a chair, looking over the map he provided. "As much as I'd love to prove to yet another self entitled group that they're no better than the rest," With emphasis, she hit an armament fist into her palm. "We've tried the fight our way through approach." She paused for a moment in thought. "We've… also tried the sneaking approach." Saving Jack ended up in a fight, when they tried to stay hidden. Saving Luro was-- more or less a fight from the start. With this, they had a chance, but the Stardusk were never really great at keeping to plans. The gears were turning in her head as she went over pros and cons of the decision, making potential plans and potential failsafes all before truly knowing the island itself.
"Hm." She raised a hand, shooing between Maka and Zilia, shushing the mostly one sided banter. "Who is she anyway? Isari. Family, secret lover, old friend?" She looked over her shoulder at Zilia, but furrowed her brow in thought. "It's the only thing keeping you from tearing up both our ship and this friendly threat of a person here who looks ready to perform with the Court… I ask because you said it depends on how much you care about them for you to say their name, yeah? And," She pointed at Maka. "You seem to hate this one, but not enough to make a big enough explosion like before. Just… curious about damage control and all."
"Well I won't argue they're not self-entitled in some way," Maka said with a small nod. "There are no power users among them. They fight Devil Fruit users without them. That's part of what makes them so dangerous. They've matched their natural strength to that of Users and have no problem going toe to toe with them. Well the Hunters do at least, and of course the leader himself. I've made it so you don't have to deal with them thankfully."
At the question Zilia reached up and squeezed the bridge of her nose but taking a moment she supposed she did rush her earlier explanation. Honestly she was surprised the Captain understood so much from the little she explained, walking forward a bit she moved up to the table standing next to the Captain.
"I've trained myself so that my words don't activate upon just leaving my mouth so it's safe for me to speak names Miss Blue." Zilia said.
"You mean the Captain right?" Luro said.
"Yes Mr. Tower," Zilia said nodding. "Anyway my power will only manifest against my will if I feel stressed, lose my composure or my emotions flare. Right now I'm doing everything in my power to keep myself calm. I just avoid names generally in case that happens."
Zilia said this moving her gloved fingers over the island for a moment.
"Let me go ahead and clarify first and foremost that I hate Maka with everything I have, there is no 'not enough' here Miss Blue," Zilia said pulling her hand back. "I can see the color of my words and that allows me to understand my feelings towards a person. It is an embarrassing addition to my ability but it also means I can't lie to myself. His name alone is enough to create the earlier explosion...it's why I'm avoiding speaking too much of him in this tiny space."
"...I'm not sure how to feel about that," Maka said. "In some way I suppose it's a compliment."
"Shut up Insect," Zilia said picking up a board piece from nearby. "Thankfully I have plenty of names to call him to avoid the risk of that power manifesting, but admittedly I let my feelings get the better of me and called his name out in anger. I apologize for that."
Zilia went silent for a moment before setting the board piece on the island, a visual representation of Isari for her own eyes. Jack's question replayed in her head and she realized it was a topic that needed to be touched upon once more.
"Back to what I said earlier though Miss Blue. I can't reveal things to you. Not because I don't want too but because again...secrets are powerful. Even mentioning my relationship to Isa could destroy half the ship if I were to so much as sneeze. I can't share anything with you, it's not just big secrets but small ones too. I can't even call you by your title...please understand asking me such questions needlessly puts us all in danger."
"I could explain," Maka said raising a hand. "Though I only know a little."
"I don't want him talking about me like he knows me either," Zilia said. "Once we're off the ship...where my ability can't destroy our only mode of transportation and the damage can be easily avoided I can explain."
"You can't say anything?" Luro asked rubbing the side of his head. "Not even if you're close or not?"
"That would be revealing information that you don't know that is dear to me...so no. My power doesn't differentiate. If I reveal something about myself that I know someone doesn't know it counts it as a secret and…"
Zilia made an explosion motion with her hands to get her point across before looking at Jack.
"Names are the same as a secret depending on their relation to me. It could cause the same incident. To put a name to something or someone gives it...a lot of power."
Zilia rubbed her arm not pleased at sharing it but hoped that would be a sufficient explanation.
"I also have to say Isa's name...I made a promise to her that I would never call her by anything else...she'd be sad if I broke that."
"You could write it down," Luro said folding his hands behind his head.
"I...don't know if I can do that right now," Zilia said crossing her arms. "My power has already spilled out. Normally writing things down doesn't count as 'words' it's why I've used that as my means of communication for this long...but I don't know what affect my power may have now...it might work but I'd have to stop talking for a bit just to be safe. Once I'm silent for a few hours I should be safe to communicate by my notebook again without worry."
Luro looked back at the map not sure he was really keeping up with all of this. There seemed to be a bunch of rules he didn't get, but it was Z's power so he left it alone for now. He still had plenty of questions for later though.
"So how many words are around us now Z," Luro said grinning. "Out of curiosity."
"Just imagine the room is filled with tiny grenades from corner to corner, floor to ceiling," Zilia said. "That's how I see it. Now can we move this along so I can return to my normal way of speaking."
"I personally prefer this you. I like your voice," Maka said offering a small shrug. "That being said do you have any further questions as I will depart soon since we're getting close to the scouting ships for the guides."
"Everything you say somehow is more disgusting than the last. Almost want to rip out my vocal chords at the very thought you like my voice."
"...um...any questions Captain? Anyone else?" Maka said deciding to leave that one alone.
The captain was quiet, carefully listening to the explanation given, ignoring the small banter in between, mostly to focus. Her thoughtful expression lasted up until Maka got her attention, in which she hummed and leaned over again to look at the map. "Concentrated power of will and all. Alright. Got it. Won't ask personal things unless I need you to destroy things." While she wasn't completely serious about that last part, she did give a confirming nod to show she understood- at least understood it enough to pester when there wasn't a lot on the line.
"I've known you long enough to at least know you've got some of your priorities in order. So, for you to need to go save her. She's obviously important enough to you that it's… important enough to me. Friend of a friend, until you can tell me who she is. Whenever that may be." The captain lightly tapped on the back of the chair. "...The 'Miss' is very formal, but I won't pester about names you give us, for the sake of getting to the task at hand. But only for right now, because I'm a benevolent captain that understands your plight and stress… I won't even bat an eyelash when you decide to try and kill that one. Unless I need to of course."
Runali pointed at the map, tapping on different islands. "Where's our best path to take? Do you know exactly where our damsel in distress is?" She tapped off to the side of the drawn circle. "If we're planning on being sneaky, Lady can't get too close since she's a large target and we're not trying to be suspicious nor do I want holes in my ship. But it leaves us without our boat and that's not something I'm fond of. Getting into trouble is always easy, but we need to know our ways out."
Zilia seemed more than content at the Captain's response and gave a small nod in thanks for not pressing it further. She seemed more than pleased that she could deal with Maka when the time came for it, and cracked her knuckles in response.
"I believe Jack asked you about your relationship with me Zilia. Among a few other things we didn't touch upon," Maka said looking over at Jack for a moment.
Zilia didn't speak merely watching Maka but with a small sigh turned to Jack.
"Our relation is not worth discussing. It's not even a relationship. Honestly I know talking about it will anger me...and I don't feel like dying right now so forgive me for not discussing it here," Zilia said crossing her arms. "For your other inquiry don't trust him, not even by the smallest margin."
"That's...rather harsh Zilia. I mean I won't force trust but I'm not-"
"There's also no point putting him in a brig as well. He'll just break out. He's unfortunately stronger than he looks, I don't want him imprisoned I want him in the dirt."
"It is...a talent how you talk about me like I'm not here."
Zilia ignored Maka and dug in her memories for a moment before looking back at Maka.
"I did hear you were imprisoned actually...on my search for you. It seems you broke out as always."
At this Maka tilted his head slightly before slamming his fist on his hand.
"Ah I almost forgot. The other reason I'm here."
Maka turned to Stardusk as a whole and offered a small bow to the group.
"Thank you Stardusk for freeing me. I hope this is sufficient for repaying the favor."
Zilia's eyebrows raised slightly at Maka as kept his head bowed.
"....what the hell are you talking about Maka?"
"Kane'Arteum," Maka said before raising his body. "I was locked within it when Miss Tashigi broke inside. In the ensuing chaos I was able to escape, my cohort ready with a boat available nearby. She is grateful as well."
Zilia's eyes twitched and she felt her voice catch in her throat, for a moment her vision actually blurred and she took a small step back into the wall. Placing her hand against it she kept herself from falling to the floor.
"You're...you're roaming free because of…"
Zilia's eyes moved to each Stardusk member's face, her eyes wide as she brought a hand to her head. She lowered her gaze to the floor and grit her teeth, clutching at her hair she shut her eyes, her body trembling in silent anger.
Luro felt the air around him fluctuate as if something was pressing down on his body, he looked at Zilia and his eyes narrowed a little seeing the glow around her right arm. Maka on the other hand seemed more than content to watch the scene, though he took a small step to the right apparently feeling the energy trying to manifest.
It took a moment but Zilia managed to calm herself enough for the glow to fade from her body and the unseen energy to slowly fade from the room.
"....that's a discussion for later," Zilia said leaning off the wall.
"The other questions Zilia," Maka said adjusting his mask. "Best we move on quickly."
"Shut-" Zilia cut herself off forcing herself to take a long deep breath. "I don't know who this Slays is and we'll talk about...the dreamscape later. I want an answer to that question myself."
"I don't know who this Slayis is either," Maka said looking over at Jack. "Though I know it's hard to take that at face value since I'm not exactly trustworthy. It is true though. For now let's get back to the topic at hand."
Maka's eyes moved to the map and he offered a small nod before motioning to a small canal on the map.
"That place isn't checked often. My cohort is waiting there, she's going to provide a smaller ship for you to get to shore while yours remains out of sight. She'll explain everything to you once there as she's closer and more informed than I am….also I can guarantee it won't be hard to find Isari…right Zilia?"
Zilia didn't respond but her eyes narrowed a bit.
**************
Once the crew arrived at the canal someone waved to them from the shore, they were standing next to a small sloop. Their appearance was hidden by the brown cloak they wore, but the clothing wasn't terribly loose revealing their figure. Even from a distance it was easy to tell it was a woman, though their face was hidden by a mask they wore over the cloak. The mask itself seemed to resemble the skull of a deer, the snout extruding outwards, and a pair of antlers rested on the side of the hood of the cloak.
"…Sergei? Wait no that's not him," Luro said crossing his arms. "All these masks…"
The stranger waited for Stardusk to approach before offering a small bow.
"Hello Stardusk. My apologies for not showing my face but you can't be too careful."
From the muffled voice it was abundantly clear the owner was a woman, there was a playfulness in her lighthearted tone but she seemed to be taking their meeting at least somewhat seriously.
"I promise I will reveal my visage to you at a later time. For now let me welcome you to Haikin Isle. My name is…"
The stranger trailed off raising their head from their bow to look at the person at the very back of the group.
Zilia stood far away from the stranger, eyes wide staring at the dirt, shaking slightly as she tried to erase her presence. There was clear fear in her eyes and she seemed to refuse to look in the person's direction.
"Well that one there can tell you who I am," the person said pointing at Zilia.
Zilia flinched a bit and looked in the person's direction.
"Or do you not want to say my name to avoid blowing up the island…Zilia it's been far too long."
"…why are you here?"
"I work for the boss," the person said offering a small shrug. "Maka that is. When he said he was trying to help you I just had to come along….but this isn't the time for catching up right? Hop on the boat and I'll fill in any blanks you have. Oh feel free to call me Yuli by the way since Zilia wants to be mean and not say my name. Oh how much hatred she has for me, my heart is being torn to shreds."
The woman known as Yuli threw her arms up in a grandiose fashion before laughing and hopping onto the small boat.
"She seems trustworthy," Luro said looking over at the others.
"She's not. Not by any notion of the word," Zilia said walking forward.
"Nah I got a good feeling about her. She probably won't kill us till after all this."
"That's the nicest thing I've heard this month. For some reason people just don't trust people in cloaks and masks anymore. I'm glad you're so open minded Luro," Yuli said tapping the nose of her mask.
"Of course trust is important."
"My sentiments exactly my tall fire haired companion."
The two slammed their hands together into a firm handshake as he climbed on board.
"M'gonna have to start a list of people with things I can't immediately trust." Runali held the rear of the group with Zilia, watching the interactions between the new stranger and her crew. The comment wasn't directed towards anyone, but Runali did end up glancing over at Zilia with a bemused smile. "So far? Red hair and masks." She let out a soft chuckle before gesturing forward. "Faster we do this, the faster we can get away from this place." She looked over at Coral, who was still perched on her shoulder. "Alright brave bird, you're on ship watch with the navigator. If anyone so much as lays a finger on the ship you have my permission to claw their eyes out. And if things get real bad, find us. You know the drill." Coral gave a nod before flying from her shoulder to Kadi's.
"Alright, the rest of you. The deer and dog are going to either lead us to a damsel or to death, be ready for both. The goal is not to be caught- Luro, but if it comes down to it, at least try to keep it quick and quiet so we don't have an entire army after us."
Yuli adjusted the sails on the boat and lead them towards the isle, the island wasn't terribly far away so she remained standing keeping an eye on the spot they were going to land. A place a bit away from the encampment hidden by a bit of the wood.
"Well let me give you some information on the Guides while we're on the way."
Yuli went onto explain about the Guides of the Abyss, touching on their hierarchy or what could be considered it. The place was run on a meritocracy essentially, meant to foster growth and development. Everyone was treated equal but those above took on jobs that were more dangerous and thus got paid more. Basically put loyalty was high and if someone was in a position they were meant to be there as they worked to get to that position.
There were numerous divisions in the guides but the basics were, the foot soldiers the kind they would be dealing with on the island, then the Hunters, then their leader Relias.
"We don't wanna deal with Relias or his Hunters," Yuli said. "They go up against people with powers on an almost daily basis, people who can level buildings and sink ships with a snap of their fingers. Relias especially is a problem, The 'Unflinching Swordsman' as they like to call him. I won't tell you any stories just that you don't want to deal with him if you can help it. He's the leader of the Guides and I made sure he and his Hunters are nowhere near here. I personally don't want to deal with the guy so I'm leaving before you guys cause any trouble."
Yuli held a finger up at this.
"There are Hunters on standby nearby so if they notice trouble they'll come running. Good news is they shouldn't bother you guys, the foot soldiers here all believe you guys are new recruits, those who have passed the 'Hunter' test so they'll show you due respect. You're new to the area so asking questions won't be too surprising. Still there are no Power users among the Guides so be careful if you have any among you."
The boat touched the dock and Yuli pulled it onto the shore before walking over and moving some leaves hopped onto another boat that was hiding nearby.
"Use that to escape back to your ship. Best of luck Stardusk. Zilia we should have tea sometimes and catch up. Oh and thanks for helping to free my boss. Saved me a lot of work."
Yuli hopped onto the boat and quickly moved away from the island.
Zilia watched her until she vanished on the horizon slowly unclenching her fist before pointing ahead and moving formerly into the Guides territory.
The moment they stepped through the brush a tall silver gate surrounded by stone walls met them, the walls seemed to stretch and surround a majority of the island fading into the distance. The place was clearly well kept with a few of the soldiers walking around and maintaining the place. The metal doors to the gate were shut but the bars allowed one to see within slightly.
The soldiers inside were dressed in a variety of outfits but each one wore a scarf, a yellow one around their necks, there were a few dressed in similar attire, clearly part of the same regiment but most wore their own clothes, a mix of armor and casual clothing. Each one had a weapon resting on their waists, a few were sparring within the gates with each other.
Luro noticed that their blades were coated in Armament and made a mental note of it before focusing forward on the two guards at the gate.
One of the guards a young man with short black hair noticed the group.
"Oh you must be the new recruits. The new Hunters right?"
It was almost an impulse for Runali to introduce herself as the captain of the crew. When the guards questioned them, she responded in a sigh before clearing her throat. "Aye, uh- yeah. New Hunters." She straightened up, moving her hands from idly being near her weapons and then gave a small salute. "Are you the ones that are supposed to be showing us around Haikin?" Runali was surprised she even remembered the name. "Prove our skill, show our worth, then get the protocol, right?" The captain stayed as vague as possible, not wanting to over step her assumptions about how their systems worked. But, to be fair, how else would new recruits know what to do?
While she waited for an answer, she looked around taking in what she could. Hunters were practicing. She noticed the armament on some and wondered how strong they were…but she suppressed the sudden desire to 'test the strength' of other haki users. It'd really end up being a bad habit if she kept it up.
"Ready when you are."
"Hahaha I guess they didn't explain it huh, they do keep the last part secret. You guys proved your strength already so it's just the final test now, here this way." the man said raising a hand before turning and heading inside.
The area opened in front of the group as the guard led them down a long dirt road, Zilia took a good look around at the many things surrounding them, if she had to put a name to what it made her think of, 'relaxed barracks' came to mind.
There were numerous weapon racks on the sides, accompanied by target's and training dummies, though it seemed most of the soldiers trained against each other so most were in good condition.
There were tall buildings in the distance and around them, more than likely where they slept and kept their food and she could see the foot soldiers maintaining their weapons while chatting amongst each other. There was even a blacksmith pounding on metal nearby, and a tailor fixing a soldier's shirt.
Overall it seemed like a nice camp that was until you looked to the right and saw the rows of cages on the other side of the road, all with people locked inside of them.
Zilia kept her attention forward paying no mind to them but Luro looked over to see the people in the cages, huddled in the center avoiding the bars, some with bags under their eyes, others in rags if they could even be called that. Paying close attention it was clear the ones on the left side of the road were guarding the cages though they didn't appear too.
There was a single platform right in front of the cages, with baskets of fruit at the bottom of it.
"Mind if I ask what that's about?" Luro said pointing at the cages.
"The Cages? Oh right they said you were from out of town," the guard said.
"Yeah their sealstone right? There are a lot of them."
"Oh good eye yeah each one is a sealstone cage. Relias apparently has some connections and got us a good amount. Each person in that cage has a Devil Fruit. They'll be executed at a certain point in the day."
"Really?"
"Yeah we like having Hunters nearby just in case but most of them are out dealing with business. We can subdue any that escape of course but orders are orders."
The guard pointed at the platform.
"Anyway as you know Devil Fruit Users when they die their power transfers into the nearest fruit. So we place a fruit on that platform, slit their throat or do whatever and their power flows into the fruit then we lock the fruit in a weighted box and toss it into the sea and no more Devil Fruit. We're looking for other ways but if ya just kill em or try to destroy the fruit it can just move to another fruit so that's our only method for now."
Zilia kept her attention forward but her hands clenched at her side, her pace picked up a little causing her to move from the back of the group.
"Serves them right ya know. Everyone here has suffered at the hands of those with Devil Fruits. Lost my town to one, Master Relias captured him though and let me slit the bastards throat myself."
The guard grinned and Luro's brows arched a bit as he glanced over at the cages, he noticed a young woman shivering hugging herself, her skin pale and her body thin, more than likely from malnourishment, but she seemed more focused on the boy sitting motionless in the cage next to her, his eyes empty and staring into nothing.
"…boring," Luro mumbled rubbing the side of his head. "What good is killing someone who can't fight back."
"Hm you say something?" The guard said.
"I was just insulting that one in the cage over there."
"Oh yeah we get those in too, some don't respond anymore though ya know. Oh right how have the Users gotten you guys? I mean you worked hard to become Hunters, they must have done something horrible to go through that painful test."
Luro looked at the others, his eyes scanning a few faces before he looked forward again.
"Well I lost my wife, my favorite mistress and my son to those freaks," Luro said nodding his head.
"Your…wife and mistress…oh you must have been a noble."
"I was, I owned five estates back home…but when I lost those dear to me I spiraled into depression and lost everything. I swore then to find the man who stole everything from me and get my revenge."
"Five Estates?! You must have been loaded. That User took so much."
"I was and I'll never forget the name of that monster. Mikchail Tashigi Langely."
Zilia flinched a bit but kept her attention forward as the guard's eyes widened.
"What a sinister name…it disgusts me to my core sir."
"On that's only his first name.
"His first?!"
"Yes his last name is Carabis."
The guard stopped and turned to Luro stepping towards him with wide eyes.
"Wait Carabis like the Red Pirates?! He's related to that pirate."
"No he's not. Carabis actually got his name from him. You see Mikchail Tashigi Langely actually stole William's wolf and William distraught at this act took the User's name so he would never forget the shame, so that he would seek revenge."
Luro eyes shut and his brows furrowed as he grit his teeth.
"Even now he hunts him, he refuses to work with me though our goals align. His first mate Rin while being used as a stepping stool he told me that William will never aid me in my journey. He lost his wolf…which was far more important than my family…I couldn't argue back."
"Because you're a noble."
"Because I'm a noble…my family are only stepping stones…but still I loved them just a little bit less than my money. How could that measure up to a man who howls at the moon with his fellow partner while Rin stands nearby waiting for them to wipe his feet on them to clear the dirt once they leave the forest! It just can't measure up!"
"…what a backstory sir," the guard said turning forward again. "I hope you get your revenge. If you'd like I can give you a chance to kill one of our own."
"I would love that…but I'd like to beat them a little if you don't mind."
"Oh I'm sure I could arrange that."
"Wonderful, my fist will teach them the pain I've held in my heart for so long. How dare they take my wolf."
"Son," Zilia said.
"Him too."
"That sure is some history." Runali's voice was low, mostly to keep her snickering in check. The story was wild enough for them to consider true, while distracting them enough so the others could get a good look at the cages. She kept a mental note, seeing which ones looked stronger than others. They weren't a priority, but should things go wrong, they'd be useful. Runali didn't feel it was necessary to follow up with her own history, but when she was given a curious look, she tapped her eyepatch. "Lost an eye to one that's still out there. It's going to be hell to pay when I find 'em... And really, that's all you need to know." The guards nodded, satisfied with her answer and Runali mouthed the words 'easy' to no one in particular. But she straightened up quickly after.
"Okay the test is up ahead. All you have to do is defeat a Devil Fruit User. We were told your test was the capture of the mine giving us the most trouble. We have guards nearby just in case. Good luck."
The guard waved to the group before walking off, Zilia continued ahead into the wood that apparently led to the other part of the island where Isari was. Luro followed after moving something into his sleeve.
"So Z what's Isahi's ability."
"Isari's…well it'll be easier to show than explain I suppose," Zilia said. "Her power is like mine responds to her emotional state. Unlike me who can prevent it from attacking the world outside by just keeping my mouth shut she has no way to stop its effects."
"So she can create giant balls of pain too?"
"No…her power…is the Crys-Crys-Fruit."
Zilia stepped through the wood and stopped her eyes narrowing at the sight ahead.
A large castle rested in front of them, towering over the forest with its multiple spires attached to the numerous structures, stretching far above the wall and threatening to touch the clouds themselves. Multiple towers surrounded the structure, a large wall surrounding the overall castle itself protecting it from the outside.
It reminded Luro of castles he heard of in fairytales, he wondered if there was princess in the tallest tower, if so he figured Alicia should free her.
The numerous towers built meticulously along with the rest of the building glittered continuously in the sunlight. Mainly because the castle was made purely of purple crystal.
"The ability to control and manipulate Crystal."
The ground and everything around the castle was covered in the same substance, even the walls had crystal growing over top of it spilling onto the other side and running along its length. Save for a bit of of the sand ahead of them the entire area was covered, looking down at it the crystal was slowly inching towards them, showing its intent to cover the whole island.
There were guards standing nearby weapons at the ready and they turned to noticing new people. Seeing their faces one raised a hand to them.
"Oh you're the new Hunters right, we were told to wait for you. This damn User has taken over half the island already. She escaped right before her execution because of her strange ability. So whenever you're ready we can storm this place."
"Storming is a bad idea," Zilia said grabbing a pebble. "Mainly for you all."
"Why? We have Hunters here so-"
Zilia tossed the pebble onto the crystal, the moment it touched a spike shot up piercing the rock. The men's eyes widened and each one took a small step away from the crystal.
"It kills whoever touches it when the user feels threatened…it doesn't care if its friend or foe…which creates a problem."
Zilia raised her eyes to the castle moving her hands to her hips.
"Reaching her is not going to be easy."
"Ohh that's-!" The captain deflated a bit. She had to remember that this particular group was no fun at all. "...s'gonna be a challenge. But where's the fun if there's no challenge, right?" She was tempted to touch the crystal, but refrained and looked at Zilia. "Think she's right. The less people after her, the less alarms it'll ring on her end right? Plus… if we die then just recruit more people." Runali stood tall and shooed the guards off to the side. "Can't prove we're any good for this group if you're just going to babysit the entire time! Outta the way, I've always wanted to storm a castle." Runali was almost sure this would have been maybe the third or fourth castle they had stormed- but none of them were ever made of crystal. She just hoped her eagerness to go would read as 'excited to be apart of the team' and not 'excited to test out someone's powers because it sounded cool'. Before she took another step, she refrained from grimacing and looked at the guards. "...Is that okay with you guys? Or are there more rules we gotta know?"
"Huh…oh uh no," the guards said holding their hands up. "We just gotta stand nearby to report but we'll remain out of your way. You guys do what you have to do."
The guards took a few extra steps back giving the group plenty of space, once Zilia were sure they were out of earshot she looked ahead.
"Okay…so how do we get to Isa," she said taking hold of her bang focusing on the castle.
"Hmm how hard is the crystal Z," Luro said kneeling down in front of it.
"It'd be equivalent to steel I believe," Zilia said. "It's 'hardened' itself because of her stress. I've had to deal with it before when she freaked out in the past. Miss Blue and Cookman shouldn't have problem thanks to Armament…and of course Perfect Hair the rest of us…are in trouble though. It'll only get harder and harder the more it's cut in response so trying to destroy it overall won't work…it'll just regrow."
"Oh man I want to test that….wait you're not going to use your power Z? I mean I know the people are here but…"
"Normally I would need to use it to get close to Isa but I'd rather not use it anymore than I have too."
I'm just putting it out there Z that there are a lot of situations where your power could have come in handy. This is one of them."
"I doubt that Mr. Tower you all are pretty strong so there's never been a need.
"What are you talking about Z" Luro said looking back at her. "What about Trovale?"
"Miss Blue and Cookman dealt with that and Perfect Hair cleaned up."
Luro had a few things to say about Zilia's nicknames but put that aside as he responded.
"Weren't you guys in cages though? You could have used your cutting power then."
"Perfect Hair freed us though, there was no need."
"Oh right…oh what about at the Captain's home town."
"You handled yourselves well enough and it seemed Perfect Hair was ready to do something more."
"Kane'Arteum?"
"I wasn't there and Perfect Hair freed you all right."
Luro blinked a few times before looking at Alicia.
"…you know thinking about Perf- Alicia has done a lot of that hasn't she. We really don't bring it up much."
Luro rubbed the side of his head before clapping his hands together.
"Oh what about the Undersea Alicia was with on our side so there's no way you can use her as an excuse."
"Creepy Patch handled the matter fine with his strange power then," Zilia said.
Luro was glad Kadi wasn't around to hear that one but lowered his head remembering their explanation.
"Oh…right."
"There's never been a need to use my Devil Fruit among you all. It's one thing I'm grateful for. Your strength easily eclipses the need. I've never felt I was in a situation where it was necessary. Especially with Perfect Hair nearby."
"What about the Ravens?" Luro said standing up. "You almost died right?"
"I'd prefer dying than using my Devil Fruit, I felt no need to use it even in what would have been my final moments" Zilia said closing her eyes. "I've trained myself in fighting so I don't have to rely on it…as you are well aware of."
Zilia waved a hand before motioning towards the castle.
"Now isn't the time for such discussion," Zilia said before turning to the others.
"Do any of you have any ideas to get across this place?"
The area in front of them was a very large open field, it was easily over a hundred yards from where they were, at least that was the best estimate she could give.
"We could have those who can cut the crystal in the lead drawing the most attention, the crystal will respond to the ones attacking and most of its effort will focus on stopping them than the ones in the back. We'll still be in danger but we'll have less thrown at us meaning we can dodge."
"Or we can use powers," Luro said. "Just go in loud. That's easier but then the people will get all mad at us."
"Either way we have to cross, if we do a mad dash there have to be people keeping the 'main' attention of the crystal so the rest of us can weather through."
"Or powers…you know those are fun to use," Luro said arching his brows a few times at Zilia.
"…I'd rather not use my Devil Fruit..and Perfect Hair and Clothes abilities will be confused for Devil Fruits…I know I thought they were when I first saw them…but I'll go with whatever plan everyone wants to do."
A gentle breeze blew through Treya, spreading the scent of freshly baked bread through the docks. A single flower petal was carried by the breeze, dancing through the air until it landed in black hair, perfectly replicating an ornament.
Sor pulled the lollipop out of his mouth and plucked the flower off him before smiling and releasing it back to the wind. It was days like this that brought him peace more than anything else.
"Hey you piece of filth!"
At least that would be the case if not for the Scarlet Lions currently approaching him.
Mills had informed him that a Scarlet Lion Ship had appeared on the horizon, though he could have sent one of his people he felt it was necessary this time to personally see to them.
They had come with the stranger the last time but he confirmed the presence he felt in town was gone, and judging by their information the Lions were here on their own, more than likely due to the mess made a little bit ago to their ships.
Sor looked up at the ship in front of him, it was a simple sloop so it was clear they weren't trying to cause too much trouble. This ship was clearly just carrying the scouts, most of the crew was still on the ship as their 'Captain' made their way towards Sor. His concern was the brig floating on the horizon with its side turned towards the docks. He had a feeling there was an 'open fire' signal prepared in case things got ugly.
A man and woman approached Sor, the woman reaching forward and grabbing him by the front of his shirt before bringing her face closer to his, a long scar ran down the side of her cheek and her narrowed gaze was filed with malicious intent.
The man behind her little comfort as his hand was already resting on his blade, waiting for an excuse to attack.
Both of them were dressed in Scarlet Lion attire, though the woman wore a few extra pieces of leather around her torso and, showing that she could afford to wear more armor, or was important enough that it was required of her.
The woman didn't seem that much older than him, her messy black hair was tied in a bun but she had nice features, the scar didn't take away from the woman's beauty. The scowl did which Sor thought was a shame.
The man behind her blonde hair tied into a tiny ponytail, as if he wanted to do something with it. Sor thought it was far too short to style, just letting it hang free was the better option.
"Are you listening to me?!"
The woman's voice pulled him from his mild thoughts and he looked back at her.
"My apologies I've had a bit of a day. How many I help you today?"
The man behind the woman responded as she seemed more content ruffling Sor's recently cleaned shirt with both hands.
"Our men informed us that we lost a fair amount of ships here, along with our supplies."
Sor seemed to smile at this and clapped his hands together to the side.
"Ah so you've come to do business, that's wonderful."
"Business," the woman said, shoving Sor away. "I'm not here for business. I'm here to get back what's mine and then some."
"You would be the Captain of this ship then."
"...yes I'm the Captain."
"That must be your first mate," Sor said pointing at the man.
"Yes he is but that has nothing to do with this."
"Good then that cuts out a few steps. I assume your first mate handles finances, we can get started immediately so long as your approval counts as an agreement."
The Captain drew her sword and pointed at Sor who was pulling out a piece of paper and a pen, the first mate followed suit though he kept his weapon at his side, waiting for his Captain's order.
"I really don't think you understand the position you're in right now. Stop wasting my time and take me to someone who is going to compensate me for my losses."
"I am the person to talk to about that. It's why I came down here. Now let's discuss a fair trade."
"Fair?! I lost hundreds if not thousands thanks to what happened here. There is no 'fair' trade here. This place took from me and I want my money back."
"Why don't you give me an estimate of what you lost."
The Captain grit her teeth but grinned and held her hand out, the first mate handed her list which she handed to Sor who looked over it. There were a fair amount of items on the list and it was a comprehensive log of what they brought with them when they came here, he had to respect it.
"Well good news a fair agreement is easily handled," Sor said. "Because you took as well.
Sor turned the piece of parchment over revealing multiple items listed down with 'Scarlet Lions' listed at the top of it.
"I made a note of everything that transpired and as you can see your people took a lot of things for free. They didn't pay the docking fee either and took up most of our dock with their ships which of course means you have to pay extra, then there's all the food and drink they consumed while here, that's been noted at the bottom if you want the full list let me know."
Sor continued listing off things, damages to the town, to the property of others, it seemed endless until he finally made it to the bottom of the list.
"There we go...taking into account what you lost thanks to this list here...and adding all the fines the Lions accrued...you owe a little over ten thousand towards us. I'll make it an even ten since you suffered losses though and I'm a nice guy."
Sor looked over the list again ignoring the red in the faces of the people in front of him. He had made this list shortly after Stardusk left and he knew their list wasn't off because he had a record of the items on the ship himself. Only because they were considering selling it later, and collateral just in case.
The Captain stepped forward and grabbing Sor by his shirt lifted him up slightly, narrowing her eyes at him.
"Apparently I haven't made myself clear. We are taking what we are owed. Now if you don't want this dock destroyed and your buildings leveled you'll listen to my damn demands."
Sor stared at the Captain before closing his eyes a sigh escaping from him.
"So you're saying you're not going to do business under any circumstance. That we can't discuss this like civilized people."
"Oh I am being civilized I haven't run my sword through you yet," The Captain said shoving him away. "Ransack the place, take everything that's valuable."
"Hold on," Sor said holding up a hand. "Since it's come to this we can make an arrangement. There's no need for all that."
The Captain smiled and tapping her sword against her shoulder motioned to him with her hand.
"See how hard was that? I'm listening."
Sor nodded and adjusting his outfit walked forward past the Captain, the woman turned to look at him arching a brow as he walked up to their ship. Looking up at it he placed his hand against it.
"Admiring my ship there. She's nothing compared to-"
The Captain stopped talking as Sor made a fist and in one fluid motion slammed it into her ship.
She watched as her boat was thrown towards the ocean as if it was a pebble, flying into the distance and slamming into the brig at the horizon, breaking it apart as it easily tore through half of the ship, wood flying everywhere as the masts broke apart, their supplies flying out of the newly created holes and people jumping off the ship as both vessels, now in pieces, bobbed on the water.
The people in the ocean were grabbed by nearby nets from people waiting near the docks and Sor let the Armament fade from his hand and shook his hand off before turning to the Captain.
The Captain and her first mate stared out at the sea mouths' agape, the blades having slipped out of both their trembling hands as Sor walked back over to them.
"So we're going to have you guys work off your debt. I think it's a pretty fair arrangement," Sor said smiling at the two. "I have the contract right there."
Sor handed it to one of his people as they walked up and grabbed the two by their arms dragging them off towards the town, the two lions looked at each other than back at Sor who put a lollipop in his mouth.
"Don't worry we'll treat you well during your time here," he said waving at the two as they vanished into the distance.
"Your self-restraint is going to get you killed one of these days."
Sor turned as a woman's voice reached him, a young lady stepped out of the shadows dressed in her wench outfit. A green bodice that complimented her slim figure and Sor personally picked out her green petticoat along with the rest of her outfit. She had chosen the brown boots however saying she needed maneuverability She always tore her dress whenever things got complicated, the fact it was still put together was proof she felt no need to step in.
She had removed her bonnet however which was upsetting, he felt it complimented her straight dark locks, which hung past her shoulder currently. She had thrown aside her bonnet more than likely and started to tie up her hair when he handled the matter.
"I disagree Yora, your lack of restraint may be the thing that ends me. Not a very good thing for a bodyguard," Sor said shrugging.
"Excuse me for doing my job. Someone has to watch out for you because of your 'business'."
Yora waved a hand at the very word but left the matter at that.
"Well you almost ruined my business when you put that knife at Jack's throat," Sor said shoving a hand into his pocket.
Yora narrowed her eyes at him and threw her arms up.
"He pointed a weapon at you, my job description is to not let that happen...not that you need a bodyguard anyway with your-"
"Stop right there. No need for all that," Sor said grinning at her. "For now let's just focus on the now."
Yora looked in the direction of the broken ships and the mercenaries being lead away.
"Yeah let's focus on the now….why did you help Stardusk? It's not like you to meet head on like that. You like to keep a low profile."
"...I felt it'd be better to talk to them directly," Sor said reaching into his pocket. "Be easier to negotiate if I meet them face to face. Felt that'd go over better with Captain Lev."
Sor held a piece of candy toward Yora who smacked his hand knocking it into the ocean.
"All that thought yet you put aside how much danger it put you in...I mean with your Armament it might not have been a big deal but still they're Worst Generation, there was no way you were walking away unscathed."
"Aww Yora you're worried about me," Sor said with a small nod. "I thought our relationship was just business but you've somehow fallen for me after all our time together."
Sor reached a hand towards Yora only for a knife to touch his throat.
"Answer me seriously Sor."
Sor held his hands up but sighed not surprised by his bodyguard's hostile demeanor, her narrowed gaze was part of her charm though. He opened his mouth to respond when a presence made itself known nearby, drawing the two's attention.
They turned to see Mills flexing a few feet away.
"Am I interrupting a lover's spat. I can come back," Mills said turning his body and pulling off another flex.
"No now is fine Mills," Sor said as Yora put her knife away. "What'd you find out?"
"Stardusk has indeed headed further into the Devil's Circle, just as anticipated."
"Seems my hunch was right then," Sor said before a laugh escaped from him. "Things are going to get interesting from here on out."
Yora crossed her arms under her chest and looked over at Mills before speaking.
"Mills why were you watching Stardusk?"
"Sor asked me too of course," Mills said falling to one knee and raising his arms before allowing his muscles to bulge.
"...please stop flexing."
"Two more than I'm done."
Sor turned towards the ocean causing Yora to look back at him.
"You wanted an answer right….I took a gamble."
Yora's eyebrows arched and Sor glanced sideways at her.
"Business requires taking chances. I want to take a chance with Stardusk. I can say with certainty they are definitely interesting. Let's get some things ready, if the worst comes let's support them the best we can. That's what friends are for right?"
Yora didn't respond immediately to Sor, she just focused on his expression for a moment. Sor wasn't a big risk taker, at least not one who 'gambled'. In the years she came to know him, she realized he was the type to stack the odds in his favor first and foremost. He only took a chance when he knew he'd get something out of it, this was different. Stardusk weren't normal pirates but he would have lost way more if things had gone south.
She wasn't sure what caused him to put so much faith in the group but she worried it wouldn't be an answer.
"...we're friends with pirates now…" Yora said bringing a hand to her head.
"We've been friends with pirates," Sor said looking back at Yora arching a brow at her.
"Since when?!"
"Oh for a while now," Mills responded turning his back to the two and extending one arm out before repeating his one man show.
"If Captain Lev wants to call our business partnership friendship I have no qualms with that. So long as there's equality in our exchanges," Sor said holding out another piece of candy.
Yora stared at it for a long moment before snatching it from him and tossing it to Mills who caught it mid flex.
"Very well...if they're our allies then I'll respond accordingly."
"...you're so cute when you begrudgingly agree to things," Sor said grinning.
He dodged a stab at his face and took a small step back as Yora glared at him spinning the dagger in her hand.
"You really want to die today don't you Sor."
"Oi oi let's not stab your boss okay?"
"It's another form of love Sor, just accept it," Mills said nodding at the two.
"It's not," Yora said putting her dagger away. "If not for my debt I wouldn't be here."
"...you're so cute when you deny your feelings."
Yora's eyes twitched before she glared at Sor, the way she looked at him like he was dirt on her shoe was cute in it's own way as well.
"You know killing you also absolves my debt doesn't it."
"Actually it doesn't, it just continues through an intermediary."
"Gah! I hate your business sense!"
"Wahaha! All right let's really get started. We got transactions to make and pirates to support. Captain Lev seems like the kind of person to repay her debts so let's do our best to have her owe us one."
"Aye!" Mills said extending his fist in the air.
Sor did the same and looked over at Yora whose eyes moved between the two, with a heavy sigh she slightly raised her own fist.
"Aye…."
"...I wanna pinch your cheek so bad right now," Sor said placing a hand on his cheek.
"You get one side I get the other," Mills said placing a hand on his own cheek.
"Kill me...just kill me now."
While the two spoke to each other with Mills trying to grab Yora's cheek Sor walked closer to the docks a little out of earshot and removed the lollipop from his mouth. His lips curved into a small smile and his eyelids lowered slightly.
"Just as I said...I hate being indebted to others. I helped Zilia so this makes us even."
"Sorrrr Yora's being mean to me," Mills said as his hand was slapped away again.
"Don't touch me you giant ape!"
"Ape! Did I not change back?" Mills said looking at his body.
"Haha you're fine Mills. Yora let's head back so we can have tea."
"Huh...oh all right," Yora said blinking a few times. "What kind today?"
"Any kind's fine as long as you serve it as-"
"I'm going to stop you right there before you say something that will throw away your future."
"She really is going to stab you when your debt is settled Sor," Mills said as the trio walked away together.
"Guess I just have to make her fall in love with me before then," Sor said winking at Yora.
"In your sleep. The moment my debt is settled it'll be in your sleep. Just to make sure you can't stop it."
I check in pretty much all times of the day, either from my phone or from my home computer. So it's likely I'll see messages shortly after I've received them.
If Alicia had any questions for Zilia, she hadn't mentioned anything as leaned back against the wood rail of Lady Luck and listened to the flow of conversation. She thought that maybe if there was a time when she'd need some answers she would instead approach the doctor quietly and in private, although whether Zilia would accept it or not however was something else entirely. Her brow perked at the new arrival, her brows then furrowing a little at the exchange between him and Zilia shortly before Jack intervened. The arrival of someone arriving to inform them of something often meant that they were about to head into a dangerous situation where the chance of capture or even death were high. Because of this a small audible sigh exhaled from the back of the group.
"Of course." she muttered as they moved the conversation inside and crowded around the table, the thought of entering a land of people trained to take down Devil Fruit users not exactly filling her with confidence in their ability to manage the apparent rescue of the doctors friend. Sure enough they had accomplished many impossible feats over the years, but she still didn't like the idea of willingly walking into the middle of extreme danger. The swordswoman couldn't rightly complain however, this was for Zilia after all and given the lengths she'd gone through to keep them all alive and healthy they owed her far more than this... not that they would have to owe her anything for them to agree to go given Zilia was their friend above all else.
She studied the map closely, remaining quiet as her silvery eyes moved between each person offering insight and opinion before soon enough taking her leave to make her own arrangements in peace. During their journey to what would naturally be their next adventure Alicia spent the majority of her time in her usual spots, meditating or simply remaining in her room between intervals of attending her usual rounds on board the ship. The finance books were balanced, stocks accounted for and everyone appeared to be on top of their own jobs which was always a pleasant thing to see. Honestly she had very few complaints, save for the occasional antics dreamt up and manifested into reality by Luro and encouraged by the captain. Often a bap on the head with the end of her saya was enough to get her point across.
~~~~~
Upon arriving at the place she gave the masked woman a suspicious look, more so due to her nature and the way in which Zilia reacted to her more so than anything else. Of course soon enough they were off into the lions den, entering the place where they were exposed to the inner most workings of how these people functioned and went about their business. The people in the cages drew her attention rather quickly, her brows knitting together as he grip tightened around the hilt of Shusui. Alicia didn't like what she was seeing and decided to look away and focus ahead to calm the building upset in her chest at the sorry sight of how these people were being treated. Capturing and executing those who abused their powers to harm people was one thing, but arranging an unbiased genocide on all users just because they held a power was an unforgivable venture.
Fortunately Luro managed to somewhat take her mind off things as he began to tell a rather well put together story about the fake reasons why he'd signed up as a recruit. The use of her family name caused her to give a flat look towards him however, shaking her head slightly before continuing on in her usual silence, choosing not to tell a story herself as she appeared to lack mood or motivation to speak to these people. Her desire to raise the place to the ground was high and she briefly thought back to what her mother would have done had she bore witness to this place, confident that she'd have felt the same way. She would need to speak to the others about the captured people in the cages, she would not like to leave them here if it could be helped. In fact... she was almost certain not to give them the option for it.
The crystal impaling the small rock made her step back a little, casting her gaze across the strange growing material before looking towards the others, particularly Luro and Zilia. "It is not often that I'll suggest such methods but I think we could perhaps combine both ideas of approach." she finally spoke after having been quiet for so long. "Maybe we should take the more difficult approach until we reach her, then once we have her secured and ready to move... we remove the metaphorical gloves and proceed at our full strength." she suggested, looking between them all before raising a finger. "However, I will not be leaving those people in the cages behind. I'll see to it myself if I must, but it goes against everything I am and aspire to be not to help them." she frowned. "Genocide is not something my people take lightly... I would certainly enjoy appealing to the Empress to send our navy to pull this place apart... " it was clear in her soft tone she was anything but pleased. It wasn't often Alicia voiced or advocated violence as a solution.
Arriving at Devil's Circle found Jack in a slightly altered state from when Maka left. Physically, he'd don his black overcoat and knife bandolier, rolling the sleeves. It revealed one his defiled tattoos; an irregular black hole below the left elbow. He fixed his glasses that pinched his nose and tied the dreadlocks back. It wasn't enough to confuse anyone who knew his face, but it was enough for him to step out of his normal demeanor.
A hostile one took it's place as they ventured out to meet Maka's contact, then go straight into the heart of enemy territory. He paid attention to everything that transpired but in the back of his mind, he mulled over the answers Zilia and Maka provided. They were... less than ideal. But after a further explanation to her power, he appreciated her carefulness and willingness to humor him as much as possible. He remained uneasy (the fact Zilia shelved the Maka connection to the Dreamscape set him back), but at least they had a clear goal.
Quieting his mind, Jack strayed behind their group. His eyes lingered on the cages-- the woman and the boy-- until he saw their guide glance at their direction. He spat in the Users' direction and scoffed. That seemed to satisfy the Guide for the time being.
They reached the castle and Jack raised an eyebrow. Moving forward, he stepped on the crystal. It cracked easily under an Armament-coated sole. He moved away, counting in his head how long it took to grow back, then spike up towards him. He swiped it away effortlessly. "It shouldn't be a problem for you and I to cut through it," he nodded to Runali but talked to everyone. "As far as getting out... might be best to determine that once we've found our target." He glanced at Alicia. He also wanted to rescue the caged users.... but didn't want to tell her that it could be infeasible. The safety of the crew comes first.
If it came to that, he had no doubt between the Feian Empress and his own contacts, they'd obliterate this hellhole.
He brushed off the remnants of crystal dust from his fingers and pushed the thought aside. Another sprung up in its place and he cocked his head. "Or we could protect everyone? Create a line and we can, theoretically, infuse our hakis to the people attached to us. Walk straight through to the Fruit User."
It seemed one consensus was to go in softly and leave loudly, at least that was what Alicia recommended. Something that caused Zilia to stare at her with widened eyes, though Luro had the brightest grin on his face and was rubbing his hands together.
She didn't like the idea that the two of them were on the same wavelength right now, not exactly but Luro and Alicia both wanting wanton destruction scared her more than the ever growing Crystal behind her.
She ignored Luro's suggestion as one should and decided to mark that as a vote.
"Soft then loud...well do what you wish. I just want to get Isari out, anything after that is a whole other matter," Zilia said looking over at the two. "If that's the case let's go in quiet then, so that...after is more surprising."
She looked over at Jack at his suggestion and offered a small shake of her head.
"The Crystal will adapt to that method. It'll work for a bit but the problem is it adapts what you attack it with. If we're all using Armament it'll recognize the weight of what's hitting it and adjust itself when it regrows. Which means you'd have to harden your armament again and again with the Crystal doing the same thing. Keeping that manifested while trying to keep us all safe would more than likely be exhausting...and I don't know what Isa's going to do once we're inside...she's hostile to everything right now….that may include us. So running out or being low on Armament could be lethal if Isari's hostile."
Zilia brought a hand to her chin.
"However...in the final push that may not be a bad idea. If we're attacking with different methods the Crystal won't be able to adapt to every angle fast enough...which means it won't be able to adapt to your Haki as quickly compared to only being attacked by one force...in the final push let's do that."
The captain listened to the suggestions, the explanations, and everything else. Her one eye shut and her brow furrowed. The look on her face was either deep thought or frustration, up until she let out a soft groan. "No more planning. We're wasting daylight sitting around talking about it." She started to lead the charge. "If anything attacks, use enough armament to stop the blow and keep you guys from being impaled. Got it. Easy." She gestured everyone forward. "Storm the crystal castle as peaceful as possible and worry about the rest when we get to the top." If they kept this up things would get even more complicated and Runali could only keep up with so much at this point.
"Aye Captain, if you can't destroy dodge," Zilia said following after her.
Luro reached back and clicked a switch on his rifle, the L.A.S.S. humming to life as he lowered his body waiting for the vanguard to lead the charge.
The moment the crew set forth on the crystal it wasted no time assaulting them, though just as Zilia said those actually responding to the crystal faced the majority of it's wrath. While the one's in front while fighting a battle on two and eventually three fronts, the ones taking up the rear were only dodging crystals from one direction, making it substantially easier.
Luro ducked his head as one tried to pierce his skull and with a small boost forward managed to avoid another aimed at his side. He kept his feet moving as the crystal steadily grew faster and faster, weaving between spikes and vaulting over attempted blocks by the crystal, a grin adorning his face as he slid under another, boosting himself in the air only to land and duck another attempt.
"She's thankfully not getting serious!" Zilia yelled as she leaned away from another piece of crystal.
The further they went the harsher the crystal became, eventually those in front were being attacked on five sides, and even the ones in the back were dodging from three different directions, Luro had to jump forward to avoid being impaled from three different sides at once.
"It's starting to recognize our shapes," Zilia said glancing back at Luro. "We need to hurry! Now would be the time for that Armament idea!"
The crystals were quick to act, but Runali fortunately was quicker. She held back, focusing on dodging the sudden spikes that emerged on either side of her. "If this wasn't life threatening," Runali was light on her toes, spinning around and under a pair of spikes. "It'd make for a fun exercise." Her focus stayed ahead while she spoke, careful not to miss the crystal coming at her from her blind side.
"I'd hate to see what serious is then." The captain was standing on a block of crystal she jumped onto, only to fall back when it slid back into the wall. When Zilia called out again, Runali grinned. "Can't dodge, then destroy. Right." Moving to the front of the group, she looked over at Jack. "You go high, I go low?" Jumping over another, she laughed. "Or, first one inside pays for drinks."
Within the Castle
Thankfully once they made it past the field the crystal stopped attacking them, making it easier to open the large doors leading to the interior of the castle.
The inside of the castle was just as shiny as the outside, the 'fabric' such as the curtain and tapestries within the castle were made of the crystal causing them to shimmer in the light that poured in through the tall windows. The carpet that ran along the length of the long hall the group was in and the pillars on each side of the carpet, both stretched towards the end of the room, letting off a light glow. Luro looked around noticing his own reflection no matter which way he looked, also noticing the small holes in his outfit especially his sleeves from trying to get inside. Looking at the vase resting on a nearby pedestal he could have sworn his reflection winked at him. He offered a wave in response and kept moving used to the incident, he was more focused on the giant door waiting for them at the very end of the hallway. There were two suits of armor on each side of them, each holding spears in their grasps.
Above them hung large chandeliers surprisingly well crafted, they somehow stood out even more though they were made of the same material.
Zilia walked ahead requesting as such so she could watch for 'signs', she also couldn't see clearly standing directly behind Luro.
"This place is really shiny."
"…let's just be grateful the inside isn't awake," Zilia said. "If it was the walls would literally be closing in trying to crush us."
"Why's it quiet then?"
"Isa's clearly scared but…I think she's exhausted. Who knows how long she's been maintaining this place. She's probably tired so all her focus is on keeping people out, not throwing them out."
"Long enough to keep a buncha enemies out of here." Ru commented. Her hands were behind her back, taking in the scenery like the rest. "And that's a feat in itself if this group is considered stronger than most." Runali took a longer look at some of the smaller details of the castle, humming to herself. "Wonder if this is for comfort or boredom. Lots of fancy work just to make an 'impossible to get in' fortress. But I suppose if I was gonna make a place to stay I'd want it to at least look nice."
When the group approached the large door, the crystals in front of it let off a shimmer before something started to rise out of the floor, Zilia held an arm out stopping herself. Spreading her stance a bit as she lowered her body as the crystal started reshaping itself, it molding itself like clay into something else, it's form twisting and falling in on itself, bits of it breaking off only to reform, until it's appearance started to imitate a human, a familiar one once it finished it's transformation.
The strange crystal had taken Zilia's shape, though it was easy to differentiate the two it was a scarily accurate representation of the doctor. Her face stared back at the others and she even reached up and touched her bang, though it didn't move like the original only chipping off causing the bang to regrow.
Luro hand lingered near his rifle but seeing the thing not attack he lowered his hand.
"Why are there two Z's?" Luro said rubbing the back of his head.
"It's one of Isa's Golems," Zilia said staring at her copy. "Her bodyguards, she's not good at fighting so they do the fighting for her. They'll reform if broken apart so they can be a pain to deal with. This one's harmless, next one's might not be though."
Zilia walked up to her copy and bringing her hand back quickly brought it forward piercing the Golem's chest, she ripped something out of it in one movement, a small glowing red crystal resting in her hand before she crushed it. The Golem collapsed into dust in front of her shortly after.
"Each Golem has a core though, since they act individually from Isa's control it's kind of their 'brain' in a way. Destroy that and they won't regenerate."
"The core's in their chest then got it," Luro said writing in his notebook.
"I'm…not sure why you're taking notes but the core can be anywhere, and it can be any size. It's hard to deal with them so we should reach her before more come along…violent ones that recognize us as threats."
"Hm you seemed to know where that one was though Z. Are ya that good at guessing?"
"…she makes that one when she's lonely…I've had to deal with it a few times."
"She…makes a Z Golem when she's lonely…that's kinda-"
"Let's keep going," Zilia said cutting Luro off. "I'm still trying to figure out how they found Isa in the first place."
Zilia walked up to the door and placed her hand on it giving it a small push, though it didn't budge.
"She's avoids going anywhere near civilization after all. Lives alone far away from everything, generally in a cave."
Zilia pushed a little harder on the door but it showed no signs of moving from her attempts.
"...could I have some help please. This thing won't budge."
"Wow doc, I didn't know you were a bodyguard too." Runali watched the Zilia golem appear and then disappear just as quick. Her curiosity wasn't sated and she had plenty of questions, but the way she cut Luro off made it clear she wasn't going to be able to pester too much. With amusement in her tone, she took a step forward. "Gosh, never offered to be my bodyguard. But hm, sounds like you in your room with books. So you do have things in common." Runali placed her hands on the door, looking to the very top and then the very bottom. She gave it a quick push, testing its resistance.
"Well, didn't mister wolf say she didn't heed his warning or whatever? That or you know, right place wrong time. It happens to the best of us." Runali gave the door another push and began walking when it slowly opened. "Maybe she had to stop by a market and get supplies. Caves get… cold after all." Runali heaved a sigh when she managed to get the door to open just enough for everyone to get through. With a mock bow, Runali gestured Zilia through. "Tough as seastone with and without haki. Onward and upward."
"…I'm not your bodyguard. I'd be asking for double if that was the case considering the amount of trouble you get in," Zilia said crossing her arms. "Also I step outside…eventually…after I finish reading."
At the mention of Maka Zilia's eyes twitched a bit but she put it aside as the doors swung open, she raised a hand to Runali in thanks before walking inside. A spiral staircase that seemed to rise infinitely upward, resting in a small cylinder shaped room, met them.
Zilia sighed a bit before making her way up the stairs having a feeling Isa would be at the top.
"Right he did say that didn't he. I make a habit of minimizing my interactions with Maka…even in my own head," Zilia said grabbing hold of the rail. "Still it's impossible they found her outside…Isa would never willingly leave her cave. Everything she needs she gets herself…they must have found her somehow…or that bastard tipped them off to her location….yeah that latter one makes the most sense, that scum would do that."
"That…sounds kind of off though Z. Why would he put this Isan person in trouble just to come to us for help," Luro said leaning around Alicia.
"Who knows what's running through his head, maybe he wanted an excuse to approach me, knowing I couldn't ignore Isa being in trouble. Yeah…that of kind nefarious plotting is right up his alley."
"…do you think his breakfast is nefarious too?"
"Anything Involving Maka is nefarious."
"Bah, it's fine. You're better suited as a doctor. I had a bodyguard once… sorta? He was self proclaimed. Took most of the fighting job. You at least watch and then patch us up later." She shrugged.
"You're gonna have to unpack that anger before you explode." Runali gave Zil a light pat on the back as she continued further into the castle. "Being angry at people is how you get gray hair. Way too much energy dedicated to a guy you don't even like." She rested hands behind her head, taking a moment to look all the way up to the top of the staircase. "Hm… Would think there'd be an easier way up…"
Continuing through the castle more Zilia Golem's started to show up. Luro came to call them Zilim's after the 12th one. Zilia was destroying them at first but after a while it was taking up way too much time so she just started ignoring them. The Zilim's paid no mind to Stardusk only looking in their direction when they passed, for the most part keeping to themselves. When Luro touched one it looked at him, arched a brow and moved away.
Upon entering another long hallway, similar to the one on the first floor another large door rested at the far end of the hall…this one had Zilia's face on it covering most of the door.
The further in they went the more Zilim's seemed to appear, Zilia marked it as a sign that they were getting closer, and judging by the amount in the room she figured Isa wasn't too far away. There were Zilim's crouched on top of the pedestal's watching them, golem's in the form of Zilia curious of the new intruders.
A few were on the ground, one reading a crystal book, turning a page every few minutes, another was painting a picture, also made of crystal so nothing appeared on it.
One seemed to be reciting some poetry or play but no voice came from her as she moved about the room, twirling and delivering her lines. A group of Zilim's seemed to applaud at random intervals, one of them munching on a crystal apple, awkwardly applauding as well.
"There are a lot of Zilim's….Isak must be really lonely."
Zilia walked ahead, a red tint to her cheeks and her hand covering her face as she picked up the pace.
"I swear Isa…." She mumbled trying to reach the door as quickly as possible.
When they reached the door Zilia stared up at her own face, only for the eyes on the door to move and meet her own.
Zila's eyes twitched at the scene and she looked back again figuring she would need help with this one as well.
Passing the golems, Runali peered over their shoulders to see what they were reading, or curiously attempted to tap at them- mostly after Zilia had stopped destroying them. The fact that they were harmless made her even more curious. "Hm, you sure must've spent a lotta time with her. These are pretty accurate." The captain said once as she examined the golem's hair and glanced over at the real Zilia's.
Though, that quickly became an understatement when there was not one, but a whole room of Zilia golems watching them. "...Y'sure this isn't… an- and I do mean this nicely- obsession?" Having one doctor was enough for Runali. She couldn't imagine the hovering eyes of multiple doctors on her ship. She shuddered at the thought of multiple Zilia's actually keeping the crew in one place.
Her attention turned back to the real Zilia when she got stuck by another door. "On it!" The captain bounded forward and used the small momentum to aid in pushing the door open. "You know, I knew crystal could be heavy, but I wasn't expecting it to be this heavy." She commented between huffs as she pushed the door open. Just like the previous door, she managed to open the door enough to get everyone through. "Would she be upset if I just broke the door next time or would that raise too many alarms? I've been trying to keep the haki use to a minimum- y'know until we're being shot at."
"Obsession...isn't that far off," Zilia mumbled as the Captain approached the door.
She waited until it was fully open before nodding to the Captain and letting the others enter first before entering herself, keeping an eye on her other selves. They had paid no mind to Stardusk, even when the Captain approached but their attention seemed to move the moment the throne room door opened. They didn't stare, but it was abundantly clear they had noticed.
"Thankfully this should be the last door we have to open," Zilia said entering the throne room.
The room itself easily matched the rest of the castle, a strewn of crystal ornaments residing around the room, it was a relatively large room, the walls were a little further away in compared to the hallway. The ceiling rested far above them, forming a sort of dome with a visage of Zilia carved into the ceiling. Crystal curtains 'flowed' down from it touching different parts of the room. There were statues of Zilia in random poses throughout the room, and a few 'paintings' of her as well.
The room itself was in a bit of disarray however, things that should be in the proper place were strewn about the room, causing Luro to step over a vase as they continued forward.
The throne itself remained in fine shape, and rested at the top of a small platform, rows of stairs leading up to it.
The throne was a simple one, though a large ornament resided behind it. A sun with a moon trapped within the center of it, Zilia recognized the symbol but her attention was more focused on the throne itself and the person there.
A transparent cocoon rested on the seat of the throne, a young lady within the circular object, her knees hugged to her chest and her arms wrapped around her legs. Long straight black hair was splayed out, frozen in place along with the rest of the inhabitant. The face of a sleeping child met them, eyes shut tight but the eyelids moved slightly revealing the person inside was real if there's obvious human form wasn't enough.
The only thing not crystal save Stardusk themselves was encased in it, and the girl seemed to be living a nightmare.
"...she's not even looking through the eyes of her golems," Zilia said walking forward. "No wonder it was so easy getting inside. She's just shut her eyes to everything."
"Is that Isai?"
"That is Isari...best to wake her up."
Zilia approached the throne walking up the steps, the numerous Zilim's standing along the walls, the 'royal guards' looked over at someone approaching. When their gaze landed on Zilia they bowed to one knee and lowered their heads.
"Uh...Z," Luro said pointing at them.
"Ignore it and forget this moment if at all possible."
Zilia approached the crystal and placed her hand on it, giving it a small push.
"Well it's not attacking me back so…"
Zilia made a fist and lightly knocked on the crystal, she seemed to imitate some unknown rhythm as she did so. The cocoon quickly broke apart, the crystal flying outwards in every direction, Zilia quickly reached forward catching Isari as she fell, the girl grabbing hold of Zilia as a small groan escaped from her.
Isari's eyes slowly opened and she blinked a few times before raising her gaze to Zilia. A pair of dark blue's stared long and hard at the person in front of her.
Isari started to speak but stopped as she felt her fingers curl into the cloth of Zilia's cloak, she looked at her hand then back at Zilia her eyes slowly growing wide. She quickly reached up and started patting Zilia's face, before pulling her cheeks.
"Ow...that hurts Isa," Zilia said pulling her hands away.
"....Zil. Is that...you?"
There it was.
The way she clutched her sleeve like a scared child, that almost blinding light in her gaze, that sweet gentle voice, delicate like glass and pristine as the crystal surrounding them.
A thousand things Zilia wanted to say, the speech she recited in her head on the way up here. All gone in the span of that one moment, disarmed by the very existence she had tried so hard not to touch.
"Zil...it's you...isn't it...it's really you...I'm not...I'm not dreaming right…"
"It's really me Isa. I'm sorry for taking so long."
Tears stung the edge of the girl's eyes before flowing down her cheeks, she threw her arms around Zilia clinging to the doctor as quiet sobs escaped from her. Zilia returned the embrace, resting her hand on the back of Isari's head. Zilia relaxed her body a bit and pet the back of her hair.
"...it must have been scary...I'm sorry Isa."
Luro stared at the scene ahead his brows arching slightly, he'd never seen Zilia that relaxed at being hugged, and she was actually holding them back without that weird twitch she always did. There wasn't' even a moment of hesitation, he rubbed the back of his head and looked back at the others before looking back at the two women.
"Uh...should we wait outside. This feels like a moment. We can join the Zilim's so we don't interrupt."
Hearing the other voices Isari looked up and past Zilia, the moment her eyes landed on the others her body immediately tensed, and she quickly hid behind Zilia.
The fear in Isari's eyes reminded Luro of an animal inches away from being shot in the skull, it was a disturbingly fond memory.
"P-P-People….w-w-w-why are they here?!"
Zilia took hold of Isari's shoulders and motioned back to everyone.
"It's okay they're not bad people...well most of them."
"Think she's talking about you Alicia," Luro said leaning towards her a bit.
Zilia was clearly focused on Luro but put that aside as she helped Isa climb to her feet.
"They're going to help you escape, and with any luck nothing else will-"
Zilia didn't have time to finish speaking before the entire room shook as something slammed into it from the outside, the crystal around cracked and Luro noticed a long crack from below them. One of the large paintings fell towards Stardusk and Luro quickly moved out of the way as it crashed in the spot they once were.
"Why do I have hope?" Zilia said putting her face in her hands. "How does this happen every time with you all? Like clockwork."
Zilia took a deep breath and looked back at Isari.
"What's going on outside Isa?"
Isari looked over at the others and Zilia raised a hand to her.
"I'll introduce you properly later, they're with me so don't worry about them."
Isari gave a small nod and closed her eyes, after a brief moment she shivered before her eyes opened again.
"Hunter ships are attacking the castle."
"Hunters…are you sure," Zilia said crossing her arms.
Isari gave a small nod and pointed at herself.
"That strange man told me about them, the one you told me to never trust. Their ships have a different flag than the others. It's easy to tell them apart, I was brought here on one...I wouldn't forget how it looked."
Another rumble followed and large cracks formed along one of the walls.
"They're trying to destroy the castle," Zilia said placing her foot down to steady herself as the room shook again.
"Why don't we let them?" Luro said.
"...huh?" the two women said looking over at him.
"If the castle is destroyed they'll approach it right? We can just escape while they're checking on it, circle back to the ship and escape before the hunter ships reach us in the confusion. I've escaped naval bases the same way."
Zilia watched Luro for a long moment before looking over at the Captain.
"I...hate to say it but that's not a terrible idea. Isa could destroy the castle. Towerman could use his ice gloves to."
"Oh no I left those on the ship."
Zilia looked over at Luro who shrugged.
"You said you were going to bring them with you."
"I forgot them...yeah I forgot them on the ship next to uh...Cedric's cat," Luro said waving his hands. "Oh Captain and Jack forget theirs too so no ice."
Zilia narrowed her eyes at him but shook her head and motioned to the group.
"Well then Perfect Clothes can-"
"Cedric forgot his magic."
"Perfect clothes...forgot his magic. Perfect clothes who takes the time to double check himself before so much as leaving his room Perfect clothes."
"Yeah completely forgot his magic, even if he says he didn't it's a lie so he doesn't look bad. You know how he is."
"Well then Perfect hair can-"
"Alicia doesn't have her sword."
"Her sword is right there!"
"That's a fake sword. Anyway Z guess you gotta use that blue wall magic stuff."
"That-" Zilia started to say but stopped as Isari pulled on her outfit.
"Zil you can use your dome to protect us. Just like that one time."
"No that's not-" Zilia started but stopped at the look Isa was giving her, her eyes twitched and she looked at the Captain.
"Miss Blue...please stop this. Just use the glove you have so Isa can destroy the castle to stop us from getting crushed."
"Captain doesn't have it Z, use your power stuff."
"You stay out of this."
"Anyway Ika you want to see the power too right?," Luro said walking forward. "We both want to-"
Zilia opened her mouth to tell Luro not to get close but the warning went unsaid as crystals burst out of Yuli's skin almost puncturing Luro when he got close. She stayed that way the crystal protecting her like the quills of a porcupine until Luro took a few steps back.
"Haha shy about touching huh. Jack's like that too. I'll pat you on the back later."
Once Luro was a few person distance away the crystals returned to her body, a single tear ran down the side of Isari's cheek and she took a few deep breaths moving back behind Zilia. Her eyes remained unfocused for a moment until Zilia's touch slowly brought her back.
Runali's attention was pulled a few different ways and it amazed her she wasn't dizzy with how much information she was getting. First, it was to Isari and Zilia reuniting. Even she noticed the sudden change when it came to their interaction, but the sudden shaking and crystals collapsing kept her thoughts constantly moving forward. "Hey, you can't blame this one on us! This is all you, doc." Runali stepped aside as more things began shaking and crashing, mostly keeping an eye for the sake of those that didn't have anything to protect them. A large shard of crystal came crashing down while Zilia and Luro were going back and forth. Without a word, she used a haki infused hand to shatter it to pieces before it could injure any of them.
After, Runali sheepishly scratched the back of her head. "Hah… yeah…" She tapped Luro's arm and nodded. "Tower- Luro here is right. You heard the wolf man… or was it the deer woman… They said no weapons or it'll be too suspicious. And we were going for the sneaky approach. Wouldn't want us getting trigger happy right?" Runali gave a small shrug. "Besides, I give my gloves to Luro when I'm done with them. That way, I don't lose them."
Haki laced both her arms and she punched a fist into her palm. "All I can offer is haki, but even I can't...punch through… everything..." She thought about it for a moment. "...Probably… I could attempt… Our best bet would be the crystal kid here making as much destruction as possible and making it look like no one could have escaped. And all we have to do is escape something that looks like it's impossible to escape from. And also avoid being hunted… And of course, keeping her," She pointed at Isari, "Safe. And if the doc decides using her powers is helpful then, we can add that along the way." The castle shook again and Runali pointed towards the door. "But we probably can't stay here and discuss for too long."
"See Z just as the Captain said and Haki's not enough for all of this...probably," Luro said. "Everyone agrees it's power time."
"I don't think everyone-"
"Power time," Luro said again holding up a finger.
"I'm not-"
"Zil can't you do the dome thing anymore…" Isari asked stepping a little closer to Zilia.
"I mean...I can but we can always go back out through the door we-"
Crystal fell from the ceiling blocking the door Runali was pointing at, stopping the crew from going back the way they came, Zilia slowly lowered her finger and brought a hand to her face, squeezing the bridge of her nose.
Luro gave a small wink to the ground as if he was thanking Davy himself for that bit of assistance.
"Are you kidding...agh fine! Fine I'll do it but I want it known I don't want too."
Luro pumped his fist a little and Zilia sighed before telling Isari what Lady Luck looked like before asking her to find a route away from everyone, since she had a bird's eye view of the island.
Isari took a long look outside her eyes scanning over the island itself, there were a fair amount of people watching the castle, many standing where the Crew had once been, most of the island had gathered waiting for the Hunters to return, since almost everyone was gathering in one spot there were a fair amount of places to slip through unseen.
"I see it...it's hidden by the wood a bit right? I see a way to it where we won't be seen," Isa said opening her eyes."
"All right then...everyone please gather close together, I can't make it too big. Isa bring it down."
Zilia said and held her hand out. "Wall."
She spoke the word and a blue glow formed in front of her before expanding outwards creating a small transparent dome shaped object around the group, it let off a light blue glow and shimmered every few seconds, it was a little more than five feet long and due to it's shortness Luro had to duck down a bit to fit.
"Uh Z….it's kinda small," Luro said tapping the top of the barrier.
"...it's meant for single person use not a group and I can't make it any bigger...don't forget your gloves next time," Zilia said sighing a bit. "Also...Isa it's not that small."
Zilia looked over at Isari who had hooked her arm in hers the moment the barrier had gone up.
"Just moving closer as you requested Zil."
Zilia looked at the smiling Isari and the abundance of space she still had and just shook her head.
"...this is why you wanted it didn't you. Just...bring the castle down."
"Right. Please hold onto something."
"Preferably not me."
Isari raised her foot and stomped the ground, the moment she did the castle started to properly fall apart, the pillars fell towards the ground, the tapestry detached and broke against the ground and the ceiling caved in.
Luro looked up as the ceiling drew closer and brought a hand to his chin.
"You know...thinking about it...I almost died most of the times I tried this trick."
The ceiling crashed against the barrier hard, Zilia stumbling a bit before placing her foot down firm as the barrier let off a small flare, a tiny crack forming in it.
"...I can only blame myself for agreeing to an idea by you," Zilia muttered holding both her hands palm up to maintain the structure.
"Now the floor."
"The what now Isa?"
Isari stomped the ground again and the floor under them shot downwards, dragging against the wall causing sparks to form as Isari gave them an express route to the ground floor, the castle continuing to crash around them, more and more debris gathering on the barrier as they fell towards the earth.
A piece of the castle broke apart the floor outside the barrier destroying all of it save what was protected, without the makeshift attachment the small piece of floor they were now on began to freefall for a moment, showing just how fast they were approaching the earth.
Isari tapped her foot and two bits of crystal shot out of the piece of floor slamming into the walls and slowing their descent once more.
When they got close to the ground Isari slowed the chunk of ice before gently placing it on the ground, waving her hand she made a hole in the wall nearby.
"We should head that way before it all collapses."
Zilia didn't hesitate to move towards the hole, keeping the barrier up as the castle continued to fall around them. The moment they made it outside Zilia moved the barrier away pushing the debris off before falling onto her hands and knees, breathing heavily as the castle behind them fully crumbled to the ground.
"Woo! That was great!" Luro said throwing his arms up. "Remember when the floor gave out! That was the best part!"
"Can we go...please," Zilia said climbing to her feet with Isa's help.
The group was outside the tall wall on the sands of the beach, Isa pointed further down the path which was still hidden by the wall.
"If we follow this path we'll reach the other side without being seen. I didn't see the guards at the gate so we should be okay," Isari said.
"Great I'll meet you guys at the ship," Luro said before grabbing Alicia. "Alicia let's get going."
"Wait wha-" Zilia said but was cut off as Luro yelled back at everyone.
"We'll catch up! Captain make sure everyone's on the ship! I'm going to do some Luro things with Alicia! Be back soon! Promise!"
Luro ran towards the camp and Zilia stared at the two before looking back at Runali then back in the direction the two have gone.
"...well he has Perfect Hair with him so he should be okay. Let's get Isa to the ship and let Sir Patch know what's going on. If they aren't back by time we're ready to set sail I'll help bring them back."
There was something about freefalling against her will that made Runali much more high alert- and by high alert, her legs were covered in haki just in case their landing was rougher than bones could handle. Remembering others couldn't exactly use haki, she reached out- with how close they all were, not very far- and grabbed onto Alicia and Luro's arm, giving a nod when Jack grabbed Sid. "Please keep your hands and feet inside the dome and stand as still as possible. Or as still as you can be when you're falling from several feet in the air!" With enough concentration, she managed to cover their legs in armament as well similar to how armament transferred into weapons. Fortunately, Isari managed to get them safely to the ground and Runali let the two go. "Note to self, it does work with people."
She started to reach a hand out to Zilia, wanting to help her up and make sure she was okay, but paused when Luro grabbed Alicia and took off. "Wh- I'm the captain, of course I'm going to get everyone to the ship!" She realized that probably wasn't the most important thing right now, but at this rate, there was way too much to try and prioritize. "Make it quick!" She looked at the rest of them and shrugged. "Yeah, he's got Tashigi. He'll be fine." The sounds of destruction and people weren't at a safe enough distance for them to relax, so she began to lead the group out. "If you're not feeling okay after your showy power display me or Jack can carry you- either of you. Don't know how much being wrapped up in crystal kills your stamina." Runali extended the offer, still keeping the group moving towards the ship.
Flexing a hand-- and Armament-- he nodded to the captain. "I'm ready."
Getting across the crystal plain was a nerve-wracking task. Jack chose high, fluidly moving in time to Runali as they drew the crystals' attention to them and off Stardusk. Their hard training, both with gloves and just the two of them with Armament, led to an instinctual fighting pattern. His focus zoned onto the movement of his body. He abandoned everything to instinct-- blocking, punching, dodging-- so much that when they reached the castle's interior, he kept his fists up and attention flitting for the spontaneous skewer... until he realized there wasn't any. Guard slowly lowered as he took in his surroundings, for the first time, taking the moment of quiet to catch his breath.
"Huh," he said, noticing the detail of all the castle's decor beneath the crystal. His attention strayed when a new development occured in the form of a Zilia-look-alike.
"Crystal gloves?" Jack mouthed at Runali questioningly, watching Luro take notes on the now-called Zilims. The banter did cause small amusement as he followed the group, slightly behind and off to the side, as was his traditional position. He remained silent and observant until they came upon Isari.
From the time she awoke to when the Hunter ships attacked, Jack merely what occurred. His only reaction was to glance at his brother when the young girl launched herself at Zilia.
"Guys... guys!" Jack shouted in hopes to intersect the argument. Exasperation glared off his face as he held onto Sid, struggling to keep his balance. He knew Luro lied-- for the most part. A quick glance at Sid's lobes would reveal the summoner kept his stones. Yet the time he'd need to sacrifice a rune, or select the right spell, or do whatever it was needed to give them adequate protection was too long in Jack's mind. And he and Runali did neglect to bring their gloves. That left one best option to him.
"Zilia, this castle is collapsing on us. Do something."
Whether it was that or Luro's incessant badgering, the doctor complied. Jack drew Cedric closer to him so they could support each other.
And then they fell.
He barely registered the luminous blue dome surrounding them before his stomach leapt into his throat. The floor of their protective sphere dropped, them along with it. Jack immediately applied his haki to his legs and Cedric before Runali could tell him. He spread it as far as he could until they hit the ground.
It took Cedric gently tugging on his sleeve for Jack to step off the broken floor. He seemed a shade paler. "Let's... let's never do that again."
Jack raised an eyebrow as the two unlikely pair raced off... probably to cause wanton destruction, if he was to put his money on it.
The cook stopped. He blinked. Eyes flicked to Runali, then quickly away. Before she could notice his shocked and unwarranted reaction, Jack gave himself a mental shake and turned to Isari. His smile brought softness to his face as he knelt to her eye level and held out a hand. "Name's Jack, if you hadn't caught on yet. It's nice to meet you. I can carry you to the ship, if you will allow me."
He glanced at Zilia, silently asking her to vouch for him, if Isari remained uncertain in her trust. If she even needs the help.
When they got close enough, Runali looked around to make sure no one was around, but at the same time seeing if Luro and Alicia were catching up. "Alright Isa, welcome to Lady Luck. Don't break anything or it comes out of Z's pay." She let out a loud but quick whistle, signalling for both Coral and Kadi. "Time to go!" She yelled out as she ushered everyone on board. "Scratch that! Time to prep to go! We've got two stragglers that we have to wait for." With another short whistle, Coral flew to the captain, dropping her chakram in the process. "Ah yes. And weapons at the ready."
The moment Jack drew closer to Isari a small cry escaped from her and crystal immediatly covered her body as she hugged herself, she stared at Jack with the eyes of scared rabbit, up until Zilia touched her head, the one thing not covered in Crystal.
"It's okay he's not bad. I promise. Let's be calm Isa."
Isa seemed to respond to Zilia and gave a small nod.
"S-S-S-S-Sorry...I-I-I'm-F-F-Fine-M-M-M-Mr. J-Jack," Isari fumbled over the words but managed to say them taking a small step away from him.
Isari flinched a bit when Runali spoke to her but gave a very shaky nod in response, her mouth moving to respond but no words coming out, at least loud enough for a normal person to hear. Zilia glanced over at her and took Isari's wrist before pulling her along.
"We're okay Miss Blue," she said simply before moving to join everyone. "Isa let's get hurry."
She wasn't sure what was happening but she could hear the destruction being caused by the two even on the other side of the wall, she ended up stopping as a large explosion blew out part of the wall in front of them. Hopping over the rubble she moved to catch up with the others, Isari in tow.
Once on the ship Isa offered a nod to Runali but stayed behind Zilia peering out from her safe spot at the others. Zilia shook her head and started to say something but the Captain's orders stopped her and she decided to focus on that. She gave Isa something to do to help them leave and went to help.
"I hope those two don't get into too much trouble."
"Right Alicia always gets in trouble somehow. Here Z hold this."
Zilia took a piece of rope from Luro as he started taking care of the sails.
"Yeah they-"
Zilia stopped seeing Luro standing nearby offering a small nod before looking back at Zilia, Alicia was also within sight as well.
"What's wrong Z?"
"…Miss Blue they're back."
"Huh yeah we're done. It was fun, let's get going."
Zilia looked back in the direction of the camp, or what used to be a camp and shivered a bit not sure how to feel about the place being essentially a crater. If there was life there once no proof remained of it now. For a moment she swore she saw another ship sailing away nearby but put the thought aside.
"Give the word Captain!" Luro yelled with a grin.
In the middle of helping pull one of the sails, Runali perked up hearing the two were back. "Oh! Good, right on time." She looked the two over, not seeing anything out of the ordinary or any pressing injuries. Satisfied with that and with the ship ready to go, she clasped her hands together. "Cedric! Do a sweep of the ship. Make sure no one's snuck on- or trying to."
Runali headed to the front of the ship, with Kadi at the helm and pointed forward. "Let's set sail and get out of here!"
Once they had set sail and was a fair bit away from the island Zilia asked the Captain to gather everyone together. Waiting until all faces were present Zilia looked at the girl still hiding behind her.
"Isa they're good people just…introduce yourself. It's okay."
Isari looked at Zilia then Stardusk before hesitantly stepping out from behind Zilia.
"H-H-Hello. M-my name i-is I-I-I-Is-I-I-"
Zilia watched as Isari tried to speak her name, having to take another breath during the attempt, shutting her eyes and trying to get the words out until she was red in the face. Ultimately Zilia put a hand on her shoulder.
"Isari. Her name is Isari…now please listen as they introduce themselves…since I can't say their names."
Zilia motioned to Runali.
"She's the head of the crew."
"The Captain?" Isari questioned looking back over at Runali.
"Yes."
Isari kept her attention on the others waiting for everyone to speak, eventually her eyes drifted up to their sails and subsequently flag before the color immediately drained from her face.
"Z-Zil! T-they're pirates! Pirates are bad people! T-they eat people!"
"…was kind of hoping we could avoid that part but yes they are pirates but they're good pirates and pirates don't eat people…well none of the ones I've met."
"…really? You guys…don't eat people," Isari said looking back at everyone.
"Well I do but you're too skinny right now. We gotta let Jack fatten you up first before I go for that right leg of yours," Luro said. "Cedric can have your arm. I always hated that part."
Zilia glared at Luro as Isari moved back behind her, trembling and trying to make herself invisible behind the small doctor. Zilia quickly pulled her back out informing her it was a terrible joke and motioned back to the others.
"They're all good and trustworthy people…you don't have to be afraid of them…well all but one of them is trustworthy but he's obvious."
Isari looked at Stardusk, her face moving from face to face before she raised her hand and pointed at Kadi.
"He's the bad one?"
"What no not him. He's eccentric but he's not bad. Why him?"
"He's wearing an eyepatch. Eyepatches mean you're evil."
Zilia brought her hands to her face and took a long deep breath before pointing at Runali.
"…why isn't she bad then?"
"She's a Captain. All captains are good people."
"…that's not true either but that's another discussion. Wearing an eyepatch doesn't mean you're instantly bad. He's the one that's not completely trustworthy."
She pointed at Luro only to flinch seeing he was standing at attention with an eyepatch over his eye.
Isari stared at Luro then back at Kadi, then to Runali before bringing her hands to her head, confusion painted across her features as she tried to put together what was right.
"He's not trustworthy…but…he has an eyepatch…but…eyepatches are good…" Isari mumbled her wide eyes focused on the deck.
Zilia narrowed her eyes at Luro before her hand twitched, a red glow surrounding it.
"You know what Isa why don't I just remove the one you can't trust from the ship…permanently."
"I'm just kidding Z," Luro said holding his hands up. "She's fun to mess with."
"Just…take it off," Zilia said shaking the glow away. "Don't need to confuse her more than she already is."
Luro did as requested and removed the eyepatch only for another to be under it. Luro promptly ducked as a dagger was flung at his skull stabbing into the mast behind him.
Zilia eventually sent Isari below deck to retrieve something from her office before looking back at the others.
"I'm sure you noticed yourself but Isa's not exactly…good with the outside world. In many ways she's still a child in need of an escort," Zilia said crossing her arms. "She's had to live in ' a way to be forgotten' because of her Devil Fruit."
Zilia shook her head a little at the memory.
"That's why I have a favor to ask of you. I know a place where Isa can be safe and I'd like to head that way…but while she's on the ship I'd like for you to give her something to do. Anything will work. Just…just so she feels useful. I know her…she won't approach you about it but…she'll want to help. Dreads she's good at cooking vegetables thanks to her garden she can help with that. Mr. Patch if you can just give her some navigation stuff to do, or even just hold your compass, that'd be enough. Towerman you always do things around the ship. I know you like doing it yourself…but if you could let Isa help you I'd appreciate it. Same with you Miss Silky, you always have an eye on things needed on the ship as our First Mate, even if it's just counting supplies I'd appreciate it. Cat man Isa's good at sewing as well…or just watching the cats just…anything. Any task no matter how menial just…let Isa help. She'll end up depressed if she thinks she's just sitting around without helping…and since she's bad at talking to people she won't know how to ask. I don't want to force it myself. I want her to get along with you all…if I step in and force the interaction she'll think you don't want the help and that's…that's a whole other thing."
Zilia brought a hand to her head at the very thought of it but didn't let herself get pulled away for too long.
"What about the Captain Z?"
"Oh uh…Miss Blue can…um…she can…." Zilia stopped and looked away for a moment, she seemed to mumble something to herself before looking back at Runali. "…sit on the side of the ship with her. Company is important too…"
"Z…The Captain does stuff too."
"I-I know that just…uh…hm…I-I leave it to you Cap-Cap just don't do anything dangerous."
"Cap-cap? Actually wait Miss Silky? Dreads?" Luro said tilting his head at her.
"I have to change the nicknames after a while, since eventually I'll affiliate them with you. It'll just become a watered down version of a name then, just as dangerous. Anyway I'm depending on you all, I'll find a way to repay you for helping me with this…I…I really appreciate it. If anything happened to Isa…I'd never forgive myself. She's…very important to me."
Zilia folded her hands together and offered a small bow to everyone.
"Thank you again…also forgive me Cap-Cap but I can't talk normally with Isa around. She gets nervous if I suddenly start writing out my words around her. So for the time being I'll have to keep using my voice. Once she's safe I can return to normal."
Isa at this point had already returned to the others missing Zilia's request for the crew and stared at everyone not sure what to say to those gathered.
The captain suppressed her own laughter at Luro's antics, but proceeded to lightly punch his arm. "Are those mine? You still owe me new ones!" She grabbed one of the eyepatches and examined it before slipping it in her chest pocket. She would have grabbed the second, but it was easier to tell that one was Kadi's, so she left him be.
"You'll get used to it Isa. Just know, I'm the best captain you'll ever meet and this pirate crew has saved your tiny butt. So, be happy." Her brow raised a bit. "Name's Runali. You can call me that or Captain. But only those two… And don't listen to Z, I do stuff around here too- just when I'm needed." Straightening up, she clasped her hands together. "Aye, aye doctor. I don't mind it," She gave a smile. "I like your voice."
Runali turned to the rest of the crew. "Cedric, keep an eye out just in case we're being followed. Kadi's at the helm so doctor, make sure he's on the right track. Luro… don't steal my eyepatches. Alicia, you're first mate you've got it covered. Jack! Celebratory lunch, we made it out and didn't even get scratched up." She started to give a confirming nod, but paused and looked at Isari. "Hmm, right. You need a job to do." She looked around and then hummed when Coral landed on her shoulder. "Ah, I know. Jack's got a stash of food for Coral here- this is Coral by the way, she's friendly- he'll show you where it is. I need you to feed her. Jack will show you how and then after that, captain's order is to find someone else on the ship- that's not Luro- and they'll give you something to do." She laughed a bit. "Go to Luro last so you're not too confused for the rest of the day."
"Couldn't resist Captain," Luro said with a grin.
Isa offered a small nod to Runali still trying to figure out what she should call her as everyone started receiving their jobs for the day. Her eyes moved from person to person, her eyelids lowering a bit as she gripped the sides of her outfit as everyone started with their busywork. Her eyes raised to Runali when she was spoken too and she immediate stood at attention similar to Luro. Unblinking she remained in her stiff stance until she received her orders, she raised her hand to her forehead in a salute.
"A-Aye yay C-Captain."
"It's not a naval ship Isa. It's a pirate one. You don't have to salute," Zilia said lowering her arm. "Also it's not yay. Relax a little."
Zilia pat Isa on the shoulder so she'd calm down a bit..
"Just do you're best okay."
"R-right. I'll earn my keep t-too..everyone…helped me after all."
"There ya go."
A strange wave flowed through the ship, an unnatural cold that sent a chill up Zilia's spine, the feeling of a pair of eyes on the back of one's head. Zilia knew this familiar feeling all too well, and there was a chance a few on the ship would as well, Luro especially. She turned towards the side of the ship to see Yuli standing on the railing of the ship, hands in her cloak pockets.
"Well aren't you guys all organized. Permission to come aboard Captain Lev?"
"Cap-Cap tell her she's not permitted," Zilia said looking over at Runali.
"I mean I can stand here too it makes no difference to me. I did say we'd meet again so I could properly introduce myself."
Zilia looked in everyone's direction, her rope-dart falling onto her hand as Yuli pulled her hands out of her pockets.
"Cedric swept the ship though…" Zilia said.
"Oh Zil….you know me enough to know how I work by now…or do you. I'm not sure."
"Anyway Captain I won't take much of your time. I just want to say my peace and leave and I am…standing on the railing of the ship after all. The ship's moving and the water's scary you know. Lots of dangerous things in there."
"I don't mind the salute. Very proper, very respectful." Runali laughed and nudged Coral off of her. She watched the bird eye Isari over before promptly sitting on the barrel next to her. "Too fragile to be perched on, I think Coral decided-" Hearing the new voice nearby made her sigh. "Hm. Could've been worse. Coulda shot first and spoke later." She mumbled mostly to herself. With a casual heel turn, she placed her hands on her hips. There was a pleasant smile on her face as she spoke. "Ah, it's you again deer lady. Sure, can't say I'm not curious about who you are." Runali had obviously ignored Zilia's request. "...But since you're not welcomed by the doctor, you can't stay for lunch." She was going to comment about how easy it was to stand on the ship's railing, but decided against it and gestured for her to stand on the deck.
Zilia wasn't wholly pleased about Yuli being allowed on the ship but she said nothing as the woman hopped onto the deck. She offered a small bow in response before reaching up and removing the mask from her face, lowering her hood at the same time.
The face of a young woman stared at the crew, a grin adorning her features as she stared at the faces below. Reaching into her cloak pocket she pulled out a pair of glasses and placed them on her face, a pair of red eyes staring at the crew from behind the oval lenses. Her hair hung over her shoulders stopping at the base of her neck, a color similar to Zilia's if not a little lighter.
"Allow me to properly introduce myself. My name is Yuli, ex-Quill of the Red Ravens."
A barrel was shoved against Yuli's skull and she glanced over to see Luro, a toothy grin adorning his face as he loaded a shot into his rifle.
"Um…I'm not here to fight mind you and just to clarify I did say 'ex' right. I was gone long before that stuff in Cerula. I myself have not attacked you in any way or form. I think guilty by association is kind of harsh…"
Luro looked over at Runali at this and Zilia was inches away from piercing the woman's skull with her weapon, Isari was hiding behind a barrel. After a moment Luro blinked a few times before looking over at Zilia.
"Wait Z you knew someone in the Ravens?"
Zilia flinched a bit at this but remained silent.
"Huh she didn't tell you?" Yuli said. "I gave her information on you guys years ago while she was searching for ya. I mean she didn't give me anything back but that's okay I didn't want anything save a favor. Didn't you guys take down the organization?"
"We did do that yeah," Luro said nodding.
"…feels kind of weird not to bring that up then. Anyway yeah I was a Quill at the time. I asked Zil over there to take my place. Even had a cool name for her, the Scarlet Queen but she declined. Broke my heart."
"Oh man that is cool name."
"Right?! Did you at least use that thing I left in your journal so the Raven's wouldn't attack you?"
Zilia remained quiet her grip tightening around her weapon.
"Seriously?! Did you want to suffer with your friends? Well…good for you then I guess. Anyway that's who I am. I got nothing against you guys, actually I owe you thanks. You guys causing trouble kept the Ravens off me, they do not like deserters."
"Z…I…got a lot of questions," Luro said looking at her.
"…understandably Towerman," Zilia said keeping her attention on Yuli. "Can they please wait until she's either dead or off the ship?"
"Harsh but that aside I came here to offer my assistance, just as the boss requested…so uh…can I not have weapons pointed at me please? I'm weaponless for a reason as you can see."
"A… Raven…" Runali stared at Yuli and the continued to stare as Zilia and Luro readied to attack her. "Red Ravens…" By the brief facial expression that crossed her face, it was clear she was hoping that they'd never have to deal with that group again. Ever. Runali's one eye closed for a moment and she sighed away the many rising emotions that had suddenly appeared. It was fine. Stardusk had taken down the organization a while ago. And clearly Yuli said she was an 'ex' Raven. That should have quelled her… sanity and yet, somehow she was definitely feeling the need to kick Yuli off her ship immediately.
But she suppressed all of those feelings and instead walked over to Zilia. "You're not gonna like me for a second." That was her only warning before she picked Zilia up and sat her on the barrel Isari was hiding behind. She didn't bother with Zil's weapon, nor Luro's figuring there out to be some measure of safety. She turned to Yuli with hands behind her back. "Forgive my reluctance, but we've had enough… one too many run-ins with groups trying to kill us. Can't be too careful, y'know? So, here's the deal, you tell us exactly how you plan to help and then… maybe I'll tell them to lower their weapons." She used her foot to push an empty barrel over to her so she could take a seat. "No worries though, he won't get too trigger happy. And the doctor's going to stay put for now."
Luro's eyes moved over the Captain as she spoke the name but refocused back on Yuli, he wasn't too keen of dealing with them again either. Fun as they were to fight he lost a bit too much to them as it was. He didn't let it show in his expression though, the gun pointed at Yuli said more than a frown ever could, so he just smiled with his finger resting on the trigger.
"C-Cap-" Zilia flinched and resisted a bit to being lifted like a child.
Ultimately there was little she could do but take her seat, Yuli had to turn her head at the sight to keep from laughing and cleared her throat to focus back on Runali.
With a surprising amount of grace she happily took a seat on the barrel as it was slid to her and crossing one leg over the other rested her hands in her lap with a smile.
"I'll take that. At the very least someone will listen," Yuli said. "I've come to take Isari somewhere safe."
"Declined," Zilia said as soon as woman finished speaking.
"...listen. Boss is a spy within the guides. We know exactly how far their reach is, we know a place where she can be kept safe. The Boss is trying to save those captured by Relias and keep more from being taken. We want the same thing so let's work together."
"You think I'm going to believe a word you have to say."
"You say that like I'm the only one here with secrets or somethin' Zil."
Zilia's eyes twitched and Yuli waved her hand in front of her.
"Look I get the no trusting thing but you guys are now on Relias list. Give him a bit and he'll find out who you are. When that happens he's going to come for you. There's a reason the Navy doesn't have a presence in the circle and that man is one of the reasons. With the kind of firepower he has it's not worth the men they'd lose trying to take the place over."
Yuli gave a small shrug at this.
"I'm happy to tell you where we're going to take her. The boss just asks you to hear us out. That's all. You don't have to agree to anything just...listen."
"No."
Yuli brought a hand to her face and a long sigh escaped from her.
"....she's going to end up in danger soon especially with that fruit of hers."
"I don't know what Maka has planned but I doubt it's any good so no."
"I'm telling you that I'll tell you his plan."
"I don't need to know it! The both of you are the very scum of the earth and I want nothing to do with either you, and I won't allow Isa pulled into your sick games!"
A large burst of water exploded upwards and fell over the main deck of the ship as a purple glow formed outside, Zilia immediately covered her mouth and turned away from Yuli realizing her emotions were getting the better of her.
Isa watched the scene from behind her hiding space, her eyes flickering between the two figures, as if she was watching two parents argue about who got to keep her. She clearly didn't want to go with Yuli.
"Zil listen-"
A red glow surrounded Zilia's hand and she closed it before grabbing the same glow with her other hand, pulling her hand away from each other a long thin red line formed in her grip, almost resembling a unfurled whip, her eyes narrowed at Yuli who remained still. The energy let off a small hum as she narrowed her gaze at Yuli, the red energy flaring along with Zilia's emotions.
"...So...are we enemies or allies here cause I'm getting a 'I really wanna kill this woman' atmosphere here."
"Neither." Runali stated. "But it's best you refrain from fighting on my ship when we don't know where the next island is for supplies." Her hands rested on her hips, one idly touching the chakram there before her arms crossed. "I don't know what history you have with the doctor here, but whether she trusts you or not, I don't. That doesn't mean I think you're going to attack us- not now at least." She gestured over to Isari, still hiding behind the barrel. "But to be quite honest, we took all that effort to get into her shiny crystal castle and rescue the damsel. Why would we just hand her off to the next person we see? If I'm going to do something, I'm going to see it through to the end." Runali gestured to the crew behind her. "And if I don't trust you I can guarantee you that the spies nor the first mate trust you either."
Runali ran fingers through her hair, now a little damp thanks to the sudden wave that hit the deck. "If you really want to be allies then tell us where you wanted to take the kid. You say this person is after us, then do us the favor of getting him off our trail. Plenty of ways to be helpful that aren't taking the kid."
Yuli's eyes moved around the deck checking the faces at Runali's words, there were a fair amount of people on the deck. She couldn't deny that they did put in the work for Isari, Yuli let out a small sigh at this and removed her glasses.
"See I told the boss this would happen…" Yuli said pulling out a small cloth.
She took a moment to clean her glasses her eyes remaining focused on the task at hand before she spoke again.
"Told him there was no point in such things. He's a hopeful sort though. Optimistic and all that. Zil isn't going to change her ways, she's not going to listen and the pirates aren't just going to let us have her, not without something in exchange."
Zilia's eyes narrowed as the woman's expression seemed much different without the smile adorning her face, as if she was a different person entirely. For being surrounded with weapons pointed at her there was an eerie calm about her as she breathed on her glasses.
"Um…I'm…kind of an adult…and I'd rather not go with her," Isari said poking out from behind the barrel. "T-The pirates are scary but…they…they helped me."
Yuli put her glasses back on the smile returning to her face before she stood up.
"Well sadly I can't agree to putting my life on the line just like that to prove a point. My only job was to pick up the kid after all not fight Relias. We kind of need her."
"…for what Yuli."
"No point telling you that," Yuli said grinning at Zilia. "I mean I could have but you never listen…you never will listen. That's just how you are."
"You-"
"Personally I didn't want this either. I respect you guys but orders are orders. I'll leave for today but I will take Isari from you."
"If you think we'll-"
Yuli held up a finger stopping Zilia.
"It will happen. I want to make that clear. You will not protect her from me. I will take that girl from you…it's just a matter of when. I've given you fair warning Stardusk…I will protect her from what's coming. Don't hate me when that day comes."
Yuli adjusted her glasses and a bright glare filled the area, Luro shut one of his eyes as a blinding light surrounded them, when the light faded Yuli was nowhere to be seen.
"….damn it…" Zilia said as the energy left her hand. "She hasn't changed at all…"
Luro sniffed the air for a moment before returning his gun to his back.
"…her scent's gone too," Luro said before looking over the edge of the ship to double check. "She's strong, I wanna fight her Z she seems kinda fun."
Zilia remained quiet only looking over at Runali.
"…Cap-Cap…Isa…they can't take Isa. Whatever they have planned…it can't be good. Not if Maka's involved. All he does is take…I can't…I won't let him take something else away from me."
Runali adjusted her eyepatch, waiting for the glare of the light to fade out of her vision. She stared at the spot for a moment and then rested her hands on her hips. When Zilia spoke, Runali's eyes closed in a moment of thought. "You want to keep Isa, then you have to fight. Simple as that." She sighed and looked between Zilia and the rest of the crew. "That was a promise she gave. She's going to be back no matter what we do- and as odd as it is that she wants to steal her to protect her." Runali pointed over at Isari. "If she's that important to you then you better to be ready to get rid of anyone that's going to try and take her. Simple as that." Her hands went behind her back and she shrugged. "Still, you've given us nothing to go off of here. Why's Maka bad? Why does this lady know you so well? Why didn't you tell us you knew about the Ravens? A lot of questions for us to be following you and crystal here into the dark."
Runali walked over to the lone barrel Yuli sat on and used her foot to kick it back to where it was supposed to be. "Don't get me wrong. I'd go to hell and back for you guys, but if you know what we're up against, it'd save a lot of scratches and bruises you'll have to fix up." It fell silent for a moment before the captain turned to her crew again. Even though she brought it up, she had moved on pretty quickly. Runali remembered what Zilia said about spilling secrets and destruction, so she never really expected an answer she just felt it needed to be said.
"Captain's orders still stand! Whatever I told you to do a few minutes ago, carry on. Daylights being wasted, let's get back to-- wherever it is we're heading to." She nodded over to Coral, who hopped closer to Isari. "That means you too Isa. All hands on deck."
When night finally fell Zilia wasted little time returning to her room, the moment she allowed herself a moment alone and let her guard down she felt almost all the strength leave her body. She caught herself on her desk, one trembling hand gripping the side as she took a few careful breaths, repeating the action she had done a thousand times over. Once she felt confident she could stand without help she slowly straightened her body, stumbling a bit before catching herself.
Just doing basic things took far too much effort when things were like this, her words didn't dissipate immediately after being spoken after all, they lingered for a bit before finally fading away. The conversation with Yuli alone was enough to destroy the ship, much less the conversations that followed.
Allowing herself one moment of peace as long as her Devil Fruit was active meant loss of life, a sneeze, a jump, a retort and the 'yes' floating through Alicia's chest would detonate, the 'pardon' towards Jack would sever his left arm, the 'go away please' towards Luro meant he no longer had an upper body.
By some miracle she had managed to slip away and now the only words surrounding her were the only ones she enjoyed, those written on pages.
Zilia raised her gloved palms and stared at them, unable to stop the slight shaking that had taken her over since the talk, she opened and closed her hands. No matter how many times it happened, her Fruit becoming active again always brought back that familiar feeling.
The slight tingle in her hands, starting at the tips of her finger tips and traveling all the way to her shoulders, invisible fingers tracing along her skin, the touch gentle almost teasingly as it caressed her.
The warmth that encompassed her body from the fluctuation of the energy, constantly cycling through her, a spring wind carrying the scent of flowers that tickled her inside and out.
The strange taste on her tongue and the 'bloom' she felt each time she opened her mouth, spilling forth invisible petals that painted the world a myriad of colors.
She hated it.
Every sensation of hers stood on end, and it made her sick to her stomach.
She covered her mouth as she felt her body naturally fight against the presence of Devil Fruit, she clutched the table again, and took a few deep breaths, repeat the process as always, calm the nerves and wait for it to leave. She grabbed the nearest bag and put her head in it as violent coughing escaped from her, long gasps leaving her as she clutched at her chest with one hand. By some miracle she managed not to lose the food Jack worked so hard to make. "I hate this...I hate this power...I hate this feeling...I know my body is fine with the Devil Fruit...that all this is born from my own mentality...I'm not actually nauseous. I know that but…"
Zilia wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and sat in her chair, laying her head on her table as she waited for the numerous feelings to fade.
A constant barrage of stress, a never ending flow of negative emotions flowing through her body, she understood her hatred of the energy coursing through her body and what it did to her. Eventually the 'screaming' would become whispers and she'd be able to ignore it. "Accept it….like you understand what this stupid power does to me…" Zilia said clutching her head. "...what it threatens to take away every time I open my mouth."
Zilia shut her eyes shaking those thoughts away, Runali wasn't to blame for this, she was just being herself, hanging onto stuff like that would only cause her power to flare up again. She ultimately made the mistake, she could have let her throat get slit and be done with this. Torture would have been fine too, if cutting out her tongue would rid her of this curse she would have done so ages ago. She made peace with that yet here she was using it again. She grit her teeth at her own weakness. At the end of it all she ended up relying on it, and now it was going to cost her everything. It always took away more than it gave.
"Zil?"
Zilia quickly sat up as a voice called out to her, she turned to see Isari in her room, she was climbing over her books having shut the door the moment she set foot inside.
"I see you still collect. I'm sorry I can't show you my collection. It's gotten bigger too."
Zilia closed her eyes and folded her hands together before looking back at Isari.
"What's going on Isa? What did you need?"
Isa crossed over the sea of books making her way to Zilia until she was in front of her. Reaching forward she removed the glove off her right hand before interlocking her fingers with Zilia's.
"...you're really real."
The sudden warm sensation caused Zilia to flinch slightly, she turned her eyes away from Isari as she raised her own to look at her face. Neither made an attempt to move away from the other though Zilia's body remained stiff her palm starting to sweat, which only made her feel self-conscious about this action even further.
Isari offered a small smile to Zilia as she looked back at her.
"All this time and you still thought I was fake…" Zilia said after finding her words.
"...well I only saw the real you in my dreams so…"
Isa trailed off lowering her eyes to the books, her body moving an inch closer to Zilia's.
Zilia's eyelids lowered a bit and reaching forward with her free hand she pulled on Isari's cheek.
"O-ow Stoph iz il'."
"Payback for earlier," Zilia said releasing her. "This is very real as you can tell, I'm not a dream."
Zilia held her hand out for her glove and slipped it back on once it was hesitantly returned to her. Isa knew Zilia preferred hiding the words on her right hand, so she didn't have the heart to hold onto it any further.
"Is making sure I'm real all you needed Isa?" Zilia questioned adjusting her glove.
"Ah no that wasn't the only thing," Isa said rubbing her cheek. "Where am I sleeping?"
Zilia stopped pulling on her glove and looked back at Isari, her eyes narrowing a bit at her.
"...pardon?"
"There's books everywhere...I'm not sure where I can sleep."
"Why would you sleep in here? Towerman was clearing a room for you...I know he was because I specifically spoke to him about clearing one…to ensure you had a place to sleep."
"Oh well...he did clear a spot for me."
"Well it wouldn't do to allow his hard work to be rendered meaningless by you not using the room right Isa?"
"That's what I said," Isari said holding up a finger. "However when I told Mr. Luro I wanted to stay in the same room as you he said 'well why don't you?' which got me thinking why am I not just doing that? However knowing he was clearing the room I informed him I didn't want to waste his effort and he said 'Ah don't worry I was going to clean it eventually anyway'."
Zilia brought a hand to her face as her body shook in silent anger.
"You know...he would say that. I can see him doing it with that annoying grin too."
"He was grinning upon saying it, you really know him Zil. He then went on to say 'Z went looking for you so it doesn't make sense for you two to seperate. I mean what kind of friend would she be to abandon you after finding you. That's horrible I can't think of anything worse than throwing you out after going through all that trouble to help you. She'd have to be a horrible, no good, lousy friend to do something like throw you out in the cold, especially since I'm not cleaning this room today anymore'. Then he started putting things back."
"He just didn't feel like cleaning it today!" Red flowed into Zilia face just imaging Luro's expression at the moment, his lips curled into a smug grin, a sideways glance in her direction and a shrug.
"...actually why can you quote that so well?" Zilia said looking back at her.
"He said it multiple times while stacking the crates back up."
Zilia leaned forward putting her face in her hands, a long sigh escaping from her. How he managed to drain all her energy without being around was a talent only he possessed.
"If I didn't know him better I'd think it was intentional. That's the worst part, he actually doesn't mean it and that makes it all the more aggravating. I almost miss Imposter at least he was a straightforwardly cruel."
"...Zil what are you mumbling about?"
"...I'll make a spot," she said raising her head.
"Really?!"
"On the other side of the room."
"Hey hand me that would you?"
Luro motioned to a piece of wood nearby and watched as his unwilling partner handed it to him, though crystal ended up covering the wood due to the proximity between them. Luro stared at Isari as she quickly took a step away from him, his eyes resting on the now half crystal piece of wood and he held it up to her.
"Hmm hand me the other one I can't use this anymore."
"...I-I'm sorry M-Mr. Luro."
"Luro's fine."
"I-I can't do that. You're...teaching me carpentry...that means you're my teacher. You show due respect to those that teach you."
"Well I'm not one for all that formal stuff. That's what Alicia is for," Luro said raising a hand. "Did you talk to her yet?"
"...Yes."
"How was it."
"She's very kind….I'm worried."
"Ahahaha it's hard to talk to someone who's really nice right? You keep thinking there's something behind it."
"Y-Yes…"
"Well I promise it's not. She's just that kind, I know it's hard to believe, I didn't at first either."
Luro had been spending every moment possible with Isari, when she wasn't with someone else Luro generally dragged her off somewhere, Zilia knew the signs all too well but said nothing as it was thanks to that behavior she grew accustomed to the giant. There were several occasions he was stabbed by Isari's crystal due to his forwardnessl and Zilia had to treat him but it didn't stop him from doing the same thing the next day, eventually it got to a point Isari got comfortable speaking with him, though she still flinched at his approach.
Due to his generally open demeanor and surprisingly brutal honesty a conversation between the two was easy, as Isari knew if Luro said something there wasn't a catch behind it, he always said so if there was.
"Two Devil Fruit Users though," Luro said. "I know it's tough some days but you must have some fun with it right?"
"I...like making golems and stuff but it's not the same for Zil. She hates her Devil Fruit after all...I understand why….and I can't blame her."
"Hmm wonder if she hates Maka more."
"Maka is definitely h-h-hated more."
Luro brought a hand to his chin at this and he shook his head a little.
"I am surprised by that...Z's pretty forgiving. I mean I almost killed her and she forgave me."
"W-what?" Isari said taking another step away from Luro.
"I wouldn't do it now...and I wasn't myself when it happened. Still whatever this Maka did...it's apparently worse than trying to kill her."
Isari seemed to let the matter go but Luro could almost feel a new wall forming between them.
"S-So what do I do with this Mr. Luro," Isari said holding up another plank.
She was already still extremely formal and clearly tense around him, something Luro intended on fixiing.
"Ya don't have to call me Mr. Luro, look who was your last teacher?"
"Books."
Luro stared at Isari for a long moment before scratching the side of his head.
"What did you call your last living teacher? It wasn't 'Mr'. right?"
"N-No."
"Okay then call me what you called them."
"Mommy."
Luro looked back over at Isari who stared back at him, tilting her head slightly. The honesty in her gaze was actually a little painful.
"I'm pretty sure you can't call me that, well you can but probably shouldn't."
Isari offered a small nod in agreement but brought a hand to her chin causing Luro to look back at her.
"Oh...you're a man r-right so instead I would call y-you Da-"
"Nope," Luro said holding up a hand. "Z, Alicia and the Captain will look at me strange if you call me that. It's in the book to never be called that unless under very specific circumstances. I learned my lesson the last four times it happened."
Luro held up and waved a small notebook before moving it back into his sleeve.
"We'll discuss it later."
Isari offered a small nod and Luro closed his eyes for a moment before he grinned and slammed his hand onto his fist.
"Hey tell me how you met Z," Luro said looking back at her.
"How I met...Zil?"
"Yep."
Isari folded her hands together and looked at the ground, but after a moment a small smile found its way onto her face and Luro grinned as she started her story.
Years ago
Heavy rainfall pelted the forest as a storm raged through the area, black clouds darkened the landscape as the weather had suddenly turned when the afternoon came. The only real light was the flash of lighting over the skies accompanied by the loud crack of thunder. Most travelers had stopped or sought shelter since it was near impossible to see more than a few feet in front of them thanks to the heavy rain. The wind howled, blowing unfasted tarps off wagons and toppling over a few trees in the process.
Many people were bothered by the weather and ran for some manner of shelter, but one person didn't seem bothered by it.
Within a small cave at the base of the mountain, near the very back sat a girl, her knees hugged to her chest, a random assortment of knicknacks surrounding her. To an outsider it would appear like random objects in her possession, but to her it was home. The dirty tarp she sat on was her carpet and bed, the half broken cuckoo clock which sounded at random times was part of her decorations, the small crate next to her, with the front missing was where she kept her food.
She was garbed in a dirty brown dress, bits of mud and dirt splattered on it from her excursions into the wood, she couldn't hunt for food today thanks to the storm but she was accustomed to such things, she had enough to survive the sudden downpour. Winter was approaching soon however so she wanted to get as much as she could until then.
With no means to take care of it her long raven hair splayed out on the ground around her, disheveled with bits of the forest in it. If she ever received any visitors she would be bothered to fix it, but this place was far from any villages, any civilization. It was a near impossibility to come here, this place was nowhere near the main path, no sane traveler would take this route, it led to nothing.
Which meant she wouldn't meet people, her main goal.
Hugging herself a little tighter she repeated the mantra she told herself every day, staring blankly at the ground waiting until sleep eventually overtook her.
"If I'm here no one get's hurt. If I'm here no one get's hurt. If I'm here no one get's hurt."
A needless reminder she spoke everyday, for hours on end. She did so out of habit and to crush even the tiniest light within herself. Being near people was bad for her, she knew it and the ones who threw her out knew it, she needed to not exist, that was her goal in life. She was too scared to cross a dangerous line so this was the most she could do.
Isari told a lie to herself everyday to make it a truth in that cave, and ignored the wet sensation streaming down her cheeks at her reality.
"Hello!"
Isari flinched slightly and quickly raised her head, staring forward through the long cave.
She remained perfectly still staring into the outside, the cave was more long than wide making it easy to see the outside, she blocked it off at night with her crystals to keep animals out while she slept but never felt the need during the day.
When no one came into view she brought her hands to her head and tried to calm down, she was hearing voices now.
"Is anyone in here!"
Isari quickly raised her gaze again to the cave entrance to see another girl enter, she didn't look much older than her.
The girl was dressed in a green long sleeved tunic and brown pants, a tricorn hat adorning her head. Isari confused her for a man at first glance, especially with her short hair.
For some reason the girl wasn't wet at all, even though she clearly had come from outside.
The Present
"Wait wait wait!" Luro said holding up his hands. "Z was dressed differently!"
"Huh...oh uh yes. She said it was easiest to dress that way. Bandits tended to attack her a lot because she was a lady. She always beat them down but she got tired of being bothered."
"...I thought she wore that outfit the whole time."
"No she was given that outfit."
"Right...I want to ask about that but continue please."
"Okay."
A few years ago
There was a person in the cave, it was a living person. Isari stared at the girl until her eyes met her own, she backed into the wall of the cave meeting her eyes. Realizing she was staring she looked away from her gripping her tarp.
"Oh hey! Sorry I didn't know someone was in here! I'm trying to get out of the rain. Do you mind if I stay in here till the storm lets up?"
Isari's mouth opened but nothing came out other than tiny squeaks. Her eyes widened as she realized she couldn't speak.
How long had it been since she spoke to another person?
She couldn't even form words in her head as a response, her mouth just moved with nothing coming out of it. She couldn't even scream, her whole body tensed at the presence of another person, her body shook violently as she tried to scream something, anything but it only came out a whisper.
"Hey...are you okay...you're shaking a lot. You look cold...I may not look it but I am a doctor. I'm coming inside okay."
Isari could hear the person's footsteps, steadily getting louder and louder. They were approaching her, that was bad, she couldn't let that happen. If she got close nothing good would follow
"S-stay...back."
"...huh?"
"Away….s-s-s-st--aay."
"I can't hear you," Zilia said taking a few steps forward.
"No...nonononono."
Isari clutched her head, she could feel it starting to manifest. She had to say something, she was going to hurt her, she was going to do something bad, she had to stop but it wouldn't listen.
"R-run."
"Huh?"
Isari took a long deep breath and put all her energy into saying the words that howled in her head.
"Run!"
Zilia's eyes widened as clear crystals shot out of the cave floor, she quickly jumped backwards as they tried to pierce her chest. Her eyes widened as crystal suddenly grew along the girl's skin as well. Zilia's eyes narrowed at the sight but she had little time to contemplate as the crystal grew along the top of the cave and tried to stab her from above. Moving her body Zilia dodged the crystal trying to force her out of the cave, having to move backwards away from the girl until she was back at the mouth of the cave, the crystal sinking back into the stone once the intruder was no longer in range of its charge.
Zilia stared into the cave at the girl as she kept her attention focused on the floor.
Whoever this girl was she clearly didn't want her in the cave, Zilia adjusted the hat on her head knowing she could probably look somewhere else for shelter.
When the girl raised her eyes to her again Zilia's hand twitched as she met the girl's eyes properly. Gritting her teeth she took a few steps forward before quickly running back into the cave.
"What? No! Please leave!" Isari exclaimed as the crystal quickly returned.
Zilia leapt and slid over the crystal that tried to attack her, weaving in-between it as it tried to stop her from reaching Isari.
"No...no...no please stop! I don't want to hurt you!"
Isari screamed at the stranger before the crystal exploded out from under her and quickly covered the entirety of the cave in front of her, Zilia's eyes widened as she found herself completely surrounded.
The Present
"Oh man what happened next!"
"Huh...oh I'm um...still telling it."
"Oh right sorry. Anyway please continue."
"Right."
The past….again….
The bright colored material quickly closed in on Zilia and she grit her teeth as it crashed into her from all angles, a wall forming in front of Isari, only closing once she witnessed the crystal completely surround and envelop Zilia.
"No…"
Her silent cry came out in a whisper, she could only watch the scene in front of her, caused by her own hand, in silence as the moment passed, the weight on her chest growing steadily heavier as she stared at her own reflection in the crystal.
She killed her.
"I...I didn't...I didn't want...I just...I...I…"
Isari clutched at her skull, her body falling forward as her head fell against the cave floor, a loud scream escaping from her as she finally found her voice. Sadness and anger mixing into her desperate cries, yelling at something she had fought against with every breathing moment since entering this cave.
She hated it.
She hated everything that surrounded her...and she hated the tiny hope that still rested in her chest upon seeing another person. Because of that desire, because she didn't play her role she had done the very thing she secluded herself to avoid.
"Why...why didn't you leave?"
"You looked lonely."
Isari raised her head as a red line formed along the crystal cutting it clean in half, on the other side was the woman holding what looked like a glowing red whip, she raised it and made a few more movements, the red energy cutting anything it came across before fading out of her hand.
Zilia stepped over the now broken crystal and Isari quickly backed away from her only to hit the wall once more, the crystal above her started to manifest to protect her causing her to reach towards the woman.
"Run! I don't-"
Her words were cut off as Zilia grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards her, wrapping her arms around her as she embraced her.
"...huh?"
After the sound escaped her, Isari noticed a blue dome surrounding the two as the crystal came down, stabbing into the barrier, stopping the attack.
"...calm down," Zilia said holding Isari a little tighter. "Take a few deep breaths...I'm not going to hurt you...let the energy fade from your body...bit by bit."
Isari remained stiff for a moment but she slowly relaxed against the foreign warmth and the crystal surrounding them slowly sunk back into the walls, long cracks had formed along the barrier at the crystal's pressure but once it retreated it fell.
Zilia didn't move for a long moment, glancing over at the trembling girl and waited a moment longer.
"...it was scary wasn't it. I'm sorry for running at you like that."
Isari slowly raised her arms, tears streaming down her face as she hugged Zilia back, sobbing into her, repeating 'i'm sorry' over and over again as Zilia rubbed her back patiently waiting for her finish.
"...so you're a Devil Fruit User too."
After what felt like hours Isari had finally stopped and spoke up, Zilia held a small handkerchief towards her before responding.
"Yeah...my power is destructive too...even when I don't want it to be," Zilia said removing her hat. "So I knew how you felt. You didn't want to hurt me but your power ignored that. I'm glad my strategy worked. Someone did it to calm me down...I wasn't sure if it would work on someone else."
Isari didn't respond to Zilia only handing her handkerchief back to her. It had been a long time since she had let herself go like that, and now she was having a conversation with the woman seated next to her. Silence hung between them for a moment before Isari spoke agian.
"...I don't know what to do. I shouldn't talk to you, if I do...I'll never stop existing but…"
Zilia looked over at Isari, her eyes narrowing at her a little. She opened her mouth to say something but stopped noticing the storm outside had stopped.
"Oh it's clear," Zilia said standing up.
Brushing herself off she took a few steps forward adjusting the gloves on her hand.
"Time to get going," Zilia said.
"W-where are you going?"
"...nowhere important for now," Zilia said keeping her back to Isari. "Just picking a direction and going that way."
Zilia grabbed her hat and put it on heading out of the cave; Isari watched her steadily get further away and opened her mouth. She tried to speak but her voice caught in her throat.
What did she want to say? Please don't leave? No sane person would stay in a cave like this. Hugging her knees to her chest, she buried her face and patiently waited for the footsteps to leave. It was better this way, if she was here no one got hurt...that's why she came here in the first place. She needed to abandon all hope of being near people, that was the only way to keep others safe.
"Are you coming?"
Isari raised her head seeing Zilia staring back at her.
"Huh...but...but I attacked-"
"I don't care about that," Zilia said pushing the tip of her hat up.
"I-I'm dangerous though and I'll-"
"Stop making excuses," Zilia said placing her hands on her hips. "Do you want to come with me or not?"
"...I...I...I want to come with you."
"That's all that matters then. Come on." Zilia said turning her back to her. "Staying alone because you don't want to hurt people...isn't the only way to live."
Isari stared at Zilia who lowered her head for a moment, only to shake it and glance back at her.
"No matter what happens I'll be that one person. One who's not afraid of you...so hurry up."
Isari stared at Zilia unmoving but eventually slowly climbed to her feet, stumbling a bit before making her way over to her.
Zilia held her hand out to Isari who stared down at it before reaching for it, seeing her hesitation Zilia grabbed hold of her hand and started pulling her.
"Um..."
"If one person can accept you then plenty more can. For now you have to deal with just having one friend, but I'll help you fix it."
Isari flinched at the word friend but closing her hand into a fist forced herself to speak up again.
"Why...are you helping me? I don't even know your name."
"It's Zilia...but my friends call me Zil and I….I have my reasons."
"...I'm Isari...I don't...have friends so I don't have nicknames."
Zilia turned and pulled on Isari's cheeks causing her to flinch a bit in pain.
"Were you not listening? You have one now Isa. Now let's go, first thing I'm doing is fixing that hair of yours."
Present
"Since then I've always been able to depend on Zil...if it wasn't for her I never would have left. I would have died alone there," Isari said smiling a little at the memory.
She looked up to see Luro grinning at her, she blinked a few times realizing how much she had been talking and immediately apologized causing Luro to laugh.
"Hahaha why are you apologizing? That was a nice story. Haha so Z's always been proactive huh…reminded me of the Captain there for a moment. Makes sense though it is hard for her to ignore people hurting," Luro said grinning. "Z's a good friend. She looks out for you, more than most would."
"...yeah...I'm lucky," Isari said folding her hands together.
"Well now you have more friends right?"
"Yes thanks to Zil I have more."
"Well good you have another now."
"Huh?"
Luro pointed to himself.
"We're friends now. Let me get the rum so we can share it."
"U-um I'm not good at drinking. Wait f-friend?!"
"Yeah we're friends. You shared something with me so I'm sharing with you. That's what friends do."
Luro grabbed a bottle of rum ignoring Isari who was still trying to contemplate the last few moments.
"W-we're friends...L-Luro."
Luro looked back at Isari as she stared at him, clutching her outfit. She watched him unblinking and Luro smiled at her before nodding.
"Yeah we're friends Sari."
Isari watched him for a moment before a small smile escaped from her, she jumped a little causing Luro to laugh, pointing a finger at her embarrassment.
Isari tried to explain she was dodging something only causing Luro to laugh harder as the two continued working together.
A worrywart leaning against the wall nearby chuckled a little before leaving the area, leaving the two to their own devices.
"Oh by the way Sari...you mind if I take a few of your crystals. You can change their natural component right...I have...ideas."
"Huh...oh um sure."
"Thanks friend."
The worrywart might have left a moment too soon.
The safe spot for Isari was still a ways away, the destination essentially leading them to the other side of the circle and with how large it was, running out of supplies was a real threat. When everyone stopped at one of the islands Zilia went off on her own, after promising not to go off with strangers, something she wasn't pleased about having to promise. Given the previous circumstances she kept her mouth silent on the matter though, she hated not being able to tell everyone what was going on, much less her feelings on things. Even though it wasn't it felt like lying and she missed being open with everyone, instead of saying what was on her mind she had to bite her tongue, it was a bother and part of the reason she wanted to be alone.
The other reason was Isari.
Almost every moment on the ship she clung to her, it was hard to function. If she wasn't holding onto her in some fashion she was staring at her from a few feet away.
Having a moment alone where she could walk freely and speak openly without worry was nice. That being said she still kept her mouth shut not wanting to accidentally destroy something.
The town they had stopped in didn't seem too large, but that made the large population stand out more, she wanted to make her way through the markets but just getting past the residential district was proving a challenge. Normally she'd enjoy a bright sunny morning, but being surrounded by sweaty workers tall enough to almost block out the sun took away the joy quickly.
While moving through the crowds Zilia spotted someone familiar a few feet away, her eyes narrowing she pulled her hood up and made her way through the people.
Breaking through she made her way past a few buildings and slipped by the in-betweens following the familiar face.
Just as she turned a corner she ran into someone causing her to stumble backwards.
"Not bad but you got a long way to go to trail me Zil."
Zilia looked up to see Yuli staring at her, a grin on her face as she made a beckoning motion with her hand.
"I led you away from the people since apparently you wanted to see me. You need somethin' from me?"
Zilia remained silent staring at Yuli who twiddled one of her hairs waiting for Zilia to say something, when no exchange followed Yuli sighed and spoke first.
"Well I can guess what you wanted. You wanted to see what I was up to right?"
Zilia offered no response but Yuli noticed her body had tensed up slightly, that was enough of an answer.
"Right on the money huh? It's to be expected since we know each other so well."
"...I highly doubt that. The last thing we are is friends."
"Exactly."
"Pardon?"
"We absolutely know each other because we're enemies Zili."
"...what kind of nonsense are you spouting now?"
"It's not nonsense Zil that's harsh. Personally I think enemies know each other better than friends. Friends of course try to learn about each other but they're too forgiving. They look past faults and the like, enemies on the other hand prey on that. I personally hate and can't stand you so your faults are obvious to me. Anyway I'm basically saying there are many things I hate about you. It's the same on your end right? Due to that we understand each other very well."
Yuli spoke with a strange joy, a carefree casualness. Zilia didn't doubt that Yuli hated her, but the fact she spoke it like an old friend reminiscing bothered her. It reminded her of Luro a little but there was something off about her joy, something she couldn't put her finger on at first.
It took her a moment to clarify it but it stood out as she stared at her smile.
It was fake.
Not in an attempt to hide any feelings or put on a front, it was deliberate, purposeful. She made no effort to hide it, she was blatantly without words telling her how much she didn't want to have this conversation.
Luro never showed hatred or anger towards anything, even if he killed there was a genuine joyful smile on his face, this on the other hand. "There's nothing but malice…" Zilia thought.
She made a mental note to apologize to Luro later, comparing him to someone like this was rude, he didn't purposefully try to make someone uncomfortable at least, unlike this woman. Putting the mistake aside she decided to continue their conversation.
"Yuli...if all this is about me not accepting being a Quill then that's fine. I'd rather you not get the others involved in this because you dislike me."
"Hahaha if you think that's the reason I'm doing this then I'm disappointed Zil, you don't understand me at all. My earlier speech was basically for nothing."
"...well if that's not what's making you do this then what is?"
"That."
Yuli raised her hand and pointed at Zilia causing the doctor to arch her brow.
"That's one of the things about you that pisses me off the most."
Yuli lowered her hand and shook her head.
"You can't just hate me without a reason. Disliking me just because I'm associated with Boss isn't 'right'. That goody goodyness of yours is incredibly irritating. You want to hate me because of my own reasons not because I'm working with him. That twisted logic of yours is as annoying as always."
Yuli offered a small shrug a chuckle escaping from her.
"Always trying to do things properly, even something like this. I do like that part about you though."
Zilia's eyes narrowed a little as Yuli struck a strange pose after speaking her peace, she returned to normal relatively quickly, resting a hand on her hip.
"You'll have to excuse me for not being happy about you liking a trait of mine," Zilia said crossing her arms.
"Like? Where did you get that idea? I hate everything about you Zil. I thought I shared that?"
"...but you just said-" Zilia said lowering her arms.
"I know what I said. I hate what I like about you too. My hatred for you is that deep. I suppose if I had to compare it...the hatred I have for you is equal to what you have for the Boss."
"My feelings for that man aren't that easily categorized Yuli," Zilia said as her hands closed into fists.
"Haha I suppose not but it is true we hate each other. Who hates who more isn't really important. Either way I just can't stand you. Everything you are is an insult to what I stand for."
Yuli took a step closer and Zilia opened and closed her hands keeping a narrowed gaze on her as Yuli leaned in a bit closer to her, making sure to lean forward to close the distance between them slightly. She spoke again without the carefree tone, venom on her tongue and a harshness to her words that didn't match the smile on her face.
"The only reason you're still alive is because I made a promise."
Zilia's eyes twitched and Yuli removed her hand from her hip.
"The man you hate so much is the reason you're still breathing right now….how does that make you feel? Knowing that for all the hatred you have it amounts to nothing. Stuck in stagnation that will slowly destroy you and everything you love...because you can't change who you are...I almost feel bad for you."
Yuli raised a hand to Zilia only for it to get smacked away.
"I'd expect that much from you Yuli. Rotten to the core...disgusting inside and out. He chose the right piece of filith."
Yuli offered a smile to Zilia and raised her body moving away from her by a single step.
"That is very true. I'm a pretty rotten woman...but at least I'm honest about it."
Yuli turned her back to Zilia and raised a hand as she walked away from her.
"You however are like fools gold Zil. You're all shiny and sparkly...but in the end your worthless...at least filith has a purpose...and we'll achieve ours. Look forward to it."
Zilia watched the woman leave until she was no longer in sight, her legs gave out causing her to lean against the nearby building, her eyes narrowing as she took a few moments to regain herself. She took a few breaths to steady herself, sweat pouring down her face as she slowly slid to her knees. She hated to admit it but there was a truth to Yuli's words, in that moment it was clear she wanted nothing more than to end her. For a moment she stared face to face into the eyes of a predator waiting to slit her throat, and it took all her willpower not to show weakness.
"...I won't let you…" Zilia mumbled climbing back to her feet. "Whatever Maka has planned...I'll stop it...I have too…"
The bright morning sun above signaled the day for the people in the small town. A pirate ship had docked at their harbor but they paid it no more mind than the many other ships that passed through their waters. Pirates and strange ships were customary within the circle, and those on the ship hadn't set the buildings on fire yet so they paid no mind to their presence. The town was surprisingly busy at the start of the day, stalls being set up in the market, people moving off to work on the other side of town, and a few already heading towards the tavern. There was little place for privacy save a few select spots, mainly past the main square and in the residential area since most had left their homes. For the amount of energy flowing through the town via the clearly hardworking people, the bright sun above cast a strange unseen shadow over the town, especially when the familiar voice of a stranger reached out to someone.
"Cedric Langley. You mind if we talk for a moment...privately."
Yuli stood a few feet away from Cedric, pushing up the middle of her glasses, a small smile adorning her face as she stared at the young man.
She had clearly waited until he was a little bit away from the other Stardusk, moving out of the crowd of people once it was confirmed.
"I'm still unarmed as well so...you got a moment?"
The slim man pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders. He thought today was cold, a rarity in the late summer, but Jack commented about nippiness before they parted ways. Cedric relaxed a little. He must be imagining that he had the start of another flu. He decided a visit to the local apothecary wouldn't hurt, regardless. Buying a new tea to keep Madame Vilimar off his back was money well spent.
He was a street away when one of Zilia's friends approached him. Sid flinched and stepped sideways to widen the gap between them. He wondered, not for the first time, how the people in his life love intruding on his private moments. Times that Jack was better not knowing.
He kept his hand fisted against his mouth as he waited out spasming in his lungs. He sucked in exactly three breaths before straightening up. His fist swinging freely by his side again. "Mademoiselle, good morning. I wasn't expecting company in my downtime but," he trailed off, shrugging. "I don't see a reason to reject your company. Breakfast?"
Inviting this woman to a casual meal felt polite. Not that he was keen to, he admitted to himself. A cobra was infinitely more trustworthy than this "Yuli". If that was even her real name. He shot her a sideways glance and started walking in a different direction.
"Whether you are armed or not, I'm not bothered. Living with pirates means that everyone has some weapon ready even when they sleep. I, however, am surprised you picked me out of everyone else on board. I doubt I'm that fascinating."
He could have softened his words, but he doubted the effort was worth it. This woman remained an unknown, a enemy-acquaintance of sorts. Madame Doctor wasn't exactly gushing over the two other tagalongs so he needed to figure it out for himself. He strode towards the glass doors of the cafe and held it open.
"After you," he offered with a small sweep. "Please, pick a table. Maybe one by the window."
Yuli only offered a smile at the small distance Cedric put between the two of them, he had made no effort to reach for a weapon and didn't ignore her and continue walking, that seemed to be enough to satisfy her. If she was bothered by the sudden distance it didn't show in her expression, only a gentle smile as she waited for him to gather himself.
"Please don't sell yourself short Langley. I can say that at the very least in this moment, you are the most fascinating member of Stardusk," Yuli said with a small nod. "Thank you for your time."
She started following after him making sure to maintain the distance he had created. "A very true statement, I suppose I shouldn't bring up being unarmed then."
She offered a small nod in thanks as she entered, her eyes moving around the small cafe until she found a table away from the people, the adjacent tables empty as well. She took a seat at one near the window and raised her hand to call one of the workers over, she seemed to know exactly what she wanted without a menu and offered thanks as tea was placed in front of her.
"Once again I appreciate you taking the time. I won't take too much of your free time Langley. Given who I am and my future objectives I can understand a bit of distrust. I'm only here today to have a conversation, nothing more."
Yuli picked up her tea and took a small sip from it. "You are free to walk away from the conversation at any time and I will feel no offense, I'll even pay for the meal should it be in the middle of it."
Yuli set her cup down feeling she had made her point clear and folded her hands on the table. The smell of cinnamon filled the area and the people seemed caught in their own conversations paying little mind to the others around them. The woman sitting at the table carried the same air she had from their first introduction. There was enough attention to her appearance to show a value in oneself but not enough to be too 'clean', it was a strange middle ground she handled surprisingly well. She made herself approachable with what seemed like little effort, occasionally adjusting the glasses which seemed too big for her on occasion, smiling at the steaming cup in front of her.
Cedric's eyes never left the pages of the crumbling menu offered to him. He skipped over the cakes and pastries. Finding nothing remotely edible, he reluctantly returned to the pastries list. He ordered a plate of finger sandwiches, two cinnamon rolls and a cup of lavender tea. He planned to pack the rolls for Jack (and by extension, Isari). She seemed fonder of sweets than his brother. He shrugged mentally. Being nice to a kid wasn't that hard, according to Jack.
His drink arrived first much to his relief. He pulled the cup closer to himself to add a second barrier between him and Yuli. He released the cup after that and never touched it again. He smiled at his "not-date". "So what is on your mind? I'm sure after the waitresses stop staring at us we will have more privacy."
The two girls hovering close by scattered the moment his eyes landed on them. He shifted his gaze back to his cup of tea. His hands cupping it simply from the lack of things to do. As he waited for Yuli to talk, his mind searched for his familiars. None were close by but they were alert of his presence. He guessed that worked just as well.
Before the bespectacled woman delved too deep, the waitress arrived with the last of his order. Sid let go of his cup and nudged the sandwiches closer to Yuli while pulling the cinnamon rolls towards the centre of the table, forming a three layer barrier between them. "Have some. After all, you offered to pay for this meal," he reminded the woman.
Yuli sat patiently her eyes resting on Cedric and his strange mannerisms, she offered little more than a smile at his actions, her eyelids narrowing ever so slightly. She seemed amused by his actions gently taking her cup and moving it to the side from in front of her.
She merely awaited to see if he would stay or go, at his comment a small chuckle escaped from her and she happily took one of the sandwiches, her shoulders relaxing a bit as some of the tenseness left her.
"Don't mind if I do," she said before taking a small bite. "It's quite alright. What I have to say isn't exactly secret after all."
Yuli said this with the smallest of shrugs before speaking to Cedric once more. "I would like your assistance in retrieving Isari."
Yuli took a small sip from her cup at this, a small hum escaping from her before she continued clearly intent on finishing what she had to say.
"You don't bear the Stardusk mark on you, so I hope I'm right in guessing you don't believe in some invisible ideology. Loyalty maybe being an exception for one or two them but nothing that's not concrete and right in front of you. Instead of making more enemies in this place, which could end badly for the crew, we could resolve this issue right here and now."
Isari took a small bite from her sandwich as she set her cup down placing a small map on the table, and tapping one of the spots.
"Instead of being roped into the stubbornness of one woman and creating more trouble than it's worth, an accident can be created which puts Isari in my hands, she's safe somewhere else, and we won't have to consider Stardusk our enemy. You guys can enjoy your time in the circle or leave...well as long as you don't chase after her...which of course you probably will, but our response would be far less violent then if I have to say take her from you."
She removed her finger from the map.
"What do you say Cedric? Would you like a temporary partnership? I'm pretty open minded myself should you feel this is an unfair arrangement I'm wholly willing to negotiate."
"Loyalty is an interesting subject, yes? I never believed in advertising my allegiance to anyone." He shrugged. He didn't understand why people kept making a big deal out of him having the mark or lack thereof. Bearing the mark, was in his opinion, an empty gesture.
Her proposal was far more interesting. He liked the idea of them leaving unscathed. Simply put, direct confrontation wasn't high on his list given his desire to stay alive; he hadn't had the best track record in terms of injuries since joining. He picked up the teaspoon from the side of the saucer and started stirring his tea. The metal surface dredging up blackened flecks of crushed lavender.
He studied the whirling patterns with exaggerated attention. "Let's say if I agree, I would like to know two things. One, why do you want the girl so badly? And two, how much money will you offer on top of your promise of safe passage?"
Sid allowed the message to sink in. He sensed that asking too many questions would be a waste of time. Yuli's decision to withhold information told him what he needed to know about her boss (or bosses). He decided to see if the outcome would change if he showed he could be persuaded. He pulled out the metal spoon and twirled it between his fingers. He half-expected to find traces of poison. Nothing, yet.
"I think I deserve more information before entering this partnership. I will only trust those who trust me," he elaborated. "Oh yes, since we are on this topic, tell me more about their powers. That's my third question."
An alertness crept into his eyes as he lifted his head. "I know the basics but I want to hear your version of it."
"Haha you could make good work as a mercenary in that case, depending on the client it could pay better than a pirate," Yuli said smiling a little.
She didn't speak afterwards letting silence past between them, she had no intention of pushing Cedric into anything, if he agreed he agreed and if he declined he declined, the most it did was alter her plans slightly. She held no particular dependance on him, his alliance just made things easier for both parties and she felt he would understand that, so she had an abundance of patience today.
At his questions she looked back up at him taking a bite from one of the sandwiches, she watched him in silence expecting him to continue as it seemed he had more he wanted to say. After a moment he made his point clear causing Yuli's eyebrows to arch, though she offered a nod still chewing her sandwich and finished off the rest of it.
"Trust huh…" Yuli smiled at this grabbing one of the objects Cedric had moved, pushing it over to the side slightly. "That's fair give a little get a little."
Yuli picked up her teacup and took a small sip from it, she chuckled a little staring into steaming liquid, the gentle playfulness that coated her like a blanket faded for a moment as she set her cup down. She folded her hands on the table allowing her smile to stay as she spoke once more.
"Isari's power is extremely useful, my boss would like to utilize it to further our own goals. Ultimately however he wants nothing more than to move her somewhere safe, her power is second to that. We wanted Zil as well but due to her intense hatred and desire not to make amends, that's not an option. The goal was to have the two of them come with us, my boss explaining his side of the things and hopefully coming to an agreement...that didn't happen though due to her attachment to the past. Isari is not bound to such things though."
Yuli took a sip from her cup before setting a notebook on the table. "Put down a number you think is fair, I'll make sure you get it," Yuli said simply to his second mention. "Before the exchange if you'd like."
At the third questions Yuli's eyes moved to Cedric for a moment, they narrowed slightly her finger tapping on the table as she tilted her head, the light reflecting on her glasses hiding her eyes from the man in front of her. It was clear her gaze was still focused on him however, Yuli searching for something from Cedric in the passing moments. Whatever she sought from that hidden stare she apparently found, or at the very least gave up on as she the light fell from her glasses revealing her gentle gaze again. With a small smile she folded her hands on the table leaning forward ever so slightly.
"Zilia's Chat-Chat Fruit is a double edged sword. It has immense power but has many...'catches' to it. Once you understand the concept it's basically useless against any of her opponents.
Understanding is the greatest power and weakness of that Devil Fruit. It has many freedoms and just as many limitations, it's quite an interesting Power."
Yuli raised her hand waving away the very words she spoke before moving on."Isari's Crys-Crys fruit on the other hand has very little weakness. The fruit can shape anything and I mean anything. So long as the user is in contact with the ground of course, if Isari's feet are firmly planted she could take over the entirety of an island if she wanted. She's not at that level yet but it's not an impossibility. Her Golem's are the perfect army, her creations can be made near indestructive due to its regeneration. That young lady is afraid because she understands exactly what that fruit can do."
Yuli grabbed another sandwich taking a moment to eat it to let Cedric take in what she had shared, licking a bit of sauce off her fingers as she finished she smiled and looked back at him. "That's the most I can share without a formal arrangement. So what's your answer?"
"This is my price," he replied.
The summoner pushed the notebook back towards Yuli with a detached coolness. He kept his true thoughts well hidden, a precaution since he didn't want them to betray him. Trust would be superficial with this woman and her organization he concluded. Jack warned him as much after they settled in that every evening.
"You aim too low, I'm afraid. We should deliver both of them to your boss. I'm sure Madame Doctor needs this as much as he needs them. Clinging on to the past makes her mind and her power unstable. Her emotional displays were proof of that."
Cedric scanned the room to make sure they weren't tailed. He had his suspicions from before. Saying you are unarmed was making a loaded statement. It showed you were overconfident in your own safety. He feigned interest in an attractive couple by the window eventually.
Almost reluctantly, he returned his attention to Yuli. "I hope information would be more forthcoming now that I've shown interest. Tell me, do the Ravens continue to exist? I assumed Lina, bless her soul, held the organization together. The fact you have a new boss means someone has taken over. Or, you could have joined someone else. Regardless, this someone is also my current employer."
The young man smiled lightly. "I deserve to know his identity at the very least. He is, perhaps, associated with Slayis? I find your arrival on Lady Luck a little too timely. Likely because you were already close by."
Yuli looked at the piece of paper and gave a nod ripping the paper out of the notebook and returning both to her pocket.
"Fair enough."
She went for the last sandwich looking back at Cedric as he brought up the idea of handing both to Maka. The most she offered in response to his suggestion was a small smile before she grabbed the sandwich, she neither agreed or disagreed but the look on her face showed she at least found the thought entertaining. She let the suggestion pass without a word however as the conversation continued, moving in a rather interesting direction.
Yuli brought her cup to her lips, a small smile forming at his questions before she took a small sip from it.
"Hope is a dangerous thing. You've agreed to my terms but haven't taken any action yet. I've happily shared information with you that not even your friends know.
I've paid for your time with that and your meal, aren't we the greedy one."
Yuli chuckled and set the cup down, reaching up she adjusted her glasses slightly before she spoke again.
"Langley…you should pay more attention to what's around you. You already have the answer to two of those questions. I am no longer a Raven, I made that quite clear when we met on the island…and of course I came to Lady Luck I told Stardusk I would when we met on the very same island. I'm a woman of my word. I was already nearby."
"Is that the story you plan on keeping? I'm disappointed there is not more beneath that. Oh well, forgive my inattention."
She offered a bright smile at this before moving one of the plates closer to her. "Understand Langley that I'm an in-between I don't have all the answers to your questions. Those were thankfully simple as I was around for most of them. I am a little sad at being that forgetful." Yuli motioned to her face.
"I know I had a deer mask on my face but I'm quite the catch you know."She grinned at her own joke and brought her cup back to her lips.
"A pity then. Such beauty shouldn't stay hidden but admired by the world. Do take to find time to bask in someone's adoration." There was a hint of sarcasm in his teasing.
"I'm fine making arrangements for you to speak to my Boss should you have any further ones…but I'm not here to answer your questions, I'm here to ask you for a favor. Again...what's your answer?"
Her lighthearted tone remained even as she asked for clarification, drinking from her cup, her eyes shut waiting for Cedric's response.
"I said I'm interested. Just let me play a more active role. Maybe," he added with equal mirth. "I'm actively seeking new opportunities and would like to leave with Isari. I feel my talents are wasted here."
"Asking for a promotion already, my I have to make sure my position isn't taken," Yuli said smiling a little. "No deal though I trust you about as much as you trust me."
"Not a promotion. Just trying my luck." He interjected no longer caring about politeness. He knew the time for niceties was over.
Yuli was quite blunt with her words, a strange harshness for the light expression on her face. She calmly moved the last 'barrier' aside from them as she continued taking one of the cinnamon rolls. "If you feel they're wasted you are free to leave," Yuli said smiling at him. "I will take Isari with or without your help. The only difference is the latter won't mean the death of someone on that ship."
"You sound overly confident in your capabilities. I wouldn't underestimate them. But go on, please."
Yuli traced her finger around the rim of her cup, her smile fading as a small pout formed on her lips.
"My Boss would agree to that 'new opportunity' in a heartbeat. He's far too soft-hearted. I on the other hand am incredibly distrusting and quite the liar. Which I'm sure you're at least one of those things yourself…so you understand the need to 'see' and not 'hear'. If you want more than show you can do the little things that's how these things are handled."
Yuli's practiced smile returned and she winked at Cedric.
"Even if you're not I don't really care. Take it or leave it, the ending won't change for me either way."
"A liar? I don't know if I'm one. My conscience at this moment is clear. I'm merely representing my own interests."
He waved his hand. Her stubbornness was delightful and annoying in equal measure. He guessed she would take a while to be persuaded of anything. Was this risk worth it? He questioned himself especially when he was putting his welcome at stake. Jack, for one, would be furious.
Madame Doctor was another concern. She saved him even though she had no reason to do so. That was certainly a good enough reason for him to pause. The irony, he lamented. Deliberating on this decision was for Zilia's sake to begin with. Although, it was likely she would never see it his way once this surfaces. As for Alicia, he left those thoughts aside for now.
He made no move to leave. Chances were someone would get hurt in the end despite her promises. So much for trying to influence the outcome. He regretted not sounding surer of his decision but his gut told him the outcome would be the same. Yuli wanted to keep the power in her grasp; something he could respect.
Not wishing to leave things on such a low note, Cedric took a summoning card and set it aflame. He watched the white ash falling over their table. A luminous deer no bigger than the salt shaker peered at the ashes. Slowly, it turned in Yuli's direction and stepped back. Round eyes blinked in wonderment at the masked woman. Curiosity finally taking hold and the animal strayed towards her fingers.
"I hope you enjoy this gift as a thank you for the meal. It would be my pleasure to change its form to what you desire. No hard feelings, yes? After all, we reached a point where the decision lies with you and not me. My cooperation will end if anyone onboard is in danger in any way."
He lowered his eyelids again. "This protection extends over Isari, of course. So, I hope you will try harder to coordinate with me and work for a win-win situation."
Cedric scooted his chair back. "I still think kidnapping Isari is a grave mistake. A softer tactic could have worked just as well that's why I offered to bring both to you. Sadly, that option was off the table from the beginning."
He shook his head in disappointment. "I thought you, a former Raven, would know better than to provoke someone under Captain Lev's wings."
Yuli stared at Cedric in silence allowing him a moment of contemplation, her eyes moving to the card in his hand, she offered small applause as he created the deer, she almost wanted to grab it but looked up as Cedric started talking again, she arched her brows at him but listened. She stared down at the table as Cedric spoke of the extended protection, lowering her head she hid her face as she picked up her tea cup, she didn't look in his direction but the slight turn from her showed him she was still listening to what he had to say.
When Cedric finished Yuli set her cup down before moving a hand over her mouth.
"Pfft."
It was short at first but eventually the woman reared back her eyes moving to the ceiling as it escaped from her.
"Hahahahahahahahaha! Hahaha! I-I can't hold it anymore! Hahahahaha! O-Oh man…u-under Lev's Wings that was a good one…oh man that 'a liar' comment almost broke me before."
Yuli let out a content sigh and stood up from her seat tossing the coin pouch onto the table.
"Ah that was fun Langley. Thank you for entertaining me I appreciate that," Yuli said grinning. "You can go on back to your crew now. I won't be using your services."
Yuli waved her hand at the very notion.
"I was just bored and needed some entertainment. I did say this was a conversation and nothing more after all. I didn't think you'd actually say yes. You even brought up kidnapping both of them…oh man that was…that was the best. You were definitely a good time waster, you added so much to nothing. Ah…off you go then. Don't worry this was all for fun, we never spoke to one another so no worries, I won't say anything to your friends. In fact I'll leave you a gift in your room for being my chatting partner. Go on and get back, I'm sure your familiars are worried about you and your precious family."
Yuli patiently waited for Cedric to leave and smiled a bit as she removed her glasses, a red glow emitting from her eyes, a wave of energy echoed off her form before every person in the cafe fell to the ground, falling into a strange sleep as an invisible pressure suddenly filled the cafe, cracking the glass around her slightly in the process. The windows of the cafe immediately blocked the inside from being seen and vice versa before she put her glasses back on.
"Is your fun over?"
Yuli glanced over to see Maka step out of the shadows, the room had grown dark as the lights were snuffed out at the man's appearance, a single candle remaining lit which illuminated the top half of his figure. Judging from the thin line on his mouth he wasn't exactly pleased.
"Ah Boss...haha...didn't know you were nearby," Yuli said putting her fingers together. "You look...well."
"...I hope you weren't being honest there Yuli."
Yuli leaned back moving a hand to her chest in shock.
"Of course not Boss, you know me...ever the liar. My loyalty hasn't waned in the slightest!"
Maka eyed her for a moment from under his mask but sighed and adjusted it, turning his back to her.
"...we're leaving."
"Of course!"
"I'm telling you, you should make friends with her. I think she respond to you well. You and the cats."
Jack talked to Cedric in the crew's quarters, the older brother scrubbing laundry in a soapy bucket as the younger mended other pieces. He paused long enough to lean forward and peer into the kitchen's open door. Isari, Zilia's skittish friend, happily danced around looking for vegetables to wash and cut. She'd relaxed once she was alone and thinking no one was watching her.
Jack leaned back. Judging by the guarded thoughtfulness, he was recounting the events on deck that came with Yuli's unexpected appearance. The mention of the Red Ravens put a hard look on his face that emphasized his scarring. Runali isn't the only one who hoped we'd never meet that group again...
Shaking his head, he returned his attention to Cedric. "How are you holding up?"
Sid's fingers faltered. He sat there staring at the torn shirt. His sleep-deprived mind lacked the faculties to deflect Jack's concern. Cedric shook his head then resumed sewing. His needle either slipping from his grasp or almost piercing skin.
"If the cats want to play with her, they can. I've never stopped them from roaming around the ship," he reminded Jack.
He had a nagging feeling that Jack asked a second question. He couldn't remember what. No, they were discussing the girl, Isari. He covered up quickly. He regretted not paying closer attention to his brother. He felt half formed thoughts gathering in his mind but all of them melted away.
"She appears quite happy in the kitchen. Her appetite healthy. I guess it won't be too long before she adds to the general noise onboard. I dread her and Luro ever becoming the best of friends," he nodded sagely.
The comforting sloshing of wet cloth down a ribbed board faltered all together at this point. Sid jerked his head up and squinted. The world was a mellow haze, focusing and unfocusing. Jack's face almost hurts to look at. He noted the angular cheek ones and those uptilted eyes. A strong jaw. He guessed the face bordered on the exotic rather the classic definition of handsome.
"What?"
He asked the same question to himself as he started noticing the dark circles under those tiger eyes and the sallowness tinging the dark complexion. His brother looked as exhausted as he felt.
Jack's screams flooded back from the darkness of his mind. He remembered standing there cloaked in shadows while watching the man tossing and turning. Beads of sweat flattening against the skin and making it glisten in the lifeless light. Curiosity stopped him from waking his fére. He was waiting for a clue; a confirmation about which terror plagued that fevered mind.
Cedric blanked out. By the time he returned, those eyes alert with worry were all he could see. He blinked back tears. Those colours in hyperfocus hurts so much to gaze into. And, not for the first time, he wondered if Adelaide teared up in Jack's embrace.
"Tu sem' malade." (You look sick)
Cedric smiled. His mind shedding its exhaustion. Jack definitely wanted something and he needed to be on his guard. He wasn't willing to provide that answer yet. He needed to tease out the fact from fiction. The truth regarding a certain Sciaretta agent.
Jack gave him a deadpan stare. "I look sick. Really."
The minutes ticked by as Cedric's flickered everywhere, never staying too long on him. If Jack's troubled nights showed on his face, Cedric's was painted on his skin. The twitch in the corner of bloodshot eyes, his pale skin, dry lips, all pointed to signs of exhaustion. He's ready to fall on his feet. He sighed and got up. "Wait here, fere."
He went to the kitchen. Dancing around the skittish girl, Jack was in there for half a minute before returning to Cedric with a steaming cup. He took the stitchwork from his hands and replaced it with the cup. "Drink. Stewed with mint leaves and nothing else, just as you like it."
Jack sat back down and resumed his scrubbing. He sensed Cedric wanted something else. He waited, for the moment, to see whether his brother would get there or if he'd have to pull it out of him.
"Oui. Tu as fait d'cauchemars." (Yes. Someone was having nightmares)
The younger brother couldn't catch Jack's eye given the man's current position. Sid studied that sallow face, noting that tireless patience. His fére was waiting for a sign. Cedric bowed over his cup and blew on the pale surface.
A tired part of his brain wanted to give in to Jack's request for information but he rebelled. Jack ought to be the one to start, he thought stubbornly. The man owed him the truth regarding the fugitive. After all, his dear brother had been the one to hijack his mission.
"Parle-moi d'eux." (Tell me more)
He took a hesitant sip. Almost. The scalding liquid grazed his tongue and he pressed his lips together to stop the flow. Sid pulled the cup back towards his lap and turned it around and around; a habit he picked up from his tea sessions with Alicia.
Slowly, his eyes flicked towards the kitchen. Isari was out of his line of vision but he could hear her. There was this carelessness about her behaviour that bothered him. He doubted she lived such a sheltered life but he wouldn't know until he questioned Jack. Or Madame Doctor. Or both.
"And now, you rather drink tea than answer," he snipped. His ire tickling his mind although not quite enough for the irritation to infuse into his words. "Please, let's have sandwiches while we wait. I'm sure the snack would make talking easier."
"Do you see me drinking?" Jack quipped back. Eyes flashed, revealing his disapproval of Cedric's snappy words.
Pulling out Luro's robe, he hung it on the rope next to them then leaned back with folded arms. "You want to know more about the Wolf."
I guess I should have seen this coming, he thought ruefully. A slew of bad memories dredged up between them when they saw that monstrosity on the Lions' ship. They didn't even know who, or what it was.... and perhaps, it wouldn't matter now. Somehow Jack doubted that. The person who'd kidnapped Zilia wouldn't stop, but now Stardusk may have two parties after them. No, three he corrected himself. Yuli's threat wasn't to be discounted. He sighed, rubbed his face, and then pushed those worries aside. His attention refocused on Cedric.
"Right. What exactly do you want to know? After the Wolf almost killed you, I took the mission from Charlotte to go after him myself. I found him with Adelaide. Executed him. Practically destroyed half the town in the process."
Jack grimaced, remembering that moment like it was yesterday. When he told Luro, back when they chased the Ravens, he had danced around the details and led the giant to think it had been the first time he'd killed someone. It was far from the truth— but it had been the first time he'd taken a life in cold blood. He remembered the man, depleted of his User strength, all human begging for his life from Jack. Cowering behind raised hands. Away from a pistol that bled black armament and shook with rage. Jack didn't realize it. He was too focused on the man to see that he had infused his weapon when he pulled the trigger. The memory of the shot caused him to flinch. His eyes darted to the kitchen, a safe haven, and considered if he should get a cup of tea too. He dismissed the idea.
Purple eyes followed Jack's every movement. Sid allowed his confusion to slip through. His tired mind failing to keep his guard up. Bit by bit, his thoughts were laid bare. He leaned back and stared towards the ceiling. He hated being vulnerable in anyway even if it was in front of his fére.
"Are you sure he's dead? I don't remember much ... how he looked like, how he sounded like or how he moved. I close my eyes and I see red eyes staring back at me. Devil's eyes, Jack. I couldn't move. Breathing was so hard."
He stared in silence. His eyes taking in the whorls pattern each wooden plank. Their smooth finish a testament to the loving care Jack's other brother put into them. He rounded his shoulders forward as an unseen mantle weighed them down. His exhaustion had finally hit a new level of tangible. One that reminded him that of his brushes with death. Three, maybe four, times in total. Two of which Jack had witnessed.
"If he is dead, then who is this Slayis? I keep thinking they are the same person. Jack, fére, this will be hard but I need to know. Will you let in? Show me these memories of the mission's end. Please."
Trembling hands barely kept their hold on the cup. If Jack hadn't swooped in, the mint tea would be seeping into the floor. Sid's hands were freed and he cupped them around the chiseled face. "Jack, it will be okay. Isari won't notice. No one will."
"That's not what I'm afraid of."
Moving out of Cedric's hold, Jack gently placed the tea cup on the floor, and then sat in silence for a long time. He didn't meet his brother's gaze. Hand wrung together in an unchecked motion of anxiety. His face, hard at first, eventually shifted into a dull blankness. No-- resignation.
Jack closed his eyes, and held out a hand. "Alright. If that's what you need."
Cedric eyelids lowered and he nodded his head in thanks. "Sit down, fére. I doubt I can support your weight with my body," he deadpaned.
There was a slight twist of his mouth towards the end. A smile perhaps. He waited for Jack to sit knee to knee beside him before he pulled out the spell card he had up his sleeve. "Don't give me that look, brother. I had a good feeling this morning. Let's say there were pancakes at breakfast."
"Oh wait, you insisted those weren't pancakes. Latkes, you called them. And that look of horror on your face when a certain someone doused them with honey," Sid chuckled.
Waving away the sarcasm thrown his way, the little brother leaned forward and ran his fingernail along the back of his card. Sparks flashed and a flame roared to life. Jack's fingers leaped apart. The card curled in on itself, turning into warm ash.
"Lean back and sleep," Sid's voice echoed inside Jack's head. "You are back with Madame. You want to hunt the Wolf."
*******
Jack blinked his eyes open and looked around. He stiffened-- he recognized the room instantly. They were back in the hospital, years ago, when he agreed to take Cedric's place in Charlotte's schemes. His brother laid like a mummy wrapped in bandages. Adelaide hovered near the door and Charlotte leisured on a dresser, ignoring a livid Jack. Seeing himself, his younger self, was an odd thing. On one hand, the unlined face brought back a plethora of mistakes and regrets he ever lived. On the other, he never realized how thin his lips were.
His jaw clenched as his younger self jumped out of his chair. Charlotte just confessed to sending Sid back out to the field once he recovered-- to finish what he started. They could see the fury in his own eyes, but the voices were lost and voided.
Fist's clenched and dreadlocks danced. "No. You wanted to see the Wolf dead, didn't you?" He turned to the Cedric standing beside him. "That is what I'll show you."
The scene around them melted into a stream of colors, and reformed into a foreign desert town. A piercing chill cut through their clothes. A faraway moon and star lit an abandoned courtyard, lined by old buildings of the Arbirean structure. Three figures stood at its center, panting and sweating despite the cold. One-- a fearsome silhouette-- whined like a dog. The Wolf came into clarity: a rolling mass of dull brown fur, black eyes, teeth as sharp and long as a dagger. Its claw gouged into the stone beneath it. Eyes the color of ash stare unwavering at a man dressed all in black, who stood in front of it and held a pistol in his hand.
Slowly, the Wolf cowered. His form dissolved, retreated into his own skin. The sound of cracking bones reforming flesh grotesquely bounced around the courtyard. Before their eyes, past and present, the Wolf transformed into a bearded man with shaggy hair. He curled around his sudden human nakedness and held up both hands. He cowered before the man that towered over him. A man with dreadlocks and cold gold eyes.
The Wolf babbled in Arbirean, presumably begging for his life. The third figure limped forward into the moonlight. Adelaide's face bled from three long gouges on her cheek. Like Jack, she dressed in black with in the native style, her turban disheveled around her shoulders and curved-tip boots not making a sound against the stone. Thick kohl eyeliner made the whites of her eyes shimmer as she stared, silent and curious, between the two.
Jack-- his old self-- didn't speak. His own eyeliner was smudged and tracked grimy streaks on his pale cheeks. The gun, dark as his clothing, shook. His eyes gleamed with torn purpose.
"Are you sure you want to see this next part?" the present self whispered to his brother. "It's gruesome."
More colour drained from Cedric's pale. He flexed his fingers as he drank in the scene. Strong emotions stirred within him. He thought witnessing the man's death would be cathartic. It was to some degree. No, it was Jack's expression - that grim determination and smoldering anger - that shook him. He knew Jack cared about him. But kill on his behalf?
His stomach churned, bringing his hand to his mouth. Sid reared back and slid down the imaginary wall. He didn't like seeing this Jack, one so different from his usual brother. For the first time, he wondered if they were too enmeshed. It scared him when he realised he would have done the same with less hesitation if their positions were reversed.
No, he chided himself. He asked for the truth and Jack was giving it to him. He realised ending this right now would be unfair. Jack seldom allowed anyone this far into the privacy of his mind. He decided this talk can happen later. He was going to watch this man's bloody fate and have the memory etched into his mind. Closure.
He supported himself against the wall as he staggered to his feet. He shut his eyes for several breaths and threw them open. Hesitation turned into resolve when he finally faced Jack again. The older version of his brother.
"Oui. I asked to know."
Jack nodded just as his past self said, "You almost killed my brother. You don't get to beg for your life."
The man's blank stare sealed his fate. Rage bared it's teeth as haki flared over younger Jack's face, transforming him into a half specter, hungry for death.
Adelaide predicted what the Armament Haki would do, but at a second too late. She tried to lunge forward. "Don't—"
He pulled the trigger.
***
The memory illusion ended when Jack pulled his hands from Cedric. It was surprisingly forceful— as if Jack had done it before.
The final part burned in both their minds; Jack hadn't been lying about the Fruit User's last moment. Jack's Armament pistol left nothing but a bloody figure, and a series of destroyed buildings. The horror of the moment was clear in both the past and present. Young Jack had covered his mouth, ready to be sick, and only Adelaide's rough persuasions got them out of that courtyard before citizens found them and the destruction Jack had wrought. Though it wasn't explicitly stated, Sid came out of the illusion knowing the specifics of the devastation: five buildings ruined, 13 dead, 20 wounded and more homes lost. That weight laid heavy on Jack's face when they found themselves back on Lady Luck.
"Did that put your mind at ease?" He asked after a lengthy silence. With his sleeves rolled up, Sid could see the Borealis tattoo, once a proud mark of Jack's association with Hoshi North, now nothing more than an abnormal black spot on his forearm. Jack rubbed at it with two fingers— more for comfort than anything.
He didn't meet Sid's eyes. He was afraid of the judgement that followed his murderous mistake.
Cedric watched Jack's fingers rubbing the mark. He followed their movement with cat-like zen. His mind undecided about what he ought to feel and think. He knew Jack had a ruthlessness to him when need be. However, there was a limit to it. An inner break that stopped the man from turning into Luro.
Guilt soured his mouth as he realised the extent his brother would go for him. He never imagined that was how much Jack truly cared. It was a love (or a fondness) that certainly ran deeper than a brotherly bond. Might he say parental even?
"I'm sorry. My carelessness caused you so much anger and pain. I didn't know."
Sid's voice dropped lower with each word. His eyes meeting Jack's finally. Purple on yellow. The emotions in the latter suddenly visible to Cedric. He reached out and clasp that face in his hands. His trembling transferring to Jack.
"You have a lot of heart, fére. Your emotions tend to sweep you away and make you blind. It's the one thing that never changed. Tempered, yes, but still there."
The younger brother smile sadly. All fear and horror dissolved behind his wall, one that not even Jack could push pass. He pressed his forehead against the older man's. "How many of these nightmares came from your time with Madame? You don't sleep soundly anymore."
Hanging in the air was his implicit plea. "Let me help you" he wanted to say. He didn't voice it, though, for Jack's sake. He had no idea if the man be comfortable with such an offer. Jack had always been the stronger one. His anchor.
"Sid," his name came out half as a sigh, half with endearing love. Jack pulled him into a rough hug. "As always you touch me deeply."
He pushed away, gently, so he could see Cedric's eyes again. "I love you, baby brother. But my choices were in no way influenced by your actions. They were my decisions and no matter what different paths our lives could have gone, I would have found myself down this road again. Each of us has a darkness inside. I made the mistake of thinking I knew mine already. Even years later, I'm still discovering myself... and, that's the journey I want you there for."
Jack gripped his brother's shoulder, partly hopeful, partly hesitant. Jack hated burdening his brother, but in this attempt to find each other again, he knew he needed to show Sid that he needed him, just as much as Sid needed Jack. "I don't need your help with the past Sid. I know how to deal with the scars. But I don't know what the future holds. Will you help figure that out, fere? I don't know if I can do it without you."
A soft gasp escaped Cedric as he was pulled into a hug. He flinched at the contact but he didn't shove Jack away. He forgot his brother tended to be more physical when it came to showing affection. Crushing hugs, hair ruffles and the like. He rather preferred the smaller gestures - the hand touches and face cupping - as they were transient and less intimate on so many levels. He scrunched his eyes shut, opening them when Jack pushed him away.
His chin dipped again as the rough hands gripped his shoulders. He could feel his mind trying harder to escape. Only through sheer determination was he able to stop himself from retreating from this intrusion into his personal space. He bit his lip and listened.
Sid wished talking about his feelings, out loud at least, was easier than negotiating his mission fee at the guild. He didn't like making promises he wasn't sure he could keep. He wondered if Jack had already noticed his ailing health. It was going to be one of those things his brother would learn indirectly.
"I don't plan to go anywhere in the near future. Don't worry. I'll be here by your side. Except when you drag Adelaide to bed," he admonished. "I appreciate not knowing about your fantasies."
He pretended to grimace. Not quite. He had been unfortunate enough to walk in on the aftermath in his early teens. The thought that his big brother would bring a girl home was awkward in the extreme. Adelaide was the first and last girl to ever walk through their door.
Chuckling, Jack released Cedric back into his comfort zone, leaning away to give the younger man his space. "That's the last thing either of us want, little brother."
He got up and started taking down the crew's dry clothing. It was a signal to move on from their discussion. A part of him was content that his words had reached Cedric-- or, they were heard as well as was to be expected-- and he was more than ready to move on from the Wolf. No matter if their future opponent, the creature both he and his brother witnessed on the Lion's ship, was a similiar being or not, in the end it would die just the same. By their hand or Stardusk's. I'll make sure of it.
When he got to Luro's robe, a sudden evil smirk delighted Jack's face. He turned to Sid. "There is one other thing you can help me with and it would definitely make me feel better. I need your fanciest bottle of perfume."
Random clattering came from the kitchen as pots and utensils were moved around, the sound of boiling water came from it along with a strangely sweet scent. Humming soon followed as a figure started moving to and fro before settling into one spot.
Isari held a knife in one hand and a carrot on the counter in the other, she started cutting it with surprising skill, cutting the pieces evenly apart before gently pushing it to the side and grabbing the next object.
"Let's see…if I'm right…then I'll need some of this," Isari mumbled grabbing a bowl. "Mix a bit of this in there then add in a pinch of this…"
Isari smiled a little as she set a few plants on the counter, started cutting the stems off them.
"Still...this place is really well kept. I didn't have trouble finding anything…" Isari said looking around the kitchen. "Though I can't find the ladle though...I don't need it yet but...hmm."
A soft cough came from the kitchen doorway. Jack leaned against its frame, dressed in a wet apron and plain shirt with the sleeves rolled up, doing his absolute best to appear non-threatening. He thought leaving his glasses on would help-- but there was no way to hide the scars underneath.
"Ladle's on the third shelf in the cupboard." He peered at what she had chopped so far, one eyebrow raised. "Are you making a stew? It smells sweet… did you add sugar to it?"
He started to step forward then stopped. "May I come in?" He asked, then felt his eyebrow twitch. Why am I asking permission to go into my own kitchen?
Isari seemed focused on her task until she heard a voice, she turned to see Jack in the doorway and jumped a bit before promptly putting the knife down.
"The Boss Captain said it was okay! Please don't-"
Though Isari had raised her hands in defense she managed to catch Jack's words afterwards and slowly lowered them before looking up to see the ladle.
"Oh…" she said before looking back at Jack. "O-of Course…sorry for intruding…"
She gave a small nod before taking a small step away, pulling her materials towards her to move it out of the way before grabbing the ladle and setting it next to her.
"Yes…I'm making a stew for Zil. She's a really picky eater even though she doesn't show it at all. I wanted to make something she likes."
She seemed to be able to speak somewhat plainly for a moment before the color drained from her face as she held up one of the plants leaves before continuing.
"N-n-n-no sugar. This plant has a s-s-sweet scent to i-it b-but the taste is v-vastly different. I-it's very h-handy as it's easily found."
Isari went back to her chopping glancing over at Jack on occasion making a mental note of the distance.
"I'm s-sorry. I-I'll finish as f-fast as I can, and get out of y-your way."
"No. No, don't be. Take your time by all means. I don't need to feed this lot for a few hours… I'm going to sit over here, if that's all right."
Jack casually moved to the corner with barrels and a stool, setup for whatever guest he was entertaining who declined-- or was prohibited-- helping in the cooking. He fished for a cigarillo and lit it. "I didn't know that about Zilia. I can't say that surprises me though. Would you mind telling me what all you're making? Maybe I can surprise Zilia with it sometime… if that's alright."
Isari seemed to hesitate for a moment at the idea of staying longer but offered a small nod at Jack sitting nearby, her eyes lowered to the floor a bit before she turned back to what she was making. She remained silent for the most part until Jack spoke again which caused her to flinch slightly. She stopped cooking for a moment to glance back at him, she stared at him for a moment unblinking before turning back around.
Her shoulders lowered a bit as bit as a little tension left her body.
"She does a good job at hiding it. We lived in the wilderness so not finishing food wasn't an option, we weren't sure when we'd eat again. She always eat what's in front of her until the plate's empty, even if she dislikes it…makes it hard to tell what she likes and hates."
Isari smiled a bit at the memory before continuing.
"She hates sweet things and anything with flavor. If Zil could eat rocks I believe she would…but that's sad so I experimented. Zil has no sense of taste so I cooked most of the meals, what I'm making now is Fire Island stew. Zil loves spicy things so I make sure to add plenty of peppers."
Saying this Isari walked over and tossed the ingredients into the pot before grabbing a box and pouring a majority of the peppers into it before stirring it with the ladle.
The scent of the stew alone was enough to burn the throat and water the eyes, tears flowed down Isari's face being right in front of it, but she paid it little mind.
"The Crayis Herbs compliment the Nuan Peppers and make it even hotter…though I doubt it will still be enough…I should have bought more…but I didn't want to talk any longer with the shopkeeper…."
After a moment Isari stopped stirring and turned to Jack.
"I-I'm sorry. I ended up r-r-rambling about t-t-things. U-um. H-how's your d-day g-going?"
Jack wore a soft smile as Isari talk about Zilia. He rested his cheek into the palm of his hand and listened to the notes she gave him. The care she held for their doctor was obvious, and vice versa. It was cute-- if still mysterious.
"If you don't have enough peppers, may I suggest using this?" Jack got up and carefully made his way to the cupboard.
He didn't want to spook her, so he kept a casual pace and nonchalant posture. The same he used to approach little Carrie back on that tiny island where he ran into Seliria. Grabbing a small bag, he offered it to Isari. "Crushed red peppers. It's not as spicy as what you put in there but it works in a pinch. It should help compensate for the peppers you couldn't get.
"Also a little helpful tip: if you want to get more of the pepper flavor, you should crush them with the flat side of your knife, or the heel of your hand," Jack pointed to his palm as indication. "It releases the juices and gives what you're making an extra kick."
Offering her a gentle smile, he retreated back to his corner. "I'm also doing well, thank you. This is… about average for us. I understand it's not so much for you."
Jack leaned forward with one knee pulled up to his chest so he could rest his chin against it. "How are you holding up?"
Isari turned to Jack as she spoke again her eyes moving to the objects as she took them, she eyed them for a moment but offered a small nod and poured them in, offering a nod as thanks.
She continued to listen to his advice bringing a hand to her chin before looking back at the pot, she wasn't aware of that method. She looked over at Jack making sure to pay attention to him as he spoke, he was offering her assistance, she wanted to make sure not to be rude. She already felt a little guilty as it was.
When her well-being was brought up Isari turned back around, setting the knife back on the counter.
"...I'm doing okay...everyone's really friendly...I feel bad for b-being like this…" Isari said offering a small nod.
She looked back over at Jack and took a deep breath in before folding her hands together.
"Mr. Jack...could I ask a f-favor. W-will you teach me how to c-cook better? I want to make something that s-surprises Zil. I r-really want to c-catch her off g-guard and make her enjoy good food...where I'm at now...I d-don't feel it's enough. Will you p-please help me?"
Isari lowered her head to Jack and shut her eyes tight.
Jack grinned. "Of course, I'll help you. Let's see what you have going on right now, yeah?"
A few minutes later, Jack had them both chopping more vegetables while a pound of beef cooked on a grate above Isari's stew, for the crew. "It's safe to add to your stew but only if you think Zilia will like it," he assured her.
The cook sniffed and rubbed his eyes into the crook of his elbow. They'd been tinged red and watery ever since he tried Isari's stew. To this day, he swore he never tried something so spicy. It was quite a feat. Putting the glasses back on so he wouldn't cut his own fingers, Jack let the silence rest between their knives dutifully ticking against wood until he finally cleared his throat.
"You seem to know Zilia pretty well, Isari," he said as he dumped carrots and celery into the bowl between them. "How did you come to be close?"
Isari happily helped Jack appreciative of his help from earlier, at the mention of adding it to the stew she eyed their work her brows furrowing a bit. She knew it would be delicious but she knew Zilia wouldn't appreciate it. She was a little envious of Zilia, Jack clearly knew what he was doing, in the span of a few minutes she had learned more than she had studying on her own
"...she won't appreciate the taste...so I'll hold off," Isari said. "I hope one day I can do so."
Isari focused on her tasks as the silence fell between them only to jump a bit as Jack spoke, she glanced over at him to show she was paying attention, stopping her hands as she brought up Zilia. A small red tint touching her cheeks at the mention of them being close, a small smile on her lips she focused back on the cutting.
"...Zil saved me...from myself," Isari started. "I gained my Devil Fruit as a child. Because of how it is I had to leave my town. I separated myself from people unable to control it...and I met Zil during that time. She...was the first person to run at me instead of away. No hesitation, no fear in her eyes she reached a hand out to me."
Isari body relaxed a bit and a small giggle escaped from her at the memory.
"Now that I think about it. It was quite insane….still she took me with her. We traveled for years together, she showed me the world, held my hand when I was scared...supported me. I did my best to return the favor too...she was someone I could rely on...that I can rely on. It's thanks to her I can even talk to people...albeit badly. She even helped me control my Devil Fruit better, as she was trying to do the same with her own...it was something we worked on together."
Isari stopped chopping for a moment the smile fading from her face and her eyelids lowering a bit.
"...she suddenly left me though one day...I didn't realize it then but she found traces of Maka… she didn't want me getting pulled into her strange 'war' with him. There...there was always this sadness in her eyes when she spoke of him...it was rarely but on occasion she'd remember him...now...now there's just anger."
Isari went silent for a moment only to shake her head.
"M-my a-apologies. I rambled. We were traveling partners and she exchanged letters with me through an in-between who came to visit me. I moved since then...so we haven't contacted each other since."
Isari gave a breif explanation on how Zilia had found her and what happened before speaking.
"W-w-what a-about y-you. Y-you seem to k-k-know Zilia. Y-you seem c-close a-as well?"
There was a small, sad smile that rested on Jack's face as he listened to Isari. It brought a certain gentleness to him that wasn't visible often, but always lurked under the surface of his personality. "You remind me of my brother. I found him in a bad situation when he was little; helped him escape. We sailed the seas and I helped him, as much as Zilia helped you, I suppose. Of course we had a crew, too. Cedric and I weren't on our own until much later."
Jack made a little cough of amusement when she turned her attention back on him. "Uh, well, I wouldn't say I know her as well as you do. She never really shared her past with us and I never bothered asking, or trying find out. But I consider her a friend. Family, even, to an extent."
His knife slowed to a stop as he frowned. "What do you know about them two? Maka and Zilia, I mean."
A smile broke through the girl's nervousness as Jack spoke of their similar circumstances, she felt she understood the person next to her a little better. Being near him she could understand a bit why Z trusted him. There were unspoken words that the two seemed to understand, like a comforting hand on a shoulder. Though it was still taking a lot of her willpower just to stand near him, she felt the burden lift a bit from that.
At the mention of his relationship with her Isari smiled a little.
"She never brings it up if no one asks. She considers it rude to talk about herself like that," Isari said giggling a little. "It took far too long for us to talk about ourselves due to the same politeness."
At Jack's question Isari flinched a bit almost cutting herself in the process, she stopped her blade still lodged in the middle of the vegetable and kept her gaze fixated on the counter for a long moment. Opening and closing her hand her mouth moved as she seemed to speak quietly to herself, and after a brief moment she nodded and went back to cutting.
"...I don't know everything...a-and I-I don't know w-what I c-can share or not...but I know Zil trust you all...and that she can't say it herself."
Isari went silent after pushing the vegetable to the side towards Jack before grabbing another one.
"...Zil has known Maka since they were kids. He was her first friend...she traveled a lot with her mentor so they were never in one place for too long. Apparently the two met and became close. Zil would always have this light in her eyes and this sad smile when she recalled the memory....but Maka did something that drove them apart."
Isari paused for a moment and took a deep breath in as her body was shaking slightly, she took a moment to calm herself until she stopped shivering. Talking like this always made her nervous, but she wanted to explain, if not just to answer Jack but for Zilia's sake.
"Zil when I met her wanted to meet him again...she wanted to understand why he did what he did and make amends. She still cared for him and wanted to resolve things...she wanted her friend back."
Isari pushed the food towards Jack once again and grabbed potatoes before going to peel them.
Keeping her hands busy was surprisingly making this much easier so she kept moving them knowing if she stopped she'd lose her nerve.
"That changed one day….after she left I would occasionally receive letters from her...and when I brought up Maka asking if she'd found him...she told me never to speak that name again...and this is the first time I've seen her since."
Isari gave a small nod at this before speaking again.
"That's a-about all I c-can share...comfortably."
"That's okay," Jack reassured as he tossed the ingredients into the bowl, "I'm grateful for what you did share. Once you're done with those potatoes, let's throw all of this in the stew and get it ready to serve."
Normally he would have patted her shoulder as an act of comfort. Given her skittish nature, he settled for a calm smile. Jack moved back to the fireplace, looking at the meat and stoking the fire to create a bigger flame. He kept his back to her in hopes of giving her a moment to relax and then decided to let her direct the conversation, or have the silence settle as they finished their work.
Isari offered a small nod to Jack glad he didn't push any further, she could feel herself approaching her limit. She went to finish off the potatoes but her hands stopped, her eyes focused on the half done vegetable in her grasp. She remained still, glancing at Jack's back before she gave a small pump of her hands and set the vegetable down.
"U-Um J-Jack! C-c-could y-you teach me more a-about cooking! A-also c-c-can we p-please be f-f-f-friends!"
Isari straightened her body, arms glued to her sides and focused her attention on the ceiling, her whole body shaking as she struggled to remained standing, red flowing into her face at her sudden outburst.
He stood up, blinking, until a bubble of laughter rose into his throat. Jack hastily coughed behind his hand to dispel it. Only when he got himself settled did he walk over to Isari and held his hand out to her.
"Isari, it'd be my genuine pleasure."
Isari remained stiff for a moment until Jack started laughing, she jumped a bit at the sudden change but relaxed seeing the smile on Jack's face. She smiled a bit herself before her eyes moved to Jack's outstretched hand. She blinked a few times before looking back at the cook receiving his answer. A bright smile formed on the girl's face and she took Jack's hand in both of hers, a wide smile adorning her face as she offered a firm nod at him.
"Thank you Jack. I'll do my best on both fronts."
Isari nodded once more before looking down and promptly releasing Jack's hand, her crystals forming on the back of it, and she moved her hand over the crystals to quickly shove them back down. Her eyes narrowed a bit noticing her power was still responding to him.
"...I don't want you to have to sit on the other side of the room because of me…." Isari mumbled before looking back up at Jack.
She leaned over to check on the spicy food in the cauldron, her eyes tearing up in the process before she turned back to her new frined.
"Jack would you mind placing your hands on my shoulders," Isari said. "I almost lost control of my crystals from a simple contact like that. I want to get used to your presence, so please. I'll close my eyes so I can't see it."
Isari shut her eyes and closed her hands into fists while waiting.
Her enthusiasm was infectious, almost as much as Runali's. Jack laughed again despite himself. "Just be you. That's all that I need."
He quieted down when they go of each other's hands, and saw the crystals retreat. His cocked as she made her request. Her control really isn't that great, is it…
"Alright. But remember I have Armament Haki, and I wouldn't this is my first time adjusting to a Fruit power. It won't be as easy to cut me." Jack said it as reassurance, but he wondered if it came off as he meant to. He pushed the thought aside as he gently placed his hands on Isari's shoulders. His Armament crept onto the palms but he kept it to a minimum, not wanting to accidentally antagonize her power.
Isari only offered a nod at Jack as he spoke to show she understood, she seemed to relax a little understanding that if it went through it wouldn't hurt him, that was her biggest concern. When Jack laid his hands on her shoulders Isari flinched and bit her lip. She waited, hands still clenched before opening one eye and glancing sideways. Seeing her crystals weren't trying to attack Jack she grinned and slowly opened her hands.
"T-they didn't attack! Jack they didn't hurt you!"
"Hey Jack! I'm not in here just to steal some nut-"
Luro poked his head into the kitchen to see Jack with his hands on Isari's shoulders, tears streaming down the girl's face and her face completely red. He stared at the scene for a moment blinking a few times before turning and walking past the room.
"Z! Jack's bullying Sari! She's crying!"
A loud explosion followed shortly after, bits of wood flying past the kitchen as a bright red glow formed nearby.
"MISS PATCH WE'RE GOING TO NEED A NEW COOK! WHERE IS HE?!"
Isari flinched a bit at Zilia's clearly agitated tone and looked back at Jack.
"I'll do my best to explain, that way you only get half of her fury," Isari said pumping her fists slightly. "Cause we're friends."
"I'm writing a letter to Ali too. Z sign your name on it. Captain can I get your signature too? I want everyone to sign it before I send it out. Except Jack cause he's in trouble."
