“I’ll admit.” Osman gulped down a spoonful of gruel. “It is better than what I expected.”

“Told you,” said Ali as he swallowed his own spoonful.

“All thanks to the right mix of spices.” Nick dipped a spoon into his bowl. “But salt is the most important. Can’t ever go wrong with the right amount of salt.”

Hwan sat opposite them, chewing down the last scoop from his bowl then setting it down on the crate they were using as a table. The man’s expression was blank, and Nick was eager to see his reaction. He was always curious about how people regarded his meals. A mental habit instilled by years under the tutelage of the Earl’s head cook.

“It was good,” Hwan finally said.

Nick nodded, relieved. He glimpsed green health bars teetering in the air over Osman’s shoulder. The droids they signified packed up a stove along with the sapphire water fountain, hauling it off to Nick’s ship. They left behind the empty barrels of meal and spice-bags.

The gray gruel wasn’t much for a meal, but it was all he could conjure up with what they had. Meat rancid from poor storage conditions. Barrels of moldy grain. Hard-tack infested with weevil larvae.

Nick coughed down an urge to blanch. He had wondered what that odd-crunch was from the gift the boy gave him earlier.

Ali and Hwan happily chomped down their meals and beyond them, so too did the men, women, and children camped by the ship they had readied for take-off.

“A good hot meal.” Osman burped, clamping down the bowl and wiping dribble off his beard. “Nothing better before a long flight.”

“Speaking of which,” said Ali. “What exactly did you live off of until now?”

Osman frowned as if he was reminded of something unpleasant. “Hwan’s had uh… a few things. Some bits of edible plant. Hey can you show them?”

Hwan reached into his robe, pulling out an open pouch. Inside, were some dark-reddish spheres.

“Is that what I think it is?” Ali delved closer to the balls, giving them a quick sniff.

“Bursa herbs?” Ali glanced at Hwan then to Osman. “You lived off bursa herbs?”

“Again,” said Osman. “Not the worst thing I’ve had, but it beat starving.”

“Is there a problem?” Nick picked up one of the balls, taking a closer glance.

“Nothing wrong in this form,” said Ali. “Bursa is nutritious, but taken plain it is poisonous. You can however mitigate the effects by using a filler substance such as… dirt.”

“As I said,” said Osman. “Not the most pleasant experience.”

“Must’ve given you some mighty fine bowel movements too.” Ali chucked and shook his head before looking back to Hwan. “It only grows in a few places too, where aether is heavily concentrated. You’ve been to the inner circle of the continent, haven’t you?”

That caught Nick’s attention. The inner circle was just one step before reaching the city of the First Civilization. Few reclaimers had ever set foot in there. An area where aberration-level monsters roamed freely, and where the first colossi appeared.

“I have,” said Hwan. “It is… as Osman said… not an experience I would like to repeat.”

“Crazy bastard.” Ali shook his head. “I’d be asking how you are alive if I didn’t see you fight earlier. Pretty handy with that spear and bow you know. Those animals of yours too. How exactly…”

“You talk too much,” said Hwan. “But in order of your questions. Skill, training, and I will not answer the last.”

“That hardly tells me anything,” Ali sighed. “However, I meant no offense. Just a carry-over of habits as a healer. You see, in Pythia healers like myself are mandated to ask for the sanctity of our patients.”

“Funny,” said Osman. “I’ve never known any healer to pry as much as you do.”

“And here I thought you’d be on my side.” Ali frowned at the older man.

“I am on your side,” said Osman. “Which is why I said it. Honesty can go a long way.”

Hwan snorted and Nick smirked. He looked at Hwan who looked right back at him, and the two men chuckled.

“And I should also remark.” Ali turned his head up toward the deck of Nick’s ship. “It is rude to eavesdrop on a conversation one is not invited to.”

Something squeaked and there was a shuffle of steps. Nick looked up as three heads plopped behind the wooden railing. Blonde, red, and blue. Liam, Kera, and the third which was probably the girl who they pulled from the wreckage. It appeared she had healed enough to be up and about.

He’d been meaning to talk with them before their departure, and now seemed to be the best time.

“All three of you can come on down now,” said Nick.

All three of them stood up, and Nick noticed just how young they were. Barely older than Miri, Ren, or Vlara. They exchanged a sheepish look with each other, before moving towards and down the plank leading to the ground. All of them kept a wide distance from the droid guards positioned near the exit. The droids paid them no mind.

He could read the emotions on their faces as they approached. Liam drifted along the back just behind Kera. Both of them fidgeted with their fingers, staring at the ground and avoiding eye contact with anyone.

The blue-haired girl led them forward, wearing a dull yellow dress probably from the many articles of clothing found in the Captain’s quarters. However, it contrasted nicely with her tanned skin. She walked with a slouch, but her eyes demonstrated confidence and resolve. Eyes that appraised each and every one of them, like a merchant was taking measure of their wares or a noble observing their servants. This one either came from authority or was used to dealing with such.

And as if to prove the point, she bowed low in a perfect curtsy.

“Greetings,” she said. “I’m Seraphina. Liam told me of what you did. I believe you are to thank for our rescue. May I have the pleasure of knowing your name, your grace?”

Years of servant-work at the Earl’s mansion compelled Nick to return the gesture. However, he managed to restrain it to a simple dip of the head.

“No need for formalities.” Nick raised his hand. “I’m uh… not of noble-stock. Are you recovering well?”

“I am,” she said, looking over to Ali. “And I take it you are the man who healed my wounds?”

“True indeed little lady.” Ali smirked, waggling his brow at Nick before looking back to Seraphina. “Did the best I could with what we had, but it seems to have worked well enough. Do not feel that you owe me payment for my services… although I am open to any favors in kind.”

Liam frowned at the implication of Ali’s words. He took a step forward but hesitated.

“Out of curiosity,” said Ali, ignoring Liam. “Where do you hail from?”

“I thank you for your kindness,” she said. “I am a caravaner of the Rovunan clan.”

A caravanner. Nick recalled a blurb he read from a text on the aftermath of the fall. People who refused to settle after fleeing from the old continent. Who swore to never forget their true home and lived like nomads until they could return. Skilled fighters and artisans, who made up a sizable bulk of the forces of the Paragons when they departed to take the fight to the monsters.

“Caravanners,” Osman stroked his beard. “Can’t say I met a Rovunan specifically but I’ve had a few of your ilk on board before. Good folk.”

“With excellent sleight of hand too,” said Ali. “They always say to watch your pockets around a caravanner.”

Seraphina frowned. “I know of our reputation, but I prefer if you do not extend it to us all.”

“That’ll be enough of that,” said Nick. “I am sure Ali did not mean any harm. However, there is something I wanted to discuss. With the three of you.”

Nick gestured over to Osman.

“This is Captain Osman. He’ll be crewing a ship back to the western main-lands. I’ve made arrangements with him to have you onboarded.”

The three teenagers looked at each other then to Osman with confusion.

“I do not know your specific circumstances,” said Nick. “However, all of you were brought here against your will. I cannot undo the wrong that has been done so far, and the least I can do is ensure you all have a future worth looking forward to. I will not mandate that you stay with me. I do not own slaves, nor do I have any desire to own any. It is a debasement of ourselves and of the rights all of us are born into.”

He looked over to Kera.

“That includes you too. Before you depart, I want you to show me how the ship functions.”

Kera raised an eyebrow as if she didn’t believe him. Liam opened and closed his mouth, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself short of doing so.

“That…” said Seraphina. “That’s kind of you but…”

A small voice cracked beyond.

“Seraphina!”

Nick turned, and watched as a small figure ran across the field toward them. A little girl. The same one he found in the depths below in the hidden chamber.

“Aysel!”

Seraphina ran across the field and wrapped the little girl in a hug. Kera and Liam followed Seraphina over, probably because they were too scared to say anything at the moment.

“Hm…,” Osman stroked his beard. “Thought she looked familiar. Little one wouldn’t stop yabbering about whether anyone saw her three sisters. A pleasant surprise for those two.”

“A spark of joy in an otherwise dreary day.” Ali started playing with his dagger. “A scene made for the poems. Two sisters finding themselves after a tragic separation, thought a bit dramatic for my taste.”

“Anyways.” Osman looked up to the skies, where the faint outline of an aurora peeked through the clouds. “Currents are looking fine and well this evening.”

“The westerlies are strong,” said Nick. “You should be able to lap up enough aether from the auroras to get you to the gulf stream.”

“True...” Osman raised an eyebrow. “Should be able to make it to the Kingdom of the Isles in a few days. Drop the people off there. Safest place to be from all the craziness in the western mainlands.”

“All because someone chose to write some words.” Ali looked over to Nick. “Diderot’s influence is quite widespread. Didn’t think I’d hear his words from your mouth. Common humanity and the so and so natural rights.”

“You’ve read his works?” said Nick.

“Of course!” said Ali. “The only author to be near universally censored throughout the known world, which as it turned out made his works only that much more intriguing. Funny thing, as soon as knowledge becomes forbidden knowledge, the value of it rises ten-fold. I hitched a few copies of his third treatise sometime back. Interesting topics, and an interesting mind.”

“I think the world would have been better if he had never written those words.” Osman shook his head.

“Have you even read them?” said Ali.

“Why should I?” said Osman. “Sounds like another rabble-rouser given all the grief he has caused. You know what I’m talking about, you’ve seen the trouble-makers at the Merket.”

“Well, I personally found it inspirational,” said Ali. “Daring too. Doesn’t shy away at criticizing a fair number of traditions. Just goes to show the pen can be mightier than the sword…”

Ali’s gaze drifted off onto something in the distance. Nick followed the direction of his view.

The object of his gaze was a woman. Red hair flowing down her nape with a body that evoked both fertility and sensuality. The rags she wore only further accented her comely figure. She caught Ali’s stare, gesturing at him with a hand and a wink before striding away into one of the empty ships.

“Couldn’t help yourself, eh?” Osman shook his head.

“Now… now…,” said Ali. “Simply a grateful patient, offering a favor in return. I believe we came to an agreement a follow-up inspection was much needed. Privately of course.”

“Right,” Osman chuckled.

“Correct. Now Gentlemen, I’ll be taking my leave.” Ali smirked. “We still got some time until we leave though, right Nezra?”

“Make it quick.” Nick was a bit irritated, and a small bit jealous but it wasn’t any of his business. He had bigger things to worry about, and he didn’t get to where he was by being petty. “I want to be off before dusk.”

“Plenty of time then.” Ali made a mock bow, while pulling out the hollowed stem of an herb. One that Nick recognized from what he saw in Sevola. A form of birth-control. “I shall see you on-board shortly.”

“That boy can’t help but court trouble.” Osman shook his head. “A good mind and a heart, though the former is often misplaced. When he is after something though, he’ll cross heaven and hell to get it. He told me you two were after something.”

“He’s after something,” said Nick. “I’m after someone.”

Osman pointed to the graves.

“And I take it you’ll be dealing with the other outlanders the same way you did with this lot?”

“If it comes to it,” said Nick.

“It’s going to a bloody path you two are walking,” said Osman. “I know Ali’s walked it long enough and it seems like you aren’t any stranger. It isn’t my place to judge, and I do not know what drove you to this land but I’d guess you’d be doing some good in this world.”

Ridding the world of those who were unrepentant of their ways seemed pretty cut and dry as a good thing. As far as Nick was concerned.

Osman nudged Hwan.

“Hwan should go off with you.”

“What?” said Nick. Hwan raised his head. He opened his eyes, green irises looking at Osman.

“He is a good fighter,” said Osman. “And you’ll need all the help you can get. There are other outlanders out there who will make the lot you fought here seem like amateurs. And from what I know Hwan is staying here regardless.”

“My place is here,” said Hwan.

“Then you should go with them,” said Osman. “You told me you are here to uphold your code. From what you’ve shared it seems like it matches what these two will be up to. Fighting slavers, killing monsters.”

Nick looked at the easterner.

He knew little of the man’s motivations or his personal agenda. Whatever code he followed seemed like some sort of law. Ordained by who though? He knew little of whatever lay east of Pythia beyond rumors and stories. Most of which were probably fiction.

“Tell me about this code of yours,” said Nick. “What does it have to say about men and women like those we fought? About fighting with me?”

“What they do violates it,” said Hwan. “Preying on the suffering of others, whilst not fighting against the cursed creatures. All of it compels me to bring them to justice.”

“And what I did earlier,” said Nick. “With the ones who were captured.”

“That was in accordance with the code,” said Hwan. “They have met the fate they deserved.”

“And,” said Nick. “How would I know if I… or Ali for that matter break it on accident? What would you do then? You mentioned several of them”

“I will let you know,” said Hwan. “Most do not mandate death. And based on your earlier actions, you do not have to worry.”

What Hwan told him didn’t completely put him at ease, but at the very least they would be able to communicate, which provided a level of confidence. Nick knew he needed every advantage he could think of.

At the very least, he could use him until he was strong enough to do without. A fact which extended to both Hwan and Ali.

“Then I’d be gracious to have you fight alongside me,” said Nick.

“Likewise,” answered Hwan.

Osman pat Hwan’s shoulder.

“Then I guess this is where our paths diverge,” said Osman. “You’ve been a good friend till now. I shall pray to the Divines you find what you seek.”

Hwan nodded, then looked back to Nick.

“Thank you for the meal,” said Hwan. “I would like to be granted a brief leave.”

Nick nodded, so Hwan took his leave.

“That one there is also a good person,” said Osman. “I was sitting in a cage when he ambushed the outlanders that kept me captive. Thought he was some sort of feral creature at first with that mask of his. It was pretty easy to see why everyone thought he was some spirit of the wild, much like how everyone else here thought you were one.”

Nick scoffed. “Superstitious nonsense.”

“Easy to see how though,” said Osman. “All three of you seem like you have good heads on your shoulders.”

Osman looked out to the sun.

“It’s a pretty sight out here,” said Osman. “It’s always the small things in life which are the best things.”

Osman departed, leaving Nick alone. He watched the sun set in the distant horizon, basking in the warmth before the coming storm.

***

Air rippled from the emerald gemstones of the ship as people clattered about its deck. Nick and Ali watched from the deck of their own ship.

“Didn’t think I’d see the old man ever again.” Ali cricked his neck then yawned. “Then again I didn’t think this day would turn out the way it did.”

“Neither did I,” said Nick, watching the flare of green from the engines as they built up power. However, he also detected a chipper undertone to Ali’s voice. “I take it your meeting with that woman went well?”

“Well, I won’t lie.” Ali cricked his shoulder and patted away some dust on his shoulder. “Few things are better than a romp.”

“One shouldn’t share one’s body with others so carelessly,” said Hwan.

Nick and Ali looked behind to Hwan, who was leaning against the opposite edge of the deck.

“Please don’t tell me you have something against such a natural human experience.” said Ali.

“I do,” said Hwan. “However, the according punishment there is self-inflicted. In this case, I can only advise.”

“Whatever you say,” said Ali. “I’ve been doing it since I first became interested in women, from my point of view, withholding oneself sounds more like the punishment.”

“Let’s not do this,” said Nick to change the topic. “I trust the two of you are comfortable with your quarters below?”

“Yes.” Hwan picked up his spear. “I shall be off to rest. Let me know when you need me.”

He walked below deck, neither Nick or Ali sputtering a word. As soon as he was out of sight, Ali shivered.

“Something wrong?” said Nick.

“He has me on edge,” said Ali. “More so than anybody else I’ve met today, including you. I think it would have been a better idea to just leave him behind.”

“What makes you say that?” said Nick, wondering if he missed something.

“He wields all five elements,” Ali shook his head. “An impossible feat in and of itself, and those creatures of his. Something isn’t right about them, and they are a lot more disconcerting than those droids of yours.”

“Really?” said Nick.

“Yes,” said Ali. “Those droids of yours are but mere objects. Sophisticated objects but no different than say, a tailor’s needle or a soldier’s sword. Call it a healer’s intuition, but those animals of his are something else entirely.”

Nick pursed his lips. He was actually a bit happy that for once he didn’t stand out as the oddest one of the bunch, while concerned about Ali’s warning.

“Anyhow,” said Ali. “I take it we will be on our way soon as well?”

“Soon.” Nick thought back to the brief walkthrough from Kera, recalling each step you had to make to get the engines running. The aether-balancer at the center of the ship was a lot more complicated than he remembered.

“The droids are making the necessary preparations,” said Nick, double-checking to make sure he remembered the steps correctly. He had Legatus One working on it with a team of droids. Last he checked they were following the instructions he got to the smallest detail. Or at least to the best he recalled. As long as he knew it, the droids would be able to do it.

“Splendid,” said Ali. “Finding where the vampress and the others are in this cursed landscape should be our largest priority. Next we’ll need to figure out where we are…”

A figure strode down the plank leading toward the surface from Osman’s ship. Red curled hair swept up into an unkempt bun. Two more followed her, blue-haired girls, one still a child. A yellow-haired one came after them.

Nick gawped as the three stepped away, and the plank was pulled back up, leaving them alone on the surface.

“Looks like another unexpected turn of events.” Ali pursed his lips as the four of them walked toward Nick’s ship. “If I hazard a guess, they appear to want to join us.”

“Out of question,” said Nick.

He waved toward Osman, who was busy giving instructions to the makeshift crew of his vessel. Osman caught Nick’s glare, but only shrugged then smiled back.

Osman’s ship took off, and the four children stood below Nick’s ship, looking up to them from the field.

Nick sighed, giving a mental command toward two droids standing guard to his side. They laid their weapons down, grabbed the walking plank, and set it over the edge to the surface.

The four children walked up to the deck.

“What are you all up to?” said Nick. “You were supposed to go with Osman.”

“We are grateful b-bu- ,” said Liam.

“No buts.” Nick crossed his arms, his voice rising to yell, if not to speak past the turbulent noise of the engines. “This is no place for children, and I will not have-”

“Mr Osman said you were a bit of a child yourself,” said little Aysel.

“What?” said Nick.

“To be fair,” said Ali. “Relative to him, he is right.”

“We all decided to stay with you,” said Seraphina, with the same iron gaze from before. “You are going after those who did this to us. We want to help.”

“Besides,” said Kera. “You’re going to need help flying this bucket.”

The revving sputtered at that moment.

Kera looked over to the stairs leading down the hold. “Sounds you forgot to charge the turbulator.”

Nick didn’t remember what that was, but was nearing the end of his patience with these children. He had too many things going on, and was not going to add the children to his responsibilities.

“Don’t you have families waiting behind!?” he said. “People you know?! Who know you?! What about them!?”

“Of the three I know,” said Seraphina. “All were taken by the pirates. One was returned to me by you. If I had to bet on a chance that I would see the two others, I would take it with you.”

“Family sticks together,” said Aysel.

“You can’t be certain though,” said Nick, not wanting to think of the implications there for his own affairs.

“And yet I must try,” said Seraphina.

“It would do me better if you left. I don’t want to have to worry about your safety,” said Nick.

“Sounds like you’re the one who needs help.” Kera crossed her arms as another engine sputtered out. “That one there had always been a tad funny.”

“And it isn’t like we cannot help,” said Seraphina, pulling out a small needle, whose tip began to shimmer white.

“An archivist?” said Ali.

Nick raised his brows at the revelation. Archivists were aether-craftsmen, skilled artisans who could imbue the power of the elements into mundane materials.

“Very much so,” said Seraphina. “I haven’t finished my apprenticeship, but I can attest to the quality of my skills.”

“I say we keep this one.” Ali looked over to him. “All of our outfits could use some repairs.”

Nick glared at Ali.

“What? I’m just saying they have some reasonable statements.”

Nick looked at the children, to Osman’s ship which was rapidly disappearing into the skies, then back at the children.

He sighed, closing his eyes and squeezing his forehead.

“Looks like we’ll have to adjust what we have for rations,” said Ali. “Going to need some more food for these bellies. And if we could add a bit of variety…”

“That does seem like it.” Nick rubbed his forehead then looked to the children. “Come on, lets get you all settled.”

***

Nick shifted in the makeshift barrel turned bath, feeling the hot water ease over his skin. On one hand, he flipped a golden coin. The one Eric had given him before departing. Something to help him when he arrived at Reclaimer city.

The ship’s engines hummed in the background, and he could see dim clouds pass by in the night sky through the planks. A few quartz-bulbs sent light filtering below.

He took a look about the storage room now turned to his headquarters. Spacious now that most of the cages had been cleared out. Now it was filled with obsidian-violet constructs floating a few inches above the floor. The blue energy and red mineral bars along the refinery cylinders shined to the brim. Droids moved about, mopping and scrubbing the floor.

He could feel all the droids on the ship, 30 stood watch outside, prowling for any threats and giving the impression of a full ship. 10 worked within, mostly cleaning.

A few watched over the other living members on-board. He held a dose of suspicion regarding the others. After all, they had all only met today, brought together by a series of bloody events.

Not that there was anything to worry about, everybody was sound asleep. Exhausted from the day’s events and their time in captivity. He recalled Ali expressing excitement at the prospect of sleeping on something other than the hard floor of a metal cage.

Kera, Alys, and Seraphina were set in the Captain’s room. Hwan, Ali, and Liam in the main hold. There were no complaints about the quarters, although Seraphina expressed concern over why Nick hadn’t taken the most luxurious part of the ship. And the one with the only bed.

He answered like a gentleman, stating he couldn’t let women sleep in such squalor. His real reason however, was that he didn’t need a bed. What he needed was space, and the ship’s hold better suited that purpose.

He could feel the lurking tendrils of sleep creep into his thoughts. However, something within him scoffed at it. Like an old echo telling him that sleep was foreign.

He flipped the coin in his hand a few times. The one given by Eric, for when he arrived at reclaimer city.

He smirked to himself. Everything however had changed. A new ability, one which could be scaled. First, he’d deal with the pirates and wrap up his business with his adopted home. Then he’d deal with those who turned on Valdric in Reclaimer City. And after that, he’d go to the grand capitol of the First Civilization. To finish what his father had started.

He left the tub, drying himself with a towel. He gave the droids an order to clean out the barrel, then moved to the sarcophagus.

Beyond the floating constructs were piles of spare weapons, shields, and the two capsules looted from the hidden chamber. The ones with the droids. He had tried to see if he could control them but any attempt to do so had resulted in a message.

[Clearance insufficient. Droid category requires completion of second trial.]

He needed to tip the balance of power in his favor, and the key to it was to follow the path of this strange system. The black carapace opened, and as he lay down a blue screen appeared in front of him.

Main Unit: NEZRA- 14526181

Current Generation: 1

Main Unit Energy Quantity: 100

Droid Count: 40/50

Total Mineral Quantity: 6,450

Total Energy Quantity: 4,230

Total Alloy Quantity: 0

Active Constructs: Sarcophagus x1

Options:

[UNIT ARRAY INTERFACE]

[BUILD]

[ADVANCEMENT] Requirements for Second Trial. [REQUIREMENTS MET. ENGAGE SARCOPHAGUS FOR ADVANCEMENT.]

He tapped the lettering at the very bottom. The sarcophagus sealed itself shut, blotting out the light of the quartz lamp and leaving him in complete darkness. Then everything went white.