A continent filled with regions and landscapes that is unknown to them. Not only that they are in foreign lands. They have no idea what’s in there.

Can they trust someone who would openly come to them? They didn’t know what and it was better if they could see it for themselves.

A fog covered the whole fleet and it was made natural because of giant blocks of ice that are being heated through, causing no reaction from the regions so far.

Lady Frigus had warned that the fog could cloak the fleet for six weeks.

It was strange how it could cover the fleet and the Island. But it seems to be because they were too busy fighting to notice that a fleet had sneaked near the coast.

Though there are certainly docks and ports around the coastline, and yet there were no fleet present other than the boats that seemed to be focused on fishing.

Most of the land was worthy of the name ‘Spine of the World’ with how the earthen formation resembled that of a protruding spine covered in snow and greenery.

Westward and eastward was impassable with the giant icebergs floating and the visibility of the ices making it impossible for Arkshelled to pass through. Not to mention the way was blocked by miles of salt desert, creating this cold freezing salty air.

Other than the coastline, the few of the Soundless started to row their boats on the beaches. These ‘Soundless’ were kin of the Elven who handled the scouting. They were sent alongside the best scouts of the Fleet and had started looking for ways in the beaches.

Everyone had started being alert more than usual. With the fleet possibly engaging in skirmishes. They didn’t want to keep the civilian-crew in danger so they had them stay in their decks with most of the rations handled by the Constables and the Clerics.

Gunners were on standby, keeping their eyes on the coastline while most of the cabin boys brought their meals. The lights were dimmer and only the spirits summoned by the Lady that lit the passageways and overheads. The lower decks were allowed to keep their lights on during the day while in the evening it was lessened to avoid any possible sightings. Some think that it was too careful, but they still obeyed with most of the orders coming from the Admiral himself.

Wiles, Robert, and Millie were stuck in the clinic. Zyra was always with Caldor Ando’s group. Other than them was the constant visitor, Dom, who found the clinic as a rather peaceful place to do his readings and recording.

“Quiet,” Dom said, breaking the silence. “Other than that, everyone seemed wary about this region. Not that we could do anything other than wait for things to develop.”

Robert leaned forward. “We’ve been sitting for two weeks on water. Not a sound and not anything other than hearsay.”

Millie nodded. Wiles looked at Dom and Robert with narrowed eyes. “You think we’ll have to fight our way here?”

“Who knows at this point?” Dom raised his shoulders. “Either way, we’ll have two options here. We fight the whole region until we reach the gates or we side with the one who’ll allow us passage.”

“Ain’t easy as ever.”

“Well, we expected this. Maybe it will be different with the Blinder of Light on our side,” Dom said.

“I am worried for Teacher.”

“Don’t worry about her,” Gabrio said. “Zyra should have learned her lesson from the last encounters. Not that it’s secret she’s tough as nails as well.”

It was no secret that she wasn’t a normal surgeon. Not when she’s regularly giving the ‘Princess’ a beating once a session when it comes to her lessons.

The Princess’s identity certainly wasn’t welcomed. Gabrio was sure that the Princess was allowed personally by both Captain Malfor and the Admiral. They wouldn’t even give the Princess time. Most of the veterans and the older ones had this seething against her.

The sins of the father and the ancestors were certainly not easily forgotten. Her blood was certainly something that was not easy to forgive. Not when her bloodline had caused millions to suffer because of their despotic rule.

“Still, Teacher’s going to be heading with them.”

“No doubt they’d want her to be with them if there’s a clash. Most of the Corp meant for breaking in these kinds of places are probably going to be ready.”

“So not everyone this time.”

“We can’t have every soldier in that land.”

Most of the Corp is composed of ones that were specifically handpicked by the Chancellor to guard the Ark. Though they are mostly in the Ark before it became part of the Island. With this new continent, it was their job to make sure that the land is infiltrated and that they can mark out all the possible dangers.

Lady Frigus gave a detailed map, but it was not enough. It was lacking camps and defensive placements for each region. Not to mention that they couldn’t carry the ancient map so they had to draw out their own map and make sure that the beaches are secured.

The Jesters, the name of the Corp, was a group trusted by the Chancellor. They are an effective covert-unit that managed to break the hands of the Elven-kin and caused them long enough trouble for the Chancellor. Everyone knew that they were in the Fleet and these people were not easy prey. It is no wonder Admiral Magnus stationed them in Ark. There were the only people who they could send alongside the Soundless-kin.

Even though the fleet had a lot of guns and ammunition for cases such as this. They didn’t want to spend it on this enemy. Not to mention that if they do spend it on this place. It means that they have to suck the land dry out of any supplies. But if Lady Frigus was right, then their defenses should be hard to penetrate. Especially when they specialized in guarding against the Giants that came out of the deep seas.

It was a good reason to send the Jesters to their jobs.

“This is going to be a long campaign.”

Everyone could only agree to Robert. Whether planning a way to get past the Spine of the World or fighting their way forcibly or concocting some schemes. They would need time.

At first they thought their worries was only the supplies and the monsters that they might face. But now they were lacking time as well.

*****

Alone in the clinic. Gabrio mixed a dreary concoction before lighting the burner. He waited for the liquid inside to be distilled before tucking away the liquid in flasks sealed with a cork.

Out of the clinic, then back into his cabin. He went and took out his iron mask and started tinkering with the tune again. This action caused him about four hours and after that he took a rest.

It was when it was morning that Gabrio was woken up by spirits tugging into its ears. Sitting on the side of his bed he found one of the rather dim-lit spirits on the floor. It made him wonder if spirits could be injured.

Nonetheless he took one of the healing salves and offered a spoonful to the spirit. The spirit crawled to the healing salve and drank it. Then it sprang up and flew around Gabrio before it left alongside the others.

Wearing his coat, he walked to the clinic and found Zyra taking a look at her station. Once she noticed Gabrio, she put down what she had and said.

“Busy as ever.”

“Well, you know that I am not like you.”

She seemed to almost laugh. “It can’t be helped.”

“It can be. It’s just that you do want to do it.”

“Well, you could say that.”

She sat on her desk. “I might as well get used to it. Not that complaining will ever just make it all go away.”

“I hope you don’t go too far. I know you’re tough as nails, but don’t get opened up again.”

“I learned my lesson,” Zyra shook her head. “Besides, that monster from the Atoll was someone who couldn’t defeat normally. Terin, sometimes he makes us feel like tiny creatures when he’s fighting.”

“Truthfully, I don’t know what to make of him.”

“How could you know?” she shook her head. “I don’t think I saw you talking to him before and after he was known to be the Blinder. And honestly, I think you’re one of the few that treats him like he’s no big deal.”

“I do? I think we’re all the same. Blinder or not.”

“True. Nonetheless, I think he might like being called that.”

“I might change my mind,” Gabrio said honestly. “I saw what he can do, and maybe in the darkest days coming. I’ll think like the rest as well.”

“I hope you don’t.”

Gabrio didn’t say anything. He shook his head and checked on the documents again.

“What are your thoughts on the Icean Spine?” she asked.

“I think we need to be careful as always. I leave the trouble to the rest of the crew. I honestly can’t say much. I’m only a Doctor and not much. They include me on the Essentials because they want me to prepare for what’s coming. Honestly, I have it easy considering that you are risking your life out in the open.”

Then he looked down. “But I am not good enough to do more.”

“You fought in the war, right?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Huh?”

“I was in the war, but most of the time I was stuck on patching people up and running through artillery fire. I haven’t fired a gun, but I did carry bombs, a crossbow, and a short bow for protection. Not that I had time to use it. Most of the time I just hand them over to the soldiers who need it. You know Galvan’s Hill?”

“Ah, you were in that hell?”

“I was stationed with Ristina there. I think it’s still a surprise that we managed to get out of that hell alive.”

“You are close with her.”

“How could we not? She’s a sworn-sister of mine. We’ve been through a lot and I would have died if it wasn’t for her. I respect her.”

“That’s a word I haven’t heard for a while.”

“It was her idea. Besides, I like it.”

“We have four weeks.”

Gabrio nodded. “It is unlikely that it will go as peaceful as we think it will. But if we risk everything then we’d have more worries.”

Anxiety and fear was creeping. Even the silence of the fleet only made things worse. No one was in a festive mood to be merry and even the usual merry songs and shanties sang by the sailors and the civilian crew couldn’t shoo away this creeping fear.

Then the murmur of the spirits alarmed everyone in the feat. Both of them heard the running sounds of the guards and the crews shutting doors.

Topside. They looked westward of the fleet and there it was. From the depths of the ocean itself, a mighty horde of sea creatures, standing tall in two legs, carrying steel and covered in carapace armor. They flooded the beaches and of the Westward Coastlines.

Gabrio felt a headache coming. It looks like a War Band coming from the depths of the seas are trying to get a piece of this land as well.

“Damn, it looks like we aren’t the only one who are actively trying to get past the Spine of the World as well.”

With the Eye of the World beginning to open. And the heart of the world announcing the coming of the end.

Everyone knew it somehow that if the United Aon, no matter what reason they have for heading to the thousand islands. They knew it was more than basic greed or desire for more land.

The Chancellor always was someone who opted for change. He was the man who brought down a nation together

He didn’t know what the thoughts of the Chancellor were. But he knows that another faction has joined the fray. And it was even going to be more tiresome than it should be.