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'I am willing to take you both under my wing, as Phoenix Disciples.' Theos' words still echoed across my mind, vividly repeating itself every other minute. It was the mantra I couldn't rid myself of. Even after some time had already passed. Hours. We had left the lands beyond the Estranged Gate together, except for Undinae, who tended to her restrained guest with the utmost care-- or so, I had wished to believe, albeit, their screams resonated the purest agony.

She was a monster and a damned powerful one.

However, if Undinae called Theos 'Father', I could only wonder how strong was Theos really? Was he holding back when he blasted that pirate ship to smithereens back at the pier the other day? But most importantly, who was Theos? I was unsure, again. I wanted answers, but they'd require some dangerous digging.

We crossed the final stretches of land remaining between our group, consisting of Adelaide, Theos, Vhersio and me, and the cliffside mansion Adelaide called home. It was strange. In all those years, I had never visited the villa, at least, not the actual carved-into-the-cliffs part of the grand estate.

Vhersio swiftly dismounted his steed as soon as the horse's leg hit the first stair that led up to Adelaide's breathtaking sea-side mansion. He immediately charged towards the door, putting the key in and opening the door whilst speaking, "Ada, I'll grab your clothing. I'll make sure to tuck something comfy in, and something to keep you warm with at sea, maybe a blanket or two, as well, oh, and maybe-"

He was cut off.

"It's all right, darling. Surprise me." Adelaide has momentarily silenced him, smiling happily, even under such poor conditions. She raised her arm and waved at her fiancé before he entered.

Theos vaulted off his horse second. He straightened his back, looked at Adelaide and me before ushering, "Grab anything you believe you will need to weather the tasks I will put you through, Adelaide. Momentos, diaries, clothing, even food. I will allow everything, consider it a token of gratitude for your services to the greater good of human ilk."

Theos' words reminded me of the fact, I should start considering what items, clothes, and materialised memories to bring along the journey. After all, I didn't want to forget the times I spent here, with my parents, Grandfather- Hell, even the moments I accompanied Grandmother Astrid - or her spectre - were memorable.

I reached down into my pocket, feeling the feather that I had picked up at the dawn of night. I felt every crumple. All the barbs had distorted in place, some even being redirected towards the rachis. I closed my eyes momentarily.

A small zap ran through my finger, through my lower arm all the way to my neck and head. I swiftly withdrew from my pocket. Shocked at the idea that the feather had actually generated some sort of static effect, even whilst being utterly motionless.

"Cynthia," Adelaide suddenly called out, getting off the back of her mare.

"Yeah?" I responded, following suit.

She walked up the broad brick stairs leading up to the elevated platform on which the mansion's main body rested, sandstone railings were built around the upper section to prevent accidental injuries. The washed-out yellow walls, the deep orange tiny bricks and the dark maroon roofing sheets formed a colour palette that proved easy-going on the eye. Everything blended together seamlessly with the Ember Isles' eccentric ornate style.

"I want to bring a fairly sizable chunk of my belongings onto Theos' frigate," Adelaide spoke up, waiting for me before the double front doors, which, by the looks of it, appeared as though it consisted of intricately carved spruce wood.

Walking over, we continued our exchange. Well, I did, in an all too mocking fashion. "Need me to order in a wagon or will Theos magically convert all your items to pocket-size and carry them to the boat by hand?"

"Well, I presume he is capable of doing so." Adelaide entered the mansion, laughing with a smile unlike I had seen in the last few months; almost spanning from one side of her face to the other. "But no, as soon as Undinae gave her verdict and Vhersio and I talked it over, I started orchestrating the transport of the stuff I want to bring. In fact, all the heavy things should have been stocked at a warehouse in the port - one that thankfully didn't burn down during the pirate attack."

"So, that's why you didn't return the following day," I concluded, remembering Adelaide and Vhersio's absence, as though they had miraculously vanished from the material plains of existence.

Adelaide's smile suddenly grew obscured, turning into a distant and faint memory. She turned her head away as she started voicing what had transpired that day. "Vhersio and I argued all night, screaming at each other. He blamed himself for not being there and saving you- that I had to rely on my powers to rescue you, whereas I blamed myself for still being too weak. My arrogance and the pretence that I could keep you out of harm's way nearly became the reason you perished."

I hastened my pace, strolling down the mansion hallway faster than before, meeting Adelaide somewhere halfway the large carpet covering the distance from the front door to the living quarters.

She was sad, and I could tell. Her eyes, for a brief time, teared up, although Adelaide swiftly dismissed the rising feeling and wiped the tears away.

"Adelaide," I delicately reached out for her shoulder. "It's okay. If we were to worry over everything that could be, our lives would be drenched with sorrow and regrets. It didn't happen, and we're still both alive- even standing at the front of a daunting journey, which we will endeavour together."

She cupped her hands over her face, slowly and gently dragging them down her features. It looked foolish, but I related to the mental distress that she had kept dormant for all the years she had been here. Her fingers pulled her bottom eyelids out of proportion before they returned to the natural appearance. Adelaide let go of her face, then lightly smacked both her cheeks, forcing herself to get her act together once more. "Thank you, Cynthia." She thanked me.

A few moments came to pass, Adelaide had written down a list of items, primarily books, a few board games and other light objects, games and stuff that would assist us through the uncountable days we were going to spend abroad.

She had also already gathered her clothes, from underwear to full-fledged dresses. Adelaide's collection of clothes, both in Crescent Isle's style and pieces of clothing characterised by the Ember Isles' flamboyant, revealing attributes, was absolutely enormous.

Our exchange of words had ended earlier, yet there was still so much I was not acquainted with. For instance, I made the impulsive call of accepting Theos' offer to become a Disciple and frankly said, I didn't know what I was in for. I made the decision, so I could learn about everything my parents kept hidden from me during the last nineteen years of my life.

And so, I had to ask. I simply yearned the knowledge- just a general idea of what fate had in store. "Adelaide, ever since Theos-" I began, but she immediately cut me off.

"Lord Theos," insisted Adelaide, her eyes hosting a sense of fury over the fact I forgot to mention the man by his seemingly self-proclaimed title. It was peculiar, truthfully. Adelaide had never been one for formalities, which used to manifest in our first-name based conversations even far before we became life-long friends. Though neither party paid a second thought to it, so I had always assumed.

I effortlessly brushed Adelaide's remark away. "All right, all right, but he mentioned the term Phoenix Disciple, and I've been wondering about its premise." I paused, receiving a flustered look, "Care to inform me?" I added.

Moving closer to me, she grasped onto my hand, stared deep into my eyes. "It's the greatest honour possibly bestowed upon any mortal being." Then she let go, as though a wave of over-dramatic energy washed right over us.

I tried to hold back my snickering laughter, partially failing in my attempt. "I'm sorry, Adelaide, but that really doesn't explain anything."

"Well, sorry," apologised Adelaide, picking up a defensive stance with her arms crossed - cheeks puffed. "I'm just still in total awe that Lord Theos considered me worthy enough to sail the Thirteenth Sea with him."

We settled on the couch, and I immediately recognised it. Vhersio had carved the wooden frame all by himself overnight to surprise Adelaide. I knew well it was a memory she fondly clung to. But that was not on my mind. Confusion, in its stead, was, "So, he is like a phoenix in human clothing?"

"You really don't know anything about the world, do you? The Phoenix, in most cultures, is the insignia of a great warlock - and Lord Theos well exceeds them all. He is the greatest of all, the most powerful and influential person to date. His uncountable names are representative of his countless voyages into the unknown. It's even rumoured- he's found the secret to immortality because," Adelaide's voice turned into a faintly audible whisper, "He is over a thousand years old.

I thought I misheard Adelaide's closing words. However, my surprised face - mouth literally open to catch flies - did not earn any abnormal response. It was almost as if she was expecting my jaw to drop over her statement. "Over a thousand years?" I muttered, seeking confirmation.

"Perhaps even more ancient. Back when I was still on the Ember Isles, you know," she gulped, "As a-"

I cut Adelaide's words short. This time, it was my turn to clutch her hand, I did. Tight and firm. The scars of her past had been freshly ripped open, and I knew it pained her. Seeing those pirates had unleashed something in Adelaide, and while I wasn't a hundred per cent certain of what and why, I did know this was the time I had to be here for her; just being her friend, vigorously awaiting the moment she would open up to me. And so I swiftly voiced my belief, "You needn't say it, Ada."

It was the first time I had used Vhersio's nickname for her, and she smiled.

"I never imagined you would call me by a nickname," said Adelaide, her eyes trailing off to the rustic table. She moved closer, her hand slipping from my grasp.

"Honestly, neither did I."

We began chuckling. Part of me was happy I got her to smile, managed to take her mind off the ghost from her past that clearly still haunted her. "You know, I'm so happy you opened up to me more."

Adelaide ducked her head, "I... wasn't planning on doing it." She whispered, swiftly adding, "Not yet, at least." I couldn't tell whether she meant it or simply tried to spare my feelings. But, for once, it mattered not. I could fill in the blanks perfectly fine. If she experienced slavery first hand - I did not want to push her. Not like I did after she revealed the presence of Magick to me.

"It's alright. Just like Vhersio told you, let the past die."

"I wish I could, but seeing the Bloodmoon Pirates' emblem on those flags- it released this inner anger I thought long forgotten. I was full of rage, I gave into my emotions and went on a rampage- a murder spree glorified by the idea I was serving justice." Adelaide started to cry, shaking in place. "I burned them alive. I scorched their flesh and watched them suffer purely because I craved blood and vengeance."

"Yes, but Ada, you've been through things my worst nightmares pale in comparison to. Mother always taught me bad behaviour, even of a murderous calibre, is far from excusable - however, it may be understandable. And I do."

She shook her head, "You don't understand."

"Then help me understand, Adelaide." I retorted.

Adelaide sighed, rising from the couch and immediately distancing her from me. "What's there to understand? We come from different worlds, Cynthia. Yours is a peaceful one, mine a ravaged empire built on the corpses of myriads of slaves."

Standing up, I reached out and embraced her in a tight hug. She wasn't herself. Usually, Adelaide was much sweeter, mostly when it was just the two of us. I, at certain times, considered her a sister I held in high regard.

"Ada, know that, as long as I live, I consider you the dearest friend I have. And I will always - always - try to find a way to understand you. I'll be there for you, even in the grimmest of times." I whispered into her ear, calmly. She had lost her clear mind, and so, I somehow convinced myself I would have to be the serenity that guided her.

"Thank you," Adelaide looked into my eyes, hers were full of tears. Her lips and body were trembling. "I don't know what's gotten into me."

"It's okay, I'm here for you."

She was clueless, and for the first time since she introduced me to the great powers that streamed through this world, our roles had been reversed. I knew what disturbed her. She was fear-ridden. Even though Adelaide had a warrior's heart and composure, she was still a broken girl forced into adulthood prematurely. And now, we stood at the gates of the unknown, shaking in our boots, apprehensive of what came next.

Adelaide looked around, then back at me, "Did you see Theos and Vhersio passing by? I haven't seen them all hour."

I raised my shoulders, shrugging with a frown. "I haven't seen them either. We should go and look for them."

"Sure thing. Let's get downstairs first." She closed her eyes, clenching her fists to the point they radiated a bright orange. The lightly abruptly died out. "I've got a hunch. Bet they are in the cliffside ballroom." She broke a brisk chuckle, then promptly took off in the direction of the stairs.

Even the house's interior had been adjusted to meet outlandish standards. We walked up to the diverting twin stairs, each shaped like a crescent moon, albeit with a sharper final curve. The ends of both staircases met each other below the ground floor; a glass wall with steel reinforcements being all that separated them from the steep plunge into the sea.

We wandered down the long hallway, grand windows spanning from the floor all the way to the ceiling had been mathematically placed; an even distance between each and every piece. On our right was a smoothened-out granite wall with occasional ores dotted around, and naturally, knowing Adelaide's taste, the floor had been made of marble.

Each step we took, we neared the roof-high doors that led to the ballroom Adelaide had always praised for its glass floor and marvellous vantage point of the sea. Even said, during the winter solstice, she once saw an unnatural glow far out North amid a thick mist which she saw all the way from here.

The doors opened as we closed in for the final metres in betwixt. Adelaide entered first, instantaneously running over to the centre of the ballroom. I gazed there, noticing Vhersio standing there. Instead of his regular battle-wear, he had donned a suit. His wavy black hair reaching his earlobes no longer connected to his stubble beard. He had shaved.

The two love birds embraced each other tenderly. It looked adorable, and still, a feeling of envy surfaced within me. Since childhood, I had hoped for some to win my heart - like Vhersio had undoubtedly conquered Adelaide's.

I smiled at the two as they returned the favour, then they whispered quietly. I wasn't bothered trying to overhear the conversation. And honestly, if it were anything romantic, I'd feel bad just being overwhelmed by a more innocent variant of jealousy.

Walking over to the side, I admired the room. Mirrors covered the inner walls of the room, light bouncing back into the slightly lowered pit in the middle. The circle had been encased by two-step-stairs. I proceeded, glancing at various artworks engraved into the ceiling before bumping into Theos on accident.

"Apologies, my child," said Theos calmly, bowing his head towards me. "I was stranded in the deepest of thoughts." He peered back out the window again, but his eyes were closed.

I waited in place, standing beside the old man in brown robes. Inspecting his clothes from this distance, I noticed Theos had washed the stain out, and I chuckled.

Theos squeezed his eyes shut with all his might, falling to the floor. I barely managed to catch the man as he clutched onto his head. He groaned, breathing heavily. "Can you sense it, too?"

"Sense what?" I answered, helping the old geezer back on his feet.

He opened his dark eyes, "Danger," spoke Theos, his voice weak and fragile. "It awaits us in the wake of departure." Closing his eyes once more, I felt a strange sensation, a powerful one, unlike anything I had felt before, compress the air near me. "I can feel it. A vindictive bloodlust, its origin painted in love."

I took a step back. The ever-intensifying air became too much to handle. I panted for a moment, then looked around to see Adelaide and Vhersio waltzing down the middle of the room. It was as if they didn't feel it whatsoever. They were just moving about, unaffected.

My gaze trailed back to Theos, his face was pale like that of a skeleton. "We must make haste immediately. I want to be gone before first daylight tomorrow."

I nodded, "I'll bring Adelaide and Vhersio the news, Theos."

"Very well, I shall mount my horse and ensure the frigate is fully equipped for the journey to Verdus Island." He paused, "Oh, and Cynthia if you wish to survive this dangerous task, bring that sachet along." He blinked before leaving me to myself.

I shook my head violently, I had entirely forgotten about it. Since Mother had sent me off the easternmost edge of the island, I didn't think once about it. I would make doubly sure not to let the thought slip before I reached home. If Theos specifically noted it, the contents must be of great importance, either to him or to me.

Stepping closer to Adelaide and Vhersio, I saw both their pairs of eyes closed, dancing peacefully without a worry in the world. And I was tearing up, knowing this was most likely the final dance they would share.