Chapter 2: Royal Army on the Shores

Hunter was awoken by Taina, who softly poked him in the leg with her foot. He sat up, wiped the morning tears off his eyes and yawned. He looked around him, feeling a bit disoriented.

“I came by your place this morning, but you weren’t there,” said Taina. “I figured you must have fallen asleep in here. Guess I was right.”

Last night, after receiving his mother’s necklace from his uncle, Hunter had fallen asleep in the cove, directly on the uneven, rocky ground. He got up, feeling in his back the pain caused by his uncomfortable makeshift bed.

Taina noticed the necklace in Hunter’s hand. “Did your uncle give you that?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, he did,” answered Hunter, still half asleep.

“I’d ask you about it, but your uncle did seem to want your meeting to be private.”

“Oh, it’s okay. It was my mom’s. He just wanted to give it to me.”

“Why did he wait so long? He had plenty of opportunities before yesterday.”

“My mom wanted me to have it just before I left the island. I don’t know why, though.”

“Do you intend to find out?”

Hunter looked deeply at the necklace, at its five empty golden sockets. Grasping it reminded him of his mother’s warmth, of her loving smile, her caring hands. “Yeah. For mom.”

“You know, I’ll miss you when you leave.”

Taina’s sudden confession took Hunter by surprise. “Oh, uh, me too, I guess.”

“You guess?” she giggled. “You and Luck, you’re the only people I consider my friends, even if we’re not all that close. With you two gone, the island will feel emptier.”

“I guess it technically will be.”

Taina smiled at her friend’s remark. “You’re hopeless.”

Interrupting their tender moment, Luck came waltzing into the cove, an erratic look on his face. “Hunter!”

“What’s wrong? Why are you shouting?” asked his cousin.

“In the harbour! I-it’s them! T-they came back!”

“Who came back? Calm down, I can’t understand you when you’re like this.”

“The Royal Army, Hunter! One of their ships was spotted closing in on our island!”

“W-what? What do they want?”

Vivid memories Hunter would have liked to keep repressed in his mind came rushing back in a single wave, almost knocking him down. Twelve years ago, the last time the Royal Army anchored in South Breeze Island, a violent confrontation between them and the inhabitants of New Wind Town led to Hunter’s mother tragically losing her life.

Taina recognized the distress Hunter was in and gently sat him down on a large rock. “What are you going to do? Would you like to stay here? I can remain by your side until they leave, if you’d like.”

Hunter shook his head, snapping himself back to reality. “No. I have to go see. I have to know why they came back after all this time.”

“Then what are we waiting for?” declared Luck, extending his hand to his cousin. “Let’s go. Braham and dad already went to the harbour to prevent them from going into town.”

The cousins ran out of the cove, through the woods and across town without once stopping for a breath, followed closely by Taina, who tried her best not to trip on her long skirt as she chased behind the boys.

About ten minutes later, they arrived at the island’s humble harbour, consisting of a series of five docks, only one of them being large enough to accommodate a ship as large as the ones the Royal Army commanded.

Grouped in front of the imposing vessel sporting the Vasilosse Kingdom’s colours was a small mob of people, most present out of curiosity, some out of boredom, but all out of fear. No one had forgotten the events of the past. To the inhabitants of the island, the Royal Army’s sigil in their peaceful waters meant only trouble.

Hunter and Luck pushed their way in front of the grouping of people, emerging next to Braham and Silvers, both waiting sternly, arms crossed, eyes serious. Their usual hospitality had almost evaporated.

“You didn’t have to come,” Silvers told his son and nephew.

“On the contrary. We did,” responded Luck in a tone equally serious to his father’s.

Angst filled the air, thickening it to the point where breathing became difficult. A wooden boarding ramp slid off the side of the boat, landing with a loud thud on the dock below. A group of soldiers, dressed in the kingdom’s green and gray colours, holding spears in one hand and their belt in the other, walked down the ramp in perfect synchronization.

In their midst stood a young man dressed far more casually. He wore an unbuttoned black blouse over a plain white shirt, a clean, dark pair of pants covering slightly the top of his recently waxed shoes, and a few golden rings to ornament his fingers. Wafts of air elegantly swayed his light brown hair, and his clear green eyes assessed the situation in front of him within a blink. It was one of the three princes of the Vasilosse Kingdom, Windfrey Soffle.

The prince took a few steps to separate himself from his guards. “I wasn’t expecting a welcome party,” he said in an attempt to lighten the mood.

“State your business,” bluntly said Braham, acting as the island’s representative.

Not unexpecting of the island’s cold reception, Windfrey continued with his friendly chatter. “My dear man, I assure you, there is no need to be so wary of me. I come on a personal mission; I mean none of you any harm.”

“Personal? Then why do you have a pocket army at your back?”

One of the guards barked back at Braham’s insolence to the prince. “Curb your tongue! You’re speaking to His Royal Highness, Prince Windfrey Soffle, third son of King Bartholomew Soffle, divine ruler of the Vasilosse Kingdom! You will mind your manners around royalty.”

Windfrey raised his hand to shush his guard. “Enough, soldier. The man insulted no one. There is no need to speak to him so violently.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” quickly obeyed the soldier in question.

“As my escort has so passionately reminded you, I am royalty. To wander outside of the citadel’s walls alone would be a direct assault on my royal duties, in the eyes of my father. Hence, I could only hope to come to your shores accompanied by a personal guard. I hope you can understand that despite their arms, I come in peace.”

Silvers was the next to speak. “With due respect, Your Highness, you’ll have to forgive this island’s people’s distrust upon seeing a Royal Army ship on their shore. The last time, you killed an innocent woman and burned down her house.”

The prince remained silent for a few long seconds. “Yes, I know. I remember, word had gotten to my father’s ears that the infamous treasure hunter, Travis Reas, had left something important on the island. Myself, I was eleven years old when he gave the order to raid the island to obtain the item in question. It was said it might prove to be invaluable information regarding the treasure of the stars, and my father wanted that information at any cost.”

“And I was five when my mother was taken from me,” said Hunter. He did not even realise he had spoken; the words had come out on their own.

The guard who had previously run his mouth spoke again, this time even stricter. “Impudent child! Do not speak so condescendingly to His Highness!”

Windfrey turned to face the guard. “I must ask you to please refrain from opening your mouth again for the duration of our stay unless you must eat. I am trying to have a conversation with these people.”

The soldier did as he was ordered, without so much as a retort, though his face started to redden, either of embarrassment or of anger at his incapacity to protect the prince in the way he thought best.

The prince turned his attention to Hunter. “Please forgive him. Soldiers are trained to protect the royal family so much, they sometimes perceive the slightest impatience toward us as an act of transgression.”

Hunter scoffed.

Silvers once more took the lead. “You still haven’t explained why you came here. I suggest, for everyone’s well-being, that you quit beating around the bush.”

“Of course, my apologies. I’ve come here today to ask you, Silvers Reas, to join me in my quest for the treasure of the stars. Now, I know what you might be thinking, but this is in no way a repeat of the events of twelve years ago.”

“Then what is it? You knew I was here. Better yet, you knew who I was. I never gave you my name. You’ve been monitoring me.”

“Not quite. You underestimate your own reputation. You are the brother of fabled treasure hunter Travis Reas, and an accomplished one yourself. When you reach the level of fame you two have, it becomes hard not to know your whereabouts. Except for your brother. No one’s seen him in years.”

Luck fervidly stepped in front of his father. “You’d better scurry back behind the walls of your castle, pretty boy, because there’s no way in hell my dad’s ever gonna follow the likes of you anywhere. Not after what you did to Hunter’s mom. You don’t deserve it.”

Windfrey was taken aback by Luck’s passionate interjection and could not help but let out a laugh.

“What’s so funny, princess?”

“I’m sorry, I’ve simply never been called pretty boy before, let alone princess. I understand how you feel, but I would like Silvers to be the one to answer me.”

“I’ve stopped searching for that treasure a long time ago,” said Silvers.

“You can always start again. I have more trust in you than in anyone else in the kingdom for this task.”

“Sorry to disappoint, but I’m not gonna do it. As my son said, after what you’ve done here twelve years ago, I would be betraying everything I stand for by allying myself with the royal family. Why do you even want the treasure of the stars? I thought royalty had everything they could ever desire. Has abundance fuelled your gluttony for riches to the point you would devour legends?”

“You’re mistaken, my good sir. I seek the treasure of the stars not for myself of for my family, but for the people, not just of the Vasilosse Kingdom, but of every one of the Five Kingdoms, as well as every island in between.”

“What do you mean?”

“Some pursue the treasure of the stars for riches and glory, some pursue it for immortality, and some believe at the end of the road, a celestial god will grant them any wish. Myself, I believe the treasure is knowledge, knowledge from a civilization long gone, knowledge which would help us create a better future for everyone.”

“I must admit your answer comes as a surprise. If your intentions are as noble as you claim, I respect them. However, the road to the treasure of the stars is a long, possibly infinite one. I no longer wish to embark on such a journey. I prefer smaller, more manageable adventures. I’m not as young as I used to be.”

“Is that your final answer? You won’t join me, not even to better the future of mankind?”

“I’ll focus on bettering the future of those around me. Though, I wish you luck in your endeavour.”

Disappointment snuck on the prince’s face, his eyes hiding a silent sadness. “I understand. If ever your mind were to change, feel free to contact me, either via letter, or with the castle’s telephones. It was an honour to meet the great Silvers Reas. If no one objects, I would like to spend the day anchored here. The calmness of this island’s waters is a nice change from the bustling capital.”

Braham tossed his eyes around the crowd to form an answer the townsfolk would be okay with. “Fine. Just leave early tomorrow. We don’t want to have you here longer than we need.”

“Of course. Thank you, everyone.”

Windfrey politely excused himself from the conversation and went back aboard the ship that had carried him here.

Hunter pivoted on his foot and, with quick steps, upsettably headed back to the cove to be as far away from the prince and the Royal Army. His cousin and Taina jogged after him as the crowd slowly dispersed back into town to resume their day.

Hiding inside the cove’s refreshing darkness, the trio remained silent as the day passed. Taina wanted to speak, but she was afraid her voice would disturb the cousins’ attempt at finding inner peace.

It was Luck who first spoke. “I don’t know, you guys.”

Taina raised an eyebrow. “About what?”

“This prince guy. What’s his deal? He comes to our home uninvited after everything his father and his goons did, after all the pain they caused Hunter, and he has the gall to ask for the same thing they did back then? However trustworthy he wants us to believe he is, there’s no way we can just forget about the past. What do you think, Hunter?”

Hunter shrugged his shoulders, still lost in thought.

“You guys wanna know what I think?” asked Taina. “I think he’s not a bad person. We view him so cautiously because of his father, but his temperament is completely different from the power-hungry tyrant we call a king.”

“And you were able to ascertain all that from prince charming’s five-minute flirting session with the town?”

“Hey, listen, I’m trying to be positive, here!”

A voice drew their attention to the cove’s entrance. “Many thanks for your kind words, my lady.” Prince Windfrey stood knee-deep in the water near the entrance of the cove.

“What in the hell are you doing here?” confusedly inquired Luck.

“You two boys were of few words in our encounter earlier today, but I must say you piqued my interest. I’ve come to personally discuss with you.”

“What is there to discuss about that you haven’t already said?”

“Many things, my friend.”

“Please don’t call me that.”

“Firstly, I would like to offer my most sincere condolences to you,” he said to Hunter. “I know it happened over a decade ago, and that my words will likely bring your heart no peace, but I simply must express my-”

“Stop,” Hunter cut him off. “I don’t need your fake apology.”

“Why must everyone always assume my words are spoken vainly? I truly mean what I say!”

“Can you blame me?”

“I am not my father.”

“Like Taina said, I don’t think you’re a bad guy. None of us do, really. I just can’t bring myself to trust or like you. Just talking to you now is making my blood boil. Ever since you arrived this morning, I keep having visions of the past.”

“It’s unfortunate, really, that my father’s legacy must follow me everywhere I go. Though I was but a child when he gave the order to raid the island, I remember vehemently opposing his actions. To send an entire fleet to an island as peaceful as this one, ready to spill blood, all for selfish gains, is unthinkable. Sadly, as his youngest son, my words were of little consequence. I was pushed aside, and he went through with his plan. In the end, he didn’t even acquire what he wanted.”

“Are you telling me every detail to anger me even more?”

“Far from it! That was not the only atrocity my father had ordered be done in the name of gain and power. All my life, I was powerless to alter his decisions. Now that I’ve come of age years ago however, I’ve been building my public image in the capital. I have a number of followers among the commoners. Once the throne is up for inheritance, I hope to be the one to sit on it. Only then will I have the power necessary to change the kingdom for the better.”

“You have to wait for your father to die or retire for your plan to come into action. He won’t retire, ever. Tyrants don’t give up power; they hold on to it for as long as they draw breath. So you have to wait for him to die, so maybe a few more decades? After that, it’ll be your eldest brother who takes up the throne, not you. You’re as stupid as you are idealistic.”

“I’m aware of the hurdles waiting for me on the path I’ve set for myself, but it’s nothing I’m not willing to overcome.”

“Good luck, then. If you truly intend to practice what you preach, every commoner will stand behind you.”

“Thank you.”

“I still think you’re an idiot.”

Windfrey puffed a laugh from the corner of his smile. “I suppose dreams of change in a world like ours necessitate some idiocy.” He turned to gaze upon the ship, which he had not taken the time to properly admire yet. “Do you three plan to leave this island, soon?”

“Not me,” said Taina. “My feet need to touch earth. I wouldn’t last long at sea.”

“So, just you two, then?”

“Yeah, but don’t ask us why,” answered Luck, glaring at him.

“I’m afraid that’s exactly what I was going to do. Oh, I see. You want to find the treasure of the stars as well? I suppose everyone does.”

“We’re not gonna team up with you.”

“Don’t worry, I wasn’t going to ask. I wouldn’t want to pester you more than I already have. May I at least ask why you wish to find it?”

“It’s our childhood dream. Hunter and I, we were meant to travel the world together. The treasure of the stars is only a fraction of what the world has for us to discover.”

“I see. What about you?” he asked Hunter.

“I don’t know yet. I haven’t thought that far ahead. I’ll follow Luck.”

“A beautiful tale of comradery! There is no purer reason to choose a path in life. I’m certain good luck will rain on you in your travels.”

“Yeah… I hope you’re right.”

“Shouldn’t you be going?” Luck impatiently asked the prince. “I thought you could only travel with guards following you everywhere.”

“Indeed,” agreed Windfrey. “I had to sneak out of my quarters to get here. I should in fact be going back before the guards suspect anything.”

“How did you even find us?”

“I asked a local where I might find you. She was kind enough to tell me I could probably find you here. I must now bid you farewell, my friends. May we meet again soon, under happier circumstances.” Windfrey pranced outside of the cove, splashing water all over his clothes.

“What a character,” sighed Taina, exhausted from the prince’s energy.

“I don’t know how I feel about him,” thought Luck aloud. “He’s gonna have to prove himself for me trust him. He may say he’s not his father, but he is his son. His words mean nothing without actions to back them up.”

Hunter got up and cracked his entire back loudly with a deep stretch. “I’m gonna go before I fall asleep here like yesterday.” He tossed his hand in the air as a goodbye and left Luck and Taina alone.

“We should get going as well,” said Taina. “Today was an eventful day for both of you. You should also get some rest.”

“Yeah… Though I’m more worried about Hunter. He’s been through a lot as a kid because of the Royal Army. I’m sure seeing one of their ships here again has brought back unpleasant memories. Hell, it did for me, so I can only imagine what’s going on inside his head.”

“When you two will leave on your adventures, I’m sure it’ll clear his head. An exciting life awaits you.”

“You sure you don’t wanna come, too?”

“I appreciate the invite, but like I told the prince, I’m not made for ocean travel.”

“We can stop at every island we come across, if it’ll make you feel better.”

“Really, Luck, I mean it,” she insisted with a smile.

“Fine, then. I guess we’ll have to come visit often.”

“That, you’d better.”

The moon rose into the night sky, covering the island in a comfortable, protective glow. Hunter had finally found sleep after what seemed like hours of turning in his bed, unable to shut his eyes for more than a few seconds.

Nightmares began to invade his consciousness. He found himself in the past, standing next to the house he used to call home, clinging to his mother’s dress. Muffled, unintelligible screaming made his ears thump in pain. Everything was blurry and unclear, as if his senses had been dulled. Through the screaming, a loud bang echoed in the air, followed by his mother falling to the ground.

Hunter jumped in his bed, beads of sweat rolling down his face. He could still hear the gunshot ringing in his ears. It was all too real. Suddenly, a piercing scream broke him out of his trance. Although he had never heard it in such fear, the voice sounded familiar.

“Taina!” he shouted to himself as he stumbled out of bed.

He ran outside of his home in his pajamas, without taking the time to put on any footwear, and followed the scream. He ran as fast as his legs would carry him, ignoring the twigs and rocks digging into his bare feet. As he followed the distressed voice, it became abundantly clear it belonged to Taina.

Soon, Hunter arrived at the beach near the harbour. There, fallen over on the sand was Taina, petrified with fear. In front of her stood a man wearing the Royal Army’s colours, a smoking pistol in hand.

“Taina!” yelled Hunter as he continued his race toward her.

She turned her head to look in the direction of her friend, her face frozen with torment. “Hunter, n-no!”

The man’s attention was captured upon hearing the name of the boy running recklessly toward him. A wicked grin spread across his face from ear to ear. “Ah, you must be Travis’ child, then.”

The man wore a jacket unique to high-ranking officers of the Royal Army, decorated with two golden stars, indicating his position as a vice admiral in the navy. He was in his mid thirties, but the scars covering almost every inch of his face made him appear years older than he was in actuality. He had thin blonde hair on most of his head, save for a spot where a leather patch tied to his ears hid a scar particularly nastier than the others. His left eye could not fully close due to a ripped eyelid, causing it to become red and irritated, though the man did not seem to mind.

“Let go of her!” yelled Hunter.

“I simply asked her a question,” said the man. “But it seems you might be better positioned to know the answer.”

The man raised his weapon and unhesitatingly fired a shot, which whistled by Hunter’s head, stopping him dead in his tracks. His ears rang loudly, deafening him temporarily, while the man made his way toward him.

As he stood face to face with Hunter, the man started twirling his pistol on his finger. “Tell me, boy. Where is Silvers Reas? There’s no use hiding the truth. I know he’s somewhere on this island. His ship is anchored right next to mine.”

“I-I would never tell someone like you anything,” retorted Hunter.

“Someone like me? I don’t believe we’ve ever met, have we? I don’t want to prolong my visit, so if you would please answer my question. Surely, as his nephew, you know where I can find him?”

By now, the commotion had attracted the attention of nearby townsfolk, who gathered around Hunter and the man from a safe distance. Only Braham dared get closer.

“What in the hell is going on here?” asked Braham. “A vice admiral? Damn it all! I knew we shouldn’t have trusted that prince! He’s brought reinforcements to take Silvers, just like they tried to do with Travis twelve years ago. Leave this island at once! You’re not welcomed here, not since you-”

Without taking his eyes off Hunter, the vice admiral accurately shot a bullet in Braham’s knee, causing him to buckle to the ground, screaming in pain.

“Braham!” shouted Hunter. “You son of a bitch, why did you do that!”

The man leaned closer to Hunter. “I will not hesitate to burn down this entire island. It would be in your best interest to lead me to the man I seek.”

Almost as if he had been summoned, Silvers appeared from the gathering crowd. “I’m right here. Lower your weapon.”

The vice admiral fired another bullet, this time right between Silvers’ feet, causing a small eruption of sand. Everyone present jumped or shrieked, startled by the impulsive gunshots and by their destructive power. Everyone except Silvers, who stood firm and strong, unfazed by the man’s threatening aura.

“Silvers Reas,” said the vice admiral as he contemplated the world-renowned treasure hunter standing before him. “It’s an honour to be in the presence of one of the Reas brothers. You’re as bold as the stories describe.”

“What do you want? Speak.”

“My, such animosity.”

Prince Windfrey came running outside of his cabin, observing the scene from aboard his ship, leaning over the side. “Vice Admiral Floke! What do you think you’re doing!” he shouted.

The vice admiral turned his head to look at the prince’s confused, distraught face. “Ah, good evening prince. Apologies for waking you up.”

“Answer my question!”

“Go back to bed, I’ll take it from here.”

“W-what?”

Hunter shifted his intense glare toward Windfrey. “You…”

“Brock, I command you in the name of my father the king, to cease whatever it is you are doing, now!” the prince ordered him.

Vice Admiral Floke let out a weaselly laugh. “Foolish prince. Who do you think sent me? I am here under direct orders from your father.”

“Why!”

“Isn’t obvious? To apprehend Silvers Reas. King Bartholomew hopes to draw his brother out of hiding using him as a hostage. Then, he will have the kingdom’s two best treasure hunters to guide him to the treasure of the stars. I should thank you, prince. It’s thanks to you that we were able to confirm Silvers’ whereabouts.”

“But how! I never told anyone!”

“Who do you think your guards truly work for? They’re the ones who told us.”

“W-what!”

“You should be proud, prince. You’re finally doing something useful for your father.”

Windfrey was at a loss for words. He had come amicably, had worked to earn the people’s trust, only for it to evaporate the very next night. If not for the wall on which he was leaning, his shaking legs would have thrown him overboard.

The vice admiral had an idea and turned to face an enraged Hunter. “I’ve just had a thought. If I also capture Travis’ son, he will be even more likely to show his face.”

Silvers’ eyes grew even deadlier, like those of a predator looking down on its prey. “I won’t let you lay a finger on him.”

“How funny that you seem to believe you have a say in the matter.”

Luck was the next person to come running to the beach, panting coarsely. “Braham! What happened to you?” He looked over at Brock, still brandishing his pistol, tossing it from one hand to another. “Did he do this?”

“Luck, stay out of this,” pleaded Braham unsuccessfully.

Luck, fire in his eyes, walked decidedly, closer to Brock than anyone else. “You wanna take my dad, and my cousin? Are you out of your goddamn mind? You think I’ll let you take the only family I have?”

Brock let out a devilish snicker. “It’s almost comical how identical you all are. You, Silvers, Travis’ boy. You all think by acting tough, you can repel a king’s wishes. You’re all just vermin scurrying around the king’s property, and I’m the hound sent to take care of you.”

“Yeah, you are a dog.”

Brock fired a shot in Luck’s direction, the bullet grazing him on the cheek. In an instinctive reaction, Luck immediately grabbed his face and kneeled in the sand.

“Luck, no!” desperately yelled Hunter, running to his cousin’s side.

As Brock relished in Luck’s suffering, within a single blink of his eyes, Silvers was in front of him, holding him by the collar.

Brock pointed his pistol on Silvers’ temple, smiling wickedly. “I’ll have to ask you to unhand me.”

“You’re all out of bullets.”

Without hesitating, Silvers wound up a punch powerful enough to send Brock flying backward onto his back. He approached him and kicked the pistol away from him, before grabbing him once again by the jacket.

Brock unsheathed a long knife from a concealed scabbard under his jacket and swung it at Silvers’ chest. Silvers simply let go of him, making him lose what little balance he had. Brock rolled away and jumped back to his feet, tossing the knife around to try and confuse his opponent.

“How I wish I could kill you,” smiled Brock. “Unfortunately, my orders are to bring you back alive. You brother is unlikely to come retrieve your corpse, after all.”

Silvers did not respond. He instead walked casually toward Brock, with his guard down. The vice admiral went for a quick side slash with his blade, but Silvers swiftly evaded the attack, seized Brock’s arm, and forced it to bend in the wrong direction. A painfully loud crack in Brock’s arm forced him to drop his weapon.

The vice admiral took a few steps back, holding his limping arm with his healthy one. Seeing the state of their leader, a dozen soldiers ran out of both Royal Army ships and surrounded Silvers, all pointing their spears at him.

“Seize him,” ordered Brock. “Take the two boys as well.”

Silvers got into an offensive stance. “I’ll fight off every soldier in those ships if I have to, but you’re not taking my son and nephew.”

Brock grunted in annoyance. “Why must you make things so complicated? First you assault me and break my arm, then you challenge my men to combat. I need to take you alive, for fuck’s sake.”

“Then do as I say and leave my son and nephew alone. I’ll come with you. I’ll let you capture me if you leave them be, and never lay a foot on this island again.”

“You drive a hard bargain. However, I do need you alive. The king wanted you, and the king shall get you. Very well. Seize Silvers Reas only. The rest of these insects can remain on this pathetic island.”

Two soldiers grabbed a hold of Silvers’ arms and began pushing him toward the ship Brock had come in.

“D-dad! Don’t go with them, what are you doing!” shouted his son, stuttering in disbelief.

All while being pushed forward, Silvers turned his head to look at his son one last time before being taken away. “Luck. Don’t do anything rash.”

“Are you kidding! Did you see what you just did!”

“I’m serious. Don’t come after me. I’ll be fine.”

“You don’t know that!”

“Luck. I’ll be fine.”

Luck stared helplessly as his father was boarding the Royal Army’s ship. His lips shook as he failed to find the proper words for such a goodbye, hoping it was not an adieu.

Holding his broken arm nonchalantly, Vice Admiral Brock bowed in direction of the townsfolk. “It was a pleasure doing business with you all. Until next time.”

The final soldiers boarded the ship as it raised anchor, slowly drifting out to sea.

Silvers gave his son a confident wink, smiling. “Look out for Hunter, will you?”

The cousins stayed on the beach, watching Silvers fade over the horizon, engulfed by darkness, incapable, helpless.

“Damn it!” cursed Luck, slamming his fist in the sand.

Braham gathered the strength to speak as his wound was being treated by a doctor who happened to be at the scene. “Listen to your father, Luck… These people are not the kind you want to get involved with… They’re ruthless, cruel, evil.”

Luck stood up and stared in the direction of his father. “Don’t you see, Braham? That’s exactly why I have to get involved. They killed Hunter’s mom, burned down their house. They hurt you, threatened my friends, took my dad. They’ll never stop. I’m going after them, I’m saving my dad, and I’m putting an end to their tyranny.”

“Don’t be a fool! You’ll get yourself killed! How do you expect to stand up to an army, to a king!”

“Dunno. I’ll figure it out on the way. But don’t try to stop me.”

Luck turned around and headed for the cove, where his and Hunter’s ship waited only to be untied from its anchors. He was stopped by Hunter’s hand resting on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry Hunter, but I’m going. I made up my mind already.”

“I know. I’m coming with you.”

“Argh, not you too, Hunter!” cried out Braham. “You boys aren’t thinking!”

“Action now. Thoughts later,” said Luck. “Braham. You’re like a second father to us. You’ve been good to us our whole life, helped us grow into the people we are now. I promise, we aren’t going to die. It would be disrespectful to you and everyone of New Wind Town if we just went and died like a bunch of losers.”

Taina had finally caught her breath from her terrifying encounter with Brock. She approached Braham and put her open hand on her book, almost as if she were swearing an oath on it. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to keep them in line. I won’t let them do anything stupid.”

The cousins’ eyes grew wide. “Taina, you’re… coming?” asked Hunter. “I thought you said you wouldn’t survive at sea.”

“I had a sudden change of heart. Given the circumstances, I can’t very well let you boys go alone. Someone needs to look over you.”

“Awesome!” excitedly exclaimed Luck. “Looks like the gang’s all going.”

“I can’t believe you three,” groaned Braham. “If anything were to happen to you, I would never forgive myself for letting you go.”

“I told you already, we’ll be fine. No one’s getting hurt. Besides, you’re not really in the shape to stop us even if you tried.”

“Come back soon, okay? Safely.”

“Will do.”

“Promise me.”

Luck looked into Braham’s eyes earnestly. “I promise.”

It was on that promise that the trio left New Wind Town and South Breeze Island for the first time in their lives, in the dead of night, driven by a will of fire, determined to achieve the unachievable, ready to take on the world.