We had barely finished setting the table when Dominic arrived. Next to him was a man of about 30 years old, a little shorter than Dominic, with dark brown beard and short light brown hair and dark skin. His eyes were the same color as his hairs, and he kept a charismatic expression. As soon as they entered, they came towards us. Just like with Dominic and Joseph, I immediately had a good feeling for Heath.

-Heath, -Dominic said. -This is Joseph Greyston.

-Pleasure. -Spoke Heath while shaking Joseph's hand.

-The pleasure is mine. -Jose reciprocated the squeeze.

-And this... -Spoke Dominic again, now addressing me. -Is Althea.

-Althea! Very nice to meet you. -he said, smiling.

-The same! -I replied sincerely. -How is the construction of the ship going?

-It will be ready in less than two days. Heath is an excellent carpenter. -replied Dominic.

-If you say so. But the ship is a little different from the initial project, a little bigger and with two rooms more. Due to the "urgency" we had to use another ship semi-ready for this project. I hope you like it. -Heath said sitting down with Dominic next to me. -The kitchen is wonderful, as is the dining room. We just got back from town. We were selecting and ordering all kinds of things to put on the ship such as kitchen equipment, furniture and ammunition for the cannons as well. In the end, we even managed to get a fortepiano!

-A piano? -I asked. Since I was a child, I loved music, but I had never seen a real piano.

-Yes, of course! A ship must have music. -laughed Joseph putting the food on the table.

-Dominic is a wonderful pianist and Joseph is right: a ship without music is not complete. -Heath said. I saw Dominic shaking his head, flushed and with a shy smile.

-Ah! I didn't know that! You'll have to play it for me. I love music. -I spoke with a look in my eyes that I already knew was irresistible to Dominic. He never denied anything to me when I looked at him that way.

-That's not fair. I can't say no. -he responded smiling at me.

The dinner was wonderful. Joseph and Heath seemed to unite against Dominic, and everything was a reason to make fun of him, which made me laugh non-stop. It was as if they had known each other for years. When Dominic gave up on them, they asked my opinion on the matter and things only got worse for his side. It was an unforgettable night and time passed very quickly. Unfortunately, Heath had to go back to the city, and we let him go unwillingly. After saying goodbye to him I went back to the boat and tidied up the kitchen. Dominic and Joseph stayed outside for a while persuading Heath to join our crew. I could hear the three of them screaming from afar, laughing and discussing the pros and cons of a life at the sea. Finally, Heath couldn't delay anymore and left. Joseph stood outside on watch and Dominic came in and helped me wash the dishes.

-So, tell me, did you like Heath? -he asked while hiding the plates in the cabinets.

-Absolutely! He is very funny. You guys have known each other for a long time, right?

-I didn't find anything funny, but yes, we met a few years ago. He built a ship for me before. He was very happy when he found out that I left the navy, so I think I'll be able to convince him to join our crew. He still doesn't know who you are, but he believes in the hope that someday the other Descendant will appear to lead the revolution and when he hears that you are that person, I am sure he will fight together with us. -he spoke smilingly.

-It would be great to have him with us. Besides being a great person, he is a carpenter, which is very useful.

-Yes, but not only that. He also has skills like us. Do you know what a Transmuter is?

-A what?

-Transmuter. It is a kind of beast-man, resulting from a transmutation made by an inexperienced alchemist. -explained Dominic. I cast a glance from one who understood absolutely nothing, and he began to look for words to explain it to me in a simple way. If I were him, I would have given up on myself.

-Alchemist is a person who uses nature, chemistry, and stones in his favor. It is a kind of magic, you could say. You will only fully understand when you see a real alchemist. When a person cannot master alchemy and yet uses it, things can come out wrong and other people end up hit by their mistake, which is Heath's case. When he was little, his parents tried to use alchemy to cure a degenerative disease that he had since the day he was born. But something went wrong, and Heath ended up hit. He was very lucky that he did not die, since it is very rare to see a survivor of a wrong transmutation. From then, he has the ability to transform himself into... something different. He can also regenerate very quickly and his illness was cured. The navy has been hunting him because of it. They are looking for Transmuters all over the world to convince them to join their troops.

-Interesting. -I said while storing the information in my head. -Every day that passes the world surprises me even more. I've lost a lot of time in my life.

-Yes. It must be very complicated for you to get used to the madness that exists in this world. Since I was a child I have kept in touch with these things and even today I am surprised. It's good that we bought hundreds of books to take on our trip. I think you will find each one very interesting.

I opened a gigantic smile.

-I will read them as fast as possible so I can read even more later.

-You don't have to rush! You will have plenty of time to read them and much more. Our journey will take longer than you can imagine. -said Dominic. -Alas, I think I have a book stored somewhere here. I've never read it. What do you think? Would you like to take a look at it?

-Sure! I already finished the books that Joseph showed me, so I am in need of more material. -I answered happily.

We entered the room where Dominic and Joseph slept to look for the book. The room was much bigger than I imagined, but it was frighteningly messy. Still, he found the object in a matter of seconds. We went downstairs and sat on the couch to read. It was an interesting story about pirates. We read about 60 pages my eyes started to close. Dominic then took me to my room, organized my bed and forced me lay and rest.

I had another dream that night.

We were in a desert place, with few trees, covered by sand and Dominic was with two swords wielded. On the ground around us were six men, lifeless. I recognized Joseph and Heath among the dead and gave a shout.

-Althea, run! Get out of here now. -shouted Dominic in anger in front of me.

However, I could not move. Tears flowed down my face and my legs weakened making me fall to the ground. Suddenly, a man stood before Dominic, a man I had dreamed of before. Something gave me strength and I got up, standing between Dominic and the man.

-I will not allow you to hurt him. -I threatened. Dominic was trying to get me out of there, but I wouldn't move. For some reason I knew that man was dangerous and that he would kill Dominic without any mercy.

-Althea, don't do it. I'm not worth it. You must escape. -he spoke in despair.

-She knows I won't kill her, but I can't say the same about you, you traitorous bastard. -Grunt the man, with an angelic voice.

-Run Dominic! You can't die like this. -I spoke losing my voice, crying in despair.

-It's time to end it. -the man said, laughing. He raised his hands and I pushed Dominic away, putting myself in a counter-attack position. The man and I started fighting and I realized that his powers were exactly the same as mine, but much stronger.

He insisted on getting me out of the way and attacking Dominic, yet I did all I could to stop him. I used my powers beyond my limit and fought harder than I had ever used before. The few trees around us caught fire and everything was being destroyed. That's when I lost control.

Energy was pouring out of me and the pain was enormous. Neither Dominic nor the man could deviate from my attacks and I could not stop. I was killing them both. The more I tried to stop, the more I attacked them, and the pain increased making me scream.

I woke up with a jump, hitting my head on a shelf above and knocking down a series of objects. I stood there, sitting on the bed while trying to convince myself that it was just a dream. Suddenly, the doors were opened, and Dominic appeared in front of me, with an alert expression. I had made more noise than I imagined.

-I'm fine. -I said, before he asked. Just seeing him there made me calmer and my heart slowed down a bit.

-What happened? -he asked, now looking calmer and approaching me.

-Only a bad dream. -I answered shaking my head.

-For a moment I thought you were being attacked. Joseph is still out there guarding, and I thought it was impossible for anyone to go unnoticed, unless they could defeat him. -he said, now pulling himself a chair and sitting close to me. I felt a hint of guilty for making him worried. -Tell me about your dream.

I told him all the details, from the bodies on the ground to the moment where I killed him. I shivered at every word I said, but Dominic seemed to have the power to calm me down. Every time I shivered, he held my hand. After I finished, we remained silent for a time while Dominic seemed to be reflecting. Then he looked at me and gave a smile that ended all my worries. I was finally convinced it was just a nightmare. We stood there for some time and then we went upstairs, calling for Joseph to join us.

I got ready after I finished eating and the three of us went straight to the city to meet Heath. I was bursting with excitement since it was the first time I was going to see the ship I would be calling “home” for the years to come.

The streets of Lyrus were again full of people, who walked frantically from one side to the other, entering and exiting the stores with bags in their hands. I stood between Dominic and Joseph, holding their arms so as not to get lost in that crowd, just like a child. Wherever I walked, I attracted trouble and in the middle of them I was safer. They also seemed to have noticed that.

After walking for about ten minutes, we arrived at the port where the immense shipyards were located. It was an indescribable place, surrounded by gigantic walls. We turned left and arrived at the shipyard that belonged to Heath. It was as big as the others around us. Before we entered, I looked at the coast and saw from afar about eight navy ships docked. I ignored that fact as Joseph did and passed by the shipyard door just after Dominic.

The first thing I saw was a huge ship which seemed to be almost ready, except for the need for some fixing in the painting. I then came across the smiling figure of Heath who greeted us. There were hundreds of men in that place, working hard on the boats and ships that spread everywhere.

-Did you like the exterior? -Heath asked, while pointing to the biggest ship.

-Absolutely! -I spoke, jumping out of anxiety. The ship had a half classical style, half modern, made entirely of dark wood. The hull had spiral-shaped frames and besides the detailed finishing, the ship had three masts and beautiful bear sculptures on the front. -It's magnificent!

-Wait until you see the inside. -Spoke Dominic, as excited as I was.

We climbed a platform that led directly to the deck of the ship. On it there were several spaces for resting outdoors. We did not wait another second to enter the cabin.

In the main cabin was the ship's command room where in the future, the captain would control the vessel's course. Next, there was a was a huge modern-styled room with gray walls, sofas and with the capacity for more than twenty people. There was a fireplace in the corner of the room and a carpet in the center of it, with cushions that matched the environment. Passing through this place, we arrived at another room where a beautiful black piano was centered. There was also a record player on the right side and a shelf with several records. I couldn't stop being surprised and all I could say was "perfect".

We then went to a corridor that led us directly to two wooden doors with more hand carved designs. When Heath opened it, I came across a giant round room, composed of shelves full of books and tables for study in the middle of it.

-Better than I imagined. -Joseph said in amazement at the perfection of that place.

Soon after, we moved to the rooms on the lower floor. We saw one by one, all very spacious, but each had a different decoration. At the end of the hall was the last room which Heath said was destined for me, since it was easily accessible and had been designed to avoid possible accidents.

I had to use all my self-control to not cry at that moment. Heath didn't know about my past, so he certainly wouldn't understand my emotion. It was the first time in my life that I had a room of my own. Designed for me. As I crossed the wooden door, my heart almost exploded. It was absolutely perfect. The place had a double bed, covered with blue pillows. There was also a wooden closet, with a mirror on one of its doors. To the right, there were two sofas, with a gray carpet between them and more pillows. Finally, there was a desk leaning against the wall, next to the big window.

-Dominic warned me about your little problem of balance. We then decided to cover this place with pillows. -Spoke Heath, laughing like crazy at the sight of my hateful gaze directed at Dominic. My face blushed with shame.

As we left the room, Heath pointed out that there were 4 bathrooms on that floor, and another 3 on the floor upstairs.

Finally, we went back to the first floor and saw the kitchen, the warehouse, the arsenal, and other rooms still without a specific purpose. There was another third floor on the ship, but Heath explained that it was incomplete, and that we could visit it later.

We then returned down to the shipyard and the men went back to work.

-It is absolutely amazing! I've never been on a ship like this before. Much bigger than I imagined. -I spoke in a cheerful voice.

-Indeed. -Joseph agreed. -I can't wait to travel in it. When will it be ready?

-Tomorrow in the morning I expect. -Sayed Heath smiling as always.

-So fast? – questioned Dominic surprised.

-Special service for special customers. - smiled Heath.

-What about you? Have you thought about our proposal? -Joseph asked. Heath's expression changed to one of uncertainty.

-I don't know yet. Where exactly are you going? And for what purpose? I know it's dangerous to stay here and I also know that at any moment the navy can invade my shipyard and arrest me, but it's not so easy to give up everything to embark on a journey without return. -he answered with the feeling of doubt inserted in every word said.

-Tonight, will you be free for another dinner with friends? -asked Dominic.

-Sure! It is agreed. I'll come by later. -he answered.

-We will take our way in this case. Thank you for the tour. -Spoke Joseph. -We see you later.