The moon emerged from dark clouds. Its light mixed with the lanterns and torches that reflected in the all surrounding waters of Wasserstadt.

The scent of it was something that the locals were accustomed to; alas it was not the case for the dark-haired boy with a keen sense of smell. Even though he was here a full day already, the foul odor was something he could not get used to.

Still, the lively atmosphere and the songs that echoed throughout numerous opened-type wooden pubs with roofs of hay were more than enough to make up for it.

“This was great,” Dyus ate the last bite and then took a sip of beer for good measure.

“Yeah..” said Anciel, his meal half finished. The stress got to him and he just couldn't bring himself to eat while one of his friends was missing and the other one's life hung on a string.

He didn't want to be left in anyone's debt. Especially not to a man who saved his life and a mother who he had promised he’ll take care of her son.

Artaxes didn't eat. He didn't touch his beer either.

The boy found him very odd, although he knew better than to poke at a sleeping lion.

“Something happened to him,” Anciel stated frowning.

“Yeah, he got lost. It's a big city,” Dyus took another sip.

“No. You don't understand. It's not unlike him to get lost. It's unlike him not to make everyone around aware of his presence.

If he was alright, there would be people who saw him or heard about him at least. And yet, since the doctor, no trace...

Something happened to him while he was looking for the cure.”

“You sound pretty sure... Look, we have to go to the docks if we're to take sail today anyway. Ready to roll?” the young man asked Anciel. It seems he didn't forget what he promised.

“Yeah, I can't waste another minute. I wasted the day looking around but couldn't find Marcus or the fruit needed for the antidote, so the only option I have left is to go to Moca and get it myself. Otherwise, Noix might be left paralyzed for the rest of his life.”

“Yeah, you're right. Fate could reward us if we do some good,” the yellow-clad teen stood up, gulping the rest of his beer down.

Anciel didn't believe in fate, or karma for that matter. His thoughts on superstition were that there is only what you bring yourself, be it joy or misfortune.

As they exited the pub, a group of six people was approaching them.

There were four, clad mostly in white uniforms.

They were of all kinds of age and had a set of different short and long-range weapons, all serious to a fault, except a boy not much older than Anciel. He was dressed in a long red kimono adorned with a flower pattern and was whistling, lost in thought.

Another man in the group stood out. He had a peculiar hairstyle; spiky and light blue, reminding Anciel of Noix. Was that a trend? No. There must have been more to it. His eyes were also yellow and his long coat blue, although different in shape; very concealing, with large sleeves, the bottom part almost touching the floor, as well as the collar that covered the man's mouth fully.

“This could be trouble,” Dyus suddenly stopped and grabbed the boy by his shoulder; “Let's move out of the way and let them pass. Trust me.”

The three of them moved up to the wall to let the incoming group inside the pub.

As the group almost passed them, the boy in red stopped and so did everyone else, as if he ordered them without any words.

All except the man in blue; he continued towards the pub, not even looking back.

The boy didn't whistle anymore. He just casually removed a lock of his long chestnut hair from his face, simultaneously turning towards Anciel.

What's his problem? Anciel noticed the boy is checking out his newfound sword; the black and red katana.

“Where did you get this?” he met the green-eyed boy's gaze with his two same-colored ones; they were slender shaped which was a typical feature for people from Toukoku.

“I bought it,” Anciel lied.

“Can you use it?” the boy asked, gripping the hilt of his own katana.

Anciel didn't notice it sooner, but the boy had a very similar weapon.

Similar but a lot longer.

“I can handle myself. If needed,” the black-haired boy didn't show fear, although he was a little shaken up.

“Katchimaru. Move it,” the tall, spiky-haired man ordered, still facing the bar.

“Tsk,” Katchimaru hissed while brushing through the hair with his palm.

The group continued moving forward and Dyus let out a sigh of relief; “Phew... there's no need to draw attention to us you know.”

But just as they thought that the moment had passed; the kimono-wearing boy turned around lightning fast, drawing his blade at the same time.

!!!

Anciel stood frozen, unable to move. He felt the warmth of blood dripping on his neck, but no pain to go with it.

Katchimaru was standing halfway through the slashing motion, gripping his katana strongly.

The rest of people didn't even manage to bat an eyelid.

All but one: Artaxes. He was holding the long katana's blade just as it was about to penetrate Anciel’s skin.

“What are you doing?” the tall man asked over his shoulder.

“I just wanted to check,” Katchimaru explained, retracting his katana slowly and sheathing it; “I wanted to see if he will evade. If he was a nomad, he probably would.”

Artaxes had let the blade go, wordlessly taking the usual arms-crossed pose alongside Dyus.

The fact that he didn't block this vicious strike didn't make Anciel feel any better. On the contrary, the fact that he didn't even manage to grip his hilt in order to start blocking before his head would go flying; it made him frozen with fear.

Just what kind of insane sword-drawing technique was this?

“We caught one today already. Master Anguis thinks he’s one. It seems his name is Label, just as the prophecy foretold,” the blue man continued walking.

Anciel’s eyes widened when he heard that. He wanted to grab them by the neck and shake the answers out of them, but he had to remain calm.

“Ye stirrin’ trouble?” asked a girl from behind a musket pointed right at Katchimaru's head.

He was about to reach for his blade when he heard a *click* and felt the barrel pressing on his head a bit harder. He didn't even notice her approaching him from his blindside.

“Don't stir either hand nor foot,” she got the gun ready to fire; “Even ye ain' faster than a bullet,” she had a smile on her face.

Unable to have a proper look at her, Katchimaru gave an order with the tip of his fingers and the four men clad in white pointed their various weapons at the girl.

She in return made a high pitch whistle. On the roofs surrounding the area, a bunch of rifles and muskets could be heard getting ready to fire at any moment, sabers and cutlasses unsheathing from inside the bar as well.

The area got surrounded by an unknown number of pirates in a matter of seconds.

One could even guess they were already there, just reacting to her call.

The blue man finally turned around, unable to ignore the unfolding events further; “Rose Rouge de Mai, the daughter of Rose Blanche d'Avril... Please excuse my subordinate's behavior. We will make sure he is disciplined accordingly.”

“And ye arr?, the girl turned to him. She was of average height, slender, and had a well-shaped body, very proportionate. Somewhere between Dyus's and Anciel's age.

Long crimson hair, wavy like the sea, with a few curls and bangs.

She had an eye patch, but her other eye was so green and gorgeous that it made up for the loss.

She wore simple black pirate boots with a buckle, white stockings, and blue puffy short pants held with a belt that had a sword sheathed and a musket holster attached.

So far a typical pirate getup, but then again a personal touch of the uncovered belly and just a blue blouse tied up directly over the breasts.

On top, a crimson red long sleeves jacket and a pirate hat to top it off.

“My name is Nexus. We are the Serpent Forces,” he didn't move as he recited that, his voice unchanging.

“On a hunt for nomads?” it was obvious she wasn't stupid despite her age.

“Bend ye ear to this; Wasserstadt is a city of freedom,” a big dark man boasting a bushy black beard came and stood next to her, “Ye lot ain't welcome here if ye gonna' be huntin' down folk, mind you.”

“Ye said it, Bllack,” Mai looked all the braver now that her first mate got her back.

“Ye said it,” an orange parrot with green patches on its wings and black feathers that looked kind of like a beard flew and sat on his shoulder.

Nexus nodded in approval; “The Ambassador of Emnikatia is currently signing a treaty with the Grand Captain of Wasserstadt. The last thing we want is an international scandal right now. You can rest assured we mean no harm.”

Katchimaru raised both of his hands in the air, showing that he has no more interest to fight. The rest of his group followed suit by holstering their weapons.

The parrot, seeing his katana as a landing point, flew to him and sat on the hilt.

As the girl removed the musket, he turned to look her in the eye.

His piercing gaze didn't bother her, as she continued smiling with confidence.

He tried to touch her locks but a swift beak on the wrist made him think it over.

“Thank ye, Koko,” Mai nodded at the parrot.

“Your hair looks like it's on fire. It is art, and makes me envious,” he exclaimed, leaving everyone baffled.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk..” Nexus closed his eyes and shook his head, continuing towards the bar, ordering a drink. The rest of the group followed him, all except Katchimaru, that is, who was standing still, not to scare away the orange parrot.

“Koko! C’mere,” Bllack called his bird, and the boy only then strolled away, after the others.

“Haw's ye paw?” she turned to Artaxes, grabbing his arm gently. He just stood there silently, not minding the attention.

“He likes you,” Dyus explained.

“He likes you, he likes you!”

The pirate girl looked at the teen, examining his odd clothes. Then, she turned to Anciel and pat him on the head.

“Rose Rouge de Mai's me name, but me mates call me Mai. Pleased to make yer acquaintance!” she took her hat down.

“I'm Dyus and this is Artaxes,” he nodded towards the tall orgriash.

“My name is Anciel. Thanks for helping us,” he bowed as usual, yet even deeper this time.

“Be easy. Nomads or no, feel free to stay as ye like. All's welcome in Wasserstss... Wassrstaah..” even with her thick accent she couldn't pronounce it right.

“Wasserstadt,” Koko helped her, looking rather disappointed.

It reminded the boy of someone else he knew and that made him chuckle a bit.

The other pirates found it to be funny and even cute as well since she was so fearless otherwise.

The black forest man came and grabbed her into a hug; “Come hither. I'll make ye drunk enough so ye can say it right!”

Everyone's laughter mixed with the lively music from the bar started to fill the night again.