The wave of terror washed over the ship, and many of the Candidates clenched their fists in frustration. They looked up at the ceiling and wondered who would be mad enough to face such a foe. 

Duke and Raymond’s ghosts stood on the deck and watched carefully. Priya joined them, and Gloria followed shortly.

“Has the battle begun yet?” the golden eyed woman asked. “No, it has just begun.” Mdu replied. “Hmm? Your decision to descend. Was it because you knew your brother would succeed or is it in case he doesn’t? His decision to attack. Is it because he knew you would submerge or because you decided it?” Priya asked curiously and Gloria giggled.

“I would prefer to let my brother decide, if he wants to share what his eyes see.” Raymond replied and Priya let out a wheezy laugh. 

“My apologies for prying. My curiosity got the better of me.” The blue-eyed woman said, and she stared at the sky.

“Why did you ask though? Do you not have the same eyes?” Clyde asked, and Gloria giggled again. Priya folded her arms and tilted her head to the side. Clyde’s eyes flared. “Her movements are just like his. Do the blue eyes look into the past?” he wondered.

“My apologies, but I don’t think I want to answer that. I have the same eyes after all.” Priya replies and she unintentionally made Gloria and Kenpachi laugh.

“An excellent answer.” Duke commented wih a nod and Raymond chuckled. “Agreed. You are a delight.” The golden eyed woman added.

“More secrets, riddles, mysteries and misinterpretations.” Regius muttered under his breath. “What are they doing?” Mdu asked, and his red eyes flared. “Were the soul catchers prepared?” Duke asked Raymond privately. “Yes. However, we weren’t outfitted with a Spawner.” The three-horned man replied, and his brother opened his eyes.

“Have they lost their minds?” Hugo asked, and Jabu laughed. “No, this is what happens when we keep secrets from our own people. This is the price we must pay for our selfishness. This is the ugly truth behind a world of magic.” Regius rumbled stoically and the eight Candidates, who had followed Kagiso, died instantly.

“Then let it be so.” Gloria replied coldly. “How many more need to die?” Regius shouted, and Duke closed his eyes. “The shadows have claimed their souls. They have returned home to the darkness honourably.” He said and the golden eyed woman nodded.

“Good. Then we will see them again.” Gloria added. Kenpachi and many others nodded proudly, and Clyde shook his head. “Home? See them again? Have you gone mad as well? They didn’t stand a chance. What honour is there in such a meaningless death?” he asked angrily.

“Clyde. You were sired, weren’t you? The Emerald Isles are a new territory if I am not mistaken.” Priya asked, and Clyde’s eyes flared. “Simmer down. I do not permit petty brawls on my ship.” Raymond said threateningly and his eyes glowed.

“Tell me something, Clyde of the Emerald Isles. Would you prefer to be granted power or to earn it? To have your status and standing lorded over you or to become a lord yourself.” Duke rumbled stoically and the one-horned man was left speechless.

“I see now. I will always be an outsider. No, not just me. We are just…different. Am I too human? Should I just throw everything that I am away? Look at them. Taller, bigger, smarter. They are highly decorated veterans well passed their awakenings. We are just children playing Dragon. We are at the starting line, while they are approaching Ascension. They will spread their wings and soar, while we are left to crawl through the mud. Is it wrong to ask for their help? Aren’t we supposed to help the weak? Is it wrong to be weak?” Clyde wondered as he looked around.

“You look troubled. Come with me. There is something I want you to see.” Kenpachi whispered before his ghost fell through the deck of the ship. Mdu glanced at his brothers as they dropped into the ship. He turned his attention back to Jane and her battle.

The Candidates watched over the battle enviously. The remaining trio brought down the sea monster’s shields. A barrage of faint explosions reached their ears and a fiery arc lit up the sky. The waves splashed over the taffrail and the terrifying presence disappeared. The ghosts clenched their fists in frustration. They descended with the ship and returned to their bodies.

*

“Wait! Don’t destroy its cells yet!” Mei screamed, and a chill ran down Kagiso’s spine. The golden eyed woman raced around the sea monster. She flew through it several times and returned with many tissue samples.

“Alright. You can dispose of the carcass now.” Mei said callously and the change in her demeanour surprised Jane. Kagiso raised his sceptre and his eyes glowed. “Wait! I need more samples.” The golden eyes woman said and the two-horned man sighed.

“Hurry up. Some creatures don’t die gracefully.” Jane instructed warily and she scanned the lifeless giant. “That’s exactly what I am trying to figure out. I think this creature was born, not created. An immortal monster. Can you imagine that?” Mei asked gleefully, and Kagiso gripped his sceptre tightly.

“Are you certain?” the two-horned man asked and Jane glanced at him. “Why-““-yes. He had parents…and siblings, possibly. They’re evolving.” Mei said in between breaths. The two-horned woman pointed her sword at the giant corpse and a burst of glittery fire erupted from the marble sized sparkly sphere at the tip of her sword. The hellishly hot flames incinerated the sea monster and the surrounding air.

“I guess these samples will have to do.” Mei muttered under her breath. Kagiso laughed, and Jane watched the giant burn. “So, there are more you say? Let’s hope we run into their nest along the way.” She said with a menacing glare.

“I hope not. It would be nice to see if they can live peacefully.” The golden eyed woman replied, and she flew back to the ship. “Why? Once a monster, always a monster. It cannot change what it is. The sickness is in its cells. Even the most well-intentioned ones will succumb to the corruption.” The two-horned woman said and she sheath her sword.

“Then the same could be said of us. Our power lies in our cells. How do you know you aren’t being corrupted.” Mei asked, and Jane laughed. “Because of our spirits. The fact Mana, Chi, Chakra, Ki, Prana, Life Force exists proves that we are more than our bodies. That thing did not have a shred of a soul. It was just a husk. A biological machine that needed to be put down.” The two-horned woman answered.

“What if we gave it a soul? What if someone infused it with Mana and made the impossible possible?” Mei asked in disbelief. 

“A fool’s errand. Why give life to a stone? Don’t forget to send my copy of the report, when you are done with your inquiry. I like to read in the bath, and I always bathe after a battle.” Jane instructed seductively and the golden eyed woman rolled her eyes.