Ocean waves crash against the Azure Zephyr’s sturdy bow, drenching the feathered dragon figurehead. A salty sea breeze mixes in with the fresh scent of refurbished wood. On the second level deck, Ryo remains by the ship’s wheel, gazing out at the horizon. A nostalgia feeling washes over his senses, with the scenery overlapping a blurred image of a calm ocean memory. With the salty air lingering around his nose, and each rock of the ship elevates his level of comfort.
On the main deck, Axel leans backwards against the waist high side rail, his head resting back facing the sky. His father’s letter remains unopened, nestled between his right thumb and forefinger. Axel’s mind remains in the middle of a turmoil of memories and beliefs from the past and unknowns of the future. Unable to shake the subconscious pressure, he places the letter in his inner shirt pocket and draws out his sword. With each swing of his sword a fresh image of their farewell from Finn and Remure Village occupies his mind.
Rebuilding of Remure slows to a snail’s pace with the resources continuing to dwindle down to nothing. Smaller shelters house those without homes made from large canopy leaves and cut down trees, while most of the buildings remain as burnt rubble. To keep track most of the supplies have been organized by importance and stretched out for each part of the village. To help ease the burden, Ryo comes back with a bag of meat and other natural resources he managed to collect. However, the attitude of the residents began to sour towards him with each passing day. He passes a small group of villagers and is greeted with stern stares and loud whispers.
“A stranger comes from the sea and now this happens?” A man whispers.
“You know there was also that wind too. Could he be...” A woman responds.
“We need to get rid of him as soon as possible.” Another man whispers between them.
Each of their words reaches Ryo’s ears but he chooses to block them out and proceeds to split the resources he gathered. From behind, a slender hand reaches up and grips his right shoulder.
“It’s bad to sneak up on people you know. I could have attacked you.” Ryo doesn’t look back.
“But you knew I was here the entire time. So, it’s alright.” Theresa pops her head out from behind Ryo with a big grin on her face. Her bright smile washes away the heavy atmosphere and the hostile stares. “I’m sorry about this. Being isolated for so long, I think they view anything unknown as a threat to them.”
Ryo lifts one of the boxes onto a platform and secures it with a rope. “I’m used to it. The stares and the whispers.”
“You remember?” Theresa asks.
“No, it’s a feeling of familiarity. Especially for a person like me.” Ryo stops what he is doing, puzzled by his own words.
“What do you- “
“There you are.” A gentle voice interrupts Therea. Finn approaches them with his cane and Axel lingers a few feet behind him. A severe look of displeasure and annoyance reflected on his face. Finn’s attention turns to Theresa. “I need to speak with them both, and I believe it’s time to give lunch to the children.”
She nods and bows to Ryo. “It was a short while but thank you for saving our home.” She then glances at Axel. “I hope that you both have a safe journey.” With those words, Theresa strolls off waving goodbye to the two men.
“Now then. Both of you need to know who your point of contact will be.” Finn motions to his home. “I can give you the details.”
In the kitchen, Finn sits at the table across from Axel and Ryo. He slides a sealed envelope in front of them.
“So, we need to find this acquaintance of yours?” Axel asks.
“Ahem, of course. He travels for his business but around this time you will find him in Milonite City.”
“Where’s that?”
“West of the island, probably about two days by ship.” Finn explains.
Axel jumps up from his chair. “What makes you think this guy will help us?! I’m not about to waste my time on a wild goose hunt. This village needs repairs now! I still think that we would be able to steal-!”
Thud!
Finn slams the bottom of his cane to the floor.
“That’s enough!” His stern cold voice silences Axel. “Our village will not resort to barbaric means to survive.”
Axel clicks its tongue.
“It seems that you are still too inexperienced to be making that type of judgement. Hopefully this journey will mature that mindset of yours.” Finn says.
“I’m not a child anymore!” Axel storms out of the room.
“Then stop acting like one.” Finn mutters to himself then looks at Ryo. “Are you ready for this too?”
Ryo rises to his feet. “He needs someone to watch him. That kid is a loose cannon.”
Finn chuckles. “Yes, that’s true but he also hides some good potential. Be sure to keep an eye on him. Also good luck with claiming your past.”
Ryo bows his head and exits the room, leaving Finn by himself. He leans back in the chair, staring up at the ceiling. “Maybe it is fate.”
Back in the present, a wooden sword lands at Axel’s feet. His wandering mind breaks out of its cloudiness and Axel’s eyes meet Ryo’s gaze. In his right hand, another wooden sword rests at Ryo’s side. Confusion snaps him back to reality as he quickly glances between Ryo, the ship’s wheel and back again.
“Are you crazy? Who is controlling this ship?” Axel snaps at him.
Unfazed, Ryo raises his sword. “The course is already set. Pick up the sword and focus on what’s in front of you.”
Axel puts his metal sword on a nearby barrel and picks up the wooden one. He begins in a unorthodox position with his sword raised to his eye level and his right foot in front of his left. Ryo’s eyes scan him from head to toe and he readjusts himself with a step backwards. Almost as to toy with him, Ryo brings his sword down in a mocking slow pace.
“Are you insulting me?” Axel grits his teeth. He lunges at Ryo with a forward thrust and uppercut, however Ryo’s previous strike changes mid-swing. The sword shoots upward and slams into the bottom of Axel’s. The sheer force knocks Axel backwards a few feet, slamming his back onto the ship’s deck.
“At your level…it hardly qualifies as a challenge.” Ryo changes his position with the sword downwards and his stance wider. Axel unleashes a set of barrage attacks at Ryo; however, he deflects every assault. Each failed attempt weakened Axel’s grip on his sword, until finally the sword is knocked from Axel’s hands.
“That battle before…it was sheer luck. Your current strength proves it.” Ryo prepares his attack stance again. “With no foundation, even natural talent will only get you so far.”
“What do you know!?” Axel retrieves his sword.
“You think I’m wrong? Then prove it. Defeat me.” Ryo brings his sword upwards for another attack. “Now begin!”
Overhead the sun disappears behind a gray overcast. Swells in the sea grow larger and in the distance a storm looms towards the horizon.
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