In the middle of the city square, a large crowd gathers in front of a newly built twenty-five-foot wooden platform. It sits just in front of a dirt path that travels up the nearby hill, leading to both a two-story mansion and the prison. A few workers continue to hammer away at the bottom beams and smaller stairs attached to each side of it. From below, people stare at three square trap doors hanging open by metal hingers. Whispers spread among the people, most trying to figure out what something like that is doing there in the first place. In the far back, Axel pushes his way through to reach close enough to see the structure himself. The color drains from his face.

“What is that?” Axel scans the structure. Ryo comes up beside him.

“That is called an execution platform.” A voice rises from behind them. Axel and Ryo turn back to see Vince already in another merchant disguise.

“E-execution?” The word sends chills down Axel’s spine. For Ryo though it ignites a quiet storm deep inside. However, Axel can’t help but notice a surprised look on Vince’s face.

“Those aren’t even supposed to be around anymore. Why did they build one here?” Vince continues.

“What do you mean?” Axel asks.

“It was shortly after the Pirate War. Since it was decided that they were all be wiped out the King of Lunestra did see the need to keep those platforms around. All of them were dismantled.”

“Pirate War? So now another one was built?” Axel watches the workers finish up the last part of the platform.

Whispers rise throughout the crowd, anticipation of what happens next hooks a lot of the citizens attention. Ding! Dong! The same bell as before rings out across the square. Next to the platform a man steps out from one of the buildings. He wears a white dress coat with buttons down in the center. The man’s hair is combed back giving off a neat and perfected posture. Behind him, soldiers, some of the same from earlier that day stay a few feet behind him. With both hands behind his back, he steps forward staring out over the crowd.

“Ahem.” He clears his throat. “Citizens! My name is Xander Cross, the acting secretary of Adam Rifenrdale! I have come to you today to finally share the recent developments of our investigation!” People in the growing crowd glance at each other, their uneasiness grows from Xander’s words. “We have found the pirates who choose to hide in the shadows waiting to attack this peaceful city! Many of them have confessed to their crimes and have been dealt with. However, we feel that an example needs to be set in case any more are hiding out there!”

His commanding voice displays a confident and honest man that’s passionate about finding the truth. “I have talked to Mr. Rifenrdale, and he agrees that death is the only solution to this problem!”

“What!?” Axel jumps from the shout next to him. He catches Vince’s confused but shocked expression.

“All those years ago we thought that the pirates were defeated but now these evil individuals have come to this city, threatening it! We will put them to death here in two days!” Xander looks up over the crowd. “I now say this to those snakes hiding in the shadows. Turn yourselves in and we may spare your comrades from a public humiliation!” He fixes his collar. “Ahem. We are committed to protecting this place, so I urge the citizens if they have any information, please tell our patrolling soldiers.” He bows, bending one of his arms under his midsection. Murmurs rise over the crowd. It’s hard to hide the growing suspicion rising between each citizen and their neighbor.

Between them Ryo looks down at his hands. His eyes wavering in and out of focus. A wave of darkness washes over his body. The atmosphere twists and distorts into an open space of shimmering shadows. His head pounds like a beating drum, and from the darkness, the execution platform dissolves into a metallic stand. Balls of darker shapes fly around the area hitting multiple spots on the ground. From their impact, humanoid shadows emerge gathering around the stand like moths to a flame. Ryo stares at one of the figures on top of stand, next to it multiple others appear shackled to each other by their hands and feet.

A desperation to top this madness swells up within the pit of his stomach. They’re innocent, they didn’t do anything wrong! Why are they being published? This isn’t fair, it ISN’T fair! The words echo in his mind, like they belong to someone completely different. Around him, loud shouts of anger rise from the other shadows. First, they overlapped creating incoherent noise but become melted into one constant shout. PIRATES DIE! PIRATES DIE! A cold wind ices over everything, freezing his feet in place. Sweating runs down his face, he struggles to push forward, desperate to reach those in front of him.

One by one the chained individuals fall downwards, disappearing into the depths of nothingness. With each fall, the cheers from the crowd grow louder. Ryo’s heartbeat quickens, through this panic his chest tightens in a vice grip. He looks down to see a snaking shadow crawl up both of his legs. Help me….what did I do wrong? A weak voice drowns out the rest of the yelling. One small shadow from the stand struggles to stand up straight. It wasn’t me…why did they attack us…mom…dad. It weeps with the executioner approaching. Anger bubbles in Ryo’s heart, it feels like his body is no longer his own. Whoever it is throws his arms out in front of himself, desperate to reach out to that weak voice. Unfortunately, the shadow like the rest disappears into the depths of oblivion. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! He cries out unleashing a wave of anger and sadness.

“Ryo? RYO!”

Ryo’s eyes snap open. Axel stares at him with concern, the same expression appears on Vince’s face too. He tries to catch his breath, glancing down at his balled-up hands. Blood drops from his fingernails digging into his skin.

“What the hell happened?” Axel grips Ryo around his shoulders. Unable to utter one word, Ryo can only muster shaking his head back and forth. Most of his energy feels drained from his body. Whatever vision just happened, it felt so real but also like a fleeting nightmare that’s been haunting him all his life.

“This doesn’t make any sense.” Vince speaks up. “There is no way Adam agreed to that.”

“Do you know this mayor?” Axel asks him.

“Yes, and he wouldn’t do something like this.”

Ryo relaxes his grip. The hairs on the back of his neck stand up. A pair of eyes somewhere in the crowd is watching them. He subtly turns his gaze scanning the groups closest to their position. Focusing his vision further, Ryo manages to catch a few figures in cloaks disappearing into the sea of people. He taps Axel’s on the shoulder.

“What is it?” Axel turns to him.

“We have eyes on us.” Ryo’s eyes don’t break contact in the direction the individuals disappear in.

“I think we should follow them.” Vince tells them. “Maybe they know what’s going on.”

All three tail the suspicious people until they reach a rustic bar nestled just outside one of the older parts of the city. “Lorgan’s Hub” reads the sign just above the double door entrance. From outside the loud chatter and shouts from the patrons reveal it’s the busiest time of the day for business. The cloak men sneak into the doors after glancing over their shoulders. Vince, Axel and Ryo wait a few moments before they enter.

Inside, every table is occupied with a person either drinking their night away or stuffing their faces with greasy food. The chatter and laughter don’t give any room for someone to collect their thoughts. They try to see where the men disappear to but its just impossible with the constant moving crowds. At the long bar table, the loud roar of laughter catches their attention. In the center  a rough scar covered man leans back against the bar, his arms sloped over the countertop. The bartender pushes a mug down the wooden surface into his outstretched hand. Another man just next to him pushes a chair to join him.

“So that was when I shoved his sorry ass into the window. I guess he won’t be bothering me anymore.” This rough man shares his story to a crowd of patrons. He chugs down his beer in one gulp. “Bartender another please!” He hoists the empty mug up. The man next to him switches them out with another full one.

“And so, I…” He trails off catching sight of Vince, Ryo and Axel standing in the center of the floor. “Well, well, looks like we had some lost lambs that came wandering into the wolves den.” He snickers, joined in by the rest of the group.

Axel feels some anger bubble from the taunt, he stomps over to the man and points at him. “Hey! You have some to say, say it to my face.” Behind him Vince and Ryo both facepalm at his outburst.

“He is going to get hurt.” Vince whispers.

“Never mind hurt, that guy is going to rip him apart.” Ryo responds. 

“AHAHAHA,” Contrary to their worst fears, a louder laugh escapes the man’s mouth. “It seems this lamb has some bit. I like it!” He downs a second beer. With his sleeve, he wipes the foam from his mouth.

“What brings you here? I’m feeling generous enough to hear out your reason.” He rests his elbow on his raised knee.

Before Axel could speak again, Ryo placed his hand over Axel’s mouth to shut him up. “Hmph. Hm!”

Vince speaks in his place. “We are here following some suspicious individuals. They disappeared into the crowd. I’m assuming they are with you?”

Amusement builds on the man’s face. “And what makes you think that?” His low voice comes out as a growl.

The noise around them grows quiet. Ryo’s eyes scan from one person to another. Briefly he picks out three individuals that match the same height and build as their targets.

“Look, apparently there is pirate activity in this city, and they looked out of place. We just wanted to ask them a few questions.” Ryo says to the man.

The man bellows out laughing, drawing the attention of every patron in the bar. “Pirates? That’s a load of bull.” He picks up his refilled beer, chugging it down in another gulp. “Look no further. My name is Rongz, I’m the leader of the resistance in the city. Apparently, I’m also the leader of the pirates you are looking for.” His smile widens.