I was alone, the only thing keeping me from throwing myself into the cold ocean was the warmth of my knives against my palms. I hated everything about Zleigh, about the Dawn Syndicate, and about myself. Of course they were patrolling the city, how idiotic of me to get involved. But, I wouldn't let them get away with stealing another decade of my life, so this time I wouldn't get in the way.
"You look miserable, join the club."
I turned slowly. Ray was standing behind me, his autumn spice coat blowing in the salty breeze as he came up from below deck. I figure he'd be the one to come after me. If there was one person I would bet on being the worst at cheering anyone up, it was Ray.
I continued looking out at the sloshing icy waves, "Leave me be Ray. Like I said before, you don't want to be involved in this."
I felt a breeze as Ray moved over next to me. His long arms hung over the side of the ship as he looked intently out at the ocean depths, "Maybe so, but I still deserve a reason to know why you can't come to Zleigh. This is a stealth mission after all, you damn well know you're our best shot at the job."
I breathed in, the frigid air making the back of my throat sore, "That's just it though, if I get caught they'll…"
He put two of his fingers to my lips, "Who?" His voice held a bit of concern before turning back to dead serious.
I gulped, I knew I shouldn't tell anyone, but I couldn't help myself. I had been holding this secret in for too long, it was time I let it out.
"The Dawn Syndicate."
"Dawn Syndicate eh?" Ray scratched the bluff of his chin with his gloved fingers, "And… what motive do they have behind all this?"
"They're monsters that will stop at nothing to get what they want. They have these unrealistic and twisted motives that they think to be true. When really all they want is money and power, or at least their leader does."
"I am aware of their motives, remember I was there when I recruited you"
"I-I" The words seemed to stumble around in my mouth as if they were slipping on ice, "I used to be one of them, I swore to their oathand broke it."
"Hey," I felt Ray give me a firm clap on the back, his crimson eyes were still focused on the hypnotic lapping of the sea, "We've all been there, but make no mistake about this Corra Okinji, you are strong, make no mistake about that."
That was the first time I had heard him use my full name. Corra Okinji, the name hadn't been uttered in so long it almost seemed alien to me.
"So," Ray reached for the pocket of his coat, pulling out a lukewarm beer and handing it to me, "I'm not one to tell you what to do, but if we die we die. At least we'll do so together."
I was about to reply, but he had already vanished, the spot next to me was just as empty as I felt inside. Perhaps what he had said was right, but then again I didn't know what to feel.
"Hm. Dawn Syndicate, eh Corra?"
A cold voice trickled my ear yet again, but this time it wasn't filled with kindness or contempt, it reeked of malice and emptiness. I whirled to see Greyson standing around ten feet behind me, his arms were outstretched and he wore his usual charcoal grey suit and yellow scarf.
I flicked my knives into my hands, "What do you want you sick bastard? You have quite the nerve to be coming here of all places."
"I came because I heard you broke the pact." Grey winked, he seemed cheery, but in a smug and condescending sort of way.
"What do you know about the pact?" I could feel heat coursing through my body now, the anger I felt towards this man was unrivaled.
"Enough." His soulless white eyes cut through mine like a dagger, "I know that you've sworn the sacred oath, I know that you promised to never tell anyone about your past, and I know you're in love with Ray Mejia."
I was trembling, but I tried to keep my composure, "And so what? I'll just fight my way out like I always have."
Greyson chuckled, "You're good Corra, but not that good. It's a shame really, I thought someone of your heritage would be more skilled but alas."
I paused for a moment, "My… heritage?"
"Yes. It's quite disappointing really, to see what you've become. Not to mention you're a filthy creatara."
"Give me a straight answer or I'll slit your throat so fast or God's help me. It's a miracle I haven't done so already."
"Normally this sort of proposition would appal me, but considering I want to see your reaction, I'll tell you." He leaned in close, I could almost feel his hot breath on my face. "Corra Okinji, you are my daughter."
"Y-You bastard," I was trembling now, it was as if his words were bringing me down like shackles, "What makes you think I'd believe that."
"I don't have to make you believe," He shrugged, turning around and slowly fading into nothingness, "You'll understand in due time. Until next time, daughter."
I lunged, but it was too late, he had already disappeared. I pounded the floor with my fist, the wood giving way and making a crunch noise as I hit the spruce deck at full force.
"Corra, 'you alright?"
I looked up to see a familiar gloved hand reaching towards me, Ray had made himself onto the deck, and the look on his face was filled with concern.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm okay." I brushed the dirt off of my knees.
"It's alright, he does that a lot." Despite the seemingly dire encounter, Ray appeared rather nonchalant, "Don't let him get under your skin."
I turned and we locked eyes, his crimson red pupils softly glancing into mine, it only lasted a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity.
Ray broke the silence, slightly burying his face into his scarf. He seemed to show a hint of embarrassment, "I'll leave you alone for a moment. Feel free to come down whenever you please."
He disappeared and I was once again left alone with my thoughts.
"The girl is finally of age, I believe we agreed to hand her over to you. Correct?"
Everything was dark, I tried to struggle but I felt constricted, I wasn't certain, but I was stuffed in some sort of bag.
"Good, Serpens will be pleased."
I felt the sack being ripped off of me as my eyes fluttered open, I was sitting in a dark room and tied to a worn oak chair. The only source of light appeared to be coming from a blue candle that sat on a table in the center of the room. A man was towering above me, dressed in a large dark cloak and wearing a deep crimson mask, the mark of the Dawn Syndicate. He moved his hand off of the katana at his side, and held it out towards me.
"Greetings Corra Okinji, my name is Serpens Kai. I have purchased you."
I snarled, something about this man put me on edge, "I'm not just some sort of item you can buy in a marketplace."
"Maybe so, but are you really the one who determines that?"
"I believe that everyone is entitled to determine their own fate, yes."
"Such smart remarks from a child, but unfortunately one cannot decide their race."
I tried to get loose from my ropes, but they wouldn't budge. The knot had been tied so tight I was starting to lose circulation in my wrists.
"Do not fear child." He knelt down playfully so he was at my height, "You will be one of us, I'll put your skills to good use."
"Alright Serpens," I watched as the ringmaster approached him, he gave me a guilty glance before tapping him on the shoulder. "I'm on a tight schedule here, so if you don't mind I'd like to get going."
"Very well then," He leaned in close, his outstretched finger beginning to glow a ghostly white as he uttered a phrase under his breath, "Goodnight, Corra."
His finger tapped my chest and I felt my eyes begin to grow heavy. As my head drooped like a flower, darkness wrapped around me like a blanket as my eyes closed fully.
"Where is he, Corra? Answer or so help me I'll tear this place apart!"
Rico was shaking me awake frantically, it appeared I had fallen asleep at the rail. His pupils were dilated and his eyes were darting back and forth in his head.
Ray rest his hand on Rico's shoulder as his grip loosened, "Like I said Rico, he's gone."
"Corra," Julian approached me, sheathing his blade, "What the hell happened?"
"I-I just learned that everything I've worked for in life has been a lie. All of it."
"What did he tell you?" Rico snapped, he looked furious. "How could any garbage that spews out of his mouth be so harmful to you?"
Jack stepped in between Rico and I, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves here, this might be personal." He glanced over at me, his cigar glowing in the dawn sky, "Corra, no matter what that man has said, it is up to you and you alone to determine the truth."
"I'm not sure where the truth lies."
"Then don't let it bother you."
I hadn't noticed, but Ray was silent the whole time, he looked like he was thinking to himself intently as he stared out into the ocean waves.
"Ray?" I turned to him as he kept his eyes locked on the sea, "Do you know anything about this?"
"I do," he rasped, "But you wouldn't like it if I told you."
"Well what am I supposed to do otherwise?"
"Very well then." His eyes seemed to get stormy as he uttered the words, it was a heart shattering tone, "I'm afraid he's right. You're an offspring of the man you swore to kill."
"But this doesn't make sense." Julian shook his head in disbelief, "He murdered you in cold blood back in Grustenburg, why would he do that to his daughter?"
Ray's eyes got even more stormy, "Greyson is extremely twisted, he'll do anything to get what he wants, that includes murdering his own flesh and blood."
"And why is it that he wants Ray?"
Ray glanced down for a moment, it looked as if he was contemplating something, "The scarf."
Everything was silent, until Levi popped up from below deck, placing his goggles back on his forehead.
"Buckle up everyone! We've just about reached Zleigh!"
I glanced out towards the horizon, I could barely make it out but I could see land, towering buildings reached the mountains with docks lining its shore. There was no turning back now, I had made my decision and I was going to stick by it. Just like Ray had said, if we die we die, but at least we'll die together.
Ray let out a sigh, pulling out yet another beer from his pocket, Aria stared intently at it before averting her eyes, "Well Marauders, welcome to hell."