The breeze brushed Theo's face, carrying the scent of salt and seaweed. Strange how nostalgic it made him feel, even though he hadn't spent very long in Mare.
And pretty soon, he would leave it behind for good. The crew had stayed for a week after the funeral, helping the townspeople rebuild, stocking on supplies, and servicing the craft, but now they were just about done.
Everyone was gathered outside the wall, where the Blue Sky awaited with its engines already running. A few crew members were already aboard, including Victor and Mirage, but most stayed on the island saying their final goodbyes.
Especially Fia, who flitted around pulling townspeople into hugs while bawling their eyes out. Ryan followed close after them, shaking hands and clapping backs, and it amazed Theo how at-home he seemed among the people of Mare. Maybe it was because he was Fia's wizard.
Theo waved at the townspeople too, though he felt a little awkward since it wasn't like he'd helped them much in the end. And he couldn't help being extra aware of Zenith beside him. It had been a while since they'd gotten to spend time together, what with how busy the past week had kept them.
Zenith seemed perfectly normal, nodding in acknowledgment at townspeople who addressed him, and his Levia felt clear and calm too. Nothing to worry about, right?
So what was with the tension gripping Theo's chest? Why did he feel like Zenith was somehow trying too hard?
'I'll find some time to talk to him,' Theo vowed to himself. They still hadn't gotten a chance to discuss everything. Darian's secret, Victor's change of heart.
"Chief Lahu!" Fia's shriek knocked Theo out of his thoughts. Looking up, he saw the sprite launching themselves at the startled old chief, who had been busy talking with Darian and Guntar. Darian dodged just in time for Fia to hurl their arms around Lahu's neck.
"Oh, Fia, Fia!" Lahu groaned, stumbling under their weight. Undeterred, Fia clung on tighter. It wasn't hard to make out the smiles on all the faces around them.
"I'm gonna miss you so much," Fia blubbered. "So, so, so much! Are you guys really gonna be okay? Is it really okay for me to leave? I can still, if you want – "
"No, no, Fia," Lahu said gently, pushing at their shoulders. "You should go. You're a valuable member of Prince Darian's crew, after all. And we will be fine. We have Samakah's blessing, don't we?"
Face buried in Lahu's chest, Fia nodded.
"There you go." Lahu patted Fia's head. "We'll work together with Samakah and take good care of Mare. Meanwhile, you need to help Prince Darian fight."
Fia finally let go of Lahu, sitting back on their heels and wiping their eyes. "Yeah. Okay," they sniffed. "I promise I'll come back someday."
"That's right." Darian flashed Fia a dazzling grin before turning to Lahu. "Don't forget, you're all my people too. We'll defeat the Infernal Legion so you – and everyone in Tielos – can live in genuine peace."
Lahu bowed low. "I have no doubts, Prince Darian."
When he lifted his head, his dark eyes locked with Theo's. Theo jolted, but before he could write it off as an accident, Lahu took a tentative step toward him.
"Perhaps it is not my place, but all the same…," the old sprite said. "I want to ask that you take good care of Samakah's gift."
Theo swallowed, his hand instinctively drifting to the staff in its holster. With an extra point to the Star, it felt a little heavier. But the greatest change came from its Levia, which pulsed against his skin almost like a second heartbeat.
Samakah had entrusted him with her shard. And though Mare might no longer need it, Theo was still taking it away from the people it rightfully belonged to.
So he met Lahu's gaze and nodded solemnly. "Don't worry. I will."
Lahu sighed in relief. But before he could say anything, Fia jumped on him and yanked him into another bear hug. While Lahu sputtered and the onlookers laughed, Theo felt a faint quiver through his Levia. Then a hand rested on the crook of his elbow, the touch light yet shocking all of Theo's nerves to life.
Turning his head, he saw Zenith's solemn face. Then the corner of his mouth flicked up in a smile, and Theo was amazed at how much easier he could breathe.
That was right. No matter how much things might have changed, he still had Zenith by his side.
~*~
Thanks to the gifts the townspeople kept unloading on them, it was almost another hour before the Blue Sky finally took off. Even with its hold crammed full of dried kelp, smoked fish, ropes, pots, and blankets, the craft managed to get off the ground without a problem.
Maybe it took a little longer to gain altitude, but otherwise the flight went as smoothly as ever. Theo joined the others waving down at Mare until the island vanished from view.
Afterwards, the entire crew gathered on the deck for a strategy meeting. Sitting in a circle, Theo almost felt like he was back in kindergarten, but it wasn't like they could all fit inside the cabin. And he couldn't object to the warm sunlight pouring from above, courtesy of an unusually clear day.
Theo tried to focus on the small things instead of the two people sitting directly across him. Some part of him wondered if he should have joined Victor, but he doubted Zenith would like that much. And it wasn't like Victor and Mirage were totally by themselves, since Kress and Nevy flanked them. They'd been spending a lot of time with these two, apparently because Darian had ordered them to act as guards. No doubt it helped they didn't share much of a negative history.
At least Victor wasn't looking at Theo. Still, his chest felt tight, and there was no ignoring Zenith's stiff stance beside him.
"All right." Darian knocked her fist on the deck floor. "We're all here, so let's get down to business. Our immediate objective is to rendezvous with Captain Gryseld's crew."
"The pirates, right?" Sam piped up at Theo's other side.
"Right," Darian said. "Since we called them for help earlier, they're already on their way. We managed to free Mare without them, but it can't hurt to meet up anyway. Now we just need to figure out what to do from here."
Guntar nodded vigorously, his wattle flapping. "We may have defeated General Hellebore, but that hardly means we can rest easy. The Infernal Legion will surely not take the defeat of a Grand General sitting down."
Ryan's chest swelled like he was about to say something, only for Fia to slap a hand over his mouth. Theo exchanged grins with Sam; looked like Fia had taken over her old job with aplomb.
But while Ryan squirmed, Mirage let out a very audible snort. In an instant, the atmosphere hardened like concrete as several dozen eyes glared at him.
"Ah, good timing," Darian said dryly. "I was just about to ask if you had anything you'd like to share. Out of all us, you no doubt have the clearest idea how the Infernal Legion might react."
Her voice dripped with irony, but Mirage met her with a steely smile. "I'd be honored, Prince Darian."
Zenith breathed in sharply, his shoulders stiffening. Theo turned toward him in concern, but Mirage kept on talking.
"First, what do you know about the other three Grand Generals?"
"Not much, unfortunately," Darian replied without missing a beat. "Hellebore is the first one we've met face-to-face."
"Then I suppose that's where I come in." Mirage winked, earning a scoff from Guntar and a scowl from Zenith. "General Hellebore was in charge of the Legion's western division. He possessed the largest command and was widely acknowledged as the strongest fighter among the Grand Generals. So really, it's fortunate you defeated him first."
"And the others?" Darian said impatiently.
"The next largest command belongs to General Grave of the south. Her troops may be weaker than Hellebore's, but they have a reputation for being skilled with dark arts. From what I'm aware, she focuses on conquering settlements and extracting tribute."
Zenith's hands curled into trembling fists. Theo placed a hand on his arm, but Zenith didn't seem to notice.
"General Serac rules the north. While he hasn't got much territory or conquests to his name, he has a well-deserved reputation for deviousness. Before I went to Earth, I was technically under his command. Although I suppose after my demotion, I got transferred to Hellebore's…?"
Darian cleared her throat and tapped her foot. "Stay on topic, if you please."
"Of course, my prince." Mirage pressed a hand to his chest in exaggerated contrition.
When Zenith clicked his tongue, Theo's heart almost stopped. He never thought he'd see the ever-chivalrous knight behave so rudely; then again, Mirage deserved it more than anyone.
Oblivious, Mirage went on talking. "Lastly, there's General Ninox of the east. I admit I know the least about her. While she has the smallest command, she's rumored to be the closest to the Infernal Lord. He even entrusted her with the territory of the former demon homeland."
"Is that all?" said a skeptical Meg.
"It's a start," Darian said, clapping her hands. "At least now we know their names. How do you think they'll react to Hellebore's defeat?"
"I can't say for certain," Mirage said. "I don't know whether the Infernal Lord will appoint a new general, or if they'll just divide Hellebore's command among themselves. Regardless, they'll be in disarray for a while."
"Sounds to me," Darian said, her eyes glittering, "like the ideal time to strike."