A race known as "Etoceans" has unique traits that resemble elves and animals. They are skilled fighters who focus on a different fighting style, "Elevolt." No other race is familiar with that technique, but it can be taught if desired.
They are extremely uncommon and can only be found on Twilight Island. Although they are not threatening people, however, they are frequently hunted by pirates.
Timothy sat on a carpet in the middle of a lodge with his legs crossed. He kept his arms between his thighs while Alpha stood next to him. They got invited by Etocean's leader, named Gebsy. He was a human with dog-like characteristics and was older.
Many other Etoceans were around them. One of them was biting the side of his ears and pulling them gently. "Hey! Stop it!" Timothy called, but he couldn't remove the person aside. Her name was Poxi, and she had rabbit characteristics.
"Ah, pardon our lovely Poxi. She likes to greet and meet people in her way. But don't be afraid. She won't bite off your ear." Gebsy giggled, seeing Timothy unimpressed. He turned to look back at Gebys, trying to ignore his ears getting bitten.
"I'm quite astonished to see you here on our island, white-haired pirate Timothy. What brings you here?" Gebsy asked, letting Timothy talk. "Well... it wasn't really my choice coming here. We got washed up on the shore after I got thrown off the train. But, since we're already here, we wanted to ask and see if you have any sort of boat by chance that we could use. I'm trying to rescue one of my friend's execution, but we don't have much time left." He explained, uncertain of what will happen.
Gebsy grabbed his fur, representing a human's beard, growing from his jaw. "How delightful. There aren't many people out in the sea willing to go far to save their friends. But I've seen a lot of news regarding your good deeds. You don't remind me of a real pirate. You remind me of somebody who's from the world government."
Timothy grabbed the top of his hair, smiling in shame. "Well, I'm not a pirate, but with my friends, we decided to accept that title. Truth be told. I'm pretty much a normie, once a duelist. Of course, that's what I was in the past. But I don't see the point in holding that title anymore. I guess pirate is a good change of pace, but it sure isn't safer than a duelist." Gebsy nodded in agreement with Timothy's explanation and chuckled.
"I'm ashamed to ask this, but holding the title of a pirate is quite strange for what you've done in the past. There's been news everywhere about you. Why do you oppose pirates and the world government at the same time?"
Timothy dropped his arms and relaxed in the process. "I don't oppose anyone, really. I mostly help people in need, but I'm no hero. If I have the power to help, I'll do it. Of course, the world will never get fixed, no matter how many people support that idea. But I can at least decrease some problems that people go through. Otherwise, I don't care what my role is, whether it is a pirate or an authority." Timothy's enticing comments made Gebsy happy.
"Ah, you're a peaceful human. I cannot deny it, especially now that I've met you in person. You're a good person, but I'm afraid we might not be able to provide you with a boat. We really wish we could, but that's not in our power." Timothy understood, looked at the carpet, and sighed. "Damn it... Now I wish I didn't leave the ship at Winterpeak Island. What the hell was I thinking? Of course, I couldn't do this myself." Everyone in the room could see Timothy's arms shiver. They saw stress in his eyes, his sweat dripping down his skin.
They observed a little longer when Poxi backed away. "Um, elder Gebsy." They looked at her, "I have a request." She added. "Yes, you may speak, Poxi."
Poxi shook her head and blinked a few times. "Timothy's skin feels sorrowful and strange. But I felt this odd sensation when biting his ear as if his body was converting some electrical effect. It reminds me of Elevolt." Everyone's faces locked onto her and Timothy. They saw him confused. "Hm... are you certain, Poxi?" questioned Gebsy, only for her to nod in confirmation.
"White-haired pirate Timothy. Have you ever been struck by lightning or zapped by electricity in the past?" Timothy blinked twice and scratched the back of his head. "Y-Yeah... it happened three days ago at Winterpeak Island." Gebsy's eyes opened wide in surprise. "Perhaps you've come in contact with the goddess of lightning Etuna?"
Alpha listened in the back, trying to remove one of the people off her skirt. "I did. She was sick and needed a cure. She was also why I made it to la Isleta Cortada in time." It was enough to intrigue and gave Gebsy an idea.
"Say, young pirate. Would you let our people teach you how to construct and obstruct electricity from your inner self? We might not be able to provide you with a ship, but we can surely teach you our way of fighting." Incredulous that he didn't have enough time to train, Timothy blinked in uncertainty.
"Although I really would appreciate it, I don't think I have enough time. Today should be the day Chiaki's execution takes place." He cried out, unsure of whether to grant their plea or not.
"Fret not. You should be able to pick up the fundamentals in a matter of hours if you actually have the electrical variances inside your body."
Tim seized his chin. "But how will I achieve it in time if I use the remaining time to practice and fail to locate a ship or boat?" Timothy didn't grasp what was going to happen as the Etoceans talked among themselves and nodded till one of them entered the room with a boy bearing a familiar face.
"You don't need to worry about a thing, Tim." It was a male voice, surprising Timothy in excitement. The Etocean who brought the person stepped to the side.
"Codey! It's you?!" Timothy's face shared a wide smile as his eyes sparkled with brilliance.
"Long time no see, captain. Sorry to leave without telling you, but I got into a mishap with the world government, including my brother. But hey, I'm here now and that's what matters." Gebsy invited Codey in after he introduced and that provided Timothy with a brand new belief.
"Sure, but how did you find me? And where have you been? Weeks have passed." Standing up, Timothy continued as he observed Codey move in closer. "As I said before, I ran afoul of the world government when I attempted to get onto their ship to find out where they had taken Chiaki. Of course, I would have arrived sooner if I could, but I was caught and ambushed, almost landing me in prison. Luckily, I managed to flee before the world government could throw me in custody." Codey gave an uneasy smile while explaining before continuing his narrative.
"However, I later read in the media about what has been happening to you and the others. I learned that you were attempting to save Chiaki when you became caught on an underwater train. I read in the papers that the crew was being "abolished," but I assumed you had other intentions. So, yesterday, I called Ayuka and urged her to gather the crew while you were in hot pursuit to save Chiaki."
Timothy quietly listened, yet something about his assertion struck him as weird. "You phoned Ayuka? Wait a minute... don't tell me." Timothy didn't have to complete his thought. Codey was prepared with his question in mind. "I for one did. I understand that you ordered everyone to spread out while you confront the world government and attempt to stop the execution, but you failed to notice that everyone in the crew is Chiaki's friend. Hence, we all want to rescue her. Before long, everyone will come to this island. They also didn't have enough time to disperse far due to the lack of days in a row."
Both Timothy's smile and his eyes became broader. He couldn't believe he had gotten in touch with Codey again. And he didn't expect that his friends would help him, either.
To be continued...