We all sat inside of a restaurant in Lacrath City. The table was a bit awkward as Freya, Takame, and Serafina were glaring at Phoenix. Esta was just slightly confused and Gideon wasn't even bothered by it anymore.
"So childhood friends huh..?" Freya asked.
"Yep! Me and Ragna have known each other since we were little kids, maybe around two or three years old. Our mothers were very good friends~" Phoenix smiled as she ate a piece of bread.
'Dammit..! There's no way I can beat a childhood friend in a race for Shiryo's heart..! She's already got the advantage because she's known him for literal years!' Freya thought to herself.
"Why did you destroy my plane..? Do you know how much that shit costs? I may be a princess but that shit ISN'T cheap!" Serafina said.
"Sorry about that...Ehh heh heh...but you have to give me the benefit of the doubt! I was being mind controlled as hard as that is to believe! I would never put my Ragna in danger like that under normal circumstances!" Phoenix said then held my arm.
Takame and Freya felt slightly jealous of Phoenix. Phoenix affectionately nuzzled against me. I looked at her then sighed and took a sip of my juice.
"You're just as clingy as Shira, if not more." I said.
"Yeah, but I really missed you!~ We haven't seen each other since we were kids in elementary academy! Come on do that thing to me that you did back in fifth grade!" Phoenix plead.
"What thing?" Esta asked.
"Not...in public. Are you crazy..?" I blushed and sounded a bit embarrassed.
"I'm curious...What did he do to you?" Freya asked.
"Come on just once for old times sake!" Phoenix begged.
I groaned and blushed even more. I held Phoenix's cheek then leaned forward. Freya, Esta, Takame, and Serafina watched in shock. I pressed my nose against hers and she blushed slightly. I pulled away and went back to what I was doing.
"That was the equivalent of us kissing back then." Phoenix smiled. "He loves me I know he does~"
"Sh-Shiryo! I want to do that too!" Esta said.
"Nope!" Phoenix said. "That is a me and Ragna thing only! No stealing the tradition!"
"Alright! Alright! Enough with this, let's get down to business. Phoenix, you were controlled by the Director correct?" I asked.
"The director of the academy, yes. I was told they knew something about you. I just wanted to know what they knew because this woman named Erin told me their message." Phoenix said.
"Erin?" I asked and looked at Phoenix.
"Oh yeah! Erin! She's working with your brother and that Blake guy!" Esta said.
"Shiryo.." Alethea said.
"Yeah...Erin is a traitor." I said then looked at Serafina.
Serafina glared at the table. "Erin working with the Director after pledging her alliance with the Gesian Kingdom. I refuse to let her get away with this."
"We can't go back now...We have to focus on our mission. Getting the Medallions before Icas and Raicho does. Phoenix, did they say anything to you about m?" I asked.
"Nope. They just mind controlled me and sent me after you. Erin pointed out the plane that belonged to the Princess and I went after it then here I am." Phoenix said. "But now I know things about you. You've gotten way stronger than I remember. As a kid I was the main one protecting you because you couldn't unlock your End Crest."
"I've got a question for Phoenix." Gideon said.
"Yeah?" Phoenix asked.
"You're...an Apocalypse correct?" He asked.
"That's right." Phoenix smiled.
"That must mean you are heavily connected to Shiryo's family correct?" Gideon asked.
"Very connected~" Phoenix giggled and poked my cheek then rubbed her nose on my cheek.
"Let's keep it professional." Freya said and slammed her hand on the table.
"Alright alright." Phoenix smiled, sensing Freya's high jealousy.
"What makes you and Shiryo connected? Raicho explained briefly on how that is with the four bloodlines, but I still don't quite get it." Gideon said.
"Four Bloodlines known as the Bloodlines of the End are the Bloodlines of Ragnarok, Apocalypse, Doomsday, and Catastrophe. Our Bloodlines are known for their Godlike Destructive Power and the Four Originals were the creators of our special Crests known as the End Crests. The Four End Crests are Omega, Armageddon, Nostradamus, and Final Judgement. These Crests grant us power beyond the Minor Deities, our Bloodlines are known as Higher Deities but we aren't as strong as the Alpha or Grand Deities." Phoenix said.
"Wait so does that mean Shiryo is stronger than he led on at the exams?" Gideon asked.
"I would hope so. He demonstrated his power against me, even though we were neck and neck. He is a Ragnarok so that means his destructive power reaches heights greater than mine." Phoenix said.
"Does that mean you and Shiryo are like...Demigods?" Esta asked.
"Basically." Phoenix nodded.
"What's your Tier?" Freya asked.
"I'm am a Tier 7-A." Phoenix said.
Freya grumbled and crossed her arms. "Cool."
"Alright let's get back to business. How are we going to get to Adristan now? Plane was our fastest means of transportation." I said.
"We can take a boat there, but it's gonna take an entire week to get there now." Serafina's bodyguard said.
"Boat...That's the best we've got right now." I said then summoned my wallet and prepared to pay for the breakfast.
"Before we go to the port, let's do some travelling around Lacrath. There should be an equipment shop around here where we can get some equipment for our adventure!" Esta said.
"Right, I guess we could look around for a while." Freya said.
The waiter came by and I handed him the money for the check and he nodded, taking the payment. We got up and left the restaurant. I walked down the sidewalk and watched the cars drive by on the road. Phoenix walked beside me and spoke with me with a smile on her face.
"This sucks." Freya said.
"Oh you're upset that you can't get close to you little boyfriend? I just had my fucking plane destroyed and you're worried about wanting to get closer to Leader?" Serafina scoffed.
"Ha! You speak like you don't like him as well." Freya scoffed.
Serafina choked on her words and turned away. "Like I'd ever like someone who's obviously LESSER than me."
"Technically, he's a Demigod so he's like higher than you in position and he's the Leader." Esta said.
"Oh whatever, Elf Girl." Serafina rolled her eyes.
"Come on! Just this once!" Phoenix said excitedly.
"Alright." I said with a slight smile. I allowed her to jump on my back then gave her a piggyback ride.
She giggled and held onto me and closed her eyes. "This makes me feel like a kid again..~ After 10 years we finally meet again..~ I always dreamt of this day.."
"Yeah?" I asked.
"Mhm." Phoenix smiled and nibbled on my earlobe.
"Hey! Stop that!" I blushed and moved my head.
Phoenix giggled and stopped nibbling on my earlobe. I set her down and she spotted a little gift shop. "Hey! Look a gift shop!"
"Eh? But we-"
"Just this one pit stop please?" Phoenix smiled at me sweetly.
I rubbed the back of my head. "Alright."
Phoenix giggled and grabbed my hand then we went into the gift shop together. Freya noticed then followed us inside along with Takame and Esta.
"Whoa! Look at all of these neat items! Hey Ragna!~ Look at that!" Phoenix pointed at a sword inside a pedestal. "It says if you can pull the sword out of the pedastal you can get it for free!"
The shop owner opened his eyes and looked at us. He smirked and noticed Phoenix walk to the pedastal. Phoenix placed her hands on the pedastal and tried to pull it out. She grunted and struggled, but the sword didn't budge an inch.
"Step aside." Freya said then walked up to the sword.
Phoenix looked at Freya and stepped aside. Freya attempted to pull the sword out of the pedastal. She grunted lightly and pulled with all of her might but the sword didn't move.
"My turn!~" Esta said excitedly then hurried to the sword.
"What is that weapon?" I asked.
"That is the Valor of Ruin, a legendary weapon was once wielded by a man known as the Ruin Emperor. The weapon is known for its Destructive Force. The weapon can only be pulled by that who is worthy of its strength." The shop owner said then watched me walk to the sword.
I placed my hand on the handle of the sword then my eyes shined. I began to pull on the sword. Everyone's eyes were on me and they watched closely. The blade slowly began to slide out of the pedastal and the shop owner looked surprised.
"He's doing it!" Takame said in shock.
I took the sword out of the pedastal and the shop owner's jaw dropped. I looked at the sword and smiled. The sword was a black and silver greatsword that radiated destructive energy. The energy felt amazing to me and even felt calm in my hands.
"You...pulled the sword out of the pedastal...How is that possible..?" The shop owner said in disbelief.
"That's my Ragna!~" Phoenix giggled and clapped her hands together.
"Ragna..? Wait you're a Ragnarok?!" The shop owner said and looked surprised.
"Yeah. Name's Shiryo Ragnarok." I said then made the sword disappear into energy particles.
"Your father is Shidao Ragnarok correct?" He asked.
"Yeah. Is everything alright?" I asked.
"That was your father's blade...I should've known when no one else could pull it but you. I even tried...but at the end of the day I couldn't. The son of the Ruin Emperor is in my shop...It is an honor!" The shop owner said. "Y-You can get whatever you want from here for free!"
"Well I don't want anything from here, but you can tell me where the port is." I said.
"Of course! Of course! The port is down the street and you take a right and the port should be just ahead after that right!" The shop owner said.
I nodded and walked off. "You ladies want anything out of here?"
"Not really. Maybe next time." Freya shrugged.
"Yeah, there's nothing in here that I can really use." Phoenix said.
"Sorry Mr. Owner! We are gonna leave now!" Esta waved and skipped out of the gift shop.
We all left the shop and outside was Gideon, Serafina, and her bodyguard waiting. We met up with the three and headed off to the port. We decided to not stop by the equipment shop in this city.
Once we made it to the port, the smell of the sea hit strongly. There were boats in and out of the port town and sailors talking and boasting about their revenue they obtained.
"There's a pirate here who can help us get to Adristan." Serafina's bodyguard said.
"What is his name?" Serafina asked.
"Colt "One Eye" Zelgius. He's a very renown man of the seas and he has a boat that can fit all of us." Serafina's bodyguard answered. "He's in the tavern, that's where he always is."
"You know an awful lot about this guy." Freya said.
"Let's just say, we have history." Serafina's bodyguard said.
We walked inside of the tavern and looked around. The tavern was full of sailors and pirates who were drinking, gambling, groping on women, and other acts. I walked ahead and looked around for Colt.
"There he is. That middle aged man right there." Serafina's bodyguard pointed at a man who sat alone drinking his beer and smoking a cigar.
I looked at the man. He was a male with a swept back hairstyles, had neatly trimmed facial hair, and wore a pirate's outfit. He also wore an eyepatch over his right eye. I walked over to the man.
"Hey, are you Colt Zelgius?" I asked.
The man looked at me and slightly glared. "Who's asking..?"
"Me and my team need a little assistance with transportation to Adristan and a friend of mine told me that you could help." I said.
"Listen, kid. I don't know what your friend told you, but I'm not some chaperone who escorts people from one place or another. Especially without a price. I suggest you find someone else." The man said.
I looked back at Serafina's bodyguard and she walked towards the table and the man looked at her. He recognized her and ashed out his cigar.
"Hmph. If it isn't the royal protector, Vriska Nobella. Didn't expect you to be here with some group of ragtag adventurers." The man said.
"Colt. Help us out. You owe me anyway, remember? Five years ago, I helped you cross my borders?" Vriska said then crossed her arms.
"Heh...And what a doll you were for helping me out. Hmph...I guess I could help you all out but for a price." Colt said.
"What?" Vriska asked.
"I want a kiss from your fine lips." Colt chuckle.
"In your dreams." Vriska said then placed a hand on her hip.
"I guess you all aren't moving from this spot then." Colt said.
"Come on Vriska...swallow your pride. We have to save our entire world from the hands of King Icas and his organization. We don't have time to pick and choose." I said.
Vriska looked at me then looked at Colt. She groaned then slammed her hand on the table. "I'll kiss you ONLY when we get on the boat...I refuse to do that here in public and because you're doing all of this, Team Divinity will take control of the boat and use it as they will."
"Fair enough, after all he did mention King Icas...Seems like you all have a lot of trouble on your hands." Colt said. "It's a deal, I'll even join your little adventure. These ol' bones could use the workout."
"How old are you?" I asked.
"Same age as Vriska here, 34 years old." Colt said.
"Huh. Interesting." I said. "Well let's head out of here."
"Alright." Colt stood up.
With that we managed to get Colt to join our side and acquired a boat to get to Adristan. Our journey to acquire the Flame Medallion continues.