Minos let out a long breath as the sun set, his sword movements flowing like the ocean beyond him. The shift between each move was beautiful, and to an outsider it may look more like Minos was dancing, rather than training.
As he finished with his final stance, Minos stood still, recovering his lost stamina as sweat dripped off his body, staining the wooden deck below him.
Based on his calculations, he should be able to reach the Salt Breathing Tribe by tomorrow morning, which meant his break-through came at the perfect time.
The thought of reuniting with Tinka made a smile appear on his face. He naturally also remembered Rubella, and he hoped she was doing well, and hadn't stirred up any trouble while he was gone.
After a long exhausting journey, he was finally going home. He never expected that such a simple map would have led him on such a journey, much less that the map would actually be real.
It went to show how every choice a person makes can make a critical difference in their life. Minos could never guarantee whether his choices would be right, however he could promise himself that he would always see things to an end.
As the sun completely set, Minos headed back to his room. Tomorrow was going to be an exciting day, so he needed his rest.
…
The brilliant rays of the sun broke through the window above Minos's bed, shining on his shut eyelids. The light slowly woke Minos from his slumber, causing him to get up with a loud yawn as he scratched his back.
After rubbing his sore eyes, Minos exited the captain's quarters and stepped onto the deck. Looking out, he could see the coastline which had finally entered his vision after days of sailing.
Guiding the sails, Minos directed the boat towards the Salt Breathing Tribe. After floating across the coastline for a few hours, Minos finally spotted the small tribe, which was fast at work despite the early hours. The tribe was empty of most of the grown men, with them seemingly out fishing.
It didn't take much time for the tribe to spot the foreign ship. A few of the women gathered across the shore with anxiety as they raised their spears.
From their perspective, such large ships were an oddity, and were most likely pirates, since merchants had no reason coming out here.
Despite the men being out, the women seemed to be unafraid, and immediately raised their weapons as they guarded the coast.
Fortunately Minos poked his head out from beyond the deck before things got violent, showing off his familiar face. Once the anxious woman realized it was not a stranger, they quickly calmed down.
Meninka was at the front of the group, taking charge of the woman as her husband left, right behind her was Tinka, who's eyes started to moisten as she realized Minos was finally back.
The two's eyes met, and despite saying nothing, a thousand stories seemed to be exchanged in a single moment.
A large smile appeared on Minos's face, but rather than the fake ones he normally wore to hide how he felt, this one was genuine.
As the boat finally reached the shore, Minos jumped off, and used his strength to slowly drag it into land.
Before he could even fully turn around, Tinka jumped into his arms, tears still in her eyes. Minos didn't say anything, instead hugging her tightly as the two reunited.
"You were gone so long, I thought you'd never come back…" Tinka said between tears.
"I told you I'd always come back, and I always keep my promises." Minos said with a smile.
Tinka looked at him and couldn't help but laugh, reassured by the soft glow in his eyes. Meninka saw all this with a smile, and gestured for the other woman to follow her, leaving Minos and Tinka alone.
"How was the adventure, did you meet any pirates, or treasure? Did you see any mythical creatures, or maybe you met a wise oldman who took you as a disciple!" Tinka said with glimmering eyes as she kept imagining different possibilities.
Minos laughed at Tinka's whimsy. Despite being 17, three years older than Minos, Tinka was far less mature than him, having been sheltered by the tribe her entire life.
"It wasn't that amazing, but it was pretty interesting." Minos said as he laughed, taking Tinka by the hand as the two walked along the beach, Minos telling her of his amazing journey.
Tinka's eyes shined as Minos went through his story. When he described the volcano eruption, she couldn't help but be amazed that the world had such a crazy natural phenomenon.
When he told her about the small group he had met who was planning on betraying him, she couldn't help but grasp Minos's palm tightly in fear.
"They didn't kill you did they!" Tinka said between cries.
"..." Minos scratched his head in confusion, before answering. "Of course not, if they did, I wouldn't be here right now."
"Oh yeah!" Tinka said with a sigh of relief. Tinka was by no means stupid, but when it came to her loved ones, worry would overwhelm her entire mind, making her say foolish things.
Seeing Tinka was relieved, Minos told her the rest of the story. Whenever Minos would tell her the highs, her eyes would glimmer in amazement and wonder. Meanwhile, when he told her the lows, she would quickly get anxious, her palm clenching in anxiety.
Minos never told her about the underground world, or anything about the Nine Sword Divinity, simply saying that his journey led nowhere, forcing him to have to come back empty handed.
He didn't say this because he didn't trust Tinka, but because such information would only do her harm rather than good. When it came to anything to do with the Heaven-Sundering Sword, Minos decided to take a firm policy of absolutely no risk, which meant he didn't plan on telling anyone about the sword.
"It's okay, if the Nine Sword Divinity's grave was so easy to find, it would be worthless. Besides, you got that Magma Fruit, so I'd say your journey was more than worthwhile!" Tinka said in an attempt to cheer Minos up.
Minos felt guilty as Tinka constantly told him things to make him feel better, but his lips remained sealed. He survived so long in this world because despite how he felt in his heart, he would always make the logical choice.
"Let's stop talking about my journey, how about you, what have you been up to while I was gone?" Minos asked curiously.
"What could I be doing? Since my dad told us the truth, I've given up any hope of ever leaving this place, so I've just been spending my free time carving wood." Tinka said, her voice still sour, clearly not yet having fully come to terms with her reality.
Minos gripped her hand tightly as he spun her around to face him. Despite being younger, Minos was already taller than Tinka, so he used his empty hand to lift her chin so she was looking him in the eyes.
"What did I promise you in the past?" Minos said, as his piercing black eyes stared deeply into Tinka's soul.
"That you would help me…" Tinka replied.
"And what did I say about my promises?" Minos questioned further.
"That you'll always keep them!" Tinka said with a smile.
"Tinka, please trust in me." Minos said, his eyes softening as he looked down at her.
Tinka's eyes slightly moistened, and the two embraced in a tight hug. As the two were hugging, Tinka whispered into Minos's ear.
"You're right, it's my fault for never believing in you. I believe in you Minos, I believe that you'll help me get my freedom back, my tribe's freedom back!" Tinka said, her voice filled with faith.
Minos smiled as he looked at Tinka's aura, which was the color of love and trust, letting Minos know that she was telling the truth, and she finally started to believe in him.
Minos never blamed Tinka for doubting him, after all the force he was destined to go up against was an extremely powerful one, whereas Minos wasn't much different from a mortal at this point.
It was like an ant telling someone that they would eventually slay an elephant. Whoever heard that would only mock the ant for dreaming up something impossible.
While Tinka didn't mock Minos, deep inside, she held little hope for him. It was only when Minos finally left did Tinka realize how much she missed him, and how important he had become to her in such a short time.
Rather than say her trust in Minos had grown, it was better to say her love had grown, and when a person loves someone, they start to believe everything they say.
"I should have never doubted you Minos, please forgive me." Tinka said sadly.
"The past doesn't matter, all that's important is that you believe in me now." Minos said with a smile.
"I'll believe in you forever!" Tinka responded, matching Minos's smile.
The two laughed as they kept walking, Minos telling her about all the other adventures he had gone on, and the things he had seen.
Tinka was happy for Minos, but she was also envious in her heart. The life she aspired most for seemed to be an everyday experience for Minos.
Minos naturally noticed Tinka's feelings immediately, but he didn't say anything, instead he stopped talking as he reached into his robe for something.
Tinka was slightly confused at what Minos was doing, but she soon noticed the glimmering ring Minos pulled out from his robe.
Tinka was naturally not a materialistic person, but most humans loved jewellery, and Tinka was no exception. Her eyes shined as she saw the bright green gem studded on top of the golden ring, wondering what Minos was doing with such a thing.
Before she could wonder anymore, Minos grabbed her by the hand, sliding the ring gently over her finger, much to her shock.