Ready for the future, Tepo arrived downstairs, carrying a simple bag containing his few belongings. A new part of his life in front of him, the young man felt more relaxed than before. He felt free, his steps and body radiating a certain confidence.
He winked at the cute waitress handing him his breakfast before leisurely sitting down on a table in the corner. A certain green-masked warrior was already waiting for him.
"Morning."
"Morning."
"You already done eating?", asked Tepo while taking a bite from some sweet fruit.
"I don't need to.", answered Quill calmly.
"Oh, I heard about this. Strong warriors don't need to eat. Impressive…"
Tepo paused for a second as Quill nodded.
"… but boring. Don't you feel like you are missing out on a lot?"
"No."
Quill was still leisurely as always. He didn't know why Tepo was speaking so freely, but it couldn't affect his emotions.
"Hmm. Ah, I get it.", exclaimed Tepo with a teasing voice.
"It's because of your mask, isn't it? Is this some sort of ritual which doesn't allow you to take off your mask?"
"My mask is simply a means to hide my identity. You will receive one soon as well."
Tepo stoked slightly. He was doubtful once again.
Did I really join a criminal organization?
"But don't you know my identity now?"
"Yes. Our rules don't prohibit knowing each other's identities. Our masks are only worn for outsiders."
"So, will I get to know your identity, too?
"Maybe."
Over the next few minutes Tepo tried to get more information about the mysterious organization. But apparently Quill wasn't willing to reveal more. Every attempt was deflected cleverly.
Frustrated but also amused Tepo finished his breakfast. Finally, the duo left the inn. They walked to the edge of the cloud, where Quill's ship once more appeared out of thin air.
The streamlined, metallic object was supported by two big turbines at its back. Below, a dozen smaller turbines could be moved in all directions allowing for nimble maneuvers.
With a length of twelve meters (39 feet) and height of five meters while standing, it could comfortably carry six people.
The glass hatch opened as Quill leisurely hopped in. Tepo raised his brows, looking left and right. Was he supposed to jump up there?
Luckily, Quill noticed the young man's predicament. He began floating, steering his ship into the wind channel and holding his position there.
Tepo understood what to do. But he was slightly apprehensive. This was his first time taking a wind channel with his body in his new life.
Standing at the edge of the crowd, watching the strong but orderly winds, Tepo went through all movements in his head. A few moments later his eyes grew determined. He took a few steps back, accelerated, and jumped.
Immediately the young man's stomach sunk. He quickly spread his limbs, trying to stabilize himself amidst the roaring winds.
Feeling the power pushing him from multiple sides, Tepo gradually grew excited. Only after experiencing it with his own body did the young man understand that the winds weren't uniform.
Somehow an upwards stream was mixed into the wind channel, preventing Tepo from falling into the storms.
Memories appeared in Tepo's mind. He recalled the times he used the wind channels in his 'new' life. He quickly got the hang of it.
Shakily Tepo let himself be carried. His robe billowed as he did his best to hold his bag in one hand.
Somehow stabilizing his body, the young man glided forward. A few seconds later he had arrived at Quill ship.
Under the green-masked warrior's scrutinizing gaze Tepo grabbed the edge of his ship before pushing his body in. Even though the hatch wasn't closed yet, no winds reached inside the ship, allowing Tepo to finally sit down.
"Are you sure that you are a native of this world?", asked Quill with a teasing voice.
"Of course. I just… never liked wind channels."
Tepo's answer didn't even convince himself but luckily Quill didn't harp on it. The warrior was ready to leave as his ship accelerated quickly.
At high speeds the duo shot along the wind channels. Quill was a reckless driver, overtaking multiple other ships on their way to different cities. But no tension could be felt from the warrior.
Tepo didn't have much trouble getting used to Quill's driving style. He had time to look left and right, but the surroundings were mostly boring. Especially close to the wind channels no exciting scenery could be seen.
Suddenly the young man squinted his eyes. He focused on a ship behind them. After a few seconds he was certain of his guess:
"We're being followed!"
Contrary to Tepo's grave voice, Quill was nonchalant as always:
"I know."
"What? Since when?"
"Since we left the inn of course.", stated Quill matter-of-factly.
"Are those your enemies or what?"
Quill rolled his eyes.
"Don't distort the facts here."
"What do you mean?", asked Tepo with his brow raised.
"Those are obviously your enemies."
Tepo frowned. He felt some anger coming up:
"You mean the mayor's people?"
"No. Your new enemies."
Tepo rummaged through his brain, but he drew a blank. Whas Quill joking with him? When had he made new enemies?
"I don't get what you're talking about."
"Well, that's what you get for flaunting your wealth. Let this be your lesson."
Tepo opened his mouth but closed it again. His eyes drifted towards the small bag containing all his belongings. He quickly puzzled it together:
"Are you talking about my artificial core?"
"Of course.", nodded Quill. "Only because I don't care for it doesn't mean others are the same. A commoner with an artificial core. Tz. How could those poor warriors resist?"
Drawing a sharp breath, Tepo focused on the ship following them. Is it this easy to form enmity in this world? People are ready to rob at a moment's notice?
"So, what are we doing now? Are we stopping in a city?", asked Tepo calmly. Although they were being chased, the young man was confident that Quill could deal with everything.
"We could do so."
"Then…"
"If you are ready to give up your core.", spoke Quill teasingly.
"What do you mean?"
Quill sighed lightly. Was Tepo really this naïve?
"Did your dealings with the mayor in Floating Rain not teach you anything? How can you believe the kingdom's people would uphold any law? A kingdom is an organization like any other, although clad in the clothes of a state.
They are only working for their own benefits. Making rules is to their benefit and breaking them can be to their benefit as well. The mayor might deter those chasing us publicly, but behind closed doors he will ask you to hand over the artificial core.
Perhaps he might make up some reason and proclaim to hold onto the core for your own safety."
Tepo grew solemn as he listened to Quill. He really hadn't seen the kingdom from this perspective. This was not something that would be taught in school.
In his old life things were different. Although not everything was perfect, humanity was united. The army made the rules, and no one dared to break them. Criminals were dealt with harshly.
But this world was different. There were so many warriors. Could anyone really suppress them all and bind them to rules? Especially outside the city? Impossible!
Tepo's mindset shifted. He realized that he hadn't thoroughly understood the power structures in this world yet. In the future he had to be more careful!
Meanwhile Quill steered his ship, completely disregarding his hunters. They were still in a densely populated wind channel. Attacking here would pose too many risks.
Knowing this, Quill soon took a turn to right. He entered another channel only leading to a smaller city. Not many ships were traveling here.
In Tepo's view the ship chasing them hesitated slightly. The potential thieves were obviously not fully confident. But soon they entered the wind channel as well, beginning to close the gap between them.
A few minutes later a strange atmosphere settled in. Only their two ships were left traveling along the wind channel. Everyone else had seemingly vanished. Tepo felt odd. Was this the proverbial quiet before the storm?
Maybe he was right. Although the storm didn't come to them, out of it, multiple ships suddenly appeared, blocking their way.
Tepo was surprised. With their highly reflective surface those ships were able to travel the storms almost invisibly. They were made for ambushes. It probably wasn't the first time those warriors had robbed others.
Surrounded, Tepo and Quill felt a DeJa'Vu. Why was this situation so similar to two days ago?
But the duo remained calm while a loud voice spread through the Wind channel:
"Get out of the ship and raise your hands. If you cooperate, we, the Black Claw Pirates won't hurt you too badly!"