"I.. dont know.", Cetas breathed out with a hint of indecisiveness in his tone.
"It's alright, I will respect any decision you make."
Upon hearing Skadi's words, Cetas lightly nodded.
With that, their dinner feast ended and one by one they stood up and left the dining room to do their own interests. In the end, only Cetas and Elishia were left.
Elishia, seeing Cetas' crestfallen demeanour, spoke ever-so softly.
"Aren't you leaving soon? I need to wash the dishes so.."
With her awkward expression, Elishia stared at Cetas' empty plate with only sauces and leftover bones atop of it.
After pausing for a couple of seconds, Cetas noticed her figure and snapped back to his senses.
He nodded at her and stood up, turning towards the living room.
However, before he could leave the dining room, he heard Elishia's soft voice once more.
"Cetas.."
He turned around and saw her auburn-hair tucked behind a red bandana. He noticed that there were casual strands of her hair dropped down to the side of her fair face.
"If you're worried about this decision you're about to make.."
She abruptly stopped and stumbled upon her words.
"..I don't really know how to say this but I've been in your position before! And.. I had to leave many things behind for the sake of my dream. Ah! I'm not saying this to convince you to join or whatever, but I'm saying this to let you know that someone knows how you feel. I'm not in any position to say any of these either! It's just.. how do you say this..", Elishia spoke rapidly.
Her fast words soon turned slow and her voice became softer and quieter.
"..Ah.. I don't know.."
Seeing this, Cetas understood her intentions completely, "Thank you.."
Cetas then bowed and went on his way towards the living room.
In about 13 seconds, he made his way towards the living room and headed to the door leading outside. After that, he gently twisted the handle and exited the lonely hut.
He was suddenly met with the night's cold breeze and soft sounds of plants swaying along with the winds.
He walk a little further away from the hut and stared above the night sky, seeing the stars twinkling brightly.
After experiencing a starless sky, Cetas was once again graced with peace.
*
In the morning, Skadi, Cetas, and the crewmembers were located in the living room - Skadi in the front facing her crewmembers and the others sat on various chairs listening to her attentively.
"Our enemy is Falkone and his crew of red-bandana pirates, towering the numbers up to 40 people or more. Falkone is a notorious individual who has plundered a many villages - taking their women and food. Not only that but he has crossed the kingdom of Helios and it is rumored that he's kidnapped Princess Auruea. Although it is only rumored, this information made him an individual worth a bounty of 5000 Solaris."
Skadi raised her fingertips and a distinct frame suddenly flew to her side. Turning it around, it revealed a middle-aged man with a scarred right eye. His goatee was shrivelled and his face looked haggard. Additionally, a wide frown was painted on his face as he looked to be walking amidst the crowd.
"This is our latest documentation of him - a poster taken 2 days ago. He's currently located at the Eastern Port of Seyil. Regarding his ship, it is nowhere to be found, perhaps he's taking his best precautions on hiding it. Nevertheless, a few of his men were found on the port too. Most particularly his right-hand man, Soyuz, is rumored to be a frequent bar-goer, often spending the entire night drinking and getting wasted."
Skadi gazed at the white-haired Reid, her eyes giving a sense of order.
"Reid, I believe that you can handle this one easily.."
With a nod, Reid silently agreed with her terms, "Aye."
After Reid's approval, Skadi continued, "This is not one of our run-of-the-mill encounters. Falkone is a remarkable individual and due to his strength, no one has fought him and come out alive. Hence, his abilities are shrouded in great mystery. Although we have a small glimpse into his Zeal, we do not know much about the full extent of it."
Snapping her fingers, a stack of papers immediately flew to her hands.
"Based on the Historian's intel, Falkone's eyes turn blood-red whenever he battles. This gives him a physical boost, turning his strength akin to a bear and his speed into formidable lengths. However, this can also prove to be a source of weakness as his perception decreases."
"In some ways, he is like a beast who's lost all reason."
The information delivered by Skadi gave a mark of understanding among the crewmembers, her clear words gave them a face of satisfaction yet struck them with a deep sense of fear.
"Falkone is known to utilize the life source and Zeal of individuals around him. The more people around him, the more he gets riled up and stronger. Perhaps he has some sort of Zeal that sucks the life out of everyone but we can only speculate."
Suddenly, Skadi's rosy lips glowed and turned into a downward arc.
"These information given by the Historian lead to Falkone's abilities to the Metaphysical aspect of Zeal. However, I theorize that it is completely different.."
"Even though his confirmed skills lean towards Physique Zeal, the way that he utilizes the life sources of others is through the manipulation of blood!"
Galkan's eyes suddenly flared up, showing a perplexed complexion, "Blood?! Such a rare thing! How could such an individual like him be blessed by the Gods!"
Similarly, the crew members expressed their confusion. Knowing that no other individual in the world can manipulate blood, their faces showed a great deal of concern.
Seeing her crewmember's worry, Skadi pushed a calming gale to easen their hearts.
"I do accept the fact that it is a worrisome ordeal, however, it is only but a theory. One that has yet to be criticised nor confirmed."
She then shifted her head beyond the crew member's statures, staring at a wailing old man carefully striding across the corridor, "Would you care to verify?"
Noticing her gaze, the Historian scoffed "Pah! I've already told you kids everything I know! Be grateful that you have me!"
"We are very gratified for your great information, O, Mr. History.."
Skadi gazed back at her crewmembers, tucking her hair behind her right ear.
"So, underestimate not our enemies, especially Falkone. As for Soyuz, he possesses a Zeal that manipulates his body to his will. Therefore, usual physical attacks will not be useful in engaging with him. That is why I gave Reid the honor of facing against him as his Metaphysical attacks are the utmost lethal towards the man."
"He can alter his physical appearance at will but that shouldn't be much trouble to you due to your eyes.", Skadi stared directly at Reid who eas listening attentively, "Be wary though, do not be fooled easily."
"I understand"
Skadi nodded in satisfaction, "Good. Now, a few of their members are Zealots but do not falter, most of them do not possess unique Zeal so dispatching them should be easier to do. However, due to their numbers, we must still be wary as we are susceptible to surprise attacks and backstabs."
"For Captain Falkone, I will personally handle him. In the scenario where the odds are against me, I will buy time for Galkan and Reid to arrive, grouping together with me to take down the pirate.*
"Speaking of you two", Skadi stared at Galkan and Reid, "Take care of Falkone's subordinates. Reid, after you defeat Falkone's right hand man, head towards Jones immediately and get yourself fixed. After doing so, go back to the battlefield and aid Galkan in taking down the rest of the enemies."
"Jones, you are to stay with Elishia at a nearby building. Hide from the enemies and do not let yourself be caught, I believe you have a particular skill that is well-suited for stealth. Elishia, I order you to help Jones in terms of supporting our combat prowess. Utilize your cooking skills and keep him healthy, he will be the cornerstone of this operation."
The auburn-haired girl, Elishia, suddenly tensed. She had been in a couple of hunts before but this was the first time that she was tasked to do something!
Inside her, she felt a duty to fulfill and over exceed the expectations that Skadi has of her.
With a sudden yelp, she stumbled upon her words, "Y-yesh!"
Skadi grinned in response, nodding along with her words.
After delegating the tasks, she could not help but gaze upon Cetas, who had an enduring complexion on his face.
Suddenly, Skadi noticed the boy slowly raising his arms!
His lips curved slightly as he let out his quiet voice.
"I.."
He stared down, clearly conflicted by the decision that he's going to make. However, he pushed through, "I wanna go!"
Skadi smiled, clearly amused by the boy's brazen attitude.
However, she responded in contrast to her feelings.
"Cetas, child, this is a dangerous mission. The risk that is posed by our enemies is high and there is a chance that you will end up deceased.."
Cetas could not respond, he opened his mouth yet no words could come out of it. His body didn't seem to act in accordance with his will.
Then, a voice belonging to that of an old man suddenly resounded across the halls.
"It's fine, he can go."
Everyone's heads turned back - towards the direction of the voice.
The Historian stood casually near the living room, a cane held firmly in his right hand and a pair of glasses hanging by his nose.
"You wanted him to see the world right?"
"I do but it is too dangerous! This is the Falkone we're talking about!"
The Historian raised his cane and touched the floor in quick succession, "Then, I will protect him. Give him the experience of viewing your battle just this once. Perhaps you can even enthrall the boy into joining your crew.."
Skadi's eyebrows furrowed, "That.."
With a mischievous grin, the Historian cut her words off.
"I'm right aren't I?"
"Y-yes, however I would want Cetas to join of his own will!"
The Historian stared at Cetas and then back at Skadi, "Isn't it his will to come with you on this hunt?"
Even with all of her intellect and smarts she still could not outdebate the Historian, perhaps that is one of the feats that his old age has given him.
Skadi looked towards the boy, who clearly looked determined to come. She sighed and asked him gently, kneeling to equalize their heights.
"Cetas, child, even while knowing the dangers of this hunt, do you still want to come?"
Cetas nodded, "I do!"
With a heavy breath Skadi stood back up and stared around her crewmembers, "Does anyone oppose this?"
A couple of seconds of silence ensued where no one was raising their hands. However, when Skadi is about to declare that Cetas is able to come, the white-hiared Reid suddenly speaks up.
"I disagree with this."
Skadi's eyes were surprised.
"That is acceptable, may we know as to why?"
Reid stood up and his hair bounced along with his action, his deadpan eyes gazed at Skadi's eyes and then shifted its direction to Cetas.
"It's simple. He will be deadweight. He does not know how to fight nor is there any purpose for him to come. This is a dangerous mission and we can't afford to have any spectators watch us for "experience"."
Upon mentioning the word experience, Reid directly stared at the Historian.
To which the Historian responded with a smirk, "If that is so then just give him a gun. Perhaps a flintlock would be best. That way, even though it is minimal, Cetas would be able to fight."
"Right, but he's new to the surface right? There is no way he knows how to operate one.."
The Historian's eyebrows were raised and his fingers were rubbing on his bearded chin.
"Is that so, hmm. Why don't you go ahead and teach him Reid.", his smirk grew even wider, "You still have a whole day ahead of all of you, there is much time to train."
Reid, with a cold demeanour, refuted the Historian's solution.
"There wouldn't be enough time, he would need to learn how to aim, the proper handling, the-"
"Just give it a try would you? Perhaps you'd even be enlightened on his potential.."