The letter hung suspended in the air, as if caught between reality and disbelief. Moments earlier, it had been in Jack's hand, but now it drifted midair before descending slowly to the ground.
Jack stood frozen, his world crumbling around him as everything he thought he knew—all the knowledge he'd prided himself on—seemed to dissolve into nothing. His hands shook uncontrollably, eyes wide with disbelief as the reality of the situation crashed over him.
Jaz's mind went blank, struggling to process the overwhelming power that Captain Dominus had just revealed to them.
This goes beyond anything I could have imagined.
Alex's thoughts spiraled as questions whirled through his mind like leaves in a storm.
"Is this really true?" Jack's voice quavered, barely above a whisper as he addressed the Captain.
"This is the truth, The only truth" Dominus replied, his voice steady but laced with an unshakable gravity.
"Then Zenora—it's truly the island from the mystics?"
Dominus answered with a slight nod, the simple gesture carrying the weight of countless secrets.
"All this time, we've been chasing the Artifact… An Artifact whose power could destroy everything… or worse."
Jaz's voice was barely above a whisper, the weight of realization pressing down on her.
"And the Gods.., " Jack interjected, his tone rising in disbelief. "The very Gods people worshiped?.… they resided on this planet? I don't… I can't comprehend it."
"I understand your confusion, Jack." Dominus voice faltered with barely contained anger and frustration as he addressed Jack.
"I'm just as lost as the three of you. It's—it's beyond difficult to accept, let alone—"
It was the frustration of a man chasing shadows, the irritation of seeking answers that remained just out of reach. His golden eyes darkened with annoyance and disappointment as his words trailed off.
Before the tension could build further, Alex cut through it with a practical question:
"What about the key you mentioned? Do we have any clue?"
****
The night was still, the ship's corridors bathed in silver moonlight. A boy with dark navy hair wandered through the dim passageways, his black eyes gleaming with wonder. The soft radiance lit up his features, reflecting the awe etched onto his face.
"Woooaaahh!"
The sound of amazement escaped his lips as his gaze darted from one detail to another. His excitement was uncontainable, his gleaming eyes soaking in every corner of the ship.
This ship… It's incredible! From the outside, who would've thought it had five floors?
Sol roamed freely, his feet carrying him wherever his curiosity led. The narrow corridors, lined with large quarters, stretched into darkness. Yet, the shadows didn't deter him. For the first time, he felt truly safe, no longer running from danger. He walked aimlessly, savoring the moment.
Then, he stopped. His eyes locked on a golden lion emblem adorning a large, dark door at the corridor's end. Even in the dim light, the lion's golden sheen glimmered with pride and luxury.
Sol's eyes sparkled with greed. Stretching on his toes, he reached for the emblem, his fingers twitching with an uncontrollable urge to touch it, to take it. His body moved on its own, driven by instinct.
"What are you doing here, Boy?"
The voice, deep and commanding, cut through the silence like a blade. It came from behind the lavish door, from within the Captain's quarters. Sol froze. His body stiffened, his heartbeat quickened, and he stumbled backward.
"Uh… no-nothing, Si—Captain," Sol stammered, his words faltering as he tried to hide his intent.
"Captain?" A low chuckle escaped from within the room. "So you've started calling me that, huh?"
"Why not?" Sol asked, his voice trembling.
Silence followed. Inside the room, Dominus sat on the floor, his back against the door. The glow of pride that usually lit his golden eyes had dimmed, replaced by shadows of frustration and disappointment.
Why? Even that, I don't know.
Dominus thought, the weight of his own question pressing heavily on him.
Outside, Sol shifted uncomfortably in the silence. Tentatively, he stepped closer to the door and raised a hand, as if to feel whether the Captain was still there. Before he could touch it, Dominus' voice rang out again.
"Why do you think you called me Captain?"
Sol blinked, caught off guard. "Uh… maybe because everyone else does? And… you're strong. That's why you're the Captain."
"Strong?" Dominus repeated, a bitter edge creeping into his tone. "Who said that?"
"Jaz and Jack," Sol replied. "They said you defeated Grak. In an instant."
Dominus sighed. "That's because he was already exhau—"
"And they said you're the strongest in the Great Lands."
Dominus' eyes widened. The title struck a chord, stirring memories he had long buried. The struggles, the regrets, and the fleeting joys of his past flooded back.
Yet, amidst the chaos of his thoughts, he felt something unfamiliar—a lightness, a small smile tugging at his lips. Sol's words, so simple yet genuine, reminded him of someone dear.
"The Great Lands?" Dominus murmured. "Is that what you call the Central Plains?"
"Yeah," Sol nodded. "Everyone on Zenora calls it that."
"Sol, right? Who gave you that name?"
Sol hesitated. "I… I don't know. I just know it's my name."
Dominus leaned back, his gaze distant. "Really? Then tell me, Sol, what will you do when you reach the Great Lands?"
The question hung in the air. Sol's excitement faded, replaced by confusion. He hadn't thought that far ahead. Escaping Zenora and experiencing safety had consumed his mind. Now, faced with the uncertainty of the future, his fists clenched tightly.
"I don't know," he admitted softly. "But… I want to be strong."
"Strong, huh? Better than being a thief," Dominus remarked, his tone teasing but not unkind. He had seen through Sol's earlier actions.
"What? I wasn't—"
"It's fine." Dominus waved it off. "So, how strong do you want to become?"
"Strong enough to protect myself. To fight anyone who tries to harm me.... and if someone tries to kill me… I'll kill them first."
Dominus' expression shifted, a mix of surprise and sadness crossing his features. "Kill?" he repeated softly. "Such harsh words from a child."
Sol tilted his head, confused. On Zenora, survival often meant witnessing—or committing—violence. Killing was just another fact of life.
"If you want to become strong, come to me tomorrow morning. I'll teach you how to fight."
"But the Vice-Captain said the same thing," Sol replied hesitantly.
"He did?" Dominus raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Hmmm… Then forget it. Do what he said."
After hearing Alex had already made up his mind to train Sol, Dominus decided to step back for now.
Sol, feeling a strange sense of warmth emanating from the room, nodded obediently and scurried back to his quarters.
"Now go back straight to your room and sleep. Don't wander here and there at night"
Dominus ordered in an authoritative tone, signaling the end of their late-night talk. Sol, unable to defy the Captain's command, nodded and headed straight to his room.
Dominus stood up, a small, bright smile gracing his face. The frustration and disappointment that had clouded his expression faded away as he, too, retired to his quarters.
Thud-!
The boy entered his room, located on the first floor. His jet-black eyes quickly scanned the simple wooden space. A single bed rested against the wall, a small table stood beside it, and a circular window at the front allowed the moonlight to bathe the room in a soft, silver glow.
Sol threw himself onto the bed. It was one of his favorite things about being on the ship—the bed, so soft and comfortable, instantly soothed his tired body. His eyes, heavy with exhaustion, began to close.
What did he mean, "Who named you"?
Just as sleep was about to claim him, the Captain's words echoed in his mind. He lay there, staring at the ceiling, wondering.