As Skadi reassured Cetas, she stood near the edge of the ship, gazing at the endless sea beyond.

The sun scorched hot in the sky, casting shadows of the Schooner in the Harbor.

"Do you see, Cetas?"

Cetas slowly walked behind her, also looking at the blue expanse.

"The sea is as boundless as our hearts, it goes forever into the horizon. Everything. It’s out there."

"What is?" Cetas asked with a curious tone.

The waves crashed into the edges of the Harbor’s wooden pillars down below. The winds made Cetas’ hair flow to the side, and the radiance of the sun warmed his skin.

Seldomly, the ship would rock slightly.

Skadi turned around, her golden hair sweeping like the waves below.

"Freedom.. There is freedom beyond the seas."

"Freedom.."

Cetas couldn’t quite fathom what the word ’freedom’ meant. Even with the knowledge that the Historian imparted, he could only make out its definition.

But he couldn’t understand it.

He gazed at the looming skies beyond, several darkened figures of birds flying swiftly as if they were the wind.

What is Freedom?

As he pondered, Skadi slowly walked forward, passing by Cetas.

"Cetas, once you’ve regained your memories, what will you do?"

Cetas continued to face the sea.

"..I’m not sure.. I’ll return home, I think."

Skadi placed her hand on Cetas’ head, ruffling his soft blue hair.

"Home, huh.."

Skadi’s mouth curled upwards.

"That’s nice.."

Then, she turned around and walked across the ship, her footsteps making a cluck sound with each step.

Upon reaching the gangplank, she looked at Cetas.

"Come with me, Cetas. Let’s run some errands."

Cetas hurriedly made his way to her side, the thread of his dark cloak bouncing ever-so slightly as he did.

Thus, the Schooner was left alone in the Harbor. It constantly rocked once in a while. The sun hit its enclosed sails. And the waves brushed it softly.

As the ship faced towards the endless sea, Cetas and Skadi walked towards the deeper parts of the Sixth Layer.

*

In the northernmost part of the Sixth Layer, completely opposite to the Harbor where Skadi and Cetas was at, a vintage tavern opened its doors for pirates, criminals, and many alike.

In this area of the Sixth Layer, there weren’t many people situated outside.

The streets were filled with trash and dirt, the few people outside begged for spare change, and there were even blood stains painted on the floor.

However, inside the tavern, screams and laughter exploded.

The reason?

Two men sat across one another, their hands grasped tightly upon one another. Their biceps bulged, faced with an enormous force that they brought upon.

One had a clean shaved head, while the other had a disheveled, unwashed hair.

The people around them cheered, betting on each side.

"I got 20 Solis on Baldie!"

"35 Solis on Captain Schmuck here!"

"Come on! Break his damn hand!"

"Captain! Slam his ass!"

The outrage went on, many individuals held silver coins in their hands, betting to see who would win.

And amongst the crowd, Skadi and Cetas passed through the rampage.

They headed towards the counter where the tavernkeeper served rum and liquors alike.

Skadi leaned on the counter while Cetas sat on the stool in front of it.

Flicking away a gold coin in her hand, Skadi addressed the barkeeper, "One Heliosian Classic, please."

"Right away." The tavernkeeper said as he got to serving.

Skadi then looked at the event transpiring in the middle of the tavern.

Following her gaze, Cetas watched as the humans went primal upon watching the clash of two brawns.

Curious, he said:

"I don’t get it, why would they be excited over this?"

"It’s their little escape from the world. Some humans are simply barbaric in nature."

The crowd inside erupted as the bald man won the bout. On the other side, the Captain with disheveled hair laughed.

However, the people supporting the Captain didn’t seem too pleased. Some of them carried frustrated looks while others were dejected.

"That man lost, didn’t he? Why is he so happy?"

Skadi focused on the man with disheveled hair.

"There’s more to happiness than just winning and losing, Cetas."

Upon saying that, the tavernkeeper served a glass of a dark oak-brown liquor.

"Here’s your change."

He handed over a stack of silver coins to Skadi to which she responded with a light nod.

Then she took the glass and downed it in one sitting.

"Ye do be quite the drinker, Ma’am.."

Skadi merely smiled at him.

The tavernkeeper then looked at Cetas, who had a dark hood covering his face and onyx scales, only his mouth were visible.

Then, he looked back at Skadi and nodded his head to the side.

"So, what are ye’ here for?"

Skadi reached into her coat, grabbing a scrolled parchment.

"I’m looking for this."

The barkeeper unfurled the parchment and read its contents.

"Hmm.. Ain’t much versed in this."

He raised his head.

"But, that feller o’er there might know a thing or two."

Skadi nodded.

"Thanks."

She pushed the stack of silver coins towards the tavernkeeper.

After doing so, she and Cetas headed over to where the tavernkeeper pointed at.

Turns out, the man with disheveled hair knew about the contents of Skadi’s parchment.

The man sat at one of the tables, surrounded by several men with uncleaned, messy beards.

They were all dressed like pirates.

"Cap’n, I ain’t lettin’ him disrespect you like that!"

"Yeah! Ya could’ve easily won that!"

Despite their retorts, the Captain merely brushed them off.

"Ah, ye scurvy dogs! Strength ain’t always bout’ raw brawn! I lost fair and square! Can’t ye miserable lot accept it?"

His men looked disappointed, clearly they held a sort of pride to their Captain’s strength!

"Me honor as the Sea Dog Pirate Captain still stands!"

The men stood straight.

"Aye!"

Just then, the winds around them shifted.

A soft footstep could be heard amidst the loud noise of the tavern.

The Captain of the Sea Dog Pirates turned around.

"Who might ye’ be?"

Skadi stared directly at the man, her eyes cold.

"I am the Captain of the Aegir Pirates, and I’m here to ask a few things.."

The Captain of the Sea Dog Pirates rolled his eyes,

"Urgh, a bounty hunter.."

He leaned in his seat, his face filled with disgust.

Meanwhile, his men were tense upon hearing the name of the Aegir Pirate crew.

"So the infamous Zephyr has come to claim me bounty. Me grand renown caught ye eye, scoundrel!"

He faced his mean and raised his arms.

"Lads! Let us rejoice, tis a cause for celebration!"

However, his men didn’t show a glimmer of enthusiasm.

It was only natural after all.

Being targeted by the Zephyr herself would instantly mark a pirate for death.

Of course, news of the Captain of Red Bandana Pirates succumbing to her strength has already spread! Therefore, more pirates became wary of her.

"Don’t worry, I am not here to claim mere change."

The hearts of the Sea Dog Pirates easened a little bit.

"I’m here for this."

She set down the parchment on the table, hitting it with enough force to cause a slam but not enough to gather the attention of the people inside the tavern.

"The tavernkeep said you know about this."

On the parchment, several texts were written—mainly about the five Faes that the Historian revealed.

The Captain of the Sea Dog Pirates squinted his eyes to read the text on the parchment. After a few moments, he rested his arms on his chest, crossing them and leaning back to relax.

"I know a thing or two. But it’s gonna ye’."

He raised his fingers and rubbed his thumb and index upon one another.

Skadi scoffed.

"How much?"

The Captain of the Sea Dog Pirates’ eyes lit up. Then, he raised his hand and spread it wide open.

"500 Solaris and I tell ye’ everything I know!"

Cetas was surprised.

He didn’t know a lot about the economy of the world but 500 Solaris sounded really high for a piece of information!

Just then, Skadi slammed her feet at the table and leaned towards the Captain.

His men were startled, some of them reached for their pistols.

"How about this, you tell me everything you know and you stay alive. Otherwise, you’ll turn into the 300 Solaris that your bounty’s worth."

A chill ran down the crew’s spine. Of course, who wouldn’t be scared of the infamous Zephyr threatening your source of honor right in front of your face!

Most of all, this woman defeated the Captain of the Red Bandana Pirates—one of the most notorious pirates that has been rumored to have kidnapped Princess Auruea!

The Captain of the Sea Dog Pirates’ felt a trickle of sweat flow down his temples. However, his expression remained playful.

"Ah! I was just pullin’ yer leg! No need for such bloody violence!"

Skadi removed her leg from the table.

"Great then. Spill it."

With a deep breath, the Captain of the Sea Dog Pirates lowered his shoulders and spoke:

"I only be knowin’ bout’ one o’ these five spirits."

He pointed to the first Fae that was written in the parchment.

"Listen, this here be called the Fae o’ the Winds.."

His expression turned serious.

"And we crossed paths with the spirit but once on our voyage!"