“But, you know, I feel more fellowship with the defeated than with saints. Heroism and sanctity don't really appeal to me, I imagine. What interests me is being a man.”

― Albert Camus, The Plague

Off to the side, within the shade provided by the complex system of sails, was the dog-kin healer, who Ven had learned was named Otto. The dog-kin was one of the few beastfolk that Ven interacted with regularly, and he had begun to consider the man a sort of friend.

"I was waiting for you to come back aboard." Otto's wrinkled face scrunched in a smile as he stepped forward into the light. "Brull wants you to come to the planning room. The maps show we're about to enter some dangerous waters."

Ven nodded, and Otto's smile deepened, until his features vanished into the folds of skin. Vendak felt a kinship with the old fellow.

In some ways, he reminds me of my grandfather from Earth.

Although many things had surrendered to time, the impression left by this man was strong.

I can still remember his voice, even after all these years.

Otto's outlook was much the same as his grandpa's. He made friends and found laughter effortlessly, and Otto never shirked his duties. He was a pillar of the small community that formed onboard.

Ven had enjoyed himself over the past few days. Otto had been a big part of this. It was this old man's efforts that inspired the freed slaves to accept him. Ven's gratitude toward the white-haired old Dog person was deep. It had been a long time since he felt like a part of a community.

"You know, I'm still curious about you," Otto pestered Ven as they walked, his half-lidded eyes locked onto Ven. "You're clearly a natural cultivator of some kind, very rare!"

Ven sighed, his hands laced behind his head as he looked into the sky. He keeps insisting on calling me that, even if I have no idea what he's talking about. Otto claimed Vendak could cast magic without the help of a true god, whatever that was.

"Sigh all you like, but I know I'm right!" Otto said, his hand placed on the handle of the meeting chamber door. "My magic all flows from the gods and goddesses of Nature and Life."

The dog-kin stared into his eyes, paused at the threshold of the room.

"You're power is your own. Cultivate it well and you might even reach past the Earth Detiies."

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When the dog-kin opened the way, Otto's solemn look faded, and he smiled once more.

"Just don't waste what's given to you. Freedom is earned," Otto led the way inside, a hand on Ven's shoulder. "Captivity is the natural state of us all, only through effort can we escape it."

The pair entered, and Otto released Ven. His bushy white eyebrows furrowed as he gazed at the cat-kin twins, seated at the table within.

"Mara, Brull, I hope you've put together a better plan than sending me to die!" Otto took his seat at the table and motioned for Ven to do the same. "Those serpents have Nirvana Lords," a huff of air erupted from the dog-kins lips. "A hundred Nirvana-tier druids wouldn't stand a chance against a single one!"

"Oh shut up Otto!" Brull said, his finger dug firmly into his remaining ear. "We never asked you to do anything, we just asked if you could!"

"Oh sure," Otto's snort rang out once more, and he banged his staff into the table. "Ask a poor little Nirvana Cultivator to enter waters that might even have Semi-Divines lurking about!"

"It's ok," Mara chimed in, always the mediator. "My brother is just an idiot." Her tail lashed out, an involuntary spasm that struck Brull repeatedly, and silenced his response. "Hey Ven, how many fish did you bring back aboard?"

"Two," Ven said, a pair of fingers raised in front of him.

He'd been teaching the group some small parts of his language. Though I'm not sure which one I should use... He'd spoken English on earth, then some strange Slavic one after his rebirth.

I guess I'll stick to English, nostalgia is a powerful thing.

"That's great!" Mara said as her tail retracted back behind her. "Those big ones really help out! And the meat is super good for you since they're so strong!"

A small trail of saliva pooled at the corner of her mouth, stopped only by the darting flick of her tongue.

"Brull and I can feel ourselves getting closer to a breakthrough every day!"

"That's right." Brull interjected, "In a few more days I might break through to the Nivana tier myself!" The smug look on his face caused Ven to grin under his mask. "I'll be the first one in the family to make it there."

A fist made its way toward Brull's face, hidden in the poor fellow's blind spot. As it crashed into his head, Mara's voice rang out, louder than before.

"Oh shut up you moron. Dad warned you about getting cocky." She wiped her fist on her blouse, scorn clear on her face. "I'm a half step behind you, and you've never beaten me once."

Mara left her defeated brother to sulk and turned to Ven.

"This foolish brother of mine is good for something though," The smile on her face returned to the sunny mask, a flash of concern visible despite her best efforts. "We're approaching the forbidden zone around the Fallun Islands."

Mara pointed to the map spread across the table, her finger placed upon a small section of innocuous ocean.

"This whole area is the nesting ground of some pretty dangerous sea serpents." She continued, a finger now shifted to a spot to the east. "This is Fallun, and if we go in a straight line, we'll be there in a week." Her sharp claw circled the island on the map. "But, as you can see, the path goes right through the danger zone."

"Ah, you don't need to worry Mara," Brull roused from his silent pout. "Ven here is a Semi-Divine, he can go anywhere he wants." His scared face cracked into a reived smile, "He can just steamroll his way through no prob... HEY!"

A thick, wooded mass crashed into his skull, and Brull keeled over. It was Otto who clubbed the man, this time with his staff, and not a soft, if persistent, tail.

"Fool! I already said that these serpents may have a Semi-Divine." Otto's voice raised in anger. "Why else do you think Fallun leaves them be?"

"Otto is right," Mara said. "We need to be careful," The hint of worry in her voice grew as she spoke. "Fallun is the strongest independent nation in the world, and they never touch these sea monsters." She turned back to Vendak, her brown eyes filled with concern. "We can always go around their territory, It's just a bit of extra time."

Ven pondered for a bit at her question. I'm not sure about anything, especially where I stand in this new power structure. Others called him a Semi-Divine because of his visible cloak of shadow, and his powerful body, but in reality, he wasn't so sure.

My aura and strength are more of a natural ability. He was very interested in finding an opponent. A test against these snakes is just what I need.

His mind made, Ven turned to Otto.

"I go. You wait."

Otto nodded and turned to translate to the others. This old man really has a head for languages, Vendak complained to himself. In a week he'll speak fluent English. He waved goodbye to the trio, and raced back to the upper deck, leaving his three companions blinking at the empty air he had once occupied. He was looking forward to the coming battle, and as he lept over the railing he licked his lips.

I wonder if the crew has any recipes for serpent meat?