Early the next day, Kael guided Helios, Nyx, and Althea up a nearby hill that overlooked a clearing. Upon reaching the top, they were met with the sight of a stunning airship, its graceful design and grand sails demanding admiration. The ship hovered effortlessly above the ground, secured to a massive wooden post.

Helios stared in awe. "You have a flying ship?"

Kael grinned, evidently proud of his possession. "That's right. It's named the 'Sky Serpent.' It's among the most advanced airships in Alderan, able to navigate the skies and even sail on clouds. It has accompanied me on numerous lucrative adventures."

Nyx gazed at the magnificent vessel, her curiosity aroused. "How does it work? What keeps it airborne?"

Kael pointed to the airship's mast, where a large crystal orb emitted a gentle, shimmering glow. "That, my friends, is an Aether Core. It's a rare and potent artifact infused with the essence of the elemental plane of air. The Aether Core generates an anti-gravity field, enabling the ship to defy the laws of physics and soar through the skies."

Althea smirked. "Kael obtained it through some... inventive negotiation, shall we say?"

Kael shot her a playful scowl. "It was entirely legal, I assure you."

They boarded the Sky Serpent, admiring its smooth, polished interior. The airship featured comfortable living quarters, a fully stocked kitchen, and even a small library. It was clear that Kael spared no expense in maintaining and upgrading his prized possession.

As Kael showed them around the ship, he led them to a large, dimly lit room. At the center of the room, a round table was surrounded by a diverse group of individuals, each engaged in an intense card game. The room's atmosphere was tense, punctuated by the occasional burst of laughter or groans of disappointment.

Kael cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the players. "Ah, let me introduce you to the Sky Serpent's crew."

First, he gestured to a female elven engineer with short blonde hair, revealing a half arm sleeve tattoo featuring intricate gears and cogs. She wore a pair of golden goggles atop her head. "This is Lirael, our engineer. She's responsible for keeping the ship in top condition and maintaining all its technical aspects."

Next, he pointed to a female human navigator, her wavy pink hair flowing over her shoulders. She had a serious, calculating expression. "Meet Sariel, our navigator. She charts our course and ensures we reach our destinations safely and efficiently."

Kael continued, introducing a massive male orc with muscular arms decorated with tribal markings and a fierce scowl on his face. "This is Grulthok, our security officer. He's in charge of protecting the ship and its crew from any potential threats."

Lastly, he indicated a stout, male dwarf with a neatly groomed beard and spectacles on his nose. "And finally, meet Thraindor, our accountant. He keeps track of our finances and ensures that our ventures remain profitable."

However, as Kael attempted to continue with the introductions, the crew appeared more interested in their card game than the newcomers. Sariel, the navigator, slammed her cards on the table, a victorious grin spreading across her face. "Ha! Another winning hand!"

Thraindor, the accountant, groaned in frustration. "You've got to be kidding me! That's the third time in a row!"

Grulthok narrowed his eyes at the pair, suspicion evident on his face. "I'm starting to think you two are cheating."

Lirael chimed in, clearly dissatisfied with her hand. "I have to agree with Grulthok on this one. There's no way you can win so many times without some kind of trickery."

Sariel scoffed, feigning offense. "Trickery? I'm simply more skilled than the rest of you. Isn't that right, Thraindor?"

Thraindor hesitated, glancing between Sariel and the others. "Well, I have observed some... peculiar patterns in the winnings."

The room exploded with accusations and denials, the crew seemingly forgetting about Kael and his guests. Kael rolled his eyes and sighed with resignation. "I'm afraid we may have to delay the introductions. The crew can get... quite competitive."

Althea chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, it's a good thing they're passionate about their roles, isn't it? We'll likely need that energy when helping to hunt the Demon Lords."

She turned to Helios and Nyx, winking playfully. "But don't worry, I've known this crew for a while now, and they're certainly up to the task. As long as they're compensated, that is."

Kael shifted uneasily, suddenly realizing the potential expense of hiring the crew for the task ahead. He cleared his throat, attempting to redirect their attention from the heated card game. "Right, well, before we dive into this, perhaps we should step outside and discuss the details of our arrangement."

The crew continued to argue, barely noticing as Kael guided Helios, Nyx, and Althea out of the room and back onto the deck of the Sky Serpent. As they stepped out into the fresh air, the tension of the card game was replaced by the gentle swaying of the ship and the soothing sound of the wind rustling through the sails.

Kael leaned against the railing, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Look, I know we're all eager to embark on this little adventure your goddesses have concocted, but we need to be realistic about the cost. The crew is exceptional at what they do, but they don't work for free. We need to devise a plan to cover their fees, especially since I'll be diverting time away from running my business to help locate the Demon Lords for your hunt."

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Helios nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "We can't expect them to risk their lives without proper compensation. Makes sense. What do you propose, Kael?"

Kael grinned, mischief glinting in his eyes. "Well, I have an unconventional proposal for you. Instead of working through a guild, as most heroes typically do, you'll be working under me. Directly."

Nyx raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what exactly does that entail?"

Kael struck a dramatic pose, his arms outstretched, and his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Why, my dear Nyx, it means you'll have the immense privilege of joining my esteemed crew! You'll work, eat, and breathe all things Sky Serpent! And in return, I'll ensure your success in your divine quest!"

Helios couldn't help but chuckle at Kael's theatrics. "Alright, Kael, we get it. But what does that mean in practical terms?"

Kael ceased his dramatics to respond earnestly. "Essentially, you'll aid with a variety of tasks on the ship and assist with any jobs we accept as we travel. This way, you contribute to the crew's expenses while acquiring valuable skills. Additionally, I'll be able to monitor your progress and ensure you're prepared for the challenges to come."

Nyx folded her arms, contemplating the proposition. "It's certainly unorthodox, but it might work. What's your opinion, Helios?"

After a brief pause, Helios concurred. "It seems like a just arrangement. We can support the crew and gain invaluable experience. Our knowledge of this world is limited to what DVN has told us. Diverse perspectives will help us better understand how to approach things."

"Tymora has informed me that the offer is acceptable. They will accept your proposal," DVN interjected.

"You've been silent for an entire day, and the first thing you do is try to accept something for us?" Nyx questioned.

"I am a Divine Compendium. Not a person. I speak when my knowledge is required," DVN clarified.

Kael clapped his hands, grinning widely. "Fantastic! Welcome aboard, both of you. I assure you, this will be an unforgettable adventure. Hopefully, it’s lucrative too."

Kael's eyes widened as he looked at DVN with renewed curiosity. "Hold on, did you say you're a Divine Compendium? I've only read about those in ancient texts. I had no clue that the old book you were carrying was actually a sacred relic!"

Unperturbed by Kael's reaction, DVN replied, "Indeed, I am the Divine Compendium, commanded by the Goddess of War to guide and aid the authorized users, Helios and Nyx."

Kael scratched his chin, clearly fascinated. "Well, I'll be damned. How about you go ahead and make me one of–."

DVN then addressed Kael. "Regarding financial arrangements, what do you plan to pay Helios and Nyx for their services?"

Kael hesitated, taken aback by the inquiry. He hadn't thought about compensating them since they would be working for him to cover the crew's expenses. But he recognized that he couldn't expect them to work for free while also contributing to the ship's costs.

"Ah, right. It's only fair that I offer some compensation for your efforts. Here's my proposal: I'll pay you both a percentage of the profits from each completed job. This way, you'll earn a fair share for your contributions while still helping cover the crew's costs. You'll also receive free room and board, as well as our assistance with your quest. Those last two are already being covered by Tymora through future obligations."

Nyx and Helios exchanged glances, evaluating Kael's proposal. After a short moment, Helios spoke. "That seems fair. As long as we're compensated justly for our work and can support ourselves, we agree."

Nyx nodded in agreement. "I concur. It's a fair arrangement, and it'll provide us with the resources we need to fulfill our divine mission."

Kael smiled, relieved that they had reached a consensus. "Great! With that settled, let's get to work. We have much ground to cover and numerous tasks to complete before you can even consider hunting down the Demon Lords."

Althea advanced, her eyes shining with resolve. "First things first, we must register Helios and Nyx in a guild. Proper training and assistance are crucial for their survival in a world with multiple Demon Lords. We still need to finish our trade route, as Tymora and Athena caught us mid-way. We'll drop you off in Arcadia and return once we're done. The Guild should keep you occupied."

Kael agreed, guiding them back into the ship. "True. Thankfully, we're traveling by air, so it should take only a day or two to reach Arcadia."

While preparing for departure, Kael taught Helios, Nyx, and Althea the fundamentals of operating the airship. They paid close attention, absorbing the invaluable knowledge.

The Sky Serpent started to rise as Kael pulled the tether release, with the ground slowly disappearing beneath them. As the ship climbed, the wind strengthened, filling the sails and propelling the vessel forward.

Just then, Sariel and Lirael dashed onto the deck, cards in hand.

"Kael!" Sariel cried, her tone slightly annoyed. "You untethered the ship without giving us time to get ready! We could've lost everything!"

Lirael smirked, adding, "You know, Kael, this haste might cost you an Adamantite coin someday."

Kael rolled his eyes, grinning. "Relax, we won't lose the ship. I know what I'm doing."

Sariel raised a doubtful eyebrow. "Do you?"

Lirael chuckled, expertly shuffling her cards. "Perhaps we should start charging you for our anxiety meds."

Grulthok, leaning against a nearby wall, interjected, "I'd charge him for our headaches instead."

Thraindor, the accountant, concurred. "And don't forget the ship repair costs if something goes awry."

Kael grinned at his crew. "Speaking of finances, I have an enticing VIP mission you won't want to miss. It's, well, divine."

The crew's interest was piqued. "What's the catch?" they asked, smirking.

(...)

[Some time later]

Helios, Nyx, and Althea leaned against the railing, their eyes sweeping across the stunning vista that lay beneath them. The immense expanse of Alderan spread out in every direction, with its forests, mountains, and rivers composing a beautiful tapestry.

As the Sky Serpent climbed higher, they entered a domain of clouds, their wispy filaments enshrouding the vessel in a warm embrace. The feeling of gliding through the clouds was both thrilling and serene, providing a break from the challenges they had encountered so far.

Kael approached them at the railing, his eyes mirroring the pride he harbored for his airship. "There's truly nothing like navigating the heavens, right? It's a privilege few have ever known."

Nyx nodded, spellbound by the celestial splendor around them. "It's genuinely remarkable, Kael. We appreciate you sharing this with us."

"Now that everything's prepared, I suppose it's time to hunt a Demon Lord. How many active Demon Lords are there again?" inquired Althea.

"Currently, there are 9 Demon Lords, or 8 if we don't count the young one seeking peace," DVN informed.

"That's...quite a few Demon Lords. They never mentioned how many we actually had to vanquish. I suppose now we know why," Helios quipped.

"I assume that's why Fortune and War chose to collaborate?" Nyx wondered.

"It's not the entire explanation, but it's partly accurate. Although your abilities have the potential to become extremely powerful in this world, it is to counterbalance the overwhelming challenges set before you. As has been emphasized repeatedly, it is crucial that you both cooperate to effectively save the world nine consecutive times," DVN declared.

Kael placed his hands on Helios and Nyx's shoulders, gazing at the horizon. "Frankly, if it results in fewer Demon Lords in the world, it's a minor sacrifice. After all, peace is profitable."