Lara's POV:

It took Jo half an hour to treat the wounds of the girl I found inside the building. On first glance, she clearly showed signs of abuse, sexual and physical. I won't start on the mental trauma she will have.

Still, what happened here? It is kinda obvious that these five were from a religious cult, but of whom? Enel? As far as I know, he was only on his home island and Skypia, but what if that is not the case here? Maybe he visited other islands and subjected them under his rule, before destroying everything he could. Mrs Chicken Wing is almost proof that this is not a canon world.

He might have visited more than just one island in his search for enough gold. His ship was massive and the needed gold would have been hard to find. It wouldn't be strange for him to jump from island to island in his search, always destroying everything once he can't find more.

And then he finds Skypia and the second half of Jaya, the half that has the city made out of gold.

And the warning on the hung man could be interpreted as his work. Still, I don't think Enel has any influence on this island any longer. He did not come over as someone who would rape, torture and pillage.

“Lara? I found some food and a few dials. Only some for water, heat and air.” Informed Jonny me. We had finished going through the building. There wasn't much of real worth. The best were the household dials. None were made for weapons.

“Thanks, bring them on board and then go rest, we won't do anything else today and stay here for the night”, I replied and jumped back on our ship. Jo was already waiting for me.

“We should let her rest, at least until tomorrow. She was hysterical at first but settled down somewhat when Nojiko explained to her who we are. I gave her some sleeping pills.”

I nodded while gesturing for him to follow me. “Thanks, any news on her? Who she is, why she was there and what happened?”, I asked while walking towards the kitchen.

“Her name is Nirü. She hasn't said much, mostly stayed silent or pleaded not to get hurt anymore. I left directly after treating her wounds. My presence seemed to unsettle her. Nojiko stayed until she was asleep.” He opened the door for me and we both sat down.

“So, not exactly what we expected eh?”, he began, grabbing a cookie from a plate, they were large and soft in the inside with big chocolate pieces, some melted other still hard. Lia made them for us so that we could eat something outside of meal times.

“Not quite. I did expect some fear or resentment. These people should not see our kind often. And it would show itself in fear, hate or curiosity. But some religious cult that kills all of us was not what I expected.” I did not say that I did expect a religious cult. But even one under Enel wasn't like this. As long as you pay everything was good with Enel.

“How will we proceed?” I tapped my finger on the table while thinking about his question. As long as we don't know more acting without any knowledge can be dangerous. Nirü will hopefully fill in the blanks.

“Let's think about this until we have talked to Nirü. She will know about the current happenings in Skyprie, hopefully, she will speak to us.” Jo hummed in agreement. He finished his cookie and left the kitchen.

Nirü woke up late in the morning. Nojiko was standing guard and informed us. Jo gave her a quick inspection and then left, stating that she was still uncomfortable around him.

Lia did not want to be present as well, not interested enough, so only Nojiko and I were with Nirü in the medical bay.

When I came in she became stiff and moved a little further away from me, but she did not outright flee. “Heso”, I said to her, trying the greeting of the Skypians out.

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“He...heso”, she returned. She also put her left hand behind her head and pointed her pinky and index finger upwards. So she knew it, hopefully, that gave me a few points.

“Let me introduce myself again and my captain here”, chirped Nojiko in an overly happy tone.

“I'm Nojiko, the navigator of the Kage Pirates and this here is my captain Lara.”

I gave Nirü one of my grin smiles. Jo told me that those look more natural and less dangerous than my full teeth smile.

“I'm Nirü Haily, thank you for saving me”, replied Nirü after a long pause. Now that she is cleaned I could make out more than a bloodied and bruised body.

She wore a large t-shirt, given to her by Nojiko. The rest was covered by the blanket. Her face was still swollen and bruised, but there were signs of a beauty behind the brown-green bruises.

Her hair was silvery blond and fell past her shoulders. I think she might be in her late teens.

It was silent for a moment, none of us really knowing how to start the conversation. I didn't want to jump right into the questioning. “W..what will happen to me now?”, she asked with a slight fearful tremor.

“You can stay with us until you are better and we would bring you home.” Guarded hope filled her eyes and the tension in her lessened slightly.

“I'd like that. Thank you, what..what do you want in return?” The last words were spoken with trepidation, fear of the price I might state.

“Information, we are new here. Don't know why we were attacked, don't know who might be friendly and who is in charge.” I answered and sat down on a chair, opposite from her and with the bed in between.

I think she felt relieved. Only answering a few questions isn't hard. “What do you want to know?”

“Why were we attacked, why were you where you were, who is in charge of Skyprie and anything else that might help us. Oh and if you know how to get our hands on one of those balloon octopus. We need one to go back down.” I refrained from asking more questions, those will be enough for now.

She thought for a moment and then nodded once, maybe to reassure herself. “Okay, let me answer one after another. You were attacked because the followers of Enel think that any and all sea dwellers are to be killed on the spot. They think that you are the reason for his disappearance and want to bring him back by killing you off.

As for why I am here... they kidnapped me when I was out fishing. That was four days ago.

The next question is a little more hard to answer. There are three big groups in Skyprie. One is the Sect of Enel. It is the largest group and each of them is a fanatic follower of Enel. Who isn't here any longer, thankfully.

The next big group is led by Urouge. He is the captain of the Fallen Monk Pirates and only sometimes up here in Skyprie. He came last week and is demanding money and food in return for protection against the Sect of Enel.

He is not exactly good, but also not sacrificing people for speaking against Enel. In fact, he loathes him.

And the last group would then be the 'free' towns of Skyprie. They are not truly free but are not ruled by Urouge or the Sect of Enel. However, they are often under attack by the Sect and sometimes men from Urouge are causing trouble.

I live in one of them, it's called Galmon. More a village than a town, but we hold together. Even if the attacks of the Sect increased in the last few weeks.” She went silent for a moment but then shook herself out of her stupor.

“Anyway, Balloon Octopus are rare. We don't have one in Galmon, but those from the Sect of Enel or Urouge's crew should have one. They are big enough to have one and it is one of the only ways to get back up here. Urouge will have one, of that I am sure.

Other than that..., well, you sea dwellers are generally not very well liked. But not at the point of immediate attack, at least not outside of the Sect of Enel. Be friendly and you will receive friendliness.”

Nojiko was looking at me, she was not really worried, but also not calm. “Isn't Urouge also called the Mad Monk? His last poster had a bounty of 68 million Berry.”

“Yes, he is. I don't think he will pose much of a problem, these fanatics of the Sect of Enel will be more dangerous. Zealots are not prone to be logical.” I replied and stood up.

“Well, Nirü, thank you for telling us. Do you want us to bring you back to your home?” Nirü nodded quickly.

“Yes, I'd love that. Mom and dad will be crazy from worry.”

“Anything else we should know about, maybe about the strength of them?”, I further asked.

“I am not good at fighting. But our own soldiers use Mantra to help them in their fight. I'm not sure how it works, you will have to ask them.” Great, so they have Observation Haki. It will at least help the rest of the crew. It is better to fight someone who isn't really strong in it, than someone who has a good grasp. At least for someone who is a beginner.

And who knows, maybe they awaken their own Haki soon. Jonny and Yosaku are in enough fights to do it at least. Nojiko isn't there yet, and won't be for some time.

Josef might be close to activating his Observation soon, but I'm not sure.

“We will do that. Tell Nojiko how we can get to your home and we will set sail. You are free to leave this room but refrain from entering our personal quarters. Nojiko can bring you to our kitchen once the course is set, there should still be something left from breakfast.” With that said I left the room and searched for Lia.

She was sprawled out on a couch and reading a book. I sat down on her behind and began to give her a back rub “The girl is up. Enel was here but seems to have left. His followers are now trying to bring him back, while Urouge leads another group.”

She gave me a pleased hum for the massage she was receiving and put the book away. “So we go and stomp Enel's little minions in the ground, then catch Urouge and deliver him to the Marines?”

I gave the crown of her hair a light kiss and then started on her shoulders. “Thought the same. There is also a third group, attacked or suppressed by the other two. They will be thankful for our help. Nirü will bring us to her home, from where we can plan our attack. Whom do you want to take out first?”

“Hmm, let's attack the cultists first. They are sure to have some good dials. If they were Enel's soldiers they didn't have to give them away when he took over. Did she tell you anything about this octopus we need?”

“Yeah, both should have one, but Urouge will have one for sure. She said something about how they can help to reach the sky sea.”

Both of us went silent, with me giving Lia a massage and her sighing in bliss. “You know I love you right?” She then suddenly mumbled. She was already half asleep.

“Yes, and I love you as well”, I whispered back and gave her another kiss at the crown of her hair. She said nothing more and fell asleep. I continued with the massage.

Half an hour later Nojiko informed me about the new course, Lia was deep asleep from my ministrations and didn't notice her.

I asked Nojiko to be waked when it was time for Lia to make dinner and made myself comfortable in my very own bed made out of Lia. It was a sweet smelling and soft bed, the best there is.