The ship did arrive several days later, but instead of bearing good news, it came with the most troubling news.

The Blackjack usually came to the embassy docks with supplies and commodities, but this time, it carried passengers and instead asked for permission to dock in Pol Hain. It was normal to carry passengers, especially after travelling through the ocean was made safe by magic. However, the passengers that came with the ship were different, and the people of Pol Hain quickly knew what they were.

Many of them did not look like they came to visit. In fact, they looked like they had seen hell. Many of them were elated and cried in joy once they reached the new land, almost parallel to the reaction of the first explorers. However, it was clear that they needed help. They did not look like the wanted to spend their money in the new continent.

They looked like they escaped from a calamity.

Many of them looked ragged and traumatized, which the Pol Hainians quickly caught on, for many of them had seen a similar situation almost 30 years ago, when the previous town was destroyed and many people were displaced until the town was rebuild. It was clear these people had seen hell and needed help.

Without being prompted by anyone, some people lent their hands towards those who looked like they needed help. The sight of the new continent and its assortment of races confused many of the refugees, but they nevertheless accepted it. Even Jamie, as he walked out of his bridge to try and handle the refugees, was surprised by this unprecedented act of kindness.

Hans and the others heard of the ship arriving. They did not expect her to dock in Pol Hain, which quickly clued them that something was wrong. Without delay, they paced towards the harbor and met with Jamie. His lupine face was sullen, and one could hear a barely audible growl that indicated something was troubling him.

"Jim?" asked Hans. The captain grunted in response.

"It's best you prepare yourselves, lads," he said with a somber tone. "Something happened back home. Something hellish."

He invited them into the ship, where they saw many people, most of which were injured and occupied most of the top deck lounge. Nurses and doctors scrambled to keep one patient, a child werewolf, alive. He went into a shock from an unspecified wound.

They then walked into the bridge, where the rest of the crew nodded to the captain, each with a sullen expression. Something was very, very wrong.

"Last week," said Jamie as he sat and started to light his pipe. "The port of Angla was occupied by the enemy."

"Enemy? You mean, there is another war?" asked Ulster.

"An incursion, more like," clarified Jamie. "No one is prepared for them, not even me. I fought in the naval battles against the Dusdolfians and I knew them. They were still humans and werewolves. This? This ain't human, nor werewolves. Nay. They're demons. Literal demons."

"Literal...demons?" asked Hans. "You mean, real demons?"

"There were already reports of cities and towns being attacked by fiends of unknown origins. The descriptions implied that they were Lycans, but then it gradually changed as many saw them. They may look like werewolves at first glance, but look closer, and they look more like hounds. Dogs. With horns like the devil and standing upright like us. They were vicious and ruthless. They even tried to take the Blackjack if it wasn't for the crew shooting at them.

Stolen story; please report.

"These refugees came not only from Angla, but from many other port towns we visited. We tried to save many of them, but we feared it wasn't enough. The ship was bombarded with flames that penetrated the magical barrier."

Hans noticed. Parts of the deck were charred.

"Good thing we had the Raptors to help us. Even so, many of these refugees heard of our exploits and wanted to run further away, so I obliged. Food was scarce and people, especially those with fatal injuries, died along the way. We were forced to bury them at sea."

Jamie then took a deep inhale as the tip of his pipe was lit by the fire.

"Ironic, isn't it? We didn't lose anyone on our first trip here, and everyone thought it was a one-way trip. Now, I tried to save people, but many died on the way here."

"And, uh...did you get anything else? News from the rest of the region?" asked Ulster. "What of Adaline? And Dusdolf?"

"I only have one news, and it concerns you, lad." He turned his attention towards Hans. "That village of yours...was it called Sidve?"

"You have news from Sidve?" asked Hans, surprised.

"The incursion reportedly started there, based on eyewitness accounts. Hellhounds attacked the village and burned it down. Not many got out alive."

"Oh, no. No, no, no, this isn't happening," said Hans, quickly assuming the worst. "Sidve, of all places?"

"I'm so sorry, Hans," sympathized Jamie.

"No.... Just as I plan to go home.... Lilac...."

"Actually, that is the thing I'm trying to tell you. The eyewitness specifically mentioned one Lilac Rezmirn along with her companion saving her from the menace of the hellhounds. Her husband did not make it, but she was accompanied by her to Wayfer, a nearby town. The next morning, the two were gone."

"Gone?! That doesn't change anything! Lilac is...Lilac is still..."

"Gone as in they continued their travel. Someone saw them boarding a carriage to the next town. That's the last time they can be seen."

"How...do you even get all this?"

"The eyewitness is currently taking a refuge in Raptor island. For now, we changed our port of call to the island. Angla is no longer safe. In fact, none of the port towns of Tragoria are."

"And what of my family? And the trading company?" asked Adeline. She somehow lost her usual cool caused by worry.

"And the college? Excourt? Did you hear anything from Excourt?"

Jamie grimly shook his head. "I wish I know, lads. I wish I know."

The situation was reversed. Earlier, Hans was the one worrying about his sister's whereabouts. Now, the uncertainty struck Adeline and Ulster as they hugged each other, trying to find comfort in each other's arms. Hans, feeling grateful of the efforts in calming him, now had an obligation to return the favor.

Many other members of the embassy with families or loved ones back home scrambled to the port upon hearing the news. As the trio walked out of the ship's bridge, they saw heartwarming reunions as several refugees were reunited with a member of their families. Others could only look around and felt depressed upon realizing that no one they knew were onboard.

Jamie kept a passenger log for uncertain situations like that. For the rest of the day, the werewolf captain tried to answer any inquiries regarding refugees and such. Hans was elated that Lilac was actually okay, even if she did not write and he only knew she was alright from the news. He wasn't as sure with the companion. However, it was better than her being all alone and vulnerable.

On the other hand, Hans really wanted to try and help Ulster and Adeline in dealing with their own uncertain situation. They already gave him a nice dinner and cheer him up, but what could he give to them? In the end, he decided that he still needed to process the fact that he no longer had a home to go home to. Lilac was saved, but now she travelled far with no chance of even telling him about it. His acquaintances were either dead or displaced. He realized that his situation was still the worst of the three.

Yet, Hans tried not to feel depressed about it. True, he lost his village, but he could not change the fact anymore. Sidve was gone, and that was the fact. Trying to move on from it was easier said than done, but he tried.

He just...wasn't sure if he could keep this up.