Chapter 9: Crail

Zack

The forest opened up and the moon began to rise from the horizon. Its pale light shone across the coastal village Yami had mentioned they would stop at for the night.

“Ah, here she is, welcome to Crail.” Said Yami as he reached the apex of the hill that looked over the village. It was small and quaint, mostly consisting of huts made from planked wood and built around the coast with a boardwalk and pier to complement it. It was about what Zack expected when Yami explained it to him in the forest. The village was silent and empty, not a man or woman to be seen despite the fact many vendor stalls were still open and had their stock of supplies sitting unprotected.

“S’odd, Didnae think everyone would be going to bed so early,” said Yami as he furrowed his brow and folded his arms.

“Unless perhaps they're hiding instead?” Zack suggested

“Aye, If they're bringing in that battleship, there's a good chance Vholerians could be oot this far,” Yami replied.

“They might have found Thomas,” said Zack, slightly panicked they may have lost further intel on the ship. Yami interjected

“Relax, He’s my right-hand man for a reason, He’s a smashing spy, Zack, Vholerians would never find him” Yami turned to Zack, Let’s split up. See if we cannae find Thomas or any of the villagers.” He said as he began to walk to the village.

“The Vholerinas could still be around. How am I supposed to let you know without making noise?” Zack asked slightly confused.

“Good question…wave?” Yami said as he moved his arms out to give a mocking confused expression. He turned his back and ran into the night toward the eastern side of the village. At least I get a moment away from him Zack thought as he lost sight of Yami. Zack walked towards the western side to look for Thomas and wherever the villagers were. Bandits most likely wouldn't have been through here as the stock of supplies from the vendors was untouched. Though, it still could have been Vholerians. If that were the case, Thomas and the villagers would have been long dead once they found out they possessed no magic. It didn't matter to Zack if they were alive or not. Just so long as Thomas was so he could get more intel on that battleship. Zack walked cautiously across the eastern side of the boardwalk, the wood beneath him creaked with every step but not the typing of creaking that would worry him about falling in. Despite the village being quite small he had lost sight of Yami at this point, not that he had to worry about his safety. He looked out onto the black sea lit by only the moonlight as it created what looked like a straight path of light across the ocean. The shore splashed in and out in a slow gentle rhythm. What will I do once he’s dead? He hadn’t given it much thought, about what he would do if he succeeded in his goal. Go back to being a soldier? Start a family? Find a new profession? These thoughts never occurred to him because they could never reach him. This goal of vengeance had changed Zack. He could hardly remember his life before these eight years. Though he can remember it was unpleasant so perhaps that was for the better. Zack suddenly heard murmuring coming from one of the larger huts, He stopped in his tracks. He couldn't make out the words but he could tell someone was in there. As he got closer, the door flung open with a loud slam against the planks of the buildings. Zack’s reflexes signaled him to draw his sword. Just as he did, however, no one was there. The doorway was empty. What? Was it the wind? Zack held his sword in a state where he was ready to draw it in case someone or something was there. As he crept closer, something blew right past his right shoulder. Too fast for him to react. He quickly backsteped away from the door and to the opposite side of the object, still holding his sword ready to draw fuck! what was that? It was so fast! As Zack looked up he saw what flew past him and immediately dropped his guard and returned to a relaxed posture, his mind returning to a relaxed state where his soldier reflexes weren't on alarm. Really? Floating in front of Zack was one of Yami’s Translucent Blades. It swung back and forward like a pendulum pointing to the sky. Zack sighed and stormed into the large hut, closing the door on his way in. The room was small but cozy. Candles lit the room, showing small trinkets and ornaments hung from the walls that looked to belong to a sailor. Inside he found an empty doorway that led to another room. Inside, Yami and Thomas stood together.

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“You have to be joking,” Said Zack while he rolled his eye at Yami.

“What? I did tell ya I’d wave”

“Suprised you showed up, assassin.” Said Thomas with a sarcastic tone. What was his deal?

“Did you find the villagers?” Asked Zack

“Aye, Downstairs in the basement, Thomas hid them there from a group of Vholerians”

“Vholerians?”

“Aye, Just as we thought. They didn't stop by the village thankfully, but it did give the folks here a scare as they were passing by. Should be fine taking them out now where here.”

“Who is to say that’s the case.?” Thomas said cutting in “Who’s to say he will fight for these people?”

“I am” Said Yami as he turned to face Thomas and meet him eye to eye “Ive chatted with him on the way here, he’s a good lad, trust me” Thomas held his tongue

“Fine, if you say so” Yami smiled

“Right! I'll go let the folks know it's fine to come oot and get a pint noo” Yami left and disappeared downstairs. Thomas turned and walked to the nearby table. His leather sack was empty, with the desk covered in maps and scribes.

“How is the princess?” Asked Zack. Thomas gave him a cold side glance as he began filling his sack with his supplies. He returned his gaze to the desk.

“She’s fine, Jane’s taking care of her,” said Thomas curtly Another moment of silence between the two. The tension was palpable at this point.

“Is she conscious?” Zack asked awkwardly. Thomas shot daggers at Zack and threw his supply sack over his shoulder. Thomas approached Zack and grabbed him by the hem of his leather brigadine. Even though Thomas was a few inches shorter, he still had some good strength to get ahold of Zack.

“Listen you Atlus snake. You only get to stick around because Yami says so. No one told you to speak though. So keep your mouth shut. You're just going to unsettle everyone being here.” Zack remained silent while his one eye looked down at him, emotionless. Thomas released his grip and strode out of the hut with the door slamming behind him.

“I guess he holds a grudge against their kind too.”

Zack drank his ale with his back faced to the ambient noise of the bar crowd behind him. It had only been about an hour since he arrived and the villagers were settled down after the Vholerian scare, they were tougher than they looked, though the ale probably played a big part in calming them down. Not the worst idea Yami has had. He thought to himself. Zack wasn’t able to focus on anything from the day. Even the fact he had a grim reminder he was far behind Devil Relics users in terms of raw power didn't bother him. The thoughts of finally getting his revenge, the thoughts of finally ending this eight year long journey of vengeance were weighing down the heaviest on him.

“Quincy’s sorted us oot lodgings for the night so that’s that sorted. Keep an eye oot for the ketan lad just down the path at the back of the pub.” Zack hadn’t noticed Yami’s approach. He took the stool next to him, his crimson coat draped over the seat and covered the legs of the chair.

“Thanks, Yami” Zack said quietly as he gulped his ale.

“Ha, even when you give gratitude you've still got that low gravelly voice of yours,” Yami placed his coin on the counter - which was then swiftly taken by the barman - and took his tankard swigging the ale from it and placed it back on the counter as Zack did.

“Sorry, I shouldn't be taking the piss when you're trying to be grateful” Zack remained silent but not bothered by his comment.

“Don't worry about Thomas by the way. The lads had a bit of trouble in the past with Atlus in the past so he might take a bit of time, honestly, I think we all have. He'll warm up to you soon”

“I thought as much” Zack threw out. He held no grudge against Thomas for hating him, if he did he would be a hypocrite and he was used to the hate he got for his mask at this point.

“Aye, He’s good lad, he just takes a wee bit of warming up around new folk. Fun pal to be aroond, even mare so once he’s got a few pints doon him.” Zack sighed

“Looking forward to that”

The two sat in silence for a moment as they sat in the ambience of the pub

“I…I watched my best friend die right in front of my eyes” Yami turned and cocked an eyebrow at Zack. Zack had lamented if he should tell Yami why he wanted The Dark Slayer dead. Whether Yami would care or whether it would matter to himself if he shared it. To hell with it thought Zack, They had time to kill and Yami would probably tease it out of him eventually. “The Dark Slayer…he was the one to do it. And I stood there and did nothing about it.”