Seko lifted the paper lanterns onto the crate before him and bowed his head low. Three more lanterns, three more names, the list was getting longer. I have to do better, we all do. He clenched his fist and whispered his casting phrase for flame. "For Konudepa". Konudepa, his house, his name, his legacy, his responsibility. These men, his men, they were pirates sure, but they were a part of his hold regardless. They risked their lives for the name, the idea of wealth that it was supposed to bring.

His hand sparked to light in a green-purple hue of licking flames. One by one, he light the small candles contained within, slowly rising with the new heat. The Pasongunan was still airborne, some thousand feet up, and still had its trailing company of the Imperial Chaser, but none of that mattered. Funeral rites were always done in tense times.

"Hata ro yun suno asun yunwapin hibyokun ke anben sobyun, biyun, inga, kanun." He spoke each word of the old Gehenian phrases with precision. Just as his father had taught him. Just as he'd done for his fathers passing. The words honored the dead. They were a praise made to appease the souls of those now lost. Seko didn't know how much he believed in the whole concept of appeasing their soul, but the it filled him with a certain level of comfort.

"Kanun!" A few of the Gehenian crew were restraining tears and drinking as a means to look occupied. Kanun, Freedom. The three he'd lost were now free to wander the expanse of the plains beyond the mortal. They would see their gods and be judged for their worth, as honor and scripture dictated.

"Jau-lu," Seko began, turning to face the crowd of crew that had gathered "Strella, Diavre. They were crew and friend to myself and the officers, but to you, they were family. My knowledge of the goodness that made each one special is not a weighty comparison to the stories that you all will likely share, but I want you all to know one thing. I do not view this as a failure of my crew, nor as a reflection of you. These deaths, they are no one's fault. We live this life by the flag, blade, and sea. When we cast off, we know the risks, but that does not remove the tragedy and disservice this is."

Seko bowed low once more and stepped aside from the podium-like-crate he'd been using, allowing for Eado to take the place next. The man was a wonderfully tact speaker when he wished to be, and an elegant poet when liquored and emotional. It was something that both Seko and the crew admired about him.

"Rukipen and Nadyion were twins," Eado said. His voice carried out over the wind and crowd, silencing any that were mumbling their own praises. "They were chosen by the Creator to lead the people, but Nadyion was driven from her home and Rukipen grew distrustful of her husband and Followers."

It was an old tale, one that the Trinity tried hard to remove from existence. It was hard to tell whether it was true or not, but the names of goddesses and their roles were true enough, and the actions were mostly true. It sometimes made Seko uneasy to think of his faith, with so many gods and goddesses in the world one would think it would be a simpler and easier place to live. One could be mistaken in assuming that they'd have done something to help.

"Their memory is ever present," He continued "And we have seen their will done once more, though it may pain us to lose them. They were not ready to go, each had so much yet awaiting them, but it was by the Goddesses that they were taken. We know not what their path may be from here on, we only know that they shall be cared for in the next life."

Seko opened the door to the quarterdeck and stepped inside, shutting himself off from the procession and its deepening sadness. He didn't know his crew as well anymore, there were so few of the original twenty left, either leaving or dying. Yan, if only you listened sometimes, perhaps they'd still be here. No, it was a vicious and unfair thought. Yan was a blood thirsty warrior but he at least had the decency to only pick people capable of fighting for his tasks.

So it was Sekos fault then, he was Captain after all. What role did he have other than to be the scapegoat for the problems that occurred? And he would, he'd happily take the blame, because he deserved it, didn't he? He'd led those crewmen to their deaths, he'd launched the raid, and he'd planned the boarding. Ultimately, it was Sekos hands that were bloodied by the lives thrown away for their vindictive vendetta against the Empire. It was stupid, what was he even doing anymore?

"There you are." Yan strolled out of his room in a disheveled outfit and tossed hair, he looked as if he hadn't slept for the past two days. "I think I've found something."

"Come," Seko waved for his brother to follow as he strode through the antechamber and out onto the rear balcony.

The balcony had always felt an odd design choice to him, it did little for fighting and only really provided the comforts of minor elevation for the officers. Here, a thousand feet up and viewing the world below, Seko thought he could begin to understand the appeal. The sight was gorgeous, a full moon illuminating the sparse clouds and lighting them like dim candles. He could see the lights of the Imperial Chaser still some ways behind, ever fulfilling its title with each passing day. They'd been airborne for three now, Seko was almost afraid to end it, fearing it may never happen again.

"What did you want to talk about?" He asked, leaning against the railing and tracking the distant ship.

"I think I know where to begin, there's a sunken Trireme in-"

"A what?" Seko asked, face a contorted mess. Trireme? What in the world?

"Its a ship used in the first Invasion of the Void Expanse, apparently they arrived with a fleet of nearly two thousand." Nakyan eyes were alight with excitement as he spoke

"So a trire- treme-"

"Trireme," Yan spoke slowly, enunciating as he went.

"Aye, Trireme. So theres a sunken Trireme,"

"Right, so its somewhere in the strait between a pair of small islands. Theirs something in the journal about creating some item that he used for pirating around. He called it an Ether Key, said he took something from the Trireme as a trophy during its sinking and left a whole nest of the things behind."

"So whats the thing?" Seko asked

"Some metal of a sort, like the Infused ones used for Gewel Housings and Arc Cables. Maybe. It could just be Gewels. Its a bit vague on the wording."

"Okay," Seko said "so theres a bunch of this metal in a sunken ship in the strait. What else?"

"The journal mentions that Dotan was obsessed with some item he'd heard about. It was a theory in most places, but he never mentions what the theory was or what it did. All it says is its a key, something about pockets as well."

"Pockets? Does that mean anything to you?"

"Almost less than nothing," Yan replied "Seko this is it!" Yan gripped the railing beside him and stared down at the Chaser. "We have an idea of where to start and possibly an idea of what Dotan used to strike and store the treasure from so many ships!"

"Its an idea," Seko said "It doesn't help unless its real."

"It is real! You have to see that, we find the materials we need and follow the guide in the journal and we'll find the treasure. Simple as that."

"Simple as that, huh?" Seko had heard Yan use that phrase once before. It was when Yan had convinced him to become a pirate. "Fine, but we need to find this then."

"Ah my old half sail brother," Yan said gripping Sekos shoulders merrily "You'll be surprised at the wealth and good fortune that begets those who strive for legend. We'll make a pirate out of you yet."

"We've been pirates for over half a year," Seko shrugged off his brothers hold and returned to watching the vessel "Yan, I don't know that I'll want to do this much longer."

"What? Can't stand the chance that you might die?" He mocked.

"No," said seko quietly "But this isn't the life I want either." He turned to face his brother, to look the man in the eyes, how many lives had this man cost? How many had been sacrificed for him? "After we find the treasure I'm going to stay in the Free Merchants."

"And do what? You're a pirate now."

"I'll be a merchant, I can find a ship and crew that'll happily help me do the honest work."

"What about Eado?" Yan asked skeptically, "You'd leave him behind."

"You'll need all the friends you can get," Seko said smiling, "Or have you forgotten the amount of times you've punched yours away."

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Yan sighed and shrugged his shoulders dismissively, "It's your life my friend, I've no amount of say in the matter. I will offer my opinion if you'll hear it,"

"Of course," Seko said

"It may be harder to return to that life you knew now that you've taken this path, are you sure you want to do that? To return to a life of mundane adventures and small pay, turn your back on everything and everyone?"

"As opposed to a life of high adventure and no pay?" Seko asked, "I think I could manage that."

"Fine," Yan waved a hand and turned to leave. "It'll be your decision but upon your head be it. Regardless, we've got to figure out where the Trireme is and how to lose the Chaser. Or have you already removed yourself from the concerns of your crew?"

Seko took insult at that, he felt that at the very least it was Yan that never made the effort, but he had just given his brother the news he'd be leaving him to a life of piracy alone. It was understandable, if only just, that he would be mad.

"No, I'm trying to find a way." Seko said, "You should visit with the crew, we're holding the funeral rites on the main deck. Already did the Lanterns and Phrase."

"Who'd we lose?" Yan asked.

Seko blinked in surprise, "Jau-lu, Diavre, and Strella."

"Ah, Just three then, good." Yan closed the door and left Seko to the balcony and his thoughts.

The crew milled about the ship, making themselves busy with any plethora of small tasks that could be done. The rigging need maintenance and their usage of wind was different now, but otherwise the days were the same. They were closer to the sun and as such felt its overbearing gaze darkening the tans of all working the decks.

Seko stood on the quarterdeck with a spyglass aimed at their pursuer, watching a puffing white cloud of smoke rise from its center. Newer chasers used steam to supplement, He'd known it was a possibility but hadn't thought their actions worthy of the cutting edge. How badly did we anger those bastards, I wonder. Impressive as it had been, it had done little to secure them any leave of safety, and Seko was beginning to feel just the tiniest hint of regret in the action.

"How is it?" Yan sidled up beside him, wearing a grim expression. The air at the altitude wasn't agreeing with many of the crew, himself included, and the effects oft left one miserable.

"It's a Steamer. Don't know how or why, can't pin the class other than what we already know." Seko tried to sharpen the image, hoping to see anything that could aid them. He found nothing in their foreboding adversary that added to their side.

"That's bad."

"Certainly could be better," Seko said

"What do you think?" Yan asked

Disappointed in the lack of obvious flaw in the ship's design, Seko collapsed the monocular and pocket it. He ran a hand over his eyes, trying to bat both the sleep deprivation and discontent from his system. He would be able to rest once they were free from the Chasers impending disaster. Provided they did free themselves.

"We've been afloat half a fort, and they're still in pursuit. Almost commendable."

"We could fight," Yan offered gleefully, "I'm starting to feel the ache, maybe they have some coin."

"I'd rather avoid it," Seko said. He scanned the horizon and clenched his jaw in frustration. "Storm."

Yan spun to look before Seko could point, so he whipped his head around twice before seeing the raising clouds of dark green and gray. Storms near the Expanse Seas were always worse than those that hit the shore, so far from land they could appear almost anywhere and anytime. The rain would burn the skin and wind would rip through the sails with the force of a demon. He wasn't sure which he disliked more.

"We have to land," Yan said, "The storm will force us."

"If we go down there and leave ourselves to the Chaser, there's no telling how many ships could come follow." Seko was frustrated now, growing more frustrated with each minute. They couldn't afford to fight, not at such a disadvantage, and especially not after they had just mourned the three lost souls from the last raid. "We have to use the storm to escape somehow."

"You'd rather sail us into a storm than face the Empire?" Yans question was spoken no different than if he had asked for the kettle or the pot, but behind it Seko felt a weight. A pressing, bursting, burning question that Seko could answer for him.

"I'd rather we live." Seko said, "Not throw our lives into the hands of the gods."

"The gods hold our lives even now, brother, whether you see that or not. We are ordained to have fame and glory, it's in our blood. Our father-"

"Was a bad father and a worse Imperial, he's the reason we're in this situation."

"Regardless of the surroundings, we still have the chance to earn a name for ourselves."

"Dying is a pointless way," Seko raised a hand and called for Aithur.

"Aye Captain," Aithur strode over leisurely, "Sometin the matter?"

"Indeed." Seko pulled the collapsed Monocular from his pocket and handed it to Aithur, pointing out the puffing pillar of steam coming from the distant ship. "See that Chaser, we need to lose her."

"Aye Captain." Aithur nodded, "That we do, what did ye have in mind?"

"The storm," Said Seko, pointing out the raising gray green clouds. Occasional spouts of crackling purple lighting streaked within and around the mass. "We're on a course to it now, and we need to use this to escape."

"The storm sir?" A look of dread filled the man's face, "Are ye sure?"

"As sure as he will ever be," Yan said, "foolish as it is."

"We can use the wind, rain, and chaos of the waves below to slowly lower the Pasongunan down and away from the watchful eyes of our pursuer." Seko offered "Simple enough,"

"Simple enough indeed," Aithur mocked, "Nothtin simple bout it."

"It'll take us two weeks to reach the sunken ship,-

"And another two to reach the island." Yan quipped

"and it'll take another two to reach this island apparently," Sek rubbed his head "Really? Another two?"

"With proper estimates," Yan said "It will take roughly a month, maybe month and a half depending on wind and currents."

"Aye, that sounds right. This ship we're mean to find, the sunken one, where is it?" Aithur asked

"The upper coasts of Panwe." Yan said

Aithur whistled and ran his hand through his salt and pepper hair, knocking off some literal salt. "Thats quite a trip. And the Island?"

"Merchants bay."

"So close?" Seko nearly cursed. Merchant's bay was the sea and coasts of the split between Panwe and Bonsu, the seas they'd been sailing in before leaving for a life of piracy.

"It doesn't matter how close it is, without the conductor it would be useless."

"The material," Seko said, "It conducts magical energies?"

"So the Journal says, if you believe the ramblings of a 400-year-old Pirate Lord."

"Better odds than we face ‘ere," Aithur said.

The rolling of thunder was starting to cause shakes in the panes. Crew rose to their feet to see a storm up close, something natural of such scale that it made the works of mortals look like mere playthings. Lightning crashed around and struck distant targets far below, the rains pelting drops edging over the deck with an ease that seemed almost casual.

"All Hands!" Seko shouted, "Storms coming! Stations!"

The crew that weren't already in motion, having lived through enough of these storms below to know the orders by heart, snapped to attention and rushed to join their occupied counterparts. Yan glanced back to the ships below, slowly fading into the maelstrom that was the storm. He didn't look pleased at the loss of a chance to fight, but Seko ignored it. It wasn't his, nor the crews, job to see that Yan get his fill of the blood sport.

"Seko!" Vels tin voice came through the small pipe beside the helm. He leaned in to hear over the wind "What are we doing? A storm?"

"We're losing the Chaser." He shouted "Storms the best chance."

"But the Cores won't hold under this stress. We can't stay afloat much longer."

"How long?" His mind was racing with thoughts, escape plans and exit routes being dashed one after another

"Five minutes? Its hard to tell with these things." She sounded distant for a moment, her words muffled in the wind and rain. It stung to stand in it, each drop felt like an oil burn as it popped and fell from his clothes and skin. "Maybe less."

"Can you drop us and catch us?"

Yan was beside him when he asked, eyes widening and grin sparking into a full-blown smile. As teens, the pair had played with bits of string tied with little heavy ends. It had been a game of theirs to bounce the string up and down, watching as the length would bend then stiffen and the weight would stop instantly in place or bounce up under the sudden shift in direction.

"Drop...us? I don't follow."

"Stop floating until we nearly hit the ground, then pull the float back up and slow us into the water." Seko felt a spark of pride fill his heart, it was crazy. Yet crazy was what had saved them times and times before.

"So we drop until..."

"Until I say to slow us," Seko said "Can you do it?"

The pipe was silent for a long moment before she finally responded with a single word. "Yes."

Below the ships, far in the distance, were the many islands and their rocky mountains that protruded from their centers. Peaks untouched by anyone save for the seas creatures and the abandoned explorer. A captain or helmsman had to keep a careful eye out for reefs in the waters, but in the divides between the islands were whole pillars of stone and reef. Captains avoided the waters for fear of striking a wayward reef and sinking in the strange coasts, but it did provide one with a convenient escape if you were willing to risk it.

"So we fall, and they catch us," Yan said, "Provided it works."

"It'll work." Seko said

"What then? The Imperial won't just let us land."

"They won't have a choice, we're going to aim for that pocket of islands and use the reefs as a convenient out."

"What if they don't believe that we've sunk?" Yan asked

"Then they don't believe it and we’re followed. Either way, we need to leave to find the treasure, right?" He turned to deck and shouted “All crew! Brace for a fall!”

Yan grumbled an agreement and sidled over to the railing. There he gripped the wood with a feverish force and prepared for the worst. Seko called into the pipe and gave the order to drop the ship.

The whine that had announced the turbines function before, returned to a lesser extent as they lowered in power. The rain and wind seemed to stop as the world froze around them. Seko felt a pit form in his stomach as he gripped the railing beside the helm. Suddenly they were whooshing down at a tremendous speed, rain falling upwards and wind broken in its very path. They were falling, falling towards death, falling towards a dismal end.

"Now!"