Day 3 after leaving Linburg------------------------------

The last 2 days have forced me to call upon the spirit within the blue pearls known as the Gia Whale. The Mediterranean is full of pirate activity, so avoiding any boat that tried to approach us was paramount. If we had stuck to Mr. Félix's original plan of staying away from populated islands, the number of ships we would run into would have been reduced. That said, we had to change course towards Erytha to gain sanctuary from the coming threat of Kiren McCormick.

As I have continued to use the pearls' powers, I've started to hear things. At first, the sound I heard was clearest when I began to doze off. It was a melodic yet haunting call of a beast underwater. It would start out low, like a distant calling of my name, then rise as fast as an air bubble attempting to reach the surface. Mr. Félix suggested it was the Gia Whale trying to contact me in an attempt to forge a closer bond.

I can't say I understand why. Surely, it knows my intention to part with it. Perhaps it's making a plea to stop me from committing. However, I will not allow it or anyone to change my mind.

-Syan Vispond

Seeing the island of Erytha was both a marvel and a relief. It was hard to focus on the sickness of being in close quarters on the open sea for days versus the island's natural impossibility.

The island was a crescent shape where the center rose as a hill. The tree stood taller than the hill. It was enthroned despite its crooked trunk and off-centered foundation. The roots that grew into the sea were as thick as a ship mast and sprouted out of the island's points, creating a gate separating the port from the open sea. There was enough room for ships to sail through, but each had to be careful not to let their sails get cut by the pointy wood. Erytha was adorned with the vibrant colors of flowers and other plants dancing in the salty wind.

The water around the island was as clear as glass, allowing us to see the coral garden inhabited by vibrantly colored fish. The fish calmly swam beside La Discrète and didn't disperse when I slipped my hand into the water. A childish laugh slipped from my lips.

Mr. Félix directed his ship through the bramble of roots with little effort. He was amazed as he saw ships from different factions casually sail past each other with slight tension in the air. Erytha clearly had the strength to keep even superpowers from taking up arms against each other.

"I see many flags flown from island settlements," Mr. Félix muttered. "But even they should have the power to take over a place like this. This place must truly be protected by the power of a Sailing Spirit."

"You mentioned that Sailing Spirits were like nomads," I said, "but why is that part of the culture?"

"You've probably assumed this already, but most Sailing Spirits are pirates or adventurers. When you desire something as much as we do, you tend to want to obtain it by any means necessary, which can lead to illegal acts. I only knew about selfish uses for such power; it never crossed my mind that someone could use it for others.

"I meant to ask you this before, but why do you say 'we' when discussing Sailing Spirits? You're not one, are you?"

"I'm not. I wanted to be, but I wanted the power more than having a desire the powers could help me gain."

We finally reached the dock, but before securing the boat, Azurea leaped off La Discrète so quickly that it violently shook. I almost flipped over the side and into the water. I tried to call out for her, but her excitement at seeing so many plants caused her to run into the town despite the odd looks from the different people she passed.

"Let her go, Syan," said Mr. Félix calmly. "We are safe here, aren't we? Even outlaws seem to be on their best behavior here."

"We aren't here to have fun, that's for sure," I said as I helped Mr. Felix secure the boat.

"You should try while we have the chance. Feel free to relieve some stress before we take off again."

"I would rather focus on getting weapons and resources as planned."

"Let me worry about that. Now go and find your fiancee."

Begrudgingly, I left the boat and made my way down the docks.

Walking into the town, I could smell the earthy scent of vegetables and the sweet tang of baked fruits drifting in the air. It was easy to guess that Erytha's main product involved agriculture. The market's bright reds, oranges, and yellows indicated that the town could grow valuable foods that sailors needed to stay healthy while sailing. It explained why they didn't need to trade with the mainland since they would act as a central point for most near-island trade routes.

Laughing children either ran past me without a care or were leading goats, pigs, or chickens across the roads as adults casually watched them with proud smiles. The sounds added to the feeling of safety I rarely found in new places.

Did these people ever experience combat? Would they have weapons for sale?

I grabbed my necklace, pressed it underneath my clothes, and rubbed the pearls. The Gia Whale's melody echoed in the back of my mind, bringing a sense of comfort. Even without seeing if the tree could move, it was clear that Erytha was a safe place. Azurea, Mr. Félix, and I could rest easily here without worrying about our pursuers.

But we would have to leave eventually. If we couldn't find any way to stand against someone like Kiren, then it would be a matter of time before we would have no choice but to waltz into his hands.

I suddenly stopped holding the pearls, disgusted that I would still want comfort from them. I may be using the power, but I refuse to grow more attached to the relic.

Suddenly, a crash of clattering metal caused me to jump in fear as if something bad was happening. As I scanned the area, I only found a boy on the ground with a box toppled over in front of him. The contents included scraps of metal and cloth stitched together like a kite as well as gears and screws. He scrambled to gather the scraps but carefully put the small pieces in the box first. He was about 19, given his broad shoulders, which suggested he was a hard worker, but he was paired with a gangly posture that betrayed his youthful awkwardness.

His soot-smeared face was focused, and his dark brown eyes narrowed in irritation as he muttered under his breath. He wore a well-worn brown smith's apron over farmer's clothes ruined by grease stains, and his brown hair was cut low and smooth like a river rock.

As he did his best to quickly pick up the tan metal, other people would walk around him like he was a hazard on the road. It felt hypocritical of an island town that was so peaceful to leave someone who clearly needed help. A stray thought implied that there was a reason for the boy's treatment and to leave things as they were. Besides, I had to find Azurea and ensure she didn't get into trouble.

However, the story of the Good Samaritan convinced me to push away my first thought and take a step toward the boy.

"Let me help you with that," I said, offering my hand to the boy, waiting to see if he would accept my help. He did, with a relieved smile.

Once everything was returned to the box and the boy was on his feet, he said, "Thanks for that. You must be new around here."

"What made you think that?" I asked as we began to walk toward the tree.

"If you knew who I was, you would think I was weird and not help me."

I looked back at the box, noting the strange contraptions inside. I was close to calling the items kites, but there were also metal replicas of birds and insects crudely put together with gears and metal sticks. I inspected one resembling a dragonfly, wondering how anyone could hold it together, let alone function.

"This stuff is weird, but that shouldn't excuse anyone from helping needy people." I then gently placed the item back into the box.

The boy laughed. "Not one for holding back how you feel. I like that."

"What is this stuff anyway? "

"I'm trying to find a way to fly."

"Fly?!" I asked, almost tripping over my own feet. "Why would you want to do that?"

"Because of all the things man has been able to conquer, the air has not been something the common man has access to. Once I crack the secrets of flight, I will take my findings to the mainland."

"To what end?"

"I don't know. I still have to make the darn thing work. Say, you seem like a man who knows his way around money. Don't suppose you'd be willing to sponsor my endeavors."

I looked skeptically at the half-finished inventions while hiding my surprise at how easily the boy could guess one of my strengths. Hypothetically speaking, if this kid could crack the flight method, it could give the trading company an edge over the competition.

"I'm still not sure what the final product will look like. I would rather invest in reliable transportation than hypothetical wings for humans."

At the end of the day, what the boy presented was hypothetical, and I couldn't invest in that.

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The boy shrugged his shoulders as much as he could and then introduced himself.

"I almost forgot to introduce myself. My name is Neegul. I'd shake your hand, but mine are full." He laughed, but I was distracted by the strange name.

"Neegul? Like a seagull?"

"With a different spelling, but yes."

"That's an interesting name."

"Depends on what your name is."

"My apologies. I'm—" I paused, wondering if I should give out my real name, but I wasn't confident enough to make up a fake one without discussing it with Azurea or Mr. Félix. "—Syan Vispond.

It was rare for anyone to know my name outside my hometown and trader's guilds. There was little chance that this person would have heard of me.

"Definitely sounds like a money man's name. Speaking of which, where are you going? You've been following me during our entire conversation."

At this point, we were on a hill, going to a cliffside garden. It wasn't gated like the one the Switzer had, but it was clearly more vibrant even from a far distance.

"I'm looking for my fiancee. She ran off like a child, and I don't know where she ended up."

"Do you know where she could've gone?"

I sighed in frustration. "She's a general lover of plants, so she could be anywhere on this island."

"Well, if you ask, I know someone who could find your fiancee instantly."

I followed Neegul up the uneven stone path, trusting that this stranger had a surefire method of finding Azurea. The shadow of the massive tree started to cover us as the sounds of the town faded beneath us. I began to hesitate because I was sure Azurea wouldn't have left the town, and I wondered how someone on a hill could know where a singular person could be in such a compact place.

"Where are we going?" I asked, glancing at Neegul skeptically.

"The Heart of Erytha, a garden to represent the birth of Erytha. We will find my sister, Victoria, there."

Neegul nodded in the direction of the cliff we were walking to. Perched on the edge and overlooking the endless expanse of the turquoise sea was a garden. Although smaller than the one the Switzers had, it sprawled in natural terraces, with each level carved delicately into the rock face, linked by winding stone paths and steps softened by creeping moss.

Lush greenery thrived in abundance, with plants that were equally foreign and strangely familiar to me. Tropical-colored flowers with petals like flames stood alongside soft, delicate blooms in shades of lavender and white. Large, leafy plants provided shade for the smaller, more fragile ones while climbing vines wound their way up wooden trellises that swayed gently in the breeze.

"And how will your sister help me find my fiancee?" I asked.

Neegul turned with a confident grin while doing his best to hold up the metal box. "My sister is the island's seer. She should be able to figure out where anyone is so long as they are on the Erytha." Neegul's smile faded in confusion when I didn't react. "And… this doesn't shock you?"

"Given the impossible nature of this place and what I've experienced in the last couple of days, I don't see why a fortune teller would surprise me."

"Seer, not a fortune teller. Most new people who hear that have a bigger reaction, whether that is excitement or disbelief."

I should have been excited. I should capitalize on the opportunity if someone could give me any foreknowledge. However, it wouldn't matter if I couldn't guarantee Azurea's safety. Erytha might be a safe place, but I needed to keep everything under control.

We finally got to the garden, where Neegul led me to a workbench at the center. There, I saw a 16-year-old girl focused on tending to the closest plants to her. She hummed a melody with the same calmness as Erytha while her hands moved like flowing leaves in the breeze.

She had long, deep chestnut brown hair with golden undertones that cascaded down her back like the root that popped up around the island and braided in an intricate pattern. When she turned to her brother with a warm smile, her green eyes lit up and flickered with gold-like sunlight on a forest canopy.

Her warm-toned skin was accented by the simple, flowing garment alongside the crescent moon pendant around her neck. I stared at the pendent, wondering if it was another phantom relic that could explain her seer abilities.

Victoria stood up, took her gloves off, and put them in her pocket as she spoke to her brother. "You never bring guests here," she mocked. "Did you trick him into believing you can make a pig fly?"

Neegul dropped the box on the workbench, causing the metals inside to clammer together. He then pulled up a stool, all while glaring at his sister.

"Outside of myself, I have never used a living creature to test my inventions. He's here for you."

She then turned to me and said, "Is that right? Well, how can I help you?"

I bowed slightly before answering her question. “My name is Syan Vispond. I, alongside two others, recently arrived on this island for reprieve and restocking on supplies. However, one of them ran into the town, and I don't know where she could have gone. Neegul told me you had the power to find her."

"My brother told you about me? What happened between you two?"

"I tripped, and he helped pick up my stuff," Neegul explained while fiddling with one of his devices. "He's a good man, even if he doesn't want to sponsor me."

"I see. Normally, I charge for services involving my gift, but sadly, people rarely help my brother if he is in need. For that, I'll help you find who you're looking for and tell you a potential future for free."

I stood up a bit straighter upon hearing the word "free." "That's very generous of you."

"Kindness should be rewarded with generosity. That's what my mother used to say. Now, let's start with an easy one. Your fiancee is still in town exploring to her heart's content. If you keep looking, you'll run into her."

"I didn't say anything about a fiancee."

Neegul chuckled. "Now you act shocked."

Victoria rolled her eyes at her brother's teasing. "Your description of the situation and full name allowed me to narrow down who you sought. Guessing that she was your fiancee was an educated guess."

"And you were able to figure this out in an instant. How?" I wanted to know if she would give a hint as to whether or not she was a Sailing Spirit like me.

"I can see strands of time like small rivers, and I was trained to discern which is most likely to happen. That said, I'll let you in on a not-so-well-known fact. I haven't mastered picking out the 'right' stream of time, so most of my predictions involve local happenings or events that will come sooner than later."

"So, if I understand correctly, if I wanted to know what would happen to me in a month, you couldn't properly answer."

It wasn't a comforting revelation since I wanted to know my future. However, this girl allowed me to get a glimpse of the future for free, and as a merchant, I couldn't pass something like this up.

Based on the first inquiry, Victoria was able to make better predictions, providing accurate and extensive information about the question. If that was the case, it would be best to tell them about my goal to remove the blue pearls, which involved going to The Great Library while avoiding people like Kirn McCormick.

I looked over the cliffside, where I could still faintly hear Erytha's joyful laughter. Then, I focused on Victoria and Neegul. Would they want to help me if they knew the whole truth? Would they kick me out before Mr. Félix could secure a boat, resources, or weapons?

My father always taught me that information was the best commodity to secure. Knowing who to trade with and how to get around was always better than obtaining more items in certain cases. I had to learn my future at any cost.

"I have a specific question in mind," I began, pacing slightly as I gathered my thoughts. "But it's not a simple question."

Victoria leaned casually against the workbench, her gaze unwavering and curious. "I'm all for a challenge. Gives me an excuse to push my limits."

I took a deep breath and started with something to determine what they knew about Sailing Spirits. "Have either of you ever heard of the Gia Whale?"

Neegul stopped tinkering, his attention snapping at me. Victoria's face, however, revealed she had no idea what I was talking about, and there was a flicker of recognition in her eyes.

"Never heard of it, but it sounds like the name of a Sailing Spirit."

So, she did know what a Sailing Spirit was, which could confirm that Erytha is, in part, being protected by one via the tree, as Mr. Félix predicted. However, it seemed to me that Neegul was more familiar with the Gia Whale. Living in this part of the sea must have meant he heard more rumors in his younger days.

With more confidence, I continued to explain the situation but decided to hold off relating everything directly to me. "I've heard of Sailing Spirits in my light research into the Gia Whale. I've gained a vested interest in this, you see, and I believe it is connected to something—someone—that is close to me. However, the road of understanding has forced me to go to The Library of Alexandria, and there are… obstacles in my way."

Victoria tilted her head slightly as though scrutinizing me. If she could read strands of time, I had to be careful and not let her read my intentions to hide information. "And you're saying someone might be after someone close to you who is tied to the Gia Whale?"

I nodded slowly, unwilling to name Kiren or mention the harpy aloud. "If your gift can offer any insight—anything about my journey, the Gia Whale, or the library—I'd greatly appreciate it."

For the first time, Victoria hesitated. Her fingers brushed against the crescent moon pendant at her neck, and she glanced toward the horizon, where the sun bathed Erytha's cliffs in a golden glow. The jester did not go unnoticed by Neegul, who put the gadget he was working on to the side and looked at his sister with concern.

"Don't tell me he's overwhelmed you," Neegul joked at his sister's expense, but I could hear the rattle of doubt in his words. Something was wrong.

Victoria closed her eyes and let out a slow, measured breath. The air grew still, and for a moment, the ever-present hum of Erytha quieted. She then opened her eyes and looked into mine. Her gaze didn't shine like before, and her almost confident expression was replaced with fear.

"You need a new boat, yes? One with a hearty crew to get you to the other side of the Mediterranean while fending against pirates."

"Y-yes. That's correct." I did my best to keep my composure. She already proved she could piece certain things together quickly with enough information.

"I can help you get the boat you desire."

"You will?" asked Neegul.

"As the daughter of the Chief of Erytha, I have my father's authority to do so."

"That's not what I'm saying. No offense to Syan, but we can't just give out boats with crews."

"We might have to." Victoria kept her focus on me, and for the first time, landing on Erytha, my bone grew cold. "For the last month, I've had visions involving the destruction and pillaging of Erytha. Our sacred tree is engulfed in fire, a fleet of ships surround the port, and the displacement of something precious." She looked at her brother, horrified by what he was hearing. "I didn't tell anyone because they came about like nightmares caused by stress, and I couldn't make out the when or who's." She continued her permission by turning back to me. "That all changed when a new image appeared. The color blue, a great library, is one of our ships in Egypt. It didn't seem to connect with the first vision, but it was supposed to somehow."

"Slow down, Vicky," Neegul grabbed his sister's shoulders and forced her to look at him. "Are you saying that Erytha is in danger?"

"I wasn't sure at first until he explained his mission." Victoria pointed to me with a distant stare. "He is potentially part of this."

"What do you mean potentially?" I asked as the mask of confidence slipped off my face as I began to think about Azurea. I had to know what would come before I could look for her. "Are you saying I have to fight to defend your home?"

"I don't know who you are in this. As my mother would say, you are a wild card of the Fates." Victoria's eyes opened wider, her green eyes engulfed in a sea foam white, and her voice carried a strange resonance. Neegul let her go with a mix of horror and awe.

"I can see it. A path shrouded in shadow and uncertainty. The fate of the Gia Whale is tied to you, Syan Vispond, son of Clemit Vispond, but so are many chains—chains drenched in blood and seawater, loyalty, deception, and obligation. Here, my words promise you will reach The Library of Alexandria, but take this warning in tow. Your death is certain, and your bones will be your greatest legacy. As for the coming night, the invasion of Erthya will be your first test."