As Men'ma went to meet the captain and the local Devi, the Rustler took the opportunity to explore the town. He meandered through the streets, with the curious gazes of the townspeople following his every step. Their interest in his presence seemed to be piqued, evident from the whispered conversations and the occasional pointing.

The town, to be honest, didn't seem all that bustling. It had a calm and laid-back atmosphere. However, as he walked, something caught his attention—a colorful ball rolling in his direction. The children who had been playing nearby froze, unsure of how to approach him.

Realizing that he could do something about it, the Rustler bent down, picked up the ball, and effortlessly tossed it back towards the group. The children's faces lit up with pure delight as they caught the ball, exchanging excited glances among themselves.

Satisfied with the outcome, the Rustler took his leave and as he did, one of the children called out from behind him, "Hey!"

Surprised by the interruption, the Rustler turned around and asked, "What is it?"

At that moment, the children once again straightened their backs, shaking their heads simultaneously. "No, nothing," they replied in unison.

Perplexed by their sudden change in demeanor, the Rustler furrowed his brow, trying to make sense of it. However, he decided to shrug it off and proceeded on his way.

Walking for several minutes, he finally reached the spot he had noticed from the carriage during his arrival into the city—a tranquil beach adorned with golden sands and caressed by shimmering waves.

Feeling like there wasn't much else to do, the Rustler found a secluded corner of the beach and settled down, sitting atop a large piece of driftwood. He took a moment to soak in the scenery before him.

The sea stretched out endlessly, its vastness both awe-inspiring and somewhat calming. The salty breeze carried the rumored scent of the sea. The rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore created a soothing symphony that gently echoed in the ears.

Looking at the horizon, his attention was drawn to a group of youngsters playing in the water not too far away. Their laughter and shouts of joy mingled with the sound of seagulls overhead, creating a lively atmosphere. They splashed and chased each other, their youthful energy evident in their carefree movements.

In the distance, he noticed tiny boats on the horizon, resembling a dot, as it sailed gracefully across the shimmering waters. Their white sails were taut, creating a striking contrast against the vastness of the sea.

Lost in his thoughts, he closed his eyes for a moment, allowing the serenity of the beach to envelop him. The gentle sound of the waves lapping against the shore, while not quite capturing the ethereal tranquility he experienced in the dreaming, still evoked a sense of familiarity with its soothing presence.

Sitting there, minutes turned into hours as the young swimmers dispersed and the boats faded from the distant horizon. Opening his eyes, the Rustler's gaze met the sight of the sun setting in the southern horizon, where an expanse of nothingness stretched between the two.

Standing up, the Rustler removed his shoes and made his way onto the soft sand. He walked steadily towards the shoreline, venturing into the sea until the cool water gently caressed his feet up to ankle level. However, he couldn't bring himself to proceed any further.

As the day gradually waned, the sun began its descent towards the horizon, casting a warm golden hue across the sky. The once vibrant blue canvas transformed into a masterpiece of colors. Shades of orange, pink, and purple painted the heavens, creating a breathtaking backdrop for the setting sun.

Overall, the sight reminded the Rustler of his first sunrise, the day when he received a set of instructions from a voice that, up until then, had done nothing but annoy him.

As if trying to catch up, he extended his hand in the direction of the sun. "Devour the sun," he mumbled melancholically before slowly lowering his hand. "Devour the moon," he trailed off, his voice barely audible, as the sun completed its descent, granting the shattered moon its chance to cast its feeble light upon the sea.

Chuckling derisively at his own actions, he muttered, "Seriously, what am I even doing?"

"Wouldn't that be reminiscing about the past?" a voice beside him answered.

The Rustler turned to face her, his expression filled with a mix of surprise and resignation. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath in before releasing a heavy sigh.

“I guess that’s what I was doing,” he remarked trying to conjure a smile on his face, “you sure do know your stuff.”

"Aye, I do," she responded. "How could I not? After all, that's why I'm here." She closed the distance between them and whispered, "To tell you what you already know."

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Confronted with that truth, the Rustler squatted down on the ground. "I really can't deny that. Just like I can't deny that the sea is..." The Rustler dipped a finger into the wave, bringing it to his lips. Instantly, he recoiled at the salty taste. "Salty... and just like I can't deny that I simply enjoy hearing your voice."

“Then should I speak more perhaps?”

“No, it’s fine the way it is.”

“It’s as you wish.”

Noticing the approaching footsteps from behind, the Rustler swiftly stood up and addressed the one behind aloud, "If you were planning to sneak up on me, I suggest you abandon this attempt and any future ones. It simply won't work."

“Eh, you’re no fun at all,” Men’ma complained, before walking up to his side. “What were you doing? Tasting the sea?”

“No. Of course not.”

"Oh, really? That's strange, but you certainly seem like the kind of person who would do something like that. So, if you weren't tasting the sea, what were you doing then?"

“I was… reminiscing about the past.”

Hearing this, Men'ma's eyes widened under her visor, and she ventured, although rather hesitantly, "Were you thinking about Ninjara?"

“I guess one could say I was.”

“What of her were you reminiscing about?”

"I'm not sure anymore. I found myself pondering what she would think of this sight," the Rustler said, gesturing towards the sea. It was no longer the vibrant blue it had been in the morning; instead, it had transformed into a mesmerizing shade of dark blue, casting a unique hue.

“And what do you think she would think of this sight?”

“I don’t know. How would I know?”

“I guess you’re right, that was a dumb question, but still even though I didn’t meet her, I think she might’ve liked this. After all, across this sea, there is her homeland, the place where she always belonged.”

“That might be true… Ironic, isn’t it?”

“What is ironic?”

"Back when we decided to journey south together, reaching the Slithering was a massive goal for both of us," the Rustler explained. "We were filled with impatience, eager to reach that place. But we never made it. Now, after traveling for literal days, a journey that held such significance for us feels like mere hours to me."

Men'ma suddenly apologized, saying, "I'm sorry for not waking you up back then."

"There's no need to apologize. I'm not blaming you for that," the Rustler replied. "I'm simply laughing at the irony of it all."

“I see.”

The serene atmosphere enveloped them, and the only audible sound was the rhythmic crashing of the waves against the shore. Minutes passed in silence, with both Men'ma and the Rustler lost in their own thoughts. It was the Rustler who finally broke the silence, his voice breaking through the tranquil air.

"So about your talk with the captain and the Local Devi, how did it go?"

“Ah that! It’s all fixed, we can sail with the tide, tomorrow.”

“That was fastly,” the Rustler commented, genuinely impressed.

"It was," the girl proudly boasted. "As of now, the captain and his men are preparing the ship for our departure tomorrow," she then vigorously patted the Rustler's back, "you'd better not sleep through the entire journey this time around. We're going on a boat, not a carriage anymore, so you should be fine. Sea-sailing is entirely different from carriage riding, I tell you."

"Well, Men'ma, about that."

***

As the sun began its slow ascent in the horizon, casting its first and warm golden glow over the bustling port, the Rustler stood on the deck of the ship, his gaze fixed on the receding shore. The rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against the hull created a soothing backdrop as the vessel slowly pulled away from the bustling port.

The crew scurried about. Hoisting sails, adjusting rigging, and preparing for the impending departure. The sound of creaking wood and clinking metal filled the air, intermingling with the excited chatter of the sailors.

The ship's captain, this time around looking more presentable, stood on the deck, barking orders with a commanding voice. His gaze briefly met the Rustler's, but quickly averted to resume his barking.

“Hey, it’s happening,” Men’ma rejoiced, “we’re leaving the dock.”

“I see that.”

“More like I felt that.”

"Secure the lines! Hoist the sails!" bellowed the captain, his voice carrying over the sounds of creaking wood and bustling activity. The crew members sprang into action, responding to his commands with swift efficiency. Ropes were coiled, sails were unfurled, and the ship set sail, slicing through the water with purpose and might. The sturdy vessel surged forward, propelled by the force of the wind.

“Hey, Rustler, come here, come see this,” Men’ma excitedly invited him to look at the coastline. “We’re really leaving!”

Stepping on a crate to allow himself to properly lean against the ship's railing, the Rustler took in the sight of the shrinking coastline. His heart was filled with a strange feeling, not quite nostalgia nor melancholy, yet it felt like a mixture of both. Strangely, this sensation also brought a smile to his face.

With the ship now fully at sea, sailing further into the open waters, the familiar sights and sounds of the port were replaced by the vast expanse of the open sea, stretching endlessly before him, the Rustler could feel a strong sense of anticipation enveloping him, mingled with a familiar churn in his stomach. This churn, intensified by the scent of salt, the motion of the ship, and the sight of dot-like little boats bobbing on the waves in the distance, like tiny specks against the vastness of the ocean surrounding them, only grew more pronounced.

"Prepare to catch the wind in our sails!" called out the captain, his voice brimming with the excitement of a new journey. The crew members scrambled to make the necessary adjustments to the sails, their movements synchronized and purposeful. The ship responded, surging forward, its bow slicing through the waves with resolute power.

"Steady as she goes!" shouted a mate, his voice projecting unwavering authority. The crew members nodded in acknowledgment, their expressions reflecting a collective sense of seasoned experience.

“Phew, finally,” Men’ma sighed, a content smile on her face. “After two whole I can’t believe I’m finally leaving this continent, it has been lo— Rustler? You… you’re okay? You look pale.”

“I… I’m—Blergh!”