“What do you think is out there?” Cyril asked Corin.

The two siblings stood on the edge of the shore staring out to the horizon. A calm blue sea was all that was visible.

“What do I think is out there?” Corin paused.

“I don't know, only danger I guess.” Corin replied.

The siblings enjoyed sitting under the shade and watching the waves crash. They could sit there for hours with no words exchanged between the two.

“What about you?” Corin asked.

Cyril turned to look at him. He had the good natured boyish smile he loved to show off. Corin and Cyril were always told that they were alike. But where Cyril was charismatic and always eager to talk to anyone, Corin was dour and quiet. He was often remarked to be Cyril’s shadow, both in appearance and in mood.

They were both average in height and not very muscular. Despite this Cyril could make himself feel physically imposing, even when facing someone larger than him. Corin, not so much. But in other manners of appearance Corin differed. While his brother had close cut cropped hair, Corin appreciated having long hair. While Corin liked having a beard his brother was well shaved.

Corin could see the pendant around Cyril's neck. The gift from Simeon.

“Well we know there are other people out there. And I’m not talking sirens or anything of that sort. I’m talking about other humans. We're not the only ones.” Corin started.

“And yes there are other dangers out there, the land titans of the great continent. The giants as Simeon called them. But I like to think there must be something else. When I think of what's beyond the sea I think of opportunity” Cyril responded.

“Opportunity? You just said there are more titans!” Corin began.

Cyril started to laugh.

“It's bad enough we have to deal with leviathans and dragons, they also have land titans? Are you serious? You call that opportunity? That sounds like an even worse death trap than this island!” Corin replied in a bewildered tone.

“Ah you see but that's exactly why!” Cyril replied.

“We'd never even heard of these land titans! Yes they are probably as dangerous as dragons and leviathans. But if we had never heard about them, what other things do you think we don't know about? There could be so many amazing secrets out there just waiting to be discovered!” Cyril replied.

“Really? Like what?” Corin asked.

“That’s the thing I don’t know. It could be something that nobody even knows about. Something so secret, something so hidden that nobody knows about! Maybe there's an opportunity out there, something that we can use to our advantage.” Cyril spoke those words as he faded away.

“Something we could use to our advantage…” Corin pondered those words.

I don’t recall this conversation being like this.

***

“Corin! Come on! Corin! Can you hear me?” Corin could vaguely hear Livia’s voice.

His eyes started to open. He saw a domed ceiling. A face came into his field of view. It was Livia’s face.

Corin found himself tucked underneath a blanket with a candle lit next to him. He was still in the same room where the confrontation had occurred earlier.

As he looked at Livia, he saw another figure kneel next to him.

Nanaua, the armored assailant!

“Livia be careful!” Corin started to get up but could not move much. The pain it caused him brought Corin to the brink of losing consciousness once again.

“Please my love, rest.” Livia said trying to calm Corin down.

Livia had to put her hands on Corin’s shoulders to hold him down. He could not stop staring at the red draconic face. She did not look back at Corin.

“Nanaua told me everything that happened. I understand she attacked you, but when I came into the room it was her that was tending to your wounds.” Livia said.

Corin stopped trying to move. He looked over at Nanaua. She looked remorseful.

“When I came into the room I saw her standing over you. I took my rifle out to shoot her, but she made sure to stand in between us two. Not knowing what I was here for, and thinking I came here to hunt her down, she told me that you had nothing to do with their escape and to not hurt you. She didn't know who I was and yet she was ready to defend you with her life” Livia stopped.

Corin looked at Nanaua who still did not make eye contact with him.

“I mistook you for someone else and was prepared to strike you down. When the real assassin presented himself and was about to strike me down you saved my life, despite only mere seconds before having been the target of my rage. I owe you a blood debt, adventurer.” Nanaua, the draconic being spoke to Corin.

When not in the middle of a battle her tone was far more pleasing and personable.

The more Corin heard the more confused he was. He had so many questions that he didn't even know where to begin.

“Livia how, how did you get here?” Corin asked his wife.

“When I heard the first shot I knew something was amiss. I started heading in the direction of the sound when I heard the second one. I hurried as much as I could. You were actually not very far from the grand hall despite the amount of time you were gone.” Livia replied.

“That makes sense. I thought I was being followed and I kept taking the most asinine routes I could think of. I guess I never went too far. But I never saw anyone following me.” Corin replied.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“You must be a very keen observer, adventurer. Kishtro’s are expert trackers and can spend days tracking their prey without ever being noticed. I didn't even know Totua was here until I attacked you.” Nanaua replied.

“Look Nanaua, if that's what your name is. It's bad enough that you nearly killed me, but you are making it worse by calling me adventurer. Just call me Corin please.” Corin groaned in reply.

“Of course adven-, I mean Corin.” Nanaua replied.

“But why was this assassin after you, Nanaua?” Corin asked her.

“Because she was trying to protect me.” A new voice joined the conversation.

Corin looked toward the door. A person unlike any that Corin had ever seen walked in. She was human like Corin and Livia, but her skin color was pale, her hair was straight and jet black, and her eyes narrow. She was dressed in a long robe the likes of which Corin had never even seen. Corin looked at Livia. She did not seem surprised at the new addition.

“It seems you have met.” Corin mentioned to Livia.

“Yes Corin and you will want to listen to what she has to say.” Livia replied in seriously.

“But first let me try to mend your arm.” The strange woman approached Corin.

Corin looked at Livia who nodded. He agreed. It all seemed so bizarre. But he had seen many bizarre things thus far.

The woman approached Corin and placed her hands on his broken arm. She chanted something quietly and moved her fingers over his arm in a repeating motion. It seemed as if warmth was coming from her fingertips.

“What in the-?” Corin could not believe what he was seeing.

After several seconds the woman ceased her chanting and sat back. Nanaua came and held her. The pale woman ooked as if she was on the verge of losing consciousness.

“Does it feel better?” Livia asked Corin.

Corin tried to move his arm. It still hurt some, but the fact that he was able to move it was beyond anything he could believe.

“But how?” Corin asked as he looked at everyone in the room.

He looked at Livia.

“Corin this structure did not fall here by accident. It was brought down by her. ” Livia said as she gestured at the strange woman.

Corin saw the woman struggling to stay conscious.

“Is she going to be ok?” Corin asked, alarmed at the state the woman seemed to be in.

“I am. I just have used too much magic in the past couple of days and I haven’t rested properly in a while.” The woman explained as she started to regain her senses.

“Corin, I know I have yet to introduce myself.” The woman began and took a breath.

“I am Zhi and you already met Nanaua. She is a dragoor, a furtive descended from dragons but unable to use their magic. She is, or maybe it's more accurate to say was, a member of the Lords protectorate. They are bound by oath to protect the Dragon Lord. I understand you met under unfortunate circumstances.” Zhi mentioned as she gestured to the draconic person.

“Well a lot of people that meet me want to kill me.” Corin replied nonchalantly.

“Why is that Corin? I must know this if I am to honor my blood oath.” Nanaua asked, sounding concerned.

“No, um, I was just-” Corin began but he could see that Nanaua did not understand what he had meant.

“He was trying to be humorous, Nanaua.” Zhi interjected.

“Being the target of homicidal intent is no laughing matter Corin.” Nanaua scolded Corin.

“Nanaua, there is still much for you to learn in dealing with humans. But Corin, the assassin that you faced earlier, the Kishtro, he was sent to punish Nanaua for absconding with me and to bring me back to our Lord, the dragon Tonatiuh.” Zhi uttered that name with an air of fear.

Corin could not believe what he was hearing. He had heard of furtives being held by titans, but he had only met Simeon before, now he was more, and one that could use magic.

“There are many humans that are held by dragons. It is normal for titans to hold other species captive to do their bidding. But my purpose was unique. I am an Onsiel.” Zhi mentioned.

Corin was following until that last word.

“She was to be sacrificed in a ritual meant to further empower our lord Tonatiuh. In power, Tonatiuh is only second to the Prime Dragon Lord Takaxluet. It is through ceremonies like these that the titans are able to increase their power and to vie with each other for mastery of their domain.” Nanaua explained to Corin.

Corin was astounded at all he was hearing. He didn't even know there was such a thing. The only furtive he had ever known to live near dragons was Simeon and he never mentioned anything of the sort.

“But an Onsiel is a very unique person. There is only one born into the world at a time and even then nobody knows when they will appear. One can be born as soon as a previous Onsiel dies, or it can be more than a hundred years before another Onsiel is born. And the only way to tell is if any furtive demonstrates any type of magical abilty.” Nanaua said.

“I see. So that's why you're able to use magic?” Corin asked Zhi.

Zhi nodded.

“As you can imagine an Onsiel is a very valuable asset. The ability for a Titan to increase its power, that is something that can upset the delicate balance of power between all titans. If Takaxluet knew that Tonatiuh was hiding an Onsiel he would have no choice but to strike at him and destroy him.” Nanaua added.

“So why haven't you been sacrificed already?” Corin asked while looking at Zhi.

He realized shortly after the words left his mouth how crass he sounded.

“Because I was not ready. While my powers had manifested they were still not at their strongest. And the sacrifice can only be done at one specific moment. It can only be performed when the sun is at its highest point in the sky on the longest day of the year.” Zhi replied.

Corin thought about it for a second. The days had started to get longer not too long ago.

“But her full power did manifest. Once it did, we knew that if we didn't escape it would mean that Zhi would be sacrificed.” Nanaua added.

“And why are you helping her then?” Corin asked Nanaua.

Both Zhi and Nanaua looked at each other and turned their faces away. Livia hit Corin over the head.

“Corin how are you so blind!” Livia whispered to him as she shook her head.

“What? I'm sorry!” Corin asked, unsure of what he had done wrong.

“I risked my life to protect Zhi because I love her.” Nanaua proclaimed proudly.

Corin looked back and forth quickly realizing how he had erred.

“Oh!” He looked at Livia who was still shaking her head.

Nanaua and Zhi held hands as they stared into each other's eyes.

“Well you ladies make a wonderful pair! Of course! And I mean I would do the same for Livia, she would do the same for me, that I know. So, of course, indeed, I understand.” Corin said, trying to think of anything to say that might rectify the situation.

Livia could only look at the ground as she tried to avoid any second hand embarrassment she might endure at the hands of her husband.

“And you were able to bring down this structure yourself?” Corin asked Zhi, trying to change the topic.

“Yes. Once my powers fully manifested I was able to fracture several points along the temple to bring down this portion. It took a long time to create enough fractures and it took a lot out of me. The effort it took for me to actually break off the structure nearly killed me. I am still recovering and am not yet fully healed.” Zhi said.

Corin sat in silence as he struggled to understand. To think that she had been able to heal him even when she was weakened.

“But what are you to do now? Won't your lord come back looking for you? And if not him, won't other titans want to claim your power.” Corin asked looking at both of them.

“That's why you have to listen to all they have to say Corin.” Livia added.

“We are not going to go running and hiding for the rest of our lives. We are going to fight the titans. And we are going to kill them.” Zhi spoke to Corin while staring him in the eyes.

If anything they had said previously had made Corin confused as to his situation this last revelation made him question the reality he found himself in. Was he dreaming?

“Wait. You are going to fight the titans and kill them? I mean bringing down this structure is impressive but you must know that it doesn't compare to the strength of titans? Right?” Corin looked around confused.

Livia held something in her hands. It was the hollowed stone pyramid that he had grabbed from this room earlier.

“This Corin. This is part of a weapon that will give us enough power to kill them.” Livia said.

In the short amount of time since he had woken up he had seen many things he did not even know were possible. Draconic furtives? Humans capable of using magic? Sacrifices to empower titans? But a weapon that could kill titans?

“Wait, I’m sorry. You said a weapon that could kill titans?” Corin asked and looked around. Nanaua, Zhi and Livia all looked at him.

They are serious.

He thought of what that actually meant. A weapon to end titans. To end the terror that plagued all furtive beings in the world. No longer would they have to live in fear of a Titan coming in on any given day and destroying everything they held dear. They could change the course of history for furtives forever.

Silence pervaded the room. Nothing was said, but everything was understood.

“Your goal. A world without titans. Do you think it's possible?” Corin asked no one in particular.

“Well we know in theory that a weapon that could match the titans should be possible. And we know we already have one component, but finding the other two pieces will not be easy. Zhi and I have only lived our lives in the sky Dragon temples. We do not know much about the sea or the land. We need any who would help us navigate these.” Nanaua responded.

“Help? Are you asking us?” Corin sounded surprised.

His question went unanswered. His mind raced with all sorts of doubts.

“But what could we offer you? You are stronger than any person I have ever come across, and Zhi is quite literally the only furtive alive that can perform magic! I only know of our island Trinixo and the sea around us! I wouldn't know the first thing about navigating the surrounding isles or how to reach the continent!” Corin sounded off all the doubts that came to his mind.

“Your wife. She told us of your encounter with the drake, where you earned the blade.” Zhi said.

“The trial you faced is one that many of my own people have attempted before and paid with their lives, yet you faced it and lived. Not to mention you were able to hold your own against me, a trained Lord’s protectorate. But that was not all, you also saved my life. You had no reason to intervene, yet you did. An ally like yourself is worth more than the strongest warrior or a once in a lifetime wizard.” Nanaua added.

“Well I was able to survive thanks to Livia's weapon. Without her intervention against that beast, and without it when facing you or the assassin I wouldn't have survived.” Corin replied, sounding less unsure of himself now.

“But you did, Corin. We need someone like you, someone who knows how to survive. And we need your wife. You mentioned her inventions, and you are correct.” Zhi said as she looked at Livia.

“Her creations are able to match the power of magic. It was able to puncture the scales of the drake and had you been more accurate with your weapon, Nanaua would have not survived.” Zhi added.

“We would need some help navigating the sea and the land. Not to mention how to survive on either. Zhi and I have never had to forage and look for our own provisions.” Nanaua spoke now.

Corin looked at Livia. It did not take long for him to realize that she had come to a conclusion already. This entire time that Corin had spent asking Zhi and Nanaua what had brought them here she had spent studying his reactions. Seeing if he would come to the same conclusion that she had already arrived at prior to his regaining consciousness.

“I don't know what aid I might be able to provide, but you can count on Livia and I to aid you.” Corin said.

Nanaua and Zhi smiled.

“But before we are able to move on in earnest there is someone else we need to recruit.”

Nanaua was the first to speak up.

“Who is this that you have in mind?” She asked.

Corin and Livia looked at each other. They replied in unison.

“Simeon.”