The Next Day…
As dusk settled over the vast Vaelora Ocean, a pirate ship rocked gently with the rhythm of the waves. The deck was alive with noise—drunken laughter, brawls, and shanties echoed into the open sea. Among the chaos, three figures stood silently at the edge of the ship—Aeron, Allesio, and Arcane—staring into the horizon.
The Vaelora Ocean, one of the most beautiful in the world, stretched endlessly before them. Dotted with over fifty islands, it lay nestled between the Eryndor continent and the Coralreaf Ocean.
"Wasn't there any quieter ship we could've taken?" Aeron muttered, looking around at the chaos.
"This is the safest route," Arcane replied. "We'll make a detour through the Coralreaf Ocean before heading to Moltenforge Town."
Aeron raised an eyebrow. "Coralreaf Ocean… maybe I should visit the camp," he thought.
The Coralreaf Ocean got its name from its seabed, made up of over 70% coral. Located beside the Zalaris continent, it was a place filled with beauty.
"It'll take us about two months to reach Moltenforge," Arcane added, snapping Aeron out of his thoughts.
"Two months?" Aeron echoed, turning to Allesio, hoping for a reaction—but he remained silent.
Last Night…
"I'll bring us some food," Arcane offered, stepping toward the door.
"You're doing so much for us… thank you," Aeron said sincerely.
Arcane smiled faintly. "My father taught me to always help those in need."
"Then your father must be a wise man."
Arcane hesitated, his voice quieting. "But no one sees him that way…"
"Why not?" Aeron asked gently.
But Arcane didn't answer. "I'll be back in a moment." He left.
Once they were alone, Allesio broke the silence. "I'm not going to Moltenforge."
Aeron turned toward him. "Do you plan to stay like this forever? Chained? Hiding?"
"Maybe the dreams I had—the ones that led me to you—they mean something," Aeron continued. "Maybe fate brought us together for a reason. Maybe… we can help each other."
"I don't believe in fate. And besides you don't know anything about me," Allesio said coldly.
"How could I? You've never told me anything," Aeron replied, his voice rising. "It's been days since we met. We've fought side by side, survived together. You could've said something—anything."
"Why should I?"
"Because after everything we've been through, don't I deserve to know something?"
Allesio looked away. "And what will you do if you learn my story?"
"I'll try to help. That's all I can promise."
"I don't need anyone's help."
"Then why did you take help from those assassins? The ones who abandoned you the moment danger came?"
Silence. Allesio didn't respond.
Aeron stepped closer. "I've seen the pain in your eyes. Tell me what happened to Miss Lilian. Tell me why they call you a murderer."
Allesio lay back on the bed, facing away. "Let's just get rid of these chains."
Aeron watched him for a moment, his heart heavy with frustration. After that, they said nothing more. But as they stood on the deck now, the memory lingered in Aeron's mind.
A sudden jolt shook the ship.
"Why did it stop?" Aeron asked.
"We're staying the night on this island," Arcane replied, hopping off the ship.
The island was small and peaceful. Scattered huts stood by the shore, with animal barns nearby. As they walked through, Aeron and Allesio kept their distance—neither speaking a word.
Arcane glanced at them and sighed. "How long are you going to stay like this?"
Aeron looked away. "Until he comes to his senses."
One Month Later…
The ship finally reached the Coralreaf Bank. The crystal-clear water sparkled under the midday sun as everyone disembarked.
"Can we make a detour?" Aeron asked quietly.
Arcane looked at him. "Where do you want to go?"
"There's somewhere I need to visit," Aeron said, determination in his voice.
One Week Later…
They approached the Aether Strike Corps camp.
Aeron's heart raced. He hadn't seen his comrades for months. His lips curled into a hopeful smile as he imagined reuniting with them.
But his smile faded.
The camp was in ruins.
Broken crates. Torn tents. Scattered weapons. Abandoned equipment. Rats and snakes roamed freely—no sign of life. The once-bustling camp was now a deserted field.
Aeron's face turned pale. He staggered forward, disbelief in his eyes.
"What… what happened here?" he whispered.
Arcane placed a hand on his shoulder. "Maybe we can ask the locals. Someone must know."
Allesio stood quietly behind them, watching Aeron's pain with a strange mix of empathy and guilt—he knew that feeling all too well.
Later That Day…
They sat in a modest dining hall in a nearby town. Plates of food sat untouched before them.
"Other forces from your world came here, right?" Arcane asked.
"If we can find them, we might learn what happened," he offered, trying to lift Aeron's spirit.
Aeron stared at his plate for a long time. His gaze then fell to the chain that still bound him to Allesio.
He clenched his fist.
"Let's just focus on our main objective… we need to get rid of these chains," he said, his voice firm. In his eyes burned a newfound determination.