“It's Eye of Despair Odirov!”

  The entire tavern descended into chaos instantly, with sailors making a run for the exits of the Shining Crow. The entity who had just walked in was infamous for beating up sailors, for absolutely no reason at all. And now that there was actually grounds for him to be violent, their fate looked rather grim.

  The second mate of the Knuckleback raised a brow when he saw the position Iago was in. He chuckled and said, “Do my eyes deceive me? Surely you aren't harassing my precious mate.”

  The burly man who held Iago by the throat loosened his grip instantly. He staggered backwards and held his hands out.

  “Those eyes… Bloody Abyss! Had no clue he was one o’ yer lot!”

  Odirov calmly walked forward. He grabbed a mug from a table and downed the contents. He rolled around his tongue for a moment, then commended, “Not bad. Could be stronger.”

  By now, the tavern was mostly empty. The patrons who failed to escape in time huddled close to corners, tables overturned for protection, as they looked on in horror. The figure before them had earned the title ‘Eye of Despair’ due to his enchanting eyes, and how they were the last thing his enemies beheld before falling into the cold embrace of death.

  “Mercy! I beg of ye!” The burly sailor fell to his knees and begged.

  Odirov glanced at Iago. “Are you okay?”

  Four-eyed Iago adjusted his glasses and nodded.

  Odirov smiled and returned his gaze to the sailor kissing the wooden floor. He crouched and gently held the man's shoulder.

  “Your ship. It's mine now.”

  “Aye!” The sailor readily agreed.

  “Your men will labour for a month on the Knuckleback.”

  “Aye!”

  Odirov’s smile widened. He said with a sigh, “You're fortunate I'm feeling rather good today. You have Jade and Gwen to thank for that.”

  He rose to his feet and said with a smile, “Leave.”

  The burly sailor scrambled to his feet and made a break for the tavern’s entrance. He crashed into a table along the way and stumbled to the ground, before picking himself up and rushing out.

  Odirov laughed heartily as he held his belly. He said, “Do you reckon he peed his pants just now?” He looked at one of the patrons of the tavern.

  The scrawny man responded with a fearful stammer, “A-aye! He sure did…”

  Odirov exhaled. He seemed to be in a really good mood, because he turned to the counter and said to the crouched bartender, “Booze for everyone. On me!”

  Upon hearing that, the previously terrified patrons sprang up instantly. They surrounded Odirov and cheered loudly, “Hail the Eye of Despair! Hail Odirov!”

  Odirov chuckled and looked at Iago. He signaled for the third mate of the Knuckleback to come with him, then stepped out of the tavern briefly. Iago quickly followed behind the second mate, and when they were out on the streets, he said with a soft smile, “Owe ye one for savin’ me hide back there.”

  Odirov leaned against a metal pole, gazing at the distant port and crashing waves. He allowed the fresh morning breeze to blow against his face for a moment, before finally speaking.

  “Iago, I've been meaning to tell you this, but you can't let those lowly bastards walk all over you.” Odirov turned to him with a rather stern expression.

  Iago rubbed his hands and gave a dry chuckle.

  “Aye, I don't fancy bein’ pushed 'round by those bastards either. But what else can I do? I ain’t you, nor the first mate nor the cap’n. I’m just a Seeker, and most o’ those lads are built like bloody anchors. Not much I can do, is there?”

  Odirov raised a brow.

  “You're backing down just because they're stronger?” He folded his arms and scolded, “Strength is not always determined by individual prowess. You have the entire force of the Knuckleback at your summon. They think they have a shot at you because you just stay there and take it. When you're threatened, you have to bark just as furiously in return. It doesn't matter that they're bigger or scarier looking. It doesn't even matter if they're of a higher grade. No matter how strong they are, you will always know someone who is stronger.”

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  He clicked his tongue and added with a grumble, “Seriously, this wouldn't happen if you tell those of us on the ship to beat people up for you from time to time.”

  Iago’s eyelids twitched.

  He said with a chuckle, “Now, that be takin’ it a bit far, mate...”

  Odirov shook his head. “It's not. You're kind at heart, Iago. But in our line of work, such kindness will only be preyed upon. You have to start acting like the next captain of the Knuckleback.”

  “What?” Iago slowly turned his head, eyes narrowed in surprise. “What in the Five Seas d’you mean by that?”

  Odirov simply shrugged his shoulders. He gazed into the distance and said with a soft laugh, “Captain Bjorn’s withdrawing soon. Do you really think someone as lazy as Odin will accept the mantle of captain? Similarly, it won't fall on me because, honestly, it's not something I care for.”

  He looked at Iago now. “So, my dear friend, you are the only one who can lead us all. The sailors on the ship already commend your compassion and camaraderie. Now, all they need is to see that you can be brave and daring too. For that… is the grit of adventurers!”

  Iago’s lips quivered, and his eyes watered. He fell silent for a long time, unable to ascertain how he felt about such a truth. Could he really do it? Could he, a mere Seeker, lead the most renowned adventurer ship in all of the Five Seas?

  It was a daunting task, no doubt, and Iago found himself shaking with trepidation. However, beneath all that was a flame of excitement that burned even brighter.

  The third mate exhaled and unknowingly raised his head higher.

  Suddenly remembering something, he frowned and asked, “Where’ve ye been anyway? Vanished soon as we set foot in Valkara.”

  Odirov flashed him a grin.

  He didn't answer, instead pulling him closer to ruffle his hair.

  “Let's head back and have some drinks!”

  “Aye, aye…” Iago laughed.

  …

  On the Knuckleback,

  The large ship groaned as sailors moved about with their morning activities. The haggard-looking boatswain stood before a group of them, overseeing the repairs of the sentient ship. They would return to sea once the week was over, so she had to be in flawless condition.

  Micheal arrived on the lower deck. He shielded his eyes from the glaring sun as he inhaled deeply, devouring the aroma of distant delicacies. Seagulls soared above the port, waiting for an opportunity to swoop in and steal food from the alert vendors who wielded sticks.

  Micheal watched the back and forth with an amused smile, before turning to look at Maddy. The lady's crop of fae-hair glued to her face, with a few strands scattered here and there. She was scantily dressed, and her wet bronze skin glistened under the sunlight.

  She seemed to have just returned from a swim.

  Micheal noticed how the sailors refrained from ogling her figure. Perhaps it was out of respect for the only woman on the ship, or that she was very much capable of beating them up if they went overboard.

  But then, it's the month of passion… Micheal scratched the tip of his nose and tactfully looked away. His eyes fell on Esau, who stood by the starboard. The boy was gazing into the distance again.

  Micheal approached him.

  “Hey,” He said with a smile.

  Esau slowly turned his head. He regarded Micheal with a simple nod. “Morning.” He said, before resuming his act of staring straight ahead.

  In front of them, there was only a vast body of water, jagged cliffs and a few boats.

  Maybe he's simply admiring the view? Micheal thought and decided to probe.

  “It's a beautiful sight, isn't it?”

  Esau remained silent for a few heartbeats, before saying, “It's okay.”

  Micheal chuckled dryly. He rubbed the back of his neck and muttered with a feeling of wanderlust, “The Northern Continent is quite the sight. However, I heard from the second mate that the Western Continent is way more beautiful.”

  Esau nodded.

  “Yes. I've been to Arvandor a few times in the past.”

  “Arvandor…” Micheal racked his head for a moment, before asking, “That's the Elven kingdom, right?”

  Esau nodded once again. He explained with distant eyes, “Both the Elven and Fairy kingdoms are in the Western Continent. That side of the world is richer in Essence, because of the World Tree. It snows a lot there, though. We had to wear layers of fur coats.”

  Micheal's attention was on something else, however. He asked with a raised brow, “World Tree?”

  Esau turned to look at him. The boy's expression seemed to say, ‘Didn't you receive basic education?’, but he answered anyway. “The World Tree is a tree that's said to be so large, it reaches into the heavens. They say a single branch is as vast as an entire capital.”

  “What?” Micheal blinked repeatedly, unable to wrap his head around such a scale. “Surely, that's an exaggeration?”

  “I don't think it is,” Esau shook his head. “After all, the kingdom of Elysia is said to be built around its roots.”

  “Is that so…” Micheal looked ahead.

  The two boys remained silent for a while. One seemed to be contemplating his insignificant worth in the grand scope of existence, the other was desperately trying to ignore the whispering entity in his head.

  At that moment, a resonant bell tolled throughout the harbor, signaling the departure of another ship. Micheal and Esau turned their heads, staring at the beautiful merchant ship in the distance. It swayed slightly as the gangway was withdrawn, and sailors waved goodbye to their friends on the pier.

  “We'll be departing soon, too.” Esau muttered under his breath.

  Micheal's attention was on something else. His gaze was locked on that particular merchant ship as his face contorted into a grimace. He winced abruptly and held his head in pain.

  Esau turned halfway.

  “Uh, are you okay?”

  “Yes, yes…” Micheal gasped after a while. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and said in a raspy tone, “It felt like my brain was gutted for a moment there.”

  Esau kept looking at him, his lips tightly pursed.

  Micheal exhaled slowly and rubbed the back of his neck. He glanced at the ship that had sailed to a considerable distance and frowned. Something about that ship seemed desperately familiar.

  “Merchant ship…” He muttered, shifting through his memory in search of any encounter with such recently. “There's nothing. But, why do I feel like my heart is about to falter just thinking about it?”

  Esau glanced to his side, listened for a moment, then said to Micheal, “He says that your fate is indeed tangled with that ship. Your memory was meddled with.”

  Micheal wore an incredulous look.

  “What do you mean? I would know if I suddenly lost memories overnight, wouldn't I?”

  Esau’s mouth gaped slightly, surprised at the reasoning of the older boy in front of him.

  “...No. That's what happens when your memory— nevermind.”

  Micheal kept rubbing his neck. He glanced at the ship once more and opened his mouth, trying to let words roll off naturally. It seemed like it was just on the tip of his tongue…

  “It's when I… when I—”

  Before he could have a crack at it, something strange happened.

  All around them, the water suddenly assumed a bright golden glow, stealing Micheal's attention from his current plight. Both boys looked over the starboard in surprise, and even the sailors on the deck broke into excited murmurs.

  Esau stared keenly at the water which kept growing brighter and brighter.

  “Orion’s Torch?” He muttered in a gasp.

  The first time he'd been on the Knuckleback, with Heather, the mates had talked about a legend at sea called the Torch of Orion. And, the phenomenon surrounding that legend was usually the glowing of seawater.

  Could it be that one of the treasures they had been searching for was right below them?

  In the next moment, the seawater boiled and ruptured in the distance, sending a blinding object from its depths into the skies. The object shot upwards like a cannonball, before suddenly halting in mid-air.

  Esau and Micheal stared ahead with shock and amusement, unable to wrap their minds around what was happening.

  Upon closer observation, the ‘object’ turned out to be a humanoid figure. The figure hovered in the sky for a few heartbeats, looking down at the port like a higher presence. Then, it shot towards one of the docked ships, before disappearing like nothing happened.

  That ship was the Pillager.

  “W-what was that?!” Esau’s head throbbed with glee.

  Maddy had appeared behind them at some point in time. She let out a bark of laughter and said, loud as a gull, “That there, brats, be Saturn o’ the Deep!”