Departure II

***

The flagship of the Wolverine fleet sailed through the dark waters, surrounded by fellow

Wolverine ships. General Pursia approached Shuant, who leaned over the deck’s railing

in silent thought.

“General, it is as we feared,” Pursia said, his facial muscled tightened as he

bowed his head. “We never received Dax’s transport ship, and a quick survey of the

beach left us with no traces of the ship.”

“What of Suguille?” Shuant asked in a nearly disinterested tone.

“Nothing so far, sir. A scouting ship has been sent to scour the area, but at this

point going on shore is…”

“Impossible,” Shuant said. “Their young Heir must have taken it away from the

island, after all. This was always a possibility we were prepared to accept. Of course, I

didn’t foresee such heavy losses, so they did buy some time is both regards. What a

shame for them, though… had we obtained the sword, I would have very seriously

considered ending this particular war.” Shuant smirked at the water below, chuckling

through his nose.

“General, what are your orders?” Pursia pressed, frustrated. “Do we not make

chase?”

“Yes, I’ll leave the chase to you, Pursia,” he replied in an off-handed tone.

“Me?” Pursia said, mouth agape.

“Yes, I think this is a suitable role for you,” Shuant responded, still gazing out to

sea. “It’s likely they’ve taken our ship and are headed toward the Jaded Cavern.”

“The underwater cavern…”

“Yes, a very dangerous place,” Shuant said in a mumble, finally moving away

from the balcony toward the deck’s wall which had been partially destroyed by Samuel’s

glaive. “You’ll have to catch them before they pass through the Jaded and enter Gleazon

waters. If not, we’ll simply let the Heir collect most of the relic shards for us.”

“So, you believe that is their plan, after all?” Pursia asked.

“Yes, naturally,” Shuant responded, calmly lifting the glaive from the destroyed

wall. “Collect the shards that Hedrick hid away before his death, and attack our castle on

Felificia Island using their power. I’d like to prevent that kind of attack, but I would also

be glad to have them deliver the shards to us… along with the lives of some of their

strongest warriors.” He walked back to the railing and casually dropped the glaive over,

watching as it speared the water’s surface before disappearing.

“Either way, Pursia, we shall defeat these uncooperative Teutons and take a

step closer to our goal.”

“The Black Shlanks…” Pursia muttered.

“The origin of the Red Wolves,” Shuant seethed, his eyes remaining cold and

focused. “Our debt of gratitude to our beloved people. The oath we took, to reclaim

Shraunts Island from my corrupt kin. And in doing that, gain a foothold for our conquest

of Dirac. We will make clear to the Teutons, and everyone else, that we are the

strongest under the dome.”

***

Several hours saw the sun peek through the dome, ending the long night and

bringing a new dawn to Takanova Island. Miles east of the night’s climactic battlefield, a

Wolverine transport ship sailed along the shoreline.

Cedric glanced away from the map he held, to watch the view from the balcony

as the ship drew closer to the wall that lined the shore. Two sets of footsteps sounded

lightly behind him, drawing his attention away from the mountains beyond the city.

“We’ve made it this far without any pursuers in sight,” Galgi said as he

sauntered over to the railing, arms folded. “We’ll be passing the point where the island

curves toward The Central Wall of Takanova soon, so this will be my last chance to ask.

Do you want to dock in and return, or do you still wish to keep going?”

“Keep going,” Cedric said with conviction, his gaze falling back to the map in his

hands. “Sea Serpent Cove, huh.”

“The den of serpents at the end of the treacherous Jaded Cavern,” Galgi

mumbled, looking over his shoulder. “And then where?”

“Wherever this map, and the sword, tells me to go,” Cedric replied, folding up

the map and gazing out to sea. “Collect all the shards, it said. Only then can Shuant be

defeated. Only then can the Teutons be saved.”

“And you’re sure you can do it, Cedo?” Ralin asked, grinning.

Cedric looked at his friends with conviction, before setting his gaze back to the

sea ahead. “I’m certain I can. If this is the way to end the war, and for me to

demonstrate my Teuton Will, to truly become a Teuton- I’ll stake my life itself to make it

happen. Will you two join me?”

“Heh, this ship ain’t gonna propel itself,” Ralin cheered with a boisterous laugh.

“Ral is right,” Galgi followed. “You’ll need our help with the ship, for a while at

least. It pains me to leave our men like this, but I believe I speak for both of us in saying

we want to go with you, Cedric.”

Cedric answered Galgi’s warm smile with a nod and a fierce grin of his own.

“Thanks, guys. Let’s sail on, then. Through the Jaded, to Sea Serpent Cove.” He picked

up the great red sword from the balcony and held it up. “And wherever else this quest

takes us.”

Galgi and Ralin raised their fists high, and together, the three of them let out a

battle cry.

“Uohhh!”

VOLUME II END