Nigel joined Rhodri who was standing alone and he watched her.

  Rho: What?

  She looked at him cold.

  Nigel: oh nothing, I just don't trust you.

  Rho: Excuse me?

  Nigel: I know you're hiding something.

  Rho: and you're not?

  Nigel: what should I be hiding?

  Rho: you say you've never entered the mountain, but I don't believe you.

  Nigel: and you say that you only have one condition... but I don't believe you.

  She stayed silent.

  Nigel: just don't put other people's lives on the line.

  Rho: I don't plan to.

  Nigel: then don't put yours too.

  There was silence.

  Nuri: I found drinks! He pointed to several bottles of beer.

  Ace: I want one. He Throw her a beer, and to Kaya and the others. Rin and Rho didn't take it.

  Rin: you drink? He looked at Ace

  Ace: you don't?

  Rin: No, it's bad for your health, both for your body and your mind. After all, I'd rather train than take it.

  Ace: Oh come on Ron. I train every day, I don't doubt my strength, and again sometimes I find time to relax a little, I think it wouldn't be bad for you either. She adds him a beer.

  Rin looked at her and hesitated but accepted anyway.

  Nuri: What! You never wanted to take when I offered.

  Rin: what can I tell you, she's more convincing? She laughed.

  Rin: And it is Rin, by the way.

  Ace: oh yeah yeah, and you are Nari?

  Nuri: Nuri...

  Kaya laughs.

  Rin laughs too.

  Rin: oh so you are like that with everyone...

  Ace: what do you mean?

  Kaya: what is my name?

  Ace thinks.

  Ace: I want to say... Maya?

  Nuri: No... It is...

  Kaya: shhh, I want to see will she remember it.

  Ace drinks some beer.

  Everyone looks at her.

  Ace: what?

  Ace: if you expect me to guess there is no way, I never remember any name at first.

  Kaya: Fair enough, I am Kaya, by the way.

  Ace: I will remember it now.

  She smiles.

  Everyone was already getting drunk, except Ace, who knew how to handle alcohol, and Rho, who didn't drink.

  Kaya, Nuri Rin and Ace were talking and laughing.

  Nigel: Can't relax? He looked at Rho.

  Rho is silent looking at him cold

  Rho: why would I?

  Nigel: I see, you have a sharp mouth.

  Rho confused yet still cold

  Nigel: Maybe you should relax because you don't have to be so tense right now.

  Rho: I don't think so. For me, the most relaxed I've been is when I'm training or when I try to solve a problem.

  Nigel: of course...

  Rho: What?

  Nigel: just relax ok?

  Kaya: Guys, I have a question. Since we all have to spend at least a year together, maybe we should organize where we're going first and what we're going to do. Why shouldn't everyone say what they want? Me, I should return this ship, but it will take time because that island is further away, but in the meantime, maybe one of you has somewhere you should go?

  Rho: Like I said, I'm chasing Davon, and I hope you don't have a problem with that.

  Ace: I don't, as long as Eligor is mine.

  Nigel. Orobas... Orobas is mine. Everyone looked at him, Rho and Ace nodded.

  Nuri: I would like to go to Cibus Island.

  Kaya: why? Are you hunting someone too?

  Nuri: only the best food in the world... What? It is the land of the greatest chefs and the best food.

  Ace: Really? Is that what you want?

  Nuri: I heard that they also have good alcohol...

  Ace: I'm in favor. She keeps drinking beer.

  Kaya: The island I want to go to is... Herebis Island... My grandfather was born and buried there... I would like to get to know his childhood place better...

  Nuri: that's really nice... (Nuri didn't want to admit why he wanted to go to Cibus Island, it's because of his mother who was one of the cooks there, she passed away from cancer and everything he learned about cooking he learned from her)

  Rin looked at him and was silent, he knew why he wanted to go there.

  Ace: What about you? She looked at Rin.

  Rin: I'm here to protect and stand by your side, all of you.

  Ace: it's okay if you have another dream, you know? We are all strong here, I have no doubt, and we can all take care of ourselves.

  Rin: Someone who doesn't even have powers is speaking...

  Ace: I heard that! Takes out her swords. Don't make me show you how little I care that I don't have powers....

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Rin laughed: Is that a challenge? You know, I could beat you without using power, you know that?

  She looked at him angrily

  Ace: you didn't just say that...

  She got up and Nuri and Kaya separated them.

  Nuri: How are you so strong?! You drank the most of us!

  Rin: okay okay, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that, but whenever you want to spar, I'm here

  Ace: agreed.

  Kaya: is it okay with the three of you to postpone your revenge for a while? Rho Nigel and Ace looked at each other.

  Rho nodded.

  Ace: It wouldn't be bad to visit Telum Island either.

  Nigel: isn't that the island of weapons?

  Ace: yes, and?

  Nigel: you are a very violent person, you know that?

  Ace: and I'm proud of it. Nigel rolled his eyes.

  Ace: tell me one more thing, do you know the number of people with whom you have to spend a certain period or?

  Rho: no, we're just told we'll know when we meet them.

  Nigel: great he said sarcastically and started walking

  Rho: where are you going?

  Nigel: I am going to sleep, even though I have to be in the same place as you all, doesn't mean I have to be with you. He left.

  Kaya: Is it just me, or do you also think that dude is too cold?

  Rin: I believe he has his reasons.

  Nuri: believe me, he can't be colder than him, he points to Rin

  Rin: because I have ice powers?

  Nuri: even without those powers you were always the coldest person I know.

  Rin: you're exaggerating.

  Nuri: I wish!

  Rho: I will also lie down, and you guys do as you wish.

  She said cold and went into her room but she wasn't sleeping, she took some documents and started to read.

  The others stayed to drink

  The next morning everyone was hangover except for Rho and Ace

  Ace: Let's get up, on your feet! She woke up Rin, Nuri, and Kaya, and Nigel. Rho was not in the room.

  Nuri: please... be quiet...

  Ace: No more sleep! She discovered him.

  Nuri: how can you be so cruel?

  Rin: A better question is how are you not hangover? You drank the most...

  Ace: You learn to tolerate alcohol over time.

  Rin: How old are you?

  Ace: 21? Why?

  Rin: since when do you drink?!!!

  Ace just laughed. I won't tell you more than once, get up!

  Kaya: you are really evil...

  Ace: no excuse for being lazy.

  Kaya: I can list 100 of them...

  Nigel was waking up.

  Nigel: Where's Rhodri?

  Ace: I didn't see her.

  Rho found a more hidden part of the ship, and she was there, alone. She couldn't sleep because of the nightmares she had. So she just trained all night long. She got out of the shower and got dressed.

  Everyone left the room and stood on the outside of the ship. Soon Rho joined them.

  Nigel: where did you get lost last night?

  Rho: that is not your concern. She said in a cold voice

  Nigel: why? Did something scare you? He was teasing her.

  Rho: No. she said coldly.

  Nigel: if you say so

  Nuri and Kaya did not stop talking and laughing.

  Rin: Since when are you two so close?

  Kaya: since he told me the reason for his bet.

  Nuri: I shouldn't have drunk so much...

  Kaya: I'm glad you did! She was laughing. Now I can blackmail you.

  Nuri: that's not very nice... why can't you just keep it a secret for the sake of friendship?

  Kaya: I think I'd rather blackmail you. She was laughing.

  Nuri: what do you want?

  Kaya is thinking. You said you could cook?

  Nuri: yes...

  Kaya: great, the kitchen is yours. She patted him and left.

  Rin: I think everyone could eat. And Rin patted him before he left.

  Nuri takes a break and goes to the kitchen.

  Ace meditated. Her eyes were closed and Rin was watching her.

  Ace: You are disturbing my peace....Rin, she said without opening her eyes.

  Rin: impressive... you remembered my name. He said teasingly but impressed that she guessed who is standing there.

  Rin: Can I join you?

  Ace: if you'll be quiet, yes. Rin sat down next to her, and began to meditate. They meditated in silence. Kaya was at the helm.

  Rho: and? Where do we go first?

  Kaya: The closest Island for now is Kaligo Island, so I thought we should stop there, to stock up for the future. But there's still time before we arrive, so just relax okay?

  Rho: why do you all keep telling me that?

  Kaya laughs: because you are... stiff. Use this time to relax okay?

  Rho said nothing

  Kaya: oh and yes, thank you for saving us...

  Rho: I had to, otherwise I probably wouldn't have done it. She said coldly

  Kaya: Well I will pretend that I didn’t hear that, still thank you

  After a while, Nuri prepared breakfast, and everyone went to the kitchen.

  Ace: I have to admit, this looks good...

  Kaya: I'm starving.

  Nuri: Enjoy!

  They started eating.

  Kaya: this is really good, I didn't expect that you really know how to cook.

  Rin: that's the only thing he knows.

  Nuri: I'll take that as a compliment. Our mother was the best cook there is, everything I learned, I learned from her.

  Kaya: Where is she now?

  Rin and Nuri shrugged.

  Rin: She died.

  Kaya: I'm sorry... I didn't mean...

  Nuri: it's okay, you didn't know.

  Kaya: well, I can say that she really taught you how to cook. What was her name?

  Nuri: Isabel

  Kaya raised her glass in the air. For Isabel! Everyone made a toast.

  After eating, Nuri stayed with Nigel in the kitchen, they cleared the table, Kaya steered the helm.

  Kaya: Guys... I think I see a ship.

  The others looked back

  Ace: and not just any ship...

  It was a pirate ship.

  Kaya: it was nice knowing you....

  Rin: don't worry, they can't do anything to us.

  Ace: That's right, after all, it would be interesting if they tried to attack us.

  Rin: is there anything else in your head besides violence?

  Ace: of course there is

  Rin: and besides alcohol?

  Ace: I guess that would be all

  The ship was approaching.

  Pirate 1: What do we have here...?

  Suddenly, several pirates jumped on their ship.

  Pirate 1: Thanks for guarding our ship, we'll take over from here.

  Kaya: listen to me! I stole this ship fair and square!

  Ace: what makes you think we'll let you take our ship?

  Pirates: because you won't have a choice.

  The attack began.

  Everyone attacked one pirate, there were many of them. Rin attacked with ice, Ace with katanas, Kaya with his power, and Rho with sword transformation.

  Pirate: don't worry... you're not the only one who entered the mountain. He became bigger and stronger.

  Combat – (more to be drawn)

  In one part of the fight, one of the pirates who attacked Rho looked at her and said: I know you...

  Rho: no...

  I know who you are... he started to attack her but Nigel opened the door and hit him with the door.

  Nigel: what is going on here?

  Rho: it was time for you two to show up. She looked at Nuri and Nigel.

  Nigel: Actually I think you want to say thank you.

  The pirate started to get up.

  Nigel: let me... Nigel attacked and finished him off.

  Nigel: you see, powers are not necessary when you are already strong enough...

  Rho: what is it with you and hating the mountain?

  Nigel: you don't want to know.

  The pirates continued to attack

  Rin was trying to overpower the strongest. At one point Ace protected him.

  Ace: do you still think I'm weak?

  Rin: not at all... he laughed and continued to fight.

  They threw the pirates into the river and left them to fend for themselves.

  Ace: this was interesting, what's next?

  Rin: I don't know, maybe therapy to control your anger?

  Ace: what are you talking about I'm in a great mood!

  Rin: that's even worse! How can you be great after this? You know violence is not a solution for everything.

  Ace: it has served me well so far. She lightly but aggressively brushed his shoulder and walked past him.

  Rho was quiet the whole time, and Nigel walked up to her

  Rho: What?

  Nigel: I have a question.

  Rho waited for the question

  Nigel: That pirate, he said he knew you? How?

  Rho: he doesn't know me.

  Nigel: but then why would he say that...

  Rho: He was wrong. She answered quickly and coldly.

  Nigel: Okay, be like that, keep hiding, but remember at the worst moment, everything will come out, unless of course you decide to tell the truth yourself.

  Rho: What's your problem with me?

  Nigel: my problem is that I know how you are hiding something, and as soon as you have a reason to hunt the biggest fish in the sea, without any fear... I know that something is wrong with you. All I see in you is darkness... and I just want to warn you to watch your moves.

  Rho: Don't act like you know me, after all, I can say the same for you.

  She stayed cold

  Nigel: my secrets can't hurt anyone, how about yours?

  She didn't answer.

  Nigel: I thought so.

  Nuri: where is Kaya?

  They looked around, she came back from other ship, she jumped on hers ship.

  Kaya: I am here!

  Nuri: what were you doing ton their ship?

  Kaya: nothing just... borrowing some stuff...

  Rho looked at her cold

  Kaya: oh come on, they wanted to steal from us first, I am not going to miss this chance.

  Rin: It’s time to clean this mess

  Nuri: I made us food and cleaned the kitchen, I am not planning to clean more.

  Ace: it is okay, we will do it.

  Everyone starts to clean.

  After cleaning.

  Ace: well that was the last one.

  She said after moving everybody there was of the pirates, they were still alive.

  Rin: where are Nuri and Kaya?

  Nuri and Kaya coming from pirate’s ship, holding some stuffs. And laughing

  Ace: and where were you two been?

  Rin cold

  Rin: Not you too....

  He looked at Nuri

  Nuri: hey, they attacked us so, I don't see anything wrong to take something to cover the damages.

  Ace: he got a point there.

  Rin sights.

  Rin: oh fine.

  Nuri and Kaya laughing, keeping stuff.

  Rho is quiet the whole time, thinking, ignoring everyone but yet she studies them in the same time.

  Nigel standing beside here few feet away.

  Rho: what now?

  She speaks cold.

  Nigel: oh nothing, it is just fascinating how they all have that friendly side, but you don't seem to be that social, why is that?

  He spoke calm.

  Rho still serious, cold

  Rho: I don't see anything useful in that

  Nigel: in what? Friendship?

  Rho silent.

  Rho: yes, I am not very social person, and I have an advice for you.

  Nigel: what is that?

  She stands up

  Rho: you should try and be less social.

  She said cold and left.

  He smirked, and then he laughed a little amused.

  Nigel: interesting girl.

  Then he looked at the other.

  Late at night Rho has a nightmare:

  Falling off a cliff with a sword stuck in her chest, the face of the person who did it is not visible. She fastly wakes up.