Hello everyone! First of all, I'd like to thank you for supporting me even though I disappeared from the surface of the planet. After the computer broke, things started to turn in strange ways at home and when I left home to have a place of my own, things didn't get much better. But they are gradually settling down. I will be able to write once more.
(( CopraMeow )) Please, no bananas XD I am back as I said I would, and hopefully stronger than before.
(( 4701rose )) Thank you, I'm working hard ^^
(( Espeon14 )) Do not worry, It is continuing
(( pinkus-pyon )) I would have like to answer you back in Spanish, but I failed my Spanish course…
(( NightHunterDeath )) Sorry to have disappointed you
(( DragonClanMaster )) Thank you ^^
(( ZabuzasGirl)) Sorry I couldn't follow your request…
((sarge 1130)) I'm updating !
(( MorganPaigeR )) I got a new one since the other was "good for the thrash"
In any case, I am getting used to the apartment life, though it isn't the same as living in a house *door opening* I say that, but none of them actually knocks at my door even then.
Law: What are you still doing in that cramped up apartment? I can't even walk around properly.
Well excuse me, princess, but not everyone lives in a huge submarine like you! If you are not happy with the size of my room, go walk elsewhere! I'm sure Daphne won't mind you passing if you leave her things the way they are *door opening again* good, I should have some…
Law: Hey, Jinsei! I'm hungry! What are you doing for lunch?!
*grumble, grumble* Seriously… *evil grin* Toasted tomato sandwiches! *hears a sound of distress from the kitchen* That should give me some peace for at least fifteen minutes. So, as I was saying… Thanks, seriously, you don't know how much it helped me to see your reviews and the follows, too. And, as promised, here is an update. Hope you guys will like. We are changing point of view, though. I'll be the narrator for this chapter's start for I am showing you a peak of another place.
Hope you'll like what you'll read!
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Chapter 26- Silence of Babylon ((emotional ost))
Far from the couple, a man was running, holding a rolled up paper in his hand. Close to six feet, dirty black short hair, green eyes that were turning a bit gray, he was wearing normal leather pants and a coat, not really seeming to care about his appearance. He reached the local port, going straight for a big ship that was anchored at the last place. He climbs up the rope ladder to jump on the deck. The sail was white, but a simple was embroidered on the smaller sail. It looked like a tower, the top of it having been destroyed. Not taking the time to say a single word to the other men on the deck, the man runs towards the door at the back of the ship. He knocks on it:
"Chief! I have something to show you. May I come in?"
It takes a while before a strong and deep voice resounds on the other side of the room:
"You know how to open a door"
The man puts his free hand on the doorknob and turns it, opening the door. He enters a room hidden by the darkness, but he was used to this room never being lite. He closes the door behind as he walks in and walks toward the shape of a large desk. He puts the rolled up sheet on it, looking up at the shadow on the other side of the desk standing next to what would have been the window had it not been covered with curtains:
"I found this bounty at the marine base. I thought it might interest you."
The shadow walked closer, the sound of hard boots knocking on the wooden floor, revealing the size of a seven feet tall man, though it was still hard to see him. A large hand unfolds toward the paper and takes it to lift it at what seemed to be eyesight.
"Shikyo, the sentenced girl…"
A deep silence strikes the room for a moment:
"Move the curtains"
"Yes chief"
The smaller man walks towards the back of the room and catches the curtains to tie them together, lighting up a room full of wanted posters. Next to the desk, there stood a man. He had short brown hair and a tanned skin. His green eyes were staring straight at Shikyo's picture on the paper and his long red coat looked as if it hadn't been cleaned in years. He had a strange smile on his lips.
"You did well, Eddie. I find it more than interesting, actually."
"I am glad to see it pleases you, chief"
The one called Eddie steps away from the curtains, getting closer to his chief.
"What should we do, chief?"
The taller man seems to think for a moment, but his grin gets wider.
"Tell the men to get prepared. We are setting sail as soon as the ship is ready to leave"
"Understood"
The one called Eddie leaves the room, leaving his chief alone as he stares straight at the wanted poster. He sits down on the chair behind the desk, getting comfortable and not leaving the paper from sight.
"So, you became an outlaw and a member of the Heart pirates. Seems like this rebellious attitude actually runs in your mother's family's blood. It would seem chasing you was going to be my goal from the start, hey? I am coming for you, Shikyo. Hope you will appreciate our little reunion"
He laughs a bit:
"But of course, for that, I will have to find you. Unless I set things so you should be the one meeting me back? We shall see in do times. I cannot wait to see how you've grown"
A slight cry resounds and, from a side of the room that wasn't lite, came a blue jay. It landed on the man's shoulder, its claws deep in the cloth of the coat. The man lifts the poster a bit:
"Look at her well, my blue angel. This is going to be our next prey. I will need you for this hunt"
The bird jumped from a feet to another, actually looking as if it was studying the picture, and let out a small cry once more, as if done.
"Good bird"
The ship was getting loud on the other side of the door. It was about time for him to walk out and lead his men. This was going to be fun.
*POV Shikyo Lost tales- SimBi*
"Achoo!"
I straighten up, rubbing my nose.
"I hope it isn't permanent. Law wouldn't take it that I got sick"
I look at my wrist, testing it a bit to make sure it was doing fine now, and replace my blades on my belt. We were heading for an uncharted land, this time. There were no civilisation reported, but many tales were wold about this place. One of those tales told this place was the land frightening gods. Others that it was hiding a wonderful treasure. This place was also said to be deadly, no one having been able to go really far and, if they had, they hadn't reported back to talk about it. There were tales about terrifying creatures and a nature so cruel it killed unwanted travelers the moment they arrived. But the one tale that was intriguing me the most was the one saying this land possessed a flower with wondrous curative properties so beautiful the gods themselves didn't want the mortals to know about its existence. All these tales were getting me excited, somehow. Seeing that everything was ready, and feeling the den den mushi in my pocket, I walk to my room's door and open it. We hadn't reached the surface yet, but I didn't want to stay idly in my room. I reach the controls room and find Shachi and Penguin were guiding the submarine up. I walk towards them, not making a sound so I wouldn't bother them, and look up at all the commands and meters shown.
"Just a bit more and we've arrived"
"Don't slack off just yet. We are not to the surface"
"Still happy to arrive"
After some manoeuvres, the submarine shook a bit and they seem to relax.
"All done"
I smile a bit:
"Doesn't look easy to guide the submarine like that"
They jump a bit. Apparently, they hadn't realised I was there. Shachi smiles widely:
"Hey, Shikyo! Hadn't heard you coming in! So, you ready to explore the land of lost tales?"
I laugh a bit, feeling like a child about to see a new spot in town:
"You bet I am. This is actually going to be my first expedition with you all. I can't wait to go out there"
Penguin lifts a hand to his chin, seeming thoughtful:
"It is true we only landed at towns with you. Not that it didn't seem to give enough action, though. I wonder how things are going to turn out when it normally was lively during an expedition"
Shachi shrugs a bit:
"I'm sure it will be fine. Compared to the other times we landed with Shikyo, we will stay all grouped up. Leaving Shikyo completely alone won't ever be an option. There is nothing to worry about"
Apparently satisfied, Penguin stands up from his seat:
"Well, we should go on the deck if we want to go at all. Captain won't wait for us"
Shachi jumps on his feet:
"Maybe not us, but he will wait for Shikyo for sure!"
They walk out of the room as I follow them and head straight for the deck. Some of the crew is already gathered, looking at the new island they were about to step on. I walk towards the railing, letting my gaze widen as I look around. This island's flora was humongous! I had trouble seeing the top of those trees! The flowers themselves seemed to be as big as a normal tree's size! Seeing this, I have to wonder what the fauna is going to be like. I think I am starting to understand why they called it the land of gods. This place looks incredible and I haven't even set foot on it.
"Amazing…"
But as I was contemplating, I suddenly feel a slight gust of cold wind right at my neck base. I jump, letting out a small cry, and swiftly turn around. Law was standing right behind me, a mischievous smile on his lips as he was trying to contain a laugh:
"You react just as much as you did the first time"
I let out a sigh of relief, but look back at him with a discouraged expression:
"Did you need to do this again? You already know it makes me jump…"
"And I couldn't resist doing it again. I can't let you get lost in your thoughts too often, can I?"
I sigh once more, but smile softly:
"Alright, I get it. I won't let my curiosity get in the way, though you can't stop me from wanting to study things by looking"
I let my gaze turn towards the island once more and put my arms on the railing:
"This place seems unreal, somehow"
He places himself next to me, his gaze studying the shore:
"That is how the Grand Line is. You cannot take anything for granted or you might have a bad surprise"
I nod lightly:
"I understand"
He steps away from the railing and goes towards the crew:
"Everyone seems to be here. Good. I'll say this once. We will all stay together for as long as we will be on this island. It is unknown how long it will take before the log pose will be showing the next road to take. We know close to nothing about this island if it is not for the tales involving it. Since they are tales, we cannot be sure if any of these are true or not. We might be the first crew to stay here and leave. I do not wish to leave any of you behind for not being able to react fast enough to whatever could have happened"
I gulped a little. He really was suspicious about this place. A deep silence fell on the deck, proving I wasn't the only one who turned uneasy at his words. Law looked at the whole crew:
"Just make sure not to drift off on your own or to go too far from the group. We will investigate the place, but I do not want to take uncalculated risks. Are we clear?"
"Yes, Captain!"
"Oh, and don't run to me because of a mosquito bite. I do not believe it will cause any risks for your lives"
Some of the crew laughed, the atmosphere turning less tensed. I smiled a bit. He really cared about his crew, so I could understand why he wanted to keep an eye on all of them.
"Let's get down, then"
"Yes, Captain!"
Most of the crew jumped down the submarine to walk on the shore made of pebbles…or at least I believe they are pebbles, even with their size. I look at them, a bit puzzled. Was everything going to be oversized? Law walks towards me, followed closely by Bepo:
"Ready to go?"
"I think so…"
He crosses his arms, raising a brow as he lies against the railing, looking straight at me:
"You think so? You seemed eager to leave a minute ago"
I chuckle a bit:
"True, and I still am. It is just that this place is giving me a strange impression. I am curious to go and study everything, but as you told, we are best to be careful. Even a pebble is much bigger than us, here. It almost feels like we found the land of giants, Elbaf"
"So, this places gives you a bad feeling"
"In a way…"
I look back at him and smile in a mischievous way:
"But I'm fine. As long as I don't stray off, I shouldn't attracted trouble as I usually do"
His own smile comes back, reassuring me:
"Then, shall we?"
I climb on the railing; looking down at the pebbles and, without further ado, jump down. I land softly, though feeling the pebble move slightly at receiving a person's weight, and stand up to test the pebble's solidity. It wasn't the best, but at least it was holding. I look up to see Law jump down as well and land a bit further on another pebble, standing up without trouble. But when Bepo lands on another pebble, it knocks on the others around, making water splash all around and lifting the surrounding pebbles. I quickly jump out of range, not wanting to get soaked or hit. Luckily, Law had the same reflex. He mumbles a bit:
"It would seem we have to pay attention to every detail. A simple pebble could become a problem"
Bepo starts apologising as he usually did, but I kneel to observe the pebbles. Something was intriguing about them. Bepo was one of the best at martial arts among the crew. His weight had never changed the way he was walking, even less landing on something. I still remembered the way he had arrived on the execution platform. It hadn't trembled even once under his steps. There was something else, for sure. I looked at the pebble Bepo had landed on. It didn't seem different but… I stand up and walk towards the polar bear:
"Bepo, could you step on another pebble? Like this one on your right?"
"Yes"
He changes pebble and I jump a bit to land on the pebble he had left. It shakes just as much as it had when Bepo had landed on it, splashing all around me. I kneel on the pebble and hit it with the back of my finger, listening to the sound it was making.
"That doesn't sound like a rock at all. It sounds empty. That pebble is made to splash whoever steps on it"
I stand up once more, looking around. There were pebbles all the way to the trees.
"It looks like this is a trap for devil fruit users. I cannot say if it is natural or not, but there are many more until we reach the trees."
The rest of the crew were jumping from a pebble to another, laughing when the water was splashing the others. A smile appeared on my lips:
"In any case, as long as the two of us stay dry, it shouldn't cause much of a problem. Since most of the pirates crossing the Grand Line are in possession of a devil fruit, not being careful about those details must have cost them their lives. One thing does come to my mind…"
I turn towards the water, observing the wide space leading to the ocean.
"Aside from the submarine, I don't see anything that looks like a ship. I know rumors and tales are reported by survivors, but if this island is deadly, why aren't there are shipwrecks or anything of the sort?"
Law observe the ocean as well, not showing a single emotion.
"Maybe that part really was only tales to scare travelers. I would rather not lower my guard, but maybe this isn't as dangerous as I thought it would be."
He follows the pebbles towards the rest of the crew, leaving me thoughtful. Was that all that it was? Nothing but tales? People don't start rumors from a simple splash of water. No, I feel there is something more to it. I lift my gaze to see Bepo had stood by my side.
"Is everything alright, Miss Shikyo?"
I nod a bit and smile:
"Yes, there is no need to worry. I might have read too many books from Captain's library. I am looking too much into this"
I jump on the pebbles, wanting to catch up with the rest of the crew as Bepo followed me closely. We hadn't gone much further than the beach. I couldn't jump to conclusion right from the start. I was doing my first real expedition. I couldn't let tales destroy this moment. Our group followed the pebbles, the crew playing a bit with the pebble phenomenon as Bepo was watching so neither Law or I got soaked. We reached the trees easily, stepping on a firm ground. All around us, we could see roots coming out of the ground. Those roots were so big I couldn't see over them. I walk towards one and slowly pass my hand on the wood. It was so soft…
"Is that really wood?"
I hit it softly, listening, and hear a deep sound coming from it. Those roots were empty as well? What could this mean? I get closer and put my ear against the wood. As I was about to knock on it again, I hear a sound I didn't expect. Something had passed inside the root. I step away from it quickly, my gaze widening. What was the meaning of this?
"Miss Shikyo?"
Bepo again? I don't look at him this time. I get closer to the root once more, wanting to listen, but I couldn't hear anything more. I frown and head for another root.
"Miss Shikyo, what are you doing?"
I stick my ear to the other root, listening. My gaze widens as I hear the sound again. There really was something traveling inside the wood! Following what I thought was the direction the sound was heading, I listen from a root to another, hearing the sound going further, and further, and… I stop straight and look around. The crew was still in sight, nut they were heading another way, except for Bepo who was still following me. He looks worried, too. Abandoning my curiosity, I walk towards him.
"Forgive me, Bepo. I thought I heard something and got lost in the chase. Shall we go back with the others?"
Bepo seems relieved:
"Yes"
I walk calmly, but let my breath calm down as well. The moment my vision changes, I have to work hard not to blink. The energies…they were so wonderful around here! It was as if I was watching a show of glowing lights constantly keeping shapes, but shapes that I wasn't able to see a second ago. I stop walking, not believing my eyes. What was the meaning of this? Bepo stops next to me, worried, but I lift a hand.
"Bepo…can you see all of this? Or can you smell it?"
Bepo gets uneasy.
"If you mean those plants that cannot be seen, yes, I can smell them"
"I wonder why they can't be seen…you have a strong sense of smell, right? Maybe this flora is not meant to be found by human being, normally. This is amazing"
"I wouldn't know about that. They don't seem amazing to me"
"Do they?"
I walk towards one of the plants, kneeling next to it.
"But they look amazing to me"
"Miss Shikyo!"
Bepo grabs me and pulls me behind. Just as he does, I see teeth appear on the large luminous plant and its large mouth snapping exactly where I was standing a second ago. I blink, losing the vision. The plant was no more to my eyes, but the shivers going up my spine were more than real.
"T-thank you, Bepo…"
Bepo gulps, not saying a word. He helps me up, relieved to have escape, and my gaze fall on the crew to turn terrified. I wasn't suspicious even though I could see those plants. Without the sight…
*They hit without warning ((epic ost))*
"Bepo, hurry! We have to warn the crew before something happens!"
I activate my vision and start running. This forest was completely made of invisible, carnivorous plants!
"Everyone! Get away from the roots! Quickly!"
As I was reaching the crew, a new energy came to my eyes. It wasn't plants, it was… I barely get the time to feel Bepo pass next to me and jump towards the new energy wildly, leaving martial arts behind to follow his instincts. The entire crew jumps at seeing Bepo turns so wild, but also completely shocked when they see him fight against an invisible enemy. I keep my eyes on the fight, though taking my blades out. If I could find an opening, I could help him. But what was tht creature I was seeing? It looked like a tiger with long saber teeth and completely invisible to normal human eyes. I see Law's energy get closer, wanting to go help Bepo, but I lift Tsuki in front of him.
"Don't go in yet. If you hit Bepo because of that creature noticing you, it won't make things better"
"What do you see?"
"Many things I'm afraid, but I suppose you only meant what Bepo is fighting against."
"For now"
"From my point of view, it looks like a saber tooth tiger invisible normally invisible to human sight"
"But you can see every thing's aura, so you can see it"
"Precisely"
"Then be my eyes. I won't let something happen to Bepo with my arms crossed"
I nod swiftly, not turning my gaze from the fight.
"I might not be able to say it fast enough. It is really swift"
I feel the familiar wind and see the room ability form around us and engulfing Bepo and the creature.
"As I said, be my eyes."
I suddenly see Bepo being pushed to the ground and the creature starting to lift a paw.
"On top!"
Law slashes the air and I see the creature lose a leg. It roars loudly, making it possible for the entire crew to hear it, and jumps away from Bepo to rush towards us. No time to say anything. I see it jump towards Law. I pass under Law's Nodachi and jump, changing the position of Tsuki's blade so it would normally point behind me. As Law's gaze widens, I spin in the air, slicing the creature's leg aimed at Law and opening a wound on its throat. A strange translucid blood flows from the wound, dripping on my coat, as the creature continues its jump. I get caught in the movement and pass above Law's head to fall at a certain distance behind him. Thankfully, I had been able to move the blades away from my body just in time. But now, I was stuck on my back with the weight of the creatures squeezing air out of me. I try to push the body, but it doesn't even nudge. I was feeling blood all over me, losing breath, and all of my efforts were meaningless against this creature's dead body.
"L-Law…"
My vision was panicked, blurry. My lack of oxygen blocked my hearing. But as I was about to lose hope with my last breath, the creature is swiftly flang away. I take a deep breath and end up coughing for burning my lungs. My vision gets clearer and I notice the energy of Bepo next to me.
"Be…*cough* Bepo…"
*Back to lost tales*
He bends towards me and, to my biggest surprise, licks my face. I grimace, more by surprise than really disgust since it couldn't feel worse than the blood covering me.
"What was that for?!"
All around me, the crew is gathered. Their energies seem troubled.
"Why are you all looking at me that way?"
Law's energy gets closer and kneels next to me:
"Are you hurt anywhere? Did that thing do anything to you?"
"I'm fine, though I'm happy not to be stuck under it, anymore. It was heavy alright"
I sit down, blinking to let my vision turn to normal…to see my body disappear. That explains why Law didn't know I was unarmed. I lift my hands, but don't see anything. I can't even see my legs!
"What? Where did my body go?"
"I was wondering the same thing. You jumped in front of me and you suddenly disappeared completely. You only appear when Bepo licked your face. Well, your face at least"
So, I disappeared at that point. Could it be…? I try to find my arm by the texture of my coat, though it was now completely soaked in strange blood, and try to wipe off the slimy substance. My arm then appears.
"I'll need to wipe this off since it isn't much of any use for now. Animals follow their smell and plants reach out for heat to know when a prey is close. This place's nature is really something else. It would seem they developed something in their blood and sap that lets them completely assimilate what the surrounding looks like"
I take off my coat, my upper body appearing. That left my legs and hair.
"I might need to find a stream or something like that to take this off"
I stand up, testing my stability.
"Or not, considering my arm appeared easily. It doesn't seem to dry quickly"
I pass a hand in my hair and grimace:
"Okay, that is gross."
Law laughs a bit:
"You almost got killed and you are still capable of grimacing because your hair is bloody"
I can't help but smile at hearing him laugh so easily.
"Better laugh then be sorry, right?"
I shake my head a bit, blood falling from the strands. I take a leather band from a pocket inside my coat and tie them up so they wouldn't stick in my face.
"Seems like the substance sticks to surfaces bit doesn't imbue."
I shake the substance off, staying soaked, but now completely visible.
"It feels good to be visible. Speaking of visible…"
I change my vision, concentrating on the energies.
"As I told you earlier, I can see many things. Aside from those trees, the flora and fauna seems to be completely invisible and prompt to attack, including the plants. Some are carnivorous. It would seem that only Bepo and I are able to know where they are, too"
I put my coat on my shoulders as Law considers the new information.
"Which means the two of you are the only ones who can know whether a path is safe or not and to keep an eye on potential attackers"
I nod lightly:
"That seems to be the case for now"
"Then you and Bepo will lead and close the way. I don't like putting you two in evidence to whatever could attack us, but I can't seem to find another plan for now"
I nod lightly.
"It is for the best. Besides, now that we know what to watch out for, there won't be as many risks and I'm sure the crew will be fine"
The guys seem to agree as I look at them and I look back at Law. His stern expression had turned a bit softer.
"Very well, let's continue going forward so we can come out of these woods"
As the group's cheerfulness comes back, we regroup together and continue advancing, Bepo at the back and I up front.
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Here we go, another chapter done. I believe I am going to have a lot of fun reporting the events on that Island. There are so many mysteries awaiting them! And look! Nobody got hurt! Well, Shikyo disappeared for a moment, but at least she was still there *hears the sound of a sword sliding out of its protection* Seems like Bread jokes should be put out of my list. I think I'll try and do some live temple running outside my apartment so I don't get sliced up again. Oh, by the way, I don't know what will be my posting rate, so I apologise if it takes time to post an update in advance!
So, once again, thank you all for supporting me and until next time!