After Vyse put himself at a safe distance from the girls of Ixa'ness they ended up finding a bistro that the former Air Pirate Gordo had established and was becoming quite popular in the North Ocean. In the establishment they had another run in with Domingo. Vyse managed to convince him to join the crew as a second lookout after impressing him with the number of discoveries he had found and sold to the Guild.

With this decent size crew, their next destination was Esparanza. When they got there however it was a dump. A forgotten port city that was barely holding together, in some places quite literally. There was even ships that somehow ended up lodged into places like the cliff below the fortified city or even the metal port. Aika turned to them, "Well, at least they have a lighthouse."

"That's not a lighthouse." Yuri pointed to the top, "It's an old gun tower built like a lighthouse. Valua was never exactly subtle when it comes to weapon emplacements. But let's hurry up and find what we need to get through already. I don't want to say here longer than we have to."

Marco looked at the place, "Yeah, it looks like a total dump, even compared to Lower City."

Looking at the place Raven finally remembered, "That's right, now I remember! Esparanza was a total bust! Every expedition that has ever tried to reach Yafutoma were turned back or destroyed by the Dark Rift. Valua eventually abandoned the city all together, leaving anyone who remained stranded without a ship to take them away."

Rita was getting her own readings of the ominous black rift at the horizon. "My original ship design was meant to traverse through the Dark Rift, maybe even save any survivors. What's inside would be a considerably different story."

"Wh-wha-what d-d-do you mean inside?"

Rita looked to the rift itself, "Before Valua abandoned this place, the stories that came from the surviving sailors here were rather extraordinary and strange. It's said that any sources of light outside your ship only came from the wrecks that came before them or strange bioluminescent plants, compasses would no longer work, and monsters that could scare the spirit outta even the most hardened of sailors…" Raven made a ghostly wailed behind Karol's back, causing him to scream in terror. Rita sent Raven flying with a powerful punch to the gut, "Shut up!" She started to pat her hands off, "We should just resupply here and ignore anything these people might say or ask. I'll chart our way in."

"I'd still feel better if we got some insight from the locals."

"There's no need!" Rita continued to protest, "We can get in there before anyone can remember us!"

Yuri was rather suspicious of Rita's unusual attitude. "As much as I want to keep a low profile myself, what's the rush there, Rita? It's not like there are any loyal Valuans left here."

Judith though added, "No, she is right. We have no need to stay here for long. We resupply and then enter the rift. We have everything we need to get us through."

As Vyse and an away team got boots onto the metal harbor Polly seemed all the more anxious to continue their voyage. The only noise in the galley at the moment came from Pow trying to get Repede to play with him, much to Repede's annoyance.

Domingo entered as he stretched his neck, "That rift just keeps going and going. There's no way we can go around it. But boy, the discoveries we might find inside it! Lost ships, ancient wonders, maybe a ghost or two…" Repede got up, his ears perked up as he looked out one of the starboard windows. Repede started to bark at Domingo, tugging at his pants. "H-Hey! Don't pull me! Mangy mutt!"

Polly looked, "You might want to see this lookout…"

Domingo looked over, opening up his spyglass just to be certain. Tikatika rushed in, "Bad news! Bad news!"

Vyse, Aika and Yuri found the tavern with the barmaid and two sailors drinking away. The moment they walked in, the atmosphere was rather depressing even compared to Valua's Lower City. They moved to speak with the man at the booth, see as he wasn't too deep into his loqua.

"You're not from around here, are ya?"

Vyse nodded, "Actually, we just came into town and we were wondering if someone here could help us." Yuri though didn't seem to like this.

The man put the bottle aside, "So you came to me… Well, that's just great… By the way, the name is Don. Now ask me your question and be on your way."

"You know that sky rift to the east… How do you get through it?"

"So, yer lookin' for a way to cross the Dark Rift, eh?" This got the others in the bar to look at them. After a bit of a silence Don slammed his bottle against the table and started laughing hysterically, "So the world is still full of fools…"

"What?"

Yuri stopped Aika, "We told you there was no point in talking with these people."

The tavern keep and sailor joined Don in their ridiculing, "Are you kids serious? You're trying to cross the Dark Rift?"

"They don't stand a chance. Someone better tell their parents where they are."

Don pulled their attention, "Kid, that's no ordinary sky rift…" taking a swing directly from the bottle, "During the war, this cape was discovered… And this city was built. This place is the edge of the world. If you try and go any further east, you'll be killed. Hundreds of men… good men… have died tryin'. But, there's always a few fools that don't heed the warnin's. The Dark Rift usually claims 'em… Some of the best sailors from all over the world tried to cross the Dark Rift. They came from everywhere… One by one they tried to get through the Dark Rift. All of them failed. The ships that enter the Dark Rift are either pushed away by the winds… or they get sucked in, never to return. My crew and I lost our ship. We were lucky to survive. After a while, sailors stopped comin'. All we do now is sit around here, and wait to die…" Don finished the bottle off.

The barely sober sailor chuckled, "Some things are just impossible, kid. Why don't you just go back to wherever you came from and have your mommy tell you bedtime stories."

"What's wrong with you people?! You've thrown your lives away! Don't you care about anything?!" Yuri wasn't going to waste his breath, sitting next the door as Aika pulled on Vyse's arm, "Vyse, let's go! We're just wasting our time here."

Vyse wasn't moving, looking down to Don, "Thanks for telling me about the Dark Rift… Before I go, I just want to say that I've never met a more pitiful bunch in my life." The laughter that filled the bar suddenly stopped now, "If you lose sight of one dream, replace it with another. Think about how much you could have accomplished in the time that you've spent here. Just because you couldn't cross the Dark Rift, are you just going to sit here for the rest of your life? Because you tried something once and failed, are you going to throw the rest of your life away? There's a whole world out there to see! Don't you have any desire to sail again?" Vyse was ready to leave now but the Rita kicked the door open, "Rita, what is it?"

Don looked to their unexpected intruder, "Rita…?"

"Just shut up and come to the port! The Armada is coming!"

"What?! What are they doing here?!"

Yuri was the first one the doors, "Well figures those bastards would be persistent…"

"Aika, let's move! We should hurry back to the port, too."

Returning to the docks Yuri stopped at the sight of the ships, "Damn it! It had to be them!"

The fully armored rust red ships had spiked shields protecting their bows and were holding positions just outside of firing range of the city. Enrique and Estelle looked as worried as Yuri.

Enrique pointed to the biggest ship in the fleet, "That huge armored ship belongs to Admiral Gregorio, the Auriga."

"And his Vice Captain also happens to be Flynn Scifo of all people…"

Estelle nodded, "Admiral Gregorio is the best defensive tactician the Armada has ever seen. They even nicknamed him 'Ironwall'."

Vyse could see what they were doing now with the ship, "Interesting… he's forming a blockade around the town."

"Prince Enrique! Princess Estellise!" It was Flynn and another soldier, a red haired girl in Valuan armor. The two soldiers were saluting to the two royal members, however Flynn's eyes were shooting daggers to Yuri who was firing right back. Flynn broke the stare, presenting a scroll to Enrique, "We have come on behalf of Admiral Gregorio. He has an urgent message for you."

"I see. Thank you, my friend." Enrique unfurled the message as Flynn returned to the Auriga.

Yuri let Flynn go without saying anything, but just from the tension between them it felt as though they were ready to clash blades at the drop of a hat.

The message read as follows; I hope my Prince and Princess finds themselves in good health. I heard that you had a change of hearts, or were perhaps brainwashed by the Air Pirates. Empress Teodora has sent me to escort my Prince and Princess back to Valua, so that they may recover. If my Prince and Princess refuses to comply, my ships will regrettably begin firing upon the city tomorrow at noon. Your Humble Servant, Gregorio.

"…Hmm…" Enrique turned to Estelle, "Uncle Gregorio is asking us to surrender."

"Uncle? I never heard of that before."

Estelle smiled to Yuri, "He's not our actual uncle."

Enrique explained, "Gregorio was an Admiral in the Armada even before our father passed away… He helped raise us when we were growing up…" Enrique unsheathed his rapier as Estelle looked to her sword and shield, "He's always been like an uncle to us. I know that he doesn't want to fight, and he really does want us to surrender…"

Estelle turned to Vyse, "But we can't go back. Not after everything they've done. Even if…even if it means we have to fight him."

"Enrique? Estelle?"

They put their weapons away, nodding to one another before Enrique turned to Vyse, "Let's rest up for tomorrow. Gregorio is the most honorable man that I've ever met. He won't break his word."

Yuri slapped Enrique's back, "No worries. It's all about honor and whatever soldiers like to throw around right? I've got none of that so there's no point in pretending I understand."

Vyse nodded, "We should rest on land tonight and keep you off the ship until tomorrow. The last thing you need is for your 'Uncle' to see you throwing up over the railing in the heat of battle."

"…Great…" Enrique gave a sour face to Vyse, "now you're starting to sound just like Aika."

Vyse smiled, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Come on. Let's say at the inn tonight. We're gonna need our rest."

Yuri looked to the Delphinus, "I'll go back and tell the others what's going on and to rest up. Tomorrow's going to be busy for us."

Don saw Vyse, Aika, Rita, Estelle, Enrique and Fina returning. "Hey, what's an Armada fleet doing out there?"

Rita nonchalantly pointed, "They want us to surrender or they flatten this place. But that won't start until tomorrow afternoon."

Vyse smiled, "But we won't do either. Our ship is the best there is. They don't stand a chance."

Aboard the Delphinus, Yuri delivered the news about tomorrow's coming battle.

Khazim couldn't be happier. "HAHA! Finally! A Valuan Admiral and I get to blast him and his fleet out of the sky!"

Karol was nervous, "But…we're up against an entire Valuan fleet! We've never taken on so many ships at once!"

"It's a risk," Hans went through the inventory of supplies, "but as long as we keep the pressure and maintain the ship I think we can do this."

Polly smile, "If even half of the exploits I've heard are true, then we're all in good hands. So let's eat well and rest up until the captain returns."

Lawrence looked back to the fleet, "I should've asked for more…"

The next morning Yuri returned with the life boat to carry the others back to the Delphinus. Vyse turned to everyone as he yelled, "It's time to go fight Admiral Gregorio. It's going to be a tough battle. Give it everything you've got!"

Everyone yelled, "Aye aye!"

"Hey…" Don managed to pull himself away from the tavern, though he was still carrying a bottle in hand, "You aren't actually goin' to fight against the Armada, are ya? You're planning to fight Admiral Gregorio by yourselves?"

Vyse nodded with his confident smile, "Yup. That's the plan."

"I don't doubt your abilities, but I used to be a Valuan Soldier. I know what the Armada can do. Going up against one of their Admirals is crazy."

Yuri looked to him, "Yeah, I'd say the same thing, if we hadn't already beaten two of the Admirals in a modified fishing boat and the other two on foot. I think we stand a decent chance of breaking ol' Ironwall's defenses."

Rita looked to the Delphinus now, "I've gone through all of the systems myself. We're faster than any of Gregorio's ships, and our firepower isn't something to sneeze at either. I've given her the Rita Mordio approval to kick butt!"

"Mordio…" Don shock himself back to trying to convince them otherwise, "But…even if you win… You'll never get through the Dark Rift!"

"Like I said yesterday, our ship is the best there is. Our engines are more powerful than you think. And it might just be powerful enough to get us through the Dark Rift. Besides…" Vyse looked out to the Dark Rift now, "Ever since I was a kid, I've always wanted to see what was beyond the edge of the world. That very edge is right in front of me. I have a chance to do what nobody has ever done before. I have a chance to make history today." Vyse's smile was bigger than ever, "If I said that I'm not scared, I'd be lying. But, I won't let this opportunity pass me by. The chance to fulfill my childhood dreams lies right in front of me. You don't expect me to just give up, do you?"

Don looked angry for a moment, though he stopped, laughing to himself, "I suppose, then, no matter what I say you're not goin' to listen…" He took a breath as he pointed to the rift, "The Dark Rift is a giant vortex. If you can get through one side, you'll reach the eye in the middle. It is rumored that the eye is calm. There are other calm pockets along the edges of the Dark Rift. If you find one of the pockets, you might have half of a chance."

"I see… Thank you! I'll come back here when I'm done…I promise!"

Everyone boarded the boat and started heading back to the Delphinus, Don watched, intent on watching their battle against the fleet. "Kid, you're just like me when I was your age… And Mordio, I hope your search turns up somethin' good…"

On the Auriga, Admiral Gregorio watch the Delphinus fly toward them as Flynn reported, "Admiral, the Delphinus is approaching. It is moving into attack position."

Gregorio closed his eyes, "My orders were to bring them back alive, or kill them if they refused."

Sodia openly objected, "But Admiral, we can't kill the Prince and the Princess…"

Gregorio took command of his fleet, "Which is why we must do everything in our power to take them alive. All ships, prepare to attack! The Delphinus is the Armada's most powerful ship. Our adversaries may be young, but we can't underestimate them."

Flynn stood next to Gregorio now, "Sir. Yuri Lowell is still with them. This won't be an easy victory."

"I have no doubt that Prince Enrique and Princess Estellise will give us everything they have as well. But we will do everything in our power to return them safely to Valua. Have Witcher ready to use his magic. If the reports are correct, then we may be against Rita Mordio as well."

"Mordio? Isn't that…"

"Yes, the famed orphaned prodigy child who has been working as a Valuan researcher. Belleza reported as such back in Nasr. Daughter to the missing researcher Nicolas and ship captain Victoria Mordio who were on the last ship to officially be lost in the Dark Rift since Valua has stopped efforts here. Rita has possibly allied with the Air Pirates to attempt another search for them."

Flynn wasn't sure what all of this meant for them. "Sir…?"

As the first line of defense was attacked by the Delphinus, Gregorio opened a pocket watch with five people inside it, three men and two women and they all looked very happy. "Did you know that De Loco's ship was not originally designed by him? An ambitious child who's intellect out shined most of her peers simply wanted to see her parents again. Because of how young she was, she took her designs to De Loco in the hopes that it would be constructed for its intended purpose. Instead he betrayed her and De Loco used and modified it for himself, changing the name from Chamaeleon to Chameleon. Mordio will have undoubtedly made modifications to strengthen the Delphinus as well. All hands prepare for battle. We will attack once they have broken through our lines."

A/N: A little peek into what to expect when they dive into the swirling darkness that is the Dark Rift.