Bonus Chapter: Tomorrow's Answer


The Midgand Sea, Two Months Later


The sun was high up in the sky, shining on Avernus' loose hair as he was standing adamantly on the deck of a small ship. The wind bellowed his long loose hair and long cloak. His arms were crossed over his chest, surrounded by daemon pirates.

Werewolves and werebeasts pirates were growling amusingly at him with their Warg captain standing behind them, snorting through his nose and gazing over the lone traveller. One of the daemons walked out of the cabin and went straight to the captain. "I have searched the whole ship. There is no one on board except him."

The Warg captain jerked his snout over to Avernus. "What kind of idiot travels all alone and flies with the imperial flag?" The daemon gang laughed and howled at each other in hilarity. "What do you even do?"

"I'm the supervisor of reconstruction efforts," Avernus uncaringly replied, holding his head high and his face expression stoic. "And I'm right in the middle of doing my job."

The daemon crew laughed humorously all at the same time, glancing back and forth between each other, grunting, "What type of reconstruction one man like you can do?!" the Warg captain growled.

Avernus' eyes pinned the captain under a frowning murderous gaze. "I'll start by deconstructing trash like you."

The laughter suddenly faded, and their faces returned to their animalistic and barbaric expression, baring their teeth in a challenge.

Avernus turned his head around and swept a pitiful gaze over the monsters. "Look at you; a bunch of pathetic daemons, robbing civilian ships and running away like rats when Van Eltia shows up."

Suddenly, a daemon whirled to the Warg captain worryingly, "Boss! He can see us!"

"It seems he can," the captain snorted. "He looks like a leftover of those exorcists…" The daemon captain pulled his cutlass slowly and cautiously, eyes clinging to Avernus.

"I'm not an exorcist... I'm worse than them. For people like you, I'm your greatest nightmare. " The side of Avernus' lips quirked into a confident grin as they began to step back a bit. "What is it, dogs? Too scared to fight me?"

One of the lesser daemons moved slowly to his side, sniffing and circling him. "He doesn't have a single weapon with him but smells of magic! I don't think he can take us on all at once, boss!"

"You can certainly try, filth." Avernus taunted.

The daemon suddenly lost his patience and howled in a challenge, scrambling toward Avernus with his sword raised and his extended tongue swaying between his fangs like a rabid dog.

Avernus' emerald eyes glittered, and he whipped his right hand. A bright green Tomahawk out of mana materialized, and he slammed it with an inhuman speed into the daemon's gut as it approached. The werewolf screeched in pain and bent over his arm, dark blood gushing out of its mouth. Avernus conjured another axe on his left hand and, with a twirl, landed a massive hit on the daemon's back. The sharp blade cut the beast's spinal cord, and its pained howling ceased. Avernus raised its motionless body above his head as its legs and arms dangled lifelessly and tossed it over to the Warg captain's feet. The corpse rolled and stopped at the daemon's feet. The captain grunted, and his gaze shifted to a frightened stare at the sight of Avernus' battle stance.

Avernus hefted his conjured Tomahawks in each hand, gazing cold-bloodedly over the daemons and squaring his shoulders. "Who's next?"

The crew stepped back, their hairy faces darkened with hate and uncertainty as they gazed over their crewmate's bloodied corpse. The captain's snout twitched alarmingly, watching Avernus taunting them at will.

He pointed his steel sword at Avernus, howling in annoyance. "Kill him!"

Then as the daemons were readying themselves to attack, whistles of cannonballs soared, and the port side of the small ship blew up in an instant, taking a few daemons along with it. The ship listed heavily to the side. As Avernus balanced his body, he spotted Van Eltia in the distance, Its bow cannons flashing and flashing continuously. Avernus smirked, and the barrage blew up the aft, obliterating more daemons as their bodies disintegrated in intense heat and explosion.

Avernus' eyes followed the Warg captain and the rest of the crew hurrying to the main pirate vessel. Avernus pushed his feet to the burning deck and lounged a high jump after them.

One of the daemons turned his head in time for Avernus to smash his axes into his face and land heavily on its body, flattening the daemon against the deck.

The rest whipped their heads to Avernus as the decoy ship engulfed in flames, burning debris raining down around him.

"You just fell right into our trap." Avernus grinned, tapping the back of his right Tomahawk on his shoulder. "Get in line for your treatments, dogs."

A daemon raged into a run, bearing down on Avernus. In a flash, Avernus threw both of his axes one after the other into the daemon's skull. The beast fell lifelessly on the deck, sliding on the wooden floor with eyes blank and devoid of life.

The next daemon stormed toward him and swung his blade. Avernus dodged the attack effortlessly to the side and coiled his fingers into a glowing fist. "Beast! Lion's Howl!"

Avernus' uppercut smashed the daemon's jaw from underneath, raising his massive body from the deck as its fangs and teeth broke with a bone-crunching sound.

The whole boat began to shudder under Avernus' feet, with the attacking daemon's lifeless body crashed back into the deck. He whirled his head to see Van Elta docking beside the pirate vessel with Velvet, Eizen, Benwick, and the rest catching the ropes for swinging. Chaos ensued, and from the corner of his eyes, he saw more daemons swarming his position. Avernus reached out to his warping power, and his body faded into a stream of blue trails. His intangible body passed through the daemons harmlessly and materialized behind them in an instant. Avernus extended his hands to his back, and the two Tomahawks yanked off from the dead daemon's skull and soared back to him. "Come get some!"

The daemons bafflingly whipped their heads back in dread. Avernus swung his axes and sliced the nearest daemon's kneecaps in a single attack. The monster dropped on the ground, and Avernus immediately brought his axes down with a great force to its chest, rage flitting behind his eyes as his weapons smashed its ribcage, burrowing to its dark heart. After yanking his Tomahawks from the daemon's corpse, he lounged at the remaining monsters. With each massive swing, the conjured weapons tore through their corrupted flesh, and two more daemons fell to his relentless attacks. The rest retreated, only to meet with Van Eltia's crew boarding their ship and greeting them head-on. Velvet jumped onto the railing of the quarterdeck and grabbed a rope. She swung full speed toward the Avernus and cut the bindings of yardarm to come crashing down on top of the daemons around him, just a few feet from Avernus. He placed two fingers over his lips and blew a kiss flying toward Velvet.

For a second, it appeared her scowling face blushed before landing on the opposite railing, targeting the Warg captain and charging at the daemon full-speed. She crossed her wrist blade with the captain's sword. The daemon Warg growled in anger as soon as his animalistic senses felt Velvet's overwhelming therion presence. "You are a...!"

Locked in combat, Velvet pushed on her wrist blade and pulled his sword down with enormous strength. Avernus stopped, grinning in delight as he always enjoyed watching Velvet's flexible body in action. The daemon was no threat to Velvet, and Avernus thought she would dispatch him in an instant. The foot blade unsheathed, and Velvet somersaulted, carving a deep wound into the daemon's body from stomach to its chest as her athletic legs rolled over in the air beautifully, and the long sword was discarded from the daemon's hand. The Warg howled in pain, grasping his hand over its nasty gash and fell on its knees helplessly. Velvet landed back on her feet gracefully and pulled her therion arm, ready to finish off the daemon and unleash her therion arm. "Hell's Claw-"

But strangely, her therion arm didn't transform. Velvet's brows knotted, and her face twitched in a painful expression. Velvet clenched her arm as she was experiencing a mind-numbing pain. Knowing something was wrong, Avernus instantly took off and warped in the blink of an eye. The Warg sensed Velvet's hesitation in killing him, and his hand snaked its sword quickly from the ground, raising it over Velvet. As he brought the sword down, the steel blade hit Avernus' axes instead as his body materialized in front of him, shielding Velvet. The daemon's blade was locked between axes in a cross shape form. Avernus bared his teeth, eyes flaring up like a green inferno. The daemon shuddered under Avernus's murderous gaze. Like Rokuour's three sword-in-one technique, Avernus twitched the trapped sword and tossed it away. He kicked the surprised daemon in the stomach with all his might, throwing him away. The beast fell on his back and crawled away panicky, panting like a wounded dog.

Instead of following him, Avernus whirled back to Velvet as she held her arm, bending over. Avernus grabbed her shoulder and looked into her eyes worryingly. "Are you okay, Velvet? What happened?"

Velvet shook off her head and the feeling, recollecting her energy and strengthened her posture. "I'm fine now. It's nothing."

Reading his wife's unusual fatigue from her eyes, Avernus brushed a hand caringly over her face. "Sure, but leave these to me for today, alright?"

Suddenly, a little boy's scream pulled them out of the moment. Avernus turned to see the pirate captain pulling a human kid from their prison brig and dragging him on the deck.

"Leave my ship, or I will kill this boy!" The Warg growled desperately, holding a sword under the boy's chin and his eyes darting from the Van Eltia crew to another as they surrounded them.

Avernus raised his arms, signalling Van Eltia's crew to cease the attack. "He is mine." He said and marched slowly toward the captain and its hostage.

Watching Avernus approaching in a vengeful march, the daemon pressed his sword harder against the kid's throat, "D-Didn't you hear me?! I said, go away!"

Avernus' lips quirked into a sneer, "If you were just a daemon that killed for food and survival, I would've been less angry about it, but Maotelus gave you a second chance, and you wasted it on killing and plundering innocents." His eyes burned with anger. "And falling too low to use a kid as a hostage…"

Avernus reached his power, and in his eyes, the world ceased for a second. As everyone was nothing but motionless statues, Avernus conjured his Tomahawks and threw one, hitting the daemon's hand, making him drop his weapon and pinning it to the wooden wall behind him. The Warg howled in shock. Before he could react, Avernus threw the second one in a precise shot, hitting its left shoulder, forcing him to release the boy and sticking his body to the wall.

The axes burned in intense magic, holding him tightly. The daemon jerked and twitched, trying to free itself. But then its desperate eyes fell on Avernus as he continued his death march. The Warg's mouth foamed in fear, and Avernus opened his hands, clawing them one above the other, "Go to hell… Howling Vengeance!"

A great axe with double side blades made out of crystalized mana materialized between Avernus' hands. Gripping the heavy handle, he raised it above his head as he empowered the great axe with wind magic, sharpening the blades even further. The daemon roared in a frenzy before Avernus brought down his glowing enormous magic axe into its skull. The blade cleaved the head in half, and the hollering stopped. Avernus released the handle, and the daemon's corpse and three axes disintegrated away into a black mist.

Avernus turned to see Van Eltia's crew watching him in awe. He shrugged their stares off. "I hate the ones who use kids as hostages."

With the rest of the daemons routed, Velvet ordered them back to the ship. Avernus grabbed a rope instead and motioned her to join him. "I got tired of seeing you do it. I want to do that too, so hop up, Captain. It's a free ride." Velvet raised a brow and joined him. She held tightly to Avernus.

"Alright… here we go!" Avernus' heart hammered in his chest as they soared above the churning water between the ships, and soon, the two of them landed safely on the deck of Van Eltia. "Now, I'm a certified pirate!" Avernus yelled, throwing a triumphant hand to the air.

Velvet chuckled lowly in amusement and leaned against the mast, "You can teleport, fly in your armatization form, and you still crave for these small things?"

Avernus grinned and slowly moved to her side, whispering. "Well, if you still didn't get it, it was all an excuse just to hold the captain of the ship in my arms and enjoy a little..." He cleared his throat. "Activity together."

Velvet clicked her tongue at his flirt but hid her cheer behind her usual scowl and serious face. "You're such a dork, and I keep falling for your teases."

Avernus noticed Velvet's unusual hazing eyes and put a hand on her forehead to check her body temperature. "You're warm, but I don't think you have a fever."

Velvet brushed his hand off, eyes trailing into the horizon. "I said I'm fine. I'm just tired, that's all."

Avernus suspected something was wrong, but then his focus was shifted to the civilians rescued by Benwick and the rest of the crew from the pirate ship's brig. The team hustled around the deck, shouting and pulling ropes. The sails unfurled with a snap, and the vessel began to speed away. Eizen joined them.

"What's our status?" Velvet asked.

"No damage," Eizen reported. "And we have managed to rescue all the civilians and neutralized the daemons." He then nodded favourably at Avernus. "It seems your plan was successful, although it was stupidly dangerous."

Avernus saw Velvet shaking her head, as usual, shooting her scolding glare at him.

"Of course it was," Avernus said. "You needed me as a decoy to lure those daemons out, or else, they would've evaded Van Eltia again."

Benwick ran to their sides, "Explosives are set."

Velvet opened her spyglass and peered back toward the pirate ship, which was quickly receding into the distance. Then an orange explosion engulfed the daemon's ship, separating it into half. Velvet heaved a sigh and shook her head as if she was trying to ward off her fatigue. Avernus held her left arm. "Velvet, let it loose. I need to check it."

"What? Have you become the Therion specialist now?" She tried to scare him off with her belittlement, but he was used to it and didn't flinch at her harsh tone.

After a brief pause and reluctance from Velvet, she surrendered and switched her attention to her therion arm. Her fingers twitched and coiled, but nothing happened. The black lace and her frill detached sleeve stayed on.

"You can't transform it…" Avernus said, stroking his chin. "Maybe it's because of the ring I gave you."

Velvet quickly pulled her hand defensively, frowning as she somehow knew he was certainly wrong about the ring. "It has nothing to do with it, and don't you dare touch it." She cherished the ring, and no one, not even the man that gave it to her, was able to take it away.

Eizen's eyes scanned Velvet's arm, and his mind boggled with her strange condition. "Maybe it is something to do with the Innominat?"

Avernus shook his head assuringly. "The heavenly Seraphim safely sealed away Innominat in their realm, and he is alive and… functioning. I can still feel his life force through my pact. If anything happens to Innominat, it will affect me too."

Velvet placed a calming hand on Avernus' shoulder before leaving for the quarters. "I'll get better, don't worry about me."

Avernus' gaze followed his wife as she went back inside, sighing to himself. "It's the first time I'm seeing her like this."

Then Benwick moved closer and scratched his head, hat tilting to the side. "I don't know. Before the attack, Boss was saying she was feeling a little bit nauseous too."

"Nauseous?" Avernus asked. "Did she get food poison?"

"No, I don't think so. Boss is pretty strict on healthy and fresh supplies, and we all ate the same food." Benwick asked, and he heaved a heavy breath afterwards as if he was trying to gather enough courage to ask something. "Hey, Avernus, can I ask you something?"

For a moment, Avernus broke from his entangled and worrying thoughts and waited patiently for Benwick's request.

"I want to know if I can talk to Eizen again." Benwick wondered.

Avernus glanced at Eizen, "Benwick missed you, Seraph Eizen."

Eizen growled, crossing his arms in defiance. "I heard that, and I know… Tell him that he needs to move on and stop with that sad face." He complained.

Avernus raised a brow and turned to Benwick, eyes glittering with mischief. "He is here and can't wait to talk to you again."

Benwick's face cheered up. "Thanks! Now, Umm... What do I need to do?"

Avernus turned to Eizen as he was scowling, shaking his head in disappointment. Avernus extended his arm toward Eizen. "Stop with the pouting and give me your hand, grandpa."

"You are delusional if you think I will make a pact with you," Eizen said, " Why do you give people unnecessary hope? They need to learn and let go and accept what has happened."

"They will learn once you do, too," Avernus said bluntly. "Since you haven't moved on, it's better to interact until you two are ready to move on."

Eizen grunted silently. Avernus was right; he was still following his old comrades even when they couldn't see him. He wasn't ready to let them go. " Very well, but no forced tether or I will strike you down."

Avernus rolled over his eyes, "Ugh, just give me your damn hands… and Benwick, close your eyes."

Eizen and Benwick complied, and both held each of his hands. Avernus tapped into his power and established himself as a conduit between them, creating a mental bridge.

"Benwick," Eizen called.

Benwick raised his brows, keeping his eyes shut at hearing his friend's voice after more than two years. "First mate?!" He howled, eyes tearing up.

"Yeah…" Eizen mumbled, turning his head away from the scene.

"We missed you so much, first mate!" Benwick started to sob a little, pressuring his lips to hold his sadness.

"Stop with that gloomy face Benwick. I'm still here, watching you and constantly giving advice to Velvet." Eizen said.

"Can I hug you, Eizen?" Benwick asked, sniffing his nose.

Avernus nodded, "I think that's fine, but first, let me step-"

Without waiting for Avernus, Benwick rushed blindly and hugged both of them at the same time while his eyes were still shut. Avernus shimmed between their bodies and forcefully pulled himself away, shaking his head and rearranging his loose hair.

Avernus put up a smirk as he saw Benwick grabbing onto Eizen. He held his head higher, knowing that saying goodbye was inevitable, but on that day, they would enjoy each other's company for a little bit more.

Later that night, Avernus was sleeping soundly. His mouth curved into a grin as his hand extended to his side, desiring to hold Velvet's body. To his surprise, there was no one but him on the bed. The sheepish smile faded, and Avernus opened his eyes, looking all over their room for Velvet. A small adorned lantern was lit, giving the cabin a wholesome feeling. He groaned and jumped off the bed. "She's probably outside again."

Going to the deck, it didn't take much for Avernus to find her as he sensed Velvet's presence easily like a moth seeing the bright flame in the darkness. He looked up to the crow's nest; The captain's long hair was flying freely above, and Avernus climbed the mast without hesitation. Velvet let out a soft and unique smile as soon as she saw him joining her. "Oh, you're awake."

Avernus sighed in disappointment. "You know I can't sleep alone anymore."

Velvet shifted to the side, offering the space beside her.

Avernus settled and wrapped an arm over her shoulder. Velvet surrendered to his warm and cozy hold and gently leaned against him. Feeling sheltered and supported, they both stared out at the sea below together. This high, the moonlight glittering over the water seemed otherworldly.

"What were you watching for?" Avernus asked.

"Anything that could harm us." Velvet replied.

"On a clear night like tonight, sailing in familiar waters, the hazards are fewer," Avernus observed confidently.

Velvet moaned comfortably and snuggled more into his embrace. From this vantage point, Velvet could see Avernus was right. There was nothing but clear waters all the way out to the horizon. "You've become a seasoned sailor." She raised her head and gave him an almost teasing look. "And became a man of action again."

Avernus grinned at her face pulling down its usual seriousness. "It's nothing. From up here, you can almost see everything." Avernus squeezed her gently between his arms. "This is my favourite spot on the ship. Perfect for some peace and quiet."

Velvet smiled and closed her eyes, enjoying his warm body against hers. It was chilly up there, and the crow's nest swayed with every rock of the boat.

"I wanted to talk to you about building a new home," Avernus said.

Velvet glanced up at him. "We can always rearrange and use our home back in Aball."

"That was your home, but I want something that belongs to us. Not from the past and not the one I have in Loegres." Avernus suggested.

Velvet reached out to brush a stray hair from his face, "Then where do you suggest that we have our new home?"

"I talked with Maotelus today during lunch about some interesting locations. There is a secluded and safe area over the mountains behind the Empyrean's throne. I was thinking to go and scout the place first, but Maotelus said that Seraph Mason mentioned that the area is very special to the new Seraphim. They're calling it Elysia. Although he also said that I'm always welcome to build my house on the rims if I want to.

A hint of smile and satisfaction played at Velvet's lips at Avernus' consideration and showing his husband qualities. "I'll come with you when you decide to go and check it out. It's a good decision to have somewhere just for ourselves. Somewhere safe." She looked up towards the clear sky and recalled her past. "You know, Arthur mentioned one time that he wanted to take us away from the village and move us closer to the capital and build us a new home, but I was against it, thinking that it's best to bunker down in our village for Laphi's sake. Now, I know why he wanted to do that."

Avernus bushed his hand over her scalp, following her gaze up. "He wanted to do what he thought was best at that time. It's our responsibility to look after our families, and this is what I intend to do for mine."

Velvet grabbed his hands and guided them lower over her stomach. She sighed in content as Avernus put her mind at ease, and her mood lightened. Velvet was now sure; "He had what it takes to…"

Behind them, a throat cleared. They look back just in time to see ahead popped up from the rigging. Benwick climbed up the hatch. "Captain, I'm here to relieve you of your watch."

"Thank you, Benwick." Velvet left Avernus' embrace. "It is time we get you below so you can go to your bed, Mr. Ambassador. You did a lot today for Van Eltia." Velvet said in her bossy and determined voice.

Avernus bobbed his head in obedience, "I will be right behind you."

Avernus climbed down after Velvet, and he escorted her back to their cabin. "So, will you ever acknowledge me as one of your crews now?" Avernus asked.

Velvet turned to him and extended her hand, "If it is what you really want. You do your fair share of the work, and you'll reap your fair share of the spoils. Does that suit you?"

Avernus watched her for a moment, taking in all her seriousness that she put up. The title of the Captain suited her well. "Even though I already have the most precious treasure that Van Eltia can offer me, I agree." Avernus coiled his warm fingers around Velvet's hand, and they both retired to their cabin for the night.


Tomorrow, Aball


Velvet and Avernus were on their way back to Aball with her dogs, Orthie and Russ, accompanying them. They navigated through Morgana woods, and their minds raced with old memories. Avernus heaved a sigh and turned to Velvet. "Everything's long forgotten…"

Velvet agreed, "Yes. It is like everything happened in another lifetime."

"You're right, but the romantic bits in that adventure… I don't plan to forget those."

"Me neither…" Velvet said, turning to him and remembered the first time she met him. Until then, he was the only one who didn't leave her side. "Thanks for staying with me." Velvet whispered quietly.

"Hmm?"

"Nothing." Velvet said, trying to change the topic. "I heard you asked Medissa to make you a new set of clothes."

Avernus nodded, eyes beaming in anticipation as he remembered that his new clothes were ready. "I needed a more practical outfit since I'm more active in the field."

"It is not a bad idea. Your imperial outfits are so shiny, and you keep making them dirty." Velvet complained. "One more thing is that Medissa brought Kamoana with her too. She insisted on coming and see you again."

"I missed her," Avernus said. "It's been more than two years. I wonder how much she grew up after receiving the silver flame's blessing." He looked over the intersection to see Aball's gate guarded by two pirates. They immediately opened the door for them, and they stepped inside.

The dead and abandoned village was now busy with new families, kids and wives of the pirate crew occupying it. Large supply boxes stacked near each house, and the market was opened, although this time, with a new merchant behind the counter.

Velvet pointed to the house that was previously owned by Niko's parents. "Medissa has set up shop over there…"

As Avernus turned towards it, he saw a young teenage girl with tanned skin, a long ponytail, dark green hair and green eyes waiting impatiently for someone. Her eyes widened at the sight of Avernus, and after a bit of uncertainty, she scrambled to his side, arms wide open.

"Kamoana?!" Avernus braced, and she grabbed on to his chest, squeezing him and screaming his name. Avernus slowly wrapped his hands over her head. She was grown, nearly the same height as Lailah, and her hair grew longer. She had ditched her summer clothes for something warmer; an orange short sleeve short top and white skirt, and long dark brown boots. "My hero is finally back!"

Velvet chuckled and placed a hand on her hip, inclining her body to the side as she watched them both. "Sounds like you have more than a few admirers. Not that I can blame her."

Avernus pulled away and glanced at her again in wonder. "Kamoana… you've grown so much…"

She nodded and giggled. Kamoana still had a little bit of her late childish behavior, but overall, she was more composed and happy. "Mother said you were coming back. I told her if she didn't let me come and see you, I wouldn't train with dad anymore."

"Train? Train for what?" Avernus asked.

"Sword training. Dad said that it's crucial to learn how to fight and defend the family farm." Kamoana dropped her head unsurely. "And I wanted to join Eleanor and help with spreading Laphicet's words and blessings."

Avernus raised a brow but ultimately nodded in favor. "That's an excellent idea. You have great awareness and reflex skills. It can make a good combination for a good fighter."

Kamoana beamed, clapping her hands, "I knew you would approve! I wish you could say it to mom-"

Then, they heard a familiar voice, "I heard it all, Kamoana."

They turned to see Medissa walking down the stairs. She bowed, "Shepherd Avernus."

" it's good to see again, Medissa. You've changed a lot and please, don't call me Shepherd. This title is the last one that's relevant to me. "

That was right. Her serpentine features were gone, and she was dressed in a violet robe and scarf. Maotelus' power had washed all Therion powers away, turning them all back to normal.

"Always the modest one in the group. When I heard what you did, I always told Velvet and Kamoana that you'd keep your promise and will return and never to lose hope." She shook her head but smiled, "You've returned, and you immediately threw yourself into the eye of the storm again."

"I have a knack to return to the adventure. I can't stay stagnant in a place for a long time." Avernus said but noticed Velvet rubbing her forehead again. "Velvet, are you all right?"

Velvet heaved a long breath, "I'm okay now."

Avernus turned to Medissa, his composed face hazed with worries. "Medissa, have you experienced fatigue, dizziness, and nausea when you were under the influence of Innominat? Or you weren't able to use your Therion form?"

"I did when I was first turned into a Therion, but not the sort that would hinder me in any negative way," Medissa said. "I'm not a Therion specialist, but Velvet's different; All other Therions went through full-body metamorphosis except for her."

"What do you mean?" Avernus asked.

"Our bodies were completely changed, but it wasn't the case for Velvet. The only thing that was affected was her arm. And after Innominat sealed away, the negative effects such as not being able to taste or being constantly hungry are gone. I think it's safe to say that whatever Velvet's body is reacting is pretty human-related." Medissa explained.

Suddenly, Avernus heard one of the pirates calling his name. He whirled his head, and after a brief nod, he returned to Medissa. "If you may, I need to do something urgently. I'll be back in an hour."

Velvet recollected herself and crossed her arms, frowning, "An hour? What kind of work needs an hour-"

Avernus waved his hand and quickly left their side. Velvet squinted at the sign on the house that Avernus was going towards it. "Tattooist?!" Velvet grunted, shaking his head. "Ugh, sometimes, I just don't know what to say to him…"

Medissa joined her side, chuckling. "Let's go inside, give your man some space."

Kamoana jumped in joy, walking with them to their new house. "Did you hear what Avernus said? I can do it! I can be a fighter!"

Medissa's cheering face turned serious. "Oh, don't start again. You know Avernus won't say no to you." She then turned to Velvet, "Aside from constantly bringing up and talking about Eleanor and Avernus, Kamonana tells every boy she meets to let their hairs grow to their waist and is… very picky about them too." Medissa complained and shot a scolding glare over to her step-daughter.

Kamoana coiled her hands into fists and let out a low scream, grumbling in protest. "Mom!?"

Velvet smiled slightly. "It is a normal thing for teenage girls. You don't need to worry about it..." Velvet cut herself short as dizziness returned.

Medissa noticed her unusual flinching." Are you okay, Velvet?"

She shrugged her off. "You don't need to worry about me. I'm going to be fine."

Medissa let out a low chuckle, remembering their adventures. "I still recall the past, thinking you were the worst thing the world had to offer."

Velvet smiled. "And you wanted to kill me several times."

"Now, I'm worried about your health and helping the crew… You've changed, Velvet." Medissa expressed.

"Not that much," Velvet said, "I'm still the same embodiment of a bare blade that can't stop swinging."

"But now you know where to point and who to swing with," Medissa said, prompting Velvet to turn to her.

"You're right, and I won't trade him with anything and anyone." Velvet said.

Medissa nodded in agreement, opening the door. They entered the house, and Velvet sighed, remembering how the inside decor had changed when Niko and her family lived there. The place was now packed with clothing racks and some crates and boxes spreading around with a large mirror in the corner.

Velvet put a hand on her hip, "Let's tidy up the place until Avernus is back."

After spending an hour turning the place into a proper tailor shop, Avernus entered the building, wearing a satisfied grin on his face. Velvet's eyes quickly shifted around his body, searching for the new Tattoo. "What tattoo did you get? Where is it?"

Avernus smirked, "Not so fast. You need to see it with the full package."

Medissa nodded and gestured to a small room on the back of the house. "I tucked your new outfit in there between the new pirate sets."

Avernus nodded and slid into the room. After a few minutes, he came out. Velvet whirled her head, and her eyes slightly widened in surprise at his new attire. Avernus now wore a similar white coat with gold linings, but more slim-fit that exposed both his chest and his stomach, showing his toned abs. Green and gold feathers adorned the coat, and the sleeves were rolled up to his elbow. He raised it, showing his new Tattoo: A tribunal, howling wolf's head. His look was completed with new white slim pants and new pointy boots with a semi-high heel height. His hands were covered by bandages to his wrist, giving him the feel of a seasoned melee fighter.

"Wow," Velvet said, eyes going up and down. "You look…"

Kamoana suddenly screamed in approval, locking her hands over her flushed cheeks. "Awesome!"

Velvet slightly blushed, "I don't know the vagrant, bad boy look is still relevant…"

"He's pulling it off, Velvet." Medissa interrupted, nodding. "...and less nagging."
Velvet groaned in frustration. "I don't nag."

Then, some of the little boys and girls of pirates' families entered the shop, "Hi, auntie Medissa."

Kamoana rushed to them, gesturing at Avernus. "Hey, this is Mr. Avernus that I was talking about earlier!"

"Hello, Mr. Avernus." At the same time, the kids said, and Avernus raised a brow, noticing their bored and gloomy faces.

His eyes flashed with a new solution as he noticed the wooden swords in their arms. Avernus' eyes then spied a metal canister full of carved walking sticks. He grabbed one and held it out in front of him. Avernus straightened his chest and frowned and grinned like a villain. "Yes! I'm Avernus! The big bad Shepherd who came to take your captain, Velvet, away! If you dare, come and challenge me!"

Delighted, the kids cheered up and smacked his swords against his stick. Avernus parried the attacks and laughed villainously as they spun around. Kamoana joined them and turned their momentum into a blow that caught Avernus on the hip, and he staggered back with a mock groan of pain. "Ohhh! I should've known better than to cross swords with the great pirates of Van Eltia!"

The kids pushed on their attack, cheering as Avernus dropped to his knee, mocking a surrender. Their laughter filled the air as they enjoy quality time with Avernus.

Medissa chuckled. "He's good with kids. You know he makes a good father."

Velvet nodded slowly, "I know…" She suddenly stopped and cupped her mouth, breaking into a run and dashed outside through the back door.

Avernus raised on his feet and scrambled after her. As soon as he went outside, Avernus whirled his head around to find Velvet with one hand against the wall, bending and vomiting. Medissa followed them outside and spotted Velvet; "Fatigue, nausea, morning sickness, and vomiting…" She observed and suddenly laughed, covering her mouth as if she found out the cause of her sickness.

Avernus turned to Medissa, eyes widening out of worry. "What? Why are you laughing?"

Velvet stood up and leaned against the wall. Avernus' eye shifted back to her and spied her flushed cheeks. "Tell me… What is it?!"

Medissa pursed her lips, interrupting her laugh. "I think it is safe to say Avernus…"

He turned to Medissa again.

"Congratulations," Medissa said, "Velvet's pregnant."