Coco: Hello, everyone. It's been a little while. Sorry for the wait. I'm moved in and finally settling into the new job. Though I'm not sure how much longer I can keep up with it and my old job. I worked 140 hours in two weeks and only got one day of rest before going back to work DX I just can't keep doing that to myself.
Anyway, I've managed to get two chapters done for you. So, that's a plus, right? That means, this is a double update. An update I hope you enjoy as things begin revving up on the Upper Yard. Soon, the Straw Hats will be pulled into the fighting and things aren't going to be pretty.
Before we start, don't forget the poll I have set up for this story. Now, shall we get started?
The morning came quickly, which meant it was time to do as the rest of the crew had discussed last night. It was time to escape, but not before finding the City of Gold that Noland had discovered all those years ago. Wren, who was walking up to the galley from the women' quarters and tying back her hair, was part of the team who would be searching for the city. Which is why she changed into more appropriate clothing for trekking through the forest.
She wore a thin, white off the shoulder top that fit her loosely. Especially around the sleeves. She then had on a black corset that wrapped around her middle under her chest. She then wore black shorts and black knee-high boots with a medium-length heel. And to protect herself from any sun that trickled through the trees, she wore a black derby hat with a white ribbon around it. She also had a new accessory.
A bracelet made of woven twigs from Grandfather Ent, which she had dyed black. The sticks weren't perfectly circular. Bits and pieces stuck out giving it an interesting shape. She also added crystals to the bracelet, which glowed slightly. It was a replacement for the cloak that Nimue had given her. It worked the same, and it was less restrictive than the cloaks. Wren knew they wouldn't be getting out of here without some kind of fighting. Meaning she didn't need anything that might slow her down, but she didn't want to give up the element of surprise either.
Wren then looked to the others as they were still looking around the Going Merry, which was amazingly fixed and without its flying gear. They all seemed stumped and were trying to figure out what happened. Wren smiled knowingly as she touched the doorway she was exiting.
'Should we tell them or leave them wondering?' She mentally inquired.
She noticed movement behind her and turned her head to see their little friend manifest. Merry shook her head, which had Wren's smile growing. She then moved back inside the galley to grab something from the fridge. The food Sanji had made for her for when she returned. Seeing as there was no time to enjoy it and there was no reason for waste, it only seemed fair to give it to the one who worked hard all through the night for them. She placed the food out on the table then used her magic to warm it.
"Here," she said softly. "I know it isn't sweets, but anything Sanji makes it delicious, yes?"
The manifestation of Merry seemed to smile as it moved towards the table. As it tucked in for a meal, Wren left to join the others on deck. She shut the door behind her with Sanji at her side in an instant.
"You look ravishing in your new change of clothes, darling~" He complimented as he stopped at her side. "A true vision."
Wren's cheeks warmed at this compliment. Though still unsure why she was reacting in such a way, she was becoming more used to the reaction.
"Thank you, Sanji," she replied to his compliment.
The blonde chef smiled at her as he took her hand to lead her down the steps an onto the main deck as Nami was telling Usopp to get to work on getting their ship off the alter.
"How?" Usopp wondered out loud.
"I don't know, but I'm sure you'll figure it out, Usopp." Nami told him. "Now get to work already!"
She then walked off leaving Usopp there to ponder how they'd be moving their ship.
"Whatever he comes up with I'm sure it'll be interesting." Robin said as she stepped up beside Wren.
She had Havel in her arms. The feline purring as the archeologist was stroking his fur.
"Most certainly." Wren agreed.
'Well, that was definitely something,' Wren thought after the Merry was back into the water where she belonged.
Well, not entirely where she belonged considering her natural habitat was 10 thousand meters below them. Wren then looked to Nami as she called everyone around to discuss the plan once more.
"Okay, let's look at the map." Nami said as she rolled it out on the ground then pointed to it. "The exploration team will be taking this route. Moving south. There should be some old ruins near the skull's right eye. Keep an eye out for enemies and bring back that gold."
She smiled at the exploration team as she spoke, which she made sure to make up of some of their best fighters. Like, all of their fighters except Sanji who she'd keep with her since she knew he'd do anything to keep a woman safe. Though he didn't seem too thrilled about separating from Wren again, which had Nami chuckling at the pouting cook who was hanging close to said mage.
"Hmph, you make it sound so easy." Zoro scoffed sarcastically.
"I'm looking forward to investigating those ruins." Robin said.
Zoro rolled his eyes not surprised before he looked to Wren who placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Now, Zoro, you cannot tell me you'd rather have a calm nature walk through the forest than have some enemies to fight." Wren called out the swordsman. "I believe we both know the prior would be far too boring for you."
Zoro snorted though couldn't hide his grin even if he wanted to. Sanji frowned at the swordsman's attention being on Wren as the crew's captain looked to their navigator.
"Hold on, you're the one who keeps talking about gold and more gold, but you're not coming," Luffy said looking confused.
"Well, of course, not," Nami replied. "It's way too scary."
Chopper looked at the navigator in disbelief as Havel snorted through his nose.
'She wants the gold but she doesn't want to risk anything to get it?!' Chopper thought in shock. 'That's just too weird!'
Havel wasn't shocked in the slightest, however, since he expected as much from the orangette. Said woman turned to glare at the two furballs as they looked at her with one shocked expression and one deadpanned expression.
"Did either of you say something?" She asked menacingly.
Chopper rapidly shook his head to avoid Nami's wrath while Havel tucked himself against his paws to appear smaller. Once seeing they had nothing to say, she cleared her throat as she went back to going over the plan.
"We'll be in danger too, ya know." Nami informed the others. "We'll be taking the Merry through the island. Then we'll head for the beach near the ruins as fast as possible. We can meet up here then we can escape this stupid Sky Island. And with what we find here and plus what Wren has already acquired from Bellamy's crew, we'll finally at long last be a rich and powerful pirate crew. Able to buy anything."
"You poor dears," Wren said as she placed her hand on her cheek. "I keep forgetting how poor you lot are."
"Yeah, well, we can't all be little princesses with money at our fingertips 24/7." Zoro snorted.
"Watch it, Zoro!" Sanji growled causing to shoot him a look. "Don't talk to Wren-chan like that!"
As the two glared at each other, Luffy cheered about buying all the meat he could ever want. Said boy then gasped as if remembering something. Wren looked to him curiously as the boy was looking around with a slight frown on his face.
"Is there a problem, Luffy?" She asked the boy.
"Yeah, I need a stick!" Luffy replied.
She looked to the boy in confusion before looking to Zoro and Robin for some kind of clue as to why the boy needed a stick. Robin merely shrugged as Zoro rolled his eyes.
"Don't look at us." Zoro said. "I'm not sure what goes on through that rubber brain of his."
"Why do you need a stick, Luffy?" Chopper asked looking very curious.
Luffy looked to the young doctor as Havel, who still sat upon Chopper's hat, too looked curiously at Luffy.
"If you're going to go hiking through the forest, you need a good stick!" Luffy rationalized.
"Really?!" Chopper asked. "Then I need one too! Stick, stick, stick!"
He went to find a stick too, which had Wren chuckling in amusement at the pair. Zoro snorted.
"What's so great about a stick?" He grumbled.
He then looked to Grandfather, who still hadn't left the young pirates' sides, as the ent cleared his throat.
"Luffy, if it's a stick you need then here," Grandfather said as he plucked a small stick from the near the top of his branches where they thinned out. "Take this as a thank you for caring for Misce as her captain."
The others sweat-dropped at his words since if anyone was taking care of anyone it was Wren taking care of their airheaded captain. Luffy, who ignored their looks, laughed and ran over to take the offered stick from Grandfather.
"Oh, thanks, Old Tree Man!" Luffy said as he swung the stick around. "It's perfect."
He then gasped when green vein-like marks glowed across the stick in his hands.
"It has a bit of my nature magic within it." Grandfather told Luffy. "If you find yourself in peril, perhaps it will come in handy."
Luffy let out a small 'woah' as he held the gift offered to him a little tighter. He didn't understand everything Grandfather said, but he understood the gift was important. The group then heard Nimue call out as she walked through the trees.
"It's the old mage lady!" Luffy said pointing. "Where have you been, Old Lady?"
"Luffy, don't be rude to Nimue-san!" Sanji snapped. "You don't treat a lady like that."
Nimue chuckled at the ground pirates as she stepped down from the root she had been standing on.
"It's alright." Nimue said. "I'm not easily offended. Especially when no offense was intended."
Sanji still frowned at Luffy who didn't seem to realize he had come off as rude.
"I see you have shed your cloak," Nimue said to Wren. "Are you not wishing to hide from Enel any longer?"
Wren smiled and held out her wrist, so Nimue could see the bracelet she had made.
"I made an adjustment." Wren explained. "Using Zoro as an experiment, I tried different methods to see if I could completely mask my presence with the same result of your cloaks. Once I could no longer sense Zoro using haki, I took the cloak off. I made one for you as well, Nimue. I know it doesn't make up for everything you have done, but I hope you accept it."
She held out a bracelet to Nimue that looked similar to her own but kept its natural colors unlike Wren's which was painted black. Nimue smiled as she took the offered gift from Wren. The older woman thanked Wren before placing the bracelet on her wrist. She then shed her cloak, which fell on top of Puff who had been resting at her feet. The cotton fly let out a squeaky huff as Havel tried to help her out from underneath the garment.
"Hmm, that's very smart of you, Misce." Nimue said while looking proud. "I am very happy to see you've already made such progress after only one day. I too decided to make a smaller adjustment on my project as well."
She held out Wren's wand. Or what was left of it anyway. Instead of making it longer, so it better fitted her taller form, Nimue had turned it into what almost looked like a charm. The wood raven was still there with its gemmed eyes, but it now dangled from a wood ring that looked as if it might had been made from her wand as well.
"If you are to embrace all of yourself, it means embracing the things you learned as a human as well." Nimue told Wren. "Your sword is a big part of who you are. You obviously trained with it for a very long time, which it why I made this to hang from the guard."
Wren took the offered trinket and hooked it to one of the loops in the guard of her sword. Wren felt a wave of something go through her fingers as they rested on the hilt of her sword.
"Your sword has been blessed twice by the fae." Nimue continued. "Once by water and once by earth. And before that you learned to use your natural abilities as a half-banshee to strengthen your swordsmanship. The banshee are beings of the night, but are associated with the element of air. Not many mages can say they have three elements so easily at their disposal. It takes years of practice for such things. However, you have the ability. You just need the practice and something to help you focus those gifts given to you. Though much smaller, it is still your wand, and it will help you use your magic more precisely."
Wren thanked Nimue then looked to Luffy who shouted he was ready to explore.
"Well, I better be off." Wren said. "My crewmates aren't the most patient. Thank you both for everything."
Nimue smiled at the girl then brought her into a hug, which surprised Wren a great deal.
"I am just happy to help." Nimue said. "Though I'm afraid this is all I can do for you. I cannot risk Enel finding out of my presence here on the island. I still have a lot of work to do after all."
She then gently moved Wren back though kept her hands on the younger woman's shoulders.
"This is only the beginning of your journey." Nimue said. "You'll rediscover yourself the farther you go, but also discover new things as well. Maybe someday we'll meet again and I will get the chance to see what kind of beautiful flower you bloom out to be. I'm sure whatever you decide, you'll not only make me but your parents proud as well. I wish you the best, Wren."
Wren felt touched by the woman's words, and nodded her thanks before she turned to follow her crewmates.
"Shall we get started?" She asked with a small smile as Havel climbed to rest on top of the bag she had on her back.
"Yeah!" Luffy and Chopper cheered.
Wren walked alongside Robin as the group headed south for the temple ruins. So far all was quiet. She sensed no disturbances within the Upper Yard. At least not within her range of haki.
'I need to find a way to strengthen it.' Wren thought as she walked. 'I need to sense more. I need to be able to predict my enemies' moves before they even know what they plan to make. Just like him…Charlotte Katakuri.'
She has yet to meet anyone with haki as strong as his. He might not be able to cover a large distance like Enel, but his haki was still so frighteningly strong he could see seconds into the future. She wanted to be able to do that. She needed to be able to do that. There were already so many in the New World with haki and almost all of them were fast enough to land their attacks before an opponent can block. Even if that opponent knew what they decided to do using their own haki, it meant nothing it they were unable to keep up with the enemy's speed. But knowing what was going to happen seconds before, maybe even minutes would be a game changer.
'Perhaps this could be a good learning opportunity,' Wren thought. 'If I can get to Enel before a certain rubber boy that is.'
Wren looked to said boy who was currently arguing with Zoro on which direction to go. Both of them being completely wrong, of course.
"How could both of them be so wrong?" Wren asked with a sigh.
Robin just shrugged as she watched the two men with a deadpanned expression on her face. Havel would be rolling his eyes if he could as the two men continued arguing.
"They both lost their minds." Chopper said as he tilted his head.
Robin knelt down beside the young doctor, which had Chopper looking in her direction
"Why don't you go tell those heroes that we're supposed to be heading south before they end up getting lost?" Robin suggested.
As Chopper ran off to do as asked, Robin stood to her full height. She looked to Wren who shook her head.
"I have a feeling we might have to tie ropes around them and lead them around like children." Wren commented.
Robin chuckled at the younger woman's comment as Wren's tone came off as completely exasperated. Soon Chopper returned with the other two. And as they returned to the right path, Wren moved to the back of the group, so to keep an eye on Zoro and Luffy. Though Chopper was nice enough to hang back as well to keep her company.
"South, huh?" Luffy hummed. "You should have said so sooner."
Wren decided not to comment on how Nami literally told them south before they headed out on their journey as she watched Luffy hum and wave the stick gifted to him by Grandfather up in the air.
"Man, I wish I had found a cool stick before leaving." Chopper grumbled. "Luffy looks like he's having so much fun."
Wren smiled down at the doctor in amusement as Zoro's quirked his brow in question.
"What's with you and Luffy and sticks?" He asked.
He received no reply, however, as Chopper ran off in an attempt to find the perfect stick this time. Zoro shook his head at the whole thing as Chopper quickly found the right stick before returning to the group.
He fell into step next to Wren, which put the woman between him and Luffy. He smiled happily as he waved his stick up and down as they walked.
Havel shook his head at the young reindeer as the group continued their trek. The feline then yawned as he curled up tighter on Wren's bag to take a small catnap. As they were walking, Luffy suddenly looked over at Wren.
"Hey, Wren, the City of Gold has got a really big bell in it, right?" Luffy asked her.
Said woman looked over at him curiously as she wondered why he was asking so suddenly.
"It was mentioned in Noland's logbook," Wren said as she nodded. "The great bell and the City of Gold, correct, Robin?"
Wren had actually read the logbook like Robin. So, the two were a bit more familiar with Noland's findings than the others.
"Yes," Robin said. "Cricket mentioned it to us as well."
"Why do you ask, Luffy?" Zoro questioned.
He glanced back at the rubber boy who was brushing his stick across the trees they passed.
"Yeah, why do you ask, Luffy?" Chopper asked as he looked around Wren and up to their captain.
Luffy grinned widely as a laugh filtered past his lips. He looked to Chopper with his grin becoming even wider.
"I've got a really good idea." Luffy said.
The others paused to look at Luffy curiously. Wren's right brow even quirked as she wondered if she should be concerned about this idea of his.
"Well, tell me," Chopper prompted.
"If we give that ginormous bell a good ringing, I bet the old timer and those monkeys down below will hear it! Don't you think?" Luffy said.
The others all smiled at Luffy, and Zoro even chuckled. They could all agree that Luffy's idea was indeed a good one.
"Yeah, I bet they would." Luffy said with a nod.
His smile then widened when Wren reached over to pat him on top the head affectionately.
"I bet that would make them very happy, Captain." Wren said. "We will have to make sure to locate it once we find the city."
Luffy nodded eagerly in agreement as the group began walking forward once again. They continued on in silence for a bit as Wren made sure to keep on alert. She knew the fighting would start up again eventually. It was only a matter of time. She felt a slight stirring, but it was so far away she could not make much sense of it.
"Ya know, I thought this forest would be scarier." Chopper commented as he walked alongside Wren. "But so far, it's been nice and peaceful."
He laughed as he spoke, which had Luffy looking back at Chopper with a large grin.
"Hey, Chopper, you're in a pretty good mood today." Luffy said. "Feeling courageous for a change?"
"Yeah, you bet ya!" Chopper replied with another laugh.
Wren, who had been smiling, suddenly stopped walking with her visible eye narrowing. She looked towards the stripped 'root' to her left as Havel hissed in the back of his throat.
"Yeah, you're right," Zoro said. "This forest really has been one big disappointment. "Nothing but birds and trees for two whole days. It makes me want to scream, I'm so bored. And we haven't even seen one of Enel's priests. So, I know exactly how you feel, Chopper."
"Well, things are about to become more interesting," Wren said as she placed her hand on her sword. "Because we have company."
This had the others reacting instantly. Chopper squeaked in fright as Luffy and Zoro both grinned looking excited. Robin just narrowed her eyes as she followed Wren's line of sight to the large striped root that was moving along the ground.
"And it's quite large company." Wren added as the root revealed itself to be a humongous snake.
It lifted its head and hissed at the pirates menacingly. Its fangs dripping venom and its entire body surrounding their position.
"Run for it!" Luffy shouted. "It's a giant snake!"
He said this with a laugh as he started running away from the snake which tried to strike. Chopper let out a shriek as he tried to follow after Luffy. Robin took off in another direction as she looked back at the snake.
"It's enormous." Robin said. "I wonder if it's another result of the environment here."
"That would be the logical conclusion." Wren replied as she and Robin jumped back to avoid the snake's strike.
Wren landed on her feet a few paces away as Havel jumped down from her bag. The jostling was making him feel sick.
"Okay, Catfish Face, it's time for you to get flayed!" Zoro said as he went to stand his ground.
However, Zoro wisely dodged out of the way when the snake attacked at a speed that he knew he couldn't match. He jumped up into one of the trees as Chopper and Luffy too has to dodge the large creature.
"How in the hell can something so big move so freaking fast?" He wondered.
It was starting to get on his nerves. Robin, who also decided higher ground was a better choice, used her devil fruit to make herself a path up a tree by growing feet up the trunk. And she did it just in time too as the snake chomped down on the tree she had previously been standing in front of. Wren's eye widened slightly when the snake pulled back to reveal its venom was so potent it melted the base of the tree away in seconds like super powerful acid. The tree thumped loudly to the ground causing it shake.
"Change of plan we're running away!" Zoro called out.
None of the others disagreed with that plan. Though Luffy did continue to have fun as he taunted the large reptile.
"Luffy, stop that," Wren chided as she used her sword to send a wailing slash at the beast.
It wasn't strong to actually cut its thick hide. Just enough of an annoyance to turn its attention on her. It hissed dangerously at Wren who kept its eyes on her so the others could run.
"That's it." Wren said as she held her sword to her side. "This way, snake."
It let out a roar before going right for Wren who held perfectly still as she waited. At the last second, she jumped up and over the scaley creature. She drew her sword back as a swirling vortex of air collected around the blade.
"Time to take a nap." She said. "Sleeping Banshee."
She slashed her sword forward with a large gust of soft wailing slammed hard into the head of the snake. It hissed in pain as its head crashed into the ground with a loud crash. She landed on top of its knocked-out body while sheathing her blade.
"I apologize for that." She told the creature who was out cold. "However, I couldn't allow you to continue rampaging."
She then blinked when she realized something. She looked around seeing none of the others in sight. Only Havel who was up in a tree and in his larger form remained. Wren sighed.
"Where did they go?" she asked.
"I don't know," Havel replied. "I lost them in all the excitement. Though if I had to take a guess, I would say that only Robin is still on the correct path."
Wren hummed in agreement. Though Chopper's sense of direction isn't terrible, he probably had off in a random direction out of fright. As for their two directionally challenged companions, there was no telling where they ended up.
"Should we try to go and find them?" Havel asked curiously.
"No," Wren replied. "We'll head south as well. We should at least catch up with Robin. As for Zoro and Luffy, they should be able to take care of themselves. The only one I am really concerned about is Chopper."
Though she wanted to believe that the young doctor would be okay in the end. However, she did sense the rest of the Upper Yard livening up.
"The Shandians and the Priests are clashing again." Wren commented then looked up. "I wonder if Enel will be joining them today. I am interested in meeting him and the priest who has yet to make an appearance."
In the caverns below Upper Yard, darkness stretched out as far as the eye could see. In these man-made tunnels there was a large opening. Though it was just as dark as the tunnels that led to it.
"Things are beginning to become interesting," A deep, masculine voice spoke within the blackness. "So much chaos happening in the world above my little abode."
The mysterious figure smirked as he rested his chin in the palm of his hand while his elbow rested on his knee.
"I am interested to see what kind of prey my traps ensnare." He said with a chuckle. "Will it be the Shandians? Or perhaps one of those Blue Seat Dwellers? Either way, things will be fun."
This mysterious figure was a man known as Priest Micah. The priest who put sinners and the enemies of Enel through the Ordeal of Darkness. His appearance is unknown by many. Even those who have had unfortunately crossed paths with him. Some even think the man has no true body as no one has ever managed to land a single blow on him. He was one with the darkness, and still remained undefeated by all who has entered his lair.
"I haven't felt this excited in some time," he said out loud with a laugh. "Come soon, prey, into the Ordeal of Darkness!"