THE AFTERMATH OF

THE BATTLE OF THE GRAND LINE

"NO!"

Daniel slammed his fist into the wall beside him, hot tears streaking down his cheeks.

"SHE CAN'T BE DEAD, SHE JUST CAN'T!"

The officer stood calmly in the kitchen, Mrs Mackenzie sat at the wooden table, slowly processing the information she had just been given.

"I'm afraid Miss Mendosa's body was not found," the officer said sadly, "But your father did a great service to the Empire. You and your family are to be given titles by the Empress herself. You are going to be moved to up into the ranks of Upper City. You should be proud of your father."

Daniel said nothing, he just clenched his fist angrily, before taking a deep breath and turning to the officer.

"You keep saying my father died doing a great service to the empire," he whispered, "Yet you refuse to tell me what it is. Why?"

The officer shrugged, "I don't have the details myself sir."

"Very well," Daniel sighed as he slumped into a nearby chair, "You may leave us."

"Not yet sir," The officer did his best to smile, "I have orders to take you to your new home in Upper City."

Daniel looked up and glanced at his mother, who simply smiled wearily back.

He turned back to the Officer, "Very well, lead the way."

Two months went by. The Empire was now at war with the Nasr Kingdom, just as the Empress wanted, but it was just at that moment the a Final stage of the aftermath of the Grand Line was taking place.

Belleza stood at the foot of the bed where Maria Meridian lay at death's door. She, like Belleza's own mother a month before, was dying of a broken heart.

Her breathing was ragged, her hair was matted, and Officers of the Armada were at the door, waiting for her to die so they could repossess the house, just as they had with Belleza a month ago.

She had sent for her after a brief talk with Carlos. It appeared she had something to say to the young woman.

"Belleza," she said weakly, "My time grows short. I…I never wrote my will, because I had nothing to give. This war took everything from me. I want you to promise me you'll take care of Carlos for me. Will you promise me that?"

Belleza came round and sat on the edge of the bed, taking a pale hand in hers.

"You have my word Maria," he said with a soothing smile, "I won't let anything happen to him."

Maria sighed in relief, "Thank you Belleza. There is one more thing I must tell you. Carlos…is not my son,"

Belleza raised an eyebrow, "He's not?"

The woman shook her head, "He's not. He was left on our doorstep five years ago, with items I keep in that drawer."

Belleza stood up slowly and went to the chest of drawers she indicated to.

Inside the top draw was a sword, a pair of pistols with strange circuit like patterns along the barrels, a small silvery cloth, and a letter on silvery paper.

"Read the letter," Maria said in a horse whisper.

Belleza did as she was told.

"To Mr. and Mrs Meridian.

We have never met before, but you should feel honoured you have been chosen.

My name is Tomias, a descendant of The House of Silvairian. I have a simple request to ask of you. I wish you to raise my son. I and my wife cannot for reasons I cannot explain, but I will tell you what I have done.

To give him a fighting chance, I request you present him with this sword, the Serpent Strike, and these Silvite Duel Pistols. As he ages, he will gain the ability to weld these weapons. Make sure he trains with them when he reaches the age of ten, only then will he realise his full potential.

I know he does not look like most Silvites you have in your books. His DNA has been altered so he looks like you, however, there will come a time when his true form will be revealed, but until that time comes, you must not tell him of his true heritage. If he knows he is Tannir of the House of Silvairian, the transformation may occur prematurely, thus complicating matters.

I leave you my son to call him what you wish, I and Tanen, my Wife, are forever in your debt.

Yours,

Tomias Silvairian."

Belleza looked at Maria, her eyes wide.

"He's a Silvite? The legendary Civilisation that supposedly hold to the key to immortality and eternal youth?"

Maria nodded, "The same. I want you to burn that letter Belleza, if the Empire got word of a Silvite with immortality is in the very city limits, they will hunt him down. Promise me you will keep this from him until the right time?"

"Maria I…"

"Promise me!"

Belleza looked over at the troubled dying woman. How could she refuse this person who had become like a second mum to her?

"I promise," She sat back down on the bed and squeezed Maria's pale hand.

Maria smiled and closed her eyes.

"Thank you Belleza," he whispered as he grip lessened, "And goodbye."

Carlos sat by the wall of their old home as the soldiers moved in, repossessing everything in sight as Belleza slunk out of the doorway, the sword and pistols safely hidden away.

"Mommy's dead isn't she?" The child murmured mournfully as he traced a pattern in the dirt with his finger.

Belleza looked down at him sadly, before helping him up and taking his hand, walking away from the house and out of sight of the men.

As soon as the sound of clanking armour was quiet enough, Belleza kneeled down in front of Carlos.

"Your Mother is dead," she said quietly, "She, like my own, died of a broken heart. You and I are the only ones left of our families," She paused for a moment, knowin it was a lie, "Before your mother died she asked me to present you with a few things. You won't be able to use them until your ten, but I will show you them anyway."

She pulled out the long and elegant sword from under her sweatshirt, lifting the garment up slightly so he could see the two pistols tucked into her belt.

Carlos blinked, "For me?"

She smiled as she stood up again and clipped the sword to her belt, "For when you're older,"

She looked down at the five year old. She was all he had left now, the closest thing he had to a mother. She realized he was all she had left too. Two lost souls, abandoned on the streets of Valua, with nothing but themselves, seeking comfort.

"It's just going to be me and you for a while Carlos," she said softly as she took his hand and began to walk down the street, "We're going to have to rough it for a while."

They slumped down in a nearby alleyway, the coldness starting to close in.

Carlos shivered and tried to hug himself to keep warm.

Belleza gently wrapped her arms around his small form, holding him close, sharing her warmth.

"Just remember Carlos," she whispered, "No matter how bleak our lives are right now, we must continue looking for Nuevo Esperanza."

Carlos frowned as he curled up against her, his head gently pillowed on her chest.

"I…don't understand," he mumurred.

Belleza smiled slightly and began to smooth down Carlos's hair.

"You'll understand one day," she kissed his forehead as sleep began to overcome both of them, "You'll understand…one day."