She led him to the northernmost tip of the big island. "This is Kohala. What's left of her anyways. She has mostly eroded away into the sea. Every time the waves crash against her shores, it causes her tremendous pain. She is losing her fire if she hasn't already lost it. What remains within her veins is cooling. Sacrifices have helped but that can only work for so long. And I fear the tipping point has been reached. However long she has left, weeks, months, even years; she will spend it being just as fragile as you." "I don't quite like the sound of that." he frowned. "You're not supposed to. Death is an inevitability for us all. No matter how ageless we may appear." Loa murmured. She turned south, heading around the point of Hawaii and guiding him over to the windward side of the island. "Perhaps but...still, I am saddened." he murmured, following her as he looked at the landscape. "That is because you are mortal. To us death is a relief. A, mercy after millennium of pain." "That's one way to see it, I suppose."

There was a lot of coastline to explore but Mauna Loa was a good guide, returning him to the large harbor within a few days. "That was extraordinary," Interceptor breathed, "Absolutely gorgeous!" "These islands are paradise. A paradise that many in the mortal world want for themselves." Loa murmured. "I only want this place because of how isolated and untouched it is. It's perfect for my family, to hide them from the Empires that want to harm them." "Those empires want this place. And they want it badly. We have held them off for the time being. Thus if you want a place to shelter you may have it. But I make no guarantees that we can continue to hold our ground." Loa said. "This place is better than any other hideout we've been to...I'll send for them soon. You'll love my mate, I know you will." "Of that I have no doubts." She smiled. "Kohala, the mortal is all yours." "Thank you, Loa." Kohala was upright now, which was a huge improvement. She still looked weak but at least she was capable of standing. "Thank you, kindly." the brig purred, looking to the next volcano, "I really can't thank you enough." Kohala shook her head. "We have hid away for long enough. Its time we started welcoming foreigners into our lands." "I wouldn't be so accepting of everyone, just yet. I'm sure hunters followed me. I won't be surprised if they arrive on your doorstep soon." "If they have we will fight them!" "Won't be much of a challenge for you, I imagine." "We are strong yes, but not necessarily strong enough to fend off an empire." Loa said. "I don't think they'd send their Empire. A small fleet at best, perhaps. More likely just one or two privateers." "They did. A few moons before you arrived. We captured all but one. I fear it had now returned to its home and told the tales of these islands." Loa said. "We will fight for our homes." Kohala rasped. "We have no choice." "I'll help you." Interceptor boldly stated, his hard expression showing only firm determination. "This is not your fight mortal." Loa growled. "Peace, Loa. If he wishes to fight who are we to stop him." Kohala said. Turning to Interceptor she asked "Why do you wish to fight with us? We are strangers." "There's a saying where I come from," he said simply, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." "Ah you despise these empires as well." Loa nodded. Interceptor sighed as he looked away. The way he sighed and moved made it all too obvious he had a story, and it was one he wasn't sure if he could fully explain to them, if they could even understand his sentiments. Loa looked to Kohala who nodded. "Tell us, Interceptor." She said gently. He closed his eyes, and they remained closed for a few moments before he opened them again, staring out at the distant horizon.

"I was once a high ranking commander for one of these Empires. Flagship of the Caribbean Fleet, arguably the most important colonies under British rule. And the things I did...the hunting, the killing, the murder...the blood of so many innocents that I spilled...they haunt me to this day. When I met my beloved Black Pearl she changed my entire outlook on life. Her, and my Captain." his eyes shifted to the glow of lanterns from within his stern cabin. The mysterious man was a natural at warfare but seldom revealed himself, unless asked for directly. Interceptor continued, "They showed me just how wrong I was. Showed me what the Brethren were trying to do. They weren't stealing from hard working men to fill their own pockets. They were stealing from those who stole from others, and using that coin to fund a new land and government where men and women could live free...without the prosecution and rule of the Old World's Empires. And now I've taken up that goal as I've joined them. I fight for freedom. This is why I want to stand by you." "Such lofty ideals. I didn't think mortals capable of that." Loa murmured. "And you think that these islands could be that land?" Kohala asked. "Any land could be what we seek. This included." he answered, "But whether or not it is, well, that's up to you. These islands aren't just your home, they are you. I'm just your humbled guest."

Kohala turned away, deep in thought. "Kohala you can't be seriously considering it?" Loa hissed. "Loa I have lived far longer than you. My time is drawing near. These islands will welcome the refugees of Interceptor's fleet." She turned back to him. "Let this be my final legacy: that I hereby decree that Interceptor and all his decedents henceforth will have a safe home here in Hawaii. And welcoming friends." The brigantine's eyes widened and he seemed to recoil from the declaration. "Kohala... Surely this is something you should think more about? I am beyond grateful for your acceptance, I'm just caught off-guard by it... You barely know me." "I know myself to be a good judge of character. And if I am wrong about you then my sisters will soon set you straight. But as for me, I am through running and fighting." "I'm honored," he nodded to her, "however, you may be done fighting, but for the sake of these islands, I, and I'm sure your sisters, cannot afford to stop fighting." Interceptor looked over the volcanic ships present and rested his gaze on Mauna Loa. "I know you don't trust me. Hell, if I was you, I wouldn't trust me either. But I am not your enemy." he paused to point a ratline towards the exit to the harbor before continuing, "But those ships out there, who fly the banners of any Empire, they are our enemy. And if we don't work together, if we don't fight them, then there won't be an island chain to call home. I know. I know all too well." his eyes were pained by the loss of Nassau. Kohala nodded. "If it comes to that we will defend our home." She promised. "But our islands cannot remain a secret forever. You have fought these empires and know them far better than us." "I can teach you how to fight them. If you'll listen." "Our old methods will only cause more destruction and these Empires will find a way around our brute strength eventually." She nodded. "Show us what we must do." "I like your enthusiasm, Kohala. But I need everyone." he looked to Mauna Loa again, "Please." Mauna Kea dipped her huge head. "You have my support." Hualali, easily overlooked sandwiched between her two larger sisters nodded. "You have mine as well." She said in her velvet voice. Haleakala, closest in age and appearance to Kohala smiled warmly at him, indicating her support. Kilauea also dipped her head. "Y-Yes." She rasped. Loa looked at her sisters and sighed. "Very well." She agreed. Interceptor told them everything he knew. From colonizing to trade and why the Empires were so aggressive, to how each used their tactics.

"The British and Spanish are the deadliest. The Spaniards will disguise themselves or load up fake guns to look more intimidating, bluffing a fight in hopes you'll surrender before having to fire a shot. It's how Sir Francis Drake defeated the Spanish Armada. They were just fishing boats with fake guns. But the British, they're crafty. They'll lay traps, they have the largest ships and numbers in the world. For every ship we sink they'll have a dozen more. The best way to defeat them, we've found, is aim for their commanding officers. Their flagships and leaders. The subordinates will run away." "Cut the head off the snake and the snake will die." Kohala murmured. "I see. And what is the flagship we need to watch out for?" Interceptor shifted. "Their Supreme Flagship...the ultimate leader of their naval forces. HMS Alexander." "Tell me everything you can about him. His strengths, his weaknesses." "I don't know. If I did, he would be dead by now. He's...a devil in mortal form. Trained by Britannia herself." "Then we best pray he does not come here. I know not of a means to defeat an apprentice of the White Dragon." Kohala closed her eyes. "We're not important enough for his Royal Highness to come all this way." "You might be." Kohala said. He grimaced, "Then anyone in his fleet who sees me cannot leave with word of my survival." "We know. We've gotten very good at keeping secrets over the millennia. And if worse comes to worse and we must fight to the end for our home then dead ships tell no tales." Kilauea growled. Interceptor nodded slowly, "The British have sent pirate hunters to catch me. They're in this ocean." "Then if they come here we shall fight them. These islands will remain isolated as long as we avoid exposing ourselves." Kea said. "I'll help you anywhere I can." "Thank you." "You're welcome. If you don't mind, can I make myself a dock? I will have to cut down quite a few trees." Kea looked to Kohala who nodded. "Better they put to a better use than as firewood." "I will plant back as many seeds as I can." "Thank you for your consideration." Kohala said. "You have our permission to build your dock." "Thank you." he dipped his head in appreciation.