The boy's name was Kyosuke, and he had been the Cabin Boy on the ship that Zaken had attacked. He was 18 years old, and had the intention on becoming a prosperous merchant one day. Much of their travel was filled with stories of the ocean, and the mysteries surrounding it. He told her that in Gracia there existed a race of beings that appeared half human, half fish that lured sailors and their wives to death with promises of love. These stories intrigued her, but she found herself wondering if Zaken ever had experienced anything like what he spoke of. This reminded her of their argument, and annoyed her.
She decided to travel to Devil's Isle upon reaching Giran Harbor, to find out what exactly had set Zaken off to return to his pillaging days. There was one being on Devil's Isle that would respond to her questions without hesitation, and he was the exact person she sought to visit. Kyosuke decided to accompany her after she told him, saying he had nothing else to do until he found a new ship to work on. Although she tried to stop him, Komugi was secretly delighted, and happily enjoyed his company once more.
Kyosuke 'borrowed' a small rowboat tethered to a short dock off of the main pier, and he and Komugi began rowing out towards the Island under the cover of night. The Warf Manager was not allowing any boats to go out with his permission, due to the attacks on ships.
Komugi admired her new dual swords in the moonlight. Kyosuke had Dwarven connections, and had managed to purchase her a set through the Blacksmith for a cheap price. She had kissed his cheek in thanks, and he had kissed hers in return. It had made her blush, and now she sat quietly on the boat, her heart in turmoil. Zaken, why are you being such an idiot right now? She asked him in her mind.
They pulled onto the only reachable land just as the sky had lightened to a dull gray color. It was on this level, short spanse of land that Komugi would find the person she sought. Her boots crunched over the rocky soil as she scanned the beach for the familiar figure.
"Krantz." She called, as Kyosuke pulled the boat far enough onto the shore to keep it from floating away. There was a grunt, and a mound that Komugi had thought to be a lump of earth suddenly grunted and shifted. Gravel and dirt fell as the lump moved, and stood up straight. A large ogre, still clothed in a tattered, striped pirate's shirt, yawned and stretched. Krantz had once been human, but now, warped by Zaken's curse, was an ogre. He was the only one that Komugi had found in Zaken's crew who truly harbored a good heart underneath it all.
"Mugi." Krantz said, his lips stretching in a ferocious kind of smile. He had two tusks jutting from his jaw, and this obscured his speech slightly. "What makes you visit? I am happy to see your pretty face again."
"Sorry I woke you, Krantz." Komugi smiled. He was physically ugly, but Komugi thought of him as a big, ugly teddy bear. "But I need to ask you something important."
"Anything for 'Mugi." Krantz said happily. He sat down with a thud, the beach shaking slightly at his movement. The boat was dislodged from the beach, and Kyosuke dashed after it to catch it before it went into deep water.
"Why is Zaken on the move again? What is making him attack ships suddenly?" she asked bluntly. Krantz's face fell, and he looked down to his massive hands. Komugi knelt beside him and put her hands on his. He was so large, that she could only hold on to his pointer finger. "He wouldn't talk to me when I tried to ask him, can you tell me?" she asked gently, giving him a pleading look. Krantz sighed heavily, and looked at her sadly.
"Cap'n is in mourning." Krantz said, his voice heavy. "Chief Mate brought Cap'n the pretty lady's body." Komugi blinked several times, and tilted her head at him.
"Who is the 'pretty lady'?" she asked softly. Krantz looked at her with large tears welling in his eyes.
"Pretty Lady was a Dark Elf many years ago. I think she was Wimere." Krantz sniffled, the tears rolling down his cheeks and plopping onto his furry chest. Komugi felt ice freeze her veins, and she stared at him wide-eyed. "Chief Mate told Cap'n that people who killed her were traveling with boats to Giran, so Cap'n began killing everyone trying to revenge her." He gave Komugi another tearful look, and sniffled. "Cap'n got told by Chief Mate that 'Mugi helped kill pretty lady." Komugi stood quickly, her heart pounding in her chest.
"I didn't touch Wimere!" she exclaimed, her voice coming out shriller than she had intended.
"I know, and I think Cap'n knows, but he is still very sad." Krantz said, shaking his head. He froze and lifted his head quickly, his pointed ears twitching as he listened. "Chief Mate is coming here, 'Mugi better leave!" Krantz said in a loud whisper. I like 'Mugi, don't wanna see her get hurt!" He stood up and picked Komugi up around her waist with one hand as if she were a doll.
"Krantz put me down! I'm not afraid of Tillion!" Komugi protested, kicking her feet uselessly. "In fact, I'd like to kick him in the junk right now, if you don't mind." She growled, staring into the air in annoyance.
"Krantz will protect 'Mugi. Don't wanna hurt 'Mugi any more." Krantz said in a deciding tone, placing her gently in the boat. He picked Kyosuke up around the waist next and plopped him next to her. "Already hurt 'Mugi by chopping the Cap'n up long time ago. Made the Giant's Treasure work." With a mighty shove, he pushed the boat back out to sea. It caught a current almost immediately, carrying them away from Devil's Isle. Komugi sat back in the boat in shock, trying to stomach what Krantz had told her. Chopped Zaken up? Zaken died? He just wasn't cursed? She thought, knowing she wasn't making any sense, even to herself.
"Do you really want to leave? Should we go back?" Kyosuke asked her, causing her to jump.
"N…no, it's fine. I've heard enough." She said quietly, looking down at her hands. I caused Zaken to become like this? She thought, staring at her fingers. She quickly recalled the memory of Wimere as she died, and shook her head rapidly to clear it. Impossible, Zaken got this way because he's a pervert vampire who got bored. She said to herself firmly. Snap out of it Komugi, Wimere tried to kill you first, so if he's going to get emo over her death instead of the fact that it was in self defense, he's not worth your time. She felt greatly comforted by this, and turned to watch Devil's Isle as it faded into the distance.
"Adena for your thoughts?" Kyosuke's voice came, breaking the silence. Komugi turned back around to face him, and smiled sheepishly. "You seem to know the Grand Pirate, is he your boyfriend?" His tone was light, but Komugi couldn't tell if he were trying to make a joke or not.
"Of course not, don't be silly." Komugi said in an equally light voice. Kyosuke raised his eyebrow despite the smile on his face, but didn't say anything. "Say…" she began after a moment of silence. "How would you like to go to Innadril with me? The reef is supposed to be in bloom this time of year, it'll be really pretty." She smiled, hoping it looked sincere.
"Aren't boys supposed to be the ones asking girls out on dates?" Kyosuke chuckled. Komugi grinned at him and twirled a lock of her hair around her finger. It had been a long time since she felt girly with a boy, and she liked it.
"Well, you were slow, so I thought I'd get a jump on it." Komugi said coyly, with a smile to match. Kyosuke blushed, and let go of one of the oars to rub the back of his head.
"Well, I was going to ask once we were back in town…" he admitted sheepishly. "But sure, I haven't been to Innadril for many years."
"Excellent, let's leave as soon as we get back to the city." Komugi nodded enthusiastically. She glanced over her shoulder again, her smile fading as she gazed at Devil's Isle. Screw you then Zaken; I'm going to go have fun with someone who might just care about my feelings. Komugi thought bitterly. Usually thinking so spitefully would have left her with a justified feeling, but Komugi found that a stabbing pain went through her heart with the thought, and it annoyed her.
They traveled to Heine by Gatekeeper, and arrived there in time to see a happy wedding party dancing through the square towards the Temple of Eva. She grinned mischievously at Kyosuke, and they followed the party through the temple and out to the Pleasure Boat docks, pretending to be part of the group. The bride reminded her of Koyori, with her looks, and she stuck her foot out slightly to trip her as she passed by. The bride stumbled, and fell right off the pier and into the ocean. Komugi snorted and covered her mouth, turning away from the bewildered look the bride was giving the crowd. Kyosuke too, clamped his mouth shut against his laugh, but mirth sparkled in his eyes. He put his hands on Komugi's shoulders, as if to shield her from the bride's confused gaze.
The stunned silence that had fallen over the wedding party erupted into shouts of joy, and soon the entire group of people was jumping into the water in their formal attire. Komugi and Kyosuke's laughter evaporated into stunned silence.
"Let's get out of here." Komugi murmured, as several of the wedding party looked to them expectantly. They fled as quickly as they could, just as the bride let out a shout of knowing, realizing it was one of them that had tripped her. They didn't stop running until after they'd left the city and found their way to the gazebo that overlooked Lake Innadril. They leaned heavily on the railing, panting and trying to laugh at the same time.
"I haven't had this much fun in….years!" Kyosuke laughed between breaths.
"I'll have to remember to do that to the real Koyori, the look on her face was priceless!" Komugi giggled breathlessly.
"Who's Koyori?" Kyosuke asked curiously, tilting his head as he looked at her. Komugi waved her hand dismissively as she took a drink of water from her canteen she'd pulled from her supply bag.
"Just a big-boobed bimbo I know from Talking Island." She said after swallowing. "Run if you ever meet her, she's got her guy meter set on rich or famous. Both if she can manage it." She held the canteen out to him which he took gratefully.
"That's an interesting way to describe someone…big-boobed…" Kyosuke stated thoughtfully as he took a drink from the canteen himself.
"That's all she is! She's got no other redeeming qualities, and even the large breasts are a questionable one!" Komugi exclaimed. "You don't find large breasts sexy do you?" she suddenly asked, narrowing her eyes at him. Kyosuke blinked at her in surprise before turning away and clearing his throat.
"Well, they are interesting to behold…" he said quickly, taking another drink.
"Yeah, I'll bet." She responded flatly, taking the canteen back from him. "Behold, huh?"
"What can I say? I am a guy after all." Kyosuke shrugged, giving her a sheepish grin. Komugi stuck her tongue out at him and turned on her heel to walk away from him quickly. Amused by her reaction, he shook his head at her, the grin not leaving his face, and quickly shouldered his travel pack to keep up with her.
"Where are we going?" he asked, several hours later. They sat on a dry hill within the Field of Whispers, looking out over the glistening marshlands. It was quiet there, the only sounds the occasional swish of water as alligator men known as Farhites wandered around, looking for food.
"I'm not sure; I just set out walking, and found myself here." Komugi mumbled thoughtfully. She had her knees drawn up to her chest again, and her chin resting on them. "I think my subconscious wants me to face some emotional demons that are still left behind here, maybe." She sighed heavily at the questioning look he gave her, but didn't respond.
There was a heavy stomping behind them, and Komugi and Kyosuke stood up quickly and spun around to face it. A large, two-headed giant man-beast came trudging through the marsh towards them. Although he lacked a proper weapon, Kyosuke stood in front of her protectively, holding an arm out as if it were enough to block her from any attack the monster would throw at them. The two-headed giant stopped walking to stare at them with four large eyes.
"Where is my master?" both of its heads asked in unison. Komugi and Kyosuke looked at each other in confusion, then back to the creature.
"I don't know." Kyosuke responded bravely. "Your master isn't here, try Innadril castle." The beast stared at them silently for a few seconds as if it didn't understand his words before breaking into a howling wail.
"Master! Where is my master? Master of the Tower!" its heads shouted in turn. Komugi winced and clamped her hands over her ears, the sound chilling her to the bone. Even the Farhites in the marsh fled at the sound of its voice. "Master, where are you? Premo Prime has come a long way looking for you! Master!" it howled, walking away from Komugi and Kyosuke. "Magus Kenishee told Premo Prime that Master was in Innadril! Magus Kenishee! Where is master?" Komugi's heart jumped in her chest at the Magus' name, and she recalled Wimere's final words to her.
"Where is Magus Kenishee now?" Komugi called after Premo Prime, stepping around Kyosuke. She spoke without thinking, and wondered why she was still interested even after rejecting Zaken several days ago.
"Hiding in the Garden of Eva, stupid Magus Kenishee! A coward you are!" Premo cried as he walked away. Komugi swallowed hard, just the name of the place where Sharmin disappeared sending chills through her body.
"Let's go." Komugi murmured, moving down the hill in the direction of the Garden.
"What business do you have with the Magus? She's a dangerous spirit!" Kyosuke said with wide eyes.
"I'm not so sure myself, but I feel like I need to go find her." Komugi said, focusing on the hills ahead of her. It was a partial truth, as she had sworn to herself before that nothing could ever make her return to the Garden of Eva, not only because of what had happened there with the goddess Eva herself, but because she had shared her first kiss with Zaken there, and it pained her to see that beach again.
She found herself walking the familiar path to the beach regardless of her discomfort, and within a few days found herself standing on the white sands, facing the reef that would take her down into the Garden. Without thinking, she cast the Kiss of Eva spell upon herself, and stepped into the water.
"Um…" Kyosuke's voice came, startling her. She blinked and looked at him, as it was the first time she'd heard his voice in days. He rubbed his head sheepishly and looked away from her, his ears red. "I'm sorry to be bold like this but…I'd like to go with you to make sure you're safe…but I can't swim that far without help…y'know?" he grinned nervously, and it hit Komugi like a lead rock that he was asking for the Kiss of Eva spell.
"Oh, of course. Sorry. I've been a bit distracted these past few days." She said, smiling nervously herself.
"I could tell." He said, shutting his eyes with his smile. Komugi cleared her throat and put her fingers to her lips as she silently spoke the spell. Her heart pounded in anticipation, and she growled at it in her mind. I'm just casting a spell like always, stop it! She told it. She stood on her tiptoes as she leaned towards him to kiss him and complete the spell. Their lips met shyly, and Komugi thought her heart would burst in giddiness at the feel of it. He put his hands at the small of her back, drawing her a bit closer with the movement.
Realizing that the kiss was turning into something more than just a simple spell casting, Komugi's eyes snapped open and she withdrew in a hurry. "Let's go" she said, clearing her throat. Kyosuke grinned at her in a cocky manner, and nodded as she walked quickly towards the shoreline.
She was lost in thought as she swam down the familiar reef-lined path and through the doorway of the Garden's foyer. Why can't I remember Zaken's kiss? She thought to herself. Is it only because we kissed once? Is that it? Argh, I hate this! She stopped swimming to rub her head with her hands in exasperation, earning a look of confusion from Kyosuke as he swam by her. Not seeing it, she returned to swimming, and propelled herself towards the doorway that would lead to the inside of the Garden proper.
She led him swiftly down the pathways that her memories of were still very fresh in her mind. The familiar drop-off was there, that led to the maze-like circular inner garden. She didn't have to fight any monsters, as any that would come charging towards them could be easily stopped with her root spell. Some part of her twinged in disappointment, as Kyosuke was no fighter, and some part of her yearned to fight next to someone as she did for Ryonai back on Talking Island.
She found herself in the familiar pathway that had once been the haunting ground for Eva's Guardian Millenu. Not stopping as she walked towards the next gateway, she glanced at the ground, almost expecting to see clay dust still lying there from Melissan. The marbled floor was swept clean, no trace of anything gracing its polished surface.
"It's very pretty in here." Kyosuke commented in appreciation as they entered the inner garden circle. The shallow water was still a brilliant blue, and Komugi paused to look up at the gold gilded tower jutting out the center. The clear memory of Sharmin racing towards the open hidden passage flashed through her inner eye, and Komugi glanced quickly towards the wall, almost expecting to see Sharmin disappearing behind it. There was nothing, however, and the doorway remained open. "So how are we finding Magus Kenishee? There are a lot of rooms down here." Kyosuke asked, glancing around the circular area.
"Good question." Komugi said, digging in her travel pack. She pulled out the black bag that Zaken had given her once again, and pulled another slug from it. She did the spell that would turn her lips red and blew on it, dropping it to the ground once it began to bubble. Kyosuke stared at it with large eyes, and took a startled step backwards as Sairon appeared once again. "Find the Magus Kenishee for us, would you?" Komugi asked the doll politely. Its head clicked as it looked at her, and then it flew off towards the first room. "That should do it." She said in satisfaction.
"Where did you get that?" Kyosuke suddenly demanded, grabbing her by her shoulders and staring into her eyes intensely. "Who gave you that bag?" Confused by his sudden aggressive behavior, Komugi withdrew from him a bit, disturbed by the intensity of his eyes.
"Just someone…it's supposed to help me." She said slowly, stopping herself from admitting her connection to Zaken. Kyosuke released her shoulders roughly, narrowing his eyes at her in a skeptical look.
"You don't get Demon magic from 'just someone'." He said darkly, taking a step away from her. "I'd be careful how I use that from now on, you might attract unwanted attention." He turned away from her and stared pensively as Sairon emerged from one hidden passage and flew into another. Komugi rubbed one of the shoulders he'd clutched absent-mindedly, confused by his reaction. He'd been so quiet and friendly until then, the change in his attitude almost scared her.
The Sairon returned moments later, and grabbed Komugi's hand. She led her through the water to the other side of the circular room towards an open passageway. Not looking to see if Kyosuke was following her, Komugi walked quickly, her heart loud in her ears.
Sairon led her down a dark gray passageway and into a large rectangular room that had a fountain sitting at one end of it. The memory of Sharmin standing with Eva as she entered flashed through her minds eye again, and she stopped and winced. She felt weak inside; this was the room that Sharmin had been taken from.
A ghost-like woman wearing a long white robe that was tattered at the ends floated near the fountain now, and turned to look at Komugi as she entered. She had a large scarf pulled over her face, hiding her nose and mouth from view. A red cloak sat on her shoulders, sitting partially off of her head, revealing a thinning hairline of bloody red locks. She lacked eyebrows, and had large, staring eyes. Her skin was tanned, and heavy gold arm cuffs and bracelets sat on her wrists.
"Who are you?" the Magus asked in a hissing voice. Komugi swallowed against the emotional fear she was experiencing, and stood up as straight as she could.
"I've come to you to find out what you know of the Grand Pirate Zaken." Komugi said bravely, staring the Magus straight into her eyes. The Magus' familiars, a group of Dark Elven shadow summons, gathered about her as she stared unblinking at Komugi, and began to advance towards her slowly. They stopped suddenly as the Magus glanced in surprise behind Komugi. Curious, Komugi looked over her shoulder to find Kyosuke leaning over, his hands on his knees, panting from exertion.
"I look away for five seconds and you disappear." He said breathlessly. "I went into the wrong passageway before finding you in here." He chuckled in embarrassment, all of his previous seriousness gone. Komugi felt a small smile creeping up on her face, but shook her head slightly to return herself to the Magus.
"Why do you seek knowledge of the Grand Pirate Zaken? He is a devil! A monster who never loves nor trusts! What could you possibly want to know about him?" Kenishee asked. Her intake of breath was a hissing gasp that grated on Komugi's ears. "He kills when he looses trust. That cursed Giant's legacy is his only lover, and neither woman, man, devil nor angel can change that fact!" Kenishee turned away from her and waved a hand elegantly as if to dismiss her. "I know no more than that; ask the Corsair Captain Kylon if you truly wish to know more, he was once part of Zaken's crew! If he knows not, the Ice Queen should be your next stop, she has been alive since the Dark Elves were the Brown Elves and has seen much."
"Thank you." Komugi said quietly, bowing politely to the Magus. She turned and walked towards the passage way leading back to the center room.
"LEON!" she heard Sharmin's voice echo, and spun quickly to stare at the wall with large eyes. Her lower lip began to tremble and tears welled up in her eyes. The lump in her throat grew so large that it became hard to breathe, and she fell to her knees with a wail.
"Komugi?" Kyosuke asked in concern, reaching out to her. Komugi hugged herself and rocked, crying as loud as she could. She felt like a little child, sobbing for her mother with the way her cries came.
"What are you doing to her?" a new voice shouted, and Kyosuke jumped out of the way as a pair of dual swords slashed at him. Mune, Lavinia's sister, was the one who held them, and she glared at Kyosuke menacingly.
"I didn't do anything; I'm just as confused as you are!" Kyosuke protested, raising his hands in surrender.
"Komugi, are you ok? Can you talk to me?" Lavinia asked, kneeling next to Komugi and drawing her close in a comforting hug. She and Mune had been strength training in the Garden, and had heard Komugi's wailing. "She's just in shock, Mune. A lot happened to her, and Narlafayn down here." She helped Komugi stand, and escorted the still sobbing girl down the passageway. "Kind sir, please follow us if you would, Komugi will be fine. We'll help get her out of here." Lavinia's voice echoed.
"Ok, I'm glad." Kyosuke said, still eyeballing Mune's swords as he inched past the scowling Elf. Magus Kenishee watched them go in bewilderment; her demonic mind not quite sure what to make of the events that had just transpired in front of her eyes.
"Why did you have to tell that girl about me, Kenishee?" a cold voice came. Kenishee's eyes widened and she looked around in fear, searching for its source. "That makes it very hard to spy when they're searching for my presence."
"I owe no allegiance to you, voice of mystery!" Kenishee said defiantly. "You would not dare be angry with me; I am a loyal servant to Beleth!" The voice chuckled scornfully, and then sighed.
"My dear, I am no more frightened of Beleth than I am of Gran Kain himself." The voice said in dark amusement. Kenishee's eyes widened as ice began to form on the bottom of her robes, and traveled up her body at a quick rate.
"My lord Beleth!" she gasped, reaching for the ceiling. She froze in that position, her eyes wide and staring. Her body hovered in the air for naught but a second before falling to the ground and shattering into pieces. Her servitors began to moan mournfully as they evaporated, their master dead, and the voice chuckled darkly before fading from the room.