Chapter 2: New Country

"So you mean to tell me that you followed me from the temple just to talk to me?" Vyse asked. "Who in pray tell are you?"

"My name is Captain James Gillian," The captain replied giving Vyse a bow.

"My name is First Mate Gin Dammon," one of the bulky men said in a low whisper.

"Weapon and cannon master Drake Moon," The bulkiest of them all said pounding his hand on his chest.

Vyse nodded. From what Domingo had told him, this man had some important information for him. "So what did you need to tell me?" Vyse asked calmly. "To follow us here and take such a risk must mean it is of importance."

"That's right," Jame's said just as calm as the Legend. "There is another Empire taking shape in the northern skies. It seems to hold the same values as the old Valuan Empire did. World domination, the ultimate power, and all that other fun crap power hungry idiots seem to love so much."

"I see," Vyse said. By the tone of his voice it was obvious the thought disturbed him. "So what do you propose we do about this new empire?"

"Well seeing how you and your crew caused so much hell for Valua, I'm assuming that with your sense of justice and love for adventure you could just stir things up until the empire collapsed ontop of itself like Valua did."

"Valua's demise was its own," Vyse snorted. "All we could do was delay the inevitable. We got lucky."

"True as that may be Vyse. I was born in Valua and I know a lot about what went on in there. It was their desperation to stop you that caused them to collapse. You don't give yourself enough credit," Gin said from the back. Despite his appearance his voice was calm and gentle, which surprised Vyse. He expected Jame's body guards to be tough to the core.

"I think I got an idea of what is going on in your head Vyse," James said with a smile. "Gin surprises a lot of people when he speaks. My crew isn't trained killers, though I will not deny that their abilities are well known. The crew of the Solaris has each been hurt by the wars of the past, and we will do everything it takes to make sure the lands stay at peace. We are neither pirates nor are we from a military force. Just a group of people with the same goal of maintaining the peace."

"I must say that relieves me," Vyse said standing. He picked up his Cutlasses and stared at James. "How about a little match to see if you are up to the challenge?"

"Huh? Challenge?"

"Well you have to face countless dangers to be able to maintain the peace," Vyse replied calmly. "I have to be sure you can handle such a challenge before I agree to help you guys out."

"Very well then," James said with a grin. "Three on three or one on one?"

"Three on three," Vyse said, and Fina and Aika stepped forward. "We fight as a team to the bitter end. I want to see if your crew is just the same."

"Agreed," Gin said grinning. "A chance to take on the Legendary Blue Rogue. This will be fun!"

Drake nodded. "Very well," he said, though unlike Gin, there was an edge to his voice.

Each of the fighters stepped outside towards a patch of trees, where the rest of the island wouldn't get in the way. Vyse noted the sword on Jame's back. There was no way a man of his build could hold a sword like that. But then his thoughts drifted to Aika. Even then Aika's weapon was designed to be light despite it's size. James's blade was enormous. Clearly designed for a man of Drake's size.

Surprise was evident on Vyse's face when James effortlessly drew his blade and rested it over his shoulder. "Surprised?" James asked with a laugh. "reasonable enough. I'm not the biggest of the group after all."

Gin pulled a rod from his belt and a click was heard as it shot out forming a lance, while Drake drew two larger than life Scimitars.

"Now the rules will be quite simple," Vyse said. "No killing blows. If a blade pierces any of my crew members and vice versa there will be penalties. Understood?"

All three of the newcomers nodded and raised their weapons at the ready. It was Aika that made the first move. She jumped high coming down on James. He was awestruck that a woman of such elegance would fight with such confidence. He shrugged it off. She was raised as an air pirate. It was only natural. He blocked her weapon and swung out throwing her back as Vyse came in after Gin. Sounds of metal colliding with metal echoed through the woods as each fighter went at each other.

It didn't take long for James to find the weakest of the group. He nodded to Gin and made a small motion to Fina. He nodded slightly and went after her with his lance, but was taken off guard to find Fina standing on it with Cupil at her side. The strange metallic creature formed into a blade and went at Gin, who quickly jumped back throwing Fina off his weapon.

Vyse came in behind Gin but was blocked by James, who reacted quickly to aid his first mate. To sum it up, Vyse was impressed with the group and how well they worked together. "Change of plans," he said. "Just you and me James. It doesn't seem things will be settled any other way."

James nodded and everyone moved back, including Fina and Aika. "Now then," James said lifting his blade. "No holding back?"

"I don't think I could ask for it any other way," Vyse said grinning. He hadn't felt this pumped since Rameriz. He could very well have found one worthy rival. The two dashed at each other and threw attack after attack at each other. To the spectators it seemed as though the two was dancing a fighter's dance. James jumped back and his blade began to glow radiantly. "Moons. Lend me your power," James yelled as the glow on his blade began to glow brighter. He dashed at Vyse, blade held out. The Blue Rogue couldn't figure out what he was doing and stood at the ready.

"Bring it on," Vyse taunted holding his swords in a defensive stance.

James lept high in the air, breaking through the tree tops. He could hear cries of surprise and confusion as he came back down. "Giga Crush!" James yelled slamming his sword into the ground. The earth around Vyse gave way under Vyse's feet and threw him off balance and threw him to the ground. James took advantage of Vyse's confusion and in a flash the battle was over. James's large blade was an inch from Vyse's throat.

Vyse chuckled. "Not bad at all," he laughed. "Good job seems your certainly cut out for this!"

Two months passed and the preparations for the Delphinus 2 had been completed with a little help from James. Vyse made sure the Solaris had been prepped up for the journey as well. He was very impressed with the ship, and noticed that it was far more advanced than the original Delphinus, though not quite as advanced as the Delphinus 2. Once both ships were up to snuff, Vyse called everyone in for a party. A large fire lit from the center of the village and Loqua was everywhere. James sang happily, holding a bottle of Loqua in his hand with Aika right beside him.

Vyse grinned as he looked at the two and Fina giggled. They sure seemed to be having a great time. Vyse sipped on his drink and watched the two go at it. Aika had seemed down since they got back from retrieving the moonstone but, since James had come along, she had started to cheer up since she started hanging out with him. It made Vyse happy, but at the same time uneasy. He didn't want to lose his best friend, if James decided to leave. He was certain that Aika was taking a shine to him.