"How much farther?" Daphne complained, wiping sweat off of her forehead with a hankerchief.
"We'll get there when we arrive," Allen replies with a grin.
Daphne let out a sigh, then wails, "I can't walk any farther!"
She collapses onto the ground, wanting Allen to catch her, but Allen just says, "Anyone who falls behind is left behind." and continues walking through the forest.
Daphne groans, then pushes herself to a stand, patting dirt off of her silky dress and her beautiful hair.
"We're here." Luna announces, cutting through a patch of weeds with her sword to reveal a crystal clear pool of water surrounded by beautiful rocks of all colors.
"This is the place where the connection between Lorrel and the Heavens are strongest, it's also the only place where we can speak to the gods." Estella Summers explains, joining her captain in the small clearing.
Luna nods her approval and sits down besides the pool, looking into the water.
"Greetings, Luna Estrada. Long time no see." a soft voice says into her ear.
"Adira," Luna whispers, greeting the goddess of the skies.
"I know why you're here, and I'm here to inform you, that I can no longer control Alcina's powers. She has recruited Horace Vaugn and his crew, you are in a really bad position."
"I understand. That's why I set off to find Enigma. This battle will take place on the ocean, it will devastate all if we don't provail."
"I don't know much about the jewel of shadows, only that your first stop should be Serene Village beside the star river. I cannot help you after this, but your mother told me to give you this."
The water rippled, revealing a small notebook on a keychain.
"This is Marzanna's Journel, only the weilder of Nirvana can open it. It's a way to communicate with your mother, she will reply to any question that you may ask."
"I've never heard of this," Luna whispers, picking up the journel which shrunk to the size of a keychain.
"It's also know, as the Legendarium."
Luna froze for a moment, then clipped the journel onto her waist band, "Thank you."
"You're welcome." she heard Alcina's voice whisper, before fading into the winds.
Luna stared blankly at the water for a moment before standing up and announcing, "Back to the ships, we're off to Serene Village!"
"I just got here, and we're leaving?" Daphne wails, glaring at Luna Estrada.
"Anyone who falls behind is left behind," Luna laughs, walking towards the Sky River where the ships were waiting.
It is near nightfall when they near the ships, and the sight that await them was anything but pleasant.
Horace Vaugn was pointing a pistol at Oliver Mitchell, who held his hands up in surrender and the rest of his crew had surrounded the ships.
"Who's he?" Daphne asks, a far away look in her eyes.
"Horace Vaugn." a crew member named Fiona Knight replies.
Daphne's eyes lit in surprise, she had thought that Horace Vaugn would look ugly, but he looked surprisingly handsome.
Horace Vaugn let out a mocking laugh as he saw Luna Estrada, "Well, well, well, if it isn't the Pirate Lord herself!"
Luna only glared at him, "What are you after?"
"I watched you board the Horizon yesterday, and I thought it would be the perfect chance to get rid of you!" Horace snarls, aiming the pistol at Luna Estrada.
"Why?" Daphne asks, unable to contain her curiousity, "Why do you want to get rid of her?"
"She turned me down, though she promised." Horace Vaugn hisses, slowly walking towards Luna, his pistol raised. It seemed that any moment, he would pull the trigger.
"I promised nothing." Luna replies, glaring at Horace.
"Fulfill your promise, and I'll let your crew go. Easy." Horace whispers into Luna's ear.
"Never." Luna replies, knocking the pistol out of his hand and pulling out her sword.
"You can't win me, you know it." Horace laughs, pulling his sword out.
He strikes at an amazing speed, then deflects Luna's hits with perfect accuracy, quickly disarming his opponent.
Horace turns to face her, their faces inches apart, his sword on her neck, "Fulfill your promise, or you will die."
"Then kill me," Luna says, her lips curving up in a smile.
Horace hesitated, then raised his sword to strike.
"Wait!" Daphne cries, unable to control herself, "I-I'll fulfill her promise!"
Luna's eyes widen as Horace turns around, releasing her to look at Daphne.
"Please, free me from her." Daphne begs, batting her eyelashes at him. She felt a pull, one that she couldn't resist.
It was sudden, but Daphne realized that her heart was aching.
Aching for his touch.
Horace laughs, "Release her crew! We're taking her and the girl!"
