Chapter 19

Dread

Maxwell sat staring, into the distance, at the island of Thriller Bark. Outside of the fog and during the daylight, it looked like a completely different island. Full of rolling hills, and jutting forests… Though that may have been because of Moria breaking the island a few nights ago.

It had been two days since the victory party, and two days since Brook's induction into the crew. Brook, Maxwell had found, was a rather reasonable and rational fellow, and had a few pleasant conversations with him. Eschatological theory, the Chant of Light, and few retellings of their adventures. The only vices Maxwell found annoying were Brook's bouts of "skull jokes," as he called them, and his obsession with ladies underwear.

They hadn't been waiting around since the party though. The Straw-Hat Pirates had been keeping busy. Maxwell had been trading shifts with Chopper, on-and-off, to watch over Zoro as he recovered. And when Maxwell wasn't at the med bay, he was updating the ship's itinerary, making sure nothing was missing. He would have checked the treasury, be he didn't have a death wish. That was Nami's job.

Chopper, on his off time, had been hanging out with Usopp and Franky. They had been working on a surprise for Brook. A memorial. A gravestone for the deceased members of the Rumbar Pirates. From what he saw, it seemed to be a real wowser. They were actually showing it to Brook right now.

Sanji had been keeping up with his regular duties. He was cooking for everyone, and even traded a few recipes with the Rolling Pirates.

That was the new name of the Thriller Bark's Victims Association. Lola had been dubbed the new captain of the Rolling Pirates. She had already been a pirate captain, before she and her crew had been trapped here, but she also had the guts and faith too see Moria vanquished. Many of the pirate crews, a part of the association, felt they had a better chance sailing under her.

Luffy, Brook, and Robin though, had been exploring the island. Seeing everything the Thriller Bark had to offer, now that it wasn't another rendition of the Fallow Mire. Luffy wanted to explore, knowing that Usopp and Chopper were busy. Brook had been familiarizing himself with Luffy and the crew, cracking jokes, and learning how best to entertain their captain. Robin had wanted to see how much of the island was man-made, and see if there had been any civilization on this island, before it became Moria's ship. Although, Maxwell secretly knew Robin also wanted to track down where Moria and the his two commanders were.

Moria had gone missing, after their encounter with Kuma. There was no sign of Absalom or Dr. Hogback either. The crew knew Perona had been sent flying because of Kuma, so there wasn't any point in looking for her.

Kuma could have taken Mora. But if he Warlord was a Government stooge, Bartholomew Kuma was still a pirate. And generally, pirates didn't really care about the well-being of their fellow pirates. At best, Moria and his ilk were dead under the rubble. At worst, they had a second sailing vessel and already left the island.

Corpses and dead amalgamations were still littered the island. The lifeless husks of Moria's former army were all either on their backs or on their sides. Their mouthes left open as if they had died screaming. Honestly, Maxwell would have seen them all buried, had the Rolling Pirates not already volunteered for the job.

…But, unanswered questions seemed to be the norm, these days.

"What's the matter, Max?" Mordred asked from his skull, the sockets lighting up with purple wicks. Mineive and Salem also occupied their anchors, giving him their full attention. "You seem worried."

Maxwell sighed and tapped his staff against his shoulder—which a kindly member of the Rolling Pirates had found yesterday, "…You know, we're almost at the halfway point of our journey. Zoro's awake, and we're going to be sailing soon. We're also going to see the Red Line again… But I can't help be feel this sense of dread."

"Dread…? How so?" asked Salem. "The Red Line, according to most maps, is the only continent of this world. It surrounds the planet in a band, much like the Grand Line. Perhaps you are concerned with how we'll cross it?"

"Most legal channels would require marine involvement," Mordred pointed out. "Didn't we read that the Capital of the World resided on the top of the Red Line?"

"Our destination, is Fish-Man Island, darling," Mineive reminded them. "I believe our primary concern should be how we would even reach the island. Seeing, as it is underwater..." Granny Kokoro had warned them as much. She was a Fish-Man Island native before coming to Water 7.

Maxwell shuddered, remembering the reveal of her being a mermaid, "No, no, none of that… During the battle with Oars, do you remember me fainting after incinerating Oars' shoulder?"

"We were aware…" Salem replied. "However we had to fend off a few challenges of own."

Maxwell's brow furrowed, "What do you mean?"

"…The Florian Triangle," Mordred replied. He was surprisingly quiet bringing it up. "There were spirits inhabiting the Fade there. Like no other spirits we've ever seen."

"They we're more like demons," Mineive said in disgust. "Fading in and out of view, using guerrilla tactics and the mists to hide themselves. Cowardly, given they were the height of Thriller Bark's mast."

"Hold on, you all fought against them…!?" Maxwell's eyebrows furrowed further, disturbed at this news.

"You forget, darling. The Fade reflects the world around you, even when you are awake," Mineive chastised him. "We've had similar encounters within other islands… Granted, these set of demons were particularly full of malice."

"They naturally saw us as intruders," Salem explained. "However, they didn't strike until we had made ourselves vulnerable, trying to keep you alive. We only gained a reprieve once the dawn had come. If it were not for Moria's occupancy, I wouldn't have been surprised if they were the source of the Triangle's haunted reputation."

…Salem's observation did make a lot of sense. In the course a year, a hundred sailing vessels would have entered the Florian Triangle, never to be seen again. With no the Veil in this world, it would have been easy for those demons to cross over and sink those ships… Yet why hadn't they done that with their crew?

Maxwell groaned, "I think I may know why… Mordred, Mineive, Salem. Look into my memories for a moment. There's something you should know…"

O O O

"Certain Kill: Atlas Comet!" Maxwell could hear his friends fighting, but it felt more like an echo in his ear. "DUAAA! THAT'S IT! YOUR NEXT, LONG-NOSE!" That harrowing feeling soon turned into a sinking one, and he sank further and further into himself. "NO! Oars, stay focused on Trevelyan!"

…

…

…

"Finally! We have a moment to chat."

Maxwell's eyes snapped open as he shot up straight into a sitting position. He wasn't on Thriller Bark anymore… at least not spiritually. No, he was fully conscious in the Fade. The World of Dreams and Spirits.

Sitting on a stone, not to far away from Maxwell, was an Arcane Horror. But not just any Arcane Horror. This was that annoying black clothed, un-mummified demon that had been following him since Loguetown!

"Your familiars really have been diligent in guarding your mind. However, they're a little busy, so I thought I would take this opportunity too talk. I see that you've stretched yourself too far, past your limits, this time…" The demon tapped it's chin, seemingly observing him even with the cone shaped hat covering its eyes. "You could grow stronger. But you'll need time in you are to achieve any of that…"

Maxwell glared at the demon. They were outside Maxwell's usual mind-scape. They were actually sitting on a featureless floating asteroid in the middle of nowhere. All that surrounded them was a green misty void. Empty, yet stirring, all at the same time.

"…Alright. I'll give you one chance to explain what you want." Mordred, Salem, and Mineive have been chasing off this spirit for a while now. None of them wanted to be sharing any sort of headspace with a foreign entity like this. Tales of unwary mages colluding with spirits never seemed to end well. Heck, the only reason Maxwell accepted his familiars was because they were technically a part of himself. "But if you're waste my time, I will kick your ass and leave your essence all over the Fade. Am I clear?"

"Great!" The fake Horror clapped its hands together, like it hadn't even recognized the threat. "Let's get to the point. There's an interloper here in the Fade and I'd like your help."

Maxwell paused, suddenly feeling rather still, "…The Nightmare. You want me to face the Nightmare!?"

"Yeah~! Good work Robin! Break him just like that!"

"Indeed." The Nightmare they were talking about was an ancient demon. One that would feed off the terror in people's dreams. They would enact the person's deepest fears, then snatch the memory of that session as soon as the person woke up. The victims wouldn't remember the dream. Only that they had a nightmare.

But that was only how it operated back in Thedas. With no Veil to stay the demon in this world, the Nightmare had the opportunity to cross over into the physical plane, and unleash terror in the waking world! And Maxwell may very well have led it here!

…Yet why hadn't it yet?

"My companions and I are looking for champions to combat this threat. It's dangerous to have such a free roaming spirit travelling about. And that demon could very well upset the balance we have maintained." The demon in front of him then began to transform. Rather than an Arcane Horror, the spirit seemed to resemble a barefoot monk. It appeared as a young man, shaved bald, and wore white robes that slung over one shoulder. A blindfold covered the eyes and a string of prayer beads hung from it's neck. Beaded bracelets were also on it's wrists and ankles, but that wasn't what caught Maxwell's attention. It was the fact that the spirit appeared to have three sets of feathered wings.

One set came out of it's shoulders. Another around it's hips. But the third pair actually seemed to grow out of it's arms. A line of feathers serating up the wrists up too the the shoulders. The other two were fully functional wings. And the lower pair wrapped around its hip like a kilt.

"Cuatro Mano. CLUTCH!"

Maxwell's brow furrowed, "Are you asking me to be your champion?"

The spirit shook it's head, "No."

"We did it!" "Good going, Robin!" "Watch our for the shadow behind you!"

Maxwell scoffed, "Then why come to me?"

The spirit leaned onto it's knee, propping its chin onto a fist. "Though I would love to have you represent me, I already have a champion. Oh, don't get me wrong, I would love to choose someone else. There are far many more, stronger, candidates. But I've chosen him for convenience sake, seeing as he was already in the Fade." It also rolled its other wrist, waving it's hand in an explaining manner.

"Kishishi… That was close…"

This was news to Maxwell, "What!? There's another human. Here. In the Fade!?" Was this another mage? Was this like Blueno, having a Devil Fruit power?

"Neither, I'm afraid," The spirit answered. Maxwell cursed, he forgot this demon was able to read his mind was like an open book. "He was dragged through a portal that had spontaneously spawned, and caught the attention of the Nightmare. Thankfully, our other champion came to his rescue."

"TWO humans!?"

The spirit chuckled, "In a manner of speaking. But that's not why I'm here. No, I'm here on the behalf of my third friend. He's elusive, but does give hints of his intentions every once in a while. His clues seemed to have led to you. And so, I humbly ask for your help."

"…What do you call yourselves?" Maxwell asked the spirit. "You've been harmless up to now, but I'm not agreeing to anything until I know what you are."

"We did it!" "Good going, Robin!" "Watch our for the shadow behind you!"

The spirit seemed to sigh, "…That is fair I suppose. I am one of three, observing the individuals who utilize my talents. We have watched the people of this world clash and make war, but never have we interacted with them ourselves. Nor has any spirit since the ancient days. I've had many names over the centuries, but for now, I call myself Mantra."

*SHINK!*

"Mantra…" Maxwell repeated. Why did that word sound familiar? Spirits didn't have names like a mortal would have. To identify themselves, they would take on the word that embodied their essence. And Maxwell had definitely heard that word before…

Mantra smiled as if hearing his thoughts, "There hasn't been a sorcerer that could dream like you in millennia. The fact that you can seek out spirits is what had me so intrigued in the first place. So I must ask, would you help me in this matter."

…

"…I'm not going to abandon my captain. Or my crew," said Maxwell. They were still in the middle of a fight between them and Moria. Maxwell had actually been hearing echos of the battle throughout their conversation.

"Nor am I asking you too," Mantra replied in a patient tone. "I am asking, so that when the time comes, you would be willing to fight."

Maxwell blinked at that, "When the time comes—? What is that supposed to mean!?" Then his vision began to darken. "Dammit…!"

"That appears to be our time," Mantra took note on the crumbling dream. "You have much to overcome, young mage. Especially in this world… But, I wish you luck in the battles ahead."

The spirit suddenly appeared before Maxwell and touched his forehead. Maxwell tried to lean back, but his vision just turned to black.

O O O

"That bastard showed up, during the fight!?" Mordred's voice became very alarmed. "You should have mentioned something sooner!"

"So that was his true form…" Salem seemed to be pondering on Mantra's appearance, rather then the fact it made contact.

"You're worried that something is going to happen. Whether on the way, or at Fish-Man Island," Mineive stated.

"Indeed…" He still remembered glimpses of it, the Nightmare. A looming spider, with a thousand eyes, crustaceous and slimy. It was one of the first images he remembered after leaving the Fade. Then there was the incident at Long-Rong Long Land, when the Nightmare had taken over his dream… "What can you tell me about the demon?"

The spirits were quiet for a moment. As if discussing amongst themselves, before answering.

"In the beginning, it was a Spirit of Hope. Helpful, comforting, relieving the fears and hurt to all it encountered. But when the Blights began, there was so much fear and suffering in the world, it became corrupted by it's own duty… Taking so much spectral essence into itself, the spirit began to crave those feelings of fear, and became the Nightmare. So, instead of helping people, it began to feed upon the mortals. Expediting their fears into a cruel form of entertainment, before taking them. And it has fed well over the centuries…"

"As the Inquisitor, you would have eventually led an army to Adamant Fortress. An odd alliance between the Grey Wardens and the Venatori had been stuck. Manipulated by the darkspawn Dragon Priest, Corypheus. Their plan was to open a rift into the Fade and summon the Nightmare, along with any demon that stood to benefit from conquering the world."

"The Inquisition was able to make the Grey Wardens see sense. However, the Venatori refused to surrender, and summoned Corypheus' corrupted dragon. In a last ditch attempt to save yourself and your companions, you opened a rift into the Fade. There you would have regained your lost memories and fought back against the Nightmare. However, in order to escape, someone had to keep the demon busy. The most common choices were either Hawke the 'Champion of Kirkwall,' or your Warden ally that had informed you of the alliance."

Maxwell frowned, "Who was the Warden?"

"Well that's the funny thing," said Mordred. "Due to discrepancies in time, regarding the events of Feralden and Kirkwall, the Warden would have been either been King Alistair, Teyrn Loghain, or Stroud."

"The warden Hawke met on his expedition into the Deep Roads, right?"

"Correct."

"Hm…" Maxwell closed his eyes, in thought. "Then whoever held the Nightmare back is likely dead… Dammit." He did not like the idea of facing this thing. Worse, Maxwell had no idea if or when this confrontation was going to happen. Mantra certainly seemed to have an idea! But Maxwell believed it was going to be like pulling teeth, getting an answer out of him!

"Let's switch to more positive topics then," Mordred suggested. "How long do you think it will take for Zoro to recover?"

Maxwell hummed as he readjusted himself in his seat, "Well, he's certainly got a long road ahead of him. Physically, he should be in fighting shape in a few weeks. However, that 'pain' bubble you told me about has definitely scarred his psyche. He's going to be feeling phantom pains over the next few days, and his body will react to them… But that was if Zoro was a regular human." Maxwell laughed, "He'll probably shrug it off and just say it's all a part of training!"

The mage then paused, "…Actually, that's not a good thing. He's probably going to need a spotter during all his workouts. There is no way I'm letting him lift anything over 500 pounds after everything he just went through!" Let it be stated, the weights Zoro used were ridiculously heavy. And some of them were as wide as a man was tall!

Maxwell then saw said swordsman coming down the hill. He was coming back with Brook, after the two have held their service.

Once Zoro had heard about the memorial Usopp and Franky were building, he wanted to put his sword to "rest," as well. Zoro wanted to say goodbye to it, thankful for all of its service. So he decided to hold a funeral for his sword.

"Ah, you're here. You two ready to set sail?" Maxwell asked as the pair climbed the ladder onto the ramparts. They had two set up, just so they could get over the fortifications.

"Yeah, let's get going." "Yohohoho! I look forward to all our new adventures, Maxwell-san."

Maxwell nodded his head, "Good. Because—"

"ALRIGHT! ONTO OUR NEXT ADVENTURE! ZORO'S ALREADY UP, SO SHALL WE HEAD OUT TO SEA!?"

"YEAH!"

"—Luffy's ready to go." Maxwell then stepped onto the ladder leading down to the docks. The rest of the Rollings had gathered below. They were here to send them off and see the work Franky had done.

"You guys sure are hasty, setting sail already," Lola commented as Maxwell steeped onto the ground.

"Well, we have a rather good doctor on board. And a mage just in case!" Maxwell gave a cocky grin. However that smile swiftly turned genuine, "Luffy trusts all his crew. That's why he's so eager to be sailing again."

"So humble," Lola smiled back. "Luffy's lucky to have a man like you under him. You sure you aren't looking for a bride?"

"Uh…" This was the second time a woman had come onto him. Maxwell's eyes seemed to briefly dart around and saw Robin standing over by the plank. "I'm sorry, but no. I'm not looking to get married yet…"

…Was it even possible for him to get married? He grew up in a celibate covent-prison for most of his life, guards meaning to keep everything in and out. A pirate-spouse perhaps? Maxwell had also grew up hearing tales of sailors, pirates, and their wives, pinning for each other while out at sea. But never had he heard of a couple sailing under the same banner. And even then, would he even want to settle down? Maxwell never did have a good track record with lovers.

"HUH? ZORO! WHY DO YOU HAVE YOUR BANDAGES OFF!?" Chopper yelled at the swordsman. Maxwell, also alarmed, turned to see Zoro.

"Yeah. It was hard to move with them on." He was standing in his usual clothing without a single piece of gauge on him.

"THAT WAS THE POINT!" Chopper shouted at the swordsman. Then Chopper jumped his unruly patient with a roll of gauze. He was wrapping Zoro up in bandages, and the swordsman was trying to throw the doctor off.

Maxwell was half-tempted to join him, but then Franky walked over to talk to Lola, "You guys take Brook's ship. I fixed the sail and the rudder for you guys." The cyborg had also patched the holes in the Rumbar's ship, making it look less haunted.

"Thank you for taking such good care of us!" They never intended to stay on the island, anyways. Lola's eyes seem to roam around Franky's body, "I don't think we'll ever be able to repay you! How about I marry you?"

Franky only grinned, "As fine as a gem you are, I'm too super. We wouldn't match."

…That's one way to explain it. Honestly, Maxwell thought if Franky had the chance, he'd be a full on nudist. Not just a cyborg dressed in tight swim briefs and an open shirt.

Maxwell then walked over to Luffy, who was with Brook, Sanji, and the Risky Brothers. "Luffy! Everyone's here—"

"It's so difficult to part with you guys!" Risuichi interrupted, "Let's party for another two of three days!"

"We can't!" Luffy declared, "Next up is Fish-Man island! I'm looking forward to it! I wan to see all the Fish-Men there!"

"Screw the fish-men! THERE WILL BE MERMAIDS!" Sanji yelled. Then he started dancing around with hearts in his eye. "Oh, the beautiful mermaids~! I can't wait to play with them all!"

"I wonder if I would be allowed to see a mermaid's panties…" Brook bowed like he was already practicing his lines.

"Oi, oi, don't be stupid!" Nirisu pointed at the two perverts. Then he closed his eyes and gushed with a smile, "Mermaids don't wear any panties~!"

Brook and Sanji both had nose bleeds at that statement, realizing it was true. "The beauty of mermaids surpasses even that of the PIRATE EMPRESS BOA HANCOCK!" Nirisu yelled.

Nirisu, Sanji, and Brook then danced, joining arms over each other's shoulders. "MERMAIDS~ MERMAIDS~ MERMAIDS—!"

Maxwell then swung his staff and brained every one of them. "WILL YOU KNOCK IT OFF!" He had enough trouble keeping three perverts in line. He did not need a fourth! Besides, a mermaid's entire lower body was that of a fish.

Maxwell left them on the ground, each having a giant goose egg growing out of their hair.

"Wait, you guys know about Fishman Island?" Usopp asked Risuichi.

"Ah… Yeah," the cape-masked brother crossed his arms. "About three years ago, we passed through there before we arrived at this hell hole." Risuichi raised his head, smiling at the memory, "Mermaids are the best!"

Nami blinked. "Lola, aren't you guys heading to the New World?"

"We weren't heading there," the pink-ette shook her head, "I was born in the new world! My mama is a pirate too. Which reminds me…!"

Lola then too out a square of paper and ripped it in half, "Take this."

"Paper?" Nami looked at the parchment.

"It's my mama's vivre card. Since you and I are sworn sisters now, it's just for you. Okay?"

"OH!" Risuichi seemed shocked at the action, "You should be happy, Ms. Nami! Captain Lola's mama is an amazing pirate! Take good care of it! It'll definitely be useful later."

Nami looked up at her newly sworn-sister, "What are Vivre Cards?"

"EH?" Lola balked in genuine shock, "You don't know about them?"

Nirisu, who had quickly recovered from the lump on his head, walked up to his captain and spoke in a loud whisper, "Vivre cards are only available in the New World, Captain Lola."

"Ah, is that the case?" Lola then held up her part of the vivre card, pointing at it. "This isn't a normal piece of paper. Even if it gets wet or caught in a fire, it'll still be just fine! If you bring some nail clipping into a certain shop, they will make and personalized that sheet of paper. Vivre Cards are also known as Life Paper."

"When you are going away, you can tear a piece off and give it to a friend or relative." Lola then knelt and put the piece of paper on the ground. "Take a look! This is part of a vivre card I got from Mama."

Maxwell and Nami looked down, and after staring it for a moment, the paper shuffled. "Ah! It moved!" There wasn't any wind either. It just seemed to shuffle, periodically, heading towards a certain direction.

"No matter where you are in the world, the card will pull towards its partner. In other words, I always know which direction my mama is in! Even though it can't tell how far away she is."

"Wow, that's amazing!" Chopper walked up after being finished with Zoro, "Are there a lot of things like that in the New World!."

Lola just laughed at the the enthusiasm. "Pretty convenient, isn't it? Here, I'll sign this vivre card. If you are in trouble sometime, you can follow this and meet up with Mama. When you do, tell her that I'm doing well."

"I…" Luffy spoke up, having listening to the conversation ever since Lola handed Nami the paper, "…might have one of those papers already. Maybe…"

Nami snapped her fingers, "Yeah, I was just thinking about that. That white paper you got from Ace. It was the same, right?"

Ace was Luffy's older brother. A pirate, like himself. The crew had briefly met him on their adventures, in Alabasta. He seemed a lot more tactful than Luffy, even if he was a Fire Logia prone to narcolepsy.

Luffy dug the piece of paper out of the ribbon on his hat, "So that's what he meant. Here it is."

"AH!" Nirisu covered his mouth.

"Wait! Let me see that." Lola demanded seeing the shape it was in.

"Huh?" Luffy noticed the damage. "I thought you said they couldn't be burned?" Lola took it out of Luffy's hands.

"…This is definitely a vivre card, the Paper of Life, but—and I haven't told you this yet, but this kind of paper also reflects the person's life force!" Lola then looked out at Luffy. "Is this person important to you?"

Luffy smiled, "Yeah, he's my older brother."

Lola looked at the paper with a sense of dread, "…I'm sorry to tell you this, but… your brother's life is in terrible danger…!"

"EH!?"

Ace was in danger. These Vivre Cards were supposed to reflect the person's life force, right? Did this mean Ace was dying!?

"…Oh Blight take it all…!" Maxwell deadpanned. Add one more worry to think about!

…

…

…

To be continued…

Author's Note:

MY GOD! I'M FINALLY DONE! …With this arc anyway. It's only taken me… 8 and a half months.

If you've been following my series for a while now, you probably know I'm going to write another arc after this. AND I am! However, given the nature of the manga at this point, I'm going to have a little Intermission Chapter before I start writing and posting the next story. Oh~ the possibilities~! …Better keep to my roadmap though. I'll see you all later! STAY TUNED!