04/23

It is quiet now.

Last night, when you asked me that question… I wish I could tell you. I can't. I'm sorry.

The water sounds calming.

It sounds like it did when I first heard it…

…

She was abandoned in the woods outside of the city, only four years old, not knowing who her parents were. The kind lady took her in and began to raise her. But she soon sensed the little girl had a special connection to the natural magics and brought her to a place where she could someday serve as a type of priestess.

Everyone there was so solemn, they practiced with her and performed rituals… she didn't know what was going on. But she supposed she must have done well, for they kept bringing her back. Her aunt was proud of her. But the girl was scared. It was kind of fun to learn magic. But it was hard. They didn't let her do much of anything.

She kept going back for a long time. The woman who was supposed to be there instead of her was busy doing other things so the girl was going to take her place.

But…

But it didn't work out that way…

…

I don't want to write anymore. I'm tired. It is starting to get windy on deck. I think I remember the way back to our cabin.

04/25

I didn't sleep well last night. The boat kept moving. Procyon has been making friends with Barbarossa. He is scary sometimes. He yells a lot. But Procyon thinks he's funny.

We tried fishing today. I caught a small fish. Procyon told me to use my magic and that would make fishing easy. I forgot to tell him not to talk about that in front of these people. I'm so stupid.

He would have known if he remembered.

Suleiman tried to talk to me today. He asked me questions about my magic. I don't want anyone to ask questions. It's not safe yet to talk. Procyon doesn't know that. Mephilia said I was still tired and not to bother me. She is kind.

How can I tell him? He is dealing with losing his memory and all of this is so strange and difficult… I can't say anything. It would make his sacrifice for nothing. But… but I need him to be on my side too. How can I ask for that?

Maybe he will read this and understand someday.

…

She knew there was danger before it happened. She saw that the child was going to fall. It frightened her. But she knew also… that it was her job to stop that from happening. She caught the child before he fell. Everyone called her a hero.

The girl only felt scared.

She knew what was going to be served for dinner, or what color her aunt would wear the next day… she thought everybody knew those things. Her Auntie said that it meant she had a special gift. She didn't like feeling different. But… but she supposed it had saved her before.

She kept using her ability to see the future, helping where she could and changing it as she needed to. But she couldn't control it in any way. She kept dreaming of strange worlds and other futures… if only she could shut those off.

…

Procyon has caught a fish now. He is very happy. I'm glad. I think he sees me as a weaker younger sister sometimes. He has been so kind. He doesn't know that I'm the one protecting him…

04/27

It has almost been a week. Last night we had a pleasant dinner and Mephilia did my hair. It was nice. Procyon has been learning all about sailing. He is very agile, he made all the other sailors nervous that he would fall. While he ran around above the sails, sliding down them and laughing at their fears. Even without memories he hasn't forgotten his tenacity.

It is good to see him smile again. He was so tired before. So hurt. He wouldn't sleep. He wouldn't let his guard down. We never rested.

Maybe…

Maybe it's better that we stay here. Maybe we can have a happy life away from… everything else. We are surrounded by a strong wall. No one can get through after all.

…No, they said that it would be destroyed… even this haven would fade in the end.

If they do not come for us, the darkness will. I'm still the only one who can fix this. The only one who remembers. And Procyon… if he was his old self he would probably say "How can you think that, after I gave up my memories to get you through?" Or maybe he would say, "I'm not tired, allons-y! Let's save the world!"

…

She first met him the same year she was rescued. His papa brought him into town and they became friends. There was a language barrier, so they did not speak together. Maybe it was better that way. For the girl didn't like speaking. She never did. But she didn't have to with this new friend.

His papa looked very happy, and they played until he had to go. She didn't see him for many years after that. Not until she had become the new 'priestess'.

After she became a water priestess she began to have nightmares. Nightmares that the world would be overcome by darkness, and that she had to hold it back… but she never managed, and her strength was never enough.

It was soon after that when she had a vision of a cup being brought to her, and that she would drink it and fall asleep. An identical cup was given to her one day before she was to become a full-fledged priestess.

Getting a bad feeling, she gave the drink to the animals in the temple. They died.

…

I am tired again, where has Procyon gotten to? It is getting dark. I hope he gets back soon.

Suleiman is here now. He is coming to talk to me again… I don't want to be asked a million questions like before. Maybe I am imagining things but I feel like he always tries to talk to me when Procyon isn't around.

I don't trust him.

04/28

We pulled into port tonight. A strange village full of strange looking houses lines the steep mountains. It is an outpost named after the island itself, called Takachiho, Land of the Sun, Barbarossa explained. The families of many pirates live there in secret away from the mainland to avoid incarceration. This island is large, and the steep hills and many caves are excellent for hiding.

"Is there anyone else on the island?" Procyon asked them.

"Wild beasts and monsters." Mephilia told him, "And a strong summoning spirit which waits for us to collect… but that time will come, and we must grow in power before then."

Neither of us understood what she meant, and she didn't bother to explain. We proceeded through the town and looked in silent amazement at its unique architecture. Built as it was on the side of the hill its houses rose vertically and bridges were suspended across great gaps. We were taken to a room at the inn and told to remain there while they stockpiled their ships. Suleiman reminded us that he did not control his fleet and that we still might not be safe to wander around. They left us with food and drinks and we were soon left to our own devices. But we didn't stay long. One glance at one another and we both knew that we would be exploring the town.

It was a very nice town, full of legend and tradition, but the folk know we are foreigners and have been giving us grace.

It's odd, but you wouldn't be able to tell that the folks here are pirates. There are children and elderly ladies… what did they have to flee that they are out here in the middle of nowhere?

…

The girl's aunt knew that there was danger, and sought to catch the perpetrator who was poisoning the food. Nothing added up. It was as if someone invisible had done it. Her handmaids were innocent, that much she knew. In any case, what purpose would anyone have to harm a priestess?

There always seems to be a reason to hurt someone. Word returned that the newly appointed Wind Priestess had been murdered, and that others were in danger as well…

It was then that it was decided. The girl would go into hiding.

She hated that idea. She stayed at the hidden village and was cared for, but she was very lonely. Nothing was fair. But then again, that was when she met the boy once more…

…

Procyon has offered me some of Takachiho's signature citrus candy. It is very good. I wonder, though, how he paid for it.

He tells me he did not. I do not like this. I only have pg… but apparently they use a money currency called gil here… we must earn some gil as soon as we can in order to pay back the candy maker.

Honestly, sometimes I do not comprehend that boy's thought process.

Still, I am glad to be here with him in this moment

It was the morning of their first day on land. Procyon was exhilarated. They were up high on a mountain side, in a new town they didn't know… Takachiho wasn't very large, but it was beautiful. He didn't recognize any of the architecture but he just chalked that up to his lost memories, something he didn't really care about now. He was full of energy and happy with life. What else did he need?

While they wandered the town they came across a couple who were kneeling before a pile of stones. Neither of them knew what such a gesture meant, but they felt it must be something solemn. Sylvie seemed curious about the gesture, and watched intently as they bowed and stood, murmuring the words "May Amaterasu guide you on…"

One of the couple notices that they were staring and turned to them. "Children… what might you need from us?"

"Oh... oh, nothing." Procyon explained, "We were just interested but I'm sorry to bother you."

"You are foreigners?" The wife asked them, "You find our customs strange."

"Not at all." Sylvie replied quietly, "If I may ask… what is it for?"

"It is a plea for those who have died." They replied slowly and with heavy hearts, "We ask the goddess Amaterasu to guide our loved ones on from this world and into the next… We lost a daughter to an illness just last year. We add a rock to the pile every day that she might rest in peace…"

"May I…" Sylvie hesitated, "May you teach me, so that I might say a prayer too?"

Procyon turned to her in surprise. "What, Sylvie? Who have you lost?"

Sylvie didn't answer and only repeated her question. The couple saw no issue in teaching her, and a moment later she was herself placing a stone upon the monument.

Hands clasped, she kneeled and bowed saying, "May Amaterasu guide you on…"

"Who is Tama… Amatra…"

"Amaterasu." The couple corrected him.

"Yeah, that. Who's that anyway?" Procyon asked them.

"The sun goddess who led us here, away from the mainland." The wife explained, "She has blessed us for many years, but it has been long since we last saw her. It is said that her spirit sleeps in a hidden cave upon this island."

"What were you fleeing from?" Procyon asked curiously.

"...War." the husband answered slowly. "There was… battle over the throne, and many people were in danger. Amaterasu led us away, protecting us from the many dangers. Wa is no longer a nation of order."

"So, we live here now, unbothered by their petty battles." The wife smiled at him, "And we are eternally grateful to our Savior for bringing us to safety."

Just then a group of rough-looking sailors passed by, jeering at one another and heading into a local pub. The young girl holding the door for them looked nervous. The men filed inside, but their voices could still be heard from out there. Procyon didn't understand what they were saying, but it didn't sound pleasant to his ears.

"What about the pirates?" He asked them, "When I first awoke we had been captured by them. Suleiman told us that we would have been sold into slavery."

"Well…" The couple paled, "We cannot control what our sons do. They may be uncouth, but they defend and support our livelihoods."

"But… that doesn't make sense." Procyon continued, "I thought you said you came here to escape bloodshed? Doesn't piracy hurt people every day?"

"We trust Amaterasu to deliver us from such things when it is time." The husband responded coldly, "It is not a foreigner's place to question our ways and religion."

Procyon apologized and the couple left, their hearts hardened against what he had said. Perhaps they knew that he was right. But there is a kind of powerlessness we all have which we don't want to admit to. We do not want to believe that our destinies aren't in our hands, or that the motions of fate around us are completely out of our control. So, we must pretend that all is as we would have it. But the path to freedom is in accepting one's own powerlessness over the world around them, and choosing to control only oneself.

Procyon noticed that Sylvie was still crouched before the grave marker, her hands clasped together in prayer. "Sylvie?" Procyon asked, laying a hand on her shoulder. She was cold.

"Huh? S-Sylvie? Are you alright?" He shook her, and she blinked and looked up.

"Sorry…" she muttered, trying to stand up. Procyon assisted her, asking her what was wrong.

"I just… forgot where I was at." She muttered. "I am tired. Let's go home."

As they returned to the inn, they encountered Barbarossa stepping outside and paying the innkeep. "Hoi, kids!" He said, "Ye ought best to stay indoors, eh?"

"We can't just stay in our room all day." Procyon argued.

Barbarossa harrumphed. "As ye wish. Mind yerselves, that's all. It's a rather nasty fall if you trip."

"I never trip." Procyon replied smugly.

"Scalliwag…" The pirate muttered, but he said so with the hint of a smile upon his features.

They headed back into their room, and Sylvie seated herself up on the floor, sullenly writing in the notebook she had gotten a while back. Procyon waited, watching as she wrote down line after line.

"Did something happen at the grave marker?" He asked at last.

She stopped writing and put her pen down, nodding. "What is it?" Procyon persisted. "If it's anything I can help with, I will."

Sylvie turned away and took a breath. "If… if I told you that I couldn't say anything about the past- I mean, if I couldn't tell you about your past, like how you lost your memories or what you were doing before then… would you believe me? I mean… never mind."

"I'm listening." Procyon replied, "I don't really understand though. I'm not really that interested in whatever my life was like before now."

"Not even a little?" Sylvie asked, "You don't wonder what you used to do, who you used to know? …Who I am?"

"Well," Procyon scratched his head, "I sort of have been getting to know you this whole time, so I don't think that's an issue. And as far as everything else goes, I honestly have just been having a great time as I am. Besides, I trust you. I'm sure if it was something you could talk about you would."

Sylvie sighed and put her chin in her hands. "It's more complicated than that."

"I understand-" He began to say, but a sudden outburst from Sylvie cut him off.

"You don't! You don't understand how much danger we're in, and you're not taking anything seriously!" She lowered her voice, "I just… wish things could stay this way…"

"Who's to say they can't?" Procyon replied, "If we're in danger, we'll get through it. It's not like being sulky and unhappy is going to make us any safer."

Sylvie sighed in frustration and covered her face in her hands. Procyon hopped down from the top bunk and sat down beside her.

"I'm sorry." He said, "I'll try and listen better. I guess I just feel like I must not have been very happy before I lost my memories, and I'm making up for that now." He paused, leaning his chin on his knees. "I'm not sure what terrible things we've been through together, and I don't really want to know, but I'm still going to be here to help you get through this. Just say the word. You don't have to tell me why or how, only what you need."

There was a space of silence. Procyon could hear the sound of people talking and walking by their doors. Outside, a gust of wind blew past, making the building creak. Sylvie heard these things too, and turned to him to speak in a low voice.

"You won't ask questions?"

"Not if you don't want me to."

She paused, "There is a curse. If I speak of my past, I will lose my memories just like you. I can lift it. But… but there is something we have to find first."

"What?" Procyon asked.

"...I can't say. But… but there is a being on this island that can help us find what we need. I sensed her presence at the grave marker. If we can awaken her spirit, she may be able to help us lift the fog."

"I take it we weren't just kids having a good time, then?" Procyon asked. Sylvie didn't respond. He chuckled, "Well, sounds like an adventure to me. What do we have to do?"

"You're really just going to take my word for it? Without any explanation? What if I'm lying?"

"Are you lying?" Procyon asked, and then grinned. "I told you, it doesn't matter to me. I'm sure you're trustworthy. Now, what's the first thing we have to do?"

"W-well, gather suppose I suppose…" Sylvie replied slowly.

"Supplies…" Procyon repeated, "We'll need gil for that. I'll go ask Suleiman if he can give us an allowance."

"Wait!" Sylvie stopped him, "Don't mention our plans to him. Please."

"Well… alright. If you say so."

"Coin for food?" Suleiman repeated, stroking his beard, "Yes, I suppose you will have need of it. Your room is paid up for a week, and I will supply you with enough gil to last until then."

"We are actually about to head out of port for a few days." Mephilia told the boy. "We will be back shortly, don't worry, and maybe by then you will have some idea who your parents are and what province they reside in."

Procyon chuckled, but his laughter was a little forced, "Yeah, that'd be great! Well, hope you guys have a good trip!"

"Ah, Procyon, about the girl-"

Procyon eyed them nervously. "Y-yes?"

"Has she spoken at all?" Suleiman asked, "Mentioned her hometown, or whom she might be descended from? She is so very shy, but it is important that we know where to return you children. We can't have you sailing with us forever."

"No, not a word!" Procyon replied, suddenly wary of their Captain. "She doesn't talk much."

"Oh poor thing… still, keep asking her." Mephilia said, "She trusts you. Perhaps you can get some good information."

"Yes ma'am." Procyon said as he exited the room, feeling a cold sweat on his forehead. He hadn't had a reason to fear their saviors before. Now, he was unsettled. Surely they meant what they said and they only wished to know about Sylvie so they could help. Right?

But what if they didn't?

The following morning they were waving goodbye as Suleiman, Mephilia and Barbarossa set sail again. Once they were out of sight, the two headed into town to purchase travel supplies. At Sylvie's urging Procyon bought himself a set of daggers and throwing stars. She wouldn't say why, but he guessed that he must know how to use them. Or at least, he used to.

Sylvie, herself, bought a staff with a crystal attached to the top. The shopkeep said it would amplify magic spells, and she confirmed this with a small test of an Aero spell. Procyon was surprised, for he believed that she only knew water magic. She confessed that she knew water magic best, but she could cast any basic spell.

Once they had obtained suitable travel gear, including a tent and some bows for hunting, they packed their bags and headed east out of the village and inland.

At the gate, the guardsman stopped them and warned them of the dangers. "Scythe-birds, great spiders and even the undead wander this island. You must be prepared for these challenges."

Procyon waved away the soldiers worries. "J'ai ça, friend. Don't worry about us."

The guardsman hesitated. "All the same, please, take these charms. They will help to ward off monsters. We use them to surround the village, and are rarely attacked, and we do not have many of them left as many have been stolen… Still, I cannot let such young souls leave with no protection. You… will return them after your quest is over?"

"Yes, sir." Sylvie said, bowing respectfully. "We sincerely appreciate your kind gesture."

And with that, they left the village. On and into the jungle-like forest they headed. It was full of life, sounds, and shadows. The undergrowth was very thick so they had to be careful having reduced visibility for long periods of time. They soon realized that it was becoming difficult to keep track of their location and direction. This was certainly a dilemma, for how would they know the way back to the village?

"Well, I suppose it doesn't matter much anyway." Sylvie remarked. "it's not as if we have any more money. Suleiman didn't give us very much gil…"

It was only forwards, then. Procyon was in high spirits and, not having thought to buy a machete, fashioned a stick to beat away the weeds. It wasn't exactly safe given that there seemed to be many potentially poisonous plants that were being whacked into the air, but nothing happened to them so they could only assume they were alright.

The charms that the guardsman had given them worked excellently, but they did not deteur the monsters from attacking altogether. During the third hour after they left the village they found a group of monkey-like beasts growing increasingly more bold towards them.

The monkey-creatures, covered as they were in spots and stripes in various colors, were not hard to spot. But their danger was in their poisonous spit. Sylvie had thought to bring herbs for poison, but they would wear through their supplies fast at that rate.

At one point the monkeys came too close and Sylvie proceeded to launch an electric bolt at it with a scream.

"Stupid things!" She yelled, preparing another charge, "Procyon, why don't you try and hit them or something?!"

Procyon, taken back by her sudden change of manner, proceeded to drop the dagger he had drawn. "R-right…" he muttered as he picked it up, and threw it at a beast. It connected, and the poisonous rainbow monkey vanished in a cloud of smoke.

"Yeah, take that you filthy little spitters!" Sylvie shouted as the monkeys began to flee their attacks.

Procyon retrieved his dagger and looked at Sylvie in surprise and mild amusement. "What is it?" She asked him.

"Oh, I'm just thinking about back when you made the boat fly underwater." He replied, "You got a little… temperamental then, too. It's just surprising, when you're usually so quiet."

Sylvie nervously began to fiddle with the decorative nobs and symbols on her staff. "My apologies. It's, hard to- I mean, I don't ever get mad, usually, and, er… but when I'm casting magic, I don't know… I just start feeling like shouting as loud as I can. I think it helps me focus."

Procyon stifled a laugh, "Hey, if it helps you focus that's great."

"I didn't mean- if I said anything bad, I'm sorry."

"It's alright." Procyon told her, "You can say whatever you want. I won't get offended."

"Y- you sure?" Sylvie asked nervously, "I will admit to… holding back for your sake."

"Seriously, say what you want. I don't care as long as you feel safe and can cast magic comfortably."

Sylvie bit her lip and nodded, "Alright. If you say so."

Ove the next few hours they encountered several more monsters. Spiders with wings, little green goblins, scythe-birds… and every time a mob struck, they managed to defeat them. Procyon lost a few throwing stars, but he had many and this was expected anyway. Sylvie's language became very colorful as she shouted magic spells and hurled them at their enemies. Procyon, surprised but not unpleased to see this side of her, watched in amusement and teased her about it afterwards.

"Did you really just call that spider a dirty feather-brained dipstick?"

"I didn't really think about it at the time-" Sylvie tried to explain, "I told you I just say whatever pops into my head… it's just so I can concentrate better. I'm sorry."

"You're awesome!" Procyon laughed.

"So, you're not mad about me calling you a-?"

"Let's not talk about that."

They proceeded until midday when they found a spot to rest and enjoy a meal. While they sat and ate, Procyon remarked that the people must not leave the village often, for there was little in the way of tracks or paths. They spotted one path early on that seemed to lead up the slopes to an orchard and farmland, but that was about it.

"Maybe they have hunters." He pondered. "But would the hunters go as far inland as we are going?"

"They used to." Sylvie said, "I think they visited Amaterasu's grave in the past. But… they have forgotten her."

"Do you know anything about Ama- Amtaris-" He stuttered, "...the sun goddess?"

"A little," She replied, "I know a few stories. They're just fairy tales, though. These people here believe in her. Surely she exists."

After their meal they proceeded onward, battling a few monsters here and there. The monster charms seemed to be a good deterrent, and when that wasn't enough a well-thrown dagger or a strong spell scared them off easily.

But Procyon soon discovered a reason to pursue them. "They drop gil?" He asked incredulously as a bird disintegrate into the ground, coins falling where it had been before.

"You didn't know?" Sylvie asked him.

"No… how would I?"

She shrugged and kept going, but Procyon scooped the coins up. They would likely have need of them later.

When it began to grow dark they pitched their tent and attempted to start a fire, but the undergrowth was so tight that's Sylvie feared they would set the whoke canopy ablaze. It was warm, anyway. They would make it through the night just fine.

Sylvie awoke that night to the sound of something shifting about outside of her tent. She opened the door and peeked out, spotting movement. Something was ruffling through their packs.

With a carefully aimed lightning bolt she zapped the critter, a raccoon of some sort, and it scurried away with a squeak. Procyon stepped out of his tent, groggy. The two picked up the backpacks and what food had been scattered around and slept through the rest of the night, but in the morning they counseled on what to do. In the end they decided that leaving the charms up did not deterr beasts on its own, and they would try and find a good spot to build a fire the very next night.

It was sometimes past midday of their second march when Sylvie suddenly stopped walking. Procyon nearly bumped into her, not having been paying much attention.

"Woah, why'd we stop?" He asked, but she didn't answer. She remained still for a moment longer and then turned to look to her left and began to run in that direction.

"Where are we going?" He called, but she didn't stop. Having no choice but to follow, he kept up with her until they reached the edge of a cliff. She crouched at the edge of it and peered down. There appeared to be a mine of some sort protruding from the edge of the hill. Rough looking men came in and out of the hole, carrying bags of some unknown substance. They weren't villagers. They were pirates, just like the ones in Suleiman's fleet.

"Do you think they're doing something wrong?" Procyon asked her.

"They're mining for explosives." Sylvie said, "I saw them lighting cannons with the stuff in those bags."

"You had a vision?" Procyon asked, "Is there something we need to do?"

"...No." She replied, "We need to avoid them, that's all. Let's go around this way so we don't run into their line of travel."

As they proceeded through the jungle, taking the long way around the canyon, Procyon wondered about the pirates. The townsfolk clearly saw them as protectors. Were they? Maybe they weren't all bad people, but there were a good many of them that seemed to be drunk on power. And this made them something that inspired awe in the people. Fear, however, wasn't the same thing as respect.

That evening they set up camp in a more secluded spot, and attempted to get a small fire going. The night passed well, and they were undisturbed, but despite this Sylvie seemed restless. The next morning, after their bags were packed, they continued to head deeper into the island, and eventually they ran into some sort of ancient track. Following it led them to the top of a small hill, one which rose above the tree line and gave them a good view of the world. They could see what looked like the tip of the village to their left, and to their right were several great mountains. The island was much bigger than they initially thought.

"How are we going to find ONE mountain?" Procyon groaned.

"The people wouldn't have settled a village far from the grave of their goddess." Sylvie replied. "It must be in one of the nearby ones."

"Well, I suppose- hey, what's that?'

Procyon pointed ahead to where one could see a plume of smoke rising just above the level of the trees before dispersing. Was someone else camping out there?

After a brief walk they reached the spot where the smoke had been rising, and they found something strange. An abandoned campsite. There was food around, tents, supplies… but no people. It was completely empty.

"Do you think they left and will be back soon?" Sylvie asked.

"Maybe. But I would have left a lookout myself." Procyon examined the embers for on the fire and wondered. Had they been led there? Or had something happened to the people who had originally made camp there?

He sensed a change in the atmosphere and whirled around to see that Sylvie was readying a magic spell. Something was moving in the bushes.

Procyon prepared his daggers, but hesitated to strike. What if it was just one of the inhabitants of the campsite? He couldn't kill anyone, not without a reason.

From behind the bush stepped a pirate, a rather scrawny one to be sure, who did not appear much of a threat.

"Who are you guys?" He asked.

"Erm…"

"Oh." The pirate chuckled and called behind him. "Hey guys, there's still a few left back here. I thought you said you got em all."

"Run…" Sylvie whispered, and Procyon didn't hesitate to obey. They dashed into the tree line, ignoring the shouts of the scrawny pirate and his buddies. But they didn't run far. At Sylvie's request Procyon swung them up into a tree, and from the branches they watched an armed group of pirates look for them, and eventually give up.

"Idiot… how could you lose two kids?" a larger pirate asked.

"You're one to talk!" The first pirate shouted, "You lost them earlier!"

"You should have been prepared!" the large pirate huffed.

"WHY would they return to a campsite we had already conquered?! It was your idea to take the prisoners to the boss before we raided their supplies!"

"Well…" the big pirate scratched his head, "You should have stayed and watched better! Captain Wako would kill us if he knew we let two of the intruders escape."

"You mean… we won't tell him?" The scrawny pirate looked up at his partner nervously.

"..."

"..."

"...Were you going to tell him?"

"Tell him what?"

"Of course. Let's gather up the stuff and head back. I'm sure those kids won't show up again." The big guy patted his own shoulder, "Not after we scared them off!"

The two laughed nervously and headed back. Procyon and Sylvie followed, watching as they gathered up the supplies from the camp. They had heard enough to infer what had happened.

"I'm not sure who these folks are…" Procyon muttered, "But I don't think what they're doing is right. What do you think?"

"We're going to follow them." Sylvie whispered, "I want to see where they took their prisoners. This… I think this is what has been making the spirits on this island unhappy. This band of pirates… they're just like the ones from the mine we saw."

"Bad?"

"Maybe, but I think that's oversimplifying things."

"Oh."

"Lets keep our distance and keep an eye on them from up here." Sylvie said, "I don't think we'll be able to find Amaterasu until this is dealt with anyway. She can't awaken when the island is in turmoil."

"What are we waiting for the?" Procyon said, excited about this new development. "Let's go!"